The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 85

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 85

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(IV) Jacob Dunnell, son of David and Kesiah (Ramsdill) Dunnell, was born December 5, 1743, at Lynn. He later removed to Boston where he continued to reside until his death. He married (first) December 12, 1771, Rebecca Florence, and (second) October 5, 1781, Margaret Pillsbury.

(V) Jacob (2) Dunnell, son of Jacob (1) and Mar- garet (Pillsbury) Dunnell, was born in the year 1784, at Boston, and two years later was placed under the guardianship of Benjamin Sumner, in whose household he grew up. As a youth he secured work with a New York concern and went to that city to take up his duties. In 1801 he was employed by the firm of H. Crawford & Company, who were engaged in the foreign trade, and was sent by them to Madeira, where he re-

mained about seven years. In 1807 he returned to the United States and settled at Providence, where his death occurred May 10, 1837, at the age of fifty-three years. He married, July 17, 1808, Mary Lyman, a daugh- ter of Judge Daniel and Polly (Wanton) Lyman, and a descendant of Richard Lyman, who came to New England in 1631, from High Ongar, in the County of Essex, England, and settled at Hartford, Conn. Mrs. Dunnell survived her husband for many years, her death occurring March 4, 1876, at the age of eighty- seven. They were the parents of the following children : Mary Lyman; Jacob, of further mention; Margaret, who became the wife of Samuel Wardwell Peckham, of Providence; Thomas Lyman; Elizabeth Lyman and John Wanton.

(VI) Jacob (3) Dunnell. son of Jacob (2) and Mary (Lyman) Dunnell, was born December 29, 1811, at North Providence (now a part of the city of Provi- dence) and passed his childhood there. He received an excellent commercial education, being trained as a bookkeeper in North Providence. About 1836, when twenty-five years of age, he went to Pawtucket and there took a position as bookkeeper and assistant in the establishment, then a small one, which has since become known as Dunnell's Print Works, and grown to very large proportions. It was then owned by Royal Sibley and Crawford Allen, the former being in active man- agement of it, and was engaged in printing calico. The craft was then in its infancy, the machinery in use being capable of printing only one color, and this concern was one of the first to become identified with it, and devel- oped simultaneously with its development. Mr. Dun- nell was entirely unacquainted with the business at the time, but rapidly made himself familiar with it in every detail, and, when a few years later, the then owners went out of business, he was capable of taking it over and managing it efficiently. The business, which was for a time carried on under the name of Jacob Dun- nell & Company, was eminently successful, and even- tually the Dunnell Manufacturing Company was organ- ized and continued to operate under that style until 1899. For a number of years Mr. Dunnell held the double office of president and general manager of the company, but later he resigned the former post in favor of his younger brother, Thomas Lyman Dunnell, although he yet retained the latter and was its active head. From the small beginning above noted, the Dun- nell Print Works, under the highly capable management of Mr. Dunnell, grew to the great proportions it had assumed at the time of his death. He grew up with the business, rising from a humble capacity until he had reached the very head, and there was no man in the country his superior as a calico printer in every aspect of the trade. He gave the works and the workmen his personal supervision, kept pace with all the improve- ments in the machinery, and in addition was gifted with extraordinary business ability and skill in the manage- ment of general affairs. Mr. Dunnell was also a man of large perceptions, high ideals and honor. At one time misfortune overtook him in his business through the misconduct of a former treasurer, and this was the occasion for these virtues to manifest themselves in a. most striking and convincing manner. Although at the

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time he had been released from all legal responsibility for the complete obligations of the concern, he deter- mined to pay them in full, and no creditor lost a single dollar through him. He never held any public office, but always was keenly interested in the welfare of the community and was active in securing the choice of the best men available for all such posts. His personality was an unusually attractive one and all who came in contact with him were inspired with sentiments of ad- miration and affection. He was also exceedingly char- itable, though he carried out his benefactions in so un- ostentatious a manner that often the recipients them- selves were unaware of the source of their assistance. At the outbreak of the Civil War, a number of his em- ployees, among whom was Captain Levi Tower, wished to respond to the call of the government. He told them to go and that when they came back their places would be ready for them. This promise he fulfilled and not only this, but during their absence continued the pay- ment of their wages to their families so that they should want for nothing.

Jacob (3) Dunnell married (first) December 29, 1834, Amey Dexter Brown, born February 22, 1814, a daugh- ter of Isaac and Lydia (Williams) Brown, and a de- scendant of Chad Brown, who came from England to the colonies in the ship "Martin," which arrived at Boston in July, 1638, and who shortly after removed to Providence. Jacob (3) and Amey D. (Brown) Dun- nell were the parents of the following children: Mary Lyman, born Oct. 29, 1835, died Feb. 3, 1841; Sophia Brown, born June 14, 1837, and became the wife of John T. Denny, of New York City; Jacob (4), of fur- ther mention; Edward Wanton, born May 8, 1841, and died in the same year; Amey, born June 17, 1844, and died in the same year; Adelia, born July 5, 1845, and died Nov. 28, 1853; Alice Maude Mary, born Sept. 15, 1846, and became the wife of Amasa Mason Eaton, of Providence; Margaret, born May 3, 1848, died Aug. 28, 1849; and William, born Sept. 13, 1850. On September II, 1873, Mr. Dunnell married ( second) Mary Attmore Robinson. To this union no children were born.

(VII) Jacob (4) Dunnell, son of Jacob (3) and Amey D. (Brown) Dunnell, was born February 6, 1839, and died April 8, 1874. As a young man he engaged n the cotton goods commission business in Providence inder his own name and met with a very substantial success. This early death, when but thirty-five years of ige, cut short what promised to be a brilliant business career, and his younger brother became his successor in he ownership and management of his enterprise. He narried, September 25, 1861, Jeannie Tucker Blodget, a laughter of Samuel Chase and Jane (Bull) Blodget, vho survives him, and they became the parents of the ollowing children: Jacob, who died in infancy; Jacob Wanton; Amey Dexter; Henry, with whom we are ere especially concerned ; Jane Power.

(VIII) Henry Dunnell, fourth child and third son of acob (4) and Jeannie Tucker (Blodget) Dunnell, was orn June 23, 1869, at Pawtucket. He was sent by his arents while a child to Miss Pratt's Private School, here he showed himself a painstaking and intelligent tudent in spite of his youth. For five years he at- ended public schools in Germany, while residing there

with his mother. He returned to the United States in 1881, and later attended the Providence High School for one year and then studied for three years at "Black Hall," a private school, where he completed his prepara- tion for college. He matriculated at Yale University in 1887 and there took the usual academic course, grad- uating with the class of 1891, and taking the degree of A. B. Upon completing his studies at Yale, Mr. Dunnell entered the establishment founded by his grandfather and continued associated with it for about nine years. There he received his business training and proved an apt pupil, making himself valuable to the manage- ment of the concern. In 1900 he realized his ambition to become independent and established himself in the brokerage and investment security business, now lo- cated at No. 12 Westminster street, Providence. Since that time he has continued uninterruptedly in this line and now conducts one of the best known concerns of its kind in the New England states. Mr. Dunnell is a man of strong and definite opinions on public matters, and is an independent Republican in politics, but he has not taken an active part in local affairs, confining himself to the direction of his investment business. He is a prominent figure in social and club circles here, and is a member of numerous organizations in Providence, including the Hope, Yale, Agawam Hunt and Noon Day clubs. In religious belief he is an Episcopalian.

Henry Dunnell was united in marriage, March 27, 1905, with Sarah Burges, a daughter of Richard and Emma (Rhodes) Burges, old and highly respected residents of Providence. One child has been born of this union, Henry Dunnell, Jr., born March 17, 1913.

REV. JOHN FRANCIS TULLY-Now permanent rector of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Providence, R. I., Father Tully reviews an active min- isterial life, which began with his ordination to the priesthood of the Roman Catholic church, at Grand Seminary, Montreal, Canada, December 27, 1886. He is a native son of Providence, his parents, James and Margaret (Burns) Tully, of County Cavan, Ireland, and Providence, R. I.

James Tully was born in County Cavan, came to the United States a young man, and died in the city of Providence in 1892, aged seventy-five. He was an undertaker in Providence and continued in active busi- ness until his retirement a short time previous to his death. His wife, Margaret (Burns) Tully, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, and died in Providence, R. I., October 17, 1916, aged ninety. James and Margaret Tully were the parents of sons: Thomas, now living retired in Providence; Mathew, died Feb. 28, 1910; John Francis, of further mention; James, died young ; and a daughter Mary, who also died in childhood.

John Francis Tully was born in Providence, R. I., September 25, 1856. He obtained his early educational training in the city grammar school. After completing the courses of LaSalle Academy, Providence, he en- tered Manhattan College, New York City, and there received his degree A. B., and A. M., in 1883. He pur- sued studies in theology at Grand Seminary, Montreal, from 1883 until 1886, when he was ordained a priest and assigned to St. Mary's Church, Newport, R. I., as as-

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sistant to the pastor. He remained at St. Mary's for twelve years, until 1899, then was installed pastor of St. Patrick's Church at Harrisville, R. I., serving that parish until November, 1902, going thence to St. Ann's Church at Cranston, R. I. There he began a new and beautiful church during his eighteen months' pastorate, laying the cornerstone in 1907, subsequent pastors carry- ing on the work of the building which is not yet com- pleted. St. Ann's was an Italian parish, then consist- ing of three thousand five hundred souls, Father Tully's pastorate there being an exceedingly hard period of his life and also one of the most successful in temporal and spiritual results. From St. Ann's he came to the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Providence, and in 1918 was installed its permanent rector. The history of that church carries back to the year 1857, when the first church edifice was begun, and dedicated by Bishop McFarland, July 4, 1858. The first pastor was Father Cooney, a beloved priest who served for twenty years until November- 25, 1878. He was succeeded by Rev. John Keegan, who died in 1883; Rev. John McGuire, who died in 1884; following him, Rev. Michael Fitz- gerald, who served the parish until his death in October, 1902; Rev. Michael O'Hara was rector from 1902 until his death in February, 1918; Father Tully succeeding him as permanent rector, assisted by Rev. David I. Dunn and Rev. Thomas A. Robinson. The parish sus- tains a school of six hundred pupils, a convent of sis- ters of Mercy, and all departments of church work are well organized and efficient.

H. MARTIN BROWN-Brown is a name to con- jure with in Rhode Island, but this particular branch came to Providence from Connecticut, the late D. Rus- sell Brown, ex-Governor of Rhode Island, and head of Brown Brothers Company, and his brother, Colonel H. Martin Brown, president of the Industrial Trust Com- pany, having been born in that State, sons of Arba Har- rison and Marilla (Dart) Brown. Their father, Arba Harrison Brown, a farmer, died at Manchester, Con- necticut, in 1888. His wife, Marilla (Dart) Brown, who died in 1864, was a daughter of Elias Dart, a Revolutionary soldier, taken prisoner at Fort Griswold, New London, September 6, 1781. Through other lines descent is traced to earliest New England days, three ancestors coming in the "Mayflower." But in his own right Colonel Brown has won rank among the highest, and in business achievement, public service and good citizenship, the ancestors' deeds can enrich him.

H. Martin Brown was born in Bolton, Connecticut, April 28, 1850, and until the age of sixteen attended grade and high schools, completing his studies at Rock- ville High School. From the age of sixteen to twenty- one he was a clerk in the dry goods store of E. Ste- phens Henry, a successful merchant of Rockville, Conn., under whose instruction he acquired deep knowledge of true business methods. Upon arriving at legal age, in 1871, he was admitted to a partnership by Mr. Henry, although for two years his name did not appear, the firm trading as E. S. Henry & Company; but in 1873 the firm style and title became Henry & Brown, so con- tinuing until December 31, 1877, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. The next day, January 1, 1878, the firm, Brown Brothers, was formed; the partners: D.

Russell Brown, H. Martin Brown, and Charles ] Child. This firm was incorporated as the Brov Brothers Company in 1893, and became one of ti largest companies in the country dealing in mill su plies. H. Martin Brown was secretary of the compar from its incorporation until July, 1899, when he se ered his connection. He was also at that time treasur of the Woonsocket Bobbin Company, and in July, 189 he effected a consolidation of the leading bobbin man facturers and organized these varions interests into tl United States Bobbin and Shuttle Company, with capital stock of $1,651,000. The gathering was und one head, of seven prominent companies, the pare company buying all their plants outright, and was triumph for Colonel Brown, who, as treasurer and ger eral manager of the corporation, showed as great abi ity as he had ever displayed, as an organizer.

The Brown Brothers Company and the United Stat Bobbin and Shuttle Company both sprang into being his command, this being achievement enough to stan any man as above the ordinary. But Colonel Brown known far beyond the realm governed by these tw organizations. He is a director and member of th executive board, and since January, 1912, president ( the Industrial Trust Company of Providence, and i varions branches throughout Rhode Island; former a director of the Mechanics' National Bank, the la compelling his resignation when assuming the executiv management of the Industrial Trust Company. He president of the National Ring Traveler Company director of the Providence Telephone Company; Narr: gansett Electric Light Company; Equitable Fire ar Marine Insurance Company ; What Cheer Mutual Fi Insurance Company ; Hope Mutual Fire Insurant Company ; Rhode Island Safe Deposit Company ; Rhoc Island Tool Company; Newport Trust Company ( Newport, R. I .; Providence Tribune Company ; Rhoc Island Safe Deposit Company; Title Guarantee Con pany of Rhode Island; Westerly Light and Power Con pany ; and is the owner of the Brown building on We. Exchange street, Providence, one of the largest mant facturing properties in the city.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Brown served as cour cilman from the Ninth Ward in 1890; was chief c Governor Brown's staff in 1892-95, with the rank c colonel; representative from Providence in the Rhoc Island Legislature in 1900, 1901, 1902; delegate to tl: Republican National Convention, 1904; and represente Rhode Island on the committee appointed to notif Theodore Roosevelt of his nomination, a duty the com mittee performed at Oyster Bay, Long Island, July 2; 1904. He was presidential elector in 1908. He is member of Adelphoi Lodge, Free and Accepted Ma sons; St. John's Commandery, Knights Templar; Rhod Island Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution; an numerous social organizations, including the Hope an Squantum clubs of Providence.

Colonel Brown married, February 9, 1875, Anni Weed North, daughter of Gideon Leeds North, o Rockville, Conn. They are the parents of two daugh ters : Marion N., married Colonel Harvey A. Baker now United States District Attorney, of Providence and Helen, married Erling C. Ostby, treasurer of th Ostby & Barton Company, and director of the Indus trial Trust Company.

A. Martin Brown

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HENRY WOOLF-Among the many capable men men who are identified with the life of Providence in the present generation, none stands higher than Henry Woolf, superintendent of the Jewish Orphanage Asy- lum of Rhode Island, whose work in this connection has been of invaluable service to the community-at- large. Mr. Woolf is a native of New York City, where he was born December 25, 1875, a son of Herman and Rebecca (Parkus) Woolf, both of whom are now de- ceased. Mr. Woolf's parents were natives of Poland, and emigrated to London, and from there to New York City, when about twenty-five years of age. They both died at an early age, leaving a boy of seven to be cared for. The lad early displayed a marked passion for work, an ambition unusual in one so young, so that he did very well in passing in the grammar schools of New York, where his early education was obtained. Upon completing his studies in these institutions, he soon determined to give himself the advantages of a col- lege education, and with this end in view, entered the New York City College, where, after five years study, lie was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science. It was necessary for Mr. Woolf during this time to engage in some occupation which would not only support himself but pay for his education, and this he accomplished, so that he had little time for the pleasures generally sought by young men of his age. Not being satisfied with the extent of his educational preparation, young Mr. Woolf proceeded to take post- graduate courses at Columbia University and won the diploma of Bachelor of Arts in 1903 and that of Master of Arts in the following year. He showed himself an indefatigable worker during this period by taking a number of special courses at Columbia University, in- cluding those in public school training, art and several others to prepare himself for the profession of teach- ing, which he had determined to follow. During this time he also taught at several institutions, and later a position was created for him at a large orphanage in New York City, where he was made head supervisor of the boys' department, in charge of six hundred and seventy boys, where he devoted himself with the great- est single mindedness to the training of his charges. This was several years before Mr. Woolf had completed his studies.

Later Mr. Woolf resigned this position to once more take up special preparatory work at Columbia, his course this time being manual training, the value of which he fully appreciated for his little charges. The quality of Mr. Woolf's work had by this time begun to attract very general attention, and he was offered a position in Indianapolis, where he established three new manual training centres during his stay there of about two years and three months. A new federation of Jewish charities was established in Indianapolis during Mr. Woolf's first year of residence, and he was called upon to organize the work of the office and take charge in the capacity of superintendent. At the end of that period, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was en- gaged in similar educational work, as superintendent of the Council Educational Alliance. He served in that capacity for about two and one-half years. He was then called to the well known Leopold Morse Home, a Jewish Orphanage at Boston, Massachusetts, of which

he was given the superintendency. The unremitting labors of Mr. Woolf had begun to tell considerably on his health, and he realized with regret that it would be necessary for him to give up his work for a time. His services, however, were so greatly valued that on three separate occasions when he offered his resignation the authorities of the school persuaded him to continue, and it was only when for a fourth time, he resigned, realizing the absolute necessity of a rest, that they were finally reluctantly obliged to accept his resignation. Mr. Woolf was not destined to enjoy a very long vacation, however, for after about one month of leisure, then in New York City, he received an appointment to his present position as superintendent of the Jewish Or- phanage of Rhode Island. It was, indeed, quite impos- sible for so energetic a nature as that of Mr. Woolf's to remain idle for any extended period, so he accepted this new call, and has been most actively and efficiently en- gaged here ever since. He first took charge of his work here in April, 1913, and, although since that time he has been offered many flattering offers to positions of greater importance and responsibilities, he has con- sistently refused, preferring to remain in order to con- tinue his present work, with which he feels especially contented. Mr. Woolf is especially well qualified to carry on successfully the task he has taken up, and showed himself amply possessed of the vast sympathy and understanding necessary to deal with his delicate and difficult students. In the first place, he has received a most complete and comprehensive training, and is thoroughly familiar with all branches of welfare work, while added to this he has the natural adaptability of mind, and a wide cultivation, the result of extended reading, and familiarity with the best of human philos- ophys, which alone make possible a broad tolerance and a ready comprehension of everything of the childish as well as of the adult mind. Mr. Woolf is a member of the congregation of Temple Israel and is prominently affiliated with a number of fraternal organizations here, including the lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chancellor, commander as well of the Grand Lodge of this order in New York State. He is also a member of Ionic Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of New York City. In politics Mr. Woolf is an Inde- pendent voter, preferring to exercise his own judgment en all public questions and issues, rather than identify himself with any formal political party. He is also a member of the Jewish Orphanage of Rhode Island, the Hebrew Free Loan Association, and the Jewish Insti- tute of Providence.

Henry Woolf was united in marriage, August 21, 1904, with Celia Faber, of New York City. Two chil- dren have been born of this union, as follows: Blanche Mildred, now a pupil in the Hope Street High School of Providence; and William Henry, who is attending the Highland avenue school of this city.

JASPER RUSTIGIAN-In Kharput, a town of Turkish Armenia, in the Vilayet of Mamouret-Ul-Aziz, lived Baxter R. and Cora Rustigian, and there a son Jasper was born to them August 26, 1876. After he had completed his preparatory study he entered the Armenian National College of Mamouret-Ul-Aziz and

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there continued until graduation in 1903. In 1904 he came to the United States, the parents remaining in Kharput, where the father died and where the mother was yet living at last advices received from there. When Jasper Rustigiau came to the United States he did not long remain at his original post of entry, but soon came to Providenice, R. I., where he had an uncle, George Rustigian, engaged in mercantile lines. For a time the young man kept a fruit stand, but later be- came a clerk in his uncle's store. At the same time he took special courses in Providence High School to perfect himself in the English tongue, which he spoke

very well, when he left Armenia, but wished to acquire fluently. After a time he left Providence and returned to New York City, there securing employment in an imported rug dealing concern, later starting a combined grocery and fruit store, continuing in New York about two years. He then came again to Providence, there engaging in the grocery and fruit business, but after a time closed out his own business and again became an employee of his uncle, George Rustigian.

During the years, 1004-1910, he had carefully hus- banded his earnings, having a definite purpose in view which required funds to consummate. In 1910 he felt that he might with safety begin the carrying out of his purpose, and that year he matriculated at Boston Uni- versity, choosing the department of law. He kept steadily at his self-imposed task, and three years later was graduated Bachelor of Laws with the class of 1913. A man of education, educated in the College of Ar- menia, and a man of eighteen when he left his native land, Mr. Rustigian could speak with authority upon the Armenian question and the atrocities of the Turks, and for about one year after graduation he was greatly iti demand as a lecturer, traveling and addressing audi- ences in all of the States of the Union. While there

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 85

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