The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 70

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 70

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Edwin Allen Briggs was educated in the public schools of Providence, at one period attending the evening schools. He later became a student at the Fruit Hill Academy. Choosing a business rather than a professional career, he immediately entered business life, and secured his first employment at the age of seventeen years in a bakery in Providence. Sometime afterward he entered the employ of the Worcester Railroad as a fireman, having learned the trade of engineer. At a still later period he followed the foot- steps of so many men of the time and turned to the West for fortune and opportunity. After working in a Californian mine for three years and nine months, during which time he alternately lost and made money, he returned to the East, having met with a consider- able degree of success, and settled in Providence, where he established himself in the fruit business. In conjunction with this early enterprise, which he worked literally night and day to place on a sound paying basis, he engaged in the wrecking business, taking down old buildings in Providence. The first of these was the building which stood on the site of the present Butler Exchange block on Westminster street. He removed others from Exchange place, where the fire station is now located, and from the site of the Rhode Island State Normal School. Mr. Briggs was an indefatigable worker, and through dint of hard work made a success of the first fruit store which he had established on the corner of Wey- bosset and Dorrance streets. He later established another store, which was also highly successful. Dur- ing the early years of his struggle to succeed in busi- ness he gave his time and attention to practically any honest employment of which he was capable, and at one time planted and tended sixteen gardens in the city, in addition to running his business. The enter- prises which he had started on so small a scale gradu- ally developed into the largest of their kind in the city of Providence. He retired from business several years prior to his death, and devoted his time until his demise to the supervision of his extensive real estate interests. He was well known in the business world of the city, highly respected for the fairness of his dealings and universally recognized as a man of fine organizing and executive ability, whose judgment in matters of business might be readily accepted and followed. Fruit raising was his avocation, and to 't he gave much of the time which he could spare

from his business affairs. He took many prizes at State fairs, and from the Rhode Island Horticultural Society, of which he was a life member; pears, peaches and grapes were his specialties.

Mr. Briggs was the owner of a very large amount of valuable real estate in the business and residential districts of Providence, much of which he had accumu- lated gradually through shrewd investments. His great success in the business world is the more note- worthy because it was so essentially self-made, the result of his own untiring perseverance. He was representative of that type of man which we think of as the true New Englander, honest in every detail of his life, just and fair as his forefathers who fought for liberty, independent, a fighter whom the hardest of adversity could not turn aside from an object under- taken. He was a man of simple, democratic tastes, widely read, keenly alive to national and civic issues. He found his greatest pleasure in his home. Mr. Briggs was a member of the South Baptists. His political affiliation was with the Republican party.

Edwin Allen Briggs married (first) Sarah M. Fen- ner. He married (second) Ada Maria Grafton, who was born April 4, 1854, daughter of Joseph J. D. and Harriet Elizabeth (Campbell) Grafton, and a descend- ant of an ancient English family of noble lineage. The children of Edwin Allen and Ada Maria (Graf- ton) Briggs were: 1. Andrew Grafton, born Oct. 31, 1883; an engineer. 2. Everett Allen, was born May 2, 1885; is engaged in business as a dyer, and is at present filling government contracts; married Susan Hammond Barney, and resides in Holyoke, Mass. 3. Fannie Campbell, born October 21, 1886. Mrs. Briggs survives her husband and resides with her daughter, Fannie Campbell Briggs, at No. 857 Eddy street, Providence.

AUSTIN B. RANKIN-From youth until 1915, Mr. Rankin was engaged entirely in mercantile busi- ness, working his way upward from clerk to proprie- tor of a large wholesale meat and provision business. In 1915 he enlarged his line of operation to include banking, and is now the honored president of the Na- tional Union Bank of Woonsocket. His life has been an active, busy one, although ample in its rewards, all richly-deserved.

Mr. Rankin is a grandson of Lieutenant John Ran- kin, of Amherst, Mass., and a son of Ansel and Vienna (Hall) Rankin, of Pelham, Mass. Ansel Rankin was born in Pelham, May 9, 1807, and died in 1884. He was rated one of the best stone masons in his county, but later in life he became a farmer, substantial and influential, serving as assessor, selectman, and mem- ber of the school board. His widow survived him until 1893. Ansel and Vienna Rankin were the parents of : Augusta A., John H., Julia Vienna, and Austin B. Rankin.

Austin B. Rankin was born at the home farm in Pelham, Mass., May 11, 1851, and educated in the pub- lic schools, finishing his studies at Power's Institute. In early manhood he engaged in mercantile life, first as clerk and assistant, becoming well-known and highly-regarded in business circles. For six years he

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was manager of the largest dry goods store in Burl- ington, Vt., but his health broke and he was com- pelled to resign his position. Later he came to Rhode Island, and at Blackstone established a wholesale meat and provision business. Later he extended the same business to Woonsocket, which city Mr. Rankin makes his home. Blackstone was for years Mr. Ran- kin's headquarters and home, but with the growth of the Woonsocket branch that city became the principal seat of his large and important business activities. In 1915 he was elected president of the National Union Bank of Woonsocket; is a director of the Woonsocket Trust Company; and for a number of years was a director of the Woonsocket Gas Com- pany. He is a member of the Masonic order, and a past master of Blackstone River Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons. In political faith he is a Republi- can and an active and influential member of the Woon- socket Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Rankin married, August 4, 1888, Bertha Miller, and they are the parents of a son, Carl A., a lieutenant in the United States Aviation Corps, and assistant flying manager of Kelley Field at San Antonio, Tex., and of two daughters, Gladys and Julia.

GEORGE WILLIAM ROWSE-No list of Paw- tucket's notably successful business men would be com- plete without mention of George William Rowse, who came to that city a young man, rich in determination to succeed, but with little else in the way of capital save a clear head, a stout heart, and a strong body. The possession of these attributes, reinforced by hard work and clear vision, proved sufficient, and a prosper- ous business rewarded his efforts. George W. Rowse was born in Enosburg, Vt., October 14, 1856, son of George Henry and Mary (Domina) Rowse, both also born in Vermont, where most of their lives were spent. George H. Rowse, a farmer, left Vermont and came to Pawtucket, R. I., in 1872, remaining until 1875, then returned to Enosburg, Vt., where he died, March 3, 1903, his widow then making her home with her son, George W., in Pawtucket, until her death, three years after coming to that city. Mr. and Mrs. Rowse are buried in the cemetery at Enosburg, Vt. The son, George W., was educated in the public schools of Enos- burg, but at the age of sixteen, in 1872, came with his father and mother to Pawtucket, R. I. When they returned to Enosburg, in 1875, he did not go with them, but remained in Pawtucket, later married, and made that city his home without interruption, until 1883. His first position was with Greene & Daniels, employed in the dyeing department. Later he entered the personal service of Benjamin Greene, then was employed in a flouring mill for a few years. In 1883, he returned to the old Vermont home, remaining in Enosburg two years before coming again to Pawtucket. He was thirty years of age when, in 1886, he opened a small store in Pawtucket for the retailing of butter, cheese, and eggs, shipped to him from Vermont creameries, under an arrangement previously entered into with some large creamery men of Vermont. Soon he began

manufacturing butter on the premises, in a small way, to be sure, but demonstrating that it was both feasible and profitable to establish a modern creamery in Rhode Island. This was a business which had been entirely overlooked by the dairy interests of the State, and dates its birth from this small beginning made by Mr. Rowse. For a time he allowed Vermont creameries to supply him with the greater part of the dairy products he retailed, but when the volume of trade grew so large he was encouraged to look for the manufac- turer's profit as well as the retailer's. In 1903, he organized the Crysal Falls Creamery Company, at Montgomery, Vt .; it was not practical to establish in Rhode Island, as the local dairies could not furnish milk enough to meet his demands, and similar reasons. Pawtucket, as a retailing outlet, was most satisfactory, and at once the store facilities were enlarged and im- proved, but the rush of products from the Vermont creamery and the large retail demand at the store called for more room to meet this demand caused by the high standard of excellence he had established for all goods stamped Crystal Falls Creamery. Mr. Rowse, in 1909, erected a large modern building at the corner of Cottage street and Mendon avenue, in which the business could be conducted on a much larger scale.

At about the time, 1909, the high pressure, under which he had been working, began to tell upon his health, and he found it impossible to devote himself to the business with the same untiring energy which had characterized his activities for a quarter of a cen- tury. It was his ambition to remain for a full thirty years the active head of the business he had built up to such a high degree of development, but this was not to be, and a gradual failing of his powers continued for four years, until finally, on November 17, 1913, he passed away, falling short of his ambition by one year, his connection with the business, covering a period of twenty-nine years.

The founding and developing of a successful business was but a part of the life work of Mr. Rowse. He possessed an acute, inventive mind, and the ideas there- of were utilized for the good of his fellowmen. He invented, and in 1900 patented his first automatic machine for vending toilet paper, an invention he placed upon the market through the medium of the American Vending Machine Company, which he organ- ized, and of which he was president until his death. These vending machines were manufactured, and are still made in the Rowse Building, Pawtucket, the ma- chines being widely used, the company a very prosper- ous one. The American Vending Machine Company and the American Coin Lock Company, are now con- ducted under the same management.

In his later years, when business cares grew heavy, and assistant managers were needed, Mr. Rowse called his sons into the business, all having been helpers from their early business days. They were a mighty factor in the success of the enterprise conducted, and during the last four years of the founder's life, they bore the en- tire burden of management, then succeeded him as owners and managers. The business had been con- tinued along the lines laid down by George William Rowse, until 1915, when the Crystal Falls Creamery

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of Montgomery, Vt., was merged with the other cream- eries into a new corporation, The Maple Hills Creamery Company, Incorporated. The Rowse brothers con- ducted the new company for one year, then sold their interest, and are no longer concerned in the manufac- turing of the goods they handle. The Vermont Cream- ery Company, however, was incorporated in May 25, 1918, the officers of which all are sons of George W. Rowse. The retail business is still continued, the source of supply since 1916 having been obtained from the consolidated creameries whose facilities for manu- facturing and shipping resulted in lower manufacturing cost. Mr. Rowse was a director of the American Coin Lock Company; was a charter member and an organ- izer of Pawtucket Chapter, New England Order of Protection; also of the local camp, Modern Woodmen of America; was a deacon of Pleasant View Baptist Church for thirty-five years; and in politics was an ardent Republican.

George W. Rowse married, October 21, 1874, Mal- vina Deyo, born in Enosburg, Vt., March 7, 1859, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary (Riley) Deyo, her parents also of Vermont birth, the father of Montgom- ery, the mother of Troy, both of whom died when their daughter was very young. Mrs. Rowse survives her husband, and resides at her home, No. 456 Cottage street, Pawtucket. Mr. Rowse is at rest in Oak Grove Cemetery, Pawtucket. They were the parents of eight children :

I. Lottie J., who was born December 16, 1876, married Samuel S. Michaud, director of the Vermont Creamery Company, Incorporated, active in the accounting depart- ment, and a salesman of the company's products. Mr. and Mrs. Michaud are the parents of a son, Leroy Rowse, formerly a bookkeeper in the employ of the American Coin Lock Company, and now (1919) a radio operator in the United States Navy.

2. Herbert D. was born February 1, 1878, and at- tended the Pawtucket grade schools. He then became his father's assistant, so continuing until the connection was dissolved by the father's death. He then became manager of the creamery, and is now president and manager of the Vermont Creamery Company, Incor- porated, and a director of the American Vending Ma- chine Company. He is a member of Northcott Camp, No. 7629, Modern Woodmen of America, and in poli- tical faith is a Republican. He married Marian Haworth, daughter of William Henry and Mary (Sharrocks) Haworth, her father a prominent contractor of Paw- tucket, her mother deceased. Herbert D. and Marian Rowse are the parents of a son, Raymond. and a daughter, Ruth.

3. George William was born September 14, 1880, and after completing grade schools, spent one year in high school prior to a short course in dairying at New Hampshire Agricultural College, at Durham. He then became manager of the plant of the Crystal Falls Creamery, at Montgomery, Vt., so continuing until 1913. when he was elected secretary of the company. He remained in the dual capacity of secretary and man- ager until the union in 1915, which continued for one year, he being secretary of the merged interests. Soon afterward, disposing of his interest, he joined his brothers in the ownership and management of the

Vermont Creamery Company of which he is secretary. He is a member of Missisquoi Lodge, No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons, of Richford, Vt. His political faith is Republican. George W. Rowse married Daisy B. Baker, daughter of H. A. and Clara (Bombard) Baker, of Montgomery, Vt. They are the parents of a son, Carl Baker, and a daughter. Evelyn Malvina. During the Spanish American War in May, 1898, George W. Rowse enlisted in the First Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged March 30. 1899.

! 4. Frank J., was born July 20, 1882, and after courses in Pawtucket public schools completed a course in mechanical drawing in Pawtucket, R. I. He inherited his father's inventive genius and became his assistant in the mechanical work which was carried on in the intervals of the business in which both were engaged. The son, Frank, patented several devices, which when added to the invention of the father's vending machine, greatly increased its practical value. Even before his father's death he was manager of the American Vend- ing Machine Company, and its leading spirit and exec- utive, since merged with the American Coin Lock Com- pany, the machine and all its attachments being the property of and manufactured by the American Coin Lock Company, of which Frank Rowse was an organ- izer and is now president. In 1911, he patented a coin lock, which has met with popular approval, and is rap- idly supplanting all other locks opening through the insertion of a coin. Another of his patented inventions which is rapidly coming into favor, is a ticket vending machine. The peculiar conditions of the metal and labor market is retarding production of this new ma- chine, as it is of the Coin Lock, but the business in spite of this handicap is proving a profitable one. Frank Rowse is also associated with his brothers in the busi- ness founded by their father, and is treasurer of the Vermont Creamery Company. His societies are the Modern Woodmen of America, and the American Mechanics Association. He married, June 12, 1914, Anna Capron, daughter of Everett and Harriet ( Howes) Capron, of Dennis Port, Cape Cod, Mass. They are the parents of a son, Franklin J., and a daughter, Bessie Capron Rowse.

5. Bessie May, born December 29, 1884, died March 3, 1910. She married Charles G. Domina, and left three daughters: Charlotte G .; Doris E .; and Vina M. Domina.

6. Edward A., born December 18, 1887, died May 27, IgII. He was associated with his brothers in the Ver- mont Creamery Company, as a salesman, and developed an unusual ability in that line. He married Margaret C. Inglis, and left a son, Edward A. Rowse, Jr.

7. William H. was born February 28, 1889, and after completing his school years became interested with his brothers in the Vermont Creamery Company, as salesman, and bookkeeper. He enlisted in the service of his country in October, 1917, and is now a member of the Aviation Corps, of the United States Navy, and is rated as a first-class machinist.

8. Lester F., born March 28, 1895, obtained his edu- cation in the public schools of Pawtucket, R. I., and became a salesman with the Vermont Creamery Com- pany. He served during 1917-18 as a machinist in the United States Navy.

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SPENCER-BURLINGAME-MILLER-The sur- ame Spencer is of ancient English origin, having its ource in the office of house-steward. The office of la despencer," or "la spencer," was among the highest n the King's household and was proportionately great mong the barons, consequently those who filled it, and ubsequently adopted the name from the office, ranked mong the foremost in the kingdom. Spencers figured prominently at an early date in English history, and the family has never relinquished the influence and prestige of early generations. The family in America also is one of great prominence. The Spencers of New England comprise the progeny of four brothers of the name who were living here in 1648-Michael, Jared, Thomas and William Spencer, who were legatees of Sir Richard Spencer, of London, England, who in all probability was their uncle. Michael Spencer settled first in Cam- bridge, Mass., and later in Lynn, and owned land on the Connecticut river. William Spencer settled in Cam- bridge, whence he went to Hartford, Conn. Thomas and Jared also settled in Connecticut.

Of John Spencer, the head of the Rhode Island family, and progenitor of the well known Fast Green- wich Spencers, John Osborne Austin, genealogist. says :

He may have been the son of Michael Spencer, who was of Cambridge, Mass., 1634, and later of Lynn, and may also have been identical with that John Spencer who was made heir of his uncle John Spencer. (The latter made his will in 1637 at Newbury, returned to England, and his will was proved at Salem, Mass, 1648).

The descendants of John Spencer have played a prominent part in the life and affairs of East Green- wich, R. I., since the beginning of the eighteenth cen- tury, and the family to-day ranks among the foremost of Warwick families. The line herein under consider- ation is that of the late Thomas Lyon Spencer, a leader in business and public life in East Greenwich in the middle decades of the nineteenth century.

(I) John Spencer, founder of the family, was first of Newport, and later of East Greenwich. He is of record as early as the year 1661, and in 1668 became a free- man. In 1677 he was one of the first purchasers of the lands comprising East Greenwich, and in the same year held the office of town clerk, filling it until 1683. In 1678 he was chosen conservator of the peace, and in 1680 was elected deputy to the Rhode Island Gen- eral Assembly. He was a prominent figure in the public life of the town until his death. His sons were all active in public affairs, all at one time or another rep- resenting the community in the colonial assembly. John Spencer married Susanna - and they were the parents of nine children. Two sons, William and Rob- ert, removed to North Kingston; the others remained in East Greenwich.

(II) John (2) Spencer, son of John (1) and Susanna Spencer, was born April 20, 1666, and was a lifelong resident of East Greenwich, R. I., where he died in 1743. He was a cordwainer by occupation, and figured prominently in official life in the town for several decades. In 1660-1700-04-05-09-14-24-26-29, he held the office of deputy to the General Assembly. From 1712 to 1719 he was speaker of the House of Deputies. His will, dated July 2, 1733, and proved December 31, 1743, names his sons, John and William, executors. John

Spencer marricd, about 1692, Audry Greene, who was born December 27, 1667, and died April 17, 1733, daugh- ter of John and Ann (Almy) Greene.

(III) William Spencer, son of John (2) and Audrey (Greene) Spencer, was born in East Greenwich, R. I., May 15, 1695. He was a lifelong resident in the town, a prosperous farmer and well-known citizen. Under his father's will he inherited a farm in East Green- wich, which was his home. On May 10, 1716, he mar- ried Elizabeth Rice, daughter of John and Elnathan (Whipple) Rice, of Warwick. They were the parents of two children.

(IV) Richard Spencer, son of William and Eliza- beth (Rice) Spencer, was born in East Greenwich, R. I., March 16, 1718, and resided there until his death. He married Hannah -, and they were the parents of one son, John, mentioned below.

(V) John (3) Spencer, son of Richard and Hannah Spencer, was born October 7, 1737, in East Green- wich. He married on Christmas Day, 1760, Experi- ence Lyon, daughter of John Lyon, of Coventry.

(VI) Captain Simmons Spencer, son of John (3) and Experience (Lyon) Spencer, was born in East Green- wich, R. I., June 23, 1766. He was a captain of a merchant vessel plying between East Greenwich and southern ports, and was well known in East Green- wich in his day. He married, November 11, 1792, Elder Lippitt officiating, Ruth Miller, daughter of Nathan and Robey (Salisbury) Miller, of Warwick. (See Miller VI). Their children were: John, born July II, 1795: Richard, Feb. II., 1798; Almy, 1800; Nathan, 1802; Thomas Lyon, mentioned below.

(VII) Thomas Lyon Spencer, son of Captain Sim- mons and Ruth (Miller) Spencer, was born in East Greenwich, R. I., June 25, 1809. He was educated in the schools of the town, and in early manhood, after a short apprenticeship, began the manufacture of boots and shoes in East Greenwich. He was successful from the very outset in this enterprise, and engaged in wholesale and retail manufacturing, conducting a large and lucrative trade until 1890, when he retired from active business life. Mr. Spencer was widely known in manufacturing and business circles in East Greenwich and in Providence, and eminently respected for the unimpeachable integrity of all his dealings. He was one of the foremost citizens of East Green- ' wich, always a leader in movements which had for their end the advancement of civic conditions. He was long a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and for several years was one of its trustees; he served also in the office of steward. For many years Mr. Spencer was a member of the Town Council, but he refused to accept nomination to higher offices. A Republican in political affilia- tion, he was nevertheless influenced only by his regard for justice and the greater good of the community in casting his vote. He was a keen student of national and local issues, and thoroughly abreast of the times. Of magnetic personality, kindly and courteous, he was well beloved and his death was sincerely mourned in East Greenwich.

Mr. Spencer married, May 7, 1835, Sarah Hart Bateman, daughter of Benjamin and Alice (Pierce)

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Bateman, and granddaughter of Hector Bateman, founder of the family in New England, who settled in Coventry, R. I. Richard M. Bayles, in his "History of Newport County," published in 1888, states that Hector Bateman was the son of Lord William Henry Bateman, of Castle Hill, Herefordshire, England. Alice (Pierce) Bateman, mother of Mrs. Spencer, was the daughter of John Pierce, who deeded the land on which is located the court house in East Green- wich, the transfer being made at the time when there was a bill introduced to annex the county of Kent to the county of Providence. Sarah Hart (Bateman) Spencer died on March 12, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer were the parents of the following children: Ruth Miller, mentioned below; Thomas L. S., born Jan. 13, 1850, died March 8. 1871. Thomas Lyon Spencer died at his home in East Greenwich, R. I., Aug. 17, 1895, and is buried with his wife in the East Green- wich Cemetery.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 70

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