The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 113

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 113

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Dr. Buxton married, January 10, 1878, Sarah A. Harrington, daughter of Benjamin Harrington, of Worcester, Mass., and are the parents of two sons, G. Edward (q. v.), and Bertram H., horn June 11, 1883, in Worcester.

G. EDWARD BUXTON, JR .- Despite his western birth, Mr. Buxton is a New Englander through family connections and personal associations, for he was edu- cated in Massachusetts and Rhode Island institutions,

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

has pursued his business career mainly in Provi- dence, and after a military career in the Rhode Island National Guard was commissioned from this State in the Federal service.

G. Edward Buxton, Jr., was born in Kansas City, Mo., May 13, 1880, son of Dr. G. Edward and Sarah A. (Harrington) Buxton (q. v.). He completed his preparatory education at the Highland Military Acad- emy, of Worcester, which he attended from 1895 to 1898, being graduated in the latter year as valedictorian of his class and as senior officer of the school batta- lion. Entering Brown University, he received the de- gree of Ph. B. from that institution in the class of 1902, having been active in various college activities, being a member of Pi Kappa, Phi Delta Theta, and the Sock and Buskin Club, of which he was the first president. For fourteen months after his graduation from Brown University he was on the staff of "The Providence Journal" as reporter and assistant tele- graph editor, and then completed a three years' course in the Harvard Law School, with the degree of LL. B. Upon the completion of his general and professional training he became manager of the Title Guarantee Company, an office he held from December, 1906, to December, 1911. From the latter date to April, 1912, he served as executive secretary of the Brown Endow- ment Campaign, and at the same time, and until Sep- tember, 1912, was identified with the John Carter Brown Estate. Since September, 1912, he has been treasurer of the Providence Journal Company, and although military duties have absorbed him for a large portion of that time, he has borne an important share of the labor of direction of that well known news- paper's activity.

From August, 1914, to January, 1915, he was cor- respondent for "The Providence Journal" in the war zone, sending articles from England, Germany, France, and Belgium, which pictured the extraordinary condi- tions imposed by the war upon both antagonists. His experiences while within the German lines were of unusual interest. He was arrested numerous times and was continually suspected of being an English spy. Early in 1915, convinced of the impossibility of the United States remaining neutral in the conflict, he returned home and devoted himself diligently to the cause of preparedness. From this time, when he helped inaugurate the Plattsburg camps movement, the out- standing feature of his activity has been the vigorous, clear-sighted, devoted patriotism that has possessed him and that has actuated his willing service, and which has been the means of influencing many others to national support. Colonel Buxton was instrumental in organizing and was the chiet marshal of the great preparedness parade held Saturday, June 3. 1916, in which 42,542 men and 10,000 women participated, the parade requiring seven hours to pass the reviewing stand. This parade, the greatest demonstration ever held in Rhode Island, and the third largest of its kind in the United States, was indicative of Rhode Island's attitude toward the war and the stalwart patriotism of her citizens. Prior to entering active military service, Mr. Buxton was chairman of the Organization Com- mittee on Public Safety of Rhode Island, under ap- pointment of Governor Beeckman.

Colonel Buxton's military record began in 1900, when he became second lieutenant of Company A, Brigade Rhode Island Militia. In 1901 he held the rank of first lieutenant in the same organization, resigning in 1903. From 1906 to 1911 he was captain of the Third Company, Coast Artillery Corps, Rhode Island Na- tional Guard, and from 1912 to 1916 he was major and judge advocate of the Rhode Island National Guard. Resigning from the National Guard in October, 1916, he was commissioned major of infantry in the Re- serve Corps of the United States army, October 26, 1916, and was ordered to active duty at Fort Ogle- thorpe, Ga., May 8, 1917, where he was in command of the Second Battalion of the First Officers' Training Camp. On August 26, 1917, he was assigned to the command of the Second Battalion, Three Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infantry, of the Eighty-second Divi- sion, and in November, 1917, was appointed acting lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. He resumed com- mand of his battalion when the regiment left for overseas duty on May 1, 1918. The regiment continued training with the British in the Somme Sector, near Abbeyville, in the latter part of May and the first two weeks of June. During this period Colonel Buxton spent a week in the front line trenches before Albert, with the British Tenth Essex Battalion. From June 25 to August 9 the regiment was engaged in the Lagny Sector, north of Toul, and from August 15 to Septem- ber 12 occupied a portion of the Marbache Sector. It participated in the great St. Mihiel offensive, Septem- ber 12-16, which straightened out the salient made by the Germans in 1914. Colonel Buxton's battalion led the attack of the Three Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infantry along the west bank of the Moselle river, cap- turing the town of Norroy and the commanding ridge north of that town. On September 18, 1918, two days after the close of this action, Colonel Buxton was ap- pointed inspector general of the Eighty-second Divi- sion, and was in action in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, September 26-November 2, the crowning American contribution to the successive blows upon the German line that brought about the armistice of November II, 1918. On February 28, 1919, he was made lieutenant- colonel of the Three Hundred and Twenty-eighth Reg- iment, returned to the United States May 5, 1919, and was discharged from the service at Camp Upton, Long Island, May 12, 1919. Colonel Buxton was three times cited for gallantry and distinguished service during his tour of duty on the western front, his personal dis- tinctions forming a part of the splendid record of the regiment and division with which he had been identi- fied since August, 1917. There can be no greater re- ward of service than to see the forces one has helped shape from an awkward, uncertain crowd, into well disciplined and trained troops, justify under fire the hopes and faith of its officers; and no "outfit" in France, regular army or national guard, performed its appointed task more successfully than the Three Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infantry. Colonel Bux- ton is the author and editor of the "Official History of 82nd Division, American Expeditionary Forces" (Bobbs-Merrill Company, publishers).

Colonel Buxton has worked diligently in the Ameri- can Legion since his return to civilian life, having been

.a. Lockwood

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BIOGRAPHICAL

one of the incorporators, national committeeman for Rhode Island, and the first chairman of Providence Post of the American Legion. He believes firmly in its principles and its aims and has contributed largely to its success and permanence.

Colonel Buxton belongs to the Masonic order, and is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 9, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and Providence Chapter, No. I, Royal .Arch Masons. His clubs are the Hope, Agawam Hunt, Art, Turk's Head, and Pen and Pencil. He is a direc- tor of the District Nursing Association, and has been prominent in Boy Scout work, aiding Colonel Charles S. Mulhearn in the organization of the Boy Scouts of Rhode Island. His civic activity is along progressive lines, and although he is in no way a radical, he finds it easy to leave the beaten track to meet new needs and emergencies. He has a wide acquaintance in his State among its people in all walks of life, his demo- cratic friendliness also contributing to his large fol- lowing. In the field of business he is known as an energetic and keen executive.

On January 19, 1910, Mr. Buxton married Aline H. Armstrong, of Louisville, Kentucky. They have one son, Coburn Allen, born in Providence, June 6, 1912.

LAWRENCE ABRAHAM LOCKWOOD-Mainly in association with New England enterprises, Mr. Lockwood has been prominent in the industrial world for a long period of years. His present activities are centered in the New Bedford Cotton Waste Company, of whose large interests he is general manager. He has been the organizer of numerous successful textile manufacturing companies, and although he has since sold his interests and severed his connections they are without exception strong and prosperous industries.

Arms-Argent, a fesse between three martlets sable. Crest-On the stump of an oak tree erased proper a martlet sable.

Motto-Tutis in undis.

(I) Mr. Lockwood is a descendant of Robert Lock- wood, who came from England about 1630 and settled in Watertown, Mass. Robert and Susanna Lockwood were the parents of six children before their removal to Fairfield, Conn., in 1646. He was made a freeman in Fairfield in 1652 and there died in 1656. Their chil- dren, born in Watertown: Jonathan, Deborah, Joseph, Daniel, Ephraim, and Gershom; in Fairfield, John, Abigail, Sarah, and Mary. The line of descent is through the founder's fifth son and sixth child, Ger- shom, the last of his children born in Watertown.

(II) Gershom Lockwood, son of Robert and Su- sanna Lockwood, was born September 6, 1643, and died March 12, 1718-19, in Greenwich, Conn. His parents moved to Greenwich while he was yet a boy and there his after life was spent. He learned the carpenter's trade and in time became the leading huilder of the town. He was one of the twenty-one proprietors of Greenwich, and filled many of the town offices. He married (first) Lady Ann Millington, daughter of Lord Millington, an English peer, who had come to America to find her lover, an English army officer, but, failing in her search, became a teacher and in that capacity met Gershom Lockwood,

better known in the town as "Lieutenant Gershom." In 1660 Lady Millington's parents sent her a large oak chest, beautifully carved and strongly built. Tradition has it that the box contained a half bushel of golden guineas, fine silk dresses and costly clothing. All of Lieutenant Gershom Lockwood's children, seven in all, were born of his first marriage. He married (sec- ond) Elizabeth, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mont- gomery) Townsend, and widow of Gideon Wright. Descent is traced through the youngest son, Abraham, twin with Sarah, they the last born of the family of seven.

(III) Abraham Lockwood, son of Lieutenant Ger- shiom and Lady Ann (Millington) Lockwood, was born in Greenwich, Conn., in. 1670, and as early as December 27, 1706, is of record in Warwick, R. I. He died in June, 1747. He married (first) Sarah West- cott, born in 1673, daughter of Amos and Deborah (Stafford) Westcott. They were the parents of three sons: Abraham, of Providence and Scituate; Amos, born about 1695; Adam, of whom further; and two daughters, Deborah and Sarah. Abraham Lockwood married (second) Priscilla, widow of Jeremiah Cran- dall, and daughter of John and Ann (Gorton) War- ner. His wife, Priscilla, died February 24, 1750.

(IV) Adam Lockwood, second son of Abraham and Sarah (Westcott) Lockwood, was born about 1700. He married, December 24, 1734, Sarah Straight, daugh- ter of Henry and Hannah Straight, of East Green- wich, R. I., and they were the parents of eleven sons and daughters: Ann, Sarah, Abraham, Hannah, Adam, died young; Deborah, Almy, Patience, Adam, Abra- ham, and Benajah.

(V), Benajah Lockwood, son of Adam and Sarah (Straight) Lockwood, was born November 20, 1757. He was a soldier of the Revolution and in 1776 was serving as a private in Colonel Elliott's regiment. He married Abby Webb, and among their children was a son, Thomas Lockwood.

(VI) Thomas Lockwood, son of Benajah and Abby (Webb) Lockwood, was born in Warwick, R. I., in 1801, died at his farm in Old Warwick, in 1851, and was buried in the family plot on the farm. He was a stone mason by trade, and in his younger days worked in the South, principally Savannah, Ga. He did consid- erable mason work around Warwick, in Providence, and other sections, the Spragues securing his services for much of the work at their mills. He owned a farm of one hundred and fifty acres in Old Warwick, there making his home until his death, in the prime of life. He was a member of the Baptist church and supported the candidates of the Whig Party. He married Lucy Ann Lockwood, and they were the parents of fourteen children: Mary MacKenzie, married Albert Phillips; Thomas H .: Benoni, died in Warwick; Abby, mar- ried (first) John H. Weaver, (second) John Searle; Abraham, of further mention; George Lewis, Russell, Lucy Ann, married Captain George T. Searle, of Ap- ponaug; Nancy Maria, married Willard Briggs; Elisha P .; Lydia Chase. married George Eukers, who died in New Jersey; and three others, who died in infancy. Lucy Ann Lockwood died at the Old Warwick farm in 1879, aged seventy-six years, and was buried with

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her husband, whom she had survived twenty-eight years. Like her husband, she was a faithful member of the Baptist church.

(VII) Abraham Lockwood, son of Thomas and Lucy Ann (Lockwood) Lockwood, spent his boyhood at the home farm in Warwick and obtained his educa- tion in the public school. Upon attaining legal age he bought a farm of twenty acres near the home farm, making only a small payment on the purchase price. There he began market gardening, disposing of his produets in Providence. So well did he succeed in his farming for a nearby market that he cleared his first twenty acres of debt and bought other land which was cultivated in like manner, his estate finally aggregating seventy-five acres, all under profitable cultivation. In addition to the management of his farm he was for thirty-five years engaged in boring wells along War- wick Neck and in Old Warwick, the summer residents in those sections his patrons. In 1889 he retired from farming and sold his property to Richard Harrison, as a site for his summer home. Abraham Lockwood then built a suitable residence at Lockwood Corners and also built several other houses in that vicinity, his real estate holdings including twenty acres in the Lock- wood Corners section. For many years he was inter- ested in New England shipping and owned large shares in vessels sailing from her ports, a most lucrative part of his business activity. He was a Republican in poli- tics and supported that party until his death, April 25, 1919.

Abraham Lockwood married (first) August 21, 1850, Sarah Ann Carr, born November 29, 1839, died Decem- ber 20, 1889, and was buried in Lockwood Cemetery. He married (second) March 29, 1892, Mary Andrews, born in Duttonfield, England, daughter of John An- drews. Abraham and Sarah Ann (Carr) Lockwood had the following children: Sarah Ann, born June 12, 1851, the widow of Charles H. Waterman, of Provi- dence; Abraham L., born Jan. 16, 1853, died June 16, 1853; Emma E., born Feb. 14, 1854, married Walter G. Hartford, of Montville, Conn .; Lawrence A., of whom further; Frank William, a sketch of whom fol- lows; Orlando H., born July 19, 1859, died Sept. 30, 1859; Maria Eugenia, born Dec. 8, 1860, died April 21, 1861; Herhert Burnett, born Sept. 12, 1862, a cotton broker of Charlotte, N. C., deceased.

(VIII) Lawrence Abraham Lockwood, son of Abra- ham and Sarah Ann (Carr) Lockwood, was born in Warwick, R. I., April 18, 1856. After attendance at the public schools, he entered Mount Pleasant Acad- emy, whence he was graduated in 1873, and then for five years was employed as a clerk in a mercantile establishment. At the end of this time he became a partner in the Hazard-Lockwood Company, which for two years conducted a store on Canal street, Provi- dence, failing health necessitating Mr. Lockwood's temporary retirement from business. For a year he taught school at home, and was then successively in the employ of the Harrison Yarn & Dyeing Company, of Pawtucket, Minchin & Company, of Central Falls, and the Pawtucket Hair Cloth Company, as book- keeper. During the following ten years he was office manager of the firm of W. F. and F. C. Sayles, of Saylesville, resigning this position to become general

manager of the Crefeld Mills, of Saylesville. Fou) years afterward these mills changed owners, and it 1896 Mr. Lockwood formed the L. A. Lockwood Com. pany, which became the largest converters of cottor materials, remnants and irregular goods, in the country also organizing the Crefeld Electrical Works, both in- corporated. The Crefeld Electrical Works were soor sold to the American Electrical Works, and after a period of successful operation of the company bearing his name, Mr. Lockwood sold his entire holdings therein. He established the Crefeld Waste & Batting Company, which operated until 1918 with profitable result. In 1906 Mr. Lockwood went south and founded the South Atlantic Waste Company, at Charlotte, N. C., a concern established as a branch of the Crefeld Waste & Batting Company. In 1918 he organized the New Bedford Cotton Waste Company, a syndicate of seven cotton mills of New Bedford, including the famous Wamsutta Mills, one of the largest of its kind in the United States. He is general manager of the New Bedford Cotton Waste Company and is widely known in the textile industry in New England through his influential and important connections.

Mr. Lockwood is a supporter of the Republican party, and maintains his voting privileges in the town of Lincoln, R. I. He was instrumental in the division of the old town of Lincoln and the formation of the city of Central Falls, and served on the Town Council of old Lincoln for two years, and for six years on the Town Council after the division. He has taken no small share of time from his private interests for the service of his fellows in matters of local interest, and is a dependable backer of movements of progress and civic improvement. He fraternizes with the Masonic order, belonging to lodge, chapter, council, command- ery, and shrine, and belongs to the To-Kalon Club, of Pawtucket, the Pomham Club, of Providence, the Wamsutta Club, of New Bedford, the Quequechon Club, of Fall River, the Manufacturers' Club, of Phil- adelphia, and the Arkwright Club, of New York City. He belongs to the Providence Chamber of Commerce, the American Cotton Manufacturers' Association, and the National Association of Cotton Manufacturers, of Boston.

Mr. Lockwood married, September 8, 1881, Viola B. Harrison, and they are the parents of: I. Edna Har- rison, married Ernest Ellison, of Charlotte, N. C., and they are the parents of Harriet Angeline, and Robert Emmett. 2. Lawrence A., Jr., associated with his father, also president and general manager of L. A. Lockwood, Jr., Company, Inc., and treasurer and gen- eral manager of the Bowditch Dye Works.

FRANK WILLIAM LOCKWOOD-For thirty years associated with insurance interests in Rhode Island, Frank William Lockwood is the present repre- sentative of his district in the Rhode Island Legisla- ture. His interest and activity in political affairs cov- ers a period of many years, but with the exception of his present office and the service of his community he has never been a candidate for public place.

(VIII) Frank William Lockwood, son of Abraham and Sarah Ann (Carr) Lockwood (q. v.), was born in Old Warwick, R. I., June 11, 1858. He attended the

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public schools of Warwick and Mount Pleasant Acad- emy, graduating from the latter institution in 1876, during this time working on his father's farm, and when he had completed his studies he bought a milk route, his first business venture. For two years he conducted this business, and for the three years fol- lowing he taught school in Old Warwick. During the summers of this period he was general superintendent of the Oakland Beach Amusement Company, success- fully directing the operation of this popular park, and in this capacity he formed a friendship with Marshall Wilder, the celebrated humorist and monologist, who was an attraction at Oakland Beach early in his career, a friendship that was unbroken until Mr. Wilder's death. In 1881 he accepted a position as bookkeeper in Providence, remaining there for two years, then entering the employ of the New York, Providence & Boston Railway as a clerk in the freight department. He began in the lowest clerkship in the department at a weekly wage of six dollars and advanced through every grade to the chief clerkship, which he left to go upon the road as brakeman, working as such for about six months, when he was promoted to the position of conductor. During his connection with this road he had several times been offered a place with the Provi- dence Washington Insurance Company, and in 1890 he began his present relation with that company, his position that of fire insurance adjuster. Mr. Lock- wood's services are highly valued by his associates, and he administers the important duties of his depart- ment with an ability and discretion that proves his fit- ness for his place.

Mr. Lockwood is a Republican in political belief, and has long been a leader in the party organization in the State. No member of his party has a greater fol- lowing among his political opponents than he, and early in his career he effected the first fusion of Repub- licans and Democrats in Warwick in support of a strong Republican ticket. For eighteen years he served as a member of the local school committee, for two years of that time as chairman, and although he has always been a potent factor in local affairs he steadfastly refused personal preference until his elec- tion in November, 1918, to his present office in the State Legislature. Mr. Lockwood went to the Legis- lature with a definite mission, the safeguarding of the public interests in important proposed street railway legislation, and to this he has given his entire time, serving on no committees unrelated to this subject.

Mr. Lockwood holds high position in the Masonic order, belonging to Harmony Lodge, No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons, of Pawtuxet, of which he is past master; Harmony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Pawtuxet, of which he is king; Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters; St. John's Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he is past eminent com- mander; and Rhode Island Consistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret, and he is also a member of Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is past noble grand of Eagle Lodge, No. 2, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his clubs are the Masonic, of Auburn, the Providence Central, and the Republican. He has fostered a spirit of progressiveness in Lakewood, his home, and has

been the source of many movements for its benefit, advocating and supporting the erection of business establishments, schools, churches, and similar institu- tions indicative of a prosperous, developing commun- ity. His citizenship is of a type whose value has been proved by many tests, and he is held in high and friendly esteem in his community.

Frank William Lockwood married, September 13, 1882, Lillian May Perkins, of Providence, and they are the parents of: Frank Earle, whose sketch follows; and Dr. Ralph Fred, whose sketch follows.

FRANK EARLE LOCKWOOD-The younger business men of Block Island number among their foremost representatives the well known citizen whose name stands at the head of this article. Mr. Lockwood is identified with the most essential interests of his home town, and is active in social and fraternal circles.

(IX) Frank Earle Lockwood, son of Frank William and Lillian May (Perkins) Lockwood, was born May 13, 1884, in Providence, R. I. He received his educa- tion in the grammar schools of Warwick and the Providence Classical High School. He then entered the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, class of 1906, graduating with the degree of Ph. G. For two years thereafter he was in the service of Claflin & Company, and for two years more was employed by Howard A. Pierce. For one year he was with D. E. Smith, and then spent six months with Blanding & Blanding. At the end of that time he went to Silver Lake to take charge of the Silver Lake Pharmacy, but resigned the position after six months in order to accept a similar one with the drug department of the Shepard Com- parv, retaining this for another six months. Returning then to Blanding & Blanding, he took charge of their laboratory for two years, and then went to Auburn, R. I., where he established the Lockwood Pharmacy, conducting it from 1911 to 1914. In the latter year he sold out and came to Block Island, forming a part- nership with D. B. Dodge & Company. This connec- tion he still maintains, and during the five years which have since elapsed has done much to promote the growth and prosperity of the business. Mr. Lockwood is the local correspondent of the Providence "Journal," Newport "Mercury," and Hartford "Courant." In politics Mr. Lockwood is an independent Republican, but takes no part in public affairs beyond exercising his right as a voter. He affiliates with Harmony Lodge, No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons, of Paw- tuxet; worthy patron of Manisses Chapter, No. II, Order of Eastern Star, of Block Island; and belongs to the Kappa Psi fraternity of the Rhode Island Col- lege of Pharmacy, and the Chess and Checker Club of Block Island.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 113

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