The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 128

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

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B CHUDLONG, JOHN CLARK, M.D., Surgeon-General of Rhode Island, was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, August 28, 1836. His parents were Sam- uel and Rachel (Martin) Budlong. According to a genealogical table prepared by Joseph A. Budlong, of Providence, he is a lineal descendant of Francis Bud- long, the first settler of the name in the colony of Rhode Island. There is a family tradition that Francis Budlong came from France, which is in a measure supported by the

French surname of " Budlon." It is well known that in early colonial times surnames, in many cases, were slightly changed in becoming anglicized. The ancient record of his marriage reads thus : "Francis Budlong and Rebecca Howard, widow of Joseph Howard, were married on Fri- day, March 19, 1668-9, in her father's house, John Lip- pitt's. Captain John Green, General Assistant." Francis Budlong, with his wife and all his family, except his son John, were massacred by the Indians at the outbreak of the tribes on the west side of the Narragansett Bay, who joined in the effort of King Philip to exterminate the white settlers, in November, 1675. John, then three or four years of age, was carried away by the Indians, but subsequently rescued by a person by the name of Lippitt, of his mother's family. The home of this family was in Old Warwick, Rhode Island, at what is known as Horse Neck. This John Budlong became the owner of twenty-five acres of land on Coweset Bay, in 1692, and subsequently added by purchase and exchange until he owned several hundred acres, including Brush Neck. On a part of this land he built the house now owned by Henry W. Budlong, which is one of the oldest houses now standing in Warwick. The following is the line of descent : Moses Budlong, Samuel, Samuel 2d, and Samuel 3d. Dr. Budlong is the son of the last named. His mother was a descendant of Christopher Martin, who came over with the Plymouth Colony in the Mayflower. After attending the district school in his na- tive town, he entered Fruit Hill Classical Institute, where he was the valedictorian of his class, and spent some time at Smithville Seminary (now Lapham Institute), at North Scituate, Rhode Island, where he pursued special studies preparatory to the study of medicine. Instead of entering college he devoted five years to his medical course. In 1856 he placed himself under the tuition of Dr. I. W. Sawin, at Centredale, Rhode Island, who enjoyed a high reputation as a physician, and in 1857 entered the Homœo- pathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. At the end of the course he returned home, and was not able to resume his studies in Philadelphia till 1862, when he completed them, obtaining the degree of M.D. March 3, 1863. Dur- ing the winters of 1857, 1858, and 1863 he also attended the clinics of the Pennsylvania Hospital and Philadelphia Almshouse. During this time he became the private student of Professor Agnew ( Professor of Surgery of the University of Pennsylvania), when he studied surgical anatomy and operative surgery, receiving a certificate for proficiency in those branches. After graduating he was tendered and accepted the assistant charge of the College Dispensary. Intending to settle in Philadelphia, he opened an office in that city, but during the progress of the Civil War, feeling it to be his duty to enter the service, he returned to his native State to take part in the military movements then being organized. In July, 1863, he enlisted in the Third Regiment of Rhode Island Cavalry, and was immediately appointed Assistant Surgeon in charge of that regiment.

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Ile was subsequently promoted to the rank of Surgeon. His regiment sailed for New Orleans in December, 1863, and took part in the Red River campaign, during which he held the positions of Brigade and Division Surgeon, and was for a time Surgeon-in-Charge of General Hospital. He remained with the army, arranging and systematizing matters relating to the medical bureau, until December, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. Returning to Rhode Island, he immediately engaged in the practice of medicine in partnership with his brother-in-law and late preceptor, Dr. Sawin, at Centredale, in which relation he continued until the latter removed to Providence, in 1868, since which time Dr. Budlong has continued the practice. Some time after his return from the war he was solicited to join the State troops, and having a natural liking for military service, became connected with the Pawtucket Horse Guards, of which he was chosen Surgeon. While holding that office he was promoted to Brigade Surgeon, Second Brigade, which position he held for several years. In 1875 he was elected Surgeon-General of the State, to fill a vacancy caused by the death of Dr. H. King, and in 1879 was re-elected to the same office for the term of five years. He is a member of the American Institute of Homœopathy, and represented his native State in the World's Homoeopathic Medical Congress, held in Phila- delphia in the Centennial year, 1876. In 1880he was elected Treasurer of the Rhode Island Homoeopathic Medical So- ciety, and the following year was chosen President of the same. In February, 1881, he was elected an honorary member of the New York State Homoeopathic Medical Society. For many years he has been a communicant and vestryman of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which he is a zealous member. Dr. Budlong married, June 7, 1866, Martha Alexander, daughter of Professor Walter Williamson and Matilda (Massey) Williamson, of Phila- delphia. They have had eight children : Walter Williamson, Martin Salisbury, John Clark, Jr., Warren Sawin, Matthew Williamson, Alonzo Alexander (deceased), Martha Con- stance, Matilda (deceased), and William Gerard. Mrs. Budlong's ancestors, the Williamsons, were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania, and a portion of the original Pennsylvania grant of lands in Delaware County, in that State, is still in possession of the family Her father, Pro- fessor Walter Williamson, was Emeritus Professor of the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania, and a man of distinguished ability.

CKLEY, REV. WILLIAM NICHOLS, was born in East Haddam, Connecticut, October 13, 1840, and is the son of Ansel and Lydia (Rowley) Ack- ley. His ancestors came from England and settled in the town of Haddam in 1660. Mr. Ackley re- ceived his early education in the public school, and was fitted for college under a private tutor. In 1863 he gradu-

ated with honor at Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, and immediately entcred upon a three years' course at the Berkeley Divinity School, in Middletown, Connecticut. After completing his studies in that institutlon he was or- dained deacon at Middletown, May 31, 1866, and at once became rector of St. Alban's (P. E.) Church, in Daniel- sonville, Connecticut, where he remained four years. On the first Sunday in August, 1870, he became assistant min- ister of Trinity Church in Newtown, Connecticut, where he preached for three years. The second Sunday in De- cember, 1873, he was installed rector of St. Mark's Church in Warren, Rhode Island, where he is at present (1880) located. Only two of Mr. Ackley's predecessors, as rector of St. Mark's Church, have ministered to the parish as long as he. His ministerial labors throughout have been at- tended with gratifying success, and his work in Warren is in a prosperous condition. He has always taken a deep interest in the cause of education, and in his first parish was Acting Visitor, a position corresponding to the office of Superintendent of Schools in Rhode Island. He has also added to his duties as a preacher that of tutor, and has been remarkably successful in preparing young men for college. Immediately on his removal to Rhode Island he was elected a member of the School Committee of Warren, of which he was secretary for several years, during which time he prepared an able school report. In 1877 he was chosen Superintendent of Public Schools of Warren, which position he now holds. Under his administration the grading of the schools has been very much improved, and a purpose has been steadily and successfully pursued to adapt the course of study to the wants of practical life. Mr. Ackley has been identified with the Masonic fraternity since 1871, at which time he became a member of Hiram Lodge, at New- town, Connecticut, and for two years thereafter was Master of the same. He was chosen High Priest of Temple Chap- ter, No. 3, of Warren, which office he held for five years. In the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Rhode Island he has held the offices of Grand Chaplain, Deputy Grand High Priest, and Grand High Priest. While serving in the first -. named office (to which he was elected for two years, in 1878), he delivered a memorable address at the laying of , the corner-stone of the new Court-house of Providence County, in Providence. He is at present Master of Wash- ington Lodge, No. 3, of Warren. On the 6th of June, 1866, he married Nellie A. Ramsdell, daughter of Rev. Hez- ekialı S. Ramsdell, a noted Methodist clergyman of Thomp- son, Connecticut, who for several years ably represented his district in the Connecticut Senate, and was widely known as a leader in the temperance reform. Mr. Rams- dell was also greatly interested in the cause of education, and was for several years a trustee of the Connecticut State Normal School. Mr. Ackley is a gentleman of fine literary ability, and besides frequent contributions to the press, has written several historical discourses, one of which reviewed the first fifty years of- the history of St. Mark's Parish, and

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was delivered in that church, November 10, 1878, being published by request. He is highly esteemed, not only by his parish, but by the entire community, as a devout and faithful Christian minister, who has ever a kind word and helping hand for the poor and needy.

CHAPMAN, CAPTAIN CHARLES HENRY, son of Dea- con Rhodes B. and Avis W. (Lockwood) Chapman, was born in Millbury, Massachusetts, November 13, 1840. Elsewhere in this volume will be found a sketch of his father, with mention of his ancestors. He attended the village school in Slatersville, Rhode Island, and the Grammar and High School of Providence, and graduated at Brown University in 1861, soon after the beginning of the Civil War. Before graduation he united with many other students in studying military tactics, and practicing in the use of arms, preparatory to entering the national service. The college campus then presented the appearance of a military camp. Leaving the University he engaged in recruiting for the Union army. On the 30th of November, 1861, he was commissioned First Lieutenant of the First Battalion, Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers, and was appointed Adjutant. With this command he took part in the Burnside Expedition to North Carolina, and shared in the victories of Roanoke Island, Newbern, and Fort Macon. Ill health from exposure compelled his retire- ment from the front in May, 1862; but on regaining strength he again engaged in the recruiting service, and finally re-entered the army September 1, 1862, in the Thirty-ninth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, as ser- geant-major. His regiment reached Washington Septem- ber 8th, and immediately entered Virginia and served along the Potomac, during which service he attained the rank of second lieutenant. After the battle of Gettysburg his regiment took the front with General Briggs's Brigade in the Army of the Potomac, confronting the army of Lee. He became Acting Assistant Inspector-General on the bri- gade staff, which position he filled until July 26, 1863. He was in the advance to the Rapidan, the retreat, and the readvance, after suffering in the field hospital, and took part in the movement to Mine Run. In the spring of 1864 he passed examination before Casey's Board and was ap- pointed a captain, but still remained in his regiment with his rank of lieutenant, participating in the battles of the Wilderness, in the memorable movement on Richmond, the siege of Petersburg, and the assault on the second rebel lines. He was wounded in the wrist by a ball in June, 1864, and on the 18th of August following was struck by two balls while under a heavy fire in front of Petersburg. In the action of August 19th on the Weldon Railroad, while acting as captain of his company, he fell into the hands of the enemy and was cast into Libby Prison, then under the management of the infamous Dick Turner. In

October, 1864, he was sent to Salisbury, North Carolina, and with four hundred others was confined in an old fac- tory building, and then in log huts. A few weeks there- after he was sent to Danville, where he remained until February, 1865, when he was returned to Richmond, and finally paroled after an imprisonment of six months. His exchange being effected, he remained for awhile in the hospital at Annapolis, Maryland, and after a short furlough, though promoted to a first lieutenancy in his own regiment, he accepted a commission, offered him at the same time, as Captain in the Forty-first Regiment United States Colored Troops, joining his command near Petersburg, April 29, 1865. After the surrender of all the rebel forces in the East, his regiment sailed for Mobile, and thence for Brazos Santiago ; marched up the banks of the Rio Grande to Brownsville; thence into the interior to Edinburg, and finally to Los Cuevas. Returning from the interior, he became Acting Assistant Adjutant-General on the staff of General Armstrong till the disbanding of the brigade, Oc- tober 13, 1865. He was mustered out of the service De- cember Io, of the same year. In September, 1866, he became secretary of the Lambertville Manufacturing Com- pany, in New Jersey, engaged in making rubber goods. From 1870 to 1874 he was employed in civil engineering in its various branches in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. In 1874 he was appointed assistant secretary of the Enterprise Mutual Fire Insurance Company in Providence, which position he now holds. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church in Providence since 1858. He married, first, Liz- zie Coryell, of Lambertville, New Jersey, March 18, 1868, who died July 26, 1871; and second, Lora Killgrove, of Flemington, New Jersey, November 11, 1873.

CETTELL, REV. EDWARD HENRY, rector of Zion (Protestant Episcopal) Church, Newport, son of John Brooks and Rebecca Gorham Kettell, was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, May 15, 1840. His father was of English descent. His mother's ancestors took an active part in the Revolution from the Battle of Bunker Hill to the close of the war. Mr. Ket- tell's childhood was spent in Boston, and during that time he was educated with a view to his entering the army. At the age of sixteen, having a preference for the life of a civilian instead of that of a soldier, he engaged in business with his father. At the age of twenty he embarked in business, as a cotton buyer, on his own account, in New York city, and was thus engaged until the age of twenty- six, when he returned to study, with his attention directed to the Christian ministry. After seven years devoted to a thorough classical and theological education under the best instructors, he was ordained deacon in the Protestant Episcopal Church, by the Rt. Rev. George M. Randall,

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D.D., Bishop of Colorado, in St. Peter's Church, Baltimore, October 8, 1871. Subsequently he was advanced to the priesthood, in the Anthon Memorial Church of New York city, Sunday, May 18, 1873, by the Rt Rev. Benjamin B. Smith, D.1)., Presiding Bishop of the American Church. During the next three years Mr. Kettell was assistant rector in the Holy Trinity Church, of New York city. In May, 1875, he became rector of Zion Church, of Newport, the membership of which has been greatly increased by his labors. In 1878 his church edifice was improved and beautified, and during his incumbency his parishioners have raised twenty thousand dollars for religious and parish purposes. Mr. Kettell married, May 15, 1861, Mary E. Howard, daughter of Abraham and Mary Howard, of Boston. They have two children, Minna and Bessie Gor- ham Kettell. Mrs. Kettell's father was formerly a mem- ber of the firm of Howard & Merry, shipping merchants, of Boston, and was lost at sea on the ill-fated steamer Lexington.

SHODES, LIEUTENANT ROBERT, U. S. N., son of Richard W. Rhodes, was born in Warwick, April 12, 1840. When but sixteen years of age he entered the merchant marine service, and was en- gaged in trade to the eastern coast of Africa, and subsequently, in the employ of Mr. Amos D. Smith, he visited various parts of the Mediterranean and South America. Soon after the commencement of the Civil War he joined the First Rhode Island Regiment, under Colonel Burnside, and was a participant in the early fortunes of that regiment. He received, October 11, 1861, an appoint- ment of acting master's mate, and was attached to the bark Fernandina, on the blockading station off Wilmington, North Carolina, and not long after was ordered to the gunboat Clifton, and joined the West Gulf Squadron, under Admiral Farragut. He was on active duty during the ex- citing scenes which finally terminated in the occupancy of New Orleans by the Federal troops under the command of General Butler. The Clifton proceeded up the river and was actively engaged in the bombardment of Vicksburg, and came very near being completely destroyed by the shot of the enemy. Having been repaired, she was ordered to the coast of Texas, where she was almost constantly en- gaged with the rebel forces. The following spring, 1863, the Clifton was employed to transfer a portion of General Banks's army from Berwick to Franklin, in Louisiana. Although, while thus engaged and in subsequent adven- tures, the gunboat was often in most imminent peril, she managed to escape, and Lieutenant Rhodes met with no serious casualty until September 8, 1863. A fleet of vessels, consisting of twenty-three gunboats and transports, was advancing towards Sabine Pass. The Clifton took the lead, and had reached within three hundred yards of a Rebel battery, which she was to silence, when she ran

aground. A thirty-two-pound shot was fired from a gun of the battery which struck Licutenant Rhodes, nearly car- rying away his hip and thigh. A terrible carnage was now going on, and there being no hope of escape, the Clifton surrendered. At nine o'clock that evening the wounded officer expired. He was buried with military honors in Beaumont Cemetery, on the Natchez River, a company of Rebels acting as an escort on the occasion. He was one of the bravest and most energetic officers in the naval ser- vice, and devoted himself with the most assiduous fidelity to the arduous duties which were assigned to him.

SIVEN, REV. ARTHUR, was born in Wales, Maine, February 27, 1841. His father bore the same name, and was a highly esteemed citizen, whose occupation was that of a farmer. Previous to the

loc age of eighteen the son was employed part of the time on the farm, attended the district school, spent one term at the Litchfield Liberal Institute, and another at the Maine State Seminary at Lewiston. At this age he was released from further service at home, and commenced preparing for college at the last-named institution. He secured the means to pay his expenses by teaching and manual labor. Subsequent to the completion of this pre- paratory course of study, in 1862, he served nine months in the army. In the fall of 1863 he entered Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, and graduated in 1867, in a class of eight, which was the first graduating from that college. He was its valedictorian. He became at once principal of the New Hampton Literary Institution at New Hamp- ton, New Hampshire, and after a year of successful service, resigned, and was for two years principal of the Maine State Seminary at Lewiston. From 1870 to 1872 he was a student in the Theological Department of Bates College, and during a part of this time was a tutor in the col- lege. In September, 1872, he became pastor of the Essex Street Free Baptist Church, in Bangor, Maine, and was ordained in December following. He continued in this relation until March, 1875, when he became pastor of the Free Baptist Church at Greenville, Rhode Island. In Feb- ruary, 1881, he resigned this position to become the joint pastor of the Free Baptist Church at Auburn, and a mission of the Roger Williams Church at Arlington. Since 1873 he has been one of the Board of Overseers of Bates Col- lege, and in 1880 was chosen its secretary. For several years he has been a member of the Executive Board of the Freewill Baptist Education Society; and, at the annual meeting of 1880, was elected the corresponding secre- tary of that society, and thus became its chief executive officer. He married, December 22, 1868, Lura Durgin, of Sanbornton, New Hampshire. The responsible posi- tions occupied by Mr. Given indicate the high estimation in which he is held. He is an able minister of the gospel, and steady and abiding success attends his work.

I.M. Reeves

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REEVES, DAVID WALLIS, musician, son of Lorenzo and Maria (Clark) Reeves, was born at Owego, New York, February 14, 1838. His father was a native of Vermont, and a descendant of Judge Tappan Reeve, a celebrated jurist during the Revo- lutionary era, who had a law school at Litchfield, Connecti- cut, and married a sister of Aaron Burr. Lorenzo Reeves was a successful merchant, a devout and consistent Chris- tian, and one of the founders of the Presbyterian Church in Owego, of which he was a deacon until the time of his death, which occurred January 31, 1839, when the subject of this sketch was one year old. Mr. Reeves's mother was a native of the State of New York. He was educated at the district school and village academy, and spent one year in Wells Academy, Aurora, New York, where his sister taught music. He early developed a passionate fondness for music, but had few opportunities for the cultivation of his musical taste until his fourteenth year, when he became a member of the village band, which was then under the direction of Thomas Canham, an able teacher and leader. Mr. Reeves made such rapid progress that his teacher pro- posed to give him instructions for a term of three years, which proposition was accepted. After having tried to learn two trades, carriage painting and marble-cutting, he worked for some time as clerk in his brother's book-store. Nothing, however, seemed to satisfy him but music, which he studied diligently ; and having become an excellent performer on the cornet and violin, decided to rely upon his efforts in this direction for support. At first he played for his instructor whenever required, for his board and tuition, and afterwards accompanied him in an extended tour through the country as a member of a circus band, in the meantime having been promoted to the position of sec- ond leader. He subsequently entered into a similar en- gagement for three years, during which time he travelled in summer, and in winter played for concerts, balls, and parties, his band making its headquarters at Elmira, New York. The fascinations of travel were so strong that on the completion of the engagement last mentioned, he de- clined several advantageous offers, and accepted the leader- ship of a band in a well-known circus company, Mr. Reeves being the youngest member of the band. In 1860 he became cornet soloist with the celebrated Rumsey and Newcomb Minstrels, in which capacity he accompanied that troupe to Europe in the spring of 1861, and travelled through England, Ireland, Prussia, and Saxony. He re- ceived many flattering notices in the press of the countries he visited. On his return to America he made a short tour, and then joined Dodworth's celebrated band in New York, with which he remained as cornet soloist until 1866, when, upon the resignation of Joseph C. Greene as leader of the American Brass Band of Providence, he became its leader, February 7, 1866, which position he still occupies. Under the direction of Mr. Reeves the American Band has attained wide celebrity, and is universally regarded with a

feeling of pride by the citizens of Rhode Island. Within the past five years this band has visited various cities throughout the country, and is now regularly employed by the Second Connecticut Regiment, National Guard, the Eighth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Mi'itia, and the Fourth Battalion Massachusetts Volunteer Militia. As a cornet soloist Mr. Reeves stands in the front rank, and as a leader and director has few equals. At the Massachusetts Military Muster, when there are present seven excellent bands, numbering one hundred and fifty musicians, besides one hundred drummers, it is customary to consolidate them into one immense band and drum corps, of which Mr. Reeves has invariably been selected as the leader,-a marked recognition of his merits. As a composer he has directed his attention mostly to military band music, and has written about forty marches, which have become quite popular, several of them being regarded as models. In company with John R. Shirley, of Providence, he estab- lished the "Park Garden " in that city, an inclosure of fifteen acres, where for some time he has given popular musical entertainments during the summer, which have generally been largely attended. Mr. Reeves stands very high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens, and as an evidence of their regard for him they presented him in 1873 with a massive gold cornet,-a beautiful and valuable souvenir. He was married, September 30, 1870, to Mrs. Elizabeth Blanding, and has one son.

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The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 128

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