USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 38
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He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, June 17, 1885, the anniversary of the famous battle of Bunker Hill, a son of Robert E. Budlong, also a native of Providence and a manufacturing jeweler until his death here in 1916, and of Edith M. (Mer- rill) Budlong, of Scituate, Rhode Island. His edu- cation was attained in the public schools and at Mowry and Goff's School, upon completion of which he became associated with the manufactur- ing jewelry concern of S. K. Merrill Company. He was made secretary of this establishment and remained in its employ from 1902 to 1915, when he withdrew and established himself in writing general insurance, locating at No. 17 Exchange Street, Providence, where he still retains his offices. He is general agent here for the Great American Indemnity Company of New York and for the Merchants' Mutual Casualty Company of Buffalo, New York. Republican in politics, he has served as chairman of the Republican Town Committee of Lime Rock and for three years was a member of the Lincoln Town Council. He attends the Free Evangelical Church in Hope Street, Providence. He is fraternally affiliated with Harmony Lodge, No. 9, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past Master, and since 1915 has been its treasurer. He is also a member of Harmony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest; member of Providence Council, No. I, Royal and Select Masters; Calvary Command- ery, Knights Templar ; member of the Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, and serves as second district deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Rhode Island. He also belongs to the Pawtuxet Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was treasurer of the building committee of Harmony Lodge of Masons. He is allied also with the Rhode Island Association of Insurance Agents and with the Providence Insur- ance Association.
Sylvester M. Budlong married, in 1905, Bertha
F. Lawton, of Barrington, Rhode Island, and they are the parents of two children: Kenneth L., born in 1907, deceased in 1914; Harriet L., born in 1913.
Mr. Budlong is a lineal descendant of Lieutenant Mumford Davis, who served in the War of the Revolution in the First Regiment of Rhode Island under command of Colonel Holden.
GAMALIEL LYMAN DWIGHT, M. D .- A man of no common order of ability, Gamaliel Lyman Dwight, M. D., was a learned physician and surgeon. He perfected himself in this field of work, not only by study in this country, but also in Germany, where he lived for a time, and where his daughter, Miss Margarethe L. Dwight, who is now a resident of Providence, Rhode Island, was born. In many different branches of life, Dr. Dwight took a leading part, and in all of his work was eminently successful. For his achievements, his learning, and his splendid bearing, Dr. Dwight is remembered today by some of the older citizens of Rhode Island, who knew in him an individual of lovable character and personality ; and his name oc- cupies an important place in the annals of this State.
He was born on February 3, 1841, of the eighth generation in descent from the founder of the family in America. He was the third generation to possess the name, Gamaliel Lyman Dwight. The first of these was Gamaliel Lyman Dwight, born on March 16, 1777, died on October 9, 1822, who married, on February 21, 1809, Sarah Cook Howell, daughter of Judge David Howell, LL.D., a Rhode Island citizen who was a member of the Continental Congress, and Mary (Brown) Howell, who was a daughter of Jeremiah Brown. This Mr. Dwight was an English inspector and merchant in Boston, Massachusetts, where he was a member of the firm of Otis and Dwight. Mrs. Dwight was a woman of rare talent and social influence. The children of Gamaliel Lyman and Sarah Cook (Howell) Dwight were: I. Gamaliel Lyman, born December 3, 1809, died March 15, 1854. 2. Sarah Howell, born August 3, 1813, died September, 1815. 3. Sarah Howell (2), born June 10, 1820, died October 27, 1820. 4. Mary Howell, born April 5, 1821, died January 5, 1822.
Of these children, Gamaliel Lyman Dwight, father of the man whose name heads this review, graduated from Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, in 1828, and was a noted lawyer in this city until his death in 1854. He married, on
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April 4, 1836, Catherine Henshaw Jones, born October 25, 1815, daughter of Marshall S. Jones, of Enfield, Massachusetts. The children of Gam- aliel and Catherine Henshaw (Jones) Dwight were four in number : I. Marshall Sprague Jones, born and died June 6, 1837. 2. Marshall Jones, born May 22, 1838, died November 21, 1846. 3. Gamaliel Lyman, of further mention. 4. Catherine Eliza- beth, born May 19, 1843, now deceased, married E. Arthur Rockwood.
Gamaliel Lyman Dwight, of whom this is pri- marily a record, son of Gamaliel Lyman and Cath- erine Henshaw (Jones) Dwight, was educated in the schools of Providence, Rhode Island, and sub- sequently became a student at Brown University, this city, where he was a freshman at the time of the outbreak of the Civil War. At the beginning of that conflict, he joined a Rhode Island battery, the Ist Light Artillery of this State. He was, at first, a private, then was promoted to the rank of corporal, and subsequently became sergeant, lieu- tenant and captain, having been appointed to the last-name office with commendation for his gallant conduct before Petersburgh on June 15, 1864. On July 17, 1864, he was mustered out of the service, having been, up to that time, in command of Bat- tery A of the Ist Rhode Island Light Artillery.
Mr. Dwight was a tall, slender type of man, with a cold, clear-cut face, high forehead and curling dark hair. An omnivorous reader, an active thinker, and gifted with a remarkable memory. He was also an entrancing conversationalist on all sub- jects. A friend in the army said of him: "In a crowd, he disdained to talk much, but with a cup of chocolate by him, an open volume on his table, and a cigarette in his hand, he would discourse most marvelously on life, death and the mysteries of philosophy and psychology, until every voice would be hushed, but his own, and his auditors would listen with rapt attention, until the great wood fire, in which he luxuriated, died out, and the howling of the wind outside, or noise of dis- tant picket firing, would bring us back to realize that we were not in the lecture room of a pro- fessor, but in the heart of the wilderness, sur- rounded by deadly enemies." Another man in the army said: "He was the only Dwight that I met in the army-but I heard of others, and always good things-I never heard a bad thing said of a Dwight."
After graduating from Brown University and the Harvard Medical School he devoted his time to travel and research, both here and abroad. He always followed developments in medicine and sur-
gery, but his reading went far beyond that field and into the general literature of his times. He was a profound admirer of John Stuart Mills and Sir William Hamilton, whose works he carried with him all through the war, also of Edgar Allen Poe, and, until the day of death, Sarah Helen Whitman was one of his dearest friends. He was intensely interested in philosophy and psychology, and in Providence he was widely recognized as a man of ability, and was dearly loved for his handsome fea- tures, winning smile, and generous heart.
Gamaliel Lyman Dwight married, in January, 1871, Anne Ives Carrington, daughter of Edward and Candace Crawford (Dorr) Carrington. Anne Ives Carrington was a beautiful, brilliant and talented woman. A noted leader in all the social and philanthropic activities of the city and State; admired and loved by all who knew her. This un- usual couple by their beauty and charm, both physical and mental, were the center of attraction wherever their footsteps turned.
The mother of Anne Ives Carrington was of the Dorr family, her name before her marriage having been Candace C. Dorr, a descendant of the widely known Dorr family of New England. The first of this line was General Edward Dorr, born in 1648 or 1649, died in 1733 or 1734; he married, in 1679, Elizabeth Hawley, born in 1656, died in 1719. Their son, Captain Ebenezer Dorr, who lived from 1687 to 1760, married, in 1709, Mary Boardman, who was born in 1689 and died in 1728. Their son, General Ebenezer Dorr, born in 1712, died in 1782; he married, in 1735, Amy, born in 1714, died in 1782. Their son, General Eben- ezer Dorr, born in 1739, died in 1809; he married, in 1762, Abigail Cunningham, born in 1739, died in 1798. Their son, General Sullivan Dorr, born in 1778, died in 1858; he married, in 1804, Lydia Allen, born in 1782, died in 1859. They had seven children: Thomas Wilson, Allen, Ann Allen, Mary Throop, Sullivan, Jr., Candace Crawford, and Henry Crawford. Of these, Candace Craw- ford Dorr was born in 1815 and died in 1886; she married Edward Carrington, born in 1813, died in 1891.
The ancestral line of Edward Carrington was likewise a notable one, going back to Edward Carrington, who came from England in early Colonial days, and who is mentioned as of Charles- town, Massachusetts, in 1634, and as attaining the dignity of a freeman in 1636. From Massa- chusetts, the family went to Connecticut. The father of the Edward Carrington with whom we are concerned herein was General Edward Car-
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rington, born in New Haven, Connecticut, No- vember 2, 1775, died in Providence, Rhode Island, December 23, 1843. He became active in the business world, was interested in foreign trading, and in 1802 represented an American commer- cial house in China with headquarters in Canton. For several years during that period, he was United States Consul to Canton, a post that he filled at the time of his sailing for the United States in 1811. He had much to do with that phase of British injustice which contributed to the sec- ond war between the United States and England, having received frequent appeals from American ship-owners and captains to redress the wrongs they suffered through imprisonment of their sailors by British naval ships and press gangs. He had sharp correspondence with the English authorities, and in every case stood firmly by the American contention against impressment. He returned to the United States in 1811, just before the situation became so acute that war followed. His service to his country was very valuable, and he was always a loyal supporter of the govern- ment during this period. Under the trade name of Edward Carrington and Company, he became associated, in 1815, with Samuel Wetmore, of Middletown, Connecticut, with whom he manu- factured ships for foreign commercial trade. At one time he had twenty-six ships engaged, sailing and trading under the house flag in all parts of the world, and was considered one of the most suc- cessful ship owners in America. From 1815 to 1843, the year of his death, he was extensively engaged in cotton manufacturing, in Providence and elsewhere. In 1828 he built the Hamlet Mill and in 1832 the Carrington Mill, both in Woon- socket. He was one of the principal promoters of the Blackstone Canal, and was one of the out- standing citizens of his day. In his later years he was assisted by his nephew, Isaac M. Bull, who as his agent in China was a strong element in his commercial eminence in that field. General Car- rington married Lorania Hoppin, daughter of Benjamin and Ann Hoppin. And it was their son, Edward Carrington, who was born May 10, 1813, at the Carrington mansion in Providence, and died there May 2, 1891, who married Can- dace Crawford Dorr. The children of Edward and Candace Crawford (Dorr) Carrington were: I. Anne Ives Carrington, born in 1849, died in 1904. 2. Edward Carrington, Jr.
Gamaliel Lyman and Anne Ives (Carrington) Dwight became the parents of one daughter, Mar-
garethe L. Dwight, who was born in Berlin, Prussia, on November 8, 1871, and now lives in her great-grandfather's old home, "The Dorr Mansion."
The death of Dr. Gamaliel Lyman Dwight, which took place in 1875, was a cause of wide- spread sorrow among all who knew him. He had contributed much to the life of his period and to that of Rhode Island, where he was widely known and respected for his achievements; and his kindly and gentle character was everywhere recognized as that of a delightful companion and a true friend.
ELMER LOTHER-Business and civic life have furnished to Elmer Lother ample opportunity for rendering service to his fellowmen and for attaining to a place of prominence in his com- munity and State. In Warren, Rhode Island, Mr. Lother is now filling the position of postmaster ; and previous to his incumbency in this office he held the respect and the esteem of his fellows for his achievements in the jewelry trade.
Mr. Lother was born in Providence, Rhode Is- land, on August 27, 1881, a son of Joseph and Estelle H. (Huddleston) Lother. His father, a native of Ryegate, Vermont, was engaged as a cabinetmaker until his death, while the mother, who is still living, was born in Lubec, Maine. The son, Elmer Lother, received his early educa- tion in the public schools of Providence, Rhode Island, and then, upon completing his formal studies, went to work for the jewelry firm of Lawton, Spencer and Sherman, of the city of Providence. For four years he remained with this company, until at length he left it and went to work instead with the Browne and Sharpe Com- pany, of Providence, with whom he continued for one year. Then he was employed by the Charles Sidney Smith Company, jewelers, with whom he remained for twenty-three years in the capacity of assistant manager. On February 1, 1925, he was appointed by President Calvin Coolidge as post- master for the town of Warren, Rhode Island, a public position that he has filled with faithfulness and with credit since that time.
Along with his work in this connection, Mr. Lother takes an important part in the social and civic life of his community and State, being a member of a number of clubs and organizations that lead in the affairs of Warren. He is a member and a past president of the Lions Club of Warren,
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and Sea Scout Master of Admiral Abbott Ship, and a member of the New England Regional Com- mittee of Sea Scouts. Fraternally, he is a mem- ber of Enterprise Lodge, No. 22, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of Rising Sun Lodge, No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons. He is also president of the Warren Outdoor Sports Asso- ciation. In his political views Mr. Lother is firmly aligned with the Republican party, whose policies and principles he regularly supports; and he has served as warden and clerk of the election board in Pawtucket. From 1900 to 1902 he saw service in still another field of American life, the mili- tary forces of his country, having served one en- listment with the 3d Division Naval Battalion of the Naval Reserve. From 1913 to 1920 he served as adjutant on the staff of the Warren Artillery. Mr. Lother's religious faith is that of the Baptist Church, his parish being the First Baptist, of Warren, Rhode Island, of which he is not only an active member but also a leader in numerous church organizations. He is president emeritus of the Churchmen's Brotherhood, and is also chairman of the parish finance committee. When he is not busy with one or another of his commercial or civic duties, Mr. Lother enjoys nothing more than indulging in his favorite pastimes, principally out- door recreations, such as boating, of which he is especially fond.
Elmer Lother married, in 1901, Josephine Almira Oliver, a native of Providence, Rhode Island. By this union there have been the following children : I. Elmer H., assistant secretary and auditor of the Narragansett Electric Light Company. 2. William O., who is manager of the Bristol Electric Shop. Mr. Lother also has several grandchildren: Shirley, Joyce, and Dorothy, children of Elmer H. Lother ; and Hope and Robert Elmer, children of William O. Lother.
HENRY RUSSELL BARBER-The lumber, hardware, and building supply business has fur- nished for Henry Russell Barber ample oppor- tunities for successful achievement in the commer- cial life of Wickford Village, in the town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island. Here, too, he has taken an extensive part in social and civic life, and through his public activities has done much for the well-being of his fellowmen and his com- munity.
Mr. Barber was born on March 12, 1856, in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, son of Russell W. and Eliza (Potter) Barber. His father, a
native of Richmondtown, Rhode Island, was en- gaged as a farmer until his death; the mother, a native of Peace Dale, Rhode Island, is also deceased. Henry Russell Barber received his early education in the public schools of his native com- munity of South Kingstown, and afterward worked for a time as clerk in the general store there. He continued this work until 1889, when he went into the lumber, hardware and building supply business for himself in South Kingstown. There he re- mained until November, 1894, when he came to Wickford Village, in the town of North Kings- town, where he has since been engaged in a similar line of business. In these activities he has been eminently successful from the outset, with the result that he is esteemed and respected by his fellowmen and holds a high place in the commer- cial organization of North Kingstown. The busi- ness that he conducts is the only one of its kind in this town.
Not content with attainments in the commer- cial world alone, Mr. Barber has taken part in political and public life, having been aligned for many years with the Republican party, of whose policies and principles he is a steadfast supporter. For eight years he served as a member of the South Kingstown Town Council, in which he did much valuable work in the direction of bringing about certain needed civic improvements. His favorite hobby is, however, his own business, to which he devotes his major attention; and he is fond of studying business and industrial methods and of planning new developments in the great enterprise that he has established. His religious faith is that of the Baptist Church, of which he is a devout communicant.
Henry Russell Barber married, in 1890, Almira Rodman Arnold, a native of Exeter, Rhode Is- land. They have become the parents of the fol- lowing children: 1. Russell W., who served with the United States Army in France, having been a member of the American Expeditionary Forces in the World War. 2. Harry Rodman. 3. Eliza P.
EDWIN J. RYAN-One of the well-known merchants of North Kingstown, Wickford, Rhode Island, is Edwin J. Ryan, who conducts a large grocery store and market which is one of the oldest and most important of the independent establishments in the town.
Edwin J. Ryan was born in Belleville Village, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, October 17, 1885,
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son of Michael James and Mary T. (Cassidy) Ryan. The father, born in Tipperary, Ireland, was engaged in the textile industry until he estab- lished his grocery store and market, which he conducted until his death in 1915. The mother was born in Hamilton, Rhode Island. The son was educated in the public and high schools of North Kingstown and rounded out his education with a course at Bryant and Stratton's Business College. He then began working for his father in the store and continued there until 1915, when, with his father's death, he succeeded to the owner- ship and management. The store has a fine reputa- tion and caters to the most exclusive and impor- tant trade in the neighborhood.
In politics, Mr. Ryan is an independent, giving his vote for the right man and the right measure regardless of politics. His club is the Annaqua- tucket Country Club. He attends St. Bernard's Roman Catholic Church, and finds relaxation in golf and hunting.
Edwin J. Ryan married, in 1921, Hope Rodman, born in Lafayette Village, North Kingstown. Chil- dren : Paul, David, Edward, James, and Joseph.
DONAT P. FORTIER-Versatility of ac- complishment is a notable feature of the com- paratively brief career of Donat P. Fortier, of Warren, who has not only shown himself to be a good business man and a qualified and prac- tical telegrapher, but has also acquitted himself creditably in public office and in the military serv- ice. All of these have covered a period of less than twenty years and in all of them there has been that strenuous application of mind and sound judgment that is all too rare but none the less essential to complete achievement. It is gratify- ing that Rhode Island possesses citizens of the value of Mr. Fortier, whose qualities have brought the admiration of the community and set him firmly in the high regard of a large circle of loyal friends.
He was born in Warren, November 4, 1893, a son of George and Alvina (Jeffery) Fortier. After an education in the public schools he entered the service of the Warren Manufacturing Com- pany. He became an adept telegraph operator and in that capacity was employed by the Union Pacific Railroad for a time and then by the New York, New Haven and Hartford. He returned to War- ren in 1921 and established himself in business, conducting a bowling alley and ice cream enter-
prise. In 1922 he was elected to the State Legisla- ture from Warren and later to the town council. In 1917 he displayed his prowess in athletics by indulgence in baseball, having been a member of the Interstate League. During the World War he was a soldier in Company B, 314th Infantry, 79th Division, and saw service in France with the American Expeditionary Forces. He is a mem- ber of the Lions Club and the Fraternal Order of Eagles and attends the Roman Catholic Church of St. John the Baptist.
Donat P. Fortier married Rose D. Dellaire.
ROGER W. RODMAN-For nine years the town of Wickford, Rhode Island, has made wide use of the business establishment of Roger W. Rodman, who operates an ice cream plant and dis- tributes radiola radios, newspapers, and periodicals.
Roger W. Rodman was born in Lafayette Vil- lage, in the town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, March 2, 1888, son of Walter and Carrie E. (Taber) Rodman. The father, also a native of North Kingstown, was a partner in the Rod- man Manufacturing Company until his death. The mother, also a native of North Kingstown, is deceased. The son was educated in the public schools of his native village and continued his academic studies in the North Kingstown High School, rounding out his education with a course at Bryant & Stratton's business college. In 1907 he became associated with the Merchants National Bank of Providence, and remained there until 1920 as teller. He then established himself in business in Wickford, manufacturing ice cream and carry- ing a line of popular commodities. He has pros- pered and has become a factor in the economic life of the town, where his enterprise is popular and much patronized. He is a stockholder in the Rodman Manufacturing Company.
His political affiliations are with the Republican party. Mr. Rodman is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past Master ; of Narragansett Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest; of Narragansett Council, Royal and Select Masters, of which he is past Thrice Illustri- ous Master; of Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar ; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. A member of the North Kingstown Chamber of Commerce, he served the organization as its first president, secretary, and treasurer. He belongs also to the
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Annaquatucket Country Club, the Town Criers, the Rhode Island Fish and Game Association, and to the North Kingstown Fire Department as chief. He is a communicant of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. His hobby is hunting, golf, and fishing.
Roger W. Rodman married, in 1910, Jessie C. Maglone, who was born in Lafayette Village also; they are the parents of two daughters: Nancy, and Janice.
JOHN BROWNELL PECK-Naval officer, manufacturer, educator, philosopher, agriculturist are all essential in describing the activities of the late John Brownell Peck, of Rhode Island, who was a resident of Peace Dale at the time of his death. For fifty-seven years no resident of the State was better known or more highly regarded than he. Everything to which he put his hand and his heart profited by the contact. Highly edu- cated himself, he never felt that his education was complete, and to attain still further knowledge he devoted his leisure hours to the sincere study of metaphysics, theology and philosophy. He was a fine mathematician and accountant. He was a brother of Dr. George B. Peck, a retired physician, of Providence, of William T. Peck, principal of the Classical High School of Providence, and of Annie S. Peck, famous explorer and author of books of travel and exploration in South America. The family is very old in Rhode Island and he was a most worthy descendant of a line of pioneer ancestors.
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