USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 52
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THOMAS QUINN-One of the largest fu- neral houses in the State of Rhode Island is that of Thomas Quinn's Sons, located at No. 20 Orms Street, Providence. The business was founded by Patrick Quinn in 1860; after his death, it was conducted by his brother, Thomas Quinn, and now (1931) it is owned and operated by his sons, Thomas J. and Walter A., who succeeded to the business after the death of their father.
Thomas Quinn, son of Michael Quinn, was born in Ireland, but came to this country as a young boy and located in Providence, where he secured employment in a grocery store. Later, in 1880, he took over the business of his brother, Patrick Quinn, who was engaged in the funeral directing business and who was well known in Providence and vicinity. As an undertaker Patrick Quinn was able and successful, making in an early day, his own caskets and including in his equipment twelve "hacks" and four hearses, among which was the customary white hearse used for children's fu- nerals. Though his establishment was in the city of Providence his patronage was drawn from every part of the State. He was one of the well-known characters of the town and always drove the hearse himself. Wearing a big cape overcoat and a high hat and driving a pair of black horses draped with nets, he was a conspicuous and fami- liar figure in Providence for many years.
Thomas Quinn carried on the business to the
time of his death, August 27, 1922, at the age of seventy-four years. He was a member of the Roger Williams Driving Club, the Woonsocket Driving Club and owned many horses, including some of the best trotting horses in the State, and was well known throughout this section of New England, and had a host of friends in Providence and many more throughout the State of Rhode Island. He married Jennie Doyle, who died in 1919, daughter of William Doyle, one of the well- known citizens of Providence, and they became the parents of eleven children, of whom seven lived to maturity: I. Mamie, married Dr. Russell, de- ceased. 2. Thomas J., of further mention. 3. Joseph. 4. Catherine, who married Frank Kinney, a real estate man of Providence. 5. Charles A. 6. Walter A., who is associated in business with his brother. 7. Genevieve, who married Thomas Norato, an undertaker of Providence.
Thomas J. Quinn, son of Thomas and Jennie (Doyle) Quinn, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in July, 1881. He attended the parochial school of the Immaculate Conception until he was sixteen years of age and then, in 1897, entered the undertaking business with his father. Since that time he has devoted himself to the furtherance of the interests of the business with marked suc- cess. He took the State examinations and received his license as an embalmer, remaining with his father to the time of the death of the latter, when he and his brother, Walter A., succeeded to the management of the concern. With what success the brothers have continued the work is indicated by the fact that the firm of Thomas Quinn's sons now (1931) has a funeral home which ranks as one of the largest and best equipped in the State. The show rooms and office are located at No. 20 Orms Street, while at No. 23 Orms Street is their funeral home. This is a large two-story building, the lower floor of which is furnished and equipped as a funeral home. The upper floor of fifteen rooms is provided for the accommodation of pa- trons. These rooms are fitted up with hot and cold water, first class beds, and all conveniences, for the use of patrons coming from a distance, for which accommodation no charge is made. They also have garage accommodations free of charge for forty cars, for the use of patrons. As the firm draws its patronage from a wide area outside the city, and as funerals are often attended by guests from distant points, all these conveniences are greatly appreciated by those who use the beautiful funeral home provided by the Thomas Quinn estab- lishment. The brothers are members of the Rhode
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Island and National Funeral Directors' associa- tions, and have facilities for serving patrons even in distant parts of the country. They carry a full line of caskets of all styles and prices as well as a full line of trimmings, and their service has long been known for its excellence.
Thomas J. Quinn married Corine Clark, and they have three children: Thomas J., Jr., Robert J., and Mary Jane.
Walter A. Quinn married Veronica Dailey, and they are the parents of three children: Veronica M., Walter A., and Eileen.
BERNARD CHARLES MULLEN-Identi- fied for almost a quarter of a century with the banking business in Providence, Mr. Mullen in recent years has been connected in important executive capacities with the Industrial Trust Company. As manager of one of its branches he has shown outstanding business and executive ability and has made for himself an enviable reputation in business and financial circles. This is the more to his credit, because Mr. Mullen has reached his present position entirely as the re- sult of his own efforts.
Bernard Charles Mullen was born at Paw- tucket, April 27, 1881, a son of Peter and Honora (Burns) Mullen. His father, who is a native of the town of Tullamore, Kings County, Ireland, is employed as a watchman. Mr. Mullen's mother was born at Granard, County Longford, Ireland, and is now deceased. Having received his early education at St. Joseph's Parochial School, Pawtucket, Mr. Mullen then attended and graduated from the Pawtucket High School, after which he took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. Later, after he had become connected with one of the leading banks of Providence, he also took courses and graduated from the American Institute of Banking. His first position was as a bookkeeper with the Out- let Company. Later he spent one year with a well-known brokerage house, Curtis Fletcher Company. In 1907 he entered the banking busi- ness as a teller with the Atlantic National Bank of Providence, with which he remained for six years. At the end of this period, in 1913, he ac- cepted a similar position with the National Ex- change Bank of Providence, of which he was made assistant cashier in 1923. When this bank was merged, in April, 1926, with the Industrial Trust Company, Mr. Mullen was appointed as-
sistant manager of the Exchange Branch of the Industrial Trust Company, in which capacity he served until January, 1929. Since then he has been manager of this branch. He is a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce and of the American Institute of Banking. His favo- rite form of recreation is the enjoyment of vari- ous athletic sports. Mr. Mullen is also greatly interested in music and is well known in local circles as a tenor soloist. His religious affiliation is with St. Sebastian's Roman Catholic Church of Providence.
Mr. Mullen married, in 1909, Bertha G. Car- roll, like himself a native of Pawtucket, a daugh- ter of Hugh J. Carroll, at one time mayor of Pawtucket. Mr. and Mrs. Mullen have three sons: Bernard Charles, Jr., Gerald J., and Stephen F.
WARREN M. BOSWORTH-The modern, scientifically equipped, and comfortably furnished funeral home and undertaking establishment lo- cated at No. 35 Illinois Street, with offices at No. 468 Dexter Street, in Central Falls, Rhode Island, is now (1931) owned and operated by Warren M. Bosworth, who has been identified with this business since 1918.
George P. Bosworth, father of Warren M. Bosworth, was born in Pawtucket, son of Lo- renzo P. Bosworth, also a native of Pawtucket but later removed to Central Falls, where he died. George P. Bosworth inherited his father's mechanical ability, became an inventor of knit- ting machinery, and for many years was associated with the Hemphill Manufacturing Company, with whom he continued to the time of his retirement in 1921. He is a member of the Universalist Church and is now spending the years of his retirement in Central Falls, where he has a host of friends and is held in the highest esteem. He married Esther Morpeth, a native of Carlisle, England. She is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. George P. Bosworth are the parents of two children: Pearl Elizabeth, who married Thomas J. Wallner, owner of a hosiery mill in Pulaski, Virginia; and Warren M., of further mention.
Warren M. Bosworth, son of George P. and Esther (Morpeth) Bosworth, was born in Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, January 13, 1897. He at- tended the Central Falls public schools and then completed a course in Kenyon's Commercial School, after which he purchased the Miller Taxi
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Service. For five years he successfully operated nine taxi cabs; at the end of that time he sold out and entered his present line of business as an employee of Frank B. Saunders, then owner of the undertaking business which is now owned by Mr. Bosworth. Mr. Bosworth remained with Mr. Saunders until the death of the latter, Feb- ruary 25, 1924, and then purchased the business to which he has since given his close attention. Under his able management the plant has been much improved and the patronage greatly ex- tended, both in numbers and extent of territory covered. In July, 1929, the beautiful and con- venient funeral home at No. 35 Illinois Street, which he had remodelled was completed and opened for business, and since that time he has been well prepared to accommodate funerals of any size. Expert knowledge of embalming, prompt and courteous service, honest business methods, and enterprise have brought him patronage not only from all parts of his own State, but also Massachusetts, and he is registered as an em- balmer both in Rhode Island and in Massachu- setts. Mr. Bosworth has many friends in this section of Rhode Island and in adjoining sec- tions of Massachusetts and each year adds many new families to his already long list of patrons. In 1930 Mr. Bosworth was nominated by the Republican party as their candidate for mayor of the city of Central Falls, being defeated by the Democratic party. He is an enthusiastic member of Pawtucket Union Lodge, No. 10, Free and Accepted Masons, and St. George's Episcopal Church of Central Falls. Mr. Bosworth enlisted in the World War at Central Falls, August 15, 1918, but on account of a perforated right ear drum he was discharged at Faconia, Washington, later in the year. He is a member of James Stanton Post, American Legion, of Central Falls.
Warren M. Bosworth married, November 28, 1928, Hedvig Johnson, who was born in Paw- tucket, where she was educated and is a graduate of Pawtucket High School. After graduating from high school she entered the Memorial Hospital, from which she was graduated as a trained nurse, which profession she successfully followed to the time of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Bosworth have one daughter, Elizabeth Hedvig Morpeth Bosworth.
ERNON M. HOLDRIDGE-Prominent among the successful undertaking establishments of Providence is the one known as the Barber-
Holdridge Company, located at No. 72 Broad Street, of which Ernon M. Holdridge and his brother, Charles N. Holdridge, are the owners.
Ernon M. Holdridge was born in North Ston- ington, Connecticut, August 1, 1878. He received his education in the public schools of North Stonington, but at an early age began the serious business of earning a livelihood by entering the weaving-room of one of the cotton manufacturing plants of that town. For four years he remained at his task there, and then sought advancement by trying several different lines of work, spending some time in a machine shop. In 1905, when he was twenty-seven years of age, he entered the em- ploy of George Hill, who was engaged in the undertaking business in Roslindale, Massachu- setts. Soon, however, he decided to enroll in the Massachusetts branch of the New York College of Embalming, from which he was graduated that same year, 1905. For a time he was then employed in Mystic, Connecticut, but after a few months he returned to Providence and found em- ployment with the Whiting-Barber Company, morticians, of this city. That connection proved to be a permanent one, and when, on July I, 1913, Mr. Whiting retired, Mr. Holdridge pur- chased his interest and the firm name was changed from the Charles E. Barber Company to the Barber-Holdridge Company. Under that name the business has continued to the present time (1931). Mr. Barber continued his connection with the concern and in July, 1921, Charles N. Hol- dridge, brother of Ernon M., became associated with the firm. Both brothers found in Mr. Bar- ber a loved friend, a wise adviser, and a strong helper, ever willing and anxious to further their interests in every way possible. On October I, 1921, the firm removed its establishment to its present location at No. 72 Broad Street, taking possession of one of the fine old residences of the city, the spacious rooms of which afforded ample opportunity for the development of a most modern and convenient funeral home. Mr. Barber died in 1924, deeply mourned by his partners and his many friends and associates in Providence. Since that time Mr. Holdridge and his brother, who are now sole owners of the concern, have continued to conduct the steadily growing business under the old name, the Barber-Holdridge Company. Their funeral home affords accommodation for funerals of any size, and both brothers have steadily aimed to make their establishment com- plete in every respect, and offer every comfort and convenience to patrons. They also include in
Robert & Johnson.
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their show rooms a full line of caskets, trim- mings, etc. The type of personal service rendered by the Holdridge brothers is appreciated by those who seek their services. Both are expert morti- cians.
Mr. Holdridge is a member of the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, also of the Royal Arch Chapter, and Council of Royal and Select Masters. He is also a member of the Junior Order United American Mechanics. His reli- gious affiliation is with Central Baptist Church.
Ernon M. Holdridge married, August 28, 1906, Idella Drape, daughter of Henry O. Drape, and they have two daughters: Helen L., who is a student in the Rhode Island State College of Education; and Elizabeth M., who is a student in Technical High School.
CHARLES N. HOLDRIDGE was born in Stonington, Connecticut, April 28, 1880, and at- tended the public schools of North Stonington. He was as a young man employed by Howard and Bellough Machine Company of Pawtucket; then by Hemphill Manufacturing Company for fourteen and one-half years; and for some years was assistant superintendent of the plant. In 1921 he became associated with his brother, Ernon M., in the undertaking business. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and of Pawtucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and his religious connection is with Pleasant View Baptist Church.
Charles N. Holdridge married, in April, 1905, Eldora Raymond, and they have one daughter, Ruth, who is a graduate of Pawtucket High School.
HERBERT D. JOHNSON-Owning and operating a dairy farm of one hundred acres on the Abbott Run Road in the town of Cumber- land, Rhode Island, not far from the village of Arnold Mills, Herbert D. Johnson keeps forty head of cattle and does an extensive business throughout this new England territory. His cat- tle are all of the Holstein breed, and the milk that they furnish is of the finest quality. Mr. Johnson's business requires the constant services of four farm hands, and he markets his product in Pawtucket, Lonsdale, and Valley Falls, Rhode Island.
He was born on the Diamond Hill Road on December 3, 1872, son of Emerson and Ellen M. (Carpenter) Johnson. His father was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, and his mother in Cum- berland, Rhode Island. A jewelry manufacturer by occupation the father was employed at different periods in different jewelry shops of this section of New England, and was an honored and re- spected man. Herbert D. Johnson received his early education in the schools of Cumberland, and when very young went to Woonsocket, where he was employed in the ice business. Later he engaged in the milk business, and in these two en- terprises he acquired his early practical training in the business world, and so prepared himself for the position that he has since come to hold as a large dairy owner. He finally purchased the milk business, with which he was formerly asso- ciated, from Elijah Fuller, but later sold it and established in its stead a lumber and wood busi- ness, which he conducted for twelve years. In 1918 he bought the farm which he now owns, and since that time has improved the property by the addition of new buildings, up-to-date drainage facilities and equipment that is in every respect thoroughly modern. So it is that in his farm oper- ations and dairy activities, which he has studied from every angle, he has perfected himself, and he is today (1931) equipped to handle the ex- cellent and voluminous trade that he enjoys. He has upon his farm a complete frigidaire plant operated by electricity, in which the milk is cooled, also a large ice box and other con- veniences. He handles about four hundred and fifty quarts of milk a day.
In addition to his work in this connection, Mr. Johnson has always found time to participate in the public affairs of his community. A Republi- can in his political leanings, he regularly sup- ports the policies and candidates of his party, and has held important civic positions. For a considerable period he served as highway super- visor, and as such rendered invaluable service to the community through his efforts toward better roads and the building of more up-to-date and practicable highways. At the present time, 1931, although not acting as general supervisor, he has charge of some five miles of road in his neigh- borhood, which he keeps in excellent condition. A member of Cumberland Grange, No. 2, he was for fifteen years its treasurer, and is still active in its affairs. He is a Charter member of the Providence County Pomona Grange. His reli-
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gious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the town of Cumberland.
Herbert D. Johnson married Emily Franklin, a native of this town. By this marriage there have been the following children: I. Herbert Alfred, who assists his father on the farm and in the milk business; married Marion Heaton. They have one son, Herbert Alfred, Jr. 2. Harry Emerson, married Ruth Microft, and they have two children: Harry Emerson, Jr., and Priscilla Phyllis. 3. Frank Andrew (deceased). 4. Glad- ding Thompson, a graduate of the common and high schools and of the Rhode Island State Col- lege, where he took the electrical engineering course, graduating in June, 1930; he will shortly take a position with one of the largest contracting firms of Boston.
Mr. Johnson is one of the largest milk dealers handling his own production in this section. His farming equipment is of the very latest design, having two row corn planters, corn cutters and everything of this nature, doing a very large business for the size of his farm, filling two large silos with ensilage, and in all of these ac- tivities he is ably assisted by his sons, one of whom resides at home, and another, in a house adjoining, owned by Mr. Johnson.
HENRY AMES BARKER - City-planner, city-builder, and leader of city progress in art, music, recreation, and health-all, in fact, that might contribute to the beauty of his city and the happiness of his fellow-citizens-the late Henry Ames Barker, of Providence, Rhode Island, was beloved at home and admired abroad. "Let Provi- dence flourish" was his lifelong motto. His com- prehensive and profound knowledge of cities in general, and of Providence, both actual and poten- tial, not only brought him widespread recognition but endless opportunity to serve his city intelli- gently and constructively.
The Barker family is one of the old and notable ones of New England. The American progenitor was James Barker, born in England, great-grand- son of John Barker, who lived in the mid-sixteenth century and who married Elizabeth Hill, niece to Sir Rowland Hill, first Protestant Lord Mayor of London. James Barker died en route to America, but his son, James Barker, was reared by his aunt at Charlestown and Newport. Born in 1623 at Harwich, England, he died in 1702, having reached America in 1634. He became a man of weight in the community, corporal, ensign, and member of the general court of elections, commissioner, and a
member of the committee appointed to receive con- tributions for the agents in England, Roger Wil- liams and John Clarke, sent to obtain a royal charter for Providence in 166r. In 1678 he was elected deputy governor, after serving in various capaci- ties. James Barker married Barbara Dungan, and they had a son, William Barker, who became a Quaker, and also served the public as deputy to the General Assembly. The line continued through the son born to him and his wife who was Eliza- beth Easton: Peter Barker, who married Sarah Slocum; their son, Matthew Barker, who married Mary Mitchell; their son, Joseph Barker, who mar- ried Hannah Cornell; their son, William Cornell Barker, a customs official and friend of the famous Thomas W. Dorr; married (second) Sarah Ann Jenks; their son, Henry Rodman Barker, became the father of our subject.
Henry Rodman Barker, son of William Cornell and Sarah Ann (Jenks) Barker, was born in Providence, September 15, 1841, and died March 17, 1902. He served in the Civil War, although under age, and in youth became assistant secretary of the Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany, of which he finally became president. He maintained a lively interest in the Grand Army of the Republic throughout his remaining years. Like his predecessors, he had a very active civic con- science and was politically prominent, first as coun- cilman from the old Ninth Ward, next as alder- man and president of the board, and finally as mayor of Providence, in which capacity he served for two terms. He was, in 1891, made commis- sioner of sinking funds and held this office the rest of his life, serving at the same time on various city commissions and as a member of the State Legis- lature from Providence. He was long president of the Rhode Island Investment Company, the Rhode Island Electric Protective Company, the Old Col- ony Cooperative Bank, and vice-president of the Roger Williams Savings Fund and Loan Associa- tion. He was a Mason and a communicant of Grace Episcopal Church. Henry Rodman Barker married, in 1865, Annie C. Tripp, daughter of Stephen A. and Jane (Ames) Tripp, of New Bedford, and they had children: Henry Ames, of further men- tion, and Jessie Loring, wife of Dr. George Warren Gardner, of Providence.
Henry Ames Barker was born in Providence, April 4, 1866, and was educated in the English and Classical School and at the Rhode Island School of Design, graduating from Brown University in 1893 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. In 1910 the honorary degree of Master of Arts was
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conferred upon him by his alma mater for his work in establishing the Metropolitan Park System of Providence. After working for a time in the office of the Providence Mutual Insurance Com- pany, he joined the staff of the Rhode Island Elec- tric Protective Company, of which he became treas- urer, general manager, and director.
His vocation, however, was service in the higher interests of his city-the intangibles of cultural and civic advancement. He helped establish the Metro- politan District of Providence Plantations, includ- ing the whole populous community of which that city is the center, and was the originator of the Metropolitan Park System of this Greater Provi- dence. Reared in a home which held civic duty a cardinal virtue, Mr. Barker early displayed his devotion to public welfare. He began studies in civic problems which carried him far beyond the men of his time, and he pursued those studies with all the thoroughness of his exact and brilliantly analytical mind. He was ahead of his time, and he evolved dreams, practicable though remote, which will be the actualities of tomorrow. He worked with vision and with infinite patience and was a member of the City Plan Commission from its creation in 1914, serving for five years as secretary and for ten as chairman. He belonged to all sorts of civic organizations, holding office in many. Mr. Barker was treasurer of the Public Park Associa- tion of Rhode Island for twenty-five years; a director of the American Civic Association and delegate to various national conventions; vice- president of the National Association of Conserva- tion Commissioners; director of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, chairman of its publicity committee and managing editor of the "Providence Magazine"; an officer of the Rhode Island League of Improvement Societies ; member of the Public Recreation Commission and the State Conservation Commission, of which he was the first chairman ; member of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Amer- ican Institute of Architects; of the National Mu- nicipal League; the American Forestry Association and others. His love of art, music, and beauty in general led him to membership in the Providence Art Club and other groups. He was proficient at pen and pencil drawings and at painting. He also wrote well, producing plays and pageants and vol- uminous articles on municipal affairs, country life, conservation projects, and rural improvements.
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