The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 84

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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NEWTON PECK HUTCHISON was born in Providence, June 6, 1883, the son of George William and Nancy Sweet (Peck) Hutchison. On the paternal side he is a descendant of good old Scotch families, his grandparents, James and Jane Carmichael Hutchison both heing natives of Edinburgh, Scotland. His grand- father came to the United States about the year 1846. establishing himself in carpet manufacturing, being the first manufacturer of Brussels and tapestry carpents ir this country, and was regarded as an expert and au- thority in this industry. He was also well known for. his artistic talent, as besides designing his own carpets he painted creditably for his own pleasure. His son George W. Hutchison, was born in Troy, N. Y., bu the greater part of his youth was spent in Newark

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N. J., until he came to Providence in 1877, and estab- lished the firm of Holden, Hutchison & Huestis, for the manufacture of gold jewelry. From 1880 the business was continued as Hutchison & Huestis, until 1911, when it was incorporated as Hutchison & Huestis, Inc., George W. Hutchison becoming the sole owner and continuing as such until his death in July, 1914.

On the maternal side, Newton P. Hutchison comes of a long line of old English ancestry and is related to the Peck, Simmons, Jencks, Burdick, and other families, who were among the very earliest settlers of New Eng- land and of great prominence in early Colonial days in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. His mother's maiden name was Nancy Sweet Peck. She is a daughter of Isaac Peck, of Providence, and Sarah (Burdick) Peck, a native of Newport, whose father was one of the well known Newport ship masters sailing from that port in the early part of the nineteenth century.

Newton P. Hutchison's early education was acquired in the private schools of Providence with two years at the Hope Street High School. He entered Brown Uni- versity in the fall of 1900, graduating in the class of 1905 with the degree of Ph. B. While at Brown Uni- versity he was a member of the Epsilon Chapter of the Zeta Psi fraternity and the Cammarian Club, besides being at various times manager of the musical clubs, leader of the Glee Club, manager of the Sock & Buskin Dramatic Society and a "B" man in athletics. In the fall of 1905 he went to Europe, spending a year in travel and also taking a post-graduate course at the Univer- sity of Munich, Bavaria. Early in 1907 he became iden- tified with the New York Stock Exchange firm of Horn- blower & Weeks as associate manager of their Provi- dence office. In March, 1913, he established the firm of Newton P. Hutchison & Company, to deal in stocks and bonds, of which firm he is the sole owner. On the death of George W. Hutchison, in 1914, he became presi- dent and treasurer of Hutchison & Huestis, Inc., and still conducts that business. At the present time he is also president of the Great Lakes Oil Refining Company, Ltd., of Toronto and Wallaceburg, Canada, and is a director of the Premier Motor Corporation of Indian- apolis, Ind.

Mr. Hutchison is a member of the University Club of Providence, the Rhode Island Country, Wannamoisett Country Club, the Point Judith Country Club, Squan- tum Association, the Brown Club, the Zeta Psi Asso- ciation of Rhode Island, the Noon Day Club, and the Players' Club, of which he was one of the founders and at present, treasurer. He is identified with the Ma- sonic fraternity, being a past master and at present secretary of Adelphoi Lodge, No. 33, Free and Accepted Masons, and is also a member of Chapter No. 1, Royal Arch Masons, and St. John's Commandery.

In 1911, Mr. Hutchison married Marie Louise, daughter of R. Frederick Taylor, of Worcester, Mass .. and Virginia Bird (Chapman) Taylor, formerly of York, Pa.

WILLIAM BOHUN McBEE, president of the Blackstone Mutual Fire Insurance Company and Mer- chants' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Providence, is a native of Greenville, S. C., born June 3, 1862, and

is a son of Alexander and Jane ( Alexander) McBee. Alexander McBee, in addition to being a planter, was engaged in a general line of business in Greenville, and during the Civil War served one year in the Confed- erate army.

The early education of William Bohun McBee was received in a private school, whence he passed to Green- ville Military Institute, Greenville, S. C., and later to Furman University in the same place. He then spent two years at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. In 1882 Mr. McBee came to Rhode Island and entered upon his business career in association with Lockwood, Greene & Company, mill engineers, of Provi- dence, and he was subsequently connected with the Lockwood Company, owners of cotton mills at Water- ville, Maine. In 1890 he became identified with the Blackstone Mutual Fire Insurance Company, beginning in a humble capacity, and by persistent effort and ability he has become one of the prominent insurance men in Rhode Island, and is now (1919) president and treasurer of the Blackstone Mutual Fire Insurance Company and the Merchants' Mutual Fire Insurance Company, both of Providence. He is also president of the Providence Building Company, and a director of the Merchants' National Bank of Providence. In the assiduous and vigilant attention which he bestows upon the affairs of these organizations he finds exercise and scope for his. business ability as a Mutual Fire Insurance underwriter. In politics he is an Independent, choosing the man in preference to the party. Office-seeking and office-hold- ing have never possessed any attractions for him. He belongs to the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and is en- rolled in the Wannamoisett Country Club, the Rhode Island Country Club, the Providence Art Club, the Turk's Head Club and the Providence Athenaeum, also the San Souci Country Club and the Poinsett Club, both of Greenville, S. C. He and his family are members of the Protestant Episcopal church. Although of a quiet and retiring disposition, Mr. McBee is an active sup- porter in all movements for the development and wel- fare of his city and State, and has justly earned that American title, "a selfmade man."

Mr. McBee married, September 15, 1886, at Riverside, R. I., Emily Edith, daughter of Thomas Charles and Emily Edith (Goodwin) Hudson, and they are the parents of the following children: Alexander Charles, born May 30, 1889; Emily de Bohun, born May 21, ISO1; William Rhodes Le Roy, born Nov. 26, 1892; Marguerite Edith, born April 25, 1898; and Floride D'Oyley, born Jan. 31, 1901.

RT. REV. WILLIAM NEILSON McVICKAR- That branch of the MeVickar family of which the late William Neilson McVickar, Bishop of Rhode Island, was descended, was established in America in the latter part of the eighteenth century by John McVickar, a native of the north of Ireland.

MeVickar Arms-(From Vermont's "American Her- aldry"): Quarterly, 1 and 4; or an eagle displayed with two heads gules. 2 and 3: per bend embattled, argent and gules. Over all an escutcheon or charged with three stags' horns, erect gules. two and one.

Crest-An eagle displayed with two heads. per pale embattled argent and gules.

Motto-Dominus providebit. (The Lord will pro- vide).

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(I) John McVickar, ancestor of the family, was a successful linen merchant and settled in New York City. He later became prominent in many branches of activity in the city, and gained a reputation as a phil- anthropist. He married, May 19, 1771 (?), Anna Moore, daughter of John Moore, of Newtown, Long Island. Their children were: I. James. 2. Archibald, married, Aug. 30, 1809, Catherine Livingston, daughter of Henry Brockholst Livingston. 3. Rev. Dr. and Prof. John McVickar, born in 1787, died Oct. 29, 1868; married, Nov. 12, 1809, Eliza Bard, daughter of Samuel Bard, M. D. 4. Edward, died Dec. 6, 1866; married, Dec. I, 1819, Frances Matilda Constable, daughter of William Constable. 5. Benjamin McVickar, M. D., married, Nov. 2, 1825, Isaphane Catherine Lawrence, daughter of Isaac Lawrence. 6. Eliza, married, Feb. 26, 1810, William Constable. 7. Hannah Augusta, died 1841 ; married, Sept. 4, 1812, William Jay.

(II) James McVickar, son of John and Anna (Moore) Mc Vickar, was a successful and prominent New York merchant. He married ( first) June 15. 1806, Eweretta Constable. He married (second) Catherine (Bucknor) McVickar, daughter of William G. Buck- nor, and widow of Nathan McVickar. Children by first wife: John Augustus, mentioned below; and Mary Stuart, married. Nov. 4, 1843, William Whitney.

(III) John Augustus McVickar, M. D., son of James and Eweretta (Constable) McVickar, was for a num- ber of years a successful and prominent physician and surgeon in New York City. He married (first) Feb- ruary 20, 1837, Charlotte Neilson, daughter of William Neilson. She died December 1, 1871. He married (second) Eweretta McVickar, daughter of Edward Mc Vickar, May 5, 1873. His children by first wife were: Susan, married, April 1, 1857, L. Philo Mills; Eweretta; William Neilson, mentioned below; James, married, April 30, 1873, Ada Jaffray, daughter of Ed- ward S. Jaffray.

(IV) William Neilson McVickar, D. D., son of Dr. John Augustus and Charlotte (Neilson) McVickar, was born October 19, 1843, in New York City. He received his education in private schools of the city, after which he entered Columbia University. In 1865 he was grad- uated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts and with honors. In the fall of the year 1865 he entered the Philadelphia Divinity School for the purpose of pre- paring himself for the Christian ministry. He remained there a year and a half, at the end of which time he returned to New York City and completed his course in the General Theological Seminary. In 1867 he was made a deacon, when he became an assistant to the Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Tyng, of St. George's Church, New York City. In July, 1868, he was ordained priest of the Protestant Episcopal church, and received as his first charge the parish of Holy Trinity in Harlem, a young church, without a church building and having a con- gregation at times not exceeding ten or twelve people. Services were held in a nearby hall, at the time that the parish came into the hands of Dr. McVickar. He threw his whole soul into the work of upbuilding a strong church, increased his congregation with great rapidity, and built the large church and Sunday school building on the corner of Fifth avenue and 127th street.

This he accomplished in a period of seven years, during which time he had received calls from other churches for his services, among which was a call to St. Paul's Church in Boston in 1873. In 1875, however, having set his first parish spiritually and temporarily on its feet, he accepted a call to Holy Trinity Parish in Philadelphia. Bishop Mc Vickar's connection with his parish ex- tended over a period of twenty-two years. During that time he became one of the prominent figures of his diocese, and was recognized as a leader of strength and vision. For several years, beginning with 1883, he was a member of the General Convention. In Philadelphia, during the years that followed, he was a member of the board of managers of the Deaf and Dumb Institution of Pennsylvania ; a trustee of the diocese; a member of the board of overseers of the Philadelphia Divinity School; a member of the board of managers of the Episcopal Hospital; and a member of the board of managers of the General Board of Missions.

Bishop Me Vickar's reputation for consummate ability in things ecclesiastical had spread beyond the con- fines of his parish in Philadelphia. He became known as one of those few, or rather comparatively few, men in the ministry who were endowed with the God given quality of leadership. On October 27, 1897, at the Con- vention of the Diocese of Rhode Island, Bishop Mc- Vickar was chosen coadjutor bishop of Rhode Island. The head of the diocese was Bishop Clark. Bishop McVickar was consecrated in the Church of Holy Trinity at Philadelphia. He came into full power as bishop automatically with the death of Bishop Clark, September 5, 1903. His service as the Bishop of Rhode Island is remarkable for the progress and advance made throughout the State under his administration of that office. Bishop McVickar was a scholar and student of no small repute, as will be seen from the honorary degrees bestowed upon him by colleges in different parts of the country. In 1885 he received the degree of D. D. from Kenyon College, in Ohio. In 1898 he re- ceived the same degree from the University of Pennsyl- vania, and the degree of S. T. D. from Columbia Uni- versity. Brown University conferred upon him the de- gree of LL. D. in 1904.

There is no more adequate test of the character of a man than his standing in the estimation of his friends and intimates, the men who know the nature of his work, who work beside him, who strive to the same end, imbued with the same idea and ideals of service. Noth- ing could give more clearly the life and character of the late Bishop McVickar than the excerpts appended here- to, resolutions passed after his death by various bodies, religious and secular, written by masterly preachers and literary men :

The standing committee of the Diocese of Rhode Island is again mysteriously called upon, after a brief interval of less than seven years, to make in the recess of the convention, official announcement of the death of its Bishop, and to hear witness to the pro- found grief of the Diocese in the loss of its beloved head.

The Right Reverend William Neilson MeVickar, D. D., LL. D., consecrated January 27, 1898, as Bishop Coadjutor, since September 7, 1903, third Bishop of Rhode Island, rested from his labors at Beverly, Mas- sachusetts, on June 28, 1910. This life thus closed on earth has been one of manifest grace and power. Called from a wide and conspicuous field of parochial

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experience to the exalted station of the Episcopate, Dr. McVickar was amply and eminently prepared to maintain the work and traditions of one of the oldest dioceses of the American Church. He proved an effi- cient and congenial helpmate to the venerable Bishop Clark through the closing years of the life of that great prelate, whose mantle fell upon his coadjutor as upon a worthy successor.

The fame of Rhode Island, under the brilliant chief- tainship of Bishop Clark, had become fair and far- reaching, and it suffered no eclipse nor wane under Bishop McVickar, who entered at once into the spirit and interests of the Commonwealth and of the Dio- cese. He won rapidly popular respect and affection on every side, until he passed from us it is not too much to say that he was our first citizen.

In the councils of the Church both in the United States, and in England, he was eloquent and forceful. In the great causes of evangelization, philanthropy and social reform he was a recognized leader, whose advice and advocacy were eagerly sought. In the Board of Missions, and as a trustee of the Hampton Institute, he occupied positions of national impor- tance.

Our Bishop's life has been all too brief for our hopes and expectations. His sun seems to have gone down while it was yet day, but little past meridian. We confidently looked for him to guide and tend his flock for many years to come in those pleasant days of truth and peace which have marked his gentle way. Yet the Episcopate which now appears to have ended so abruptly has already had its harvests and will yet yield others as the fruit of its patient sow- ing. The people of Rhode Island, of all sorts and con- ditions, of all creeds and of none, have had a vision of the Good Shepherd reflected in Bishop McVickar and the effect of that vision will be realized for many years to come; the institutions of the Diocese have been fostered by his loving care, and he leaves them in growing strength and vigor, while above all, the cathedral idea and organization, the initiative of which was his, will in the future be an enduring monument to William Neilson McVickar, who will stand out in our diocesan history as its founder.

Noble, however, will be that monument of loving kindness which his life and character have reared in human hearts, an ever-living memory of one who loved the souls of men. Priest! Pastor! Bishop! Father in God! Friend, tender and true! Farewell until we greet thee with the "Good morrow of eter- nity!" Meanwhile God grant thee His eternal rest and cause to shine upon thee His perpetual light!

The Rhode Island clergy adopted the following minute :

The clergy of the diocese of Rhode Island, pro- foundly moved hy the death of their late Bishop, Wil- liam Neilson McVickar, desire to express their sense of loss and make some record of what he has been to them.

Twelve years ago, known to but few of us, well known perhaps to none of us, he came among us as a needed coadjutor to an honored predecessor whose years had become to him a burden. How faithfully and tenderly he served him many of us can bear wit- ness. Assuming nothing to himself, deferring all things to his elder, putting sturdy shoulders beneath whatever load had become irksome, bringing cheer and comfort with look and word, he discharged each task that devolved upon him. As a son ministering to a loved and revered father, he toiled gladly.

Then in due season his place was changed. He was alone in his office. Very quickly he magnified that office, not in its dignities, but in its duties. He grew in the discharge of it. He assumed new responsibili- ties. Wherever there was sickness or sorrow brought to his notice his gentle presence was felt consoling it. As fresh social opportunities opened before him, he made his own precedents for dealing with them. He did not claim a wider jurisdiction; it was accorded to him because he revealed himself as a man of God and a brother of men. With holy and humble heart, and with resolute, because consecrated, purpose, he went forward and his people followed him.

He helped each one of us as far as we sought or would accept his service. He became a minister at large, a pastor among pastors, within and without his own communion. He brought with him every- where a willingness to serve, a sound judgment, patience to wait, a spirit of peace and good will. His large heart went forth on loving errands to his clergy, his laity, his fellow citizens. Wisely and thought- fully he concerned himself with public interests, seek- ing always that they should be founded on righteous-

ness. He was at home everywhere, for he was always in his Father's house and concerned with his Father's business.

In the pulpit or on the platform. his word was with power. The common people heard him . gladly. They felt his transparent honesty, were stirred by his gen- erous zeal. He spoke on the common level, as one who stood beside them, however he might tower above them. His life was his best message. Being dead he yet speaketh. The tones of that marvelous voice, vibrant with sympathy, are silent, but we hear and would hear them still.

Organizations representing almost every phase of en- deavor, men of all the professions, in fact almost every walk of life, added their tributes to the memory of Bishop McVickar. The public press in its columns gave space to the man whom it recognized not only as a religious leader, but as a prominent public man. The following is an extract from the "Newport News":

He was a man of magnificent physique. He was six feet five inches tall and built on extraordinarily large proportions. His build made him a commanding figure in any gathering where he happened to be.

It is related of him, while still a young man, to- gether with Phillips Brooks and Mr. Richardson, of Boston, both of whom were also of mammoth build, he was attending a convention at London. A speaker, in discussing the American people, described them as a decadent race and declared emphatically that their stature was growing less. When the orator had fin- ished, the three massive young Americans rose, side by side, squared their shoulders and announced: "We are Americans!" Bishop McVickar always smiled when this story was related and would not vouch for its authenticity.

He possessed a voice of great richness and sweet- ness. As a pulpit speaker he was noted particularly for his qualities of earnestness and sincerity. His friends were particularly charmed with the simplicity of character and attractive personality. The Bishop was described as a conservative broad churchman. He was especially noted for his belief in the necessity of an earnest spiritual life.

The combination of Bishop McVickar's personality, sincerity and ability was so great that it broke the strong barriers that difference in religious faith erects. The Rev. Dr. Frank, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Pawtucket, R. I., said :

Just now our State is lamenting the untimely death of one of the noblemen in the ranks of churchmen. Bishop McVickar still leads, though the giant form strides the earth no more. That hand will still guide and that voice continue to give counsel through many coming years. Four days after the death of Lincoln, Chaplain McCabe wrote in his journal: "Our Atlas has gone to the shade of Erebus. Who will now uphold the falling skies?" In like manner our churchmen of every name will lament the loss of this leader whose strength was as the strength of ten because his heart was pure. Religion has been generous in its gift of great and good men for the highest leadership of man- kind. It will continue to do the same in the future.

The Right Rev. Monseigneur Thomas F. Doran, Vicar-General of the Providence Diocese of the Roman Catholic church, also expressed himself in warm admir- ation of Bishop McVickar, as well as did countless other clergymen. The words of the Rev. Mr. Goodwin, of the Pawtucket Congregational Church, are as follows :

It is true of this great Christian, as was said at the death of Mark Hopkins, "A great life has gone down, but it has not gone out." Bishop McVickar was a man of simple and childlike spirit, with the beautiful fresh- ness of youth unsullied by years of wide experience in the world. He was kind, tender-hearted and gen- erous, always a friend of the weak and a manly co- laborer with the strong. An aristocrat in culture and refinement. his sympathies yet wide and democratic, the interests of all sorts of men being ever of great concern to him.

He was ever a great human, truly illustrating the words of the Hebrew prophet, "In whom God spoke, I will make a man more rare than fine gold." He was

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a great churchman, dignifying the high office with which his own church had honored him, and throwing the ample mantle of catholicity of heart over all those who under whatsoever name are striving to do God's will on earth. To-day even the churches which were founded on the idea of a church without a Bishop, and a State without a King, feel that from them also has been taken a leader of commanding strength and a fearless champion of truth and righteousness.

It was eminently fitting that the services held at his funeral should end with the words of Christian confidence illustrative of his life of joy, helpfulness and conquering hope:

"The strife is o'er, the battle is done, The victory of life is won, The song of triumph has begun."

These are but a few of the tributes to the life, char- acter, work and personality of Bishop McVickar, and have been culled from amongst hundreds of others.

HENRY DUNNELL-Among the successful men of Providence, where he conducts a large business in investment securities, Henry Dunnell occupies a prom- inent place. Mr. Dunnell is a native of Pawtucket and a member of an ancient Rhode Island family which was founded here in early Colonial times and has ever since maintained a high place in the esteem of their fellow citizens. During the many years of its residence at Providence, the family has allied itself with many of the most prominent houses in the State, while its members have occupied places of distinction in many callings. The ancestor from whom the Dunnells trace their de- scent was Michael Dunnell, Sr., who in 1668 married Mary Read and by her had nine children, as follows: Mary, Michael, Thomas, who is mentioned below ; John, Elizabeth, Magdalen, Joseph, Susannah, and Johanna. Michael Dunnell, Sr., died about 1713, after a long and active life.

(II) Thomas Dunnell, son of Michael, Sr., and Mary (Read) Dunnell, was born November 20, 1672, and passed a part of his life at Lynn, where he married Dinah Brinsdell, May 23, 1701. They were the parents of nine children, as follows: Jonathan, Mary, Ruth, David, who is mentioned below; Thomas, Susannah, Abigail, Jacob and Amos.

(III) David Dunnell, son of Thomas and Dinah (Brinsdell) Dunnell, was born in the year 1709, and on November 9, 1732, married Kesiah Ramsdill of Lynn, at which place they resided. They were the parents of eight children, as follows: Ruth, Mary, Solomon, Reu- ben, Sarah, Jacob, who is mentioned below; David and Jonathan.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 84

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