USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 15
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and fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of East Greenwich, Mr. Sharpe served as chairman of the finance committee. He was one of the or- ganizers and is still a member of the Varnum Continentals, of which he served as a lieutenant. He is also a member of the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, the East Greenwich Re- tail Merchants' Association, and the New Eng- land Retail Hardware Dealers' Association. For many years he has been prominently active in Masonic affairs. He is a member of: King Sol- omon Lodge, No. II, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a Past Master; Narragansett Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Narragansett Council, Royal and Select Masters; St. John's Commandery, No. I, Knights Templar, of which he is a Past Commander; Rhode Island Con- sistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has had the honor of having the thirty-third degree conferred upon him, and he is a past president of the Palestine Shrine Club of Providence. His religious affilia- tion is with St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church of East Greenwich.
Mr. Sharpe married, in 1901, Flora Thornley, like himself, a native of East Greenwich. Mr. and Mrs. Sharpe are the parents of two children: Russell T., and Marguerite.
CHARLES B. CLARKE -- A native and life- long resident of Rhode Island and educated in its schools and colleges, Mr. Clarke, having com- pleted his education, became connected with a well-known Providence business firm. Several years later he became a partner in the Wakefield Lumber Company, of which he is now the sole owner. Under his very able and aggressive man- agement this business, one of the oldest of its type in this section of Rhode Island, has enjoyed a steady growth and prosperity, and Mr. Clarke is regarded as one of the leading and most sub- stantial business men of Wakefield. He is a popu- lar member of several fraternal, social and busi- ness organizations and also takes an active in- terest in religious work, his activities in these various directions indicating the breadth of his interests and also showing how completely he par- ticipates in all phases of the community's life.
Charles B. Clarke was born at Matunick Beach, June 12, 1889, a son of Charles Stanton and Eunice (Browning) Clarke. His father, who
Parent Starke
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was born on Fisher Island, Connecticut, was connected with the American Screw Company, of Providence, until his death in 1909. His mother, a native of Green Hill, Rhode Island, is still living. Mr. Clarke received his early education in the public schools of his native town and then attended successively the Moses Brown School at Providence and the Rhode Island State Col- lege at Kingston, from which latter he was grad- uated in 1914. He then became connected with John F. Street & Company, one of the leading cotton yarn firms of Providence, with which he remained for some three years. In the meantime, about 1915, he had also become associated in business with Mr. Joseph B. Tucker and, to- gether with him, purchased the Wakefield Lum- ber Company, a well-known and successful enter- prise, established as long ago as 1880. Until 1920 he continued in partnership with Mr. Tucker, but in that year he purchased Mr. Tucker's interest and since then he has been the sole owner of the Wakefield Lumber Company. As the head of this concern, which carries a complete line of all types of lumber, builders' supplies, coal and grain, he is, of course, considered one of the most substantial and most representative business men of Wakefield. He is a member of the North- eastern Lumbermen's Association and of New England Grain Dealers' Association, as well as of the Narragansett Golf Club and the National Masonic Club, of which latter he is vice-president. He also belongs to several Masonic bodies, in- cluding Hope Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons; Unity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Narragansett Council, No. 6, Royal and Select Masters; and Narragansett Commandery, Knights Templar, as well as to a Greek letter society, Theta Chi, his membership in this organization dating back to his college days. In politics he is independent, while his religious affiliations are with the Baptist Church. He is fond of out-door life and of water sports and especially of boating.
Mr. Clarke married, November 24, 1915, Jose- phine Chapman Berry, a native of Washington, District of Columbia. Mr. and Mrs. Clarke are the parents of two children, Charles Bernard and Mildred Lee Clarke.
DENISON CHESEBRO HINCKLEY-For more than thirty-five years the late Denison C. Hinckley was one of the most exemplary business men of Westerly, and after his retirement from the furniture trade he maintained his good name
as a citizen of financial worth and civic standing. For a number of years prior to his death he was interested in the growing of grapefruit in the Isle of Pines, West Indies, where he was wont to spend his winters.
Born on Hinckley Hill, Pawcatuck, in 1866, Denison Chesebro Hinckley was the son of Charles H. and Lydia J. (Knight) Hinckley. He attended the schools of Westerly, graduating from the high school in the class of 1888. At an early age he became an associate of his father in the C. H. Hinckley Company, which conducted a furniture business in Westerly. He made himself familiar with all the details of the trade on its retail side, and at the age of twenty-one he estab- lished himself in the business. At this time Harry R. Mitchell was taken in as a partner and the firm became known as the Hinckley-Mitchell Company, whose style later was changed to the Westerly Furniture Company. In 1917 the com- pany disposed of its stock and good-will, but not the buildings, to John O. Mills, and Mr. Hinckley withdrew from active merchandising.
He then acquired an interest in Isle of Pines property, having been attracted to that section of the West Indies through his periodical visits to that beautiful resort, and eventually developed a large grove of grapefruit trees. In their cultiva- tion and other matters connected with this sort of husbandry he had a keen pleasure, which he was privileged to enjoy for seven winters prior to his passing. Mr. Hinckley's death occurred at his home, September 2, 1926, at the age of sixty years.
Prominent in Freemasonry, Mr. Hinckley was affiliated with Pawcatuck (blue) Lodge; Palmer Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Narragansett Commandery, Knights Templar; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He had filled all the chairs in the lodge, the chapter and the commandery.
Mr. Hinckley married S. Ann H. Burdick, at Central Falls, Rhode Island. She survives him, together with a brother, John S., of Providence. Mrs. Hinckley continues her home at Westerly.
WILLARD H. BACON-A graduate of Brown University, Mr. Bacon's entire career has been devoted to teaching and to the administra- tion of schools. For some eighteen years he has been connected with the public schools of West- erly, Washington County, first for a year and a half as principal of the high school and then as
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superintendent of public schools. Prior to that he spent more than ten years in teaching and as prin- cipal of various schools in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. His long experience makes him especially qualified to hold the position, which he has occupied for so many years. He is regarded as one of the most able and successful educational administrators in Rhode Island.
Willard H. Bacon was born at Putney, Ver- mont, in 1878. He received his early education in the public schools at Bellows Falls, Vermont, and then prepared himself for his career as a teacher at Brown University, Providence, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1900. Immediately after that he began teaching and, until 1911, he was connected as a teacher or principal with various public and pri- vate schools, with most of which he was asso- ciated for several years. He has taught in the Cedar Croft School at Kennett Square, Pennsyl- vania, at the Providence Technical High School, and at Mitchell School, Billerica, Massachusetts. He has also served as principal of schools at Charlestown, New Hampshire, at the high school at Avon, Massachusetts, and at the high school at Rochester, New Hampshire. About 1911 he came to Westerly as principal of the local high school, a position he held for eighteen months. During this period he proved himself such an able teacher and administrator and became so popular in the community that, in November, 1913, he was ap- pointed superintendent of public schools of West- erly, a position he has continued to hold since then, much to his credit and also to the benefit of the community. He is popular with pupils, par- ents, and teachers alike, and under his administra- tion the public schools of Westerly have extended their usefulness to the community. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic Order, while his religious affiliation is with the Baptist Church. He has been president of the Rhode Island Institute of Instruction; president of Barnard Club of Rhode Island, and president of the New England Asso- ciation of School Superintendents.
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Mr. Bacon married Mary Alice Carpenter and by this marriage is the father of one son, Henry C. Bacon.
HERMAN N. SILVERMAN-Having estab- lished himself in the department store business at East Greenwich more than two decades ago, Mr. Silverman has built up this business since then
so successfully that today (1931) it is one of the largest retail establishments in the town. Of course, he occupies a position of leadership in business circles. He has also consistently inter- ested himself in civic affairs, is a member of sev- eral civic and fraternal organizations, belongs to several of the leading local clubs, and in every respect represents a high type of useful, public- spirited and patriotic citizen.
Herman N. Silverman was born at Troy, New York, October 10, 1883, a son of Joseph and Lena (Bielinski) Silverman. Both his parents were natives of Poland, but spent the greater part of their lives in the United States. His father is successfully engaged in the retail clothing busi- ness at Troy, New York. Mr. Silverman received his early education in the public schools of Troy and then attended Cooper Union, New York City, where he took various courses in the night school. Having completed his education he traveled for two years as a sales representative and then lo- cated at Albany, New York, where he was man- ager of a retail clothing store for two years. In 1908 he came to East Greenwich and there estab- lished himself in the department store business under his own name. He has continued in this business and, as a result of his unusual business and executive ability and his untiring energy, has made his store one of the most successful and largest retail establishments in East Greenwich.
Mr. Silverman is chairman of the executive committee and president of the Retail Merchants' Division of the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, a trustee of the Miriam Hospital of Providence, and a director of the Union Trust Company, East Greenwich Branch, and the East Greenwich Savings Fund & Loan Association. For many years he has been prominently active in fraternal affairs. He is a member of numer- ous fraternal organizations, including the follow- ing: Providence Lodge, No. 14, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Roosevelt Lodge, No. 42, Free and Accepted Masons; Harmony Lodge, No. 5, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a Past Grand; Harmony Encamp- ment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Royal Arcanum. He is also a member of the Varnum Continentals, the Temple Bethel Club of Providence, and the Nautilus Club, of which latter he is vice-president. In 1927, when East Greenwich celebrated its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, Mr. Silverman served as chairman of the anniversary program committee. In poli- tics he is a supporter of the Republican party,
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while his religious affiliation is with Temple Emanuel. His favorite form of recreation is fish- ing.
Mr. Silverman married, in 1908, Jennie Solo- mon, a native of Providence, Mr. and Mrs. Sil- verman are the parents of five children: Ben- jamin J., Ruth E., Howard D., Arthur P., and Irving A.
JOHN OLCOTT MILLS-A man who takes a lively part in the business and civic life of Westerly, Rhode Island, and this vicinity of his State, is John O. Mills, who is owner and pro- prietor of the Westerly Furniture Company here, as well as of the Gavitt Furniture Company, of Pawcatuck, Connecticut. The Westerly store is one of the finest in Rhode Island, and occupies an entire building, including three floors and a base- ment. Employing twenty-five people, it deals in all sorts of furnishings for the home, and through it and his part in it John O. Mills renders a most useful service to the general citizenry of his com- munity and State.
He was born at East Granby, Connecticut, on May 25, 1873, son of Gustavus and Sarah (Whit- more) Mills, both natives of Connecticut and farmers by trade. The parents are both now de- ceased. John O. Mills received his early educa- tion in the schools of his home town, East Granby, but, lacking the opportunities of a higher education, he began work at an early age in the shops of different manufacturers, where he stayed for several years until at length he became engaged in the house furnishings business at New Britain, Connecticut. There he remained until, in 1917, he came to Westerly and purchased the establishment which he now operates. Its original owners were Hinckley and Mitchell, who had built up a substantial business, although in the years that Mr. Mills has had the store under his control he has further expanded the scope and usefulness of the institution through making a continuous study of the special needs of his com- munity and applying fruitfully the knowledge that he acquires in his investigations. A little later he bought the Gavitt store at Pawcatuck, Connecti- cut, and that place of business is now managed by his son, Olcott G. Mills. The father, John O. Mills, is also active in other business enterprises, and, man of thrift and ingenuity that he is, is vice-president and director of the Clyde Mills, as well as treasurer and director of the Westerly Hospital.
Into all of these different undertakings he puts the very utmost of his energy and talent, although his activities in community life by no means end here. Keenly interested in politics, he is a staunch supporter of Republican policies and principles, although he takes no very active part in party affairs, preferring instead to devote his time to his business endeavors. A leader in fra- ternal work, he is a member of the Masonic Order, in which he belongs to Franklin Lodge, No. 20, Free and Accepted Masons; Palmer Chapter, No. 28, Royal Arch Masons; and Nar- ragansett Commandery, No. 27, Knights Templar, at Westerly, as well as to the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite bodies, in which he has taken all degrees, up to and including the thirty-second de- gree, at Providence, and the Palestine Shrine. Mr. Mills is also a member of the Colonial Club, the Masonic Club, the Winnapaug Golf Club at Westerly, and the Calvary Baptist Church.
John O. Mills married Jeannette Griswold, a native of Cromwell, Connecticut, daughter of Charles K. and Martha (Porter) Griswold. As a result of this union there have been the following children: I. Edna, who became the wife of Vinal N. Hastings, a chemist with the United States Rubber Company; they make their home at Bris- tol, Rhode Island. 2. Olcott G., who for some years studied in the home schools at Westerly, and then went for one year to Brown University, in Providence, and subsequently to Colgate Uni- versity, from which he was graduated; he married Margaret Groub, who is now deceased.
REV. S. GRENIER-As pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, of Phenix, Rhode Island, Rev. S. Grenier is greatly loved and re- spected by his people, who give him their hearty and enthusiastic cooperation and receive from him a ministry of unusual sympathy, tact, and un- derstanding.
The parish of Our Lady of Good Counsel was originally a mission of the French Church of St. Jean Baptiste, of Centreville. The rapid develop- ment of the cotton manufacturing industry after the Civil War brought to the Pawtuxet Valley many French-Canadians who went to work in the mills. In 1870 Father Gibson, pastor at Cromp- ton, who had charge of the whole district of the Pawtuxet Valley, asked Bishop McFarland for an assistant who could speak French. By 1873 the French-Canadian Catholics had become so
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numerous that Bishop Hendricken formed them into a congregation and appointed Rev. Henry Spruyt, a Belgian priest who spoke French flu- ently, as their pastor. Father Spruyt built the Church of St. Jean Baptiste, which was nearly completed when Bishop Hendricken laid its cor- ner-stone, October 18, 1874. Rev. James Smith succeeded Father Spruyt in 1879, and on July 4, 1880, the church was dedicated by Bishop Hen- dricken. Father Smith, who served from 1879 to 1887, finished the interior of the church. He was succeeded by Rev. Charles Gaboury, who built the convent and school and established at Phenix the mission which was later to be erected into a separate parish and dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel. Father Gaboury remained in Centreville until 1895, by which time the parish of St. Jean Baptiste had become the largest French-Canadian parish in the Pawtuxet Valley, with a good church, convent, and school, a new parochial residence, a gymnasium for the young men, and a cemetery of its own. In 1895 Rev. Joseph Payan was made pastor of St. Jean Bap- tiste, and on February 1, 1897, the mission estab- lished by Father Gaboury at Phenix was made a separate parish and dedicated to Our Lady of Good Counsel. Rev. J. D. Lebel was appointed the first pastor and he promptly and vigorously set about the work of establishing the new parish. For over ten years he devoted his energy and his ability to the interests of the new parish. A rec- tory was begun in 1897 and finished in 1898, a small school was soon opened, and in 1903 the church, which provides seating for seven hundred people, was built. In 1909 Father Lebel was suc- cecded by Rev. Ernest B. Renaudet, who carried forward the work of the first pastor. He died in October, 1913, and was succeeded by a third pastor, Rev. Gedéon Laverdiére, who served until 1923. In December, 1923, the present pastor, Rev. S. Grenier, took charge.
Rev. S. Grenier was born in Quebec, Canada, and after completing his early and preparatory education entered the National College of Nicolet, Canada, where he completed his course with graduation. He then began his theological train- ing in Grand Seminary, Quebec, Canada, and was ordained in Three Rivers, Canada, June 29, 1902. For three years following his ordination he served as a professor in the college at Three Rivers, Canada, and at the end of that time he was trans- ferred to Notre Dame parish at Central Falls, where he served from 1905 to January 5, 1923. His next assignment was to St. Cecelia's Church
at Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he remained until he was appointed pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel at Phenix, Decem- ber, 1923. Since coming to Phenix, Father Gre- nier has thoroughly won the hearts of his people and by his able leadership has accomplished a great work in the parish. He decorated the in- terior of the church in 1928 when the twenty- fifth anniversary of the erection of the church was celebrated. There are three beautiful altars, a large central one and two side altars; the choir loft, equipped with a fine organ, provides for one hundred singers; and the oak pews of the main body of the church provide seating for seven hundred people. Besides the church edifice there is the rectory, the old mission chapel, and the beautiful new school, which last was built by Father Grenier. The school was originally housed in the old mission building and was started with only three classes, but as the years passed the school steadily grew until a new building became necessary. Father Grenier erected the present beautiful brick building, which is fire-proof, equipped with every convenience and device for the comfort and progress of the pupils. All the material which has gone into the creation of this fine, modern school is of the first quality and the workmanship is of the best. There are nine class rooms, providing accommodation for the six grammar and three junior high grades, and the school has an enrollment of three hundred and seventy-five children, who are taught by twelve Sisters of the Presentation. Music is taught as one of the art courses of the curriculum, and the entire course has been brought up to the highest standards of scholastic achievement. In 1926-27 the convent used by the Sisters was enlarged by Father Grenier by the substantial addition of eight rooms, and the building now provides ac- commodation for fifteen Sisters. The hall for recreational activities and for social gatherings of all kinds is in the new school building, and pro- vides seating for some four hundred people. The parish numbers about two thousand souls. There is an active Ligue du Sacri Cœur Society, a Children of Mary Society, and a St. Ann Society, and all are progressive and steadily growing.
It is probably true that few pastors are more beloved by their parishioners than is Father Gre- nier. Always kind and considerate, ever striving to build up the ideals of his people, his influence is powerful for good in the all-important task of character building, and his personal example is a shining light to those with whom he is associated.
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REV. CAMILLE VILLIARD-The pastor of the Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Central Falls, Rhode Island, is the Rev. Ca- mille Villiard, who has been building up the in- terests of the parish since 1929.
Sacred Heart parish had its beginning in Sep- tember, 1873, when Rev. Charles Dauray was made pastor of the French-Canadians in Central Falls. In March, 1874, he purchased land as the site for a church, and on September 13 of that year the corner-stone was laid. The completed church was dedicated October 2, 1875, and on November 12, 1875, Father Dauray was suc- ceeded by the Rev. Leo Bouland, a native of Lyons, France. Father Bouland was a man of brilliant intellect, but he was erratic and soon involved the parish in difficulties. He remained, however, until June, 1880, when the Rev. George Mahoney took charge and restored the parish to tranquillity. There was at this time a steady im- migration from Canada and Sacred Heart parish grew rapidly. A school was opened in 1883, and in 1891 the Sisters of St. Anne were placed in charge of the school. At that time Father Ma- honey already had under construction a new school building, which was dedicated August 28, 1892. Rev. J. H. Beland succeeded Father Ma- honey in February, 1894, and the next month, on March 1, 1894, a pastoral residence was purchased. In November, 1895, ground in Pawtucket was purchased for a cemetery. From that time the parish continued to grow in numbers and in influence, and Father Beland started to build the church. He died in October, 1929, when the pres- ent pastor, Rev. Camille Villiard, took charge, and since that time he has continued to build up both the material and the spiritual interests of the parish.
Rev. Camille Villiard was born in Canada and received his early education there. When his preparatory and collegiate work was completed he came to this country and entered St. John's Semi- nary, at Brighton, Massachusetts, where he took his theological degrees. He was ordained by Bishop Harkins in the Cathedral at Boston in 1904 and his first appointment was as assistant under Father (now Monsignor) Blessing, at Providence. For eight years he remained there giving excellent service and acquiring valuable experience. At the end of that time he was trans- ferred to St. Charles' Church in Providence, and one year later, in 1913, he was made pastor and assigned to St. Ann's Church in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. There he labored for sixteen years,
completing the church which had been begun by his predecessor and erecting a fine modern con- vent for the Sisters who taught in the parochial school, and stimulating every department of the church and parish activities. In 1929 he came to Sacred Heart Church in Central Falls, and here he is ably continuing the work begun by those who served here before him. The parish now (1930) numbers about six thousand souls and has a school with an enrollment of one thousand two hundred children, who are taught by twenty-four Sisters of St. Ann. The school building, located in the rear of the convent, is three stories high, contains twenty class rooms, and is planned in the most modern manner, with every convenience in the way of equipment and sanitation. Every room is well-lighted and arranged so that the light is admitted in such a way as to enable the pupils to work with the least possible danger of eye-strain, and the ventilation is carefully pro- vided for. The office of the Sister Superior is equipped with every convenience for efficient work, and the entire building is one of which the parish may well be proud. The convent in the rear of the church is a most beautiful building which provides accommodation for about thirty Sisters and is equipped with all modern conven- iences. Every room is well lighted, and the grounds surrounding it are beautiful and well- kept. There is also a Brothers school with an enrollment of two hundred boys, who are taught by six Brothers. A fine gymnasium provides for physical training and athletic sports and is a cen- ter of interest to the growing boys of the parish, as well as to large numbers of the girls. In 1930 a fine new church was in process of construction. Ground was broken in 1926, the corner-stone was laid in 1927, and a beautiful and imposing struc- ture has been reared. The approach is by a flight of eighteen steps extending nearly across the width of the church. The two double doorways form part of a great arched entrance of Italian marble above which rises a magnificent tower seventy-five feet high, in which will be placed a chime of fine toned bells of the latest design. Hand carved oak pews will furnish seating for 1,200 people, and the choir-loft, which will be equipped with a fine-toned organ, will make provision for about one hundred and fifty singers. The altar and the remainder of the furnishings have not yet been selected but will be of the first quality and chosen with taste and discrimination to harmonize with the general structure of the church.
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