The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 105

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 105

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(VI) William Foster, son of Joseph and Chloe (White) Foster, was born in Dudley, Mass., December 7, 1790. He served in the War of 1812, stationed at New London, Conn., and was pensioned for his sery- ices. He married (first) Olive Chelson, who died in 1844; (second) Hannah C. Eddy.

(VII) William (2) Foster, son of William (1) and Olive (Chelson) Foster, was born in Brooklyn, Wind- ham county, Conn., April 5, 1817, and died December 31, 1898. He enjoyed good educational advantages, at- tending the Brooklyn Academy from 1831 to 1835, at

the same time assisting his father on the home farm, and, as a young man of twenty years, purchased the Windham county "Gazette," a paper then published at Thompson. He moved the office of the paper to Brook- lyn and continued its publication until 1841, when he sold out and engaged in school teaching. This be fol- lowed for fifteen years, in 1856 coming to Providence, where for three years he was editor of the "Trans- cript," a daily newspaper. Subsequently, he was on the "Journal's" staff, and for twelve and one-half years was connected with the "Evening Press." Leaving jour- nalism for the public service, he was for four and one- half years identified with the police department of Providence and for more than fifteen years was in the office of the Overseer of the Poor. He was a man of keen intellect and strong convictions, deeply interested in public and political questions. At one time he was the candidate on the Greenback ticket for the governor- ship of Rhode Island. He was an able and prolific writer, and a regular contributor to newspapers and periodicals throughout the country. In his personal relations he was lovable, kindly, and generous to a fault. His friends were many in all stations of life, and, regardless of agreement or disagreement on pub- lic questions, none failed to attribute to him the purest motives and adherence to the fairest methods. He retired from active life in 1890, and the following year he and his wife celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage in a happy golden wedding.

William (2) Foster married, in Brooklyn, Windham county, Conn., September 7, 1841, Mary S. Anthony, of Pomfret, Conn., born July 7, 1820, who died December 31, 1898, and they were the parents of: James A., of whom further; Frank Mortimer, born Jan. 1, 1850, died Jan. 17, 1903; and Alice Lee, born Sept. 7, 1856, a resi- dent of Warwick, R. I.

(VIII) James A. Foster, son of William (2) and Mary S. (Anthony) Foster, was born in Brooklyn, Windham county, Conn., May 10, 1846. He attended the schools of Brooklyn and Danielson, Conn., and as a boy came to Providence with his parents. After leav- ing school, he became apprenticed to Nathaniel Grant to learn the jeweler's trade, in the building which his own business later occupied for nearly a quarter of a century. He was a youth of but fifteen years when the Civil War broke out, and his attempts to enlist were met with several refusals because of his age. When the call for men for the defense of the Capital came, May 25, 1862, Governor Sprague ordered Colonel Zenas R. Bliss, who was then recruiting the Seventh Regi- ment, to immediately form a regiment for temporary duty. On the following day, May 26, 1862, James A. Foster was enrolled in Company E, of the Tenth Regi- ment of Infantry, and served with that regiment until it was mustered out of the service September 1, 1862. In spite of this service, he was repeatedly rejected when he sought to reenlist, but on January 7, 1865, when the ranks of the Seventh Regiment, then commanded by Colonel Bliss, were being recruited, he was accepted as a private in Company H. He was transferred to Company D, of the Battalion of the Seventh Rhode Island Volunteers on June 6, and was mustered out with the regiment July 13, 1865.

His apprenticeship finished and free from military

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its, Mr. Foster resumed work in the employ of mas Carpenter, who conducted a retail diamond jewelry store and loan office on Dorrance street, e old Infantry building, now the Case-Mead build- He was placed in the jewelry department and, ta natural aptitude for such work, gained an ex- once and a knowledge that soon made him an ex- rjudge and authority on diamonds and all precious . At this time he was often consulted in the ap- aal of jewelry in the administration of estates. In Mr. Foster purchased an interest in Mr. Car- dr's establishment and within a few months became owner. Until 1890, he remained at the old loca- then acquiring a lease of the premises in the en block, just vacated by the Adams Express any. In the development and expansion of the e, it came to occupy the entire section facing on gance street, transacting a large and successful hess in diamonds, jewelry, bric-a-brac, etc. In 1898 poration was made under the laws of Rhode Island le J. A. Foster Company, with a capital stock of hundred and fifty thousand dollars, Mr. Foster, edent, his only son, James Leroy Foster, secretary. le this was Mr. Foster's leading interest through- ti busily active career, he was connected in various dities with the Foster-Smith Company, the Cadillac mobile Company of Rhode Island, the Broadway nge Company, the Weybosset Jewelry Company, Collateral Loan Company, and the Crescent Sales pany. In the course of his prosperous operations, ecame the owner of valuable real estate in the less section of Providence, his holdings including Colonial Theatre building, at Cathedral Square. He owned the Warwick greenhouses, at Warwick His business record was an open book. His : ess was founded upon untiring industry and con- Hous ability in his line, and combined with these ties were a far-seeing business judgment and an anging uprightness. Those who were associated him relied upon him heavily for advice and guid- and he had wide reputation as a capable executive man of affairs.

r. Foster's home for many years was at the corner Broad and Whitmarsh streets, Providence, and he ward purchased an estate on Warwick Neck. He extremely fond of the beautiful in art and nature. ne springtime his Providence garden held a wealth rhododendrons that attracted admirers from all the city, and his Warwick Neck home was one of show places of Rhode Island, an imposing residence pounded by carefully planted grounds in a beau- location. Mr. Foster was a member of the Tenth ment Veteran Association, and Prescott Post, No. rand Army of the Republic, in which he kept alive associations and comradeships of Civil War days. death came suddenly from heart trouble at his e, "Fostmere," on Warwick Neck, May 15, 1919, he was buried at Swan Point. His veteran com- s accorded him the last military honors, and he : to his well-earned rest amid the general regret of iole community.

mes A. Foster married, June 14, 1874, Harriet E. ker, of Boston, and they were the parents of one son, es Leroy, president of the J. A. Foster Company.

JUDGE ELMER JEREMIAH RATHBUN-For more than twenty years, Judge Rathbun has been a member of the Rhode Island bar, and for nearly that entire period has "worn the ermine," his elevation to the bench of the Fourth Judicial District following his admission to the bar by two years (1900), his election to the bench of the Superior Court eleven years (1909). While his rise has been rapid, it has been won through merit and close application. He is recognized as an able jurist, learned, just and impartial, with the patience to follow a knotty point of law through all its wind- ings that truth may be arrived at.

Elmer J. Rathbun was born in Coventry, R. I., April 16, 1870, a son of James and Melissa D. (Capwell) Rathbun. He obtained his preparatory education at East Greenwich Academy, R. I., and completed his classical courses at Brown University, receiving his Bachelor's degree with the class of '96. Having decided upon the profession of law as his life work, he entered Boston University School of Law, receiving his LL. B., class of 1898, and the same year was admitted to the bar in Rhode Island. From 1897 to 1909 he represented the town of West Greenwich in the Lower House of the Rhode Island General Assembly, and from 1899 to 1900 he was clerk of the District Court of the Fourth Judi- cial District. In 1900, he was elected justice of the same court, and held that office nine years, until 1909, then was chosen associate justice of the Superior Court of Rhode Island, his tenure of that office continuing until March 19, 1919, on which date he was elected an asso- ciate justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. Politically, he is a Republican, and active in the coun- sels of the party in Rhode Island. He is a man of culture and intellectual force, strong reasoning power, and eloquent speech.

Judge Rathbun married, August 9, 1914, Virginia Stratton Pollock, of Cheraw, S. C.

JOHN CARTER BROWN WOODS-There are few families of New England so distinguished in law, letters and the sacred profession as this branch of the Woods family, founded by Samuel Woods, from whom John Carter Brown Woods, an eminent member of the Rhode Island bar, lineally descends. Mr. Woods is a man of university learning and scholarly attainments, a worthy son of distinguished ancestors whose lives graced their days. A native son of Rhode Island and Providence, living within the borders of his native city, his reputation as lawyer, legislator and public-spirited citizen is more than state wide. He is the son of Mar- shall Woods, A. B., A. M., Brown University, 1845, M. D., University of New York, 1848; grandson of Rev. Alva Woods, A. B., Harvard, 1817, D. D., Brown Uni- versity, 1828, professor and president ad interim at that seat of learning, president of Transylvania University, president of the University of Alabama; great-grand- son of Rev. Abel Woods, a minister of the Baptist church from 1790 until the infirmities of age compelled his retirement in 1837; and a great-great-grandson of Samuel (2) Woods, born in Chelmsford, Mass., who moved from Rutland to Princeton, Mass., in 1761, taught the first public school established in that town, took an active part in all the interests of the time, was an ardent patriot, a member of the Committee of Cor-

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respondence and, with others, signed and published a renunciation of allegiance to the British crown. This Samuel (2) Woods was a son of Samuel (I) Woods, the American ancestor, born in England in 1686, who came to Chelmsford, Mass .. about 1700, and died there in 1753. This narrative will deal with the two Rhode Island generations, the fifth and sixth, Marshall Woods, and his son, John Carter Brown Woods.

Marshall Woods was born in Boston, Mass., Novem- ber 28, 1824, and died in London, England, July 13, 1809. He was the son of Rev. Dr. Alva and Almira ( Marshall) Woods. Dr. Alva Woods was professor of mathematics at Brown University, 1824-28; presi- dent ad interim 1826-27; trustee from 1843 to 1859; fellow from 1859 until his death, in 1887, the founder of five scholarships at Brown; and a distinguished edu- cator of his day. Almira Marshall was a descendant of John Marshall, of Billerica, Mass., daughter of Josiah Marshall, East India merchant of Boston, and grand- daughter of Lieutenant Isaac Marshall, an officer of the French and Indian and the Revolutionary wars, and a direct descendant of five male passengers on the "Mayflower."

Marshall Woods was a graduate of Brown Univer- sity, A. B., 1845, A. M., 1845; and of the University of New York, M. D., 1848; although he never practiced medicine to any extent. His time was chiefly devoted to his own private affairs, to travel, literature and art. His travels were extensive in his own country, in Europe, and the East, his journeys almost always being made with members of his family. In 1855 he was United States commissioner from Rhode Island to the Paris Exposition, and a member of the International Jury on Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. For his services at the Exposition he received from the French government the decoration of the Cross of the Legion of Honor. His father's interest in Brown University was shared by his son, and his connection with it was both long and valuable. He served as trustee from 1856 until his death, was treasurer from 1866 to 1882, and issued the first printed treasurer's report. He pub- lished "A List of Subscriptions Made to Brown Uni- versity During the Twenty-five Years Terminating June 29. 1871." He served on the most important Uni- versity committees, giving freely of his time, and was always a conscientious, valued adviser. He generously laid the foundation for a lectureship on the Fine Arts, as applied to the mechanic arts, or industrial pursuits Recently the income of this fund has been released by his heirs, and will now be used in supplying lectures on the Fine Arts as applied broadly to human life, and lectures on the Arts and Sciences as applied to all human progress. No institution ever had a more de- voted guardian of its funds. He held many other posi- tions of trust; was a director of the Providence Na- tional Bank; a fellow of the Rhode Island Medical So- ciety; a member of the Charitable Baptist Society; the Hope and the Art clubs of Providence.

Marshall Woods married, July 12, 1848, Anne Brown Francis, who died August 24, 1896, a gifted musician, and a leader in social, religious, and charitable life. She was a daughter of John Brown Francis. A. B., Brown University. 1808; governor of Rhode Island,

1832-38; United States Senator, 1844-45. He great-grandson of Tench Francis, attorney-gener Pennsylvania 1741-55, descendant of the Rev. Francis, Dean of Lismore, Ireland, uncle of Sir I Francis, reputed author of the "Junius" Letters. Woods was a descendant of Chad Brown, who ca this country in the ship "Martin" in July, 1638; of Brown, the Revolutionary patriot; and of Nic Brown, the early benefactor of Brown Unive which bears his name. She was the great-grandd ter of the distinguished citizen and journalist, Carter, for nearly half a century the owner, edito publisher of the Providence "Gazette;" and of (Crawford) Carter, his wife, a descendant of Lindsay, the first Earl of Crawford. Marshal' Anne Brown (Francis) Woods were the parents daughter, Abby Francis Woods, who married S: Appleton Brown Abbott, of Boston, Mass., and four daughters: Helen Francis Abbott, wife of M ice King Washburn ; Madeleine Livermore Abbott, of John Ormshee Ames; Anne Francis Abbott, wi Charles Alexander Kilvert; and Caroline Liver Abbott ; and of an only son, John Carter Brown W of further mention.

John Carter Brown Woods was born in Provic R. I., June 12, 1851, and there he yet resides, em in his profession, useful in his citizenship. He rec his early education in the private school of Rev. Ch H. Wheeler, entered Brown University, and was uated A. B., class of 1872, delivering the classical tion. In 1875 he received the degree A. M. in cc Choosing the study of law he graduated at Hai Law School, receiving his degree, LL. B., in 1874. same year he was admitted to the Rhode Island and in 1876 to the Federal courts. While he has tinned practice in Providence until the present tim has taken a leading part in public affairs, political, cational, philanthropic and social. In addition to professional duties he carries many business resp. bilities, and since 1886 has been a director of the P dence National Bank. From 1877 until 1898 Mr. W! occupied prominent political positions in city and S His first appearance in public life was as a member the Providence Common Council, an office to w he was elected January 30, 1877. He was continue the Council through successive reelections until J ary, 1885, when he declined to again accept the ho He was president of the council during the years 1882-83-84, and served on important regular, spt and joint committees. A special committee of w he was chairman was one to decide upon the futur the Providence Reform School. The report of committee brought about the abolishment of the sc and the establishment of the Sockanosset School Boys and the Oaklawn School for Girls, at the S Institution at Cranston. As president of the Con he was ex-officio member of the Providence Scl Committee, and in all the demands his office made 1 him he shirked none, and retired after eight y service, rich in the esteem of his contemporaries of legislative branch of the city government, and of with whom he came into official relation.

Mr. Woods was a member of the State Legisla

William B. Tillinghast

GE Tillinghast

ZIS#NA SRS S643285 9

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from Providence, serving from May, 1881, to May, 1887, as representative, and as a member of the Senate from December, 1891, until May, 1892, and from April, 1894, for three full terms of one year each. He was chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary during the sessions of 1884-85, 1885-86, 1886-87. In the Senate he was chairman of the judiciary committee in 1892, and of the committee on education during his other three terms. In both branches of the State Legislature he was a member of many committees, regular and special, and in committee and on the floor did yeoman service in advancing legislation towards final passage. Among the special committees upon which he served was one of which he was chairman, to investigate and report to the House of Representatives upon the ad- ministration of criminal law in the State. He was chairman of the joint special committee of the House, appointed in April, 1886, to consider changes in laws relating to the administration of justice in the inferior courts. The improvement of highways, the subject of taxation, erection of a State armory, geological survey to determine material suitable for road building, re- vision of laws affecting the militia of the State, all were subjects considered and reported on by committees appointed for the purpose, upon which Mr. Woods served as member, often as chairman. He was made a member of the commission to erect the State Armory at Providence, of which he is still a member. He was a member of the State Board of Charities and Cor- rections, 1892-98, and chairman, 1894-98. He was also a member of the first commission on good roads and the commission on the geological survey of the State. He was a member of the Republican City Committee, 1879-96, chairman, 1886-93; member of the State Cen- tral Committee, 1890-93, and prominently connected with Republican organizations and conventions, with- out number. Mr. Woods was elected moderator of the Charitable Baptist Society in 1891, having previously served the society as clerk for fourteen years. He remained as moderator until 1900, when he declined a reëlection.

Like his honored father and grandfather, Mr. Woods has been a loyal friend of Brown University, his alma mater. He has served as trustee since 1884, was a member of the Advisory and Executive Committee from 1885 to 1918, and secretary of that committee from 1889 to 1916. He is a member of Epsilon Chapter, Zeta Psi, joining while a student at the University, and in 1871 was elected to Alpha Chapter, Phi Beta Kappa, was vice-president, 1891-93, and president, 1893-95. He has been a director of the Rhode Island School of Design on the part of Brown University, and was a trustee of the Institute for the Deaf of Rhode Island, 1895-1907, and for twelve years, 1888-1900, president of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was one of the founders and original members of the Rhode Island Society, Sons of the American Revolution, serving the society as vice-presi- dent, 1891-92; president, 1892-93; and as delegate to National congresses. He is also a member of the So- ciety of the Mayflower Descendants; was one of the founders of the Hope Club of Providence, which he served as governor, 1875-88; vice-president, 1875-81 ;

and president, 1892-98. He was also one of the founders of the Country Club at Choppequonsett, and is now a member of Hope, Agawam Hunt, and University clubs, Providence; and New York, Squantum, Turk's Head, Providence Art, Players', Pow Wow of Harvard clubs; Harvard Club of Rhode Island; Harvard Law School Association ; East Side Skating Club; Newport Reading Room Club; Clam Bake Club of Newport; Providence Bar Club; American Bar Association; Rhode Island Bar Association; Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; Rhode Island Society of Mayflower Descendants; Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children; Rhode Island So- ciety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; Rhode Island School of Design; Archaeological Institute of America; Rhode Island Historical Society; Providence Athenaum; Providence Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation ; The Charitable Baptist Society; and a member of the corporations of the Rhode Island Hospital. But- ler Hospital, and the Lying-In Hospital. Mr. Woods has traveled extensively, and for some years has de- voted much of his time to historical research and the management of public and private interests. He re- sides at No. 62 Prospect street, and has his office in the Francis building, No. 146 Westminster street, Prov- idence, R. I.

GEORGE E. TILLINGHAST-As vice-president of the firm of Tillinghast & Stiles, of Providence, George E. Tillinghast was widely known in business circles in Rhode Island, and in business and private life gained reputation worthily succeeding that of his honored father, Hon. William B. Tillinghast. His death on October 13, 1919, removed from his firm a member who had steadfastly and effectively worked for its success, and from the Providence community a citizen of strong and unselfish public spirit.

Member of an old and distinguished New England family, founded in the early Colonial period by Pardon Tillinghast, Mr. Tillinghast was a son of William B. and Julia (Thompson) Tillinghast, and a grandson of William Billings and Sybil (Vaughn) Tillinghast. His father, William B. Tillinghast, was born at Exeter, R. I., June 22, 1835, and was educated at the local schools and East Greenwich Academy. While still little more than a lad he was obliged to give up his studies and to engage in a remunerative occupation, and he secured a position in one of the cotton mills of that region. He became a skilled mechanic and was possessed of a degree of physical strength and dexterity that enabled him to accomplish a greater amount of work in a shorter time than his fellows. He was employed in subordinate positions until 1867, and then became man- ager of a small cotton mill in Exeter owned by David L. Aldrich & Company. This position he held for about five years, when he was offered the superintend- ency of the Arcadia Mills of Richmond and Exeter. Mr. Tillinghast held this responsible post for thirty years, from 1872 to 1902, and upon the death of David L. Aldrich was admitted to an interest in the business. After the sale of the Arcadia Mills to New York capitalists, Mr. Tillinghast retired from active partici- pation in affairs, made his home in the town of John-

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son, and there resided until his death, January 30, 1908. As superintendent of the Arcadia Mills he was brought prominently before the public, and during his long resi- dence in Exeter held many public offices, devoting a great deal of his time to the public service. He was intensely public-spirited and all phases of community life appealed to him, especially those matters pertain- ing to education and the moral uplift. For thirty years he was a member of the school committee, and he was a member of the Rhode Island Legislature in 1874-75-76-78-79-94-95-96-97. He was a State Senator in 1874 and 1875, and aided in the election of General Burnside as United States Senator. He was a valuable legislator, faithful in his attendance upon committee meetings and house sessions, serving with an eye single to the public good. Although not a member, he was a generous supporter of the Baptist church, and in politics he was a staunch Republican. He married, November, 29, 1856, Julia Thompson, among their children George E., of whom further, and Colonel Frank W., the only surviving child.

George E. Tillinghast was born at Hopkinton, R. I., October 17, 1857. As a boy he attended the public schools of his birthplace, and afterwards became a student in the East Greenwich Academy and the New Hampton Literary Institute of New Hampton, N. H. He was graduated from the last-named institution in 1876, and immediately upon completing his studies secured a position in the cotton mill of D. L. Aldrich, at Arcadia, R. I., where he remained for a short time. From there Mr. Tillinghast went to Moosup, Conn., where he entered the employ of Aldrich & Gray, be- coming head bookkeeper of their establishment and continuing in this position for five years. He was then superintendent for a like period, a most responsible position for so young a man. Upon the death of Mr. Aldrich, Mr. Tillinghast became manager and trustee of the estate, acting in these capacities until the satis- factory termination of the trust.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 105

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