USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV > Part 102
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Oscar Swanson is a son of Swan and Christina
Jonasson, his father long in the naval service o Sweden, and in calling, a farmer. He was born in the village of Elmtaryd, in Blekinge, Sweden, May 6, 1862 and until he was fifteen years of age studied at home at the end of that time becoming a clerk in a country store. For three years he was so employed, in 188c coming to the United States, arriving at Boston, anc proceeding to the home of a married sister in Maine where he remained for several months. In the spring of 1881 he joined a brother in Ashland, Mass., procur- ing employment in a shoe factory, his occupation for eight months, when he was seriously injured, being struck by a train. His recovery from this accident required many months and he spent the period of recuperation with his married brother, first in Marl- boro and later in Lowell, Mass. When well, he be- came employed in the Booth Cotton Mills, in Lowell, Mass., remaining for eighteen months, and in 1883 he formed an association in the line he has since followed, becoming employed by S. P. Pike, proprietor of a market in Lowell. For two ycars he worked in the Lowell market, in January, 1885, going to Manchester, N. H., to operate a branch store in Mr. Pike's inter- est. The years of his managership in this place were of a flourishing, profitable business, and in February, 1890, he was commissioned by Mr. Pike to open a large market in Boston, having previously opened two new stores in Lowell. Success attended the Boston market and in 1891 he established a second store in Boston. These various stores in Lowell, Manchester and Boston, together with two markets in Lawrence, Mass., were now being operated under the corporate name of the Public Market and Packing Company.
In the spring of 1892 Mr. Swanson withdrew from Mr. Pike's service and with three of his associates he formed a partnership to engage in the market busi- ness, his partners being Messrs. Pettee, Amidon and Malmstead. The experience and exact knowledge he had previously gained were reliable guides in the direction of this first market, which was opened at No. 380 Westminster street, Providence, on October 13, 1892, and which has been enlarged and improved until it is the finest and best appointed market in Rhode Island. In 1894 a market was opened in Worcester. The new establishment, built in 1914, adjoins the old site, and is at the present time, in size and appoint- ments, unsurpassed in the country. Mr. Swanson and his associates also own and operate the Olneyville Square Market, the South Main Street Market, and the New England Grocery, in Providence, and the Front Street Market and the Lincoln Square Market in Worcester. High standards of business dealing, pro- ducts of the best quality, strict observance of sanitary precautions, and tasteful displays have been the means to the vast popularity of these markets, and their founding and direction has been a work of great magnitude.
In addition to this. his major interest, Mr. Swanson is a director of the Manhassett Manufacturing Com- pany, of Putnam, Conn., the Mount Hope Spinning Company, of Warren, R. I., the Rhode Island Insur- ance Company, and the Morris Plan Bank, of Provi- dence. He is also a member of the Providence Cham- ber of Commerce and served as vice-president of same
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Arnold
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1917 and 1918. Mr. Swanson is a Republican in litical faith, and in his city is known as a progressive izen whose public-spirit calls him to the aid of all ic and public movements for the improvement of ovidence. Mr. Swanson holds the thirty-second gree in the Masonic order, belonging to Adelphi odge, No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons, of which is past master; Providence Chapter, No. 17, Royal rch Masons; St. John's Commandery, No. I, nights Templar; Rhode Island Consistory, Sover- m Princes of the Royal Secret; and Palestine Tem- Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic rine. His clubs are the Squantum Association, Pom- m, Turk's Head, Noonday, Rhode Island Country, d Anawan Country. The time he can spare from essing affairs he devotes, when possible, to out-of- or activity, and none of his interests compares, in ength and attraction, with his love of his home. His rticular hobby, if it may be called one, is his fine 'm and country estate of over six hundred acres, ated in Franklin, Mass., known as "Ellerslie Farms," ich is being equipped and developed as a modern ity farm, and contains a herd of about one hundred ads, many being fine blooded stock. The barns, ibles and dairy are among the most modern and up- date buildings in Massachusetts. Here Mr. Swan- delights in spending his spare time and summers developing and planning this beautiful estate.
Oscar Swanson married, October 24, 1893, Frances ward Henry, daughter of George Oel and Frances oward) Henry, her parents natives of New Hamp- re and Massachusetts, respectively, and descendants old Puritan families. George O. Henry for over wenty-five years was a well known innkeeper of Singfield, Vt. Mr. and Mrs. Swanson are the par- rs of: Alfred Howard, born Jan. 22, 1902, and Hugh nry, born March 3, 1907, both students in the vses Brown School, of Providence.
ARNOLD FAMILY-William Arnold, immigrant restor and founder of the Rhode Island Arnold fam- was the son of Thomas Arnold, and the youngest ld of his first wife, Alice (Gulley) Arnold, and was in in Leamington, England, June 24, 1587. He lived ( a time at Cheselbourne, where he was appointed ad- mistrator of the estate of his brother. John Arnold, Nvember 23, 1616. The Arnold coat-of-arms is as Cows:
rms-Purple, azure and sable, three fleurs-de-lis 1for Ynir; gules a chevron ermine, between three lons or, for Arnold.
rest-A demi-lion rampant gules, holding between t paws a lozenge or fire ball.
otto- Mihi gloria cessum.
1 1635 William Arnold emigrated with family to Verica, locating in town of Hingham, in Massachu- es Bay Colony, where he was a proprietor in that Er. In 1636 he was associated with Roger Williams n:he founding of Providence, and was one of the ulve who received from him deeds to the lands the der had bought from Canonicus and Miantonomi. 1 636 he removed to Pawtuxet, and in the same year à e into posession of large tracts in Providence and Arwick. He was one of the twelve first members of h Baptist church.
William Arnold was one of the most prominent figures in the early life of the colony until the time of his death, and filled numerous posts of trust and respon- sibility. He was prominent in the troubles between Massachusetts and Rhode Island over the Gortonists, and for a period of fifteen years was one of those who subjected themselves to the government of Massachu- setts; he later turned to the jurisdiction of Rhode Island, however. He received deeds at sundry times from Thomas Olney, Henry Fowler, William Harris, Ralph Earl, etc., the last of which indicates that he was then living (in 1652) near Pawtuxet Falls, on the north side of the river. William Arnold was a representa- tive of the finest type of immigrant to the American col- onies in the seventeenth century, coming of a fine stock, highly intelligent and intellectual, refined and cul- tured, a leader of men. His progeny since the time of the founding of the family in New England has been of the same type, and has wielded large influence in Amer- ican life and affairs. He died some time between 1675 and 1677.
He married, in England, Christian Peake, daughter of Thomas Peake, and they were the parents of the following children: I. Elizabeth, born Nov. 23, 1611. 2. Benedict, born Dec. 21, 1615; president of Providence Plantations, 1657-60-62-63, and Governor of the Rhode Island Colony, 1663-78. 3. Joanna, born Feb. 27. 1617. 4. Stephen, of whom further.
(II) Stephen Arnold, son of William and Christian (Peake) Arnold, was born in Leamington, England, December 22, 1622. He was in his thirteenth year when in 1635 he accompanied his parents to America, resid- ing with them at Providence for some time. He later settled at Pawtuxet, where he had a large estate, a por- tion of which he divided among his sons during his lifetime. He was prominent in public affairs and held important offices in the colony. The size of his estate is indicated by the fact that he was taxed one pound, September 2, 1650. He purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of land at Pawtuxet, August 14, 1659, and bought lands of the Indians, south of the Pawtuxet river, July 30, 1674. He was a large importer of liquors, bringing in seventeen ankers in all between 1660 and 1664.
He was deputy to the General Court in 1664-65-67-70- 1671-72-74-75-76-77, 1684-85, and 1690, and was assistant in 1672-77-78-79-80-90-91-96 and 1698. In 1681 he pur- chased seven hundred and fifty acres and other tracts in Warwick, and in that year his taxable estate in Providence included one hundred and fifty-two acres of property, forty head of cattle, seven horses, eighty-seven sheep, and five swine. In 1678 he received fifty shillings from the colony for sheep furnished for the sustenance of troops quartered at Pawtuxet. The greater part of his estate was distributed by him in gifts and deeds before his death. He died November 15, 1699, in Paw- tuxet, and his will was proved December 12 of that year. Stephen Arnold was one of the wealthiest and most prominent of the landed proprietors of Rhode Island of his day. He married, November 24, 1646, Sarah Smith, born in 1629, died April 15, 1713. daugh- ter of Edward Smith of Rehoboth, Mass.
(III) Israel Arnold, son of Stephen and Sarah (Smith) Arnold, was born in Pawtuxet, R. I., October
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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND
30, 1649, and died at Warwick, R. I., September 15, 1716. He was admitted a freeman in 1681, and served as deputy to the General Court in 1683-90-91-1700-02- 1703-05-06. In 1690 he was a member of a commission to apportion the taxes of the colony among the several towns. In 1703 he protested with others against the expenditure of money for sending agents to England. He married, April 16, 1677, Mary, widow of Elisha Smith, and daughter of James and Barbara (Dungan) Barker. She died September 19, 1723. His will, dated March 23, 1717, was proved September 23 of that year, and was administered by his wife Mary and son Joseph.
(IV) William Arnold, son of Israel and Mary (Barker-Smith) Arnold, was born at Warwick, R. I., about 1681. He died at Warwick, June, 1759. About 1705 William Arnold married Deliverance Whipple, born February II, 1679, daughter of John and Rebecca (Scott) Whipple.
(V) Caleb Arnold, son of William and Deliverance (Whipple) Arnold, was born at Warwick, R. I., about 1725, and died at Pawtucket, R. I., March 13, 1799. He resided in Pawtucket, during the greater part of his life, and was prominent in its affairs. He married Susanna (Stafford) McGregor, born March 10, 1722- 1723, widow of Alexander McGregor and daughter of Joseph and Susanna Stafford, of Warwick, R. I. Chil- dren : Joseph, Samuel and William; Patsy; two other daughters.
(VI) Captain Joseph Arnold, son of Caleb and Su- sanna (Stafford) Arnold, was born at Cranston, R. I., August 13, 1755. He was a soldier in the Revolution, serving with Captain Thomas Holden's company, Col- onel James Varnum's regiment, at Bunker Hill, and later came under General Washington's command. In June, 1777, he was appointed as first lieutenant of Cap- tain Cole's company. He was ensign in Colonel Chris- topher Greene's regiment, which marched to Morris- town, N. J., serving under General Washington in April of that year ; marched to Fort Montgomery, joined the main army in Pennsylvania, marched to Whitestone, going later into winter quarters at Valley Forge with the army that suffered such hardships. On June I, 1778, he was appointed captain; was in General Sul- livan's expedition, recruited a company of black troops which he commanded and honorably discharged No- vember 9, 1779. In February, 1780, he was recom- mended to Congress by General Washington for an office in the army. By virtue of his rank he was entitled to membership in the Society of the Cincinnati, join- ing the Rhode Island branch of the Society, December 17, 1783.
Captain Joseph Arnold died at Apponaug, July 20, 1810. He married. September 6, 1783, Sarah Stafford, daughter of Stukeley Stafford.
(VII) Joseph Franklin Arnold, son of Captain Jo- seph and Sarah (Stafford) Arnold, was born at Cran- ston, R. I., in 1785, and died there August 15, 1855. He married, March 24, 1816, Sarah Rice, who was born April 2, 1795, a daughter of William and Sarah Rice, of Cranston, R. I.
(VIII) Joseph Franklin (2) Arnold, son of Joseph Franklin (I) and Sarah (Rice) Arnold, was born in Apponang, R. 1., June 23, 1821. Early in life, after
western travel, he settled at New Orleans, La., th third in commercial importance among the cities of t Union. He there became identified with Mississip river steamboat navigation, and owned the "Eclips and the "Natchez," two boats well known on the riv The Civil War swept away the fortune he had be many years in amassing, and drove him a fugitive the wilderness, but he finally succeeded in reaching 1 native State. He at once began rebuilding his fo tunes by establishing a sale and exchange mart in Prc idence, which he successfully conducted the remainc of his life. He died in Warwick, R. I., December 1881.
Married, at New Orleans, June 14, 1849, Louisa C stance, born in Demeroringer, France, April 6, 18 and died January 6, 1917.
Joseph Gilbert, connected with the Arnold family Rhode Island through his marriage on June 14, 18 to Miss Caroline Arnold, daughter of Joseph Frank Arnold and his wife, Louisa ( Constance ) Arnold, w born in the town of Woonsocket, R. I., July 24, 1852
He received a liberal education in the public scho of his native place, and after graduating he immediat entered into business, spending the following peri of forty years in Woonsocket and Blackstone, R. After several extensive business trips through t Southern States, he returned north and settled in 18 in Apponaug, where he resided the remainder of } life. Although keenly interested in many branches business, he followed the real estate trade for a gre many years. He started in a small way in Woonsoek but soon sought for larger fields, and opened offices the old Howard building in Providence. He becal known and popular among the business men of t latter city. He was naturally affable and friendly, a his ingrained integrity and honesty inspired a tri among his associates seldom encountered in the prese day of business.
He became identified with many large movemer that have played a prominent part in the developme of Providence and its outlying districts, and he al held extensive interests in land located in the surroun ing towns and villages. Through his energy, perseve ance and native ability in his chosen work he ro gradually to an enviable position in the world of bu ness. He took a great interest in the town affairs a civic management of Apponang, though he had not t time at his disposal he would have wished to devote it. He was the Independent party candidate for t office of town treasurer for the fall of 1916, but w defeated by the Republican candidate. Mr. Gilbert di at his home in Apponaug, March 20, 1917, at the age sixty-four years.
(1X) Arthur Henry Arnold, son of Joseph Frank (2) and Louisa (Constance) Arnold, was born at Ne Orleans, La., September 8, 1855. In 1861 he was brong to Warwick by his parents, who were obliged to f from the South with the outbreak of the Civil Wal and there he attended the public schools. He mat, further preparation in the select school of Mrs. Grave the Quakeress, then entered East Greenwich Semina under the then principal, Rev. James T. Edwards.
At an early age he became associated with his fath
Arthur H. Honeld
Caroline 7. Waterman Arnold
Waterman
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BIOGRAPHICAL
in business in Providence, but in 1869, after a tour of western and southern cities, he was prevailed upon to remain in New Orleans, the city of his birth. From 1869 until 1872 he was connected with the New Orleans & St. Louis Steamboat Company. In the same year he came north and entered the employ of the Boston & Providence Railroad Company, advancing through all intermediate grades to that of passenger conductor. In 1880 he was made conductor of the Dedham & Boston Express, and when the new station at Dedham. Mass., was completed, he had the distinction of running the first train out of the new structure. With the passing of the road to the Old Colony Railroad Company, Mr. Arnold was transferred to the main line, and was con- ductor of the Colonial Express on its first trip under the new management. Later he was conductor of a train running between Providence, R. I., and Plymouth, Mass. In 1910 he retired from the railroad, and devoted the remaining three years of his life to the real estate business.
Mr. Arnold possessed musical talent of a high order, and while in the South placed himself under capable instructors and thoroughly trained his fine baritone voice in form, shade, expression and sentiment. Under Signor Brignoli, the Italian composer and opera tenor, he perfected the cultivation of his voice after returning East, and often held positions in concert and choir work. He was strongly urged to go upon the operatic stage professionally, but he could not be induced to do so, although he often appeared as a baritone soloist in concerts, and added greatly to the success of such entertainments.
Genial, affable, and social by nature, he was yet very strict in the performance of duty. He was thoroughly fitted for his work, found it congenial to his tastes, and gave to it the best of his abilities, becoming a favor- ite with the traveling public, and was highly esteemed by the railroad management. He was a popular mem- ber of the Masonic order, belonging to Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 4, Free and Accepted Masons; Providence Chapter, No. I, Royal Arch Masons; Providence Coun- cil, No. I, Royal and Select Masters; St. John's Com- mandery, No. I, Knights Templars; Rhode Island Con- sistory, thirty-second degree, Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite; Palestine Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was a member of the Conductors' Relief of Boston; vice-president of the Conductors' and En- gineers' Investment Company; member of the Rhode Island Society, Sons of the American Revolution, through the service of his great-grandfather, Captain Joseph Arnold; member of the Rhode Island Chapter, Society of Colonial Wars, through the services of his ancestor, Stephen Arnold, of the second American gen- eration.
Arthur Henry Arnold died at his handsome residence, No. 572 Elmwood avenue, Providence, April 24, 1913.
He was thrice married. Issue by first wife: Louise, married James S. Kenyon, of Providence. He married (second) Cora Etta Barnes, born Nov. 2, 1869, died July 2, 1906. Married (third) March 2, 1908, Caroline Frances Waterman, daughter of John Olney and Susan Johnson (Bosworth) Waterman, of Warren, R. I.
Mrs. Arnold continues her residence in Providence,
is active in all good works, noted for her charity and benevolence, her gracious hospitality and womanly graces. She is a member of the Rhode Island His- torical Society; Gaspee Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, through the services of her ma- ternal great-grandfather, Peleg Bosworth; Rhode Island Society of Colonial Dames of America; Rhode Island Society of Colonial Governors; Rhode Island Society of Mayflower Descendants, eligible to all these societies through her distinguished maternal and paternal an- cestry.
WATERMAN FAMILY-Colonel Richard Water- man, immigrant ancestor and founder of the Water- man family of New England, was a passenger to America in the fleet with Higginson in the year 1629, having been sent as an expert hunter by the Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay, although tradi- tion brought forward at various times has stated that he came in the same ship with Roger Williams, with whom he later joined his fortunes. The family bore coat- of-arms as follows:
Arms-Or a buck's head cabossed gules.
Richard Waterman settled in Salem, Mass., where he became a member of the church. He soon fell into disrepute in the Salem settlement because of his sympathy with the views of Roger Williams, and in March, 1638, followed Roger Williams to Providence, having been banished from Salem. In Providence in the same year he was the twelfth among those to whom were granted equal shares of the land that Williams received from Canonicus and Miantonomi. After a period of years he joined with Randall Holden, Samuel Gorton, and others, in the purchase of a large tract on the western shore of Narragansett Bay from Mianto- nomi. Here was commenced the settlement of Shaw- omut, which afterward became known as Warwick. Richard Waterman did not remove thither, however, but remained in Providence. He endured with the other purchasers of that property the losses and persecutions which fell upon the small colony through the unjust claims of Massachusetts to the district. In 1643 the Mas- sachusetts authorities sent a squad of soldiers to arrest the leaders of the colony, and carried them prisoners to Boston, where many of them were imprisoned for several months. Richard Waterman suffered the con- fiscation of part of his estate by order of the court in October, 1643, and was bound over to appear at the May term following. His companions barely escaped the death sentence, while the sentence pronounced against Waterman at the General Court was as fol- lows: "Being found erroneous, heretical and ob- stinate, it was agreed that he should be detained pris- oner till the Quarter Court in the seventh month, unless five of the magistrates do find cause to send him away; which, if they do, it is ordered that he shall not return within this jurisdiction upon pain of death." After his release, however, he took an important part in securing justice for the Warwick settlers. The long controversy was eventually settled by a decision of the English authorities in favor of the rightful owners who had purchased the land from Miantonomi. Waterman held
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possession of his valuable property in Providence and in old Warwick, bequeathing it to his heirs, whose descendants have been numerous and prominent and in- fluential in Rhode Island affairs to the present day.
He was a prominent church officer, a colonel of the militia, and a man of great force and fine ability in large affairs. In 1639 he was one of the twelve original members of the first Baptist church in America. Rich- ard Waterman died in 1673. A monument to his mem- ory has been erected by some of his descendants on the old family burying ground on the corner of Benefit and Waterman streets, Providence. His wife Bethiah, of whose family no trace has been found, died Decem- ber 3, 1680.
(II) Resolved Waterman, son of Colonel Richard and Bethiah Waterman, was born in 1638. Hc only lived to attain the age of thirty-two years, but he had risen to the distinction of deputy to the General Court in 1667, being then twenty-nine, and gave great prom- ise of a life of usefulness and honor. He died in 1670. Resolved Waterman married, in 1659, Mercy Williams, who was born in Providence, R. I., July 15, 1640, the daughter of Roger Williams. Mercy Williams Water- man married (second) January 8, 1677, Samuel Winsor, and died in 1707.
(III) Ensign Resolved (2) Waterman, son of Re- solved (1) and Mercy (Williams) Waterman, was born in Providence, R. I., in the year 1667, and in 1689 settled in what is now the town of Greenville, R. I. He served as ensign of militia for many years, and in 1715 represented the town in the General Assembly. He died January 13, 1719. Ensign Resolved Waterman married (first) Anne Harris, born November 12, 1673, daughter of Andrew Harris, and granddaughter of William Harris, the founder of the family in America.
(IV) Colonel Resolved (3) Waterman, son of En- sign Resolved (2) and Anne (Harris) Waterman, was born in the town of Smithfield, R. I., March 12. 1703. rie built the Greenville Tavern in 1733, and was a man of importance who in the records is dignified with the title of Esquire. He represented Smithfield in the Gen- eral Assembly in May and June, 1739, and in May and October, 1740, and May and October, 1741. He died July 15, 1746. He married, September 20, 1722, Lydia Mathewson, daughter of John and Deliverance ( Mal- avery) Mathewson, who was born in Providence, June 7, 170I.
(V) Captain John Waterman, son of Colonel Re- solved (3) and Lydia (Mathewson) Waterman, was born in 1728. He became a ship owner and sea captain, sailing his own ships to China and other foreign conn- tries. He was known as "Paper Mill John," from the fact that he built one of the first paper mills in America. He was an early and extensive manufacturer not only of paper, but operated a fulling mill, a woolen cloth finishing mill, and a chocolate factory. In 1769 he en- gaged in printing and publishing. His enterprises brought him great gain, and he was rated among the wealthiest men in the State, part of his wealth con- sisting of slaves. His property and personal estate were inherited by his only son, his daughters receiving only their wedding outfits. He died February 7, 1777. Captain John Waterman married, Jannary 17, 1750,
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