The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 21

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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Thomas Henry Handy married, Nov. 3, 1889, Susan len Waterman, of Cumberland Hill, a daughter William W. and Abby Green (Sayles) Waterman, 1 residents of that place. To Mr. and Mrs. Handy the llowing children have been born: Thomas Henry, , who attended the public schools, and took a course the Fall River Textile Institute of Fall River, Mass .; bie Waterman, educated in the public schools, and now taking a course at Russell Sage College for Do- :stic Science; Susan Wescott, educated at the public hools, and now a pupil at Wellesley College; William who attended the local public schools, and was a pil at the Massachusetts School of Technology, in ston. He died Nov. 1, 1918.

EDWIN R. HANDY, president of the Contrexe- le Manufacturing Company, of Manville, from 1887 1904, figured prominently in manufacturing circles in e State throughout that period, and at the time of s death bade fair to become a leader in the textile anufacturing industry. He was born in Wilkins ills, N. Y., October 2, 1858, the son of Russell and 1phemia (Ketcham) Handy, and a descendant of muel Handy, founder of the family in New England. e was educated in the public schools of Manville, and er attended the Mowry & Goff English and Classical hool of Providence. On completing his studies he at ce identified himself with the manufacturing business his father. After a comprehensive study of all ases of the business he assumed charge of the ant at Kinderhook, New York. Mr. Handy remained the head of the plant at Kinderhook until its destruc- on by fire. In 1887 Russell Handy purchased a large act of land at Manville, Rhode Island, known as the pham place, and here erected a mill, installing in it achinery of the most modern and efficient type, in the vention of which he and his sons had collaborated. is death in 1887, a few months after the mill had en put into operation, threw the arduous task of lay- g the foundations of a new business on the shoulders his sons. Edwin R. Handy, at the time assistant perintendent of the Contrexeville Manufacturing ompany, under which name the business had been in- rporated in 1887, succeeded to the office of presi- nt. Under his able direction the business was devel- ed rapidly, and soon took a leading place among

similar enterprises in the State. Edwin R. Handy was an able executive and organizer ; a man of shrewd judg- ment and keen foresight; he was thoroughly familiar with every phase of the industry in which he engaged, and an expert in his line. He was widely known and eminently respected in business circles.

He married Eliza C. Howard, and they were the par- ents of four children: Ruth Louise; Russell How- ard, who succeeded his father as president of the Con- trexeville Manufacturing Company, married Caroline B. Vose; Edwin Rogers; John Ketcham. Edwin R. Handy died in Manville, R. I., May I, 1904.

EDWARD EVERET ARNOLD-Tracing through more than a score of generations from Ynir, an ancient Prince of Wales, and of the eighth generation of the family founded in New England by William Arnold, in 1635. Edward Everet Arnold, of Providence, Rhode Island, brings to his activities the best traits of an ancestry seated in Rhode Island since 1636, when Wil- liam Arnold became an associate of Roger Williams. The stay in Massachusetts was very short, as one year after being made a freeman of Hingham he joined with Roger Williams and others in the purchase of land in Rhode Island, acquiring large tracts in Providence, Pawtucket and Warwick. He was one of the thirteen original proprietors of Providence, and in 1640 was one of the signers to the form of government. In Provi- dence he became influential in business and public life, the last record of him being under date of March 9, 1658. He married Christian Peake, the line of descent being through their youngest son, Stephen.

Stephen Arnold was born in England, Dec. 22, 1622, and he was brought to New England by his par- ents in 1635. He removed from Providence to Paw- tucket, Rhode Island, and there acquired a large estate. He was prominent in public life, deputy-governor in 1664, and assistant in 1665. He married Sarah Smith, and was succeeded by his son, Stephen (2) Arnold, born Nov. 27, 1654, inherited an estate from his father, and was one of the leading men of his day, a deputy in 1704-1706-1719. He married Mary Sheldon, the line to Edward E. Arnold being traced through their son, Philip Arnold, born at Providence, R. I., Feb. 12, 1693, who settled at Warwick, R. I., where his son, Thomas Arnold, was born June 22, 1730. He

married Hannah and had a son, Nathaniel Arnold, who married Eleanor Rice. Their son, Na- thaniel (2) Arnold, was born at Coventry, in 1808, and died Jan. 4, 1872. He was a substantial farmer all his active years, owning a fine estate adjoin- ing the Rice farm. He served the church faithfully all his life, and was held in high regard by all who knew him. He married Lydia Vaughn, and they were the parents of three daughters : Mary, Eunice, Harriet; and three sons, George H., Henry Nathaniel, and Ed- ward Everet.

Edward Everet Arnold, youngest child of Nathaniel (2) and Lydia (Vaughn) Arnold, was born at Cov- entry, R. I., Dec. 17, 1853, his birthplace the homestead farm. The homestead farm was a part of the land purchased by twelve men from Miantonomi, chief sachem of the Narragansetts, January 12, 1642. After public school courses were completed, he attended East

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Greenwich Academy, finishing his studies with a course at Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. He entered business life in Providence, May 11, 1874, his first position being with Mason, Chapin & Com- pany, wholesale drugs and chemicals. From a clerk- ship in 1874, he rose to a partnership in 1883, and later, as the elder partners retired, a complete re-organization was affected, the new style and title of the firm, Arnold, Peck & Company. In later years Mr. Arnold formed a partnership with William H. Hoffman, drugs and chem- icals, the business at first, Arnold, Hoffman Company, a firm, now and since January 2, 1900, Arnold, Hoff- man & Company, Incorporated, Edward E. Arnold, president. His business life has been one of marked success, his connection with wholesale drugs and chem- icals covering the entire period now nearing the half- century mark. But his association with Arnold, Hoff- man & Company is but one of his many important bus- iness interests. He is president of the Mathieson Alkali Works, which he founded in 1892, at Saltville, Virginia; president of the Castner Electolytic Alkali Company of Niagara Falls, New York; president of the Nitrogen Products Company; president of the Oneonta Light & Power Company; president of the Pawtucket Valley Water Company; director of the Ponemah Mills.

Notwithstanding his heavy business responsibilities, Mr. Arnold reserved a share of his time for the ful- fillment of his obligations as a citizen, and gives freely of his time, ability and means to the public good. He served for three years as a member of the Rhode Island Senate, and in public spirit and interest never falters. He is fond of country life, is an earnest advo- cate of the cause of good roads, and spends his sum- mers at the homestead owned by his grandfather, Na- thaniel (1) Arnold, at Coventry, which he also owns. No good cause appeals to him in vain, and his life must be deemed a worthy and successful one, from whatever angle viewed. He is a member of Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of the Masonic order, also is a member of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, the Hope Club, and the Squantum Association of Providence. He has won his way in the world, and his life is an example of right living and well-directed effort worthy of emu- lation.

Mr. Arnold married, Jan. 3, 1889, Mittie Hodges, of Peoria, Ill., and they are the parents of three daugh- ters and three sons : Mittie, Edward Nathaniel, died aged two years; Dorothy, Edwin Hodges, Henry Na- thaniel, and Elizabeth.

JOHN FRANCIS McCUSKER, M. D., son of Thomas and Honor (Keough) McCusker, was born in Providence, R. I., Nov. 19, 1865. He completed public school education with graduation from high school in 1883, going thence to Manhattan College, New York City, taking the scientific course, and receiving his degree, B. S., class of 1886, honor man and prize mathe- matician. Later, in 1892, he received the degree M. S. He studied medicine at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, and was graduated M. D., class of 1889. He entered Rhode Island Hospital in Providence as officer in 1889; was made assistant sur- geon of the out-patient department in 1891, and later became connected with the ophthalmological depart-

ment. He was visiting surgeon to St. Joseph's Hospi and secretary to the staff, 1892-95; assistant surgeon the Metropolitan Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, N York, 1895; house surgeon to the Massachusetts Ch; itable Eye and Ear Infirmary, 1897, now a specialist diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, his offices. M 382 Broad street, Providence. He is a member of 1 Providence Medical Association.

Dr. McCusker married Florence M. Rafter, of Dar riscotta, Me., Sept. 21, 1908, and they are the parents a daughter, Honor.

NELSON W. ALDRICH-The late Senator N. son W. Aldrich was one of the most conspicuous figur in the public life of recent years. Beyond that sim statement of fact, a biography of his life needs no fi ther introduction. He was a man of National reput tion, and his work as a conscientious and able legislat in the United States Senate is now a matter of histo

Nelson Wilmarth Aldrich was a native of the Sta of Rhode Island, born in the town of Foster, Nov. 1841, the son of Anan F. and Abby ( Burgess) Aldric He was a member of the famous old Aldrich family Rhode Island, and a lineal descendant of several of t early founders of the Colony. The family has be prominent in the history of the Colony since its foun ing, and its original land holdings extended to t boundary line between Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Nelson W. Aldrich received his early education in t town of Killingly, Connecticut, where he attended t elementary schools. He later studied at the Providen Seminary and at the Academy at East Greenwic Rhode Island. At the age of sixteen years he disco: tinued his studies in the latter institution and went Providence, where he entered the employ of the fir of Waldron & Wightman, wholesale grocers, in t capacity of bookkeeper. He remained in this positie for eight years, and at the end of this time became partner in the business, the name of the firm becomis Waldron, Wightman & Company.

Mr. Aldrich made his entrance into the world of po tics and public affairs in the late sixties, in that turbule period of reconstruction following the Civil War. Fro the very beginning of his public career he was a fir and staunch believer in the principles and doctrines the Republican party. He was a man of signal abilit and devoted much energy to work in the interests of tl people of Providence. He became a member of tl Common Council of Providence in 1869, and for s. years remained in that office, rendering especially con spicuous services to the city during the years 1871-72-7 In 1875 he was elected a member of the Lower Hous of the Rhode Island Legislature, and in that yea became Speaker of the House. Three years later } was elected to represent his district in the Unite States Congress, and was reelected in 1880, serving four years. During his terms in the House of Repre sentatives he was influential in bringing about much needed and beneficial legislation, with the coopera tion of the other delegates from Rhode Island. Dui ing his second term in the Lower House of Congres: the death of Ambrose E. Burnside, Senator froi Rhode Island, left a vacancy in the United State Senate, and on October 5, 1881, Mr. Aldrich wa

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BIOGRAPHICAL

lected to fill the unexpired term, which had five rears to run. In 1886 he was reelected, and served n every Congress thereafter until 1911, when at the end of thirty years' service he refused a renomination nd retired from active participation in politics and public life.

While Senator Aldrich was not noted as an elo- uent speaker, he was conspicuous for his sound udgment, application and shrewdness, and he at nce took rank in the Forty-seventh Congress among is contemporaries, including such recognized leaders s Allison, Ingalls, Sherman, Dawes, Hoar and Ed- unds. The brilliant Conkling and the politic Blaine ad retired from the Senate to enter other fields of trife. Senator Aldrich came to the Senate after an xperience in the Lower House, and during the first ession voted for the establishment of a tariff com- ission for which he had persistently cast his votes s a member of the House of Representatives. This xperience in public life was supplemented by an ctive business career and an instinct of watchful- ess, and his acquirements soon placed him in the remost ranks among the originators and moulders f legislation and public opinion. He was chairman of le committee on finance, on which he served during his ntire term of Senatorial service. Because of his idustrious study of the problems placed before him, e became thoroughly familiar with all of the intri- ate questions of finance and tariff, and when he had ccasion to present his views the Senators accorded im an attentive hearing. In the Fifty-first Congress e offered an amendment to the McKinley Tariff feasure, involving the reciprocity features originated y Secretary of State Blaine, and strongly advised leir acceptance. By force of his arguments and in- uence the amendment was passed and became a part f the bill. In his subsequent career in the Senate, [r. Aldrich was prominent in the discussions of the reat financial questions, and he was the father, the riginator and the organizer of the present financial ystem of the Nation. He visited Europe as the hairman of a commission appointed by Congress to udy the financial systems then in use abroad, and ter many years of study brought forward the pres- nt national banking law, substantially in the form dopted by the administration succeeding that from hich he retired. Senator Aldrich was conspicuous 3 an untiring advocate of monometallism. The measures with which Senator Aldrich's name is most onspicuously associated are known as the Payne- Idrich Tariff Law and the Vreeland-Aldrich Emer- ency Currency Act of 1908. As chairman of the monetary commission he achieved fame, but he was ways busy with every legislative programme which fected the tariff or the national finances.

Senator Aldrich was the owner of the finest and ost comprehensive library on economics in the itire country. The collection of books dealing with conomics covers the following range of subjects: conomic theory, economic history and conditions, ommerce and trade, shipping and subsidies, commer- al treaties and reciprocity, tariff policy, tariff ad- inistration, industries, capital and labor, prices and

wages, the cost of living, trusts and monopolies, transportation, money, general works, banking, coin- age, exchange, money and banking, public finance, taxation, social science, statistics, etc. The entire library falls into three main divisions, the first com- prising books on travel, history and art, fine literary works, standard authors, etc .; the second, the eco- nomic collection, above mentioned: the third. books and papers, and various material relating to the his- tory of Rhode Island, past and present. In private life, Senator Aldrich was conspicuously identified with the largest business and financial interests of his native State.

Senator Aldrich died in New York, April 16, 1915. and was buried in Swan Point Cemetery, Providence, R. I.

Senator Aldrich married, Oct. 8, 1866, Abby Pearce Truman Chapman, a daughter of Francis Morgan and Lucy Ann (Truman) Chapman, and a member of one of the oldest families of Rhode Island. Their children were: 1. Lucy T., of Warwick, R. I. 2. Edward B., resides at Warwick; married Lora E. Lawson, of Troy, N. H. 3. Abby Greene, who be- came the wife of John D. Rockefellow, Jr. 4. Stew- art M., married Martha L. Clackwell, of St. Louis. 5. William Truman, married Dorothea Davenport, of Boston. 6. Richard S. 7. Winthrop, married W. Harriet Alexander. 8. Elsie, wife of Stephen Man- rice Edgell.

CLARENCE ALVERN ALDRICH, one of the most prominent and brilliant attorneys of his day in the State of Rhode Island, and a figure of State- wide prominence in the ranks of the Democratic party, whose death occurred Feb. 1, 1916, was a lineal descendant of the progenitor, George Aldrich.

Clarence Alvern Aldrich was born in the town of East Killingly, Connecticut, August 9, 1852, the son of Anan F. and Abby (Burgess) Aldrich. Maternally, Mr. Aldrich was descended from one of the oldest and most honorable families of Rhode Island, the Burgess family. Anan F. Aldrich, father of Clarence Alvern Aldrich, was a member of the Aldrich family of Foster, Rhode Island, and resided there during the early part of his life. He removed to the town of East Killingly, Connecticut, and it was there that his son was born.

Clarence Alvern Aldrich received his early educa- tion in the town of Killingly, where he attended the grammar school, later going to Danielson, Connecti- cut, to attend the high school there. After being graduated from the Danielson High School he entered Lapham Institute, at North Scituate, Rhode Island, with the intention of pursuing a course pre- paratory to entering Brown University. However, on the completion of his course at that institution in 1871, he spent a period of four years in teaching. During this time he taught in the district schools of the western part of Rhode Island, and the east of Connecticut, at Chepachet in the former State, and East Killingly in the latter. It was during this period that he finally decided on the profession of the law as his life work, and took the first steps toward

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

that end. His decision taken, he came to Providence, Rhode Island, in 1875, and entered the law office of the prominent attorneys, Benjamin N. and Simon Lapham, leaders in the legal profession in Provi- dence, under whose preceptorship some of the most able lawyers in Providence in the past few decades received their initial training in the law.

Mr. Aldrich was a man of great strength of mind and firm convictions, and allowed nothing to swerve him from a decision justly and thoughtfully taken. He was possessed of a mind keenly analytic, indi- vidual, and original, and supported with great ability and persistence the principles which he espoused. He was very distinctly the master of his own des- tiny, his own career, and clung to the course which he had mapped out for himself in early life despite the pressure and force brought to bear on him by the fact that his brother was in a position in the work of affairs to aid him materially to a place of prominence in the public eye. The elder man, the late Senator Nelson W. Aldrich, was then a man of highly-respected judgment, mature, influential, and highly-honored in Providence, and eminently in a way to aid Mr. Aldrich onward on the ladder of success. His aid would undoubtedly have been along the lines of his own convictions, precluding the possi- bility of originality or expression for the younger man, and in the end would have beyond reasonable doubt have stifled the originality which was one of the principal characteristics of Clarence Alvern Ald- rich. His authority, however lightly-imposed, would have had a disastrous effect. Mr. Aldrich evinced an independence which later brought his path in life in direct opposition to that of his brother, and wrought for himself a career eminently of his own making.

After a period spent in the office of the Laphams, Mr. Aldrich successfully passed his bar examinations and was admitted to the bar of Rhode Island in 1879, and immediately thereafter began the practice of his profession. He achieved a high degree of success from the very beginning, and gradually assumed a position of authority and prominence in the legal profession in Providence. He practised independ- ently during his entire career, never forming a part- nership. Mr. Aldrich was recognized as one of the most able lawyers of his time in the city, and handled some of the most important litigation of Providence and the larger cities throughout the entire State. He was known for a man of the strictest integrity, unas- sailably honest, a strict adherent to the ethics of his profession, and a careful guardian of the rights of his clients.

However, although his work in the field of the Jaw brought him a State-wide reputation, he was nevertheless brought more prominently into the pub- lic eye through his political connections. During his entire lifetime he was a staunch and ardent supporter of the principles of the Democratic party. He was thus, in the matter of politics, opposed to his brother, who was one of the most prominent men in the ranks of the Republican party in the State of Rhode Island. His choice of sides against his brother in the field of

politics, when it would have been natural that he low the lead of the man who was already firmly established on the ladder of success, and whose vy prominence offered advancement, are indications f the courage and independence of the younger ma. Having once formed for himself convictions of a de- sive nature, Mr. Aldrich clung to them through t his life, despite the fact that the party to which e gave his allegiance was decidedly in the minority n the State of Rhode Island. He joined the ranks f the Democratic party comparatively early, and son became known locally as an energetic worker :d as a leader of more than ordinary ability. Mr. Ai- rich during his career worked with some of le most prominent and influential men of the Der - cratic party of the time. Some of these men becaje his friends for life, and through them he formed scle of the most delightful of his associations. Ameg these men was the late Ziba O. Slocum, with when Mr. Aldrich first became associated through his leal practice. The offices of the two opened into je another for years. In 1887 Mr. Slocum was the ci- didate for the office of attorney-general of Rhe Island, and at the same time Mr. Aldrich was runreg for election to the State Legislature. Both we successful, and shortly after his election the attorry general, who under the old regime could appoint ut one assistant, gave the appointment to Mr. Aldrich, wo then became assistant attorney-general of the Ste His services in this office were generally recogn d to be of the highest order. Mr. Slocum continuedto be the Democratic candidate for this office for sev al years thereafter, and on each occasion of his reec tion, reappointed Mr. Aldrich as assistant. In 13 Mr. Aldrich himself became the candidate for of fo but although he polled the strongest vote of any on didate, he was not elected, because of the exis og law which made a majority vote necessary for ec tion. The election was thrown into the Legislatre which was at the time Republican. His opponent a elected in spite of Mr. Aldrich's plurality of nr than one thousand over any of the candidates. di 1894 he was again persuaded to become a candicte but was defeated in the election in an overwhelmi 1 strong Republican year. During the period which bl lowed, he devoted his entire time and attention to h absorbing work of his legal practice and to his eff-t in behalf of the Democratic party. In 1902 he a;i entered the field of active politics as a candidate o the General Assembly. He was elected to office, n during his term in the Legislature rendered valu,l service in the interests of the district which a elected him. His popularity gradually gained, n in 1905, despite the hopelessness of the situation n the fact of the obvious strength of the Republa party during that year, he accepted the nominad for the mayoralty of the city of Providence. I opponent was Governor Elisha Dyer, beyond dat the strongest man the Republican party could lv found, but despite his strength Mr. Aldrich ran es than sixteen hundred votes behind.

At this time Mr. Aldrich retired from active ar ticipation in politics, though to the time of his dit

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he worked ardently for the good of the party in Rhode Island. He was appointed to the Board of Bar Examiners, and in this capacity accomplished many needed reforms for the good of the city. He served in the post for many years. Mr. Aldrich pos- essed the talent of working without cessation for ny principle or cause which he espoused, of devoting himself purely for the love of work and accomplish- ment to a task which could not bring him personal breferment. He was thoroughly disinterested, and vas appreciated as a man of unimpeachable integrity like by his friends and political opponents.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 21

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