The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 65

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 65

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).

288

BIOGRAPHIICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

tributor to the Westminster Review. He was also inti- mate with Jeremy Bentham. From London he went to Paris, in 1828, and there translated into English the history of the Treaty of Louisiana, by Marbois, and became inti- mate with Guizot, Villemain, Cousin, and other nicn of eminence. On his return home, he contributed largely to the American Annual Register, from 1829 to 1834, the first fruits of his foreign observations. In the meantime he displayed great ability in prosecuting claims for indem- nity under the treaty of 1831, called the Rives Treaty, in which his family were greatly interested, the claims being for spoliations under the decrees of Napoleon in violation of the laws of nations, and his arguments were commended by Webster, with whom he was associated in some of the cases. His lectures on Political Economy before the Senior Class of Columbia College, repeated before the Mercantile Library Association, were published in 1832. These lectures were in defence of free trade. That year his Origin and Nature of the Representative and Federa- tive Institutions of the United States was published. He was Vice-President of the New York Historical Society from 1836 to 1845. The following articles from him attracted special attention : "Bank of the United States," in 1831; " An Inquiry into the Causes of the Public Distress," in 1834, and " History of the Nego- tiations in Reference to the Eastern and Northeastern Boundaries of the United States," in 1841. During his practice of law he was in partnership with Hamilton Fish, of New York. In 1845 Mr. Lawrence procured, by his able arguments before the Court of Errors, a rever- sal of the Chancellor's decision (Miller vs. Gable, 4 Denio, 570). In 1850 he removed to Newport, Rhode Island, where he resided until his death, upon his estate known as Ochre Point, one of the most charming locali- ties in that place so renowned for its natural scenery. Soon after his settlement there he was elected Lieutenant- Governor of Rhode Island, in 1851. In a short time, by a provision of the Constitution of the State, he became Governor, and while serving in that capacity was instru- mental in procuring a reform in the management of the jails, by an abolition of the laws for imprisonment for debt. His friend Henry Wheaton, LL.D., died in 1848, and Mr. Lawrence then prepared an edition of Wheaton's Elements of International Law, which was published in 1855, a work more than doubled by the added original matter of Mr. Lawrence. This was partly a work of charity, for the benefit of Mr. Wheaton's family, who, in 1848, were left in destitution. This work greatly increased the publish- er's fame, not only at home, but abroad, being made a text- book in the English universities and courts. A second edition was published in 1863, with its annotations by Mr. Lawrence rewritten by him, and it is now a world-wide standard authority. He was requested by Mr. Brockhaus, of Leipsic, to prepare a legal commentary in the French language, and in compliance with this request, has fol-

lowed the order of Wheaton's Elements, but the work is composed entirely of his own original matter; four vol- umes, 8vo., have been published, the entire work to be complete in twelve volumes. Mr. Lawrence incurred the expense of many thousand dollars in publishing the Eng- lish and French editions of the Elements, the large pro- ceeds of which were realized by the family of his friend Wheaton. The excellence of his work is seen in the liti- gation of Lawrence vs. Dana, for infringement of copy- right, during which action in the Circuit Court of the United States, for Massachusetts, Judge Clifford said : "Such a comprehensive collection of authorities, explana- tions, and well-considered suggestions, is nowhere, in the judgment of the Court, to be found in our language." His Visitation and Search in Time of Peace, in 1858; his L' Industrie Française et l' Esclavage des Négres aux Etats Unis, in 1860, published in Paris, and many elaborate arti- cles in magazines of the highest order in Europe and America, are among his later productions. His superior merits as a commentator on international laws have been acknowledged by the ablest men of England and France. At Berlin, in a personal interview with Count Bismarck, the latter acknowledged his frequent use of the annota- tions of Mr. Lawrence. While in Europe, Brown Univer- sity conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws, and he was distinguished as the first recipient of the title of Doctor of Civil Law granted in the United States, a de- gree conferred by the Regents of the University of the State of New York. Mr. Lawrence was one of the origi- nal members of the " Institute of the Law of Nations," composed of the most eminent publicists. Indeed, his fame was so thoroughly established abroad as well as at home, that it may be said of him that he was not less Euro- pean than American. As an international counsellor he was unrivalled perhaps on either side of the Atlantic. His ability was well proved in the case known as the " Circas- sian," involving over $500,000, before the British and American Joint High Commissioners, at Washington, in 1873, when Mr. Lawrence obtained a reversal of the de- cision of the Supreme Court of the United States, and re- ceived a fee of $40,000. His politics were ever true to the principles which in early life he learned from Jefferson and Madison. His long and laborious life requires an elaborate memoir to do it justice. His several residences in Europe, associated there with the first diplomatists and scholars, and for half a century enjoying the same privileges in his own country, contributed in giving him a classic, statesmanlike venerableness not easily described nor often equalled. Mr. Lawrence married, May 19, 1821, Miss Esther R., daughter of Archibald Gracie, a distinguished merchant of New York. She was born May 5, 1801, and died November 19, 1857. Among their children are Gen- eral Albert Gallatin, distinguished in our late war, and Isaac, who was the Democratic candidate for Governor of Rhode Island, in 1878. Mr. Lawrence died in New York

289

BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

city, March 26, 1881. To a work entitled Men of Prog- ress we are indebted for most of the facts contained in this biography.

EARING, JOSEPH WARREN, M.D., son of Benja- min and Salome Fearing, was born in Wareham, Massachusetts, September 6, 1800. He prepared for college in Sandwich, Massachusetts, and was a graduate of Brown University in the class of 1823. He pursued his medical studies with Dr. John Mackie, of Providence, who was his relative, and attended lectures in the city of New York. In 1826 he began the practice of his profession in Providence, Rhode Island, where he con- tinued until his death, which occurred November 24, 1862. He was remarkably skilful and successful, and had an extensive practice. His long residence of thirty-six years in Providence brought him into professional and friendly relations with a large number of families, whose respect and affection he won by the urbanity of his manners and the tender sympathy he manifested for them in times of trial and suffering from bodily disease. He was twice married. His first wife was Rebecca Brattell, daughter of Asa Ames, of Providence, who died April 28, 1837. On the 13th of December, 1854, he married Matilda, daugh- ter of James Pickens, of Boston. She and a daughter by his first marriage are living. "Dr. Fearing," said Profes- sor Gammell, " was a devout Christian, and often minis- tered the consolations of religion at the bedside of the sick and dying. He thus unconsciously secured for himself from the whole community that respect which is always accorded to a modest, faithful, and true man."

ATHAWAY, REV. GEORGE WASHINGTON, was born in Dighton, Massachusetts, April 12, 1800. He was fitted for college in his native town, under the tuition of Rev. Abraham Gushe, and was a graduate of Brown University in the class of 1822. While in college he became a Christian, and his mind was at once turned to the ministry. Having passed through his college course of study, he went South, and for a time had charge of a school in Cheraw, South Carolina. While occupied with his duties as an instructor, he found time to pursue the study of theology. Bishop Bowen, of South Carolina, ordained him as a Deacon at Charleston, in De- cember, 1824, and he officiated for several years as a clergy- man of the Episcopal Church in Cheraw. Failing health compelled him to return to the North, and as it was doubt- ful whether he would be able to resume his professional duties, he engaged for some time in mercantile pursuits in Providence. But his health being restored he returned to his chosen vocation, and in July, 1830, was ordained a Presbyter by Bishop Griswold, and was called to be the Rector of St. Mark's Church in Warren. Under his min-

istry, which covered a period of more than twenty years, his parish was highly prosperous, and he gathered a large congregation. In 1852 he resigned his rectorate of St. Mark's to become the minister of the church at Lons- dale, where he remained six years, and was then Rector for a few years of Trinity Church in Troy, New York, when the state of his health compelled him to abandon his ministerial work. He came back to spend his last days among his Rhode Island friends. While at the home of a relative in Dorchester, Massachusetts, he was smitten down by disease and died November 15, 1853, leaving a widow and two children. " He was a laborious and faithful min- ister, devoted to the Christian communion of which he was a member, and very active and efficient in promoting its prosperity and extending its sphere."

GOODWIN, REV. DANIEL LE BARON, son of Daniel and Polly (Briggs) Goodwin, was born in Easton, Massachusetts, July 20, 1800, and was fitted for college at the Phillips Academy, Andover. He was a graduate, with high honors, of Brown University, in the class of 1822. After completing his college studies, he was a tutor on a plantation at Chantilly, not far from the place where were fought the famous battles of Bull Run. Mrs. General Lee and other connections of the Washing- ton family, were among his pupils. He pursued his theo- logical studies at Andover, and was ordained by Bishop Griswold a Deacon of the Episcopal Church, May 3, 1825, and soon after became Rector of the church in what was East Sutton, Massachusetts, now Wilkinsonville. He was ordained a Presbyter, July 26, 1829. He occupied his position as Rector of the East Sutton Church twenty-nine years, and then removed to Providence. A mission was established at the Woonasquatucket Print Works, of which he took charge. Out of this mission has grown the pres- ent Church of the Messiah, at Olneyville. He received the appointment of City Missionary of the Church Mis- sions in 1855. His labors in this department of church work continued for six years, when his official connection with the society was terminated. His labors among the poor and spiritually destitute did not, however, cease. Subsequently he received an appointment, from the Con- vention of the diocese, again to act as City Missionary, and for two years was so occupied. While residing in Providence he was of great service to the clergymen of his church, aiding them when called upon in their Sabbath and other ministrations. Mr. Goodwin married Rebecca, daughter of William Wilkinson, December 12, 1825. Ten children were the fruit of this union, of whom five were living at his decease. His only son, Rev. Daniel Good- win, a graduate of Brown University, in the class of 1857, is an Episcopal clergyman, and now in active service as a minister of his church. Mr. Goodwin died in Provi- dence, December 25, 1867.

290

BIOGRAPHIICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

RATTEN, HON. WILLIAM SAMUEL, the eldest son of the Rev. William and Hannah (Hurlbut) Pat- ten, was born in Newport, March 14, 1800. His college preparatory studies were pursued under the tuition of his uncle, George Jaffray Patten, who had charge of a classical school in Hartford, Connecticut, and he was a graduate of Brown University in the class of 1818. He studied law with the Hon. William IIunter, of Newport, and was admitted to the bar of Rhode Island in 1821. For eight years (1823-1831) he practiced his pro- fession in Providence, and held for some time the position of Editor of the Rhode Island American, filling the va- cancy occasioned by the retirement of Professor William G. Goddard. He was chosen cashier of the Manufacturers' Bank, in November, 1831. This institution, which had been established in Pawtucket by Samuel Slater, was re- moved to Providence soon after the election of Mr. Patten, and he held the office to which he had been chosen during the remainder of his life. During this time, a period of forty-two years, he was called, by his fellow-citizens, to fill many important and honorable positions. For a num- ber of years he was a member, and for two of these years President of the Common Council. He also represented Providence in the Rhode Island General Assembly, being Speaker of the House of Representatives in the session of 1847-1848. Of the Reform School he was a Trustee, and an Inspector of the State Prison, He took a very active part in the establishment of the Providence Athenaeum, being for more than thirty years one of its leading mana- gers. For nine years he was Vice-President of its corpo- ration, and President for fourteen years. He was for twenty-three years the Chairman of its Library Committee. To no one person is this institution more indebted for its prosperity than to Mr. Patten. He was chosen a trustee of Brown University in 1836, and on the death of Samuel Boyd Tobey, in 1867, he was elected Chancellor of the Corporation. He was also a member, for many years, of the Executive Committee of the University. The papers which he presented to the corporation were models of graceful writing, and clear statement of the subjects dis- cussed. Mr. Patten married, in 1827, Eliza Williams, daughter of the Hon. Samuel W. Bridgham, of Providence. He died in Providence, December 27, 1873,

DAMS, SETH, merchant, son of Seth and Susan (Simmons) Adams, was born in Taunton, Mas- sachusetts, January 14, 1800. His father, who died in 1848, was a well-known business man of Providence, and accumulated a fortune, which Mr. Adams inherited. After receiving his education he engaged in trade in flour and corn, and continued in the business till his death, January 16, 1866, a period of forty- five years, when he was succeeded by his sons, George,

John, and Charles, the latter two being the present mem- bers of the firm. For many years he ranked among the most prominent and successful merchants in New Eng- land. Few men pursued their business with more untir- ing energy than he, and in everything pertaining to it he was methodical and exact. llis probity was above all suspicion. It spurned all evasion or subterfuge, and every obligation was punctiliously fulfilled. He was eminently conservative. In business, as in almost everything else, he preferred the good old ways. He shared with others the desire to accumulate wealth, but he never sought it by ambiguous or doubtful means. He was for many years, and to a considerable extent, a lender of money, but he never took more than legal interest. As an investment for money Mr. Adams had a predilection for real estate. He was fond of building houses, and prided himself on the most substantial thoroughness of construction. Whoever satisfied him might be sure that he had done his work well. During his long mercantile career Mr. Adams had in his employ several young men who afterwards attained prominence among the business men of Rhode Island, owing, no doubt, in part, to the practical education they received from him. For many years Mr. Adams was a Director of the Providence Institution for Savings, and a member of its Standing Committee, and also a Director of the Roger Williams Bank. In politics he was first a Whig and afterwards identified himself with the Republican party. During the " Dorr War" he was a member of the " Law and Order" party, and earnest and active in the effort to restore it. Mr. Adams was twice married; first to Harriet E., daughter of Arthur Fenner, Esq., of Providence, and, second, to Sarah, daughter of Hon. Abijah and Hannan (Gardner) Bigelow, of Worcester, Massachusetts. By the first marriage he had one son, Seth, who married Martha Long, of Newtown, North Carolina. By the second marriage there were ten children,-Elizabeth Bigelow, who married Hon. Cæsar A. Updike, son of Hon. Wilkins Updike, of Kings- ton, Rhode Island; Sarah died while an infant; George William, who married Sophia Harrison, daughter of Gover- nor John Brown Francis, of Warwick, and served honorably in the War of the Rebellion, receiving a hurt as Colonel of Artillery ; Hannah Gardner, who married Hon Edward L. Davis, son of Hon. Isaac Davis, of Worcester, Massa- chusetts, and died in 1861 ; John, who married Robie Hathaway, daughter of William H. Hopkins, Esq., of Providence; Francis Gardner, who served in the United States Navy during the war, and died while in command of the United States Steamer Honduras, at Key West, in 1865; Harriet, who married Charles H. Henshaw, Esq., son of J. P. K. Henshaw, Bishop of Rhode Island; Charles; Susan, who married Rev. Reginald H. Howe, son of M. A. De W. Howe, Bishop of Central Pennsylvania ; and Abi- jah Bigelow, who married Maria E., daughter of E. Spen- cer Dodge, Esq., of Providence. Mr. Adams was a con- stant attendant of St. John's (Episcopal) church, and deeply

Thomas M. black .

291

BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

interested in its welfare. His influence was always on the side of temperance, justice, and good morals. Thoughi not a leader in public enterprises, he gave them efficient and judicious aid, and the records of the University and Hos- pital, and other public institutions, will show his interest in establishing and sustaining them. He was a man of strongly marked character, and one who acted in accord- ance with conscientious conviction.

LARK, RT. REV. THOMAS MARCH, D.D., LL.D., Bishop of Rhode Island, was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts, July 4, 1812. He took the name of his father, a well-known citizen of Greenland, New · Hampshire. Hismother, Rebecca Wheelwright, was a direct descendant of the Rev. John Wheelwright, one of the early ministers of Boston, who, with his sister, Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, was banished from the Massachusetts Colony for divers heresies, and who is said to have retreated to New Hampshire and founded the town of Exeter. Bishop Clark received his early education for the most part at the Newburyport Academy, having passed a brief term at Framingham and Phillips Academy, Andover. In the year 1827 he entered Amherst College, and in the Sophomore year removed to Yale, where he graduated in 1831. Among his classmates was the present distinguished President of Yale College, the Rev. Dr. Porter. After his graduation he became Principal of the Lowell High School, which was opened for the first time under his administration, and that he should have begun his active life there is made the more interesting from the fact that his father had been employed some years before in the purchase of the land upon which the city of Lowell now stands. Having been educated in the Presbyterian faith, after a year or two of school teach- ing, he entered upon his theological studies in the Princeton Seminary, and in 1835 received a license to preach from the Newburyport Presbytery. In the autumn of the same year, while in temporary charge of the Old South Church, Boston, he determined to enter the Episcopal ministry, much to the grief of his relatives and friends, who were, almost without exception, attached to the Presbyterian Church. In 1836 he was confirmed by Bishop Griswold, and in the following week admitted to Deacon's orders in St. Paul's Church, Boston. In the month of June the same year Grace Church, Boston, was consecrated, and he was called from Portland, Maine, where he had been officiating for a few months, to take charge of the new enterprise. In 1838 he was married to Caroline Howard, daughter of Benjamin Howard, Esq., senior warden of Grace Church. They have had five children, three of whom are living. In 1842 he removed to St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia, where he remained about four years, and then removed to Boston, to become the assistant minister of Trinity Church. Four years after this he became the Rector of Christ Church,

Hartford, Connecticut, where he continued until he was elected Bishop of Rhode Island. He was consecrated to his present office in Grace Church, Providence, on the 6th of December, 1854, and at the same time became Rector of that church. In 1866 he resigned the rectorship, provision having now been made for the independent support of the episcopate. On the 6th of December, 1879, the twenty- fifth anniversary of his consecration was observed in Grace Church, and an address of congratulation was given by the Rev. Daniel Henshaw, the son of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Hen- shaw, who was Bishop Clark's predecessor. At the same time a liberal offering was made by the churches of the diocese for the increase of the episcopal fund. From the statements made on the occasion it appeared that there were 28 presbyters and deacons on the roll of the convention at the time of the Bishop's election, which had increased to 50 in 1879; a large number meanwhile having been added to the list who had either died or removed. The number of communicants had increased from 2614 to 6394; Sunday- school teachers from 341 to 782; Sunday-school scholars from 2231 to 6374. The whole amount of offerings for missionary and charitable purposes reported in 1854 was $10,167, in 1879 it was $34,218. The whole amount con- tributed in 1879, including the support of public worship and other parish purposes, was $143,608. Bishop Clark has received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Trinity College, Hartford; of Doctor of Divinity from Union College, Schenectady ; and also from Brown Uni- versity, Providence ; and of Doctor of Laws from the Uni- versity of Cambridge, England. Among other works he has published the Primary Truths of Religion, which has been reprinted in London, and translated in the Chinese language for the use of missionary schools in Japan. He has written also two or three other books, and an unknown number of addresses, lectures, sermons, and review articles. During the late Civil War he was an active member of the United States Sanitary Commission, and acted as Chaplain to the First Light Infantry Regiment of Providence, still retaining his position as Chaplain to the veterans. It was to his exertion that the citizens of Providence are indebted for the chime of bells that hang in the steeple of Grace Church, the first contribution coming from the Light In- fantry, on condition that the bells should always be rung on the anniversary of the battle of Lake Erie. Bishop Clark has twice visited Europe, on the last occasion officiating in all the Protestant Episcopal churches established on that continent. In an editorial suggested by the brilliant tribute paid to Bishop Clark on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of his consecration, the Providence Journal thus refers to the popularity and influence of the Bishop : " It was no more a graceful than a dutiful recognition of the good words and works of Bishop Clark which impelled so many of his brethren in the ministry, of divers faiths, to unite in the manifestation of good will rendered by the clergy and people of his own church. To many outside of his

292

BIOGRAPHIICAL CYCLOPEDIA.

communion Bishop Clark is well known as a prelate and as a citizen. His episcopal duties call him periodically into every part of our commonwealth, and everywhere he is welcomed as one to whom it is both pleasant and profitable to listen. His influence extends beyond the limits of his denominational authority, he is heard with the comfortable assurance that his purpose is to make men wiser and better, and his only propagandism is that of a clear, carnest, and able exposition of divine truth."

GREENE, GENERAL GEORGE SEARS, Major-General by brevet, and Brigadier-General of Volunteers in the service of the United States, son of Caleb Greene, of Warwick, Rhode Island, was born May 6, 1801. General Greene came from an hon- ored ancestry, his progenitors and relatives being among the most distinguished of the citizens of Rhode Island. He was appointed a cadet at the Military Academy at West Point, where he graduated second in the class of 1823, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Artillery. His rank as a scholar is indicated by the circumstance that he was appointed act- ing Assistant Professor of Mathematics in the last year of his academic course, and after he was commissioned he remained three years at the Academy in that capacity, and one year as Assistant Professor of Engineering. He was on duty with his regiment for several years, resigning in 1836 to devote himself to civil engineering. In this part of his professional duties he was occupied in mining and in the laying out of railroads. He was also engaged in the Croton aqueduct, and had charge of the enlargement of the works. While thus occupied with the more peace- ful duties of his calling, the Civil War broke out. As soon as he received the intelligence of the attack on Fort Sumter, he offered his services to General Scott and to the Governor of New York. In January, 1862, he received from Governor Morgan his commission as Colonel of the Six- tieth New York Regiment. On the 28th of April of the same year (1862) the President and Senate appointed him Brig- adier-General, and he joined General Banks at Strasburg, Virginia. He was present at the battle of Winchester, and on the 29th of May was placed by General Banks in com- mand of the Third Brigade of Williams's division of the Army of the Shenandoah. A few weeks after General Pope placed him in the Second Army Corps of the Army of Virginia. In the Third Brigade of Auger's division, which he joined in July, he found his old regiment, the New York Sixtieth, who were led by him in the battle of Cedar Mountain on the 9th of August. By his bravery and military skill, as seen in the guidance of affairs which came under his control during the next few months, he deserved and received the warm commendation of his superior offi- cers. On the 17th of September, 1862, General Greene was in the thickest of the Antietam fight, having had his

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 65

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