USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 44
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EUGENE JOSEPH BRADY, of Providence, Rhode Island, is at the time of this writing (1930) a member of the Colt, Brady Company, distributors of the Chrysler car.
Mr. Brady was born on May 26, 1887, in Dublin, Ireland, son of Terence and Katherine (Kernan) Brady, both of whom were natives of Cavan, Ire- land, where the father was engaged as a land owner until his death. The mother is also deceased. In the public schools of Dublin, Eugene Joseph Brady received his early education, and later he studied at preparatory school there. For one year he was also a student at Dublin University, where he took mechanical courses in civil engineering. He was engaged in this profession from 1908 to 1921, in the latter year coming to Providence. Here he was associated with the Overland Providence Company, agents for the Overland and Willys- Knight cars. In September, 1923, they took on the Maxwell automobile, and the name of the organiza- tion was then changed to the Colt, Birmingham and Brady, Incorporated, so remaining until June, 1929, when Mr. Birmingham withdrew from the busi- ness. In August of that year the name was again changed, this time to its present form, the Colt, Brady Company, which distributes Chrysler motor cars in Rhode Island and in part of Windham County, Connecticut. The officers of this com- pany are: W. L. Colt, president ; Leonard B. Colt, vice-president and general manager; and Eugene J. Brady, of this review, vice-president and secre- tary. The company is engaged in both sales and service work. The headquarters of the company are located in Reservoir Avenue, Providence.
Mr. Brady is a member of the Society of Auto- motive Engineers, the Rhode Island Dealers' Asso- ciation, and also the Providence Chamber of Com- merce. In his political views he is an independent. His religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church, his parish being St. Paul's, of Providence.
Eugene Joseph Brady married, in 1915, Mar- garet A. Durnin, a native of the South of Ireland. By this union there have been the following chil- dren : I. Eugene Joseph, Jr. 2. James J. 3. Mar- garet M. 4. Patricia M.
REV. CORNELIUS D. O'RORKE-Since 1926 Rev. Cornelius D. O'Rorke has been pastor of St. Christopher's Church at Tiverton, Rhode Island.
St. Christopher's parish was formerly a mission attached to St. Patrick's parish of Fall River, Massachusetts. In 1895 Rev. M. E. Cook, then pas- tor of St. Patrick's, built the first Catholic Church in Tiverton. It was a summer church, situated on Highland Road, open only during July and August, and known as St. Peter's-by-the-Sea. In 1908 St. Peter's-by-the-Sea was attached to St. Anthony's parish of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, of which Rev. C. J. Rooney, C. S. Sp., was then pastor. Father Rooney gave careful attention to this new part of his parish, and in 1910 built on the corner of Main Road and Lawrence Avenue a new mission church which was placed under the patronage of St. Chris- topher. Later, he sold St. Peter's-by-the-Sea. For sixteen years St. Christopher's continued as a mission of St. Anthony's parish, but at the end of that time, in 1926, it was made a separate parish with Rev. Cornelius D. O'Rorke as its first pastor.
Rev. Cornelius D. O'Rorke was born in Ireland and received his early and academic education there. After graduation from Black Rock College, in Dublin, Ireland, in 1888, he entered the Na- tional University where he took his degrees in Arts. He then went to Paris for special training for his chosen life work and spent five years there studying philosophy and theology in Holy Ghost Seminary, where he was ordained a priest in 1891. For four years after his ordination he taught the classics in Ireland and then was transferred to St. Mary's College, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies, where he was engaged in teaching for fifteen years. He then came to this country, in 19II, and after five years of teaching in Connecti- cut and in Virginia and Pennsylvania was ap-
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pointed assistant to Rev. C. J. Rooney, C. S. Sp., pastor of St. Anthony's Church at Portsmouth, Rhode Island. In that capacity he was placed in charge of St. Christopher's Church, at Tiverton, then a mission of St. Anthony's. Upon the retire- ment of Father Rooney, in 1919, Father O'Rorke was made pastor of St. Anthony's Church. During his pastorate there he accomplished a large amount of work, making many improvements. He enlarged St. Anthony's Church, greatly developed and stimulated the activities of the parish, and de- voted much attention to local missions, building St. Teresa's Church at Sakonnet Point and St. Madeleine Sophie's Church on Lake Road at East Four Corners. In 1926 he was appointed pastor of St. Christopher's Church at Tiverton, Rhode Island, where he has since been devoting his time to the advancement of the interests of that parish. The parish numbers some five hundred souls, and Father O'Rorke has the entire confidence and the loyalty of his parishioners. His faithfulness and his ability have won for him the respect of the community as well as the high esteem of his own people.
JAMES E. BROTHERS-An important fig- ure in Catholic fraternal circles of Rhode Island is James E. Brothers, successful attorney and member of the law firm of Brothers & Cannon with offices at 822 Hospital Trust Building, for not only is he a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a Past Grand Knight of Hope Council, but for five years he has filled the position of State Advocate for the order. He is affiliated with several other fraternal orders and has a wide acquaintance among men of his profes- sion, who hold him in high esteem. Mr. Brothers interests himself extensively in civic affairs and his aid can always be counted upon to further causes looking toward the betterment of conditions in Providence. He is also outstandingly active in the work of charity organizations.
Mr. Brothers was born July 1, 1883, in Provi- dence. His father was James F. Brothers, native of Massachusetts, who engaged in the textile trade and insurance business in Providence until his death. His mother was, before her marriage, Jane Feeney, and had come to America from Ireland, her birthplace. Educated in the public schools dur- ing his boyhood, and influenced by his mother's wonderful foresight, the subject of this sketch early commenced to earn his own living but he
continued his endeavors to obtain an education by attending night courses at the English High School. Work at the Magnus Business School he also completed at night and in 1908 entered the office of Judge J. Jerome Hahn as a stenographer. His mastery of stenography was only a means to an end, for in the office of Judge Hahn he read law under the tutelage of that worthy barrister until 1911. That year he enrolled in the Univer- sity of Michigan where he studied assiduously for two winter and two summer terms, then enrolled in the Georgetown University Law School at Washington, District of Columbia. Here he re- ceived his degree, Bachelor of Laws, with the class of 1914, and that same year passed his examina- tions for admission to the bar of Rhode Island. In Judge Hahn's office, where he had one time taken dictation, he now returned as a practicing attorney, but in 1918 left the connection to associate himself with Peter C. Cannon in the law firm of Brothers and Cannon.
Mr. Brothers participates in the activities of the Rhode Island State Bar Association and the Provi- dence Law Club. During the World War he gave his services to the Government in the capacity of a member of the legal advisory board and served as a "four-minute" speaker for the various loan cam- paigns. Mr. Brothers is politically Democratic and gives a great deal of his time to the work of the Knights of Columbus. He has served Hope Coun- cil, of which he is a member, as grand knight, and is holder of the fourth degree. He is also a mem- ber of Providence Lodge, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks; and Willow Camp, Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs to the parish of St. Pius Holy Name Roman Catholic Church and is an active worker for the Irish Catholic Benefit Society. Essentially an outdoor man, Mr. Brothers spends his leisure hours taking long walks through woods and fields, in swimming, or automobiling, and he is an ardent dog fancier.
In 1921, Mr. Brothers married Molly O'Connor, of Providence, who is prominent in charitable ac- tivities of the Catholic Church, serving as secretary of the National Catholic Welfare Society.
EDWARD M. FAY-No man is better known in a community than the man who amuses its resi- dents through the medium of first-class recreational opportunities such as are furnished by the theatre, the motion picture house, music, and the dance.
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When his standards are high and his ideals those of the most discriminating people in the city, his success is assured, and his leadership in matters of taste and intellectual progress generally recognized. This introduction may properly be used for Edward M. Fay, of Providence, Rhode Island, who oper- ates the Fays, Carlton, Majestic, Rialto, Modern and Capitol theatres in that city, and who has a distinguished record for musical achievement. Tes- timony to his popularity is his place on the board of directors of the Providence Chamber of Com- merce and of the American Red Cross.
The origin of the name "Fay" is interesting, since the days when the Normans used it to describe plantations of beech and spelled it "Faye" or "Fayel." It first appeared as a patronymic in 1173, when it was spelled Foy. A branch of the family came in early Colonial days from England to this country, where one Henry Fay, a weaver, settled in Newbury, Massachusetts, where he died in 1655. Another Englishman, John Fay, born in England in 1648, came at the tender age of eight to this country and lived in the towns of Watertown, Sud- bury, and Marlboro, Massachusetts. The branch to which Edward M. Fay belongs, however, came from Ireland, whence his grandfather, Michael Fay, emigrated. In the new country he proved him- self a hero, who volunteered for service under the Union flag in the Civil War, and who died defend- ing it. His name appears on the monument in front of City Hall, Providence. Michael Fay's son was James M. Fay, who died from a lingering disease contracted during the Civil War.
Edward M. Fay, son of James M. Fay, was born in Providence in 1875. He was educated for the career of a violin soloist, studying with Jules Eich- berg, founder of the Boston Conservatory of Music; and he studied in the public schools of Providence and East Providence. He was known as a boy wonder between the ages of eight and fifteen, when he traveled about New England playing violin solos and obligatos for such great singers as Emma Calvé and others. Edward M. Fay played violin solos for the Providence Sym- phony Orchestra under the direction of Robert Bonner, famous musician forty years ago in Prov- idence. His father died when he was fifteen, and Mr. Fay commercialized his art, traveling on the road with the Bostonian Opera Company. He played over the Keith Circuit as a violin soloist and meantime studied dancing and dance music under the tutelage of Sam Spink, conductor of the famous Spink Dancing Academy and a very fine
musician. Mr. Fay took the leadership of the Keith Theatre in Providence the year Charles Lovenberg was made manager and led the orchestra at Keith's when vaudeville was first introduced to Providence. He created and established the custom of dancing at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, where he spent seventeen years, and he afterward built and operated Hunt's Mills Dancing Pavilion. These varied occupations did not prevent Mr. Fay's organizing an orchestra which became famous as the Belmont Orchestra, and later Fay's Belmont Orchestra. His organization and direction of Fay's Second Regiment Band brought him the appoint- ment of lieutenant by Governor Utter. At the death of D. W. Reeves, this versatile musician took over the Reeves American Band, which he directed for several years. He organized the Electric Park Amusement Company, in Newark, New Jersey, which he operated as general manager and treas- urer for several years, during which he became known as "Fay, the dance king." He directed orchestras and played for all the important social events in Providence, Newport, Boston, and other cities.
It was in 1916 that Mr. Fay became a theatre manager. He took over the former Union Theatre and operated it under the new title of Fay's The- atre. Under his management the National Theatre, in Rochester, New York, began a new lease of life in 1918 under the name of Fay's Theatre. In 1919, Mr. Fay bought the Knickerbocker Theatre in Philadelphia and gave it his name, and in 1921, acquired the Mckinley Square Theatre in New York City, to which he gave his name. It was in 1926 that he acquired the Emery, now known as the Carlton Theatre, and the Majestic, Rialto, Modern, and Capitol, all purchased from the Emery Brothers. For many years he was a member of the board of directors of the Motion Picture Theatre Owners of America. He is now a member of the board of directors of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, and several clubs, including the Rhode Island Auto Club, the Catholic Club of Providence, the Town Criers, and the Friars and Motion Pic- ture clubs of New York. His lodge is No. 14, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In relig- ious faith he is a Catholic.
At Providence, February 12, 1913, Edward M. Fay married Katherine A. Lahiff, daughter of Thomas H. and Mary Lahiff. Mr. and Mrs. Fay reside on President Avenue.
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JOSEPH H. GORMAN-As proprietor of one of the largest establishments in New England de- voted to the wholesale distribution of shell and other types of fish, Joseph H. Gorman is prominent in his home town of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, and widely known in all the sections of New Eng- land and New York to which his trade extends. He has made the King Gorman Wholesale Fish Company a conspicuous success. Combined with an ambitious and progressive spirit and with an expert knowledge of his wares and his market, Mr. Gorman has built his business on high stand- ards of business ethics. State and Federal inspec- tors are always able to give this firm a clean bill of health.
Joseph H. Gorman was born in the house at which he now lives in East Greenwich, December 23, 1884, son of Patrick and Mary Joseph Gorman. The father, who came to the town in 1859, was employed on the railroad and died in 1889, sur- vived by his wife, who died in 1922. Of the seven children born to the couple, only three are now living : Daniel H. Gorman, a merchant of East Greenwich; Catherine A. H. Gorman; and Joseph H., subject of this record. The last-named at- tended the local public schools and East Green- wich Academy and then entered the grocery busi- ness. He was later engaged in the motion picture industry for a time with Fritz Johnson and for twelve years successfully pursued this line of ac- complishment. In 1927, however, he sold out. Dur- ing this period he had not relinquished his grocery business. His brother, King Gorman, had estab- lished his shell-fish enterprise in 1913 and built up a huge business, retaining the presidency for him- self, and making his brother, Joseph H. Gorman, treasurer. Upon the death of King Gorman in 1918, another brother, Thomas Gorman, took over the business, which he operated until his death. It then came under the ownership of Joseph H. Gorman, who is now one of the largest dealers in New England. He has five large trucks for delivering his wares, which are distributed wholesale through- out New England and in distant cities in New York, like New York City and Utica. He has a fine wharf in East Greenwich. A Republican in politics, Mr. Gorman has been too busy with his varied interests to take any active part in party programs.
Joseph H. Gorman married Edna May Hunt, daughter of Thomas Hunt. They are the parents of three children : King, Maureen, and Carol.
WILLIAM H. HEATH-A member of an old and prominent Rhode Island family, the late Wil- liam H. Heath was born in Providence and lived there all his life. At one time associated with his father in the building and contracting business, he later engaged in the machinist's trade. Throughout his long residence in Rhode Island's capital he en- joyed a fine reputation for uprightness, probity and public spirit. A veteran of the Civil War, he gave proof of his patriotism by serving with dis- tinction during that conflict in one of the Rhode Island regiments. In every respect he was regarded as one of the substantial and representative citizens of his native State.
Mark A. Heath, father of the subject of this article, was born at Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1819. He was one of the most prominent business men of his time and was especially well known for his success as a contractor and builder and for his active participation in real estate developments. Together with several other gentlemen, he sur- veyed and opened for development the Elmwood section of Providence, where, as well as in other parts of Providence, he built many fine homes. Of an inventive turn of mind, he perfected many patents, including one for leather piping or trim- ming for furniture, a cotton bale covering, and a window spring. He was associated in business with the firm of Doyle, Heath & Company, builders. He married Jane Angell Morrison.
William H. Heath, a son of the late Mark A. and Jane Angell (Morrison) Heath, was born and educated in Providence. As a young man he be- came associated with his father in the latter's con- tracting and building business. Later he learned the machinist's trade, which he followed success- fully until he enlisted in the 2d Rhode Island Regiment, during the Civil War. In recognition of his "honorable and meritorious services" Gov- ernor A. E. Burnside, the Civil War Governor of Rhode Island, issued to Mr. Heath a testimonial, dated May 7, 1869, which later became one of the most highly prized possessions of Mr. Heath and which is still in the possession of his wife. After the war he resumed his civilian activities in Provi- dence, where he continued to make his home until his death in 1926. He was a member of the George Brown Post, Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Heath married Elizabeth A. McLean, a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Heath were the parents of one daughter, Elizabeth Angell Heath. Since her husband's death Mrs. Heath has con- tinued to make her home in Providence.
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William H. Heath died at his home in Provi- dence February 5, 1926. An irreparable loss to his wife and daughter, his death was also deeply regretted by numerous friends, who felt that they had lost in him a loyal and genial companion. Be- yond these two circles, in which, of course, he was most intimately known and, therefore, most deeply appreciated, his passing was regretted by many other groups of fellow-citizens, who had recognized his fine qualities of mind and heart. He will long be remembered and more so by those who knew him best.
JOSEPH A. NOLAN-After having spent the earlier part of his career as a traveling salesman, Mr. Nolan, some sixteen years ago, became identi- fied with one of the leading undertaking estab- lishments of his native city, Newport. Since the death of its owner he has continued the business as its manager and in that capacity has shown exceptional business and executive ability. Not only has he maintained the high reputation of the business, but he has even made it larger and better in every way, so that today it is generally regarded as one of the most successful and most efficiently operated enterprises of its type in Newport. Mr. Nolan himself enjoys an unblemished reputation for probity and reliability ; is a popular member of several fraternal organizations, and ranks as one of the most substantial citizens of Newport.
Joseph A. Nolan was born in Newport, Decem- ber II, 1889, a son of the late Augustus J. and Mary (Conheeney) Nolan. Both his parents were natives of County Roscommon, Ireland, but spent the greater part of their lives in this country. Mr. Nolan's father was employed as a coachman until his death. Having received his education at St. Mary's Parochial School, Newport, Mr. Nolan, after leaving school, became a traveling salesman. In this work he continued for fifteen years and until 1914, when he became associated with Patrick H. O'Neill of Newport in the undertaking business. He continued to be connected with Mr. O'Neill until the latter's death in 1920, since when he has continued the business as manager for the O'Neill estate. Under his very able management the busi- ness has not only maintained its fine reputation, but has continuously grown. Its offices and funeral parlors are located at No. 465 Spring Street, New- port. Mr. Nolan is a member of the Newport Council, Knights of Columbus; the Newport Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Ancient Order of Hibernians; the Friendly
Sons of St. Patrick; and the Newport Chamber of Commerce. In politics he is a supporter of the Democratic party, while his religious affiliations are with St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church of Newport. His favorite forms of recreation are hockey and football.
Mr. Nolan married, in 1916, Mary A. O'Neill, like himself a native of Newport. Mr. and Mrs. Nolan have no children.
REV. PETER GORRET-As pastor of the Church of St. Bartholomew of Providence, Rhode Island, the Rev. Peter Gorret has for many years been devoting his energy to the advancement of the interests of that parish.
St. Bartholomew's parish is one of the oldest Italian church parishes in the State of Rhode Island. Founded in 1907, it has grown and de- veloped until at the present writing (1930) it numbers about 8,000 souls. During his long and successful pastorate here Rev. Peter Gorret has accomplished a great work, increasing the material possessions of the parish, stimulating its activities, and increasing its membership. He has purchased two properties, one on Union Avenue, the other on Laurel Hill Avenue for the future development of the Church organizations. The church edifice, too, has received careful attention from Father Gorret. A fine new organ, manufactured by the P. H. Moeller firm of Maryland, has been installed, numerous repairs and improvements have been made, and the entire church property has been put in the best possible condition.
Father Gorret has the hearty and enthusiastic cooperation of his parishioners and the interest which they take in their church and parish is indi- cated by the fact that besides the Holy Name So- ciety and a number of other church societies, all in flourishing condition, there are twenty-seven so- cial societies, all active and prosperous. In addi- tion to the work within his own parish Father Gorret, in 1929, built on Hartford Avenue and completely outfitted a mission church which ac- commodates three hundred people. The varied activities of the parish and the large membership of 8,000 souls make necessary the assistance of two curates in carrying forward the splendid work which is being accomplished in the parish of St. Bartholomew.
Father Gorret not only has the deep regard of his parishioners but he has also won the high es- teem of all who know him or know of his work in Providence, irrespective of religious affiliations.
HB Horton
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HERBERT BRADFORD HORTON, M. D.
-Losing his father when he was fifteen years of age, Herbert Bradford Horton, a native of Rhode Island and member of one of the State's most dis- tinguished families, set about acquiring an educa- tion that resulted in his adoption of the medical profession and he came to be known as one of the leaders in medical practice. For many years he lived in East Greenwich, where his ability and public spirit, his helpfulness to the people and his many other qualities were recognized by his selec- tion for many offices, in which he served with high credit to himself and to the great benefit of the community. He served as school physician, school committeeman, town councilman and in other im- portant posts. His character was one marked by kindliness toward all, tolerance of the weaknesses of mankind and by the highest of principles and ideals. He was one of the most useful of citizens and professional men and his death was a bereave- ment to all throughout a large district in which he was intimately known and respected.
He was born in East Providence Center, Rhode Island, January 25, 1873, a son of Nathan Bradford and Mary E. C. (Martin) Horton. His great- grandfather was Sylvanus Horton, born September 20, 1782, a son of Daniel and Mary (Goff) Horton. He married Hannah Slade and one of their two children was Henry Slade Horton, born November 19, 1809, in Rehoboth, Massachusetts, where the family lived for many years. He was a farmer and was also an auctioneer and held office as select- man in Rehoboth. He married Arabella Simmons, who was born in August, 1809, a daughter of Con- stant Simmons, of Dighton, Massachusetts. He died June 25, 1858. Of their children, the father of Dr. Herbert Bradford Horton was born May 18, 1835, was reared on his father's farm and edu- cated in the public schools. When he was eighteen years of age he went to Taunton, where he served as carpenter's apprentice to Nicholas Crapo, a builder. Following his apprenticeship he engaged as a journeyman carpenter at Taunton and at Rehoboth, where he remained for two years after his marriage, and also at Seekonk, where he lived and worked for five years. In July, 1868, he re- moved to East Providence Center, Rhode Island, where he built two houses, selling one and living in the other, which is now occupied by his daugh- ter, Mrs. George H. Curtis. He died in that house, June 22, 1888. In politics he was an Andrew Jackson Democrat in national questions, but in local elections he reserved the right to vote inde- pendently for the nominee he thought best fitted for the office. He himself served as constable in
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