The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 12

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 12

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Mr. Allen married, December 16, 1903, Alice Whit- ford Butts, of Providence, a daughter of George F. Butts, and their children are: Vernon Sterns, born March 16, 1906, and Kenneth Gould, born October 18, 1912.

FRANK BAILEY SMITH, M. D .- In the year 1873 Dr. Smith began the practice of his profession in Coventry, Rhode Island, but five years later moved to Washington, Rhode Island. where he has ever since resided and practised.

Dr. Smith is a son of Benoni Smith, born July 13, 1819, and died June 19, 1859. He was one of the first men to begin the manufacture of cotton in the South, locating his mill at Columbus, Georgia, and later was a pioneer in paper manufacture at the same point, util- izing the water power which was so abundant at that point. A most prominent career was cut short by death.

Benoni Smith was a son of John and Jemima ( Bart- lett) Smith, the former a resident of North Killingly, Connecticut, where he was a school teacher and in later life a farmer. He was a son of Dr. Elisha Smith, of South Killingly, Conn., born 1748, died November 23, 1820. He married Prudence Adams, of Lexington, Mas- sachusetts. Dr. Elisha Smith, according to tradition was a surgeon in the Revolutionary War service.

Benoni Smith married Mary Annie Bailey, born March 29, 1820, daughter of Silas and Anna (Hall) Bailey, and a granddaughter of Silas Bailey, an officer in the Revolutionary Army. Mrs. Smith died March 30; 1886. Benoni and Mary Annie (Bailey) Smith were the parents of five children: I. Frank Bailey, of this review. 2. Carrie Louise, died in infancy. 3. Albert Marcus, born 1853, a farmer of Moosup, Connecticut. 4. Alfred Newton, born 1856, is a merchant of Daniel- son, Connecticut. 5. Mary Emma, born 1858, died in infancy.

Frank Bailey Smith was born in Columbus, Georgia, January 3, 1848. His education, begun in the public schools, was continued in the academy at Plainfield, Connecticut, there completing his college preparation. He studied medicine for three years with Dr. William A. Lewis, of Moosup, Connecticut, and one year with Dr. F. S. Abbott, a prominent surgeon of Norwich, Con- necticut. He then entered the University of Vermont, medical department, at Burlington, Vermont, complet- ing the course, and then entered the University of New York, medical department. He completed his studies, graduating with the class of 1873, receiving the degree of M. D. He then served a term in Charity Hospital, after which he located for practice in Coventry, Rhode

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Island, where he remained five years, removing to Wash- ington, R. I., in 1879. The years brought him the honors and rewards of his profession, and his clientele is an exceedingly large one. He was the principal factor in organizing the Kent County Medical Society, secured its charter, in 1908 was chosen its president, and has since continuously held some office, also serving the society as treasurer. He is a member and trustee of the Rhode Island Medical Society, and a member of the American Medical Association, and is enlisted in the Volunteer Medical Service Corps. Although his years are many, and for half a century he has been a student and a practitioner of medicine, he is as keenly alive to his responsibilities and duties as when, as a young physician, his career was in the making. He is modern in his methods of practice, keeps in close touch with all real advance in remedy or treatment, and as ardently preaches the gospel of prevention of disease by sanitary precaution and rational living as he strives to allay suffering and effect a cure. He has a host of friends, and in many families is not only the trusted physician, but the close friend, confidant and adviser. Old and young are his friends, and in return he gives loyal service, whether it be professional or dictated by the demands of friendship.

A sworn foe to the liquor traffic, he left the Repub- lican party when convinced it was against the legal out- lawing of that traffic and became a Prohibitionist, loyal and true. From that stand he has never retreated, and now, with victory at hand, he rejoices exultantly, for the way has been long and hard, as is the path of any man who dares to attack a public evil. Dr. Smith is a member of the National Geographical Society; the Rhode Island Historical Society; the Simplified Spell- ing Board; the Union Plainfield Baptist Church at Moosup, Connecticut; University of New York Alumni Association ; the alumni of Plainfield Academy; Sons of the American Revolution; Order of United Amer- ican Mechanics; Moosup Lodge, No. 113, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Constantine Lodge, No. 223, Knights of Malta, of Riverpoint; Anthony Lyceum Library Asso- ciation and one of its board of managers; the Town and State Woman's Suffrage Association; the executive board of the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; the American Humane Asso- ciation, and in all movements, reformatory or progres- sive, tending to better conditions, he is always ready to lend a hand, but has no taste for politics and has al- ways declined all political honors or appointments.

Dr. Smith married, in 1879, Evangeline H., daughter of Dr. Allen Tillinghast, of Washington, Rhode Island (deceased). Mrs. Smith is a member of an ancient Rhode Island family, is cultured and refined, and is very active in the cause of temperance; for many years was secretary of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Rhode Island; also superintendent of anti- narcotics, and at present is serving as treasurer of the former named.

THOMAS ALLEN JENCKES, L.L. D .- There are great moments in the lives of eminent men, mo- ments when they rise to undreamed of heights and accomplish the unbelievable. Such a moment came to Thomas Allen Jenckes, one of the strong men of the

Rhode Island bar, 1840-75, when in a memorable speech in the case, Hazard vs. Ives, involving the right of the General Assembly to revise the judgments of the court so far as to order a new trial, Mr. Jenckes, a member of the Assembly, rose to such heights of eloquence and convincing speech that he carried the Assembly with, him causing them to reverse its previous action. He! won legal fame in Congress in drafting the general bankrupt law, the patent and copyright laws, and in. advancing civil service reform, but no victory which he ever won was so spectacular as causing the Assembly to reverse itself. He finally confined his law business to a special line of practice, and became one of the most eminent patent lawyers, being counsel in some of the. most important patent litigation in this country. Hel came from a family eminent in the manufacturing' world, his American ancestor, a master mechanic and inventor from whom the mechanical strain descends apparently unweakened.

The American ancestor, Joseph Jenckes, was born in Wales of an ancestry traced to Athelstane, King of Wales, 925-94, and came from England to Lynn, Massa- chusetts, to establish iron works. He built a forge in 1647 and manufactured scythes of his own invention, a patent not being granted him until nine years later ; invented mill improvements in made dies for the coin- age of money in 1652; built a fire engine, an order from the selectmen of the city of Boston in 1654, that being the first fire engine ever built in America; and invented the present form of scythe in 1655. Joseph Jenckes, the founder, was succeeded by his son, Joseph (2) Jenckes, born in England, who worked with his father at Lynn, and became an iron master. Later he estab-' lished an iron foundry at Pawtucket. His shops were destroyed by the Indians in King Philip's War, but were rebuilt. He married Esther Ballard, of Lynn, and had four sons, the line of descent to Thomas A. Jenckes, being through Major Nathaniel Jenckes, his son, Jona- than Jenckes, his son, Jonathan (2) Jenckes, his son, Jeremiah Jenckes, the Revolutionary soldier, his son, Thomas Bowen Jenckes, his son, Thomas Allen Jenckes, the honored subject of this review.

Jeremiah Jenckes, grandfather of Thomas A. Jenckes, was born at Smithfield, R. I., November 29, 1739. He was one of the remarkable men of his times. He was a physical giant, several inches over six feet in height, and splendidly proportioned. This was a trait also of his wife and three daughters, all of whom were about six feet tall. He was a lieutenant of Newport Volunteers, July 24, 1776, and in 1777 served in the Ticonderoga Expedition. In 1802 he was the largest individual taxpayer in Newport, was selectman, active in the church and the owner of considerable farm land. He married Lucy Whipple, of Cumberland, February 25, 1776, and died January 4, 1811.

Thomas Bowen Jenckes, father of Thomas A. Jenckes, was born October 8, 1786, and died August 19, 1819. He sold the farm bequeathed him by his father, and about 1815 began cotton manufacturing in Cumberland, Rhode Island. He married Abigail W. Allen, of Cumberland, born January 31, 1794, died November 20, 1863, surviv- ing her husband forty-four years.

Thomas Allen Jenckes, only son of Thomas Bowen and Abigail W. (Allen) Jenckes, was born in Cumber-

BIOGRAPHICAL

land, Rhode Island, November 2, 1818, and died in Prov- idence, November 4, 1875. After preparation in private schools he entered Brown University, finishing with graduation, class of 1838. He embraced the profession of law, studied under Samuel Y. Atwell, and in 1840 was admitted to the Rhode Island bar. He began prac- tice in Providence in partnership with Edward H. Hazard and quickly rose in rank, was engaged as conn- sel in several important suits and eventually rose to unusual eminence as lawyer and statesman. He pos- sessed great courage as well as ability, always retained complete self-control and was never known to lose his temper in debate or argument. In 1873 he received from Brown University the degree of LL. D.

The public service rendered by Thomas A. Jenckes as a legislator was of the highest order; elected to the State Legislature in 1845, he became a controlling spirit in that body and came prominently into the public eye. In 1862 he was elected to the office of representative and through re-elections served continuously in the thirty-eighth, thirty-ninth, fortieth, and forty-first con- gresses, 1863-71. In Congress he was chairman of the committee on patents, serving also on judiciary. The general bankrupt law of 1867 was introduced and car- ried through to passage by Mr. Jenckes, who also secured the passage of the bill, making the appointment of cadets to West Point dependent upon competitive examination, not upon the favor of the congressman. For his advocacy of certain reforms, he won the title "Father of Civil Service Reform," a name he fully deserved. He began with reporting out of com- mittee a bill establishing a department of the civil service and providing for competitive examination. This was followed by another on May 25, 1868, and both were accompanied with a great body of evidence upon the conditions and systems of the public service, together with ample information regarding the foreign systems, especially the reformed methods recently intro- duced in England. Public opinion, however, was not yet ripe for the reform; Congress and party managers were hostile; and after a brief struggle the bill was temporarily abandoned. But the seed was sown, dis- cussion in the public press awoke general interest, and in the autumn of 1880 the Civil Service Reform Asso- ciation of New York was revived and other associations with similar import organized all over the country. The National League was formed in 1881, and in 1883 the measure which Mr. Jenckes originated and to which he devoted himself so assiduously became a law. The advocacy of such a bill in 1868 required moral courage of the highest order, and this Mr. Jenckes possessed together with the intellectual vigor and ability to ren- der him a powerful advocate of any cause which he espoused. After the expiration of his fourth term in Congress, March 4, 1871, he returned to the practice of law, but his course was nearly run, and four years later, November 4, 1875, he passed to his reward, aged fifty-seven, a great lawyer and an able statesman.

Mr. Jenckes married, in June, 1842, Mary Jane Fuller, born in 1822, died January 11, 1872, daughter of Zelotes Fuller, of Attleboro, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Jenckes were the parents of seven children: Mary Edith, married William Goddard, of Providence; Jeanie Rosalie, married John Russell Bartlett; Ida Cornelia,

died in 1863; Florence Madeline, married Joseph Bridg- man; Agnes, died young; Eleanor, born April 20, 1854, died September, 1907; Thomas Allen, a member of the Rhode Island bar.

ADDISON PIERCE MUNROE-No list of suc- cessful business men and eminent citizens of Provi- dence, Rhode Island, but would include the name of Addison Pierce Munroe, retired since August 1, 1909, from the wholesale and retail grocery business. He was then but in the prime of life, yet he had won for- tune's favor as a merchant, and although not a member of the dominant party has served in both branches of the General Assembly, and is the father of some im- portant legislation. Successful in business and politics, he is prominent in the patriotic orders, his ancestry tracing to the "Mayflower," and in its course entitles him to membership in all societies based upon early Colonial residence and Revolutionary service. Of these privileges he has availed himself, and is a member of the Rhode Island Society and of the National Society of Mayflower Descendants, holding official position in both.

The family in Scotland traces to remotest times and in America to William Munro, born in Scotland in 1625. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Worcester by the forces of Cromwell, and on November II, 1651, was banished to New England by the Protector, along with others. He settled at Lexington, Massachusetts. This branch traces to Thomas Munro, believed to have been a nephew of William Munro, he settling in Bristol, Rhode Island, where his son, John Munroe, was born May 14, 1701. He married Hannah Rosbotham. fifth in descent from Richard Warren, of the "Mayflower." The line continues through their son, Stephen Munroe; his son, Burden Munroe; his son, Philip Allen Mun- roe; his son, Addison Pierce Munroe.

Philip Allen Munroe was born in Swansea, Massachu- setts, November 27, 1821, and died in East Providence, September 18, 1908. During his youth he was variously employed, but finally settled in Providence, where he became a grocer, retiring in 1876, leaving a business which extended to Providence, Rehoboth, Seekonk and Swansea. After retiring from mercantile life he devoted himself to the management of his private estate, includ- ing thirty houses and stores in East Providence and Providence. He was a fine business man, a Univer- salist in his religious faith, and an ardent Demo- crat. He married, at Thompson, Connecticut, Decem- ber 29, 1844, Delana Pierce, born in Rehoboth, July 13, 1823, died at Barrington, Rhode Island, June 19, 1909, daughter of Isaac and Polly Pierce, of ancient New England family, Isaac Pierce, a soldier of the Revolution, tracing to Captain Michael Pierce. Philip Allen and Delana (Pierce) Munroe were the parents of a large family, this narrative dealing with the life and career of their youngest son and eighth child, Addison Pierce Munroe.

Addison Pierce Munroe was born in Providence, Rhode Island, January 2, 1862, and is yet a resident of his native city. He completed the course of Thayer street grammar school, then studied under a private tutor until entering business life as clerk in the store of his brothers, Lyman F. and Philip A. (2). He continued in their employ until 1885, then formed a

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

partnership with his brother Philip, they opening a grocery at No. 14 Cranston street. They prospered, enlarged that store, and opened another at No. III Washington street, Addison P. becoming manager of the new store. Munroe Brothers continued in trade for sixteen years, until 1901, then dissolved, Addison P. taking the Washington street store, Philip the Cranston street business. Addison P. Munroe con- tinued a successful business on Washington street, dealing in both wholesale and retail quantities, until August 1, 1909, then retired, there not then being a single firm or merchant doing business on Washing- ton street who was there when he opened his store on that street in 1885. Since 1909 he has devoted himself to his private business affairs.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Munroe early began his active interest in public affairs, serving as presi- dent of the Young Men's Democratic Club of Provi- dence in 1899 and 1900. He represented Providence in the House of Representatives in 1903, being elected by over two thousand majority, although defeated the previous election by a small plurality. In the House he served on the committee on accounts and elaims, and completed a record of usefulness. In 1910 he was elected State Senator from Providence, was reelected in 1911, and in 1912, at the first biennial election, was returned for a term of two years. He introduced some important bills during his legisla- tive career, and took active part in the discussions in both House and Senate, and in the latter body was on the committees on judiciary and militia. He found favor with the independent voter, and at the contest at the polls in 1912 he received a majority of five thousand votes. At the Democratic State Convention of 1912, Senator Munroe was a candidate for Gov- ernor, but in the interest of harmony withdrew his name, although strongly supported. In 1913 he received the full party vote in both House and Senate for United States Senator, and is a recognized leader of the party in the State. In 1916 he was the Demo- cratic candidate for Governor, but was defeated at the polls, the Republican party being successful in that election. He was appointed a member of the commission in charge of the new armory for the State cavalry demands, and has rendered other public serv- ice of note.

Through his descent from Richard Warren he gained membership in the Rhode Island Society of Mayflower Descendants, and has served the society as treasurer, deputy governor and governor. In 1912 he was elected deputy governor-general of the Na- tional Society of the same order; is a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, Sons of the American Revolution, and Rhode Island Historical Society.

Senator Munroe married, December 22, 1885, Annie Burnside Hopkins, born in Cranston, Rhode Island, August 12, 1861, daughter of Nelson and Emily Greene (Bateman) Hopkins. Mrs. Munroe is a mem- ber of the Society of Colonial Dames, tracing to seven Colonial ancestors, and a member of Gaspee Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, by right of descent from Spencer Merrill. Mr. and Mrs. Munroe are the parents of two sons, Chester Pierce, a

salesman, who married Mary Doris Davenport, and Harold Bateman, a salesman, who married Esther Louise Whipple.

FRANK C. ANGELL-Angell is one of the oldest family names in Rhode Island, and dates back to the time when Roger Williams fled from the Massachu- setts Colony and settled upon land he had previously purchased from the Indians, and which he, in grati- tude to God's merciful providence to him in his dis- tress, gave the name of Providence. At the time he came to Providence he was accompanied by Thomas Angell, Joshua Verin, John Smith, William Harris, and Francis Wickes.

Thomas Angell, the original or founder of the Angell family in Rhode Island, came from England in 1631, in the ship "Lion," when he was a lad of some twelve or thirteen years, and apparently in' charge of Roger Williams, whose protege he seems to have been. What part of England he came from, or who his parents were, we have little knowledge. He remained with Roger Williams while in Boston and accompanied him to Salem, and when Roger Wil- liams fled from Salem on account of persecution he went with him, and a little later was one of the little party of five who accompanied him when they settled upon the banks of the Mooshausick river in 1636, and founded the State of Rhode Island and Provi- dence Plantations.

When the first division of land was made among the Providence settlers, Thomas Angell received in common with the others a six-acre lot of land, although he was too young (being still a minor) tol sign the civil agreement entered into by the other members of the pact, but which he signed afterwards. His lot, however, was number two on the division list, and included the land on which the First Baptist Church of Providence now stands, and a part of the section traversed by Angell street.

As the colony increased in number, and personal safety became more secure, the pioneers naturally pushed their way back into the country a few miles from the Providence settlement, and took up land from the commoning, as the public lands were called. Among those to so push out into the common land and take up holdings therein were Thomas Angell, John Smith, Epenetus Olney and Richard Pray, and these seem to have been the pioneers in the settle- ment of that portion of the Woonasquatucket valley, which afterwards became known as Centerdale, North Providence.

Thomas Angell married and had two sons, John and James, and five daughters, Amphillis, Mary, De- borah, Alice and Margaret. He died in 1695, but during his life he had taken up several tracts of land and one of these claims he gave to his grandson, James Angell, son of John Angell, who afterward sold it to his brother, John Angell, Jr., and upon his deatlı the farm passed to his son Stephen. This farm was located on the west side of the Woonasquatucket river, and included the land near the present railroad station at Centerdale, extending along the west side of the river nearly to the Smithfield line as now laid

BIOGRAPHICAL

ut. This farm contained about two hundred acres, id covered the present site of the village of Granite- ille, as well as a portion of Centerdale. (Annals of enterdale).

Stephen Angell, to whom the farm reverted, mar- ed Martha Olney, and they had nine sons and two aughters, their seventh son John, at the breaking out the Revolutionary War, hastened to join the Amer- an forces, and fought at the battle of Bunker Hill, nd assisted in throwing up the embankment. He erved during the war and was appointed lieutenant- olonel of the Second Regiment of Militia in the bounty of Providence. The second daughter of tephen married her second cousin, Colonel Israel ngell, son of Oliver, who was the son of Hope, son f John, son of Thomas Angell. Colonel Israel ngell took active part in the War of the Revolution, nd led his regiment in many of the important battles, eceiving two gold medals in testimony of his bravery, ne from General Washington and one from General afayette.

The sixth son of Stephen Angell was James Angell, ho married Amy Day, daughter of Nathaniel Day, ho had settled on a farm in North Providence, hich he bought from John Whipple, January 6, 737, who shortly before (March 15, 1736), had bought om John Smith, who took it up from the commons, s the public lands were called, about 1680. Upon the eath of Nathaniel Day he gave it to his son-in-law, ames Angell, who continued to till and improve the arm until his death, when he gave it to his youngest on, Nathaniel. In 1824 Nathaniel sold a portion of he land to his brother James. This purchase now onstitutes the business portion of the village of Cen- erdale, North Providence.

Upon the death of James Angell the estate passed his son, James Halsey Angell, and from him to is sons, George F. and Frank C. Angell, the last amed having still in his possession a large part of le estate, including the homestead place, where he ow resides. Thus we have the full line of descent om Thomas Angell, the original or founder of the angell family in America, to Frank C. Angell, as ollows: Thomas; his son John; his son John, Jr .; is son Stephen; his son James; his son James, Jr .; is son James Halsey; his son Frank C. Angell.

James Angell, of the fifth generation, son of James nd Amy (Day) Angell, was born December 5, 1781, nd died at the age of eighty-nine. He never had a ck day until the illness which caused his death. "As evidence of his wonderful vitality it is stated that the age of eighty-two years he would go into the eld and do what would be considered a good day's ork for a man of forty years; and in the haying ason would take his scythe and mow with the rest the men." When a young man he went to New ork State, purchased a farm near Saratoga, and in 608, with his wife and two children, made the jour- ey thither in an oxcart. They remained there until II, when he, in the same manner in which he had one, returned to Rhode Island, leasing the farm and vern known then as the "Thayer Stand" on Fruit ill, which he renamed Fruit Hill Tavern. In 1822 s lease expired, and in the spring of 1824 he began

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 12

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