The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 72

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 72

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Mr. Dempsey resigned from liis position as agent, general manager and treasurer of the Lewiston Bleachery in 1892, after twenty-one years' service in the office. Before he left the city a complimentary banquet was tendered him, which was attended by many of the business nien of the city.

Parallel with his work in Lewiston for many years ran his interests in Rhode Island. In 1880 he pur- chased property in North Providence, and there established a bleachery and dye works, in charge of which he placed his son, John J. Dempsey. Two years later this plant was destroyed by fire, but he immediately began the erection of an extensive plant in Pawtucket, where he entered upon the bleaching, dyeing and finishing of all kinds of cotton piece goods. This plant, which was opened in March, 1884, stands on the west bank of the Blackstone river, fronting on North Main street, between Smith and Jackson streets. The business proved highly successful from the very beginning. In 1883 the business was incor- porated under the name of the Dempsey Bleachery and Dye Works, with the following officers: James Dempsey, president; John J. Dempsey, treasurer; and William P. Dempsey, agent. Since the size of the problem which he was handling at Lewiston demanded all of his time, Mr. Dempsey left the man- agement of his Rhode Island interests almost entirely in the hands of his sons. After his death John J. Dempsey became president of the corporation, and William P. Dempsey, agent. On the death of his brother in 1898, William P. Dempsey became the head of the plant, which is jointly owned by himself and his sister. The Dempsey Bleachery and Dye Works is one of the finest plants in the city of Paw- tucket. The buildings are of brick and are equipped with the most modern machinery, and safeguarded with every contrivance for the protection of the lives and health of employees. A man of most engaging personality, true to his friendships, honest, and impec- cable in all the relations of life, Mr. Dempsey was highly respected and honored in both Lewiston and Pawtucket. He was of a reserved nature, and avoided ostentation in all things, finding happiness in the essen- tials.

Mr. Dempsey married, in Ireland, in 1841, Bridget McDermott, a woman of culture and refinement, who was truly a helpmate and a most lovable mother. She died in Lewiston, Me., in 1876. Their children were:

1. Michael C., who was engaged in the grocery busi- ness in Pawtucket, died unmarried. 2. John J., who succeeded his father as president of the Dempsey Bleachery and Dye Works, died unmarried in Paw- tucket, in Oct., 1898. 3. George A., died in Lewiston, Me., in 1879, unmarried. 4. Mary J., who died Aug. 30, 1909. 5. James A., died in Lewiston, Me., in 1874, aged nineteen. 6. William P., mentioned below. After his retirement from business in 1892, Mr. Demp- sey and his son built the handsome residence on Park place, Pawtucket, which was his home until his death, and where his son, William P. Dempsey, now resides.

Even after his retirement from business life, he did not remain wholly outside the field of business affairs, but was connected with various institutions. He was a director of the Pacific National Bank, a member of the Pawtucket Business Men's Association, and a director of the Lewiston Machine Company and the Hill Mills, of Lewiston. His political affiliation was with the Democratic party, but he took no active part in public life, other than to hold the offices herein before mentioned. His death occurred in Somers- worth, N. H., October 1, 1894, and came as a blow to numerous friends, and to the industry in which he had been so prominent a figure for more than forty years.

A whole-souled, earnest man, of dynamic energy and tireless industry, he gave the best that was in him to every project to which he turned his hand. His success was essentially the result of hard toil, indomitable will power and an unconquerable belief in his own ability. The early portion of his life was filled with reverses, disheartening and harsh, yet he rose from under each defeat with the same un- quenchable ambition and confidence. Starting life with very few advantages, he finished it a man of wealth, of culture and refinement, honored, loved and respected by a host of friends and associates.

William P. Dempsey, youngest son of James and Bridget (McDermott) Dempsey, was born in the town of Cumberland, R. I., May 9, 1855. He received his education in the public schools of Lonsdale and Paw- tucket, R. I., and Lewiston, Me., removing to the latter place with his parents in 1868, and attending the schools there until he reached his nineteenth year. He then entered the Lewiston Bleachery under his father, where he made an exhaustive study of the business, and gained a most valuable practical experi- ence. When in March, 1884, the late James Dempsey established a bleachery and dye works in Pawtucket, he placed his son, William P. Dempsey, in charge of the works as agent and general manager, and John J. Dempsey as treasurer. Mr. Dempsey filled this post competently and well until the death of first his father, and shortly afterward that of his brother, at which time, in 1894, he succeeded to the offices of president and treasurer. Mr. Dempsey has been a prominent figure in the business and financial circles of Pawtucket for many years. He is connected in executive capacities with many large industrial enter- prises in Pawtucket and throughout New England. He is a director of the Pawtucket branch of the In- dustrial Trust Company, of the Pawtucket Mutual

George R Fiske

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BIOGRAPHICAL

Jre Insurance Company, and of the Royal Weaving ompany. He is also a member of the board of tistees of the Pawtucket Institution for Savings, and ¿ director of the Hill Manufacturing Company, of jewiston, Me. In January, 1906, he was elected presi- (nt of the Pawtucket Business Mens' Association, succeed Lyman B. Goff. He is highly respected the city. He is a member of the Democratic party, it remains strictly outside public life. He is a mem- r of Tokalon Club, Providence; Catholic Club, covidence; Catholic Club of New York City; Paw- cket Business Men's Association.

GEORGE RAY FISKE-Although at the age of even he went on a Rhode Island farm, Mr. Fiske, hen nineteen, abandoned agriculture, and for sev- al years was otherwise engaged. But early train- g asserted itself, and in 1895 he returned to the soil id has since operated his one hundred acre farm very iccessfully, confining himself principally to dairy rming.

George R. Fiske is a son of Albert Dana and Rox- ina Spencer (Johnson) Fiske, and a grandson of aac and Nabby (Henry) Fiske, a descendant of 1 ancient Rhode Island family, who acquired land I Coventry, and were substantial agriculturists in very generation. Isaac Fiske had two sons, Albert )., a well-to-do-farmer of Coventry, and John, a sol- ier of the Union, serving with Battery B, recruited 1 Providence. He was wounded at the battle of Malvern Hill, taken prisoner, and confined in Libby 'rison, Richmond, Va., and in the stockade at Ander- onville, Ga., being exchanged from the latter after reat suffering. After his release from the hospital e returned to Rhode Island, and located in Anthony, adly crippled. Albert Dana Fiske married Roxanna Spencer Johnson, they the parents of two sons: George Ray and Charles A. Fiske, the last named naking his home with his brother at Summit. Albert Dana Fiske died October 23, 1895, aged sixty-two, nd Mrs. Fiske died December 3, 1888.

George Ray Fiske was born in Washington, R. I., October 27, 1866, and there was educated in the public chools. He remained at home his father's assistant intil 1885, then entered railroad employ, so continuing or eight years, being a section foreman at the time of his leaving the company. He then returned to the arm, and in 1895 purchased a farm of one hundred acres at Summit, R. I., since devoting himself to its operation as a dairy farm. He has a valuable prop- erty, well-managed, and is one of the substantial men of his town.

Always a Republican in politics, Mr. Fiske has given much of his time to the public service. In June, 1896, he was elected a member of the Town Coun- cil, serving until 1901. In 1897 he was elected State Senator from West Greenwich, and through succes- ive reelections served four terms, one, the last session, n the Old State House, and one, the first session, held in the New State Capitol. In the Senate he served on the committee on State property, and was one of the working, valued members of that body. In June, 1907, he was elected town clerk, an office he still holds, and

in 1914 he was elected to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, and is still holding that office through reelections. He is a member of the committee on labor legislation; in 1917, was appointed to fill a vacancy upon the town school committee of West Greenwich. He is a member and a past master of Ionic Lodge, No. 28, Free and Accepted Masons, of Greene, and interested in other organizations of the town, political, business and religious.

Senator Fiske married, May 17, 1891, Mary Ann Eliza Johnson, daughter of Alfred Smith and Hannah Greene (Howland) Johnson, her mother a descendant of Warwick Greene, and of John Howland, "the pil- grim;" Alfred Smith Johnson, a descendant of Syl- vester Johnson, of North Kingston, a soldier of the Revolutionary War, moved from North Kingston to West Greenwich, R. I., in 1878. They were the par- ents of Mary A. E., wife of Senator Fiske, and Massie, who married Thomas Brown, of West Greenwich. Mr. and Mrs. Fiske are the parents of the following children: Edith M., born Feb. 12, 1893, taught in the West Greenwich schools several years prior to her marriage to Clyde S. Fish, of West Greenwich; Renie E., born Jan. 3, 1895, residing at home; Albert A., born April 18, 1897; George E., born March 14, 1899, died Aug. 31, 1917, by accidental drowning while serv- ing as a fireman of the third class in the United States Navy, assigned to the battleship "Wisconsin;" and Minnie V., born June 19, 1905, residing at home.

REYNOLDS-FOWLER-Various explanations have been offered as to the origin of the surname Reynolds. It is thought by eminent authorities, however, to have had its source in the Norman French Renand. or Reg- nauld, which the English render as Reynard, the fox. Renaud was one of the most popular font-names of the surname period, which accounts for its widespread pop- ularity as a surname a century or more later. Reynolds is of the baptismal class, and signifies literally "the son of Reynold," which is the anglicized form of Regnauld, or Reginald. The common use of the fox on coats-of- arms of Reynolds families supports the belief that the surname had the above stated origin. On an old tomb- stone at Bristol, R. I., there is a coat-of-arms described : Azure three foxes statant or. Crest: A fox statant or.

The arms of the Reynolds family of this review is as follows :

Arms-Ermine two lions passant guardant in pale gules ducally crowned or.

Crest-A wivern, wings elevated, holding in the dex- ter claw a sword paleways.

Motto-Fide sed cui vide.

The family in America dates from the close of the third decade of the seventeenth century. There were several immigrants of the name during the Colonial period. The ancestor of the line herein under consid- eration was William Reynolds, who was a prominent figure in the settlement of Providence, and the colony of Rhode Island.

(I) William Reynolds, progenitor of the family in America, was a native of England, and is first of record in the Rhode Island Colony, in the year 1637. when he and certain others were to pay two shillings six pence a piece for ground that they had granted to

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them, and on August 20, 1637, or a little later, he and twelve cthers signed the following compact: "We whose names are hereunder, desirous to inhabit in the town of Providence, do promise to subject ourselves in active and passive obedience to all such orders or agreements as shall be made for public good of the body in an orderly way, by the major consent of the present inhabitants, masters of families, incorporated together in Town fellowship, and others whom they admit unto them only in civil things." On July 27. 1640. he was one of the thirty-nine signers of the agree- ment for a new form of government. On November 17 of the following year, he with twelve others com- plained in a letter to Massachusetts of the "insolent and riotons carriage of Samuel Gorton and his com- pany," and therefore the petitioners desired Massachu- setts to "lend us a neighborlike helping hand," etc. On January 30. 1644, he was one of the Providence settlers who testified as to the outrage on Warwick settlers by Massachusetts. On January 27, 1645, he sold to Robert Williams all his houses and home share and three small pieces of meadow, and on the same date he sold to William Field a share of six acres on Fox's Hill; on April 27, 1646, he sold to Thomas Lawton his valley of six acres, and three acres of meadow. He was the owner of considerable property and was in very com- fortable circumstances, holding a prominent position in Providence.

(II) James Reynolds, son of William Reynolds, was a resident of Kings Town, R. I., where he died in 1700. On May 13, 1665, he signed the petition for land in Kings Province, and May 20, 1671, he took the oath of allegiance. Like his father he was prominent in town affairs, and served as constable in 1671, overseer of the poor in 1687. grand juryman in 1688, and conser- vator of the peace in 1690. On May 2, 1677, he was one of those who petitioned the Assembly for instruction, assistance and advice as to the oppressions they suf- fered from Connecticut, and on May 24, 1677, he and the others who had been taken to Hartford as prison- ers received a letter containing the following excerpt from the Rhode Island authorities: "That you might receive all suitable encouragement that as you continue true to your engagement to this colony and upon that account are kept prisoners, we shall equally bear your charges of imprisonment, and with all expedition ad- dress ourselves to his Majesty for relief." On July 29, 1679, his name was on a petition to the King for an end to the troubles between the two colonies. He and his wife deeded to their son John fifty acres of land, December 26, 1673, and April 29, 1684, they deeded one hundred acres in East Greenwich to their son James. On April 3, 1692, he deeded a slave named Elizabeth to his son-in-law, Thomas Nichols, and wife Mercy, if said slave be alive at the decease of the grantor; on January 21, 1699, he deeded a negro boy John to his son Francis under the same conditions. He deeded fifty acres of land to his son Henry, March 22. 1699, and on June 5th of the same year ratified a deed to his granddaughter Sarah Aires, and her "maile heirs." hay- ing previously omitted the word heirs when deeding to his son John. On September 21. 1700, a declaration was made by John Sweet that James Reynolds, Sr., made a deed of gift to daughter Deborah and her husband,

John Sweet, of a negro girl Betty, but that afterward he gave Betty freedom when she should be thirty year of age, and to this John Sweet and his wife consenter. His son James was executor of his will, and on Marc. 14. 1703, took a receipt from his brother Henry an also from Joseph and Francis for their shares in th' estate. It is evident from the above extensive gift of property, real estate, etc., that James Reynolds wa a man of excellent circumstances, having a large lande estate, and owning slaves. He held an honored posi tion in the life of Kings Town. He married Debora: and they were the parents of the following children : John, born Oct. 12, 1648; James, Oct. 28 1650; Joseph, Nov. 27, 1652, died in 1722; Henry, Jar I, 1656. died in 1716; Deborah, 1658; Francis, men tioned below: Mercy, born in 1664; Robert, died i 1715; Benjamin.

(III) Francis Reynolds, son of James and Deboral Reynolds, was born in Kings Town, R. I., October 12 1662. He resided there all his life, a well-known cit izen, and prosperous land owner and farmer. Franci: Reynolds married (first), in 1688, Elizabeth Greene who was born October 17. 1668, daughter of James and Deliverance (Potter) Greene, and granddaughter 0: Surgeon John Greene, the founder of the family ir America. He married (second) Elizabeth Anthony, of Portsmouth, R. I. Children of first marriage: Fran- cis, born in 1689, settled on the great plain ; Peter, men- tioned below ; James, born 1693, married Dec. 7, 1717 Hannah Jenkins; Jabez: Elizabeth, born in 1700; Mary 1706; Susannah, 1717: Deborah, 1719.

(IV) Peter Reynolds, son of Francis and Elizabeth (Greene) Reynolds, was born in Kingstown, R. I., in 1691, and resided there all his life, on the great plain. By his father's will he received the other half of the farm land "where he dwells." He married, and among his children was John, mentioned below.

(V) John Reynolds, son of Peter Reynolds, was born in North Kingstown, R. I. He made his home there throughout his entire lifetime, becoming a prominent citizen and prosperous farmer. He married, and was the father of Benjamin, mentioned below.

(VI) Benjamin Reynolds, son of John Reynolds, was born in North Kingstown, and made his home on the paternal homestead. He married Elizabeth Rey- nolds, a cousin, whose lineage was almost identical with his own. They were the parents of nine children, of whom John B. was the eldest.

(VII) John B. Reynolds, son of Benjamin and Eliz- abeth (Reynolds) Reynolds, was born in North Kings- town. R. I., in 1780. He was the owner of considera- ble farming property and was a farmer during his entire life. He married Mary Aylesworth, daughter of Arthur and Abigail (Dyer) Aylesworth, of North Kingstown. Their children were: Hannah, Benjamin, Mary, John, Hazard, Abby, Elizabeth, William W. A., Anna G., Emma, Almira, Sarah L., Allen, mentioned below.

(VIII) Allen Reynolds, son of John B. and Mary (Aylesworth) Reynolds, was born in the town of North Kingston, R. I., December 17, 1826. He was educated in the district schools of Kingston, but at an early age left his studies to engage in mechanical pur- suits, for which he had evinced a decided talent. He

Grafton & Keryou!

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BIOGRAPHICAL

cured his first employment with the David & Sweet ompany, in the capacity of mill hand in their carding apartment. Through his skill in mechanical work he ose rapidly in the employ of this concern. Through a jesire to familiarize himself thoroughly with every hase of the woolen manufacturing industry he changed mployment several times. In 1847 he severed his con- ection with the A. & W. Sprague Company, of Natick, .. I., and spent a considerable period in the study of his industry. In 1849 he entered the employ of Davis Reynolds & Company. In 1866 he became a partner of he firm of Davis Sweet & Company, and remained one f the most important members of the firm until it was issolved in 1873. He then became a partner in the rm of G. W. Reynolds & Company, and engaged in he manufacture of woolen goods, both at Davisville nd Sandy Hill. The business of these two establish- nents was highly profitable, and in a short period they ose in the business world of Rhode Island, having a considerable voice in manufacturing and industrial ircles. In 1883, upon the retirement of the senior partner, the property and mill at Sandy Hill were sold ind the Davisville plant alone was continued. All the attention and energy of the remaining partners was concentrated on the Davisville enterprise, with the result that it became successful.

Through the extensive nature of his business and financial interests, Mr. Reynolds was brought into the field of public affairs. He was well known in the life and affairs of North Kingston, highly respected for the integrity of all his dealings, and honored for his clean success in business. He was elected to the State Legis- lature of Rhode Island several times, and filled the office of assemblyman in 1878 and 1881. In 1885 he was elected state senator, and filled the office with such satisfaction to his constituents that he was returned to the Senate in 1886 and 1887. In addition to this he held various posts in the town government, and was always deeply interested in all movements for the advance- ment of the welfare of the town. He was a Baptist in religious belief, and was a member of the Quidnesset Church, of which he was clerk and chorister for a num- ber of years.

In April, 1853, Mr. Reynolds married Elizabeth S. Johnson, daughter of Sylvester and Sally (Wells) Johnson, of North Kingston, R. I. Mr. and Mrs. Rey- nolds were the parents of eight children: I. Curtis C. 2. Leander. 3. Marion G. 4. Lula A., mentioned below. 5. Emma, who became the wife of Walter B. Knight, of Borahville, Conn. 6. William A. 7. Annie M., now Mrs. W. B. Babcock, of North Kingston, R. I. 8. Fannie E., who died in infancy. Allen Reynolds died at his home in North Kingston, R. I., June 24, 1908.

(IX) Lula A. Reynolds, daughter of Allen and Eliz- abeth S. (Johnson) Reynolds, became the wife of George Herbert Fowler, of North Kingston, R. I., and is now a resident of Pawtucket. George Herbert Fowler was born in Northbridge, Mass., July 16, 1852, son of George D. and Abigail (Adams) Fowler. He was educated in the public schools of Barre, Mass., later attending Worcester Academy, and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute, from which he was graduated with the class of 1873. Shortly afterward he came to the city of Providence, R. I., where he secured his first

employment in a small machine shop. In the follow- ing year, by which time he was a skilled workman. he became connected with the Providence Tool Company, with whom he remained for seven years, in the capacity of expert mechanic and designer. In 1882 Mr. Fowler was associated with George H. Webb in the founding of the Pawtucket Manufacturing Company, and on its organization was elected to the office of secretary and treasurer. In this connection he became widely known in the manufacturing world of Pawtucket, and rose to prominence in the life of the city. Mr. Fowler was well known in fraternal and social life in the city. He was a member of Union Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he had filled all offices up to and including that of senior warden. He also belonged to Pawtucket Chapter, No. 4. Royal Arch Masons; Pawtucket Council, No. 2, Royal and Select Masters; Holy Sepulchre Commandery, No. 8, Knights Templar ; Aleppo Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; and the Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret. His religious affiliation was with the Beneficent Congre- gational Church of Providence during his residence in that city. On his removal to Pawtucket, he became a member of the Pawtucket Congregational Church So- ciety. He died at his home in Pawtucket, January 4, 1895.

GRAFTON IRVING KENYON, one of the most successful and progressive merchants of Wakefield, in this State, is a member of one of the oldest and most distinguished Rhode Island families, which for more than two centuries has made its home in the southern part of this State, and is connected with many other important and distinguished houses here.

According to "Burke's Commoners," there are four lines of the Kenyon family, the arms of which are similar in their general character, but which differ in detail. One of them, the Kenyons of Whitney, has the motto Magnanimiter crucem sustine (Nobly bear the cross), which probably indicates that the early an- cestors fought in the Crusades. According to some authorities John Kenyon, who was the first of the name in New England, was a direct descendant from Jordan de Lanton, Lord of Kenyon, who flourished in the reign of Henry III., of England.

(I) John Kenyon, the founder of the family in Amer- ica, was born in England in 1605. He married prob- ably about 1625 or 1630, Ann Smith, and among their children was John Kenyon (2), of further mention.

(II) John Kenyon (2) was born in 1636, and mar- ried (first) Hannah Sheppard, and (second) Mary Rigby.

(III) John Kenyon (3), son of John Kenyon (2), was born in 1657 and died in 1732. He married Sarah Gray, a daughter of Edward and Mary (Winslow) Gray, and granddaughter of John and Mary ( Chilton) Winslow, who was one of the party of pilgrims who came over in the "Mayflower."

(IV) Jonathan Kenyon, son of John Kenyon (3), and Sarah (Gray) Kenyon, was born in 1695, and died in 1766. He married Mary Gardner.

(V) Nathan Kenyon was born about 1720, and we have record of his will as made in 1805. He married, April 18, 1757, Mary Green, of Charlestown, R. I., and

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they were the parents of the following children: Gard- ner, mentioned below; James, who married Habba Nichols; Green; Nathan; Jonathan; Aaron; Elizabeth; Mary; Sarah; and Amy.

(VI) Gardner Kenyon was born December 6, 1757, and died March 7, 1845. He married about 1784, Susan- nah Boss, born July 4, 1762, and died April 20, 1844. They were the parents of the following children: Sally, born Feb. 2, 1786, and died Oct. 25, 1868, and became the wife of Benjamin Knowles; Nathan Gard- ner, mentioned below; Caleb Boss, born Oct. 1, 1791, and died Sept. 24. 1857, married (first) Hannah Cong- den, and (second) Matilda Kenyon; Lucretia, born May 27, 1793, and became the wife of Nathaniel Ken- yon, who subsequently removed to Pennyan, Yates county, N. Y .; Susan V., born May 29, 1795, died Jan. 7. 1866, and became the wife of Hazard Knowles; Elisha Reynolds Potter, born April 29, 1799, and died in August, 1839; James Burrell, born May 10, 1801, and died Aug. 12, 1880; Mary, born Sept. 21, 1803, died Feb. 14, 1866, and became the wife of Benjamin Congden, a farmer at Point Judith; Alexander Hamilton, born July 6, 1805, and died in Oct., 1835, unmarried; Eliza- beth, who became the wife of Welcome Kenyon.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 72

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