USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 43
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Berner Richmond
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ing the Agawam Hunt, the University, the Noon- day Club, and the East Side Skating Club, as well as the Technology Club of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Amherst Alumni Club. He was also a member of the Alpha Delta Chi Fraternity, the scholarly Phi Beta Kappa, and the Providence Atheneum. He attended the First Congregational Church in Providence.
Gerald M. Richmond married, on June 28, 1913, at Northampton, Massachusetts, Isobel S. Bryan of Charlottesville, Virginia; they were the parents of three children: Gerald Martin, Jr., Joseph W., and Martha M.
The death of Mr. Richmond, October 31, 1923, at the early age of forty-seven, cut short a career filled with worthwhile achievements and bright with promise for the future. To all who knew him or knew of him, he seemed an unusually fine man, honest, upright, keenly intelligent, and idealistic. His memory is imprinted deep in the social and business life of Providence and lends inspiration to all who knew and honored him.
HORACE WILLIAMS TINKHAM-After an outstanding career in the industrial field of Rhode Island for a quarter of a century, where he came to be one of the leading manufacturers in the State, Horace Williams Tinkham, of Warren, abandoned that occupation and engaged in agricul- ture. The wonderful versatility of his mental en- dowments was here displayed, for he quickly be- came an authority and for the twenty-seven years preceding his death he was even more prominent in his latter occupation than he had been in manu- facturing. He made of farming an exact science and, frequently operating on lines in direct opposi- tion to long custom, illustrated the possibility of a rare productivity beyond what had ever been accomplished under the old fashioned methods that had been handed down from Colonial times. He made a desert to blossom like the rose and he raised valuable crops where others had insisted it were useless to labor. He was of very strong mind and boundless enthusiasm, was a convincing talker and proved his assertions and claims by the results of his own experiments. He had a host of friends and throughout the whole State in rural circles he was affectionately known as "Uncle Horace."
Born in Middleboro, Massachusetts, December 29, 1858, he was a son of Andrew L. and Dorothy (King) Tinkham. He was educated in the public
schools there and in his youth became associated with the mill industry. This took him to Fall River, where he became superintendent of the Durfee Mills and later superintendent of the Laurel Lake Mills. He was also treasurer of the Fall River Manufacturing Company and of the old Robeson Mills, later operating under the name of the Luther Manufacturing Company. For twenty-five years he successfully functioned in the offices noted, then retiring on account of ill health he began the study of agriculture in which he was destined to attain wide fame. He bought a farm at Touisset, which he cultivated and where he lived for the remainder of his life, some twenty- seven years. He was a leader in the organization of the Farmers' Cooperative Exchange and pro- moted the Farmers' Market, of which he was a trustee. He was a director-at-large of the New England Milk Producing Association. He made it his business to study the farms of New England and is credited with a better knowledge of them and their general conditions than any other indi- vidual of his day. He was an authority on pro- duction and could tell at a moment's notice whether any selected farm was producing to the full of its possibilities in quantity and quality. He was one of the first appraisers for the Federal Land Bank, in which office he served for ten years, his terri- tory covering all of Rhode Island and Southern New England. He was officially connected with many agricultural organizations and movements and in 1922, at the request of President Harding, represented Rhode Island at the Agricultural Con- ference held in Washington, District of Columbia. He served on the State Commission of Agricul- ture, was chairman of the Warren Road Commis- sion and was deeply interested in town welfare. He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity, affiliated with King Philip Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Godfrey De Bouillon Commandery, Knights Tem- plar, and other bodies within the organization. He died January 5, 1929.
Horace Williams Tinkham married, June 14, 1882, Mary E. Slade, of Fall River, Massachusetts. Their children were: I. George K., a successful farmer and successor to his father as appraiser of the Federal Land Bank; married Effie Mae Cole, daughter of William and Sarah Cole, of Swansea, Massachusetts, and they are the parents of, Cor- rella M., Mabel C., and Henry B. 2. Marion, prin- cipal of the George T. Baker School at Barring- ton, Rhode Island. 3. Corrella, married Porter R. Taylor, son of Dr. William A. Taylor, chief of the
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Bureau of Plants at Washington, District of Columbia. Mr. Taylor is now connected with the Federal Farm Board of Washington, District of Columbia. Their children are: Hugh A., and Porter R., Jr.
It is generally conceded by the farmers of Rhode Island that the turn of fate that transferred the abilities of Mr. Tinkham from manufacturing to agriculture was one of the finest things that ever happened in the agriculture history of the State. It scems that he was predestined to do the work in which he made such a distinct success and his in- fluence will be felt for years to come, for he surely made two blades of grass to grow where one grew before and in accomplishing this was a benefactor of priceless value.
ROBERT ALDRICH-A member of old and distinguished New England families, Robert Ald- rich has passed his entire active life in his native State of Rhode Island. As owner and operator of a contract painting enterprise, he has made a place for himself in the business life of the Wickford and North Kingstown section, where he is equally well known through his activity in civic and social affairs.
Mr. Aldrich was born at Providence, Rhode Island, on August 21, 1881, a son of Edward S. and Emily L. (Howland) Aldrich, both born at Providence, Rhode Island, and both now deceased. The father was engaged in the wholesale grocery business in that city until the time of his death. Paternally, Mr. Aldrich is a direct descendant of Zephaniah Andrews who fought in the patriot's cause during the War of the Revolution. On his mother's side he is a direct descendant of John Howland, who also fought in the Revolution, and further back, of that other John Howland who was a signer of the "Mayflower" compact.
Robert Aldrich received his education in the schools of Providence, including Brown University, from which he was graduated in 1903 with the de- gree of Bachelor of Philosophy. After completing his education he went into the wholesale fish and trapping business, and continued this as an in- dependent enterprise until the entry of the United States into the World War in 1917. At that time Mr. Aldrich enlisted in the United States Navy with the rank of chief petty officer. He served in that capacity from April, 1917, until January, 1918, when he was commissioned warrant officer. Mr.
Aldrich was honorably discharged after the con- clusion of the war, on December 22, 1918.
Returning to the pursuits of peace, he settled at Wickford, Rhode Island, and there established the contract painting enterprise which he has since continued with every success. Other phases of the community life have also enlisted his attention. In politics he is an independent. For two years Mr. Aldrich was a member of the North Kingstown School Committee, and since 1921 has been fire commissioner for the town. Mr. Aldrich is affili- ated fraternally with Washington Lodge, No. 5, Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member and Past Commander of the North Kingstown Post, No. 12, of the American Legion, and a member of Brown University Chapter of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity. In addition to his own busi- ness enterprise, Mr. Aldrich is a director of the Andrews Land Company. He finds his chief recre- ation in rifle shooting and yachting, while with his family he worships in the Episcopal faith, attend- ing St. Paul's Church at Wickford, where he is a vestryman.
In 1908, Robert Aldrich married Elizabeth A. Cocroft, who was born at Crompton, Rhode Island. They are the parents of three children: I. Robert, Jr. 2. Thomas C. 3. Edward S.
ALBERT H. DALY-Starting an independ- ent retail food business in Providence in 1915, with a force of thirty clerks, Albert H. Daly conducted the industry with such ability that it prospered from its inception and today is one of the largest and finest establishments of its kind in Rhode Island and requires approximately two hundred employees to handle its trade. Mr. Daly's success is due to a combination of industry, keen intellect, courage in the face of intense competition and small profits and an unaltering determination to prove to the public the value of pure foods offered at the lowest possible prices. During the years he has given this proof in substantial measure, as has been illustrated by the constantly growing trade with which his establishment has been fav- ored.
He was born in Dalton, Massachusetts, May 22, 1885, a son of Peter F. Daly, a native of Ireland, who came to this country in his youth and here became a successful building contractor, and Mary (Connelly) Daly, a native of Dalton, both de- ceased. Educated in the public schools and com-
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pleting the high school course, Albert H. Daly be- gan his business career in the grocery trade in Dalton, following it for five years and then under- taking the study of hotel operation in its food- stuffs department. In 1908 he became associated with the Mohican chain of markets as buyer of fruits and vegetables for the store in Brockton, Massachusetts, and later was entrusted with the establishment of fruit and vegetable departments in the Springfield, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, stores. In 1909 he was made manager of the Mohican store in Norwich, Connecticut, re- maining in that capacity for five months and then being transferred in a like capacity to the Spring- field store. This was followed by the management of the stores in New Haven and Scranton, Penn- sylvania, until 1910, when he left the chain stores and came to Providence. Here he leased the fruit and vegetable department of the Diamond Market on Weybosset Street and continued to conduct that enterprise with growing success until 1915, when he organized the Weybosset Pure Food Mar- ket. This establishment occupied some four thou- sand square feet of floor space, which served until 1917, when fifty per cent. more space was added to meet the requirements of the increased trade. It dealt in meat, fruit, vegetables and groceries and continued to prosper, still more floor space be- ing added in 1919 and again in 1924, in which last noted year it attained its present size, with com- plete equipment to handle the large business. It is one of the largest markets in the State and uses fifteen delivery trucks to take care of the city and suburban custom. The officers of the company are : Albert H. Daly, president and treasurer ; Timothy J. Sullivan, assistant treasurer ; M. I. Daly, secre- tary. Its president is independent in his political leanings and a member of the St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. He is a director in the Lincoln Trust Company and a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Catholic, Town Criers, and Metacomet Golf clubs and of the New London, Connecticut, Lodge of the Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks.
Albert H. Daly married, in 1912, Margaret I. Sullivan, a native of Norwich, Connecticut, and they are the parents of five children: I. Albert H., Jr. 2. Mary Lillian. 3. W. Norbet. 4. Donald C. 5. Paul.
REV. THOMAS J. O'CONNOR-For five years, from 1925 to the present writing (1930), Rev. Thomas J. O'Connor has been the able pastor
of the Church of St. Philomena at Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island.
The parish of St. Philomena was originally a mission of St. Francis' parish of Wakefield, which, in turn, from 1850 on to 1879, was itself a mission of East Greenwich. Before 1850 there were few Catholics in this region, which, in that early time, was seldom visited by a priest. No doubt such de- voted men as Edward Putnam or James Fitton, missionaries-at-large from Providence, sometimes called there in the early '40's, but in 1851 it was attended from Stonington, Connecticut. Shortly after 1852 Wakefield was visited regularly, and when, in September, 1853, Rev. Patrick Joseph Lenihan went to East Greenwich, Wakefield came within the East Greenwich parish. Wakefield re- mained a part of East Greenwich until 1879, when the villages of Wakefield, Peace Dale, and Nar- rangansett Pier, with Carolina and Plainville, were made a separate parish under the patronage of St. Francis and put in charge of Rev. William Mc- Cooms, who was succeeded in 1882 by Rev. F. Tuite. In 1884 Father Tuite built a chapel at Narragansett Pier to accommodate the large num- ber of Catholics who go there during the summer season. Rev. Charles Burns was made pastor of Wakefield parish in 1893, and in 1897 Carolina and Plainfield were cut off from Wakefield and an- nexed to the new parish of the Immaculate Con- ception at Westerly. Narragansett Pier continued as a mission of Wakefield until 1917, when it was made a separate parish under the name of St. Philomena, with Father O'Toole, from the Immac- ulate Conception Church of Westerly, as the first pastor. Father O'Toole remained until 1921, when he was succeeded by Rev. James R. Bartley. In 1925 Rev. Thomas J. O'Connor took charge and five years later he was still continuing his able service to this parish.
Rev. Thomas J. O'Connor was born in Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, and received his early edu- cation in that place. Later, he entered Holy Cross College, at Worcester, Massachusetts, and after the completion of his course there he began his theological studies in St. John's Seminary, at Brighton, Massachusetts. In 1907, upon completion of these studies, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Hawkins, in the Cathedral at Providence. After his ordination he was assigned to St. Joseph's Church, at Providence, where he served as assistant for four years. He was then transferred to St. Michael's at Providence, and still later to St. Patrick's at Valley Falls. In 1925 he was made
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a pastor and appointed to his present charge, the St. Philomena Church at Narragansett Pier.
The parish of St. Philomena includes about two hundred and forty-five people who are year-round residents, but during the summer season the num- ber of souls to be looked after is greatly enlarged. In order to minister properly to these numerous and widely distributed summer residents, St. Philo- mena has four masses said from June 15 to Sep- tember 15. In this work Father O'Connor is aided by one assistant. The old church, built in 1879, is now used for social purposes and the new one, built in 1905 by Father Rafferty provides seating for five hundred people. The church and parish societies are vigorous and flourishing and include the Holy Name Society, Altar Society, for women, and also Daughters of Isabella, for women.
Father O'Connor is very highly esteemed for his piety and his ability; and because of his courtesy, his sympathy, his "human kindness," his discern- ment, and his impartiality he is also much beloved by his people. His broad-minded tolerance and his breadth of vision have won him the respect of those who are not of his faith; and not only by the people of Narragansett Pier, but to those of the surrounding locality is he well known and greatly respected.
CHARLES STEPHEN DAVOL-In the tex- tile trade of this State and Massachusetts, the late Charles Stephen Davol was known as one of the most expert and highly trusted financial executives. As treasurer for many years of the Standard Braid Company, he made his official headquarters at Attleboro, Massachusetts, advancing the interests of that great concern, which was a merger of several mill properties. From early manhood he made his home in Warren, where he was regarded with feel- ings akin to affection by the people of whom he had been a neighbor for many years. A thoughtful man and a student always, Mr. Davol was unusually well informed and a ready and entertaining con- versationalist. His exemplary citizenship and sus- tained interest in the civic life of his home city made him a useful member of the community.
Born in Fall River, Massachusetts, August 5, 1859, Charles Stephen Davol was the son of Stephen and Sarah (Thompson-Cole) Davol. He attended the public schools of his native city, and then pursued higher studies in the schools of Prov- idence, among them the Mowry and Goff English and Classical School.
Fond of travel, he made a number of extended trips in the West and South, following his gradua- tion. His travels in the Southland, while arranged chiefly for pleasure, had a tinge of business, since he devoted some of the time as a representative of the Standard Mill Supply Company.
For seven years of his service as treasurer of the Standard Braid Company he made his home at North Attleboro, Massachusetts. Returning to Warren, he continued to make that city the place of his residence until his death. He was a valued official of that corporation, and his fellow-members of the staff prized their association while he held the office. At the time of his passing he was attached to the office of the Staples Coal Company in Warren, and here, too, he had pleasant relations with the principals of that concern and the mem- bers of its staff.
Mr. Davol was an enthusiast on the bicycle and he was the first to own and ride a vehicle of that kind in Warren. His fondness for bicycling never waned and he was also much devoted to the game of tennis. In both of these recreations he was often joined by congenial friends who had been brought to the enjoyment of them through his own conta- gious enthusiasm. He was an attendant of the Baptist Church in Warren and a friend of all good works, supporting them by his influence and from his means.
Devoted to the companion who brought to his home the womanly virtues and the strength of character and social qualities from a desirable fam- ily background, Mr. Davol spent most of his leisure time in that charmed environment. Among his books and surrounded by kindred spirits, he re- joiced in these endowments, the one for the promo- tion of culture and the other for the happy contact with congenial friends. Those whom he met from day to day in his touch with the people at many points, and those who enjoyed the privilege of his home on numerous pleasing occasions, recall his unusual ability as a conversationalist. He was often the center of a company of admirers who were regaled by his charming rehearsal of this or that event, and was always able to impart something for the edification of his hearers.
Charles Stephen Davol married, April II, 1883, Carrie Elizabeth Drown, daughter of former State Senator Benjamin Drown, of whom see further.
Senator Drown was born in Warren, December 19, 1826, a son of Benjamin and Eliza (Champlin) Drown, died there August 26, 1900. His personal occupation was that of contracting and teaming,
CZa. S. Naval.
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which he followed with signal financial success throughout his life. He early exhibited qualifica- tions for public service, and he was often besought by his fellow-citizens to accept town offices. The positions of State Commissioner for Warren and membership on the School Committee he filled for a number of years. In 1872 he was elected assessor of taxes of the town and held that office until his death. To various important committees he was appointed, among them the committee to rebuild what is known as Kelly's Bridge on Warren River.
On November 7, 1882, Mr. Drown was elected State Senator and served continuously in the upper branch of the Legislature except the years 1887-88 and 1889. In 1895 he was made a member of the Shell Fish Commission of Rhode Island for a term of five years, and at about the beginning of his term he was appointed a member and became chairman of the Senate committees on finance and fisheries. He served as a member of the Republican town committee of Warren, and for ten years was on the Republican State Central Committee. He was one of the original members of the Narra- gansett Fire Company, and was foreman of Me- chanics No. 2 Fire Company. He was a director of the Warren Trust Company, president of the Union Club, a member of the Philanthropic Society and the George Hail Free Library.
Senator Drown married (first), in April, 1850, Mary W. Bowen, born November 14, 1829, died June 3, 1882. She was a descendant of (I) Rich- ard Bowen, who came to America in 1640, and died in February, 1674; his wife's name was Ann. (II) Obadiah Bowen, son of Richard, was born in 1628, died in 1710. He married Mary Clifton. (III) Thomas Bowen, son of Obadiah, was born August 3, 1664, died about 1730. He married Thankful Mason. (IV) Josiah Bowen, son of Thomas, born October 1, 1692, died February II, 1748. He married Margaret Child. (V) Josiah (2) Bowen, son of Josiah, born July 29, 1734, married Huldah Easterbrooks. (VI) James E. Bowen, son of Josiah (2), was born February 14, 1765, and married Lydia Jolls. (VII) George Bowen, son of James E., was born July 29, 1800, died July 10, 1833. He married Betsey Martin, who was born September 22, 1810, died January 13, 1894, and their daughter, Mary W., became the wife of Ben- jamin Drown.
By the marriage of Benjamin and Mary W. (Bowen) Drown there were four children: I.
William B., married Joanna G. Simmons. 2. Mary A., married Walter H. Rose. 3. Maria Newell, died young. 4. Carrie Elizabeth, born January 6, 1860, married Charles Stephen Davol, of this review. Senator Drown married (second), in Octo- ber, 1884, Mary J. Walker, who died, and he mar- ried (third), January 12, 1887, Susan Mary Mer- ritt, who died April 3, 1907, daughter of Stephen D. and Mary (McGoodwin) Merritt, of Stoning- ton, Connecticut.
RICHARD STANLEY SMITH-A resident of Warren, Rhode Island, for many years, Richard Stanley Smith has risen to an important place in the life of this community. He has freely given his services in the public interest as town clerk, filling this position with efficiency and success for almost two decades.
Mr. Smith was born at Wellfleet, Massachusetts, on December 22, 1873, a son of John T. Smith, a native of Liverpool, England, and of Ella W. (Rich) Smith, born at Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Both parents are now deceased. The father was a mariner in early life, and later was engaged as a fisherman, fishing out of Cape Cod and Gloucester, Massachusetts. After his son's birth he came to Warren, Rhode Island, and was here engaged in the oyster business for many years, later being Deputy Shell Fish Commissioner for the State and investigator for the State Board for the Purifica- tion of Waters.
Richard Stanley Smith received his education in the Warren schools, and following graduation from the high school began the business of life in the offices of the Warren Manufacturing Company. Employed at first in a minor capacity, he gradually won merited advancement to positions of confidence and trust. In his eighteen years with the Warren Manufacturing Company, he ably performed the duties which came to him and gained the regard of the people of this community for his keen inter- est in the public welfare. In 1912 the electorate de- cided to avail itself of his services, and in that year he was chosen to fill the office of town clerk. By successive reelection he has remained in office ever since. Mr. Smith is one of the best-known officials of this section of Rhode Island, and his able attention to the work of his position has won him much praise.
Mr. Smith is a member of the Town and City
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Clerks' Association of Rhode Island, and of the Providence Central Club. Fraternally, he is affili- ated with Washington Lodge, No. 3, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past Master. In this order he is also a member of Webb Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters, and of Temple Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest. Mr. Smith is a member also of the Lions Club of Warren. In politics he is an independent voter. He is fond of boating, bowling and automobiling, and to these diversions he turns his attention in his leisure moments.
In 1900 Richard Stanley Smith married Annie B. Morey, who was born at Clarksburg, West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of one son, Walton M., an advertising manager.
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