The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 47

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 47

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Cyrus Cole married Anna Potter Arnold, of War- wick, born September 14, 1838, and they were the par- ents of two sons: Samuel Jackson (2) and Frank. Samuel Jackson was born Sept. 1, 1855, married Jennie Johnson, born in Warren, Sept. 4, 1858, and their chil- dren are: Mabel Frances, died in infancy; James Russell; Anna Maria, married W. L. Tarrant, of

Shreveport, La .; Susan Antram, born Aug. 14, 1860, married Dr. J. Edwin Turner, of Providence. Sam- uel Jackson Cole died Oct. 2, 1912; his wife, Jennie (Johnson) Cole, died Jan. 24, 1913.

(IX) Frank Cole, second son of Cyrus (2) and Anna Potter (Arnold) Cole, was born in Norwood, R. I., September 18, 1858. He was educated in the public schools and Mount Pleasant Academy, and until thir- teen years of age resided in Norwood. His parents then moved to the farm in Pautuxet on the Apponaug road and there he has ever since resided. At the age of twenty he was admitted to an interest in the busi- ness, which his father had established there, and was also his assistant in his duties as surveyor of high- ways. He continued the ice, milk and teaming busi- ness after the death of Cyrus Cole and continued it in part until the present (1918). He also succeeded his father as highway surveyor, holding that office from 1886 to 1905 continuously with the exception of one year. For several years of this time he was also highway commissioner of the town of Warwick. He retains the old homestead as a dairy farm, and there conducts a prosperous milk and dairy business, but has disposed of the ice and teaming departments of the original business founded by his father. In 1902 he changed the character of the milk business from wholesale to retail and admitted his son, Albert F., as a partner. The herd of seventeen cows maintained at the farm in 1902 has since increased to sixty, and every department is conducted on the best modern lines; a refrigerating system has been installed, auto- matic milking machines are used; and perfect cleanli- ness, housing and sanitation is carefully observed and considered of paramount importance. Feeding has been reduced to a science, and in every department modern methods prevail. The old homestead has been kept in repair, but two modern residences have been erected on the farm, one occupied by Frank Cole and family, the other by his son, Albert Frank Cole, and family.

Like his father, Frank Cole is a man of high char- acter and public spirit, progressive in his ideas, deeply interested in the cause of good roads. In addi- tion to his local service as surveyor of highways and town highway commissioner, he has served since 1914 as a member of the State Board of Public High- ways. This position affords him full scope to further the object he holds as vital to the prosperity of any community, good roads. He has delved deep into the science of road making, material and method being closely studied with the result that he is considered the "best road builder in the State." He is a Re- publican in politics, member of the Warwick Repub- lican Club, Massachusetts State Highway Association, National Highway Association, Harmony Lodge, No. 9, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and in religious preference is a Baptist. He is a man of high stand- ing in his community.

Mr. Cole, by his first marriage, had three sons: Cyrus, married Emma L. Goff, of Sangerville, Me., and resides in Providence, R. I; Albert Frank, of further mention; William Arnold, died in infancy. He married (second) Mary Grace (Bartlett) Place,

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daughter of Channing S. and Mary E. (Simmons) Bartlett, a descendant of two very old Rhode Island families, and through her maternal grandiather, Eben- ezer Adams, of South county, R. I., is a descendant of the John Adams family. On the paternal side she is a descendant of James Claghorn, the builder of the frigates "Constitution" and "Ironsides."

(X) Albert Frank Cole, son of Frank Cole, was born at the homestead in Pawtuxet, R. I., May 19. 1882, and is a graduate of Cranston High School, class of 1900, his scholarship and deportment winning him high class honors. Since 1902 he has been in business with his father as a partner and gives to it his entire time and his best endeavor. He is a member of Harmony Lodge, No. 9, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, in which he was made a Mason in 1904, and is of the third generation of his family to be identified with this lodge. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and since 1913 has been a member of the Town Council, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather in his public-spirited interest in public affairs. He married Mary Bemis Hayes, and they are the parents of two sons : Frank (2), born Jan. 12, 1913; and Albert Jackson, born Aug. 17, 1918. They are of the eleventh American generation.

JOHN W. BRIGGS-The surname Briggs is of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin, and had its source in the Saxon word, Brigg, meaning bridge. It is local in derivation, and appears in the earliest English rolls and registers. Williamatte Brigge (William at the Bridge) of Salle is mentioned in the records of Ed- ward I. and Edward II. about 1272, and the ancient Norfolk family of the name trace descent from him. The coat-of-arms is as follows:

Arms-Argent three escutcheons gules, each charged with a bend of the field.

Crest-An arm vambraced, and hand holding a bow and arrow proper.

Several immigrants of the name settled in New England, in the early decades of the colonization era, and became the founders of families which have played prominent parts in American life and affairs since the time of their founding. Massachusetts and Rhode Island have been the seats of the most distinguished New England families of the name. The founder of the line herein under consideration, John Briggs, of Sandwich, Mass., was a native of England; little of his life is known beyond vital dates. He was a pro- genitor of a large family, which in many branches has been prominent in Southern Massachusetts life and affairs.

(I) John Briggs, immigrant ancestor and progeni- tor, was born in England, whither he emigrated to the American Colonies about the year 1637, settling in the town of Sandwich, in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He died there in 1641. John Briggs was survived by his wife, Katherine Briggs, and two chil- dren, Samuel and Sarah.

(II) Samuel Briggs, son of John and Katherine Briggs, was a resident of Sandwich, Mass. He mar- ried and was the father of five children, among them Ebenezer, mentioned below.

(III) Ebenezer Briggs, son of Samuel Briggs, was, born in Sandwich, Mass., in 1671, and resided there. in early life, later removing to Dighton, Mass., where| he died in 1727. He married, and among his children! was Samuel, mentioned below.

(IV) Samuel (2) Briggs, son of Ebenezer Briggs,, was born at Dighton, Mass., in 1721. He resided there all his life, a prosperous farmer and well-known citizen. He married Mary Pitchley, who was born! in 1721, and died October 9, 1323, at the venerable age of one hundred and two years. Samuel Briggs died in Dighton, in 1807.

(V) Abiezer Briggs, son of Samuel (2) and Mary (Pitchley) Briggs, was born in Dighton, Mass., March 27, 1753, and died in 1849. He married Pamelia Palmer, and among their children was John, mentioned below.

(VI) John Briggs, son of Abiezer and Pamelia (Palmer) Briggs, was born in Dighton, Mass., in 1798. He was a farmer and prominent citizen of Dighton all his life. He married (first) Sophia B. Waldron, who died in 1868, and (second) Submit B. Lewis. The children of John and Sophia B. (Wal- dron) Briggs were: John W., mentioned below; Charles H., born in 1828, married Mary Pearce.

(VII) John W. Briggs, son of John and Sophia B. (Waldron) Briggs, was born in Digliton, Mass., December 3, 1824. He was educated in the public. schools, later attending the Dighton Academy until he, reached his sixteenth year. In 1840 he came to Provi- dence, R. I., where he apprenticed himself to learn the trade of mason. After a short experience as a journeyman, he was engaged as foreman by Joshua Brown, one of the leading masons of the day in Prov- idence. Mr. Brown and Mr. Briggs subsequently entered into partnership, and the firm was awarded the contract for the erection of the Central Baptist Church of Providence. In 1866 the partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Briggs established himself in busi- ness independently. For more than a quarter century, terminating with his retirement from active business life in 1892, he was one of the foremost masons and contractors of the city of Providence, and during a long and active career erected many notable public buildings. He was awarded the contracts for the First Presbyterian Church, the Jewish Synagogue, and many important business and mercantile houses, among them the Kendall Manufacturing Company's works, the Electrical works, the Union Eyelet Company's works, the Billings block, the Burrows block, the San- itary Gymnasium, the South Baptist Church, and many of the engine houses of the city.

Through his close connection with the business and public interests of the city, Mr. Briggs was brought into prominence in public and political affairs. He was deeply interested in the welfare of the city, and as a man of the strictest integrity and most dis- interested ideals of public service was eminently fitted to hold office. In 1875 he was elected a member of the Common Council and filled the office so ably that he was returned to office each year until 1880, when he was elected a member of the Board of Aldermen to. represent the Fifth Ward. Mr. Briggs held this office

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BIOGRAPHICAL

until 1880. Through this period he was prominently connected with many reforms in the management of city departments, and was particularly active in the interests of the fire department, and the care and management of the Brook street district improve- ments. In 1891, in recognition of his services in the interests of his constituents, he was elected to repre- sent his district in the Rhode Island General Assem- bly, and in 1892, on the expiration of his term of office, retired from public life. Mr. Briggs was prom- inent in the organizations of his trade, and in 1887 and 1888 held the office of president of the Mechanics' Exchange (now Builders' and Traders' Exchange) of Providence. He was for a time a director of the Na- tional Builders' Association, and attended its meetings in various parts of the country. He was also a direc- tor of the High Street Bank and of the Citizens' Sav- ings Bank, of Providence. Mr. Briggs was a well- known figure in fraternal circles in Providence for many years prior to his death. He was a member of What Cheer Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons, and of St. John's Commandery, Knights Temp- lar. He belonged to the Veteran Firemen's Associa- tion, and for many years was a member of the Rhode Island Baptist Social Union.

Mr. Briggs married (first) Hannah W. Nichols, and they were the parents of two children: Louise W., born in 1849, died in 1850, and Warren H., born in 1852, died in 1859. Mr. Briggs married (second) Susan M. Bowen, daughter of Lyndall and Joanna (Nichols) Bowen, of Rehoboth, Mass. The children of this marriage were: Howard B., born Oct. 28, 1875, married Susie Howe West, and resides in Prov- idence; Alice C., born Oct. 16, 1882; Miss Briggs resides at No. 209 Point street, Providence, R. I. John W. Briggs died at his home in Providence, Nov. IS, 1893. Mrs. Briggs died in Providence, Feb. 26, 1918.

HON. EDWIN DANIEL McGUINNESS-The career in public office of the late Hon. Edwin D. Mc- Guinness, mayor of the city of Providence, R. I., stands out brilliantly in the annals of the city's administrative affairs, not alone for the wide scope of its accomplish- ment, but for the unimpeachable integrity and complete freedom from commerce with corrupt political forces which characterized it. Edwin D. McGuinness was a man who conceived his duty clearly, and allowed noth- ing to stand in the way of his fulfilling it. He was a man of dynamic energy, a powerful leader, so uni- versally recognized as incorruptible that he was able to override differences of party, and the petty wrangling which characterizes practically all administrations, and to unite opposing forces for the greater good of the municipality. He was a man not only admired for his great creative ability and executive power, but respected and loved by those who were liis associates and had the privilege of knowing him.

Hon. Edwin D. McGuinness was a native of the city of Providence, R. I., where he was born May 17, 1856, the son of Bernard and Mary (Gormley-Higgins) Mc- Guinness. Bernard McGuinness, son of Felix McGuin- ness, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and accom-

panied his parents to America at the age of about thir- teen years, settling in Providence, where he secured his education. He was first employed in the offices of the Cranston Print Works, where he remained for a period of years. He next entered the offices of the old Provi- dence, Hartford & Fishkill Railroad Company, in a com- paratively humble capacity, and within a short time rose to head clerk, retaining this post until he established himself independently in the real estate business. Ber- nard McGuinness located in the Merchants' Bank build- ing, where in a period of thirty years, in which he re- mained in the same location, he developed one of the most successful real estate businesses in the city of Providence, and made himself a figure of influence in real estate circles. He was highly respected and widely known. He married, May 30, 1855, Mrs. Mary Gorm- ley Higgins, who was born in Ireland, daughter of Michael Gormley ,and died in Providence, July 21, 1895, at the advanced age of seventy years. Their children were: I. Edwin Daniel, mentioned below. 2. John, now deceased. 3. Mary Josephine, who became the wife of Thomas F. Gilbane, of Providence. Bernard McGuinness died March 12, 1902, aged sixty-eight years.

Hon. Edwin D. McGuinness was born in Providence, and received his elementary education in the public schools of the city, being graduated from the Provi- dence High School in 1873. He matriculated at Brown University in the same year, and was graduated with the class of 1877, with honors. Immediately afterward he began the study of law in the offices of Charles P. Robinson, Esq., but in the fall of 1877 entered the Boston Law School, where after a two years course he was graduated in 1879 with the degree of LL. B., attain- ing the highest percentage in the competitive examina- tions for graduation. On July 1, 1879, he was admitted to the bar of Rhode Island, and entered active practice in the law in partnership with John Doran, associate justice of the Superior Court of Rhode Island, under the firm name of McGuinness & Doran. He rose almost immediately into prominence in legal circles in Rhode Island, and was brought naturally into contact with political and public life. From the very outset of his political career it was known that he was the enemy of corruption, and an earnest worker for the advance- ment of the best principles of the Democratic party. That he had the best interests of the city at heart was never doubted in the entire length of his public career. Edwin D. McGuinness was a member of the Demo- cratic State Central Committee for three years, and was chairman of the Democratic City Convention of 1885, which nominated Thomas A. Doyle for mayor. In 1887, when he was elected Secretary of State on the ticket which elected John W. Davis Democratic Gov- ernor of Rhode Island, caine the first notable recogni- tion of his services. In 1890 he was reelected to the office, each time holding it for one year. Mr. McGuin- ness was the first Roman Catholic to hold this office, and he showed himself to be one of the ablest of State officers. In 1889 he was elected alderman of the city of Providence, to represent Ward 3, and held the office continuously until January, 1893, when, on his retire- ment, in appreciation of his services and in token of the esteem in which he was held, he was presented with a handsome silver water pitcher bearing the inscription:

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

"Presented to Ald. Edwin D. McGuinness by His Honor Mayor Potter and Aldermen Burrows, Harris, West, Olney, Little, Rounds, Fuller, Winship and Ballou, City Clerk Clarke and City Messenger Rhodes."

In 1893 Mr. McGuinness was nominated for mayor by the Democratic City Convention, but failed of election. In 1894 he was again nominated, and this time in the face of a powerfully organized and unrestrained oppo- sition was elected to the office through the support of the independent and free-thinking element with whom the merits of the man were the determining factor. His election was in every sense of the word a triumph, and he was subsequently called to the bench of Judge Stiness and congratulated on his success. His first administration entrenched him firmly in the hearts and in the confidence of the people of Providence, and at the close of his term of office he was renominated by the Democrats and carried the city by 10,000 votes in the campaign of 1896 in which William McKinley, presi- dential candidate, obtained a majority of 7,000 votes. Every election district in the city gave Mr. McGuinness a majority. Implicit confidence was placed in his integ- rity and in his ability, and he was not hampered hence- forward in his constructive work on behalf of the city. It was said that the Council and Board of Aldermen never passed a bill over his veto. In his second ad- ministration came the conflict with the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, one of the last pieces of official business which he handled, and which evidences the close guard which he kept on the interests of the people of Providence. The road had agreed to protect passengers by rainsheds in the new station then build- ing in Providence, and had made contract to that effect. Two days before the station was to have opened, Mayor McGuinness consulted with the late Francis A. Colwell, city solicitor, on the fulfilling of the specifications of the contract, and finding that the rainsheds had not been erected forbade the opening of the station until the road had fulfilled its contract. President Clark was notified, and the case came before the courts of Rhode Island, the verdict of the court going to Mayor McGuin- ness. A year later the sheds were completed and per- mission given the city to occupy the station. Every fibre and nerve was strained during this conflict, and pressure was, brought to bear on him from all sides. In fulfilling duties which he might easily have dele- gated to lesser officials, but gave his personal attention because of their vital importance to the city, he under- mined his health and undoubtedly shortened his life. He was stricken with a nervous breakdown in the midst of his administrative work, and in 1898 was compelled to resign his office and go South in an attempt to restore his shattered strength. Partially recovered he returned to Providence and established himself in legal practise in the city, building up a large and important practise which, however, he was obliged to abandon because of failing health. He again went South to return home only two weeks before his death. He died in Provi- dence, April 21, 1901, in the forty-fifth year of his age.

Mayor McGuinness was well known in the profes- sional organizations and legal societies of Rhode Island. He was a member of the American Bar Association, of the Rhode Island Historical Society, the West Side Club. the University Club, the Wannamoisett Golf Club,

the Press Club, the Reform Club of New York, th Clover Club of Boston, and others. For many years h had been supreme trustee of the Catholic Knights o America. For two years he was president of the Brownson Lyceum. He had been a well-known figur in military affairs throughout his career, recognizing early the importance of a State system of military con trol in time of dissention. He became connected with the Fifth Battalion of Rhode Island Militia, and was it! adjutant from 1879 to 1881, when he was promoted to the rank of major, which he held until 1881.

Edwin D. McGuinness married, in Providence, No- vember 22, 1881, Ellen T. Noonan, daughter of Timothy and Ellen (Couch) Noonan. They were the parents o one daughter, Mary Frances, who resides with her mother at No. 131 Hope street. Mrs. McGuinness is well known in social circles in Providence, and has been prominently connected with much charitable and benevo- lent work.

The death of Edwin D. McGuinness, in the midst of a promising career and in the best period of his life, was deeply mourned in Providence. The sorrow which attended his death went far beyond the ordinary per- functory regret which attends the death of men of pub- lic importance who have not reached the hearts of the men with whom they have come in contact. The "Providence News" said editorially : "There was much crowded into his career of forty-five years that will long be affectionately remembered. As a friend and a man Edwin D. McGuinness's career will long be a sweet memory in the keeping of hundreds of his fellow- citizens. He was always kind, unaffected and earnest in his devotion to those who had the pleasure of his friendship. Nothing that he achieved affected the frankness and simplicity of his character that first won him friends, and none will regret him more or longer than those that knew him as a man." The "Providence Journal" paid the following tribute to the former mayor : "In the death of Edwin D. McGuinness the city of Providence has lost a useful citizen and an honorable man. To no small extent, indeed, was he a victim to his sense of duty, for the burden placed on him as mayor had much to do with impairing his health. His election to that office was the first great triumph here for independence in politics. All the influence of the machine was arrayed against him. He was a Demo- crat in a community normally Republican by a large majority. * * * Mr. McGuinness won by reason of the belief in his ability and character and the confi- dence in the sincerity of his purpose to administer the affairs of the city on a business-like basis. How well he fulfilled expectation everyone knows. It was to him first of all that the success of the fight against the New Haven road in the matter of train-sheds was due; and his administration of his office was throughout particu- arly commendable."

Another tribute is as follows: "Edwin D. McGuinness possessed the characteristics which made public men popular, and it was in view of this fact partially that it was easy for those who six years ago believed con- ditions at the City Hall should be somewhat changed to make him the rallying figure in their movement. They made him mayor, and as mayor he made the men who were responsible for him proud of their choice.

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n his entire career as the official head of the city there vas not one act which evoked harsh criticism, or which lid other than redound to the benefit of the munici- ality."

FRANK A. WATERMAN-The Rhode Island Watermans have been among the strong and forceful haracters of the State, and have wielded large influ- nce in every branch of its life from the very founding of the colony. The family is one of the oldest in Rhode Island, and has allied itself with some of the nost prominent of the historic families of the State. ts coming to New England dates from a period less han a decade after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. The late Frank A. Waterman, of Providence, long a well-known figure in business and mercantile circles in he city, was a member of this family, and a descend- int of the founder of the line in America, Richard Waterman. The Waterman coat-of-arms is as follows :

Arms-Or a buck's head gules.

(I) Richard Waterman, immigrant ancestor and Founder of the family in New England, was born in England, about 1590. He emigrated from the mother country in 1629, and settled in Salem, in the Massa- chusetts Bay Colony, early in that year. He is alluded o in a letter from the "Company of Massachusetts Bay," dated at Gravesend, England, April 17, 1629, and addressed to Mr. Endicott. The letter says that Rich- ard Waterman's "chief employment will be to get you good venison." On September 4, 1632, he was allowed forty shillings for killing a wolf at Salem about two months prior to that date. On December 25, 1637, his name appears in a list of inhabitants, and at this time seven persons formed his family. Shortly after this date his peculiar religious views drew upon him the charge of heresy, and he was banished. On March 12, 1638, summons was to go out for him to appear in court and answer to charge preferred against him if he had not already left the colony. Richard Waterman joined Roger Williams in Providence early in 1638, and on October 8, of that year, was one of the twelve per- sons to whom Roger Williams deeded land that he bought of Canonicus and Miantonomi. In 1639 he was one of the twelve original members and founder of the First Baptist Church in America. On July 27, 1640, he and thirty-eight others signed the agreement for a form of government. On January 12, 1643, he and ten others bought of Miantonomi, for one hundred and forty- four fathoms of wampum, the tract called Shawomet, i. e. Warwick. He was among the band of Gortonites arraigned at Boston on October 17, 1643, he and other men having surrendered to the armed expedition sent against them by Massachusetts. They were assured that they should go "as freeman and neighbors" when captured, but notwithstanding this they were committed to jail and their captors took "eighty head of cattle besides swine and goats." The sentence of the court was imprisonment for most of the offenders, but Rich- ard Waterman was released on payment of a fine, only to be again arrested later and then imprisoned. The sentence declared that "Richard Waterman being found erroneous, heretical and obstinate," it was agreed that he should be detained prisoner until September, unless

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 47

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