USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV > Part 109
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During the World War a machine gun cartridge belt, made of a paper and asphalt composition, was designed in the Ordnance Department to replace the old and expensive belt in use up to that time. The old type of belt, costly in its first manufacture, was loaded by a slow hand process, and was often reloaded many times on the field of battle. The advantages of the new belt
were to be speed of manufacture, speed of loading, low cost of production, and the ability to discard them when firing had been completed. The design for the belt was turned over to Mr. Briggs by the war depart- ment with the charge of designing the machines to realize these advantages. It is a tribute to his inven- tive genius and wide technical knowledge that after a thorough study of the problems he and his associates produced a machine to manufacture the belt and another to load it with three hundred shells, the entire opera- tion completed in one minute. This machinery was made in their factory and then shipped to the various ammunition plants throughout the country manufac- turing machine gun belts and shells. This is a notable example of the instant and effective response of the industrial genius of the country to any demand made upon it, and Mr. Briggs, past the age for the firing line, ably improved this opportunity for service to the Allied cause.
In 1913, Mr. Briggs was elected to the Warwick Town Council, and was reelected in 1914, becoming president of that body, but he resigned before the ex- piration of his term. He is interested in all that con- cerns the welfare of his town, and a supporter of all movements of civic progress. He maintains a resi- dence in Providence, and has a summer home in Florida. His favorite recreations are golf and motor- ing, and he is fond of all out-of-door sports.
HOWARD O. STURGES-Since boyhood, Mr. Sturges has been a resident of the city of Providence, and in return for the education bestowed and oppor- tunity offered, he has given freely of the strength of his manhood and the wisdom of mature years to the city and her interests. While a senior member of Sturges & Gammell, he has given great attention to cotton manufacturing, and has other important corporate interests, both official and non-official, his interests covering a wide range. His years exceed the scriptural "three score and ten," and in its course he has man- fully met every duty, the record of his life including service in the Union army during that fateful period of war between the States.
Howard O. Sturges, son of Thomas and Mary (Rush) Sturges, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., Febru- ary 24, 1845. When young, he came to Providence, R. I., and in the city public schools he obtained his edu- cation. He began business life as a bank clerk, con -; tinuing two years before becoming interested in cotton manufacturing, a line of activity he has followed for half a century in Providence, now being a member of the firm, Sturges & Gammell, at No. 50 South Main street. He has many other business interests, and dur- ing his long and busy life has aided in founding and developing many companies and enterprises which have proved their value to the city. He is president of the Allen & Read Company, a trustee and a vice- president of the Providence Institution for Savings, a director of the Providence Telephone Company, the Albany & Susquehanna Railroad, Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, and vice-president of the Providence Building Company. He is deeply interested in mutual fire insurance, and is a director of five companies of
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that class; the Manufacturers', Rhode Island State, Mechanics', Enterprise, and American. Mr. Sturges served in the Civil War in Company D, Tenth Regi- ment, Rhode Island Volunteers, enlisting in 1862. He is a member of Rodman Post, Grand Army of the Republic; Hope, Providence, Art, Agawam Hunt, Turk's Head clubs; Squantum Association, and in religious faith is an Episcopalian.
Mr. Sturges married, at Providence, R. I., Novem- ber 25, 1875, Alice Spring Knight, of Providence, eldest daughter of Benjamin Brayton and Phœbe Ann (Slo- cum) Knight. Mr. and Mrs. Sturges are the parents of three sons and a daughter: Walter Knight, of whom further; Rush, a sketch of whom follows; How- ard, of whom further; and Dorothy.
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Walter Knight Sturges, eldest son of Howard O. and Alice Spring (Knight) Sturges, was born in Provi- dence, August 25, 1876, and died May 9, 1913. After attendance at Providence private schools and St. Paul's School, Concord, he entered Yale University, whence he was graduated Ph. D., class of 1898. He engaged in banking for eighteen months after graduation, then until his death was agent of the B. B. Knight estate, his maternal grandfather's. He was a member of Providence Common Council in 1910 and 1911, elected from the First Ward, and during his incumbency of the office, made himself a force in the city government. He was a member of the Hope, Agawam Hunt, and Art clubs of Providence; Bristol Reading Room, and the University, of New York City. Walter Knight Sturges married, April 25, 1903, Marie Hayes, born May 27, 1876, daughter of Joseph M. and Sarah (Boyle) Hayes, of St. Louis, Mo. They were the parents of three children: Thomas Rush, born Sept. 19, 1905; 5 Hayes, born Oct. 7, 1906; Walter Knight (2), born June 30, 1909. $
Howard Sturges, third son of Howard O. and Alice 1
Spring (Knight) Sturges, was born in Providence, R. I. After completing the course of graded and high e schools in Providence, he prepared at Groton, Mass., 1 then entered Yale University, whence he was gradu- ated A. B., class of 1908. He then went to Paris for instruction in music. During the war Mr. Sturges served first as a member of the American Relief Clear- ing House Headquarters in Paris, and later as secre- tary to Oscar Beatte in the American Red Cross. His services were rewarded by official recognition from the French government. Mr. Sturges is now associated with Mr. Beatte in business in Paris. He is a mem- ber of the Agawam Hunt Club, and the Rhode Island Yale Alumni Association. g
RUSH STURGES-All of Mr. Sturges' professional work has been in association with the legal firm of ٢٠ Green, Hinckley & Allen, of Providence, to which he was admitted a member in 1910, after a previous con- nection of two years.
Rush Sturges is a son of Howard O. Sturges (q. v.) and Alice Spring (Knight) Sturges, and was born in Providence, August 19, 1879. His studies were begun in the University Grammar School, and he completed his ce preparation for college at St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H., entering Yale University, and being graduated A. B. in the class of 1902. Taking up professional of
study in Harvard Law School, he was graduated LL. B. in 1906. The period between his classical and legal schooling had been spent in foreign travel. Mr. Sturges did not apply for admission to the bar until September, 1908, and after his admission he began practice in the offices of Green, Hinckley & Allen, of Providence. In 1910 he became a member of the firm and has since been active in the firm organization.
Mr. Sturges has been notably identified with many movements looking toward the development, progress, and service of his city, and has chosen well his fields of endeavor. From 1908 to 1913 he was secretary of the Playground Association of Providence, instrumental in gaining general support for this project so essential to the future welfare of the community. He is a mem- ber of the boards of trustees of the Providence Public Library, St. Mary's Orphanage, and the South County Hospital Association. For four years, from 1914 to 1918, he represented the First Ward in the City Coun- cil. His legal knowledge and experience were valuable assets in his councilmanic capacity, and until his mili- tary duties interrupted he was an energetic, capable member of that body.
His military record began with his enlistment in Battery A, Light Artillery, Rhode Island Militia, De- cember 3, 1906. He served in this organization until 1914, when he withdrew, . having, during this period, assisted in the reorganization of Battery A, Rhode Island National Guard, in 1910. When the United States declared war upon Germany in 1917, he enlisted as a private in Battery B, separate battalion of Rhode Island Field Artillery. He was commissioned a first lieutenant in field artillery, May 19, 1917, was mustered into the Federal service with his organization, July 25, 1917, and took the field with his battery. On Angust 2, 1917, he was honorably discharged from the service for physical disability, a decision rendered upon the general examination at initial muster. On September 20, following, he was commissioned a first lieutenant in ordnance, was promoted to a captaincy in the Na- tional Army, February 9, 1918, and on March 13,. 1918, sailed for overseas duty in France as adjutant of the First Provisional Ordnance Battalion. Until January, 1919, he served with the American Expeditionary Forces, the greater part of the time as ordnance officer at Angers, Maine-et-loire, where he was in charge of a depot for the supply and repair of engineer and heavy artillery ordnance material. He returned to the United States, January 20, 1919, in command of a battalion of ordnance personnel numbering eleven hundred. After his discharge from the service he was commissioned major in the ordnance section of the Officers' Reserve Corps, based upon a recommendation for promotion made in September, 1918, by the commander of the Service of Supply, American Expeditionary Forces. Since the formation of the American Legion, Mr. Sturges has been interested in its growth and work, attended the St. Louis Caucus in May, 1919, and is the present secretary of the Rhode Island Department of the American Legion. He is a firm and enthusiastic believer in the Legion's standards of one hundred per cent. Americanism, the fostering of patriotism, the rebuke of disloyalty, and the comradeship of service men throughout the country through local posts and
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departments. Mr. Sturges is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, his clubs the Hope, Agawam Hunt and Turk's Head, of Providence, New Haven Graduate, of New Haven, and the Yale and Harvard clubs, of New York. For several years he was secre- tary of the Yale Alumni Association of Rhode Island. He is a member of the vestry of Grace Episcopal Church, of Providence.
Mr. Sturges married, January 1, 1908, Elizabeth Hazard, daughter of Rowland G. Hazard, of Peace Dale, R. I., and they are the parents of: Benjamin Rush, Elizabeth Peace, John Pierrepont, Rowland, and Alice Knight.
HON. ROBERT STEPHEN EMERSON-Since completing his law studies and being admitted to the Rhode Island Bar, Robert Stephen Emerson has by consistent effort and close application risen to an emi- nent position in legal circles. Judge Emerson, outside of his large legal practice, is prominently identified with various business and social interests which truly place him in the front ranks of Rhode Island's leading sons.
Robert Stephen Emerson, oldest of the four sons of Charles A. and Elizabeth G. (Price) Emerson, was born September I. 1876, in Pawtucket, R. I. He re- ceived his early education in the public and high schools of Pawtucket, and in the fall of 1893 entered Brown University, where he was graduated in 1897, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then entered the employ of the National India Rubber Company, o: Bristol, R. I., grounding himself firmly in the funda- ments of the business by six months' intensive work at the mill. Here his alertness to opportunity and keen business judgment were quickly recognized. with the result that he was placed in charge of difficult and important matters ordinarily entrusted to men of more mature years and much longer experience. Concur- rently, while located in the New York City office of the Rubber Company, he took up the study of his future profession at the New York Law School in 1901, being graduated in 1903. with the degree of LL. B. Resigning from the National India Rubber Company at this time. he devoted six months to the study of Rhode Island law in the office of Comstock & Gardner, Providence, and was admitted to the Rhode Island bar in December, 1903. Associating himself with George H. Huddy, Jr., at No. 86 Weybosset street, Providence, he entered immediately into the practice of law.
In 1909. Judge Charles C. Mumford resigned from the Superior Court of Rhode Island, and the law firm of Mumford. Huddy & Emerson was formed, with offices in the Grosvenor building. From the beginning this firm enjoyed a large practice and became at once one of the leading law firms in Rhode Island. The growth of their practice made larger quarters neces- sary. and on being engaged as counsel for the Indus- trial Trust Company in 1916, they took offices in the Industrial Trust building. E. Butler Moulton was admitted to the firm in 1917, and on the death of Judge Mumford, in 1918, the firm became Huddy, Emerson & Moulton.
In February, 1909, Mr. Emerson was the unanimous choice of the Republican members of the General
Assembly, and was elected to the position of clerk and associate justice of the Tenth Judicial District Court of Rhode Island, located at Pawtucket. At the same, time he continued the general practice of law at his Providence office. On completing nine years' service in the court, his private practice made such demands! upon his time that he was compelled to refuse a reelec- tion. In 1915 the health of Judge William W. Blod- gett, who had been judge of the Probate Court of Pawtucket for over forty years, was so impaired that the office of associate judge of probate was created by a special act of the General Assembly, and Mr. Emer- son was unanimously elected to the position. This he held until the death of Judge Blodgett, whom he suc- ceeded. The position of judge of probate he still holds.
Early in his practice Judge Emerson developed a marked preference for business and corporation law and he is recognized as one of the leading members of the Rhode Island bar in this class of work. From 1915 to 1918 he was president and a director of the Tilden-Thurber Corporation of Providence, and he is at the present time president of the Narragansett Rub- ber Company of Bristol, R. I., and a director of the C. E. Brooks Company of Providence. On January I, 1920, he was elected a director and president of the Cadillac Auto Company of Rhode Island, which con- trols the output and sale of Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Dodge automobiles in Rhode Island. His early com- mercial training, together with his natural ability in this line of work, have made his services of particular value in the handling of large estates and the liquida- tion and reorganization of commercial enterprises. He was receiver of the Harrison Yarn & Dyeing Com- pany of Pawtucket; the Cataract Rubber Company, of Wooster, Ohio; Howland & Wheaton Company, handkerchief manufacturers of Warren, R. I .; he was receiver of the Consumers' Rubber Company of Bris- tol, at the time of its first failure, and trustee in bank- ruptcy at the time of its second failure. In this work he has conducted important litigation for these cor- porations. and has traveled extensively, so that he is well known among the trade throughout the country in the lines represented by these industries. His knowledge and experience in the rubber industry were such that he was selected during the war to serve on the Rubber Footwear Committee in conference with the officials of the War Industries Board. He was also the government appeal agent for the First District of Pawtucket during the entire period of the operations of the Selective Draft Law, during the World War. In addition he was in charge in the city of Pawtucket of the work of the American Protective League, oper- ating under the Secret Service Branch of the United States Department of Justice.
While at Brown University he was initiated into Zeta Charge of Theta Delta Chi fraternity, and he has since maintained a keen and active interest in this organization. Being located in Providence, this has been of particular value to the members of the Zeta Charge, and his counsel and advice are repeatedly sought by the undergraduates. He is well known in the general fraternity, being a regular attendant at the annual conventions and having served on the Grand Lodge. He is a charter member and president of
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Theta Delta Chi Founders' Corporation, which holds and manages the permanent funds of the fraternity, having been elected to this office when the corporation was organized.
Judge Emerson is a thirty-second degree Mason. He was made a Master Mason in Union Lodge, No. IO, of Pawtucket, in 1907; and is a member of Paw- tucket Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; Paw- tucket Council, No. 2, Royal and Select Masters; Holy Sepulchre Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar, all of Pawtucket, while in Providence he holds member- ship in Solomon's Grand Lodge of Perfection; Rhode Island Council, Princes of Jerusalem, Rhode Island Chapter of Rose Croix, and Rhode Island Consistory, as well as Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and the To-Kalon Club of Pawtucket, the Turk's Head, East Side Tennis, and Wannamoisett Country clubs of Providence.
In politics Mr. Emerson is a Republican, but his tenure of judicial offices has precluded his activity in politics and his consideration of other public office. He has always been an active participant in athletic sports, and outdoor life. He is also interested in the collection of antique furniture and postage stamps, his collection of postage stamps being one of the largest in the United States.
Judge Emerson is democratic, genial, humorous, quick-witted and a good-natured opponent at repartee. Ready at all times to concede to others the right to their opinions, and tolerant in debate, he neverthless holds with rugged tenacity to his own viewpoint, reached only after mature consideration. He is an indefatigable worker, enthusiastic, dynamic and re- sourceful; and his personality accounts for his success in enlisting the loyalty and the enthusiasm of those who are associated with him.
On February 7, 1905, Judge Emerson was married to Marian Butterworth, of Providence.
CHARLES FALCONER STEARNS-The eleva- tion of Judge Stearns from the Superior to the Su- preme bench of the State of Rhode Island was an act of the General Assembly, which met with popular approval, and was a graceful and well deserved testi- monial to his just and upright service of twelve years as an associate judge of the Superior Court. Judge Stearns is a twentieth century representative of the family founded in New England by Isaac Stearns (or Stearne), who came with Governor Winthrop and Sir Richard Saltonstall in 1630, and settled in Watertown, Mass.
Henry Augustus Stearns. of the seventh American generation, and father of Judge Charles F. Stearns, was the first of this direct line to locate in Rhode Island, having come in 1861, where he had a successful business career. He located in Pawtucket in that year, became associated with the Union Wadding Com- pany, and for half a century was closely identified with that corporation, also becoming influential in pub- lic life and serving his adopted State as legislator, State official, and lieutenant-governor. His sons, Deshler Falconer, George Russell, Walter Henry, and Henry Foster Stearns, are all influential business men,
Judge Charles F. alone choosing a professional career. He has been a member of the Rhode Island bar, and in active service as attorney and judge since 1893, a full quarter of a century, during which he has risen to the high judicial position.
The line of descent from the Pilgrim, Isaac Stearns, is through his son, John Stearns, born in Watertown in 1631, who was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Billerica, Mass. He was succeeded by his son, Lieutenant John Stearns of Billerica, who was the father of John (2) Stearns, who died in Billerica, Au- gust 2, 1776, aged ninety. John (3) Stearns married Esther Johnson, of Woburn, daughter of Captain Edward Johnson, granddaughter of William Johnson, and great-granddaughter of Captain Edward Johnson, author of a history of New England, entitled "Won- der-Working Providence of Zion's Savior in New Eng- land."
Captain Edward Stearns, son of John (3) and Esther (Johnson) Stearns, was born May 9, 1726, died in New Bedford, Mass., June II, 1793, a brave officer of the Revolution at the Battle of Concord in 1775. He was in command of the Bedford militia after Captain Wil- son was shot, and afterward the command was made permanent, but he declined the honor. Captain Edward Stearns married Lucy Wyman, and among their chil- dren was a son, Captain Abner.
Captain Abner Stearns was a farmer boy who became interested in mill work, was a wool carder, and also had a grist and paint mill. He constructed the first machine for splitting leather and the first machine for dyeing silk was the invention of this rarely gifted country boy. At one time he held an option on the entire water power at Lowell, Mass., a supply which has since made that city great. He was a soldier of the War of 1812, but came to his death by accident, December 1I, 1838. He married (second) Mrs. Anna (Russell) Estabrook, daughter of Thomas Russell, whose father was shot by the British in their retreat from Lexington, April 19, 1775. Captain Abner and Anna (Russell-Estabrook) Stearns were the parents of Henry Augustus Stearns.
Henry Augustus Stearns was born October 23, 1825, died October 8, 1910. He learned the shoemaker's trade in youth after finishing his studies at Andover Academy, joined his brother. George S., in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1846, and there started the first cotton wadding mill west of the Alleghenies. In spite of misfortune the business was successfully founded and is yet carried on under the firm name, Stearns & Foster Company, Inc. In 1850 he went to California, taking with him a boiler and machinery with which to start a steam laundry. He had this machinery carried across the Isthmus of Panama on the shoulders of men, then loaded it on an old shaler, which was partially wrecked and adrift on the ocean four months, until San Francisco was reached, with crew and passengers in a starving condition. Mr. Stearns soon rallied, erected his ma- chincry, and developed a prosperous laundry business, which he sold to operate the first steam ferry across the bay, the first boat being the "Hector." with Cap- tain Stearns in command. Later he operated a steam saw mill in the Redwoods district, the first, it is be- lieved, also operated a general store in Gilroy, and
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slaughtered cattle for the market. He returned to Cin- cinnati in 1853, and resumed the manufacture of cotton wadding on a large scale. In 1857 failing health caused him to change his residence, and with a partner he began the manufacture of hardware in Buffalo, N. Y., losing nearly all his fortune in that venture. He next bought a tract of timber in Sangamon county, Ill., set up a saw mill, and continued lumbering and farming until 1861, when he came to Rhode Island, and in Paw- tucket spent the remainder of his life.
With Darius Goff, Mr. Stearns began the manufac- ture of cotton wadding, a business which developed into the Union Wadding Company, Inc., in 1870, with two and a half millions of dollars capital, the largest cot- ton waste business in the United States. Mr. Stearns was superintendent of the company from 1870 until 1891, then was elected vice-president, an office he ever afterward held. He inherited the inventive genius of his father and several patents of value were issued to him. He represented the town of Lincoln in the State Legislature in both branches, was school trustee, and in 1891-92 Lieutenant-Governor of Rhode Island. He was a member of lodge, chapter, council and com- mandery of the York Rite of Freemasonry, and in the Scottish Rite held the thirty-second degree. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Society of Colonial Wars, also for many years was a director of the Franklin Savings Bank.
Henry A. Stearns married, in Hamilton, Ohio, June 25, 1856, Kate Falconer, daughter of J. H. and Char- lotte (Smith) Falconer, their home being in Pawtucket from 1861 to 1862, then at Central Falls, R. I., where both were members of the Congregational Church. Mr. Stearns possessed a fine private library, and when his years grew heavy he gave himself to his books and his home, taking a deep pride in his large and capable family. Mr. and Mrs. Stearns were the parents of: Deshler Falconer, George Russell, Walter Henry, Kate Russell, Charles Falconer, of further mention; Henry Foster, Anna Russell, who died in infancy; and Caro- line.
Such was the lineage of Charles Falconer Stearns, of the eighth American generation. He was born in what is now Central Falls, R. I., July 27, 1866. He began his education in the public schools, passed to Mowry and Goff's English and Classical School of Providence, entered Amherst College, completed the full course, and was graduated A. B., class of '89. He prepared at Harvard Law School, was awarded his LL. B. in 1893, and in the fall of that year he was admitted to the Rhode Island bar. He opened law offices in Provi- dence, and soon became well established in practice, gaining a reputation as being one of the able young lawyers of the Rhode Island bar. He continued in private practice in Providence until 1897, when he was appointed Assistant Attorney-General of Rhode Island, and in 1901 was elected Attorney-General, serving three years, 1902-05. In 1905 he was the nominee of the Re- publican party for judge of the Superior Court, the nominating speech being made by Senator Kane, of Narragansett. He was elected and sat upon the Su- perior bench for twelve years, then, in 1916, was a candidate for associate justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. Judge Stearns was elected by the Gen-
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