USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 42
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He was born in Westerly, May 3, 1889, a son of Frank W. Coy, also a native of Westerly and a real estate operator many years of his business life. He founded the Frank W. Coy Real Estate Company in 1901 and died here in 1929. His wife, mother of Edward B. Coy, is Bessie W. (Holmes) Coy, born in Stonington, Connecticut. Their son was educated in the public schools of Westerly, graduated from high school and then spent one year at Phillips' Andover Academy and one at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1909 he entered into association with his father in business, with the result as already stated. He is secretary and treasurer of the River Bend Cemetery Company and is a member and past president of the Washington County Board of Underwriters. He is also treasurer of the Co- lonial Club and is fraternally affiliated with the
Patrick Moroney.
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Sigma Alpha Epsilon Society. In politics he is a Republican and is a member of Calvary Baptist Church. His favorite recreation is golf.
Edward Brown Coy married, in 1913, Ruth Lord, of Norwich, Connecticut, daughter of George Thatcher and Helena M. (Thomas) Lord.
PATRICK MORONEY-For many years prominent in the business life of Providence, Rhode Island, whither he came very early in life from his native land, Ireland, Patrick Moroney held a place of leadership in a number of differ- ent organizations, and won the esteem of his fellowmen. His strict integrity in all his deal- ings, his straightforward character, and his eager- ness to help others even at a sacrifice to himself -these were among the outstanding qualities of the man, and they went far toward bringing him into a high position in Providence life. Kind- hearted, warm in his human sympathies, keenly intelligent, and understanding of the weaknesses of others, Mr. Moroney well deserved the friendly regard that was his on all sides during his life- time; for in his city and State his friends and acquaintances were many.
Mr. Moroney was born in Ireland, where he received his early education and was employed as a teacher until he came to the United States in 1869. From that time onward, he was con- tinuously engaged in the business affairs of his adopted land. He brought with him from Ire- land, where he was born in County Tipperary in 1846, a teacher's certificate that had been issued to him by the Board of Education in Dublin, and which was long a cherished possession of his family in this country. The particular field of business endeavor in which he became engaged was the wholesale liquor trade; but such were the qualities of this man that he would undoubt- edly have been successful in any branch of com- mercial work that he might have undertaken. At first he was employed as a bookkeeper in con- nection with the wholesale liquor and brewing business of John Bligh, on Orange Street, Prov- idence, near Weybosset Street. For four years he continued in that capacity, but resigned in 1873, and set up his own business under his own name in South Water Street. In the forty years that followed he maintained this enterprise suc- cessfully and profitably, until at length, in De- cember, 1911, he sold his establishment and re-
tired from active endeavor. He did, however, retain his keen interest in the business life of his city and State, though he was not again an active participant in commercial affairs. He remained, until his death, a director of the Providence Brewing Company, a position to which he was appointed at the time of the organization of that company, in 1891. In his later years, too, he invested heavily in real estate, erecting a num- ber of residences in Providence, and, as a result of his careful judgment and painstaking opera- tions, became uniformly successful.
There were other fields, too, in which he was an interested citizen and an active one; for he belonged to a number of social and civic organ- izations, which led in different types of commu- nity work. He was a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Catholic Club. His religious affiliation was with St. Joseph's Church, in which he was a devout communicant, having previously belonged to the Cathedral con- gregation. Into all of these activities, as into his business life, Mr. Moroney put the full measure of his energy and enthusiasm, with the result that he came to be highly esteemed and re- spected by a host of friends and acquaintances, and was enabled to participate more helpfully in community enterprises than would otherwise have been possible for him to do.
Patrick Moroney married, in Providence, Rhode Island, in June, 1893, Mary A. Feeley, a daugh- ter of Michael Feeley, a pioneer silversmith, of Providence.
The death of this prominent citizen of Provi- dence, which came on September 20, 1923, was a cause of widespread and sincere sorrow in his community; for everyone who knew him knew that he had contributed liberally, indeed, to the well-being of his fellowmen. They knew him, too, as a man of most amiable traits of mind and character, an individual who had done much for the advancement of prosperity in the com- munity, both through his own earnest business endeavors and through his organizational work in connection with certain civic groups. His high principles of living were ever manifest in his dealings and relationships with other people, and from these principles he never deviated for the sake of petty personal gain. For his life and for his attainments in many and varied fields of endeavor, Mr. Moroney will long be remembered by his fellowmen as an individual whose life was encouraging and inspiring to those around him.
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EDWARD L. LEAHY, State Tax Commis- sioner and Judge of Probate for the Town of Bristol, has been prominent in the political and professional life of Rhode Island for more than twenty years as a practicing attorney, legislator, and active participant in the administrative affairs of the State and of the Town of Bristol, where he was born February 9, 1886.
His parents, John and Ann (Murphy) Leahy, immigrated to this country from Ireland, their birthplace, and located in Bristol, where the elder Mr. Leahy became a prosperous farmer. The son was educated in the public schools of Bris- tol, graduated from the Bristol High School and afterwards studied at Brown University. Deciding upon the practice of law as a profession, he en- tered Georgetown University, where he gradu- ated in 1908 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The same year he was admitted to the bar and has practiced continuously in Bristol and in Providence since that year, being associated with the law firm of Fitzgerald and Higgins from 1908 to 1927. Since the latter year he has prac- ticed independently, maintaining offices at Room 420 Grosvenor Building, Providence, and also at Bristol.
Mr. Leahy early displayed a keen interest in public affairs, and since attaining his majority has been influential in the councils of the Democratic party, particularly in Bristol County. At the age of twenty-four he was elected Judge of the Probate Court of Bristol and has served continu- ously in that capacity since 1910. He has also served as a member of the General Assembly from the town of Bristol, as member of the Bristol School Committee, and as master in chancery of the Superior Court of Rhode Island. Since 1920 he has officiated as moderator of the town of Bristol.
In April, 1919, he was appointed a member of the State Board of Tax Commissioners by the Governor and has been successively reappointed for six-year terms since that time. He was presi- dent of the New England State Tax Officials' Association for two terms and has served as chairman of various civic committees, including the committee in charge of the celebration of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the found- ing of the town of Bristol in 1930, and the com- mittee appointed by the Governor to arrange for the public ceremonies attending the official open- ing of the Mount Hope Bridge between the towns of Bristol and Portsmouth in October of the
same year. He is at present chairman of the Com- mittee on Zoning for the Town of Bristol.
His fraternal affiliations include membership in Bristol Council, Knights of Columbus, of which order he has been Grand Knight, Deputy Grand Knight, and State Advocate. He was the first president of the Bristol Rotary Club, and is a member and past president of the Bristol Cham- ber of Commerce, a member of the board of directors of Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America, and is chairman of the Bristol County Advisory Committee of that organization. He is also a member of the board of directors and exec- utive committee of the Bristol District Nursing Association.
During the World War Mr. Leahy was com- missioned first lieutenant, United States Army, and assigned to the Department of the Judge Advocate General, located at Camp Sherman, Ohio. He was discharged in May, 1919, with the rank of first lieutenant and in June of the same year was commissioned captain in the Officers' Reserve Corps of the United States Army, which rank he now holds. He is a member of the Army and Navy Club of Boston and of Bristol Post of the American Legion, and has served a term as Department Judge Advocate of the Legion.
Mr. Leahy is greatly interested in athletics, and is a particular devotee of horseback riding and other out-of-door sports. While at Brown University he played on the freshman baseball team, and at Georgetown on the 'varsity basket- ball team, and was also a member of the 'varsity crew.
Edward L. Leahy married, in 1913, Fern Dixon, born at Bristol, Rhode Island, and they are the parents of three children: Virginia, Edward, Jr., and Ann.
CHARLES STAFFORD-For more than three decades treasurer of the town of North Kings- town, the late Charles Stafford was a public offi- cial of the highest probity and greatest efficiency. He was also a devout churchman, deeply inter- ested in religious activities, and for more than half a century was secretary of the Wickford Baptist Sunday school. In addition to his public service, Mr. Stafford was interested in the civic and fraternal life of the community, and was an honored and influential citizen.
Born in Cranston, August 7, 1850, Charles
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Stafford was the son of Christopher and Henri- etta (Wilcox) Stafford. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of his native city. He located in early life in North Kingstown and manifested an interest in local affairs, the people recognizing his ability and integrity along finan- cial lines. They elected him to the office of town treasurer, in which he served for thirty-three years. The last three years of his life he was a member also of the Town Council.
Mr. Stafford was the last survivor of the mem- bers of the Narragansett Veteran Firemen's As- sociation; affiliated with Washington Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Beacon Lodge and Uncas Encampment, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows. About a year prior to his death he was presented with a "Veteran's Jewel" because of his long-time membership in the latter order. He was a cordial and generous supporter of many good works, and his connection with the Wick- ford Baptist Church was helpful in the promotion of its worship and benevolences.
Mr. Stafford married Susan Cozzens, who died in March, 1896, leaving three children: I. Mary E., a native of Wickford, in whose schools she was educated. Served in the office of treasurer of North Kingstown as the assistant of her father, and in April, 1926, was appointed to fill his un- expired term. She has since been reelected in each town election, and is still serving as town treasurer. She is esteemed a capable official and fills the position to the satisfaction of the munici- pal authorities, having also a host of friends in her train. She is an active member of the Wick- ford Baptist Church. 2. Ellen H. 3. Charles W.
The death of Mr. Stafford occurred on April 2, 1926, and by it there was removed from all the associations and official stations which he had held a fine type of citizen, a sincere and trust- worthy man, who left an unblemished record as a precious heritage to his children and the town he had served so faithfully and well.
HON. JEREMIAH EDWARD O'CON- NELL-As lawyer, legislator and judge, the Hon. Jeremiah Edward O'Connell has long taken an important part in public and professional life; and today his is a place of leadership and esteem in Rhode Island. Following a valuable period of service in the National House of Representatives with a judgeship of the Superior Court of this State, in which he is now serving, he has con-
tributed substantially to two different branches of government, the legislative and the judiciary; and, making his home in Providence, he now carries on the excellent work of his career. His record has been exemplary in its every aspect, inspirational to those around him in all walks of life, and of particular note because of his suc- cesses at the bar and in public life.
Mr. O'Connell was born July 8, 1883, in Wake- field, Massachusetts, where he completed his high school course in 1902. He then matriculated at Boston University, took the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1906, and in 1908 received that of Bachelor of Laws, cum laude, and that of Master of Laws from Boston University Law School. In 1907, a year before taking his Master's degree, he was admitted to the Massachusetts bar. In 1908 he was admitted to the State bar of Rhode Island, and since his entry into the profession here has been prominent in legal circles in Provi- dence. He now holds a distinguished position in his State, having been admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia and of the United States during his term of office in the National Congress in Washington.
His first participation in public life was in 1913, when he became a member of the Provi- dence City Council, in which he continued to serve until 1919, following which, for two years, until 1921, he was a member of the Board of Aldermen. In 1922 he was elected a member of the Sixty-eighth Congress. In Washington he served from March 4, 1923, to March 4, 1927; and his success in being chosen to that office was the more extraordinary, in that he was the first Democrat ever elected to Congress from this district, the Third of Rhode Island. Mr. O'Con- nell's record during his first term was one of such high accomplishment that he was reelected to the Sixty-ninth Congress. He was again elected to the Seventy-first Congress, defeating Mr. Louis Monast with a plurality of 11,382, and polling a total of 45,605 votes, the largest ever given a Congressman from the district. In Wash- ington, Mr. O'Connell continued his excellent rep- resentation, and became an outstanding figure in the capital city, as well as prominent in social and legal circles in both Washington and Provi- dence.
Mr. O'Connell is a member of the Catholic Club of Providence, of which he was formerly secretary. During the World War he was chair- man of the Third Ward Legal Advisory Board. He is an honorary member of the Veterans of
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Foreign Wars, and of Smith Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, at Woonsocket. He also holds honorary membership in the Antlers' Bene- ficial Association, and is a member of the legal fraternity, Phi Delta Phi, and the college fra- ternity, Beta Theta Pi. For four years he was president of the Providence County Kennel Club, of which he is now honorary president. He also, for four years, acted as secretary of the National Democratic Congressional Committee and during his second term in Congress was assistant Demo- cratic whip of the House.
In the general affairs of Providence, his State and his Nation, Mr. O'Connell is keenly inter- ested, especially in those having to do with the world of sports and athletics. He holds a judge's license from the American Kennel Club, having judged many dog shows in New England cities. He is owner of the Rosemere Kennels, and owner and breeder of the champion collie, "Rosemere Rambler." He also maintains a lively interest in agricultural matters, being a member of Chepa- chet Grange, No. 38, of the Patrons of Hus- bandry. In his religious faith he is associated with the Catholic Church, being a member of the par- ish of St. Pius, in Providence. He is now (1931) devoting his chief energies, to his work on the bench of the Superior Court of Rhode Island, to which he was appointed by Governor Case of this State. He resigned from his seat in the United States House of Representatives effective May 9, 1930, in order to take up his new work in the judiciary on May 10, 1930; and in this work, as in his other activities, he has been, from the very outset, eminently successful, winning for himself a merited reputation for impartiality, fairness, and dignified respect for the law.
Judge O'Connell married, on June 6, 1910, Esther Garraty, of Wakefield, Massachusetts. Mrs. O'Connell, like her husband, was popular , in social circles; and she proved herself a hostess of graciousness and charm, until her death April 24, 1930. She was born in Wakefield on January 19, 1883, daughter of the late James and Annie Garraty, of East Milton, Massachusetts; and was survived by her mother and a sister, Mrs. Ed- ward McCann, as well as by her husband.
In nearly a quarter of a century of residence in Rhode Island, Judge O'Connell has had an opportunity to witness great changes in both his city and State, these for the most part being toward a forward evolution. His own rôle in the advancement of Providence and of this Common-
wealth has been large; and as judge, he continues the good work that he has rendered in other fields.
GEORGE W. HUNTLEY-After special training in the engineering profession, George W. Huntley has for many years been associated with the Public Building Department of Provi- dence, Rhode Island. In this connection he has served in several different capacities, having been, since 1929, inspector of buildings for the city.
Mr. Huntley was born in Manchester, New Hampshire, on October 12, 1888, son of Julian B. and Mary E. (Dane) Huntley. His father, who was a native of Potsdam, New York, was engaged as a plumber until his death; the mother, who was born in Boston, Massachusetts, is also deceased. In the public and high schools of Man- chester, George W. Huntley received his early education, later taking a special extension course at the University of Wisconsin, where he ac- quired his training in engineering and upon com- pleting his work there, he served as a structural engineer until 1922, when he became associated with the Public Building Department of Provi- dence. His first position with this department was in the capacity of structural engineer, in which he served for five years. In 1927, he was made deputy inspector of buildings for the city, a post that he filled faithfully and well until 1929, when he was made inspector of buildings.
Despite Mr. Huntley's participation in the pub- lic affairs of his city, he has been interested in Providence activities chiefly from a professional point of view. His political beliefs are those of neither of the major parties, for he has always followed an independent course in politics. Also taking a lively interest in fraternal affairs, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, be- longing to Nestle Lodge, No. 37; Gibbs Chap- ter, No. 15, Royal Arch Masons; Adoniran Coun- cil, No. 8, Royal and Select Masters; Thomas Smith Webb Commandery, No. 51, Knights Tem- plar; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also affiliated with a number of clubs and organizations, hold- ing membership in the Building Officials Con- ference of America; the New England Building Officials Conference, in which he is a member of the Executive Committee; and the Providence Safety Council. His religious affiliation is with the Baptist Church. Mr. Huntley has also had
George W. Huntley
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a military career; in June, 1926, he was made second lieutenant in Company A, 118th Engi- neers Combat Corps, Rhode Island National Guard. In March, 1927, he was made first lieu- tenant in this company, holding this commission until August of that year, when he was trans- ferred from Company A to Battalion Adjutant headquarters. In June, 1928, he was transferred to Company B of the 118th Engineers as first lieutenant, and in March, 1929, was made cap- tain of Company B, 118th Engineers, the com- mission that he still holds (1931).
George W. Huntley married, in 1907, Florence L. Brigham, who was born in Exeter, New Hampshire. By this union there has been one child, Evelyn L. Huntley.
JOSEPH J. RIPLEY-For almost forty years one of the best known retail merchants of Provi- dence, the late Joseph J. Ripley enjoyed an un- usually fine reputation for honesty, reliability and industry. He also participated effectively in many other phases of the community's life and could al- ways be counted upon to support energetically any movement or enterprise tending to advance the welfare of Providence, its people and its insti- tutions.
Joseph J. Ripley was born at Easton, Massachu- setts, in 1830. He was educated in his native town and came to Providence in his youth, in 1847. Here he entered the employ of the Fuller Iron Company, with which well-known concern he continued to be connected for fourteen years, becoming one of its most popular and most highly esteemed employees. In 1860 he established him- self in the retail fruit and provisions business, also selling magazines and other periodicals. At differ- ent times Mr. Ripley had as partners a Mr. Gardi- ner, later a Mr. Jastrom and Mr. L. A. Tillinghast. His pleasing personality, his strict attention to his business and the fine reputation which he en- joyed for fair dealing, all combined to enable him to establish a very profitable business. Mr. Rip- ley also became extensively interested in Provi- dence real estate and at one time owned a con- siderable amount of property. This he managed very carefully and successfully, continuously add- ing to its value by improvements, and thus he also made important contributions to promoting the progress of Providence. Several years prior to his death, about 1897, failing health forced him to retire from active participation in business af-
fairs, and after that Mr. Ripley made his home on his farm in West Greenwich. He was a mem- ber of several Masonic bodies, including What Cheer Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar, of both of which he was a very popular member. His religious affiliations were with the Baptist Church, in the work of which he was always a generous supporter.
Mr. Ripley married (first) a Miss Barstow. After her death he married Emma Tillinghast, youngest child and daughter of the late Daniel and Alma (Waite) Tillinghast, and sister of Mason W. Tillinghast, of Providence. By his second marriage Mr. Ripley had two children : I. Lena, who married Albert Cleveland. 2. Lois, who married Charles Nichols and who is the mother of one daughter, Lois Nichols, who married Arthur McLeod. Mr. and Mrs. McLeod are the parents of one daughter, Natalie, whose birth made Mrs. Ripley a great-grandmother.
Mrs. Ripley is a member of an old American family, prominent in many phases of New Eng- land life since the first half of the seventeenth century. The founder in this country of the Till- inghast family, of which Mrs. Ripley is a mem- ber was the Rev. Pardon Tillinghast, who was born at Seven Cliffs, near Beachy Head, now Eastbourne, Sussex, England, in 1622. Accord- ing to tradition he became a soldier in Cromwell's army, and in 1645 left the land of his birth be- hind him to cross the waters of an ocean and settle in a new land. "He came that he might be free to think what he liked and to say what he thought." Deciding to settle in New England, he became one of the original proprietors of the Providence Purchase, and in the early life of Providence, was one of the most prominent mer- chants of the town. Frequently he was called upon to hold public office. He served in the Colonial Assembly for six years, in the Town Council for nineteen years, and as treasurer of the town for four years. Pardon Tillinghast was one of the early preachers of the Baptist Church founded by Roger Williams. From 1678 until his death, January 29, 1717, he performed the min- isterial offices in the church at Providence with- out remuneration. During the first sixty years of the existence of the First Baptist Church in Providence, there was no regular meetinghouse, but in 1700, at his own expense, Pardon Tilling- hast built a place of worship at the corner of North Main and Smith streets. This was the first meetinghouse in Rhode Island, and Pardon
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