USA > Rhode Island > Rhode Island : three centuries of democracy, Vol. IV > Part 7
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
The name Wildbore became Wilbore in the sec- ond generation, and was so spelled by the third generation, but in the fourth generation William, of Little Compton, changed it to Wilbour, which form still prevails in this branch, though many of the same family spell it both Wilbour and Wilbur.
With the iron industry at Taunton, Massachu- setts, Samuel Wildbore was identified as one of its founders. He and his associates built at what is now Raynham the third furnace to be operated in New England. His standing of wealth and prom- inence was jeopardized by his espousal of the "dan- gerous doctrines" of Cotton and Wheelwright, and being unable to withstand successfully the perse- cutions of his fellow-colonials, he and seventeen others were exiled from Massachusetts. Regard- less of his having real property in both Boston and Taunton, he abandoned both his houses, and, heed- ing the advice of Roger Williams, he, with his seventeen fellow-exiles, bought of the Indians the island of Aquidneck, to which he removed with his family in 1638, the little group of eighteen persons organizing a colony under a solemn agreement en- tered into on March 7, 1638. Twenty-two years after he had been made a freeman of Boston, Sam- uel Wildbore died September 29, 1656. He married (first) Ann Bradford, daughter of Thomas Brad- ford, of Dorchester, Yorkshire, England. Two of their sons, Samuel and William, settled in Ports- mouth, Rhode Island; the third, Joseph, went to reside in Taunton, Massachusetts; and the fourth, Shadrach, became a citizen in that part of Taunton now known as Raynham. Samuel Wildbore mar- ried (second), prior to November 29, 1645, Eliza- beth, daughter of a worthy family, whose surname is not of record.
From the pioneer settler, Samuel Wildbore, the line of descent is through William Wilbor, of Portsmouth, who was deputy in 1678; his son, Samuel Wilbor, a farmer of Little Compton, and his wife, Elizabeth (Potter) Wilbor; their son, William Wilbour, also a farmer of Little Compton, and his wife, Esther ( Burgess) Wilbour; their son, Charles Wilbour, who owned and cultivated a large tract of land near Sakonnet River in Little Comp- ton, and his first wife, Hannah (Borden) Wilbour ; their son, Isaac Wilbour, a farmer of the old
Ques to Nebour
305
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
homestead, member of Congress, Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, and his wife, Hannah, daughter of Captain Philip Taber; their son, Philip Wilbour, a farmer of one hundred and twenty-five acres yet owned in the family, and his wife, Eliza Penelope (Cham- plin) Wilbour; their son, Isaac Champlin Wilbour, of whom further.
Isaac Champlin Wilbour was born on the old homestead in Little Compton, May 11, 1831, died in September, 1899. He came into possession of the home farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, and by purchase made additions to it, bringing the total acreage to two hundred and sixty. The rep- resentative of the family became the pioneer poul- try farmer of his district, developing the business to very extensive proportions. His plant housed five thousand hens and his shipments of eggs to all parts of the United States, Canada and Europe averaged one hundred and fifty thousand dozens a year. He bred and named the "Rhode Island Red" that has become famous as one of the most pro- lific egg producers of all breeds of poultry. Mr. Wilbour achieved an outstanding success, and was esteemed one of the leading business men of his section of the State. Among the many fine things to his credit, one stands out prominently: With the aid of his cousin, Charles Edwin Wilbour, he built Sakonnet Cemetery, the beautiful chapel within it having a chime of bells imported from Belgium. Within the chapel are tablets of marble in memory of many members of the family begin- ning with Lieutenant-Governor Isaac Wilbour, and in the shrine the donor has his last resting place.
Isaac Champlin Wilbour married (first) Deborah Josephine Wilbour, born July 13, 1834, died in 1865, daughter of Benjamin and Abby M. (Taylor) Wilbour, and granddaughter of Daniel Wilbour and of Samuel Taylor. Of this union there were: I. Philip Herbert, of whom further. 2. Caroline Corey, who died aged seven years. 3. Elizabeth Champlin. 4. Deborah Josephine, married Frederick Marcy Patten, of Brookline, Massachusetts. Mr. Wilbour married (second) Amelia French, of Nan- tucket, Massachusetts, who survived him, with a son, William French Wilbour, a lawyer of New York City.
Philip Herbert Wilbour, only son of Isaac Cham- plin and Deborah Josephine (Wilbour) Wilbour, was born on the homestead at Little Compton, of which he is now the owner, August 27, 1856. From the public schools of his native town and the Friends' School of Providence he received an ex-
cellent practical education. He was reared on the homestead, and after attaining his majority became chief assistant to his father and later a partner in the poultry raising business for which the Wilbour farm acquired a very wide and favorable repu- tation.
Following the death of his father, the founder of the business, the son, Philip Herbert Wilbour, took over the complete control of the enterprise, which he has managed with such cumulative success to the present time. He improved the plant and made additions to it as demands for the product increased. He modernized the house, in which several genera- tions had successively made their home, built addi- tions to it, landscaped the grounds and installed a conservatory, rendering the estate a showplace of the countryside, and one in which the family take commendable pride.
An urge to be of service to his community and the State is an inheritance of Mr. Wilbour from ancestors who were similarly disposed. Prior to 1900 he served as a member of the Town Council of Little Compton, and in that year the constitu- ency elected him a representative to the State Leg- islature. For three years he sat in the House, hold- ing the chairmanship of the committee on special legislation and membership in other committees. So satisfactorily did he perform his duties in the House, that in 1903 his constituents advanced him to the State Senate, and in 1907 they reelected him. In the upper body he was chairman of the commit- tees on corporations and finance, and of other com- mittees. He gave evidence of ability and influence in his work in committee and upon the floor of the Senate, being esteemed one of the most highly val- ued members of that body. In 1912 he was elected president pro tempore of the Senate, and during his incumbency of that high office, ending March 15, 1917, he officiated several times as Acting Gov- ernor in the absence of the Governor and Lieuten- ant-Governor.
By appointment from Governor Dyer, on Novem- ber 30, 1897, Mr. Wilbour became a member of the Shell Fish Commission. After he had served on the commission for five years he was chosen its president, holding that office for twenty years, re- tiring from the commission January 19, 1917.
The office of State Auditor and Insurance Com- missioner, in which Mr. Wilbour has rendered a significant service, was bestowed upon him by elec- tion in 1917. His administration of the department has given general satisfaction, as his long tenure
R. I .- 20
306
RHODE ISLAND -- THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
of the office bears testimony. In 1929 the Legisla- ture separated the offices of State Auditor and In- surance Commissioner, since which time Mr. Wil- bour has acted in the latter capacity.
Business affairs and State responsibilities have not prevented Mr. Wilbour from the exercise of his duty in the matter of local concerns. For fifteen years he served as town treasurer of Little Comp- ton, was a director of the Tiverton & Little Comp- ton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a charter member of Pomona Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and with his wife is still a member of that organi- zation. He is affiliated also with the State Grange and the National Grange, through which mediums he maintains a close contact with the movements for the improvement of farming conditions. A loyal Republican, and always a firm believer in the policies of his party, in whose councils he has high standing, he has, nevertheless, a great company of friends and supporters outside that political faith. His fraternal alliances include Eureka Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Philip Herbert Wilbour married, May 28, 1885, at Brooklyn, New York, Grace Frances Ropes, born in Salem, Massachusetts, daughter of Ripley Ropes. Of this union there have been born three children. I. Lincoln, born March 6, 1886, who en- listed in the United States Naval Reserve Force, District No. 2; Station, New London, Connecticut. He entered business at Providence. 2. Elizabeth Champlin, died young. 3. Dorothy.
"To the memory of Awashonks, Queen of the Saugonnates, and friend of the white man," so runs an inscription on a great boulder. Mr. Wil- bour has converted a part of the old home farm at Little Compton into what is known as Awashonks Park, for the preservation of the historic spot where once the good Queen ruled her tribe, holding her people from joining the war unsuccessfully waged by King Philip for the avowed extermination of the whites. The improvements of this reservation, pri- vately owned, but accessible to the public, to which he long since opened it, includes the building of drives and paths, the development of the natural beauties of the place, scientific forestation and skillful ladnscape gardening. The park is a place of beauty and a joy forever, to the care of which Mr. Wilbour gives much of his best thought and spares no expense in its upkeep. The public is appreciative of this additional evidence of his public spirit.
CLINTON T. SHERMAN-Manager of the Bristol Branch of the Industrial Trust Company of Providence, Clinton T. Sherman is a well- known figure in the financial life of this section of Rhode Island. He was born at Bristol on June 12, 1872, a son of Thomas and Annie W. Wagoner (Sweet) Sherman, both born at New Bedford, Massachusetts, and both now deceased. Thomas Sherman was a farmer in early life, later becoming connected with the National India Rub- ber Company, now a part of the United States Rubber Company. Both he and his wife were descended from old Quaker families of the United States.
Clinton T. Sherman received his preliminary education at Bristol public schools, and was graduated from the high school in 1889, being valedictorian of his class. Thereafter he entered Brown University, and after completing his edu- cation, became associated with the First National Bank, and Bristol Institution for Savings in the capacity of clerk. This was in 1891. Mr. Sher- man continued his connection with this institution until 1900, when it was taken over by the Indus- trial Trust Company of Providence. Meanwhile he had risen to positions of responsibility and trust. At the time of the merger he was assist- ant treasurer of the Bristol Institution for Sav- ings and assistant cashier of the First National Bank. Continuing with the Industrial Trust Com- pany, he was appointed manager of the Bristol Branch on February 3, 1908, and has held that position until the present time. Under his guid- ance the bank has grown and prospered, the deposits today being about three times as large as when he took charge. Since 1911 he has been secretary of the board of managers of the Bris- tol Branch of the Industrial Trust Company. He is also a director and treasurer of the Pokanoket Realty Company.
Mr. Sherman has been a lifelong resident of Bristol and is active in other phases of community affairs. He is a Republican in politics, and al- though never seeking public office either for him- self or others, he has never neglected his duties as a good citizen. Fraternally, he is affiliated with St. Albans Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past Master; and in this order he is also a member and Past High Priest of Hope Chapter, No. 6, Royal Arch Masons, and a member of Webb Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters. Mr. Sherman is also a member of the Bristol Rotary Club and the
307
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
Bristol Yacht Club, and treasurer of the Rogers Free Library of this city. With his family he attends the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, being president of its board of trustees, and a steward of the church. Mr. Sherman is fond of sports and outdoor life. He maintains a summer home at Prudence Island.
In 1896, Clinton T. Sherman married Annie S. Waldron, who was born at Bristol. To this union two children were born: Marion, who is the wife of Franklin H. Springer, of Reading, Massachusetts; and Ralph Clinton, who died in infancy.
JOHN W. CHURCH-A native and lifelong resident of Bristol, Mr. Church spent the first eighteen years of his career in business and during this period was successively connected with several important Bristol business concerns in responsible positions. More than ten years ago his fellow- townsmen elected him to the office of town clerk, the duties of which he has filled so capably and so entirely to the satisfaction of the community, that he has been successively reelected to this office. He is also active in religious work and is a popular member of several Masonic organizations, in all of which he has held office.
John W. Church was born at Bristol, December 23, 1879, a son of the late Edward P. and Fannie (Morse) Church. His father, who was likewise a native of Bristol, was engaged as a salesman until his death. His mother, now also deceased, was a native of Bath, Maine. Mr. Church received his education in the public grammar and high schools of his native city and, having completed his edu- cation, became the local agent for the Providence & Fall River & Newport Steamboat Company, a position he continued to hold very capably for four years. Next he served for twelve years as traffic manager for the United States Rubber Com- pany, Bristol, and then was for two years superin- tendent of the Staples Coal Company, Bristol. On October 29, 1919, he was elected town clerk of Bristol, an office which he has held ever since, the length of his service indicating his popularity and efficiency as a public official. For many years he has been prominently active in Masonic affairs. He is a member of St. Albans Lodge, No. 6, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past Master; Hope Chapter, No. 6, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest; and Webb Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters, of which he is Past Thrice Illustrious Master. In politics he is an
independent; and his religious affiliation is with the First Congregational Church, of Bristol. His interest in religious work is also indicated by his membership on the board of directors of the Bristol Young Men's Christian Association. Fond of outdoor life, he finds his recreation in various outdoor sports.
Mr. Church married, June 20, 1911, Ida D. Coggeshall, like himself a native of Bristol. Mr. and Mrs. Church are the parents of two children : Charlotte F., and John Wardwell, Jr.
GEORGE A. KROENER-For thirteen years George A. Kroener has been a factor in the man- agement and upbuilding of the Wakefield Trust Company, of Wakefield, Rhode Island, and he is now vice-president of the company.
George A. Kroener was born in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, December 14, 1861, son of George A. and Fredericka (Klotz) Kroener, both natives of Germany and both now deceased. The father was engaged in the textile business. The son was educated in the Peace Dale public schools and the South Kingstown High School, and he taught school for a year upon the completion of his edu- cation. He then worked a year and a half for the J. C. Tucker Company of Wakefield, Rhode Island. It was in 1887 that he formed the long-continued association with the Wakefield Trust Company, his first position being that of clerk. The following year, 1888, Mr. Kroener was made manager, and shortly afterward, assistant treasurer, of the Nar- ragansett Pier Branch of the Wakefield Trust Company, where he remained until 1916. In that year he returned to Wakefield, where he was asso- ciated with the Wakefield Trust Company, of which he was made vice-president in 1926. He is a banker of great astuteness and vision and he has the respect of his fellow-financiers and of the pub- lic. He was treasurer of the Wakefield branch, 1922-29, and is a member of the executive council of the Rhode Island Bankers Association.
The political alignment of Mr. Kroener is inde- pendent. He served for three years as a member of the South Kingstown Town Council and for fif- teen years as a member of the school committee, and he is a communicant of the Peace Dale Con- gregational Church. His fraternal affiliations are with Hope Lodge, No. 25, Free and Accepted Ma- sons ; Unity Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is past high priest; Washington Commandery, Knights Templar; Nestle Chapter, Order of the
308
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
Eastern Star, of which he is past patron, and he is a member of Narragansett Country Club.
George A. Kroener married, in 1885, Annie B. Carpenter, born in Wakefield. Children: Edna L .; Frederick R., who served with the United States Navy during the World War with the rank of ensign; B. S., Brown University, 1919; in 1930 an engineer with the Travelers Insurance Company.
JOSEPH S. THORNLEY-A native and life- long resident of Rhode Island, where he has taken an important part in the business affairs of his times, Joseph S. Thornley is now living retired in the town of East Greenwich. Here he was for thirty years engaged in the coal, wood, hay and grain business, until his retirement in May, 1929. His keen interest in public affairs and in the promotion of the best interests of his community and his Commonwealth has made him one of the most valued of Rhode Island citizens.
Mr. Thornley was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on November 5, 1852, son of Peter and Alice (Sedden) Thornley. His father, a native of England, was prominently engaged in the bleachery business until his death and the mother, also born in England, is now deceased. In the public schools of Pawtucket, his birthplace, Joseph S. Thornley received his early education; and afterward he worked for one year with the Sayles Bleachery Company. He then went with the Gor- ham Silver Company, of Providence, Rhode Is- land, with which he remained for seven years when he severed his connection with that enter- prise and removed to East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Here he became associated with his father-in-law, Benjamin Crompton, in the wood, coal, hay, and grain business. For twelve years he continued with Mr. Crompton, and at the end of that time he pur- chased the business and conducted it on his own account. He changed the name of it to Joseph S. Thornley, and under that title dealt in wood, coal, hay and grain until May, 1929, when he sold the business and retired from active endeavor.
Along with his activity in the business world, Mr. Thornley has been a leader in civic and social affairs. His political alignment is with the Re- publican party, whose policies and principles he regularly supports, and on whose ticket he was elected to the Greenwich Town Council, on which he served for eight years. Mr. Thornley is also a member of the board of managers of the Union Trust Company's East Greenwich branch. His
favorite pastime, when he is not busy with one or another of his many activities, is the theater, which he frequently attends. His religious faith is that of the Protestant Episcopal Church, his parish being St. Luke's, of East Greenwich. Into all of these varied activities he ever puts his fullest measure of enthusiasm and devotion, just as he does into his business affairs, so that he is highly esteemed in many different circles of society and many walks of life.
Joseph S. Thornley married (first), in 1876, Martha E. Crompton, now deceased, daughter of Benjamin Crompton, with whom he was for many years associated in business, and she was a native of East Greenwich; he married (second) Sarah F. Weeden, native of East Greenwich, who is one of the well-known citizens of this town today. By his first marriage, Mr. Thornley had one child, Flora Alice, who became the wife of Wil- liam L. Sharpe, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island.
CHARLES C. ELDREDGE-For a number of years active in the business life of East Green- wich, Rhode Island, Charles C. Eldredge, who is a native of this town, is highly esteemed and respected among its citizens. Here he has taken an important part in commercial affairs, and at the time of writing (1930) the coal industry numbers him among its leading members in this Commonwealth.
Mr. Eldredge was born on April 18, 1888, in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, son of Henry P. and Amie (Gilbert) Eldredge. His father, like- wise born in East Greenwich, now deceased, was formerly a member of the Aldrich Eldredge Com- pany, wholesale grocers, of Providence; he was for ten years a member of the Rhode Island State Senate from East Greenwich; he was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in that conflict with the Rhode Island Volunteers. His wife, the mother of Charles C. Eldredge, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, and is now also deceased. Charles C. Eldredge attended, in early boyhood, the public schools of East Greenwich, his native place, and studied, too, at the East Greenwich Academy, the University School of Providence, and the Providence Technical High School. After completing his education, he be- came associated with the wholesale grocery firm of Aldrich Eldredge, the company of his father, and remained with that organization for eighteen years. After a long and successful career in that
OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION CHURCH, PAWTUCKET, R. I.
U
-
-
309
RHODE ISLAND-THREE CENTURIES OF DEMOCRACY
field, he came, in September, 1926, to East Green- wich, Rhode Island, where he went into the coal business for himself under the name of Charles C. Eldredge. Since that time he has continued as the sole proprietor of this enterprise, which does an extensive business in the coal trade and is widely known in this vicinity of New England for the work that it has performed.
Along with his activities in the commercial world, which, of course, have kept him at all times occupied, Mr. Eldredge has taken time for participation in the social and civic affairs of his community and State. He is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, in which order he belongs to King Solomon Lodge, No. 15, and the Narragansett Chapter of Royal Arch Ma- sons. He is also a member of the Varnum Con- tinentals, and is one of the active figures in the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce, which he helped to organize. His political alignment is with the Republican party, whose policies and principles he has consistently supported; and from 1918 to 1922 he served as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, to which he was elected on his party's ticket. Mr. Eld- redge's religious faith is that of the Protestant Episcopal Church, his parish being St. Luke's, of East Greenwich. His favorite hobbies are out- door recreational pursuits, and he is fond of many different types of sports activities, though his main interest is in the business world, into which he puts his greatest attention. In all these organizations and the phases of Rhode Island life that they represent, as well as in his own busi- ness affairs and his private relationships, Mr. Eldredge ever directs his fullest measure of energy and enthusiasm toward the accomplish- ment of his ends-ends which are usually of advantage to the community in which he lives and to its people; and so it is that he plays a most useful part in a variety of circles of Rhode Island affairs.
Charles C. Eldredge married, in 1911, Marion Gifford, a native of Fair Haven, Massachusetts. By this union there have been three children: I. Elizabeth G. 2. Helen L. 3. Henry P., 2d.
REV. ELPHEGE CARON -- As pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Consolation, Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Rev. Elphege Caron has the sincere respect of the community in which his church is
located, as well as the high esteem and hearty co- operation of his parishioners.
The parish of Notre Dame de Consolation, Our Lady of Consolation, was founded by Bishop Mat- thew Harkins, September 12, 1895, and incorporated on the 23d of the same month, with Charles Frech- ette and David St. Godard as the first trustees. The parish, situated in what was then the northern part of Pawtucket, included the localities then known as Pleasant View and Darlington and a por- tion of South Attleboro. Rev. J. C. Bessette was appointed the first pastor and the first Mass was said September 29th. On October 3, 1895, the first land was purchased, four lots on the corner of Webster and Sabin streets, for $4,000. Plans for a temporary church, prepared by the architect George Page, were accepted and the general contract for the construction of the building was assigned to Monsieur Francois Chartier, October 16, 1895. The work went rapidly forward and on January 6, 1896, the first Mass was said by Father Bessette in the newly finished temporary church, which was to serve the parish for nearly thirty years. It was a frame building, plain but comfortable, and adequate for the needs of the parish at that time. On Feb- ruary loth land was purchased as a site for the present rectory, for $2,400, and on September 12th following land on Charles Street, adjoining the church property, was purchased for $2,200. Two years later, January 10, 1898, the parish decided to build a suitable rectory, but it was not until Janu- ary 16, 1899, that the contract to erect, according to the plans of George Page, was assigned to Fortier & Bros. From the beginning the parish had desired a school of its own, and on March 10, 1904, the contract to build near the church a parochial school after plans drawn by George Page, was assigned to the Benjamin Smith Company, the cost to be $30,000. Under the able leadership of Father Bas- sette the parish grew and prospered. Eventually, it outgrew the accommodations of the old church, and in March, 1922, the parish decided to ask the Bishop's permission to build a new church at a cost of about $150,000. Approval was given in Febru- ary, 1922, and the contract was given to the Charles B. Maguire Company, July 29th of the same year, the building to cost about $171,911. The corner- stone was blessed by Bishop Hickey, on which occa- sion the sermon was delivered by Rev. Pere Choin- ard, M. S., and on Sunday, April 19, 1925, the com- pleted church was dedicated.
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.