The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 77

Author: Bicknell, Thomas Williams, 1834-1925. cn
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: New York, The American Historical Society
Number of Pages: 978

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Plymouth Colony and dating from 1640. This school was cotemporary with the Dorchester Free Public School established in 1639 in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. From these small beginnings has grown the present public school system of our country.

George Prescott Peterson was united in marriage, December 21, 1882, at Attleboro, Mass., with Hannah J. Carpenter, a daughter of Henry and Mary J. (Hol- brook) Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter was a successful farmer at Attleboro and a highly respected resident there. Mr. and Mrs. Peterson are the parents of two children : Ethel Prescott, born April 10, 1884, and now the widow of William E. Waite, of Providence; Earl Carpenter, born July 23, 1895, a salesman prior to the war, when he secured an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and is now an ensign in the United States Navy. Mr. Peterson and his family make their home at No. 43 Doyle avenue, Providence, and spend their summers at Green Harbor, Mass. Mr. Peterson finds his chief recreation in motoring and reading, being especially interested in biographical and historical subjects, and he is also very active in church work.

GEORGE H. COOK-A prominent figure in busi- ness life in Narragansett Pier for a quarter century prior to his death in 1918, was the late George H. Cook. Active also in political and public affairs, he was for several terms a member of the Town Council. The welfare and advancement of the Pier was always uppermost in his mind, and he was one of the prime movers in the organization of the Narragansett Pier Chamber of Commerce. From the time of his coming to the Pier until his death he esponsed and gave his earnest support to all movements calculated to advance business development. He was a business man of keen ability, and in the closing decades of his life attained a high degree of success.

George H. Cook was born in Charlton, Mass., Feb- ruary 14, 1865, the son of Walter Scott and Pauline (Dockham) Cook, and the descendant of a family long established and prominent in Massachusetts. He was educated in the public schools of Worcester county, Mass., and on completing his studies, chose a business rather than a professional career. He learned the trade of shoe making, and for several years was employed in important capacities in shoe factories at Worcester, Lynn, and Webster, Mass., and at Philadelphia. In 1893 Mr. Cook came to Rhode Island, settling at Narra- gansett Pier, where he shortly afterward established himself in business. He was highly successful in this venture, and within a short period rose to a place of prominence in business circles at the Pier. Unswerving honesty and fairness won for him not only the respect but the admiration of competitors. His success was in every sense of the word self made-the result of his own indefatigable effort, and his own unfailing belief in his ability to succeed. He became a member of the town council, and served ably and disinterestedly for several terms. He had a genius for politics and for public service; he was a Democrat in national issues but voted independently at local elections. He was active in the organizing of the Chamber of Commerce in 1917, and was one of its charter members. Mr.

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Cook was well known in social and fraternal circles, and was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and a generous donor to its charities.

In 1896, Mr. Cook married, at Narragansett Pier, R. I., Mary Elizabeth Holran, daughter of John and Eliza (Sheridan) Holran, both of whom were natives of Ireland, married at Wakefield on the Rock Brook homestead, coming to America shortly before their marriage. Mr. Holran subsequently became prominent in business life in Narragansett Pier, where he was the owner of extensive bath house and bathing beach prop- erty for several years, prior to his retirement from active business affairs. He died in November, 1917, at the age of seventy-nine years, survived by his widow, who died March 2, 1919. They were the parents of four children, all of whom are living: 1. Mary E., who became the wife of the late George H. Cook. 2. Fran- cis P., of Englewood, N. J. 3. John, of New York City. 4. Anna Sheridan, of Narragansett Pier. Mrs. Cook, who survives her husband, resides at Narra- gansett Pier. She is widely known and eminently re- spected. For more than twenty years, she has been in charge of the office of the Postal Telegraph at the Pier, as manager.

George H. Cook died at his home at Narragansett Pier, on March 13, 1918. His death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends.

ALLAN ALDRICH CAMPBELL-The records of Scotland in peace and war are filled with the achievements of the members of the clan of Campbell, and it is a heritage of immeasurable value in point of sentiment to have membership in a line tracing to such illustrious beginnings. The branch of which Allan Aldrich Campbell, of Phenix, R. I., is a member, is of six generations residence in this country, the im- migrant ancestor having founded his line in Connecticut upon coming from his Scotland home. James Camp- bell, son of the founder, was born about 1725, and throughout his entire life was a farmer of Volun- town, Windham county, Conn. He was a communicant of the Presbyterian church, a man of simple, indus- trious habits, who passed a long life in the favor of his fellows. His death occurred in 1810, his wife, Dinal (Mc Main) Campbell, surviving him and attain- ing the advanced age of eighty-five years. They were the parents of Allen, James, and John, and several daughters.

Allen, son of James and Dinal (Mc Main) Camp- bell, was born in 1749, and died March 6, 1829. He studied medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Per- kins, the widely renowned physician of Plainfield, and during the War of the Revolution he served as a sur- geon in the Colonial army. He was in the army of General Sullivan during the Rhode Island campaign, and at the close of the conflict continued general prac- tice in Voluntown, Conn. His practice was large and lucrative and he was a man of such eminent capacities that he was called from his professional labors to rep- resent his fellow citizens in numerous official positions, including those of justice of the peace and member of the State Legislature. Like his father, he belonged to the Presbyterian church, and during a life of four score years achieved greatly in service to his State and community, and in the regard of his associates. Dr.

Allen Campbell married Sarah, daughter of Ezra Kinne, of Preston, now Griswold, Conn. Sarah (Kinne) Campbell was born in 1759, and died in 1834. They were the parents of John, Sarah, Rowena, Lucinda, Harvey, Ezra, Daniel Lee, Bonaparte, of whom fur- ther, and Alpha R.

Bonaparte, son of Dr. Allen and Sarah (Kinne) Campbell, was born in Voluntown, Windham county, Conn., September 15, 1801, and died in 1892. With the exception of twenty years spent in Oneida county, N. Y., he was a life long resident of the locality of his birth, where he engaged in successful farming opera- tions. He was a Whig in politics, later a Republican, and for many years he was first selectman of his town, also representing Griswold in the State Legislature. He was a member of the Baptist church. Bonaparte Campbell married, November 11, 1819, Susan, daughter of Captain Nathan Brown, a sca captain of North Kingston, R. I. The following of their children at- tained mature years : Allen B., John L., Sarah C., James H., of whom further, and Napoleon B ..

James H., son of Bonaparte and Susan (Brown) Campbell, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., in 1827, and died in Griswold, Conn., in 1894. Going West prior to the Civil War he was for a time a resident of Illinois, and upon his return to the East he located in Washington, R. I., where he was for a time employed as overseer in a mill. In 1863 he took up residence in Clayville, R. I., remaining there for two years, after which he purchased a farm in Griswold, Conn., where his last years were passed. He married Amy M. Coz- zens, who survived him until 1906 (?). Children of James H. and Amy M. (Cozzens) Campbell : George M., born in 1850, and died in 1910; Evelyn, born in 1852, and died in 1907; and Allan Aldrich, of whom further.

Allan Aldrich Campbell was born in Washington, R. I., March 20, 1862, and spent his early life on his father's farm at Griswold, Conn., attending the schools of the vicinity. The lesson of hard labor was learned by him early in life from the many tasks that fall to a boy and young man on a farm, a lesson that he applied profitably in the later years. In 1884 he began work for Caleb Congdon on the latter's farm at Crans- ton, R. I., and after one year in this employ he assumed the operation of the farm on shares, an arrangement that existed with mutual profit and satisfaction until 1891. In February of this year he purchased the team- ing business of William H. Snell, of Phenix, R. I., a long established enterprise. To this he added coal and wood dealings, at the same time leasing the Snell prop- erty for a period of five years. In 1894 his interests expanded still further and he included the sale of hay, grain, and feed in his business, devoting himself in- dustriously to the founding and development of an establishment that should lead in its line. To this end he leased for ten years the property of A. B. McCrillis, of Phenix, and by 1903 his enterprise had assumed such large dimensions that he bought his present location and erected a modern grist mill and grain elevator, with excellent trackage facilities. This addition to his in- terests made it advisable for him to relinquish his team- ing activities, which he accordingly did. That is the only one of his many connections that he has been compelled to abandon in the course of his busy career

allan a Campbell

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Richard Heury Hoffenden J

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which has been passed in the acquisition of new inter- ests, rather than in the abandonment of any depart- ment of his dealings.

Everything of concern to the welfare or progress of his town has Mr. Campbell's active support and he has proven himself unselfish in his service. Since 1891 he has been a member of the Phenix Fire Department, filling the office of assistant chief for many years, and in 1915 and 1916 he was a member of the police com- mission of West Warwick, serving as chairman of the · commission in the latter year. During the years of his business life he has achieved success and standing in his community through the most diligent application to the work at hand and through adherence to the strict- est and soundest principles of commercial dealing. He carly gained and has ever held the confidence of his business associates and the business that he has fostered is a strong and vigorous concern. Mr. Campbell is a member of the Boston Chamber of Commerce and be- longs to the Flat River Club.

Allan Aldrich Campbell married, June 27, 1895, Emma, daughter of Robert and Fanny (Irwin) Henry, of Fiskville, R. I., and they are the parents of : Harold A., born Sept. 20, 1896, a student in Brown University, class of 1920; and Fannie I., a student in the Women's College in Brown University, class of 1921.

FREDERICK L. CASSIDY, who is successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry in the city of Paw- tucket, R. I., has been very actively identified with the life of this community since his early manhood. He is a son of Patrick and Margaret (McManus) Cassidy, both of whom were born in Massachusetts, but came to Rhode Island and passed the major part of their lives here. They are now deceased. Frederick L. Cas- sidy was born May 6, 1886, at East Providence. but at an early age came to Pawtucket where he gained the preliminary portion of his education. He attended the public schools and the Pawtucket High School, and was prepared for college at the latter institution. Some time prior to his graduation he had made a decision to take up dentistry as a profession and with this objective, entered the Philadelphia Dental College, at Philadel- phia, Pa., from which college he was graduated, D. D. S., with the class of 1908. Returning immediately to Pawtucket, he combined with a fellow practitioner, Dr. J. F. Clark, in opening an office in the Miller block here. This remains his headquarters to the present time, and Dr. Cassidy, in the ten years that have elapsed, has built up a large clientele, so that he is now one of the most popular and largely patronized dentists in the neighborhood. He is a member of the Rhode Island Dental Society and the National Dental Society, and has interested himself in the general ad- vancement of his profession. In his religious belief Dr. Cassidy is a Roman Catholic, and is a member of St. Joseph's Church at Pawtucket. He is also a mem- . ber of Council No. 412, Knights of Columbus, and of the Psi Omega fraternity. Dr. Cassidy is unmarried.

RICHARD HENRY WOFFENDEN, Episcopal clergyman, pastor of St. Boniface Parish, Apponang, R. I., who for so many years has been prominently identified with the more vital of the public affairs of the

State of Rhode Island, and particularly with those things that have bearing on the moral uplift of the people and the maintenance of their strong ecclesiastical interest, was born in North Adams, Mass., September 2, 1870.

His father, Joseph Fisher Woffenden, a native of England, was by vocation a calico dyer, one of the staple trades of that time, and generally followed by men who were upright, worthy citizens, unafraid of the long hours of labor and intense application neces- sary to make successful way in that industry. It is therefore more than probable that the strength of char- acter and integrity of purpose so clearly manifested in the actions of the Rev. Richard Henry Woffenden were builded in him in his early years by the daily life of his father. Example builds stronger than precept; and the guidance in love and noble thoughts instilled in him by his fond mother, who followed his steps with zealous care, brought into his character a softening influence which has had important bearing on his inter- pretation of many of the apparently hard, practical ques- tions of life. His mother, Mary Ann ( Illingworth) Woffenden, also was a native of England. She was the mother of six children, the youngest of whom was Richard Henry. Joseph Fisher Woffenden died in 1893, and Mary Ann ( Illingworth) Woffenden followed in 1897.

Rev. Richard Henry Woffenden was fortunately able to secure a good education, which, in academic form, was acquired at the Drury Academy, North Adams, the place of his birth. He was graduated from that insti- tution in 1889, and subsequently attended Trinity Col- lege, Hartford, Conn., graduating therefrom in 1893 with the degree of A. B., and three years later was awarded the A. M. degree. He then taught school for one year at Salisbury, Conn., after which he pursued collegiate study of theology until 1897, in which year he was graduated from the General Theological Semi- nary of New York City. He was immediately assigned as deacon of St. Boniface Church, Apponaug, and on March 25, 1898, was ordained as priest by the late Bishop McVicar. In the meantime he did very effec- tive work in his parish. Through General Francis Greene, the Greene homestead was given to the church for a rectory, and through the efforts of Rev. Woffen- den the parish house was erected.

Rev. Woffenden has for many years actively inter- ested himself in civic government, using his influence and talent as a public speaker to support and place properly before the people such changes in city and State administration as he saw would tend to benefit them. In 1912 he served as chairman of the State con- vention of the Progressive party. His early public in- terest brought its return in appreciation by the elec- torate, for in 1913-14 he was placed in the General Assembly, as representative from the second represen- tative district of Warwick. Since that time he has accepted no legislative office, his hours and thoughts having been for the past few years almost wholly ab- sorbed by ecclesiastical matters and the world calamity threatened by the strife started in Europe in 1914. In the spring of 1917 when this country also was drawn into the struggle, it became the bounden and preemi- nent duty of Mr. Woffenden and other church leaders

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to keep the moral issues of the struggle ever and clearly before the people. That the morale of this country has been maintained at so high a level through all the sacrifices and self denial of 1917-18, the country must be thankful; there were many contributing causes, but in great measure the result came through the inde- fatigable labors of the clergy. In many other ways Mr. Woffenden in full measure earned the respect in which he is held in the State of Rhode Island. He has served for many years as treasurer of the Apponaug Fire District.

Mr. Woffenden is not identified prominently with fraternal society activities, though he belongs to the collegiate fraternities, Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Al- pha Epsilon. But in the social life and community ac- tivities of his city and State Mr. Woffenden has for many years keenly interested himself, taking good, un- selfish, and unostentatious part therein, assisted enthus- istically by his wife, Anna Louise ( Reynolds) Hana- ford, widow of the late Dr. Hanaford. They were mar- ried, October 10, 1905, at Apponaug, and have no chil- dren. Mrs. Woffenden is the daughter of Dawley and Harriet Tillinghast (Spink) Reynolds, of Exeter and Natick, respectively.

KATE B. KOBELSPERGER-At the age of two years, Andrew Kobelsperger came from his native Ger- many, and finally he settled in Columbus, Ohio, where he engaged in the shoe business, and resided until his death, November 19, 1918. He married Sarah Bir- mingham, born in New York State. They were the parents of Kate B. Kobelsperger, who was born in Columbus, in 1875, and there completed public school courses of study with graduation from high school. She then entercd State Normal School, where she qual- ified as a teacher, and for eight years after graduation taught in institution schools, becoming an instructor at the State School for Girls at Delaware, Ohio. There she remained several years, going thence to the Sleigh- ton Farm, near Philadelphia, where she continued as a matron-inspector and general assistant-until Janu- ary I, 1918. On that date she came to the Oaklawn School for Girls, at Howard, R. I., as superintendent. Although but a short half year in charge of the school, Miss Kobelsperger has made felt her methods of in- fluencing and building character, the introduction of the honor or self government system being perhaps the most noticeable change. Another new idea she has introduced is the plan of giving each girl three months training in each department of the school, each in turn receiving this instruction. She also inaugurated the half day method, half a day in school, and half a day in the farm gardens and in outside work. The farm gardens are considerable in extent, and all the work done on them thus far has been accomplished by the girls.

Miss Kobelsperger has won her way to public con- fidence through her devoted interest in her work, her intelligent, forcible administration of the affairs of the school, and for her manifest ability and genius for executive position. She is ably assisted in her work by Miss Agnes Smith, formerly house matron for eighteen years, a graduate of Castine Normal School, of Maine; Miss Ray Mills, of Providence; and Miss

Rose Marwood, in charge of outside work, who has been connected with the school since 1898. Miss Edna Carl- son, of New London, Conn., is in charge of school instruction. Miss Jessie Webster, of Providence, a graduate of Columbia University, is in charge of the sewing department. The school lawns are kept in good condition by the girl inmates, who also care for the poultry raised, and the flowers grown, as well as the work necessary in planting, cultivating, and harvesting the vegetable crops. Miss Kobelsperger has had twenty years experience in institutional work, and is proving her right to the position she now holds.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TEFFT, JR., M. D .- Now well established as a specialist in surgery and diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat, Dr. Tefft may feel a professional satisfaction that during his thirteen years of practice he has completely won public con- fidence and approval. His practice, prior to 1909, had been in association with his preceptor, Dr. A. G. Sprague, at River Point, R. I., since which time Dr. Tefft has been located in Arctic, and has practiced the special lines named. He is a son of Benjamin Frank- lin and Sarah Ellis (Whitford) Tefft. His father is a nurseryman and prosperous real estate dealer. On the paternal side, Dr. Tefft traces his ancient and honorable family to the noted religionist, Ann Hutchinson. His mother, Sarah E. (Whitford) Tefft, was of the fourth generation in descent from Jonathan Lillibridge, an | ensign in the Third Company, town of Exeter, R. I., during the Revolutionary War. (Colonial Records, Vol. VIII, P. 432). Benjamin F. and Sarah E. Tefft were the parents of two sons: Benjamin Franklin, Jr., and Everett A., of Arctic, R. I.

Benjamin Franklin Tefft, Jr., was born at Staffords Crossing, Pontiac, in the town of Warwick, May 20, 1875, and completed grammar school courses in the village of Arctic. He then entered Cranston High School, and in 1894 was one of the members of the first class ever graduated from that school. After his graduation he was employed, 1894-98, as assistant post- master and bookkeeper by Batchelder & Heydon, of Crompton, and was later in the office of B. B. & R. Knight, at Readville, Mass. He entered the University of Maryland, medical department, and on May 13, 1905, was graduated M. D. He has since pursued a special course at the University of Maryland, and pursued post- graduate studies at Johns Hopkins Medical School. After graduation in 1905, he became associated with Dr. A. G. Sprague, at River Point, R. I., practicing together very successfully and satisfactorily for four years. On separating. Dr. Tefft purchased property at Arctic, R. I., and there opened an office for the private practice of his profession in January, 1909. His spec- ial study in diseases of the eye. ear, nose, and throat, and in surgery pertaining to these and other diseases, has advanced him so far toward expert knowledge that he is highly rated as a specialist and is widely con- sulted. His private practice is large, and his profes- sional rating very high and complimentary. He is a member of the staff of Rhode Island Hospital, in the ear, nose, and throat department; medical examiner for District No. 1, which includes the towns of West Greenwich and Coventry, since 1906; was president of

Berje F. Tefft Grams.

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the Kent County Medical Society, in 1915, and prior to that year had been vice-president and secretary. He is also a member of the American Medical Association, the Rhode Island Medical Society, Rhode Island Medi- co-Legal Society, Rhode Island Opthalmological and Otological Society, Hope Hospital Club, and Rhode Island Hospital Club. He is an alumnus of both the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University, also a member of the medical fraternity, Delta Mu.

While Dr. Tefft is now serving his second term as a member of the school committee for the town of Coventry, and most heartily supports and aids the work of the committee, he refuses political office, and wishes only to serve as an interested, loyal citizen. He aids in the special work of the Pawtuxet Valley Board of Trade as an executive officer. He held a position on the local board, appointed by President Wilson, in January, 1918, as a member of the Selective Service Draft Board, State Division, No. 2, towns of Warwick and West Warwick, of which he is the examining phys- ician of the board. He has real estate interests of importance, is the owner of the Pawtuxet Valley Auto Company of Arctic, and one of the influential men of his district, without reference to his professional skill and standing. Through his patriotic ancestry he has gained membership in the Sons of the American Rev- olution; is a member of Providence Lodge, No. 14, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; is a member of Coventry Council, No. 29, Order of United Amer- ican Men; is president and secretary of Victory Manufacturing Corporation of Providence, R. I., and a communicant of Quidnick Baptist Church. He is a member of the Anthony Athletic Association; advo- cates out-of-door sports and recreations for all, and practices his own precepts; also a member of the Anthony Lyceum Association. He is a believer in "Seeing America First," and has made many trips to various parts of the continent by motor and rail. In IgII he made an extended trip to California, other Pacific coast points and Mexico.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 77

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