USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 27
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He married, in St. James' Protestant Episcopal Church, Providence, June 25, 1921, Susan Helen Kenyon, daughter of Charles Segar and Nellie May (Campbell) Kenyon. Their children are: I. Win- field Scott, Jr., born April 3, 1922. 2. Marjory Campbell, born November 19, 1923.
JOHN CARTER BROWN WOODS-As lawyer and public-spirited citizen, John Carter Brown Woods has rendered valuable service to his city and State, and in the history of Rhode Island has taken a prominent part. A native of Providence, he has spent most of his life there, and has held many important positions in numer- ous organizations and institutions associated with the best interests of his home town and State.
Mr. Woods was born in Providence, Rhode Is- land, on June 12, 1851, son of Marshall and Anne
Brown (Francis) Woods. He descended from several of the nation's oldest families. Among his early ancestors were: John Marshall, who came to this country from England on the "Hopewell" in 1635; Lieutenant Isaac Marshall (1736-1813), participant in the French and Indian and Revolu- tionary Wars; Philip Francis, mayor of Plym- outh, England, 1644, Royalist; John Brown Francis (1791-1864), Governor of Rhode Island, United States Senator and Chancellor of Brown Univer- sity. Chad Brown, who arrived in Boston on the ship "Martin" in July, 1638, and who came the same year to Providence, and was a signer in "The Compact," whereby the participants bound them- selves to obey orders and agreements made by the major assent of the majority, "but only in civil things." John Brown (1736-1803), eminent mer- chant, distinguished in many ways, who was a leader and organizer of the party that destroyed the British armed schooner "Gaspee," in Narra- gansett Bay on June 17, 1772; he furnished military arms and supplies for the Continental armies; he built and lived in the fine brick house at Power and Benefit streets, importing the materials from Europe in his own ships; he served terms in the Rhode Island General Assembly, and Congress. Nicholas Brown (1769-1841), brother of John, dis- tinguished merchant, philanthropist, benefactor of Brown University, that was given his name; like his brother, he contributed similar and other needs to the Continental armies. John Carter (1745- 1814), printer, publisher, journalist, patriot, a warm supporter of the cause of independence, one time apprentice of Benjamin Franklin; was owner and publisher of the "Providence Gazette," the first newspaper published in Providence.
Samuel Woods (1686-1763) came from England to America, settling in Chelmsford, Massachu- setts, in 1700; he married, in 1717, Mary Parker, daughter of John Parker. They were the parents of Samuel Woods ( 1722-1808), father of the Rev. Abel Woods (1765-1850), who was the father of Alva Woods, D. D. (1794-1887), one time Baptist minister in various places; president of Transyl- vania University, president of University of Ala- bama, professor of Columbia University, profes- sor and president ad interim Brown University. He married Almira Marshall, a descendant of five passengers on the "Mayflower" (William Brewster, William Bradford, Isaac Allerton, Richard Warren, Francis Cooke).
Marshall Woods (1824-99), son of Rev. Alva Woods, and the father of the man whose name heads this review, was a prominent figure in the financial world, and was a trustee (1856-99) and
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treasurer (1866-82) of Brown University, as well as a director in the Providence Bank, the Provi- dence Arcade Corporation, and other institutions. He was also United States Commissioner for Rhode Island at the Paris Exposition of 1855, and was a member of the committee on art. Among his other activities, Marshall Woods saw military service during the War of the Rebellion, as a member of the Providence Horse Guards.
John Carter Brown Woods completed his pre- liminary education at the private school of the Rev. Charles Wheeler, and became a student at Brown University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1872, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He delivered the classical oration at Commencement. From the same institution he re- ceived his Master of Arts degree in 1875. He took up the study of law for his career, going for this purpose to the Harvard University Law School, which awarded him his Bachelor of Laws degree in 1874. In that year he was admitted to the bar in Rhode Island, and later to the bar of the Circuit Court of the United States, and since then has been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. He soon began to take an important part in the business and professional life of his home and State. In 1884 he was chosen a trustee of Brown University, and has held this place of honor ever since. From 1895 to 1907 he served as a trustee of the Rhode Island Institute for the Deaf; while from 1886 to 1920 he was a director of the Providence National Bank. Between the years of 1907 and 1909, he was a director of the Providence National Exchange Bank; between 1888 and 1925 of the Providence Arcade Corpora- tion; and from 1894 to 1895, of the Rhode Island School of Design, representing Brown University. Into these different enterprises Mr. Woods put that same full measure of energy and enthusiasm that characterized all his work.
But his interests did not end there. He also took part, from a very early period, and still does so, in the civic and social affairs of his city and State. From 1877 to 1885 he was a member of the Providence Common Council, while from 1881 until 1885 he served as president of that legislative body. From 1881 to 1887 he was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, while from 1891 to 1892, and again, from 1894 to 1897, he held a seat in the State Senate. From 1879 to 1896 he was a member of the Providence Repub- lican City Committee, of which he was chairman from 1886 to 1893; and, from 1890 to 1893, held a place in the Republican State Central Committee.
At all times he was an active and loyal supporter of the Republican party and its policies and prin- ciples. From 1881 to 1885, the same period in which he acted as president of the Common Coun- cil of the city, he also served on the school com- mittee, and in that field did valuable work. Mr. Woods, among his other public services, was a member of the Rhode Island State Board of Charities and Corrections from 1892 to 1898, and chairman of it from 1895 to 1898. From 1892 to 1895 he was a member of the first commission on Geological Survey of the State, and the Rhode Island Commission to Erect a State Armory at Providence from 1892 to 1923. He was president of the State Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, having served in that post from 1888 to 1900; and was also clerk, from 1877 to 1891, of the Charitable Baptist Society of Provi- dence, and a moderator of that Society from 1891 to 1900.
Mr. Woods is a member of a number of im- portant organizations, some of them having to do with his own professional work and others with the general civic and social affairs of the commu- nity and State. He belongs to the American Bar Association, the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Rhode Island Historical Society, the Archaeo- logical Institute of America, the Providence Athenaeum, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Soci- ety of Colonial Wars, the Harvard Law School Association of Rhode Island, the Society for Pre- vention of Cruelty to Children, the Rhode Island Hospital, the Butler Hospital, and the Providence Lying-in Hospital. He is a member of the follow- ing clubs and associations: Hope (a founder, board of governors 1875-88, 1892-98, vice-presi- dent 1875-81, president 1892-98), Brown Uni- versity (Providence and New York), Squantum, Agawam Hunt, Providence Art, Turks Head, East Side Skating, The Players, Newport Clam- bake, Newport Reading Room, Harvard of Rhode Island, Pow Pow of Harvard.
Mr. Woods has travelled extensively abroad. He has a very unusually fine collection of statu- ary and paintings, including some of the old masters, and those of two and three generations ago; some that might serve as museum exhibits.
Mr. Woods' taste runs to photography and re- search, especially in genealogical lines. He has contributed to the several prominent genealogical publications, and has written up the history of his own, and allied, as well as other families.
Mr. Woods is unmarried.
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JOHN MCLAUGHLIN-A man of enterprise, ambition and energy, the late John Mclaughlin, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, decided to go into busi- ness for himself, when he was a mere lad of seven- teen years of age. Starting his business operations at that time with a very small capital, his excep- tional ability and industry brought him compara- tively quick success and for many years he was one of the most successful and substantial business men of his native town. Both in the lumber busi- ness and as a contractor and road builder he met with marked success, the more creditable to him because it was the result of his own unaided efforts. He was also widely known and greatly ad- mired for his many fine qualities of heart and mind, for his kindness and generosity, and for his continuous and sincere interest in the welfare of his native town and of its people.
John McLaughlin was born in the town of Cum- berland, October 14, 1852, at the Mclaughlin homestead on Mendon Road near Sneechaconnet Park, a son of John and Maria (O'Neil) Mc- Laughlin. Both his parents were natives of Ire- land, from which country they had come to the United States in their youth. His father was a successful farmer, and the farm which he operated many years is still owned by one of his descend- ants. John Mclaughlin was one of three chil- dren, the others being: James and Ellen. John Mclaughlin received his early education in the public schools of Cumberland, then graduated from Bryant & Stratton's Business College. After leav- ing school he was employed for about three years in the local rubber shops. In 1870 he decided to go into business for himself, and borrowing a small sum of money, he bought a pair of horses, which he chose with such good judgment that he was able to resell them two weeks later at a profit of two hundred dollars. This really was the be- ginning of his career, for with this small initial capital he laid the foundation of his later lum- ber business. He bought wood lots and commenced to operate sawmills and met with such success that he employed thirty other people. Later he en- gaged in road construction business and in that field became one of the largest and most success- ful operators in that part of Rhode Island, where he made his home throughout his entire life. Among the other enterprises which Mr. McLaugh- lin founded was the McDuff Coal & Lumber Com- pany which is now one of the largest in Paw- tucket. In all these business operations his brother James was associated with him. Though John Mclaughlin always was deeply interested in every-
thing affecting the welfare of his native town, he steadfastly refused to hold public office. In this attitude he only made two exceptions, at one time permitting his name to be used on the Democratic ticket for a seat in the Rhode Island Senate. He also served for many years and to within a short time before his death as a fire warden. He was a member of the Warwick Club. His religious affiliation was with the Roman Catholic Church. Having removed from the family homestead to a house in the village of Cumberland, when he was ten years of age, he continued to make this house his home from then on until the day of his death. To this home and to his family in accord with his home-loving nature, he devoted the major share of his leisure time. He was a man of the strictest honesty and integrity and was greatly admired for his strength of character and for his generosity to those in need or distressed. These qualities with which he combined a remarkable ability gained him a host of friends, who always found him a loyal and genial companion.
Mr. Mclaughlin married, November 10, 1903, Elizabeth McGovern, who was born December 12, 1875, a daughter of Patrick and Mary (Blessing) McGovern. Both of Mrs. McLaughlin's parents were born in Ireland, her father dying there, while her mother, who had come to the United States after her husband's death, died at Providence. Mr. and Mrs. McLaughlin were the parents of four children : 1. Marie M., who makes her home with her widowed mother. She received her education in the schools of Cumberland, at Dean Academy at Franklin, Massachusetts, at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, of Providence, and later at the Lesley School, graduating from all. She is now teaching at Cumberland Hill, Rhode Island. 2. Elizabeth, attended the same schools as did her older sister and obtained her Arts degree from the College of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, New York, graduating in 1930. She is now a high school teacher in Central Falls, Rhode Island, re- ceiving her appointment in June, 1931. 3. John J., Jr., who graduated from La Salle Academy and then matriculated at Notre Dame University. 4. Helen, a student at the Cumberland High School, class of 1932.
At his home in the village of Cumberland, cor- ner Mendon and Sneech Pond roads, John Mc- Laughlin died suddenly from a heart attack, March 18, 1917. His funeral, which was one of the larg- est ever given Cumberland, was held at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Ashton, where a solemn high Mass of requiem was celebrated. The church
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was filled to the doors, many of those in attendance being forced to stand during the service. A cousin of Mr. McLaughlin, Rev. John F. McLaughlin, of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Providence, was celebrant of the Mass, being assisted by sev- eral other prominent clergymen. The full choir of the church assisted at the service, at the end of which Mr. Mclaughlin was laid to rest in the family lot in St. Francis' Cemetery, Providence.
The unusually large attendance at Mr. Mc- Laughlin's funeral was adequate proof of the popularity and respect which he had enjoyed in such large measure during his entire life. His sudden death was a shock and great grief to his numerous friends, not only in his native town, but to the many he had made in other parts of Rhode Island and New England. Those who knew him best admired him most for his many virtues and his memory rests secure in their hearts.
CLIFFORD WHIPPLE-Vice-president of the United Electric Railways Company, and a well-known attorney of Providence, Clifford Whipple has risen to an important position in the city's life. Thoroughly trained in his profession and widely experienced, he has proved his posses- sion of legal talents of a high order, while his services in business connections have been of great value to those organizations with which he is associated.
Mr. Whipple was born at Providence, Rhode Island, on September 17, 1873, a son of William P. and Mary C. (Johnson) Whipple, and member of an old New England family. Thomas Whipple, of Coventry, was his great-grandfather, and he served as Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Rhode Island from 1849-51. His grandfather, Cromwell Whipple, son of Thomas, was a lifelong resident of Rhode Island. Clifford Whipple's father, William P. Whipple, was for many years a member of the Providence Police Force, and rose to the office of captain of the force.
After completing his preliminary education Clif- ford Whipple entered the Providence High School, from which he was graduated in 1891. He then took up the course of study at Brown University, leading to the Bachelor of Philosophy degree, which he received in 1895. The following year he took the Master's degree. Meanwhile, however, he had determined upon a legal career, and with this in mind he read law under compe- tent supervision in the office of the Hon. Walter
B. Vincent. In 1903 he was adınitted to the bar of the State and immediately entered upon the practice of law. In this field he was at once suc- cessful and became one of the well-known mem- bers of the local bar. Mr. Whipple has also en- tered the field of commerce and industry and is now vice-president in charge of the legal depart- ment of the United Electric Railways Company.
During the period of the World War he served as a member of the legal advisory board, and he has always given his support to civic enterprises of merit. He is a member of the Republican party in politics. Among the various bodies of the men of his profession, Mr. Whipple is a member of the American Bar Association, the Rhode Island Bar Association, and the Providence Bar Club. He is also a member of the A. E. Club, the Providence Art Club, the University Club, the Hope Club, and the New England Street Rail- way Club.
On November 24, 1904, at London, England, Mr. Whipple married Florence Brandenburg, who died in 1916, a daughter of Charles A. and Carrie M. (Cochran) Brandenburg. Mr. Whipple makes his home in Providence at No. 123 Waterman Street.
JOHN EDWARD BABCOCK-Descended from one of the most prominent Rhode Island families which has been represented in this State for more than two hundred years, John Edward Babcock, of Wakefield, was a worthy scion of a race of pioneers and constructive industrialists and contributed in great measure to the progress of the community. He was respected and honored by all and lived a life of self-effacement and devo- tion to the people and their best interests. For almost half a century he worked at his task, seek- ing no reward save the appreciation that he was given, yet he was cut short in life before the com- pletion of the new bank building in which he took the greatest interest. During the Colonial period and later the Babcock family has given many prominent men to the industries of Rhode Island, outstanding among them having been the Hon. Joshua Babcock, a major-general of militia in the War of the Revolution, and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island; Colonel Henry Babcock, famous in the French and Indian War and in the Revolution, and the Rev. Stephen Babcock, who was one of the most celebrated divines of that period. There are several branches of the family in this State, John Edward being a
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representative of the one that came from Westerly and made its home in South Kingston.
He was born in Matunuck, South Kingston, Rhode Island, October 7, 1858, a son of John and Mary (Perry) Babcock, and until he was four- teen years of age attended the local public schools, then being sent by his father to the famous Friends' School in Providence, where he took the classical course and was graduated with the class of 1877. The family for generations were Quakers and Mr. Babcock was a birthright member of the Society of Friends. For a time after his grad- uation he followed the profession of teaching for a number of years. He retired from this work and became a clerk in the post office at Narragansett Pier and afterward filled clerkships with the Wakefield Institute for Savings and the Pairpoint Corporation, of New Bedford, Massachusetts. In all of these positions he displayed an unusual busi- ness talent and became widely and favorably known for his intimate knowledge of banking and financial methods in general. In 1880 he entered the service of the Wakefield National and Wake- field Savings Bank as a clerk. He was rapidly advanced and in January, 1887, was made cashier of the institution. When the institution became the Wakefield Trust Company in July, 1890, he was elected secretary and treasurer, being the youngest bank head in New England at that time. He was also a director, secretary and treasurer, and later president of the Wakefield Institution for Savings and a director of the Narragansett Pier Electric Light and Power Company, of which he was also treasurer for three years. He was additionally engaged in the fire insurance business and in it made a notable success. Al- though deeply interested in local government and frequently urged to accept office, he invariably declined the honor, save that for a year he served as a member of the school committee of South Kingston and performed a valuable service to the people in that office. His death occurred in 1926.
John Edward Babcock married, at Peace Dale, February 27, 1890, Margie Hunter Rodman, daughter of George and Kate (Hunter) Rodman, highly respected residents of Peace Dale. Her father was a veteran of the Civil War. Their children were: 1. Edith, born May 17, 1898, mar- ried Richard A. Helliwell, bank teller and director of The Wakefield Trust Company, and they are the parents of one child: Carolyn Babcock. 2. John E., Jr., a student at college.
No man ever gave more freely of his abilities to the welfare and advancement of the people than
did John Edward Babcock to those of Rhode Island. His constant thought was to be at the head of the line that drew the commercial vehicle onward and upward. He understood the value of sound financeering and conducted his enterprises in such manner as to meet the approval of fellow bankers and hold the confidence of the public. No breath of distrust ever was directed toward him, but rather there was always an air of com- plete trust and his counsel was invariably fol- lowed. Rhode Island lost one of her greatest and most useful citizens when he passed into another sphere.
DAVID O'CONNOR-One of the established business men and property owners of Providence, Rhode Island, who contributed much to the gen- eral progress of the city was the late David O'Connor.
David O'Connor was born in Providence, son of David and Bridget O'Connor, and he was edu- cated in the local schools. As a young man he was launched in business as a grocery clerk and found the business one which appealed to him and of- fered him a chance of success. He later estab- lished a store of his own, carrying a full line of fancy and staple groceries and, in the days of local option, various brands of liquor. He had an ex- cellent stock and prospered because he under- stood the demands of his trade and catered to those demands honestly and efficiently. When the national Prohibition Amendment was passed, Mr. O'Connor sold his business and retired from active pursuits. He owned considerable property, however, and was very busy taking care of his personal real estate holdings.
In politics Mr. O'Connor was staunchly Demo- cratic, ambitious for the expansion of his party and for the welfare of his city, but he was too retiring in disposition to try for political prefer- ment or prestige. He especially enjoyed his home and his horses, for he kept for a period some fine racing animals. His was a brisk, sportsmanlike nature which found its chief satisfaction in the out-of-doors. He belonged to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and to the Knights of Columbus, and was a communicant of St. Matthew's Catholic Church.
David O'Connor married Rosanna, daughter of Luke Cullen, a produce dealer of Providence, and they were the parents of four children: Mary Agnes, Gertrude G., Rose B., and Theresa A. O'Connor.
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Death came to Mr. O'Connor November 9, 1923, and brought to a close a life filled with quiet but solid accomplishment and harmonious happiness. He loved his home, his family, and his friends, and brought great happiness to those with whom he associated. His memory will long be green in their hearts, and his spirit inspire them to better and happier lives.
GEORGE HURLEY-Political and legal ac- tivities in the State of Rhode Island have been capably represented by a native son of Providence, George Hurley, who has risen to a high place in the practice of law and to important official sta- tion in the service of the Federal and State gov- ernments.
Born in Providence, November 9, 1884, George Hurley is the son of John and Mary (Donohue) Hurley. He was graduated from Brown Uni- versity with his Bachelor of Arts degree in the class of 1907. He was Rhodes scholar from Rhode Island at the University of Oxford in 1907-10. He studied law at Oxford, and subsequently com- pleted his legal training at Harvard Law School, 1910-II. Mr. Hurley entered upon the practice of law shortly after he was admitted to the bar of Rhode Island in 1912. Seven years later he helped form the firm of Knauer, Hurley & Fowler, with which he was identified from 1919 to 1925; and later he was a member of the law firm of Fitz- gerald & Higgins. He is now practicing inde- pendently.
Mr. Hurley came into political prominence in 1916, when he was the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State of Rhode Island. He was a member of the Democratic State Central Com- mittee of Rhode Island for several years and was chairman in 1921-22.
During the World War period, Mr. Hurley served as special assistant to the Department of State of the United States from October 6, 1917, to June 30, 1919, and as a representative of the War Trade Board was commissioned on foreign service as an attaché of the American Legation at Copenhagen, Denmark, until June, 1919. In 1918 and 1919 he was the American delegate on the Interallied Trade Committee for Denmark. He served as special assistant to the Alien Property Custodian in 1919. In these respective offices he was of especial aid to the government in the solution of many complex problems and in the administration of the several departmental duties, both during and just following the war.
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