The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 55

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

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that being the earliest date at which he could be canoni- cally admitted to holy orders. Almost immediately after his ordination he was called to serve in St. Anne's Church, Brooklyn, New York, where he was ordained Priest, by Bishop Hobart, June 13, 1816. In the spring of 1817 he was called to St. Peter's Church, Baltimore, Maryland, where he spent twenty-six years in the discharge of the most difficult and arduous duties. His ministration in Bal- timore was attended with eminent success and happy re- sults. He not only saved St. Peter's Church from impend- ing ruin, but made it a centre of power. Two other places of worship were erected in Baltimore through his personal efforts, and in subsequent years the old St. Peter's was vacated, and a new St. Peter's, having a tablet to Bishop Henshaw's memory, and Grace Church, both elegant struc- tures, were built by different parts of the old parish, while in another part of the city a Henshaw Memorial Church has been erected. In 1830 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Dr. Henshaw was noted for his zeal in missionary work. He was for a long time a member of the General Board of Missions, and spared no pains in his efforts to advance this great cause of the Church. One of the last labors of his life was to organize the Providence City Mission. He was eminent, also, in conventional work. He was a representative in the House of Clerical and Lay Deputies of the General Convention, almost without interruption, from 1814, when still a deacon, to 1843, when he was transferred to the House of Bishops. His influence and reputation in those bodies were propor- tionate to his high standing at homc. He gave much attention to the subject of clerical education, and some of the most useful ministers of his day studied under his direc- tion. At the time of his death he was one of the Vice- Presidents of the Theological Seminary at Alexandria, Virginia. Notwithstanding his intense devotion to the cuties of his sacred office, he found time, in the midst of his active career, to perform a considerable amount of lite- rary work. He was the author of several voluminous works, besides many occasional pamphlets and papers. He wrote a book on Confirmation ; one on the Holy Com- munion ; a large treatise on Didactic Theology ; lectures on the Second Advent of our Lord; and a Memoir of Bishop Moore, of Virginia, who was his beloved friend. He was several times nominated for the Episcopate of Mary- land, and always received a large and gratifying vote, though not elected. In 1843 he was chosen Bishop of Rhode Island, which, after the death of Bishop Griswold, became a separate diocese. At the same time he was elected to the rectorship of Grace Church, Providence. Both of these offices he accepted. His episcopal labors in Rhode Island were characterized by the most marked and rapid progress in all directions. In the face of great obstacles, he built the present spacious and stately edifice of Grace Church, and greatly extended the mission work of the State, besides occasionally laboring with great carnestness and

success in various parts of the country. He was also several years Provisional Bishop of the Diocese of Maine. Bishop Henshaw was endowed by nature with rare combination of powers : a strong, elastic temperament, a comprehensive mind, and a fine manly spirit, all blended into a symmet- rical and vigorous manhood, consecrated by a high moral purpose and a vivid spiritual discernment. As one of his biographers said of him : " Though not a man of genius, he was an eminently wise and able man." He died suddenly, near Frederick, Maryland, July 20, 1852, from an attack of apoplexy, while performing pressing episcopal duties for Bishop Whittingham, who, on account of failing health, had gone to Europe. Bishop Henshaw married, July 19, 1814, Mary, daughter of Isaac and Sarah Gorham, of Bristol, Rhode Island. They had eleven children, four of whom are now (1880) living, viz., Rev. Daniel Henshaw, rector of All Saints Memorial Church, Providence; Mary Gor- ham, wife of Mr. George C. Nightingale, a prominent manu- facturer of Providence; Charles H., and Richmond Hen- shaw, also of Providence.

ROWNE, WILLIAM, the eldest son of Dr. Solomon and Elizabeth (Russell) Drowne, was born in Morgantown, Monongalia County, Virginia, Octo- ber 26, 1793. He was a lineal descendant of Leonard Drowne, who is mentioned by Backus, e in his history, as being one of the founders of the First Church at Kittery, Maine, in 1682, and whose grave is in the Copp's Hill Burying-Ground, Boston, Massachusetts. His grandfather, Solomon Drowne, Senior, was a merchant in Providence, and was one of the Assistants of the colony for several years during the colonial period. In 1801 the subject of this sketch, with his father's family, after resid- ing a short time in Union, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, removed to Mount Hygeia, Foster, Rhode Island. When quite young he attended school in Providence, became a clerk for a time in the Hope Manufacturing Company, and in 1813 joined the Cadet Company, in connection with which he was engaged in throwing up fortifications at Field's Point, when the British were expected to advance on the city. A few years later he travelled extensively in the West, and embarked in mercantile business in Cincin- nati, Ohio, which, however, proved unsuccessful. While here he took great interest in the establishment of Sunday- schools, to which he was ardently devoted, and published a small volume entitled An Appeal in Behalf of Sunday- Schools, afterward reprinted in Providence and widely circulated. On his return to Rhode Island he commenced the preparation of the Farmer's Guide, under the inspection of his father, Dr. Drowne, which was published in 1824, and commended highly by a special committee of The Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic

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Industry, of which society he was a member. On March 4th of the same year he united with the First Baptist Church in Providence, of which Dr. Gano was then pastor. After studying medicine for a time with Dr. Par- sons and Dr. Wheaton, of Providence (which he did not find congenial to his taste), he concluded to enter Hamil- ton College, New York, where he remained for five years. Having completed a course of theological study, he com- menced officiating as a clergyman, and though not accept- ing any permanent charge, yet at intervals during his whole life he was engaged in ministerial duties. Mr. Drowne at a very early period identified himself with the anti-slavery movement, and in 1835 established an office in the Arcade, Providence, to which he personally devoted his time and means, making it a reading room and headquarters for those who sympathized with this reform. For many years he was warmly engaged in lecturing and in disseminating information on the subject through the press. Besides this he was also devoted to the Peace Society, and was ap- pointed President of an organization in 1852 at Killingly, Connecticut, before which he delivered the annual ad- dress in 1854. In the summer of 1844 he settled in Dan- ielsonville, Connecticut, where he resided fifteen years. Here he was engaged quite extensively in horticulture, and maintained a large nursery, from which were distrib- uted fruit and ornamental trees to all parts of the country. In July, 1851, he sailed for Europe for the purpose of at- tending the " Great Exhibition of All Nations" and the " Peace Congress," as well as for general travel. On his return he was invited to publish articles and lecture quite extensively on subjects connected with his tour through England. During his latter years Mr. Drowne resided in Providence, and afterwards in Foster, where he died on the 15th of June, 1874. He was twice married, first to Mary Sprague, October 10, 1832, and second to Emily Day, May 10, 1836. Of his five children three survive him, one having died in the service of his country-Edgar M. Drowne-whose name is inscribed on the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Exchange Place, Providence. Mr. Drowne was during his long life an indefatigable reader and student, and amassed a large store of interesting and varied information. A short time before his death he prepared a lengthy sketch of the life and times of his father, for the Rhode Island Historical Society, and he had nearly com- pleted a condensed commentary on the Holy Scriptures, designed for family reading and for Sunday-schools. In a private journal, which covers upward of sixty years, he has recorded not only the details of a somewhat diversified life, but numerous facts and events relating to the history of his times. His advocacy of reforms, not popular in their day, but which he believed to be right, and for which he ardently toiled, reveal a moral courage and zeal highly praiseworthy. His general culture and taste rendered his society and conversation remarkably agreeable, while his readiness to encourage all educational and religious enter-

prises, especially for the improvement of the young, was a marked characteristic and will be long remembered.

ROWNE, HENRY BERNARDIN, a lineal descendant of Leonard Drowne, who came from the West of England to Boston, about 1660, was the youngest son of Dr. Solomon and Elizabeth (Russell) Drowne, and was born on the 6th of April, 1799, in Union, Fayette County, Pennsylvania. His father being a great admirer of the writings of the celebrated naturalist, James Henry Bernardin de Saint Pierre, gave that name to his son, but the latter retained only a part of it. Dr. Drowne removed with his family, in 1802, to Foster, Rhode Island, where Henry passed his boyhood, attending school for a time in Providence, in the old edifice still standing on Meeting Street. Before reaching twenty years of age he was the proprietor and manager of a farm in the town of Woodstock, Connecticut. Mr. Drowne married Julia Ann, daughter of Thomas and Polly (Rhodes) Stafford, of War- wick, on the 24th of April, 1821. Early in 1823 he left Woodstock for Fruit Hill, North Providence, Rhode Island, where he purchased land, built a house, and lived for the next twenty-five years. On the Ist of January, 1830, Mr. Drowne and his wife became members of the Baptist Church at Centredale, then under the pastoral care of the Rev. H. N. Loring, and was afterwards chosen dea- con. He took a deep interest in local affairs, was Town Treasurer, and for several years a member of the Town Council. In the spring of 1835, conjointly with his sisters, he founded the school known as the Fruit Hill Classical In- stitute, by securing the large hotel and adjacent hall, which were admirably adapted for educational purposes. His wise forecast in originating an institution of a high order was seen in the success which attended the effort, attract- ing to this quiet little village pupils, not only from this, but the neighboring States. Mr. Drowne, from being con- stantly called to Providence to look after improvements to his real estate and other interests, moved into the city in 1850, and soon after erected the house at 127 Benefit Street, in which he passed the remainder of his days. His time was chiefly occupied in the management of several estates and other financial trusts, in which he was noted for his probity and sound judgment. Intervals of leisure were devoted in his latter years to an extensive course of reading, in which history and antiquarian researches bore a prominent part. His kindly spirit was obvious in many unostenta- tious acts of beneficence, and in cases of sickness and afflic- tion his sympathetic nature prompted him to cheerfully render his friendly services. At an early date he became connected with the Rhode Island Society for the Encour- agement of Domestic Industry, and served on Committees during the period when the annual fairs were held at Paw-

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tuxct. IIe was a director in the Merchants' Savings Bank, of Providence, and of some other institutions, and a resi- dent member and officer of the Rhode Island Historical Society, in the proceedings of which he always took a warm interest. He died suddenly in Providence on the cvening of the 7th of February, 1873, leaving a widow and four sons, and was buried in Swan Point Cemetery.

B ILLINGS, ETHELBERT RHODES, son of Hon. Al- pheus and Lydia Mann (Carpenter) Billings, was born in Providence, May 22, 1794. He received a practical business education, and in 1808 became a clerk in the drygoods store of his uncle, John R. Carpenter, with whom he remained until 1813, and then served in the same capacity in the store of Weeden & Bil- lings. Upon the death of Mr. Weeden, in 1815, Mr. Billings became a partner with his father, the style of the firm being A. Billings & Son. In May of that year he married Eliza Smith, daughter of John Smith, of Smith- field, Rhode Island. In 1817 Mr. Billings removed with his family, accompanied by his father and brother, to Au- gusta, Georgia, where he opened a store of general mer- chandise, which he carried on until 1820, when he returned to Providence. Soon afterwards he went to the city of New York, and engaged in the general commission busi- ness, in the house of Alley, Lawrence & Trimble, subse- quently Lawrence & Trimble, having the general manage- ment of the business of that firm. So extensive was the trade of this house that having sustained a loss of seventy- five thousand dollars during the general financial depres- sion of 1837, the amount was made up from the profits of the business the following year. In 1836 Joseph Danne, a German merchant, married Mr. Billings's daughter Catharine, and in 1840, Mr. Billings .and his son-in-law engaged in the importation of German drygoods, in which they continued successfully for two years, their store being in New York. In 1842, with William U. Arnold, he em- barked in the wool business, in which he continued about three years, and afterwards, until 1856, engaged in the brokerage and commission business. In the meantime he made an extended tour through Europe. In 1861, his brother Alpheus died, leaving him a large fortune, to ob- tain possession of which he again went to Europe, where he remained for some time, visiting various places of inter- est. Mr. Billings was one of the founders of the Provi- dence Daily Herald, which became a popular and influen- tial journal. In early life he took a prominent part in military matters. During the War of 1812 he commanded a company of militia, and while residing in Augusta, Georgia, raised a company for service in the Seminole War. He died in Providence, June 12, 1881, in the eighty-eighth year of his age.

BBOT, COMMODORE JOEL, son of Joel and Lydia (Cummings) Abbot, was born at Westford, Mas- sachusetts, January 18, 1793, and was descended from one of the oldest families in the State. Soon after the commencement of the second war with England, he was appointed a midshipman in the United States Navy, and was attached to the frigate " President," under command of Commodore Rodgers, whose aid and sig- nal officer he became. While in charge of a valuable prize he was captured by a British cruiscr. After being held for a time as prisoner he was exchanged and appointed to ser- vice on Lake Champlain, under command of Commodore McDonough, who commissioned him to undertake a most hazardous errand, in which he was entirely successful. He . was ordered to proceed to a certain spot and destroy a quantity of masts and spars which were to be used by the British in fitting out the naval force with which they in- tended to attack the Americans. Such were the hardships he endured in the performance of the task assigned him, that he never wholly recovered from the effects of the ex- posure and suffering to which he had been subjected. He took an active part in the naval battle on Lake Champlain, which was soon after fought, and for his bravery was pro- moted to a lieutenancy, and presented by Congress with a handsome sword. In 1818 he was attached to the " Guer- riere," and cruised in the Mediterranean for a time. Sub- sequently he served on the " Alligator," on the African coast, and was successful in bringing to Boston a Portu- guese pirate ship which had been taken off the coast of Africa. His efforts in exposing a series of stupendous frauds in the Navy Yard attracted the attention and secured the commendation of the Department. In 1843 he took command of the "Decatur," one of Commodore Perry's African squadron. While at Cape Palmas Commander Abbot learned that Bishop Payne was in imminent danger at Cavalla. He promptly sailed to his aid and was instru- mental in saving him from a force of five hundred armed natives. His conduct on the African coast was warmly commended by Commodore Perry and the Secretary of the Navy. In 1852, when Commodore Perry was intrusted with power to select the officers who were to accompany him in his famous Japan Expedition, he chose Captain Abbot, who was with him until the object for which he went to Japan,-the negotiation of a treaty which would open the ports of the country to the commerce of the United States,-was accomplished. On the return of Com- modore Perry to this country, Commodore Abbot was ap- pointed to succeed him in command of the United States naval force on the coasts of China and Japan. At that time the Chinese pirates were committing acts of barbarity upon our vessels, and the subjects of the United States en- gaged in business in the various Chinese ports were urgent in their demands for protection and relief. The course which Commodore Abbot pursued received the emphatic approval of the government. He had not accomplished

EK Billing

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the task given him to perform without seriously affecting his health. He was strongly urged by his physicians to return home, but with a rare devotion to his duty, he de- clined to leave his post until his work was done. At length, his relief ship was ordered, and, having already been out of the United States three months, would have seasonably reached him had she not been unexpectedly detained. He died at Hong Kong, China, December 14, 1855, aged sixty- three years. Commodore Abbot was the twenty-sixth in the order of seniority on the navy list. He was twice mar- ried; first to Mary Wood, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, January 1, 1820, who died April 15, 1821, leaving one son, Joel Wood Abbot; second, to Laura Wheaton, daughter of Charles and Abigail (Miller) Wheaton, to whom he was mar- ried November 29, 1825. Their children were Lydia; John P., M.D .; Charles W., of the United States Navy ; Trevett, deceased, of the United States Navy; Nathan Miller, de- ceased; Laura ; Mary ; and Walter, deceased, of the United States Navy. Commodore Abbot was an earnest, devoted communicant in the Episcopal Church, and took a deep inte- rest in the prosperity of St. Mark's Church, in Warren.

NOW, WILLIAM CORY, son of John and Hannah (Cory) Snow, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, November 18, 1794. Being the eldest of a large family of children, and his parents being in reduced circumstances, he was compelled to enter upon the active duties of life at an early age. His earliest school-days were spent at Little Compton, Rhode Island ; his first teacher being William Watkins, an Irishman, who taught in the Town Hall on the Common. The Rev. Mace Shepard, who was then pastor of the Congregational Church there, assembled the children in the church for catechizing on Saturday afternoons; there being no Sunday- schools at that time. His parents having removed to Provi- dence in 1804, he was sent to the free-school, located on the hill west of Chestnut Street, over which the Rev. James Wilson presided. Among his schoolmates were many who afterwards became prominently identified with the early history of Providence. At the age of thirteen he entered the grocery store of John Young, as clerk, con- tinuing there until 1811, when he obtained a clerkship in the Providence post-office; Dr. Benjamin West being at that time Postmaster. He remained at the post-office for several years, winning the confidence and esteem of his employers, and then secured a situation as clerk with Messrs. Smith & Sessions, prominent business men of that day, who were agents of the Providence Manufacturing Company; one of the largest establishments then in Rhode Island. The factory was located at Warwick, and was the origin of what is now known as the Crompton Print Works, Sullivan Dorr then being one of the largest own-

ers. Mr. Snow remained with Messrs. Smith & Sessions until 1820, when he became connected with the Providence Calendering Company, now called the Providence Dyeing, Bleaching and Calendering Company, having charge of their books until 1835, when he was elected agent and treasurer of the corporation. Upon the organization of the Arcade Bank, in 1831, he was elected Cashier, and as Charles Dyer was President of the bank, and Colonel Smith Bosworth one of the directors, and both were also direct- ors in the Providence Dyeing, Bleaching and Calendering Company, it was arranged to have him discharge the duties of cashier, and devote his time, after bank hours, to the books of the corporation; which he continued to do for four years. He filled the position of treasurer of the last- named corporation, without intermission, from 1831 until his death, having served the company with efficiency and strict integrity, for the long period of fifty-two years. After his retirement as cashier of the Arcade Bank, he was elected a director of that institution, continuing to hold the office during the remainder of his life. He was a member of the School Committee for twenty-eight years in succes- sion; about fifteen years treasurer of the Providence Charitable Fuel Society; six years a trustee of the Provi- dence Reform School; and several years a member of the State Legislature. He was never active in politics, but was prompt in the discharge of all duties required of him as a good citizen. At the age of twenty-five, he united with the Beneficent Congregational Church, of Providence, and a year later was elected Deacon, in which capacity he officiated faithfully until his death. His religion was nur- tured and strengthened by daily practice, and whether in the home circle, or amid the cares of business, his upright Christian character was ever manifest in word and deed. Unambitious of worldly honors, or wealth, he went through life cheered by the consciousness of duty faithfully per- formed, and won the esteem and respect of his fellow-men. He was twice married; first, November 18, 1816, to Nar- cissa Lippitt, daughter of John Lippitt; and his second wife was' Mary Dexter Nightingale, daughter of George C. Nightingale. Mr. Snow died at his home in Providence, April 28, 1872, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. His children, all by first marriage, were Ann Bowler, born August 26, 1817, and died August 28, 1847; Frances Har- riet, born March 8, 1819, and died February 4, 1820; Wil- liam Megee, born December 30, 1820; Christopher Lippitt, born August 24, 1823, and died September 18, 1824; Wal- ter Bowler, born June 9, 1830, and died February 23, 1863; Maria Bowler, born June 9, 1830; and John Lippitt, born September 29, 1837. Colonel John Lippitt Snow, the youngest son, graduated at Brown University in the class of 1858. He married, July 16, 1862, Sophronia Earle, daughter of Benjamin D. Earle. He is a member of the firm of Snow & Earle, of Providence. His children are, Amey Narcissa; Walter Bowler; Lippitt Cory, deceased ; and Maria Foster.

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BILBUR, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL OLIVER CROM- WELL, son of Peleg and Marcy (Gooding) Wil- bur, was born at Apponaug, Warwick, Rhode Island, October 4, 1794. The ancestor of this family who first came to this country was Samuel Wilbur, who settled in Boston, and whose son, William, settled in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. William had a son, Daniel (born in 1666), who had a son, Thomas. The latter had a son, Thomas, who was the father of Peleg, the father of the subject of this sketch. Peleg was born February 22, 1764, and removed to Apponaug in 1794. Prior to his marriage he was a farmer, but afterwards be- came a successful merchant and manufacturer. He died at the age of sixty-seven. His wife, the daughter of Mat- thew Gooding, Jr., was born in Dighton, Massachusetts, in 1770, and died at the age of fifty-two. They had five children, Peleg, Jr., Marcy G., Matthew G., Oliver C., and Thomas B. Oliver C. was educated in private schools, at the seminary at Apponaug, and at the East Greenwich Academy. At the age of eighteen he entered as a clerk the store of Christopher Lippitt, in Jewett City, Connecti- cut, the trade being in connection with the manufacturing interests of the Slaters. About 1815 he returned home to Apponaug, and finally entered into mercantile business in partnership with his father. Having secured an interest in what was known as Brayton's Mills, now Washington Village, he left the business with his father, and, about 1826, removed to Washington Village. The old firm was Wilbur & Son, the first members being Peleg, Sr., and Peleg, Jr. Then Oliver C. entered the firm. Soon after- wards Peleg, Jr., withdrew to engage elsewhere, and Oliver C. alone was associated with his father. Peleg, Jr., who was a very able business man, rendered the firm continued assistance. Thomas B., a brother of Oliver C., came into the firm about 1839. At first, on removal to Washington, the establishment was known as the Wash- ington Manufacturing Company, but finally as the Wash- ington Company. The present owners are members of the Wilbur family. At one time it was wholly in the hands of Oliver C., who has constantly been connected with it from 1826, and is now more than half owner. For over twenty years he was closely devoted to the business, and for about ten years was also Postmaster of Washington Village. For several years he was active in military affairs, being a member of the Kentish Artillery, and for about five years holding the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He continued his residence at Washington Village till about 1846, when he removed to Providence. His principal business in life has been the manufacture of cotton, in which he has been unusually successful. His brother Peleg died at the age of eighty-five ; Thomas B. at the age of eighty-one; Mat- thew G. at the age of sixty-nine, and Marcy G. at the age of fifty-nine. Oliver C. is the only member of his father's family now living, and he is now in his eighty-seventh year. Politically he was a Whig, is now a Republican,

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The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 55

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