USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 16
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Father Villiard has proved himself to be an
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able leader and an executive of force and ability. He has the full cooperation of his people, and the parish work has grown to proportions which require the aid of three assistants.
JOSEPH D. A. WHALEN-Having acquired a very thorough business training, first as a student in a business college and later through nine years' connection with a prominent Provi- dence retail shoe store, Mr. Whalen eventually became connected with one of the important in- dustrial establishments of East Greenwich. Soon afterwards he was elected its treasurer, in which capacity, as well as that of general manager, he has since continued to serve. Much of the steady growth and prosperity of the company is attrib- utable to his business and executive ability and to his untiring industry and energy. He is also identified with several other East Greenwich en- terprises, and is a member of several social and civic organizations. He is regarded as one of the substantial and representative business men of East Greenwich.
Joseph D. A. Whalen was born in Providence, April 13, 1884, a son of James Francis and Mar- garet A. (Doyle) Whalen. Both his parents are natives of Nova Scotia, Canada. His father was successfully engaged in business as a contractor until his retirement. Mr. Whalen received his early education in public and private schools of Providence, attended then the Hope High School and afterwards took a course at Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College. Having completed his education he became connected with the firm of Thomas F. Peirce & Son, well known retail shoe dealers of Providence. He continued with this firm for nine years until 1909, when he accepted a position as accountant with the Boston Wire Stitcher Company at East Greenwich. Three months later he was made treasurer of this com- pany and in the following year, 1910, he was ap- pointed manager, having filled both these offices since then with marked success and great ability. He is a director of the East Greenwich Savings Fund & Loan Association, the Union Trust Com- pany, East Greenwich Branch, the East Green- wich Theatre, and the company, of which he is the directing head, the Boston Wire Stitcher Company, and the Bostitch Sales Company.
His interest in civic affairs finds expression in his membership in the Chamber of Commerce of East Greenwich and in the United States
Chamber of Commerce, while his fondness for social intercourse is indicated by his membership in the Metacomet Golf Club, the Potowanut Golf Club, and the Providence Rotary Club. He finds his recreation chiefly in golf. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his re- ligious affiliation is with Our Lady of Mercy Roman Catholic Church.
Mr. Whalen married, in 1909, Mary E. Norton, like himself a native of Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Whalen are the parents of three children: Alice L., Marian E., and Frances J.
DWIGHT HAROLD ROGERS-Insurance, trucking and storage are the branches of business in which Dwight Harold Rogers has become eminently successful in the community in and near Westerly, Rhode Island. This business is one of the oldest in the vicinity, having been estab- lished by his father many years ago, and at whose death it was left in the hands of the son.
Son of Dwight Harvey and Mercie Ann (Tan- ner) Rogers, Dwight Harold Rogers was born on August 2, 1885. His parents were natives of Connecticut, both of them now deceased. Dwight Harold Rogers received his early education in the grammar and high schools of Westerly, and
subsequently studied at Amherst College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1908. He then became associated with his father, who had set up the trucking end of the business in 1876. About twenty years ago Mr. D. Harold Rogers added the storage and insurance to the business. In it both father and son have been eminently successful, the younger man, since his father's death, having been the sole proprietor of the enterprise.
He has, at the same time, taken an active part in the affairs of his community, and in the differ- ent organizations which have long been associated with its upbuilding and growth. He is a member of the Westerly Zoning Board, and has for a considerable period served as fire tax assessor, having been elected to serve in these posts on the Republican ticket. His political allegiance has always been given to the Republican party, whose policies and principles he supports by his vote and influence. He is a member of the Westerly Boat Club, director of the Winnapaug Golf Club; and president (1929) of the Lions Club. He has for over twenty years been active in the organi- zation of the Boy Scouts of America, in which
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Mary F. Manchester
John LO. Manchester
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he is a member of the Rhode Island State execu- tive committee. He is also chairman of the ex- ecutive committee of the Quequatuck District, and is coach of the football team of the Westerly High School, as well as a member of the execu- tive committee of the Rhode Island State Young Men's Christian Association for Westerly. He was the first president of the Young "Men's Christian Association of Westerly. He joined, while a student in college, the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, a Greek-letter society with which he has maintained since that time a con- stant connection. His religious faith is that of the Protestant Episcopal Church, his parish being Christ Church, of Westerly.
Dwight Harold Rogers married Helen M. Wells, a native of Plainfield, New Jersey, daugh- ter of Dr. Frederick and Harriet L. (Lanphear) Wells, the former of whom was a dentist of Plainfield. Her father was a native of New Jersey, while her mother was born in Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers reside at 110 High Street, Westerly, Rhode Island.
ARTHUR LEONARD ALDRED-Mr. Al- dred's career, characterized by his rise from a minor clerical position in a department store in his native city, Lawrence, Massachusetts, to the presidency of a large department store in Provi- dence, which is recognized as the oldest retail store in America, stands as a monument to his ability, energy, and ambition. It is typical of him that for many years he has given a great deal of his time and attention to civic affairs and thus has rendered important services to the city of his adoption, Providence, both by conducting a high- class and extensive business concern and by fur- thering in every possible way civic progress and the welfare of the city, its people, and its insti- tutions.
Arthur Leonard Aldred, head of Gladding's, Incorporated, was born at Lawrence, Massachu- setts, on November 3, 1867, a son of John and Emma (Ormston) Aldred. His father was con- nected with the Pacific Mills in Lawrence for over forty years. Mr. Aldred received his early education in the public schools of his native city and later attended the Commercial College of Lawrence. At the age of fifteen years he took a position with the Boston Store at Lawrence, and gradually was advanced to positions of impor-
tance and responsibility. He has served succes- sively as salesman, buyer and manager of various departments in retail dry goods stores in Newark, New Jersey; Utica, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts. On February 1, 1905, Mr. Aldred, in conjunction with his brother, the late William E. Aldred, purchased a controlling interest in the dry goods business, known at that time as the B. H. Gladding Dry Goods Company and now known as Gladding's, Incorporated, of Provi- dence. This business was established in 1767 and, according to all available records, it is today the oldest retail store in America with an unbroken record of existence to its credit. It has always enjoyed the highest reputation and ranks among the leading and dependable retail stores of New England. Mr. Aldred is also a director of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, Gorham Manufacturing Company, and the Providence Biltmore Hotel.
For the past fifteen years he has given much of his time to civic affairs through his affiliation with the Providence Chamber of Commerce. He served as chairman of the special committee of this organization, which was instrumental in building the Providence Biltmore Hotel, the new- est and most modern hotel in Providence, and one of the best hotels in New England. He was also chairman of the committee which sponsored an industrial survey of metropolitan Providence, which was made by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Afterwards he served as chairman of the Industrial Development Council of the Providence Chamber of Commerce. For five years he was vice-chairman of the Rhode Island Delegation to the New England Council, and he also served for three years as secretary of the Council. He is a member of Thomas Smith Webb Lodge, No. 43, Free and Accepted Masons; the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Council, Royal and Select Masters, and the Thomas Smith Com- mandery, No. 51, Knights Templar; he also be- longs to the Turks Head Club, the Wannamoi- sett Country Club, and the Rhode Island Country Club. His religious affiliation is with St. Martin's Protestant Episcopal Church of Providence.
Mr. Aldred married at Oswego, New York, October 26, 1892, Winifred B. Hughes.
JOHN W. MANCHESTER-In the life and affairs of Rhode Island, one of the families that has been outstanding is that of Manchester.
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Among those who have borne the name and who have held positions of esteem and respect among their fellow-citizens, John W. Manchester, many of whose forebears were leading men in this re- gion of the United States, was himself extensively engaged in farming and in railway work. He lived in a period of industrial and business growth, from 1820 to 1870, and in those years took his full share in the development of his community and State. A man of kindly and generous disposi- tion, strongly public-spirited, he was endowed with qualities that made him a leader among men; and his place in the annals of this Com- monwealth is an important one.
Mr. Manchester was born in Coventry, Rhode Island, on June 13, 1820, son of Joseph and Julia Ann (Havens) Manchester. His father, who was highly regarded in this region, was born on Sep- tember 15, 1755, and died on August 12, 1839. As a boy, John W. Manchester attended district schools; and then, when he became older, he went to school in the winter months, working on his father's farm in the spring and summer. At an early age, he established himself in business, starting a teaming and trucking enterprise be- tween Coventry and Providence, Rhode Island. In 1852 when the railway was built through Cov- entry, Mr. Manchester was the first station agent at Washington Village, and so continued until 1863. In that year he retired to his farm, which he had been operating while serving as station agent.
Thereafter he remained active in agricultural affairs, contributing not a little to this branch of Rhode Island life. But he did not confine his attentions to this field; for he had broad civic and social interests. Always keenly interested in pro- moting the best interests of his community and State, he was a student of politics, and was like- wise active in church life. He was a member of the Knotty Oak Baptist Church, the founding of which his grandfather, Joseph Manchester, had made possible by giving the land and a large sum of money for the purpose. Even before his day, the Manchester family had been active in Rhode Island, the line of descent having gone back to Matthew Manchester, who was born in Tiverton, this State, on October 27, 1720, and died on Sep- tember 14, 1801. The death of John W. Man- chester occurred on March 24, 1870, and took from Coventry and from this Commonwealth one of the outstanding citizens of his day, a man who had done much for the promotion of the welfare
of his fellowmen and whose own life had been exemplary in character.
John W. Manchester married Rebecca W. Read, a sister of Byron Read, and a daughter of Henry Read, Sr. They had the following chil- dren: I. Thomas, who was born on February 7, 1846, and died on February 4, 1930. After having received his early education, he took up farming, in which he became associated with his father, and later with his brother, specializing in dairy products. He also established an ice business, re- tailing this product throughout the Pawtuxet Val- ley. He, like his father, was active in church work, having done everything in his power to further the spiritual well-being of his community and State. He was a member and an enthusiastic worker in the Anthony Grange, as well as in the Men's Bible Class, at Knotty Oak Baptist Church. He did much, too, to support the library in his community, and gave liberally of his time and money to numerous activities. Quiet and re- served in character, he was a deep thinker, accu- rate and painstaking in all his undertakings, and a citizen whose worth could not be overempha- sized. He married, on December 4, 1866, Susan Matteson, daughter of Ezra and Anna (Harvey) Matteson; she died on June 22, 1917. 2. Job, who was born on November II, 1849, and died on March 13, 1925. He was for a time associated with his father in the agricultural enterprises of the family, and later was connected with his brother, Thomas, in the operation of the large Manchester farm. They had a milk route and an ice business, which they conducted along with their farm. Keenly interested, too, in public life, he served his town as representative in the State Assembly from May, 1900, to January, 1903; and was Senator in the State Senate from January, 1903. Progressive in his political and civic be- liefs, he sought ever to promote the best inter- ests of his community and State, and was a leader in civic, political and social life. He married, on February 7, 1884, Lydia L. Foster, daughter of George G. and Mary Ann Foster. Mrs. Job Man- chester was for many years an active social leader and club worker in Coventry, and was one of the founders of the Coventry Woman's Club; she is a woman who has always held a high place in the esteem of her fellow-citizens. 3. Mary Elizabeth, who was born on November 29, 1852; she is prominent in club work, and is active in the support of the library of Anthony. She is a leader, too, in the affairs of the Knotty Oak
Thomas Manchester
Job Manchester
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Baptist Church. She lives in the old homestead of the family, having sold the business of her father and brothers and rented the farm.
CLARENCE MARTIN DUNBAR, who is treasurer and general manager of the Cook, Dunbar, Smith Company, Incorporated, of Provi- dence, manufacturers of gold, silver, and rolled plate, was born October 29, 1871, at Wakefield, Massachusetts, the son of Bradford G. and Sarah M. (Shepardson) Dunbar. His early education was obtained in the public schools of Melrose, Malden, and Wrentham, Massachusetts, after which he became apprenticed to the jewelry busi- ness. In 1900, at the close of his apprenticeship, he started the Dunbar, Leach, Garner Company, manufacturing platers, at Attleboro, Massachu- setts. Here he continued until 1906 when he re- signed and the corporation known as the Cook, Dunbar, Smith Company, Incorporated, manufac- turing platers, at Providence, Rhode Island was established. Since then, he has been the treasurer, general manager and director of the corporation.
The concern was established in a small way by Mr. Dunbar, Charles D. Cook and Robert O. Smith, the latter two, president and secretary, respectively. It has rapidly developed under the capable management of these three experts, until it now occupies a floor space of some forty thou- sand square feet and employs an average of seventy hands. It is equipped with every modern appliance and device, is operated by electrical power, and its products are articles of the finest grade of workmanship and materials. The cor- poration is engaged in the manufacture of seam- less rolled gold wire, rolled gold plate and rolled gold tubing and the output is sold by the firm's representatives throughout New England and along the Atlantic Coast and middle western states. Much is also exported to foreign countries. The concern is the owner of many valuable patents and one of the largest and most prosperous estab- lishments of its kind in the country.
For nine years Mr. Dunbar served the city of Providence as Fire Commissioner and he was also a member of the City Council in 1914-15-16, and also a member of the Board of Fire Com- missioners for nine years. He is affiliated with a large number of local and community organiza- tions, including the following: the Rhode Island Yacht Club, of which he was commodore in 1909 and 1910; the Pomham Club, of which he held the
presidency in 1923 and 1924; the Providence Ro- tary Club, of which he is a director; the Wan- namoisett Country Club; the Anawan Club; and the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company. He is a charter member of Attleboro Lodge, No. 1014, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is an attendant at the local Episcopal Church.
Mr. Dunbar's record in Masonry has been one of steady progress and consistent interest in and for the principles of the fraternity. He was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Bris- tol Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, North Attleboro, Massachusetts, November 17, 1896. In this lodge he served as Junior Deacon in 1916 and 1917 and as Senior Deacon in 1918 and 1919. On October 13, 1898, he became a member of King Hiram Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, serving as High Priest in 1906 and 1907. He was appointed District Deputy Grand High Priest of the Third Capitular District, serving from 1911 to 1914. He was elected to Attleboro Council, Royal and Select Masters, on March 20, 1905, and served as Thrice Illustrious Master in 1908 and 1909. He received his knighthood in Bristol Commandery, No. 29, Attleboro, on Feb- ruary 1, 1902, and was Eminent Commander in 1908 and 1909. In 1914 he was appointed Grand Lecturer of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and served as Ruler of the Templars Eminent Grand Commander in 1925 and 1926. He is a member of the Past Commanders' Association of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and was its president from 1925 to 1927. He holds membership in Hope Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was Worthy Patron in 1906 and 1907. His Scottish Rite degrees were received in Rhode Island Lodge of Perfection, Providence, February 26, 1908; Rhode Island Council, Princes of Jerusalem, March 25, 1908; Rhode Island Chapter of Rose Croix, April 22, 1908; Rhode Island Consistory, including the thirty-second degree, June 23, 1908. He became a member of Palestine Temple, An- cient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine at Providence, March 3, 1903; served as Illustri- ous Potentate in 1911 and 1912; and has been a representative to the Imperial Council since 1911. He was elected Imperial Marshal at Indianapolis in 1919, advanced steadily through the Imperial line and was elected Imperial Potentate at the Atlantic City Convention of the order June 15, 1927.
On February 6, 1895, Mr. Dunbar married
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Martha Ann Tills. There were born to them two children: Arthur Bradford, and Margaret Tills Dunbar. Mrs. Dunbar passed away in March, 1925.
ARCHIBALD MEIKLE-As general man- ager of the Clyde Mills, of Westerly, Rhode Island, Archibald Meikle plays an important part in the affairs of his community and is widely known and esteemed by his fellowmen. Rayon manufacture is the precise field in which he has sought his fortunes, and, indeed, he has become eminently successful in this type of work. His father is president of the Clyde Mills under its present form of organization, which is one of the leading mills of its kind in the New England textile industry.
Mr. Meikle was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on October 4, 1880, son of Robert B. and Jean (Reid) Meikle, both natives of Scotland. All the members of this family have been engaged in the textile business over a long period of time, so that it was quite natural for Archibald Meikle to go into this field of endeavor when he finished his work in the public schools of Fall River, Massa- chusetts, whither his parents had come when he was very young. His first work was in the mills, and that early experience, coupled with the train- ing which he has since received in all depart- ments of the great industry in which he is en- gaged, gave him a thorough knowledge of tex- tiles and textile making from a most practical point of view, which manufacturers and the heads of businesses so often lack and all too late in life discover their deficiency. Since 1905 Mr. Meikle has lived in Westerly. At first he and the mem- bers of his family with whom he is associated operated a smaller plant at No. 181 Main Street, but the pressure of a growing volume of sales compelled them to remove to larger quarters, whereupon they purchased their present site which they have owned and operated since June, 1928. Here they manufacture rayon novelty goods and similar products, and take an exten- sive part in the industrial life of the Westerly district. The officers of the company are: Robert B. Meikle, Mr. Meikle's father, president; Jessie M. (Meikle) Laing, his sister, secretary; John O. Mills, vice-president and director; and Archibald Meikle, whose name heads this review, general manager.
Mr. Meikle, who is affiliated with the Republi- can party, has become very active in the general
life of his community. He is a member of the Town Council, and is police commissioner. He is also active in fraternal affairs, being a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which he belongs to the Blue Lodge, and the Royal Arch Chapter, and of the Order of Scottish Clans. He is also active in the Westerly Sanitary Corpora- tion, and is a member of the Winnapaug Golf Club. Although his religious affiliation is with the Congregational Church, he attends Calvary Bap- tist with the members of his family.
Archibald Meikle married Isabelle H. Jack, a native of Scotland, daughter of James H. and Isabelle (Hendry) Jack, both people of Scottish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Meikle are the parents of the following children: I. Robert R. 2. James H. 3. Archibald Raymond. 4. David R. 5. Jeanne Isabelle.
GORDON B. EWING-Newspaper proprie- tor and public-spirited citizen of Rhode Island, Gordon B. Ewing conducts the affairs of the "East Greenwich News," and also is the head of the Greenwich Press, Incorporated, a job print- ing establishment. Few men have taken a more lively interest in the activities of the East Green- wich community than has he, and this town is materially the gainer from the participation of this resident in its public life.
Mr. Ewing was born in Toronto, Province of Ontario, Canada, on September 23, 1892, son of the Rev. William and Sarah Henrietta (All- worth) Ewing. The father, a son of John and Jeanette (Smith) Ewing, was born at Melbourne, Quebec, Canada, December 9, 1853; received his Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill Univer- sity, Montreal, in 1878; was graduated from the Congregational College of Canada, affiliated with McGill, in 1879; and received his Doctor of Divinity degree in 1908 from Olivet College, at Olivet, Michigan. In 1879 he was ordained to the Congregational ministry, and then for a time was engaged in missionary work in the North- west of Canada. He established the first church of his denomination in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was later pastor of the Plymouth Church, at Fargo, North Dakota. From 1887 to 1891 he was superintendent of the Congregational Sunday School and Publication Society, of North Dakota; from 1907 to 1917, was general secretary of the missionary and extension department of Boston; and in 1917, was appointed field secretary at New York City. From 1891 to 1907, he was superin-
حسب
alfred W. Clark
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tendent of the Congregational Sunday School and Publishing Society in Michigan. In 1922 and 1923 he traveled around the world. At the time of writing he is connected with the Pilgrim Place in Claremont, California. He is a member, too, of the Afternoon Club, and maintains his resi- dence in Claremont, California. From 1883 to IS91 he was a trustee of Fargo College, of Fargo, North Dakota; and in 1897 was made a trustee of Olivet College, a post that he held until 1907. His political faith is that of the Republican party. He is author of a number of published works, including "The Graded Sunday School," which he wrote in 1896; and "The Sunday School Cen- tury," published in 1918. The Rev. William Ewing married, on June 13, 1882, Sarah Hen- rietta Allworth, of Paris, Ontario, Canada. By this union the children were: I. Anna Allworth. 2. Marion Jeanette. 3. Clara Muriel, who became Mrs. C. G. Smith. 4. Gordon Banham.
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