The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 67

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 67

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A Republican in politics, Mr. Anstin was long prominent in public affairs, but business responsibili- ties caused his withdrawal. From 1896 until 1905 he was a member of the Cranston Common Council, and for the greater part of that period was president of that body. In 1896 he was elected second representa- tive from Cranston to the General Assembly, and in 1897 was elected first representative, serving on the committee of incorporations. In 1898 he was elected State Senator, served on committees, judiciary and militia, but declined reelection, and at the close

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of his term retired to private life. He is a Master Mason, a Capitular Cryptic, and Templar Mason: a Noble of the Mystic Shrine; and in Scottish Rite Masonry holds the thirty-two degrees of Providence Consistory. He is a past commodore of the Rhode Island Yacht Club (1892), and formerly a member of the New York Yacht Club, Squantum Association, and Pomham Club. Through the war services of his great-grandfather, Ezekiel (2) Austin, he has gained admission to the Patriotic Order Sons of the Ameri- can Revolution. He is a vestryman of All Saint's Memorial Church (Episcopal), his father having held the same office. The foregoing shows Mr. Austin as a man of business energy, public spirit, and social prominence, his interest extending to all branches of city life, and in his different activities most helpful and useful. He readily extends encouragement of a substantial nature to every worthy cause and is a man held in highest regard.

Arthur E. Austin married (first), October 25, 1888, Louisa D. Osgood, of Providence, who died April 21, 1894, aged twenty-six years, leaving two children: Clarence E., born July 23, 1889, and Gertrude W., September 20, 1891. He married (second), October 17, 1895, Mrs. Jessie Anna (Wright) Stone, of New York City.

SAMUEL H. TINGLEY-Ranking with the octo- genarians of his native city, Providence, Mr. Tingley passed away July 26, 1918, after a long life of close connection with the financial affairs of that city. His entire life from school graduation to retirement was spent with the Bank of North America and the Me- chanics' National Bank. Nearly half a century of his life was spent in banking activity, principally as discount clerk and cashier, two departments of a bank upon which the entire structure depends for security and success. He ranked with the best informed and able of cashiers, and was held in the very highest esteem by associates and contemporaries. The Tingley name was brought to Providence by Samuel and Sylvanus Tingley, of South Attleboro, Mass., Samuel, the father, Sylvanus, the uncle of Samuel H. Tingley, whose long and successful life furnishes the inspira- tion for this review.

The American ancestor was Samuel Tingle, but later in this branch the name became Tingley. Samuel H. Tingley was of the seventh generation in New England, Samuel having been the given name of the head of each generation in his direct line. His grand- father, Samuel Tingley, was a farmer of South Attle- boro, Mass., a man of considerable prominence, a fine penman, much called on by his neighbors to assist therein in their writing. His son, Samuel Tingley, born at the South Attleboro farm, May 2, 1785, died in Providence, July 19, 1869. He and his brother. Sylvanus, were stone cutters and letterers, Samuel going to Boston and taking special instruction in let- tering. They came to Providence, and as S. & S. Tingley, stonecutters and letterers, established a yard, shop, and mill on South Main street. In addition to monumental work they did a large business in cut stone for buildings, one of their contracts being for all the

stone cap sills used in the Hope College buildit (the second of the buildings erected by the college a large contract for that day. Sylvanus Tingley had large family of sons, and as they arrived at suitab age some were taken into the business. Samuel Tin ley then withdrew and established a similar busine for himself, which he conducted until his retiremer He was a Whig in politics; served as member of tl! Providence Common Council; was a Congregationa1 ist in religion, and a man of strong character an: upright life. Samuel Tingley married, December .. 1831, Sarah C. Allen, who died December 28, 184. daughter of Caleb and Hannah (Smith) Allen, hef father a cabinentmaker and later a merchant of Prov idence, a son of Comfort Allen, who settled at nov East Providence. Mr. and Mrs. Tingley were th parents of two daughters, who died in infancy, and son, Samuel H., of further mention.

Samuel H. Tingley, only son of Samuel and Sara C. (Allen) Tingley, was born in Providence, R. I December 21, 1836, where he still resided at the tim of his death. He was educated in the Providence public schools, and at the age of seventeen entered the employ of the Bank of North America as clerk, con tinuing with that institution fifteen years and advanc ing to the position of discount clerk. After fifteer years' service here he resigned his position anc accepted a similar one with the Mechanics' Nationa Bank, Providence, continuing as discount clerk unti January 1, 1873, when he was promoted to the cashier's desk. He spent twenty-five years in that position, then retired to private life, one of the best known and highly-regarded bank cashiers of his city. For two years of this period Mr. Tingley was president of the Providence Clearing House Association. For many years Mr. Tingley was a member of the board of" trustees of the Providence Public Library, and was its treasurer; was treasurer of the Providence Charit- able Fuel Society, now in its ninety-second year; and in 1869 became secretary and later president of the Providence Association of Mechanics and Manufac- turers, his honored father having been secretary of the same association in 1836, and from 1863 until his death in 1869. In the later years of his life he was occupied with philanthropic enterprises, to which he gave generously of his time and money. Mr. Ting- ley was also a trustee of the Bethney Home. He is a member of the First Congregational (Unitarian) Church, and the Unitarian Club, and in politics a Re- publican. He is one of the original members of the Providence Bank Clerks' Mutual Benefit Association. He was superintendent for many years of the Olney Street Congregational (Unitarian) Society Sunday school, and a member of the Rhode Island Histori- cal Society.

Mr. Tingley married. in Springfield, Mass., October 29, 1885, Adella Malvina Hubbard, born in Enfield, Connecticut, died in Providence, July 12, 1905.

CHARLES HERBERT McFEE-Prior to his ele- vation to the bench, Judge McFee had practiced for twenty years at the Rhode Island bar, with offices at Woonsocket. Ten years have elapsed since his assum-

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ing judicial dignity, and time has proven his fitness for the high honor then bestowed. His life since 1882 has been lived in full public view as school prin- cipal, attorney, legislator, and justice, and the verdict of approval has been stamped upon his official acts by a preponderance of public opinion. His career as a lawyer was one of honorable success, and when called higher he took up his new task with a full knowledge of judicial procedure, for his practice had been an extensive one in all State and Federal Courts of his district. On the bench he has been fair and impartial in his rulings, seeking only the correct read- ing of the law, and its unbiased application. He is a native son of Massachusetts, son of Hamden and Sarah (Cook) McFee, his father a shoe factory foreman of Haverhill, who died in 1884.

Charles Herbert McFee was born in Haverhill, Mass., January 1, 1861, and there began his education, completing the public school course of study with graduation from high school. In 1878 he entered Har- vard University, there remaining a student three years, leaving at the close of his junior year. From 1881 to 1885 he was an instructor of youth, serving as principal of Washington Academy, and principal of the Consolidated Grammar School. He began the study of law during his teaching years, and in 1885 became a student in the law offices of F. L. O'Reilly, of Woonsocket, and in October, 1887, was admitted to the Rhode Island bar. After his admission, Mr. Mc- Fee began practice in Woonsocket, continuing most successfully until his election as justice of the Dis- trict Court, Twelfth Judicial District, in February, 1908. He gained a large and influential clientele while in legal practice, being attorney for the National Glove Bank, Mechanics' Savings Bank, Woonsocket Build- ing and Loan Association. He is a member of the State Bar and the American Bar associations, and one of the strong men of his profession. A Republican in politics, Judge McFee has given much time to the public service of his city and State. He was presi- dent of Council, clerk of the School Committee and Representative to the General Assembly, there serv- ing as chairman of the committee on education. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a Universalist in religions faith, and inter- ested in many organizations, professional, charitable and social.

Judge McFee married, April 18, 1888, at Woon- socket, Carrie V. Cook, daughter of Simeon S. and Ruth M. Cook, they the parents of a son, Raymond Frank, born October 29, 1889.

GEORGE FRANKLIN CASWELL-As a leader in his business at Narragansett Pier, R. I., Mr. Cas- well enjoys the results of his energy and enterprise and is rated one of the substantial men of that famed summer resort of the Rhode Island Coast. In Rhode Island, the Caswells trace descent from Job Caswell, of Newport, who was admitted a freeman in May, 1727.

(I) Job Caswell was an ensign of the Third New- port Military Company in 1735 and 1736, perhaps longer, captain in 1739, 1741 and 1743, then declining

to longer serve. He died in 1744, his widow Lydia in December, 1760, aged fifty-five years. The records of the Second Congregational Church of Newport show the baptisms of the following children of Job and Lydia Caswell: Mary, April 20, 1729; Philip, Feb. 28, 1730; Job, Jan. 21, 1732, died young: Eliza- beth, Nov. 28, 1736, died young; Elizabeth (2), June 4, 1738; Job (2), Aug. 5, 1739, died young; Job (3), Oct. 26, 1740, died young; John, of further mention; Job (4), Oct. 16, 1743; Abigail, December 9, 1744.

(II) John Caswell, son of Job and Lydia Caswell, was baptised in the Second Congregational Church of Newport, March 7, 1742, died in South Kingston, R. I., in 1779. At the time of the Revolution he was living at Newport, but in a time of danger from the British he ferried his family across the bay in a small boat to Narragansett, landing at what is now known as the lower pier. He married, December 31, 1761, Hannah West, born in 1740, died August 3, 1775.

(III) John (2) Caswell, son of John (1) and Han- nah (West) Caswell, died in 1812. He married Mary Tefft, born in 1772, died February 9, 1819, daughter of Gardiner Tefft, a soldier of the Revolution. They were the parents of John West, of further mention; Gardiner, Reuben, Waity, Mary, Hannah.

(IV) John West Caswell, son of John (2) and Mary (Tefft) Caswell, was born in South Kingston, R. I., January 10, 1792, died July 30, 1867. He married, in 1815, Hannah Bush Tefft, born in 1797, died in 1852, daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Hazard) Tefft, her mother a first cousin of Commodore Olive Hazard Perry. John W. and Hannah B. (Tefft) Caswell were the parents of seven children: Stephen Tefft, of fur- ther mention; Daniel Tefft, born Dec. 6, 1819, married Abby Hazard Tefft; Mary Ann, born Feb. 29, 1824; John H., born Feb. 24, 1826, married Abby Ann Eaton; William Gardiner, born Feb. 11, 1828, married Sallie Carpenter Gardiner and had two children, W. Herbert Caswell, of Narragansett Pier (q. v.), and Addie H., residing with her brother: Caroline Amelia, born Aug. 2, 1834, married Jeremiah Slocum Briggs; Thomas Arnold, married Clara Weston.

(V) Stephen Tefft Caswell, eldest son of John West and Hannah Bush (Tefft) Caswell, was born in South Kingston, R. I., July 27, 1816, and there died in 1885. He owned a small farm at South Kingston Hill, which he cultivated, and also was a fisherman. He married Susan Kenyon, and they were the parents of five sons and a daughter, William C., Susan, Stephen Tefft (2), of further mention; John, Caleb, Olive.

(VI) Captain Stephen Tefft (2) Caswell, son of Stephen Tefft (1) and Susan (Kenyon) Caswell, was born at the home farm at Kingston Hill, Kingston, R. I., January 27, 1847, and is now retired and living at Narragansett Pier, but spends his winters in Flor- ida. His school attendance was limited to six weeks, but by home study, reading and close observation, he has acquired a wholesome fund of information and is a well informed man. At the age of twelve years he went to sea, and at the age of seventeen was in command of his own vessel, engaged in the coastwise trade. He sailed the seas as master until 1903, when he retired and now enjoys the rewards of his long

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and active life. He is a man of fine physical propor- tions and held in high esteem at the Pier, where his summers are spent. He also has a host of friends in his winter home in Florida. He married Caroline Matilda Anna Saunders, born in Saunderstown, R. I., in 1848, yet her husband's companion in his joys and sorrows.

(VII) George Franklin Caswell, son of Captain Stephen Tefft (2) and Caroline M. A. (Saunders) Caswell, was born in Saunderstown, R. I., January 22, 1872. He was educated in the public schools of Saund- erstown, Narragansett Pier, Peace Dale, finishing his studies at Peace Dale High School. He went to sea with his father when a youth, but later entered busi- ness life, and during the years 1895-97 operated a cigar store on the square at Narragansett Pier. He was variously employed until 1903, when he established a small garage on Caswell avenue, removing the next year to his present location on Kingston road, Narra- gansett Pier. This was the first garage opened at the Pier and Mr. Caswell has always retained his prestige and business prominence, the Caswell Gar- age business being the largest in the town, it includ- ing storage room for one hundred cars, a repair department and a store for the sale of automobile accessories. In politics he is a Democrat, popular with his patrons and a man of high generous impulse.

Mr. Caswell married (first) at Narragansett Pier, Sophia Clarke, born in 1874, died May 21, 1906, daughter of William Clarke, of Albany, N. Y., and later of Narragansett Pier. He married (second) at Flatbush, Long Island, N. Y., Maud Lillian Clark- son, born in London, England, December 28, 1888, daughter of Arthur Sidney Clarkson, whose widow came to the United States with her daughter about 1900, and married (second) Walter R. Lusher, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Caswell are the par- ents of a son, George Clarkson, born in Providence, R. I., May 15, 1914. Since 1903 Mr. Caswell has made his home in Daytona, Fla., engaging in the automobile business there, but since 1910 has gone South for rest and pleasure only.

MICHAEL W. NORTON-We are very properly full of praise in this country and time for the man who started at the bottom of the ladder and made his way by means of his own efforts to the top. New England is full of such men, and certainly we are justified in adding to the long list the name of Michael W. Norton, born in 1867, in County Limerick, Ireland.

When he was but eleven years of age his parents brought him to Somerville, Mass., where he continued his education, previously started in Ireland. His father, William Norton, a merchant by occupation, died, leaving the widowed mother to conduct the business, which soon deteriorated owing to poor advisers and lack of executive management. This necessitated Michael W. seeking work, which he promptly did, securing a position in the famous Boston hostelry, "The Parker House." His willingness, his native Irish wit and shrewdness, and his most adaptable nature, made him a favorite with whomsoever he came in contact. After

a few years with this management he entered the employ of the Quincy House, in Boston, where he remained until March, 1893. During all this time, having had to discontinue his day schooling, he sup- plemented his educational qualifications by night courses in a Boston Business College.

During the years of the Columbian Exposition at Chicago, the Raymond Whitcomb Company erected a magnificent hotel to care for a clientele that had been booked long in advance. For the management of a department of this splendid hostelry was sought a man of executive ability. Mr. Norton was chosen for this position and at last given his first real chance, which he eagerly seized. In spite of his youth he grasped the situation and was quick to make good; with such ambition and perseverance as was his, he could not fail. After the World's Fair he returned to New Eng- land, where he worked in various hotels until 1897, when he came to Providence, R. I., where he was; employed as an assistant at the Narragansett Hotel.

During this period, starting with three horses and two wagons, he became interested in the livery and transportation business, later founding and operating the Trinity Square Stables on Trinity Square, Provi- dence. These stables grew to a large and prosperous enterprise, requiring fifty-four horses and the services of thirty men to operate it. With the advent of the motor truck and the taxicab, Mr. Norton correctly diagnosed the situation, seeing the death of the liv- ery business, and prepared to benefit through the same agency which had destroyed the profits of the Trinity Square Stables. These stables he sold in April, 1909

It was on October 21, 1908, that Mr. Norton and Lincoln Lippitt, in association with well-known men met at Boston and organized the Taxi Service Com- pany, the second of its kind formed in this country The founders with Messrs. Norton and Lippitt were Henry W. Lewis, of the H. B. Lewis Company, Law- rence, Mass .; George Smith, of the Smith Dove Company, of Andover, Mass .; James J. O'Brien, a large cranberry grower, of Carver, Mass .; John M McCarthy, wholesale meats, Boston; Belvidere Brooks general manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company of New York; A. H. Whaley, vice-presiden of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company; Benedict Lederer, now deceased, of Prov. idence; A. W. Stuart, of Baltimore; and others. The company began business in Boston, and its succes: was so marked that soon a similar company wa: formed to operate in Providence, R. I. A third tax service company was incorporated in New York; : fourth in Philadelphia, Pa .; a fifth in Baltimore, Md From the first, the New York Company controlled the taxi business at the Waldorf, Holland, Manhattan Imperial, Martinque, Prince George, Seville and Mar seilles hotels, the Colony Club and the Union League The companies are all prosperous and bring satisfac tory dividends to the man who gave them birth. Mr. Norton was vice-president of the New York Company for four years, also general manager of that brancl' which is capitalized at $2,000,000. Of late years, how ever, he has devoted himself particularly to the man agement of the Taxi Service Company of Providence

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He controls all the stock of that company which he serves as president and treasurer.

Upon the death of Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Norton pur- chased the Hopkins Transfer Company, which he added to the taxi business of his company, the com- bined working force then totaling one hundred men. In addition to the foregoing interests, Mr. Norton organized a taxi company at Pawtucket, R. I., and one at Waterbury, Conn., both of which he brought to a successful plane of operation before disposing of them. He is now a director of the Quaker City Cab Company of Philadelphia, the Taxi Service Company of Baltimore, the Taxi Service Company of Boston. In 1918 he erected, on Page street, Providence, on his own account, the now famous "Auto Hotel," which is the largest and best-equipped garage in the State of Rhode Island, having a storage capacity of one hun- dred and fifty cars. Mr. Norton has also taken on the Richmond Street Garage adjoining.

A Republican in politics, he has long been an im- portant figure in public affairs, although caring nothing for active party work. He has a deep interest in all that pertains to the public good, and when the Pathol- ogy Bill was being discussed he threw his influence in favor of its passage. He is a member of Cathedral Parish of the Roman Catholic church, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Such is the life of Michael W. Norton, a self-made man, starting in this country poor in finances but rich in shrewdness and foresight, traits which go to make up a man among men. Quick to grasp the necessity of mingling with the nation's successful men, he adapted himself to circumstances and took advantage of every opportunity which would bring him in con- tact with the worth-while things in life. To-day he stands as one of the most prominent and respected business men in Rhode Island, a shining example to the youth of America, a product of Democracy's free institutions.

Mr. Norton married, at Somerville, Mass., in 1895, Elizabeth Quinn, born in Cambridge, Mass. They are the parents of John S., now associated with his father in business, and of Claire, who is a student in the Providence High School.

COLONEL WILLIAM M. P. BOWEN-Seven generations of Bowens had made New England their home before Colonel William M. P. Bowen, who, choosing the legal profession as his lifework, made Providence the seat of his activity, and in law, poli- tics, and society, has won high rank and honorable position. The line of descent from Richard Bowen, of Rehoboth, Mass., is through their son, Thomas Bowen, and his wife, Elizabeth (Fuller) Bowen; their son, Dr. Richard Bowen, and his wife, Mercy (Titus) Bowen; their son Dr. Jabez Bowen: and his wife Joanna (Salisbury) Bowen; their son, Nathan Bowen, and his wife, Lettice Millard (Miller) Bowen; their .son, Nathan (2) Bowen, and his wife, Patience (Lind- ley) Bowen; their son, William Bradford Bowen, and his wife, Hannah Boyd (Miller) Bowen; their son, Amos Miller Bowen, and his first wife, Caroline Mary (Perez) Bowen; their son, William Manuel Perez

Bowen, of Providence, R. I., whose career is herein traced.

Amos Miller Bowen was born at Providence, R. I., January 22, 1838, died at his home in Providence, June 3, 1907, and is buried in Lakeside Cemetery, Rumford, R. I. He enlisted from Brown University as private, Company A, First Regiment, Rhode Island Detached Militia, April 17, 1861, was mustered in May 2, following, taken prisoner at Bull Run, July 21, 1861; paroled, May 22, 1862, at Salisbury, N. C .; discharged July 22, 1862. He reenlisted and was commissioned first lieutenant, Company C, Second Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, February 10, 1863, and was acting aide-de-camp to Brigadier General Eustis, Septem- ber, 1863, until May, 1864; honorably discharged and mustered out, June 17, 1864. For six years he was a member of the Rhode Island House of Representa- tives, and for nineteen years member of the Provi- dence school committee. Lieutenant Amos M. Bowen married (first) Caroline Mary Perez, born April 13, 1842, died November 12, 1867, daughter of Manuel Perez, of San José, Cuba, and Mary F. (Witherell) Perez, of Attleboro. Manuel Perez, maternally, was a mem- ber of the Capote family, of Cuba, and his father was a Spanish sugar planter there.

William M. P. Bowen, eldest child of Lieutenant Amos M. Bowen and his first wife, Caroline Mary (Perez) Bowen, was born in Attleboro, Mass., his mother's home, September 8, 1864, but Providence has ever been his home, and his education, primary, pre- paratory, collegiate, and professional, was obtained in the institutions of that city. He passed the graded and high schools, was graduated from Brown University, A. B., class of 1884, and A. M., 1887. He studied law while performing the duties of assistant clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and of the Common Pleas Division of the Supreme Court of Providence county, R. I., an office he held from 1884 to 1901. After admis- sion to the bar in 1900, he began the practice of law in Providence, and has won his way to the confidence of an influential clientele, his specialty, corporation law. He is a member of the Rhode Island and Amer- ican Bar associations, and is highly regarded by his professional brethren. He has contributed to the literature of his profession, and has delved deep into its technicalities and intricacies. Outside his profes- sion he has business interests, and is president of the U. S. Ring Traveler Company, of Providence.

Colonel Bowen has devoted much time to the public service. In 1899 he served on the Providence school committee, and during the years 1902, 1905 and 1906 he was a member of the Rhode Island House of Rep- resentatives. In 1909 and 1910 he represented Provi- dence in the State Senate, his career in both Houses being marked by the passage of many valuable laws, including an act regulating common law assignments, a State highway act, a meat inspection act, and a large variety of acts pertaining to judicial procedure. He served in 1909-12 on the special taxation committee, which revised the tax laws of the State. For a num- ber of years he has been chairman of the Republican city committee of Providence.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 67

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