The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 26

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 26

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).

bilities that came with the development of the bus- iness. His counsel was freely sought by the son who virtually controlled the business for many years prior to the death of the founder, and yet, when on March 15, 1914, death removed his counsellor, guide and friend, the younger mau felt that he had suffered a double bereavement, and even yet has the impulse to seek counsel from him who was so willing and able to give it.

Frederick B. Luther is of the ninth generation of the family founded in America by Captain John Luther, born in Dorset, England, who came in 1636, and in 1639 became one of the purchasers of Taun- ton, Mass. The line of descent is through the founder's son, Hezekiah Luther, born in 1640, died July 23, 1723; his son, Lieutenant Hezekiah Luther, born Aug. 27, 1676, died Oct. 27, 1763, a resident of Swansea, Mass .; his son, Edward Luther, born Feby. 15, 1719, died March 7, 1776, married Sarah Sweet, of Providence, but lived in Swansea, Mass .; their son, James Luther, born Feby. 19, 1747, resided in Scitu- ate and East Greenwich, R. I., a Revolutionary sol- dier, serving under three eulistments, and in 1833 was granted a pension, being in his eighty-seventh year. He married Sarah Bowen, all their children except the eldest being born in East Greenwich. The line of descent continues through Martin Luther, son of James Luther, the Revolutionary soldier, and his wife, Sarah (Bowen) Luther.

Martin Luther was a large land owner and tanner of Scituate, R. I. At one time he was one of the most substantial men of the town, but later in life he met with severe losses. He married Lucy Bowen and among their sons was Edward Luther, born April 9, 1807, in Johnson, R. I. He was a block printer, employed for many years at Cranston, but left there, going to Dover, N. H., with the Cocheco Print Works, remaining six years. He then settled in Providence, R. I., where he succeeded as a tea and coffee merchant, founding the New England Coffee and Spice Company, and later as a partner with Thomas W. Sprague, trading as Luther & Sprague, until his death, August 27, 1861. He married Hannah Sprague, daughter of Ebenezer and Dinah (Williams) Sprague, and a descendant in direct maternal line from Roger Williams.

William Henry Luther, son of Edward aud Hannah (Sprague) Luther, was born at Dover, N. H., April 21, 1844, and died in Providence, R. I., March 15, 1914. His parents brought him to Providence in 1848, and there he was educated in the public and private schools. Later he learned the jeweler's trade, becoming a skilled lapidary under the direction of his brother, Edward A. Luther. He began business in Providence, in 1864, and for several years was engaged in business along principally lapidary lines. The firm of Luther Brothers was formed in 1873, giving way in 1888 to the firm of William H. Luther & Son. In 1877 the factory was moved to Oxford street, Providence, and there in a modernly-equipped plant high grade plated jewelry was manufactured, goods being shipped to all quarters of the globe. The management since 1888 was in the hands of but two

100

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

men, William H. Luther and his son, Frederick B., the latter owning the business which he entered as an apprentice.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Luther always was deeply interested in city affairs, and when his son had qualified as his successor, he accepted appointment and rendered his city important service. He was appointed license commissioner, August 6, 1889; mem- ber of the first Board of Fire Commissioners, Feb- ruary 27, 1895; resigned December 19, 1901, to accept appointment as police commissioner at the hands of Governor William Gregory. This board was also the first of the kind in Providence, and fol- lowing the death of Colonel Frank F. Olney, who died in office in October, 1903, Mr. Luther became president of the board. In 1906 he was re-appointed, his service having been of the highest order. As in business, so in public life, he gained the confidence of the public, and with honesty of purpose combined with sound common sense and public spirit he won the commendation of the people whose opinion was worth while. He was a man of genial, kindly nature with strong social instincts which won him friends everywhere. He served as president of both the Ponham and West Side clubs, and was one of the founders of the Central Club. He was a member of the Providence Board of Trade, the Rhode Island Yacht Club, Rhode Island Business Men's Associa- tion, New England Manufacturers' Association, Adel- phoi Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; and for several years was president of the board of trustees of Woodbury Memorial Church, Unitarian.

Mr. Luther married, January 2, 1865, Mary Emily Blanding, of Norton, Mass., daughter of Sumner and Louisa (Messinger) Blanding. Mr. and Mrs. Luther were the parents of Frederick B., of further mention.

Frederick B. Luther was born in Providence, Sep- tember 12, 1866, and completed his education in 1883, with graduation from Mowry & Goff's English and Classical School. He at once entered into business association with his father, and in 1888 was admitted as a partner, and grew into the managership of the business, as the elder Luther became engrossed in city affairs. The business was a large and prosperous one, the product of the plant being high-grade plated jewelry. In 1914, upon the death of William H. Luther, the sole ownership and managership of Wil- liam H. Luther & Son, jewelry manufacturers, fell upon Frederick B. Luther, who continued the busi- ness upon the same well-defined lines laid down by the founder and by him instilled into the owner. Mr. Luther started liquidation of the above business, June 15, 1918, owing to conditions created by the war.

For his own recreation Mr. Luther started about twenty-five years ago a greenhouse, 10 x 12 feet in size, which he built himself. A neighbor soon after- ward gave him a standing order for a weekly bouquet, and from this has grown the Atlantic Greenhouses with a retail store for the sale of cut flowers and vegetables grown in the greenhouses and gardens connected therewith. This is a "fact" with Mr. Luther, who finds most congenial recreation among the flowers he loves, and under two thousand feet of

glass he produces the beautiful plants and flowers which delight their grower and the many patrons of the greenhouses. Part of the acreage producing vegetables is at Norton, Mass., adjoining the Bland- ing homestead, once the home of Mr. Luther's mother, and in addition is being developed as a feeder of garden plants and cutting for the retail store. While this is really play for Mr. Luther, it, is a profitable business enterprise as well, and ir! such hours as he was free from factory cares he was to be found at the greenhouses or in his gardens. He lives close to nature and in the beautiful things of art and nature finds great pleasure. He values the inheritance of a good name and worthy life, be- queathed him by his father, and emulates the high principles upon which that father built his successfu career. Mr. Luther in political faith is a Republican He is a member of the Florist and Gardeners' Club Woodbury Men's Club, and the Elmwood Center Business Men's Club.

Mr. Luther married, October 1, 1889, Nettie B. Sim- mons, daughter of Albert and Susan Simmons, o Providence, R. I.

J. WILLARD BAKER-As secretary of the Jenckes Spinning Company, the Jenckes Knitting Com pany of Pawtucket, R. I., and the Tamarack Com pany, all practically under the same management, Mr Baker is a potent factor in the transactions of im portant manufacturing enterprises. He is the son of Charles H. Baker, son of Gorham H. Baker, son of Charles Baker, son of Abraham Baker, of Yarmouth Mass., a descendant of Francis Baker, born in Eng! land, who came to Boston, Mass., in 1635, on th ship "Planet," he being then twenty-four years c age. After a few years spent in Boston, Franci Baker moved to Yarmouth, Mass., where he died i 1696, aged eighty-four years. He married, in 164 Isabel Twining, and the historian of Barnstab !! affirms that their descendants may be numbered b the tens of thousands. Francis and Isabel Baker wer the parents of six sons: Nathaniel, born in Boston March 27, 1642; John, born in Yarmouth; Samue May 1, 1648; Daniel, Sept. 2, 1650; William, 1655 Thomas. They were also the parents of two daugh ters, Elizabeth and Hannah.

Abraham Baker, a descendant of Francis and Isabe (Twining) Baker, spent his life in Yarmouth, ther! marrying Ruth Eldridge, of an equally old Cape Co family. They were the parents of Charles Bake. great-grandfather of J. Willard Baker, of Paw tucket, R. I.

Charles Baker was born at Yarmouth, Mass., i January, 1805, and died at Central Falls, R. I., Ser tember 29, 1888. He married Melinda Crowell, bor, in West Dennis, Mass., January 20, 1803, and wh died at Pawtucket, R. I., June 23, 1882, daughter ‹ Anthony and Experience (Bassett) Crowell, ho mother a descendant of William Bassett, who can to Plymouth in 1621.

Gorham H. Baker, son of Charles and Meline (Crowell) Baker, was born in Yarmouth, Mass., Jur 13, 1825, and died in Pawtucket, R. I., April 10, 189

IOI

BIOGRAPHICAL

He removed with his parents to Rhode Island, and ater was for many years engaged in the express business at both Central Falls and Pawtucket. He married Cynthia Knight Mann, born in Oswego, N. Y., March 22, 1825, and died at Pawtucket, R. I., March 18, 1888, daughter of Benoni and Elsie Mann.

Charles Henry Baker, son of Gorham H. and Cyn- hia Knight (Mann) Baker, was born at Chepachet, R. I., February 27, 1848, died at Bristol, R. I., March 9, 1913. After completing his studies at public schools, le became a stationary engineer, serving a regular ap- renticeship, and thoroughly mastering his trade. He ield positions with different firms and for many years was engineer in charge of the steam plant at the Sol- liers' Home in Bristol, R. I. He married, December , 1866, Angella Alfaretta Amsbury, born at Pawtucket, March 30, 1850, daughter of Joseph Henry and Mary Maria (Cobb) Amsbury. Mr. Amsbury was a descend- nt of Richard Ormsbury, born in England, who, as early as 1641 was in Saco, Maine, and removed thence o Salisbury, Mass. The line of descent to Mrs. Baker 's through the founder's son, John Ormsbury, his son, Jonathan Ormsbury, his son, Jonathan (2) Ormsbury, is son, Jonathan (3) Ormsbury, his son, Jeremiah Armsbury, as his descendants spell the name, his son, oseph Henry Amsbury, born at Pawtucket, R. I., April 0, 1824, died Aug. 28, 1894, married Mary Maria Cobb, porn at West Greenwich, R. I., Aug. 13, 1826, died at Pawtucket, Oct. 1, 1864, their daughter, Angella Alfar- tta Amsbury, marrying Charles H. Baker, they the arents of J. Willard Baker, of further mention. Charles H. Baker married (second) Adaline Feather- tone, and they were the parents of a daughter, Adaline Featherstone Baker.

J. Willard Baker, son of Charles H. Baker, and his irst wife, Angella A. (Amsbury) Baker, was born at Central Falls, R. I., June 12, 1868, and was educated n the public schools of Providence and Pawtucket. He ntered business life in 1883 and has steadily advanced n position and is now secretary of the Jenckes Spin- ling Company, said to be the largest tire fabric mill n the United States, incorporated under the laws of he State of Rhode Island, with an authorized capital f $3.400,000, located in Pawtucket. This company is n outgrowth of an industry started in 1854 by Nathan Hicks, who in following his trade as a ring-spinner nvented an improvement in ring travellers, and began o manufacture them, hardening the first ones over his itchen fire. It is an interesting fact that the first hop in which these travellers were manufactured was he Old Slater Mill, the birthplace of the cotton in- lustry in America. Nathan Hicks continued his in- lustrial ventures in a small way until about 1870, when Edwin and Joseph Jenckes came to Pawtucket, from Bellingham, Mass., and with Mr. Hicks formed a com- any. They moved into larger buildings on East ave- que, and became known as general mill furnishers hroughout the United States and Canada. In 1883 here was a division of partners, Edwin Jenckes & Son ontinuing the work under the name of E. Jenckes Manufacturing Company, and in 1887 a new mill was built. The Slater Stocking Company became the prop- rty eventually of the E. Jenckes Manufacturing Com- any and the knitting end of the concern soon led to n interest in the knitting machines. After due con-

sideration of trade demands the company began to build knitting machines which have been installed in many of the largest knitting-mills in this country, Can- ada, South America, and European countries. The Jenckes Knitting Machine Company was incorporated in January, 1903. The Tamarack Company was char- tered in 1908 and has an authorized capital of $2,000,- 000. This concern manufactures cotton yarns and tire fabrics.

Mr. Baker is a Republican in politics, and in Masonry is a member and past master of Barney Merry Lodge, No. 29, Free and Accepted Masons ; a member of Paw- tucket Chapter, No. 4, Royal Arch Masons; past thrice illustrious master of Pawtucket Council, No. 2, Royal and select Masters ; past grand master of Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters, of Rhode Island; past com- mander of Holy Sepulchre Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar ; and is a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite bodies of the Valley of Providence; and also a member of Palestine Shrine, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has also been actively connected with the Royal Arcanum, being a past regent and past grand regent of the Grand Council of Rhode Island, and was supreme representative for two years.

Mr. Baker married, October 24, 1888, Lillie Caroline Cranston, daughter of William R. and Phoebe Lovina (Stone) Cranston. Mrs. Baker is a descendant of a governor of Rhode Island in 1678, a physician and surgeon, a major-general, and one of the most prom- inent public men of his day. Governor John Cranston was a great-grandson of Lord William Cranston, of Scotland, knighted by his sovereign, James the sixth of Scotland, November 19, 1609. The line of descent from Governor Cranston to Mrs. Lillie C. (Cranston) Baker is through the governor's son, Governor Sam- uel Cranston, his son, John Cranston, his son, Caleb Cranston, his son, Jeremiah Cranston, a soldier of the Revolution, his son, William Shaw Cranston, his son, William R. Cranston, of Pawtucket, born February 26, 1826, died August 30, 1890. He married Phoebe Lovina Stone and they are the parents of Lillie Caroline, wife of J. Willard Baker.

Through the maternal line Mrs. Baker traces descent from Hugh Stone, born in England in 1638, died in Rhode Island, 1732, a blacksmith by trade. This line is traced through the founder's son, Peter Stone, his son, Peter (2) Stone, his son, Peter (3) Stone, his son, Amos Stone, his son, Charles Stone, all of Cranston, R. I., their daughter, Phoebe Lovina Stone, born April 5. 1830, married William R. Cranston, their daughter, Lillie C. Cranston, a member of Pawtucket Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, married J. Willard Baker. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are the parents of a daughter, Louise Baker.

Mr. Baker has for many years been actively identified with the interests of the Baptist denomination in Rhode Island, having served as clerk of the First Baptist Church for ten years, clerk of the Providence Baptist Association for seven years, and is now (1918) vice- president of the Rhode Island Baptist State Convention and a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Pawtucket, with which he united in 1886. He is also engaged in other denominational work and is a well-known layman in Rhode Island.

I02

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

HENRY AUGUSTUS SISSON-Richard Sisson, founder of this family in America, was born in Eng- land, in 1608, and on coming to this country settled at Portsmouth, R. I., and was there made a freeman. Later he lived for a time in Dartmouth, Mass., residing there in 1667 and serving on a grand jury. In 1671 he is of record as a surveyor of highways, and in 1684 his will was probated, the exact date of his death being unknown. By his wife Mary he had sons: George, James, John, and from them spring all of the Sissons of Rhode Island claiming early Colonial ancestry. Henry A. Sisson, a retired farmer of Washington, R. I., is a son of John and Amy (Allen) Sisson, and a descendant of Richard Sisson, the American founder of the family.

John Sisson, son of Nathan and Lydia Sisson, was a farmer most of his life, living for a time in Potowanet. Later he lived in Cranston, Knightsville, Quidnick, Dodgeville, Central Falls, West Greenwich, working small farms in these milling districts of Rhode Island. He married, October 11, 1829, Amy Allen, daughter of Benjamin and Susannah Allen, of Middletown, R. I. John and Amy Sisson were the parents of the following children : 1. Alfred P., died July, 1918, was an over- seer of the carding room of a Bissell Cotton Mill, over- seer of the Sepachet Mills and of the Harris Mills, superintendent of the Dodgeville Mills of B. B. & R. Knight, and held positions in Webster, Holyoke and Fall River, Mass., and Phenix, R. I .; he aided in the upbuilding of several cotton mills which had been badly managed, and was one of the most capable of mill men ; he married Cynthia Knight, of Coventry, daugh- ter of Alfred Knight, and they were the parents of two daughters, Nellie, married C. H. Hoar, of Barrington, R. I., and Annie, married Ladd, of Holyoke, Mass. 2. Peter K., was a mill man, associated with Rhode Island cotton manufacturing as a weaver until his death. 3. Albert G., also a mill worker, engaged as a carder until his death. 4. Robert I., now deceased, was a spinner. 5. Truman B., at the age of sixteen years went to sea on a whaling vessel, his first voyage continuing for three and a half years; during that cruise he suffered shipwreck and finally, by working his passage, reached his Rhode Island home, where he be- came a mill worker, like his brothers; at the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving until honorably discharged; he then returned to Rhode Island and for seventeen years was engineer at the Phenix Mills; he then retired, and in January, 1918, passed away. 6 and 7. Lydia and Lucy (twins) ; Lydia married George H. Franklin, of Washington, R. I., now deceased; Lucy married Robert Sterrett, of Phenix, R. I., and has three children. 8. Millie, mar- ried Byron Vars, of Auburn, R. I. 9. Amy, resided with her parents, until her death. 10. Nathan A., was a cotton mill superintendent; he was a soldier of the Union, enlisted in the Second Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers. 11. John W., engaged in business as a part- ner with his brother, Henry A. Sisson, and after a life of industry as mill worker and farmer has now retired and resides with his brother. 12. Benjamin F., was a mill worker in his youth, then became a farmer, but when his country called him, he enlisted in the Seventh Regiment, Rhode Island Volunteers, from West Green- wich and was killed at the battle of Spottsylvania. 13.

Henry Augustus, of further mention. 14. George W was reared a farmer, but later learned and followe the carpenter's trade. 15. Austrilla, remained at th home farm until her death. 16. Oraline L., always live. at the family home, being both mother and sister to het brothers, as well as their homekeeper and companion and shares with them an intense love of the home which she beautifies and adores through her passion fo flowers. f

Henry Augustus Sisson, son of John and Amy (Al len) Sisson, was born in North Kingston, R. I .. Octobe: 8, 1846. He attended the public schools of Coventry and West Greenwich, R. I., but at the age of sever years became a mill worker, holding the job of sweepe.' in the Quidnick Mill for four years. He was nex employed in a Dodgeville, R. I. mill, remaining there eighteen months, then moved to Central Falls, and continued as a mill worker. From the Central Fall: mill he moved to a small farm in West Greenwich there remaining twelve and a half years. In 1867, to; gether with his mother, and brother. John W. Sisson he bought a farm on Bowen Hill in the town of Cov. entry, R. I. There he resided until October, 1909! building up a large dairy farm business and adding on hundred acres to the original one hundred and thirty. five acres. The twelve cows he began with increased to a herd of one hundred fine cattle, Holsteins and Ayr shires. This prosperous milk and dairy business, to gether with the farm of two hundred and thirty-five acres, was sold to Professor John E. Boucher in 1909 and in October of that year he moved to a farm ir Johnston, R. I., there continuing a stock and dairy busi. ness until 1913, when he sold out and bought the ok John Killon property in Washington Village, R. I. where he has since lived a contented life of retiremen from business cares. For two years Mr. Sisson was a member of the Washington Town Council, then refused further election. In 1908 he served as State Senator he being the last Democratic senator elected from that district. Mr. Sisson is unmarried.

JOSEPH OCTAVIUS SAN SOUCI was born ir Stukley, Quebec, Canada, July 27, 1855, son of Euzebe and Marie Louise (Couett) San Souci, and in 1856 was brought to the United States, the family settling in. Saco, Me. In 1860 the family moved to St. Albans, Vt., where they were residing in 1862, when the father, Euzebe San Souci, enlisted in the First Regiment, Ver- mont Cavalry, and rode away never to return, he re- ceiving death wounds during the battle of Salem Church, June 10, 1864, leaving a widow and nine child- ren. Joseph O. San Souci attended St. Albans schools until sixteen years of age, but in the meantime had contributed his earnings to the family purse, aiding his capable mother in her task of bringing up and edu- cating a large family of children deprived of a father's care. In 1871 Joseph O. began his business career by accepting a position as clerk in a dry goods and shoe store in Greenfield, Mass. There he remained eighteen months as a clerk in the shoe department, then came to Providence, R. I., where he entered the employ of Eben J. Beane, a shoe store merchant of the Olneyville sec- tion. He remained in Mr. Beane's employ until 1880 when, in association with S. C. Jameson and Asa Pink-

Henry of Sson

سعيد عبيها حديـ

IO3

BIOGRAPHICAL

ham, he bought out the Beane shoe store, the firm oper- ating as Jameson, San Souci & Company. In 1882 Mr. Jameson sold his interest to his partners, the firm name then becoming Pinkham & San Souci. Mr. Pinkham retired in 1885, on account of failing health, Mr. San Souci purchasing his interest and operating under the firm name, J. O. San Souci & Company. In the mean- time other stores were opened under that name, one of them, The Rhode Island Shoe Store, occupying the present site of the San Souci Department Store. An- other store was at Attleboro, Mass. In 1899 J. O. San Souci & Company bought out the retail shoe firm, Fowler & San Souci, of Hartford, Emery J. San Souci, now lieutenant-governor of Rhode Island, and a brother of Joseph O. San Souci, being the junior member of that firm. Emery J. San Souci remained in charge of the Hartford store until 1892, when the San Souci brothers, Joseph O., Emery J., and Alfred G., pur- chased the business of Wetherell & Pierce, known as The Boston Store, No. 125 Westminster street, that concern having failed and being put under the auction- eer's hammer. The San Souci brothers, operating as J. O. San Souci & Company, operated these various stores together with a small department store in Olney- ville, on Olney Square, until 1900, when they began consolidating their mercantile enterprise under one roof. The Hartford Shoe Store was sold in 1892, Emery J. then coming to Providence, and taking charge of the Boston Store, at No. 125 Westminster street. The new Library building on Olney Square, completed in 1891, was rented for a term of two years, and a clothing and men's furnishing business established under the name, "San Souci." In 1892 the firm entered into an agree- ment with the Alfred Anthony Estate Company to erect for them the building they now occupy, and when that building was completed a general store business was opened therein. By the year 1900 the outside interests of the firm were sold and their business consolidated on Olney Square, No. 1957 Westminster street, Provi- dence. The Attleboro store was sold to its former manager, Thomas E. McCaffrey, who continued it as "The San Souci Store" until it was destroyed by fire in 1917. The clothing store in the Library building was sold to George A. Johnson, and later the Boston Store and the original store were sold, and the San Souci mercantile interests were all consolidated at the "big store," No. 1957 Westminster street. This store is a very large one, thirty departments being maintained, the only feature of a modern department store not therein conducted being a grocery section. Sixty clerks are regularly employed with an equal number of extra clerks for rush hours and days. Alfred G. San Souci, broken in health, retired from the firm, removed to California, and there died in 1916. The business was incorporated as J. O. San Souci & Company, November 16, 1909, Joseph O. San Souci, president, and Emery J. San Souci, treasurer, as at present (1918).

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 26

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