The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 71

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

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Hill

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Historical Society, and of the Rhode Island Agricultural Society. He has been married three times; first, October 12, 1825, to Betsy Brown, daughter of Sylvanus and Ruth Brown, of Pawtucket, who died May 9, 1859; second, De- cember 9, 1861, to Olive L. Farnham, daughter of Stephen and Hannah Farnham, of Canterbury, Connecticut, who died Novemher 16, 1866; and third, to Elizabeth C. Ken- yon, daughter of John H. and Ruth Kenyon, of Warwick, Rhode Island, the date of his last marriage being August 9, 1869. By the first marriage there were six children : James Brown, Abby Ann, William Wallace, Albert, Amanda Elizabeth, and Thomas Henry, three of whom died in infancy. There were no children by the other marriages. In 1857 Mr. Hill travelled in Europe for his health, and in 1867 went a second time on business. Al- though now in his seventy-seventh year, he is still actively engaged in business, and is apparently as vigorous and energetic as a man of fifty. He has marked the growth of his native place from a small village to a town with a pop- ulation of over sixteen thousand, and for half a century has heen prominently identified with the manufacturing inte- rests of Providence, where he is highly esteemed by all who know him.

OPPIN, GOVERNOR WILLIAM WARNER, son of Benjamin and Esther Phillips (Warner) Hop- pin, was born in Providence September 1, 1807. The Hoppin family emigrated from England to the Massachusetts Colony in 1653, and from thence removed to Rhode Island before the American Revolution. It is a family of good repute in colonial and national history, and is closely connected with other prominent New England names, such as the Cushings, Phillipses, Cottons, Rawsons, Warners, and Aylwins. Benjamin Hoppin, the grandfather of Governor Hoppin, was a man of such prominent loyalty that he held the commission of Colonel in the Colonial militia of Rhode Island from George III., but promptly retired from that position at the commencement of the Revolution, and ac- cepted a captaincy in the regiment of Colonel Lippitt in the Rhode Island line of the Continental army, and served with distinction in the various eventful battles participated in by his regiment. In 1828, Mr. Hoppin, after a full course of instruction, received from Yale College the de- gree of A.B. On that occasion he delivered the class oration, in pursuance of his election to that position by the members of his class. Of his classmates might be men- tioned the names of John Van Buren, Judge William Strong, United States Supreme Court, President Barnard of Columbia College, and Horace Binney, Jr., of Phila- delphia. Subsequent to graduation he entered the law school connected with Vale College, under tuition of Judge Daggett and Samuel Hitchcock, and, having passed the requisite examination, was admitted to the bar in 1830.

His official political career began in 1838, when he was elected to the Common Council of Providence, his native city, in which he continued to serve until 1842. In 1845 he relinquished the practice of law and travelled with his family in Europe. On his return in 1847 he was chosen a member of the Board of Aldermen in Providence, and served in that office until 1852. In the year following he was elected to the State Senate, and while a member of that body advocated the adoption of the ten-hour system of labor, and obtained the enactment of a law that covered the principles and details of his scheme, which law is still in force. In 1854-5-6 he was elected Governor of the State by the Whig party by large majorities, and at a time when the numerical strength of the Whig and Democratic parties was about equally balanced. Repeatedly invited to accept the nomination of member of Congress in the Lower House, he declined to consent ; and when in 1857 he was urged to be a candidate for the United States Sen- ate, withheld his name and gave his influence in favor of the election of Mr. James F. Simmons. In 1858 he was again a candidate for the United States Senatorship, and in the first informal ballot of the legislative caucus received a plurality of votes. Governor Hoppin resumed the prac- tice of law in 1857. The evils of intemperance and the liquor traffic engaged his attention and prompted him to advocate the passage of what was known as the Maine Prohibitory Liquor Law. The experiment of suppressive legislation was well worth the effort, in view of the good it had accomplished in the State of Maine. He also served for many years on the Providence School Board, and worked to bring about needed enlargements in that de- partment. Governor Hoppin began his political life as a Whig, and so continued until that party ceased to he, when he became a Republican. On the Ist of February, 1861, together with Chief Justice Samuel Ames, Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, Hon. George H. Browne, and Alexander Duncan, Esq., he received the appointment of Delegate to the Peace Congress which met in Washington. He made a conciliatory speech before that body of able and distin- guished men. At the opening of the war of the Rebellion, and during its existence, Governor Hoppin contributed of his means, influence, and personal efforts to the enlistment of troops, to their comfort in the field and hospital, and to the moral support of the national administration. In 1862 he was elected President of the Vale Alumni meeting, and in 1866 was again returned to the State Senate. In 1867 his personal friend Chief Justice Chase, invited him to ac- cept the judicial office of Registrar in Bankruptcy, a post which he held until his resignation in 1872. Since 1871 his time has been principally engrossed with the cares of his private affairs, with the exception that in 1875 he was again chosen and served for that year as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives. Upon the revival of the Rhode Island branch of the Society of the Cincin- nati, he became a member of that body as the hereditary

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representative of his grandfather, Captain Benjamin Hop- pin, of Revolutionary memory. Governor Hoppin regards with satisfaction the fact that he had the honor of repre- senting his State in the Clay, Fremont, and Grant Presi- dential Conventions, at the latter representing the branch of the National Union League organization of Rhode Island, of which he was President. In those matters which relate especially to the prosperity of his State and native city may be mentioned his successful efforts, in connection with Governor William Sprague, Sr., Governor Henry Lippitt, General James G. Anthony, Stephen Har- ris, Esq., and others, in accomplishing, against great op- position, the construction of the Providence and Fishkill Railroad, as far as Waterbury, Connecticut. Governor Hoppin was Treasurer of the road. He was also one of the earliest advocates of the introduction of gas and water into the city of Providence. All of these important under- takings, now accepted as matters of course, were hedged about at their inception with many difficulties. These special facts connected with the life of Governor Hoppin, together with his participation in the official management of many of the prominent moneyed and charitable institu- tions of the city, prove him to be a willing worker for the general good, and also that his mind is fully imbued with the correct idea of the duties and responsibilities of Amer- ican citizenship. Governor Hoppin was married June 26, 1832, to Frances A. F. Street, of New Haven, Connecticut, whose parentage is traceable through a long line of Puri- tan ancestors, distinguished for their deep piety and intel- lectual attainments. He has two sons, Frederick Street Hoppin and William Warner Hoppin, Jr. He is a mem- ber of the Beneficent Congregational Church in Provi- dence, where his family have worshipped for many gen- erations.

UNCAN, ALEXANDER, born May 26, 1805, youngest son of Alexander Duncan, of Parkhill, Arbroath, G Scotland, and Jessie (Scott) Duncan, daughter of Patrick Scott, of Rossie, Scotland. He came to the United States by the packet ship " Amity," from Liverpool in the year 1822. His first residence in the United States was in Canandaigua, New York, with the Hon. John Greig. Mr. Duncan's father, who was in the East India Company's service in 1797, visited America on his way to England from India, and made considerable pur- chases of lands in the far West. In 1825 the subject of this sketch entered Yale College, and graduated in 1828. Subse- quently he studied law in Canandaigua. In 1827 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States, and after a short visit to England was married, October 11, 1827, to Sarah, only daughter of Samuel Butler, and niece of Cyrus Butler, of Providence, Rhode Island. He was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of the State of New York as an attorney and subsequently as counsellor. In 1837 he removed to Sodus Bay, on Lake Ontario, a property in which he was interested.

In 1839, on the death of his brother-in-law, Mr. William Butler, hc removed with his family to Providence, and for about eleven years was associated with Mr. Cyrus Butler. Mr. Duncan always evinced much public spirit, especially in everything that concerned the interest of the city of Providence, and was an active member of many literary societies, and of the fire and military organizations of the City and State. He became soon after its organization President of the Providence & Worcester Railroad Com- pany, in the construction of which he took an active and personal part. At the opening of the Civil War, Mr. Dun- can, who then and always has belonged to the Democratic party, hoped for conciliation, and served for this end at the Peace Convention called prior to Mr. Lincoln's becoming President. This attempt, however, was futile, and when the war broke upon the country none was more loyal or faithful to the Union, or more confident in the ultimate results. In 1863 Mr. Duncan, primarily on account of his health, removed to England, where he now resides, having an estate in Leicestershire and a house in London. He annually, however, visits the United States, and continues to evince an interest in the welfare of Rhode Island, as is shown by the liberality with which he has from time to time contributed to its public institutions, notably Butler Asylum, which was itself founded by Mr. Butler in conjunction with Hon. Nicholas Brown, to which institution he has given large sums, and lately has added the important ward known as the " David Duncan Ward," named for his deceased son, which ward has been erected at a cost of $30,000. He has also contributed to the Rhode Island Hospital and to Brown University, as well as to many of the minor chari- ties. In the management of his Rhode Island property and that of his wife and family, he has shown great public spirit in the substantial character of the improvements which he has built thereupon. His present family consists of his son William Butler, his daughter Sarah, married to Sir Robert Hay, Bart. ; his son Alexander, and his daugh- ter, Adèle Granger, who married Mr. Hamilton Stubber, of Ireland. His son David, whose two children still survive him, died in 1870. Mr. Duncan retired from active business in 1860.

LISS, RUFUS, manufacturer, son of Abiah and Re- becca (Kent) Bliss, was born at Rehoboth, Mas- G sachusetts, March 7, 1802. His father was a prosperous farmer, and gave his large family of eleven children a good common-school educa- tion. Rufus early manifested great dexterity in the use of tools, but his father did not sympathize with him in this propensity, and he was kept at work on the farm, much against his inclination, until he was twenty-one years of age. On attaining his majority he became an apprentice to a carpenter, and served in this capacity for two years. In 1825 he went to Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he was employed for several years in a machine shop. In

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1842, having accumulated a sufficient sum to enable him to enter into business on his own account, he commenced the manufacture of wooden screws for piano and cabinet- makers' use, and finally established the extensive wood- turning business now known as the R. Bliss Manufacturing Company. He was one of the pioneers, in this country, in this branch of business, in the development of which he exhibited remarkable ingenuity. He invented a ma- chine to facilitate the cutting of screws, which greatly con- tributed to the superiority of his work. The honest ma- chinist, to whom was intrusted the model of this machine, when asked to make another like it for an ambitious neighbor, replied, that he would make for him anything for which he had a pattern; this he could not furnish, and the method of cutting screws was for some time kept a secret. At this time it was his custom to convey in his wagon the products of his manufacture to Boston, where he made himself acquainted with the wants of the trade. By reason of his long acquaintance with Jonas Chickering and other piano manufacturers in that city, he had access to their works; and having ascertained the wants of the workmen, was enabled to devise and manufacture such appliances as would best aid them in the prosecution of their work. In 1845 he returned to Pawtucket, where he formed a partnership with his nephew, Albert N. Bullock, under the style of R. Bliss & Co. In 1857 A. C. Bullock and E. R. Clark were admitted to the firm. In 1863 Mr. Bliss retired from active business on account of impaired health. He had a fondness for travelling, and not only visited many parts of our own country, but in 1872, at the age of seventy, went to Europe, and travelled extensively through England, Ireland, and Scotland, where he made many warm friends, with some of whom he carried on a pleasant correspondence during the remainder of his life. Mr. Bliss was twice married. His first wife was Nancy Potter, of Coventry, who died May 9, 1840, leaving two daughters, Mary and Nancy. The latter died at the age of sixteen, and the former is the wife of Daniel A. Clark, of Pawtucket. On the 9th of May, 1843, he married L. Emeline Ide, of Attleboro. The children by this mar- riage were Ellen F., Edward Rufus, who died in 1873, aged twenty-five years, and Frederic Abbott, who died in infancy. Mr. Bliss died, after a brief illness, in Paw- tucket, October 18, 1879, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. He was a man of generous impulses, and heartily in sympathy with reformatory movements. In the early days of the Anti-slavery struggle he was among those who organized for the purpose of uttering their protest against that great evil, and earnestly labored for its overthrow when abolition sentiments were exceedingly unpopular. In September, 1838, he was a delegate front Rhode Island to the Peace Congress in Boston, which called together some of the most noted reformers of the time. As one who knew him well has said, Mr. Bliss was one of the few men who dared to do right because it was right,

firmly holding to the faith that right, not might, would prevail. He was unostentatious in his manner, thoughtful for others, and thoroughly conscientious in his dealings with men.

UINBY, REV. HOSEA, D.D., was born in Sandwich, New Hampshire, August 25, 1804. He was the son of Moses and Dolly Atkins Quinby, and was the eighth of thirteen children. He early evinced a great thirst for knowledge and love for study. At the age of seventeen he entered New Hampton Institution, at New Hampton, New Hampshire, and fitted for college. In connection with this preparation he taught extensively and successfully. In 1829 he entered Waterville College, now Colby University, and graduated with the class of 1832. In 1866 he received the degree of Doctor of Di- vinity from his alma mater. Previous to his entering col- lege he had become a member of the Free Baptist denomi- nation, had had his attention called to the ministry, and had become quite widely and favorably known as a preacher. At that time the standard of education in the denomina- tion was low, and Mr. Quinby encountered no little oppo- sition in the course which he pursued ; but he pushed for- ward, and he is now known as its "pioneer educator." The fact that he was the first Free Baptist minister who pursued a college course with the ministry in view, and the devotional work to which he largely devoted his sub- sequent life, gave him this deserved distinction. Immc- diately after his graduation, in 1832, he became the first Principal of Parsonsfield Academy, located at North Par- sonsfield, Maine, and in this position, which he held for nearly eight years, he did an abiding work. At the found- ing of Smithville Seminary, subsequently Lapham Insti- tute, at North Scituate, in 1840, he removed thither, and became its first Principal. He continued in this position fourteen years. The school was of a high order, and was largely attended. During these years many who have since occupied prominent positions, and have done useful work in this State and elsewhere, were taught by him. Promi- nent among his pupils were President James B. Angell, of the University of Michigan, Ex-Governor and Senator Sprague, Ex-Governor Howard, and the late Rev. George T. Day, D.D. In these years Dr. Quinby manifestly did the best work of his life, and is remembered with venera- tion and gratitude for it. In 1854 he returned to his native State. Until this time, he had preached in connection with his teaching as opportunity afforded ; but afterward preach- ing became the more prominent part of his work and teach- ing subordinate to it. During a period of nearly twenty- five years, he was pastor of Free Baptist churches at Mer- edith Village, Pittsfield, Lake Village, and Milton Mills, New Hampshire, and West Lebanon, Maine. In several of these places he was Principal of schools in connection with his pastoral work. For two years, 1869-71, he was chaplain of the New Hampshire State Prison. He per-

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formed his duties in all these positions with conspicuous fidelity. Dr. Quinby occupied other places of trust among the Free Baptists. For a series of years he was an edito- rial writer of the Morning Star, their denominational pa- per, and took a leading part in all their benevolent, as well as educational, enterprises. The influence of his life and example was marked. His piety was deep and his spirit catholic. He married, in 1828, Dorothea Burleigh, of Sand- wich, New Hampshire, whose death preceded his by several years. Mr. Quinby died at Acton, Maine (Milton Mills, New Hampshire), October 11, 1878. Two sons and a daughter survive him. Prison Chaplaincy, a volume of respectable size and character, is among his published works.

CLARKE, WILLIAM A., President of the National Bank of Rhode Island, Newport, was born in that city, in May, 1803. His father, Audley Clarke, was connected with the same bank from its organi- zation, in 1795, until his death, in 1844-forty-nine years-and was its President the last twenty-nine years of his life, from 1815 to 1844. Mrs. Mary Clarke, the mother of Willianı A. Clarke, was the daughter of Caleb Gardner, a prominent and successful business man of Newport. The son began his business career in the bank with his father, in 1818, and has worked his way up through all the grades of that time-honored institution, which is the second of its kind in Rhode Island. He was its Cashier for twenty-four years, and has been its President for eighteen years, from 1862 to 1880. He is said to be the oldest bank officer in the country, having served in the institution with which he is now connected for the long period of sixty-two years. All of those who were pa- trons of his bank when he entered it have passed away, and many have been the changes in his native city during his lifetime. His books contain the names of many citizens of Newport whose prosperity depended upon his veracity and wise counsel. He has accumu- lated a handsome fortune through patient industry and integrity, and but few persons of his age have the oversight of so large a business. Mr. Clarke has been variously in- terested in the local affairs of Newport, and was the first President of the company that introduced the telegraph into that city. He has led a quiet, unobtrusive life ; is a wor- thy representative of his calling, and occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellow-citizens.

CHURCH, HON. SAMUEL W., was born in Bristol, Rhode Island, February 13, 1803, and was the son of Thomas and Mary (Tripp) Church. His father and grandfather were both born in Bristol, and his mother was the daughter of Stephen Tripp, of Newport. His father was an extensive farmer, and cleared

the farms which hc carried on for sixty years, and which his sons now occupy. He was also extensively engaged in the West India trade, owning several vessels, and for many years importing not less than two thousand hogsheads of molasses per year. IIe was for many years a member of the Town Council of Bristol, and shared the esteem of the citizens to such an extent that he was often urged to accept higher official honors, but always declined. He received a pension for services rendered in the War of the Revolution, and died in 1843. Samuel W. Church was educated in the schools of his native town. After leaving school, at the age of sixteen, he was employed for a few years as a clerk in Bristol. In 1828 he commenced busi- ness for himself in Taunton, Massachusetts, under the firm name of Church & Coggeshall, where he continued for about nine years. Here he conducted the most extensive flour and grain business in that section of the State, and on retiring from it, gave up his place to a younger brother, who still continues to do a prosperous business in Taunton. On leaving Taunton, Mr. Church bought " Mount Hope Farm," in Bristol, Rhode Island, consisting of three hundred and fifty acres, which he carried on suc- cessfully for nearly fifteen years. In 1853 he removed to the old homestead, on a famous neck of land known as Poppasquash, which farm he owned and occupied until his death. While managing the farm, he and his brother, Stephen T., built two large barks and engaged in the West India trade, in which they continued for about thirty years. The firm of Church Brothers maintained the highest stand- ing in business circles. Their wharves and shipping houses were located on what is now the terminus of the Providence, Warren & Bristol Railroad, in Bristol. When this road was proposed, Samuel W. Church became the prime mover, and chiefly to his effort the road owes its existence. On its completion he was chosen a director, and held that office continuously until the time of his death. He was President of the Town Council of Bristol from 1839 to 1847, and again from 1860 to 1862. In 1859 he was elected, by the Republican party, first representative to the General Assembly of Rhode Island, and re-elected in 1860 and 1861. In the latter year he was elected State Senator by the same party, and held the office continuously until 1869. During his public career he became widely known throughout the State, and by the faithful and effi- cient discharge of the duties required of him, won the esteem of all classes. He was one of the original members of the Board of State Charities. For nearly twenty years he was President of the Freeman's Bank of Bristol, and after it was changed to the First National Bank, continued to occupy the same office in that institution until October, 1875. Though not a member of any church, he was an attendant and liberal supporter of St. Michael's Episcopal Church of Bristol for many years, and afterwards of the Methodist Church of the same place. In 1828 he married Mary S. Tilley, daughter of Benjamin Tilley, of Bris-

Ir A blanke

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tol. She died February 23, 1852. In 1853 Mr. Church married Elizabeth M. Luther, of Bristol. The children by the first marriage were Anne E., deceased, Mary C., Sarah Ann, Thomas, deceased, Samuel W., a prominent grocer in Providence, Benjamin, Matilda, Eveline, de- ceased, Hezekiah, Assistant Cashier of the First National Bank of Bristol, and Eleanor B. The names of the chil- dren by the second marriage are James W. C. and Charles H. W. During his active business life Mr. Church was a friend and associate of many of the leading business men of the country, and while in the discharge of his public duties was brought into intimate relations with prominent men in high official positions. He died, after a prolonged illness, March 27, 1881. His successful and honorable official and business career placed him among the foremost men in Rhode Island.

sy G ROWN, CAPTAIN JAMES SALISBURY, son of Sylvanus and Ruth Brown, was born in North Providence, Rhode Island, December 23, 1802. His father,

0 who died in 1824, served in the Revolution, on board Commodore Hopkins's flag-ship, the Alfred, as Master-of-Arms. The grandfather of James S. was Philip Brown, a descendant of one of four brothers who emigrated from Wales to this country in early Colonial days, settled in Cumberland, and engaged in mining coal and iron, a business that was inherited by Philip. One of the furnaces stood near the mouth of Abbott Run. Captain Brown attended school until he was fifteen, when he cn- tered the machine shop of David Wilkinson, where he learned the business of pattern making. In 1819 he was employed in the machine shop of Pitcher & Gay. When Mr. Gay retired from the firm Mr. Brown succeeded to his place and interest in the firm, and in 1842 purchased the interest of Mr. Pitcher, and continued the business in his own name. In 1846 he purchased nearly four acres on Main Street, and built a furnace and foundry for his own iron castings; and in 1849 erected a large brick machine shop. His special business was the manufacture of cotton machinery, though he often manufactured other machines. A sketch of his enterprises is found in Volume I of New England Manufacturers and Manufactories. In 1820 he invented the slide-rest, used in turning-lathes, adjusting the height of the tool while the lathe is in motion. In 1830 he invented a gear-cutter for cutting bevel-gears. In 1838 he patented a machine for boring the passage for roving through the arm of the long flier roving machine. In 1842 he patented his lathe for longitudinally turning bodies of ir- regular forms. In 1857 he received a patent for speeder improvement. In 1874 he obtained a patent for spindle grinding. He built the machines for the American File Works, and arranged them for their curious and successful work. He devised a machine for grinding file-blanks, and also a furnace for hardening files. During the War of the

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The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 71

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