The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 50

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 50

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Shortly afterward, General Brayton entered the field of public affairs and politics. He was elected deputy town clerk and trial justice of Warwick, R. I., and sub- sequently became postmaster of the city of Providence. He was a figure of influence in Republican circles throughout the State of Rhode Island, and was said to be the most powerful personality in Republican politics in the State. For many years he was chairman of the Republican State Central Committee, and a member of the Republican National Committee. In 1901 General Brayton was admitted to the bar of Rhode Island, and within a short time became one of the foremost leaders of the legal profession in Rhode Island. He was a man of wide culture and great intellectual attainments, pos- sessing great versatility of mind and tastes, as is shown ' by the varied phases of his career. In 1903 the loss of his sight compelled his retirement from active life, at a time when, although advanced in years, he was a vital

force in public life in Rhode Island. He was a brilliant conversationalist, a forceful and convincing as well as graceful speaker, a finished writer of lucid and direct style. . His death occurred at Providence, R. I., Septem- ber 23, 1910.

.General Brayton married, at Fruit Hill, North Prov- idence, R. I., on March 13, 1865, Antoinette Percival, daughter of Stanton Beldon, well-known scholar and educator. They were the parents of two children: I. Antoinette Percival, deceased, married Henry B. Dem- ing, of Providence. 2. William Stanton, married Alice Waite, daughter of Professor Waite, of Cornell Uni- versity ; connected with the General Electric Company. Mrs. Brayton survives her husband, and resides in Providence, R. I. The Beldon coat-of-arms is as follows :

Arms-Argent a fesse between three fleurs-de-lis sable. . Motto-Deo Duce.

ROBERT REOCH-The name of Robert Reoch, so long and intimately associated with the development of the cotton print industry in Rhode Island, has been for many generations a familiar one in Scotland, where also it has been associated with the same great industry as in the United States. Robert Reoch, late of Phenix, R. I., where his death occurred, November 9, 1918, was a native of Scotland, and both his father and grand- father bore the same name. The first Robert Reoch was a skilled calico printer of Renfrewshire and Ster- lingshire, where he worked for many years at Denny, a famous center for calico print. He married Bethia Tennent, of Sterlingshire, and they were the parents of eight sons and three daughters. One of these child- ren, Robert Reoch, the father of the Robert Reoch of this sketch, was born at Denny, Scotland, and there and at Paisley his life was principally passed. He was, like his father, an expert calico printer, and was employed in mills at Denny and Paisley for many years. He married Ann McNeal, a daughter of Daniel McNeal, of Paisley, and they had three children as follows: Robert, of further mention; Archibald, now deceased; and Mary, deceased also.

Robert Reoch, eldest son of Robert and Ann (Mc- Neal) Reoch, was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, October 9, 1840. As a lad he went to live with his grandfather, and while an inmate at his house, attended 'school until he had reached the age of fifteen years. He then began a seven-year apprenticeship with Thomas Boyd & Sons, the proprietors of the Fereneze Print Works, at Barrhead, in Renfrewshire. At the end of the seven years he was made assistant manager of their coloring department, in which position he continued for three years more, so that he was associated with the Fereneze Print Works for ten years in all. Mr. Reoch, in the meantime, had taken a special course in chem- istry as applied to the coloring of textile fabrics under the famous Professor Penny, of Glasgow University, and had thus become an expert in his line of work. After leaving the Fereneze Print Works, Mr. Reoch became connected with the works of Brown Muir & Company, of. Glasgow, and served them in a similar capacity until 1876. In that year he accepted a prop- osition which came to him from the United States, to

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

become manager of the Clyde Bleachery & Print Works, located at River Point, in Kent county, R. I. These large works were owned by S. H. Greene & Sons, whose judgment in bringing Mr. Reoch from Scotland was very soon demonstrated in his management of their af- fairs. Not only was he exceedingly successful in time of business prosperity, but in several critical periods in the textile industry his quick grasp of the situation enabled him to put out new colors and designs, which kept his mill profitably running. This was particularly true in 1876, the Centennial year of America's inde- pendence, when calico printing was in little demand, his bringing out a line of flags, printed in the colors and designs used by the United States, England, France and Germany, kept the plant running for months. In 1878 the Clyde Print Works brought out a line of Turkey red handkerchiefs, this being their first appear- ance in the United States, and this venture proved the basis of a very profitable business, which continued highly remunerative for years. Mr. Reoch, through the Clyde Print Works, is the pioneer of that branch of cotton manufacture which further laid the foundation for a large Turkey red trade both in plain and printed goods. Under his guidance the Clyde Print Works increased its output of goods from eight thousand pieces a week to thirty-five thousand in the same period, the concern under his management becoming one of the most successful and steadily-running print works in the country. It was through his foresight that the company was saved from making an assignment when its New York selling agent failed, Mr. Reoch having made con- tracts with jobbers calling for sufficient work to keep the plant in operation and thus weathered the storm, when the New York selling house of Coffin & Altemus was forced to the wall. In the year 1894 the S. H. Greene & Sons Corporation was re-organized, and Mr. Reoch withdrew from the new concern to become man- ager of the Cranston Print Works, at Cranston, where he remained for six years. Here he repeated the suc- cess that he had made at River Point, and continued in active management until about seventy-one years of age, when he retired from active life to spend the latter years of his life in well-earned leisure. He had at that time been employed continuously in this line of business for fifty-five years. In addition to the calico printing business, Mr. Reoch had become interested in the manufacture of lace in this country, and was one of the group of men who organized and incorporated the Warwick Lace Works, at River Point, and the Phenix Lace Mills, at Phenix. He became president of the latter concern and continued to hold that position until his retirement. He was also vice-president of the Paw- tucket Valley Water Works, was one of the leading promoters, and was identified with enterprises in that section. In politics Mr. Reoch was a Republican, but never sought public office, as his tastes were quite opposed to this. In his religious belief Mr. Reoch was a Presbyterian, and since coming to this region has been a member of the Congregational Church at Riverpoint, and for many years its leading and most active member. He was a man possessed of great musical talent, and was for forty years a chorister of the Riverpoint Con- gregational Church, and also president and conductor of the Choral Union. He frequently served as delegate to church conventions, and was associated with a large

number of prominent organizations, social and other- wise, in this section. He was president of the Paw- tuxet Valley Agricultural Park Association, the How- ard Musical Union, and the P. V. Amusement Asso- ciation. Mr. Reoch had a strong fondness for travel, and made several trips abroad, visiting England, Scot- land, France and Germany. He was in England when the great European War broke out in 1914.

Robert Reoch married (first) in Scotland, March 31, 1865, Helen Stewart, daughter of William Stewart, of Barrhead, and they were the parents of the fol- lowing children: 1. Lillias, who resides at home. 2. Robert A. S., now superintendent of the Pacific Mills Print Works, of South Laurence, Mass., the largest establishment of its kind in the world; married Helen Emmons, of Methuen, Mass. 3. Dr. William, who died Dec. 15, 1912; married Jeannette Macready, of Providence, in 1905, by whom he had one daughter, Mary Macready Reoch. His wife survives him and now resides at Providence. 4. Helen M., who became the wife of William Russell Fessenden, of Saylesville, R. I., to whom she has borne one daughter, Helen Stewart. Mr. Fessenden died June 3, 1917. 5. Archi- bald T., now a resident of Phenix, R. I. 6. Mary E., who became the wife of Frederic T. McAuslan, of Providence, to whom she has borne two children, Frederic T., Jr., and Lillias R. 7. Dr. Norman Greene, D. D. S., well-known dental specialist of Bos- ton: married in 1915, Helen Baker, of Boston, where he practiced until his death, May 25, 1915. His wife died May 26, 1918. 8. John Stewart, who died in ISS6. The first Mrs. Reoch died May 3, 1894, and Mr. Reoch married (second), June 3, 1896, Lillias Stewart, a sister of his first wife.

Mr. Reoch occupied a very conspicuous place in the history of the development of calico printing in this country, and is justly regarded as its principal pioneer. He was himself the inventor of many processes now in use in this industry, and contributed a number of brochures to the literature of the subject, which are now regarded as authoritative statements, marking definite epochs in its development in this country. He was treasurer of the New England Lace Manufactur- ers' Association, a member of the Rhode Island Fruit Growers' Association, of the Horticultural Society, and of the Congregational Club of Providence. He was also president of the British American Club of Kent county.

It will be appropriate to close this brief sketch of Mr. Reoch with the resolutions passed on the occa- sion of his death at the annual meeting of the New England Lace Manufacturers' Association, held at New York City, December 12, 1918. They are as fol- lows:

Be it Resolved, The New England Lace Manufactur- ers in annual meeting assembled missing the genial presence of its treasurer. the late Mr. Robert Reoch, whom it has pleased Almighty God to take from our midst, desire to place on record the high esteem in which our departed officer was regarded by all of the members, and to tender to the family who suffer the greater loss the sympathy of the members of this Association; and be it further

Resolved. A copy of these resolutions be forwarded to the family of the departed Robert Reoch and a copy thereof to be spread upon the records of this Asso- ciation.

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BIOGRAPHICAL

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ARNOLD-One of the most distinguished families of Rhode Island is that of Arnold, an offshoot of one of the great English houses of which there are branches in many parts of both countries. The name can be traced to very an- cient times and had its origin among the ancient princes of Wales, according to the pedigree recorded in the College of Arms. Ynir, the King of Gwentland, was their progenitor, who reigned about the middle of the twelfth century, and who in his turn traced his descent from Cadwalder, one of the early Kings of the Bri- tains. The evidence seems to be in favor of its derivation from the word Arn, meaning an eagle, its original significance being in this case eagle holt or grove. The Rhode Island branch of the family is descended from the line which had its seat in Dorset- shire during the sixteenth century. Here is found record of Thomas Arnold and of his marriage to Agnes, the daughter of Sir Thomas Gammage, Lord of Cpytey. From him the line runs through Rich- ard and Emmate (Young) Arnold, and Thomas and Alice (Gully) Arnold, to William of that name who founded the family in this country. The coat-of-arms is as follows:

Arms-Gules a chevron ermine between three phe- ons or.

Crest-A demi-lion rampant gules, holding between its paws a lozenge or fire ball.

Motto-Mihi gloria cessum.

(IV) William Arnold, son of Thomas and Alice (Gully) Arnold, was a native of Cheselbourne, Dorset- shire, England, born June 24, 1587. Before coming to the New England colonies, he had married Chris- tian Peck and had lived for some time at Leamington, Warwickshire, England, where there were a number of children born to them, the second of whom was Benedict Arnold, later Governor of Rhode Island. The Arnolds came to the colonies in 1635, and landed at Hingham, Massachusetts Bay Colony. They were followers of Roger Williams and accompanied him to Rhode Island, being among the pioneer settlers of that region and of the original proprietors of Provi- dence plantations in 1637. To them and their fellow settlers is due the distinction of having founded the first Baptist church in America.

(V) Benedict Arnold, second child and eldest son of William and Christian (Peck) Arnold, was born at Leamington, England, in the month of December, 1615. He, with his brothers and sisters, accompanied his parents to America in 1635, and two years later is recorded as the head of one of the thirteen families who, upon settling in Newport, R. I., signed the agree- ment which instituted majority rule in the settlement. He was a man of great energy and strong character and rapidly rose to a place of prominence among his fellow-colonists. In 1654 we find him "assistant" for the town of Newport, and in 1657 he was elected pres- ident of Rhode Island to succeed Roger Williams, who had retired from public office. He was twice reelected to this office and in 1663, the last year of his presidency, was appointed first Governor of the Colony of Rhode Island, under the Royal Charter granted by King James. His first term as Governor terminated

in 1666, but he was reelected four consecutive times to the office. It was during his administration that the Colony of Rhode Island established relations with the Providence plantation colony, which eventually led to a union of the two. On December 17, 1640, Governor Arnold was married to Damaris Westcott, a daughter of Stukely Westcott, of Salem, Mass., Like himself, his wife was a native of Eng- land, born in 1592, and accompanied her parents to the colonies while a young girl. Governor Arnold's death occurred June 20, 1678, and that of his wife in 1679. They were the parents of twelve children, as follows: Josiah, Benedict, Jr., Godsgift, Freelove, Lester, Caleb, Damaris, Priscilla, Penelope, John Golding, Elizabeth and Absalom.

(VI) Caleb Arnold, a son of Governor Benedict and Damaris (Westcott) Arnold, was born at New- port, December 19, 1644. He was a physician and surgeon, and a prominent man in the community, being deputy to the General Assembly for a number of years. He was also a captain of a military company which served in the Colonial Wars with the Indians, and his death occurred February 9, 1719. He mar- ried Abigail Wilbur, June 10, 1666, and among his children was Samuel, of whom very little is known.

(VII) Samuel Arnold, son of Caleb and Abigail (Wilbur) Arnold, was born in 1679, and seems to have played a less prominent part in public affairs than most of his ancestors or descendants. The name of his wife is not even known, but it is known that Joseph Arnold, next in line of descent, was his son.

(VIII) Joseph Arnold, son of Caleb Arnold, is also a somewhat obscure figure, though more is known of him than of his father. With the date of his birth, however, we are not acquainted, but we know that he died in 1776, and that he was twice married, the first time to Abigail Gifford, November 23, 1732, and the second time to Hannah Gifford, in August, 1737.

(IX) Peleg Arnold, son of Joseph Arnold, was born February 15, 1749, and died in 1839 at the vener- able age of ninety years. He made his home at North Kingston, not far to the southwest of Allentown, R. I., where he was engaged in farming during his entire life and where he eventually died. He married, April 26, 1778, Margaret Slocum, and they were the grand- parents of Benjamin Franklin Arnold, with whose career this sketch is particularly concerned.

(X) George Arnold, son of Peleg and Margaret (Slocum) Arnold, was born May 23, 1785, at North Kingston. During his life he removed from Kingston to Charlestown, R. I., where he made his home until the death of his first wife. He then returned to North Kingston, where he eventually died August 28, 1853. Like his father he was a farmer by occupation and was well known and highly respected in the commun- ity. He was twice married, the first time to Jean- nette Gardiner, a daughter of Amos and Abby Gardi- ner, whose death occurred March 28, 1822. They were the parents of the following children: George Collins, Jane Elverton, William, Abby, Welcome and Susan. After the death of his first wife, George Arn- old married, February 18, 1823, Charlotte Gardiner (a sister of his first wife), who survived him and who

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

died December 30, 1859. They were the parents of the following children: Margaret Slocum, Peleg Amos, Josiah Gardiner, James Alford, John Francis, Benjamin Franklin, mentioned below, Alexander, Warren Gardiner, Charlotte and Caroline.

(XI) Benjamin Franklin Arnold, son of George and Charlotte (Gardiner) Arnold, was born April 8, 1834, on the old Burke farm at South Kingston, R. I. Here he spent his childhood among the wholesome surroundings which have proved the cradle of so many of our best and greatest Americans, and there gained the heritage of strength and health which served him so well in after life. He obtained his edu- cation at the Moorsfield School, where he continued his studies until he had reached the age of seventeen years. He then went to Allenton, where he remained until 1853, and then, on September 26 in that year came to the city of Providence to accept a position as clerk in the office of his brother-in-law, George W. Haszard, of Smith Hill. He worked for him for a period of some two years, and then returned to North Kingston, remaining for a short time. In the year 1860 these two young men opened an establishment on Carpenter street, Providence, and there continued in business for some eight years. John Arnold with- drew from the firm, however, about 1864, selling his interest to his brother, who became its sole owner, continuing for the following four years. In 1868 he went to Allenton, where he ran a general store for about two years, and in 1870 returned to Providence, where he once more engaged in the same business, with an establishment on the corner of Pine and Dorrance streets. In 1874 he became associated with Herbert E. Maine, a brother-in-law, and purchased a handsome store at Nos. 99 to 10I Weybosset street, Providence. This firm, which did business under the style of Arnold & Maine, became very well known and was one of the largest establishments of its kind in the city. Eventually the name was changed to the New England Grocery Store, and under this name began a period of expansion which continued until their retirement from business. In 1891 a branch store was established at Pawtucket, and in 1894 a similiar branch was opened in Worcester, Mass., On January 15, 1906, the partners sold out their business and retired. Among other enterprises in which Mr. Arnold was interested should be men- tioned the John H. Althans Company of Providence, and in all his associations he was regarded as one of the most substantial and honorable merchants of the city.

Throughout his long career of forty-six years as merchant, Mr. Arnold always displayed the most dis- interested public spirit and always worked energeti- cally for the advantage of the community in which he happened to be dwelling. For a number of years, while still a young man, he had been a member of the Bos- ton Chamber of Commerce, and the energetic work that he had done in this capacity he afterwards con- tinued for Providence, although in a more private role. He was a strong churchman and devoted to the interests of the Baptist church, to which his family has belonged ever since the days of Roger Williams.

Mr. Arnold always attended the Cranston Street Church of this denomination in Providence, and was a deacon there for ten years. He was also president of the church society for twenty-seven years and chairman of the executive board. Another institution, semi-religious in character, in which Mr. Arnold took a deep interest, was the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, the interests of which in Providence he did much to advance, giving liberally of his time and for- tune. He served as president of it for two years, and it was very largely due to his efforts that the pres- ent handsome club house on the corner of Westmins- ter and Jackson streets was undertaken. He was a member of the Rhode Island Baptist State Conven- tion, and served for many years as a member of its finance committee.

Benjamin Franklin Arnold was united in marriage, January 1, 1868, at North Stonington, Conn., with Elmina Catherine Maine, a daughter of Ephraim W. and Catherine (Thompson) Maine. Mrs. Arnold is a member of one of the distinguished families of New England, and is a descendant of Ezekiel Maine, who came to Stonington, Conn., in the year 1670, where he had received large grants of land. From that time her family was as closely associated with Stonington as the Arnolds have been with Rhode Island. To Mr. and Mrs. Arnold three children were born, as follows: I. Kate, deceased. 2. Margaret, who became the wife of J. D. E. Jones, of Providence, and the mother of four children : J. D. E., Jr., Arnold Wheeler, Mere- deth Whorton, and Katherine Luella. Mr. Jones is vice-president and general manager of the Puritan Life Insurance Company of Rhode Island. 3. Frank- lin Herbert, married Esther Hanson and they reside in Boston, Mass.

ABBOTT PHILLIPS-Since his admission to the Rhode Island bar in 1906, Mr. Phillips has been active in both professional and public life, his achievement in both having been most satisfactory. In the law he is a member of the eminent law firm, Green, Hinckley & Allen, admitted January 1, 1910. In public life he is an ex-member of the Rhode Island House of Repre- sentatives, and First Assistant Attorney-General of the State of Rhode Island. He has many outside interests, but is first and last the lawyer and advocate, a profession for which he prepared at Harvard. He is an ardent devotee of out-of-doors sports, and keeps himself fit for his important duties by strenuous hours of physical exercise. He is a son of Charles Phillips, a prominent merchant, and his wife, Sarah (Abbott) Phillips, who survives him, a resident of Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were the parents of two sons, Abbott, of further mention; and William Abbott, a graduate of Harvard University, A. B., 1905, now representative of the banking house of William A. Read & Company, New York City; he resides at Short Hills, N, J.

Abbott Phillips was born in Danielson, Conn., No- vember 20, 1880, and completed grammar school and three years of high school study. From Danielson High School he passed to Worcester Academy at Worcester, Mass., completing study there with gradu-

1 1

Abbott Phillips

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BIOGRAPHICAL

ation, class of 1898. From Worcester Academy he went to Brown University, and was graduated in 1902. He was prominent in athletics, being on the varsity baseball and hockey teams. He was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa and president of his senior class. After completing his college course, he entered upon a business career in connection with a large cotton mill, but one year decided him that he was tempera- mentally unfit for a manufacturing life, and that he ought to study law. He resigned his position, entered Harvard Law School at the beginning of the next school year, and in June, 1906, was graduated LL. B. He began practice in Providence, R. I., in the same year, in the office of Comstock & Canning, then became associated with the law firm, Green, Hinckley & Allen, being admitted to a partnership in that firm, January 1, 1910. In 1912 he was appointed Second Assistant Attorney-General, and in 1915 was made First Assistant Attorney-General, his present posi- tion. He is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Asso- ciation, and one of the strong, forceful men of the Rhode Island bar.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Phillips represented a Providence district in the General Assembly of the State in 1912, and during his term served on the committee on corporations and on the joint commit- tee of accounts and claims. Since 1916 he has been chairman of the Second Ward Republican Club, and is a member of the Young Men's Republican Club. Other clubs of which he is a member are the East Side Tennis, of which he is president; Seaconnet Golf; Agawam Hunt; chairman and treasurer of East Side Skating; Turks Head, charter member; and the Noonday Club, of which he was a founder. His favorite recreations may be determined by the above list of clubs, and little skill is required to see that golf, tennis and skating are favored sports with him. Other organizations to which he owes allegi- ance are the Brown Alumni Club, Delta Phi Fra- ternity and Club, Phi Betta Kappa Fraternity, and the Masonic order.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 50

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