The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 31

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 31

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from. 1892 until 1895. He then resigned to accept the superintendency of the public schools of Bennington, Vt., holding that; position five years, .1895-1900. The next four years he spent in Normal work as principal of the Vermont State Normal School of Johnson, going thence, in 1904, to Vermont Academy, Saxtons River, Vt., as principal. Four years were spent at the academy, then came his return to Providence, R. I., in September, 1908, as head of the Rhode Island State Normal School, his present position ten years later. He is a member of several professional societies, is well-known in edu- cational circles as instructor, speaker and writer, and is wholly devoted to his work. Out-of-door recreation attracts him, and his, vacation periods are usually spent in some spot convenient to ocean or forest.

Professor Alger married, June 30, 1896, Edith Good- year, of North: Haven, Conn.

NATHAN MANCHESTER WRIGHT --- Tracing in unbroken line of descent to, a hero of the Revolution, Lieutenant James Wells, and to Henry Wright, of Dor- chester, Mass., 1635, Mr. Wright is a native and loyal son of Rhode Island, best known, perhaps, for his valuable assistance and untiring effort in effecting a division of the old town of Johnston, and annexing the easterly portion to Providence, Originally Johnston was a dis- tinctively rural community adapted to a town form of government. But while the western part of the town retained its rural character, the eastern part filled up with city families, became very populous and demanded the form of city government and the advantages to which they were accustomed. Mr. Wright was of this latter, party, and ably headed the movement to bring about the desired conditions. The opposition was strong, and the prejudice to be removed was deep seated, but as the recognized leader he met this objec- tion with infinite tact 'and patience, finally effecting the separation of the town. After annexation he con- tinued his leadership, and was the most potent force in securing from the city of Providence the improve- ments sorely needed by the annexed district. So he is held in high honor by his fellowmen of his home dis- trict, and' in the city is the well known, efficient clerk of the District Court of the Sixthi Judicial District of Rhode Island. Since 1643 Wrights have been asso- ciated with the history of Rhode Island, Henry Wright, the American ancestor, coming from Dorchester, Mass., in that year, the records showing that his home lot was adjoining that of Roger Williams. In this branch the town of Foster, R. I., became the family seat, Nathan M. Wright being of the fourth generation of Wrights to reside there.

His father, Albert H. Wright, was a farmer of Foster în early manhood, but later engaged in the lum- ber business, then until retirement devoted himself to real estate as agent and trustee. Albert H. Wright married Mary C. Mathewson, daughter of Nathan and Laura A. (Millard). Mathewson. An ancestor of Nathan M. Wright was Lieutenant James Wells, of the Sixth Company, Rhode Island Militia, of the town of Scituate, Lieutenant Wells being a brave officer of the Revolution through whom his great-grandson, Nathan M. Wright, obtains membership in the Rhode Island Society, Sons of the American Revolution.

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Nathan Manchester Wright was born in the town of Foster, R. I., February 14, 1865, and there his parents resided until 1871, when they moved to the town of Johnston. There the lad, Nathan M., attended public schools, passing later to the grade and high schools of Providence, completing the high school course with graduation, class of 1885. He entered Brown Univer- sity, completed a full four years' course, made Phi Beta Kappa in his senior year, won honors in English, and was graduated A. B., class of 1889. The following year, 1890, he became a member of the reportorial staff of "The Providence Journal," and shortly afterward was appointed secretary to the editor of the "Journal," a position he filled until 1903. During that period he studied law, and on October 31, 1904, was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island. He at once began general practice in Providence, was ad- mitted to the bar of the United States Circuit Court, December 4, 1905, and became well established in public regard as a lawyer of learning and skill.

In July, 1906, Mr. Wright was elected by the City Council as justice of the Police Court of Providence, and by successive re-elections filled the position ably for three years, surrendering it after election for his present post, clerk of the District Court of the Sixth Judicial District of Rhode Island, March 19, 1909. In political faith a Republican, Mr. Wright has given much time to the public service, beginning as a senate page at the age of thirteen, and when barely a voter serving as delegate to State and local conventions. He was superintendent of schools for the town of John- ston for three years, 1891-94; elected a member of Providence Common Council in 1898, serving two years; elected secretary and treasurer of the Republican State Central Committee in July, 1903, an office he yet most ably fills. His services to the party in that position have been well nigh invaluable, his peculiar qualities of thoroughness, systematic arrangement of detail and ready pen, fitting in well with the requirement of the post. Quiet and unassuming in manner, Mr. Wright is most energetic, and never leaves a subject until it is mastered. He is an ex-president of the Sunset Club; member of the Bernard Club; Nestell Lodge, No. 37, Free and Accepted Masons; Providence Chapter, No. I, Royal Arch Masons; Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters; Cavalry Commandery, No. 13, Knights Templar ; past noble grand of Manufacturers Lodge, No. 15, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and is grand officer of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Rhode Island Bar Association.

Judge Wright married, November 27, 1889, Mary Elizabeth Page, daughter of John W. Page, of Provi- dence. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are the parents of two sons, Nathan M. (2), and Harold P .; also of two daughters, Beatrice M. and Evangeline P. Nathan M., Jr., is a member of the Rhode Island bar, having been admitted to practice in November, 1915, and is an assistant clerk of the Superior Court. Harold P., a law student, was in the service during the "World War," graduating from the Second Plattsburg Officers' Train- ing Camp, taking up aviation, and finally going into the

Thirty-seventh Artillery Regiment, Coast Artiller Corps, being with the latter unit when the armistic was signed. Beatrice M., married Harold R. Shipper. of Pawtucket; parents of two children: Elizabeth W Elmer R.

FRANK D. SIMMONS, president of the Eastern Coal Company, and for a quarter of a century a prom inent figure in business circles in the City of Provi dence, was born on February 17, 1857, son of the lat. Stephen and Fannie E. (Allen) Simmons, and mem ber of a well-known Rhode Island family of early Colonial date. Stephen Simmons was born in Littl. Compton, son of Henry Brightman and Sally (Sea bury) Simmons, and a lineal descendant of Moses Sim onson, founder of the family in America. The sur name is of Dutch origin, and the progenitor, a Dutch gentleman of Leyden, settled among the Pilgrims a Plymouth prior to 1634. As early as the second gen. eration, the family name had become Simmons, and a: such it has figured in Massachusetts and Rhode Island annals since the middle of the seventeenth century Stephen Simmons was for many years a member of the firm of Brown & Keach, jewelry manufacturers on disposing of his interests in this enterprise, he en- tered the field of real estate, in which he engaged suc- cessfully until his death, April 13, 1886.

Frank D. Simmons was educated in the public schools of Providence, and later attended Bryant & Stratton's Business College. In 1877, after two years experience with a manufacturing jewelry firm, as bookkeeper, Mr Simmons accepted a position with the Tucker & Little Coal Company as clerk and collecting agent. In 1879 he established himself independently in the coal busi- ness, under the name of the F. D. Simmons Coal Com- pany, locating his coal yards on Pearl street. After conducting this business successfully alone for a short period, Mr. Simmons formed a partnership with Robert B. Little, under the firm name of R. B. Little & Com- pany. The business was conducted under this name, with yards at Point street, until 1890, when the firm consolidated with three other companies of Provi- dence, and incorporated under the name of the East- ern Coal Company. Frank D. Simmons became a direc- tor and assistant to the president of the new company. In 1910 he was elected president and general manager, which offices he holds at the time of writing (1919). Mr. Simmons is active in numerous other mercantile enterprises of Providence, and ranks prominently among the most successful business leaders of the city. He is treasurer and director of the Fidelity Mercantile Agency, of the Loose Leaf Manufacturing Company, and of the Economy Faucet Company.

Mr. Simmons is well known in Masonic circles, and is a member of St. John's Lodge, No. 1, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar; and Palestine Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His clubs are the Turk's Head, Pomham, Anawan and Central, of Providence. In political affiliation he is a Republican.

On April 20, 1882, Mr. Simmons married Mary E. Little, daughter of Robert B. Little, his former partner.

Sulist Nebour

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BIOGRAPHICAL

A. and Mrs. Simmons were the parents of a daughter, Fchel, wife of Alan C. Blanding, of Providence; and a on, the late Captain F. Ronald Simmons. of whom a'arrative follows.

CAPTAIN F. RONALD SIMMONS-The Great Vir has taken its grim toll in lives from every walk life; every profession, every vocation, every science, ry art has given of its best to the end that civiliza- il might survive the menacing onslaught of the Hun. Vien the storm cloud of war broke over Europe in Agust, 1914, Paris harbored a colony of artists and mopolitans famed the world over as "The Amer- ci Colony," and composed of Americans who sought I Paris the training and inspiration which only her Hools and ateliers can give. Carefree, thoughless be- ud the needs of the day, they lived in a fever of pitement, varying earnest study with pleasure seeking. At the outbreak of the war, F. Ronald Simmons was well-known member of the inner circle of American uists in Paris, a student at the Ecole des Beaux Arts u! already an artist of recognized powers. In the orse of four years' residence in Paris he had acquired exceptional understanding of French character and Anch point of view, and an acquaintance in many iles of Parisian life which subsequently was of the most value to him in his work as an officer of the telligence Section of the American Expeditionary ce.

. Ronald Simmons was born in Providence, R. I., in 5, the son of Frank D. and Mary E. (Little) Simmons. er preparation in private schools and at Phillip's dover Academy, he matriculated at Yale, where he ck a Bachelor's degree in 1907. He then completed course in architecture in the Boston Institute of Chnology, and after a short office experience in Prov- dice, went to Paris to continue his studies. Art pped him strongly, however, and by 1914 he had nitely abandoned architecture, had long been a dent at the Beaux Arts, and was working with water ors, and later oils, in a famous Paris atelier. Then le July and August, 1914, and all was forgotten ex- Et the dire predicament of Paris. Many left the 1, but F. Ronald Simmons was one of those who bred, and was among the first American to begin tef work among the stricken French. He was one of organizers of the American Committee of the Ecole Beaux Arts, through which American students of school aided former French students who had gone the front and their families. In the winter of 1916- he resigned from this committee to devote his entire e to work in the convalescent homes under the direc- u of Mrs. Edith Wharton, the American novelist, b, in a tribute to his memory says: "As a member the committee of the Tuberculeux de la Guerre he laborated with me till that charity was absorbed by American Red Cross, and again and again I had asion to profit by his wise advise, his tact and pati- je and discernment."

Vhen, in March, 1917, the American Military Com- ision, headed by Major Churchill, arrived in Paris, Simmons was asked to become one of its civilian anbers, because of his extensive knowledge of the

French people, of their language and their customs, and his seemingly instinctive ability to create an atmosphere of harmony and cordial intimacy between the French and Americans. With America's entry into the war, Major Churchill was established at General Pershing's headquarters in Paris, and with him was Mr. Simmons, who rendered a service which cannot be overestimated in the trying six months of adjustment which ensued. He played no mean part in the evolving of the Amer- ican system intelligence, and by August, 1917, it was decided that he could work more effectively as a mem- ber of the Expeditionary Forces than as a civilian. He was commissioned a lieutenant, and soon afterward was put in charge of the American mission of the Inter- Allied Bureau at Paris. In February, 1918, he was given the rank of captain, and a few months later was as- signed to a responsible mission in the Intelligence Sec- tion of the Service of Supply (the familiar S. O. S.) and went to Southern France, taking up headquarters at Bordeaux. He was in line for further promotion when stricken with double pneumonia; his strength had been undermined by his constant and tireless devotion to duty, and the disease proved fatal within three days.

His death at the outset of what many predicted would have been a brilliant career is one of the tragedies of war. But he died a hero, as much so as if he had died on the field of battle. His death was mourned as a personal loss by the highest officials of the American Expeditionary Forces, who paid eloquent tribute to his services to our army-services rendered at a time when few were qualified to perform them. Of his measure as a man, and a friend, Mrs. Edith Wharton, the novel- ist, says :

His friends would like to dwell on qualities more deeply concealed under the incurable modesty; on the responsive warmth of his sympathies, his joyous sense of humor, his sensitiveness to all things fine and rare, and the strange maturity of his judgments. * He was always ready; every call found him, every dis- tress appealed to him. If he had faults, his friends never discovered them; if he had lived long enough to give his full measure many more would have mourned him as we are mourning him to-day .- Taken from the Paris Edition of "The New York Herald," of August 14, 1918.

PHILIP HERBERT WILBOUR-From the time Samuel Wilbore fled from Taunton, Mass., to Provi- dence, driven by the persecutions of his religious op- ponents, the family has been prominent in the public and business life of the Colony and State of Rhode Island. Without an exception the heads of each of the nine generations of the branch herein recorded have been land owners and substantial farmers, the family possessions lying mainly in the town of Little Compton.

Isaac Wilbour, of the sixth generation, although a member of Congress, 1807-09, lieutenant-governor of Rhode Island in 1810, and from May, 1819, to May, 1827, chief justice of the Supreme Court, Rhode Island, ever made his home at his farm, following in that regard the example of his father, and was likewise emulated by his son Philip, his grandson, Isaac Champ- lin, and his great-grandson, Philip Herbert Wilbour, who inherited from his father the distinction of own- ing and operating the most extensive poultry farming business in the United States. He has made the con-

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

tinuation of that farm the aim of his business career, but since 1900 has figured prominently in public life. He is of the ninth American generation of the family founded by Samuel Wilbore, of Boston, who was ad- mitted to the church there, December 1, 1633, that being the first recorded mention of the founder of the family in New England. The name Wildbore became Wil- bore in the second generation, was so spelled by the third, but in the fourth generation William changed it to Wilbour, which since prevails in this branch, al- though many of the same family line spell it both Wilbour and Wilbur as well. Samuel Wildbore was one of the founders of the iron industry at Taunton, Mass., building with his associates a furnace at what is now Raynham, the first built in New England. He became wealthy for his day, but his standing in the community could not preserve him from religious per- secutions, and for embracing the "dangerous doctrines" of Cotton and Wheelwright he was banished from Massachusetts with seventeen others. Although he owned a house in Boston, and one in Taunton, he abandoned both, and on the advice, of Roger Williams he, with seventeen fellow exiles, purchased from the Indians the Island of Aquidneck, he moving there with his family in 1038, these eighteen persons forming a colony under a solemn. compact, March 7, 1638. The founder died. September 29, 1656, twenty-two years after having been made a freeman at Boston. His first wife Ann was a daughter of Thomas Bradford, of Dorchester, Yorkshire, England, Two of their sons, Samuel and William, settled in Portsmouth, R. I .; another, Joseph, located at Taunton, Mass .; the fourth, Shadrach, in that part of the same town now known as Raynham. Prior to November 29, 1645, Samuel Wildbore married a second wife, Elizabeth.

The line of descent from the pioneer settler, Samuel Wilbore, to Philip Herbert Wilbour is through William Wilbor, of Portsmouth, deputy in 1678; his son, Sam- uel Wilbor, a farmer of Little Compton, R. I., and his wife, Elizabeth (Potter) Wilbor; their son, William Wilbour, also a farmer of Little Compton, and his wife, Esther (Burgess) Wilbour; their son, Charles Wilbour, who owned and cultivated a large tract of land near Sakonnet river in the town of Little Compton, and his first wife, Hannah (Borden) Wilbour; their son, Isaac Wilbour, a farmer of the old homestead, member of Congress, lieutenant-governor, and his wife, Hannah, daughter of Captain Philip Taber; their son, Philip Wilbour, a farmer of one hundred and twenty- five acres yet owned in the family, and his wife, Eliza Penelope (Champlin) Wilbour; their son, Isaac Cham- plin Wilbour, of further mention, and his wife, Deb- orah Josephine Wilbour; their son, Philip Herbert Wil- bour, of further mention.

Isaac Champlin Wilbour, born at the homestead in Little Compton, R. I., May 11, 1831, died September, 1899. He became owner of the home farm of one hundred and twenty-five acres, added to it by purchase until he had increased its area to two hundred and sixty acres. He was the pioneer poultry farmer of his district and developed that business to enormous pro- portions, having five thousand hens, his yearly ship- ments of eggs to all parts of the United States, Canada and Europe averaging 150,000 dozen. His energy and

progressive ideas won him great success, and he rank with the leading business men of his section, A wo of love which was carried to completion with the. a of his cousin, Charles Edwin Wilbour, was the buil ing of Sakonnet Cemetery, the beautiful chapel there having a chime of bells imported from Belgium. With are marble tablets commemorative of many members. the family beginning with Lieutenant-Governor Isa Wilbour, and there the donor rests.

Isaac Champlin. Wilbour married (first), Debor. Josephine Wilbour, born July 13, 1834, died, 18 daughter of Benjamin and Abby M. (Taylor) Wilbor and granddaughter of Daniel Wilbour and of Samy Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. Wilbour were the parents, Philip Herbert, of further mention; Caroline Core died aged seven; Elizabeth Champlin ;; Deborah Jos! phine, married Frederick Marcy Patten, of Brooklin Mass. Mr. Wilbour married. (second), Amelia Frend of Nantucket, who survived him, They were the pal ents of a son, William French, a lawyer of New Yo. City.

Philip Herbert Wilbour, only son of Isaac Champ Wilbour and his first wife, Deborah Josephine (W bour) Wilbour, was born at the homestead at Lit Compton, which he now owns, August 27, 1856. 1 was educated in the public schools and Friends' Scho Providence, and grew. to manhood at the homestea his father's chief assistant and later partner in. t poultry raising business for which the farm was famor After the death of the founder of the business, in I& the son assumed entire control and has continued successfully manage it along the same lines, improv and added to as experience, dictated. The house whi sheltered several generations has been remodeled a added to until, with its. beautiful grounds, conservato and location, it is most attractive to the eye of t. beholder, and a source. of deep pride and satisfacti to its owner.

Inheriting the public spirit of his forbears, Mr. W bour has taken an active part in public affairs, a given much time to the service of the people of 1 State. He had been a member of the Town Coun prior to the year 1900, and in that year was elect representative from Little Compton to the State' I,eg lature. He served three years in the House, ber chairman of the committee on special legislation, a? a member of other committees. His work in the Hou pleased his constituents, and in 1903 he was elect State Senator, and in 1907 reelected. He was chairm of the committees on corporations and finance, al other committees, also upon the floor of the Sena proved one of the able, influential and valuable mer bers of that body. In 1912 Senator Wilbour was elect president pro tempore of the Senate, holding un March 15, 1917. During that period, in the absence" the governor and lieutenant-governor, he officiated. se eral times as acting governor. On November 30, 18c he was appointed a member of the Shell Fish Cor mission by Governor Dyer, and after five years on ť. commission was chosen its president, holding that off twenty years, until January 19, 1917. In 1917 he w! elected to his present post, state auditor and insurán commissioner. In, politics he is a Republican, influe. tial in the party and potent in council.

[23

BIOGRAPHICAL

His farm responsibilities -and State public service hve not caused. him to neglect local duties, and for Geen years he served Little Compton as town treas- wer, was a director of the Tiverton & Little Compton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, a charter member of Emona Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and with his vierhas continued that membership until the present. Fris also a member of the State Grange and the Na- thal Grange, and keeps in close touch with the efforts ade through these bodies to improve farming condi- is. He is a member of Eureka Lodge, Free and Ac- ated Masons, of Portsmouth, R. I., and. Sekonnet Edge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. There is interest of his State but what appeals to him and womands, his loyal support. As a public official his word is one of efficiency, every office being regarded a trust to be faithfully administered as though it Re his own private business. . A genial, pleasing per- wality adds to his popularity, and he has never yet jeived an adverse decision at the polls.

fr .: Wilbour married, in Brooklyn, N. Y., May 28, 5. Grace. Frances Rope's, born in Salem, Mass., ighter_of Ripley Ropes. - Mr. and Mrs. Wilbour are parents of, a son, Lincoln, born March 6, 1886, now isted in the United States Naval Reserve Force, trict No. 2, Station, New London, Conn., in: business Providence, R, I .; and two daughters: Elizabeth implin, who died young, and Dorothy.

There is a portion of the old farm, however, which held sacred to the preservation of a historical spot, a, story which dates back to the early Indian occu- ion. This part of the farm bears the name Awash- 's Park, and was once the home of the Saugkon- es-tribe of Indians, it being known in an earlier day the Tompee Swamps. Over this tribe reigned Queen ashonks, a Queen who was gifted with a keener in- hat and greater wisdom than even the powerful King lip, and stood firm in her insistence upon the white i's right to live, among them in peace. When King lip sent his chiefs to her inviting her to join him them in a war of extermination against the Whites, flatly refused her aid and tried to dissuade the ig from attempting war. She failed and one of the rnments of Awashonks Park is a monument to the d Queen's memory; This monument is in the form A great boulder of slate through which runs a gleam white flint quartz. The face of the rock bears this ription : "To the memory of Awashonks, Queen of Saugkonnates, and friend of the white man." This cription is deeply engraved in the face of the rock, by chance curiously enough the words "White n" are cut into the strata of white flint in the boulder. other large boulder serves as a monument to both g Philip and the Queen, commemorating her refusal join the King in his war against the Whites, a war ch resulted in his death .. The inscription on this nument is as follows: "Pometocum-August 12, 6 (Philip) King of the Wampanoags."

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 31

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