The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 83

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

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CROWN, JOSEPH ROGERS, manufacturer, son of David and Patience (Rogers) Brown, was born in Warren, Rhode Island, January 26, 1810. 11is father was a manufacturer and dealer in clocks, watches, jewelry, and silverware, and was engaged in business successively in Attleboro', Massachusetts (his native place), Warren, Rhode Island, and Pawtucket, Rhode Island, where he died in 1868, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years and five months. His mother was a daughter of Joseph Rogers, of Newport. Mr. Brown attended the district school of his native town until he was seventeen years of age, part of his time being oc- cupied in assisting his father in the labors of the shop. In the spring of 1827 he went to Valley Falls, where he was for some time employed in the manufacture of cotton machinery and in turning throstle-spindles, his employers being Walcott & Harris and William Field. In 1828 he returned home to assist his father, who was then residing in Pawtucket, and until his majority was engaged in con- structing tower clocks for churches in Pawtucket, Taunton, and New Bedford. For some time he carried on a small shop of his own for the manufacture of tools for machinists and the building of lathes. In 1833 he became associated in business with his father in Providence, with whom he continued until 1841, when the latter retired from the firm and removed to Bureau County, Illinois, where he resided until 1856, and then returned to Pawtucket. Their busi- ness embraced the manufacture of watches and clocks, and surveying and mathematical instruments. After the with-" drawal of his father, Joseph R. Brown continued alone for several years, being also engaged in the general jobbing business until 1853, after which he confined himself to his manufacturing interests. In the year last mentioned he formed a copartnership with Lucian Sharpe, who for five years had been his apprentice, and the firm of Brown & Sharpe was organized. In 1858 they entered into a con- tract with the Wilcox & Gibbs Sewing Machine Company to manufacture all their machines, which necessitated a large increase in their manufacturing facilities and the em- ployment of several hundred workmen. In 1868 they ob- tained a charter, under the corporate name of the Brown & Sharpe Manufacturing Company, since which time the business has steadily increased, and the company is now recognized as one of the largest and most prosperous cor- porations in the State. Mr. Brown possessed a very in- genious mind, and it is said that the tools and machinery employed in the factory he founded are to a large extent the products of his inventive skill. He attained a prom- inent position among the manufacturers of New England, and largely contributed to the industrial wealth of the country. He was twice married: first, September 18, 1837, to Caroline B. Niles, daughter of Jonathan and Susan Niles, of Providence, who died January 7, 1851 ; and second, May 3, 1852, to Jane F. Mowry, of Pawtucket, who survives her husband. There were two children by

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the first marriage-Walter Clark and Lyra Frances. In 1866, and again in 1867, Mr. Brown visited Europe with his wife and daughter, remaining abroad two years during his last visit. He died at Isle of Shoals, New Hampshire, July 23, 1876.

HOADES, BENJAMIN HURD, Secretary and Libra- rian of Redwood Library and Athenaeum, New- port, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 26, 1811. His father, Ebenezer Rhoades, was the publisher of the Boston Independent Chronicle, then the chief Democratic paper of New England. Mr. Rhoades early developed a taste for study, and after pursuing the required preparatory course, entered Brown University, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1833, during the presidency of Dr. Wayland. He soon afterward entered the Baptist Theological Institution at Newton Centre, Massachusetts, graduating in 1836. On the 19th of April, 1837, he married Harriet P. Still- well, daughter of Nicholas Stillwell, of Providence. Soon after completing his theological course, Mr. Rhoades en- gaged in teaching, in which he continued successfully for a quarter of a century. From 1837 to 1839 he was the Principal of the University Grammar School in Providence, and he was also for a number of years associated in teach- ing with the late Rev. J. O. Choules, D.D., of Newport. In 1856 he opened a school for boys in the Hazard House on the Parade. This school he continued until about 1858, when he accepted the office of Librarian of Redwood Li- brary. This office he held until his death, which occurred on the 23d of December, 1880. In the arduous, perplex- ing and often annoying duties of his post, he was uniform- ly courteous and gentle. He was never known to utter a harsh or angry word, however great the provocation. He was a gentleman in the real and highest sense of the term. Though of retiring disposition, and always shunning pub- licity, his conduct was marked by a firm and unyielding integrity. Visitors to the fine old Library will miss the scholarly and pleasant countenance of Mr. Rhoades. He was a lover of books, and he found a rich pleasure in liv- ing among them, and in aiding others in their pursuit of knowledge. His religious views of late years underwent a change, and he worshipped with the Unitarians, Rev. Messrs. Schemmerhorn and Brooks officiating at his funeral. He leaves a widow, a son whose home is in Providence, and a daughter.

PENCER, WILLIAM BENNETT, son of William and Betsey (Bennett) Spencer, was born in Cranston, Rhode Island, February 7, 1811. His father, by trade a mason, and long an esteemed deacon of the Warwick and East Greenwich Baptist Church, re- moved from his birthplace to Apponaug, thence into Crans- ton, about one mile from Lippitt Village, and, in 1815, to

Lippitt Village, where he died, in 1871, aged eighty-nine years. His grandfather, Henry Spencer, was a blacksmith and maron. Both his father and his grandfather were born in East Greenwich. His great-grandfather was William Spencer. His mother, who died in 1839, aged fifty-six years, was the daughter of Samuel Bennett, of Cranston. Mr. Spencer had a sister, Lucy Ann (who married Otis Steere), and a brother, Caleb B., now living (1881) at the homestead in Lippitt Village. After being well educated at home, the subject of this sketch worked for two years at the trade of a mason, and then, for two years, taught school in Natick Village. In 1831 he opened a drygoods store in the then small settlement of Phenix, and, after remaining there about six months, built a store in Lippitt Village, where he resided until 1837. About 1832 he was instru- mental in establishing the Lippitt post-office, and served as postmaster there, and subsequently at Phenix, to which place the office was removed and the name changed to the Phenix post-office. In 1837 he resided for a short time in Washington Village, and manufactured cotton-yarn. He finally returned to Lippitt and began a line of trade in paper-stock-the waste-cotton of mills-a business which he prosecuted successfully for many years, dealing at length with more than forty manufacturing companies, and selling to large dealers in Providence and elsewhere. With paper- stock he united some other articles of trade. He became the leading business-man of Phenix, and greatly contrib- uted to the prosperity and welfare of the village by erect- ing dwellings and blocks of buildings for the accommoda- tion of the people. In 1842 he was a delegate to the Peo- ple's Convention, but when it was proposed to resort to force he left the " Dorr Party " and became a Whig, and afterwards a Republican. From 1845 to 1851 he was a member of the Town Council. In 1845 he was chosen a Representative from Warwick in the General Assembly, and was returned to the House for five years. In 1847 he erected in Phenix a fine mansion, and, afterwards selling it, built in 1869-70 a second one, his present residence, a view of which is found in Fuller's History of Warwick. In 1849 he erected " Spencer's Hall," and soon after enlarged an edifice for business purposes. These structures were burnt in 1855, but were quickly rebuilt. These new build- ings, however, with three others belonging to him, were burnt in 1871. He then erected two blocks of brick. One of these was destroyed by fire in 1873, and another was injured. Thus he endured severe losses. Being the prin- cipal man in founding the Phenix Village Bank, he became its first President in 1856, and served about sixteen years. Being also influential in organizing the Phenix Savings Bank, in 1858, he was chosen the first President of that institution, and filled that position about eighteen years. By his capital he aided largely in establishing the first and second printers in the place. The first bakery of the place was erected by him, and twice rebuilt and enlarged in dif- ferent localities. He also furnished the capital for starting

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the first paper in the place-the Kent County Atlas-by John B. Lincoln. To him also is due the starting of the first public library in the place, the books of which, how- ever, were burnt in one of his buildings in 1871. In April, 1858, he bought, just across the town line, in Coventry, thirty acres of land on the hilltop, and laid out twelve acres as Greenwood Cemetery, inclosing it with a solid wall, ex- pending on grounds, walls, gates, and receiving-tomb, two years of labor and about $10,000. In 1838 he united with the Arkwright and Fiskeville Baptist Church. Since 1842 he has been a constituent and leading member of the Lip- pitt and Phenix Baptist Church, being its first clerk, and serving in that capacity till 1870. Here his religious ac- tivities have been constant and effective, and on the Board of the Rhode Island Baptist State Convention have reached through the State. For forty years his house has been an open and generous home for ministers. His contributions have been large and timely, always according to his means. He donated the lot on which stands the Baptist meeting- house in Phenix, and added a gift of $1500 for the house erected in 1860-61. He married, April 20, 1834, Weltha Carpenter, daughter of John Carpenter, of Hopkinton, Rhode Island, and had a daughter, Elizabeth, now married to John M. Arnold. His wife died April 24, 1851, aged thirty-seven years. He married, second, October 6, 1852, Harriet Clark Gorton, daughter of Clark Gorton, of War- wick, a great-granddaughter of Rev. John Gorton, a de- scendant of the famous Samuel Gorton, one of the first settlers of Warwick. By his second marriage he has a daughter, Ida Harriet.

85 AWTON, HENRY A., was born in Newport, Rhode Island, June 11, 1811, and was the son of Robert and Sarah (Anthony) Lawton. His father was a descendant of one of the early settlers of Rhode Island, and his mother was a daughter of Elisha Anthony, a wealthy and esteemed citizen of Newport. They and their ancestors for several generations were members of the Society of Friends. Henry A. Lawton began life in very humble circumstances, being obliged to earn his own living when he was eleven years of age, but by industry, frugality, and integrity, he became a prosper- ous farmer, and an influential citizen, to whom were com- mitted many important public trusts. During his minority he was employed in farm work, first, for a short time, with Samuel Wilbour, of Little Compton, and afterward in the service of his brother, Elisha A. Lawton, in Portsmouth and Cranston. In 1832, he and his younger brother, George R. Lawton, hired a farm of Joseph Harris, in Cranston, and continued together for a short time, when Mr. Lawton sold his interest to his brother, and turned his attention to the improvement of his brother's farm in the north part of Cranston. He subsequently hired other farms, which he tilled successfully, and in 1845, purchased a part of what

was then known as the Job Fisk farm, in Scituate, leasing the other part, which was a life estate. In 1848, he bought an adjoining tract of woodland, and afterward added still further to his real estate possessions, until his estate at the time of his death embraced 720 acres of valuable land, be- sides several thousand dollars in personal property. Al- though his attention was closely devoted to his farming interests, he served the public in various ways. He acted as Surveyor of Highways for forty years. In 1847, he was elected Town Sergeant in the town of Scituate, which position he filled for several years. In 1852, he was cho- sen a member of the Town Council of Scituate, being the nominee of the Republican party. He was appointed Over- seer of the Poor in 1857, and continued to serve in that capacity until 1865. In 1867, he was elected to the Gen- eral Assembly as a Representative of the town of Scituate, and served acceptably for two years, being recognized as an efficient and influential member of that body. For thirty years he was an active member of the Agricultural Society, and did much to promote the general farming interests of the State. On the 9th of February, 1833, he married Sarah A. Searles, daughter of William Searles, a well-known farmer in Cranston. She died July 15, 1840, leaving three children, Elisha G., Frances R., and Alice P. Lawton. On the 24th of August, 1841, Mr. Lawton married Char- lotte Richardson, daughter of Dr. William Richardson, of Johnston, Rhode Island. She died April 14, 1862, leaving six children, Theodore F., Mary Elizabeth, Charlotte, Sarah A., Margaret G., and Henry A. Lawton. September 14th, 1862, Mr. Lawton married Mrs. Almira Williams, widow of Elisha Williams, of Cranston, who survived him. Mr. Lawton died July 26, 1880. He was an excellent business man, a faithful public servant, a firm friend of the cause of temperance and religion, and noted for his kindness and generosity.

OGGESHALL, REV. SAMUEL WILDE, D.D., a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, son of Timothy and Rebecca (Bullfinch) Coggeshall, was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, Feb- ruary 18, 1811. He is descended from Pilgrim stock, John Coggeshall, his great ancestor, having come, with his wife and three children, to Boston in the ship Lyon, Cap- tain William Pierce, September 16, 1632, the same ship which had previously brought Roger Williams and others, who subsequently became men of note in the history of the Colonies. John Coggeshall was descended from Sir Thomas de Coggeshall, who lived about the latter part of the reign of King Stephen, grandson of the Conqueror. He derives his patronymic from the town of Coggeshall, on the Blackwater, County Essex, built by King Stephen, 1142, near which was Codham Hall, the family seat. Members of the family fought with Richard Cœur de Lion against Saladin and his Saracenic hosts on the plains

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LeonHayward

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of Palestine, as is attested by the armorial bearings of the family ; also in the Wars of the Roses, finally ended at the Battle of Bosworth and the final accession of Henry VII. ; also in the Wars of the Scottish Borders, under the Planta- genets and Tudors, which finally terminated with the ac- cession of James VI. of Scotland as James I. of England. The same martial spirit of the family was exhibited in the War of the Revolution, and also in the War of the Rebel- lion, in this country. John Coggeshall was a member of the first church in Boston, under Cotton and Wilson, and was also associated in the government with Winthrop and others, till the famous General Court of November 7, 1637, after which, in pursuit of liberty and conscience. in carry- ing out religious convictions, he with Coddington and six- teen other prominent and influential men purchased Aquid- neck (now Rhode Island) of the Narragansett sachems, where they removed in March, 1638, and founded Ncw- port ; and in connection with Roger Williams, who was in Providence two years before, established religious free- dom on this continent. Dr. S W. Coggeshall was born and educated a Methodist, to which communion his mother belonged. He was converted at an early age, and soon heard the voice of the Divine Master calling him to the work of the ministry. On recommendation of the Brom- field Street Church, Boston, he was admitted on probation in the New England Annual Conference, which held its session in Providence, June 27, 1832. At the division of that Conference, in 1840, he was assigned to that portion which, from its chief city, had been known as Providence Conference. Although an itinerant minister and subject to constant changes, he has been a close student from early life. He is critically acquainted not only with English literature, but with ancient languages, especially the Greek and Hebrew. He has been a great rcader of ancient and modern history, and is thoroughly versed especially in Methodist history. In this line he has a valuable library, the contents of which he has well studied. He has a marvellous memory, so that whatever is once committed to its keeping is retained and ready for use in any emer- gency. Not only facts, incidents, and principles are re- membered, but dates and figures respecting town, cities, States, and nations. Dr. Coggeshall is an able preacher, a fine platform speaker, and strong debater; not eloquent, but effective. When in the prime of his manhood he gave himself to preparation on some special theme for pulpit or platform ministration; he was very elaborate and direct, courting no favors from evil-doers, but compassing the whole subject, and creating a profound impression. His writings are clear and forcible. Although he has published no book, yet he has written an elaborate work on the "Life and Times of Bishop Asbury." He has also made many valuable historical contributions to the periodical literature of Methodism. In 1856 he was a delegate to the General Conference, and represented his brethren in that body which met in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1863,

upon recommendation of the Bench of Bishops and dis- tinguished friends in New York, he was made a Doctor of Divinity by the Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. The honor was worthily bestowed, and is creditably worn. On the 20th of June, 1837, he married Miss Mary Ann Dykes, daughter of Joseph Dykes, of Bramley, County York, England. She died at Little Compton, May II, 1864, and is buried in the Island Cemetery, Newport. Their children were: Joseph Dykes, who died in infancy ; Ann Dykes, now the wife of F. R. Brownell, Esq., Little Compton, Rhode Island; Alexander Bullfinch, a Captain in the late Federal army, now of Austin, Texas; Samuel Wilde, also an officer in the late war, died of yellow fever, in New Orleans, August 25, 1878; Rebecca Booth, died at Geneva Junction, Wisconsin, December 11, 1875; and Lemira Porter, dicd in infancy. His second wife was Han- nah Partridge Richardson, of Duxbury, Massachusetts, whom he married June 17, 1866. She died June 13, 1868. His present wife was Susan Maria Harrington, of Wanpun, Wisconsin, whom he married January 10, 1870. Dr. Coggeshall is noted for his generous and sympathetic nature and benevolent disposition. Like many men of large book culture, money has not been esteemed of much value when in his possession, and like the Pentecostal converts, hc never " says that aught of the things which he possesses is his own;" but every human brother comes in for a share. Most fully has he believed in the second, as well as the first great commandment, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." He now, 1880, resides in Middle- town, Rhode Island, three miles from the city of New- port. Being in feeble health he has retired from the active work of the ministry, yet he is still a close student and an occasional writer for the press.

AYWARD, GEORGE W., was born in Middle- borough, Massachusetts, November 23, 1817, and is the son of Benjamin and Phila Burt (Leonard) Hayward. The Haywards trace their ancestry to the first settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts, from which place, in 1651, John and Thomas Hayward, with others, removed to Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where they each received six acres of land on condition of re- maining as permanent settlers. Mr. Hayward's father was for many years engaged in the furnace business in Bridge- water. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Rev- olutionary War. His mother's ancestors were the famous Leonards of colonial times, who lived in Raynham, the first of whom, James and Henry, settled there in 1652, and built the first iron-forge in America. This forge, hav- ing been repaired from generation to generation, is still in operation. Such was King Philip's friendship for the Leonards, that as soon as the war broke out in 1675 he gave strict orders to the Indians of his tribe never to harm them. Zedick Leonard, Mr. Hayward's grandfather on his

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mother's side, was a captain in the Revolution. When Mr. Ilayward was quite young his father removed to Prov- idence, where he soon afterward died, leaving but little for the support of his family. As his mother had five children to provide for, he was obliged to carn his own living at an early age, and therefore had very limited educational ad- vantages. He worked in factories in different parts of the State, attending school a few months each year, until he was fifteen years of age. He then served an apprentice- ship at the baker's trade, his first employer being Deacon Wardell, of Providence, with whom he remained one month, when Mr. Wardell retired from business. For one year thereafter he was with Arnold Russell, who at the end of that time failed in business. Mr. Hayward then went to Medfield, Massachusetts, and completed his apprenticeship under W. P. Balch, and attended school for three months. Mr. Balch being a gentleman of exemplary Christian character, and deeply interested in the welfare of his employés, exerted a wholesome influence over Mr. Hayward, to which he greatly attributes his success in life. After finishing his trade and working as a journey- man for several years, Mr. Hayward accepted a position as clerk in the hardware and lumber establishment of Jo- seph Burrows & Son, in Providence, with whom he re- mained about three years. In 1849 he entered into part- nership with Mr. Fitz James Rice, an old friend, whose acquaintance he had formed when they were apprentices together under Mr. Balch. They carried on the baking business successfully for fourteen years, and in 1863 Mr. Hayward retired from the firm, their establishment then being known as one of the largest and most complete of its kind in the country. In 1863, Mr. Hayward was elected to the Providence Common Council, in which he served acceptably for four years. He is now, and has been since its organization, a director in the Citizens' Savings Bank of Providence. He is a member of St. John's Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, whie' he joined in 1859, and has also been a member of Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar, since 1860. He married, November 9, 1840, Julia A. G. Burrows, daughter of Jo- seph Burrows, deceased. They have had four children- Maria Burrows, who died in Providence August 6, 1842 ; Annie Leonard, who died in Providence March 3, 1857 ; Joseph Burrows, who married Phebe H. Ralph, of Paw- tuxet, March 29, 1871 ; and George W., Jr. Mrs. Hay- ward's father was a well-known and highly esteemned citi- zen of Providence. He represented that city in the Gen- eral Assembly, and held several offices of trust and honor. For sixty years he was an active member of the Christian Church. He died at the advanced age of eighty-seven, and could distinctly remember incidents which occurred during the administrations of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Hayes. Mr. Hayward is a member of the Central Baptist Church in Providence, with which he became connected in 1858.

CONGDON, GILBERT, merchant, youngest son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Arnold) Congdon, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, March 17, 1811. He was educated in the Friends' Boarding- School in Providence, and at an early age entered the business house of his brother, Arnold Congdon, who was engaged in the iron trade. In due time he was ad- mitted as a partner, and the death of his brother in 1847 left him at the head of the establishment, the oldest of its kind in the State, and which is still maintained under the firm-name of Congdon & Carpenter. Mr. Congdon was habitually methodical and attentive to his business, yet in the midst of his activity and prosperity he was always alive to the interests of the public, and was greatly instru- mental in furthering religious and benevolent objects. He devoted a portion of his time and income to the good of others. For many years he was a member, and at the time of his death President, of the Rhode Island Peace Society ; Vice-President of the Rhode Island Bible So- ciety, of the Providence Franklin Society, the Christian Fuel Society, the Providence Dispensary, and other useful and benevolent associations. He manifested a deep in- terest in the cause of education, serving as a member of the committee in charge of the Friends' School in Provi- dence, and of the Sabbath-School Association. The wel- fare of the Freedmen and that of the Indians engaged much of his attention, and he was a liberal contributor to their aid. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and from 1856 a recorded minister of the gospel, in which capacity he was not only diligent at home, but often went abroad as a minister to visit prisons, hospitals, reform- schools, and other institutions. He was often called upon to attend funerals, and performed this duty with accept- ance. His last act of consecration was to visit his fellow- professors and others in North Carolina, on a mission of love, in 1870. Soon after his return home he was pros- trated with a malarial disease contracted during the jour- ney, and died December 9, 1870, in the sixtieth year of his age. The mercantile business in which Mr. Congdon was engaged is now carried on by Messrs. Francis W. Carpenter and Mr. Congdon's son, John H. Congdon.

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The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 83

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