The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 66

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 66

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

ful abandoned it and returned to R. I., where he located at Coventry, and worked for a year in the weaving shop of Peleg and Bradford Wilbur. In the fall of 1856 he located at River Point, with which town he was thenceforth prominently identified until his death, with the exception of a short period spent in Coventry in 1857, as foreman of the weaving depart- ment of the mill of Bradford Wilbur. On his return to River Point Mr. Young became foreman in the weaving room of what is now the Queen of the Valley Mill, holding the position for twelve years. He resigned this position to learn the trade of carpenter, which he followed successfully for a considerable period, but eventually abandoned in order to give his entire time and attention to his growing real estate business. In 1877 Mr. Young purchased a large tract of land in River Point, through which he opened a street, now known as Youngs' avenue. On this prop- erty he erected several houses. The venture proving highly successful, and giving promise of further devel- opment, Mr. Young devoted all his resources to bring- ing it up to a high standard. At the time of his death he was the owner of over thirty houses and stores. Through the nature of his business he was brought more or less before the public eye in River Point, and for many years was prominently identified with all movements which had for their end the advance- ment of civic interests. He was widely known and eminently respected in business circles. In political affiliation he was a Democrat, and for nine years was a member of the school committee. Mr. Young served one term as highway surveyor of District No. 2, town of Warwick, and also as auctioneer and police constable. He was once the candidate of the Demo- cratic party for Representative in the Rhode Island General Assembly.

On July 3, 1859, Charles Henry Young married (first) Julia A. Westcott, who was born in Johns- ton, R. I., died in 1913, daughter of Samuel J. and Abby (Burgess ) Westcott, of that town. Mrs. Young descended both paternally and maternally from sev- eral of the foremost families of Rhode Island. She was well-known in the more conservative social circles of River Point. Mr. and Mrs. Young were the parents of one son, Charles Willington. He married (first) Mary Barber, and (second) Hattie Ingram, and resides in Providence, R. I. Charles Henry Young married (second) Clara Belle Read, October 13, 1915, widow of Rastus M. Read, and daughter of Orran S. Joy and Clara Jane (Hammond) Read, of Johnstown, R. I.

Charles Henry Young died at his home at River Point, R. I., on November 1, 1916.

Read Arms-Gules, a saltire between four garbs or. Crest-On the stump of a tree vert, a falcon rising, belled and jessed or.

Motto-Cedant arma togae. (Arms must give place to the gown).

WASHINGTON LEVERETT COLE-The name of Cole has been identified with the history of Rhode Island since the early years of the struggle of the little colony for existence. The heraldic arms of the Cole family is as follows:

Arms-Quarterly, 1 and 4 argent, a bull passant gules, armed or, within a bordure sable bezantee. 2 and 3 gules, a lion rampant argent.

Crests-1st-A demi-dragon holding an arrow or, headed and feathered argent. 2nd-A demi-lion ram- pant argent, gorged and chained or.

Motto-Deum cole, regem serva. (Worship God, pro- tect the king).

The symbolic arms of the Cole family is as follows:

The shield is divided into four parts, the 1st and 4th being the armorial bearing of the husband and the 2nd and 3rd that of the wife. 1st quarter, the back- ground is silver-silver in heraldry signifies wisdom, joy, peace and sincerity. The black border (called bordure) was formerly a mark of difference, to dis- tinguish one branch of a family from the other. Its color is black, denoting grief, calamity or death. The bezants (roundlets of gold), so called from the ancient gold coln of Byzantium, now Constantinople, denote that the ancestor had been to the Holy Land, very likely at the time of the Crusades (1200). The bull denotes strength and usefulness. Red (the color of the bull) in heraldry denotes fortitude, fire, victorious strength, triumph and power. The dragon (the crest on the left) is deemed the emblem of viciousness and envy. In armory it is properly applied to tyranny or the overthrow of a vicious enemy. The arrow denotes knighthood received for bravery in battle or other- wise, also swiftness and activity. The second quarter is showing a silver lion rampant (aggressive) in a red field. Red denotes fire-"a burning desire to spill one's blood for God or country." The lion is the symbol of strength, courage and generosity. The chain attached to its neck means that the life of the bearer of these arms was a continuous chain of brave and meritorious deeds.

The motto: Deum cole, regem serva, means trans- lated: "Worship God, protect the king," and was no doubt selected, outside of its appropriate and reverent meaning, as an allusion to the name.

The family which was founded in Rhode Island by James Cole, is a branch of the English Coles, one of the most ancient and honorable of early English houses. The Coles owned land in Essex, Wiltshire, Devonshire and Derbyshire under Edward the Con- fessor. In 1616, James Cole, progenitor of the Rhode Island Coles, lived at Highgate, London; he was a lover of flowers, and a great horticulturist, and mar- ried the daughter of de Lobel, the celebrated botanist and physician of James I., from whom the plant Lobelia is named. The Cole family owned lands on the ridge of hills called Highgate, near the Kingston line. James Cole subsequently came to America, set- tling in Rhode Island, where he founded the family of which the late Washington Leverett Cole was a member.

In 1667 the town of Swansea, Mass., was incorpor- ated, including an expansive territory out of which later came several towns, among them Warren, R. I. In 1669, Hugh Cole, with others, purchased from King Philip, the Indian sachem. five hundred acres of land in Swansea, on the west side of Cole's river (named for Hugh Cole, son of James Cole). At the outbreak of the Indian war two of Hugh Cole's children were made prisoners by the Indians and were taken to Philip's headquarters at Mount Hope. Philip, through a long standing friendship for their father, sent them back with the message that he did not wish to injure them, but in the event of an uprising might not be able to restrain his young braves. Philip advised that they repair to Rhode Island for safety. Hugh Cole removed immediately with his family, and had pro- ceeded but a short distance when he beheld his house in flames. After the war he returned and located on the east side of Touisett Neck, on Kickemuet river, in Warren. The farm and well he made in 1677 are

DEUM

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COLE, REGEM

cole

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BIOGRAPHICAL

yet in possession of his lineal descendants. The friend- ship of the Indian warrior Philip for Hugh Cole is one of the few romantic and touching stories which come down to us from the whole revolting history of King Philip's War.

Washington Leverett Cole was born in Providence, R. I., August 10, 1841, a descendant of the founder James Cole, through his son, Hugh Cole, and son of Samuel Jackson and Frances (Sessions) Cole. He traced a maternal ancestry as distinguished as that of the Cole family. Samuel Jackson Cole was a man of means and position in Providence in the early part of the nineteenth century, a gentleman farmer, and the owner of a large estate, located in the section between Irving avenue and the Pawtucket line, and what is now the Blackstone Boulevard. He married Frances Sessions, member of a prominent old family of Providence.

Their son, Washington Leverett Cole, was edu- cated in the private school of Samuel J. Austin, in Providence, and on completing his studies, became interested immediately in the management of his father's large property and of his farm, eventually succeeding him in the control of the estate. He devoted his entire life to bringing this farm to a high standard of efficiency and excellence, purely for the love of the work, and for his deep interest in agri- culture and dairying. The farm was famous for its herd of one hundred high grade cows, which was the pride of its owner. Mr. Cole conducted a large busi- ness in dairy products. He was widely known in Providence, and highly respected for the stern integ- rity and consistent justice of his life and of his busi- ness policies. Although he maintained a deep inter- est in public issues, he kept strictly aloof from politi- cal circles, and was independent of party restriction in casting his vote. He was in accord with the poli- cies and principles of the Republican party on national issues, however. He was a member of the Episcopal church.

On December 28, 1872, Mr. Cole married Martha Stalker, who was born in Greenwich, R. I., daughter of Duncan and Lucy (Spencer) Stalker, her father a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and her mother of Warwick, R. I. Mrs. Cole survived her husband, until November 15, 1916, when she passed away at the Cole home on Cole avenue, opposite Sessions street, in Providence. The Cole home has been preserved in as nearly as possible the form in which it was when early members of the Cole family enter- tained Washington and Lafayette, and contains among other relics of that day the chair in which the commander-in-chief sat. Mr. and Mrs. Cole were the parents of the following children: I. Francis Ses- sions, manager of the Cole farm. 2. Jessie Leverett, who resides in the old homestead. 3. William Mar- chant, a contractor; married Ella Grahan Gulnac; issue: Janet, and William M., Jr. 4. Jackson Lanks- ford, ordained to the Episcopal priesthood in St. Paul's Cathedral Church at Fond Du Lac, Wis., by the Rt. Rev. Reginald Heber Weller, D. D. and LL. D., bishop, on June 2, 1918, and assumed charge of St. Andrew's Mission at Kenosha, Wis. Washington

Leverett Cole died at his home in Providence, March 17, 19II.

WILLIAM ARNOLD WILKINSON-In a peru- sal of the lives of the ancestors of the late William A. Wilkinson, of Providence, R. I., the impression is gained that they were a race of hardy, capable men, strong-minded and determined, possessed of great inventive genius, mechanical skill and administrative ability. John Wilkinson, of the second generation, established a forge, and his grandson, Jeremiah Wil- kinson, wrought in iron and steel, and in gold and silver, making from silver coins the first silver spoons made in his section. He made hand cards for card- ing wool, drew his own wire by horse power, and is believed to have been the first man in Rhode Island to cut nails from cold iron. He invented many ma- chines for carrying on his work, and is generally credited with being the first man to start these three import- ant American industries, drawing wire, card making, and cold wire cutting. His son, James Wilkinson, was another inventive genius, making important addi- tions to the articles then in use, and also making the tools used in producing his inventions. He was an excellent mathematician, skillful with pen and survey- ing instruments, and as a designer unequalled.

The family was founded in New England by Lieu- tenant Lawrence Wilkinson, son of William Wilkin- son, and grandson of Lawrence Wilkinson, of Lan- caster, Durhamshire, England. The history of this American ancestor is most interesting, beginning with his service as lieutenant in the English army against Cromwell. He was taken prisoner when the Protec- tor captured Newcastle, and by act of Parliament deprived of his estates, He then came to New Eng- land, with his wife and child, located at Providence, R. I., there receiving a grant of land in 1657. By thrift and energy he acquired a large estate and won high reputation as an efficient, public official, a fear- less soldier and Indian fighter, and a man of strong, decided character. He died after a long and use- ful life, August 9, 1692. The line of descent is through John Wilkinson, the eldest son of Lieutenant Law- rence Wilkinson and his second wife, Susannah (Smith) Wilkinson.

John Wilkinson, eldest son of Lieutenant Lawrence Wilkinson, continued his residence in Providence until his death, April 10, 1708, but his son, Jeremiah Wilkinson, removed to Cumberland, R. I., where he became a land owner. He was a birthright member of the Society of Friends, and is described as a man of "strong mind, rather stubborn in disposition." He was succeeded in the ownership of the Wilkinson homestead in Cumberland by his son, Jeremiah (2) Wilkinson, the inventor, previously referred to, and he by his son, James Wilkinson, also a noted inven- tor, who married, November 4. 1813, Rowena Ald- rich, they the parents of Arnold Aldrich Wilkinson.

Arnold Aldrich Wilkinson was born in Cumber- land, R. I., April 25, 1823, hut in carly manhood came to Providence, where he died December 12, 1881. He inherited the mechanical ability of his father and grandfather, and for several years was employed in

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

the mechanical department of the Providence Ma- chine Company. Later he spent several years in com- mercial life in New York City. After his return to Providence he engaged in the coal business as a wholesaler and retailer, but later sold his business and became superintendent of the American Multiple Fabric Company, a post he capably filled until his death. Arnold A. Wilkinson married Emmeline Hill, born in Slatersville, R. I., in 1825, died in Providence, January 23, 1892, daughter of Ebenezer A. and Ruth H. (Slade) Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Wilkinson were the parents of: William Arnold, of further mention; Charles Allen, of C. A. Wilkinson & Company, manu- facturers of optical goods; Edward DeForrest, deceased, who was an importer and dealer in calico printers' and engravers' supplies; Rowena Alida, now Mrs. Lloyd A. Brayton; Arnold Aldrich (2), agent of the American Multiple Fabric Company.

William Arnold Wilkinson, eldest son of Arnold Aldrich and Emmeline (Hill) Wilkinson, was born in Providence, R. I., March 10, 1850. After completing public school courses he pursued a course of study at business college, then entered business life as an employee of the S. W. Baker Manufacturing Com- pany as a clerk. In direct line of promotions he attained the position of agent, and was filling that post when the business was reorganized as the American Multiple Fabric Company, a corporation. He was the first agent and treasurer of the company, and so continued for several years, then was elected presi- dent and treasurer, his brother, Arnold A. Wilkinson, succeeding him as agent. The company's plant is located in Providence, where they manufacture mul- tiple woven goods, including dryer felts, calico print- ers' blankets, drawing and preparing aprons for wor- sted webbing, fire hose, etc. Two generations of Wilkinsons, father and sons, have been potent in the management and development of the company, and to them is due the prosperous condition of the same, the sons, William A. and Arnold A., having long been active in the management of the corporation, the former continuing as the executive head until his death, the latter as secretary and agent.

William A. Wilkinson was also president of the E. DeF. Wilkinson Company, importers and manu- facturers of calico printers' and engravers' supplies, his brother, Edward DeForrest Wilkinson, being man- ager of the company until his death, March 16, 1900. He was a director of the Citizens' Savings Bank, and was interested in many other business enterprises of the city. He was a member of the Providence Board of Trade, and interested in all that pertained to the welfare of the city, but purely as a good citizen, not as an office seeker, his interest in public affairs being confined to the exercise of the franchise, his political preference, Republican. His clubs were the Squan- tum Association and the Wannamoisett Golf.

Mr. Wilkinson married, February 13, 1873, Jessie B. Valentine, born February 13, 1854, at Fall River, Mass., died in Providence, June 10, 1885, daughter of William and Martha Valentine. Mr. and Mrs. Wil- kinson were the parents of two daughters: Jessie Maude, who married Captain Walter I. Sweet, and

Effie A .; also a son, Walter E., born December 27, 1880, a graduate of Pennsylvania Military Academy, Chester, Pa. He married Grace Ryder, of Provi- dence, and they are the parents of: Walter E. (2) and Jessie M. Wilkinson. William A. Wilkinson died at his home in Providence, April 10, 1919.

JOHN DAVIS JONES, prominent figure in mer- cantile and public life in the city of Providence in the latter half of the nineteenth century, was a native of Seekonk, R. I., born in the year 1812, and a member of a family long established and influential in the life and affairs of Providence county. The Jones family is one of the largest numerically of American families of early Colonial date; branches of it are found in every State in the Union. In the early decades of the colonization period several emigrants of the name left England for the American Colonies, and were the founders here of a family which had figured prominently in our history from the very beginning.

Arms- Or, a chevron engrailed between three Cornish choughs sable, all within a bordure azure bezantée.

Crest-A battle-ax and spear in saltire, handles gules, heads argent, mounted or.

John Davis Jones spent the early years of his life in Seekonk, where he attended the public schools. As a young man he went to Providence and entered business life, securing his first employment with his brother, Albert Jones, who at that time was conduct- ing a shoe business in the Arcade. After spending a period of years in the employ of his uncle, during which time he learned every phase of the shoe busi- ness thoroughly, and familiarized himself with the methods of management, he established himself in business independently. This venture proved highly successful. Mr. Jones subsequently admitted his son, James Jones, to partnership, and the firm removed to Westminster street. Here Mr. Jones enlarged the scope of his activities to include wholesale as well as retail business. He became widely known in mercan- tile circles in the city, and was drawn naturally into the field of public affairs. From the time of his removal to Providence, Mr. Jones had taken a deep interest in civic issues, and had identified himself with many movements for the bettering of conditions in the city. He was elected a member of the City Coun- cil, holding this office under the administration of Mayor Doyle. He fulfilled the duties of his incum- bency so ably that on the expiration of his term he was elected alderman from the Third Ward. Throughout his life Mr. Jones was active in the coun- cils of the Republican party in Providence. He was a man of strict integrity, and great firmness of pur- pose, a tireless worker. He was active in business life, managing the affairs of the firm of Jones & Son until the time of his death.

Mr. Jones married, in Providence, Fannie Pierce, a native of Uxbridge, Mass., daughter of Calvin Dean Pierce. They were the parents of fifteen children, the following of whom grew to maturity: James, Fannie, John, a physician of Providence; William, a cotton broker, served with the Union forces in the Civil War; Melissa, Carrie, Henry, Lillian, Griffeth,

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John Davis Jones

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in partnership with his brother Henry in the shoe business; Anna G., who resides in Providence, is the only surviving member of this large family. Mrs. Fannie (Pierce) Jones died at the venerable age of ninety-two years. The family attended the Unitarian church. John Davis Jones died at his home in Prov- idence, October 26, 1869.

ARTHUR ERNEST AUSTIN-When scarcely of legal age admitted to a partnership with his honored father, twelve years then elapsed before Arthur E. Austin was called upon to fill the place made vacant by the death of his father, and since 1900 he has been sole owner and head of the firm, John Austin & Son, gold refiners of Providence, R. I. His father, John Austin, the founder, was a pioneer in his branch of the smelting business, and from a small beginning saw his business grow until the annual output of refined gold reached a total value of one and a half million dollars. For forty-six years he was in the business, and hardly a manufacturing jeweler in the land but knew him. Thoroughly honorable and upright in business, he possessed the confidence of all, and was both respected and beloved.

Under such training Arthur E. Austin received his business instruction, and when called to carry heavy responsibilities for so young a man he was not found wanting. Since 1900 he has continued the business of John Austin & Son, and with the years has taken on business strength and greater burdens. Since 1896 he has been in the public eye as councilman, assembly- man and State Senator, although since 1900 his busi- ness interests have absorbed all his energy. This branch of the Austin family descends from Robert Austin, whose name is among those granted lots in Westerly in 1661. From that date Kingston and Exeter, R. I., has been the family state of residence. The line of descent from Robert Austin to Arthur E. is through Jeremiah Austin, his son, Ezekiel, his son, Ezekiel (2), a soldier of the Revolution, who from the age of seventy-five, on March 4, 1831, was a prisoner of the government on account of his services in that year. He was living in 1840, aged eighty-three years. Ezekiel (2) Anstin, the Revolutionary soldier, was succeeded by his son, Ezekiel (3) Austin, of Exeter, father of John Austin, father of Arthur E. Austin, of Providence. This review will deal with the two generations of gold refiners, John and Arthur E. Austin.

John Austin was born in Exeter, R. I., October 17, 1830, and died at his home in Providence, Febru- ary 19, 1900. He spent his youth at the home farm in Exeter, obtained his education in the public schools, then began his business career as an apprentice under L. B. Darling, a gold and silver refiner at Providence. He became an expert in his line, and in 1862 began business for himself, forming a partnership with Horace F. Carpenter, and establishing a refinery at the corner of Friendship and Dorrance streets. Later he became sole owner and conducted the business alone until 1888, when his son, Arthur E. Austin, was admitted a partner, and the firm, John Austin & Son, was formed. Twelve years later he died, after a con-

nection with the refining business covering a period of thirty-eight years, 1862-1900. He specialized in the manufacture of blue vitrol and oxide of zinc, and dealt in fine gold, silver, copper, gold coin, and black crucibles, assayed gold and silver, and smelting and refining these metals. At the time of his death the firm, John Austin & Son, was the leading firm of refiners in the United States, and John Anstin the foremost man in his line of business. He was elected president of the High Street Bank in 1878, and in 1879 was elected president of the Citizens' Savings Bank, and held both offices until his death. He became the owner of the old homestead owned by his Revolu- tionary grandfather, and upon it erected building after building, until they numbered twenty-four, including a memorial church, a post office, school house, and store building, all adding greatly to the attractiveness of the town. Naturally quiet and retiring, he took lit- tle part in public affairs, but was so kindly and sym- pathetic that he made friends everywhere, many of them his customers living in far off parts of the coun- try. He was a Master Mason of Mt. Vernon Lodge, No. 4, a companion of Providence Chapter, No. 1, Royal Arch Masons; and a vestryman of All Saint's Memorial Episcopal Church.

John Austin married, September 18, 1850, Susan Jane Darling, daughter of John and Polly (Weeding) Darling, of Cumberland, R. I. Mrs. Austin passed away October 17, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Austin were the parents of two daughters and three sons: Clara M., Engene A., Clarence H., Arthur Ernest, of fur- ther mention; and Alice W., all deceased except Arthur E.

Arthur Ernest Austin was born July 23, 1868, at Providence, R. I., and was educated in the grade and high schools of the city. Immediately after complet- ing his studies he was inducted into the secrets and mysteries of the refining of gold and silver, as under- stood by his father, and thoroughly mastered the business from a practical business standpoint. In 1888 he was admitted a partner, and in 1900 the part- nership was dissolved by the hand of death, Arthur E. continuing the business of John Austin & Son. He also was president of the High Street Bank, of which his father was president twenty-two years; vice-president of the Citizens' Savings Bank, of which John Austin was president twenty-one years; and has served as secretary-treasurer of the Improved Seam- less Wire Company. He is a worthy twentieth cen- tury representative of this ancient Rhode Island fam- ily, and occupies an important position in the business world in his native city.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 66

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