The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 87

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 87

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Mr. Metcalf was at one time a member of the Com- mission on Sinking Fund of the city of Providence. He left a monument to his generosity in the well ap- pointed building of the Rhode Island School of Design on Waterman street. This school was erected as a tribute to the memory of his wife and her devoted labors, and in furtherance of its interests Mr. Met- calf donated the land upon which the building stands and contributed the money which assured its erection. He was a believer in practical philanthropy and took this means of accomplishing what he believed would benefit hundreds who would be permitted, because of his gift, to enjoy privileges which otherwise could hardly have come within their reach. The appreciation of the privileges and advantages of this school is best attested by the patronage which it has had. As a business man of many interests, as a man who performed his public duties with unswerving integrity and unquestioning fidelity, as a citizen who never forgot local interests in the larger questions which demanded his attention, as a friend, and intelligent Christian gentleman who recog- nized his duty to his fellow-citizens in general, Provi- dence had reason to be proud of Jesse Metcalf, and he was honored in his native city by all who knew him.

On November 22, 1852, Mr. Metcalf married Helen Adelia Rowe, of Providence, who died March 1, 1895. They were the parents of the following children: I. Eliza G., married May 27, 1880, Dr. Gustav Radeke, of

Providence, whom she survives. 2. Stephen O., treas- urer of the Wanskuck Company; married, Dec. 2, 1886, Esther Henrietta Pierce, who was born Nov. 26, 1862, daughter of George and Esther Pierce; they are the parents of three children: i. Helen Pierce, born Sept. 3, 1887; ii. George Pierce, born June 13, 1890; iii. Houghton Pierce, born Aug. 12, 1891. 3. Sophia, wife of the Hon. William C. Baker. 4. Jesse H., president of the Wanskuck Company; married (first) Harriet D. Thurston, who died in 1902, daughter of Benjamin and Cornelia D. Thurston; they are the parents of one daughter, Cornelia, born Sept. 28, 1892; he married (second) Louisa Dexter Sharpe, daughter of Lucian and Louisa (Dexter) Sharpe. 5. Manton Bradley, born June 26, 1864; was a student at Brown University for two years; in the fall of 1881 he went to New York to become manager of the sales department of the Wans- kuck Company, and has since remained at the head of the New York office; he married, April 28, 1886, Susan Maud Browning, of New York, daughter of Theodore and Susan (Wilcox) Browning; their children are: i. Jesse, born Sept. 10, 1887; ii. Manton B., Jr., born Dec. 7, 1892; iii. Rowe Browning, born May 6, 1900, resides at Orange, N. J.

THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL OF DE- SIGN, of which Eliza Greene (Metcalf) Radeke, A. M., is president, was incorporated April 5, 1877, and was formally opened the following year. The broad prin- ciples stated in its constitution well express the char- acter of the work undertaken by the corporation and instructors.

These purposes are: First, the instruction of artisans in drawing, painting, modeling and designing, that may successfully apply the principles of art to the requirements of trade and manufactures. Second, the systematic training of students in the practice of art, that they may understand its principles, give instruction to others, or become artists. Third, the general advancement of art education by the exhibi- tion of works of art and art studies, and by lectures on art. In the administration of the school all these pur- poses are treated as of equal importance.

The gradual and healthy development of the school to its present position in connection with the artistic and industrial development of the State is evidence of the sound basis upon which it was founded. During its forty-two years' existence, no essential change has been found necessary in the aims originally proposed by the founders of the school, although various courses of study have been extended and broadened, and new courses have been added to meet the requirements of educational advancement and to strengthen the quality of students' work. The school awards its diploma for the satisfactory completion of its regular courses in drawing, painting, modeling, architecture, interior decoration, in decorative, mechanical and textile design and textile chemistry, jewelry and silversmithing, and in normal art, and also affords opportunity for the special study of drawing and design by any person competent to enter its day or evening classes.

Officers of the Corporation are as follows: 1917-18, Mrs. Gustav Radeke, president; Theodore Francis

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Green, vice-president; G. Alder Blumer, M. D., sec- retary; Stephen O. Metcalf, treasurer. The executive committee are as follows: Mrs. Gustav Radeke, officio; Howard Hoppin, William Carey Poland, Theo- dore Francis Green, Walter E. Ranger, Albert D. Mead. The museum committee are as follows: Mrs. Gustav Radeke, officio; Sydney R. Burleigh, Howard L. Clark, William T. Aldrich, William C. Loring, Stephen O. Metcalf, L. Earle Rowe, secretary. The library committee are as follows: Mrs. Gustav Radeke, ex-officio; Mrs. Jesse H. Metcalf, L. Earle Rowe, George P. Winship, William E. Brigham. The finance committee are as follows: Mrs. Gustav Radeke, ex- officio; Henry D. Sharpe, Stephen O. Metcalf, James Richardson. The nominating committee are as fol- lows: G. Alder Blumer, M. D., Stephen O. Metcalf, Howard O. Sturges, John O. Ames, Webster Knight. The auditing committee are as follows: Preston H. Gardner, James Richardson. The trustees are as follows: 1917-23, Miss Lida Shaw King, G. Alder Blumer, M. D .; 1916-22, Howard Hoppin, Harold W. Osthy; 1915-21, Howard O. Sturges, William Wurts White; 1914-20, William T. Aldrich, Henry D. Sharpe; 1913-19, Jesse M. Metcalf, Mrs. Gustav Radeke; 1912-18, Howard L. Clark, Theodore Francis Green.

The Rhode Island School of Design has 126,990 square feet of floor space devoted to the work of its school and Museum. The main building, located on Waterman street, contains the Museum, the offices of administration, the Library, rooms for the departments of Drawing, Decorative Design and Architecture, and a Student's Social Room. Memorial Hall on Benefit street contains rooms for the Department of Sculpture, the Beaux Arts Architects Atelier class, and other class rooms. In addition, this building has a large hall seating 800 people. West Hall, on North Main street, contains the departments of Jewelry and Sil- versmithing, Normal Art, Painting, and the Carpentry Shop. The Jesse Metcalf Memorial building on North Main street contains the Department of Textile De- sign and the laboratories of Textile Chemistry and Dyeing. The Mechanical building contains the class rooms and machine shop of the Department of Me- chanical Design.

The Museum consists of eight galleries, three of which contain oil and water-color paintings and en- gravings; two contain a large collection of casts of the masterpieces of classic and Renaissance sculpture; one contains a fine collection of autotypes illustrating the history of painting; one is devoted to collections of Japanese pottery, metal work, lacquer, and textiles; one contains a collection of Greek vases and peasant pottery. The Colonial House, built by Stephen O. Metcalf, Esq., forms a continuation of these galleries, and contains the Pendleton collection of antique furni- ture, china, textiles, and paintings. One of the rooms of this house contains the collection of paintings, china, glass, and silver bequeathed by Mrs. Hope Brown Russell, and collected by her mother, Mrs. Anna A. Ives.

In addition to the permanent collection in the Mus- eum three hundred and eighty-seven special loan exhibitions have been shown in the galleries since the

school occupied the new building on Waterman street. These exhibitions have given the people of Providence an opportunity to see representative collections of paintings and sculpture by many American artists. Eight large loan exhibitions of paintings by great French and Dutch artists have been held, and archi- tectural work has also been shown. For the use of students, exhibitions of the work done in the leading art schools and exhibitions of drawings in line and color and of printed reproductions have been held from time to time. During the year 1917-18 the number of visitors to the Museum registered was 79,146. The number of students enrolled in the classes was 1,218. The attendance in the Library was 7,388.

Eliza Greene (Metcalf) Radeke, A. M., president of the Corporation of the Rhode Island School of Design, is a daughter of Jesse and Helen Adelia (Rowe) Met- calf, her father's name and memory perpetuated in the Jesse Metcalf Memorial building, a department of the institution over which, since 1913, the daughter has been the executive head. She was born in Angusta, Ga., December 11, 1854, but later came to New Eng- land, her preparatory education being obtained in the Stockbridge School, Providence, R. I. She next entered Vassar College, whence she was gradnated A. B., class of 1876, and four years later, on May 27, ISSo, married Gustav Radeke, M. D., a physician of Providence, who died June 11, 1892. In 1913, Mrs. Radeke was elected president of the Corporation of the Rhode Island School of Design, an office she has ably filled. She is a member of the woman's advisory committee of the Woman's College, Brown University, and a director of the American Federation of Arts. In 1914, Brown University conferred upon her the hon- orary degree, A. M. In religious faith she is a Uni- tarian; a devotee of out-of-door recreation; a lady gracions, gentle, and well beloved.

TITO ANGELONI, M. D .- Born in Italy, and edu- cated in her classical and professional institutions, Dr. Angeloni also acquired hospital experience in Naples, and there practiced his profession until coming to the United States. Since 1906, he has practiced in Provi- dence, R. I., and has there established a good reputa- tion and won a position as a physician of skill and honor. He is a son of Antonio and Teresa (Martino) Angeloni, both residing in Italy, the father a retired farmer and real estate owner. Tito Angeloni was born in Recchetta al Volturno, Italy, January 21, 1879. He was educated in the schools of the city of Naples, en- tering the medical department, University of Naples, after completing collegiate courses. During his years of medical study at the University, he also was con- nected with two hospitals of Naples, acting as interne as part of his medical education. He was awarded his degree M. D. in 1905, and the following year came to the United States, locating in the city of Providence, R. I., where he has since been engaged in general prac- tice, his offices at No. 404 Branch avenue.

Dr. Angeloni is medical examiner for the five orders of which he is a member: Society of St. Rocco, Fraternal Order of America, Frabelli Baudicro, St. Antonio, and Princiyedi Napoli. In politics he is a Republican, and in

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religions faith, a Roman Catholic, a member of St. Ann's parish. He married in Rome, Italy, October 30, 1913, Teresa Ziroli, having returned to Italy in 1913, for further medical study, and coming back to Provi- dence the same year with his bride. Another son of Antonio and Teresa (Martino) Angeloni, Edward, resides in Providence. Dr. Angeloni is a member of the Italian Medical Corps, on immigration ships.

GENERAL MACHINERY COMPANY - The General Machinery Company, of Providence, came into existence in July, 1917, through consolidation of the Enterprise Machine Company and members of the Mc- Meehan Engineering Staff. The Enterprise Machine Company, S. S. Avak, president, Harry M. Burt, treas- urer, Eric L. Anderson, secretary, began business in 1916 as manufacturers of automobile specialties at 79 Clifford street, Providence.

Robert G. McMeehan, with A. E. Rylander and John L. Casey, organized the McMeehan Engineering Staff, located at No. 29 Weybosset street. While looking for a manufacturing location, they were brought into contact with Messrs. Burt and Avak, who were seeking asso- ciates to take Mr. Anderson's share, the latter having severed his connection with the Enterprise Machine Company to join the United States Aviation Service, where he has since made a splendid record, his feat in bringing down three German airplanes at one time being one of his principal achievements. A consolidation of interests was effected in July, 1917, with H. M. Burt, president; S. S. Avak, vice-president; Robert G. Mc- Meehan, treasurer ; Andrew E. Rylander, secretary and general manager, and John L. Casey, chairman of board of directors. In April, 1918, George A. Jepherson was elected president to fill the vacancy caused by the resig- nation of Messrs. Burt and Avak, who severed their connections with the company. John L. Casey was elected vice-president to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Avak's resignation. The company manufactures preci- sion toolroom specialties, fine tools and machinery for intensive production, also contract work. The organi- zation is well balanced and sound, and the shop is rated as the most completely equipped of its size in the State.

Mr. Jepherson, president, has been prominent in city and State affairs, conducts a large lumber business and is director of the Westminster Bank. Robert G. Mc- Meehan has held executive positions in the textile in- dustry for years, was several years president of the East Providence Town Council and is now State Sen- ator. He is in the mercantile business in East Provi- dence.

Mr. Casey is a practicing attorney, while the active management of the plant is under the supervision of Mr. Rylander. The latter, is an expert mechanic and machine designer, and a specialist in intensive produc- tion methods.

During the war the concern was actively engaged in the manufacture of ordnance for the Navy and other government work essential to the carrying on of the war.

NEWTON DARLING ARNOLD, deceased, for many years treasurer, secretary and general manager of the great Rumford Chemical Works of the city of

Providence, R. I., was a lineal descendant of the Arnold family of Rhode Island. The family has been prominent in Smithfield, which was originally a part of Providence, since the second American generation, and the name of Arnold has been intimately and honorably connected with the growth and development of the community, and has played an active and distinctive part in the indus- trial, business and commercial interests of New Eng- land during the past century. The Arnold coat-of-arms is as follows :

Arms-Gules, a chevron ermine between three pheons or. (for Arnold).

A canton per pale azure and sable, three fleurs-de- lis or, (for Ynyr).

Crest-A demi-lion rampant gules, holding in its paws a lozenge or.

Motto-Mihi gloria cessum.

Newton D. Arnold was born in Millville, Mass., De- cember 8, 1843, died at his summer home at Weeka- paug, R. I., August 13, 1916, the son of William Bnf- fum and Matilda Webb (Darling) Arnold. He re- ceived his early educational training in the public schools of the town, and completed his studies in the high school. Because the opportunity which a town of the size of Millville offered was naturally limited, young Arnold decided to go to Providence, even then on the rise toward manufacturing supremacy in the State of Rhode Island. For a short period after his coming to Providence, he was employed as a clerk in a coal office and later entered into the dry goods busi- ness. In 1866 he became bookkeeper and clerk in the corporation in which he later became treasurer, secre- tary and general manager. Mr. Arnold owed his rise in the Rumford Chemical Works solely to his own efforts. His success was essentially self-made, and he worked up to the position of honor and responsibility which he held, from an unimportant post among the clerks of the establishment. His rise was gradual and through thorough acquaintance with the details of the management of a business of the nature of the Rum- ford Chemical Works, he became invaluable to the cor- poration which to-day owes much of its development and growth to principles of business and manufacture which he advocated during his term of office. He be- came treasurer, secretary and director, July 20, 1877, and continued in control of the business until his resig- nation in July, 1913, a period of thirty-six years. He remained a director until the time of his death, having been actively connected with the corporation for fifty years.

Mr. Arnold became a well known figure in the finan- cial business circles of the city of Providence, and New England. He was prominent in several financial institutions of the city. He was a director at one time of the Manufacturers' National Bank, Manufacturers' Trust Company and Union Trust Company. During a part of the time he was connected with the Manufac- turers' National Bank he was its president. He was also a director of the Industrial Trust Company for a period, and at the time of his death was a director of the National Exchange Bank, while for many years previous he devoted a large portion of his time to the affairs of the Providence Gas Company, in which con- cern he was greatly interested.

Newton Darling Arnold was perhaps one of the most

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important figures in the ranks of Free Masonry in the State of Rhode Island, and was actively identified with almost every movement of prominence in that body. He became a member of the Masonic fraternity early in life, and immediately connected himself with work in behalf of the order. He was made a Master Mason, February 13, 1865, in St. John's Lodge, No. I, Provi- dence, R. I. He held various offices in that body, among others, that of secretary, the duties of which he per- formed with great acceptance. He was elected worship- ful master of the lodge, December 23, 1874, and served one year. At the annual session of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, held May 21, 1883, he was appointed deputy grand master. One year later he was elected grand master; he served one year, and declined reëlec- tion. He received the Royal Arch Degree, October 26, 1865, in Providence Chapter, in which he has since held membership. He received the degrees of the Cryptic Rite, January 12, 1866, in Providence Chapter. He re- ceived the order of Knights Templar, April 23, 1866, in St. John's Commandery, No. I, of Providence. After filling lesser offices, he was elected eminent commander in December, 1877, and served one year. He received the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite, January 20, 1869, in Providence Consistory. He served as most wise master of his chapter of Rose Croix and as commander-in-chief of his consistory. He was honored by being advanced to the thirty-third and last degree in Scottish Rite Masonry, June 17, 1870. On September 20, 1882, he was crowned an active member of the Supreme Council, and two years later was elected deputy for Rhode Island, which office he held until 1910. He was grand treasurer general of the Supreme Council from 1891 until 1912. He was a member of the Hope Club of Providence and the Squantum Club of Providence.

Newton Darling Arnold married, on March 21, 1866, Caroline Louisa Gee, daughter of John and Barness (Randall) Gee, of Providence, R. I. The Gee family is a very old though not numerous one in New Eng- land. Mrs. Arnold died in 1909. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are: I. Alice Gertrude, married James M. R. Taylor, of Providence, and resides at No. 24 Stimson avenue; they have one daughter, Katharine. 2. Clarence N., of Providence.

PASQUALE ROMANO-When admitted to the Rhode Island bar, in 1912, Mr. Romano completed a course of preparation which began in the United States in 1895 and continued without interruption in New York City and in Providence, R. I., until he overcame all difficulties, and hope ended in fruition. He did not come to American shores a supplicant but came thor- oughly equipped intellectually, and able at once to begin the making over process which has resulted in the making of an American citizen, loyal, patriotic. and -useful. He is a native son of Italy, born in Spinoso, Basilicata, Italy. His parents were Joseph and Filo- mene Romano.

Joseph Romano, of Spinoso, Basilicata, Italy, was a soldier of his native land serving in the Garabaldi National Guards of 1860, when independence was won, holding the rank of first lieutenant. He was a man of local consequence, and for many years served as mayor

of Spinoso. He spent several years in business in New York City, but the latter years of his life he spent in Providence, R. I., and died there in 1911 aged about sev- enty years. His wife, Filomene, died in Providence in 1908, aged sixty-five years. Two daughters are deceased, the only member of the family now living being the son, Pasquale, of further mention.

Pasquale Romano was born in 1875 and was educated in the best of Italian schools and colleges. He prepared in a private school in his native city, Spinoso, passing thence to the college, Silvio Pellico, in Giggiano, fin- ishing with a three years course at the college of Victor Emanuel II., at Naples. The college is practically a university fitting students for any profession they may elect. After graduation in 1893 the young man spent two years in Italy, then in 1895 came to the United States, remaining in New York City until 1904. He at once began the study of English in evening high school and was a private instructor in Italian, acquiring his own knowledge of the English tongue from the stu- dents he taught. He was also for years interpreter for Prince Street Municipal Court, and while filling that position began the study of law in the office of Lewis Karasick. In 1904 he removed to Providence, Rhode Island, entering the law office of W. B. W. Hallett with whom he remained eighteen months. For two years thereafter he was engaged in the law office of Frank Steere, and at the same time began a course of law, studying with the Chicago Correspondence School, completing a two-year course with graduation in 1909. He took a post-graduate course covering a period of six months, then spent three years in the law office of Washington R. Prescott. While preparing himself for admission to the bar, he acted as court interpreter, notary public, and taught English to the Italian classes at the Federal Street Evening Grammar School eight years, 1905-1913. He was admitted to the Rhode Island bar in 1912 and on May 6 of that year, began private practice in Providence, R. I.

Mr. Romano is a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association, and is highly esteemed by his brethren of the profession. He has fairly won the position he holds and in all things is a public spirited citizen, giving in loyal service ungrudging return for the benefits he has received. He is a member of the Sons of Italy, the Society of Basilicata, the Basilicata Club, and attends the Church of the Holy Ghost (Roman Catholic).

Mr. Romano married, in Boston, Mass., in April, 1902, Maria Cornelia Berenice, daughter of Antonio Bere- nice, a Boston business man.

PATRICK MORONEY-A native of Ireland and a school teacher in the land of his birth, Patrick Mor- oney, since coming to the United States in 1869, has been constantly engaged in business, now living retired after an active career in Providence. He was born in County Tipperary, in 1846, was educated in the schools of his native land, became a teacher, and brought with him to Providence a teacher's certificate, issued by the Board of Education of Dublin. He was twenty-three years of age when he took up his residence in Provi- dence and he immediately became employed in the wholesale liquor and brewing business as a bookkeeper for John Bligh, whose place of business was on Orange

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

street, near Weybosset. For four years he continued in this capacity, resigning in 1873 and establishing in business under his own name on South Water street, continuing for forty years, until December, 1911, when he sold out and retired. He retains his interest in business affairs although no longer an active partici- pant, and is a director of the Providence Brewing Company, a position he has occupied since its organiza- tion in 1891. Mr. Moroney has invested heavily in real estate and has erected many residences in the city, his operations in this line uniformly successful. He is a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce and the Catholic Club. Politically he is an Independent. He is a communicant of St. Joseph's Church, having for- merly belonged to the Cathedral congregation.

Mr. Moroney married, in Providence, in June, 1893, Mary A. Feeley, a daughter of Michael Feeley, a pioneer silversmith, of Providence.

FRANK ELISHA CHESTER-Perhaps a quar- ter of a century ago in the basement of his home in Providence, R. I., Frank E. Chester began making fishing tackle as a business. To-day the F. E. Chester Manufacturing Company is the greatest producer of furnished fish lines and fishing tackle assortments in the entire world. The business has been developed by earnest, persistent and painstaking endeavor to secure the best possible results, efforts which have won the greatest of all commercial prizes-world supremacy- the output of F. E. Chester Manufacturing Company covering fully sixty per cent. of the general produc- tions for all markets. The Bellefont plant of the com- pany is a veritable hive of industry, automatically fed machinery and a large force of workmen turning out great quantities of floats and cork balls. The array of finished floats standing on drying frames gives the impression that most everybody must be getting ready to go fishing. Yet these racks are emptied twice each week and the supply is never in excess of the demand.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 87

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