USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 18
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The history of St. James' parish goes back nearly a hundred years and includes a succession of changes of name and a change of locality. The mother parish of the Pawtuxet Valley, known as Our Lady of Mount Carmel, was organized in 1846, but it had its beginning in September, 1844, when Father Fitton purchased the first acre of land in the village of Crompton. On October 15 of that year the corner-stone of a little church, fifty feet by thirty, was laid by Father Fitton. It was completed January 4, 1845, the first Mass was said there on the 19th of that month, and on July 20, 1845, it was dedicated by Bishop Tyler. From 1844 to 1846, Father Fitton, who was a missionary-at-large, visited Crompton once month. In 1846 Father Fitton settled in New- port, and Crompton was placed in charge of the priests of the Cathedral, who paid monthly visits. In 1850 Crompton was made a separate parish, dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and placed in charge of Rev. Daniel Kelly. A few months later Rev. James Gibson was appointed pastor of the district, and for forty years, to the time of his death in 1892, he devoted his great ability to the building up of the parish and its missions. The congregation grew rapidly and Rev. John F. Reardon was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and received his early and pre- paratory education in St. Mary's parochial school in Pawtucket, continuing his preparation in La- Salle Academy. When his preparatory courses were completed he entered Holy Cross College, at Worcester, Massachusetts, and when ready for his theological and philosophical training, became a student in St. John's Seminary, at Brighton, Massachusetts, where he was ordained July 2, 1907. His first assignment was as an assistant at the Church of the Assumption in Providence. There he remained for a period of eighteen years, giving able service. In July, 1923, he was made a pastor and assigned to St. Bridget's Church in Father Gibson purchased eight additional acres of land. In 1856 the church was practically built over and the remodelled structure was consecrated in December of that year by the Very Rev. Wil- liam O'Reilly. Phenix, in which Father Gibson had opened a mission in 1853, was organized into a separate parish in 1858. Successive parcels of land were purchased for burial purposes until the cemetery, which is virtually an extension of the churchyard, comprised seventeen acres. A mission was opened at Birch Hill in 1870, and in 1873 the French-speaking congregation of Cen- treville was made a separate parish. Meantime, in 1872, the land on which the present church in Arctic Centre stands was purchased and a hall, Thornton. There he redecorated the church, put
John F. Desidor
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in new windows, installed a new heating plant, and remodelled, in fact almost rebuilt, the rectory. He vivified and invigorated every department of the parish activities, and left St. Bridget's in splendid condition. On December 1, 1929, he was transferred from St. Bridget's to St. James' Church of Arctic Centre, and here he is already making his influence felt for good throughout the parish. St. James' in 1930 numbered some I,Soo souls and had a Sunday school with an en- rollment of four hundred pupils, who were taught by nine Sisters. The church provides seating for five hundred persons and the basement accom- modates the same number. The parochial school erected by Father Brady provides accommodation for the four hundred children who are cared for by the Sisters of St. Francis, and the school has made for itself an excellent reputation. A large number of the prominent business men of Provi- dence received their education in St. James' school, and each year it gives to Providence and to other cities and towns citizens who have been trained in this parish school. One of the devoted teachers of the school, Sister Bertilda, has been serving here for more than a quarter of a cen- tury, and in 1930 her associates at the school, her grateful pupils, and friends who knew of her faithful service, expressed their appreciation by surprising her with a ticket giving her transpor- tation to Ireland to visit her people, all of whom are Protestants. She remained for two months and then returned to her able and faithful service in the St. James' school. During the present year the parish has been steadily growing, and all its various organizations are prospering. The old cemetery on the church property is one of the oldest in the section and is kept in the finest condition possible.
Father Reardon, during the short time of his in- cumbency at St. James', has demonstrated his ability and has won the hearty cooperation of his people.
REV. F. DESMARAIS-Since 1926 St. James' parish of Manville, Rhode Island, has been in charge of its present pastor, the Rev. F. Des- marais.
St. James' parish was organized in 1874, and was originally a part of St. Mary's parish of Pawtucket. When the parish of Valley Falls was established in 1859, missions were soon opened in the smaller towns of Manville, Albion, Ashton,
and Berkeley. For a time Manville was attended by Fathers Duffy and Tully, pastors at Harris- ville. On November 1, 1872, a new parish was formed which included Manville, Ashton, Albion, and Berkeley, with Rev. James Fitzsimons as pastor. He at once, in accordance with the ex- pressed desire of Bishop Hendricken, set about the task of erecting a church in Manville, where he at first made his home. But the panic of 1873 had caused a marked shortness of funds among all classes of people, and it was difficult to make collections for the work. As a consequence the corner-stone of the building was not laid until April 26, 1874. The following summer, Father Fitzsimons was transferred to Ashton, from which Manville had been separated, and Father Bernard was appointed first pastor of the church at Man- ville, which had been dedicated to St. James. Father Bernard remained in charge until Decem- ber, 1887, and in January, 1888, Father Bachand took charge. From that time to the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1892, Father Bachand devoted his strength to the development of St. James' parish. He built a rectory, or- ganized new church societies, stimulated and vivi- fied all the departments of the parish work, and left the parish in a greatly improved condition. He was succeeded by the Rev. Joseph Beland, who took charge June II, 1892. He gave special attention to the schools, completing the parochial schools and making greatly improved accommoda- tions for a rapidly increasing enrollment. In Feb- ruary, 1894, he was transferred to Central Falls, and Father Jordan took his place, Father Jordan was in delicate health and died July 20, 1896, after a little less than three years of service. The Rev. Eugene Lessard was the next pastor. He built the fine new convent of St. Anne, which was blessed November 26, 1897, and also built the present one-story church. For thirty years he worked zealously for the spiritual and material welfare of St. James' parish in Manville, con- tinuing as pastor until some time after failing health made it impossible for him to take per- sonal charge of the parochial activities. In 1926 the present pastor was appointed administrator to relieve Father Lessard of the burdens of his pas- torate. Father Lessard died April 3, 1929, and on July 14, 1929, Father Desmarais, who had been administrator since 1926, was appointed pastor. The long pastorate of Father Lessard brought many changes. In 1899 it is recorded that St. James' parish was well equipped and prosperous
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and that the town of Manville seemed like a Ca- nadian town, French speech and customs being so much in evidence.
Rev. F. Desmarais was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, February 22, 1886, and received his early education in the public and parochial schools of his birthplace. When his preparatory courses were finished he entered St. Mary's Col- lege, St. Marie de Monnoir, Province of Quebec, Canada, and after completing his course there entered the Grand Seminary, in Montreal, Can- ada, where he took his theological degrees and was ordained a priest, December 19, 1914. His first appointment was as assistant at Jackman, near Portland, Maine, in the diocese of Portland, where he remained for a period of three years, giving most satisfactory service. At the end of that time he was transferred to the Church of Our Lady of Victory, at Woonsocket, Rhode Island. There he remained until 1923, when he became an assistant at the Church of St. John the Baptist, at Woodlawn, Rhode Island. Here he remained until 1926 when he came to St. James' parish, of Manville, as administrator under Father Lessard, and on July 14, 1929, he was made pas- tor of this church, as previously related.
The parish is in a prosperous and vigorous con- dition. There is a parochial school with an en- rollment of five hundred and fifty children, who are taught by fourteen Sisters of St. Anne. The Sisters live in a modern, well-equipped convent, and the rectory, built in 1902, is a most sub- stantial and conveniently planned dwelling with thirty large rooms. The various church societies, including a Children of Mary Society, a Holy Name Society, Third Altar Society of St. Francis, and others, are all active and growing. The parish numbers three thousand and five hundred souls, and Father Desmarais has one assistant to aid him in his work. On June 19, 1930, Father Desmarais gave the contract to the builders for a new church. It is to be built of brick, in the Renaissance style of architecture, in keeping with the first-story of the church already built. The new church will seat about eight hundred people and is expected to be finished during the early summer of 1931.
Father Desmarais has proven his worth and his able leadership has inspired his people to the performance of many worthy deeds and to steady achievement. He is much respected in Manville and vicinity and has the entire confidence of his loyal parishioners.
J. VALMORE NORMANDIN-Auditor and clerk of committees for the city of Woonsocket, J. Valmore Normandin is accounted one of the fore- most of the community's loyal citizens, well known to the people who have reposed confidence in his ability. He was born in Woonsocket, January 15, 1894, son of Edmond and Aldina (Girouard) Nor- mandin, both of whom, natives of Canada, were immigrants into Rhode Island over half a century ago. Edmond Normandin was engaged in business as a grocer and butcher for a number of years, and is now in retirement at Woonsocket.
J. Valmore Normandin received his academic in- struction in parochial schools, then took a course in commercial school. For two years he worked as bookkeeper with the Globe Coal Company, Woon- socket, afterward forming a connection with the Adams Express Company. He remained with the express company four years, returned to the coal company's offices, stayed there four years, then resigned to enter the city government as auditor. A Republican, he is a staunch supporter of the party's principles. He first held the office of auditor and clerk of committees for the city in 1919; was reelected in 1921, and again in 1923, but in the latter year resigned; reëlected in 1925, he has been in office since. His election was by action of the city council.
General affairs, particularly as they pertain to the city's advancement and its economic, civic and social conditions, have constantly been of interest to Mr. Normandin. He is a member of the Woon- socket Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Woonsocket Sportsmen's Club, Winnisuket Country Club, Woon City Club, and is a communicant of Precious Blood Church, Woonsocket.
J. Valmore Normandin married Emma Ayotte, native of West Boylston, Massachusetts; and they have children: Estelle, Phyllis, and Oscar. All members of the family are of the Catholic Church.
GEORGE J. BEAUDREAU-During the years of his services to the textile industry of Rhode Island a position of importance has been accorded George J. Beaudreau, since 1914 filling the post of superintendent of the Columbia Narrow Fabric Company, of Shannock. His work has not been confined to that district, however, but has been accomplished in other centers of manufacturing,
George Benjamin Alter
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each one of which profited by his operations and executive abilities. His citizenship has been well attested by service in public office and his interest in the welfare of the community of which he has been a member, and he is held in high regard by all who have the privilege of his acquaintance.
He was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, July 14, 1886, a son of Oliver Beaudreau, who was born in Biddeford, Maine, and was engaged in the textile industry, and Minnie (Sweeney) Beaudreau, a native of Canada. George J. Beau- dreau was educated in the public schools of Prov- idence, and upon completion of his studies he entered the employ of the Mechanical Fabric Company of Providence, where he remained for three years. He then joined the forces of the National Elastic Webbing Company of that city, remaining with this company two years. The following years were spent in the employ of the Glendale Elastic Fabric Company of Providence, and in 1912 he removed to Shannock, where he entered the service of the Columbia Company, as already noted. In politics he is an independent voter, his services to the public in office having been exercised during four years when he was chairman of the school committee of Charlestown, Rhode Island. He is fond of outdoor sports and raises poultry as a recreation. He is a commu- nicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and is a member of the Meadowbrook Golf Club.
George J. Beaudreau married, in 1907, Bertha F. Machon, of Providence. Their children are: I. Georgianna. 2. Frederick. 3. Bertha. 4. Doro- thy. 5. Louise. 6. Arthur. 7. George J., Jr. 8. Ernest. 9. Walter. 10. Raymond. II. Robert.
GEORGE BENJAMIN UTTER-Represent- ing the fourth generation of his family in the newspaper publishing business, Mr. Utter in other respects, too, has upheld long established family traditions. For, like his distinguished father, known as Governor George H. Utter, of Rhode Island, who died while a member of Congress, he has always taken a very active and effective interest in public affairs. He has been a member of his town's council and has represented his native city in the State Legislature. As a news- paper editor and publisher, as well, he has done much to advance the welfare and prosperity of his native town and State, while his interest in social affairs is shown by his membership in several fraternal and social organizations.
George Benjamin Utter was born at Westerly, April II, 1881, a son of George H. and Elizabeth L. (Brown) Utter. His father was one of the most prominent men in the newspaper publishing field in Rhode Island during the beginning of the twentieth century and he was also prominently active in public affairs, serving as Governor of Rhode Island in 1905. Mr. Utter received his education in the public schools of Westerly and at the Riverview Military Academy, Poughkeep- sie, New York. He then became a student at Am- herst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, in the class of 1905, remaining there for four complete years, but took no degree. He is president of the class of 1905, Amherst College. After leaving college, he entered the newspaper business, being the fourth in a direct line of descent in his family to take up journalism and representing the third generation in that type of work in Rhode Island.
Mr. Utter is the editor of the "Record," Re- publican organization monthly of Rhode Island, and has been editor since it was established in 1915. During the war he was an appeal agent of the selective service for Washington and Kent counties, food administrator of Washington County, and organizer of the 4th Company, Rhode Island State Guard of Westerly. He was a member of the Westerly Town Council from 1922 to 1926 and while a member of the Town Council was a member of the police committee. He was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives in 1925 to 1926 and during his first year was appointed a member of the Chil- dren's Laws Commission of Rhode Island which secured the passage of twenty-one of the twenty- seven laws which were presented by the com- mission. Mr. Utter had charge of these laws in the General Assembly. The Children's Bureau was established and many radical changes were made in the children's laws of Rhode Island, so that today this State is ranked as one of the first states of the Union in these matters. He was a member of the Republican town committee of Westerly from 1908 to 1915, 1915 to 1928, and a member of the Republican State Central Com- mittee and the Republican State Central Execu- tive Committee. He is one of six trustees of the Westerly Memorial and Public Library and a member of the trustees of the Westerly Hospital, being secretary of that body, and a chairman of the campaign which started out to raise $250,000 for building the hospital. At the end of the week the amount raised was $752,000.
Mr. Utter is a member of the American News-
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paper Publishers Association and served as presi- dent of the United Typothetae of Rhode Island, is a member and has been a regional director of the Associated Press, Rhode Island's member on the board of managers of the New England Daily Newspaper Association, member of the National Economic League of Rhode Island, and member of the board of managers of the American Legis- lators Association. He was the author of the Westerly caucus law, which is considered the model caucus law in the State of Rhode Island, many features of which were used in the new Rhode Island caucus law passed in 1930; was also author of the Westerly Highway Commis- sion Act which is considered a model in highway administration in the State. He was chairman of the zoning committee of the Town Council which prepared the zoning law and under zoning se- cured control of the plotting of property by real estate agents. It is said by the United States Department of Agriculture this is the first com- munity in the country which combined this fea- ture under zoning, which is now being generally accepted and being done all over the country; was chairman of the committee which set up a new system of accounting for the town of West- erly. Copies of the town of Westerly's annual accounts are used in a number of colleges and universities of the country as text books. W. H. Spence, dean of the School of Commerce and Administration, University of Chicago, says of the report: "If we had more reports of this kind, there would not be the present public dissatis- faction with the State status of governmental accounting." He was secretary of the town plan- ning committee which had prepared the Whitten thoroughfare plan of the town of Westerly. Rob- ert E. Whitten, a nationally known city-planning expert, was secured by the committee. Upon com- pletion of the work the Utter Company presented to the town of Westerly the printed report.
He is vice-president of the Rhode Island Re- publican Club. In 1930 he was elected by the executive board of the American Civic Association to membership in that association "in recognition of important service in civic education and com- munity advance." Mr. Utter was one of two Westerly men listed in "Who's Who in America?" 1930-31. He is a member of the board of direc- tors of the Rhode Island Children's Fund. He is also a member of the Colonial Club, the Amherst Club of New York, Appalachian Moun- tain Club; the Winnapaug Club and the Town Criers of Providence; also member of the execu-
tive committee of the Westerly Chamber of Commerce. For many years active in Masonic affairs, he belongs to Franklin Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; the Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons; the Commandery, Knights Templar; and Palestine Temple, of Providence, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His religious affiliations are with the Seventh Day Baptist Church. He is president of the Pawcatuck Church at Westerly, and recording secretary of the Seventh Day Baptist Missionary Society, and a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Commission, the governing body of its denomination. As a young man Mr. Utter traveled extensively. He has visited Europe, Egypt, Arabia, India, and Ceylon.
Mr. Utter married Katherine Latham Wilbar, of Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Utter are the perents of three children: Charles W., George H., and Jean Chilton Utter.
CLIFTON LEWIS TALLMAN-Like his ancestors before him, Mr. Tallman has been actively identified since his early manhood with the fishing industry of his native State, Rhode Island. Successfully active in all branches of this industry, he is generally regarded as one of its outstanding leaders, and he enjoys a fine reputa- tion for business and executive ability, progress- iveness and integrity. These qualities have also greatly benefited the city of Newport, in whose administrative affairs Mr. Tallman has been effec- tively active in various capacities for many years. His membership in numerous organizations gives expression to his interest in fraternal, civic, and social affairs, and to his fondness of outdoor sports. Thus, through the great variety of his interests, he sets a fine example of the useful and public-spirited citizen.
Clifton Lewis Tallman was born at Portsmouth, January 15, 1888, a son of Chester B. and Clara Josephine Gifford (Munroe) Tallman. His father, a native of Portsmouth, was successfully engaged in the fishing business in Newport until his death in 1920. Mr. Tallman's mother, who was born at Lakeville, Massachusetts, is still a resident of Newport. Mr. Tallman is a member of one of the oldest Rhode Island families, being a direct de- scendant of Peter Tallman, who came to this country from Hanborough, England, in 1647, and who settled at Portsmouth in 1649. For many years he served as solicitor-general of the colony
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of Rhode Island. Among Mr. Tallman's other distinguished ancestors were: Benjamin Tallman, Thales and John Tallman, all of whom fought in the American Revolution. For many generations members of the Tallman family have been en- gaged in the fishing industry in Rhode Island. Benjamin Tallman, just mentioned as a supporter of the American Revolution, was the great-grand- father of the subject of this article, and he revolu- tionized the fishing industry by being the first one to make and to use a purse net. This net was first tried at Portsmouth in the Sakonnet River and was so well planned that the same method is still used today, except that several improve- ments have been made to it.
Clifton Lewis Tallman received his early edu- cation in the public schools of Portsmouth and later, after the family had removed to Newport, attended Rogers High School in this city. After leaving school he upheld the family tradition by becoming associated with his father, the late Chester B. Tallman, in the wholesale fish busi- ness in Newport, continuing as his father's partner until the latter's death in 1920. In 1910 Mr. Tall- man also opened a retail fish business on his own account, and which he still operates. After his father's death he became vice-president, assistant treasurer and production manager of the Tallman & Mack Fish & Trap Company, positions he has continued to hold since then. His offices are located on Broadway, Newport. In spite of his extensive business interests and responsibilities Mr. Tallman has found it possible to devote con- siderable time and attention to public affairs and for many years he has been prominently active in public life in Rhode Island. For ten years he has been a member of the Rhode Island State Game Commission. For four years he was a member of the old Newport Representative Coun- cil and since 1927 he has been a member of the present Newport Representative Council, of which he is now vice-chairman. He is also chair- man of the Newport City Finance Committee and of the council's sub-committee on public schools and on city officers and offices. He is a director of the Community Hotels Corporation. His clubs include the Newport County Rod & Gun Club, of which he is a past president; the Greenend Gun Club, of which he is a past president; the Newport Rotary Club, of which he is a director; and the Atlantic Indians. Other organizations, in which he maintains membership, include the following: American Trapshooters' Association, of which he is a life member; Rhode Island Fish
and Game Protective Association, of which he is vice-president; American Game Protective Asso- ciation; International Association of Game and Fish Commissioners; Newport Chamber of Com- merce. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men and of Excelsior Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, as well as of several Masonic organizations, including: St. Paul's Lodge, No. 14, Free and Accepted Masons; New- port Chapter, No. 2, Royal Arch Masons; Du- Blois Council, Royal and Select Masters; Aquid- neck Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; and Kolah Grotto, Mystic Order Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm. In politics he is a sup- porter of the Republican party. His religious affiliation is with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a member of the board of trustees. His favorite forms of recreation are trapshooting, hunting and fishing.
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