The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 94

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

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had one son, Dr. Charles Stockbridge, who received the honorary degree of M.D. from Harvard College in 1793. He was a physician of high reputation, and a gentleman of pleasing manners, and accomplished in literature. The

grandfather of John C. was William Stockbridge. In 1798 he was the greatest landholder in the town of Hanover, Massachusetts, his residence. He is represented as having been " a man of ready wit, lively and sociable in his habits, an agreeable companion, and an industrious and upright citi- zen." His two sons, William Reed and Calvin Stockbridge, were for many years merchants in Yarmouth, Maine, car- rying on shipbuilding and the manufacture of paper, and largely concerned in navigation. The oldest son of Wil- liam R. was Rev. Joseph Stockbridge, D.D., United States Navy, at this time (1881) the Senior Chaplain in the United States Navy. The subject of this sketch was fitted for college in the academy in his native place under the tuition of Joseph Sherman, an eminent educator of his day. He entered Bowdoin College when but fifteen years of age, in the fall of 1833. Among his classmates were Hon. John Albion Andrew, the " War Governor " of Massachusetts, who was fitted for college in the Yarmouth Academy; Hon. John R. Shapley, of St. Louis; Hon. Charles Pike, of Calais, Maine ; and Rev. John Orr Fiske, D.D., for many years the Pastor of the First Congregational Church in Bath, Maine. Leaving Bowdoin College he joined the Junior Class of Brown University in 1836, and was graduated in 1838. The class held a high rank among the classes that have gone from the University. After graduating from col- lege he had charge for a few months of an academy in Cum- mington, Massachusetts, the birthplace of the poet William C. Bryant. Among his pupils was Governor Thomas Tal- bot, of Massachusetts. In the spring of 1839 he became the Principal of the Warren Ladies' Seminary, which office he held until the fall of 1841, when he entered the Newton Theological Seminary, pursuing his studies under Drs. Barnas Sears, H. B. Hackett, I. Chace, and H. J, Ripley, and graduating in the fall of 1844. He immediately ac- cepted a call to become the Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Waterville, Maine, a church which holds inti- mate relations with what is now " Colby University," and was ordained January 8, 1845. He remained here for three years, and then became Pastor of the Baptist Church in Woburn, Massachusetts. His ministry here was eminently successful, not far from one hundred persons connecting themselves with the church while he was its pastor. At the end of five years' pleasant pastorate he was invited to take charge of the First Baptist Church in Providence dur- ing the absence of Rev. Dr. Granger, who had been ap- pointed as one of a deputation to visit the stations of the American Baptist Missionary Union in the East (see sketch of J. N. Granger). Before his term of service expired he re- ceived, in the fall of 1852, an invitation to become the Pastor of the Charles Street Baptist Church, Boston, whose pulpit had been made vacant by the death of Rev. Daniel Sharp, D.D. He accepted the call and was publicly recognized as pastor of the Church October 23, 1853. During his ministry extensive repairs were made on the place of wor- ship, involving an outlay of between $20,000 and $30,000,

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rendering it at the time one of the most attractive churches in Boston. He remained as pastor of this church until June, 1861, nearly eight years. The next three or four years were spent chiefly as acting pastor of the Baldwin Place Church, Boston, and at the Cary Avenue Church, Chelsea. Early in 1865 he left home on an extended tour in Europe, visit- ing England, Scotland, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Greece, and returning in the fall of that year. On his return he accepted an invitation to become the Pastor of the Free Street Baptist Church in Portland, Maine, where he remained until the fall of 1867, when he removed to Providence to take charge of the Young Ladies' School, established by Hon. John Kingsbury, and for eight years conducted by Professor J. L. Lincoln. This school he kept for ten years, 1867-77. In the summer of 1874 he again visited Europe, also in 1878. While in charge of his school he was occupied for most of the time in fulfilling engage- ments to preach, having charge of the pulpit of the Third Baptist Church in Providence between two and three years, of that of the First Baptist Church in Hartford several months, and preaching in other churches for periods of a longer or shorter duration. Harvard College conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Divinity July 20, 1859. He has been a Trustee of Brown University since 1856. Besides preparing a large amount of matter for the religious and secular press Dr. Stockbridge has been an occasional contributor to the Bibliotheca Sacra and the Christian Review. He is also the author of the " Memoirs of Baron Stow, D.D." He was married November 14, 1844, to Mary Tyler, eldest daughter of Captain Suchet Mauran, then of Warren, in later years a resident of Providence, the first President of the Atlantic Insurance Company. Their children are Mary Suchet, Annie Wales, and William Mau- ran, a graduate of Brown University in the class of 1878, and now (1881) pursuing his studies at the Boston Law School.

AYNE, HON. ABRAHAM, eldest son of Solomon and Hannah (Bishop) Payne, was born in Canter- bury, Windham County, Connecticut, November 15, 1818. His grandfather was Elisha Payne, a graduate of Yale College, and a lawyer. His great- great-grandfather was Rev. Solomon Paine (now spelled Payne), one of the distinguished New Light or Separate preachers, of Connecticut, who, with his brother Elisha, an eminent lawyer of his day, were very active and in- fluential in the " Great Awakening " that wrought such religious changes in Connecticut and all New England. Elisha's imprisonment and Solomon's preaching and writ- ings are matters of history. Mr. Payne prepared for col- lege at Worcester, Massachusetts, Plainfield and Brooklyn, Connecticut, and entered Brown University in 1836, under Dr. Francis Wayland, from which institution he graduated in the class of 1840. He pursued the study of law with

General Thomas F. Carpenter in Providence; was ad- mitted to the bar of Rhode Island September 14, 1842, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of liis profession in Providence. Ilis interest in public affairs, first strongly aroused by the Dorr Rebellion, has always been earnest, and his ability and devotion to his profession have made him a successful counsellor and an able advo- cate. He has held various positions in the city govern- ment. In 1863 he was elected Attorney-General of the State, and in 1872 was appointed one of the commis- sioners to revise the State laws. In 1878, and again in 1879, he was elected from Providence a member of the General Assembly. His orations and public - addresses have been numerous. He delivered the oration before the authorities and citizens of Providence July 4, 1844, and subsequently an oration before the literary societies of Brown University. Mr. Payne is now the President of the Alumni Association of the University. In 1878 he delivered the oration at the dedication of the new City Hall. Various and valuable have been his addresses be- fore the Rhode Island IHistorical Society, the last being in reference to Jonathan Edwards and his times. He is a ready, forcible, and instructive extemporaneous orator. He married, September 13, 1847, Anne Wheaton Cozzens, daughter of Benjamin and Mary S. Cozzens, of Providence, and has had four children : Catharine D. (deceased) ; Ar- thur D., who graduated from Brown University in 1872, and is now a counsellor-at-law in business with his father; Charles H., now a sophomore in Brown University; Anne W. (deceased).

DENKS, PROFESSOR JOHN WHIPPLE POTTER, Profes- sor of Agricultural Zoology and Curator of the Museum of Brown University, son of Dr. Nicholas and Betsey (Potter) Jenks, was born in West Boyls- ton, Massachusetts, May 1, 1819. He is of the fifth generation from Hon. Joseph Jenks, Jr. (sometimes spelled Jencks, and Jenckes, but in the old English records Jenks), the founder of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, who settled there about 1645, having come from England after the arrival of his father, Joseph Jenks, Sr., who came over in 1643, and settled in Lynn, Massachusetts. Hon. Joseph Jenks, who died at the age of eighty-five, was an iron-worker (forger and shaper). a man of public spirit and highly esteemed for his Christian virtues. He served as Assistant or Lieu- tenant Governor. He had a son William, who had a son Jonathan, who married Freelove Winsor, the granddaughter of Roger Williams. Jonathan had a son Nicholas, who married Adah Angell, a descendant of Thomas Angell, one of the company banished with Roger Williams. Nich- olas had a son, Dr. Nicholas, the father of the subject of this sketch. Professor Jenks enjoyed the advantages of ex- cellent home training. At the age of thirteen he came to an understanding with his father that he should act for himself in obtaining a liberal education. With this end in view he

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commenced his preparation for college under the private tuition of his pastor, supporting himself by work upon a neighbor's farm, and as general errand boy for the village. At the end of three months Rev. J. W. Parker, D.D., then a young man, offered to take him to Virginia, at his own expense, and enable him to continue his studies there. In twelve months circumstances made it necessary for both teacher and pupil to return to New England, and his last year of preparation was spent at Peirce Academy, Middle- boro, Massachusetts, from which he entered Brown Uni- versity, in 1834, at the age of fifteen, and graduated with distinction in the class of 1838, with Dr. A. N. Arnold, Dr. C. M. Bowers, Dr. A. Burgess, Hon. C. S. Bradley, Hon. T. A. Jenckes, Hon. M. Morton, and President E. G. Robinson. He earned his way through college, as he had done during the last year of his preparation at the academy. From 1838 to 1842 he was engaged in teaching in the State of Georgia. Returning North, he became the Principal of Peirce Academy, and filled that position with remarkable success, from 1842 to 1871, in these thirty years doing an amount of work that could be presented only in a volume. In 1872 he was elected Curator of the Museum of Brown University, and subsequently was chosen Pro- fessor of Agricultural Zoology, which positions he still oc- cupies (1881). By his wise planning and perseverance he secured for Peirce Academy its new edifice, costing ten thousand dollars, and subsequently, as his personal gift, its valuable cabinets and apparatus, costing at least five thou- sand dollars, which with its library and reading-room afforded such rare facilities as caused an increase in the number of students, from twenty in 1842, to more than two hundred annually, giving it rank among the first academies in New England. By the efficient discharge of his duties here he attracted the attention of educators throughout New England, and prepared the way for his permanent association with the managers and instructors of Brown University. The museum of Brown University, which was in a chaotic state when he came to its con- trol, immediately exhibited evidences of his energy and executive ability, and has steadily and rapidly risen in value as an educating force, till it occupies a commanding place in the University, and is a great attraction in the city and the State. His love of nature, and his proficiency in agricultural philosophy and chemistry qualify him for his chair of instruction, and give to his lectures the merit of genuine enthusiasm. From 1857 to 1862 he served as Professor of Zoology to the Massachusetts Horticultural So- ciety, in whose published reports may be found the results of his investigations on the food of birds, that gave him great credit with naturalists both at home and abroad. Professor L. Agassiz, in his contribution to the Natural History of the United States, refers to his invaluable aid in furnishing him rare material for his investigations, as does also Professor Henry, in his Smithsonian Reports. His love of nature is indicated in the following extract

from a series of articles, entitled " A Naturalist in Florida," written by him, and published in the National Teachers' Monthly, in 1874. " Though a native of Massachusetts, it was my fortune, at the age of thirteen, to enjoy squirrel, opossum, and fox hunting in interior Virginia ; at ninc- teen, deer, coon, and bear chasing in Southwestern Geor- gia; at twenty-five, plover, duck, and hawk shooting in Southeastern New England; at forty, a sight of wild cha- mois in the high Alps; and at forty-five, a camp life of fifty consecutive days in the miasmatic swamps and ever- glades around Lake Okechobee, in Southern Florida." In 1833 he became a member of the Baptist Church, in which he has effectively served as a teacher, licensed preacher, and deacon. In the prosecution of his varied studies he has travelled largely in the United States, and made important explorations, especially in Florida. He has also visited Europe, extending his travels to Athens and Constantinople, but giving attention particularly to the higher Alps. His writings on natural science, archaeology, and works of art, for periodicals, monthlies, and quarter- lies, have been extensive and useful. His anonymous connection with the preparation of a popular school of zoology will appear by the following extract from the preface of the work : " The author would hereby acknowl- edge the vital assistance rendered in the preparation of this work by G. W. P. Jenks, A.M., Professor of Agricultural Zoology and Curator of the Museum of Brown University. His life-long experience and remarkable success in teach- ing zoology, together with the wide range of his observa- tions, have alone rendered this book possible." He married, October 30, 1842, Sarah Peirce Tucker, daughter of Major Elisha Tucker, of Middleboro, Massachusetts, and granddaughter of Deacon Levi Peirce, the founder, in 1808, of Peirce Academy, and donor, in 1828, of the house of worship of the Central Baptist Church in Middleboro. The children of Professor Jenks are: Elisha Tucker, ma- chinist and inventor of museum locks and adjustable racks and brackets for shelving ; Abbie L., who married, in 1874, Joseph B. Simmons; and Sadie B. As a scholar, teacher, lecturer, writer, and Christian laborer, Professor Jenks holds an honored place among the leading spirits of our time.

BUTLER, SAMUEL W., M.D., son of Samuel and Mary (Pease) Butler, was born in Farmington, Maine, February 22, 1816. His parents were of English descent, and natives of Edgartown, Massa- chusetts. Dr. Butler graduated at Harvard Univers- ity, and pursued his medical studies at the Tremont Med- ical School. In 1842 he entered upon the practice of his profession in Newport, where he continued until his death, excepting two years spent in Providence. In 1844 he was elected a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association about the year

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1852. He became a member of the Providence Medical Society in 1862. For fourteen years he was a member of the Newport Public School Committee, in which he served with cfficiency. During the Civil War he was appointed Surgeon by the Governor of Rhode Island, and reported for duty at Fortress Monroe at the time of the battle of the Wilderness. On retiring from the temporary service to which he had thus been called, he resumed the practice of medicine in Newport. His professional career was emi- nently successful, and he was highly esteemed by his fel- low-citizens. He was Treasurer of the Cliff Avenue Cot- tage Association at Newport, and for twenty years a director in the First National Bank of Newport. He married, in 1843, Emilie Augusta Backus, daughter of Nathan and IIuldah Backus, of Farmington, Maine, one child, Emilie Augusta, being the issue of this marriage. Dr. Butler died April 7, 1881.

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BIDDEN, HENRY ATKINS, merchant, son of James and Mary W. (Clifford) Hidden, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, December 10, 1816. 320000 His father resided for several years at Walpole, Massachusetts, and subsequently removed to Provi- dence, where he lived until his death, which occurred when his son Henry was less than two years of age. Mr. Hid- den's mother was a cousin of Betsey Williams, who gave Roger Williams Park to the city of Providence, and was a lineal descendant, in the fifth generation, of Roger Wil- liams. She died May 29, 1866, aged eighty-seven. Mr. Hidden was educated at private schools in Providence, and at an academy at Leicester, Massachusetts. After leaving school he was for some time employed as clerk in a store in Providence, and subsequently, at the age of twenty-one, engaged in the engraving and copper-plate printing busi- ness, with General Thomas F. Carpenter, his half-brother, under the firm-name of H. A. Hidden & Co., their place of business being in Whitman's Block, at the junction of Weybosset and Westminster streets. In 1837 Mr. Hidden's brother, James C., bought General Carpenter's interest, and continued a member of the firm until 1849, when he sold out to Henry A., who continued the business alone for many years. During the early years of the firm they en- graved steel and copper plates, and did an extensive busi- ness in printing bank notes for the State banks. They also did general copper-plate printing for manufacturers and bleachers throughout New England. Previous to 1843 they had become dealers in cotton and cotton goods, and in order to devote more attention to this business, which had rapidly increased, Mr. Hidden ceased to engage in engraving and printing in 1860. About that time he be- gan business as a private banker, advancing money on manufactured goods, and dealing largely in commercial paper. For many years he was the largest dealer in print goods in the State, and having been successful in his in- vestments, has accumulated a handsome fortune. In 1868

he received his sons Charles II. and Wilkins U. as part- ners, and the business has since been carried on under the firm-name of II. A. Ilidden & Sons. At the time last mentioned they removed to 37 Weybosset Street, where they continued until April, 1880, when they removed to the old City Building. Mr. Hidden's other son. Walter, has recently ben admitted as a member of the firm. Al- though often urged to accept public office, and other promi- nent positions, Mr. Hidden has usually declined. He has, however, served two years as a Representative in the Gen- eral Assembly, and from 1860 to 1861 was a member of the Providence Board of Aldermen, from the fifth ward. He was a corporate member and President of the What Cheer Bank, and is now a director in several insurance companies. He was a charter member of the Providence Board of Trade, has served as director, and is now Vice- President of the same. For two years he has been an active member of the Providence Commercial Club, com- posed of the most prominent business men of the State, associated for the purpose of advancing the commercial interests of the community. Mr. Hidden is also a member of the Rhode Island Historical Society, in which he has taken a deep interest. He married, October 14, 1839, Abby A. Updike, daughter of Hon. Wilkins and Abby (Watson) Updike. They have had four children, Charles Henry, Wilkins Updike, Frank Augustus, who died in infancy, and Walter. The three sons graduated at Brown Univers- ity, and, as before stated, are associated in business with their father. Mr. Hidden visited Europe with his family in 1867-68, and travelled extensively in Great Britain and on the Continent. In 1861 he purchased the estate of Walter Updike, on Benefit Street, where he and his family have since resided.

159 HOPKINS, WILLIAM HENRY, coal merchant, was born at Jamestown, Rhode Island, April 7, 1817. He was the son of Oliver and Rhoby ( Hathaway) Hopkins, the former a native of East Greenwich, and the latter of Exeter, Rhode Island. His father was a descendant of Joseph Hopkins, who removed from Kingston to East Greenwich in 1713, and was a successful farmer, owning eighty acres of what is now Conanicut Park, where he lived from the age of seventeen until his death, in 1852, at the age of eighty-seven. He was a licensed preacher of the Baptist Church, in Jamestown. Mr. Hopkins received such an education as was afforded by a good country school. In the fall of 1831 he removed to Providence, where he learned the jewelry business, which he followed until 1840, carrying on the business for himself from 1835. In the spring of 1840, in consequence of his father's ill health, he gave up his shop and took charge of his father's farm in Jamestown. Finding out- door work so healthful, he returned to Providence and en- gaged in the teaming business, in which he continued,

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selling an occasional cargo of coal from vessels, until 1849, when he entered into partnership with Jacob Manchester, under the firm-name of Manchester & Hopkins, for the sale of masons' building material, curbstone, and coal, in con- nection with general team work. Being obliged to re- move from Dorrance Street wharf, where they were first located, they purchased, 1856, fifty-two thousand feet of land in what at that time appeared to be an out-of-the-way place of business on Eddy Street, corner of Tallman's Lane, being about two-fifths of the square running to Elm Street, subsequently purchased by them to accommodate their increasing business. With the superior facilities for handling coal thus secured, their sales advanced from 2000 to 200,000 tons per year, being at one time the largest re- tail business in that line transacted by any firm in New England. They also continued to carry on the other branches of their business. In 1864 Mr. Gorham Park Pomroy and Mr. John H. Hopkins, both clerks in the es- tablishment, were admitted as partners, and the firm became Manchester, Hopkins & Co. Mr. Manchester died June 30, 1871, after which the business was continued under the name of Hopkins, Pomroy & Co., Mr. Edgar Arnold Hop- kins being subsequently admitted as a partner. In 1878 their brick and lime business was disposed of to Messrs. Manchester & Hudson, their former clerks. During the business career of Mr. Hopkins he has exhibited an enter- prising and progressive spirit, being ever ready to adopt new methods and inventions which had been proved of practical value. While in the jewelry business he was the first person in Providence to use steam-power in the manu- facture of jewelry. Upon the wharfs of his firm commenced the improved methods of handling coal. At his suggestion the best coal tub then in use was improved, manufactured, and patented by Focht & Warren, of Reading, Pennsylvania, and which is now universally used without improvement or change from his original design. He built, it is believed, the first " pockets " ever erected for the storing of coal for delivery into carts without labor, which secured great advan- tage in handling coal. These plans became widely known and were copied or improved upon by persons coming from all the New England States and New York. Messrs. Hop- kins, Pomroy & Co. now occupy two extensive wharves, covering an area of nearly four acres; own nine engines, nearly one hundred horses, with carts, wagons, etc., to- gether with blacksmith and wheelwright shops for doing their own work. In 1865, Mr. Hopkins's health being im- paired from long-continued and close attention to business, from which he desired some relief, he purchased a hand- some residence and about sixty acres of land in the town of Seekonk, Massachusetts, about two and a quarter miles east of the city of Providence, upon which he has since spent his summers. He has added to his farm by various purchases until it now embraces 125 acres, which, under his practical skill, has been transformed and enriched until its dense swamps and worn-out pastures have become

beautiful meadows. He has four houses for his farmers, and large horse, carriage, and cattle barns, each provided with a windmill for pumping water for use at the barns and upon the lawns, a constant supply being kept before his stock. He has fifty head of cattle, comprising thorough- bred Jerseys and Ayreshires, young and old, which have taken a large share of the premiums wherever exhibited, and will compare favorably with any of the best herds in the country. He has a large steam-engine for cutting and steaming fodder, and a large refrigerator in the barn for cooling milk. In the improvement of his land a great expenditure has been made for underdraining, 4000 feet of vitrified pipe having been laid, besides a large amount of tile and stone drains. The farm is well fenced, mostly with substantial stone wall, and is under a high state of cultivation, producing good crops. In 1856 Mr. Hop- kins was elected Councilman from the Fifth Ward of the city of Providence, which office he held until 1864. He was Chairman of the Committee of Highways, a position in- volving a great tax upon his time, and much prudence in management. In 1866 he was chosen Alderman for the Fifth Ward, which place he held until 1871, when he was elected to the General Assembly, to which he was re-elected in 1872 and 1873, In the Legislature he was Chairman of the Committee on Charities and Corrections. In May, 1874, he was appointed by Governor Howard a member of the Board of State Charities and Corrections, which has in charge all the State eleemosynary and reformatory institu- tions, and was reappointed by Governor Lippitt in June, 1875, for six years. Acting in this capacity without com- pensation, he has rendered important service to the State and humanity. Mr. Hopkins was active in the formation of the Board of Trade of Providence, of which he was Vice-President for two years, being also a member of the Committee of Council for several years. In his official life he warmly espoused the cause of public improvemments, urging forward the introduction of the fire alarm and the building of the Point Street bridge. He has been a di- rector of the Charitable Fuel Association, and the Provi- dence Aid Society, and is now a member of the Mechanics' Association, the Rhode Island Historical Society, the Rhode Island Society for the Encouragement of Domestic Industry, and the Providence Horticultural Society, in several of which he has held office. He is also a director of the Bristol County Agricultural Society. In 1836 he joined the " Six-Principle " Baptist Church, of Providence, called the Roger Williams Church, which has since passed out of existence. He now attends the Broad Street Chris- tian Church, and for several years has been President of the society. He was one of the first in Providence to aid in the organization of the Free-Soil party, and afterwards of the Republican party. As may be inferred from the his- tory of his career, Mr. Hopkins has executive ability of a high order and indomitable perseverance in the conduct of his affairs. He is a man of generous sympathies, ready

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The Biographical cyclopedia of representative men of Rhode Island, Part 94

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