USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV > Part 78
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Dr. Tefft married, August 5, 1903, Mary Maria Mat- teson, daughter of Dr. John and Julia (Martin) Mat- teson, of Anthony, R. I. They have a daughter, Hope Allen, born August 9, 1909.
WILLIAM DRACUP-A history of the State of Rhode Island is a history of the founding and growth in the textile industry in America, and a tribute to those industrial builders who through various genera- tions have developed the leading textile institutions in America. *
William Dracup, founder of the Centerdale Worsted Mills, and for many years active in its development, was a native of Great Horton, Bradford, Yorkshire, England, born March 27, 1845, son of Edmund and Mary Ann (Willman) Dracup, the former named hav- ing been the largest Jacquard loom manufacturer in England prior to his death. William Dracup was edu- cated in the schools of his native city and devoted many years to textile industry there, becoming thoroughly proficient therein, his tastes and inclinations leading in that direction. In 1890 he came to the United States, feeling confident that in this land of promise there were greater opportunities for advancement than in the land
of his birth, and was accompanied on the journey by- his brother-in-law, John C. Baldwin, both locating in Centerdale, R. I. Mr. Dracup, Mr. Baldwin and Henry H. Green founded the Centerdale Worsted Mills at Centerdale, R. I., in 1890. They purchased the cld Centerdale Cotton Mill, which was originally built in 1820, remodeled it and purchased machinery from England. In 1891 Messrs. Baldwin and Green withdrew and the firm was reorganized with William Mackie as president, James Lister, treasurer, and William Dracup, secretary. Each being an expert mill man, the institution grew and prospered, and for the long period of twenty- two years Mr. Dracup continued active in the affairs of the company. In 1913 he relinquished active pursuits, retiring to a well earned competence and well earned respite from labor, and thus his life was passed until his death, which occurred February 5, 1919, after an active and useful life, half a century of which was de- voted to the upbuilding and development of the textile industry.
Mr. Dracup, while quiet and unassuming, possessed a keen sense of humor. He was a scholar and student, a well read man, liberal to a fault, honorable and up- right, and a firm believer in the Golden Rule, "Do unto others what you would have them do utito you." He was an attendant of the Episcopal church, a Republican in politics, and an active participant in the Masonic order, holding membership in Roger Williams Lodge, No. 32, Free and Accepted Masons; Scituate Chapter, No. 8, Royal Arch Masons; Providence Council, No. I, Royal and Select Masters; St. John's Commandery, No. I, Knights Templar ; and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.
Mr. Dracup married, June 1, 1892, Annie Brennand Storr, daughter of Thomas and Eleanor (Brennand) Rider, and on the maternal side a descendant of an old French Huguenot family. Thomas Rider was well known in the hotel business, and later became promi- nently identified with the firm of Robertson, Sanderson & Company, of Leith, Scotland. Mrs. Dracup resides in the old family homestead at No. 1336 Smith street. She has two children: I. Ivy Blanche, wife of David L. Dick, of Providence; they have two children, David L., Jr., and Penrose Brennand. 2. Lionel P. Storr, promi- nent in the concert field as a basso-cantante soloist; he married Catherine C. McLeod, a well known piano teacher.
ALBERT LEPRELET SAYLES-The industries controlled by the Sayles family in Rhode Island take rank among the foremost in New England. Albert Leprelet Sayles, who laid the foundations of these enter- prises and brought them to a state of efficiency and productiveness rivaled by notte in this section of the country, figured notably in the industrial history of the latter half of the nineteenth century.
(I) John Sayles, the founder of the Sayles family in Rhode Island, according to tradition, came from Eng- land iti 1645, and there is a record of him at Providence six years later. In 1655 he became a freeman in the Colony and later held a number of public offices. He was town treasurer of Providence for a number of years, beginning with 1669, and owned considerable property here. He married, in 1650, Mary Williams,
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daughter of Roger and Mary Williams, so that the sub- sequent generations of the Sayles family may claim descent from the great founder of the Rhode Island Commonwealth. They were the parents of the follow- ing children : 1. Mary, born Jan. 11. 1652. 2. John, mentioned below. 3. Isabel. 4. Phebe. 5. Eleanor. 6. Catherine, born in 1671. 7. Possibly Deborah.
(II) John (2) Sayles, son of John (1) and Mary (Williams) Sayles, was born August 17, 1654, at Provi- dence, and died there in 1727. He married, January 3, :686, Elizabeth Olney, daughter of Thomas Olney, of this place, and they were the parents of the following children : 1. Mary, born May 30, 1689. 2. John, born Jan. 13, 1692. 3. Richard, mentioned below. 4. Daniel, born Dec. 13, 1697. 5. Thomas, born Feb. 9, 1699.
(III) Richard Sayles, son of John (2) and Elizabeth ( Olney ) Sayles, was born October 24, 1695, and died some time after 1775. He was a prominent man at Smithfield, R. I., and was town clerk of that place in 1731. He was also a surveyor and laid out much land in that region. He married, November 24, 1720, Alercy Fhillips, daughter of Richard and Sarah (Mowry) Phil- lips.
(IV) Israel Sayles, son of Richard and Mercy ( Phil- lips) Sayles, was born March 17, 1726. For many years he resided at Gloucester, R. I., and was president of that town for a considerable period. He was a well-to-do farmer there and was also a mechanical genius of unusual ability. Mr. Sayles served in Captain Hopkins company and Colonel Lippett's regiment during the Revolution, and also it is said under General Sullivan. He married Marsa Whipple, and they were the parents of the following children : I. Richard. 2. Esek. 3. Elisha. 4. Christopher. 5. Royal. 6. Ahab. 7. Daniel, mentioned below. 8. Mary. 9. Roba. 10. Rebecca. II. Mercy.
(V) Daniel Sayles, son of Israel and Marsa (Whip- ple) Sayles, was born October 31, 1769, in that part of the town of Gloucester, which afterwards became Bur- rillville. He was the first of the family to come to Pas- coag, and in 1814 he erected here a building near the site of the present granite mill for the purpose of full- ing and dressing cloth, so that he was the first of the long line of manufacturers in this region. To his mill the farmers of the country around brought their home- spun cloth for him to full, dye and finish, and as he was able to do this much better than it was possible for them to do, he obtained an excellent business. He later put in a carding machine and eventually converted his full- ing mill into a woolen factory. In 1819 this business passed into the hands of his son, Hardin Sayles, grand- father of the Albert Hardin Sayles of this sketch. The death of Daniel Sayles occurred January 25, 1849. He married Phebe Smith, daughter of Captain Pitts Smith, and they were the parents of the following children : I. Mary Mowry, born Sept. 3, 1793. died in Aug., 1857. 2. Smith S., born Dec. 24, 1794, died Aug. 31, 1879. 3. Hardin, mentioned below. 4. Marietta, born in 1798, died in 1832. 5. Pitts, born Aug. 11, 1801, died Jan. II, 1864. 6. Marcella, born Sept. 5, 1803, died Jan. 4. 1835. 7. Phidelia, born March 2, 1807, died in 1887. 8. Eliza- beth, born Oct. 15, 1808. 9. Elsie, born Sept. 2, 1811, died Oct. 5, 1854.
(VI) Hardin Sayles, son of Daniel and Phebe
(Smith) Sayles, was born March 7, 1797, at Pascoag where his early life was spent and where he gained hi education. Upon completing his studies he engaged it business, and in 1819 became the owner of a woolet mill, which had been previously conducted by his father In the year 1834 he formed an association with hi brother, Pitts Sayles, and together they began the manu facture of satinets. In 1853 his son, Albert L. Sayles bought the interest of Mr. Pitts Sayles and was asso ciated in the business until the death of Hardin Sayle in 1861. Hardin Sayles married Laura Wood, daughte of Captain John and Roba (Smith) Wood. They wer the parents of the following children: I. Albert Lepre let, mentioned below. 2. Maria, born June 25, 1832, die July 16, 1853. 3. Elliot Smith, born Feb. 13, 1834, die Aug. 14, 1904. 4. Hardin Roscoe, born May 20, 1835 died Aug. 7, 1904. 5. Ellen Augusta, born Sept. 7, 1839 died Jan. 11, 1864. 6. Addison Clark, born July 18, 1841
(VII) Albert Leprelet Sayles, son of Hardin and Laura (Wood) Sayles, was born August 29, 1826, a Burrillville, and attended the public schools of his nativ town until he had reached the age of fifteen years. H then gave up his studies in order to commence hi direct training for business life, and with this end i. view entered his father's woolen mill, where he worke. for some two years. He then went to the establishmen of Daniel S. Whipple, a kinsman, who was engaged i the manufacture of woolens at the village of Gazza, now a part of Mapleville, in the township of Burrillville Mr. Whipple was an experienced woolen manufacturer having learned the business with Edward Harris, one o the most successful manufacturers and business men o Woonsocket. Mr. Sayles remained for three years wit Mr. Whipple and learned during that period the art c manufacturing and finishing woolen goods. He the returned to the mill of L. Copeland & Company, o which firm his father was a member, and in 1848 too charge of the finishing department there. Two year later Mr. Copeland retired, and Mr. Sayles becam superintendent of the mill, holding this position unt 1853. In the latter year, as mentioned above, he pur chased the interest of his uncle, Pitts Sayles, in th business conducted by his father, Hardin Sayles, th firm name becoming Hardin Sayles & Son. In 1861 hi father died and Mr. Sayles continued the business fc a few years, after which he organized another establish ment and conducted business on his own account unde the name of A. L. Sayles. He built a new stone mi in 1865, and fitted it up with modern machinery, th whole costing in the neighborhood of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In 1880 he still further enlarge the capacity of this plant. Mr. Sayles, in associatio with a number of other gentlemen, purchased the mant facturing property at Warren, Mass., known as th Sibley Woolen Mills, in 1874. The price paid for th: property by Mr. Sayles was two hundred and fort thousand dollars, and he eventually became the owner of the entire plant. In addition to this, he owned th Huntsville Mill, at the upper village, which containe seven sets of cards and forty-six broad looms. Late he added machinery to his Warren mills, increasing it capacity to ten sets of cards and forty-four broad loom This mill was conducted for a time by Mr. Sayles an his son-in-law, Mr. William A. Jenks, under the firi
A.L. Payl.
Albert A. Sayler:
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name of Sayles & Jenks, and after his death the busi- ness was incorporated under the Massachusetts laws as the Sayles & Jenks Manufacturing Company. Mr. Sayles was also interested, in association with his sons, in what was originally the Fiske & Sayles Mill, but which later became the Fred L. Sayles Company. In addition to these industrial enterprises, Mr. Sayles was one of the organizers of the Providence & Springfield Railroad, one of the largest stockholders of the com- pany, and a director from its inception until his death. He was also a director and president of the Third Na- tional Bank of Providence, a director of the Pascoag National Bank, and the American and the Enterprise Mutual Fire Insurance Companies. In politics Mr. Sayles was a staunch Republican and very prominent in the life of his party here, being one of the delegates to the Republican National Convention held at Chicago, in June, 1888. He was also a member of the Board of State House Commissioners from the time of its crea- tion until his death. Mr. Sayles was an earnest advo- cate of the temperance movement in this State and pro- hibited the use of intoxicating beverages on his own table. He provided a large and commodious hotel free of rent to be kept strictly as a temperance house for the public accommodation in the village. In his religions belief he was a Universalist, but there being no church of that denomination at Pascoag he attended the serv- ices of the Free Will Baptist Society and took an active part in that congregation, being at one time its president- and treasurer. He was a man of strong but liberal religions views and was a generous supporter of all the churches in his town. His public spirit was shown in many other ways, and he was always ready to support any movement undertaken for the welfare of the com- munity. His death occurred at his home in Pascoag, January 30, 1898.
Mr. Sayles was united in marriage, December 1, 1852, with Fannie J. Warner, a native of Uxbridge, Mass., and a daughter of David and Harriett L. (Benson) Warner. Mrs. Sayles was a woman of cultivation and greatly devoted to her home, kind-hearted and charita- ble in the extreme, and a devoted member of the Uni- versalist church at Harrisville. She was active in all charitable and Christian work, and her death, which occurred January 15, 1893, was greatly mourned by the entire community. Mr. and Mrs. Sayles were the par- ents of the following children : 1. Edgar Franklin, born April 20, 1855, died March - 24, 1858. 2. Ellen Maria, born Nov. 30, 1857, and became the wife of William A. Jencks, of Warren, Mass. 3. Albert Hardin, whose sketch follows. 4. Fred Lincoln, also a sketch of whom follows.
ALBERT HARDIN SAYLES-The history of the development of Rhode Island is the story of the lives of men who have founded and built the great industrial institutions that stand to-day as a monument to their ability and integrity. The name Sayles has been for many generations active in the industrial life of the State.
Albert Hardin Sayles, of A. L. Sayles & Sons, Incor- porated, who succeeded his father as head of this huge concern, has been an active factor in the management of the great Sayles interests in Rhode Island. He is a
prominent figure in the industrial and financial circles of New England. He is the second son of Albert L. and Fannie J. (Warner) Sayles, was born March 25, 1863, at Pascoag. As a lad he attended the public schools of this place, and later he entered the well-known Mowry & Goff's English and Classical School at Providence, and graduated from that institution with the class of 1882. It was natural that with his father and other members of his family so closely identified with the growth of the great woolen industry of this region that young Sayles should elect to engage in this line of business, and accordingly, upon completing his studies, he immediately entered the establishment of his father, and in the year 1889 became a partner in the firm which thereafter was known as A. L. Sayles & Sons. After the death of his father he became manager of the firm of A. L. Sayles & Sons, the firm being now incorporated with the Pas- coag Realty Company. On February 3, 1919, the stock- holders of the Pascoag Realty Company voted to change the name to that of A. L. Sayles & Sons, Incorporated. His activities are not by any means confined to one com- pany, however, and he is at the present time president of the F. L. Sayles Company, treasurer of the Sayles & Jenks Manufacturing Company, of Warren, Mass .; treasurer and director of the Pascoag Realty Company, which he and his brother and sister, Mrs. Ellen M. Jenks, founded in 1905; for many years a director of the United National Bank of Providence, and the Pas- coag National Bank until they were absorbed by the Industrial Trust ; director of the What Cheer and Hope Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Providence; direc- tor of the Automobile Mutual Insurance Company, of Providence; also director of the Industrial Trust Com- pany, Providence, R. I .; and is connected with many other industrial concerns. His activities have done much to build up the material interests of this community, and he has always shown himself a public-spirited citizen and ready to take an active part in all movements under- taken for the public good. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the State Sanatorium at Wallum Lake, and has done much in connection with philanthropies and charitable institutions here.
A. L. Sayles & Sons, Incorporated, is one of the larg- est establishments of its kind in this region, and the great building which honses its looms measures four hundred by eighty feet, and is five stories in height. This plant employs as many as four hundred hands, about one hundred of whom are women and the remainder men. It turns out woolen goods exclusively, and the character of its product is such that it may be regarded as a standard of excellence in the industry. The company also owns a worsted weaving and finishing mill which it operated until June, 1917, when it was rented to New York interests.
Mr. Sayles is a staunch Republican in his political be- lief, and while he has never sought office he has been forced by the strength of pressure to be his party's can- didate for several positions in the past. He was a mem- ber of the General Assembly of Rhode Island in 1887 and 1889 as representative, and from 1909 to 1916 served in the State Senate. For the last four years he served as Senator from the town of Burrillville, and for two elections he was elected withont opposition. As a mem- ber of both these bodies Mr. Sayles proved himself a
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most capable and disinterested legislator, and while serving in the Senate was a member of the committee on finance for four years and on that of the judiciary for two years. Mr. Sayles is a member of Granite Lodge, No. 133, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and of the Rhode Island Automobile Club. In religion he is an Episcopalian, and attends Calvary Church of that denomination at Pascoag, having been one of the prime movers in its organization, and for twenty years its treasurer. Mr. Sayles is a hearty supporter and liberal contributor to all movements for the betterment of Pascoag, his public spirit being manifested in many ways.
Albert Hardin Sayles married (first) in 1887, Emma B. Griffith, a daughter of John and Lavina (Bird) Griffith, of Newport, R. I. Mrs. Sayles died October I, 1902. He married (second) August 8, 1917, Emma Ruth Bagley, of Auburn, R. 1., daughter of John and Susan (Fetter) Bagley, formerly of Philadelphia, Pa., but now of Auburn, R. I.
FRED LINCOLN SAYLES-There are few names so prominently associated with the development of the industrial life of Rhode Island and Massachusetts as that of Sayles, the members of this distinguished family for several generations having devoted themselves to building up the great textile interests, many of which bear their name in many parts of this State and in the adjacent commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(VIII) Fred Lincoln Sayles, youngest son of Albert Leprelet and Fannie J. (Warner) Sayles, was born April 13, 1865, at Pascoag, and passed the major por- tion of his childhood there. As a boy he attended the local schools and afterwards became a student at the celebrated Mowry & Goff's English and Classical School at Providence, where he completed his studies, and graduated with the class of 1885. He had already mani- fested an unusual aptitude for gaining new knowledge at the time of his graduation as well as an industrious and painstaking nature, and these most estimable traits he continued to display during the years of his appren- ticeship in business. As soon as he had completed his schooling Mr. Sayles entered the manufacturing estab- lishment of his father at Pascoag, where he received a thorough instruction in the making of woolen goods, worsteds and similar textiles. He learned rapidly every detail and, with rare self-confidence, upon attaining his majority, leased the spinning machinery of the Fiske & Sayles Mill, which his father was at that time operating, and embarked in business on his own account. He established himself in the old mill and there began to turn out woolen yarns for weaving and knitting. After continuing in this enterprise until 1889, with a high de- gree of success, Mr. Sayles greatly increased his plant by the purchase of John T. Fiske's interest in a large business which he had conducted with Albert Hardin Sayles, and by this purchase became one-half owner it the property with his elder brother. His next step was to form a co-partnership with his father, Albert Lepre- let Sayles, the new firm engaging in the manufacture of woolen and worsted goods, under the style of the Fred L. Sayles Company, the name that has continued in use up to the present time, although the concern is now a
corporation. With his brother, Albert H., Mr. Sayle was admitted into his father's great business and th name became A. L. Sayles & Sons and has so continue even since the death of the senior partner. Th "Granite Mill," one of the best known plants of it kind in the State, is operated by this concern and her are turned out many types of textiles, includin worsteds, fancy cassimeres and carriage cloths. As it name implies, it is constructed entirely of granite stands a handsome and impressive structure, near the center o the village of Pascoag. It consists of a central build ing, surrounded by a group of subsidiary structures, th former being four stories high, with a tower in th center, its total length being three hundred and fift feet. Many hundreds of hands are now employed i the great plant atid matty thousands of yards of cloth are produced weekly. Under the name of the Fred L Sayles Company, a concern that was incorporated i 1899, a large plant was established at Pascoag, and her enormous quantities of worsteds, kerseys, fancy cassi meres and cloakings are produced. Mr. Sayles is mana ger and treasurer of this concern, and his brother Albert Hardin Sayles, is the president. In addition t these extensive interests in Rhode Island, Mr. Sayles i associated with others equally great itt the neighborin State of Massachusetts. He is president of the Sayle & Jenks Manufacturing Company, incorporated in 18& This plant is one of the largest of the Sayles plant: Since his sister's death he and his brother, Albert E Sayles, own nine-tenths of the company. He and hi brother, Albert H. Sayles, bought the Chase & Emerso Mill Estates and erected on same a large stone mill an operated same under the firm name of Albert H. an Fred L. Sayles, manufacturing fine worsted goods; thi mill was known by the name of Akela Mills.
Besides the many industrial concerns in which M Sayles is interested, he has taken a prominent part i the organizing and developing of the financial institu tions of the community. He was for a number of year a director of the Third National Bank of Providenc and of the Pascoag National Bank until these concerr were absorbed by the Industrial Trust Company. H is president of the Sayles & Jenks Manufacturing Com pany, president and treasurer of the Albert L. Sayle Second Land Company, and in 1905 organized with h! brother the Pascoag Realty Company. He was also director of the Providence & Springfield Railway Con pany, and president of the Herald Printing Compan: of Pascoag. He is a director and was an organizer ( the Worcester and Providence Street Railway Com pany, president, director and organizer of the Columbia Street Railway Company, and president of the W. I Coleman Company of Providence. He is a director an promoter of the Pascoag Water Company, a member c the Pascoag Hose Company, No. 1, and for two year a member of the operating committee of the Pascoa Fire District. Although a staunch Republican he cor trolled politics in the town of Burrillville. Mr. Sayle, while performing to the full the duties of citizenshi has never been in the least ambitious for office of ar kind, and has consistently refused to entertain any idea ( the same. He is a conspicuous figure in the social, frate nal and club circles of the community and is a member of many orders and other organizations. He has attaine)
Fred Se. Sayles
2
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BIOGRAPHICAL
the thirty-second degree in Free Masonry, and is affili- ated with Granite Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Harrisville; Scituate Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of Scituate; Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters; Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Providence Lodge, No. 14, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; Bur- rillville Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; Society of the Sons of the Revolution; Rhode Island Automobile Club, West Side Club of Providence, Commercial Club of Providence, Rhode Island Country Club, Providence Gun Club, Metacomet Golf Club, Barrington Yacht Club, Edgewood Yacht Club, Squantum Association, and the Wool Club of New York City. He attends Calvary Episcopal Church and has been active in the work of the parish and a 'liberal contributor to all its undertakings, especially those of a philanthropic order.
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