The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 13

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 13

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the erection of a structure at Centerdale, which was soon noted as the most popular and hospitable tavern in the northern part of the State. The emblem selected by James Angell for his swinging signboard was the American Eagle, elaborately painted with the name "Center Hotell" at the top. It is still preserved as a souvenir of ye olden times. He presided over the hotel from 1824 until 1841, and gave it the repu- tation of a "model hostelry." He was very careful that no one drank to excess at the bar, no cards or gambling devices were ever allowed on the premises, and this policy was strictly adhered to by his sons who succeeded him, the tavern being under the man- agement of James Angell and his sons for forty-five out of the first fifty years of the existence of the Cen- terdale Tavern. The hotel estate was then conveyed to his son, James Halsey Angell, who owned it until his death, July 1, 1890, when it passed to his oldest son, George F. Angell, when, upon his death, August 18, 1894, it passed to his widow, Sarah L. Angell, who was its owner until August 25, 1897, when, after one hundred and sixty years of Angell ownership, it was sold, and passed out of the Angell family.

James Halsey Angell, son of James and Selinda (Ray) Angell, was born at Centerdale, Rhode Island, May 10, 1822. He obtained a good public school edu- cation, and began his business life as an accountant in the Allendale mill, also was a clerk in the village store, which he afterwards conducted until 1848, when he sold his business and succeeded his brother Na- thaniel as proprietor of the Centerdale Hotel which, at that time, was conducted as an old-time tavern stand. He conducted the hotel successfully until April 1, 1858, when he withdrew and moved to a farm which then belonged to his father, but upon his father's death in 1870 it passed to him. The farm is now included within the limits of the village of Centerdale. In 1854 "Halsey" Angell, as he was familiarly known, was appointed postmaster of Centerdale, an office he held for many years. He took active part in town affairs, held many offices of trust and responsibility, settled many estates, and was much sought for in counsel and as an arbitrator of the disputes or argu- ments which arose between the villagers. For thirty- three years he recorded the daily doings of the farm and village, not a day being missed. This record ceases only a few months before his death, and in all matters of historical import the diary is accepted as authority. When, in later years, his son prepared the volume herein frequently referred to-"Annals of Centerdale"-he found the old diary kept by his father a valuable aid.

Mr. Angell was made a Mason in Temple Lodge, No. 18, of Greenville, September 5, 1868, and in 1876 was one of the organizers of Roger Williams Lodge, No. 32, Free and Accepted Masons, of Centerdale, and when a charter was granted his name was en- grossed thereon as a charter member. At the first meeting of Roger Williams Lodge he was elected treasurer, and held that office continuously until his death, fourteen years later. When the time came to pay the last token of respect, his Masonic brethren of Roger Williams Lodge paid him the tribute of the beautiful burial rite of the order.

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Public-spirited and interested in all that pertained to the general good of his community, Mr. Angell found a worthy outlet for his activity in many ways, one of his interests being the Union Free Library, which he took an active part in founding, and for fif- teen years, until his death, served as its treasurer. He was highly-esteemed wherever known, and in the village where his life of seventy years had been spent he was the most honored. During the hours of this funeral services all places of business in Centerdale were closed, this last mark of respect being gladly rendered by his friends of a lifetime. He was a man of fine appearance and charming personality, a loving husband and father, a good citizen, and a loyal friend.

Mr. Angell married, in 1842, Sarah Angell Capron, born June 23, 1824, died April 27, 1893, daughter of Edwin and Deborah (Angell) Capron. They were the parents of two sons, George F. and Frank C. Angell.

From such antecedents comes Frank C. Angell, of the eighth American generation, tracing directly in male line from Thomas Angell, the founder, and a friend of Roger Williams. He is the younger son of James Halsey and Sarah Angell (Capron) Angell, and like his father is a lifelong resident of the village of Centerdale, Rhode Island, to which he came a very small boy, his birthplace, however, being the village of Allendale, Rhode Island, where his father was then a merchant. He was born March 9, 1845, was educated in the public schools, and in youth learned the harness maker's trade. He became an expert workman, established a shop and store in Centerdale in May, 1877, but he soon was compelled to seek enlarged quarters. These he found in the building he erected in 1881, known as the Masonic Hall Building, the harness shop occupying nearly the entire lower floor of that building. With the increased room he was able to add new lines to his stock, and there conducted a successful harness business of over a quarter of a century in Centerdale. Since then he has been engaged in the real estate business.

In the summer of 1868 Frank C. Angell, Marcus M. Joslen and Alexander W. Harrington initiated the movement to establish a free public library in Center- dale, then a country village of less than two hundred people. After preliminary meetings an organization was effected, known as The Union Library Associa- tion, and on May 13, 1869, a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The first list of officers of this asso- ciation, which has always been under the care of Frank C. Angell, who has served as librarian from the opening day in 1870 until the present (1918), with the exception of two years, 1871-72, is of interest now, as the first half century of its life is nearing a close:

John C. Budlong, President. Alexander W. Harrington, Vice-President. John Marsh, Vice-President. James C. Collings, Vice-President.

Harrison J. Turner, Vice-President.

George W. Remington, Treasurer. Frank C. Angell, Secretary. Alexander W. Harrington, Corresponding Secretary. Frank C. Angell, Librarian. John C. Budlong, Director. George T. Batchelder, Director.

Benjamin Sweet, Director. Marcus M. Joslin, Director. Israel B. Phillips, Director. John Marsh, Director. George W. Remington, Director.

The Union Library Association was incorporated in 1870, the library building thrown open to the publ lic, July 4, 1870, at high noon, three hundred and fifty volumes being on the shelves. On February 17! 1877, it was voted a free public library, under the ac of the Rhode Island Legislature of April 15, 1875, anq has so existed, prosperous and useful, its six thousand volumes and other privileges free to all. Mr. Angell'., terin of service as librarian covers a period of forty six years, his interest yet a deep and abiding one.

His connection with Roger Williams Lodge, No, 32, Free and Accepted Masons, is an equally remark.' able one and constitutes a record. He has been sec retary of that lodge (of which he and his father werd charter members) for forty-three years, 1875-1918 and is the senior secretary of the Rhode Island Ma sonic body. He was made a Mason in Temple Lodge; No. 18, in 1874, and is a member of the Masoni .. Veterans Association, also Scituate Royal Arch Chapter, No. 8. For twenty years he has been senio warden of St. Albans Episcopal Church; is and ha been for eighteen years town treasurer of the towi of North Providence; has served as member of the Town Council; as a tax assessor, and in many way his public spirit and loyalty to Centerdale have been manifested. He is the author of "The Annals of Cen terdale," from which voluminous extracts have been made in compiling this review, and in matters historica; is a local authority. He is a worthy representative in the twentieth century of this worthy family founded by Thomas Angell in the seventeenth century, thi nearly three hundred year period finding Angell upon the land owned by the first of the name in ever: year without lapse or break of continuous owner ship.

JOHN WESLEY HORTON-In the town of Hinsdale, in the State of New Hampshire, Mr. Hor ton obtained his first business training and spent hi youth. He passed through varied experiences in dif. ferent localities, finally in 1897 settling in Providence Rhode Island, where the partnership was formed now the Rhode Island Supply and Sprinkler Com pany, of which Mr. Horton is first vice-president and treasurer. His business really began at the age o fourteen when he rebelled against authority, "Walken Out" and found a job. He was not afraid of the work then and that same courageous spirit has been the keynote of his career. He has succeeded in his under takings since leaving Hinsdale, his capital representer at that time by a minus mark. The company in Prov ience at first employed two hands, now sixty ar required, and in like ratio Mr. Horton has developer to meet his responsibilities. Horton is an old Nev England name, ancestors of Mr. Horton serving il the War of the Revolution. Heirlooms owned by hi father, which he well-remembers in the New Hamp shire home, were an olden-time rifle and a sword, botl of which a Horton carried in the fight for liberty.

His great-grandfather, Stafford Horton, settled il Guilford, Vermont, in the year 1800, but the nex generation settled at Hinsdale, and there Hezekiah Frank Horton, grandson of Stafford Horton, spen his life a farmer. He was born in 1825, and during

other M Storton

BIOGRAPHICAL

the Civil War recruited a company for the Union Army but was himself rejected on account of phy- sical disability. Hezekiah F. Horton married Susan Elizabeth Cook, and they were the parents of John Wesley Horton, of Cranston, Rhode Island.

John Wesley Horton was born in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, January 19, 1864, and spent the first four- teen years of his life at the home farm, attending school in the winter months and assisting with farm work in summer. The last two years he attended Hinsdale High School, but became dissatisfied and walked out. He did not inform his father that he was not attending school, but left each day, working for a contractor for whom he lathed two new houses. He was found out, but his father appreciating the situation did not compel the lad to return to school. Later his father bought an interest in a Hinsdale hardware store for his son, the same store, by the way at which he had been working nights and morn- ings for some time, receiving $12.00 monthly for his services, and paying eleven dollars for his room and board. The firm was Stebbins & Horton, and for two years Mr. Horton continued therein, then secured a position as a traveling salesman for a prominent firm of Utica, New York, putting a man in his place at his Hinsdale hardware store. After one year with the Utica firm he returned to Hinsdale, sold his interest in the bus- iness, paid his father the money he had loaned him and paid other debts, this leaving him $20. A bank failure quickly accounted for that twenty, and he returned to his position in Utica broke. He continued in the employ of the Utica firm fourteen years, ending in December, 1897, that being the date of the founding of the busi- ness with which he is now connected.

A partnership known as Mills, Horton & Reed was founded in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1897, which was the beginning, the partners continuing as a firm until about 1900, then incorporated as the Rhode Island Supply & Engineering Company. The business pros- pered and in 1915 was leased to the Rhode Island Supply and Sprinkler Company, Mr. Horton, first vice-president and treasurer. Branches are maintained in Boston, Massachusetts, and Hartford, Connecticut, the plant and main offices of the company at Provi- dence. Mr. Horton is also vice-president of the War- wick Lace Works, a corporation in which he is finan- cially interested.

A Republican in politics and an active worker, he consented in 1909 to allow his name to be presented for the office of mayor of Cranston, the city of his residence. He consented much against his will, but once in the race made a strong canvass and reduced a normal adverse majority of six hundred to two hun- dred and twenty-five. In IgII he was again the Re- publican candidate, but lost the verdict of the polls by three votes. In 1913 he was again a candidate and was returned victor by six hundred votes. In 1916 he was reelected and for the first time in the history of Cranston every political office in the city is filled by a Republican. He has given the city a clean, efficient administration, has kept all pre- election promises, and is a most popular chief execu- tive. In religious faith he prefers the Methodist

Episcopal church: his parents were members of that church and bestowed upon their son the name honored above all others in Methodism.

In Masonry, Mr. Horton is a member of Har- mony Lodge, No. 9, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons; Providence Chapter, No. I, Royal Arch Ma- sons; St. John's Commandry, Knights Templar, of Providence; Palestine Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Providence, and Rhode Island Consistory. He is a member of the Edgewood Casino, Alerta and Providence clubs, is on the transportation committee of the Chamber of Commerce, and is helpful in all municipal affairs.

Mr. Horton married, June 17, 1897, Grace Medore Fales, of Hinsdale, and they are the parents of a son, Rogers Fales, born April 1I, 1901, now a student in Cranston High School.

CHARLES R. EASTON-For twenty years Mr. Easton has practised his profession in Providence, Rhode Island, and occupies a strong position at the Rhode Island bar. He is a descendant of Nicholas Easton, one of the founders of Newport, Rhode Island, and of a numerous influential family.

Charles R. Easton, son of Charles F. and Laura P. Easton, was born at Lincoln, Rhode Island, May 12, 1874. After preparation in graded and high school, he entered Brown University, whence he was grad- uated A. B., class of 1896. He studied law in the offices of Judge Benjamin M. Bosworth and Judge W. B. Tanner, was admitted to the bar in 1898, and has been in continuous practice in Providence since that year. Mr. Easton was State Senator, 1893-95; was chairman of the Republican Town Committee of Lincoln, 1912-14, and is one of the active, public- spirited men of the community. He married Eliza- beth M. Jordan, of Lincoln.

WILLIAM BINNEY-Providence, Rhode Island, the home of William Binney, of Wilson, Slade & Company, was also the home of his eminent father, William Binney, lawyer, founder of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, the first trust company incorporated in New England, president of City Coun- cil, author of the present city charter, and member of Legislature. William Binney is a grandson of Horace Binney, United States Senator from Pennsyl- vania, director of the United States Mint in Philadel- phia, with a national fame as a lawyer. For many years he was honored as the oldest living graduate of Harvard College, that institution conferring upon him the honorary degree, L.L. D., in 1827. Of him it was said: "A proficient in the literature of France and Spain, delighting in history and poetry, a close student of theology, he was much more than a law- yer, much more than a scholar."

Horace Binney was a son of Dr. Barnabas Binney, a surgeon of the Revolution, and a physician of Phil- adelphia, a graduate of Brown University, 1774. "dis- tinguished on account of his patriotism, a steadfast friend, and a generous advocate of the rights of man." Dr. Barnabas Binney was a son of Captain Barnabas

R I-4

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Binney, born in Hull, Massachusetts, a master mari- ner, owner of a plantation at Demerara, British Guiana, a Boston merchant, his estate in Boston extending from Summer street to the shore front. Captain Barnabas Binney was a son of Deacon John Binney, of Hull, Massachusetts, who in several docu- ments of the period is variously styled, "mariner," "deacon," and "gentleman." Deacon John Binney was a son of Captain John Binney, founder of the family in America, who came from England to Hull, Massa- chusetts, with his wife Mercy, and two sons, John and Samuel. Captain John and Deacon John Binney were buried in the same grave at Hull, and in 1883 a monu- ment was erected by their descendants to mark the hallowed spot. This review will deal with the Rhode Island Binneys, William Binney, father, and Wil- liam Binney, the son, the latter being the worthy twentieth century representative of one of the strong- est American families.

William Binney, son of Horace and Elizabeth (Coxe) Binney, was born April 14, 1825, in the city of Philadelphia. The elementary portion of his edu- cation was received at the local schools, where he prepared for college, and in 1845 he matriculated at Yale. Unfortunately, however, his health was not robust, and he was obliged to abandon his studies there at the end of his junior year. In spite of the fact that he never graduated from that institution, he received the honorary degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1849, and of Master of Arts in 1866. He was also the recipient of the latter degree from Brown Uni- versity in 1856. While still comparatively young, Mr. Binney chose the legal profession as his career in life, and accordingly studied law in Philadelphia, being admitted to the bar in that city. He did not, how- ever, remain in Philadelphia, but in 1853 removed to Providence, Rhode Island, where he resided until 1883-84. During these years he erected his handsome residence at Newport, on the corner of Catherine street and Delois avenue. In the meantime he has built up a large legal practice in Providence, and it has been with this city that his career has always been associated. In 1867, however, he organized the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company, in Providence, and be- came its first president. From that time onward until his resignation, in 1881, he gave practically his entire Attention to the building and developing of this great concern, and abandoned the practice of the law. The Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company was the first trust company incorporated in New England, and Mr. Binney continued as a director of it until his death, April 23, 1909. From the time of his coming to Providence, Mr. Binney took a public-spirited inter- est in city affairs and identified himself with every department of its life. In spite of the important private interests which he was responsible for and which of necessity made heavy demands upon his time, he nevertheless gave much of his energy to local public affairs and held a number of important offices in the city. From June, 1857, until January, 1874, he served as a member of the City Common Coun- cil, was president of this body from 1863 to 1871, and

drew up the present city charter of Providence. Mr. Binney was chosen to deliver the memorial oration in the old Roundtop Church after the assassination of President Lincoln, represented Providence in the General Assembly of the State, and in many ways served the community. He never lost his interest in the common weal, and it was only very shortly before his death that he wrote to the Providence "Journal" a letter advocating a public market in Providence. In his possession was an invaluable old family heirloom, the oil portrait of Avis (Engs) Binney, the wife of Captain Barnabas Binney, his great-grandfather, and a fine portrait of his father, the Hon. Horace Binney by Sully, and a miniature of him by Brown.

William Binney married, June 14, 1848, Charlotte Hope Goddard, born December 1, 1824, died April 26, 1866, daughter of William and Charlotte Rhoda (lves) Goddard, of Providence, and a sister of Col- onel R. H. I. Goddard. Children: I. Hope Ives, born May 10, 1849; married, December, 1870, Samuel Powel, Jr., of Philadelphia. 2. Mary Woodrow, born December 14, 1856; married Sidney Frederick Tyler. 3. William, Jr., of further mention. 4. Horace, born May 18, 1860; a graduate of Harvard, class of 1883; married, April 20, 1888, Marie Sorcham, of Paris, France.

William (2) Binney, son of William (1) and Char- lotte Hope (Goddard) Binney, was born July 31, 1858, at Potowomut, in the town of Warwick, Rhode Island. His early education was received at the well- known Mowry and Goff's School of Providence, and at St. Paul's School of Concord, New Hampshire. Here he completed his preparation for college, and immediately upon graduation matriculated at Har- vard University, from which he was graduated A. B., class of 1881. He at once entered business life as an employee of Lawrence, Taylor & Company, a large dry goods firm of New York City, but there re- mained for a short time only. His next position was with the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company of Providence, founded by his father, and from that time he has been connected with the banking interests of the city, first as partner in the firm, Wilbour Jackson & Company, bankers and brokers, then as junior partner in the firm, Sheldon & Binney, and finally as partner in the well-known firm, Wilson, Slade & Company, bankers and brokers.

Mr. Binney married, July 14, 1881, Harriet D'Costa Rhodes, daughter of James Aborn and Rosa Mer- lano (D'Costa) Rhodes. They are the parents of the following children: I. Hope Ives, born Janu- ary 25, 1884, died September 7, 1896. 2. Beatrice Rhodes, born June 12, 1886; married, April 20, 1909, Howard Anson Richmond; they have three children: Hope Binney, born May 8, 1910; Howard, born March 20, 1913; and Harriet Binney, born July 2, 1917. 3. Elisabeth Goddard, born January 6, 1893; married, June 28, 1915, Barnes Newberry, a son of Hon. Free- man H. Newberry, of Detroit, Michigan, former Sec- retary of the Navy under President Roosevelt; they have a daughter, Elisabeth Goddard Binney, born July 3, 1917.

BIOGRAPHICAL

WILLIAM HENRY JORDAN, M. D .- As a skilled specialist, devoting his knowledge and talents to the treatment of diseases peculiar to children, Dr. Jor- dan is well-established in the affections of a large and loyal clientele in Providence, Rhode Island, a city in which he began practice in 1901. He not only made the usual educational preparation for the practice of his profession, but during the years 1905-06-07 he attended special courses on children at Harvard, and in 19II studied abroad in London, Paris, Munich, Stras- burg, and Vienna, spending more time in the last-named city than in any of the others. He also visited the hos- pitals in Venice, Rome, and Florence. Dr. Jordan is a son of William Jordan, of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, who died in 1909, and his wife, Ellen (Sullivan) Jor- dan, who is yet a resident of Woonsocket.

William Henry Jordan was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, May 18, 1874. His youth was spent in Woonsocket, and there he attended grammar, parochial, private, and high school. He entered Maryland Medi- cal College, at Baltimore, and in 1901 was graduated an M. D. As soon as he received his degree, Dr. Jordan applied for enlistment in the United States Marine Hos- pital Corps, passed the examination successfully, and was assigned to duty in Baltimore. A month later he was transferred to Evansville, Indiana, but shortly afterward he resigned from the corps, and the same year, 1901, located in Providence, Rhode Island, which has since been his professional home. Dr. Jordan has made a specialty of children's diseases, and through experience and special study at Harvard Medical Col- lege, and abroad, has fitted himself as an authority on such diseases. In 1906 he was appointed visiting physi- cian to Saint Vincent de'Paul's Infant's Asylum, and the same year physician to the out-patient department of children, of the Rhode Island Hospital, and received similar appointments at about the same time to St. Joseph's Hospital, at Providence. In 1909 he was ap- pointed visiting physician to the department of children, St. Joseph's Hospital, and in 1917 was appointed assist- ant visiting physician to the department of children, at Rhode Island Hospital. He is a member of the Ameri- can Medical Association, a life member of the American Medical Association of Vienna, Rhode Island Medical Society, Providence Medical Association, New England Pediatric Society, president in 1915 of the Pediatric department of the Rhode Island Medical Society. He is a member of St. Michael's Church, and of the Catho- . lic Club, in his political action is an Independent. A feature of Dr. Jordan's professional career is his crusade against impure milk and his strong fight for an amended milk law which would provide for a compulsory tuber- culin test. Over his own signature, Dr. Jordan dis- cussed the subject in the October, 1916, issue of the "State Board of Health Bulletin," and boldly declared that conditions in Rhode Island were badly in need of correction. He asserted that the milk supply of the city fell far short of the standard set for good milk, and with facts and figures fully proved his position.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 13

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