The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 65

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 65


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(II) Samson Sherman, son of Philip and Sarah (Odding) Sherman, was born in 1642, in Portsmouth, R. I., where he passed his life, and died June 27, 1718. He married, March 4, 1675, Isabel Tripp, born 1651, daughter of John and Mary (Paine) Tripp. She died in 1716.


(III) Job Sherman, son of Samson and Isabel (Tripp) Sherman, was born November 8, 1687. in Portsmouth, R. I., and died there, November 16, 1747. He married (first) Bridget Gardiner, of Kingston, and (second) Amie Spencer, of East Greenwich, R. I.


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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND


(IV) Samson (2) Sherman, son of Job and Amie (Spencer) Sherman, was born July 23, 1737, in Ports- month, where he spent his entire life, engaged in agricultural pursuits, and died in January, 1801. He married, December 9, 1761, Ruth Fish, daughter of David and Jemima (Tallman) Fish, of Portsmouth.


(V) Job (2) Sherman, son of Samson (2) and Ruth (Fish) Sherman, was born in Portsmouth, R. I., Jan- uary 21, 1766, and died in Newport, R. I., January 24, 1848. In 1796 he removed from Portsmouth to New- port, where he hecame the founder of the business which is now conducted under the firm name of Wil- liam Sherman & Company. He was a leader in the business and financial life of Newport in his day, and was one of the original trustees of the Savings Bank of Newport. He was a staunch Whig, and prominent in public affairs, supporting every move- ment of importance for the advancement of the wel- fare of the community. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and for many years served as trustee of the Society in Newport. Job Sherman mar- ried, December 9, 1795, Alice Anthony, who was born June 9, 1772, and died March 11, 1826, daughter of Isaac and Rebecca Anthony, of Portsmouth, R. I.


(VI) Albert Sherman, son of Job (2) and Alice (Anthony) Sherman, was born in Newport, R. I., August 14, 1815. In early life he learned the trade of sailmaker, an occupation which he followed for many years in Newport and later at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where he was engaged successfully in business until 1841. In that year he returned to Newport and established himself in the dry goods business on lower Thames street, in which field he was highly success- ful. Ill health forced him to lead a life of compara- tive retirement, and although he maintained through- out his life a deep interest in public affairs, he never aspired to public office. He was a Republican in polit- ical affiliation. Mr. Sherman was for many years a director in the Merchants' Bank of Newport, and was active in the founding of the Newport Hospital, to which he was a generous donor throughout his life. He was a member of the Society of Friends. On September 2, 1841, Mr. Sherman married Sarah Cath- erine Marble, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah A. (Holt) Marble, of Newport. Mrs. Sherman died September 15, 1889, aged seventy-two years. Their children were: I. Alice Anthony, who died at the age of two years. 2. Albert Keene, mentioned below. Albert Sherman died at his home, June 30, 1884.


(VII) Albert Keene Sherman, son of Albert and Sarah Catherine ( Marble) Sherman, was born in New- port, R. I., March 17, 1844. He was educated in pri- vate schools in Newport, and in 1857 became a pupil in H. H. Fay's private academy there, where he studied for four years. In 1861, finding business fields more agreeable to his tastes than professional life, he secured his first employment in the grocery store of Captain Oliver Potter, with whom he re- mained as a clerk for about a year. On May 6, 1862, Mr. Sherman became connected with the dry goods establishment of William Sherman & Com- pany, which was founded by his grandfather in 1796. In 1866, on the death of David Sherman, he was


admitted into partnership in the firm. Thomas Brown became a member of the firm in 1873, a1 in 1885, with the death of the senior partner, W liam Sherman, Albert Keene Sherman and Mr. Brov succeeded to the management of the business, whil under their guidance was developed into one of tl largest and most successful of its kind in the State ,! Rhode Island. The firm dealt extensively in a hig grade line of foreign and domestic dry goods.


Mr. Sherman was one of the foremost figures business and financial circles in Newport until t time of his death. As a shrewd and talented orga izer, a keen, far-sighted and able executive, he w: universally respected. Strict integrity and justi characterized his every transaction in business at financial fields. He was a director of the Newpo National Bank; a trustee of the Savings Bank Newport; a director of the Aquidneck Mutual Insu ance Company; and a trustee of the Long Wharf . Newport. He was deeply interested in historical ar genealogical research, and was a member of the Nev port Historical Society, the Natural History Societ the Redwood Library, and the Athenaeum. A man . broad culture, he was well versed in literature ar the arts, and his home was the center of a refine society. Mr. Sherman was a member of the Centr Baptist Church of Newport (now the Second Baptist and for many years was clerk of the church. He wa active in the work of the Young Men's Christian A; sociation, and treasurer of the Newport Branch for long period of years. His political affiliation was wit the Republican party, and he was a staunch believe in all of its principles and policies. The welfare an; advancement of Newport was always near his hear and he was prominently identified with many move ments toward this end.


On September 3, 1874, Mr. Sherman married Mar Eliza Barker, daughter of Robinson P. and Juli Ann (Peckham) Barker, of Middleton, R. I., and descendant of one of the most prominent branches di the early Barker family of Rhode Island. Mrs. Shei man survives her husband and resides at No. I Clarke street, Newport. She is well known in the bes social circles of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Sherman wer. the parents of three children: I. Kate Robinson born Ang. 16, 1875, died April 6, 1879. 2. William Anthony, born May 12, 1877: was graduated from Harvard College, class of 1899, with the degree c A. B .; Harvard Medical School, in 1902, with th degree of M. D .; immediately afterward he estat lished himself in practice in Newport, where he ha been highly successful and has risen to the highes rank in the medical profession. Dr. Sherman is member of the medical staff of the Newport Hospita and of the Medical Society; he is also a director o. the Union National Bank of Newport. On June 2: 1902, Dr. Sherman married Katherine M. Kennedy of Scranton, Pa., daughter of William and Ameli (Carter) Kennedy: they are the parents of the fol. lowing children: William Albert, born May 12, 1903 Charlotte Carter, born June 20, 1911: Mary Eliza beth, born March 2, 1915: Lucius Carter, born Marc! 2, 1915, died March 4, 1915; Ruth Anthony, bor


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HOME OF JOB SHERMAN Thames Street Newport, Rhode Island


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BIOGRAPHICAL


[arch 18, 1916. 3. Edward Albert, born July 16, 379; was graduated from Harvard College in the ass of 1901, with the degree of M. A .; Mr. Sher- an is now treasurer of the Newport Trust Company, id a prominent figure in financial and public circles Newport; he served for many years as a mem- er of the school committee of Newport, and in 1906, the first election held under the new charter of the ty of Newport, he was elected a member of the presentative council from the Third Ward for a rm of three years; he married Hazel Erma Poole, aughter of George W. and Addie Emeline (Hanson) oole, October 22, 1913; children: Edward Albert, "., born June 19, 1915, and Albert Keene, born Janu- y 12, 1918. Albert Keene Sherman died at his home in ewport, R. I., December 30, 1915.


EDWARD CLINTON STINESS-Since the com- g of Samuel Stiness to Marblehead prior to the evolution, members of this family have been master ariners, soldiers and sailors of the United States: ninent lawyers and public-spirited business men of assachusetts and Rhode Island. Captain Samuel iness was both a master mariner and a soldier of the evolution; his son, Captain Samuel (2) Stiness, was sea captain, as well as a captain or sailing master the United States Navy, appointed October 27, 12, honorably discharged January 5, 1814. Philip essom Stiness, son of Captain Samuel (2) Stiness, as a starch manufacturer of Providence, R. I., an able eful business man and a public-spirited citizen. His n, Samuel George Stiness, is the father of Edward linton Stiness, of Providence, this article dealing ith the lives of the two last named, both of whom e known to the present generation, Edward C., a wyer and compiler of "Digest of Rhode Island eports," since 1899 reporter of opinions of the preme Court of Rhode Island.


Samnel George Stiness was born at Douglass, ass., September 4, 1829, and died at Pawtucket, R. I., ovember 5, 1894. He was educated in Providence blic schools, learned the jewelers' trade with Sackett, avis & Potter, and in 1853 began business under Is own name as a manufacturer of watch-key pipes, te stem-winding watch sounding the death knell of tis business. His fine mechanical ability attracted de attention of Colonel J. H. Armington, the gas (gineer then in charge of the plant of the Providence us Company, who in 1864 gave Mr. Stiness a position the East Station. In 1869 he was appointed agent ad general manager of the Pawtucket Gas Company, position he most ably filled, the model plant, methods « distribution, and efficiency is a monument to his onderful work which he accomplished. During his (nnection with the company the capital increased fom $100,000 to $600,000, and its gas mains from Even to seventy miles in extent. Increase in stock ilues and dividends paid kept pace and the best of s'vice was given patrons. Mr. Stiness was a founder ( the New England Association of Gas Engineers, ad for three years president. He was also a member the Guild of Gas Managers: member of the


Society of Gas Lighting; member, and at the time of his death vice-president, of the American Gas Light Association. He devised many mechanical improve- ments in gas making machinery and appliances, and read before the gas engineers of the associations named many valuable papers prepared by himself.


As a member of the Masonic order Mr. Stiness attained State-wide acquaintance and fame. He was a past master of Corinthian Lodge, No. 27, of Provi- dence (also a charter member); and deputy grand master of Rhode Island Grand Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, in 1887 and 1888. He was past high priest of Providence Chapter, and in 1882 and 1883 grand high priest of Rhode Island Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. He also held the degrees of Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters; and in Templar Masonry was elected eminent commander of Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar, in 1877, and during the years 1885-86 was grand lecturer of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Knights Templar. He was untiring in his efforts to advance the interests of the order he loved, and in his own life exemplified the best tenets of the insti- tution. He was a member of Trinity Parish of the Episcopal Church of Pawtucket, and in politics was a Republican.


Mr. Stiness married, August 1, 1853, Sarah Hutchi- son, daughter of James Hutchison, a one time grand commander of Massachusetts and Rhode Island Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, and grand master of Masons of Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Stiness were the parents of three sons: James Albert, died aged seventeen; Edward Clinton, of further men- tion; George Armington, treasurer of the Pawtucket Gas Company since 1902, married Amy Makin.


Edward Clinton Stiness was born at Pawtucket, R. I., February 16, 1868. He was educated at the private school kept by John B. Wheeler, and the Berkeley School, a graduate in 1886, Brown Univer- sity, A. B., 1890, Harvard Law School, LL. B., 1894, although admitted to the Rhode Island bar in 1893. After graduation he began practice in Providence. Since 1899 he has been reporter of opinions of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, and from 1900 secre- tary of the Rhode Island Board of Bar Examiners. In 1903 he published the "Digest of Rhode Island Re- ports," and the author of that portion of Field's "His- tory of Rhode Island" relating to the bench and bar of the State. He is a member of the American Bar and of local and State bar associations. He is a direct descendant of John Coggeshall, first governor of Rhode Island, under the patent of 1642-43.


In the Masonic order he is a past master of Corin- thian Lodge, No. 27, Free and Accepted Masons; and in club circles is a member of Providence Art, Rhode Island Country, Wannamoisett Country, Providence Bar and University clubs. He is also a member of the Society of Colonial Governors, Society of Colonial Wars, Sons of the American Revolution, and Theta Delta Chi Fraternity. Politically he is a Republican.


Mr. Stiness married at Portland, Me., August 17, 1898, Lucie Frances Higgins, daughter of John and Frances E. Higgins, of Bath, Me.


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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND


WILLIAM HENRY POPE-The name, Pope, is an early English surname of the class whose origin is found in nicknames. It signifies literally "the pope," and was applied at the beginning of the sur- name era to one of austere, ascetic or ecclesiastical bearing. Pope is derived from the post classical Latin, papa, meaning father. The name in its present form first appears in English registers in the year 1273.


Arms-Argent two chevrons gules on a chief of the second an escallop or.


One of the foremost figures on the business horizon of New England during the past half century, an eminently successful business man and manufacturer, was the late William Henry Pope, who was for sev- eral decades identified with a number of the largest milling enterprises in Rhode Island.


To him belongs the distinction and honor of having developed and practically established the town of Esmond, R. I. That he was the prime factor in its existence is evident from the fact that upon his retire- ment from business the enterprise and industry which had been its most prominent feature fell off to a marked degree. Mr. Pope was one of the foremost business men of his day, directing enormous bank- ing and railroad interests.


William Henry Pope was born in Enfield, Hamp- shire county, Mass., July 18, 1840, son of Icabod and Serena (Woods) Pope. Icabod Pope was a promi- nent manufacturer of England, and was for several years justice of peace in the town. His wife, Serena (Woods) Pope, was a sister of Josiah Woods, founder and donor of Woods Library, Amherst College; she died in the year 1846. Their son received the advan- tages of an excellent education, and until he reached the age of fifteen years attended a private school at Enfield. He then went to Pawtucket, R. I., where he resided for a short time with his aunt, Mrs. Frank Pratt. Later, while residing in Providence with an uncle, he attended private schools in that city, and on completing his preliminary studies entered the A. G. Scholfield Business College. Following his gradu- tion from this institution he was employed by various firms in the city. In 1863 he became connected with Albert Gallup, then head of Gallup Brothers, cotton manufacturers, in the office of the firm, and con- tinued in this capacity until the removal of Mr. Gal- lup to New York City. During the period spent with this firm, Mr. Pope familiarized himself thoroughly with the details of cotton manufacturing, and the prac- tical side of business management, serving, as it were, an apprenticeship to the cotton manufacturing trade. He possessed considerable genius in this line, and in his connection with Gallup Brothers amassed a wealth of information and experience which latter stood him in good stead in his own ventures. After the removal of Mr. Gallup to New York, Mr. Pope entered into the independent manufacturing of cot- ton, after a short period spent in the cotton broker- age business. About 1871 he entered this field, and accepted the agency for the Robert Watson Mills at Willimantic. In 1878 his success in the brokerage business made it possible for him to engage in cotton


manufacturing, and he purchased the mill and mill village owned by the Smithfield Manufacturing Com- pany at Allenville, in the town of Smithfield, R. I.


Allenville had taken its name from the first mill erected there in 1813, by Governor Philip Allen. Mr. Pope renamed the village Enfield, and forthwith in- augurated a plan for its development and the estab- lishment of a standard of civic efficiency. Enfield, named after the birthplace of Mr. Pope in Massachu- setts, subsequently became one of the most prosper- ous and thriving towns of its kind in Rhode Island, a prosperity and thrift which was due entirely to the presence in it of the mills which Mr. Pope owned and directed. The village was his pride, and was a monu- ment to the ability and constructive industry of its founder. His management of the mills was as nearly ideal as is possible, and the operatives of the mills at Enfield were never known to strike. By the appli- cation of judicious policies he was able to keep his mills running constantly, the period of idleness which was common to mills of New England being unknown in his plants. His purchase of the property was against the advice of his friends and associates who knew manufacturing conditions in New England, but the venture proved to be a stroke of far-sighted and excellent business policy. Mr. Pope was extremely successful, and brought the mill from an old and com- paratively useless establishment to one of the most modernly equipped and best managed cotton mills ol the State of Rhode Island.


Cotton manufacturing formed only a small part of Mr. Pope's large interests. He was active in several of the largest financial and commercial organizations of Rhode Island, holding executive positions in many of them. He was treasurer of the Pawtuxet Valley Railroad for over forty years; treasurer-secretary o' the Providence & Springfield Railroad Company iron 1892 until its absorption by consolidation; director o the National Exchange Bank for over twenty years at one time the largest individual stockholder of the Union Railroad Company; director of the Providence Telephone Company from the time of its formation director of the Providence Dry Dock Marine Railway Company; of the Windham Manufacturing Company of Willimantic for several years; secretary of the Providence Press Company for a time after it reorganization in 1880. The value of Mr. Pope's execu tive ability and constructive policies in these organi zations cannot be overestimated. The demands o these various interests upon his time made any con nection with public life, otherwise than as a busines leader, impossible and he never became identified with politics or public affairs.


He was, however, active and prominent in th club and fraternal life of the city, and was a char ter member of the Narragansett Boat Club. He wa a true sportsman, keenly interested in yachting. H was also one of the first members of the Squantur Association, a member of the Commercial Club, th Home Market Club of Boston, the Hope Club c Providence, of which latter he was treasurer fc four years, and a member of the board of governor from 1885 to 1891. His religious affiliation was wit


Come of Poker


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le Congregational church. He was a man of mag- etic personality, cultured and of refined tastes. Jus- ce and the strictest code of ethics characterized his "ansactions in the business world, and by friends and ompetitors alike he was considered the soul of honor. William Henry Pope married, September 27, 1888, 'atherine Elizabeth Robertson, daughter of Andrew nd Maria (Halcro) Robertson, of Montreal, Canada. Irs. Pope survives her husband and resides at No. I Young Orchard avenue, Providence. Mr. Pope ied at his home in Providence, February 16, 1907. 'ributes to his memory came from all sources. A ·iend said:


Who of all that went to him for advice was ever isappointed in the final outcome? Under an impa- ent manner and an air of desire of being rid of the hole subject, were hidden a careful listening and iterest and in a few days or so there came from him n opinion vested in cautions language. If it was a ecommendation, t'was well to follow it; if a warning was equally well to heed it. Of his boyish generous ature how many of us remember his open hand and is heartfelt sympathy?


At a meeting of the directors of the Providence ry Dock & Marine Railway Company, held on April 0, 1907, it was voted that the following minute be Intered upon the records of the Company:


The directors desire to express their deep sense of iss in the removal hy death of their esteemed asso- ate, William H. Pope, which occurred on the 16th of ebruary last. Mr. Pope had served as a director of le Providence Dry Dock & Marine Railway Company nce its organization, and was very deeply interested i its success. Always prompt and regular in his ttendance at our meetings his good judgment and usiness ability were of much value in conducting the fairs of the company. His genial and kindly face ill be sadly missed at our gatherings.


JOHN H. CADY, Secretary.


CHARLES HENRY YOUNG- The surname, oung, has been continuous in those parts of South- astern Massachusetts and Rhode Island which bor- er upon one another, for a period of over two hun- red years, throughout which time the name has been 1 honored and respected one. The Young family in merica traces its origin to several immigrants of ie name, who came to the New World in the open- g decades of the colonization era, and became the rogenitors of families whose branches are now to be und in every part of the country. The surname self is of the comparatively large class which had teir source in nicknames, and signifies literally, "the oung." Probably in numerous cases the nickname as applied in the sense of junior, to distinguish father id son, when both bore the same personal name. It pears in registers of as early date as the Hundred olls, 1273, in which we find the entry, Hugo le Yunge, : County Oxford. Families of the name have gained me in English history, bearing arms and titles. It as Sir John Young, a knight, who accompanied [ary Queen of Scots as her chamberlain on her turn from France to Scotland in 1561, and received om her the grant of the manor of Leny. Several escendants of the American progenitors have figured rgely in New England history, and have made the ame an honored one among New Englanders.


The family herein under consideration has had its at in what is now the town of Burrillville, R. I.,


since the close of the American Revolution, in which conflict Othniel Young, who is mentioned below as head of the family, served as a member of the Con- tinental forces.


(I) Othniel Young, great-grandfather of the late Charles Henry Young, for a long time one of the foremost dealers in real estate in the Pawtuxet Valley, was a resident of that section of Rhode Island which borders on the State of Massachusetts, in what is now the town of Burrillville, R. I. He enlisted as a private in a Providence company in 1776, and after- wards received a pension from the government for his services. He was drawing a pension March 4, 1831, at which date he was seventy-six years of age. Oth- niel Young resided in Burrillville, at the home of his son, Alpheus Young, with whom he was living in 1840. The name of his wife is unknown.


(II) Zebeda Young, son of Othniel Young, was born April 30, 1780, in Burrillville, R. I., where he resided during the early part of his life. He was a prosperous farmer and land owner, and a well-known citizen. In late life he removed to Mendon, Mass., where he followed the trade of basket-making until his death. Zebeda Young married Phila Alby, who died May 15, 1867, in Mendon. He died in Mendon, December 15, 1872.


(III) Daniel Young, son of Zebeda and Phila (Alby) Young, was born July 5, 1807, in Burrillville, R. I. He grew to manhood on his father's farm, and following his marriage engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Burrillville until 1852. In the latter year he removed to Kent county, settling in Centreville, R. I., where he entered the mill of Benedict Lapham. He subsequently removed to Coventry, where he was connected with the mills for many years. Following


his retirement from active business affairs, he removed to West Greenwich, where he died February 21, 1886, in his seventy-ninth year. Daniel Young married Mercy Keech, who was born in Burrillville, R. I., daugliter of Rice Keech, and who died at a venerable age. Daniel and Mercy (Keech) Young were the parents of the following children: I. Charles Henry, mentioned below. 2. Daniel H. 3. Warren, of Crans- ton, R. I. 4. Ellis, who served in the Union army in the Civil War; now deceased. 5. Phila, who became the wife of Powell Phillips, of Hope, R. I. 6. Zebeda, died young. 7. Sarah, died young. 8. William Allen, of Scituate, R. I.


(IV) Charles Henry Young, son of Daniel and Mercy (Keech) Young, was born near Herring Pond, in the town of Burrillville, Providence county, R. I., April 1, 1836. He was educated in the schools of Burrillville, and in 1852 removed to the Pawtuxet Valley with his parents. Mr. Young secured his first employment in the manufacturing world in the Lap- ham mills at Centreville, R. I., where he received the munificent salary of four and one-half dollars per week in the carding department. A year and a half later he entered the Lippitt Mills, where he remained for a year, at the end of that time going to the Shan- nock Mills, where he spent two years. He next learned the trade of stone cutting under Mr. Doty of Stonington, Conn., but finding the work distaste-




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