The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 45

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 45

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(I) John Child, immigrant ancestor and founder of the family in America, was born in Wales, about 1672, the son of Jeremiah Child. The family was one of

importance and considerable antiquity, as is indicated by the fact that Jeremiah Child and his son, John Child, the founder of the New England family of the name, were knighted. John Child married Marjorie and they were the parents of James, mentioned below. (II) James Child, son of John and Marjorie Child, was born in 1708. He was a resident of Warren, R. I., a prosperous farmer, and prominent citizen there. He married Sarah Hale, and died February 10, 1738.

(III) John (2) Child, son of James and Sarah (Hale) Child, was born January 20, 1733, and died September 27, 1819. He was a prominent citizen of Warren, and active in its military affairs. John Child held the rank of captain in the Warren Artillery during the Revolutionary War. He married Rosabella Cole, who was born January 4, 1739, and died May 10, 1820. Ebenezer Cole was the ancestor of Rosabella (Cole) Child.

(IV) John Troop Child, son of John (2) and Rosa- bella (Cole) Child, was born November 6, 1761, at War- ren, R. I., and died July 29, 1831. He married Mollie Turner, who was born September 8, 1,62, and died November 17, 1808, daughter of Nathan and Patience (Turner) Miller, and a descendant of Captain William Turner, of the Falls Fights, of King Philip's War fame. Patience (Turner) Miller was a daughter of William and Patience (Hale) Turner, of Swansea, Mass. William Turner was born January 13, 1682-83, son of Thomas Turner, of Scituate, later of Swansea, Mass .; he married Patience Hale, daughter of Richard and Mary ( Burbank) Hale. Thomas Turner was the son of Captain William Turner and Frances, his wife; was a soldier at Marlborough, Mass., in 1675; he re- sided at Bridgewater, Scituate, where his son was born, and at Swansea. Captain William Turner, founder of the family in America, was of Dorchester, Mass., in 1642. He removed to Boston in 1664, where he became active in the Baptist ranks, and was one of the founders of the First Baptist Church. He later offered to raise a company of soldiers for service in King Philip's War, but his offer was refused because of his religious con- victions. With the increasing seriousness of the war, the Puritan authorities encouraged his project, and in 1676 he marched to Northampton in command of his own force, under Major Savage. He participated in the action of March, 1676, and on May 15, 1676, in com- mand of one hundred men surprised the Indians at Connecticut Great Falls. The engagement was a bril- liant success, taking place at the falls which have since borne his name. He was killed on May 16, 1676, by a party of Indians at Green river, Mass. (For early generations of the Turner family, and authenticity of the line as herein traced from Captain William Turner, see the New England Historic and Genealogical Reg- ister, Vol. XLI, pages 215-218).

(V) John Troop (2) Child, son of John Troop (1) and Mollie Turner ( Miller) Child, was born in Warren, R. I., May 7, 1790, in the old Child homestead at the foot of Miller street, "which was built prior to 1700 and is still standing." He was educated in the schools of Warren, and at an early age went to sea. He tired quickly of the narrow confines of the bay, and prefer- ring the open sea shipped before the mast. He rose to the position of captain in the whaling industry, which

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he followed for about thirty years, when it was at its height. On his retirement from the sea, Captain Child engaged in the coal business at Warren, continuing until his death. He was a prominent figure in business and public life in the town, and for many years was justice of the peace. His political affiliation was with the Republican party.

Captain Child married (first) Betsey Miller Burr. He married (second), December, 1852, Mary Ann Mason, who was born in Providence, R. I., April 3, 1827, and died March 17, 1880, daughter of James and Mary A. (Trafton) Mason, and a lineal descendant of Sampson Mason, the founder of the family in America through Benjamin and Ruth (Rounds) Mason; their son Charles; his son Noble; his son, William Mason, who was born November 23, 1747, married Lydia Thurber, who was born November 26, 1750; and their son James, who married Mary A. Trafton. Children : I. Molly Turner, mentioned below. 2. Betsie Miller, born May II, 1859, was drowned in 1861.

(VI) Molly Turner Child, daughter of Captain John Troop and Mary Ann ( Mason) Child, was born in Warren, R. I., January 11, 1858. She married, in War- ren, December 25, 1878, Frank Bennett Lawton, who was born in Providence, July 20, 1858. Mr. Lawton was educated in the schools of Warren, where he re- moved with his parents as a boy. His father, William B. Lawton, was a figure of prominence in public life in Providence in the middle of the nineteenth century, and was one of the commission who built the State Prison. Frank Bennet Lawton entered business life as a salesman for a large jewelry firm. He severed his connection with this firm to enter business life inde- pendently, and subsequently purchased and built up the Acme Comb Company, of which he was the owner and head until his death, on August 14, 1915.

Mr. and Mrs. Lawton were the parents of the follow- ing children: 1. Mary G., born Oct. 30, 1880; married James B. Richardson, Sept. 26, 1906; their children are: James Bushnell, Jr., born Oct. 5, 1907; Prescott R., born May 27, 1910. 2. Frank Child, born Aug. 5, 1883; married Sarah M. Wilcox, Oct. 11, 1911; one child, Frank Child, Jr., born Feby. 9, 1914. 3. Ethel Champ- lin, born Jany. 1, 1890; married Austin L. Ford, July 18, 1917. Mrs. Lawton, who survives her husband, resides at No. 118 Fourth street, Providence. She is a member of the Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, and is treasurer of the Woman's Home Missionary Society, Providence Auxiliary, of the Methodist Episcopal church, and president of the Ladies Aid Society of the Mathewson Methodist Epis- copal Church.

JOSEPH C. CAWLEY-When a boy Patrick J. Cawley came from his native Ireland and settled in Providence, R. I., there married and resided until his death. The seven children of Patrick J. and Julia (Clifford) Cawley all occupy professional positions ex- cept the youngest son, Clifford J., who is "Somewhere in France" with the American Expeditionary Forces. Joseph C. Cawley, the eldest son, chose the law as his profession, and since 1905, has practiced in Providence, his offices now at No. 316 Turk's Head building.

Patrick J. Cawley was born in County Sligo, Ireland,

in 1840, and came in boyhood to the United States, spe his after life in Providence, R. I., and there died M 1, 1913. He married Julia Clifford, born in Coun Kerry, Ireland, in 1846, educated in Providence par chial schools, there married and resided until her dea in 1914. They were the parents of five daughters al two sons : Mary L., principal of East Manning prima school; Anna L., teacher in the Meriden High Schor Meriden, Conn .; Katherine L., teacher in the Hig School at East Providence; Julia M., married Dr. Me rill H. Swiney, of Bayonne, N. J .; Joseph C., of furth mention ; Agnes A., a teacher in the High School Bayonne, N. J .; Clifford J., Brown University, A. I 1911, now with the American Expeditionary Force Motor Supply Train Division 501, Company 302.

Joseph C. Cawley was born in East Providence, R. September 24, 1880, and passed the graded schools . that section. He then entered Providence Classic High School, finishing with the graduating class of 189 He then entered Brown University, whence he w. graduated with the Bachelor's degree, class of 'c going thence to Boston University Law School, recei ing his LL. B., class of '05. He was admitted to tl Rhode Island bar, October 25, 1905, and at once bega practice. In 1906 he was admitted to the United Stat courts, his practice now extending to the various Sta and Federal courts. He is a Democrat in politics, member of the Church of the Sacred Heart, and tl Knights of Columbus, and resides at No. 198 Junip street, East Providence.

ALANSON PITCHER WOOD, deceased, form head of the firm of H. B. Wood & Company, lumb dealers of Pawtucket, R. I., was a member of one ‹ the numerous branches of the Wood family establishe since early Colonial days in Southeastern Massacht setts. He was the descendant of a long line of me prominent in the life and affairs of that section of il early commonwealth and colony. Rehoboth and Attl. boro were the principal seats of the family for sever generations, and it intermarried with some of the for most families of the region. The Wood coat-of-arn is as follows:

Arms-Sable on a chevron between three oak tree eradicated or, as many martlets of the field.

Crest-An arm embowed, habited in green leave the hand and elbow proper, holding a broken spear i three pieces, one in pale and two in saltire proper.

Jonathan Wood, grandfather of the late Alanson ] Wood, was born in the town of Attleboro, Mass., Now ember 20, 1778. He was a prosperous farmer and wel known citizen, and spent his entire life in the town dying there, September 16, 1860. He married Betse Wood, who was born June 30, 1780, and died Januar 23, 1864. Remarkable longevity characterizes both side of the family.

Henry B. Wood, son of Jonathan and Betse (Wood) Wood, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., Febre ary 14, 1803, and died in Central Falls, R. I., Septerr ber 27, 1886. Early in life he removed to Central Fall: and established himself in the lumber business, risin eventually to a position of prominence in the busines and civic life of the town. For many years he wa the head of the firm of Henry B. Wood & Company

Joseph C. Curly .

177

BIOGRAPHICAL

He was highly-respected for the integrity and honesty of all his business dealings. Henry B. Wood married Eliza Gage, who was born in Harwich, Mass., December [I, 1809, and died in Central Falls, R. I., October 27, 1878, the daughter of Anthony and Sarah (Bassett) Gage, and granddaughter of Anthony Gage, of Har- wich, head of the well-known Gage family of that place in his day; he was a sea captain of note, and died in his native town, in 1831.

Alanson Pitcher Wood, son of Henry B. and Eliza (Gage) Wood, was born in Smithfield, R. I., January 31, 1837. He received his early education in the public schools of Central Falls and Pawtucket, R. I., and at- tended the high school until he reached the age of nine- teen years. He then determined to enter business life, and shortly afterward secured a position with a whole- sale lumber house of Providence. He remained with this concern, one of the largest of its day in the city, until 1858, during this period laying the foundation of a comprehensive knowledge of the business. In 1858 he formed a partnership with his father, Henry B. Wood, who at this date was well-known in the lumber trade of Pawtucket, and Central Falls. Gideon C. Smith was admitted to the firm, which became known as the Central Falls Lumber Company. The venture proved highly successful, and was carried forward with excel- lent results under the same management until 1865, when Mr. Wood and his brother, Anthony G. Wood, purchased the interests of Mr. Smith and their father. The business was then carried on under the direction of Alansan P. and Anthony G. Wood until 1878, when the elder Mr. Wood again became a member of the firm, which was known thenceforward as H. B. Wood & Company, and under that style became one of the most progressive and influential concerns of its kind in Prov- idence county and the surrounding country. The death of Henry B. Wood in 1886, and that of Anthony G. Wood in 1891, left Mr. Wood the sole owner and man- ager of the business, which he conducted until the time of his death under the name of H. B. Wood & Company. He was a business man of fine executive and organizing ability, thoroughly well-acquainted with every phase of the lumber business. His advice on business matters was widely sought by men of prominence in the affairs of Central Falls and Pawtucket, and he was recognized as a keen judge of values, and a man well-abreast of every changing condition in the mercantile world. Mir. Wood was well-loved and highly respected throughout the city, and was a prominent figure in many depart- ments of its life for several decades.

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Alanson P. Wood was a member of a company of Zonaves, of Pawtucket. He enlisted immediately, however, in the Ninth Rhode Island Regiment, in the second three months' contin- gent, and saw active service on the fields of the South. He was well-known in social and fraternal life in Cen- tral Falls, and was a charter member of Washington Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and of Superior Lodge, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows; he was also allied with the Masonic order. His religious affiliation was with the Central Falls Baptist Church, and he was a liberal donor to its charities and benevolent works. Mr. Wood was a Republican but, although he upheld to the fullest extent his duties as a citizen, he

never aspired to public office. His name was always identified with movements for civic betterment, and he was always an enthusiastic worker for the welfare of the city.

On May 28, 1863, Mr. Wood married Lydia A. Thur- ber, daughter of Albert D. and Harriet R. (Allen) Thurber, of Seekonk, and member of the well-known Thurber family of Seekonk. Mrs. Wood survives her husband, and resides in Central Falls. She is well- known in social life in the city. Alanson P. Wood died at his home in Central Falls, R. I., December 30, 1902.

EDGAR M. DEXTER, one of the most prominent business men of Rhode Island, and a public-spirited and influential citizen of Edgewood, is a member of the old Dexter family, which has been associated with the affairs of this State for nearly three centuries, and which was founded here by the Rev. Gregory Dexter, fourth pastor of the First Baptist Church at Provi- dence. Many of his descendants have occupied prom- inent places in that city and in other Rhode Island communities, and have distinguished themselves in many callings throughout the State. Gregory Dex- ter was born in 1610, at Olney, Northamptonshire, England, and came to America with Roger Williams in 1644. He had been a printer and stationer in Lon- don, and had carried on a correspondence with Wil- liams, and printed for the latter in London, 1643, his dictionary of the Indian language. Upon coming to New England, he was received in the First Baptist Church at Providence, and subsequently became its pastor. A few years after his arrival in Providence, he was chosen town clerk and took a most active part in the civil affairs of the colony. On the death of the Rev. William Wickenden, February 13, 1669, Mr. Dexter succeeded to him in the pastorate of the Prov- idence church, and while in this position, amid his other duties, earned for himself the name of an effec- tive and able preacher. He was the first accomplished printer that had come to the colony, and although he did not pursue the occupation in Providence, he occa- sionally went to Boston and rendered assistance in that line there. He printed with his own hands the first almanac for the meridian of Providence.

Edgar M. Dexter, son of Waterman W. Dexter, was born at Pawtucket, May 14, 1861. He was but three weeks of age when his mother died, and he was thereupon taken to Fall River to live with an aunt who brought him up. He was educated at the schools of Fall River, and in addition to the usual studies learned telegraphy. When eighteen years of age Mr. Dexter came to Providence, where he secured a posi- tion with the Western Union Telegraph Company as operator, and remained thus employed until 1885. He then accepted a position with the firm of Wilbour, Jackson & Company, bankers and brokers, as an operator, and later was given a position as bookkeeper with the same concern. He continued with this com- pany until 1893, and then withdrew from it and opened the office of C. Franklin Nugent & Company, bankers and brokers, at No. 37 Weybosset street, and was manager of that concern until 1897. He then formed a partnership with A. F. Davis, and the firm of Davis

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

& Dexter, investment brokers, was founded with offices in the Bannigan building, and there continued with much success until the year 1903. Mr. Dexter was then obliged to retire from business for a time on account of ill health, but in 1905, this having been completely restored, he started business again under the name of Edgar M. Dexter & Company, which was later changed to Edgar M. Dexter & Com- pany, Incorporated, investment brokers, with offices in the Grosvenor building. In the spring of 1918, however, he was once more obliged to discontinue business on account of ill health.

He is a director of the Providence, Warren & Bristol Railway, and inspector of the road. He has been an exceedingly conspicuous figure in the busi- ness life of Providence; and was president for three years of the Providerice Stock Exchange, its secretary for eight years, and is a member at the present time (1918). He is also a member of the Board of Sinking Fund Commissioners of the city of Cranston, and a member of the Rhode Island Bankers' Association. Mr. Dexter is prominently identified with the Masonic order, having taken his thirty-second degree in . Free Masonry, and is a member of Orpheus Lodge, An- cient Free and Accepted Masons; Providence Chap- ter, Royal Arch Masons; Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters; Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar; Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Scottish Rite body. In the year 1910, Mr. Dexter purchased a place in the town of Cranston, in a rural district, has improved this and has made it an attractive and beau- tiful country home. His city home is situated on Albert avenue, Edgewood. He is a member of the Pomham Club, and of several other clubs, and is very active and public-spirited and always exceedingly interested in any movement undertaken for the wel- fare of the community. Several years ago Mr. Dex- ter conceived the idea of furnishing Christmas cheer to all the poor and sick children in Providence and in its vicinity, and through his efforts and solicitations one thousand eight hundred children were made happy. In this he was ably seconded by the district nurses, who distributed the gifts, and his idea has now grown into a permanent institution in the community.

As a writer on financial matters Mr. Dexter has occupied a unique position. The "market letters" which he frequently sent to his clients were widely copied by the leading financial papers throughout the country, and the opinion of one of the leading finan- cial editors of Boston that Mr. Dexter's were "the brightest 'market letters' that came into New Eng- land" was probably well-deserved. He was a con- spicuous member at the annual meetings of the stock- holders of various local corporations, and always took the part of the stockholders whenever there was any disagreement between them and the directors. For a number of years he was the official appraiser for the tax commission department of the State of Rhode Island, and his reputation for fairness was such that whenever a party appeared before the commissioners to register a claim that too high a valuation had been put upon their property, the commissioner simply

said, "Those prices were placed against those secur ties by Edgar M. Dexter. Have you anything furthe to say?" Invariably the people went away satisfied Inheriting as he did some of the traits of character of one of his ancestors, Lord Timothy Dexter, th man who cornered the "whale bone" market and sei "warming pans" to Cuba, he naturally did things in way that might have been considered spectacular, bu it was never selfish and always had for its end som contribution to the public good.

Edgar M. Dexter married (first), May 4, 1886, a Providence, R. I., Annie J. Barker. Mrs. Dexter die in 1893, and Mr. Dexter married (second), April 21 1896, at Brooklyn, N. Y., Emma M. Johnson, daugh ter of George A. Johnson, of Seymour, Conn.

WARREN R. FALES-A man of wealth and cul ture, Mr. Fales has been enabled to gratify his tast for travel, rare books and the attractiveness of a1 and music. He is a thorough musician and compose: and as an arranger of high-class musical program has no superiors. On December 27, 1909, he wa elected to membership in the American Brass Band Incorporated, and a year later, December 26, 1910 was elected leader. This band is the most noted i the United States, and is also the oldest, having bee in continuous existence since 1837. It is the ambitio of Mr. Fales to restore the organization to its forme high rank, and to that unselfish labor he has devote himself since becoming director, with good results In 1911 the band made a three months' tour of th West, playing principal engagements in Cleveland Denver, Chicago and St. Louis. In 1911 they playe a three weeks' engagement at San Souci Park, Chi cago, giving fourteen concerts, with an average o eight numbers to each concert, each week, and dur ing that period repeated but one number and that b: request. These numbers were all high-class selec tions, nothing else ever being played save by reques or in response to encores. This evidences the wide range of music with which Mr. Fales is familiar, and the high class of the musicians composing the organi zation which he directs.

Warren R. Fales, business man, musician and ar lover, is a son of John Richmond Fales, the wealthy mill owner and manufacturer of Central Falls, R. I. and grandson of David Gilmore Fales, who left as hi: monument the superb plant of the Fales & Jenks Ma- chine Company, at Pawtucket, R. I. This family was founded by James Fales, one of the first settlers o Dedham (then called the town of Contentment), Mass .: who came from Chester, England, in 1636. The line o: descent is through his son, Peter Fales; his son Peter (2) Fales; his son, Peter (3) Fales; his son John Fales, of Attleboro, Mass .; ' his son, David Gil- more Fales; his son, John Richmond Fales; his son Warren R. Fales, of Providence. David Gilmore Fales began life as a farmer, but he soon began learning the machinist's trade at Central Falls, becom- ing an apprentice in the shop of David Jenks & Com- pany. That was in 1824, and in 1830 the names Fales) and Jenks first became associated publicly in a busi- ness undertaking, and since that year have never been

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BIOGRAPHICAL

disassociated. David G. Fales and Alvin Jenks began making cotton machinery in a rental shop at Central Falls in 1830, under the name of Fales & Jenks. They purchased the right to manufacture in Rhode Island the Hubbard rotary pump; in 1845 they made their first spinning frames; and in 1846 ring twisters for thread, worsted and silk were produced. In 1866 the firm plant was removed to Pawtucket, and gradually the sons of the founders took their places in the firm; David G. Fales died in 1875, and the following year the Fales & Jenks Machine Company was incorporated.

John Richmond Fales, son of David Gilmore and Farthenia C. (Sprague) Fales, was born at Central Falls, R. I., and there lived a long life of usefulness and honor. He obtained a good English education, became identified with the Fales-Jenks interests, and became one of the strong business men of his day. He prospered abundantly, was one of the owners of the E. Jenks Manufacturing Company, Hope Thread Mill, Pawtucket Manufacturing Company, and in addi- tion to banking interests was interested in mills in New Bedford, Fall River, and elsewhere. There was no man in the Blackstone Valley with greater means than his own, and until his death, August 15, 1892, he held this proud position in the business world. During his latter years he developed a special love for yachting, the "Actinia" and "Countess" being two fine yachts he owned and sailed. The "Harriet," an unusually fine craft designed and built for him, he never lived to enjoy. He was a strong, self-reliant man, very reserved, yet kindly and generous, although his kindly deeds were done very quietly and often in the name of another. He married Harriet B. Lee, of Rehoboth, Mass., they the parents of LeRoy, Jerome Atherton and Warren R. Fales, the second son dying in infancy.

Warren R. Fales, youngest son of John Richmond Fales, was born at Central Falls, R. I., October 28, 1862, and there attended the public schools. From high school he passed to Friends School in Provi- dence, then to Deane Academy at Franklin, Mass. The years, seventeen to twenty-one, he spent in the foundry of the Fales, Jenks Machine Company, learn- ing the molder's trade, valuable discipline for a young man, with weighty responsibilities awaiting. He is financially interested in the manufacture of cotton and woolen machinery and also in the manufacture of tex- tiles, and since January 6, 1917, has been president- treasurer of the Sam-O-Set Laundry Company, offices at No. 802-03 Union Trust Company building, Provi- dence, R. I.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 45

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