The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 75

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 75

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Eminent in his profession, Mr. Gardner is not less highly regarded as a citizen and public official. From 1884 to 1887 he was a member of the Common Council, serving as president of the council, 1855-87, the re-loca- tion of the Union Station and of the approaches thereto being one of the questions practically settled during his term. In 1806 he was again elected, and in 1898 declined the Republican nomination for the House of Represen- tatives, but accepted nomination from the Republican and Democratic parties with a Municipal League en- dorsement. In 1906 he was the candidate of the Demo- cratic and Lincoln parties for State Senator, was elected and reelected in 1907. He led with others in the sup- port of Robert H. I. Goddard for United States Senator against George P. Wetmore, the result being a deadlock in the Legislature. He also favored constitutional change increasing the power of the governor and equal- izing representation.

As president of the Coventry Company, Mr. Gardner is at the head of a cotton manufacturing corporation, and in 1907 was appointed receiver of the Union Trust Company. The plan of re-organization he pushed to adoption was approved by the depositors by almost a unanimous vote, and in May, 1908, the company resumed business with Mr. Gardner as president. During his executive term all depositors were paid in full, the bank placed upon a sound basis, and in 1912 he resigned the presidency and returned to the practice of law. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church, member of the standing committee of the Diocese of

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Rhode Island, formerly a member of the General Board of Missions, and now senior warden of Grace Church, Providence. Public-spirited and able, he is frequently called upon for advice and leadership in benevolent and philanthropic movements, and he can always be relied upon to "lend a hand." His clubs are the University of New York; the University of Providence, of which he is an ex-president ; the Agawam Hunt; Hope; Eco- nomic; Churchman's and Providence Bar. He is also a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, Provi- dence Athenaeum, Rhode Island Historical Society, Rhode Island School of Design, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and Psi Upsilon Society.

Mr. Gardner married (first) January 1, 1880, Sophie L. Gardner, daughter of Hon. John A. Gardner, an eminent member of the Providence bar and former United States District Attorney for Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner are the parents of two children: I. Henry Wood, a graduate of Yale, 1904, now associated with his father in the practice of law. 2. Marianna Field, married, Dec. 6, 1905, Royal C. Taft, Jr., son of Ex-Governor Royal C. Taft, of Rhode Island, they the parents of Royal C. (3), born July 17, 1907; Mariana F., born Feb. 15, 1911; Gardner, born March I. 1913. Sophie L. Gardner died Sept. 12, 1912, and Mr. Gardner married (second) Jan. 14, 1914, Karine M. Froberg. They have one child, Ellen M., born May 28, 1916.

JOHN MORTON FERRIER-The story of the career of John Morton Ferrier is the story of obstacles overcome and fine ambitions achieved through sheer dint of that wonderful American pluck, which one often reads of in the pages of fiction, but rarely encounters in real life. That he has won his way to the front ranks in the community in Providence is due to the innate force of character of the man who took the difficulties in his way as a strong swimmer takes the water, with a certain zest in the effort and with an abiding confidence in his own ability to overcome what- ever might befall. That this confidence was not mis- placed is shown by the records of things done, and by the seals of official sanction by the institutions from which he gained his degrees.

He was born at Green River, Ontario, Canada, youngest son of Obadiah P. and Emma (Anderson) Ferrier. Here he went to school until he was twelve years old. The business of life began then for the young boy, and he went to work on a farm of the region, remaining there until he was nineteen, carrying on his studies part of this time in the evenings of his hard- worked days. He was a boy with intellectual ambitions, and the farm work was merely to him a means to an end, and that end to gain a college education. He finally gained admittance to the Christian Biblical In- stitute, of New York, and there he studied for the ministry, graduating in 1898, and later received the degree of Bachelor of Divinity from this institute. This was followed by his ordination in the Christian church. He then preached and financed his way through Starkey Seminary, New York, graduating from there in 1902, and was ready for the higher institutions to which it was now his ambition to go. He had set nis mind on graduating from Brown University, and

accordingly he matriculated there at this time and i 1906 won his degree of Bachelor of Arts from the institution. In the following year he was made Maste of Arts. In 1908 he established his present busines: and is now one of the large real estate operators o Providence.

Ar. Ferrier is a Republican in his political views and is an active worker in city affairs. In 1911 he wa: appointed on the school board of the city of Provi. dence, to serve an unexpired term of a former member and was reelected in 1912 to serve for a six year term - In the face of strong opposition Mr. Ferrier introduced. championed and pushed to successful issue the plan of military training for high school students, and it is largely due to him that this now highly endorsed plan is in force in Providence high schools. He served on the committee on high schools, committee on special schools, and is chairman of the committee on military training. He is past chancellor in the order of the Knights of Pythias, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and of the Masonic Order, belonging of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council of the latter. He is a member of the Christian church, and belongs to the Provident Fraternity, to the Rotary Club, of which he is a director, to the Providence Real Estate Exchange, of which he is a director and vice-president, and to the National Real Estate Exchange. He was elected to the City Council of the city of Providence, November 5, 1918, to represent the Eighth Ward, and appointed on the committee of education, and committee on lights.

Mr. Ferrier married. May 12, 1898, Winifred Estelle Howard, a native of Foster, R. I., a daughter of Lester Howard, D. D., and Alvira A. ( Phillips) Howard. Rev. Howard was a native of Foster, and for many years was professor of Greek at Christian Biblical Institute of New York, and later pastor of Congregational church at Chepachet, continuing until his death on October 3, 1918. They have two children: Howard Anderson, born Ang. 20, 1911, and John Morton, Jr., born March 19, 1913.

HON. SAMUEL CLARK-The Clark families of New England rank among the oldest and foremost in the country. The Rhode Island families of the name have figured notably in the life and affairs of the col- ony and State for two and a half centuries. The origi- nal immigrants were Thomas, John, and Joseph Clarke, brothers, natives of Westhorpe, County Suffolk, Eng- land, and descendants of a family long established there. Thomas Clarke was admitted an inhabitant of the Island of Aquidneck in 1638, and became one of the original members of the First Baptist Church in 1644. He died in 1674, leaving no issue. John Clarke, one of the most notable leaders of early life in Rhode Island, a physician, minister, and public man, was first at Boston in 1637; of Portsmouth, in 1638, and of New- port in 1639; he was deputy governor of the colony from 1669 to 1672. Dr. John Clark left no issue that sur- vived him long. Joseph Clarke, the remaining brother, was admitted an inhabitant of the Island of Aquidneck in 1638. He was one of the original members of the First Baptist Church in 1644, and subsequently rose to a position of prominence in colonial affairs; was a

4. morton Perrier

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BIOGRAPHICAL

member of the General Court of Trials in 1648; com- missioner in 1655-57-58-59; was assistant in 1658-64-65- 66, 1678-79. His name appears in the charter granted Rhode Island in 1663 by King Charles II. He was a freeman of Westerly in 1668 and deputy from the town in 1668-69-70-71-72, and 1690. The Clarkes and Clarks of Rhode Island descend through Joseph Clarke. Branches of the family are found throughout Rhode Island and in bordering towns of Massachusetts. The line herein under consideration, that of the late Hon. Samuel Clark of Lincoln for many years State treasurer of Rhode Island, descends through Robert Clark, of Uxbridge, a descendant of Joseph Clarke, of Westerly.

(I) Robert Clark, great-grandfather of Hon. Samuel Clark, was a resident of Uxbridge, Mass. He married. at Smithfield, R. I., October 24, 1739, David Comstock. magistrate officiating, Anna Taft, daughter of Robert Taft, the progenitor of most of the Taft families of this country and ancestor of Ex-President Taft.

(II) Samuel Clark, son of Robert and Anna (Taft) Clark, was born about 1745-50. He resided at Smith- field. R. I., where he was the owner of a farm of one hundred seventy acres. He later removed to Glocester. where he died in 1827. He married, at Glocester, Feb- ruary 14, 1773, Amy Mowry, daughter of Judge Daniel Mowry, and a descendant in the fifth generation of Nathaniel Mowry, founder of the family in America.

(III) Samuel (2) Clark, son of Samuel (I) and Amy (Mowry) Clark, was born at Smithfield. R. I., in 1793. He was educated in the schools of Smith- field, and throughout his life engaged in farming and lime burning in his native town. Samuel Clark was active in business circles, and prominent in local affairs until his death. He married Rebecca Cushman, and they were the parents of the following children: I. Catherine, married Nelson Blackington. 2. Stephen, married Mary Kenyon. 3. Samuel, mentioned below. 4. Rebecca Cushman, died unmarried.

(IV) Hon. Samuel (3) Clark, son of Samuel (2) and Rebecca (Cushman) Clark, was born June 29. 1826. He was educated in the schools of Smithfield, and during his youth assisted his father in the management of his farm and in the Lime Works Company, by which he was employed for a time as teamster. He was active in public life in Smithfield from 1856, when he was elected to the office of town clerk until 1871, when after continuous service in the office he declined to accept renomination. He represented Smithfield in the Rhode Island General Assembly for one term, and was ap- pointed on February 4, 1872, to fill the unexpired term of Samuel A. Parker, as general treasurer of the State of Rhode Island. He was elected to the office on February 15, 1872, and held it by successive reelections until 1887. Again in 1888 he was elected to office, served until 1892, was reelected in 1897 and served until his death. It is conceded that he was one of the most able and faithful treasurers that the State has had. He was industrious and zealous in the performance of his public duties, courteous and honorable in all his deal- ings. He left an enviable record for fidelity, efficiency, and uprightness in public life, and was respected and honored by all classes of people. Among his neigh- bors he was particularly honored and beloved, and was often called upon to make wills and conveyances and

to act as advisor and counsellor in cases of disputes. His legal knowledge fitted him ably for this work, and his services were in constant demand. He gave freely of his time and money to those who sought him, and was widely known for his kindliness and charity. He was a member of Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 8, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, of Lime Rock, R. I. In political affilia- tion he was a Republican and for many years was a leader in the councils of the party.

Hon. Samuel Clark married, in October, 1853, Louise Elizabeth Clark, who was born April 9, 1834. died July 17, 1913, daughter of William F. and Louise (Bacon) Clark, member of a distinguished branch of the Clark family of Rhode Island. Their children were: I. Charles Cushman, for many years assistant in the office of the general treasurer of the State of Rhode Island; married (first) Elizabeth Sparhawk, of Ashton; (sec- ond) Etta Smith, who survives him and resides in Manton. 2. Minnie, married Gilbert L. Church. 3. Samuel, married Alice Buxton. 4. Annie, married Alfred Everett Sherman. 5. Kate, married David C. Randall. 6. Louisa Bacon, married Wallace Gushee. 7. Rebecca Cushman, mentioned below. 8. Amy Mowry, unmarried, resides in Lincoln. Hon. Samuel Clark died at his home in Lincoln, December 26, 1898, aged seventy- two years.

(V) Rebecca Cushman Clark, daughter of Hon. Sam- uel (3) and Louise Elizabeth (Clark) Clark, was mar- ried in the town of Lincoln, in 1907, to George Spar- hawk. Mr. Sparhawk was for many years engaged in business as an insurance inspector, supervising mills and mill property. After retiring from active business life he made his home in Lincoln. Mr. and Mrs. Spar- hawk were the parents of two sons: I. George Cush- man. 2. Charles Clark.

J. ERNEST HAMMOND-One of the progressive concerns of Providence, R. I., a business which has developed remarkably under the force of the strong personality of the sole owner and proprietor, J. Ernest Hammond, is the Hammond Printers' Supply House, No. 129 Dyer street. When the business was first established, many were the predictions of failure, but they knew not the dynamic power contained in the six-foot frame of the "man from Maine," who was well known in the "Pine Tree" and "Granite" States for his broad and liberal views, and physical endurance in athletic contests; a man strictly temperate in the use of intoxi- cants and tobacco; and in spite of the prophets he has won a pronounced success. He is the son of John H. and Sarah (Weymouth) Hammond ; his father, a prom- inent farmer, market gardener and proprietor of the Bauneg-Beg greenhouses, also for many years holding town, State and national public offices, who numbered among his personal friends such men as James G. Blaine, Thomas B. Reed, Eugene Hale, etc., has long since passed to his reward as has his faithful wife, both of whom were prominent active workers in the Grange.

J. Ernest Hammand was born June 27, 1860, at the old Hammond homestead, near the summit of Bauneg- Beg mountain, three and one half miles from the thriving town of Sanford, with the largest population in the United States not incorporated under a city charter. He attended the district school and worked with his

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father and brothers at market gardening and general farming. At the age of thirteen years he rescued a younger brother from drowning, by a race for life from the hay field and descending into a deep well which had always been viewed as unsafe, thus establishing a record for courage and action seldom attained by older persons. At the age of twenty years he rescued his father from drowning, where in crossing a pond, he had broken through thin ice covering twenty feet of water. When seventeen years old he secured alone and unaided the establishment of Bauneg-Beg post office and during the following half dozen years was active in the world of rural journalism as editor, owner and publisher of the "Bauneg-Beg Monitor." a local paper ; also in service as reporter for the "Portland Daily Argus," "Portland Daily Advertiser," and several class publications. It was during this period that he first learned the art of setting type at the "Allen Steam Job Print" office. San- ford, Me., combining publishing and newspaper work as recreation with the real work of farming. When twenty-four years old he secured employment on the flourishing farm owned by the late W. S. Lamson, of Lamson cash carrier fame, first as manager of the fruit department and later as manager of the Lamson Farm Stores in Boston, and superintendent of the Lam- son Farm, Windham, N. H. It was while in the employ of the Lamson Farm in a business trip to Lowell, Mass., that he caught a run-a-way horse by the head and was carried some distance before his hold was broken, being thrown to the street, where he was picked up uncon- scious and taken to the Lowell Hospital with his face torn and mangled, one bone broken, and an injury to the back of his neck which came near the "breaking" point, this last injury having proved a permanent and troublesome factor.

In 1889 he came to Rhode Island, locating in Arling- ton, where he was variously engaged as printer, and later, to be in open air, as carpenter and builder and in the wholesale fruit and produce business until 1896, when he finally found his true sphere in his present business. It was not until 1899 that the business could be pronounced a success, but in October of that year, a change in location to the Slade building, No. 45 Eddy street, opposite the city hall, brought unto it prosperity at once, a surprise to the trade and a delight to its owner. His business, printers' type, tools and machin- ery, was the only one between Boston and New Haven, and J. Ernest Hammond the only dealer in New Eng- land handling that line in combination with paper goods. To rightly estimate the personal force, business acumen and sagacity of Mr. Hammond, the fact should be known that two houses previously established in Provi- dence had retired from the field as failures. But it soon became known in the trade that printers needs were properly met and "Hammond's" was a good place to deal. He inaugurated the "freight paid" idea, and in January, 1901, sent out announcements broadcast that "Hammond pays freight to any point in New England on orders of $20.00." This propaganda has been widely copied and nearly every typefounder and dealer in the United States has adopted it. On January, 1904, Mr. Hammond more than doubled the floor space and pros- perity has attended the energetic, capable owner and manager; and in 1910 he moved to the present loca-

tion, No. 129 Dyer street, with greatly increased facil- ities and floor space, where everything a job printing establishment needs can be bought from a gauge pin to a cylinder press, including paper envelopes, cardboard, etc. He was the first New England dealer to ship printers' supplies to Alaska, and the first freight ship- ment out of Providence to Alaska was made by J. Ernest Hammond and now he makes shipments to nearly every State in the Union and there is not a county in New England which does not receive goods from the Hammond Printers' Supply House.

He is a member of the Free Press Defense League, Rationalist Press Association of London, England, Rhode Island Citizens Historical Society, Bauneg-Beg (Maine) Grange. (The Hammond Memorial Library is connected with this Grange, being a gift from Mr. Hammond in memory of his father and mother). York County Pomona Grange, Maine State Grange, Algon- quin Club, Arlington Public Library Association, and in politics is independent, although at times aggressive where reforms would prove a benefit, and he has been successful along those lines, sparing neither time nor money to secure improved conditions and has never sought but several times declined public office, hence cannot be classed with the professional office seeker. He is an able business man, public spirited, loyal, patri- otic and progressive; a man whom no obstacle can daunt nor no misfortune discourage. He has been the architect of his own fortune, and has built up a name and a business which will endure. He was one of the founders of the Arlington public library and his work for village improvements can best be told in the follow- ing item from a local paper published in 1896:

We are sorry to learn that Arlington is soon to lose one of its most progressive and public-spirited citizens, Mr. J. Ernest Hammond, though naturally of a quiet and retiring disposition yet has proved himself a very useful resident of the town and especially of Arling- ton. To his influence and perseverance we are largely indebted for our post office and very much of the work and maintenance of the public library. He is the sec- retary of the Improvement Society, the Fire Company, also secretary of the Public Library Association, mem- ber of the library committee and board of trustees for several years. In all these positions he has shown a peculiar fitness seldom met with, and which renders hts going from us a public loss felt by all.

"The Inland Printer" magazine, the leading publica- tion of its class in the world, published a portrait and biographical sketch of J. Ernest Hammond, pages 435- 436, June. 1904 issue, under the title "A Chronicle of Progress," which proves the estimation of his worth from the viewpoint of the late Henry O. Shepard, owner and publisher, also printer laureate of the United States.

On January 18, 1888, Mr. Hammond married Clara IV. Boyd, a Londonderry, N. H., school teacher, who has been a co-worker when health permitted.

ARLON MANN WHIPPLE-Since 1659 the name Whipple has been identified with Rhode Island life and affairs. Descendants of the founder, John Whipple, have figured prominently in official life in Rhode Island for two centuries. Of his sons, John Whipple, Jr., was particularly active in public affairs in Providence; he was town treasurer, town clerk, deputy to the General Assembly, member of the town council and assistant.

-Mir Arlon-1. Brhifile.

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Sauel, Eleazer, and Joseph Whipple all represented Prvidence in the Colonial Assembly. All of the sons fhe settler married, and with the exception of David, e ded in Providence. Branches were established in u .equent generations in many of the towns of Prov- dice county. The Cumberland Whipples form one of h oldest and most distinguished branches of the aily. Arlon Mann Whipple, for many years prior olis death in 1910, one of the foremost farmers and it kraisers of Providence county, was a native of Cum- Eand. He was descended in the eighth generation Ern John Whipple, the founder.

I) John Whipple, immigrant ancestor and progen- t, is first of record in Dorchester, Mass., in 1632. [x1637 he received a grant of land there. In 1639 he w; married, and he and his wife united with the Irch at Dorchester in 1641. In 1658 he disposed of h homestead and lands to James Minot, and removed tProvidence, where on July 27, 1659, he was received aa purchaser. In the division of lands made February I 1665, he received lot No. 45. In the following year h took the oath of allegiance. In 1666 he was chosen Eputy to the General Court. He filled that office again i1 1669, 1670, 1671, 1672, 1674, 1676, and 1677. In 1674 Jın Whipple was granted a license to keep an ordinary. ( August 14, 1676, as one of those "who staid and vnt not away" in King Philip's War, he had a share in t: disposition of the Indian captives whose services vre sold for a term of years. He died May 16, 1685, ad his will, dated May 8, 1682, was proved on May 27, flowing his death.

(II) Eleazer Whipple, son of John Whipple, was born i Dorchester, Mass., and baptized there on March 8, 146. He was a housewright and followed his trade j Providence, where he was active and prominent in blic life. He represented the town in the General Assembly in 1693 and 1701. He married, January 26, 69, Alice Angell, who was born in 1649, died Aug. 13, 43, daughter of Thomas Angell. Eleazer Whipple ed Aug. 25, 1719.

(III) Daniel Whipple, son of Eleazer and Alice Angell) Whipple, was born in Providence, R. I. He ttled in Cumberland, where all his children were orn. Daniel Whipple married Mary , and among leir children was Daniel (2), mentioned below.

(IV) Daniel (2) Whipple, son of Daniel (1) and [ary Whipple, was born in Cumberland, August 19, 716. He was a life long resident of the town, a pros- erous farmer, and prominent citizen. He married first) Mary -; and (second) Mary -

(V) Simon Whipple, son of Daniel (2) and Mary Whipple, was born in Cumberland, February 13, 1752. Ie was a large land owner and a prominent citizen here all his life. On May 3, 1772, he married Levina Staples, daughter of Nathan Staples, of Cumberland. (VI) Daniel (3) Whipple, son of Simon and Levina Staples) Whipple, was born in Cumberland on June 9, 1784. He married, at Cumberland, October 13, 1805, Dorcas Cook, daughter of Ariel and Dorcas (Whipple) Cook, and they were the parents of Eliab, mentioned below.

(VII) Eliab Whipple, son of Daniel (3) and Dorcas (Cook) Whipple, was born in Cumberland, February 2, 1808. He was a farmer in the village of Grant's

Mills during the greater part of his life, and also en- gaged extensively in the butcher business in Cumber- land and the vicinity, raising, buying and selling cattle. He was very successful in this business, and amassed a considerable fortune. Eliab Whipple was well known and eminently respected in Cumberland, and although not active in public life took an interest in local issues. He married (first) Ardelia C. Haskell, daughter of Comfort Haskell; (second) Nancy Grant, daughter of Bryan Grant, of Grant's Mills.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 75

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