The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 120

Author: National biographical publishing co., pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Providence, National biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 868

USA > Rhode Island > The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island > Part 120

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).

UGG, REV. HENRY WARREN, was born in Fram ingham, Massachusetts, September 3, 1832. He was the son of worthy Christian parents, and his ancestry for generations back was marked by the true New England character. He received the rudiments of his education in the public schools of his native town, and for several terms attended the Willistown Academy, Massachusetts. Compelled by ill health to abandon the idea of a collegiate education he pursued a course of read- ing and advanced study under competent private instructors, and at the age of nineteen commenced teaching in Milford, Massachusetts. He afterward taught successfully in Abing- ton, Worcester, and South Dennis, in the same State, and while at Worcester gave himself to the study of theology with a view to entering the ministry. In 1854 he was called to the pastorate of the Universalist Society in South Dennis, where he was ordained the same year. During his ministry in this place he spent a part of the time in teach- ing, and was especially active in educational matters, having been for some time a member of the school committee of the town. In 1857, after a brief period spent as Principal of the Sea View Seminary, in Hyannis, Massachusetts, he accepted a call to the Universalist Society in East Cam- bridge, Massachusetts, where he remained nearly four years, removing thence to Bath, Maine, where he was set- tled over a large and flourishing parish, with which he labored until the close of 1864, when ill health obliged him to resign and seek a milder climate. He was offered and accepted a position in the Post-Office Department at Wash- ington, and was soon promoted to the responsible position

532

BIOGRAPHIICAL CYCLOPEDIA

of chief clerk of the Finance Bureau, which place he re- signed in 1866 to accept a call to the Second Universalist Church in Providence, Rhode Island. During Mr. Rugg's pastorate in Providence his church, now known as the Church of the Mediator, has greatly increased in numbers, a commodious house of worship has been erected, and other evidences of prosperity indicate the success of his ministry. In the autumn of 1874 he spent a few months in European travel. After eleven years of continuous service in Provi- dence Mr. Rugg resigned his charge to accept a call to Ilalifax, Nova Scotia. At the end of a year, however, at the earnestly expressed wish of his late parish, he returned and resumed his labors with the Church of the Mediator. During his residence in Providence Mr. Rugg has been actively engaged in many public and philanthropic efforts. In 1867 he was honored with an invitation to deliver an oration before the city authorities on the Fourth of July. His subject on this occasion was " The Contributions of New England to American Civilization." For several years he was an active member of the School Board of Providence, and in 1873 was elected its president, continu- ing to hold the office until his resignation in 1877. His social proclivities early inclined him to the fellowship of Masonry, and he has been called to fill many important offices in this organization, among which may be mentioned that of Grand Commander of Knights Templar in Massa- chusetts and Rhode Island for 1876-77. He is now and has been for several years the editor of the Freemason's Repository, a monthly magazine published in Providence. He is also an active member of the order of Odd Fellows. Mr. Rugg is one of the most prominent and influential ministers in the Universalist denomination. For several years he was President of the Rhode Island Convention. He served on the committee which framed the present sys- tem of the Universalist Church, and since 1871 has been one of the trustees of the General Convention. He has been identified with the publishing interests of the denom- ination, having served as trustee and director of the Uni- versalist Publishing House. He is also a trustee of Tufts College. He was married December 25, 1851, to Abbie Nelson Howard, daughter of Jotham and Mary A. Howard. They have had two children, Gertrude, and a daughter who died in infancy.

OTTER, COLONEL ISAAC MATHEWSON, manufac- turer of jewelry, son of John and Mary (Arnold) Potter, was born in Scituate, Rhode Island, Au- gust 27, 1833. His father was a well-to-do farmer and a respected citizen. His mother was a descend- ant of William Arnold, of Leamington, England, who came to New England in 1636, and soon afterward re- moved to Providence, Rhode Island, being an associate of Roger Williams, and one of the thirteen original grantees of " Pawtuxet Purchase." The descendants of William

Arnold are very numerous, and the ancestry of the family is traced back to a king of the Britons, who reigned in the eleventh century, and built Abergavenny and its castle. Colonel Potter was educated in the public schools of his native town and at Smithville Seminary, North Scituate, since known as Lapham Institute, and also studicd book- keeping at Schofield's Commercial College, Providence. He remained at home and worked on the farm until he was nineteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to a manufacturing jeweller in Providence, with whom he con- tinued about three and a half years, serving faithfully, and gaining considerable practical knowledge of the business. In the autumn of 1856, having saved enough by industry and economy to commence business on his own account, he formed a partnership with Albert W. Delnah, and be- gan the manufacture of jewelry on a moderate scale on Eddy Street, Providence, Mr. Potter having the general financial management of the concern. This firm continued until the spring of 1861, at which time they had built up and established a growing and successful business. On the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, both members of the firm, imbued with the spirit of patriotisin, closed up their business and enlisted in the service of their country. Mr. Potter was one of the first to respond to the call for three-months men, and enlisted as a private in Company C, First Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, with which he proceeded at once to Washington, D.C. He was in the first battle of Bull Run, and served faithfully with his regiment until it was mustered out of service. In the fol- lowing winter he was authorized by Governor Sprague to raise a company for the Third Regiment of Rhode Island Heavy Artillery ; but before the company was completed, in the haste for troops, the recruits were hurried forward to Hilton Head, South Carolina, and he was commissioned first lieutenant of Company F ; but on their arrival there he was immediately detailed to service in Company B of the same regiment, which was soon ordered to Tybee Island, Georgia, to participate in the siege of Fort Pulaski. This company had charge of batteries Lincoln and Lyon, and Lieutenant Potter was assigned with part of the com- pany to Battery Lyon, about two miles from the fort, which, after a continuous bombardment of about eighteen hours, surrendered on the 11th of April, 1862, and his company and the Seventh Connecticut Regiment were selected to garrison it. After remaining in Fort Pulaski about six weeks, Company B and other companies of the Third Rhode Island Regiment were ordered to join the expedition against Charleston. They landed on James Island June 9, 1862, and on the 16th of the same month, at the battle of Secessionville, one of the hottest engage- ments of the war, Lieutenant Potter was severely wounded in the right wrist while leading his men against the enemy's works. After the battle he received a sick-leave and returned home. His wound was very painful, and required the best surgical skill to save his hand, only par-

I M. Potter

533

BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

tial use of which he has since regained. Having partly recovered from his wound, he resigned his commission as First Lieutenant in the Third Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, and, November 20, 1862, accepted an appointment as Cap- tain in the Fifth Regiment Rhode Island Infantry, then stationed at Newbern, North Carolina, but was detailed to remain in the State to recruit men for the regiment, which he was ordered to join in February, 1863. At the raising of the siege of Little Washington, North Carolina, which was accomplished by that most hazardous and brilliant achievement of running a blockade at Hill's Point, under the close and direct fire of three formidable batteries com manding the river and city, Captain Potter commanded a company of sharp-shooters who volunteered for that pur- pose, and, with a few others, received special mention by Colonel Sisson in his official report for the able perform- ance of duty ; and the General Assembly of Rhode Island, at its May session in 1863, passed a resolution of thanks to Colonel Sisson and the officers and men of the regiment for the gallantry and heroism displayed in raising the siege for the relief of General Foster. Captain Potter remained with his regiment until the close of the war, participating in all its marches and the battles in which it was engaged. He was appointed major, February 27, 1865, and was soon afterward brevetted lieutenant-colonel. In 1865 he asso- ciated himself with Fred W. Symonds, and again com- menced the manufacture of jewelry in Providence. The firm of Potter & Symonds continued in successful opera- tion for about three years, when Mr. Symonds sold his in- terest to Mr. John M. Buffington, and retired from the business. Since then the style of the firm has been Potter & Buffington. Colonel Potter has always attended to the financial part of the business. They have been among the most successful manufacturers in their line in the country, their specialty being solid gold goods. In 1875 Colonel Potter was chosen a Representative to the General Assem- bly of Rhode Island, and re-elected in 1876, serving the first year on the Committee on Militia, and the second year as chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Executive Communications. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic of Rhode Island, and was a delegate to the National Encampment at Dayton, Ohio, in 1880. Before and since the Civil War he served in the Rhode Island Militia, and is a member of the First Light Infantry Veteran Association, being at present an officer therein. In June, 1880, he was a delegate to the National Republican Conven- tion at Chicago. He was an active member of the Provi- dence Board of Trade. For many years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity, having united with What Cheer Lodge of Providence in 1860. On the 28th of Octo- ber, 1875, he married Josephine Elizabeth, daughter of William H. and Alphleda (Lyon) Arnold, of Providence. By his bravery and patriotic devotion to his country in her hour of peril, and by an honorable business career, Colonel Potter has won the respect of the community, and justly

ranks as one of the most useful and estimable citizens of his native State.

PARSONS, HON. JAMES HEPBURN, lawyer, the son of Hon. Anson V. and Mary (Hepburn) Parsons, . was born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1832. He was fitted for college at the Philadelphia High School, and was a graduate of Brown University in the class of 1854. Under the direction of his father, he commenced the study of law in Philadelphia, and was ad- mitted to the bar in that city. Having decided to practice his profession in Providence, he was in the office of Hon. Thomas A. Jenckes for six months, and then commenced his practice in that city. For a time, in the early part of his professional life, he was a member of the City Court of Magistrates. For one year (1862-1863) he was a member of the General Assembly. In 1866 President Johnson ap- pointed him District Attorney of the United States. He is said to have " possessed unusual aptitudes for the profession which he had chosen, and devoted himself more especially to equity practice. He was employed in causes of great importance, and was distinguished for the thoroughness with which his briefs were prepared." He married, in October, 1859, Ellen, eldest daughter of George M. Rich- mond. His death occurred in Providence, June 16, 1876.

JERRY, RT. REV. WILLIAM STEVENS, was born in Providence in 1832, and is a lineal descendant of John Perry, who in 1632 settled in Roxbury, where he was a member of John Eliot's church. He was named for his maternal uncle, William Bacon Ste- vens, the historian of Georgia and Bishop of Pennsylvania. He was prepared for college in the Providence High School, and was admitted a member of Brown University in 1850. At the end of one year, on the removal of his parents to Massachusetts, he severed his relations with Brown and became a member of Harvard University, where he gradu- ated in the class of 1854. He exhibited in youth the same aims and traits of character that distinguish him as a man, -quiet, orderly, reverent in spirit, and resolutely bent on securing and diffusing the blessing of temperance, learning, and religion. In 1858, having faithfully pursued his pro- fessional studies in the Theological Seminary at Alexandria, Virginia, and with the Rev. Dr. John S. Stone, at Brook- line, Massachusetts, he was ordained a priest in Boston, and was subsequently assistant rector of St. Paul's Church in that city. He was rector of churches successively at Nashua, New Hampshire, Portland, Maine, Litchfield, Connecticut, and Geneva, New York. In the last-named place he was rector of Trinity Church, President of Hobart College, and Professor of History. In 1876 he was elected Protestant Episcopal Bishop of Iowa. For many years he has been the historiographer of the American Episcopal Church, showing himself possessed of the skill, industry,

534

BIOGRAPIIICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

learning, and good sense requisite to the discharge of the cluties of this high office. He has made repeated visits to the Old World, where he has been received with marked demonstrations of appreciation and respect. Ile has at- tained eminence as a divine, a seholar, an editor, and an author, and has shown ability as a bishop. The Geneva, New York, Courier, of June 14, 1876, gives the titles of thirty-two of his publications, some of which are ponderous quarto volumes. The first publication on the list appeared in 1859, and the last one early in 1876. Since the latter date, and his removal to Davenport, Iowa, he has freely exercised his pen, bringing forth several works of interest and value. While his productions are mostly in the line of his professional labors, his studies take a wide range. He is an accomplished bibliographer, possessing an unusual knowledge of books, especially of rare and eurious books in the field of general literature. Ile has a library of more than eight thousand volumes and more than twelve thou- sand pamphlets. Among the institutions by which he has been honored he has shown especial interest in promoting the usefulness and efficiency of the Historical Society of his native State, of which he was elected a corresponding member in 1859. He was married at Gambier, Ohio, in 1862, to Sara A. W. Smith (daughter of Rev. Thomas Mather Smith), who has shared his labors and honors, and to whom he pays a graceful tribute in a recent publication, entitled Some Summer Days Abroad.

ASON, ROBERT D., was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, Mareh 10, 1832. His father bore the same name, and was a brother of the late Earl P. Mason, one of the most promi- nent and enterprising business men of Provi-

dence. His mother's maiden name was Mehitabel T. Merry. She was a daughter of Barney Merry, a native of Scituate, Rhode Island, who, after following the sea for some time, engaged successfully in business as a dyer and bleacher, at Pawtucket, in the early part of the present century. Mr. Merry first co-operated with his brother in the manufacture of ginghams in connection with dyeing. The former branch was soon abandoned, however, and their entire attention turned to the dyeing and bleaching of cotton goods. Mr. Merry finally came into possession of his brother's interest, and for many years carried on the business alone. Through increased skill, and the acqui- sition of capital, he enlarged the business, and at the time of his death, which occurred in 1847, it had become an important branch of industry in Pawtucket. Mr. Mason was but five months old when his father died, and his widowed mother, with two young sons, returned to her father's house, where, for many years, the subject of this sketch was under the fostering care of his grandfather, Mr. Merry. During his boyhood he labored occasionally in summer on a farm, and attended the common schools of

Pawtucket. At the death of his grandfather, Samuel Merry became his successor in business. Mr. Mason en- tered the establishment when he was sixteen years of age, and after working as an employé for eighteen years, bought an interest in the establishment in 1866, and in 1870 suc- ceeded to the business. For a time he had as partners the Dexter brothers, but for many years past has been the sole proprietor. The business has steadily increased during the thirty two years that he has been eagaged in it, and the capacity of his works is now nine thousand pounds of yarn per day. Mr. Mason has never been an aspirant for public office, and belongs to that class who think they can best serve their country by promoting its prosperity in giving honorable employment to industry. He married, in 1852, Mary B. Nicholas, daughter of Horace and Rebecca T. Nicholas, of Pawtucket. They have had two children,- Frederic R. and Ella F. Mr. Mason's mother is still liv- ing. In 1847 she was married to John H. Willard, a prom- inent school teacher of Pawtucket.

00 AZARD, BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN G., son of John and Margaret (Crandall) Hazard, and grand- son of Governor Jeffrey Hazard, was born in Ex- eter, Rhode Island, April 15, 1832. He was en- gaged in mercantile pursuits when the Civil War broke out. Having offered his services for military duty, he was commissioned August 8, 1861, as first lieutenant in the First Rhode Island Light Artillery, and proceeded to Washington. After some service Battery A, in which he was an officer, went into winter quarters at Pooleville, Maryland. In the spring of 1862 it was sent to Fortress Monroe, and subsequently was engaged at the siege of Yorktown, and took part in the sanguinary battle of Fair Oaks. Lieutenant Hazard was commissioned captain of Battery B, August 20, 1862, and was in the battles of South Mountain and Antietam. A few months later the Battery was in the battle of Fredericksburg, and was severely handled by the enemy, Captain Hazard having his horse shot under him during the fight. The following spring, April, 1863, he was made chief of artillery of the corps. In the stirring events of the year's campaign, Captain Haz- ard took a prominent part. He was in the battle of Gettys- burg, and at Auburn Hill and Bristoe Station. In the spring of the next year, 1864, he was made major of his regiment, and had command of the second brigade of the artillery reserves. With this brigade he was engaged in the Wilder- ness battles, and in the memorable fights which closed with that which was fought before Petersburg. For three months, from May 5 to August 1, the brigade was engaged almost daily in encounters with the Confederates. Major Hazard was brevetted lieutenant colonel for " gallant and meritorious services," August 8, 1864. Through the fall and winter of this year he was occupied in front of Peters- burg. In the early spring the brigade was engaged in those

535

BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

numerous battles and skirmishes, which resulted finally in the surrender of General Lee. In one day, May 3, 1865, he received a double promotion, first as colonel, and sec- ond as brigadier general by brevet. He accompanied his brigade to Washington to take part in the grand review which preceded the disbanding of the army. His last service was rendered at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, of which post he had command from August 12, 1865, to March 9, 1866, at which time his regiment was mustered out of service. Since the war General Hazard has been for the most of the time at the South, making his head- quarters at New Orleans, engaged in the cotton business. He has visited Europe several times for business purposes, and at this writing (1880) is in Liverpool.

HEATON, FRANK, Brevet Major-General, the son of Dr. Francis L. and Amelia S. (Burrill) Wheaton, was born in Providence, May 8, 1833. On graduating from the High School, he became a student in partial course in Brown University, ar- ranging his studies with special reference to the profession which he had chosen, that of a civil engineer. In 1850, when but seventeen years of age, he received from Mr. John R. Bartlett a place in the Engineer Corps which was to be connected with the United States commission for the survey of the boundary line between this country and Mexico. With this commission he remained for three years, and rose to distinction in his profession. In June, 1855, President Pierce appointed him First Lieutenant of Cavalry in the Army, his commission dating from April, 1855. He was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, where his superior officers were Sumner and Sedgwick, names meni- orable in the annals of the Civil War. He was appointed, in the spring of 1858, aid on the staff of General Persifer F. Smith, and subsequently to a place on the staff of Gen- eral Harney. Five years were spent in cavalry service on the frontier, with but infrequent furloughs from military duty. In March, 1861, he was promoted to a captaincy in the regular army, and a few weeks later was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Rhode Island Volunteers. By the death of Colonel Slocum, the colonelcy of the regi- ment became vacant, and Colonel Wheaton was promoted to that post. He was appointed Brigadier-General of Volun- teers in November, 1862, and placed in command of a bri- gade of the Sixth Corps. With this brigade in its varied for- tunes for nearly two years Colonel Wheaton remained until, by order of General Sheridan, he was transferred to the First Division, Sixth Corps. After the battle of Cedar Creek, Oc- tober 19, 1864, by recommendation of General Sheridan, he was brevetted Major-General of Volunteers, as a reward for gallant services at that battle. He took an active part in the battle of the Wilderness, in May, 1864, for which he was brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel in the Regular Army. He was still further promoted by receiving the brevet of

Colonel in the Regular Army for his bravery at the battle of Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864, and still further by receiv- ing the brevet of Brigadier-General in the Regular Army for services performed at the assault of Petersburg, in April, 1865, and for his gallant conduct in driving back General Early at Fort Stevens within the city of Washing- ton. July 12, 1864, he received the brevet of Major-Gen- eral in the Army of the United States. After the war he was ordered to the frontier, and for some time had com- mand of a district including the Territories of Nebraska, Dakota, and Montana. It is said on good authority that during the War of the Rebellion few officers were so con- tinually in the field as General Wheaton. He commanded either a regiment, hrigade, or division in every battle in which the Army of the Potomac was engaged after its or- ganization, from the first battle of Bull Run, in 1861, to the surrender of Lee's rebel army, in 1865; besides partici- pating in all of General Sheridan's campaigns in the Val- ley of the Shenandoah, during the fall of 1864. Altogether he was in command at no less than forty-one battles and en- gagements, and during this long and active period he spent but seven days at his home in Rhode Island. Since the war General Wheaton has in various ways been engaged in the service of his country, and at present (1880) is stationed in one of the forts of the United States in the " Far West."

GREENE, BENJAMIN, M.D., son of Hon. Isaac and Eliza (Kenyon) Greene, was born in Exeter, Rhode Island, October 30, 1833. His father was a farmer and a prominent man in the community, for many years representing the town of Exeter in the Gen- eral Assembly. His grandfather, Hon. Benjamin Greene, of Coventry, Rhode Island, was one of the Judges of the Circuit Court, and held various other public positions. He was of the same family of General Nathanael Greene. Dr. Greene received a good academical education, and during his early life was employed much of the time on a farm. In 1856 he commenced the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Job Kenyon, at Anthony, Rhode Island, and in 1857 entered the University Medical College of the City of New York, where he graduated in 1859. Soon afterward he commenced the practice of his profession in Ports- mouth, Rhode Island, where he has continued until the present time, being the only physician and surgeon in that town until recently. He has been a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society since 1860. Amid the exacting du- ties of a large medical practice he has found time to devote considerable attention to real estate transactions and manu- facturing interests, in which he has exhibited rare business capacity, his investments having been made mostly in the city of Fall River, Massachusetts. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has filled many important offices in that order. He married, November 26, 1860, Eunice A., daughter of Philip B. and Sarah E. (Cooke) Chase, of

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.

The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 120

Author: National biographical publishing co., pub Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Providence, National biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 868

Author: National biographical publishing co., pub
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Providence, National biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 868