USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 52
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FRANK W. CLEMENS-Having become con- nected in a clerical capacity with the Wakefield Trust Company as a young man, almost imme- diately following the completion of his education, Mr. Clemens has continued with this well-known and prominent financial institution since then. Strict attention to the duties assigned to him
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from time to time, exceptional business and executive ability, unwavering loyalty to the inter- ests of his bank, and untiring energy and indus- try gained him numerous promotions to posi- tions of ever-increasing importance and responsi- bility, and for the last few years he has been one of the executive officers of the bank. In this capacity his position in the business world is of importance, and his pleasing personality and his other fine qualities of the mind and heart have gained him the good-will of his fellow-townsmen and have made him extremely popular in the several fraternal organizations, of which he has been a member for many years. He represents a high type of useful, upright and substantial citizen.
Frank W. Clemens was born at Peace Dale, October 9, 1875, a son of the late Frank J. and Hannah (Hallowell) Clemens. Both his parents are deceased. His father, who was a native of Germany, but who spent the greater part of his life in this country, was for some forty years and until his death connected with the Peace Dale Manufacturing Company as a master me- chanic. Mr. Clemens' mother was a native of Thompsonville, Connecticut. Frank W. Clemens was educated in the public grammar and high schools of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. After leaving school he spent one year in the hotel business, but in 1896 became associated with the Wakefield Trust Company and with the Wakefield Institution for Savings, his first posi- tion being that of a clerk. Several years later he was promoted to the position of manager of the Narragansett Pier branch of the Wakefield Trust Company, a position which he filled so capably that before long he was made assistant treasurer of the trust company. In 1926 he was elected treasurer, a position he has since then continued to fill with much ability and success. He is a member of Hope Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a past master; Unity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is the treasurer; and Narragansett Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is also the treasurer. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party and for some time he has held the office of auditor of the town of South Kingstown. His religious affilia- tion is with the Peace Dale Congregational Church. He is fond of outdoor life and sports and especially of hunting, fishing and motoring.
Mr. Clemens is not married. He makes his home at Peace Dale with his sister.
SAMUEL BURT BAILEY-Having entered the employ of the Manville Jencks Company, one of the leading industrial establishments of Woon- socket, very soon after his graduation from high school, Mr. Bailey has continued to be connected with this company ever since then, a period of about a quarter of a century. His ability and devotion to his work gained him frequent and rapid promotions and today he is the office man- ager, and as such one of the prominent busi- ness executives of Woonsocket. He also takes a very active and helpful part in civic and reli- gious affairs, is a member of several fraternal organizations, and in every respect represents the highest type of useful and progressive citizen- ship.
Samuel B. (S. Burt) Bailey was born at Clay- ville, New York, February 2, 1885, a son of Henry and Sarah (Burt) Bailey. His father, who for many years was superintendent of differ- ent woolen Mills, was a native of Rhode Island, his mother of Massachusetts. Mr. Bailey was educated in the public schools of Woonsocket and, after graduating from high school in 1904, was connected for about one year with the Na- tional Globe & Mechanics Savings Bank. He then became associated with the Woonsocket plant of the Manville Jencks Company, known as the Globe Mill, manufacturers of cotton goods, with offices at No. 727 Front Street, Woonsocket. With this company he is still associated, being now its office manager, to which position he was promoted as the result of his unusual business ability. He is also a member of the managing board of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Com- pany of Woonsocket, and formerly was a direc- tor of the Mechanics Bank. In politics a sup- porter of the Republican party, he has taken an active part in public affairs for many years, serving at one time as a member of the City Council from Ward One and, for fourteen years, being a member of the Woonsocket School Board. He also belongs to the Junior Order United American Mechanics. His religious affiliations are with the St. James' Protestant Episcopal Church, of the Men's Club of which he is an officer. He is also a member of the Woonsocket Young Men's Christian Association, in the affairs of which he takes an active and helpful part.
Mr. Bailey married Madge S. Snyder, a native of Woonsocket, and a daughter of David J. and Jennie (Sherman) Snyder. Mrs. Bailey's father, now deceased, was at one time mayor of Woonsocket. Like her husband, she is a mem- ber of St. James' Church and takes an active
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part in its work, being also much interested in the affairs of the Woonsocket Young Women's Christian Association. Mr. and Mrs. Bailey are the parents of three children: Sherman, Henry and Virginia Bailey. The family residence is located at No. 653 Park Avenue, Woonsocket.
SQUIRE SENIOR NICHOLSON-In the business life of Rhode Island Squire Senior Nicholson is one of the foremost leaders, being president and founder of what is known as the Nicholson-Thackery chain store system in Rhode Island. This business he established in coopera- tion with his brother, Frederick Nicholson, many years ago, and it has grown to such proportions that its success is widely and generally recog- nized. Although now retired from active business endeavor, Mr. Nicholson maintains a lively inter- est in business affairs in New England and in the stores which he set up many years ago.
Mr. Nicholson was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, in October, 1853, son of John and Anna (Senior) Nicholson. His father, a mill man and a spinner, came to the United States in 1879, settled in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and there spent the rest of his life. He was for a short period in this country in 1877, when he prepared the way for his later work, but after spending a year here returned to England for a year be- fore bringing his family with him and definitely taking up his residence in the New World. To- ward the close of his life he was associated with his sons in the grocery business until his death in 1902. He had a family of four girls and three boys, of whom Squire Senior was one. Squire Senior Nicholson himself received his early edu- cation in the schools of England, and as a boy started to work in the mills. Later, he estab- lished the business which is now the Nicholson- Thackery chain of stores, and in this was emi- nently successful from the start.
In addition to his work in this connection, Mr. Nicholson has always maintained an interest in public affairs. In his political views he is a Republican, while his religious affiliation is with St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church.
Squire Senior Nicholson married, in 1877, Maria Holden, a native of Lancashire, England, daughter of James and Jane (Bilkinton) Holden. Her father was, in his early life, a mill man, although later he became engaged in the retail grocery business. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson be-
came the parents of one son and five daughters. The family home is now situated on the Angell Road in the town of Cumberland, Rhode Island.
HARRY REYNOLDS LEWIS-Commis- sioner of agriculture of the State of Rhode Island, Harry Reynolds Lewis is a man of wide experience in this field, combining practical work with extensive research in theoretical principles. His knowledge of all phases of scientific agricul- ture is complete, and his proved executive ability is assurance to the farmers of the State that their interests will be ably and efficiently cared for.
Mr. Lewis was born at Providence, Rhode Island, on October 14, 1885, a son of Frank Levit and Harriet Elizabeth (Reynolds) Lewis. The family is an old one both in Europe and America, and the name is to be found recorded . among the most ancient English names. In the French form, Louis, the Latin, Ludovicus, and the Teutonic Ludwig or Leodwig, it is of fre- quent occurrence in other countries of the Old World. It is derived from the Saxon, leod, the people, and wic, a castle, meaning in its orig- nal signification, the safeguard of the people. The Welsh, Lluows, from which many modern branches descend, signifies a multitude. The orig- inal seat of the family is known to be County Kent, England, and from that source its mem- bers have spread into many lands. In the Amer- ican colonies Benjamin Lewis was at New Haven, Connecticut, as early as 1669, removing later to Wallingford. In 1675 or 1676 he located at Strat- ford, Connecticut. In 1661 John Lewis was liv- ing at Westerly, Rhode Island.
Harry Reynolds Lewis, of this record, re- ceived his preliminary education in the public schools of his native State, and later entered the Rhode Island State College, from which he was graduated in 1907 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. Having determined upon an educational career in the field of agriculture, he became in that same year professor of poultry husbandry at the Baron De Hirsch Agricultural School, Woodbine, New Jersey, and two years later took over the chair of agriculture there. From 19II to 1913 he was instructor of poultry husbandry and dairying, from 1913 to 1916, associate pro- fessor of poultry husbandry, and from 1916 to 1921, professor of that subject at the New Jer- sey State University. From 1911 to 1921, inclu-
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sive, he was poultry husbandman at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Mr. Lewis' authoritative knowledge of agricultural subjects soon won him recognition, and in 1927 he was offered and accepted the position of Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of Rhode Island, an office for which he was ideally qualified, and in which he has achieved distin- guished success. He has remained in this posi- tion since that time, and his progressive adminis- tration of its duties have been of decisive value for the advancement of scientific agriculture in the State.
Among the various organizations in his profes- sion Mr. Lewis is very active. He is president of the National Poultry Council of the United States, and chairman of the New England Coun- cil; formerly president, and now a member of the executive committee of the International Baby Chicks Association; a member of the Amer- ican Poultry Science Association, of the Amer- ican Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Association of Animal Production, and the American Genetic Association. He is the author of numerous published articles and re- ports dealing with poultry or other agricultural subjects, and of several volumes, including the "Poultry Laboratory Guide," published in 1911; "Productive Poultry Husbandry," published in 1913; "Poultry Keeping," which appeared in 1915; "Poultry Laboratory Manual and Note Book," published in 1918; and "Making Money from Hens," published in 1919. Mr. Lewis is a successful agriculturalist in practice, being the owner of the Lewis Farms at Davisville, Rhode Island. In politics he is a member of the Repub- lican party.
In spite of the demands of his professional duties upon him Mr. Lewis has not neglected other phases of life, civic, social and benevolent. He was formerly a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from East Greenwich, being elected to that body on the Republican ticket, and he has been active in party councils of the State. Fraternally, he is a member of the Beta Phi and Kappa Sigma fraternities, and the honorary fraternities, Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi while he is also a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, and the Var- num Continentals, a patriotic military organiza- tion. He holds membership in several clubs, including the Turks Head Club, the Town Criers Club, of Rhode Island, and the Lions Club. Mr. Lewis, in 1929, was poultry editor of "The New
York World," and associate editor of "Every- body's Poultry Magazine." In recognition of his distinguished career, the Rhode Island State Col- lege conferred upon him, in 1916, the degree of Master of Arts in Agriculture. Mr. Lewis wor- ships in the faith of the Baptist Church.
On December 25, 1907, Harry Reynolds Lewis married Alice Belle Mattison, of Davisville, Rhode Island. They maintain their home at Davisville, on the Lewis Farms. Of his mar- riage to Alice Belle Mattison, there is one son, Harry Reynolds, Jr., born on February 21, 19II.
PETER A. SODERLUND-One of the prom- inent and progressive citizens of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, whose achievements and civic ideals entitle him to a place in these pages is Peter A. Soderlund, contractor and builder. Be- sides being an able business man and dependable builder, Mr. Soderlund has served in public office and has participated actively in fraternal and religious developments.
Peter A. Soderlund was born in Sweden, Sep- tember 1, 1881, son of John P. Soderlund, a native of Sweden, a builder in his own country, who sought his fortunes in the New World in 1894. He settled in Providence, Rhode Island, and in the face of difficulties confronting a stranger in a strange land, he soon established himself in the building and contracting business, with plenty of orders coming in as soon as the quality of his workmanship demonstrated itself. He died in 1921, four years ahead of his wife, who died in 1925. They had children: Carl H., contractor and builder of Providence; Oscar A .; and Peter A., subject of this record.
After completing his elementary education in the district schools, Peter A. Soderlund attended the School of Design at Providence, from which he was a graduate. During his years at school, he was also working with his father and master- ing the practical side of his trade. By his eighteenth year, he began to devote all his time to building and worked steadily with his father until 1909. He and his brother, Carl H. Soder- lund, then established themselves independently in a contracting business known as Soderlund Brothers and operating in Providence and East Greenwich. After eleven years of prosperity, Mr. Soderlund in 1921 began a business of his own and has been highly successful. He built the Varnum Continental Armory, the Firehouse, and the residence of Mrs. Martin on Spencer Ave-
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nue, one of the show places of the section, and many others in this vicinity. Many attractive houses and public structures speak eloquently of his ability as a designer and builder. Since 1908 he has lived in East Greenwich and par- ticipates in all the activities of the town. A Re- publican in politics, he served for three years as tax assessor. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a deacon in the Swedish Lutheran Church.
In 1908, Peter A. Soderlund married Matilda W. Bergstrom, daughter of W. Bergstrom and a niece of Senator Bergstrom, of the East Green- wich district. Mr. and Mrs. Soderlund have chil- dren: Russell, Albert, and Theodora.
WILLIAM H. GIDLEY-Identified with the New England textile industry since he entered business, William H. Gidley has been connected at different times in responsible positions with various well-known textile concerns in Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island. For the last decade he has been treasurer and manager of several large textile companies at Cranston. He is widely known as an able business executive and enjoys high standing in the industry with which he has been connected for more than thirty years. He is a member of numerous Masonic organizations, as well as social and civic associations and is widely known in yachting circles, this sport hav- ing been for many years his favorite recreation.
William H. Gidley was born at Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, February II, 1879, a son of John C. and Elizabeth (Shep- hard) Gidley. His father, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, was a carpenter and was actively en- gaged in his trade until his death. His mother, now also deceased, was a native of Charlotte- town, Prince Edward Island. Mr. Gidley re- ceived his early education in the public grammar and high schools of New Bedford, Massachu- setts, and, having graduated from high school, went to work in the textile mills of New Bed- ford. During 1898-1905 he was connected with the New England Cotton Yarn Company, of New Bedford. Next he spent eight years, 1905-13, with the Kilburn Mills, also of New Bedford, Mas- sachusetts, of which he served as assistant treas- urer. After severing his connection with this concern, he became treasurer and manager of the Green & Daniels Company, Incorporated, of
Pawtucket, continuing in that capacity with much success until 1919. Since 1920 he has been identi- fied with the United Lace & Braid Company of Auburn, Cranston, of which he has been treas- urer and manager. In 1921 he reorganized the concern known as Repro, Incorporated, which was then located at Canton, Massachusetts, and which Mr. Gidley removed to Cranston, serv- ing as its treasurer and manager since that time. He is a member of the boards of directors of both of these companies, as well as of Supro Company, Incorporated; Comstock Wood Com- pany, and Respats, Incorporated. For many years active in Masonic affairs, he is a member of numerous Masonic bodies, including the follow- ing: Star in the East Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Adoniram Chapter, of New Bedford, Royal Arch Masons; New Bedford, Council Royal and Select Masters; Sutton Commandery of New Bedford, Knights Templar; Aleppo Tem- ple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Boston. He is also a member of the Pawtucket Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Wannamoisett Country Club, the Turks Head Club, the Palestine Shrine Club, the Rhode Island Yacht Club, the East Green- wich Yacht Club, the Squantum Club, the Re- publican Club, and the Warwick Country Club, of which latter he is the commodore. Other organizations, in which Mr. Gidley maintains membership, include the Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Rhode Island Textile Asso- ciation, of which he was one of the organizers. He is very fond of yachting and for five years served on the International Star-Class Yacht Racing Association, of which he was one of the organizers. He is also a member of the North American Yacht Racing Union. His religious affiliations are with the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Mr. Gidley married, in 1919, Drusilla Thomas, a native of Troy, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Gidley are the parents of two daughters: Hope, and Dorothy.
JOSEPH F. MURPHY-Identified with the dairy industry for more than twenty years, ever since he left school as a youth, Mr. Murphy has been for many years one of the best-known and most highly regarded men in the dairy industry in Newport. Both as manager of the Aquidneck
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Dairymen's Association and, more recently, as president and manager of the Aquidneck Ice Cream Company, Incorporated, he has shown himself exceptionally able. These two enterprises, among the leading establishments of their kind in Rhode Island, owe much of their success and prosperity to Mr. Murphy.
Joseph F. Murphy was born at Newport, on October 1, 1893, a son of Dennis J. and Julia A. (O'Neil) Murphy. His father, a native of Carmel, Maine, was for many years the proprie- tor of a livery stable and also was successfully engaged in farming, continuing to be active in these two directions until his death. Mr. Murphy's mother is a native of Fall River, Mas- sachusetts. Educated in the public schools of Newport and at St. Joseph's Parochial School, Newport, Mr. Murphy, as soon as he left school, worked for his father in the latter's dairy busi- ness. Eventually he took over this undertaking and continued it on his own account until 1918. In that year he was made assistant manager of the Aquidneck Dairymen's Association, of the board of directors of which he also became a member at that time. Six years later, in 1924, he became general manager of the association, in which capacity he has continued to serve ever since, with much credit to himself and to the great benefit of the association and its members. In April, 1930, Mr. Murphy bought out the ice cream department of the association and at that time changed its name to Aquidneck Ice Cream Company, Incorporated, of which he has been president and manager ever since. The headquar- ters of the business are located at No. 17 Chapel Street, Newport, where, under Mr. Murphy's capable management the business enjoys a steady growth and a healthy prosperity. Mr. Murphy is a member of Newport Council, No. 256, Knights of Columbus; Aquidneck Grange, Pa- trons of Husbandry; Division No. 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians; the Newport Rotary Club; the Newport Chamber of Commerce and the New England Association Ice Cream Manufac- turers. In politics he is independent, while his religious affiliation is with St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church of Newport. His favorite sport is baseball and for many years he has been an ardent baseball fan.
Mr. Murphy married, in 1918, Marie Vanicek, like himself a native of Newport. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have three children: Margaret F., Bar- bara, and Joseph F., Jr.
JOHN RUSSELL HAIRE-During the ten years he has been a member of the bar of Rhode Island, with his practice temporarily interrupted by the World War, in which he served with distinction, John Russell Haire, of Newport, has made a good record in his profession and is credited with ability of a high order. He is a popular member of numerous business, social and fraternal organizations and during his periods of relaxation is devoted to athletics. Sound in his citizenship, he does not forget the obliga- tions it entails and is vitally concerned in all affairs of a civic nature that are proposed for the improvement of any conditions in which the public is to be served.
He was born in Newport, Rhode Island, Octo- ber 8, 1893, and is a son of the late John T. Haire, for more than thirty years engaged in Newport as a furniture dealer and interior decora- tor, who died in 1930, and whose native land was Ireland. He married Elizabeth A. Lee, of New- port, mother of John Russell Haire. Their son received his education in the public schools, was graduated from Rogers High School and then attended Brown University, from which institu- tion he was graduated with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts in 1915. This was supplemented by a course at the Law School of Harvard Univer- sity, which was followed by his subsequent ad- mission to the bar of Rhode Island in 1920. He at once became associated with the firm of Shef- field and Harvey, of this city, and still prac- tices in that association, in which he is a partner. In December, 1917, he was commissioned an ensign in the United States Naval Reserve, in which he had enlisted in the previous April and had been assigned to duty as coxswain. In March, 1918, he was appointed ensign in regular navy and was later promoted to lieutenant, junior grade (U. S. N.), and served aboard the U. S. S. "Oklahoma," patrolling the coast of Ireland. He resigned his commission in July, 1919, and returned to his legal work in Newport. He is a member of the Rhode Island and Newport Bar associations, the Newport Chamber of Com- merce, is a director of the Newport Electric Corporation, member of the Newport Representa- tive Council, is a trustee of the Presbyterian Church, member of the American Legion, and of the Phi Kappa Psi college fraternity. In politics he is Republican.
John Russell Haire married, April 21, 1924, Pauline Houghton, born in Newport. They are the parents of : John Russell, Jr., and Elizabeth Lee.
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