USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV > Part 116
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Upon his return from United States service on the Mexican border, General Dyer was placed in com- mand of the New York National Guard by orders of the governor, dated October 6, 1916, which position he held until the return of Major General O'Ryan from Federal service, December 22, 1916. On July 31, 1917, the New York National Guard at that time having been called into the service of the United States for duty in the war against Germany, this leav- ing the State without military protection, General Dyer was designated, by the governor, as chairman of a board of three officers to assist the governor in organizing an adequate military force to protect the lives and property of the inhabitants of the State and to advise the governor as to the measures to be adopted to safeguard State and municipal property and public utilities. The governor, by executive order dated August 27, 1917, placed General Dyer in command of
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all State troops located in Greater New York, and in the counties of Rockland, Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau, thus making him responsible to the governor for the safety of the lives and property of over seven millions of people at the most critical period of the World War. This position he held until placed in command of the entire military force of the State (about thirty-five thousand officers and men) on Sep- tember 20, 1918. General Dyer remained in command of the military forces of the State from September 20, 1918, until April 1, 1919, on which latter date he was succeeded by Major General O'Ryan, formerly com- manding general of the New York National Guard. General Dyer, however, retained command of the First Brigade which, at that time, included all State troops located in New York City. A resume of his military career is as follows:
State Service-Enlisted as private Company K, Sev- enth Infantry, New York National Guard, June 10, 1889; commissioned second lieutenant and assigned to Company G. Twelfth Infantry, New York National Guard, May 16, 1892; first lieutenant, March 7. 1893; captain, May 2, 1893; major, June 28. 1899; colonel, September 7, 1899; brigadier-general and assigned to command the First Brigade, New York National Guard, February 28, 1912; brevet general, April 8, 1915. Trans- ferred to the Reserve List and detailed to active duty April 9, 1917; commissioned brigadier-general, New York Guard, and assigned to command the First Brigade, New York Guard, September 4, 1917. Still in the service.
United States Service-Spanish-American War. Com- missioned captain, Twelfth Infantry, New York Vol- unteers, May 13, 1898; major, May 13, 1898; mustered out with regiment, April 20, 1899.
Mexican Border Service-Mustered into United States Service as brigadier-general commanding the First Brigade, New York National Guard, June 28, 1916; mustered out September 27, 1916.
General Dyer married, in the Church of the Heav- enly Rest, November 7, 1901, Grace Gurnee Scott, daughter of Edward Padelford and Evelyn (Gurnee) Scott. They are the parents of: Walter Gurnee, born in New York City, Feb. 14, 1903; Elisha, born in Wickford, R. I., Sept. 15, 1904: and George Rathbone, Jr., born in New York City, March 27, 1907. General Dyer and his family now live on their estate "Brook- ville Farm," Roslyn, Long Island, although they have a city home at No. 15 West 55th street, New York City.
CHARLES DEAN KIMBALL-Mr. Kimball, an official of a leading eastern packing house, the Kim- ball & Colwell Company, occupies prominent place in the business circles of Providence, his native city. His identification with the life of his city is complete through associations in many and diverse fields, com- mercial, fraternal, and social, and, as ex-governor of the State, he has rendered public service of merit and value.
Mr. Kimball is a descendant of Richard Kimball, of the Parish or Rattlesden, County of Suffolk, Eng- land, who in 1634 came to America in the "Elizabeth," landing at Boston. The following year he became a freeman in Watertown, Mass., and was a proprietor in 1636-37. From him Mr. Kimball traces his line and is a representative in the ninth American generation, alliance having been made in the fifth generation with the line of Roger Williams. Charles Dean Kimball is a son of Emery Sheldon and Mary Charlotte
(Briggs) Kimball, his father a founder, in 1873, of the firm of Kimball & Colwell, pork packers and whole- sale provision merchants.
Charles Dean Kimball was born in Providence, Sep- tcmber 13, 1859. He attended the public schools of his native city and immediately upon the completion of his studies entered business, being employed by Rice, Draper & Company, wholesale dealers in paints and oils, for six months. He then became employed by his father's firm, Kimball & Colwell, and until 1892 filled various positions in this organization. The elder Mr. Kimball retired in 1891, and Charles D. Kimball purchased the interest of his father, although since 1888 he had been a member of the firm. Mr. Colwell, the other original partner, died in 1899, and his son, Lewis N. Colwell, who had previously been admitted to the firm, became an equal owner with Mr. Kimball. Incorporation was made under the laws of Rhode Is- land in 1900, the name of the concern becoming the Kimball & Colwell Company, with Mr. Kimball as secretary and treasurer. The operations of the com- pany, whose growth has been steady and vigorous, ex- tend all along the Atlantic coast, and while natural circumstances have made the middle West the center of the meat packing industry, the Kimball & Colwell Company fills a large demand in the eastern market. Mr. Kimball is also treasurer of the What Cheer Beef Company, of Providence, and of the Fall River Provision Company, of Fall River, Mass.
Mr. Kimball's public career began in 1894, with his election to the lower house of the State Legislature, and he was reelected from Providence each succeeding year until 1900, when he was elected lientenant-gov- ernor. In the election of November, 1901, he was re- elected, as was Governor Gregory. The death of Governor Gregory, December 16, 1901, brought Mr. Kimball into the acting governorship, and on Jann- ary 7, 1902, he was inaugurated governor, the first chief executive of the State to take the oath of office in the new capitol. As governor he advocated numer- ous important measures, among them that the tax laws be revised so that personal property be taxed in the place where it is located, that the governor be given the veto power, and that the State elections be bien- nial. Acting with the Senate as lieutenant-governor, he served on the committee appointed to investigate the giving of transfers on street railways. In the House he was chairman of the committee on special legislation; chairman of the special committee to in- vestigate the cotton industry; and a member of the special committees to investigate the State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Kingston, the special committee on the revision of the constitution of the State, and the committee which revised the rules and order of the House of Representatives. His public record is one of constructive service untouched by political ambition or motives, and his time and efforts have been given in the interest of good gov- ernment and good citizenship.
Mr. Kimball is a member of the Rhode Island His- torical Society, and a distinguished and loyal ancestry gives him membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Society of Colonial Wars. He was president of the board of managers of the Rhode
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Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and devotes himself closely to its welfare and support. He is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, a member of the First Light Infantry Veterans' Association. His church is the Unitarian, and he is a member of the Unitarian Club. His social memberships are in the Elmwood, Pomham, and Commercial clubs. He was a Republican Presidential Elector in 1916. He is president of the Town Council of South Kingston, and for several years Federal Jury Commissioner.
Mr. Kimball married, November 24, 1885, Gertrude Greenalgh, born in Fall River, Mass., daughter of John B. and Lavinia (Reynolds) Greenalgh. There is one child of this marriage, Marian Dean.
RT. REV. PETER E. BLESSING, D. D., LL. D., V. G .- As pastor of St. Joseph's, one of the oldest established and most prominent Roman Catholic par- ishes in the city of Providence, and vicar-general of the Providence Diocese, Monsignor Blessing is well known as a zealous, learned and eloquent divine and public-spirited, patriotic citizen. He is the son of James E. and Mary (McNiff) Blessing who, coming from Ireland in their early youth, were married in Providence, where they spent the remainder of their lives.
Peter E. Blessing was born in Providence, R. I., February 13, 1873. He received his early education in the parochial schools of that city. After finishing at LaSalle Academy he attended Mount St. Mary's Col- lege, Emmitsburg, Md., and the North American Col- lege, at Rome, Italy, where, after taking the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology at the Propaganda University, he was ordained priest, May 27, 1899, in the Cathedral of St. John Lateran. The first assign- ment he received after his return to this country was assistant pastor at St. Theresa's Parish, Providence, but after a few months service there was transferred to the Providence Apostolate, a body of priests then being organized in the diocese of Providence, whose work was to be preaching and giving missions. In 1905 Dr. Blessing became director of this work and re- mained at its head until 1912.
In 1905 he was appointed rector of St. Edward's, Providence, where he built a modern school building for the accommodation of the children of the parish and a commodious convent for the sisters who taught in the school. In 1906 Dr. Blessing became editor and manager of the Providence "Visitor," a publica- tion devoted to Catholic interests in Rhode Island. During the five years he spent in this work the Prov- idence "Visitor" took a leading place among the Catholic publications of the country. In 1912 he was appointed rector of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, Providence, where he remained until 1916, when he became the irremovable rector of St. Joseph's, Providence.
Monsignor Blessing has always been a close student of questions of current interest and has lectured ex- tensively on social, historical and religious topics. He has been closely identified with the educational and charitable institutions under the direction of the Catholic church in Rhode Island, and is a member of
many organizations for the civic and social betterment of the community. During the recent period of war with Germany he was most active in his support of the cause of the allies and intimately connected with the different movements having for their object the wel- fare of the men in the service.
He received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Notre Dame, Ind., in 1917, and in the same year, because of distinguished service, was elevated by Pope Benedict XV. to the dignity of Prothonotary Apostolic, with the title of Monsignor.
RT. REV. WILLIAM A. HICKEY, D. D., was born in Worcester, Mass., May 13, 1869. He is the son of William and Margaret (Troy) Hickey. His father, who died two years ago, was a veteran of the Civil War, having served in both the army and navy throughout the entire duration of the war. A military funeral was accorded his remains on January 2, 1917, at Worcester.
Bishop Hickey's early education was obtained in the public schools of his native city, and in the fall of 1883 he entered the Worcester Classical High School. Upon graduation from here he completed his college course at Holy Cross College, graduating with honors. He then went abroad and after a three years' course at the Grand Seminary at St. Sulpice, Paris, went on to Rome and was favored with an audience with Pope Leo XIII. Returning to his native land, after a few weeks of immediate prepara- tion at Brighton Seminary, he was ordained to the priesthood by the Most Rev. John J. Williams, D. D., Archbishop of Boston, at Holy Cross Cathedral, Bos- ton, for the diocese of Springfield, Mass. His first curacy was Whitinsville, following which Bishop Hickey served as assistant pastor at Brookfield, Black- stone, Holyoke, and Clinton.
In 1903 he was assigned by Rt. Rev. Thomas D. Beaven, D. D., Bishop of Springfield, to the pastor- ship at Gilbertville, where he labored thirteen years. Here his work won recognition from his superiors, and appreciation and love from his parishioners. The suc- cess of his pastorate may be realized by the fact that the sermons of his church were preached every Sun- day in English, French, Polish, and Lithuanian. His transfer as pastor to St. John's parish, Clinton, Massa- chusetts, came on January 24, 1917, a few months be- fore the war, and the energy and zeal for God's glory manifested at Gilbertville found here a larger field. Here he built the new parochial school, a splendid modern twelve room building with a large parish hall, erected in a fine location in the very center of the town at an estimated cost of $150,000. He was sup- ported in this work by his parishioners with hearty cooperation, and the school has been praised as one of the best examples of the most improved school ar- chitecture and construction in the State. Bishop Hickey's parish work did not lessen his valne as a citizen. A remarkable orator, his services were sought in every patriotic movement. As a "four minute man," when orator on Liberty Day, Bishop Hickey showed a patriotism for his country surpassed only by his zeal for the advancement of God's kingdom. Of his work
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and life during his two years at Clinton, Senator Walsh, of Massachusetts, said: "Father Hickey has worn the black cassock of Christ. He has been a soldier camping in the homes of the sick and the poor under the white banner of the church, fighting for sal- vation; has battled for Christ in the trenches of hu- manity. Not a day has passed over his head since our boys first left Clinton that he has not prayed for his people."
A telling incident is related showing Bishop Hickey's facility in languages and his quick comprehension. During a reception tendered by the Knights of Colum- bus to the noted Father Cabanel, chaplain of the French Battalion of "Blue Devils," Colonel Azan, the officer in charge of the French Military Mission sta- tioned at Harvard University and engaged in offi- cers' training at that place, made a twenty minute speech entirely in French. At the conclusion of this speech, at the request of Father Cabanel, Father Hickey gave a translation, and it is said by those who understand both languages that the pastor's transla- tion was a marvel in accuracy and embraced the whole talk. This facility is especially noted in his transla- tion of Bishop Le Camus' "Life of Christ." The book has been recommended by the Biblical Institute at Rome as one of the best lives of our Lord. It is one of the most popular works of its kind in America to-day.
On January 16, 1919, Bishop William A. Hickey received notification from Rome that Pope Benedict had appointed him coadjutor-bishop with right of suc- cession to Bishop Harkins, of the Diocese of Provi- dence. His consecration as bishop took place on Thursday, April 10, 1919, in Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral, Providence, with Rt. Rev. Thomas D. Beaven, D. D., Bishop of Springfield, Mass., officiating, assisted by Rt. Rev. Louis S. Walsh, D. D., Bishop of Portland, Me., and Rt. Rev. Daniel F. Feehan, D. D., Bishop of Fall River, Mass., assisting. On the day of his consecration, by an act of Rt. Rev. Matthew Harkins, D. D., which was later ratified by the Sacred Consistory at Rome, Bishop Hickey was made Apos- tolic Administrator of the Diocese of Providence. Bishop Hickey was one of the examiners of the clergy in the Springfield diocese, Worcester county chaplain of the A. O. H., and a fourth degree Knight of Columbus in the Bishop O'Reilly Assembly, of Worcester, Mass.
Life holds no more beautiful relationship than that which a Catholic priest bears to his people and his people bear to him. From the cradle to the grave he is one who never falters, whose helping hand is never withdrawn, whose patience is without end, and whose heart is ever true. For through sunshine and rain, through happiness and disaster, through peace and war, through virtue and misery, come what will within the range of human experience, in its midst you will find the priest toiling, not for himself, but that those he loves and for whom he stands ready to die may have happiness both here and hereafter. This is the type of priest, this is the manner of friend, this is the kind of pastor Bishop Hickey is to all with whom he comes in contact; a noble man full of courage, zeal, and devotion, with deep and abiding religious faith.
CLARENCE M. DUNBAR-Among all the indus- trial enterprises of the city of Providence, R. I., the operations of which produce so large a proportion of the wealth of this region, there is none more repre- sentative of the high standards of commercial ethics and business management, which are the proverbial characteristics of New England industry, than the Seamless Wire Company, of No. 85 Sprague street. This large and successful concern was founded and developed by three business men of this city, namely: Charles D. Cook, Clarence M. Dunbar and Robert O. Smith, who were associated under the firm name of Cook, Dunbar, Smith Company, Inc. It was incorpor- ated under the laws of Rhode Island with a capital of fifty thousand dollars and has carried on its busi- ness since 1906, when the charter was given it. Charles D. Cook is president and director, Clarence M. Dun- bar, treasurer, general manager and director, and Rob- ert O. Smith, secretary and director. The concern which was started in a small way has developed under their capable management to its present great pro- portion, the plant having been added to until there is now some thirty thousand square feet of floor space, in which are employed on an average seventy hands. It is equipped with every modern appliance and device and operated by electrical power, the product of the mill being of the finest grade of workmanship and ma- terial of their kind. The concern is engaged in the manufacture of seamless rolled gold wire, rolled gold plate, and rolled gold tubing, and the output is sold by travelling representatives not only throughout New England but also in New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl- vania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and other States, as well as a large portion of it being exported to foreign countries. It is the owner of many valuable patents and is one of the largest and most prosperous concerns of its kind in the country.
WILLIAM DAVID GOFF-The name Goff has figured prominently in the early identity and develop- ment of New England. Thomas Goff, wealthy mer- chant, of London, England, Matthew Craddock, John Endicott, Sir Richard Saltonstall, and others were among the leading men in laying the foundation of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The vital records of Rehoboth, Mass., the mother town of many in its vicinity, in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, be- gin with the families of Richard, Samuel and Robert Goff, and from these men descend many of the name here. Many served in the military service of the col- ony during the Revolution.
William David Goff, son of Colonel Isaac L. and Ada Jeanette (Richards) Goff, and grandson of David F. and Clarissa D. (Stacy) Goff, was born in Provi- dence, R. I., September 27, 1876. His preliminary education was acquired in public and private schools of Providence, and supplemented by a course in Mowry & Goff's Preparatory School, thus qualifying himself for an active business career. After completing his studies, he became associated with is father in his various extensive enterprises and continued with him for many years, the firm being known as the Isaac L. Goff Company. In the meantime, having determined to extend his field of knowledge and usefulness, he
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became an expert in real estate values, also became familiar with the insurance business in its different phases, thus laying the foundation for his future suc- cessful career. In 1907, he severed his connection with is father and entered into the real estate and in- surance business under the name of the William D. Goff Company, conducting his operations in Provi- dence, and during the intervening twelve years his business has increased to a large extent, he being now recognized as one of the leading men in that line in the State of Rhode Island. He takes an active in- terest in everything pertaining to the welfare and development of his native city, is public-spirited and enterprising, unassuming in manner, congenial in his tastes, and although his career has been quiet and un- eventful, he has manifested those sterling qualities that ever command respect and are at all times worthy of emulation. He is a Republican in politics, but has never cared for political preferment, and devotes his leisure time to out-of-door life. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Sons of the Amer- ican Revolution, gaining admission through the services of four of his ancestors in the Revolutionary War.
Mr. Goff married, December 14, 1899, Alice Pauline Strahan, daughter of Thomas and Esther (Lawrence) Strahan, natives of Scotland, and now well known residents of Chelsea, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Goff are the parents of one son, William David, Jr., born Dec. 15, 1902, now a student of Phillips Exeter Academy, of Exeter, N. H.
JOHN OLDFIELD-When man emerged from that stage of civilization where his intellect approxi- mated that of a beast, and became a thinking being, the first pursuit to which he turned, beyond that necessary for self-preservation, was the cultivation of the soil. On this stage of development depended the later evolu- tion of the race. Rome drew by far the greater pro- portion of her famous statesmen, soldiers, generals, poets and other writers from that sturdy class which formed the very sinews of the Nation, the agricola or farmers. Pompey, Cicero, Marius, Cato, Cincinnatus, men whose names are synonymous with the prestige of the Roman Empire, came from the farming class. We Americans are essentially a nation of farmers on a grand scale, and our greatest men have been sons of the soil. From the land we have drawn the source of our greatness, and it has provided us with a virility which placed us easily at the head of the nations in this re- spect. Despite the fact that the city yearly draws its toll from the rural districts, we find an amazingly large number of men who instinctively turn to the soil for their amusement and recreation, if only for a short time, and find in it rest, inspiration, vigor. Many men find in it their life work, still others find in it an avocation.
Love of the soil was perhaps the chief characteristic of the life of the late John Oldfield, business man of the city of Providence, where he died on January 8, 1880. Although in later life he entered the world of business, he still retained the desire for nearness to the soil and to nature which were vital factors in his youth.
John Oldfield was a native of England, the son of parents of good standing and a descendant of one of the oldest established families in the United Kingdom, and which bore arms :
Arms-Argent, on a bend gules three crosses pattèe fitchèe, of the field.
Crest-Out of a ducal coronet or, a demi-wyvern wings displayed argent.
Motto-In cruce vincam.
John Oldfield received his early education in the rural schools of England, and upon completing it apprenticed himself to learn the profession of landscape gardening. The term of his apprenticeship was of seven years' dur- ation, and upon the completion of it he was a skilled workman, of recognized ability, and commanding ex- cellent wages. He was possessed of the spirit of the adventurer, and desired to travel and more particularly to see America. He came to America solely for the purpose of visiting the country, on a pleasure trip, bring- ing with him a considerable supply of money. Mr. Oldfield visited different parts of the country, and dur- ing his stay in Philadelphia, Pa., received news of his mother's death in England. Although he had originally determined to return to England, he decided then to stay in America, and for a considerable period made the city of Philadelphia his home. He entered the employ of a gentleman of that city, and remained there for several years. Mr. Oldfield then went to Charleston, S. C., where he passed one year in the capacity of gar- dener, at the end of which time he returned North, not liking the climate of the South. He next entered the employ of a New York gentleman, and was given the care of an extensive estate along the Hudson river in that State. Upon coming to America, Mr. Oldfield had brought with him a letter of introduction to Mr. Grant Thorburn; this he presented to Mr. Thorburn, who was instrumental in securing for him the position of head gardener on the estate of Thomas P. Ives, of Provi- dence, R. I., whither Mr. Oldfield went immediately. Mr. Oldfield was given full charge of the Ives estate, and given the power to act on his own initiative in the development of the gardens and grounds. He was especially interested in the latter, and skilled in land- scape work, but his work in vegetable and flower gar- dening was more notable. He introduced to the table of Mr. Ives vegetables which had never before come to that gentleman's notice, notably the canliflower, tomato, and egg plant. He also introduced to Provi- dence the famous "Rose of Sharon," hitherto unknown there.
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