USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
Mr. Durfee is a member of the Cranston Busi- ness Men's Association, affiliates with Doric Lodge, No. 38, Free and Accepted Masons; Harmony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Oaklawn Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. In politics he is a Republican and his religious preference is Baptist. Floral culture and outdoor sports are his chief enthusiasms outside his profession.
Mr. Durfeee married (first), in 1913, Florine Searll, born in Cranston, died in 1918, leaving a son, Norman S. He married (second), in 1928, Edith B. Arnold, who is a native of Phenix.
JUDGE ARTHUR L. BROWN-For thirty- one years the late Judge Arthur Lewis Brown, of Providence, Rhode Island, was United States Dis- trict Judge for Rhode Island. This record more eloquently than many words is evidence of his qualities of mind and character, for he was the ideal occupant of the bench, of broad and liberal education, both general and legal, of judicial tem- perament, of an integrity not to be swayed by any consideration. He was a public official of whom his State and Nation might well be proud.
Arthur Lewis Brown was born in Providence, November 28, 1854, son of Samuel Welch and Mary Elizabeth (Thurber) Brown. He was a de- scendant of Chad Brown, the Colonist. He re- ceived his early education in the Providence pub- lic schools and graduated from Brown University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1876, and from Boston University with his law degree in 1878. He was admitted to the bar of Rhode Island in 1878 and immediately began the practice of his profession, rising to local prominence in the eight- een years in which he was thus occupied. He qualified as United States District Judge for the District of Rhode Island October 24, 1896, and continued to occupy this place on the bench, as the representative of the United States, until his resignation June 30, 1927. He prided himself upon maintaining a "fair and friendly court" while his opinions stand as great and permanent examples of sound analytical and legal reasoning. He was rec- ognized as one of the ablest and finest citizens of
Rhode Island and received the honorary degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Laws from his alma mater in 1894 and 1907, respectively.
A communicant of Grace Church, Judge Brown contributed much toward the advancement of its interests. He belonged to the Agawam Hunt and to the University Club, in both of which he had hosts of friends and admirers.
Arthur Lewis Brown married in Providence, February 12, 1885, Cora Elizabeth Aylsworth, daughter of Hiram B. and Margaret (Hatfield) Aylsworth. They were the parents of two chil- dren: 1. Aylsworth Brown, a lawyer, who mar- ried Blanch Buxton and has children: Arthur L .; Hope Buxton; Julia Buxton; and Mary Buxton. 2. Beatrice, who married Harold Hail Berry.
Judge Brown lived to the ripe age of seventy- three and passed away quietly June 10, 1928. His place in the life of the community was too sig- nificant, his achievements too solid, his own char- acter too fine to be buried under a froth of com- mendatory words. He served his fellowman well and he wielded a potent influence toward uphold- ing the dignity and honor of the judiciary.
GEORGE F. HEYWOOD-After three dec- ades of constructive association with the A. W. Harris Company, the late George F. Heywood be- came its president and ably assisted in its develop- ment.
George F. Heywood was born in Providence, Rhode Island, April 1, 1864, son of George E. and Frances (Fuller) Heywood, and only child born to the couple, who were both of old New England ancestry. The father, born July 28, 1836, was the son of John Heywood, and a descendant of John Heywood, who came to America in 1634, at the age of fifteen, and settled at Concord, Massachu- setts. The Heywood line included a Revolutionary soldier, as did the Fuller line, which was of old English stock dating from 1164, and which began in America with Dr. Fuller, who came over in the "Mayflower." The maternal grandfather of our subject was Dr. Jacob Fuller, born June 17, 1780, died April 5, 1839, a popular physician in Provi- dence in his day.
A liberal education was given to the son, our subject, at the Mowry and Goff Academy. His business career began with a short term of employ- ment with the Tilden-Thurber Company of Provi- dence. He then formed association with the A.
R. I .- 32
498
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
W. Harris Company, which continued for thirty- five years, the latter part of which he served as president of the company with great credit to him- self and benefit to the business. Mr. Heywood was never much interested in honorary societies or fraternal orders, but he belonged to several clubs, including the Wannamoisett Country, the To Kalon of Pawtucket, the Turks Head, the Economic, the Providence Gun Club, and the Block Island Tuna Club. A member of the Rhode Island Fish and Game Association and of the Hunters and Anglers Association, he was at one time an officer of both. Outdoor activities, fishing and hunting, were his favorite forms of recreation.
George F. Heywood married, in April, 1894, Frances Hedly, daughter of Isaac and Ellen (Lucas) Hedly. Mrs. Heywood survives her hus- band and resides in Providence.
Death came to him at the age of sixty, February 15, 1924, and cut short a life filled with happiness and accomplishment. He was a generous and kindly man, as well as a loyal citizen and an able execu- tive, and he had the love and respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
ROBERT M. DANNIN-One of the younger generation of Newport's lawyers, Mr. Dannin, dur- ing the seven years in which he has been en- gaged in law practice in his native city, has acquired a fine reputation and today enjoys a large and important practice. He is also prominently active in civic, fraternal and religious affairs and thus, by the variety and usefulness of his activ- ities, sets a fine example of public spirit and patriotism.
Robert M. Dannin was born in Newport, Feb- ruary 23, 1902, a son of Charles and Sarah E. (Nurik) Dannin, both natives of Russia. His father, who was for many years successfully en- gaged in the retail shoe business in Newport, is now deceased, while his mother still makes her home in Newport. Mr. Dannin received his early education in the public grammar and high schools and, having graduated from Rogers High School, Newport, took up the study of law at Boston Uni- versity, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1923. In the same year he was admitted to the Massachusetts bar, and in the following year, 1924, to the Rhode Island bar. Since then he has been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession in Newport, with offices at No. 209 Thames Street, in the Daily
News Building. Since January, 1929, he has been a member of the Newport City Council, of which body he has been a very effective and useful mem- ber.
Mr. Dannin is a member of numerous fraternal organizations, including the following: Newport Lodge, Loyal Order of Moose, of which he is Dictator; Rhode Island Lodge and Aquidneck En- campment, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Knights of Pythias; Judah Touro Lodge, Inde- pendent Order of B'nai B'rith, of which he is president ; Newport Lodge, Independent Order of B'rith Sholom, of which he is also president. He also maintains membership in the Newport Young Men's Hebrew Association of which he is pres- ident and which has greatly benefited by his inter- est in its activities ; the Newport Discussion Club ; the Newport Chamber of Commerce; and the New- port Young Men's Christian Association. In poli- tics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations are with the Hebrew faith and more particularly with Congregation Jeshvat Israel, of which he is secretary. Mr. Dannin is fond of outdoor life and outdoor sports and is especially interested in volley ball, and basketball. Mr. Dannin is not married.
WALTER CURRY-Probate Judge of New- port, Judge Curry is in the active practice of his profession in his native city, Newport. He has not only become one of the well-known and successful lawyers of Newport, but has also become promi- nent in public affairs and has frequently been honored by his fellow-citizens through election to responsible and important public offices.
Walter Curry was born in that city, September 10, 1891, a son of the late Robert W. and Ethelind (Shaw) Curry, both natives of Port Maitland, Nova Scotia. His father was for many years a successful and well-known building contractor. Judge Curry received his early education in the public grammar and high schools of Newport and graduated from the Rogers High School, fol- lowing this with three years at the Massachu- setts Institute of Technology. He then decided to follow a legal rather than an engineering career and, in order to prepare himself for a lawyer, he entered Boston University, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Laws from the Law School in 1917. The following two years were devoted to the patriotic duty of serving with the armed forces of the United States in the World
499
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
War. In October, 1917, Judge Curry enlisted in the United States Army and was attached to the 307th Field Signal Battalion of the 82d Division. One year of his military service was spent over- seas in France with the American Expeditionary Forces and during this period he participated in the fighting in the Toul Sector, the battle of St. Mihiel and in numerous engagements in the Meuse- Argonne sectors. He received his honorable dis- charge in May, 1919, with the rank of corporal, returned to Newport and upon being admitted to the bar in that year, established himself there in the practice of law. Since then he has been a partner in the firm of Moore & Curry, with offices at No. 179 Thames Street. Throughout his career as a lawyer Judge Curry has also taken a very active part in public affairs. During the early part of his career he served for two years as a member of the Newport Representative Coun- cil and since 1923 he has been Judge of the New- port Probate Court. In April, 1929, he was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Fletcher W. Lawton. Since 1926 Judge Curry has also been a member of the Newport School Com- mittee and, since its organization, he has been a member of the Newport Cemetery Commission. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party and for a number of years he has been a member of the Republican City Committee. He is also a member of the Rhode Island State Bar Associa- tion and of the Newport Bar Association. His clubs include the Miantonomi Club, the Newport Discussion Club, and the Newport Lions Club. Other organizations in which he maintains mem- bership include the following: Newport Cham- ber of Commerce; St. Paul Lodge, No. 14, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is the Junior Warden; Newport Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; Washington Commandery, Knights Templar ; and Newport Post, No. 7, American Legion, of which he is a past commander. His religious affiliations are with St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church of Newport.
Judge Curry married, in 1923, Annabelle Jes- tings, like himself a native of Newport. Judge and Mrs. Curry are the parents of one son, Robert W. Curry.
ROBERT M. FRANKLIN -- After having spent the first three years of his career as a law- yer in New York City, Mr. Franklin at the end of this period returned to his native city, New-
port, and since then has been successfully engaged in the practice of law. During his more than thirty years of practice he has gained an enviable reputation as an able and resourceful lawyer and he enjoys one of the largest and most important law practices in Newport. At various times he has also been elected to important judicial offices, in which he has invariably served with much abil- ity, efficiency and faithfulness.
Robert M. Franklin was born in Newport, July I, 1868, a son of the late Robert S. and Susan A. (Weaver) Franklin, both natives of Newport. His father was for many years and until his death successfully engaged in the baking business in Newport and was also prominent in civic and Masonic affairs. For four years he served as mayor of Newport and for several terms he was a member successively of the Rhode Island House of Representatives and of the Rhode Island Senate. Long prominent in the Masonic Order, he was a Past Master of St. John's Lodge, No. I, Free and Accepted Masons, of Newport, a Past Com- mander of Washington Commandery, of Newport, Knights Templar, and a member of the various other Masonic organizations up to and including the thirty-third degree.
Robert M. Franklin received his early educa- tion in the public grammar and high schools of Newport and, after graduating from Rogers High School, entered Harvard College, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, in 1891. He then took up the study of law at the Harvard Law School, graduating there with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1894. Admitted to the bar of the State of New York, in 1895, he practiced law there until 1898, when he returned to Newport and, having been admitted to the Rhode Island bar, established himself in the practice of law in his native city. With offices at No. 290 Thames Street, Mr. Frank- lin today is and for many years past has been one of the best known and most successful lawyers of Newport. During 1898-1901 he served as Judge of the Newport Probate Court and during 1905-14 as Judge of the First Judicial District Court. While on the bench, he made an enviable record for him- self. He is a member of the Newport Bar Asso- ciation and of the American Bar Association, as well as of the Harvard Club of Rhode Island, of which he served as treasurer for many years. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party. Mr. Franklin married, September 18, 1900, Minnie H. Armstrong, like himself a native of Newport. Mr. and Mrs. Franklin have no children.
500
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
ROBERT C. COTTRELL-One of the best- known funeral directors in his native city, New- port, Mr. Cottrell has been engaged in this pro- fession for more than half a century and ever since he left school as a youth. During his un- usually long record he has made for himself as well as for his establishment an enviable reputa- tion. Though the greater part of his time has always been given to his business, he has not per- mitted it to absorb him entirely, but has always taken a very helpful and active interest in other phases of the community's life and especially in civic affairs.
Robert C. Cottrell was born at Newport, Sep- tember 24, 1853, a son of the late Michael and Catherine (Wallace) Cottrell. His father, who was born in County Cork, Ireland, came to New- port as a youth and there successfully engaged in the furniture and undertaking business, in both of which he continued until his death. Mr. Cot- trell's mother, now also deccased, was a native of Augusta, Maine.
Mr. Cottrell received his early education in the public grammar schools and then attended Rogers High School. After leaving school he be- came associated in the furniture and undertaking business with his father, with whom he continued until 1890. In that year he established himself as a funeral director under his own name, with offices and funeral parlors at No. 20 Bellevue Avenue, Newport. Thoroughly experienced in all branches of his profession, very able and very energetic, Mr. Cottrell has built up a large busi- ness and is generally regarded as one of the lead- ing funeral directors of Newport. In civic affairs he has rendered important services to his native city, serving at one time for four years as alder- man, later for several years on the Newport School Committee, and being also elected for one term as mayor of the city of Newport. Previous to the World War he was for a number of years a member of the Newport Artillery Company. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party, while his religious affiliations are with the Prot- estant Episcopal Church, and more particularly with Trinity Church, of which he is a vestryman, and in the work of which he takes an active inter- est. His favorite form of recreation is motoring.
Mr. Cottrell married, in 1903, Annie Southwick, like himself a native of Newport, and now de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cottrell had five children: Edwin A., Harriet C., Sarah S., Catherine W., and Annie Louise Cottrell.
ROBERT JOSEPH CONNERY -- Assistant secretary of the Industrial Trust Company of Providence, Rhode Island, Robert Joseph Connery has been associated with this important financial institution of the State for over twenty-five years, rising to his present position through the merits of his services. He was born at Bristol, Rhode Island, in the closing decades of the last century, a son of Robert F. and Alicia (Nixon) Connery. His father was a carpenter by occupation.
Mr. Connery attended the public schools of his birthplace, and later completed the course at Bry- ant and Stratton's Business College in Providence. After he had finished his educational training he began his active business career in the employ of the National India Rubber Company of Bristol, where he remained for about ten years. At the end of this time, however, he resolved to seek a field of larger opportunity, and in 1894 began work for the Industrial Trust Company of Providence in the very minor position of messenger. Mr. Connery's plans were made for the future. He worked hard and faithfully, and as he demon- strated his capacity for larger responsibilities, he gradually won promotion. Mr. Connery served in practically all the many departments of the com- pany, mastering the details of its operation very thoroughly, until he was made assistant secretary. In his present position he exercises an important influence in the executive direction of the com- pany's affairs.
Mr. Connery maintains his residence in Bristol, where he has been a familiar figure in community life for many years. For one term he served as a member of the Town Council, and for fifteen years has been a member of the School Committee. For seven years he was chairman of that committee, and under his administration school affairs pro- gressed very satisfactorily. Mr. Connery has long been affiliated with Bristol Council of the Knights of Columbus. He is Past Grand Knight of that council and was its treasurer for twenty-five years. He is also a member of the Catholic Club and the Metacomet Golf Club of Providence. Mr. Con- nery is unmarried. He worships in the Roman Catholic faith, and is a member of St. Mary's Church of this denomination in Bristol.
PHILIP CHARLES JOSLIN-In the course of his active career, covering a period of twenty years, Philip Charles Joslin has risen to a position
George & Phillips
501
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
of prominence in Rhode Island life and affairs. He was born on March 8, 1886, in New York City, a son of Joseph and Jennie Joslin. His father was a manufacturer by occupation.
Following attendance at Providence public schools, including Hope High School, Mr. Joslin entered Georgetown University, and was graduated from the law school there in 1908 with the Bach- elor of Laws degree. He returned to Providence to begin the practice of his profession, and almost immediately afterwards entered public life. Mr. Joslin was a member of the Providence School Committee from 1911 to 1914, and in the follow- ing year was elected representative to the Rhode Island General Assembly, where he served from 1915 to 1926, inclusive. For two terms he was speaker of the House, 1923-24 and 1925-26. As a member of the Legislature, he rendered services of great importance to the State, bearing in mind the larger welfare of its people, as well as the par- ticular needs of his own constituents. Mr. Joslin has been a member of the executive committee of the Republican State Central Committee for some years. Since 1925 he has been a member of the Rhode Island Commission of Joint Levies and Ap- propriations. He was chairman of the Republican State Conventions held in 1924 and 1928.
Mr. Joslin is vice-president and a director of the Lincoln Trust Company of Providence. He main- tains his home and his offices in this city. He is affiliated with Redwood Lodge, No. 35, Free and Accepted Masons; Providence Chapter, No. I, Royal Arch Masons; and is also affiliated with Providence Lodge No. 14, Benevolent and Protec- tive Order of Elks; What Cheer Lodge, No. 24, Knights of Pythias; and Touro Fraternal Associa- tion, of which he is past president and a director. He is a member of the Republican Club of Rhode Island, of which he is also a director, and of the Ledgemont Country Club. With his family he worships in the Jewish faith, and he is now (1931) president of the congregation of Temple Emanuel.
On March 18, 1913, at Worcester, Philip Charles Joslin married Dorothy Aisenberg. They were the parents of three children: Alfred Hahn, Ber- rick Lloyd, and Joyce Helene.
GEORGE E. PHILLIPS-Member of an old and distinguished Rhode Island family, and for many years a familiar figure in this State, George E. Phillips is president of the Phillips Lead and Supply Company, a long established firm which
his family has controlled for almost a century. As its executive head he has continued the traditional high standards long associated with the Phillips name, but aside from his business activities he is prominent in many other phases of Rhode Island life.
George E. Phillips was born in Boston, Massa- chusetts, on August 1, 1881, a son of George C. Phillips, and grandson of George R. Phillips. His great-grandfather, Thomas Phillips, came from Manchester, England, to Rhode Island, and be- came one of the early business men of Provi- dence. On July 25, 1831, at Pawtucket, he entered upon his work in the copper smithing business. On June 10, 1832, he moved to the corner of South Main and Power streets, Providence, and after his death, his son, George R. Phillips, con- tinued the enterprise. In time it passed to George C. Phillips, father of the subject of this record, who died in 1917. He married Mary A. Thurber, and of their marriage George E. Phillips was an only child.
Mr. Phillips received his education in the Eng- lish and Classical School at Providence, and for ten years thereafter was employed at the Clyde Print Works, beginning as a color mixer and ris- ing to the position of assistant superintendent. After this experience in industrial and business methods, he became associated with his father in the Phillips Lead and Supply Company, whole- sale dealers in plumbing and heating supplies, widely and favorably known throughout Rhode Island.
The Phillips Lead and Supply Company had its inception in 1836. Thomas Phillips was its founder, a skilled coppersmith, lead worker, and glazier who, in company with others, operated a white lead mill near what is now Pawtuxet, Rhode Island. Through his strict adherence to high principles of clean, honest and satisfactory business conduct, he held the confidence and re- spect of his townspeople and of the visiting sea captains with whom he did a considerable trade. He was the founder not only of the Phillips Lead and Supply Company, but of the plumbing indus- try in Rhode Island, and was the teacher of many lads who followed the trade and later, with the growth of the town, set up shops for themselves. The business of Thomas Phillips grew and pros- pered and upon his retirement, in 1853, was taken over by his son, George R. Phillips. The latter, in 1875, installed and operated in Providence a hydraulic machine for the manufacture of lead
502
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
pipe, the first of its kind installed in this city, which was operated in connection with the plumb- ing business. In 1886, George C. Phillips, son of George R. Phillips, was admitted into partner- ship in the company and established the wholesale business of plumbing and heating supplies in con- nection with the retail installing department. This was maintained until 1901, when the retail instal- lation business was discontinued and wholesaling became the chief enterprise of the company. In 1911, George E. Phillips, the son of George C. Phillips, entered the corporation and has con- tinued actively in it up to the present time, being the fourth generation of the Phillips family identi- fied with the business. In 1917, upon the death of George C. Phillips, entire control was purchased by George E. Phillips and Herbert D. Nickerson and they are, today, equal and sole owners. Thomas Phillips established his business origin- ally at the corner of Power and South Main streets, which is diagonally across from the pres- ent location of the company, which, therefore, has been continuously in operation for ninety-five years and practically in the same neighborhood and on the same street. With such a background, integrity, responsibility, service and quality are traditional with this company and will always be maintained. The new location of the company at No. 231 South Main Street, formerly occupied by the Rumford Chemical Company, comprises six floors, with 65,000 square feet of floor space all under one roof. Architects, plumbers, steam-fit- ters and builders find every convenience for the presentation to their clients of all that is new and beautiful in plumbing, bathroom fixtures and heat- ing appliances in these new and colorful display rooms. Ample parking facilities for automobiles are available to the company's clients.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.