USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV > Part 115
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The Jefferson Street Baptist Church was long his church home. For twenty-three years he filled the office of superintendent of the Sunday school of that church: in 1878 and 1879 was president of the Rhode Island Baptist Sunday School Convention; and in 1893 was president of the Rhode Island Baptist Social Union. He was also for many years a member of the
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executive board of the Rhode Island Baptist State Convention, and has long placed at the disposal of his denomination his trained business services, backed by a consecration loyal and sincere. Since the passing of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church, Mr. Horton has been a member and most active worker in the Calvary Baptist Church. He affiliates with the Masonic order, holding the degrees of Harmony Lodge, No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons, of Pawtuxet; Providence Chap- ter, No. I, Royal Arch Masons, of Providence; and Providence Council, No. I, Royal and Select Masters.
Horace F. Horton married, January 15, 1862, Susan M. Anthony, of Foxboro, Mass., daughter of James B. and Ann Mercy (Johnson) Anthony, and they are the parents of three sons and three daughters: I. Henry F., born March 17, 1865, died unmarried, Dec. 21, 1899; a graduate of the Providence High School; for seven years associated with the firm of Horace F. Horton & Sons. 2. Annie M., born Dec. 1, 1866; married Arthur J. Llewellyn, and resided in LaGrange, Ill., where she died in 1901, leaving children: Katheryn, Donald, and Gwendolyn. 3. Clarence H., born June 12, 1869, now associated with the firm of Horace F. Horton & Sons; married Lillias Piper. 4. Fred E., of further mention. 5. Marion L., born April 22, 1877; married Charles M. Miller, of Barrington, R. I. 6. Laura E., born Dec. 7, 1879, a resident of Cranston.
(VII) Fred E. Horton, youngest son of Horace F. and Susan M. (Anthony) Horton, was born in Provi- dence, January 4, 1873. He prepared for Brown Uni- versity in the schools of Providence, and was gradu- ated Bachelor of Philosophy from that institution in the class of 1895. His business life began in associa- tion with his father, the firm of Horace F. Horton & Sons being formed in 1898. For a time he was in charge of the branch office of the firm at Pawtucket, but after the death of Henry E. Horton he became closely identified with the Providence office and its various operations. In 1905 the firm was incorporated with Horace F. Horton as president and Fred E. Horton as secretary and treasurer, and since that time the company's activities have been confined mainly to the mortgage and investment field, a large clientele testifying the confidence of the public in this old- established firm. Mr. Horton, in April, 1918, with Ezekiel E. Gardner, formed the Horton-Gardner Cor- poration for real estate and insurance operations. Mr. Horton is president and Mr. Gardner secretary and treasurer of this company, whose activities are widely extended, with branch offices and agencies in Newport, Narragansett Pier, and Westerly, R. I., New London and Willimantic, Conn., and New Bedford and Attle- boro, Mass. In the short period of its existence the Horton-Gardner Corporation has figured in numerous important real estate transactions and has also written a large total of insurance in all branches of the busi- ness-fire, casualty, automobile, etc. Mr. Horton is also president of the Union Real Estate Company, whose field of business is Pawtucket, and his principal interest outside the business in which he has spent his life is as treasurer of the Lynd-Sampson Needle Com- pany, of Philadelphia. He is a member of the National Real Estate Board, and is a member of the board of
directors of the Providence Real Estate Exchange, which he has served as president.
Mr. Horton is an active Mason, holding the thirty- second degree in the order, his membership in Har- mony Lodge, No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was worshipful master in 1907; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters, of which he was thrice illustrious master in 1907; St. John's Commandery, Knights Templar, of which he is sword bearer; and Rhode Island Consistory, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret, in which he is master of entrances. He is also a member of Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and is a member of the band of that organization. He belongs to Brown University Chapter, Phi Delta Theta fraternity. As a younger man, Mr. Horton was interested in military affairs and has an honorable discharge from the Rhode Island Naval Militia, certifying three years' service in the Third Division.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Horton has confined his participation in public affairs to local offices. From 1903 to 1907 he was a member of the Cranston School Board, and in 1910 he was elected as a member of the first City Council of the city of Cranston, serving two years, and in November, 1918, he was elected to the Town Council of Warwick. His clubs are the Turk's Head, Central, and Edgewood Yacht. His church is the Calvary Baptist. For six years he was superin- tendent of the Sunday school of the Jefferson Street Baptist Church prior to organization, and he has given to all departments of the church work diligent and devoted service. In his active career he has come into contact with many phases of the city's life, and each has known his hearty cooperation, and has felt the force of his energy and initiative.
Mr. Horton married, in March, 1897, Carrie E. Sampson, daughter of John W. and Susan E. (Quint) Sampson. Children: Ellis, Marjorie, Horace Francis (2), Faith, Fred E., Jr., Eleanor; and Helen, who died at the age of seven years.
BARTON ALLAN BALLOU-In Providence, which is known as the jewelry center of this country, there is no one whose name is more widely known perhaps than the man with whom this story deals. Bar- ton Allan Ballou is one who can look back, with keen recollection, three score and ten years, when this industry was in its infancy. It is a well known fact, however, that at that early date Providence and vicinity were well along on making jewelry, but from that time on the real growth took place, and Mr. Ballon to-day stands as a conspicuous figure and dean in the trade. His identity is not only known in this field, for he has been active in other ways, and Rhode Island knows lıim as one of its prominent citizens. He has done much for the welfare of his home city and his State by helping to advance all good movements for the well- being of his fellow citizens.
The American Ballou families are of Norman- French descent. Guinebond Ballon, their ancestor, was, it is supposed, a marshal in the army of William the Conqueror, and fought in the battle of Hastings in
Barton a Ballon
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BIOGRAPHICAL
1066. His descendants lived in County Sussex, Eng- land, until late in the fourteenth century, where they were extensive landholders and held important govern- mental offices both in State and church. Later many of them settled in other counties of England and Ire- land, and held large baronial estates there. In Eng- land and Ireland they have preserved an unbroken line of descent of domains and titles for at least six hun- dred years, and in Devonshire they have long been dis- tinguished. The name has been variously spelled Belou, Ballowe, Belloue, Belleau, Bellew, etc., but at present it is usually written Ballou.
(I) Maturin Ballou, the immigrant ancestor, was born in Devonshire, England, between 1610 and 1620, and came to America previous to 1645, the exact place and date unknown. He is first mentioned as a copart- ner in the Providence Plantations, January 19, 1646-47, admitted a freeman here, May 18, 1658, together with Robert Pike, who became his father-in-law, and with whom he was intimately associated all his life. Their home lots stood adjacent in the north part of Provi- dence, as originally settled. Various parcels of land are recorded to have been assigned to him, but noth- ing more definite is known. He died February 24, 1661. His wife was Hannah, daughter of Robert and Catherine Pike, whom he married between 1646 and 1649, probably in Providence. She died at the age of eighty-two years. Children born in Providence: John, 1650; James, mentioned below; Peter, 1654: Hannah, 1656; Nathaniel, died in early manhood; Samuel, born 1660, drowned June 10, 1669.
(II) James Ballou, son of Maturin Ballou. was born in 1652, and lived in Providence and Smithfield, R. I. He married Susanna Whitman, born February 28, 1658. Children: James, born Nov. 1, 1684: Nathaniel; Oba- diah, mentioned below; Samuel, born Jan. 23, 1692; Susanna, Jan. 3, 1695; Bathsheba, Feb. 15, 1698; Nehe- miah, Jan. 20, 1702.
(III) Obadiah Ballou, son of James Ballou, was born September 6, 1689, in Providence, R. I. He mar- ried (first) January 5, 1717-18, Damaris, daughter of John and Sarah (Aldrich) Bartlett. He married (sec- ond) December 26, 1740, Mrs. Sarah (Whipple) Salis- bury, born December 26, 1701, in Cumberland, widow of Jonathan Salisbury, and daughter of Israel Whip- ple. Children, born in what became Cumberland, R. I., then Wrentham, Mass .: Ezekiel, mentioned below: Susanna, born Dec. 7, 1720; Daniel, Dec. 27, 1722; Abner, Oct. 28, 1725: Anna, Dec. 20, 1727; Obadiah, Sept. 29, 1730; Esther, Aug. 24, 1733: Aaron, March 2, 1738. Children by second wife: Zerviah, born Jan. 4, 1742; Joseph, May 15, 1746; Benjamin, Feb. 7, 1749.
(IV) Ezekiel Ballou, son of Obadiah Ballou, was born January 5, 1718-19, in Wrentham, Mass., and died June 5, 1789. His homestead was three-quarters of a mile northeast of the Ballou meeting house. He was a farmer. He married, July 3, 1740, Joanna, daughter of Elder Josiah Cook, and she died January 16, 1797. Children, born in Cumberland: Jesse, March 30, 1741 ; Levi, mentioned below: Amey, Nov. 24, 1745; Reuben, Nov. 26, 1747; Asa, March 2, 1750; Mary, Aug. 12, 1752; Anna, March 1, 1756; Joanna, Sept. 27, 1759.
(V) Levi Ballou, son of Ezekiel Ballou, was born in Cumberland, R. I., September 23, 1744, and died July
13, 1805. He was conspicuous as a Revolutionary Pa- triot, shared largely in town offices of honor and re- sponsibility, was long a popular justice of the peace, frequently represented his fellow citizens in the General Assembly of the State, and was a much trusted coun- sellor in the affairs of the neighborhood. He married, at Cumberland, March 21, 1764, Comfort Thompson, who died October 28, 1826, aged eighty years. Chil- dren, born in Cumberland: Rachel, Sept. II, 1765; Philena, Oct. 6, 1766; Rhoda, Dec. 15, 1768; Vienna, Jan. 29, 1771; Welcome, March I, 1773; Joanna, Feb. 25, 1775: Flavius J., Oct. 13, 1776; Rachel and Emelia, twins, May 8, 1780: Levi, Aug. 29, 1782; Olney, Sept. 28, 1784: Barton, mentioned below.
(VI) Rev. Barton Ballou, son of Levi and Comfort (Thompson) Ballou, was born in July, 1791, in Cum- berland, R. I. He graduated from Brown University, and studied for the ministry with Rev. Hosea Ballou, of Boston, Mass., the famous Universalist preacher. He then went South and while there contracted yellow fever, from which he never entirely recovered, thus affecting his career as a minister. After this he came North and preached for a short time, spending the remainder of his life teaching in the Bushee Academy, at the old bank near Woonsocket, R. I. He married (first) Sarah Rathbone, and to this union five children were born. He married (second) Deborah Rathbone, and the following children were born: Barton Allan, mentioned below; and Sarah Alice, who married John Fry, of East Greenwich, R. I.
(VII) Barton Allan Ballou, son of the Rev. Barton and Deborah (Rathbone) Ballou, was born October 25, 1835, in Cumberland, R. I. He received his education in the common schools of his native town. When he was but nine years of age his father died. Being thrown on his own resources, he secured employment in a cotton mill at the age of twelve, where he re- mained one year. He then learned to manufacture boots, at which employment he remained until fifteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to a manufac- turing jeweler in Providence. Here he learned the trade and worked for a time. Owing to the great de- pression experienced by the jewelry trade during the time of the Civil War, he went to New Hampshire for a short period and there enlisted in the service of his country. He recruited part of a company, filling the quota of the town of Ware, and was chosen lieuten- ant of Company G, Sixteenth Regiment, New Hamp- shire Volunteers, which served in Southern Louisiana under General Banks in several important engage- ments. At the expiration of his term of service he returned to New Hampshire so broken in health that he was unable to take command of the colored com- pany which was offered him. After a year's time he recovered his health and returned to Providence, where he resumed his trade in the manufacture of jewelry. In 1868 he bought out a part of the business of the com- pany in which he learned his trade; the firm name at that time was Rathbone & Richards, and subsequently it became B. A. Ballou. Inside of a year he took as a partner his brother-in-law, John J. Fry, the firm name becoming B. A. Ballou & Company, which so con- tinued until the death of Mr. Fry in 1895. Soon after Mr. Fry's death Mr. Ballou's son, Frederick A., joined
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his father, under the same firm name. The business was successfully conducted, and on May 1, 1906, was incorporated as B. A. Ballou & Company, Inc. The officers were B. A. Ballou, president; W. W. Middle- brook, of New York, vice-president; E. C. Lakey, sec- retary; F. A. Ballon, treasurer, later general manager, and these men continue in the organization to the pres- ent. The business built up by Mr. Ballou and asso- ciates grew rapidly and soon came to be one of the leading jewelry industries of the State, its success rest- ing largely upon his remarkable executive ability, business foresight and mastery of the details of the actual manufacturing process. He has done much to revolutionize the manufacture of jewelry, and has taken out many patents on inventions. He became a conspicuous figure in the jewelry world, and was one of the directors of the Manufacturing Jewelers' Board of Trade, and a member of the Manufacturing Jewel- ers' Association. Mr. Ballou still continues an active interest in his company, but has given up to his son the practical management of affairs.
Mr. Ballou is president of the Dyer Street Land Company; member of the board of directors of the Home for Aged Men and Aged Couples; trustee and president of the board of trustees of Bell Street Chapel Fund, created by James Eddy; member of Providence Chamber of Commerce, Rhode Island Country Club, Rhode Island Historical Society, Pilgrims' Society, Loyal Legion, School of Design, and various other organizations. In politics Mr. Ballou is a Republican, independent in his support of men and measures. He and his wife are of liberal religious belief and attend the Bell Street Chapel services.
Barton Allan Ballou married (first) May 7, 1858, at Providence, Delia A. Wesley, who died shortly after without issue. He married (second) November 28, 1867, at Blackstone, Mass., Mary Rathbone, daughter of Eli and Lydia (Rathbone) Kelly. They are the par- ents of three children: Frederick Allan, whose sketch follows: Charles Rathbone, and Alice May.
FREDERICK ALLAN BALLOU, who succeeded in the management of B. A. Ballon & Company, Inc., is one of the leading manufacturers of jewelry in Rhode Island. Besides his interests in the jewelry trade, Mr. Ballou is active in various other movements which are essential in Rhode Island's industrial, finan- cial and social welfare.
(VIII) Frederick Allan Ballou, son of Barton Allan and Mary Rathbone (Kelly) Ballon, was born in Prov- idence, February 16, 1869. He was educated in the public and high schools of his native city, and prepared for business in a commercial college. Upon complet- ing his education, he became connected with his father's firm, B. A. Ballon & Company, in the capacity of bookkeeper. Being of a mechanical turn of mind he later went into the factory and learned the manufac- turing part of the business from its beginning. Here he remained for a number of years, later going into the sales department. The ensuing period he spent par- tially in New York and partially in traveling through- out the country, making himself personally acquainted with the customers of the firm. Soon after the death of John J. Fry, member of the firm of B. A. Ballou
Company, in 1895, Mr. F. A. Ballou was taken into part- nership, and has since been identified with the business. Its rapid growth in recent years has been in large measure due to his ability as an executive and general manager. On May 1, 1906, at the incorporation of B. A. Ballou & Company, he became treasurer and general manager of the firm, which position he now occupies. As shown in the foregoing lines of this nar- rative, Mr. Ballou began by learning the business and its various details, thus thoroughly familiarizing him- self with its different phases. He has been practical and progressive and has advanced many movements which have resulted beneficially to both employer and employee. B. A. Ballou & Company now stands among the foremost in the jewelry trade for its mod- ern methods and ideas.
Mr. Ballou is also active in various commercial and financial circles. He is a director of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, and has held directorships in other banking institutions. He is a director of the Rhode Island Insurance Company, vice-president of the Manufacturing Jewelers' Export Company of New York, secretary of the Manufacturers' Refining Com- pany, treasurer of Yale Jewelry Manufacturing Com- pany. both of Providence. Mr. Ballou is president of the Manufacturing Jewelry Board of Trade, member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, member of the Republican party, for three years served on the Barrington Town Council, and was its president dur- ing his last term; represented Barrington in the Rhode Island Legislature, and was a member of the finance committee of the House. His clubs are the Squantum, Turk's Head, Hope, and Rhode Island Country. He is a member of the Rhode Island School of Design, and vice-president of the Providence Boys' Club. Like his father he is of liberal religions belief.
Mr. Ballou's son, Frederick Allan Ballou, Jr., is a graduate of Brown University, and during the great World War was a lieutenant in the One Hundred Third Field Artillery, of the famous Yankee Division; is now active in the business of his father, and will no doubt some day stand out in the jewelry trade like his grandfather and father, who have been most prominent here.
RICHARD SETH MOORE, prominent in financial circles, and the founder of R. S. Moore & Company, which was merged on October 1, 1919, with the H. M. Bylleshy Company, of which he became vice-president, is one of the most able and successful figures in the financial life of Rhode Island in the last decade.
Mr. Moore was born in Nashua, N. H., March 26, 1881, son of Seth P. and Elizabeth A. (Wilson) Moore. His early education was received in the pub- lic schools, after which he took a course in business college. In addition he pursued special courses in brokerage, banking, and salesmanship, in several of the foremost schools, and followed various other courses of study privately in some of the universities, on banking, political economy, and commercial law, and this last work was accomplished after he had en- tered the banking business. Previously, several years were spent in an accounting position and as a sales- man in various lines. In 1908 Mr. Moore entered the
P. S. Manuel
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security business in Providence, and a few years later established the business of R. S. Moore & Company. The venture proved successful and within a short period it developed into one of the foremost of its kind in New England. The business embraced the New England States, with offices in Providence and Boston, and was continued successfully until October I, 1919, when it was merged with the H. M. Byllesby Company. Mr. Moore was chosen vice-president of this company, which is well known in banking circles throughout the United States. It might further be said that the H. M. Byllesby Company is one of the foremost public utilities houses in America and stands preeminent in this field of banking. Mr. Moore is active in several business and financial enterprises, and holds directorships in the San Diego Consolidated Gas & Electric Company, the Western States Gas & Electric Company, the Standard Gas & Electric Com- pany, the Oriental Navigation Company, and the Ok- lahoma Gas & Electric Company.
Mr. Moore is active and well known in club life in Providence. He is a member of the Bond Club, of New York, the Rhode Island Country Club, Turk's Head Club, Edgewood Yacht Club, Metacomet Golf Club, Pomham Club, Rhode Island Fish and Game Club, all of Providence, and others. He is a member of the Republican party but independent in political belief. Mr. Moore has his family home at Edgewood, R. I. At Edgewood he maintains a stable of finely bred horses and takes great pleasure in exhibiting his thoroughbreds at the most important horse shows about the country. His other hobbies are golf, tennis and motoring. He has also been quite athletic and has indulged in various out-door sports.
GENERAL GEORGE RATHBONE DYER-In the person of George Rathbone Dyer, the ancient Dyer line of New England and Rhode Island is represented in New York City, where Mr. Dyer, in addition to his extensive brokerage operations, as a member of the firm of C. I. Hudson & Company, is identified with many branches of civic and social activity.
Son of Governor Elisha and Nancy Anthony (Viall) Dyer, Gen. Dyer was born in Providence, R. I., June 24, 1869. After attending private schools in his native city and St. Paul's School, of Concord, N. H., he com- pleted his education in Berlin, Germany. He at once entered the field of business, and from January 2, 1888, to March 12, 1900, was associated with the firm of Ladenhurg, Thalmann & Company. Since March, 1901, he has been a member of the brokerage firm of C I. Hudson & Company, at No. 66 Broadway, one of the leading concerns in New York's financial field, being the senior active partner of the firm.
General Dyer's services have been sought in numer- ous connections in the city of his adoption, which he now serves as chairman of the New York and New Jersey Bridge and Tunnel Commission, which is about to start building the vehicular tunnel between New York and New Jersey. His clubs are the Knick- erbocker, Union, Piping Rock, Manhattan, Seawan- haka Corinthian Yacht, Fort Orange, Governors Is- land, New York Press, Beaver Dam Winter Sports, and the Bankers' Club of America. With his family
he is a member of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church of Glen Cove, Long Island. General Dyer's fraternal affiliations are with Kane Lodge, No. 454, Free and Accepted Masons, and Lodge No. 1, Ben- evolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a mem- ber of the Rhode Island Society of the Cincinnati; the Sons of the Revolution; Society of Colonial Wars; Military Order of Foreign Wars of the United States; Naval and Military Order of the Spanish-American War; Manhattan Camp, No. I, United Spanish War Veterans; Veterans of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard Association of the United States.
General Dyer has had a long and honorable career in the military service of the State and Nation. His service as an officer and enlisted man has been con- tinuous since June 10, 1889, and covers a period of more than thirty years. General Dyer entered the army of the United States at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War as a captain, but was soon promoted to the grade of major, in which grade he served until the muster out of his regiment. He also served in the army of the United States on the Mex- ican border in 1916 as a brigadier general. While at Matanzas, Cuba, with his regiment, in 1899, his brigade commander, Brigadier General J. P. Sanger, U. S. A., in recommending him for promotion, stated that "he has been a zealous and devoted officer, is beloved by his regiment and is in all respects worthy of the full confidence of his superiors." Later General Cor- bin, then adjutant general of the army, offered him a lieutenant-colonelcy in one of the regiments being formed for duty in the Philippines, but the offer was declined as General Dyer did not wish to make the army his career. In 1911, in speaking of General Dyer's ability as a commanding officer, Major General Daniel E. Sickles, United States Army, retired, stated that "if we had another war and I was in command of another army corps, I would ask to have his regi- ment assigned to it." On March 17, 1915, Major Gen- eral John F. O'Ryan, in recommending that a brevet commission of major general be conferred upon Gen- eral Dyer for meritorious service, stated that General Dyer's service "has been distinguished by more than a faithful performance of duty," and that the high order of military zeal and service displayed by Gen- eral Dyer "has distinguished this officer above others."
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