The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 25

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 25

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mancer C. Shippee, eldest son of Lodowick Updike id Mary E. (Spencer) Shippee, was born June I, 318, and died at the old homestead in the "Shippee ettlement" (Shippeetown), March 8, 1895. He at- nded the district school, and early in life began learn- g the machinist's trade with his father. At the age E nineteen he became a mill worker, learning weaving, id ranking as boss weaver for twenty years, from 337 to 1857. He continued to be a weaver, and then or a number of years he was superintendent of the squepaugh Mill in South Kingstown. During the ivil War period he lived at the old homestead in hippeetown, which was his home until death. He as a member of the Six Principle Baptist Church, and man of deep piety, especially interested in Sunday hool work, and serving for many years as the super- tendent of the Sunday school.

Mancer C. Shippee married Harriet Rahama Dawley, who died March 5, 1895, three days prior to the death of her husband, their funeral services being held on the same day. Their children were: Sarah, born in 1840, married James Holland, a contractor and builder in East Greenwich; Moses, died in childhood; Mary E., married Charles Tarbox; Aaron, married Mary Eliza Nicholas, of Coventry, R. I .; Amanda, married David Vaughn, and moved to California; Delia B., married Nathaniel G. Carpenter, of East Greenwich, R. I .; Ella R., married Colvin Gardner; Henry Mancer, of further mention ; Moses E., a real estate dealer of East Green- wich, married Sarah Aylesworth, of North Kingston, who are the parents of a daughter, Marion E.

Henry Mancer Shippee, son of Mancer C. and Har- riet R. (Dawley) Shippee, was born in 1859, at Shady Lea, in South Kingstown, R. I., but a few years later was taken to the homestead at Shippeetown in East Greenwich. He attended the Shippeetown public school, and upon arriving at a suitable age learned the car- penter's trade with the contracting firm of Holland & Shippee. He became an expert workman in wood, and about 1890 began contracting under his own name. He continued in successful business as a contractor, also built several houses for himself which were later sold, although he is still the owner of a great deal of real estate and residence property in Washington, R. I. He retired from business about four years ago and is now residing there, retired from business cares, his time occupied with the management of his own estate. He has no political ambitions, and has persistently refused to accept office although often urged to become a candi- date. He is a member of the Six Principle Baptist Church.

Mr. Shippee married Edna Priscilla Johnson, daugh- ter of Philip and Tryphena Howe (Greene) Johnson, and a granddaughter of Philip Johnson and of Benja- min and Abbie Greene. In 1917 Mr. Shippee bought the place in East Greenwich in which he was married forty-one years ago, in 1877. Mrs. Shippee is the owner of the old Johnson homestead farm. Henry M. and Edna P. (Johnson) Shippee are the parents of six children : I. Henry Elmer, married Anna R. Rathbun, of Washington, R. I. 2. Charles Ernest, married Win- nie Carr, of Sterling, Conn. 3. Gertrude May, married James Bigbee, of Washington, R. I., and has a daugh- ter, Gertrude Edna Bigbee, married George E. Greene, and resides in Coventry, R. 1., and they are the parents of two children, Marjory Hazel and James Elmer Greene. 4. Jessie Christine, married Henry Amend, of Harris, R. I., and has two sons, George Henry and Raymond Stanley Amend. 5. Gerald Arthur, married Helen Ada Barns, and they have a daughter, Edith Priscilla Shippee. 6. George Edwin, married Flora An- drews, and they are the parents of two children, Elmer Mancer and Gerald Andrew Shippee.

GEORGE EDWARD TEEHAN, M. D .- Soon after receiving his degree authorizing him to practice medicine, Dr. Teehan returned to his native city-Prov- idence-and there since 1908 he has practiced the healing art, with offices at No. 98 Broad street. He is a son of Morris W. and Catherine (Dailey) Teehan, his father deceased.

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

George E. Teehan was born in Providence, R. I., July 17, 1879, and completed the full public school course, finishing with graduation, class of 1899. He then pur- sued a two years' course in chemistry at Leland Stan- ford University (California). This brought him to the time when a decision was made in the matter of a pro- fession, the practice of medicine being chosen as a life work. He prepared at Yale Medical School, received his M. D. with the graduating class of 1907, then for a time was interne at Kings Park Hospital, New York City. With this extended preparation Dr. Teehan re- turned to Providence in 1908, and began general prac- tice. He is medical inspector for the public schools of Providence, and a member of the surgical staff of Rhode Island Hospital, these duties being in addition to the demands of his private practice. He is a member of the American Medical Association and Rhode Island Medical Society, his clubs the Catholic, his political action strictly independent. Dr. Teehan married, October 14, 1917, Vesta Tomlinson, of New Brunswick, Mass.

HENRY DUKE GLENDINNING - In the younger circles of the legal profession of Providence, Henry Duke Glendinning holds a prominent place as an able lawyer, and has a personality of such force that he would make himself felt in whatever circumstances he might be placed. Though he comes of a family of means he owes his success wholly to his own efforts, and may thus be considered justified in a certain pride in his achievements. He is not a native of the State, but a son by adoption, having been born in Troy, N. Y., the son of John Emmett and Sarah (Trimble) Glen- dinning. His father was a large linen manufacturer of that city, and is now dead, but his mother is still living and makes her residence in Providence.

When a boy his family moved to Brooklyn, N. Y., where he began his education in the public schools, later going abroad and completing his studies in Scotland and Ireland. He returned to the United States in 1896, making Providence his objective, and here he attended the Rhode Island Law School. After this he became a student in a law office where he mastered the practical details of the profession and completed his studies for admission to the bar. This aim was ac- complished in 1902 and since that time he has been steadily at work at this profession, building up an ex- cellent practice. He is a member of the American Bar Association, of the Pen and Pencil Club, of the Ben- evolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is an ex- president of the Washington Park Yacht Club. During the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Substitute Company A, Rhode Island Militia. He has a brother, Thomas Trimble Glendinning, who is a member of Company E, Twenty-First Engineers, United States Expeditionary Force, now in France, and another brother, William Bell Glendinning, M. D., who is prac- ticing his profession in Cleveland, O., and a sister, Mrs. Walter T. Smith, who makes her home in Provi- dence, R. I.

Mr. Glendinning married, October 3, 1903, Maud M. Blakeley, of Taunton, Mass. Mrs. Glendinning's brother, Frank Blakeley, was the first sailor killed on the American side in the Spanish-American War. Mr.

and Mrs. Glendinning have one son, H. Ervin, bo: May 5, 1904, who is now attending the New York M itary Academy.

WILLIAM ORRELL, president of the Orre Mills, Incorporated, of Glendale, R. I., one of the mo capable and successful citizens of this community, an a man of great public spirit and wide influence here, a native of England, having been born November I 1848, at Richdale, Heywood, Lancashire, in that countr He is a son of James and Mary Ann (Tetlow) Orre his father, a native of the same place, born in 181 from which country he went to the United States abo 1854 and located at Olneyville, where he was employe, in the mill. He also worked in the mills at Bridg port and Putnam, Conn., at Bridgeton, Greenville, Bell ville and Mohegan, R. I., and at Blackstone, Mas After spending various periods at these places, he r turned from the last named to Rhode Island, makin his home at Nasonville, where after a number of yea he retired from active labor and where his death of curred in 1879. His wife, who was born in Englar in 1817, survived him and lived with her son Willia until 1887, when she also died. They are both buric in the cemetery at Pascoag. They were the parents . a number of children, several of whom died in infan in England. Those who reached adult age were . follows: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jam Clarkson, of Glendale; William, with whose career v. are here especially concerned; Samuel, an overseer weaving in his brother's mill at Glendale; and Luc who became the wife of Joseph Beaumont, of Sou Royalston, Mass.

William Orrell passed the first seven years of his li in his native land, and then came to the United Stat with his mother and the remainder of the family join his father who had settled in this country the ye. before. His educational advantages were decided meagre, as it was necessary for him to begin work . soon as he was old enough to secure employment. H was living with his parents at Bridgeton, R. I., abo 1858, and it was there that he first began to work, ha ing secured employment in the mill operated by M. Edward Marsh, on the site of the present mill James O. Inman, where the Clear River Woolens a manufactured. After a time at this mill, the lad w. employed in the Pook and Steere Mill at Greenvill to which place his parents moved in 1860. It was fi years later that Mr. Orrell first came to Glendale, whe he was given a position as chore boy in the mill ope ated by Day & Chapin. He afterwards returned Greenville, however, where for a time he was employe in the local mill until his removal to Belleville. F was also employed in Mohegan and Blackstone, Mas At each of these places the youth continued to work the mills, as did also his father, and gained a very con plete knowledge of the woolen industry, having bee employed in every department in the manufacture ( these goods. He had become so expert that by the tin the family moved to Masonville, in 1879, he was : charge of weaving. He held the same position later mills at Mohegan and Hampden, Mass., and at th Wheelock Mill at Putnam, Conn., remaining at the latte

William

BIOGRAPHICAL

ace until he came to Glendale, in April, 1879, which as remained his home and the scene of his activities rer since. He was made boss weaver and designer in e woolen mill of Francis Carpenter, and was pro- oted to be superintendent of the mill in 1882. Mr. arpenter died in 1883, whereupon Mr. Orrell formed a -partnership with Robert Kershaw and Joseph H. Car- inter, and leased the old Carpenter Mill. About two ars later Mr. Kershaw died, and the firm which be- me known as Orrell & Carpenter continued the busi- ess successfully until 1889, when the association was scontinued. In that year Mr. Orrell purchased the ant himself and at once began a series of enlarge- ents and improvements in which the original mill was modeled and equipped with all the most modern achinery for the manufacture of fancy cassimeres. 1 May, 1907, the business was incorporated as the rrell Mill, with Mr. Orrell as president, and Frederick T. Orrell as secretary and manager. The mill that as enlarged and is now operated by Mr. Orrell is one the oldest, as well as one of the best, in Rhode land. It was more than a century and a quarter ago at a mill was first erected upon this site for the irpose of sawing into lumber of various kinds and zes the timber of the surrounding woodland. The operty was situated in the township of Burrillville on ranch river, and the tracks of the New York, New aven & Hartford Railroad run by it. It came into e hands of Anthony Steere, of Gloucester, who estab- shed the present mill here in 1841. The old building as originally of wood, but upon its virtual destruction fire, in 1850, Mr. Steere rebuilt it of stone. The new ructure was completed in 1853, and it forms the icleus of the present large plant which has been ded to it at various different times. In 1854 Mr. eere sold the property to Lyman Copeland, and four ars later it was leased by him to Olney & Metcalf, a ovidence firm. This concern was followed by Day Chapin in 1863, and in 1868 it was leased to Francis arpenter, who purchased it in 1873. Ten years later, has already been related, Mr. Orrell, in partner- ip with Joseph A. Carpenter and Robert Kershaw, lined control of the property, of which Mr. Orrell s been the active head ever since. When Mr. rrell first became connected with this mill there ere two buildings here in which were employed less an forty hands. He now finds work for one hun- ed and seventy-five hands, of which thirty per cent. je women, and the mill consists of ten large build- igs. Of these buildings some are two and some three bries in height, and in all have a floor space of ove one hundred thousand square feet. The plant ivers sixty acres of land, and in addition thirty tene- ents are owned by the company, situated in Glen- le Village. The mill was first operated entirely water power, which was afforded by the first dam er built across Branch river, and which was con- ructed as early as 1786, but it now also uses steam a motive power. At the present time the Orrell Ils are exceedingly busy making woolens for the mited States government for use of its army in the ld.

Mr. Orrell has always taken an active part in RI-7

public affairs in this community, and is a staunch member of the Republican party, being closely iden- tified with the local organization thereof. He has served for a number of years as chairman of the Republican town committee, and held a number of offices of responsibility and trust. In 1894 he repre- sented Burrillville township in the State Senate, and he has also served several terms on the Town Coun- cil. He is also associated with a number of impor- tant financial and industrial concerns here, in addi- tion to his own large business, and is a member of the board of directors of the Producers' National Bank and the Producers' Trust Company of Woonsocket. He is affiliated with Granite Lodge, No. 26, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Harrisville, and with the Wool Club of New York, an organization con- sisting of the operators of woolen mills throughout the country.

William Orrell has been twice married, his first wife having been Alice A. Bradley, a daughter of James and Ann Bradley, of Blackstone, Mass. They became the parents of the following children: Ger- trude, who married Harry E. Davis, manager of the New England Coal Company of Woonsocket, to whom she has borne two children, William Orrell and Avery Billings; Frederick W., secretary of the Orrell Mills, married Ida L. Chilson; Mabel, became the wife of Sayles B. Steere, of Glocester, and they have four children: Dorothy, Phillips B., Gertrude A. and Anthony A. The first Mrs. Orrell died in the year 1880, and in 1888 Mr. Orrell married (second) Mary E. Brewer, a daughter of Edwin and Eliza Brewer, of Wilbraham, Mass. The second Mrs. Orrell died January 10, 1905. Two children were born of this union, Edwin and Dorothy, both of whom died in early youth.

HARRY SHERMAN FLYNN, M. D., a promi- rent member of the medical profession at Providence, R. I., with offices at No. 169 Smith street, is a mem- ber of one of the oldest Colonial families in New England, and his maternal line is not less ancient. The Flynns settled at Roxbury, Mass., early in the Colonial period, and from there removed to Wood- stock, Conn., in the year 1686, and have made that place their home ever since. The place was then known as New Roxbury, being named so by the col- onists from the Massachusetts town, but afterwards was called Woodstock after the coming of many outsiders. The old Flynn homestead was built in 1778, and is not only standing but is occupied to-day by the mother and a sister of Dr. Flynn. Dr. Flynn's ancestors were conspicuous in the Revolution, and for many generations the members of the family have distinguished themselves. The maternal family of Sherman is a branch of the distinguished house of that name which has played so notable a part in the affairs of New England, and the Olney family, of which his maternal grandfather was a member, has also held a place of distinction in the region. Dr. Flynn is a son of Francis W. and Louisa B. (Olney) Flynn, the former now deceased and the latter mak- ing her home at Woodstock. Francis W. Flynn was

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

for many years a blacksmith at that place and was well-known and honored throughout the community. He and his wife were the parents of four children, two sons and two daughters, those besides the Dr. Flynn of this sketch being Major William F. Flynn, United States Army, retired, and now acting as mili- tary instructor of Harvard University; Mary Louise, who resides with her mother in the old homestead at Woodstock; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of Rev. E. B. Bingham, late of Woodstock, Conn.

Born July 14, 1868, at Woodstock, Conn., Harry Sherman Flynn attended the public schools of that place for his elementary education, and later was sent to the Woodstock Academy. Having determined upon a medical career, but lacking funds to meet the expenses of his education, he sought employment and for four years worked as a bookkeeper. He entered the Medical School of Harvard University in 1889 and, after the usual course, graduated with the class of 1893, taking his medical degree. The same year he began to practice at Providence, and from that time to the present has continued with a high degree of success and built up one of the largest practices in the neighborhood. He is a physician of wide accomplishments and has earned a well-deserved reputation for knowledge and skill. Besides his pri- vate practice, Dr. Flynn holds the responsible and difficult post of physician in charge of the Brown and Sharpe Dispensary of this city. In politics he is an Independent, refusing to be governed by any partisan consideration in the casting of his ballot. A conspicu- ous figure in the fraternal circles of the district, Dr. Flynn is affiliated with the local Masonic lodge; the Royal Arcanum and the Modern Woodmen of the World, and is medical examiner for the last two. He is also a member of the Phoenix Club of Provi- dence, the Providence Medical Society, the Rhode Island Medical Society, and the American Medical Association.

On August 2, 1899, at Providence, R. I., Dr. Flynn was united in marriage with Jessie M. McDonald, of East River, Nova Scotia, a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Meikle) McDonald. Four children have been born to them, as follows: Louise Catherine; Bertha Elizabeth, deceased; Donald Sherman, and Harold W.

CLARENCE B. SISSON-The Sisson family of Rhode Island springs from Richard Sisson, born in England in 1608, an inhabitant of Portsmouth and Dartmouth, and of record as having been made a freeman in 1653.

Clarence B. Sisson, now a retired business man, residing at No. 145 Arnold avenue, Edgewood, is a son of Cornelius Clarke Sisson, whose wife, Eva (Brown) Sisson, is a descendant of Chad Brown, of early Colonial fame, founder of the distinguished Brown family through whose public spirit Rhode Island has so greatly benefited. Cornelius Clarke Sisson resided at Exeter, R. I., until about his eigh- teenth year, then moved to Westerly, R. I., there engaging in business as a merchant for several years, later locating in Providence, where he is yet a resi-

dent, in the employ of R. L. Rose & Company. H. married Eva Brown, of Central Falls, R. I., daughte: of John S. Brown, of early Rhode Island ancestry.

Clarence B. Sisson was born at Central Falls, R. I. April 6, 1877, and educated in the public schools o both Providence and Westerly, R. I. He began busi- ness life in his father's market at Westerly, and there continued in business until 1899. In that year he located in Providence and established in the grocery business at No. 500 Cranston street, there building up a large and profitable business, which he conducted until 1901, when he retired. Mr. Sisson married August 29, 1900, Ida M. Bemis, daughter of Charles A. and Emma L. (Peck) Bemis, of Providence. Mr and Mrs. Sisson are the parents of a daughter, Doro- thy B. The family home is at No. 145 Arnold avenue Providence, a property bought and improved by Mr. Sisson.

CHARLES CADY REMINGTON-As practic- ing attorney and as police judge, Charles Cady Rem- ington occupies a position of responsibility in the community, and that he has lived up to this is evi- denced by the respect in which he is held by his fellow-citizens. He is a native of Providence, borr September 1I, 1876, son of George H. and Caroline M. (Cady) Remington. His father, who was a well- known expert on patents, died in 1915, but his mother is still living.

As a young boy he went through the public schools and taking also the full classical course at the high school was graduated in 1895. He then matriculated; at Brown University and received in 1899 his bacca- laureate degree in arts. Having decided upon law as his profession, he now entered the Law School of Harvard University and attended this for two years In 1902 he was admitted to the bar of Rhode Island and has since been identified with the city of Provi- dence. He has been the judge of the Providence Police Court since January, 1915. He is interested in many projects for public betterment, and for five years he served as secretary of the State Harbor Im- provement Commission. He is also secretary of the, University Club, of which he is a member. He is a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, the Rhode Island Bar Association, the Rhode Island Historical; Society, The Players' Club, and the Pausacaco Lodge, a South county country club. In his political views Mr Remington is a Republican. He married, April 24 1916, Florence M. Glover, of Providence.

WALTER COLWELL GORDON, M. D .- A resident of Rhode Island since 1907, and an honored member of the medical profession, Dr. Gordon has proved by his work the valued service which has been rendered the State by her adopted sons. Walter Colwell Gordon, son of Alexander Frazer and Sarah Jane (Colwell) Gordon, was born January 23, 1878. His father, a farmer and stockraiser of Caledonia, N. Y., is now deceased, his mother, now a resident of Los Angeles, Cal.

Walter C. Gordon attended the public schools of Caledonia, and after exhausting their advantages he

BIOGRAPHICAL

ered the Rochester (N. Y.) Business College, and shed his secular studies at New York State Nor- I School. He chose medicine as his profession, [ after an experience in the business world to ain funds for his professional education, he entered medical department of the University of Mary- d, receiving his degree of M. D. with the gradu- ag class of 1907. After graduation he came to ode Island, and uutil November of that year was inected with the medical staff of the State Sani- ium, at Wallum Lake. He then located in Provi- ice, where he has since practiced continuously, his ces, No. 610 Cranston street. He is visiting sur- in to the out-patient department of St. Joseph's spital, and physician to the out-patient department Rhode Island Hospital. He is well-established in teral practice, and is one of the well-known, highly- arded physicians and surgeons of the city.

)r. Gordon is a member of the American Medical sociation, Rhode Island Medical Society, Provi- ce Medical Society, and holds the utmost respect the brethren of the profession. He holds all rees of Masonry up to and including the thirty- ond, belonging to Doric Lodge, Free and Ac- ted Masons; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch sons; Providence Council, Royal and Select Mas- ;; Providence Commandery, Knights Templar; estine Shrine, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the stic Shrine; Rhode Island Consistory, Ancient cepted Scottish Rite. He is also a member of vidence Lodge, Benevolent and Protective Order Elks; is a Presbyterian in religious faith, and in tics a Republican.

)r. Gordon married, June 10, 1910, Lucy Marsh, Ithaca, N. Y., and they are the parents of two s: Walter Colwell (2) and Calvin Marsh Gordon.

'REDERICK BLANDING LUTHER-There ; a break of six years in the Rhode Island resi- ce of Edward Luther, during which he lived Dover, N. H., and during that period his , William Henry Luther, founder of the jewelry nufacturing business bearing his name, and now ned and operated by his son, Frederick B. Luther, Providence, established the business in Providence, 1864, admitted his brother, Edward A., in 1873, they continued the business as Luther Brothers il 1884, when Edward A. withdrew, William H. her continuing the business alone. Having an y son, Frederick B., the father began in youth to him to succeed his father as head of the business. began that training in the factory at the beach not until every department and all manufacturing ail was mastered did the father release his hold the business. Then when William H. Luther epted public position the burden of factory man- ment fell upon the son, who had been admitted a tner of William H. Luther & Son in 1888. During years which followed the elder Luther retained interest in public affairs, and gave to the business ght but advisory control. With a wonderful fore- it he had planned the development of his successor, had wisely prepared him for the larger responsi-

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 25

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