USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 4
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It was largely through his influence and in- cessant activities that a large tract of land was secured on the shore of Lake Yagoog for the establishment of a Scout Camp and it was in recognition of this that Rathom Lodge was erected and named in his honor. This camp is one of the finest in the New England States, of
rustic construction and in perfect harmony with the work for which it is intended. The great mess hall is equipped for the comfort of one hundred and seventy-five scouts, which is the greatest number believed to be advisable for the purposes of a scout camp. Beautifully appropri- ate in memory of the man who did so much for them the Scouts selected his birthday to do him special honor and on July 4, 1929, with cere- monies coordinated with a celebration of the day of American independence a bronze tablet, set in the front of Rathom Lodge, was unveiled. Rectangular in shape, the tablet has a border of forty-eight stars typifying the Union and sur- rounding his portrait in bas relief, the subject being in Scout uniform. On either side of the portrait are inscriptions, that on the left being a copy of his last message to Scouts, the other on the right hand being the words of the memorial. The message to the Scouts reads:
The American boy-that complicated bundle of contradictions-is the greatest and most wonderful experimental laboratory on earth and he can be made either the hope or the despair of the world. It is to the former goal that the efforts of the Boy Scouts of America are pledged ; and as long as our people still hold to the basic virtues the work can- not fail. God speed every activity in that direction. JOHN R. RATHOM.
As molded in the bronze, the dedication and memorial read:
John R. Rathom, a Father of the Boy Scout movement in Rhode Island, loved boys and gave freely from his great heart for their welfare. A courageous soul, his far spiritual vision and rever- ence, his star-high ideals, unswerving honor, patri- otism, loyal friendliness, faithful service for hu- manity, with active kindness to all creatures, shaped a gallant character which expressed in the noble. life that lives ever on, a radiant inspiration. Dedi- cated on his birthday, July 4, 1929.
In addition to his work for the Scouts he used the influence of his newspaper in support of the District Nursing Association of Providence and in the campaigns of the Lying-in and Homeo- pathic hospitals. From 1917 to 1923 he served as a director of the Associated Press and in 1919 until 1923 was a member of its executive com- mittee. In 1922 he was elected president of the New England Newspaper Association. He be- longed to the Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Rhode Island Historical Society, Americus Club of Chicago, Pilgrims of New York, Dickens and Australian clubs of London, England; and the Art, Hope, Pen and Pencil and Turks Head
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of Providence. He was a recognized authority on immigration and sociological questions and wrote many articles on those subjects for maga- zines, as well as contributing many exquisite poems and prose works of other sorts. He died in Providence, Rhode Island, December II, 1923.
John Revelstoke Rathom married, February 25, 1903, Florence Mildred Campbell, daughter of Captain M. B. Campbell, of New Cumberland, West Virginia, a veteran of the Civil War. She is a niece of the late Judge John A. Campbell, of the Circuit Court of West Virginia, and a grand- daughter of the late Rev. William Beaumont.
Mr. Rathom's place in American journalism is secure. He contributed valuably to its current information and to its permanent records. He had the nature of a poet with the vigor of a Websterian mentality. His logic was unanswer- able and his writings were models of graceful construction and convincing in their presentation of propositions. Although a man of enormous energy and unflagging industry, he always found time to devote to his friends and was one of the most delightful companions when indulging in conversation on topics in which there was general interest. He was a valuable member of the body politic and to the Fourth Estate his gifts were helpful and permanent.
ALBERT REID PLANT -- Contributing to the financial strength of the monetary system as represented in Rhode Island, Albert Reid Plant, president of the Blackstone Canal National Bank of Providence, is one of the most favorably known of the financiers of the State. He has been con- nected with that institution for more than forty years, rising from one position to another until he reached the place of executive, in which he has had a larger opportunity to exhibit his talents in practice of his profession.
Born in Providence, in 1873, Albert Reid Plant is the son of Joseph F. and Catherine E. Plant. Having received his education in the public schools of his native city, he made an early beginning of a banking career, being but fifteen years of age when he was made a member of the staff of the Blackstone Canal National Bank. From the very first he impressed his superiors with the personal qualities that are his and with the value of his service, intelligently and enthusiastically rendered. One of his salient characteristics was a willingness
always to serve the interests of the bank wherever possible. This fine, cooperative spirit inade the way much easier for him to learn the different methods of the several departments of the institution and was also conducive to merited advance. It was not surprising to his associates, therefore, that he was from time to time made the subject of merited pro- motions.
From grade to grade Mr. Plant progressed, and in 1908 the directors elected him to the post of cashier. Here he gave abundant proof of the soundness and conservatively tempered progres- siveness of his financial policy, which has ever essentially been that of the bank itself. As cashier he proved to be one of the best equipped admin- istrative officers the bank has had. In 1916, when the necessity arose for filling the office of presi- dent, the board advanced him to that high position, which he has ever since held. Under his executive management the bank has continued to grow in volume of business and in the favor of its clients.
Mr. Plant is also a member of the directorate of the Providence Mortgage Corporation, and treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce of Provi- dence. He is prominent in Masonic circles, affili- ating also with the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a Repub- lican, a staunchly loyal contributing member of his party organization. His club memberships include Turks Head, Economic, and Squantum. His reli- gious preference is Unitarian.
Albert Reid Plant married (first), in 1899, Mil- dred E. Waldron. He married (second), in 1923, Ethel B. Perkins. Mr. and Mrs. Plant have their town house in Providence that he may be within easy access of the institution which he heads.
IRA LLOYD LETTS-Federal judge for the district of Rhode Island and a lawyer whose pre- vious career well qualified him for this office, Ira Lloyd Letts has been a familiar figure in Rhode Island life for the past ten years. He was born at Cortland, New York, on May 29, 1889, a son of George J. and Emma (Slater) Letts. His father was a farmer for many years at Cortland, and later at Moravia, New York; he is now living retired from active pursuits in the latter town. Emma (Slater) Letts, his wife, is a member of an old Connecticut family.
Ira Lloyd Letts removed with his parents to Moravia when very young, and in the schools of
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.
that city received his preliminary education. Fol- lowing graduation from high school, he entered the State Normal School at Cortland, from which he was graduated with the class of 1909. There- after he enrolled at Brown University in Provi- dence, completing the course leading to the Bache- lor of Philosophy degree in 1913. One year later he took the degree of Master of Arts and, having determined upon a legal career, entered the Law School of Columbia University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1916. Mr. Letts' academic career was one of considerable brilliance. He was elected a mem- ber of the Theta Nu Epsilon, Delta Kappa Epsilon, and Delta Sigma Rho fraternities, and in 1912 was chairman of the Delta Kappa Epsilon National Convention. Mr. Letts was president of the senior class at Brown University in 1913, president of the debating club, chairman of the athletic association, and president of the Sphinx Club at Brown. At Columbia University he was one of the editors of the "Columbia Law Review." Judge Letts has also served as treasurer of the Brown University Club of New York City, and was a member of the executive board of that club. He achieved many scholastic honors, including the Hicks prize which he won for three consecutive years at Brown, the Hicks Interclass prize awarded him for his junior year record, and the Carpenter prize which he won in that year also.
Returning to Providence in 1917, Mr. Letts was admitted to the bar of the State, and immediately began the practice of his profession, establishing law offices in the Industrial Trust Building. In a period of ten years he rose to prominence at the local bar. A Republican in politics he was chair- man of the Republican State Convention in 1922. Early in 1925 he was appointed by President Coolidge Assistant Attorney-General of the United States, serving until January, 1927, and during this time he served as Acting Attorney-General for a period. On July 1, 1927, he was appointed Federal judge for the district of Rhode Island. His record on the bench since that time has more than justified the confidence reposed in him by his appointment. Judge Letts is a member of the University Club, Rhode Island Country Club, Agawam Hunt Club, Jacob Hill Hunt Club, Turks Head Club, and the East Side Tennis Club. He worships with his family in the faith of the Con- gregational Church.
On December 29, 1917, at Providence, Ira Lloyd Letts married Madeleine H. Greene, born at Cen- tral Falls, daughter of Edward A. and Annie H.
Greene. Mr. and Mrs. Letts are the parents of the following children: Barbara Slater, Eleanor, and Houghton.
MICHAEL F. DOOLEY-A native of Con- necticut, Mr. Dooley, at the beginning of his ca- reer, for a number of years served as chairman of the Board of Assessors of the city of Hart- ford. Next he was for some twelve years a national bank examiner for the states of Con- necticut and Rhode Island. He resigned this posi- tion, in order to accept the vice-presidency of one of the leading financial institutions of Providence. Nine years later, in 1908, he became president of another Providence bank, the National Exchange Bank, one of the oldest banks in Rhode Island, of which he continued to be the head. Mr. Dooley is one of the best known bankers, not only in Providence and Rhode Island, but in New Eng- land. Naturally, quite in accord with his posi- tion in the business world, he is regarded as one of the leading citizens of Providence.
Michael F. Dooley was born at New Britain, Connecticut, on December 1, 1852, a son of Tim- othy and Mary (Birney) Dooley. During his early childhood, in 1854, the family removed to Hart- ford, and it was in that city that Mr. Dooley received his early education. Later he became a student at Fordham University, New York City, from which he was graduated in 1872. He then went abroad and spent the next two years at St. Supplice, Paris, France. Returning to Hartford in 1874, he was a student for a short time in the law office of Hon. George G. Sill, but before long he was elected one of the assessors of the city of Hartford, serving as chairman of the Board of Assessors during 1884-87. In the latter year he was appointed a national bank examiner and was assigned to Connecticut and Rhode Island, con- tinuing in that position and in that territory until 1890; he was again appointed in 1893 and served until 1899, when he resigned his position to accept the office of secretary of the Union Trust Com- pany of Providence; in 1906 he was made vice- president and served as such until 1908. In that year he was elected president of the National Ex- change Bank of Providence, one of the oldest and strongest Rhode Island banks, having been founded as a State bank in 1801. In 1925 he became chair- man of the board and continued so until 1926, when it was merged into the Industrial Trust Company. At the time he became identified with the National Exchange Bank, the total deposits amounted to less
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than one million dollars; in 1926 they were more than seventeen millions. Mr. Dooley is a member of the University Club and the Turks Head Club, both of Providence, and of the Catholic Club of New York City. His religious affiliation is with the Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Dooley married in June, 1888, Helen M. McManus of Hartford, Connecticut. Mr. and Mrs. Dooley have no children. They make their home at No. 170 Angell Street, Providence.
CLAUDE CUTHBERT BALL-Dauntless ambition and determination to make a place for himself in the ranks of one of the most exacting professions were the instruments employed by Claude Cuthbert Ball, of Providence, to attain a wide reputation as an able member of the bar of Rhode Island. No easy road to fame was set before the youth who had made up his mind to a certain end and the difficulties were many, but in his blood are the elements that make failure impossible, for they include indefatigable industry, a keen mind and an ability to absorb knowledge in intricate detail. These attributes he coordinated to such success that his position in the legal ranks has been long one of enviable standing, while his personal characteristics are of such nature that he has made a large circle of loyal friends and built up an extensive clientele.
He was born in Birmingham, England, March 19, 1881, a son of Charles Ball, a manufacturing jeweler there and later in Providence, who was also born in Birmingham and came to Providence in 1891, when he was just under fifty years of age, and died in 1916. Charles Ball was associated in England with his father, Charles I. Ball, under whom he learned his business, and in this coun- try he established himself in that occupation. His wife, mother of Claude Cuthbert, was Clara E. Smith, born in Birmingham, May 6, 1848, who died in Cranston, in 1930. Their children were: I. George Edward, a consultant in design with head- quarters in New York, and a member and sec- retary of the Rhode Island State Commission to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904. 2. Percy B., designer and manager of Watson and Company, silversmiths, of Attleboro, Massachu- setts. 3. Claude Cuthbert. 4. Leo R., a master mariner and pilot, captain of the steamship "China," of the China Steamship Company, which was taken over by the government during the World War and at that time was the only ship sailing from
San Francisco that flew the American flag, and who died in Shanghai, China, in 1930. 5. Ethel G., married George F. Parker, of the Towle Company, of Newburyport, Massachusetts. 6. Ella Beatrice, a violinist of note; married James E. Battey, a real estate broker.
Coming to Providence with his parents when he was ten years of age, Claude Cuthbert Ball com- pleted the elementary courses of the Peace Street Grammar School and then obtained a position as an office boy with the Silver Spring Bleachery, later the United States Finishing Company. While working there he attended evening high school and afterward took a special course at Brown Univer- sity, fitting himself for business advancement and securing this as a shipping clerk. He had at this time decided to make the law his profession and with this in view resigned his position and was enabled to begin his studies under the expert guidance of Judge Harry C. Curtis and Senator Edwin C. Pierce. He continued under these dis- tinguished lawyers until he was admitted to the bar of Rhode Island in 1906, later becoming partner of Judge Curtis, then Judge of Probate for the city of Warwick. Mr. Ball himself later became Judge of Probate for the city of Cranston, and Governor's appeal agent in draft procedure. In politics he is a Republican and he stood as a can- didate of the Progressive party for Congress in 1914 and 1916. He is affiliated with Harmony Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, St. John's Commandery, and Palestine Temple of the Shrine; St. Andrew's Chapter of All Saints Church; and Calvary Baptist Church.
Claude Cuthbert Ball married, in Providence, Rhode Island, June 1, 1916, Elsbeth B. O'Brian, a granddaughter of Leander C. Belcher, of the Belcher and Loomis Hardware Company, of Provi- dence. They are the parents of a son, Edward Edmonds, born June 20, 1917, and a daughter, Elsbeth Beatrice, born June 5, 1921.
HENRY D. SHARPE-President and treas- urer of the Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing Company, of which his father was one of the founders, Henry D. Sharpe came to this busi- ness as a young man and later succeeded to execu- tive control. Under his guidance the high stand- ards of excellence always associated with the company name have been carefully maintained, while the varied mechanical product has found even wider sale in the markets of the world.
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The Sharpe family is one of the older families of New England, Robert Sharp, the American progenitor, coming from England to Massachusetts in 1635, and settling at Brookline. His descend- ants remained at the original settlement until 1721, when Pomfret became their home. There Wilkes Sharpe was born and lived until coming to Rhode Island. He married Sally A. Chaffee and settled in Providence, where their son, Lucian Sharpe, father of Henry D. Sharpe, of this record, was born on March 20, 1830. He received his educa- tion at Hartwick Seminary, Cooperstown, New York, and in Providence schools. At the age of eighteen he began his apprenticeship as machinist under Joseph R. Brown in Providence, becoming versed in the clock and watch-repairing business which was the foundation of the fine mechanical industry later of so much prominence in the indus- try of this State.
Mr. Brown was born at Warren, Rhode Island, on January 26, 1810, and in 1848, when Lucian Sharpe first came to him, he was considered one of the finest mechanics in the city. Between him and his apprentice there grew up a genuine friend- ship, which eventually grew into the business con- nection so important in the industrial and com- mercial life of Providence. The firm of J. R. Brown and Sharpe was formed on March I, 1853. In 1858 a contract was made with the Wilcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company for the making of their new invention. This connection has never been severed. This gave the new firm an added prominence in mechanical work, and eventually led to the manufacture of machine tools. The two partners "were as one," it has well been writ- ten, "in their determination that only work of the best quality should bear their name, and that deter- mination passed into a law of the plant, not less unalterable than that of the Medes and Persians." While Mr. Brown devoted himself largely to the mechanical and manufacturing departments, until his death on July 3, 1876, Mr. Sharpe gave his efforts to the general building up of the business, to which he brought untiring energy and an ability of the highest order. In 1868 the firm became a corporation with four stockholders. With the death of Mr. Brown and the retirement of two others Mr. Sharpe became the dominant director of the enterprise.
In addition to his own company, Lucian Sharpe was also a director of the Wilcox & Gibbs Sew- ing Machine Company beginning with 1874; a trustee of the Providence Institution for Savings from 1881, a director of the Rhode Island Hos- pital Trust Company from 1897; a director of the
Providence Gas Company, and president of the Providence Journal Company. In 1892, in recogni- tion of his service, Brown University conferred upon him the honorary degree of Master of Arts. Mr. Sharpe's death occurred on October 17, 1899, while returning from a European visit. He had won a secure place in the affectionate esteem of the entire community, and his passing caused great sorrow and regret everywhere. In his relations with his employees, he was most happy, and al- ways he was interested in the welfare of Provi- dence and its people, seeking in every way to add to it. Lucian Sharpe married, on June 25, 1857, Louisa Dexter, daughter of Lewis and Mary (Angell) Dexter, of Smithfield, Rhode Island. They were the parents of two sons and four daughters.
Henry D. Sharpe of this record, son of Lucian and Louisa (Dexter) Sharpe, was born in Provi- dence on December 12, 1872. He received his early education in Mowry and Goff School and later at Brown University, where he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1894. Immediately afterwards he began his business career with the Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing Company, re- maining for three years in their shops to become thoroughly familiar with the details of operation and manufacture. After this practical experience he later entered the office, and on his father's death in 1899, assumed the official direction of the business. While serving as treasurer and execu- tive head of the company, he has become interested with other enterprises, being a member of the board of directors of the Manufacturers Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the Providence Gas Com- pany, the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, the Providence Journal Company, of which he is vice-president, and a trustee of Providence In- stitution for Savings. Since 1904 Mr. Sharpe has been a member of the corporation (trustee) of Brown University, and a trustee of the Rhode Island School of Design; for some years past he has been president of the Providence Community Fund; and he is an associate member of the Amer- ican Society of Mechanical Engineers. Mr. Sharpe is affiliated with Brownian Chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi, and Phi Beta Kappa fraternities. He holds membership in many clubs, including the Hope Club, the Art Club, the Agawam Club, and the Turks Head Club, all of Providence, and the Alpha Delta Phi Club and the University Club of New York City.
Mr. Sharpe married, June 25, 1920, Mary Eliz- abeth Evans, of New York City. They have one child, Henry D. Sharpe, Jr.
yours truly Les N. Corliss.
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NATHAN H. JONES Nearly forty years ago the Mill Street Laundry in Newport was established by Henry J. Jones, who conducted it successfully until his death in 1929, when it be- came the sole property of his son, Nathan H. Jones. From an enterprise employing a driver and a wagon and sending its work to Boston to be done, it has grown to be a modern plant, with full machinery, automobile delivery, uniformed chauffeurs and employing fifty persons. This has been largely due to the progressive ability of the present owner, who is one of the most enterprising young business men of Newport.
He was born in Newport, Rhode Island, October 10, 1886, a son of Henry J. Jones, in his earlier years a cabinet maker and, later, proprietor of the laundry referred to in the foregoing, and Lillie R. (Palmer) Jones, of Zanesville, Ohio. He was educated in the public schools of Newport and at East Greenwich Academy and Rockland Military Academy, upon completion of which he became associated with his father in business. In 1921, in addition to his work at the laundry, he obtained the sole agency in Newport County for the Pack- ard automobile and conducted this enterprise with success until March, 1930, when he disposed of it and gave his entire attention to his other busi- ness, to which he had fallen heir. Mr. Jones is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is fraternally affiliated with Excelsior Lodge, No. 49, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Newport Lodge, No. 104, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a Republican in politics, his rec- reations being aviation, boating and swimming. He attends Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church.
Nathan H. Jones married, in 1914, Caroline Louise Zech, a native of Bremen, Germany.
the name to set foot on American soil, the orig- inal ancestor having been George Corliss, who was born in Devonshire, England, in 1617, a son of Thomas Corliss, and came to New England in 1639, settling in Newbury, Massachusetts.
George H. Corliss was born in Easton, Wash- ington County, New York, June 2, 1817, a son of Dr. Hiram and Susan (Sheldon) Corliss. He attended the village schools until he was fourteen years of age and then entered upon a business career as a clerk in a general store. Three years of this and he decided to attain further educa- tion and entered the academy at Castleton, Ver- mont. Early in 1838 he engaged in independent business as a merchant in Greenwich, New York. He was a natural engineer and his skill was illustrated when he was eighteen years of age by the planning and building of a temporary bridge across Batten Kill. His talents did not fully materialize, however, until he was twenty- four, when he began his real life work by invent- ing and manufacturing a machine for sewing heavy leather, boots and shoes. Although this machine was practical and useful, he lacked capital to put it on the market and finally abandoned it and entered upon a series of experiments look- ing toward the production of an improved steam engine. In 1844 he came to Providence and here entered into a partnership with John Barstow and E. J. Nightingale, under the firm name of Corliss, Nightingale and Company. In 1846 he began his development of the steam engine and by 1848 had completed and put into operation a machine that embodied the essential features of what later became known as the famous Corliss engine. In that year the plant of the present Cor- liss Steam Engine Company was begun and in 1849 he received important patents on his inven- tions. The Corliss Steam Engine Company was incorporated in 1856, with Mr. Corliss as president and his brother William as treasurer. As busi- ness grew the works were enlarged and at the time of his death the plant covered more than five acres of space and employed more than a thousand hands. The engine was exported to all parts of the world and was recognized as one of the most valuable mechanical appliances of a labor-saving era. At the Paris Exposition of 1867 he received the highest prize against a hundred competitors representing the best from all the engine builders of the world. J. Scott Russell, English engineer and builder of the steamship "Great Eastern," was one of the British com-
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