USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 46
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
on February 14, 1891. 10. Royal Carlton, born on October 6, 1892. 11. Albert Sprague, born on July 18, 1894. 12. Wilton Powell, born on February 9, 1896. 13. Lloyd Edgar, died in infancy, born on March 21, 1898. Of this family eleven grew to maturity, seven of them marrying and having children. In 1930, on Mr. Hudson's eightieth birthday, all of the members of the family came together for a reunion and a group. picture was taken which showed sixty-three. Since that time his descendants have increased so that now, in 1931, there are sixty-seven.
COLONEL JOSEPH SAMUELS-Starting a business enterprise with empty packing cases for counters and a stock of merchandise that was intended as an outlet from the manufacturers to the consuming public, Joseph Samuels rapidly developed a business that eventually became the largest department store in New England outside of Boston. His genius for organization, his courage, enterprise and vision have made him a widely recognized leader and a commanding fig- ure in the commercial world. His work represents an important contribution to the development of Rhode Island's commerce and has proven a great stimulus to the retail business of Providence. He has always taken an active and very helpful in- terest in civic matters and has become known as an exceptionally public-spirited and generous sup- porter of civic enterprises and institutions.
Joseph Samuels was born in Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, June 7, 1868, a son of James and Caroline (Katzenberg) Samuels. His father was a successful merchant in the national capital and later in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Colonel Samuels' youth was spent in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania, where he received his education and where he obtained his first business training. In 1894 he essayed an independent rôle and, coming to Providence, he established what is now The Outlet Department Store. Later he took his brother Leon into partnership and until the lat- ter's death the two brothers were the sole owners of a business, which had grown so much that it has now a capitalization of $3,500,000 and does the largest business of its type in the State of Rhode Island. The beginning was difficult and under- taken in the face of concerted hostility from al- most every other merchant in the city. Colonel Samuels, from the very start, pushed new ideas. Though he thus attracted the attention of all, it
508
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
also quickly earned him the dislike of his com- petitors. At first he rented a vacant store at the corner of Westminster and Snow streets, ar- ranged his stock on an array of packing boxes and announced a "bankrupt sale." The trade name was The Manufacturers' Outlet Company and the word "Outlet" became a trade slogan in the field. Other dealers in the street sought to dis- courage him.by threatening the public with vague reprisals, if the new store were encouraged by patronage. Colonel Samuels retorted by notifying all that he was being persecuted, because he was trying to give his customers full value for their money. The result was increased trade, and be- fore long larger quarters were necessary and were secured. By then Colonel Samuels had been joined by his brother. Together they published a paper named "The Outlet Bulletin," in which they told their story and business increased still further. Enlarging their quarters again, they eventually acquired the entire block bounded by Weybosset, Eddy, Garnet and Pine streets, their enterprise and success making this the shopping center of the city and bringing increased trade to all within its radius. The Outlet Company is incorporated under the laws of Rhode Island, with Colonel Samuels as president. Until his death on September 24, 1929, Mr. Leon Samuels served as treasurer and vice-president. Colonel Samuels is also a director of the Union Trust Company and Industrial Trust Company of Prov- idence. He served on the staff of Governor R. L. Beeckman, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. His religious affiliations are with Temple Beth-El of Providence and he is a member of St. John's Lodge, of Philadelphia, Free and Accepted Masons; of the Lyceum Club of Boston; Kern- wood Country Club, of Kernwood, Massachu- setts; Friars Club, of New York City; and the Commercial, Town Criers, Edgewood Yacht and Edgewood Casino clubs of Providence; also the Metacomet Golf Club and Warwick Country Club.
In September, 1929, United States Senator Jesse H. Metcalf, president of the board of trustees of the Rhode Island Hospital, announced that Colonel Samuels had made a gift of $300,000 to this institution for the construction and en- dowment of a children's dental dispensary, estab- lished primarily for the use of the poor. This was the second expression of Colonel Samuels' interest in preventive and remedial dental work for children. He established dental clinics in the John Horton and Valentine Almy schools in
Cranston, Rhode Island and later established an eye clinic in the Valentine Almy school. These clinics are now under the watchful care of the Cranston Parent-Teachers Association and have already helped thousands of children of needy families with treatment and education which would have been denied them otherwise because of the economical condition of their parents.
In accepting Colonel Samuels' gift for the chil- dren's dispensary, the trustees agreed to erect the building on the hospital grounds. Its admin- istration is supervised by the hospital, in co- operation with the advice and participation of recognized authorities on dentistry. In accordance with the expressed wishes of Colonel Samuels, the clinic, although it is free to children, whose parents are unable to provide them with the means to secure dental treatment, places its modern facilities freely at the disposal of any child, regardless of race, creed or color. This magnificent philanthropy of Colonel Samuels was generally recognized as a gift of vital importance to the public health of the entire State and as one which in recent years has rarely been exceeded in usefulness and value. In planning the clinic some of the best and most adaptable features of two of the outstanding institutions of this type in this country, the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children of Boston and the Rochester Dental Dispensary in Rochester, New York, were fol- lowed. Though the plans provided a building of significance and attractiveness, the equipment and interior facilities were considered of greater im- portance than a costly exterior construction. In its work the clinic stresses education in the care of the teeth as much as oral surgery. Manifesta- tions of dental maladies in their early stages are observed and corrected in children, who prior to Colonel Samuels' gift had been allowed to go without such care. The difficult problem of ex- pense, which in so many cases prevented parents from securing proper dental treatment for their children, has been removed by the clinic. Nutri- tion experts, specialists in extraction, and practi- tioners in various other fields of the profession have been placed through Colonel Samuels' gift at the disposal of all children, a gift to the present generation of children of Rhode Island, as well as to the coming generations of children of this State, which, indeed, is of inestimable value and which ranks him amongst the most thoughtful philanthropists of his State.
Colonel Samuels married, January 17, 1900, in Boston, Massachusetts, Alice March Murr,
509
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
daughter of Lewis and Bertha (Silverberg) Murr, and they are the parents of one daughter, Bertha Carol, born in Providence, June 4, 1903.
ARTHUR JOSEPH FOLLETT-A resident of the city of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, for many years, Arthur Joseph Follett is now treas- urer of the city, an office which he has filled with distinguished success for many terms. He was first elected to this position in 1910, and with a brief intermission has served continuously as treasurer until the present time. Mr. Follett was born in Woonsocket, on September 22, 1862, a son of Sullivan H. and Susan (Fuller) Follett, both natives of Rhode Island. The father was a master mechanic and followed his profession for many years in this State.
Arthur Joseph Follett received his education in the public schools of his birthplace, and following graduation from the Woonsocket High School, took up the machinist trade, which he learned and followed until 1882. At that time he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Glenark Knitting Company, with which he was to be associated thereafter for over a quarter of a cen- tury, until its liquidation on September 1, 1909. Mr. Follett's services in executive position were of real value to the company, and he became known as one of the progressive business men of the city.
After the liquidation of the Glenark Company, he entered the office of the city treasurer as assistant treasurer, and after a few months, in 1910, was elected city treasurer himself. He served continuously from that time until the last of December, 1922. In January, 1925, he was again elected to the office, and in 1928 was re- elected, to serve until 1930. Mr. Follett's con- duct of his important office has given entire satis- faction to the community, and the city's financial affairs have benefited unmistakably by his services.
In politics Mr. Follett is a member of the Re- publican party, and as the standard bearer of this party was elected to public office. He exer- cises an important influence in Republican coun- cils in Rhode Island, and his advice on important matters is frequently consulted and always highly regarded by party leaders in the State. Mr. Fol- lett is affiliated fraternally with the Knights of Pythias, while he also holds membership in the Ironstone Country Club, and the City Club of Woonsocket.
Mr. Follett has been married twice (first) to Ida A. Taylor, now deceased, and (second) to Edna E. Stevens, his present wife. Mr. and Mrs. Follett maintain their residence in this city, and attend the Woonsocket Universalist Church.
REV. JOSEPH WARNER FOBES-As a citizen, a friend, a devoted pastor and a public servant, the Rev. Joseph Warner Fobes served faithfully and well his fellowmen. Though not a native of Rhode Island, he was for twenty-five years a resident of Peace Dale, in this State; and his work here was of a high order of usefulness. There was no realm of humanitarian or spiritual labor in which he was not keenly interested; and he was an active participant in as many worthy enterprises as the limits of time and circumstance would allow. A student of books and nature and man, he utilized the knowledge that he gleaned in these different fields of investigation to take him along the path toward the true and the good, knowing that, the closer he approached his ideal in this life, the better would he be able to help others along similar paths of idealistic, Christian living. He deeply loved his work, his fellow- beings, his God; and stood high in the affections of those around him.
Mr. Fobes was born in Jerseyville, Illinois, on March 18, 1860, son of Philander W. and Mary (Gallagher) Fobes, of Syracuse, New York. After completing his preliminary education he entered Western Reserve University and follow- ing his graduation there enrolled in Union Theo- logical Seminary from which he was graduated in 1882. His first work in the ministry was in a mission church in Snohomish County, Washing- ton. Here his love of sports served to draw to his Sunday morning services a group of young men in exchange for his promise to play base- ball with them Sunday afternoons.
In order to nurse an invalid sister back to health he left Washington and took a small church in San Marcia, New Mexico. Following this, came a year of study in Berlin, Germany. In 1889, soon after his return, he was called to the Congregational Church in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, where he continued to render most val- uable service to the Christian cause and this community until his resignation in 1914. His services were rather to be measured in terms of his life, however, than in an account of things done in his ministry alone. His was a breadth
510
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
and vastness of vision that enabled him to see in all the things of life the hand and the handiwork of the Creator. In flowers and skies and simple country landscapes, in mountain and sea, in the crowds of town and city streets, he found the signs and sought ever to perform the work of his Maker. Especially did he try to give aid and re- lief to crippled or suffering children. He formed a debating society of high school boys and girls about two years after his arrival in this place; did everything in his power to advance the moral welfare of his town and the mental and spiritual states of its citizens; aided especially in the mis- sions' works in the church. He contributed lib- erally, through the Peace Dale parish, to the American Board of Missions; and on his voyage to the Orient, visited mission fields of all creeds. Impressive, too, were his descriptions of the work, the self-sacrifice and the heroism of the mission- aries in foreign lands. He was an advocate of re- ligious liberty, and sought ever to keep alive the ideals of the original Pilgrim pioneers who came to this country for freedom of worship and thought. At one time he was tree warden of Peace Dale. Through the Literary Society and through his own ministrations, he influenced the people of this town to read good books; and many today can trace their hearty appreciation of such English masters as Shakespeare, Milton and Dickens to his inspirational force. Art and music received their fair share of attention, too, in his teachings. For, with him, the beauties of art, of literature, of nature, of life, of conduct and action and thought were all a part of the great scheme of things; not so many isolated subjects of inter- est, but manifestations of the presence of God, of the highest principle of life.
During the period of the Spanish-American War, Mr. Fobes served his country as chaplain in the Ist New York Volunteer Engineers, under Colonel Hodges. With that contingent he served in Porto Rico, where he won the esteem of both officers and men. Incidentally, he was the second best rifle shot of that body, having gained a knowledge of shooting through long practice in Alaska, Labrador and Newfoundland, where he had spent much time in church work.
Mr. Fobes did some of his most useful work in the school system of Peace Dale. From 1892 to 1894 while superintendent of schools, he did much to facilitate the transportation of pupils, the con- solidation of schools, the building of better school- houses, the better training of teachers and the raising of teaching standards, the improvement of
wage rates for teachers, the provision of uniform courses of study, and the better care of buildings and school properties. Against gigantic odds, the prejudice of taxpayers and public officials and school authorities alike, he fought for the prin- ciples that he believed to be right. He did much to obtain endowments for public institutions, schools, parks and the like, and was one of the most active workers in the acquisition of seven acres of land in the heart of Wakefield, to be used for a new grammar school with ample play- ground space for the children. His interest in politics was ever an interest that had as its object the cleansing of his community; for he constantly fought to have the two major parties agree not to use corrupt methods and to have clean elec- tions.
"I think it may be fairly said of Mr. Fobes," wrote Bernon E. Helme, who succeeded him in 1894 as superintendent of schools, "that his citi- zenship was in heaven, and this in no sentimental sense; that his motives were founded on high spiritual conceptions. He was no self-seeker; he had no axe to grind, as one expressed it to me; he was public-spirited, generous, humane, inter- ested in the public welfare and always trying to do good, as another said. 'I would say South Kingstown was and still is a better place to live in because of the years spent with us by Mr. Fobes,' is the testimony of one associated with him in public affairs."
Typical of Mr. Fobes' devotion to his high principles, even in moments of serious stress, was an incident from his Alaskan period, told most appreciatively by Rowland Hazard, of Peace Dale:
We set out for the interior with two Russian- Finns as guides and four Indians to use in the packing. After we had reached the interior, one hundred and fifty miles from the little coast settle- ment, two of our Indians were stricken with the mumps. The Indians of that part of Alaska have little or no stamina, and it went very hard with them. Here, again, was an instance of the domina- tion of Mr. Fobes' conscience over his every act.
Bear in mind, that we had traveled five thousand miles to collect certain specimens of sheep and moose and that neither Mr. Fobes nor I had ever had the mumps and that they are highly contagious. Our guides urged that we establish a camp for the Indians and allow the well ones to care for the sick ones, leaving them sufficient provisions and medi- cine to care for their needs. Mr. Fobes would have none of such a scheme. He knew that the Indians were suffering and that we were primarily responsible for their being one hundred and fifty miles from home. He, therefore, insisted upon per-
5II
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
sonally caring for the Indians until the worst of it was over. We then left them for our hunting grounds, but Mr. Fobes and I made frequent trips to assure ourselves that they were comfortable.
Such instances, of what I always thought of as the rule by conscience, could be multiplied indefi- nitely.
This example of Mr. Fobes' character of mind and heart, recounted by one who knew him so well, was one of many. It was typical of the character of Mr. Fobes, too, that his devotion should be apparent, as elsewhere, in the home. He married, in 1910, Edith Hazard, daughter of John N. and Augusta G. Hazard. They had one son, Joseph Warner, Jr.
The death of the Rev. Mr. Fobes occurred on February 20, 1920, in Syracuse, New York; and many were the expressions of tribute and regret uttered or written on that sad occasion. One of his close friends, the poet, Robert Frost, with whom Mr. Fobes enjoyed many long talks on the matters of life that are, after all, of most lasting importance, said of him:
He hated that there should be driven slaves, too pressed for time and strength to exceed in quality or quantity the assignment of the taskmaster. What he would not allow for was slave natures that would not be self-roused to action and were almost grateful to the whip. But these things were still unsettled between us when last we talked. Between our houses on the side of Sugar Hill there was a tunnel road of white birches. I shall always see it alight away ahead at night with the head- lights of the car as we went back and forth on the errands of friendship in the long summers we both made of it up there.
Perhaps the same poet was impressed by the spirit of such friendly talks and pleasant moments when he wrote the lines:
. henceforth I worked no more alone; But glad with him, I worked as with his aid, And weary, sought at noon with him the shade; And dreaming, as it were, held brotherly speech With one whose thought I had not hoped to reach. "Men work together," I told him from the heart, "Whether they work together or apart."
HENRY L. YAGER -- A native of Massachu- setts, but throughout the greater part of his life a resident of Rhode Island, Mr. Yager has been for almost three decades one of the leading and most successful fruit farmers of Barrington. Though the operation of his farm has always absorbed the
greater part of his time and attention, he has never permitted his deep interest in the science of fruit farming to prevent him from shouldering his whole share of civic responsibilities. He has taken a very active part in local public life and at dif- ferent times has been honored by his fellow-citizens electing him to important local offices. In recent years he has served very effectively as postmaster. A member of the Rhode Island State Militia in his youth, he also proved his patriotism during the World War by rendering important services in connection with the administration of the Selective Service Act. Mr. Yager is regarded as one of the representative, substantial and popular citizens of Barrington.
Henry L. Yager was born in Boston, Massachu- setts, January 6, 1872, a son of the late Henry and Anna (Russell) Yager. Both his parents, now de- ceased, were natives of Germany, but spent the greater part of their lives in the United States. His father was engaged in the hotel business until his death and was a veteran of the Civil War, during which he served with the Massachusetts Zouaves. Mr. Yager received his education in the public schools of Providence and then attended Perry's Commercial College. Next he spent two years in New York City in the hotel business and, returning then to Providence, he was connected for three years with the Adams Express Company. In 1901 he located in Barrington, where he has since then been successfully engaged in the operation of a fruit farm. Mr. Yager has made a very thorough study of pomology and he finds his avocation, as well as his vocation, in the pursuit of this branch of agriculture. In 1926 President Coolidge ap- pointed him postmaster of Barrington, a position which he still holds and in which he has made many important contributions to the greater wel- fare of the community. Prior to that, during 1909-15, he had also served as a member of the Barrington Town Council, of which body he was chairman in 1915. In his youth, during 1894-96, he belonged to the Rhode Island State Militia, in which he served with Machine Gun Battery, No. I, holding first the rank of corporal and later that of sergeant. During the World War he was ac- tively connected in the enforcement of the Selec- tive Service Act, serving as special agent of the Rhode Island director of draft and later as chief clerk of the Woonsocket Draft Board. He is a member of the Knights of Malta, and his religious affiliations is with the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Yager is not married.
512
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
JAMES ARTHUR ATWOOD-Although Mr. Atwood's varied business interests are for the most part situated in Connecticut, he conducts most of his operations from the city of Providence, Rhode Island, where he maintains his offices in the Hos- pital Trust Building. He also has Rhode Island ancestry in his family background; and, as a result of ties both sentimental and commercial, is keenly interested in the development of the best interests of this State.
Mr. Atwood was born in Wauregan, Windham County, Connecticut, where he still makes his home, on May 18, 1864, son of James S. and Julia A. M. (Haskell) Atwood. The father, James S. Atwood, was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, on March 17, 1832, and died February 20, 1885, at Wauregan, Connecticut; he attended Smithville Seminary, in Scituate, and Woodstock Academy, in Woodstock, then entered his father's cotton mill, served from bobbin boy to general manager, be- came interested in mills at Williamsville, Wauregan and Taftville, Connecticut, was a Republican in politics and a member of Legislature, and was an ardent worker in the Congregational Church. Mrs. Julia A. M. (Haskell) Atwood, mother of James A. Atwood, was a daughter of Willard Haskell, of Cumberland, Rhode Island. To Mr. and Mrs. James S. Atwood were born children: I. William Hamilton, on November 8, 1859 (died January 18, 1862). 2. James Arthur, of this review. 3. John Walter, twin of James Arthur, born May 18, 1864; he was commissioned commissary general on the staff of Governor Lounsbury, and later served as paymaster general of the State, on the staffs of Governor McLean and Governor Woodruff.
The Atwood ancestry goes back to Francis and Mary (Williams) Atwood, of Providence, the lat- ter a great-granddaughter of Roger Williams. Francis Atwood's son, John, had a son, John, who was a sergeant in the War of the American Rev- olution, and who married Roby Kimball and lived in Scituate, Rhode Island. Their son, Kimball, had a son, John, who moved to Williamsville, Con- necticut, and became part owner of the Williams- ville Manufacturing Company. John's son, James S. Atwood, was the father of James A. Atwood.
James Arthur Atwood was descended, on his mother's side of the house, from William Haskell, who came from Salem, England, to Gloucester, Massachusetts, in 1642, and was prominent in the military, religious and political affairs of his day. Another ancestor of his, on his father's side, was Governor Caleb Carr, Colonial Governor of Rhode Island; and still another, on the maternal line, was Isaac Allerton, of the "Mayflower."
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.