USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
190
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
Born in a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, on March 2, 1856, he was a son of Lemuel Hastings and Harriet R. (Sheldon) Arnold, and a descend- ant of old and honored ancestors on both the Arn- old and Sheldon sides of his house. One of the early Arnolds who won distinction in America and who was one of Mr. Arnold's forebears, Jonathan Arnold was surgeon general in the Continental Army during the War of the American Revolu- tion. He received for his services a grant of land at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, now a well-known site. His father, Lemuel Hastings Arnold, was a busi- ness man; and he had seven children, six of them sons, who became eminently successful in different fields of endeavor. They were: I. Lemuel Has- tings. 2. Edward Sheldon. 3. Richard. 4. Harriet R. 5. Thomas Lyman, of this review. 6. Lyndon. 7. Frank W.
Several members of the family removed to Brooklyn, New York, while Thomas Lyman Arn- old was still very young, and with them he went. There he attended the public schools, and later was graduated from Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He began his business career as a clerk with W. L. Strong and Company, cotton and woolen dealers, at the age of eighteen; and with this company he continued for about five years, acquiring a wealth of experience and knowledge of commercial pro- cedure that placed him in an excellent position for the work that he was subsequently to perform. At the end of that period he was able to establish his own company, referred to above, that of Arnold and Aborn, dealers in coffee and tea, which he steered successfully through its early critical times to a place of solidity in the business world. Of this firm, he remained the executive head until his retirement about 1907.
Nor was this his only business activity; for Mr. Arnold was also interested in other enterprises, notably real estate, which he handled extensively, always with a clarity of judgment as to property values that astounded many of his associates. For instance, he purchased the Atlantic Yacht Club, held it for ten years, and sold it to the parties who later transferred it to the North German Lloyd Steamship Company, which needed the prop- erty for docking facilities. For at this pier the great ships "Bremen" and "Europa" were able to dock, although they were unable to do so else- where in the New York Harbor.
One of Mr. Arnold's interests was the sea and the water, of which he was fond. A member of the old Brooklyn Atlantic Yacht Club, he was for years its Rear Commodore. In the last years of the nineteenth century he was among the famous
yachtsmen of the world, unexcelled as an amateur racer. Owner of the "Awa" and the "Choctaw," he won scores of competitions with these and other craft, winning and keeping many coveted trophies. After 1905 he made his summer home at Charles- town, Rhode Island, where, on the waterfront, he bought a large tract of land, developing it into a fine and beautiful colony, known as "Arnolda." Here are today many fine estates, and the colony is one of Charlestown's attractive spots. In order to protect those who bought property here near the sea, Mr. Arnold later purchased "Welcome Foster Farm," the "Stanton Green Farm," and the "Abbey, Sarah, and Mary Champlin Farm." So he kept the region clear of intruders and undesir- able inroads, and at the same time, close to the water, maintained his interest in yachting, design- ing now and then in his leisure hours a number of small sailboats.
After his retirement from Arnold and Aborn, he continued his activity in real estate circles ; and, while his coffee and tea trade had been confined to the vicinity of New York City, his operations in land holdings extended throughout New Eng- land. In the Charlestown community, where he and his wife spent more and more of their time with the passing of years, the Arnolds came to be widely known; and here they took a lively interest in public affairs. They were both mem- bers of the Unitarian Church.
Thomas Lyman Arnold married, in Brooklyn, New York, on April 13, 1880, Mary N. Robin- son, daughter of George C. and Mary Lyman (Arnold) Robinson, and granddaughter of the late Governor Arnold, of Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold, after a half century of happy wedded life, celebrated, on April 13, 1930, their golden anniver- sary. With them Mr. Arnold's nephew, Thomas L. Arnold, 2d, for many years made his home, and he, since his uncle's death, has carried on the affairs of the estate.
The death of Thomas L. Arnold occurred on Friday, May 16, 1930, in Charlestown, Rhode Is- land, after a two weeks' illness. Though he was in his seventy-fifth year, he was dearly loved by his hosts of friends and acquaintances, for he had con- tributed substantially, indeed, to community life and to the business world. Many were the insti- tutions that benefited from his helpful influence and his material donations; and these, like the people who knew him and were his friends, were sufferers by his death, an event that caused wide- spread sorrow and regret. His memory will live on, however, a source of inspiration and joy to others in the years to come.
191
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
HENRY MARSH, JR .- An outstanding figure in Providence, Rhode Island, throughout his ma- ture years was the late Henry Marsh, Jr., attorney and public official. He held many offices of educa- tional and general significance and bestowed upon his duties a loyalty and integrity of spirit which placed him among the exemplary public servants especially esteemed by his community.
Henry Marsh, Jr., was born in Worcester, Mas- sachusetts, September 20, 1849, son of Henry and Mary M. A. (Doane) Marsh. He was educated in the Providence public schools and graduated from Brown University in 1871 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then read law and won his admission to the bar in 1874, continuing his studies until he commanded a wide range of information in law and passed his examinations to practice be- fore the United States Circuit Court in 1876. As his ability and intelligence made themselves felt, he came to take a larger and larger part in the affairs of the community. He was deputy clerk of the United States Circuit Court and the Federal District Court from 1882 to 1892, and United States Commissioner from 1881 to 1908. In 1906 Mr. Marsh was clerk of the Municipal Court in Providence, and he was for a time Master in Chancery.
In the meantime, Mr. Marsh was participating actively in civic affairs. He was a member of the Providence School Committee from the First Ward from 1905 to 1925, and he was the oldest com- mittee member from the point of view of service. He was highly esteemed in Providence, where he died January 22, 1929, at the age of seventy-nine.
Henry Marsh, Jr., married Mary Ida Gilder- sleeve, daughter of James Stewart and Harriet (Watson) Gildersleeve, and member of a distin- guished Long Island family. Mrs. Marsh died February 4, 1908. A son survives, Henry Gilder- sleeve Marsh, whose record accompanies this (q. v.).
A modest man, in spite of his ability and the importance of his public offices, Mr. Marsh had a gentle and kindly spirit and rounded out a career which won him a permanent place in the affections and memory of his fellow-townsmen.
HENRY GILDERSLEEVE MARSH-His success in insurance and his association with vari- ous important business and public activities have brought into prominence in Providence, Rhode
Island, Henry Gildersleeve Marsh, insurance broker and agent, with offices in the National Ex- change Bank Building at No. 17 Exchange Street. Mr. Marsh is also a veteran of the World War.
Henry Gildersleeve Marsh was born in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, December 24, 1888, son of Henry Marsh, Jr., whose record accompanies this (q. v.), and his wife, Mary Ida (Gildersleeve) Marsh. The father was born in Worcester, Massa- chusetts; the mother in Brooklyn, descendant of Richard Gildersleeve, Jr., born about 1728, in Hempstead, Long Island, died before February 4, 1807. He signed a declaration July 19, 1776, "as an inhabitant of Queens County promising to obey the orders of the Provincial and Continental Con- gress in defense of liberty never to fight against the Americans or help the British."
The son of this couple, subject of our record, was educated in the Providence public schools and at Brown University, where he spent three years in studying. An opportunity to enter the insurance business called him from college and into associa- tion with the Providence Washington Insurance Company, with which he was connected for eleven years. In 1922, he resigned and for eighteen months was associated with the Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford. The following year, 1923, he engaged in business for himself with offices in the Howard Building and so continued until May, 1929, when he went into partnership with Sylves- ter M. Budlong, and moved into their present offices.
This eminently successful career was interrupted by Mr. Marsh's military service during the World War. He enlisted in the United States Army Oc- tober 2, 1917, and was assigned to Company D, 30Ist Engineers, stationed at Camp Devens. His outfit sailed overseas July 14, 1918, and landed in Liverpool, England. Mr. Marsh was transferred to the Headquarters of his regiment and took part in the offensives at St. Mihiel and the Toul Sector. He was also a member of the Army of Occupation in Germany, returning to the United States on June 13, 1919, after nearly twelve months in Eu- rope. He was appointed private first class, Decem- ber II, 1917, corporal, June 1, 1918, and color ser- geant, July II, 1918. He was honorably discharged at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. Much interested in his old regiment, Mr. Marsh for ten years after the war served as secretary-treasurer of the 301st Engineers Association. He was also, in 1926, adju- tant of the Providence Post No. I, American Le- gion, of which he is a member.
In fraternal affairs also Mr. Marsh is active.
192
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
He belongs to St. Johns Lodge, No. I, and is a charter member of Overseas Lodge, No. 40, of Providence, Free and Accepted Masons. The lat- ter he served for two years as secretary. He is affiliated also with the Providence Chapter, No. I, Royal Arch Masons, Providence Council No. I, Royal and Select Masters, and St. Johns Com- mandery, Knights Templar. His college fraternity was the Phi Kappa Psi. He is first vice-president of the Associated Alumni of Brown University, and a member of the Brown Club, the British Empire Club, the Schipperke Club of America, Inc., and the Sons of the American Revolution.
Henry Gildersleeve Marsh married, October 12, 1926, Blanche Alta Goodspeed, of Providence, daughter of Lawrence P. Goodspeed, now deceased, formerly a Providence merchant, and his wife, Alta M. (Howard) Goodspeed. They reside at No. 24 Rhode Island Avenue.
MASON W. TILLINGHAST-Member of an old American family whose representatives have played an active part in many phases of New England life, Mason W. Tillinghast was long a well-known figure in Providence affairs. The tra- ditions of the family have been carried on in this State for almost three hundred years and always its members have been men of strong moral char- acter, leading useful and constructive lives.
(I) The American progenitor was the Rev. Par- don Tillinghast, who was born at Seven Cliffs, near Beachy Head, now Eastbourne, Sussex, England, in 1622. According to tradition, he became a soldier in Cromwell's army, and in 1645 left the land of his birth to cross the waters of an ocean and settle in a new land. "He came that he might be free to think what he liked and to say what he thought." Deciding to settle in New England, he became one of the original proprietors of the Providence Pur- chase, and in the early life of Providence, was one of the most prominent merchants of the town. Fre- quently he was called upon to hold public office. He served in the Colonial Assembly for six years, in the Town Council for nineteen years, and as treasurer of the town for four years. Pardon Tillinghast was one of the early preachers of the Baptist Church founded by Roger Williams. From 1678 until his death, January 29, 1717, he per- formed the ministerial office in the church at Provi- dence without remuneration. During the first sixty years of the existence of the First Baptist Church in this city, there was no regular meetinghouse,
but in 1700, at his own expense, Pardon Tilling- hast built a place of worship at the corner of North Main and Smith streets. This was the first meetinghouse in Rhode Island, and Pardon Tillinghast was the first minister of the church. In 17II he deeded the property and building to the congregation. It was later sold and the money used to build the present First Baptist Church, which was erected in 1775. Of him it was justly said: "He was as liberal a preacher as could be asked for, since he preached for nothing, and gave a meetinghouse and lot into the Church Treasury."
In 1697 Pardon Tillinghast was granted the privilege of building a wharf, which was the first to be built in the town of Providence. In connec- tion with his store he did a big business with it. Pardon Tillinghast was indeed a busy man, filling a place of large importance in the religious, com- mercial, and political life during the early history of the Providence Plantations. When his death ou- curred he was in the ninety-sixth year of his age. Pardon Tillinghast was twice married. The first name of his first wife is not known, but her sur- name was Butterworth. She died and he married (second) Lydia Taber. The children of his first marriage were: Sarah, John, and Mary. Of the second, nine children were born: Lydia, Pardon, of whom further; Philip, Benjamin, Abigail, Jos- eph, Mercy, Hannah, and Elizabeth.
(II) Pardon Tillinghast, son of the Rev. Par- don and Lydia (Taber) Tillinghast, was born on February 16, 1668. He married (first) Mary Keech, daughter of George Keech. His second wife's name was Sarah. His children were: Mary, Philip, John, of whom further; Joseph, Mercy, and Pardon.
(III) John Tillinghast, member of his family in the third American generation, was a farmer of West Greenwich, Rhode Island. He married (first) on April 8, 1714, Anne. About 1719, he married (second) Phebe Greene. He married (third) Anne, and died in West Greenwich in October, 1770. Children of the first marriage were: Amey, Mary, and Pardon. Of the second: John, Ann, Welthia, Lydia, Benjamin, and Charles, of whom further. Of the third: Thomas and Joseph.
(IV) Charles Tillinghast, son of John and Phebe (Greene) Tillinghast, was born on April 5, 1729, at East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He married (first) Mercy Greene, and (second) Abigail Allen. Charles Tillinghast lived in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, at the time of the war for independ- ence. He was appointed by the General Assembly as an officer to secure soldiers and arms for
193
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
Washington's army, and died of wounds received from Tories who had marked him for capture or death. This was in November, 1775.
(V) Of his children we consider Deacon Par- don Tillinghast, born at North Kingstown, of the second marriage, on June 8, 1765. He died on No- vember 20, 1816, at West Greenwich. He was a farmer, and as deacon of the Plains Baptist Church, conducted services there for many years. On December 18, 1785, he married Mary Sweet, daughter of Sylvester Sweet.
(VI) Sylvester Tillinghast, son of Deacon Par- don and Mary (Sweet) Tillinghast, was one of a large family, born on July 24, 1792. He was a farmer of West Greenwich, and married Mary Johnson, daughter of Benedict and Rebecca (Tal- bot) Johnson.
(VII) Daniel Tillinghast, their son, and father of Mason W. Tillinghast of this record, was born on October 29, 1815, at Voluntown, Connecticut. Much of his early life was spent in West Green- wich. By occupation he was a dealer in lumber, centering his operations in various parts of Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut. At one time, to- gether with Oliver Waterman and Emanuel Rice, he had a contract with the Hartford, Providence and Fishkill Railroad Company for five thousand cords of wood yearly. He was the first station agent at Greene, Rhode Island, and in every way was a most active and enterprising man-a leading spirit and prominent figure in civic and business enterprises of his time. For some eighteen years he was one of the moderators of the town of West Greenwich, Rhode Island. He was a strong Baptist, attending the Plains Meeting House.
Daniel Tillinghast married (first), in 1835, Alma Waite, daughter of Silas Waite. He married (sec- ond), Cynthia A. Johnson. His children, all of the first marriage, follow: I. Rhoda A., who married (first) Benjamin Barber; (second) Francis Blan- ding ; and (third) Marcus Conners. She died on April 12, 1905, at West Greenwich. 2. Henry C., who married (first) Elizabeth James, and (sec- ond) Mrs. Annie E. (Lewis) Valentine. He was a farmer at West Greenwich for many years, but later moved to Chartley, Massachusetts. 3. Sylves- ter, who married Mary Ann Potter. He died at Greene, Rhode Island, in August, 1903. 4. Abel G., who married Sarah E. Stone; they resided at Edgewood, Rhode Island. 5. Mason W., of this record. 6. Susan H., who married Gardner Wilcox, of Greene. 7. Aurilla Jane, who married (first) James Tillinghast, and (second) Moses G. Leonard,
of Putnam, Connecticut. 8. Lloyd A., who married (first) Sarah L. Corey, and (second) Laura M. Carr. 9. Emma, widow of Joseph L. Ripley, who was a well-known merchant of Providence for many years.
(VIII) Mason W. Tillinghast, son of Daniel and Alma (Waite) Tillinghast, was born on June 29, 1841, at Coventry, Rhode Island. His boyhood and early life were passed in that town and at West Greenwich. He attended the public schools, receiving the usual educational training of the day. When he was twenty-three Mr. Tillinghast set- tled permanently at Providence, and for eight years he carried on activities as a cabinet-maker. Then he became associated with his father-in-law, William E. Arnold, in the restaurant business, and a few years later became sole owner of this enterprise, which he continued independently with every suc- cess for almost a full quarter century. On Octo- ber I, 1900, he disposed of his interests to Ben- jamin Mumford and retired to private life. Mr. Tillinghast was one of the best-known business men of the city. His restaurant maintained the highest standards of quality in food and service, and was extensively patronized. For eighteen years he carried on his business at No. 12 Weybosset Street, where the Banigan Building now stands. When the building was torn down in 1895 to make way for the new block, he removed to No. 110 Westminster Street. Mr. Tillinghast was in the finest sense a self-made man, being both the archi- tect and builder of his own fortune. Popular among his fellows, he was active in support of worthy civic causes, although he had no taste for public office or club life. He was, however, a con- sistent Republican, and like members of his family in previous generations, a strong Baptist, being a member of the Plain Meeting House at West Greenwich.
Mason W. Tillinghast married (first) Laura M. Arnold, of Providence, daughter of William E. and Lucy A. (Cottrell) Arnold. She died on January 12, 1903. They were the parents of one son, William M., who died at the age of eleven months. Mr. Tillinghast married (second) on Feb- ruary 4, 1904, Mary C. Perkins, who was born in North Scituate, but who has been a resident of Providence from childhood. She is a daughter of John V. and Charlotte E. (Tucker) Perkins.
Mr. Tillinghast died on August 7, 1922. His long life was crowned with years and honor, and his passing was widely mourned.
R. I .- 13
194
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
JOHN WILLIAM KEEFE, M. D .- State and national eminence in the medical profession has come to Dr. John W. Keefe of Providence, Rhode Island, through his special skill as a sur- geon and his many notable and humane achieve- ments in a career in which his service in his chosen profession has been distinguished for nearly half a century.
John William Keefe was born of Irish parent- age in Worcester, Massachusetts, April 25, 1863, son of Denis and Alice (McGrath) Keefe. He attended the public schools, and at the age of nineteen, enrolled as a student in the Department of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Michigan, 1882-83, which had at that time many eminent men as members of its faculty, with the beloved Dr. Angell as president. Among these were: Dr. Donald McLean, surgeon; Dr. Cory- don L. Ford, anatomist; Dr. Dunster, gynecolo- gist; and Dr. Victor C. Vaughan, chemist. Among the students were Dr. William Mayo and Dr. Hubert Work. These valued associations and the spirit of the West were an inspiration to him in his later career and were a stimulus to professional work of such a character as to place Dr. Keefe among the leading surgeons of the country.
Dr. Keefe obtained his degree of Doctor of Medicine at the University Medical College, New York University, in 1884; and in 1909, Manhat- tan College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of his contribu- tions to medical literature. After graduation Dr. Keefe served as an interne at Bellevue Hospital, New York, on the surgical service, an experience which largely determined his after career. He worked there under such masters of surgery as: Dr. Lewis A. Stimson, father of the Secretary of State; Dr. Stephen Smith; Dr. Charles McBur- ney; and Dr. William S. Halstead, who was later at Johns Hopkins.
Dr. Keefe's remarkable skill as a surgeon won him recognition by his professional associates and reputation among his fellow-citizens in Rhode Island almost as soon as he had begun active practice. Within a few years his name was fa- miliar throughout the State of Rhode Island as a successful surgeon, and his services were sought constantly in difficult and unusually delicate operations, many of which were almost desperate final efforts to save life.
Dr. Keefe was very active in the foundation of St. Joseph's Hospital at Providence, which he
has since served most faithfully, and for some thirty-five years he has worked earnestly for the Rhode Island Hospital. Dr. Keefe is consult- ing surgeon at the following hospitals: Rhode Is- land, St. Joseph's, Providence Lying-In, Provi- dence City, at Providence; Westerly; Woon- socket; South County at Wakefield; Memorial at Pawtucket; and he is surgeon-in-chief to The John W. Keefe Surgery Inc., a hospital founded by Dr. Keefe for the sole treatment of surgical cases.
Dr. Keefe is a retired major in the Medical Reserve Corps, to which he was appointed by the late President Taft, and served during the Great War as a major in the Medical Department of the United States Army. He was president 1913- 1914, of the Rhode Island Medical Society; pres- ident 1916-17, of the American Association of Obstetricians, Gynecologists and Abdominal Sur- geons; president, 1924-25, of the New England Surgical Society. He was the first president of the Catholic Club of Providence which he as- sisted to found. He is a Knight of Columbus, fourth degree. For several years he was a mem- ber of the Public Welfare Commission and Commission of State Charities and Correction. He is a director of the Union Trust of Prov- idence.
His interest in surgical matters has made him a constant contributor to various journals and societies. He is a member of the following socie- ties and clubs; American Medical Association; Fellow and one of the founders of both the American College of Surgeons and the New England Surgical Society; Fellow of the Amer- ican Association of Obstetricians, Gynecologists and Abdominal Surgeons; Rhode Island Medical Society; Providence Medical Association; Belle- vue Hospital Alumni Association; Friday Night Medical Club; American Legion; Hope Club; Catholic Club; and Rhode Island Country Club.
On April 24, 1895, John William Keefe mar- ried Statia Sherman Maher, daughter of Thomas Sherman and Ellen Frances Maher, of Brook- line, Massachusetts. They are the parents of Alice Sherman, Helen Constance, Gertrude Sher- man, and Mary Ruth Keefe.
Dr. Keefe has always stood for that which is highest and best in his profession and has striven unceasingly to achieve this perfection. He has worked generously and well and he will not be forgotten by the poor whom he has so faith- fully served.
195
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
SYLVESTER M. BUDLONG-Ambitious be- yond what heights might have been reached in as- sociation with established mercantile enterprises, Sylvester M. Budlong, of Providence, after a long period in the employ of a manufacturing estab- lishment, founded his own independent business and within fifteen years has reached a prominent position in the local industrial field. His activities have also included participation in public affairs and he has held office to the satisfaction of the community and to his own credit. In fraternal circles he is well established and popular and in the esteem of the people holds a high place.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.