USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 24
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Ever since his return from military service, Mr. Peckham has taken a very active part in civic af- fairs. Since 1919 he has been a member of the Newport City Council, and since 1929 has been its chairman. He is a member of the Republican City Committee and since 1924 has served as a member of the Rhode Island State Board of Edu- cation.
For many years Mr. Peckham has been promi- nently active in Masonic affairs. He is a member and Past Master of St. Paul's Lodge, No. 14, Free and Accepted Masons; a member of New- port Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; De Blois Coun- cil, of Royal and Select Masters; Washington Commandery, No. 4, Knights Templar, of which he is a Past Commander; and the Rhode Island Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he holds the thirty-second degree. He is also a member of Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Kolah Grotto, Mystic Order, Veiled Prophets of the En- chanted Realm; and the Narragansett Bay So- journers. Other organizations, in which Mr. Peck- ham maintains membership, include the following : Newport Lodge, No. 104, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, of which he is the treas- urer; Kappa Gamma Chi Fraternity; Newport Post, American Legion; the Harvard clubs of New York City and of Boston; the Miantonomi Club; the Wanumetonomy Golf Club; the New- port Chamber of Commerce; the Ida Lewis Yacht Club and the Newport Lions Club, of which he is past president. Mr. Peckham's prominence as a successful corporation lawyer is well established. He is a member of the board of directors of the Newport Trust Company, and vice-president and a director of the Community Hotel Corporation, of Newport, Rhode Island. His religious affilia- tion is with the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Mr. Peckham married, in 1927, Margaret Camp- bell, a native of Newport.
SYDNEY De BLOIS HARVEY-Mr. Har- vey, born in Newport, has been a lifelong resident of this city, and on both his parents' sides is a member of old and prominent Rhode Island fam- ilies. With the exception of the early years of his career, in which he was engaged in business, he has been connected with the judiciary branch of the State Government. For almost a quarter of a century he has been clerk of the Superior Court at Newport, which responsible position he has
filled with ability, faithfulness and efficiency. Major Harvey is also prominently active in fra- ternal circles, belongs to several patriotic and mili- tary organizations, has taken a leading part in civic affairs for many years, has to his credit fourteen years of active service with the Newport Artillery Company, and thus, through the great variety and usefulness of his various interests, stands as a fine example of the vigorous, public-spirited and effective citizen.
Sydney De Blois Harvey was born in Newport, April 30, 1875, a son of the late Rev. Charles E. and Nettie P. (Tew) Harvey. His father, a na- tive of South Kingstown, was a Baptist minister and later served as clerk of the Supreme Court of Newport County. His mother, also deceased, was a native of Newport. Mr. Harvey received his education in the public schools of his native city and then attended Bryant & Stratton's Business College at Providence. Having completed his course there, he became associated with Armour & Company, with which well known packing house he was connected for three and one-half years as a salesman. At the end of this period he accepted a position in the county courthouse in Newport. Until 1904 he held various positions there and then he was appointed deputy clerk of the Superior Court at Newport. Three years later, in 1907, he became clerk of this court, in which capacity he has continued to serve ever since. He is one of the popular and highly respected public officials in Newport, his popularity being based as much on his efficiency as on his attractive personality. Mr. Harvey has also taken a leading part in politics, being a supporter of the Republican party. He is secretary of the Republican City Committee and for fifteen years was a member of the Newport Representative Council. He is also a member of the Newport Cemetery Commission.
In 1893 Mr. Harvey enlisted in the Newport Artillery Company, with which he served continu- ously until 1907, when he was retired with the rank of major. During the Spanish-American War he served in Company F, Ist Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, being mustered out in March, 1899, with the rank of regimental quartermaster sergeant. During the World War he had complete charge of all naturalization work in Newport and also served as an inspector of explosives in some of the local munition factories. He is a member of A. A. Barker Camp, Spanish War Veterans, of which he is a past president; Thomas Camp, Span- ish War Veterans; and the State Board for Sol- diers' Relief, of the executive committee of which
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he is secretary. Major Harvey is also connected with numerous fraternal organizations, including the following : St. John's Lodge, No. I, Free and Accepted Masons; Newport Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; De Blois Council, Royal and Select Mas- ters; Redwood Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of which he is a past chancellor and the captain of Uniform Rank Davis Company; Weenat-Shassith Tribe, No. 6, Improved Order of Red Men; and Newport Lodge, No. 104, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks. His religious affiliation is with the Channing Memorial Unitarian Church of New- port.
Major Harvey married, in 1908, Irene Barlow, like himself a native of Newport. Major and Mrs. Harvey are the parents of two sons: Charles E., and Sydney D., Jr.
FRANK FLOYD NOLAN-A native of Utah, but a resident of Newport during practically all of his life, Frank Floyd Nolan has been for many years, one of the leaders of the Newport bar. As a lawyer he has to his credit a successful ca- reer, covering more than four decades.
Frank Floyd Nolan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, January 6, 1859, a son of James and Ellen (Welsh) Nolan, the latter, a native of County Cork, Ireland, and both now deceased. James Nolan was a native of County Carlow, Ireland, and for many years until his death was superin- tendent of the Old Colony Railroad at Newport. He was a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served with the 3d Regiment of Artillery. After the war he became a member of the Newport Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Frank Floyd Nolan came to Newport early in life, received his early education in the public grammar and high schools of this city and graduated from Rodgers High School. Later he attended Holy Cross College at Worcester, Massachusetts. He then read law in the office of the Hon. William P. Sheffield of New- port. Admitted to the Rhode Island bar in 1887, he has been successfully engaged in the practice of law in Newport since, with offices in recent years at No. 250 Thames Street. His standing in the legal profession is of the highest, and for several years he has been president of the Newport Bar Association. He is also a member of the Rhode Island State Bar Association since its formation. In politics Mr. Nolan is a supporter of the Demo- cratic party and he has been active and prominent in his party's work, being a member of the Demo-
cratic City Committee and of the Democratic State Central Committee. At various times he has also held important local public offices, having served for one year as city solicitor of Newport, for two years as clerk of the Newport Superior Court, and for four years as a member of the Newport School Committee. He is also a director of the Newport Beach Association. During the World War he was a member of the local legal advisory board under the Selective Service Act. He is a member of Newport Lodge, No. 104, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks, the Newport Democratic Club, and the Newport branch of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, of which latter he is president. His religious affiliations are of the Catholic faith and he is a member of St. Joseph's Church of Newport.
Mr. Nolan married, in 1891, Mary A. Carey, now deceased, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Nolan had one son, John H. Nolan.
HARRY HOROVITZ-A native of Russia, but a resident of the United States since his early childhood, Mr. Horovitz received his education in the public schools of Providence and, after having been connected with several business houses for a few years, was active in the jewelry trade. Since 1908, with the exception of two years, he has been with the Rhode Island State Department of Agri- culture, in which he has risen to the important po- sition of chief inspector and superintendent of field work. His work naturally has brought him in contact with a very large number of fellow- citizens in all parts of the State and he is every- where known for his efficiency, courtesy, and pleas- ing personality. He has been very active in poli- tics, taking a leading part in the affairs of several important Republican committees and having served for a number of years in the House of Representatives.
Harry Horovitz was born in Russia, December I, 1886, a son of Abraham and Rebecca (Sheffres) Horovitz. Both his parents were natives of Russia, from which country they came with their son many years ago. Mr. Horovitz's father was successfully engaged in the painting and paper-hanging busi- ness. After coming to the United States, the Horo- vitz family settled in Providence and it was in the public schools of this city that Mr. Horovitz re- ceived his education. After leaving school he went to New York City and worked as an errand boy for a railroad ticket broker for one year. The next two years he spent with a millinery orna-
Pardon S. Jastram
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ment concern and then returned to Providence, where he was in the jewelry trade until 1908. In that year he became associated with the Rhode Island State Department of Agriculture, starting as a field worker. Two years later, in 1910, he left the department and for the next two years was associated with the United States Department of Agriculture. At the end of that period, in 1912, he returned to the Rhode Island State Department of Agriculture and in the following year, 1913, he was made foreman of the field crew. In 1914 he assumed full charge of the field work of the de- partment, serving in that capacity until 1927, when he became chief inspector and superintendent of all field work carried on by the department. His office is located in room No. 310, State House. For many years Mr. Horovitz has been active and prominent in the ranks of the Republican party. During 1922-28 he served as chairman of the Third Ward Republican Committee and he was chairman of the Seventh Assembly District Re- publican Committee. Elected to the Rhode Island State Legislature from the Seventh Assembly Dis- trict of Providence to finish the unexpired term of Jacob A. Eaton, he served in the House of Repre- sentatives during 1922-28, inclusive. He was a member of the House Militia Committee and later of the Judiciary Committee. In his last term he was a member of the House Finance Committee. Active in Masonic affairs, he is a member of Roosevelt Lodge, No. 42, Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters ; and the Providence Masonic Club. He also be- longs to the Tall Cedars of Lebanon and to Gar- field Lodge, No. 7, Knights of Pythias, and he is secretary of the Touro Fraternal Association. He is very fond of outdoor life and finds his recrea- tion chiefly in hiking and camping.
Mr. Horovitz married, in 1927, Rose Bock, of New York City, a daughter of Sol and Flora (Bock) Bock.
PARDON SHELDON JASTRAM-For more than forty years Pardon Sheldon Jastram was a well-known and highly respected business man of Providence, while even before that he had attained the admiration of the people by a fine military rec- ord of Civil War service with the volunteers from Rhode Island. He was a man of great personal attractiveness, genial and sociable, enjoying the
company of congenial spirits and possessed of a quick wit and a ready flow of intelligent conver- sation. He was self-effacing and unobtrusive, al- ยท though when called upon to assist in any public activity that appeared to be promoted for the bene- fit of the community as a whole, he was quick to respond and achieved results that met with the approval of all. He did a great deal of valuable work in the interests of the commercial prosperity of Providence and wrote his name high on the rolls of its citizenship.
He was born in Providence, November 18, 1838, a son of George H. and Maria (Bigelow) Jastram, his father having been associated with the Provi- dence National Bank and a trustee of the Provi- dence Institution for Savings. An athlete in his college days, he was a member of the crew of Brown University, from which he was graduated in 1860. With the coming of the Civil War he volunteered for service and became a private in the First Rhode Island detached militia, taking part in the battle of Bull Run during the early days of the great conflict. At the conclusion of his three months' term of enlistment he again volun- teered and this time was commissioned a second lieutenant and soon was promoted to first lieu- tenant of Battery E, Ist Rhode Island Light Artil- lery, commanded by Captain George Randolph. He remained with this unit from December, 1862, to May, 1863, when he was ordered on detached serv- ice as assistant adjutant-general of the Artillery Brigade, 3d Corps, Army of the Potomac. Hon- orably mustered out at the conclusion of the war, he went to California in search of gold, but soon returned to the East and for a time was employed in a Boston bank. Eventually settling in the city of his birth, he became associated with the old Union Oil Company, of which he became assistant treasurer and secretary. For nineteen years he was secretary of the Providence Atheneum, giving excellent service and earning many fine tributes from the people. He was an active member of the University Club and was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, and of the Zeta Psi college fraternity. His death occurred on January 29, 1918.
Pardon Sheldon Jastram married Julia Adie Brown. Their children were: I. Edward Perkins, born in Providence, December 1, 1873, a graduate of Brown University with the class of 1895, when he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts; gradu- ate of the Law School of Harvard University in 1898, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He
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was admitted to the Rhode Island bar in 1898, and since 1903 has been a member of the law firm of Edwards and Angell, of Providence. He is a mem- ber of the Rhode Island Bar Association, is a Re- publican in politics and a Unitarian in religion, and belongs to the University, Rhode Island Coun- try and Wannamoisett Country clubs. He married, October II, 1914, Laura N. Whitney, of Brook- line, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of : Whitney, deceased; Edward Perkins, Jr.,; and Philip. 2. Julia A., married Earl C. Whitaker, of Barrington, Rhode Island, and they are the parents of two children: Earl C., Jr., and Catherine.
Pardon Sheldon Jastram will long remain in the memories of the older generation of Providence, who knew him best, as a man of great geniality in his hours of leisure and as a keen business ex- ecutive at other times. He was fond of good liter- ature and felt reading essential to maintaining in constant flow the activities of a vibrant mentality. He was a fine citizen and a worthy example in his daily life that may well be followed by the genera- tion that has succeeded him in doing the world's work.
HOWARD VERNON ALLEN-Member of an old and distinguished Rhode Island family, which has been prominent in the life of this State in every generation, Howard V. Allen inherits many of the characteristic traits of his ancestors, and through his career has shed new luster on an ancient name. As banker and business executive at East Greenwich, he is very well known in the commercial life of the State.
Mr. Allen is a direct descendant of William Allen, founder of the family in America, from whom the line runs through John, Thomas, Thomas (2), Judge John Allen, and Thomas Gould Allen, great-grandfather of Howard V. Allen of this record.
Thomas Gould Allen, son of Judge John Allen, was born on September I, 1778, at North Kings- town, Rhode Island. He was a leader in the com- munity life and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all his fellow-citizens. He married Mary Hill, and they were the parents of nine children, of whom the sixth child and first son was Daniel Gould.
He was born on December 28, 1810, at Kings- town, and died there on January 16, 1895, when over eighty-four years of age. As a boy he at- tended the local schools, and in 1831 went to Wilbraham, Massachusetts, where he was pre-
pared for college. In 1833 he entered Wesleyan College, where he took the scientific course and was graduated with the class of 1839. These and the other details concerning the Allen family are well known in Rhode Island and have previously been recorded in standard histories of the State. Daniel Gould Allen had already determined upon teaching as a career, and having completed his preparation for that important calling returned to Rhode Island, where he purchased the old Kent Academy and opened a school. This institution under his able guidance, grew in popularity and soon became one of the high ranking preparatory schools of the State. For two years Mr. Allen de- voted himself with tireless energy to the upbuild- ing of the school, and in 1841 sold it to the Provi- dence conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1843 he was appointed its principal and continued to act in that capacity during that and the following year. Upon the close of the school session in 1844, however, he retired from this pro- fession and came to live on his farm at Kingstown, near East Greenwich, where he built the handsome old residence which still stands there. Mr. Allen was greatly interested in local history, and in the latter years of his life he devoted much time to the writing of the "History of Quidnesset Coun- try." Joining the Republican party upon its organi- zation, he was active in party councils in the State and held a number of important public offices, in- cluding the positions, president of the town schools, moderator at town meetings, president of the Town Council, justice of the peace, and, in 1850, a mem- ber of the Rhode Island State Legislature. He married, on November 26, 1840, Amanda Water- man Allen, daughter of Colonel Ray Green Allen. On November 26, 1890, they celebrated their fifty golden years of happy life together, amidst the congratulations and best wishes of their friends. Mr. Allen died on January 16, 1895, and his wife in September, 1904. They were the parents of six children of whom Charles Henry, father of How- ard Vernon of this record, was the second.
Charles Henry Allen was born on July 1, 1844, at East Greenwich, Rhode Island. His education was obtained at the local public schools, and at Kent Academy, East Greenwich, of which his father had been the principal. Upon reaching the age of twenty-one, he went to Providence, where he secured employment in the works of the Gorham Company with the intent of learning the silver- smith's trade, but three years later he became associated with Brown and Sharpe, manufacturers of sewing machines, with whom he remained for
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some years. Later he spent a period of ten years in association with his uncle, Thomas Gould Allen, engaged in the grain, coal, and lumber business at East Greenwich, Rhode Island. After two final years with Brown and Sharpe, he retired from active business life and took up his residence on the home farm, selling this property in September, 1918, and removing to East Greenwich. He was long an active member of several organizations, including the Rhode Island Chapter of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. On No- vember 13, 1877, Charles Henry Allen married Nellie Louise Clapp, of Pomfret, Connecticut, and they were the parents of one child, Howard Ver- non Allen, whose name heads this review.
Following his preliminary education and the completion of the commercial course at the East Greenwich Academy, Howard Vernon Allen began the business of life in the employ of the Commer- cial National Bank of Providence. This was in 1893, and the first position which he held was that of clerk. He was strongly determined to succeed, however, and his industry won him advancement to higher positions in the organization. Gradually his ability became recognized, and in 1900, when the Manufacturers' Trust Company bought out the East Greenwich National Bank, with the East Greenwich Institution for Savings, and opened the East Greenwich branch of the Manufacturers' Trust Company, Mr. Allen was offered and ac- cepted the position of assistant manager. For a period of eight years he occupied this office with efficiency and success, and in 1908 he became man- ager, when the Union Trust Company succeeded the Manufacturers' Trust Company in the control of the banking business of this section. This con- nection has since been continued, and in the guid- ance of his institution Mr. Allen has achieved a record of genuine distinction. He is widely recog- nized as one of the most able men in Rhode Island financial circles.
In addition to his other interests, Mr. Allen has entered the real estate field, and is a member of the firm known as the Howard Vernon Allen Estate Agency, dealers in real estate. He is a member of the East Greenwich Chamber of Com- merce, and has served as president of that body, while since November, 1912, he has served con- tinuously as treasurer of the town of Warwick. He is a Republican in his political convictions, a member and past president of the Rhode Island Society, Sons of the American Revolution, presi- dent of the Visiting Nurses Anti-Tubercular So- ciety of East Greenwich, major of the Varnum
Continentals, a patriotic military organization of the place, and captain of the 16th Company of the Rhode Island State Guard. He is also chairman of Rhode Island Conference of Business Associa- tions, and lieutenant-colonel, on retired list, 243d Coast Artillery of Rhode Island Guard. Mr. Allen has taken a very active and energetic part in worthy civic movements, and in all organized en- terprises during the World War for the support of the American cause. He acted as chairman in the Red Cross organization and United War Work Campaign, and as vice-chairman of the Warwick district in the Liberty Loan drives, contributing generously of his time and substance in all their work. Mr. Allen is affiliated fraternally with the Free and Accepted Masons, and in this order is a member and Past Master of King Solomon Lodge, No. II. He is a member and vestryman of St. Luke's Episcopal Church of East Greenwich.
On December 16, 1903, Howard Vernon Allen married Alice Whitford Butts, of Providence, a daughter of George F. Butts of this city. They are the parents of two children: I. Vernon Sterns, born on March 16, 1906. 2. Kenneth Gould, born on October 18, 1912.
MORRIS STEINERT-For Morris Steinert, a musical education received in his native Germany brought not only an appreciation of the great mas- ters and an ability to play several instruments while still very young, but filled him with a desire to enrich the lives of those around him by impart- ing to them some of the love of music that was his. When he came to the United States, he became the founder of what was an outstanding organization of its kind in New England, that of M. Steinert and Sons, dealers in music and musical instru- ments. But he found his life's work, not in the commercial field alone, but in the training of others for fuller appreciation of the beautiful things of life, in the sponsoring of some of the finest musical developments that have taken place in the New World. And he, along with others, was responsible in a degree for the improvement in the standards of American music, for the pro- motion of the best programs on the part of per- formers and for a more understanding perception of these programs on the part of audiences.
Mr. Steinert was born in Scheinfeld, Kingdom of Bavaria, on March 9, 1831. He attended the town schools of his native place, and while still
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very young possessed a yearning and a great love for music. He received his first instruction in this art from the cantor of the local church, and learned to play the clavichord. Later, under the Stadt Musikus, he learned the flute and the violin. He studied pianoforte under Herr Schutz. As time went on, he traveled through Germany, Russia, and Finland, engaged in musical work; and after a short period in France, came to America in the sailing vessel, "Jenny Lind." Arriving on this side of the Atlantic, he played in orchestras and worked for a minstrel for a time, his favorite instrument being now the violoncello.
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