The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 3

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 3

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On October 31, 1876, Charles Bradley married Jane Whitman Bailey, who was born in the town of North Providence, July 13, 1849, daughter of William Mason and Harriet (Brown) Bailey. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley were the parents of the following children: I. Charles, Jr., mentioned below. 2. Alice Whitman, born Nov. 5, 1881; resides with her mother. 3. Joseph Manton, born Dec. 10, 1882; was engaged in business in Portland, Ore., for six years, at the end of which time he re- turned to the East, and engaged in cotton manufacturing in Brattleboro, Vt .; he married Margaret S. Walter, of Portland, Ore., and they have two children: Joseph Manton, Jr., and Margaret Bradley. He died in Prov- idence, R. 1., March 15, 1915. 4. Mary Emerson, born June 18, 1884; married Dr. Emery M. Porter, of Prov- idence; issue: Emery Moulton, Jr., who died in in- fancy; George Whipple; Jane Bradley, who died in infancy ; Arnold, and Nancy Porter. 5. Margaret Har- rison, born July 6, 1890; married Brockholst M. Smith, of Providence, and they are the parents of a daughter Helen Bradley Smith, born in Ang., 1914, and a son, Brockholst M. Smith, Jr., born Oct. 24, 1917.

(VIII) Charles (3) Bradley, son of Charles (2) and Jane Whitman (Bailey) Bradley, was born in Prov- idence, R. I., December 19, 1877. He was educated in the University Grammar School of Providence, and en- tered Brown University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1898. Immediately on completing his education, he entered the employ of the Bell Telephone Company, and was assigned to the Pittsburgh (Pa.) office in 1900. He rose rapidly to the fore in the office in this city, and by successive promotions was made superintendent of one of the departments of the plant. His promising career was cut short by his untimely death, as a result of blood-poisoning, on January 17, I910.

Charles Bradley married, October 16, 1901, Helen N. Hunt, daughter of Horatio A. Hunt, of Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley were the parents of the follow- ing children: Charles, Horatio Hunt, George Lothrop. Mrs. Bradley, who survives her husband, and resides at No. 170 Waterman street, Providence, is well known in social life in Providence, and has been prominently connected with charitable and philanthropic work in the city.

BIOGRAPHICAL

(VII) George Lothrop Bradley, third son of the late Chief Justice Charles Smith and Sarah (Manton) Bradley, was born in Providence, R. I., October 4, 1846. He was educated in private schools in Provi- dence, and in Newton, Mass., later attending the Uni- versity Grammar School of Providence, where he pre- pared for Harvard and Brown Colleges. passing the preliminary examinations for both institutions. He entered neither, however, but, becoming deeply inter- ested in metallurgical engineering, went to Freiburg, Germany, where he pursued a course in this science at the School of Mines, from which he was gradnated in 1867. On his return to America, he went to Colorado for the purpose of developing some mining property, making the journey across the plains in a stage coach, at a time when Indians and maranding bands of ont- laws infested the region. The coach preceding that in which he was a passenger was attacked by Indians and all its occupants killed. After a short period spent in the West, which was filled with the thrilling exper- ience of the pioneer days, he returned to his home, and shortly afterward went to South America to inves- tigate mining conditions there.

On his return, in Boston he met Professor Alexander Graham Bell, then a teacher of a new system of com- munciation for deaf mutes, who subsequently went to Salem, Mass., and, while giving instructions there, de- voted considerable time to the study and development of the telephone. Professor Bell later came to Prov- idence, where he met Norman N. Mason, who was then in the apothecary business, and they with others placed the telephone on a practical working basis. Mr. Bradley, deeply interested in the project, and keenly alive to its possibilities, was induced to introduce the invention in Boston, where in 1876 he organized the New England Telephone Company. In the following year he organ- ized the National Telephone Company in New York City. In the meantime the Western Union Telegraph Company had acquired the Edison patents for the tel- ephone, and there was a contract between the two companies for the monopoly of the system. This con- tract between the two companies resulted in a com- promise which gave the Bell Company an undisputed field. Its stock had gradually increased in value from one to fifty dollars per share, and eventually rose to eight hundred dollars per share. Through his hold- ings in the company, Mr. Bradley realized a goodly profit. His name ranks among the foremost in the history of the telephone, and he probably did more to make it a business success than any other man in the country. He saw from the outset the great financial possibilities in what others of recognized foresight had regarded as a mere mechanical toy, and became one of the original investigators and promoters of the inven- tion which has played so important a part in human progress in the past three decades. In his researches he was associated with Professor John Pierce and Professor Blake, of Brown University, and, encouraged in the undertaking by the late Hon. Rowland G. Haz- ard, of Peace Dale, who was confident that the tele- phone would be as universally used as gas and water.

After establishing the telephone on a financial basis, in 1883 Mr. Bradley settled in Washington, D. C., and became actively interested in the Mergenthaler Lino-

type Company, which had been a business failure for more than six years. With the assistance of the late Hon. William C. Whitney, who was secretary of the United States Navy in President Cleveland's cabinet, Mr. Bradley put the latter company in such a sound financial condition that its stock was greatly enhanced in value.

Mr. Bradley later became interested in the Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Company, invest- ing heavily in its stock. This company was organized for the purpose of constructing an inland waterway five hundred and sixty miles in length along the eastern coast of Florida. Mr. Bradley gave this enterprise not only great financial aid, but in addition took an active in- terest in the management of the corporation, and for several years served as its president. In order to form a continuons navigable inland waterway, it was neces- sary not only to construct canals through the divides separating natural waters, but to remove shoals from the channels of these waters, and in places cut through sharp bends and increase the width of a number of tortnous salt-water creeks which form a portion of the route selected by the company. The canal is oper- ated under a State charter and has the right of eminent domain, and privilege of charging tolls on all canals constructed and channels improved, the tolls to be fixed by the president and directors of the company, and to be approved by the board of trustees of the internal improvement fund of the State of Florida. In addition to the rights acquired by the canal company under the above law the State Legislature, by special act granted to the company a land subsidy of 3,840 acres per mile for the purpose of enabling those interested in the project to obtain the necessary capital for the construc- tion of the canals and improvements along the natural waterways. This policy on the part of the State re- sulted in the Canal Company becoming such a consid- erable owner of land on the east coast of Florida that when an opportunity came to secure the construction of a railroad along the coast of Biscayne Bay, the Canal Company decided to grant a land subsidy of about 270,000 acres of land to the railway company, which resulted in the construction of one of the best railroads in the south. It soon became apparent that the directors of the Canal Company had made no mistake in subsidizing the railroad, as the construction of this rail- road not only transformed the eastern section of Florida from a wilderness into the greatest winter resort in the United States, but, in addition, gave great impetus to the development of the agricultural resources of that country by giving rapid transportation to the growers of delicate fruits and vegetables, which enabled them to place the products of their plantations in the northern and western markets in good condition. The vast improvements of the Canal Company, too, had drained large bodies of rich marsh land, which, when the water was lowered, were ready for the plow, and resulted in new agricultural enterprises, as well as the building of new towns and villages on both sides of the waterway for practically its entire length. A line of passenger and freight steamers was placed in commission and oper- ated between Titusville and Jupiter, one hundred and thirty miles to the south, another important factor in the opening up of this country. Until the year 1892

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

the inside waters of the Florida coast were supposed to be controlled by the State, and the canal company, under its charter, improved the channels of the Indian river where necessary. In the latter year, however, through the efforts of the late Senator Matthew S. Quay, of Pennsylvania, an appropriation was made by Congress to be expended in still further improving the river and in enlarging the canals owned by the land company. The question of jurisdiction being raised, the United States Attorney General gave the opinion that the ap- propriation should not be expended until the Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Company waived its rights to charge tolls on the channels improved by the company between Titusville and Jupiter. After some negotiations an agreement was made which provided that no tolls should be collected on that section of the waterway, and the money appropriated was then spent on the channel, and subsequently additional appropria- tions were made for the same purpose. The remainder of the waterway, however, is still controlled by the canal company. In the launching of this colossal enter- prise, in the financing of it, and in the subsequent work of placing it on a firm business basis, Mr. Bradley was one of the leaders. To his consummate genius as a business organizer, executive and financier, a great part of the success of the Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Company is due. As one of the found- ers of this company he had no small part in the influ- ential place it holds in the growth and development of the interest of eastern Florida. In the difficulties which beset the establishment of so phenomenal an enterprise, he was ever the wise counselor, the keen, sagacious, foresighted man of business, and his own belief in the future greatness of the gigantic scheme infused into all engaged in it the courage which carried it through to completion.

Mr. Bradley possessed the calm, judicial type of men- tality, was essentially an individualist and an original thinker. Although an idealist, he was endowed with a genius for the practical which made him a farsighted but dependable leader, a man whose vision might be relied upon, for it was tempered always with a regard for the practical. The broad understanding and toler- ance of the cosmopolite, the culture which comes with wide travel, constant association with men of influence in the world of finance, business and the professions, was his in a marked degree. He was a linguist of no mean ability, a fine conversationalist, a forceful and compelling speaker. He was deeply interested in liter- ature and the arts, and his home was the center of a thoughtful and brilliant society. He was essentially a diplomat, a man of affairs, of large visions. Nothing of a mean nature entered into his life; he was above the petty disagreements. Mr. Bradley was a lover of nature and outdoor life, and took an especial pride in his estate, comprising over eight hundred acres of land, in Pomfret, Conn., an ideal spot, commanding a magnificent view of the surrounding country. He was one of the founders of the Pomfret School for Boys, and maintained a deep interest in it until the time of his death, serving as a member of the board of trustees.

Mr. Bradley was prominent in social and club circles in New York and in Washington, D. C. He was a member of the Metropolitan, Cosmos, Elite, Chevy

Chase, and Country clubs of Washington: of the Re- form and the Players' clubs of New York City; and also of the National Geographical and various other societies. He was a man's man, generous, chivalrous and upright in every detail of his life, surrounding him- self with none of the barriers which men who have attained the place of distinction which was his are apt to erect about themselves. In consequence, he was not only honored and respected but loved by a vast number of friends and acquaintances.

On June 12, 1878, Mr. Bradley married Helen Mc- Henry Chambers, daughter of Dr. John Mason Duncan Chambers, a prominent physician of Virginia, and his wife, Emma Pendleton Ward. Mrs. Bradley, who sur- vives her husband and resides on the Bradley estate at Pomfret, Conn., is a descendant from some of the earli- est Virginia families. She is well known in social circles in Rhode Island and in Washington, D. C. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley were the parents of a daughter, Emma Pendleton Bradley.

George Lothrop Bradley died at his home in Wash- ington, D. C., on March 26, 1906, in the sixtieth year of his age. By the terms of his will, the Bradley estate, in Providence, R. I., containing twelve acres of land, became the Emma Pendleton Bradley Home for Con- valescents and Invalids, in memory of his only daughter, Emma Pendleton Bradley.

HENRY LATIMER BALLOU-A gentleman of refinement, culture and polish, a business man of integ- rity and ability, Henry Latimer Ballou will live in the hearts of his fellowmen more for his broad mind and vision, in reference to public affairs, than as banker or manufacturer. He was affiliated with the Republican party from youth, and labored earnestly for party suc- cess, but it was a cardinal principle of his political faith that a party should stand for a great deal more than suc- cess at the polls. His influence was State-wide and was always exerted to hold the party to higher aims. He firmly believed in the might of right, and with broader vision than most men, led in many popular movements, although he never hesitated to identify himself with a morally just cause, although it might be an unpopular one. He championed the Bourn amendment for the extension of the suffrage movement, the ten-hour law, temperance legislation, and convenient hours at polling places. He was faithful to every trust and duty, ad- ministered every official office to which he was ap- pointed as a public trust, was wise and judicious in counsel regarding investments, bestowing his counsel in so kindly a manner that his sincerity could not be doubt- ed. He was rarely blessed in his home life, his wife, Susan A. (Cook) Ballon, being a woman similar to him- self in taste and disposition. A woman of culture and strong character, she is a potent influence for good, and in a practical way aids in movements destined to ad- vance the public good. Her work for philanthropy has been far-reaching, and one of her favored objects has been the children of the Woonsocket Day Nursery and the Children's Home, of which she has been president since its organization in 1889. For years she has been a member of the Woonsocket Board of Education; is past regent of Woonsocket Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; past regent of the Rhode Island

Jan

BIOGRAPHICAL

State Daughters of the American Revolution; a fre- quent delegate to national conventions of the order of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and past president of the State Federation of Women's Clubs of Rhode Island. She continues to occupy the handsome family residence on Harris avenue, Woonsocket, her only daughter sharing her home.

Henry Latimer Ballon traced his lineage to Maturin Ballou, who was first of record in Providence, R. I., in 1646, the line being continued through his son James, his son Obadiah, his son Ezekiel, his son Levi, a Revolu- tionary patriot, his son Levi (2), his son Latimer Whip- ple Ballon, LL. D., bank cashier and treasurer, presi- dential elector on the Lincoln and Hamlin ticket (1860), member of the Forty-fourth, fifth and sixth Congresses ; his son, Henry Latimer Ballou, to whose memory this tribute to a useful life is offered.

Henry Latimer Ballou, son of Latimer Whipple and Sarah A. (Hunnewell) Ballou, was born at Cambridge, Mass., October 14, 1841, died at his home in Woon- socket, R. I., May 22, 1889. While he was still very young, Woonsocket became the family home and here his after life was spent. He was educated in the grade and high schools of the city, his public school courses being supplemented by Boston Commercial School study, and by a wide course of private study and reading. At the age of twenty he entered the employ of the Woon- socket Institution for Savings, of which his father was treasurer from 1850 until 1887. He began as a clerk in 1861, his duties being in both the Woonsocket National Bank and the Institution for Savings, and in 1876 he be- came assistant cashier of the bank and assistant treas- urer of the institution. During the years of his father's Congressional service, the son filled his place as cashier and treasurer. This responsibility greatly developed the young man, and he continued in office until his death. He acquired other important business interests, and was one of the men of his city who could be depended upon to support every worthy enterprise. He was one of the incorporators of the Woonsocket Rubber Company, a director of the American Worsted Company, the Woon- socket Wringing Machine Company, formerly the Bailey Wringing Machine Company. He was a member of the Woonsocket Business Men's Association from its beginning, was treasurer of the Woonsocket Hospital Corporation, and for many years served the Consoli- dated School District as treasurer.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Ballou was chosen a delegate to the national convention of 1888, to be held at Chicago. He made every preparation to attend, but his health was failing so rapidly that at the last moment he notified his alternate that he would be unable to act. He bravely fought the malady which had laid hold on him, seeking relief in Southern California, but to no avail. He was a long time member of the Universalist church, was assistant superintendent of the Sunday school, of which his father was superintendent for half a century, and when finally, on May 22, 1889, the end came, the city mourned the loss of a Christian gentle- man, whom all delighted to honor. His father, with whom he had so long and intimately been associated in business, survived him until May 9, 1900, not quite one year.

Mr. Ballou married, October 6, 1868, Susan A. Cook,

who yet survives him (1919), daughter of Willis and Cyrena (Thayer) Cook, and a descendant of Walter Cook, who settled at Weymouth, Mass., in 1643. The line of descent from Walter Cook is through his son Deacon Nicholas Cook, his son Elder Nathaniel Cook, his son Deacon Ariel Cook, his son Colonel Levi Cook, his son Willis Cook, a successful business man and emi- nent citizen, his daughter Susan A. Cook, now the widow of Henry Latimer Ballou. Mr. and Mrs. Ballon were the parents of two sons and a daughter: I. Lati- mer Willis, born in Woonsocket, R. I., Oct. 8, 1872, a graduate Bachelor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, class of '95: post-graduate of Cornell Uni- versity, class of '96; agent of the Guerin Spinning Com- pany, a man of influence and high standing in his city. 2. Marie Louise Ballon, wife of Frank Sewall Bowker, of Wooster, Mass., is graduate Bachelor of Arts, Smith College, residing with her widowed mother in Woon- socket. 3. Roland Hunnewell Ballou, a graduate Bach- elor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, class of '04; now treasurer of the Manhasset Auto Tire Fabrics Company, of Connecticut, with headquarters at Providence.

Mrs. Ballou and her children are members of the Universalist church, as the husband, father and grand- fathers had been, and like them Mrs. Ballou is active in church work.

HON. ROBERT LIVINGSTON BEECKMAN- Among the figures that have stood out with especial prominence in the political affairs of Rhode Island of recent years, and who have risen to positions of great esteem in the regard of the people of this State, that of the Hon. Robert Livingston Beeckman is particularly noteworthy. Mr. Beeckman is a member of an ancient Dutch family, and is descended from several lines which have taken a prominent part in American affairs since the early Colonial period.

Robert L. Beeckman is a son of Gilbert Livingston and Margaret (Foster) Beeckman, and was horn April 15, 1866, in New York City, where his parents were then residing. As a lad he came to Newport, R. I., and it was in the public and private schools of this city that he secured his education. After completing his studies at these institutions Mr. Beeckman entered business life and soon proved himself to have an unusual grasp of practical affairs and a keen business judgment and foresight. He eventually became a member of the firm of Lapsley, Beeckman & Company, bankers and brok- ers. He was a member of the New York Stock Ex- change from 1897 until 1906, when he retired in order to devote himself to his interests in Rhode Island. Since that time he has made his home in the city of Newport, and became very prominent in the general life of the community. He is a director of the Indus- trial Trust Company of Providence, the Newport Trust Company of Newport, and ex-officio member of the board of directors of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company of Providence, and of the St. Vincent de Paul Infant Asylum, and a trustee of the Rhode Island School of Design, and the International Silver Com- pany. Since early youth Mr. Beeckman has been a staunch supporter of the principles and policies of the Republican party, and has taken an active part in

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Republican politics for a number of years. He was soon recognized as a possible leader in this State, and was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representa- tives in the year 1908. Since that time he has been continuously in the public eye, and rapidly reached a position of great influence in party affairs. He was returned to the State Legislature in 1910 and 1911, and in the following year was elected State Senator, and continuously served on that body during that year and the three years following. So admirable was the record that the made for himself as a legislator and so valuable were his services both to this party and to the community-at-large that he was honored in 1914 with the Republican nomination for governor of the State. He was successfully elected in the campaign which followed and reelected in 1916 and 1918, and has held this high office with the greatest efficiency ever since. He has given Rhode Island a splendid business administration, and has been associated with much of the most important legislation which has been enacted in the State for many years.

Governor Beeckman is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and attends Grace Church at Prov- idence and Trinity Church at Newport. He is also associated with a number of important organizations, both religious and philanthropic, and is a well known figure in social and club circles in Providence and New- port. He is a member of the Newport Reading Room Club of Newport, the Hope Club of Providence, the Knickerbocker, Racquet and Tennis clubs of New York City, the Metropolitan Club of Washington, D. C., and the Travelers' Club of Paris, France. Governor Beeck- man has always been a keen lover of all out-of-door sports and pastimes, a fact which is illustrated in his clubs, and his favorite recreations are tennis, golf, yachting and riding.

Robert Livingston Beeckman was united in marriage, October 8, 1902, with Eleanor Thomas, daughter of General Samuel and Ann Augusta (Porter) Thomas, of New York.

GENERAL JOHN GARDINER HAZARD- There are but few names more closely identified with the life and history of Rhode Island, especially that part of it connected with the industrial growth and develop- ment of recent years, than that of Hazard, a family which from the earliest Colonial times has held a high place in the regard of the community and in its various branches is related to many of the best houses in the region. In industrial, civil, commercial, judicial and military affairs, as well as many other departments of social activity, it has contributed distinguished figures which have upheld its honor as well as that of the community with the highest credit and success.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 3

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