USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 14
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In his political views, Mr. Jacobs is a staunch Republican and a supporter of his party and its policies. He is a member of the Rhode Island University of Michigan Club, of which he is sec- retary, and also maintains membership in the Rotary Club of Providence and in the Free and Accepted Masons. In the Masonic Order he is affiliated with the Blue Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter, and the Council of Royal and Select Masters. He still maintains his association with the Town Criers, of Providence, of which, as noted above, he was for two years chief crier. Into all of these organizations, he has ever put his fullest measure of energy and devotion, with the result that his participation in Rhode Island life has been most beneficial. Nor does he devote all of his time to work; he is also fond of recre- ation, as well as organizing and leading men. He is a lover of fine breeds of dogs, and one of his favorite hobbies is the healthful outdoor game of golf.
Harry Loeb Jacobs married, in Kittanning, Penn- sylvania, on September 14, 1898, Harriet Einstein,
now deceased, who came to Rhode Island in 1898, upon her marriage to Mr. Jacobs. She was born in Meadville, daughter of Ralph and Sophia Einstein, of that Pennsylvania city. She was a member of Temple Beth-El, the State Federation of Women's Clubs, and the Rhode Island Ex-Club. She was a woman of many charities, who gave freely of time and money to the work of charitable organizations, helped liberally in raising money for philanthropic enterprises, notably for the screening, several years ago, of St. Joseph's Hospital Annex, at Hillsgrove, Rhode Island. She did a great deal of American- ization work, and during the World War period headed a division of the Salvation Army, in which she maintained her interest following the close of hostilities. She was for twenty years a director of the Sophia Little Home, and was president of the Providence Council of Jewish Women for a num- ber of years, as well as a leader in the council's maintenance of a camp for underprivileged chil- dren, near East Greenwich. Early in 1930, the year of her death, this organization sponsored a "Friendly Roll" in her honor, for the carrying on of the camp's work. Although Mrs. Jacobs was not in the best of health for several years prior to her death, which occurred on July 1, 1930, she con- tinued her charitable and philanthropic works, de- voting herself to Jewish and general charities hav- ing to do chiefly with work among children. Her passing removed from Rhode Island a woman of exceptional talents and character, one who had contributed substantially to the well-being of her city and State, and whose memory is today a cherished possession in the mental treasure-house of many a small boy and girl, as well as among all whose privilege it was to know her.
JOHN L. COREY was born in Exeter, Rhode Island, in 1862, and died in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1923. As a young man he was a manu- facturer of lumber, buying tracts of woodland and sawing the logs into boards, running his sawmill in the woods. This was known as the Troy Lum- ber Company. Later he began the manufacture of wooden boxes, in 1901 obtaining control of the Providence Box and Lumber Company, which was then located at Olneyville, but which was removed to Cranston in 1911. He built up the business until it ranked among the most important manufactur- ing plants in the State. At the time of his death he was the executive head of the establishment.
John L. Corey married Mary Fannie Niles, a native of Wyoming, Rhode Island.
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J. HERBERT COREY-Serving as secretary and treasurer of the Providence Box and Lumber Company, J. Herbert Corey has been favorably known in the industrial world of Rhode Island for nearly thirty years. Although he may justly be entitled to membership in the ranks of the younger element of business men, he has advanced with continuing success from the time he finished his attendance at school and now holds an important place in the productive field, being considered an executive of high ability. He is also interested in civic activities, is a member of many commercial and social organizations, and a popular brother in fraternal associations.
He was born in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, Au- gust 18, 1884, a son of John L. Corey (q. v.) and Mary Fannie (Niles) Corey. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from Hope Val- ley High School. In 1902 he became associated with the Providence Box and Lumber Company and in 1903 was made secretary and assistant treasurer. He held this office until 1920, when he was appointed to the presidency, serving in that capacity until 1923, when he became secretary and treasurer. He is a Republican in politics, a mem- ber of the Edgewood Congregational Church, and belongs to the Providence Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, the National Association of Box Manufacturers, the Providence Lumber Dealers' Association, the Re- publican Club, and the Bonnet Shores Club. Fra- ternally, he is affiliated with St. John Lodge, No. I, Free and Accepted Masons, and with Provi- dence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. His recreation is golf.
J. Herbert Corey married, in 1909, Elizabeth Ella Marshall, born in Johnston, Rhode Island, and they are the parents of the following children: Helen Elizabeth, Priscilla, and Marcia Smith.
WALTER R. COREY, son of John L. and Mary Fannie (Niles) Corey, and brother of J. Herbert Corey (q. v.), was born in Exeter, Rhode Island, May 14, 1888. He attended the public schools of Hopkinton, and took the full course at the Providence Technical High School, in 1908 becoming associated with his father in the Prov- idence Box and Lumber Company. In 1920 he was elected secretary of the company and, upon the death of his father, in 1923, was made president, which office he has since held. The company be- gan its retail lumber business in 1923.
Mr. Corey is a Republican in politics and a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Box Manufacturers, and the Prov- idence Lumber Dealers' Association. He is fra- ternally affiliated with St. John's Lodge, No. I, Free and Accepted Masons, and Providence Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons.
Walter R. Corey married, in 1914, Annie E. Henderson, who was born in Bristol, Rhode Island. They are the parents of two children: John H., and Janet.
A. GEORGE BROWN-Among leading busi- ness men of Providence, few have had more varied, productive or distinguished careers than that of A. George Brown. Given unusual gifts through he- redity, he broadened his abilities through an un- usually intensive course of study, had experience in military affairs abroad, did intelligence work there and at home, and transmuted his talents to the business field by entry into the insurance and fraud bond line. His record is one of consistent accomplishment and entitles him to mention among the foremost men of Rhode Island.
The family of which Mr. Brown is a member is one of the oldest in America. It was founded in this country by George Braun, as the name was then spelled, who came from Holland in 1679 to settle in New York City. He was a trader in hides, gifted as a merchant, and a man of extended influence on affairs of his period. From 1679 down to recent times members of the line have had positions of responsibility. George W. Brown father of A. George Brown, was a native of New York City and engaged in the United States Cus- toms Service there until death. He fought with the Duryea Zouaves in the War Between the States, and was, at the time of his passing, a Past Commander of James A. Garfield Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. George W. Brown married Margaret Sheridan, native of Long Is- land City, New York, and niece of Phil Sheridan. She, too, is deceased.
A. George Brown was born in New York City, January 12, 1879, son of George W. and Mar- garet (Sheridan) Brown. He received a sound academic preparation in the public schools of New York, got an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and graduated therefrom in 1897, when but twenty-two years of age. He went directly into military life, as sec- ond lieutenant in the army. War with Spain in
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1898 sent him to Cuba and Porto Rico, and in 1899 he went to the Philippines, where he con- tinued in the army service. He left the army in 1904 in order to enter civilian service for the Government as chief of detectives, Canal Zone Police. There he continued with marked distinc- tion until 1907, when he returned to New York City with the intention of beginning a civilian career. In 1912, F. Dalton O'Sullivan, noted Chi- cago criminalogist, in his famous book, "Enemies of the Under World," classified Mr. Brown as one of sixty-seven leading detectives of the United States at that time. He has written many articles on criminal subjects and in 1918 received a letter from Matthew J. Eder, editor of "The National Police Journal," of New York City, stating he found these to be both interesting and helpful and that the columns of his journal were open to him at all times.
Because of his good record he had little trouble in finding a suitable position-with the National Surety Company, New York. He continued in New York with this organization until 1923, then came to Providence as Rhode Island manager for the company. In 1926 he founded the Brown-Hull Company, Inc., of which concern he has since been president. In December 9, he purchased entire control and the name changed to A. G. Brown and Company, Inc., of which he is president and treas- urer. The company specializes in fraud, forgery and contract bonds, it being the only agency han- dling fraud bonds in the State. The firm also acts as general agent for the Sun Indemnity Company, New Century Casualty Company, and New York Indemnity Company. It is local agent for the St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, the Camden Fire Insurance Association, Aetna Insur- ance Company, and writes all kinds of insurance, in fact, save for life. Offices are at No. 36 Ex- change Place, Room 414, Providence.
Though he is busily occupied with the increasing scope and responsibilities of his business, Mr. Brown gives a goodly portion of his time to gen- eral matters of interest. A Democrat, he supports the principles of this party loyally, and has a con- siderable influence within its ranks. He is chair- man of the Town Democratic Committee, of East Providence, and is a member of the Democratic Central Committee. Fraternally active, he is affil- iated with Providence Lodge, No. 14, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Society of the Army in the Philippines, Spanish War Veterans, the Catholic Institute of Providence, Holy Name Society, and Riverside Council of the Knights of
Columbus, also being a member of the Providence Insurance Association and Chamber of Commerce. He attends Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, and makes a hobby of hunting and fishing.
Mr. Brown married, in 1909, Catherine V. Stock, native of New York City, and their children are: I. George S., a department manager for the South- ern Pacific Railroad. 2. Margaret S. 3. Catherine V. 4. Loretta M. 5. Robert F. 6. Muriel F. Mr. Brown is a valued factor in the advancement of his city and State.
COL. EVERITTE St. J. CHAFFEE-By profession a lawyer, Colonel Chaffee was engaged in the active practice of his profession in Prov- idence for some eleven years prior to the World War. In this conflict he saw extensive overseas' service, bringing him various promotions, until he was promoted to the rank of colonel. In recent years Colonel Chaffee has been superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police, which he organ- ized in 1925 and which he has commanded since its formation.
Colonel Everitte St. J. Chaffee was born in Amenia, New York, November 15, 1879, a son of James Stuart and Lydia (Judd) Chaffee. His father, now deceased, was a native of Sharon, Con- necticut, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. Colonel Chaffee's mother, still living, was born at Kent, Connecticut. Colonel Chaffee received his early education in the public schools of his native town and then attended Shef- field Scientific School at Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, from which he was grad- uated with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in 1900. He then took up the study of law at Har- vard Law School, graduating with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1904. In the next year, 1905, he was admitted to the bar of the State of Rhode Island and immediately entered upon the active practice of law with C. M. Van Slyck of Prov- idence. This connection continued until 1916, when Mr. Chaffee went to the Mexican border in com- mand of Battery A, Rhode Island Field Artillery. He remained there about four months. After that he served with the United States Army during the World War until 1919. In that year he re- sumed the practice of law in Providence, under his own name, and continued until 1925, when he was appointed superintendent of the Rhode Island State Police. In this position he was entrusted with the difficult task of organizing the police
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force, at the head of which he has continued ever since. Under his direction it has made an enviable record; starting with twenty-three, it now has a force of fifty-one. Colonel Chaffee's offices are located in Suite 2303, New Industrial Trust Build- ing, Providence.
Colonel Chaffee's military record dates back to 1905, when he enlisted in Company C, Ist Rhode Island Infantry, National Guard, with the rank of private. At the Mexican border he served as a captain of Battery A, Rhode Island Field Artillery, having received this rank in 1914. This battery received official rating from the United States War Department as the most efficient battery in the entire National Guard of the United States. When the United States entered the World War, Colonel Chaffee became captain of the 103d Field Artillery, 26th Division. He was promoted major on Octo- ber I, 1917, and in December, 1917, went over- seas as commander of the 2d Battalion, 103d Field Artillery, 26th Division. On June 9, 1918, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and on July 30, 1918, to that of colonel, with which latter rank he received his honorable discharge, December 5, 1918. With his regiment he served on the following fronts : Soisson Sector, Toul Sector, Champagne-Marne defensive; Aisne-Marne offen- sive. In 1919 he was given a division citation. He was appointed to the eligible list of the general staff of the United States Army and also to the eligible list of brigadier-generals of Field Artil- lery, the latter appointment being the result of his satisfactory command on the field of battle. Since 1920 he has held a commission as colonel in the United States Army Reserve Corps. Dur- ing 1922-25 he assisted in reorganizing the Ist Battalion, 103d Field Artillery, Rhode Island Na- tional Guard, of which he served successively as captain, major and lieutenant-colonel.
Colonel Chaffee is a member of the New Eng- land Police Chiefs' Association, the Rhode Island Police Chiefs' Association, the Conference of Superintendents of State Police, the Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Hope Club, the Agawam Hunt Club and the Jacob's Hunt Hill Club. He is also a member of the Governor's Coun- cil on Street and Highway Safety. His religious affiliation is with the Unitarian Church.
Colonel Chaffee married, November 22, 19II, Carolyn Lyman Peck, a native of Providence. Colonel and Mrs. Chaffee have four children : Stuart, Louise Lyman, Carolyn St. John, and John Beaumont.
HOWARD EDWIN THORP-Insurance and real estate have comprised the work that Howard Edwin Thorp has done in the community in and near Westerly, Rhode Island, where he established a business in 1910, and where, since 1920, he has traded under the name of Thorp and Trainer, Inc. He is also an active figure in a number of different business establishments in Westerly.
He was born in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, on July 10, 1889, son of William H. and Alice E. (Jacob) Thorp, both natives of England who came to the United States as young children. The father was a textile man, and lived for a number of years in Westerly until his death in 1923. The mother now makes her home in Westerly. It was in the schools of Rhode Island that Howard Edwin Thorp received his early education; and then, when he became of the proper age to seek his fortunes in the world of business, he became interested in insurance and real estate, which have occupied his attentions since that time. He went into business on his own account first in 1910, and continued in it until, in 1920, he took into association with him Mr. Trainer, forming what has since been known as the corporation of Thorp and Trainer, Inc., dealers in insurance and real estate. Since then this organization has been one of the leading insti- tutions of its kind in this vicinity of Rhode Island, where it has engaged in all types of the insurance and real estate business and has contributed its full share toward the welfare and well-being of West- erly.
Here, also, Mr. Thorp is active in other enter- prises, being a director in the Westerly Savings Fund and Loan Association, as well as in the Morris Plan Bank. He has also given freely of his time to his fellowmen and State, having been elected, in November, 1926, as a State Senator from his town, and having been reelected to this office in 1928. For six and one-half years he served as a member of the Town Council of Westerly, while, since 1916, he has been on the Board of Assessors. His political allegiance has been given consistently to the Republican party, whose policies and principles he supports by his vote and influence, and the honors that have come to him in the form of political office have been wholly unsought on his part, although he has always willingly accepted the responsibilities thus thrust upon him. He has also been a leader in fraternal and organizational work, having been a member of the Free and Ac- cepted Masons, in which he belongs to Franklin Lodge No. 20; Palmer Chapter, Royal Arch Ma-
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sons; and Narragansett Commandery, No. 27, Knights Templar. He is also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
Howard Edwin Thorp married Hattie M. Hep- worth, daughter of David and Jennie L. (Proctor) Hepworth. To this union there has been born a son, Nelson Howard Thorp, who is a student in high school, being, at the time of writing (1929), a senior in that institution. The family's church membership is in the Protestant Episcopal, al- though Mr. Thorp and the other members of his house attend also the Community Babcock Chapel, in Potter Hill.
GEORGE CUDWORTH CARPENTER was born in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, on Sep- tember 18, 1875, and died, at his residence on Abbott Run Road, on November 1, 1930. He was the son of Jeffrey Hazard and Lucinda (Fen- ner) Carpenter, both substantial Rhode Island people and both descended from Colonial ances- tors. Jeffrey Hazard Carpenter, a mill man by occupation, was the son of Daniel and Mary (Grady) Carpenter, of South Kingstown, Rhode Island; grandson of Stephen and Susan (Chaplin) Carpenter; and great-grandson of Daniel and Renewed (Smith) Carpenter, all of whom were residents of South Kingstown, Rhode Island.
George C. Carpenter was educated in the Adamsdale school and upon completing his work there set to work on the parental farm, where he remained for a short time before he began work- ing in the mills. He became an expert weaver, and also worked in a tannery for a time, while at another period of his early life he served as stationary engineer.
In 1902, George C. Carpenter became a hired hand, connected with the farm of which later he became operator and on which he carried on a . successful and extensive business as dairyman and farmer. Mr. Carpenter was actively inter- ested in community affairs, and was ever ready to support those movements which he believed promised benefits to the district and State in which he lived. He was, in his political alignment, a staunch Republican and a supporter of his party's policies and principles. For ten years he served as constable and deputy fire warden, and in these capacities rendered valuable service to his fellow- men. He held membership in the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and his religious faith was that of the Universalist Church.
Mr. Carpenter was twice married; first, to Jane Holmes, by whom he had three children: Lester Everett, Howard Elton, and Raymond Holmes; and second to Bertha Lee Carpenter, daughter of Edwin Francis annd Annie (Lee) Carpenter, who, after the death of her father, came into own- ership of the parental farm. Her mother resides with a son, Lewis Carpenter, at Abbott Run.
This "Carpenter Farm" has the unique distinc- tion of being situated half in Rhode Island and half in Massachusetts, the State line running through the property only a few feet in the rear of the house. The farm, consisting of something over one hundred and fifty acres of land, occu- pies a fine position on the Abbott Run Road; has been long known as the "Edwin F. Carpen- ter Farm" and is under excellent cultivation.
This farm has a particularly interesting history and undoubtedly has the distinction of being the only property of this character to be situated part in Rhode Island and part in Massachusetts, and to be, after two hundred and sixty years, still in the hands of a direct descendant and of the same name as the original owners, and on which there has always resided a direct descend- ant by the name of Carpenter.
The property consists of several parcels of land, some obtained by division of public lands and others by either purchase or exchange but all and altogether they are a part of the Reho- both North Purchase made by Captain Thomas Willet from the Indians in 1661. The first divi- sions to the Proprietors were made in 1668 and 1671 and the last divisions were made in 1834. This "Rehoboth North Purchase" was originally all in Massachusetts and was incorporated as the town of Attleboro in 1694. In 1746 a portion of it was conveyed to the State of Rhode Island and the New State line was run through this Carpen- ter farm.
The present farm house was built in 1819 on the Massachusetts side of the State line and re- placed the original homestead which was on the Rhode Island section of the property.
The present owner of this property, Bertha Lee (Carpenter) Carpenter, is directly descended through William, Noah, Stephen, Asa, John, Lewis S. and Edwin F. Carpenter from William Carpenter who came on the "Bevis" to South Weymouth, Massachusetts, in 1638; moved to Rehoboth, Massachusetts, in 1644, and was him- self directly descended from John Carpenter, M. P. 1323. (See "Carpenter-Rehoboth Family" -- Amos B. Carpenter, 1898.)
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WILLIAM L. SHARPE-A native and life- long resident of East Greenwich, Kent County, Mr. Sharpe has been for many years one of this city's leading hardware merchants and has also been prominently active in many other phases of the community's life. He holds numerous posi- tions of trust and responsibility, indicating how highly he is regarded and respected by his fellow- townsmen. A member of numerous fraternal, civic, and social organizations, he is very popular in all of them. His public-spirit and his great interest in public affairs finds expression in his active participation in politics and in his success- ful service, first in the Rhode Island Senate and more recently in the State Board of Education.
William L. Sharpe was born in East Green- wich, Kent County, July 19, 1878, a son of the late William R. and Mary T. (Sparks) Sharpe. His father, who was also born at East Green- wich, was one of that town's leading merchants, being at the head of a successful hardware busi- ness which was founded by him, until his death in 1897. Mr. Sharpe's mother, who was born at Warren, Rhode Island, died in 1900. Having re- ceived his early education in the public schools of his native town, Mr. Sharpe then attended the East Greenwich Academy and the Technical High School in Providence. After the completion of his education he became associated with his father in the hardware business, established by the latter in 1878. When Mr. Sharpe's father died, in 1897, he took over the conduct of the business, though he was at that time only nineteen years of age. He has continued to operate this business with great success, having retained its original name, the W. R. Sharpe Hardware Company. He is its sole owner and under his very able man- agement the business has become one of the most successful of its type in Kent County, having also the distinction of being the oldest hardware establishment in East Greenwich. Mr. Sharpe is also secretary and treasurer of the East Green- wich Savings Fund & Loan Association and holds the same positions in respect to the Free Masons Building Association. For many years he has taken a very active part in politics as a staunch supporter of the Republican party. During 1923- 1926 he served as a member of the Rhode Island State Senate; since 1920 he has been auditor of the town of East Greenwich; in 1929 he was appointed a member of the Rhode Island State Board of Education; and since 1928 he has been a member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee. During the celebration of the two hundred
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