USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 47
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In the public schools of Wauregan, Connecticut, his birthplace and present place of residence, James Arthur Atwood, received his earliest formal educa- tion. He also attended Phillips Academy, at An- dover, Massachusetts, from which he was graduated at the head of his class. Entering the Sheffield Scientific School, at Yale University, he took the course in mechanical engineering, and was grad- uated in 1885 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. Upon leaving college, he and his twin brother, John Walter Atwood, immediately became associated with the family manufacturing inter- ests in Wauregan, established in 1853 by the father, which had already grown to sizeable proportions.
In 1889 he became an agent for The Wauregan Company, a position that he filled successfully until 1908. From 1908 until 1917 he served as gen- eral manager of the company; and then, in 1917, assumed the treasurership of the organization. In 1897 he was appointed agent of The Quinebaug Company, at Danielson, Connecticut, and in that position, he continued until 1908, when he became general manager, and treasurer in 1917. He is one of the well-informed textile men of the United States; and his knowledge of every detail of marketing textiles renders him an authority in his field. His fame in his industry has extended far afield from Wauregan and Danielson; and his influence in the industrial and financial worlds has likewise become widespread. He has interests of an important nature in many different parts of Connecticut and Rhode Island.
ยท Mr. Atwood was president, from 1890 to 1902, of the Williamsville Manufacturing Company, of Williamsville, Connecticut, which has long been controlled by the Atwood family. He is now pres- ident of The Danielson Trust Company and The Brooklyn (Connecticut) Savings Bank; treasurer, secretary and director of The Wauregan Company, the Ponemah Mills, The Quinebaug Company ; and a director of the American Mutual Liability In- surance Company, the Firemen's Mutual Insur- ance Company, the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, the Union Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, the Narragansett Mutual Fire Insurance Company, the Mercantile Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and the American Bleached Goods Com- pany, Inc., of New York. Of these organizations, the Ponemah Mills represent the Taftsville inter- ests of the family; and the others include many of the most prominent business enterprises of Con- necticut and Rhode Island.
Also keenly interested in social and civic affairs, Mr. Atwood is a member of the Graduate Club, of New Haven, Connecticut; the Merchants' Club
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and the St. Anthony Club, of New York; the Misquamicat Golf Club, of Watch Hill, Rhode Island; Turks Head Club, Providence; and Putnam Country Club, Putnam, Connecticut. He is also a member of the Delta Psi Fraternity, which he joined in his student days; and his political align- ment is with the Republican party. Into all of his varied activities, regardless of their individual nature, Mr. Atwood has consistently put his best energies and his fullest measure of enthusiasm, with the result that he is highly esteemed and respected in widely varying walks of life.
James Arthur Atwood married (first), on De- cember II, 1888, at Central Village, Connecticut, Helen Louise Mathewson, of that place, born Au- gust 2, 1862, died November 12, 1917, daughter of Philip and Helen Walcott (Fenner ) Mathew- son; and (second), on November 4, 1926, at Wor- cester, Massachusetts, Mrs. Elsie ( Hopkins) Young, daughter of Timothy Earle and Marcella S. ( Cook) Hopkins. By the first marriage, Mr. Atwood be- came the father of two children: I. James Arthur, Jr., born May 5, 1890, died September 22, 1922; he married Lucile Lawson, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1914, and they had children, Sheldon, born October 31, 1915, died November 1, 1915; Helen Louise, born April 30, 1917; Sally Ann, born August 15, 1918; and James Arthur, 3d, born March 13, 1922. 2. Dorothy, who was born on March 27, 1893.
ALBERT J. RENE-A resident of Rhode Island for many years, Albert J. Rene is now post- master of West Warwick, Rhode Island, and a figure of importance in this part of the State. He was born in Nicolet County, Canada, on April 28, 1878, a son of Adelbert Rene, who was born in Nicolet County, Canada, and was engaged as a farmer until his death, and of Anastasia (Cassidy) Rene, also born in Nicolet County, Canada, who is still living.
Albert J. Rene of this record, was educated in the parochial schools of his birthplace, and later attended the Academy of Nicolet. After completing his education, he came to Rhode Island, where he has since made his home. Settling at first in Arctic, he was engaged in the grocery business for six- teen years, from 1896 to 1912, and at the end of this time was able to establish an independent venture in the grocery field. This enterprise he continued for a year and a half, and then became associated with the Arctic Branch office of the
Metropolitan Insurance Company, seeking a sphere of larger opportunity. Nine years Mr. Rene re- mained in this position, rising to a place of re- sponsibility and trust. In 1924, however, he was appointed to the office of postmaster at West War- wick by President Coolidge. He has occupied this office until the present time, building up a smooth- functioning organization, and discharging all duties with the greatest efficiency.
Mr. Rene is a Republican in politics, and fra- ternally is affiliated with the Catholic Order of Foresters, with Conseil des Zouaves, No. 99, and with the Forestiers Franco of America. He is a Catholic in religious faith, attending St. Jean de Baptist Roman Catholic Church at West War- wick. Mr. Rene is a member of the National Postmasters' Association. Baseball is his chief diversion. Although never active in politics, he has not neglected his civic duties, and is well known for his progressive public spirit.
Mr. Rene has been married twice. He married (first), in 1899, Mary Jane St. Germaine, who was born in Canada, and died in 1906. They were the parents of two children : Cecelia and Adelbert. Mr. Rene married (second), in 1909, Victoria St. George, who was also born in Canada. Three children have been born of this marriage: Mar- garet, Therese, and Carmen.
GEORGE P. NEWELL-General manager of the Livingston Worsted Company, at Washington, Rhode Island, George P. Newell is a man of wide experience and proved ability in the textile indus- try. He was born at Webster, Massachusetts, on July 24, 1869, a son of Philip W. and Harriet L. (Perry) Newell, both now deceased. The father, who was born at Townsend, Vermont, owned and operated a general store until the time of his death. Harriet L. (Perry) Newell, born at Webster, Mas- sachusetts, was a direct descendant of Joseph Harts- horne Perry who fought in the patriots' cause during the American Revolution.
George P. Newell was educated in the public schools of Leominster, Massachusetts, and follow- ing graduation from the high school, undertook the course at the Philadelphia Textile School. After the completion of his educational training, Mr. Newell began his active business career as an em- ployee of the Perryville Woolen Mill. At first he filled only minor positions, devoting himself to learning all phases of textile operations. Later he
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advanced through various posts with several differ- ent companies to offices of great responsibility and trust. Leaving the Perryville Worsted Mill, he was associated for two years with the Fitchburg Worsted Company as a designer. Then he went to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, with the Tillotson Mill, serving also as a designer there for two years. His next connection brought him to the French River Textile Company, at Mechanicsville, Con- necticut, and then, after one year as a designer, he became associated in similar capacity with the Manton, Rhode Island, Mill, of the American Woolen Company. Two years later, in 1904, he again returned to the French River Textile Com- pany as general manager of their plant, and finally, in 1906, he came to Washington, Rhode Island, as general manager of the Livingston Worsted Company, with which he has since remained. Dur- ing his long and varied experience, Mr. Newell became widely familiar with textile work, and his services in executive capacity have been a decisive factor in the continued success of those companies with which he has been connected.
Mr. Newell is a Republican in politics, standing high in local councils of his party. For two years he served as a member of the Coventry Town Council, and in 1916, he was elected a delegate to the Republican National Convention. Mr. Newell is past president of the Rhode Island Textile Asso- ciation, and for a number of years was a director of the National Association of Woolen and Wor- sted Manufacturers. He is affiliated fraternally with Manchester Lodge No. 12, of the Free and Accepted Masons, and in this great order is also a member of Landmark Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons, St. John's Commandery of the Knights Tem- plar, and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants, the Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Society of Colonial Wars. Mr. Newell and his family attend the Riverpoint Congregational Church of which he is moderator. He is a member of the Warwick Country Club, and Squantum Asso- ciates, and finds his chief recreation in golf.
In 1906, George P. Newell married Elizabeth L. Burt, who was born at Putnam, Connecticut. Mrs. Newell has been very prominent in Rhode Island life. She is a member of the Rhode Island State Central Republican Committee, served twice as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, and in other fields, is past president of the Coven- try Women's Club, past regent of the Katherine Littlefield Green Chapter, of the Daughters of the
American Revolution, and during the period of the World War was very active in all Liberty Loan drives and other campaigns.
Mr. and Mrs. Newell are the parents of one daughter, Barbara Elizabeth. The residence of the family is maintained at Washington, Rhode Island.
JAMES T. CASWELL-A member of an old and well-known Rhode Island family, Mr. Cas- well has the distinction of being the third mem- ber of his immediate family to serve as postmaster of Narragansett. His present term in this office is his second term, and his administration is again proving highly acceptable to his fellow-citizens. To them he has proven also at various other oc- casions his ability and faithfulness as a public official and he has frequently been honored by them.by election to important and responsible pub- lic offices. Though much of his time and energy has always been devoted to public affairs, he has also been prominently active in many other direc- tions. At different times he has engaged in busi- ness and in farming, in both of which he has met with marked and well-deserved success. He is a member of numerous fraternal and other or- ganizations, takes an active part in religious work, and, indeed, in every respect represents the high- est type of useful, upright and substantial citizen- ship.
James T. Caswell was born at Peace Dale, De- cember 27, 1862, a son of the late James D. and Annie (Davidson) Caswell. His father, who was born at Peace Dale in 1842, was for many years successfully engaged in the general mercantile busi- ness at Narragansett, of which town he was post- master for twenty-one years. He was a veteran of the Civil War, during which he served with Com- pany G., 7th Rhode Island Volunteers. Later he was one of the most popular and active members of Wakefield Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Caswell's mother was a native of Glasgow, Scotland. Educated in the public grammar and high schools of Narragansett and at the Bryant & Stratton Business College, Mr. Caswell, after leav- ing school, was associated in the general store business conducted by his father at Narragansett until 1901. In that year he became assistant to the postmaster of Narragansett, John H. Caswell, serv- ing in that capacity until 1903, when he himself was appointed postmaster by President Roosevelt. He held this position until 1915, when he engaged in farming, being also elected in that year a mem-
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ber of the Narragansett Town Council. After that he spent one summer in the grocery business, but eventually returned to farming in which he con- tinued successfully until 1919. In that year he was elected town treasurer, serving until 1924, and in the following year, 1925, he was again appointed postmaster of Narragansett, this appointment hav- ing been made by President Coolidge. Mr. Cas- well still serves in this position and has proven himself a very able and efficient postmaster. In the meantime he also served, during 1919-22, as a member of the House of Representatives and, during 1923-24, was a member of the Rhode Is- land State Senate. For eleven years he has been a member of the Narragansett school board and at one time he also served for one year as tax assessor. In politics he is a supporter of the Re- publican party, in the work of which he has taken a very active part, having served at various times as a delegate to Republican State conventions. He is a member of Hope Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Masons; Unity Chapter, Royal Arch Ma- sons ; the Square & Compass Club; the Quono- chontaug Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; and the National Postmasters Association. His religious affiliations are with the First Baptist Church of Narragansett. Though no longer actively engaged in farming, he has never lost his interest in agri- cultural pursuits and his principal hobbies are asparagus and berry growing and poultry raising.
Mr. Caswell married, November 17, 1886, Lola V. Briggs, a native of Narragansett. Three chil- dren were born to this union: I. James T., Jr., who died in infancy. 2. Walter T. Caswell, now assistant postmaster of Narragansett. 3. Benjamin C. Caswell, now deceased.
PETER B. DAVIS-A native and lifelong resi- dent of Narragansett, Mr. Davis, ever since he left school at the age of fourteen years, almost four decades ago, has been identified with the retail drug business in his native city. For more than a quar- ter of a century he has now been the owner of his drug store in Narragansett, an establishment, which naturally is one of the landmarks of the city. Mr. Davis is not only one of Narragansett's best known business men, but he is also prominently active in civic affairs.
Peter B. Davis was born at Narragansett, April 21, 1870, a son of the late Edward and Cath- erine (Cannon ) Davis, both natives of Ireland and both now deceased. His father was engaged as a
gardener until his death. Mr. Davis received his education in the public schools of Narragansett and, after having attended for some time the local high school, left school in 1884 and began to work for William C. Clark, at that time the proprietor of the only drug store in Narragansett. He con- tinned to be associated with Mr. Clark until 1902, when he took over the business for his own ac- count. Since then he has continued to operate it with much success. At one time he served for four years as postmaster and he is now a mem- ber of the budget committee of the town of Nar- ragansett. He has also been active in the work of the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce, of which he is vice-president. Other organizations, in which he maintains membership, include the American Pharmaceutical Association, the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Association, the Rhode Island Col- lege of Pharmacy, and the Narragansett Country Club. In politics he is a supporter of the Demo- cratic party, while his religious affiliations are with the Roman Catholic Church. He finds his rec- reation chiefly in motoring and fishing.
Mr. Davis married, in 1909, Kathryn L. Gal- lagher, a native of Garrison-on-the-Hudson, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have no children.
WILLIAM P. FREEBORN-In the forward march of Rhode Island during the nineteenth century, no man played a more public-spirited and far-sighted part than the late William P. Freeborn, of Warren, who thus continued the traditions of a fine old Rhode Island family, and who contributed to the progress which kept his State abreast with national advancement. He was a pioneer in many civic enterprises and a pros- perous and enterprising business man.
William P. Freeborn was born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1819, son of Asa and Abigail (Gifford) Freeborn, and a direct descendant of William Freeborn, who came to Rhode Island two years after Roger Williams settled there with the idea of establishing a colony where there should be religious freedom. The goal was one" which greatly attracted this early ancestor of Mr. Freeborn, who became prominent in the colony and who was one of the signers for the com- pact for the purchase of the Island from the Indians. The subject of our record, Mr. Free- born, was educated in the Portsmouth schools and spent his life in the town.
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As a young man, he learned the tailoring busi- ness with George Wilson, and became a partner in the well-known firm of merchant tailors, Davol, Brown and Freeborn. Seeing the need for the telegraph in his town, Mr. Freeborn set himself to work to learn telegraphy, in order that there might be an operator in Warren, and to bring telegraph service to the city, a progressive move in which he was successful. He also saw the enormous advantages of gas service and set in motion a plan for supplying this public utility. Mr. Freeborn acted for a time as superintendent of the Gas Company. He also served as cashier of the First National Bank and when the War- ren Institute for Savings was organized in 1856, he was made treasurer, an office he held as long as he lived. He also served his town as treasurer for twenty-eight years and was one of the trus- tees of the South Burial Grounds.
Mr. Freeborn was one of the early exemplars of the American ideal of business success, for he had the ability to make money and the pub- lic spirit to utilize his gift for the benefit of others and of the community. He was strictly conscientious, faithful to his work, to his business associates, and to his fellow-townsmen. Integ- rity, energy, and progressiveness were keynotes to his fine and upstanding character, and dis- cretion, good judgment, and faithfulness to trust played their part in his personal success and in community progress. To the upbuilding of a good school system he gave much time and thought-in fact, to every department of civic affairs, he gave generously of his ability and assistance. Mr. Freeborn was a communicant of the Baptist Church, the soil from which sprang notable Brown University, the outgrowth of old Rhode Island College.
William P. Freeborn married Frances B. Hoar, born in Rhode Island, daughter of Lewis Hoar, and a descendant of one of the oldest families in the State. Five children were born of the union, of whom only one is surviving-Miss Eliz- abeth J. Freeborn, of Warren, youngest of the family, the other members of which were: Frank; Arthur, who died at the age of sixteen; Joseph, who died at the age of fourteen; and William, who died in infancy.
Mr. Freeborn lived to be sixty-five years old and closed, with a quiet and peaceful death, a constructive and useful career, in October, 1884. He had the love and confidence of his fellow- townsmen, who appreciated to the full the value of his far-sighted leadership and his wise coun-
sel. His was a full, rich life, blessed with the warm love of family and friends, with the fruits of a busy and forward-looking maturity, and with the gratitude and esteem of the community.
JOHN F. HARLOW-For nearly twenty-five years the late John F. Harlow was engaged in the funeral directing business in Providence, and the business he established is still carried on (1931) by his sons, Joseph F. and George, under the old name-J. F. Harlow Sons.
John F. Harlow was born in Ireland but came to this country as a young man and located in Prov- idence, where for more than thirty years he was engaged in the bicycle and sewing machine busi- ness. At the end of that time, however, though he had, with possibly one exception, built up the largest business in Providence in this line he eventually decided to make a change and chose the funeral directing business as his new field of en- deavor. He wisely began in a small way, and his many friends, interested in his success and con- fident of his ability, were glad to give him a large amount of friendly aid by quietly recommending him and directing business to his office. In return for these favors Mr. Harlow devoted himself to his new business with whole-souled energy, giving strictest attention to carrying out every detail of the wishes of his customers. This conscientious care for the lightest wish of his patrons, whom he necessarily served in times of stress and sorrow; his unobtrusive sympathy, and his honest dealing, soon began to win recognition and his patronage steadily grew. Finally, the old plant was outgrown and he purchased the building at No. 254 Plain- field Street, which now houses the business. This he equipped with every device and convenience for conducting the modern undertaking establishment which he continued to develop to the time of his death, which occurred March 18, 1927. A man of keen intellect and warm heart, Mr. Harlow, at his death left behind him a host of friends who respected him for his sound principles and who
loved him for his many graces of character and disposition. His mature life was spent in the sec- tion of the city in which he conducted his business and he took an active part in local politics, serv- ing ably and faithfully as a member of the town council of Johnston. He was a member of the Woodmen of the World and the Foresters of America. Since his death the business has been conducted by his two sons, Joseph F. and George.
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Of these, Joseph F., the elder, serves as the execu- tive head of the concern.
Joseph F. Harlow, son of John F. Harlow, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, July 18, 1895, and received his education in the public schools of his birthplace. After the completion of his high school course he entered the employ of his father, with whom he continued to the time of the father's death, learning every detail of the business and making himself thoroughly familiar with the sound principles and methods upon which his father had built his success. He took a course in embalming in a school in Boston, making himself expert in that phase of the business, and to his theoretical and practical knowledge he has added that courtesy and consideration which his father made so funda- mental a part of the service the firm renders to its patrons.
Mr. Harlow is a member and at the present time (1931) secretary of the Rhode Island Funeral Directors' Association and is also a member of the National Funeral Directors Association. Frater- nally, he is actively identified with the Knights of Columbus, and he is an honorary member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
FREDERICK ROWLAND HAZARD-De- scendant of the well-known family of Hazard, of Peace Dale, and of the founders of the Solvay Process Company at Solvay, New York, Fred- erick Rowland Hazard is engaged in poultry farm- ing on a very large scale at Saunderstown. A former artillery officer of overseas service in the World War, he is the town moderator of Narra- gansett and a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
Rowland Hazard, grandfather of Frederick Row- land, with his son, Frederick Rowland (1), estab- lished the business of the Solvay Process Com- pany in 1883.
Frederick Rowland (1) Hazard was born in Peace Dale. He was a partner in the Solvay Process Company until his death. He married Dora Gannett Sedgwick, born in Syracuse, New York, who survives her husband. Of their son, Frederick Rowland, see further.
Frederick Rowland Hazard, son of Frederick Rowland (I) and Dora Gannett (Sedgwick) Hazard, was born in Solvay, New York, Decem- ber 19, 1891. He received his early training in private schools of Syracuse, New York, and took his preparatory course at Milton (Massachusetts)
Academy. He then entered Brown University, graduating in the class of 1914 and receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. Following this he took a post-graduate course at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was made a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Frater- nity and the Phi Beta Kappa Society.
Mr. Hazard began his business career as an associate of the Solvay Process Company, and when this concern was taken over by the Allied Chemical and Dye Corporation, he remained with the organization until 1922. He then entered the investment research business in his own name in New York City, and was thus engaged until 1927. In that year he went to Saunderstown and estab- lished the business known as the Saunderstown Poultry Farm. This farm has a number of the highest-production Leghorn hens in the State, and is one of the largest poultry farms in Washington County, having also an admirable and advantageous location on Old South Ferry Road.
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