USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 22
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Full of years and honors, Dr. Sears peacefully and happily rounded out his years to the age of seventy-eight, when he died February 29, 1916. He was the sort of scholar and gentleman of whom this country is proudest, whose influence is most far-reaching in an age of materialism, and whose ideals coincide with the highest American stand- ards. His kindly attitude toward his colleagues, his service to the social side of the college, and his sympathetic nature endeared him to all those with whom he worked. His death depleted the ever-thinning ranks of America's older and nobler sons and left a gap in family and city which can- not soon be filled.
THOMAS C. KERNAN-A native and life- long resident of Warwick, Mr. Kernan is one of that town's best known business men and in recent years has owned and operated the largest independ- ent general insurance agency in West Warwick. He is also prominently active in the real estate busi- ness, is a member of numerous fraternal, social and civic organizations, takes an active interest in poli- tics and religious work and has proven his patriot- ism by serving during the World War.
Thomas C. Kernan was born in the village of Clyde, Warwick Township, Kent County, May 5, 1889, a son of Felix H. and Mary F. (Quinn) Kernan. His father, now deceased, was born at Mil- ford, Massachusetts, and was for many years and unti! his death successfully engaged in the whole- sale provisions business. Mr. Kernan's mother, still living, is a native of Phenix. Mr. Kernan was educated in the public schools of Warwick and, after graduating from the Warwick High School, worked for six years in the men's furnishings busi- ness. He then became associated with his brother in the grocery business, becoming a member of the firm of Kernan Brothers, in which line of business he continued for five years and a half. Next he worked as a salesman of electric lights for one year, until, in 1920, he became associated with the
Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, in the Providence office of which he held a position for six months. In the fall of 1920 he established himself in the general insurance business on his own account, with offices on Clyde Square, West Warwick, where he has since continued, meeting with such success that his agency today is the largest independent agency in West Warwick. Mr. Kernan came into the public eye in the insurance business of the State when he developed and con- summated the overthrow of the management of the Rhode Island Mutual Liability Insurance Company in March, 1930, in the interest of its policy holders. He was elected president and general manager of this concern and set out to reorganize nad establish its prestige. He is a member of the Pawtuxet Val- ley Board of Trade and of the West Warwick Chamber of Commerce and has also taken an active part in politics, having served as a member of the Democratic State Central Committee. His clubs include the West Warwick Lions Club, of which he is a director and the West Warwick Country Club, and he is also a member of the Foresters of Amer- ica and of J. P. Gibson Council, Knights of Colum- bus. During the World War Mr. Kernan served in the United States Army, being attached to the 103d Infantry Division. He is a director of Coutu, Kernan & Smith Realty Corporation, which com- pany was responsible for bringing the new Clyde Print Works to West Warwick. His religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic Church. He is fond of outdoor life and sports and is espe- cially interested in baseball and golf.
Mr. Kernan married, in 1922, Helen F. Allan, a native of Berkley. Mr. and Mrs. Kernan are the parents of two children, Elizabeth Helen and Thomas Allan.
WILLIAM C. KENNEY-Immediately after the completion of his education, Mr. Kenney be- came associated in business with his father, the late Charles D. Kenney, in the Kenney Manufac- turing Company. He has continued his identifica- tion with this enterprise, and for the last five years has been its president.
The Kenney Manufacturing Company was established in 1914 by the late Charles D. Kenney. Started in a comparatively small way, with only five employees, it ranks today (1931) as one of the largest manufacturing establishments of its type in Rhode Island and employs about one hun- dred people. The company manufactures a com-
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plete line of curtain rods and drapery hardware. In 1919 it moved into its own plant, at No. 609 Wellington Avenue, Auburn, where it occupies 40,000 square feet of floor space. In 1927 a ware- house was established in St. Louis, Missouri, for the purpose of supplying the steadily growing trade of the company in the Middle West. An- other warehouse, located at San Francisco, Cali- fornia, renders similar service to the company's customers on the Pacific Coast. The business was incorporated in 1921. At the present time (1931) its officers are William C. Kenney, presi- dent; George M. Kenney, treasurer; and Gordon G. Kenney, secretary.
William C. Kenney was born in Providence, June 21, 1894, a son of Charles D. and Marietta (McDonald) Kenney. His father, a native of Providence, was educated in the public schools of this city and then for a number of years was con- nected with the C. P. Henry Novelty Company as its manager. In 1914 he established the Kenney Manufacturing Company, of which he continued as president until to within a few years of his death, which occurred in 1927. William C. Ken- ney's mother, still a resident of Providence County, is a native of Nova Scotia. Mr. Kenney received his early education in the public schools of Providence and Cranston and after graduating from the Cranston High School, entered the Rhode Island State College, from which he was graduated in 1918. In that year he became associ- ated with the Kenney Manufacturing Company, of which, in 1921, he became vice-president, and in 1925, president.
Mr. Kenney's position in business circles in Cranston and Providence is one of importance, the operations of his company being not only local but nationwide. He also takes an active part in civic and religious affairs. He is president of the Cranston Community Fund, a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, and a former member of the Sewer Commission of the city of Cranston. He also maintains membership in the . Massasoit Country Club, the Shelter Harbor Country Club, and the Republican Club, as well as numerous Masonic bodies, including the fol- lowing: Doric Lodge, No. 38, Free and Accepted Masons; Harmony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Doric Council, Royal and Select Masters; Cal- vary Commandery, Knights Templar; also the Rhode Island Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party. His relig-
ious affiliation is with the People's Baptist Church, of which he is a trustee.
Mr. Kenney married, in 1919, Amy T. Viall, a native of Cranston. Mr. and Mrs. Kenney are the parents of three children: William C., Jr., Alice E., and Barbara.
DANIEL F. YOUNG-Under the city form of government the first to be elected chief of the municipal fire department was Daniel F. Young, who has acceptably filled that office ever since, or ten years altogether. Chief Young is ranked as one of the most efficient heads of fire depart- ments in the East, and is a duly elected member of the most important organized bodies of this class of public officials in the country, New Eng- land and this State.
Born in Coventry, Rhode Island, August 6, 1868, Chief Young is the son of Daniel H. and Martha B. (Stone) Young, his father engaged in textile manufacturing and farming until his death, and his mother, a native of Providence, is now de- ceased. Of the son, Daniel F., see further.
He was educated in the public schools of Cov- entry and then entered the business of manufac- turing textiles as an employee, spending three years at that trade. For some time he was vari- ously employed; and for four years was with the Nicholson File Company of Providence.
Accepting the position of custodian of the Cranston Town Hall, in the days of the old régime, he held that position until 1920. In that year the form of government underwent a change, with Cranston assuming a municipal status under a new charter, and Mr. Young became Chief Young by power of appointment as head of the reorganized fire department. He was no novice in the business of directing a fire-fighting force, since he had already served ten years as chief of the Pocasset Volunteer Fire Engine Company, which has made him a life-member. His head- quarters as chief of the city fire department is Station 2, Pontiac and Park avenues, Cranston. He is a member of the Rhode Island Fire Chiefs Club, the New England Fire Chiefs Association, the Massachusetts Fire Chiefs Club, and the In- ternational Fire Chiefs Association.
Fire Chief Daniel F. Young married, in 1886, Mary A. Carby, who was born in Cranston, and their children are: Phoebe A., Mary E., Walter H., and William.
Small Jackem
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PRESTON H. GARDNER-Having become identified with the banking business almost at the very outset of his business career, when he was only twenty-one years old, Mr. Gardner has the unusual distinction of having remained with the same bank, the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, of Providence, for almost half a cen- tury.
Preston H. Gardner was born at Swansea, Massachusetts, January 8, 1863, a son of Nathan B. and Mary G. (Hicks) Gardner. Both his par- ents, now deceased, were born in Swansea, Mas- sachusetts, where his father was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits until his death. Preston H. Gardner received his education in the public schools of Swansea and Warren, Rhode Island, and later was graduated from Bryant & Strat- ton's Business College. After completing his edu- cation, he became connected with a textile con- cern, but remained in this line of business only one year. In 1884 he entered the employ of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company of Provi- dence. His first position with this well-known financial institution of Providence was of a cler- ical nature. As the years passed Mr. Gardner was gradually advanced to more important positions. In 1905 he was made trust officer and seven years later, in 1912, he was elected vice-president, in which capacity he continues to serve. He is also a director of the Hospital Trust Company, as well as of the Textile Finishing Machinery Corpora- tion, the Grosvenor-Dale Company, the Boston and Florida Atlantic Coast Land Company, and the Working Men's Loan Association, of which latter he is also the treasurer. For twenty years he served as treasurer of the Providence Society of Organized Charities, thus rendering important services to the city of Providence and its people. Mr. Gardner is a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, the American Institute of Banking, the Rhode Island Historical Society, the Hope, Rhode Island Country, Providence Art, and Turks Head clubs, and numerous Masonic bodies, including the following: Orpheus Lodge, No. 36, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is a Past Master; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters; and St. John's Commandery, No. I, Knights Templar. In politics he is a Repub- lican. His religious affiliation is with Grace Protestant Episcopal Church of Providence.
Mr. Gardner married, in 1893, Mary E. Hoyt, a native of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner have
one daughter, Maude P., who married E. E. Dawson, Jr., and they have one child, John El- worth Dawson, associated with the Byron Weston Paper Company of Pittsfield.
DONALD ELDREDGE JACKSON-As a progressive and far-sighted business man especially concerned with real estate and insurance, as well as with important industries, Donald Eldredge Jackson, of Providence, Rhode Island, is a rec- ognized leader. His interest in public affairs is as keen as his business instincts and it has carried him into the municipal government as a member of the City Council.
Donald Eldredge Jackson was born in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, son of Richard Henry and Ida Maud (Turnbull) Jackson, and descendant of Stephen Jackson, who came from his home in Kil- kenny, Ireland, during the first quarter of the eighteenth century. Many members of the family attained distinction in early Colonial days, and Mr. Jackson's father served in the 9th New York Volunteers during the Civil War. The son was born February 10, 1887, and he was educated in the Providence public schools, graduating from high school in 1906. His business career began at once with his entry into the field of real estate and insurance, and his advance in this line has been steady. He is president and treasurer of the Smith Real Estate Company and in spite of the responsibilities of this extensive concern, he is a director of the Washburn Wire Company, the American Electrical Works, and the Eugene F. Phillips Electric Works, of Montreal, Canada.
A Republican in politics, he is active and promi- nent in local affairs, having served on the City Council and as a member of the finance commit- tee. He is also a director of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company. His clubs include the Hope, Agawam Hunt, Rhode Island Country, Squantum, Jacobs Hill Hunt, and Anawan in all of which he is popular and progressive. He is a member of Adelphoi Lodge, No. 33, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and a communicant of St. Mar- tin's Church.
On October 27, 1909, Donald Eldredge Jackson married Rachel Smith, daughter of Edwin Augus- tus and Harriet J. (Dean) Smith, and a member of a family whose record dates far back into Colonial days and is interwoven with such promi- nent names as the founders of the Rhode Island
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Commonwealth, Roger Williams, Thomas Barnes, and many others. Nor is the family dependent upon its alliance with notable lines for its reputa- tion, for its own members have sat in high legis- lative council and have served in peace and war with distinction and honor. Christopher Smith was the American progenitor, and lived in Providence in 1650. Eight generations of her family in New England preceded Mrs. Jackson, and her father was one of the prominent business executives of Providence, a man of wealth and community im- portance. He also served as a soldier during the Civil War and held many municipal offices. Mr. and Mrs. Jackson are the parents of four chil- dren: Edwin Smith, born February 9, 1912; Don- ald Eldredge, born February 5, 1914; Harriet Dean, born August 2, 1916; and Barbara Pinckney, born October 13, 1927.
ALBERT KANSAS NEWMAN-Belonging to a family distinguished for its lineage and the accomplishment of its members, the late Albert Kansas Newman had a life filled with rich ac- complishment in service to his fellowmen. Out- standing in the practice of his profession as law- yer, and of still greater note for his leadership in manufacturing circles of the Nation as head of a great corporation, he left behind him a record in keeping with the best traditions of distinction set up by his line, and his passing meant a loss irre- parable to the many spheres of his widespread activity.
Born at East Wilton, Maine, August 18, 1871, Albert Kansas Newman lived to the age of fifty- eight, his death occurring in 1929, in New York City, where he had gone on a business trip. Son of Isaiah Leavitt and Mary Jones (Copeland) Newman, he was descended from the oldest stock in America, originating here early in the seven- teenth century. The first ancestor of record hav- ing the surname Newman was Thomas Newman, from whom Albert Kansas Newman was de- scended in the sixth generation. Through the marriage of his great-grandfather, Ebenezer New- man. he was directly descended from Benjamin Dows, of Revolutionary fame. On his mother's side he had five ancestors among the Pilgrims, at their landing in the "Mayflower," and through his paternal grandmother, Julia (Leavitt) Newman, was a descendant of the Ludden family, one of the early Colonial houses of Massachusetts, estab- lished by James Ludden and his settlement at
Weymouth prior to 1636. Isaiah Leavitt New- man was a lumber operator and farmer, of Maine; his father, Oliver Newman, owned eleven square miles of timber land near Carthage in that State. And hence for several generations the Newmans have been of position in general busi- ness affairs.
Albert Kansas Newman received his early edu- cation in the public schools of East Wilton, his native place; at Wilton Academy, and Nicholas Latin School, of Lewiston, Maine. He entered Bates College, Lewiston, and after a year trans- ferred to Bowdoin College, Brunswick, Maine. From Brunswick's college he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1891, then immediately took up the study of law at Harvard, from which, in 1894, he received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. An attack of diphtheria caused him to miss his classes for some time prior to examinations, yet he missed by only a fraction of a point the honor of being among the first ten of his class to grad- uate at Harvard. While at college, we may note in passing, he played both football and baseball, sports in which he continued interested during the balance of his years.
Directly he had taken his diploma at law, Mr. Newman went to New York City, and having been admitted to the bar, opened offices at No. 41 Park Row. He continued in offices there several years, later being associated with J. Campbell Thompson for a number of years with offices at No. 63 Wall Street. For eleven years he served as counsel to the U. S. Hoffman Machinery Cor- poration, manufacturers of pressing machines. In 1923 he was elected secretary of the concern, in which, also, he was a director; and in 1925 he resigned from it. The following year he organ- ized the Pantex Pressing Machine Company, a Delaware corporation, producing and distributing steam pressing machines. A factory and offices were established in Pawtucket, Rhode Island (No. 29 River Street), and Mr. Newman and his associates during the remaining few years of his life set up offices in principal cities of the Nation. His long experience with Hoffman, together with natural ability as an executive of courage and vision, joined with his talents at the law, all insured the success of Pantex from the outset; and Mr. Newman lived to see his company firmly established among the leading concerns of its kind in the United States. Many of the firm's ma- chines are sold abroad. Mr. Newman was the company's president and directing head until the last.
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Had he wished, he might have made a brilliant career as an educator, according to contempo- raries acquainted with his unusual ability. Early in his career (in fact while at college) he taught one term in an outlying school in Maine. The particular problem there was that of discipline, and the fact that he had no trouble enforcing dis- cipline where his predecessors had been unable to do so tells much of his ability as well as char- acter. He was affiliated with Delta Kappa Ep- silon Fraternity; belonged to the Crescent Ath- letic Club of Brooklyn, the To Kalon Club of Pawtucket, the West Side Tennis Club of Long Island (Forest Hills); and was a communicant of the Universalist Church as a young man, though in later years, with Mrs. Newman, he attended the Methodist. He supported the prin- ciples and candidates of the Republican party, and in Pawtucket was instrumental in accom- plishing results directed toward the welfare of the municipality, also having been known for his civic spirit in New York.
In 1913, at Evanston, Illinois, Mr. Newman was united in marriage with Della Kibler. Dur- ing their residence in Pawtucket they lived at No. 82 Oak Hill Avenue, though Mrs. Newman now spends a part of her time with a sister in the West. She is a native of Indiana, a devout Christian lady, helpful charitably; and in former years she was a great inspiration to her husband, assisting him in his many perplexities attendant on large business affairs. Mr. Newman is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Herbert G. Beede and Mrs. F. B. Fuller; and by a brother, Daniel L. Newman.
The city of Pawtucket, the legal circles of New York, and the industrial world of which he was a member, each was deprived of a useful, affec- tionately regarded friend and leader in the death of Albert Kansas Newman. Yet the quality of bis years on earth was such that their inspiration will endure.
GRANVILLE A. BEALS-Thorough knowl- edge of the worsted industry in all its branches, acquired during the early part of his business career, by active connection with several firms engaged in this business, enabled Mr. Beals not only to establish himself in this business as a manufacturer on his own account, but also to bring his business to a very high degree of pros- perity and success in a comparatively short time. Today the business founded by Mr. Beals at East
Greenwich in 1917, is one of that town's leading industrial establishments and ranks very high among the United States mills manufacturing high grade worsted goods for men's wear. While the development and direction of this undertaking have required the greater share of Mr. Beals' time and attention, he has not permitted his own business affairs to absorb him entirely. He is a member of several local and New York City clubs, takes an active part in civic affairs and in other respects interests himself in the various phases of the community's life. He is regarded as one of the representative business men of East Greenwich.
Granville A. Beals was born in Astoria, Long Island, New York, June 26, 1892, a son of the late S. Granville and Julia Anna (Lockwood) Beals. His father, who was born at Stoughton, Massachusetts, and who died in 1928, was suc- cessfully engaged in the worsted business and in commercial banking until his death. Mr. Beals' mother was a native of Brooklyn, New York. After attending public and private schools in Astoria, Mr. Beals became a student at the Flushing, Long Island, High School. Having graduated there, he became connected with the Andrew Mills and their sales agents in Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, with which enterprise he was associated during 1911-12. Returning then to New York City, he associated himself with an- other firm of sales agents, Andrew Demetre & Brothers. In this connection he continued until 1917, organizing and developing during this period a men's wear department and also being in charge of the import business of the firm. At that time he was also a large stockholder of the French Dyeing & Finishing Company, of Phila- delphia. In 1916 he severed his connection with Andrew Demetre & Brothers and came to East Greenwich, establishing at that time the Green- wich Mills, of which he has been the sole propri- etor since. The plant started operations in Jan- uary, 1917, meeting with marked success from the beginning. In 1918 Mr. Beals purchased a tract of land and built on it his own mill, this property being located at. Duane and Ladd streets, East Greenwich. When the mill was first started in 1917, it operated forty automatic looms, but since then its business has grown to such proportions that today one hundred and seventy looms are in operation, and some four hundred hands are em- ployed. Mr. Beals' mills are among the largest producers of fine worsted for men's wear and their products enjoy a very high reputation.
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Mr. Beals is also president of S. G. Beals Com- pany, Incorporated, of New York City, sole sales agents and factors for the Greenwich Mills, president of the Greenwich Fabrics Corporation and a director of the Wool Institute. His clubs include the National Arts Club of New York City and the New York Athletic Club, as well as the Warwick Country Club and the Annaquatucket Country Club. Ever since becoming a resident of East Greenwich, Mr. Beals has taken an active and helpful interest in civic affairs. He is not only a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, but has also served as chairman of the board of water commissioners of the town of Warwick since the latter's organization. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his relig- ious affiliation is with the Protestant Episcopal Church. He is fond of outdoor life and espe- cially of all athletic sports and fishing.
Mr. Beals married, in 1922, Phylis Elizabeth Winter, a native of Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Beals are the parents of three children: Gran- ville A., Jr., John Alden, and Carol Anne.
DR. JOHN LINCOLN ALGER, D. Ed .- As president of a leading normal school in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, since 1908, John Lincoln Alger has had a key position in educational prog- ress throughout New England during the impor- tant years of the early twentieth century. Under his aegis the old State Normal School changed its name to the Rhode Island College of Educa- tion and has broadened its scope to meet the changed conditions and enlarged student body of the day. The background of practical teaching and administrative experience which have consti- tuted President Alger's preparation for his pres- ent leadership has given him an understanding and a clarity of purpose unusual in the usual educa- tional executive. And he has come to be looked upon as an educational leader throughout the entire section, and his school as a Mecca for serious pedagogic students.
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