USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 28
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JOHN K. FENNER-Educational advance in the city of Cranston may be attributed in large measure to the professional service rendered by the present superintendent of schools, John K. Fenner.
Born in Johnston, Rhode Island, October 25, 1876, John K. Fenner is a son of John Brown and Marcie C. (Wooddell) Fenner; the former, a native of West Scituate, followed market garden- ing until his death; the latter, born in Chestnut Hill, Connecticut, is also deceased. The son, John K., passed through the grade and high schools of Johnston and entered Brown University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1898, with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Mr. Fenner began his career as an educator in the year of leaving the university, accepting a teaching position in the schools of Block Island, which he filled for six months. Returning to the mainland, he taught in North Scituate, Rhode
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Island for two years. Cranston school authorities then called him to that city to accept the chair of mathematics and science in the high school, which he filled for seven years. His next position was that of principal of the Hopedale (Massa- chusetts) High School, where he was engaged for three years. In 1911 he was recalled to Cranston to serve as principal of the high school, where he remained for six years. In 1917 he was appointed superintendent of schools of Cranston, and since has been an increasingly important fac- tor in the forward movement noted in the city's educational system. He is a member of the de- partment of superintendents of the National Edu- cation Association, and a member and past presi- dent of the Rhode Island Institute of Instruction.
In politics Mr. Fenner is classed as an inde- pendent. He is a member of the Barnard Club and of the board of trustees of the People's Church at Auburn.
John K. Fenner married, in 1901, Edith Calef, a native of Johnston, and they have a daughter, Helen W., who was graduated from Brown Uni- versity in the class of 1925.
DEXTER BURTON POTTER-For half a century, less one year, Dexter Burton Potter was a practicing lawyer at the bar of Rhode Island. He also was active in politics in the various communities where he lived and was frequently called to important public office. In these in- stances he served ably and acquired an army of admirers by the methods he used on conducting the affairs of the people. He was a man devoid of self interest, but devoted to the exercise of his intimate knowledge of the law in promoting such public propositions as were entrusted to his care and which were inaugurated with a view to ad- vancing the general welfare of the community. His success in the practice of law was commen- surate with the ability he possessed and with the tireless industry that overlooked no detail of the most intricate case. He held the respect of his colleagues and the public alike and was known throughout Rhode Island for his uprightness of character and his brilliant attainments. His death removed a great citizen and deprived a host of people of a loyal friend.
He was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, August 23, 1840, a son of the Rev. Jeremiah and Mary A. (Salisbury) Potter, and received his prelimi- nary educational training in the local public
schools, after which he attended the River Point Classical Seminary and the East Greenwich Academy, the last named having been one of the noted New England schools of the day. For a few years following his graduation he engaged in teaching, but soon decided upon the law as a profession and with this end in view began his studies in the offices of Ira O. Seamans, at Phe- nix, in the town of Warwick, Rhode Island, later supplementing this by studies in the offices of B. N. and S. S. Lapham, in Providence. Com- pleting this work, he was admitted to the bar of Rhode Island, December 4, 1868, and to practice at the bar of the United States Circuit Court, No- vember 15, 1871. During these and ensuing years he was active in politics in the communities where he resided, serving on the town committee of Scituate, also on the school committee and as a trial justice and moderator for terms of two years each. Upon his father's removal to Cov- entry, in 1868, he also established a residence there and was elected to the General Assembly of the State there in 1871 and 1872 and to the Senate in 1874. He declined reelection in 1875, but again in 1876 was reelected to the Assembly and retained in his seat therein during 1877 and 1878. In the following year he was once more elected to the State Senate. During the years 1877 and 1878, while Speaker of the House, a service which included six sessions, two special, he was never absent, nor did he ever leave that chair to engage in debate, and no ruling that he made at these times was questioned or appealed 'from by any member of the House. He followed the principles of the Republican party. For a number of years he was counsel for the Provi- dence Telephone Company, of which he was also a director, and in 1896 was elected its president. He was also president of the Providence Tele- phone Company of Massachusetts and a director and member of the executive committee of the Westerly Automatic Telephone Company. He was a director of the American Enamel Company for several years and in 1906 was elected its president, succeeding the late Mayor Augustus S. Miller. In 1890, when he became a member of the board of directors of the Providence Tele- phone Company, of which he became president six years later, the company was struggling to exist and needed an able executive to set it upon a firm foundation. Mr. Potter devoted all his energies to this task, to the development of its resources and extending the sphere of its activi- ties. So successful was his labor that at the time
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of his retirement from the office the work of the corporation covered all of Rhode Island and ex- tended into Massachusetts. In 1915, at the time of the amalgamation of the company with the New England Telephone and Telegraph Com- pany, Mr. Potter retired from active control of its affairs. He was, however, persuaded to act as its counsel and to retain his seat on the board of directors.
Mr. Potter was a great-grandson of Captain John Potter and left his widow in possession of two commissions issued to that officer, the first dated July 20, 1780, appointing him lieutenant of Ist Company of Train Band of the town of Scituate; the second, dated June 4, 1781, making him a captain. Both are signed by W. Greene, Governor. He also was in possession of the gun carried by Captain Potter in his military service. The commissions and gun are now in the posses- sion of the Rhode Island Historical Society. He was a member of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and also of the Rhode Island Bar Association, of which he was unanimously elected president for two successive terms. He was also a member of the Providence Bar Club, serving that organiza- tion as president from January 30, 1897, to Janu- ary 30, 1909. Fraternally, he was affiliated with the order of Free and Accepted Masons, being a member of Manchester Lodge, No. 12; Land- mark Chapter, No. 10, Royal Arch Masons; St. John's Commandery, Knights Templar. He was Master of his lodge for two years, Grand Marshal of the State Grand Lodge, and for a year served as District Deputy Grand Master. He was a member of the Providence Art, University, Hope and Turks Head clubs and of the Squantum Association of Providence. He was also a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Homeopathic Hospital of Rhode Island. He also belonged to the American Universities Club of London, Eng- land. He was a member of St. Stephen's Church of Providence. His death occurred at his resi- dence in Congdon Street, Providence, February 27, 1917, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. He was the last of his line, having left no chil- dren and his brothers being also childless.
Dexter Burton Potter married (first), July 24, 1883, Emily H. Allen, born January 4, 1841, de- ceased January 5, 1912. She was a daughter of Hezekiah and Emmeline (Abbey) Allen. He married (second), June 25, 1913, Mrs. Martha
Sophia (Lawton) Clark, daughter of Joseph and Sarah A. Lawton, of Phenix, Rhode Island. Joseph Lawton was one of the prosperous mer- chants of the Pawtuxet Valley, a man esteemed by the entire community. He came to Rhode Island as the first expert machine printer of calico, setting up the machinery and overseeing the printing for the S. H. Greene and Son Com- pany. His father and his six sons came from England to the United States in 1828 and became associated at Hudson, New York, with Joseph Marshall, as the first print workers in this country.
Dexter Burton Potter's memory is principally associated with constructive ability and a talent for disentangling abstruse governmental ques- tions. His legally trained mind was of great avail in his achievements and he had a naturally attractive manner that appealed to men and gave him loyal friends wherever he moved. His high principles were the admiration of the community and his lofty conception of citizenship an attribute of priceless value to the people whom he long and faithfully served.
REV. ALPHONSE GRATON-Since 1902 Rev. Alphonse Graton has been the able pastor of the Church of St. Jean de Baptiste, at Paw- tucket, Rhode Island.
The history of the parish of St. Jean de Bap- tiste goes back to 1886, when Rev. William Mee- nan, on November Io of that year, purchased land for a French church at Woodlawn. The fol- lowing year a modest church building was erected and opened for use, but during that same year Father Meenan went to Natick and his place at Woodlawn was taken by Rev. Napoleon Leclerc, who remained for eleven months, serving until 1890, when he was succeeded by Rev. G. Garcin. The congregation had grown rapidly, profiting by the increased French-Canadian immigration of those years, and on October 1, 1890, the parish of St. Jean de Baptiste was organized. The parish continued to grow, and on April 12, 1897, the corner-stone of a fine new church was laid. The church was dedicated May 31, 1898. Meantime, a parish school had been established and placed in charge of the Sisters of La Sainte Union des Sacrés Coeurs. Father Garcin continued his work at St. Jean de Baptiste until February 2, 1902, when the present pastor, Rev. Alphonse Graton, took charge.
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Rev. Alphonse Graton was born in St. Scho- lastique, Province of Quebec, Canada, February 25, 1865, son of Joseph Graton, born in 1833, died November 15, 1904, and Marie Louise (Ver- mette) Graton, born November 22, 1832, died September 24, 1914, both natives of St. Scho- lastique and members of old and honored families there. The father, who wa's prominent in the community and active in its affairs during his earlier years, retired from active life some years prior to his death, was respected for his fine quali- ties of character. He and his wife were the parents of fourteen children, three of whom be- came priests and one daughter died the day she was to have taken the veil. The children were: I. Joseph, now the owner of the family homestead at Scholastique. 2. Rev. Jules, a retired priest now living at Scholastique. 3. Rose de Lima. 4. Hon- ore. 5. Rev. Edmond, retired, living at St. The- rese, Hospice Drapeau. 6. J. Hormisdas, a phy- sician in Detroit, Michigan. 7. Alphonsine, who died as she was about to take the veil of the Sisters of the Holy Cross at St. Lawrence. 8. Rev. Alphonse, of further mention. 9. Wilfred. IO. Amanda. II. Louis, who conducted a drug business in Pawtucket for a time and now operates a general store at St. Scholastique. 12. Angelina. 13. Marie Louise. 14. Rose de Lima, the second of the name in this family, died in infancy.
Father Graton spent his childhood in St. Scho- lastique, and after attending the St. Scholastique Academy took a six-year classical course at St. Therese Seminary, near Montreal, Canada. He then began his theological training, taking his philosophical courses with the Oblate Fathers at their St. Joseph's Scholasticate in Ottawa, On- tario, where he also studied theology for several years. He took summer courses in chemistry at Harvard University, and, in addition to this, taught history, mathematics, chemistry, and French at the University of Ottawa. On April 27, 1890, he was ordained a priest by Monsignor Clut, Oblate of Mary Immaculate, of the Vicari- ate Apostolic of Mckenzie, at the Scholasticate in Ottawa. For two years he continued his work at Ottawa University and then came to St. Jos- eph's Church in Worcester, Massachusetts, where his brother, Rev. Jules Graton, was pastor. In February, 1892, he was appointed by Bishop Har- kins as assistant to Father Napoleon Leclerc, then rector of St. Ann's Church at Woonsocket, Rhode Island. There he remained for two years at the end of which time he was sent to Notre Dame Church, Central Falls, as an assistant to
the Rev. Father Beland. In that position he con- tinued for eight years. In March, 1902, he was appointed administrator of the parish of St. Jean de Baptiste, of Pawtucket, and in June of the same year he was made rector of the parish. Since that time he has devoted his time to the furthering of the material and spiritual interests of that parish, and his achievement in this field is a most worthy one.
When Father Graton came to Pawtucket the parish of St. Jean de Baptiste included five hun- dred and five families, aggregating 2,200 souls. Now there are nine hundred families totaling 4,650 souls. Father Graton soon set about the task of providing better accommodations for his steadily growing congregation. He enlarged and redecorated the church, remodelled the school building, adding several class rooms, and gave careful attention to the establishment of a com- plete and efficient educational system. As time passed, new school buildings became necessary, and at the present time the parish has not only a modern parochial school giving the primary courses, but also a Junior High School, a Senior High School, an academy, and a business school. Three buildings have been added to the original school edifice, and land has been purchased for a boarding school. In the day school there are five hundred and seventy-five pupils, and in the courses in the special and higher branches of learning one hundred and twenty-five pupils are enrolled. There are also, in addition to the regu- lar high school, commercial, and classical courses, classes in music and arts. The high school is on the list of schools approved by the Rhode Island State Board of Education and all the schools of the parish are in charge of twenty-five Sisters of the Holy Union of the Sacred Heart, the mother house of which order is in Belgium, the provin- cial house being in Fall River, Massachusetts. At the present time four graduates of these schools are attending Providence College, two are at Boston University, thirty-six are at vari- ous other colleges, and four are at Montreal studying for the priesthood. When Father Gra- ton took charge of this parish there was only a parish school containing six classrooms.
But the great work achieved by Father Graton has not been accomplished without difficulties and setbacks. On December 22, 1922, a fire de- stroyed the chapel which Father Graton had re- modelled from a hall used for social purposes. On October 17, 1918, a severe trial came when the church building itself was destroyed by a
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fire. This was the stone building dedicated in 1897 and later enlarged and remodelled by Father Graton. With characteristic courage and re- sourcefulness Father Graton made this disaster the stepping-stone to new achievement. New land was purchased and the parish began the task of raising funds for a fine new church building and a rectory. In 1925 the rectory, containing offices and thirty rooms, was completed; and in 1927 the present beautiful church edifice, one of the finest in the United States, was built. The entire build- ing is of fireproof construction. The entrances to the church are through three double doors, each five inches thick and of solid steel. The walls are of cement and the ceiling of cement, with steel beams. The floors are of Italian marble, and fourteen massive pillars of Italian marble set close to the walls and topped by steel beams extending from one side of the church to the other, support the roof. Fourteen stained glass windows, seven on each side, eight by twenty- five feet, portraying the principal events in the life of the Saviour, admit a beautifully mellowed light to the main body of the church, while a large magnificent stained glass window in the rear of the main altar floods with its soft light the sacristy and its environs. Eight more stained glass windows admit light to the choir loft, and in the evening, massive chandeliers clustering forty lights each, representing candles, illumine the interior. The tall central altar is flanked on either side by a painting of masterly execution, and above the stained glass window in the rear of the altar a dome of rare beauty climaxes the decorative features of this portion of the church. The two side altars are beautiful in design and of the finest workmanship. All of the interior fur- nishings, as well as the walls, floor, and ceiling, are of fireproof construction, even the confes- sionals. The Stations of the Cross are of bronze, and the communion rail, extending across the church, is of hand-hammered bronze. The base- ment, which was completed in 1926, seats about seven hundred and fifty persons. The main church provides seating for one thousand one hundred people. In addition to this, the choir loft provides seating for one hundred singers, and there is also room for fifty on each side of the altar. A fine organ of fifty-six stops furnishes the instrumental music, and accompanies the regu- lar choir of sixty trained voices. In addition to the regular choir there are forty-five boys and fifty-five girls, all trained in the school, who sing on Sundays. There is a chime of bells weigh-
ing 16,000 pounds, operated by electricity and used on Sundays and special occasions. The church is one of which the parish may well be proud, and the property of the parish now covers an entire square and includes considerable other land not included in the square. The parish societies, which include a St. Anne Society, Chil- dren of Mary, Holy Angels, Infant Jesus, Li- gue des hommes et des Jeunes Gens, Cadets of the Sacred Heart, Fraternity of St. Francis, St. Vincent de Paul Conference, are all prosperous and active, and the number of actual communi- cants of the church is 3,765.
Father Graton is actively interested in the work of all the groups of his large parish, but the work has grown, under his skillful leadership, into proportions which require the assistance of two priests. At the time of this writing Father Graton's assistants are Rev. Lionel Dion and Rev. Father Gervais, both men of ability and faithfulness. There are also specialty workers who organize the various societies of the parish, as well as young men and women who have charge of certain phases of the work and give instruction in moral and spiritual matters, under the direction of Father Graton and his assistants. The Bishop, by his assistant priest, visits the schools semi-annually and inspects the various activities of the parish, giving aid and assistance, as needed, in all phases of the work. Father Graton has won the deep regard and the sincere loyalty of his people, and has proved himself an able leader in material affairs and a wise spiritual guide. He has the respect and the high esteem of the entire community.
LUCIEN HEROUX-Among the successful funeral directors of the State of Rhode Island is Lucien Heroux, whose establishment is located at No. 15 Ledge Street, in Central Falls.
Lucien Heroux was born in Canada, but as a boy came to the United States, locating in Black- stone, Massachusetts, where he found employ- ment in the mills. For some years he followed this trade, thriftily saving all he could and ac- quiring an education by attending the evening schools. Though the mills offered a livelihood, young Lucien Heroux had no idea of continuing through life as a mill-worker. He was only wait- ing for the opportunity to better his chances of success in a business way, and after a time he learned the stone cutter's trade, which he followed
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in Milford, Massachusetts, and in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, for some time. Eventually, how- ever, he came to Rhode Island and settled in Manville, where he became a partner in an un- dertaking business. In 1897 he removed to Cen- tral Falls and purchased an interest in an under- taking business there. The partnership continued until 1900. By that time Mr. Heroux had by econ- omy and frugality saved some money which he invested well in real estate. He owned two houses located at Nos. 23 and 29 Ledge Street, and four lots adjoining. He was now ready not only to establish a business of his own but to provide for an independent income, and in 1928 he erected two four-story stucco and brick build- ing; in 1900 he purchased a stable located in the rear of No. 31 Ledge Street, which he remodelled into a first class garage. The two houses which he owned at Nos. 23 and 29 Ledge Street, he carefully remodelled, making, with the two stucco and brick buildings, four houses in all, and these four houses are so planned that they contain fourteen tenements. On the lower floor of No. 15, Mr. Heroux has equipped and furnished a spacious and convenient funeral home and a very beautiful show room, in which he displays all of the latest styles of caskets. No. 19 is his private home. In his garage he houses a number of high class limousines and funeral cars, and under the same roof he also has a second show room in which he displays a stock of all kinds of trim- mings, robes, etc. He has built up a thoroughly modern establishment and by expert service and fair dealing has established a reputation which is steadily bringing him new patronage. He is among the longest established of the undertakers of Rhode Island and is well and favorably known throughout the State. From the position of a boy in the textile mills, without capital or in- fluence, he has by energy, thrift and ability made his way up to a place among the representative citizens of his section of the State and has founded and developed a business which draws its patron- age from all parts of the State. Mr. Heroux is a member of La Société St. Jean Baptiste and La Société des Artisans. In his fraternal affiliations he is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, and of the Catholic Order of Foresters.
Lucien Heroux married, in 1889, Rosanna Cabana, who was born in Milton, Canada, and they have one son, Arthur W., who is associated with his father in the undertaking business.
Arthur W. Heroux, son of Lucien and Rosanna (Cabana) Heroux, was born in Manville, and
received his early education in the local public schools. He then went to Canada, where he ma- triculated in St. Marie's College, taking the classical course. Returning to the United States he entered the Assumption College, of Worcester, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated in 19II. He then went to Belgium and entered the University of Louvain, where he remained until the war broke out in 1914, when he returned to America and since that time he has been associ- ated with his father in the funeral directing busi- ness. He is secretary of the State Board of Registration in Embalming, appointed on a board of three, and is also very prominent in the Rhode Island Funeral Directors Association. Mr. Her- oux takes a keen interest in politics and served for four years as councilman from the Second Ward of his city. In his fraternal affiliations he is a member of St. Jean Baptiste Société Council, No. 18, which he serves as vice-president; and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of Pawtucket, No. 920. He is a member of Jacques Cartier Society, and of the Canadian-American Society.
Arthur W. Heroux married Beatrice Gendron, daughter of Joseph F. Gendron, who has been one of the leading merchants of Pawtucket since 1895, and they have six children: Gerard, Bea- trice, Madeline, Pauline, Constance, and Jacque- line.
JOSEPH FRANCIS JOHN MCCARTHY- One of the best-known undertaking establish- ments in Providence, Rhode Island, is the one operated under the name of D. F. McCarthy & Son, located at No. 248 Charles Street, and now (1931) conducted by Joseph Francis John Mc- Carthy, and his sister, Mary E. McCarthy.
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