USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. III > Part 8
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Fraternally, Mayor Dunne is affiliated with the Knights of Columbus, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Loyal Order of Moose, the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and Sons of Veterans. He is a member, in addition, of the
Catholic Club, and the Exchange Club. He and his family worship in the Roman Catholic Church, being members of St. Agnes' Parish in Prov- idence.
On September 18, 1907, at St. Edward's Church, Providence, James Edward Dunne married Gen- evieve Rita Rawdon, daughter of John and Margaret (Mullins) Rawdon, of this city. Mayor and Mrs. Dunne are the parents of four children: I. James Edward, born on August 4, 1908. 2. Robert Rawdon, born on March 4, 19II. 3. Ellen Reed, born on May 17, 1914. 4. Richard Barry, born on June 5, 1918. Two other children, John and Stephen, are now deceased. The residence of the family is maintained in Providence at No. 18 Flora Street.
THOMAS ZANSLAUR LEE-For more than forty years Thomas Zanslaur Lee, who died in Providence, Rhode Island, April 13, 1931, car- ried on the practice of law in Rhode Island courts. He held a distinguished position among the mem- bers of his profession, and by his efforts built up a large practice.
Mr. Lee was born at Woonsocket, Rhode Is- land, on September 26, 1866, a son of Thomas and Eleanor M. Lee, the father a merchant. He attended Woonsocket public schools, including the high school, and was later graduated from St. Bernard's Academy and from Boston University. He early determined upon the practice of law and enrolled in the Boston University Law School, where he took the Bachelor of Laws, also the Master of Laws and the Doctor of Laws degrees, all earned. He was admitted to the Rhode Is- land bar on August 8, 1888, and continuously car- ried on the practice of his profession in Rhode Island until his death.
From the year 1900 until 1918, Mr. Lee was a member of the firm of Barney and Lee. From 1918 to 1922, he was senior partner of Lee, Boss and McCanna, which from 1922 was known as Lee and McCanna. His services were in wide demand in numerous important cases which he carried to successful conclusion. Mr. Lee's repu- tation extended far beyond the borders of his State. He was an active member of the Amer- ican Bar Association, and for three years served on its General Council. He was also a life mem- ber of the American Law Institute, of the Rhode Island Bar Association, the International Law Association, the American Judicature Society, the Bigelow Association of Masters of Laws, and the
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Boston University Law School Association, of which he was twice president and, at the time of his death, was a member of the executive com- mittee.
In spite of the pressure of his professional du- ties, Mr. Lee found time for public service in vari- ous responsible positions. From 1888 until 1902, except for a period of two years, he was clerk of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. For six years he was one of the justices of the District Court of the Sixth Judicial District in Rhode Is- land. Fraternally Mr. Lee was affiliated with the Boston University Chapter of Sigma Alpha Ep- silon and with Webster Chapter of Phi Delta Phi, the legal society. He was much interested in the early history of our country, and in the work of the various historical associations, being a member of the American Historical Association, the Rhode Island Historical Association, the Rhode Island Historical Society, and the Citizens' Historical Association. He was a member of the Manhattan Club of New York, the Turks Head Club of Providence, the Royal Societies Club of London, and the University Club of Boston. Mr. Lee continued active in practice in Providence, with offices in the Old Industrial Trust Building up to his death. His residence was No. 345 Hope Street, Providence.
On June 3, 1920, Thomas Zanslaur Lee mar- ried Flora Provan, daughter of James and Jessie (Forrest) Provan.
GEORGE ALDER BLUMER, M. D .- An important figure among American psychiatrists, Dr. George Alder Blumer has occupied a distin- guished place in Rhode Island life for many years. He was born at Sunderland, England, on May 25, 1857, a son of Dr. Luke and Mary Jane (Bone) Blumer, both now deceased. He was educated successively at private school in Newcastle-on- Tyne, England, the Moravian School at Neu- wied-on-Rhine, Germany, the Lycée Corneille de Rouen, France, the University of Durham, and the University of Edinburgh.
Coming to the United States in 1877, Dr. Blumer was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine in 1879, and subsequently at Edinburgh in 1844; after further study there became Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians and of the Royal College of Surgeons. In later years, in recognition of his distinguished career, Brown
University conferred upon him the honorary de- gree of Doctor of Letters in 1905, and Hamilton College the degree of Doctor of Literature in 1921.
Meanwhile, however, his professional work was well under way. During 1879-80 he was resident physician at Lankenau Hospital, Philadelphia, and from 1880 to 1886 was assistant physician at the Utica (New York) State Hospital. In the latter year he became superintendent of that institution, and in 1899 came to Butler Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, as physician in chief and superin- tendent. This position he occupied for almost a quarter of a century with great efficiency and success. Dr. Blumer became superintendent emeritus of the hospital in 1922.
During the period of his active career, Dr. Blumer rose to a position of recognized impor- tance among the psychiatrists of the world. He served as editor for a number of years of the "American Journal of Psychiatry," as president of the American Medico-Psychological Associa- tion in 1903, the Boston Society of Psychiatry and Neurology in 1904, and the New England So- ciety of Psychiatry from 1917 to 1920. Dr. Blumer is an honorary member of the Royal Medico-Psychological Association of England, the Society of Mental Medicine of Belgium, and the Medico-Psychological Society of Paris. He is a corresponding member of the Society of Psy- chiatry of Paris, and, in other fields, is or has been secretary of the Rhode Island School of De- sign, president of the Providence Atheneum, a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, of which he was also president in 1926-27, a member of the National Institute of Social Sci- ences, the American Philological Association, and the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-on-Tyne. From 1893 to 1899 Dr. Blumer was also adjunct professor of insanity at Albany Medical College. In the field of his chosen occupation he has won distinguished success. In 1930 he was elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Chapter of Brown University.
On June 23, 1886, at Utica, New York, George Alder Blumer married Helen Antoinette Spriggs, daughter of J. Thomas Spriggs of that city, a lawyer and member of Congress. They are the parents of the following children: I. Thomas Spriggs. 2. Helen Henderson, now Mrs. Helen Henderson Howe. 3. Mary Hay. 4. Esther Breakenridge, now Mrs. Esther Breakenridge Marshall.
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SENATOR FELIX HEBERT, present rep- resentative of his State in the United States Sen- ate, has been a prominent figure in Rhode Island life for many years. He was born at St. Guil- laume, in the Province of Quebec, Canada, on December II, 1874, a son of Edouard and Cath- erine (Vandale) Hebert. His parents, who were both natives of Canada, came to Rhode Island in childhood, and on returning to Canada for a visit in the interest of the mother's health, their son was born there. Edouard Hebert was the son of a prosperous farmer in the Province of Quebec, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits before he came to the United States at the age of fifteen. After the arrival of the Hebert family at Coven- try, Rhode Island, he worked for a time in the local mills and then became a custom bootmaker. Eventually he owned his own boot and shoe busi- ness at Anthony, in the town of Coventry. In 1870 he became one of the founders of St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church in that commu- nity, serving as a member of its board of trustees for thirty years. He and his wife were the par- ents of thirteen children.
Felix Hebert, of this record, received his pre- liminary education in the public schools of Cov- entry and at the parish school of the Church of St. John Baptiste, West Warwick. Subsequently he attended La Salle Academy at Providence, from which he was graduated in 1893. At this time he began his active career, securing employ- ment as a stenographer in the freight office of the New York and New England Railroad Company, and within three years advancing to the position of chief billing clerk. For an equal period, he served as secretary to the late General Charles R. Brayton, after which he received an appointment as clerk in the office of the State Treasurer, Wal- ter A. Read, where he remained for one year. At the end of this time, in 1899, Senator Hebert was appointed deputy insurance commissioner of the State of Rhode Island, holding this responsible post continuously until 1917. During a period of eighteen years he performed with a high degree of efficiency all the duties of his office, and also found occasion to begin and complete the study of law, being admitted to practice at the Rhode Is- land bar in 1907. Judge Hebert specialized in in- surance law, of which he gained an unusually broad knowledge during his years of service with the State Insurance Department, and in which his opinions have long been regarded as authori- tative. He did not limit himself solely to this phase of the law, however, and in 1909, by reason
of his recognized qualifications, he was chosen judge of the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District. He served on the bench until 1929, a period of twenty years, adding to his already con- siderable reputation by his effective and impartial administration of the duties of his high office. Finally, in 1928, as the candidate of the Repub- lican party, he was elected to the United States Senate for a term of six years, entering now upon his third year in the chief legislative body of the Nation.
Senator Hebert served as a member of the Re- publican State Committee for a number of years. He worships in the Roman Catholic faith and is a member of the parish of St. Jean Baptiste at Arctic Center, of which his father was one of the founders. In addition, Senator Hebert is a mem- ber of various societies and clubs, including the Catholic Club and the Turk's Head Club of Providence, the Flat River Club, the Pomham Club, the Union St. Jean Baptiste, and the Franco American Foresters. He is a director of the Old Colony Cooperative Bank at Providence.
On September 18, 1900, Felix Hebert married Virginie M. Provost, daughter of Octave and Virginie (Deslauriers) Provost, of Ware, Mas- sachusetts. They are the parents of four chil- dren: I. Catherine Virginia, who was educated in the public schools of the town of West War- wick and the Sacred Heart Academy, Fall River, Pembroke College in Brown University, and the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston. 2. Adrien Warner, educated in the public schools of West Warwick, Phillips Exeter Academy, Exeter, New Hampshire; Technical High School, Providence; Brown University, and Boston Uni- versity School of Law. 3. Marguerite Rosalie, educated in the public schools of West Warwick; Sacred Heart Academy, Fall River; Elmhurst Academy, Providence, and Classical High School, Providence. 4. Edouard Felix, educated in West Warwick public schools; Classical High School, Providence; Amherst College, and now a senior in Georgetown University, Washington, D. C.
ROLAND HENRY CHATTERTON-Su- perintendent of schools at Portsmouth and Mid- dletown, Rhode Island, Roland Henry Chatter- ton, though still relatively young, has risen to a position of importance among the educators of this State. He was born on August 12, 1901, in Prov- idence, Rhode Island, a son of William Henry
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and Katherine Etta (Thompson) Chatterton. His father was a mechanical engineer by occu- pation.
Roland Henry Chatterton attended Providence public schools and, having early determined upon an educational career, later enrolled at Rhode Is- land State College, where he took the Bachelor of Science degree; Boston University, from which he was graduated with the Master of Arts degree, and Yale University Graduate School of Educa- tion. He began the work of his profession as an elementary school teacher at Scituate, Rhode Is- land, where he remained from 1920 to 1921. After some years of further study, he next became a teacher in the high school at Meriden, Connecti- cut, in 1925, and in the following year, supervis- ing principal of elementary and junior high schools at Jamestown, Rhode Island. In 1927 he was appointed to his present position as superin- tendent of schools at Portsmouth and Middletown, Rhode Island. This office he has filled with the greatest success, initiating many progressive re- forms of great value to the schools of these towns.
Among the various educational organizations, Mr. Chatterton is a member of the National Edu- cation Association, department of superintendents; the Rhode Island Institute of Instruction, of which he has been a vice-president since 1928, and the New England Association of Public School Officials. He is also a member of the Henry Barnard Club, while fraternally he is affiliated with Mount Vernon Lodge, No. 4, of the Free and Accepted Masons, at Providence; the Beta Phi Fraternity at Rhode Island State College, Kingston, Rhode Island; and Aquidneck Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, at Middletown, Rhode Is- land. Mr. Chatterton is unmarried. He main- tains his residence at Middletown and worships in the faith of the Episcopal Church.
HERBERT WARREN LULL-An educator of long experience and distinguished record, Herbert Warren Lull is, since September 1, 1931, superintendent emeritus of schools of Newport, Rhode Island. He was born at Boston, Massa- chusetts, on November 26, 1852, a son of Lewis M. and Jeanette Andrews (Tewksbury) Lull. His father was a railroad official and both par- ents were members of old American families.
Herbert Warren Lull was educated in New England schools and later entered Harvard Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1874. He
began his active career in his chosen occupation in 1874 as principal of the Lowell Street School at Manchester, New Hampshire. Later he became sub-master of the Manchester High School, prin- cipal of the Milford High School in Massachu- setts, and principal of the Quincy High School. The high character of his administration of these offices brought him further advancement, and Mr. Lull was subsequently appointed superintendent of schools at Quincy. Finally, in 1900, he came to Newport, Rhode Island, as superintendent of schools in this city, where he has since made his home. Mr. Lull has long been an important figure in Newport life. As superintendent of schools he is responsible for the success of the educational system, and in various other ways has participated in city affairs. His position among New England educators is indicated by his elec- tion as president of the State Teachers' Associa- tion of Rhode Island, of the Barnard Club, and of the New England Association of School Super- intendents. The Rhode Island College of Edu- cation has also honored him by conferring upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Education.
Fraternally Mr. Lull is affiliated with the Free and Accepted Masons, and in this order has occupied a high position. He is a member and Past Worshipful Master of Montgomery Lodge; a member of Mount Lebanon Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and of the Milford Commandery, Knights Templar. Mr. Lull has also occupied the office of Deputy Master of his district. Dur- ing the period of the World War he served as a Four-Minute Man, actively supporting his coun- try's cause and the various organized movements for war work. He is president of the Rotary Club of Newport, and a member of Channing Memorial Unitarian Church.
On August 1, 1878, at North Weare, New Hampshire, Herbert Warren Lull married Hattie May Chase, daughter of David Green and Lydia Ann (Chase) Chase. They are the parents of one child, Isadore Chase, born on January 6, 1882, now Mrs. Isadore Chase (Lull) Gould.
MAJOR GEORGE NEWMAN BLISS, son of James Leonard and Sarah A. (Stafford) Bliss, was born at Eagleville, Tiverton, Rhode Island, on July 22, 1837. He was one of an old family which numbered among its members Dr. James Bliss, great-grandfather of Major Bliss, who was a hospital steward in the Revolutionary War, and
Forge M. Bliss
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Thomas Bliss, the pioneer American of this branch of the Bliss family, who accompanied Samuel Newman from Weymouth when he founded his church at Rehoboth.
With the exception of six months of school life in Tiverton, he received his elementary school- ing in Fall River. In 1854, his family moved to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, and in September of that year, he prepared for college at the Univer- sity Grammar School in Providence, Rhode Island. After attending Brown University two years, he went to Union College, Schenectady, New York, graduating in June, 1860, with the degree of Bach- elor of Arts. In May, 1861, he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the Albany Law School and was admitted to the bar of the State of New York, May 15, 1861.
At his country's call, in September, 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier in Troop B, Ist Regi- ment, New England Cavalry. In March, 1862, the name was changed to Ist Rhode Island Cavalry. He was appointed quartermaster-sergeant of Troop B, and acting quartermaster for the regiment for three months, and was mustered into service De- cember 14, 1861, was appointed first lieutenant by Governor Sprague, and left Providence for the seat of war March 12, 1862. He served in the engagements at Warrenton Junction, Virginia, April, 1862, Columbia Ridge, June 4, and started for the Rappahannock, August 1, 1862 under Gen- eral Banks in the 2d Army Corps. He was ap- pointed captain of Troop C, August 4, was in the battle of Cedar Mountain, August 9, North Rap- pahannock, August 21, Catlett Station, August 21, Rappahannock Station, August 23, Sulphur Springs, August 26, Groveton, August 28, Second Bull Run, August 30, Chantilly, September I, White's Ford, October 12, Mountville, October 31, Fredericksburg, December 13, Hartwood's Church, February 25, 1863.
In the latter engagement, he was in charge of a line of pickets about eight miles in length, hav- ing orders to hold his position if the enemy made their appearance, which he did by a ruse, placing his available men-twelve in number, in single rank across the road on the top of a hill, facing toward the enemy, who supposing the men were the head of a regiment, withdrew, and two Union soldiers escaped from the one-hundred and fifty the rebels were taking to the rear.
On April 29, he was in battle near Kelley's Ford: Rapidan, May 1; Ellis' Ford and Chancel- lorsville, May 4; Middleburg, June 17, where his command quickly formed in line, charged and drove every rebel from the field. On August II,
1863, he was sent to New Haven, Connecticut, to receive the troops at the conscript camp there. He served on three courts-martial, in one of which he was judge-advocate, the findings in all of his cases being approved. May 16, 1864, he rejoined his regiment at Belle Plains, Virginia, was in the skirmish at White House Landing, June 20; Chickahominy, June 21; delivered a spirited and patriotic oration to the soldiers, July 4, 1864; was in the battles of Deep Bottom, July 28, Berry- ville, August 13, near Front Royal, August 16, Opequan (Winchester) September 19, Luray, September 24, Waynesboro, September 28, when the regiment was camping on the outskirts of the town.
About three o'clock in the afternoon, Major Farrington directed Captain Bliss to enter the town and order the Provost Guard to prohibit the soldiers from plundering private property while passing to and from the watering places. He had delivered his orders and was returning to his post, when a sudden charge of the rebels in force was encountered. Captain Bliss with a small force led the charge upon the rebels, the 3d New Jersey Cavalry, Colonel Lowell follow- ing. After marching a short distance, Colonel Lowell drew to one side, and Captain Bliss, un- aware of any change in his support, pressed on towards the enemy in front, shouting to his men- "Come on boys, they are running," and dashed in among the rebels only to find himself making the attack single-handed. As he rode, he kept his sabre swinging, striking six blows, right and left. He succeeded in wounding four of the enemy, and broke through the files, entering a side street in safety. Suddenly a bullet hit his horse, which fell with a plunge that left Captain Bliss lying upon the ground. Before he could rise, two rebel cavalrymen struck at him, one with a carbine and the other with a sabre. He could parry but one, and with his sabre stopped the crushing blow from the carbine at the same instant that the sabre gave him a cut across the forehead. Staggering to his feet, he exclaimed, "For God's sake, do not kill a prisoner." "Surrender then," said the rebel. "I do surrender," answered Captain Bliss. At that instant, a rebel horseman stabbed him in the back with a sabre, but through ignorance of sabre drill, he failed to make the half-turn of the wrist necessary to give the sabre smooth entrance be- tween the ribs. He saw at this moment, another soldier taking aim at him with a revolver. He called for protection as a Freemason, and Captain Henry C. Lee, the acting adjutant-general of the enemy's force, at once came to his assistance,
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ordering a soldier to take him to the rear and see that his wounds were dressed. He was afterwards taken to Charlottesville Hospital, where he was very kindly treated. December 6, 1864, he was placed in a cell in Libby Prison, Richmond, Vir- ginia, as a hostage for a rebel sentenced to be hung under Burnside's famous death order in East Tennessee. February 5, 1865, he was exchanged, and after thirty days' sick leave of absence, was placed in duty as president of a court-martial at Annapolis, Maryland, in which position he re- mained until mustered out of service, May 20, 1865, having served under Generals McDowell, Pope, McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, Meade and Sheridan.
One of the few Congressional Medals of Honor, awarded by the government for personal bravery during the Civil War, was given to Captain Bliss. The citation accompanying the award reads:
The Congressional Medal of Honor for Most Distinguished Gallantry in action at Waynesboro, Virginia, September 28, 1864. While in command of the provost guard in the village, he saw the Union lines retiring before the attack of a greatly superior force of the enemy, mustered his guard, and without orders joined in the de- fense and charged the enemy without support.
During the war, over the signature of "Ulys- ses," he forwarded to the Providence papers many valuable sketches of the deeds of valor performed by Union soldiers. About ten years after the war closed, he was one of the leaders in form- ing the Soldiers' and Sailors' Historical Society of Rhode Island, and for many years edited and wrote many of the booklets of the series, "Per- sonal Narratives of the Rebellion," which have been widely distributed and which constitute the only material of its kind in existence. In one of these, "How I Lost My Sabre in War and Found It in Peace," he recounts his later friendship with the four men he wounded at the time of his cap- ture.
After the war, he returned to Rhode Island and in 1865, associated himself with Joshua B. Adde- man in the practice of law (under the name of Bliss and Addeman). He was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives from 1868- 1873, was elected by the Legislature in 1869, a commissioner of Shell Fisheries for five years, and reëlected for five years in 1874. In 1884, he was elected to the State Senate and served three terms there. In 1874 he served as town solicitor in East Providence. In 1872, he began the fifty years of uninterrupted service as trial justice and judge of the East Providence District Court.
When he retired in 1922, he had tried over 24,- 000 cases.
Besides his judicial duties, Judge Bliss found time to take an active part in civic and municipal affairs. For twenty-five years he was a member of the East Providence School Committee, and served as superintendent of schools for thirteen years. The Watchemoket Public Library owed its beginning to his efforts.
In 1879, he was elected major of the Ist Bat- talion of Cavalry in the Rhode Island Militia. He served in this capacity four years. He was a member and Past Commander of Bucklin Post, No. 20, Grand Army of the Republic; Past Com- mander of Rising Sun Lodge of Free Masons, of which he was a charter member and first Mas- ter; he was given, October II, 1861, the Master Mason's degree in Union Lodge, No. 10 of Paw- tucket, Rhode Island; member of Pawtucket Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons, and was for many years the oldest Past High Priest of Holy Sepulchre Commandery, Knights Templar, and of the Grand Lodge of the State of Rhode Island.
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