The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 101

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 978

USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV > Part 101

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In January, 1904, he purchased a small manufac- turing business in Woonsocket, R. I., which, in Octo- ber, 1905, he incorporated as the Anchor Webbing Company, with a paid in capital of $40,000, and was elected to his present office of treasurer and manager. In December, 1915, the capital was increased from $40,000 to $60,000, and was further increased to $150,000, in December, 1916. In September, 1915, with

his wife, he purchased the property formerly occu- pied by the Blackstone Webbing Company, situated at No. 300 Brook street, Pawtucket, R. I., afterward leas- ing the buildings and machinery to the Anchor Web- bing Company. During 1916 he erected a one story addition to this property, and again, in 1917, a twc story addition was erected, and in November, 1917, the offices of the corporation were removed from Woon- socket to Pawtucket, occupying the entire second story of the new addition. The corporation manufactures narrow woven fabrics in cotton, worsted, and silk, and is known the world over under the blue trade mark "Awebco." On December 15, 1915, he was elected president and treasurer of Thompson Brothers, Inc ... for thirty-five years well known makers of men's fine shoes, located at Brockton, Mass. He immediately reorganized this business, bringing into it new blood and up-to-date methods of both manufacture and sell- ing. As a result, the business rapidly increased, making necessary a large addition, which was completed dur- ing 1918. The government used a large portion of the capacity for the production of several million dollars worth of army and navy shoes. The present capacity of Thompson Brothers, Inc., is thirty-six hundred pairs per day of fine shoes for both men and women.

In May, 1901, he removed from Pawtucket and Cen- tral Falls to Providence, where he completed a new house on the East side, corner of Olney street and Arlington avenue, in which he lived until 1906. He sold his Providence residence and removed to Woon- socket, afterwards living in Union Village, North Smithfield, and again in Woonsocket. After pur- chasing the mill property in Pawtucket, he removed, ir 1916, to Pawtucket, where he purchased the residence at the corner of Walcott and Denver streets, his pres- ent home.

Mr. Fillebrown has always continued his interest in religious work in both the Baptist church and the Young Men's Christian Association. He was a mem- ber of the building committee which erected the build- ing for the young men of Pawtucket and Central Falls and also the building for young men of Woonsocket In January, 1918, he assisted in the organization of the National Committee of the Northern Baptist Lay- men, and as a member of this committee assisted in both the Million Dollar and Six Million Dollar cam- paigns. In 1918 he was elected a member of the board oi managers of the American Baptist Foreign Mis- sion Society of Boston. He is a trustee of the Inter- national Young Men's Christian Association of Spring- field, Mass., and of the Gordon Bible College, Boston. Mass .; also a director of the Eastern Association Sum- mer School at Silver Bay, N. Y. He is a member of the Pawtucket Golf Club, the Commercial Club, of Brockton, Mass., the Old Colony Club, of New York City, and the National Geographic Society of Wash- ington, D. C.

Mr. Fillebrown married, June 6, 1892, Lora Martin Curtis, who was born in West Bridgewater, Mass., August 29, 1867, daughter of Benjamin Buck and Abi- gail (Martin) Curtis. Mr. and Mrs. Fillebrown are the parents of one child, Rachel, born November 21, 1896.

I Millebrown

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BIOGRAPHICAL

J. EVERETT HALL, president of the Anchor Jebbing Company, was born October 7, 1867, in thens, Mich., son of Franklin S. and Louisa C. Briggs) Hall. Franklin S. Hall, a cabinetmaker by ade, was born in 1836, and died in 1867.

J. Everett Hall received his early education in the strict schools between North Creek, N. Y., and alesburg, Mich., and was graduated from the Battle reek, Mich., high school in June, 1886, at the age of ghteen, and from there entered immediately upon a versified career which gave him a very broad insight to various lines of business. He first worked as ookkeeper for the McCamley-Taylor Nail Company, Battle Creek, Mich .; later, for the Michigan Cen- al Railroad Company; then two years for the Art lbum Company, and immediately following that came ree years with the Battle Creek Machinery Com- ny, first as bookkeeper and then as traveling sales- an. From there he was called to take charge of the quidation of the Battle Creek Carriage Company, and ter, in 1894, resigned to become secretary and treas- er of the Shipman Engine Manufacturing Company Rochester, N. Y. In 1900, Mr. Hall and his brother Irchased the patents, good will, and sterilizer depart- ent of the Shipman Engine Company, and two years ter, with that as a nucleus, incorporated the present merican Sterilizer Company, of which he has been resident since its incorporation, although not actively nnected with it until January 1, 1908. From January, '97, until January, 1908, he was actively connected ith, and for the last eight years of this period was easurer and general sales manager of the Nagle ngine & Boiler Works, of Erie, Pa., resigning this osition in December, 1907, to devote his time and lergy to the business of the American Sterilizer Com- ny, also located in Erie, Pa. On October 29, 1914, : was elected president of the Anchor Webbing Com- ny, which office he still holds, though never actively isociated in the management.

Mr. Hall was married, Angust 11, 1896, at Penn Yan, . Y., to Katherine Lavina Walrath, daughter of the ev. Adoniram Judson and Ida Lillian (Skinner) Wal- th. Two daughters bless this union: Dorothy Wal- ith, born Jan. 7, 1898, and Frances Louise, born Ang. , 1899.

Although very prominent in the affairs of his home ty of Erie, Pa., Mr. Hall has not been identified with litics to the extent of holding office. His family, urch and social life have sufficed to keep him in touch ith his neighbors. He is a member of the Chamber of ommerce, Rotary Club, Old Colony Club, Young Jen's Christian Association, American Red Cross, and first Baptist Church. He is also a member of the nights of Pythias, having held offices up to chancel- r-commander in the subordinate lodge, and lienten- at-commander in the uniform rank.

THE ANCHOR WEBBING COMPANY-The usiness of the Anchor Webbing Company was started 1904, in Woonsocket, R. I., at which time Herbert [. Fillebrown purchased a small manufacturing busi- ess occupying one-half of the lower floor of the pres- it Woonsocket plant. Later the other half was

secured, then half the second floor, and in the fall of 1905 he purchased the building and organized the Anchor Webbing Company, and in October incorpor- ated it under the laws of the State of Rhode Island, with a paid in capital of forty thousand dollars. He was elected treasurer and manager, which position he still holds.

The company prospered in the manufacture of nar- row woven fabrics in cotton, worsted, and silk, being recognized especially in the electrical trade under the blue trade mark "Awebco." Later the other half of the second floor was occupied and within another year the third floor was occupied and filled with machinery. The demand for "Awebco" tapes and webbings in- creased so rapidly, however, that Mr. Fillebrown began to look around for larger quarters to care for the increasing business. The opportunity came in the fall of 1915, and with his wife he purchased the building and machinery of the defunct Blackstone Webbing Company, located at No. 300 Brook street, Pawtucket, R. I., and leased the same to the company. This prop- erty included a parcel of land suitable for making large extensions. This machinery was started up during 1916, and eighteen additional looms were installed, completely filling all available space. The purchase of these extra looms meant the addition of further floor space for the necessary finishing machinery. During 1916 a one story brick building was completed to take care of this equipment, together with the rearrange- ment of the power and heating plant. Though these extensive changes and additions were made, the busi- ness was growing faster than it could be taken care of and gradually additional lines were added, and as the business continued to expand, during 1917, a two story building was added, making a very complete and compact manufacturing plant. Upon the completion of this new building, the office and headquarters were transferred to Pawtucket, where the entire second floor was fitted up as a general office with office and accounting machinery to take care of the increasing business of the company. The first floor of the new building was devoted to finishing, shipping, and stock room, control office and garage. The old office and stock room quarters were turned into a braiding de- partment, and ninety braiding machines were installed. About this time, also, a new addition was made to the Woonsocket plant, and seventy-seven braiding ma- chines were installed therein.

On December 29, 1915, the capital of the company was increased from $40,000 to $60,000, and just a year later it was again increased to $150,000. During the war the company gradually took on considerable war work, and before the signing of the armistice, in No- vember, 1918, Woonsocket and Pawtucket plants were working over 85 per cent. direct or indirect government material. The range of material supplied to the gov- ernment for the persecution of the war included material which went into gas masks, motors, trucks, aeroplanes, submarines, warships, balloons, puttees, blouses, etc., and the quantity turned out in one year, if laid end on end, would have more than twice encir- cled the globe. The number of employees has in- creased to well over two hundred, and the value of the product to over a million dollars per annum.

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

JOHN REVELSTOKE RATHOM, editor and author, was born in Melbourne, Australia, July 4, 1868. He was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne; Whin- ham College, Adelaide; and Harrow, England. Mr. Rathom was a war correspondent in the Soudan cam- paign of 1886, for Melbourne newspapers, and spent several years after that campaign in China, Japan and New Guinea. In 1890 Mr. Rathom accompanied the Schwatka Expedition to Alaska, and immediately afterwards began his newspaper career in this country, becoming telegraph editor on the Portland "Oregon- ian" under Harvey W. Scott. After two years in Port- land he went to San Francisco, where he became staff correspondent with the San Francisco "Chronicle," with which newspaper he established a widespread reputation for uncovering difficult stories, particularly of political plots. Mr. Rathom's exposure of the famous ballot machine frauds saved the State of Cali- fornia millions of dollars. In IS98 he was sent to Cuba by the "Chronicle" as its war correspondent, and was badly wounded in that campaign. While recov- ering from his wound he was attacked by yellow fever, and after a long illness was sent to the United States from Santiago. In the meantime his death had been reported in many American newspapers. On reaching New York, he was attacked by malarial fever and was held at Montauk, from which camp he escaped at night, walked to Amagansett, and taking a train from that village reached New York City, where he col- lapsed again and was taken to St. Luke's Hospital. After several weeks in the hospital, he returned to California. He was sent to South Africa in 1900 to report the Boer War, and in 1901 was invalided home, suffering from two wounds. During his war experi- ences in this campaign, Mr. Rathom was fortunate enough to earn the personal friendship of General Kitchener, an association that remained unbroken up to the time of the latter's death.

On his arrival from South Africa, Mr. Rathom re- turned to the staff of the Chicago "Times-Herald;" within a year he was made staff correspondent of that newspaper, and it was in this capacity that he became one of the best known newspaper men in the country. Among his most important contributions to the "Her- ald" was a series of articles, running over a period of a year, on America's foreign-born citizens. He was in charge of the Iroquois Theatre disaster for his newspaper, and the "lead" of that story, consisting of several thousand words written under pressure in three hours, is one of the classics of American newpaper history.

In 1906 Mr. Rathom was asked to become managing editor of the Providence "Journal," and in March of that year accepted the position. In 1912 he became editor and general manager of the "Journal," which place he still occupies. Under Mr. Rathom's direction the Providence "Journal" made its extraordinary expo- sures of German plots in this country during the World War. He saw, at the outset of the great conflict, the enormous power for evil that lurked in these malign activities, and the opportunity they offered for patriotic endeavor in investigating and suppressing them. Holding no public office, compelled to create his own

machinery of inquiry, facing widespread increduli and, on the part of the plotters and their friends, tl most intense hostility and hatred, he organized : effective system of procuring and checking up eviden against these enemies of the republic, and carried through with unflagging courage to complete succes Every wireless dispatch sent through the Sayville al Tuckerton stations from the beginning of the war w. recorded in writing, deciphered and placed on file convincing proof of the duplicity and violations of lav by Germany's official representatives in this countr To the energy and ingenuity of Mr. Rathom and h loyal staff of workers were largely due the comple overthrow of the plotters, the expulsion of Amba sador Von Bernstorff and subordinate conspirators lil Von Papen and Boy-Ed, and the ultimate acknow edgement by the American people that the Providen. "Journal's" charges against the propagandists we abundantly justified, and that its campaign of inves: gation and exposure had saved the nation from the insidious machinations.

Mr. Rathom was elected a director of the Associate Press in 1917, and a member of the executive cor mittee of that organization in 1919. He has been t recipient of many honors from foreign government including that of Knighthood in the Order of tl Crown of Italy. On the recent visit to this country King Albert, of Belgium, Mr. Rathom received ti decoration of Chevalier of the Order of Leopold, "f constant and devoted services to the cause of Belgiu from the beginning to the end of the World War He has been a citizen of the United States for mai years. Among his most cherished possessions are tel grams of congratulation from William Mckinley al Theodore Roosevelt, which reached him on the d; his citizenship papers were granted. Mr. Rathom h been a contributor to "Scribner's" and many oth: American magazines. He has been a leader in t' Boy Scout movement in this country since its ince tion. His wife was Florence Mildred Campbell, . New Cumberland, W. Va., a daughter of Captain M. Campbell, United States army, a Civil War vetera and niece of Judge John A. Campbell, of the Circu Court of West Virginia. Home address, No. 89 Brov street, Providence, R. I. Business address, the Prov dence "Journal."

SPRAGUE FAMILY - The Cranston-Johnsto branch of the Spragues formed one of the most notab and historically prominent of Rhode Island famili since the beginnng of the seventeenth century. Mer bers of this family have been leaders in practical every department of the life of the State througho two centuries. Three generations of the Cransto Spragues, William Sprague, his sons, Governor W liam and Amasa, and the latter's sons, Amasa, Go ernor William (2), and Byron, together and in tu: founded and developed one of the greatest, if not tl greatest, of the cotton cloth manufacturing industri of the day in the world. William Sprague, Governf of the State of Rhode Island, during the Rebellion, gallant soldier and citizen whose name occupies a bril liant page in the history of the State, was of th

John R. Rathom

William A. Sprague,

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BIOGRAPHICAL

ranch. Closely allied by bonds of kinship to this llustrious branch of the family are the Johnston Spragues, and it is with this family, in the line of the late William Anson Sprague, that this article is o deal. The Sprague coat-of-arms is as follows:

Arms-Gules, a fesse chequy or and azure between hree fleurs-de-lis of the second.

Crest-A talbot passant argent resting the foot on fleur-de-lis gules.

(I) William Sprague, immigrant ancestor and pro- genitor, was a son of Edward Sprague, of Upway, Dorsetshire, England. Edward Sprague lived at Ford- ngton, Dorsetshire, in early life, and was a fuller by rade. He married Christina and died in 1614. His will was proved June 6. 1614, in the prerogative ourt at Canterbury, and copies of the document made t this time are still in possession of the family. Three f his sons, Ralph, Richard, and William, came to America. In Prince's "Chronology" we find the fol- owing mention of the brothers: "Among those who rrived at Naumkeag are Ralph Sprague, with his rothers Richard and William, who, with three or four hore, were employed by Governor Endicott to explore nd take possession of the country westward. They raveled through the woods to Charlestown, on a neck f land called Michawum, between Mystic and Charles ivers, full of Indians named Aborginians, with whom hey made peace." Ralph Sprague was about twenty- ve years of age when he came to New England. In 631, Captain Richard Sprague commanded a company f the train band. On February 10, 1634, the order reating a Board of Selectmen was passed, and Rich- rd and William Sprague signed it. Richard Sprague eft no posterity. His sword, which is named in his rother William's will, was extant in 1828.

William Sprague settled first in Charlestown, Mass., There he lived until 1636. He then removed to Hing- am, landing on the side of the cove, on a tract of and afterward granted him by the town, and he was ne of the first planters there. His house lot is said p have been the best situated in the town. Many rants were made him from time to time. He was ctive in public affairs, and was constable, fence-viewer, tc. William Sprague died October 6, 1675; his will equeaths to his wife, Millicent, and children,- Inthony, Samuel, William, Joan, Jonathan, Persis, phanna, and Mary. He married, in Charlestown, in 635, Millicent Eames, daughter of Anthony Eames, ho died February 8, 1695-96.

(II) John Sprague, son of William and Millicent Eames) Sprague, was born in Hingham, Mass., nd baptized there in April, 1638. He married, December 13, 1666, Elizabeth Holbrook, and settled in je town of Mendon, Mass., where he died.

(III) Ebenezer Sprague, son of John and Elizabeth Holbrook) Sprague, was born about 1672. He was a esident of Rehoboth, Mass., for a short time, and rom there removed to Providence, where four of his hildren are recorded. On January 12, 1706, he mar- fed, in Providence, Mary Mann, daughter of Thomas nd Mary (Wheaton) Mann, of Rehoboth.

(IV) Daniel Sprague, son of Ebenezer and Mary Mann) Sprague, was born in Providence, R. I., March

28, 1712-13. He was a prominent resident and leading citizen of Johnston, R. I., and for many years held the office of justice of the peace. Daniel Sprague married (first) about 1730, Sarah Ballou, and (second) about 1736, Hannah Brown.

(V) Rufus Sprague, son of Daniel and Sarah (Bal- lou) Sprague, was born in Johnston, June 7, 1735. Like his father he was active in public affairs during the greater part of his life. He was deputy sheriff and later high sheriff of Providence county. He was a farmer on a large scale in Johnston, where he died. Rufus Sprague is buried in a private yard on his own farm.

(VI) Welcome Sprague, son of Ruins Sprague, was a resident at different times of Warwick, Cranston, and Johnston, and followed the trade of carpenter suc- cessfully until his death. He married (first)

Peck, and they were the parents of one son, Jenckes Sprague, who removed to the eastern part of Penn- sylvania, where his descendants still reside. Welcome Sprague married (second) Ruth Collins, member of a prominent old Rhode Island family. Their children were: Colinda, Sylvia, and Rufus, mentioned below. He died at his home in Johnston. His widow, who survived him many years, died at the home of her son, Rufus, in Providence.

(VII) Rufus (2) Sprague, son of Welcome and Ruth (Collins) Sprague, was born during the residence of the family in Cranston, and removed during boyhood to Johnston, where he grew up on his father's farm. He learned the trade of carpenter under his father, and plied his trade in Johnston until 1852. In the latter year he removed to Providence, established himself in the building and contracting business on a large scale, and engaged successfully in the building and selling of houses and the development of real estate until his death. Mr. Sprague was a well known figure in the business circles of Providence in the sixties, and was eminently respected. He was a member of the Six Principle Baptist Church.

Rufus Sprague married Lavina V. Lovell, of Scitu- ate. Their children were: I. George W., a farmer, of Johnston and Providence. 2. A child, who died in infancy. 3. William A., mentioned below. 4. John L. 5. Sheldon P., who was engaged in the grocery busi- ness in East Providence. 6. Arnold P., a mechanic, resided in Pawtucket. 7. Abby, widow of Henry A. Barnes, of Providence. 8. Celinda, who became the wife of Frank Barrows. 9. Mary E., who married Pro- fessor James K. Allen, of Providence. 10. Lavina, first wife of Frank Barrows. 11. Albert, of Johnston. 12. Rufus, of Providence.

(VIII) William Anson Sprague, son of Rufus (2) and Lavina V. (Lovell) Sprague, was born in Johnston, R. I., June 9, 1832. He was educated in the public schools of Johnston, and completed his studies in the Smithfield Seminary of North Scituate, under Princi- pals Quimby and Coburn. After completing his educa- tion, he taught school for nine sessions in Coventry and Cranston, but gave up this profession to engage in business as a carpenter. Having gained a satisfactory working knowledge of the business, he established him- self independently as a builder and contractor. Mr.

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Sprague was very successful in business, confining his operations largely to building houses and disposing of them or renting them. From time to time, however, he accepted contracts for other work. He was widely known in business circles in Providence and eminently respected. He was also a prominent figure in Ma- sonic and fraternal circles. He was a member of Cres- cent Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and held all the offices in that body. In religious faith he was a Baptist and a member of the Auburn Free Bap- tist Church, of which he was a deacon for many years.

Mr. Sprague married (first) Katharine A. Wood, daughter of Jonathan Wood, and member of a promi- nent old Rhode Island family. Mrs. Sprague died in Providence, the mother of one son, Walter E., who married Julia Upham, of Boston; he had the care of his father's estate until his death, in December, 1914; he was a member of Harmony Lodge, Pawtuxet, at- taining the thirty-second degree in Scottish Rite Ma- sonry. Mr. Sprague married (second) Bessie A. Wood, sister of his first wife, and they were the parents of a daughter, M. Alice. Miss Sprague resides at No. 472 Cranston street, in the Sprague home, which was built by her father, in 1872. William Anson Sprague died at his home in Providence, May 19, 1912, in his eigli- tieth year. The Wood coat-of-arms is as follows:

Arms-Argent, an oak tree vert. fructed or.

Crest-A demi-wild man, on the shoulder a club proper holding in the dexter hand an oak branch of the last, wreathed about the middle vert.

OSCAR SWANSON-All honorable success is based upon a definite aim in life and the persistency of purpose which enables one to persevere in a given course regardless of difficulties, obstacles and dis- couragements. There are many self-made men whose life record proves this fact and among this number is Oscar Swanson.

Since 1892 Mr. Swanson has been a member of the business fraternity of Providence, establishing in that year a joint proprietorship of a general market after an experience of nearly ten years in the organization and management of similar enterprises in other New England cities. With the pronounced success of this initial independent enterprise he enlarged his inter- ests, founding other markets in Providence and Wor- cester, Mass., maintained and operated along the lines of his first venture, which have found such secure place in public favor. They serve thousands of people daily, the total annual business aggregating over ten million dollars. He is the pioneer in establish- ing the modern market system which was later copied by many other mercantile institutions and individuals throughout the country. To an enterprise ordinarily of only local importance he has brought the vision and executive genius of large affairs, and through his in- dustry and ability, combined with unusual aptitude as ar organizer, he has achieved a leading position among Providence's successful business men. Mr. Swanson has other interests, but none that is distinctively the product of his own plans and labor. His fraternal and social relations are numerous and his time and service constantly at the call of his city in projects of pro- gress and improvement.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 101

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn Publication date: 1920 Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society Number of Pages: 978

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 978