The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 20

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 978

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Governor Bourn is a descendant of Jared Bourn, who s admitted to the church in Boston, April 22, 1634, er moved to Rhode Island, locating at Portsmouth, ere he was representative to the Colonial Legisla- e, 1654-55. He finally moved to Swansea, Massa- isetts, where he occupied the blockhouse at Matta- sett, now Gardiner's Neck, that being a place of uge from the Indians at the beginning of King ilip's War. Swansea and that portion which, about o, was incorporated as a separate town by the name Somerset, was the family seat for five generations. ed; his son, Jared (2) ; his son, Francis; his son, phen; his son, Stephen (2). The last named was father of George Osborn Bourn, father of Gov- or Bourn.

George Osborn Bourn was born July 4, 1809, and died Providence in 1859. He married, in Providence, c. 1, 1833, Huldah Batty Eddy, daughter of Ezra 1 Sally (Peckham) Eddy, and granddaughter of lliam Eddy, of Providence, a Revolutionary soldier 1 pensioner. The family collateral lines embrace ny distinguished families of New England, dating m the earliest days of the English settlement.

Augustus Osborn Bourn was born in Providence, I., Oct. 1, 1834, his birthplace the first two-story oden house on the south side of Pawtuxet street ow Broad street). His first teacher was Miss nold, danghter of Mrs. Mary Arnold, who with her daughters, Margaret and Sarah, both school teach- , resided in the upper tenement of the Bourn home, n on Trinity street, opposite Sabin street. He at-

tended private and public school until twelve years of age, and, in September, 1847, entered the high school on Benefit street, and four years later entered Brown University. He attended the latter institution four years, 1851-55, was graduated with the degree of A. M., and at once joined his father in the rubber manufac- turing business. The elder Bourn was senior of the firm, Bourn, Brown & Chaffee, but in his later years was a semi-invalid compelled to spend the winter months in Cuba, or in an equally tropical climate elsewhere. The son, Augustus O., took his place in the business so far as possible, during the winters of 1855-59, de- voting his time especially to factory manufacturing details. After the death of the senior partner, Augus- tus O. succeeded to his interest and place in the firm. As Colonel Brown, one of the partners, went to the front as captain of the First Company, Light Artillery, of Providence, it was decided to incorporate to avoid complications which would arise in the event of Cap- tain Brown's death. The Providence Rubber Company was therefore incorporated in 1861, as the successor of Bourn, Brown & Chaffee, and, before the expiration of the Goodyear patent in 1865, Mr. Bourn organized the National Rubber Company, and built a large plant in Bristol, Rhode Island. About January, 1868, the Prov- idence Rubber Company consolidated with the National Rubber Company and moved their plant to Bristol, Mr. Bourn was treasurer and active manager of the National from 1865 until 1887, that company becoming the most important corporation of the town, nearly half the then population being employed at their plant. In 1894, after his return from Rome, Italy, Mr. Bourn again began rubber manufacturing in Providence, and in 1894 his interests and the old Providence Rubber Company were merged and re-organized as the Bourn Rubber Company, the firm becoming an incorporated body in 1902. Mr. Bourn is vet its capable treasurer and manager.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Bourn represented Bristol in the State Senate, 1876-83, and from 1886 to 1888. From 1877 to 1883 he was chairman of the com- mittee on finance, and a member of the committee on the judiciary. The constitution of Rhode Island, prior to 1888, limited the voting power of foreign-born cit- izens to those owning real estate. During the session of 1887-88, Senator Bourn introduced an act to amend the Constitution, and to grant foreign-born citizens equal franchise rights with native-born citizens. The amendment, as passed by the Legislature, was ratified by the people, and the "Bourn" Amendment became a part of the organic law of the State. In 1883 Senator Bourn was nominated by the Republican State Con- vention for the office of governor, and was elected by a vote of 13,068 votes against 10,201 for his Demo- cratic opponent. In 1884 he was re-elected by a vote of 15,936. From 1889 until 1893 he served as consul gen- eral to Italy, located at Rome, being appointed by Presi- dent Harrison. At the close of his term he returned to his home' in Bristol, and shortly after resumed rubber manufacturing in Providence. He is an ex- president of the New England Rubber Club of Boston, now the Rubber Association of America, a very large and influential association of which he is at present a director. To this association there has been entrusted,

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

since the beginning of the present war by the Govern- ment of the United States and Great Britain, the dis- tribution of all the rubber imported into the United States, as it was the only available, competent organ- ized body in the country. The duty of the association has been to so supervise and oversee distribution of rubber among the different manufacturers as to make certain that no rubber can be used either directly or in- directly in a way that would benefit the enemy. The value of the rubber so distributed in 1917 amounted to over two hundred and thirty-six millions of dol- lars. He is a member of the University Club of Provi- dence, and of numerous other societies and clubs; mem- ber of Brown Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; What Cheer Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Providence Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; and Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar.

Governor Bourn married, Feb. 26, 1863, Elizabeth Robarts Morrill, daughter of David C. and Mary Mans- field (Wentworth) Morrill, of Epping, N. H. Her Wentworth and Morrill ancestry traced to the earliest New England days, both being prominent in State and National affairs. Mr. and Mrs. Bourn were the parents of three sons and two daughters: Augustus Osborn (2), born May 5, 1865, a graduate of Brown Univer- sity, A. B., Harvard Law School, and Columbia Uni- versity, Washington, D. C., LL. B .; Stephen Went- worth, born April 5, 1877, a graduate of Brown Univer- sity ; Elizabeth R .; George Osborn, a twin brother of Elizabeth R., who died in Bristol, Feb., 1887; and Alice M. W. Mrs. Governor Bourn died at the family residence in Bristol, R. I., Jan. 28, 1915.

REV. DANIEL LEACH, D. D., son of Apollos and Chloe Leach, was born in Bridgewater, Mass., June 6, 1806. His early education was such as the schools of that time afforded. In these he was stud- ious, and laid a solid foundation for the higher depart- ments of learning to which he subsequently devoted himself. Possessing an active, self-reliant spirit, he, at the age of sixteen years, left the quiet of his native town to engage in mercantile pursuits in Boston. After becoming familiar with the rules and customs of trade, his mind, seriously impressed with the great truths of Divine revelation, inclined to the Christian ministry, and the more suitably to prepare himself for his duties he entered Brown University in 1825, and was grad- uated in 1830, his term having been extended one year on account of ill health. While in college he became greatly proficient in mathematics. His knowledge of the ancient languages also was marked. The study of Hebrew, for which he had a special fondness, he con- tinued to pursue after leaving the University, and made himself a thorough master of the nice shades of mean- ing to be drawn from the original tongue of the Psalter. He studied divinity at Andover, Massachu- setts, two years, and one year with Bishop Griswold, by whom he was ordained an Episcopal clergyman in 1833. He settled in Quincy, Massachusetts, and re- mained five years, when he retired from the rector- ship and accepted the position of principal of the Clas- sical School in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in which he continued four years, and then opened a private school, which he taught six years with eminent success.

His interest in the cause of popular education leco an engagement as an agent of the Massachusetts S Board of Education, an associate of Dr. Barnas Ses In the discharge of the duties of this office he amined the condition of the school houses (more te one thousand in number) and the schools througha the State, noting their defects, besides devoting m time to advising with school committees on points wh conduce to the highest prosperity of the schools. 1853, in a report to the board, he presented an impro system of ventilation for school houses, devised himself, which was soon introduced where needed, the increased comfort and health of pupils. This s tem has also been introduced into school houses a other buildings in Providence, with entire satisfacti In 1855 Dr. Leach was called to succeed Profes Samuel S. Greene as superintendent of the pul schools of Providence, Rhode Island, the duties which office he discharged for more than thirty years His previously large and varied experience, no 1 than his thorough knowledge of the philosophy of ed cation, eminently qualified him for this position, a under his energetic and judicious management, 1 public schools of Providence gained distinction in so of the best methods of teaching. The quarterly a annual reports of Dr. Leach bear the impress of a d cerning and discriminating mind, and have been eage sought by educators both in this country and Euro In 1866 Rev. Dr. Frazer, a commissioner appointed the British Government to inspect the schools of t United States, visited Providence, and in his report Parliament spoke of the public schools of that city among those he deemed worthy of special commenc tion, and particularly the remarkable accuracy of t pupils in spelling. In 1873 Dr. Leach prepared a seri of directions to teachers of the primary and inte mediate schools, embracing the best methods of teac ing the alphabet, spelling, reading, geography, arit metic, general exercises, and object lessons, togetli with judicious counsels in the administration of di cipline. The methods thus indicated have contribut much to the advancement of schools and have bee adopted in many places other than Providence. T; educational views of Dr. Leach are comprehensive expressed in the following extract from an addre delivered by him at the dedication of the Providen High School in 1878:

The first as well as the highest alm of educatict should be to develop in harmony and to strengthe all the powers and faculties both of mind and bod by judicious training, beginning with the simplest ele ments of thought, to lead the pupil on, step by ste to think clearly, to reason correctly, and to classit all the materials of knowledge according to their tri relations. The memory should be the repository on] of important and well-attested facts, systematicall arranged, and not burdened with useless details an words without meaning. An education that is chief ornamental and showy, Instead of thorough and exac creating and fostering a distaste for labor, and fittings one especially for a life of leisure rather than for it active work, and responsible duties, fails of one of it noblest purposes. But all true culture, to be valuable must have a moral as well as an intellectual basi: ever inspiring noble aims and aspirations for a pur and elevated character. It then adorns and ennoble every condition of life, the humblest as well as th highest. The education we have thus designated i now demanded by the spirit of the age, as an essentia and vital element in all human progress.

BIOGRAPHICAL

In 1870 Dr. Leach was elected a member of the Rhode fand Board of Education, which office he held until : time of his death. He was for more than twenty fars a vice-president and director of the Rhode Island Istitute of Instruction. In 1875 Brown University ferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity, d in 1877 he was elected a trustee of the University : life. Besides the numerous reports before referred he has published an Arithmetic, a Complete Speller, d a Manual of Geography. The rules and definitions the former were based upon the decision of the phest mathematical authority. All of these publica- ns have been in extensive use.

Dr. Leach married, in May, 1834, Mary H. Lawton, ughter of Captain Robert and Penelope (Brown) wton, of Newport, R. I., three children being the ue of the marriage, two of whom are now living, enry B., and Mary C., wife of G. W. Wilcox, M. D., Providence. Mrs. Leach died July 2, 1879, aged zenty-four years.

Arms-Ermine on a chief indented gules three ducal ronets or. Crest-A hand couped at the wrist, grasping a snake.

ARTHUR WHITMAN CLAFLIN-In 1842 the me Claflin first became known in Providence, Rhode and, in connection with the drug business. In that ar George Lyman Claflin came to the city, a young in of twenty, and entered the employ of the drug n John H. Mason & Company, whose store was on eybosset street nearly opposite the old City Hotel. 1869 another Claflin entered the same business, thur Whitman, and in 1873 the firm of Geo. L. aflin & Company was organized. In 1884 Arthur W. aflin became a partner in that firm, and for two years her and son were thus closely allied. Then the elder aflin yielded to the inexorable demand that comes to ery man, the son continuing and being now the hon- ed president of the Geo. L. Claflin Company, whole- e and retail druggists, incorporated in 1903. Thus seventy-five years, Claflins, father and son, have en intimately connected with drug activity in Provi- nce, this review being devoted to their lives and work. George Lyman Claflin, of the sixth American gener- on of the family founded in Wenham, Massachusetts, 1661, by Robert MacClaflin, son of Lyman and Re- cca Gay (Starkweather) Claflin, was born at Paw- cket, R. I. (then in Massachusetts), Dec. 22, 1822, d died in Providence, April 4, 1886. He was educated public and private schools, completing his studies at e Academy in Pawtucket taught by Frederick Vinton. 1842 he came to Providence and became a drug clerk the John H. Mason & Company store, continuing th their successors, Earl P. Mason & Company, with hom he remained many years, becoming a partner, the m re-organizing later as Snow, Claflin & Company. lis arrangement continued until 1873, when Mr. aflin bought the stock, fixtures and good will of the pre on South Main street, conducted by J. Balch & ons, and continued the business under the firm name, eo. L. Claflin & Company. He was senior member of at firm for thirteen years, building up a very large siness in drugs, both wholesale and retail.

His connection with Providence business interests was

not confined to drugs, but he was widely interested, and as the years passed he rose to influential position. He was one of the organizers of the Northern Bank in 1856, became a member of the first board of directors, and ever held that place in the bank's management. He was also a director of the Coventry National Bank; the Coventry Savings Bank (Anthony, Rhode Island) ; Jackson Institution for Savings; of the Second National Bank; Roger Williams Insurance Company; and the Union Mutual Insurance Company. He considered it a patriotic duty to answer every demand upon him, and in that public spirit consented to hold office, although he had no liking for public life. In 1870 he was elected councilman from the First Ward, served three separate terms in that body, then in 1874 was elected represen- tative to the State Legislature, and in both positions served with ability and fidelity. Church affairs always attracted him, and he labored zealously for the ad- vancement of the Congregational church which he joined in 1843, soon after coming to Providence, the congregation worshiping then in Westminster Hall, Rev. Thomas T. Waterman acting as pastor. When the Central Congregational Church was organized, Mr. Claflin at once identified himself with all its interests and became responsible for a large addition to the building fund. He became superintendent of the pri- mary Sunday school, December 4, 1859, and for over twenty-five years held that position, one which only a man of tact, resource and love for the work could suc- cessfully continne, as he did, for such a period.

Mr. Claflin married, Sept. 3, 1850, Louisa Sisson Whit- man, born in 1828, died Oct. 19, 1892, daughter of Christopher A. Whitman, a manufacturer, bank presi- dent, and State Senator of Coventry, Rhode Island. In 1864-65 the Claflin mansion, at the corner of Halsey and Pratt streets, was erected by Mr. Claflin's orders, and there he resided the remainder of his life, no man taking a greater pride nor a deeper pleasure in his family and home. Mr. and Mrs. Claflin were the parents of four children: Arthur Whitman, of fur- ther mention; George Lyman, died young; William Lyman, born June 18, 1862, died Jan. 24, 1903; George Edwin, born April 4, 1866, married, April 18, 1894, Susan Emily Talbot, of Providence.

Arthur Whitman Claflin was born in Providence, R. I., Oct. 10, 1852, and there was educated in the pub- lic schools and at Mowry & Goff's English and Classi- cal High School, completing his courses with gradu- ation, class of 1869. His father was then a member of the drug firm, Snow, Claflin & Company, located on Canal street, and for three and a half years Arthur W. was connected with this firm, learning the drug business. In 1873 the Geo. L. Claflin & Company firm was organ- ized on the J. Balch & Sons drug business site on South Main street, Nos. 62-72, the business of the new firm being conducted with both wholesale and retail depart- ments. Until 1884 Arthur W. Claflin served the firm as an employee, being his father's assistant, but that year he was admitted a partner. In 1886 he succeeded his father as senior member, and on January 1, 1903, became executive head of the new incorporated Geo. L. Claflin Company, one of the leading wholesale and retail drug houses of New England. Mr. Claflin con- tinnes as president and treasurer of the corporation,

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

the business yet being located at Nos. 62-72 South Main street. He confines his activity largely to his own company, although he has had official banking connec- tions in the past, and is now a director of the People's Savings Bank. He is a member of Central Congrega- tional Church of Providence, and in politics a Repub- lican.

Mr. Claflin married, March 15, 1881, Mary Alice How- ard, daughter of Lieutenant-Governor Albert C. How- ard, of East Providence, a descendant of Thomas How- ard, born in 1643, of Enfield and Lynn, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Claflin are the parents of two children : Louisa Howard, born March 7, 1882; Albert Whitman, born Jan. 31, 1885; married, Feb. 23, 1918, Harriet A. Fuller, daughter of R. Clinton Fuller, of Providence, and is now a member of the Geo. L. Claflin Company, and assistant treasurer.

THOMAS HENRY HANDY, treasurer of the Contrexeville Manufacturing Company of Manville, and one of the most prominent men in the community, is a member of an old family which has for many years held a distinguished place in the affairs of this region. The name was originally spelled in several different ways and we find Handy, Hendy and Hendee in the early records of New England. The early history of the family is somewhat obscure, but we have a record of one Samuel Handy, age twenty-five years, a passenger in the month of July, 1625, in the ship "Assurance de Zo" sailing from England for Virginia. In 1730 again Hannibal, Isaac, John, Zacheus, Richard and Cornelius Handy were heads of families in Sandwich, Massachu- setts, and through various portions of Bristol county lying adjacent to Rhode Island, and in a number of towns in the latter State the family has been repre- sented for generations. The records are, however, fragmentary, especially in connection with the Rhode Island branches.

The immediate ancestor of that branch of the family with which we are concerned was Stephen Handy, who spent his early days in that part of Gloucester, Rhode Island, which is now Burrillville, where he followed the trade of shoemaker, taught in the local school, and also operated a small farm at Herring Pond, where he built his house. It is illustrative of the primitive times in which he lived that Stephen Handy himself forged the nails with which he built his house. He was in many ways a remarkable genius, possessing that extraordi- nary ability to handle difficult practical conditions which is so marked a characteristic of the Yankee character. He removed in the early thirties with his family to what is now the village of Manville, where he spent the remainder of his life. Stephen Handy married Deborah Ballou, a native of Gloucester, now Burrill- ville, and they were the parents of the following chil- dren: Sarah, born April 6, 1814, became the wife of James Andrews; Celinda E., born July 22, 1822; Esther W., born June 10, 1823, became the wife of Thomas W. Lawton: Amey Ann, born March 5, 1825; George D., born Dec. 29, 1828, married Mary Corey; Russell, mentioned below; and John, born June 12, 1834, married Mary Knox, and resided at Whitinsville, Mass., where he died.

Russell Handy was born Feb. 25, 1830, at Burrill-

ville, R. I., but was still a child when his parents locat at Manville. His educational advantages were decidec meagre, and he was still very young when he start work in the mills at Manville, where he began at t. bottom round of the ladder. He was exceedingly brig and capable, however, and was rapidly promoted un he became superintendent and subsequently a shar holder in the Manville mills. During his superinten. ency he made many improvements, including the buil ing of the large mills of the Manville company and e larging the dam. He was a man of great enterpri and capability, and while still superintendent of t Manville mills established a manufacturing business his own at Kinderhook, New York, the conduct which he placed in the hands of his sons, who we very capable young men. The mill at Kinderhook, how, ever, was destroyed by fire, whereupon Mr. Hand withdrew from the Manville mills, and in associati with his son started the manufacturing business what is now Contrexeville. He purchased a large tra of land in 1887, known as the Lapham place, upon whi he erected a mill, much of the machinery of which w of his own invention, but his death occurred Nov. 2 1887, only a few months after the mill began acti operations. Russell Handy was a man of unusu ability who, with very scanty opportunities, by his ow efforts, reached a place of great prominence in tl. community and was known generally as one of its mo. successful men. He was a member of the Emanu Episcopal Church at Manville and for many years w: a vestryman thereof, contributing liberally to the su port of the parish and its charitable work. He marrie Dec. 24, 1857, at Fishkill, Dutchess county, N. Y., E phemia Ketcham, a native of New York City, and daughter of Ebenezer and Lydia (Rogers) Ketchar both of whom are natives of Harrison, New Yor Russell Handy and his wife were the parents of tl, following children: Edwin Rogers, a sketch of whoi follows in this work; Thomas Henry, mentioned below Russell, Jr., who died at the age of twelve years; ar.' Ruth Louise, who died when four years old.

Thomas Henry Handy was born March 12, 1863, : Manville, R. I., and was educated at the Mowry Goff English and Classical School. Upon completin his education, he engaged in business with his fathe and elder brother and became treasurer and secretar of the Contrexeville Manufacturing Company, whic was incorporated in 1887 with a capital of one hundre thousand dollars. The company manufactures cotto jute and flax plushes and velveteens by a process ( which it holds the patent, and it was for a number c years the only concern engaged in this line in the cour try. At the time that Mr. Handy became associate with it the mill consisted of a large brick building tw stories in height and which was then equipped with th best devices known in this line of industry. The death o the elder Mr. Handy was followed by that of the elde son, Edwin Rogers Handy, since which time the subjec of this sketch has been associated with Russell H Handy, son of the late Edwin R. Handy, now serving as president of the company. The great business ha during this period doubled its former proportions unde their most capable management and many improvement. have been added. The plant is situated about one mil

Темнованных

Thomas H. Hander

Evini B. Randy-

BIOGRAPHICAL

om the Manville Railroad station, in a very attractive ality, and employment is given to above two hundred mads there. Mr. Handy himself is greatly interested agricultural pursuits and spends much of his leisure le engaged in this way. He makes his home on a y handsome two hundred acre farm, which he keeps la high state of cultivation and improvement, and bm his house one can overlook the mills of the Con- xeville Manufacturing Company. In his religious tief Mr. Handy is an Episcopalian and attends the dirch of that denomination at Manville. He is a ong Republican in politics, but the demands upon time and energies are so onerous that he can give tt little attention to this aspect of the community's e. He is, nevertheless, rightfully regarded as one of : great benefactors of Manville and the surrounding intry, and has played an important part in the ma- ial development of the region.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 20

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