The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 89

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 89

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Joseph H. Lee is a son of John W. and Caroline (Davis) Lee, and a grandson of Joseph and Harriet (Eddy) Davis. John W. Lee was born in Swansea, January 10, 1831, and died in Providence, January 13, 1882. He was in business on South Main street, Provi- dence, where he was a member of the firm, Lawton & Lee, contractors.

Joseph H. Lee was born in Providence, R. I., Novem- ber 27, 1855, at the family home on Eddy street. He was educated in the private school connected with Friendship Baptist Church, at the Elm Street Grammar School and Providence High School. He remained at the high school for only one year, and then took a business course at the Bryant & Stratton School for about two years and a half. From school, he entered the employ of the Phoenix fron Company to study engineering. At the same time he attended night classes at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, where he took a course in mechanical engineering. From the Phoenix Company he went to the Oliver Johnson Paint Company, and thence with B. G. Luther, where he learned pattern making. He next spent five and a half years with the Franklin Foundry & Machine Company, of Providence, as superintendent, going thence to New York State as superintendent of construction of the Riverside & Oswego Mills of Fulton. He returned to Providence in 1890, and the same year he bought the Providence Brass Foundry, manufacturers of all kinds of brass and bronze castings. He brought to the busi- ness wide experience, expert mechanical skill, and an ambitions spirit to do well whatever his hands found to do, and during his more than a quarter of a cen-

tury of ownership and management, the Providence Brass Foundry has gained high reputation, and its products are sent over all the United States and tc many foreign lands. In 1895 Mr. Lee aided in the de- fense of the American Cup. He made all the castings for the famous yacht "Defender," the winner of the trophy signifying international yachting supremacy. From boyhood he has been a worker; his early spend- ing money was gained by aiding the lathers employed on the old Hope Street Church and several other buildings. Big work is a foundry specialty, and he made his plant productive of forty ten ton gun carriages. He also cast the inlet and outlet tubes for New York City's park aqueduct and water system. He is a charter member of the Providence Association of Me- chanical Engineers, the American Brass Founders' As- sociation, American Institute of Metals, and the Amer- ican Institute of Mining Engineers. He is well read, and in all that pertains to his craft is an authority. His knowledge of mechanical drawing, pattern making, and machinery, combined with his practical knowledge of the foundry business, make for him an unusually strong mental equipment. Particularly blessed in physique and health, Mr. Lee enjoys life to the utmost, mingling happily his work and his play. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Rotary Club of Providence, the Golden Cross, Royal Arcanum, Edgewood Yacht Club, Edgewood Improvement Association, and the Edge- wood Fire Department. In political faith he is

Republican.

On December 25, 1878, Mr. Lee married Anna Northrup, of Pawtucket, who died January 20, 1888, daughter of David Northrup. Mr. and Mrs. Lee were the parents of the following children : Herbert; Annie, married Charles Cummings, of Central Falls, R. I .; and Joseph, deceased.

GENERAL EDWARD CARRINGTON-A1- though a son, grandson, and a great-grandson of phy- sicians, General Carrington gained his eminence as a merchant, and as head of one of the great shipping firms at Providence, R. I., whose ships bear the house flag of Edward Carrington & Company, sailing all seas, and entering the principal ports of the world. From merchandising on a large scale to manufacturing was a natural transition, and his cotton interests became ex- tensive. The Carrington Mill, of Woonsocket, R. I., dates its history from 1832. In his own State he ranked with the eminent public men of the day, and none ex- celled him in public spirit or loyal devotion. His mili- tary connection came from his connection with the State militia, his rank, major-general. The General Assembly of the State of Rhode Island, of which he was a member, honored his membership with every token of respect, and the resolutions adopted were of the very highest appreciation. The announcement of the death of this worthy adopted son was made to the House by Hon. John Whipple, who in lofty sentiment : thus voiced his admiration for his fallen colleague :

He was among the foremost of that class of men, who in whatever direction they move, never fail to leave a broad and deep track behind them. He united to an iron frame of body an uncommon vigor and directness of mind, and an extraordinary tenacity of purpose. With these qualities he earned reputation for liberal and manly enterprise, for accurate and exten-

Larepubl. Lee

E. B. Meninany

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BIOGRAPHICAL

sive practical knowledge, and for a most liberal sup- port of all improvements of a general public nature. Notwithstanding the predominance of these hardy masculine traits, no man entered into all the social pleasures of life or opened his heart with more child- like simplicity to the calls of friendship. All that he was and all that he purposed originated with himself, for during the greater part of his active life his posi- tion was such as to afford him but little aid from the lights of association. As a legislator, General Car- rington, though not distinguished as a debater, pos- sessed a highly suggestive mind, and his many in- stances are fresh in the memories of his colleagues of great aid furnished by him to professional minds upon professional subjects, Though an adopted son of our little state, he devoted himself to her interests with the same ardor that characterized his general mind.

He was a descendant of the Edward Carrington who came from England in the early days, and is men- tioned as of Charlestown, Mass., in 1634, as attaining the dignity of a freeman in 1636. From Massachusetts this branch settled in Connecticut, General Carrington, great-grandfather of Dr. Peter Carrington, being a physician of Woodbridge, Conn. Dr. Lemuel Carring- ton, son of Dr. Peter Carrington, was a practicing physician, and Dr. Lemuel Carrington's son, Dr. Ed- ward Carrington, was an eminent practitioner of New Haven, Conn., a graduate of Yale, and at one time an instructor at his alma mater. Dr. Edward Carrington married and they were the parents of General Edward Carrington.

General Edward Carrington was born in New Haven, Conn., November 2, 1775, and died in Providence, R. I., December 23, 1843. There he was educated and resided during his youth, but early in life was identified with the business interests of that city and State. He found employment with men who were then leaders in the commercial world, and imbibed his business principles and first impressions under such men as Samuel Butler, Seth Wheaton, and Richard Jackson. He gained the confidence of these men, and was so aided by their advice and substantial favor that before he had attained legal age he had an established business of his own. He became interested in foreign trading, and in 1802 rep- resented an American commercial house in China with headquarters at Canton. He remained nine years in China, and for several years of that period was United States Consul to Canton, a post he was filling at the date of his sailing for the United States, in 18II. While consul he was brought into close contact with that phase of British injustice which was one of the great con- tributing causes of the second war with Great Britain, and was frequently appealed to by American ship cap- tains to redress the wrongs they suffered through the imprisonment of their sailors by British naval ships and press gangs. He had sharp correspondence with the English authorities, and in every case stood firmly by the American contention against impressment. He re- turned to the United States in 1811, just before the sit- uation became so acute that war quickly followed. His service to his country was valuable, and during this period he was a loyal supporter of the government.

In 1815 General Carrington formed a partnership with Samuel Wetmore, of Middletown, Conn., and as Ed- ward Carrington & Company, began business in Provi- dence. He specialized in foreign trade shipbuilding, and in general commercial trade. and had twenty-six ships engaged at one period, sailing and trading under the house flag in all parts of the world. He built nu-

merous ships, and it was remarked of him that he could lay the keel of the ship and when it was completed could navigate her successfully. He met with vary- ing fortune in his commercial and shipping undertak- ings, as of needs he must, but was fairly successful, and amassed a competency that more than satisfied him. From 1815 until his death in 1843, he was largely interested in cotton manufacturing, and had interests in Providence and elsewhere. He built the Hamlet Mill in 1828, and the Carrington Mill in 1832, both in Woonsocket, the last named being known as the Clin- ton Mill. He was one of the men to whose public spirit and enterprise the inception and completion of the Blackstone canal was due, during the building of which he served the State as land commissioner. He was ably assisted in his later years by his nephew, Isaac M. Bull, who as his agent in China was a strong ele- ment in his commercial eminence in that field.

General Carrington was deeply interested in public affairs and gave freely of his time, his ability, and his rich experience to the public service. His fortune, too, was often pledged to the support of some of the pub- lic improvements he advocated, and the public welfare was ever his first thought. He served several terms in the State Assembly, and was in office when his final summons came. As a public man he was guided by high purpose, and no shadow of selfish self interest ever marred the generous support he gave to every measure which promised better things for his State. Every good cause, economic, social or religious, commanded his support, and in private life he was the generous, genial, hospitable friend and neighbor, greatly beloved and highly esteemed.

General Carrington married Lorina, daughter of Ben- jamin and Ann Hoppin, and they were the parents of an only son, Edward, who was born May, 1813, in Providence, his lifelong home, where he died May 2, 1891. Edward (2) Carrington married Candace Craw- ford, daughter of Sullivan and Lydia (Allen) Dorr. She died in February, 1886. They were the parents of a daughter, Annie Ives, who married Dr. Gamaliel Ly- man Dwight. She died in November, 1904. Their son, Edward (3) Carrington, was born June 14, 1852, and was educated in Lyon School, and graduated from Brown University in 1873 with the degree of A. B. From 1878 to 1884, he was engaged in cattle ranching in Wyoming, and at the latter date returned to Provi- dence, where he has since looked after real estate in- terests. He is a member of the Hope, Agawam, Squan- tum and Art clubs. In 1909 he married Mrs. Mary F. Washburn (neé Sayles).

EDWARD BRUCE MERRIMAN, a well known business man of Providence, is a native of the town of Barrington, this State, born August 15, 1872, and a member of one of the oldest and most distinguished families of Rhode Island. The Merriman family traces its descent from Theophilus Merriman, who was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1533. His son, Theophilus (2) Merriman, was born at Maidstone, Kentshire, be- tween 1573 and 1580, and made his home at Canterbury. He married Hannah ,and among their children was Captain Nathaniel Merriman, the founder of the Merriman family in America.

352

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

Captain Nathaniel Merriman was born June 2, 1613, at Tenterden, Kentshire, England, and came to this country prior to 1663, when he settled at New Haven, Conn. He was one of the original settlers of Walling- ford, and there his death occurred February 13, 1693. One of his children by his first wife, Abigail (Olney) Merriman, was Caleb Merriman, who was born May 16, 1665, at New Haven, and who made his home at Wal- lingford, where he was a prominent man and deputy to the General Court. He married Mary Preston, and they were the parents of a number of children, among whom was Eliasaph Merriman. The latter was born at Wallingford, Conn., May 21, 1695, and died August 14, 1758. He married Abigail Hall, who was killed by Indians with her daughter Abigail, August 4, 1758. Among their children was Amasa Merriman, who was born in 1730, and married Sarah Charles Mer- riman, son of Amasa Merriman, was born August 20, 1762, and served in the Revolutionary War in which he enlisted as a drummer in 1775, when he was thirteen years of age. He was present at the battle of Bunker Hill and also at the surrender of General Cornwallis at Yorktown, having served thus throughout the entire struggle. He was a prominent man both at Walling- ford and at Watertown, where he afterwards resided, and where his death occurred August 26, 1829. He married, May 16, 1784, Anna Punderson, and they were the parents of a number of children, among whom was William Punderson Merriman, the grandfather of Ed- ward B. Merriman.

William Punderson Merriman, son of Charles and Anna (Punderson) Merriman, was born September 6, 1805, at Watertown, Conn. After completing his school- ing, he went South, where he engaged in business with his brothers Frederick and Charles P. at Augusta, Ga. He died at that place in 1839, when only thirty- four years of age. William P. Merriman married Eliza Young Lippitt, who was born in 1812, and died in 1856, a daughter of Warren and Eliza (Seamans) Lippitt, of Providence, R. I. They were the parents of the fol- lowing children : Charles Henry, mentioned below ; Parmelee, who died at the age of six years; Eliza Sea- mans, who became the wife of Henry C. Cranston, of Providence.

Charles Henry Merriman, son of William Punderson and Eliza Young (Lippitt) Merriman, and father of Edward Bruce Merriman, was born October 1, 1833, at Augusta, Ga After his father's death in 1839 he came with his mother to Providence, R. I., which had been her early home, and it was at this city that he gained his education, attending for this purpose as a lad Mrs. Eddy's school, the Prospect Street Grammar School, and the Providence High School. Immediately thereafter, he was apprenticed to the firm of Richmond & Brother, wholesale dealers in dry goods, and this began his highly successful business career. Mr. Mer- riman worked for a time for a commission house in New York City, and then returned to Rhode Island and took up his permanent residence at Providence. In 1863 he was made treasurer of the Manville Com- pany, and he also served in a similar capacity for the Smithfield Manufacturing Company, the Silver Spring Bleaching & Dyeing Company, and the Social Manu-

facturing Company. Upon the consolidation of ti last named concern and the Manville Company in 19C Mr. Merriman became treasurer of the new concer He also became treasurer of the Lippitt Woolen Con pany and held that post from 1866 to 1909. As young man Mr. Merriman enlisted in the Union arm at the very outbreak of the war, and became adjutai of the First Rhode Island Regiment Volunteer Infantr After serving out the term of his enlistment of thre months, he then was appointed major in the Tenth Rhoc Island Regiment, serving a short time. He later joine the Massachusetts Commandery, Military Order of th Loyal Legion, and for over twenty years was a membe of the Squantum Association. His other clubs wer the Agawam Hunt, the Hope of Providence, the Rhod Island Country Club, and the Rhode Island School of Design. Mr. Merriman has always been a staunc supporter of the Republican party, and has done muc towards increasing the prestige and power thereof i: his home region, although he has personally refuse office. In religion he is a Unitarian, and is a man o extremely charitable instincts, being liberal in his sup port of all the important philanthropic movements i the community. Mr. Merriman married, March 18 1862, Esther H. Thurston, born April 24, 1836, daugh ter of the late Dr. William T. Thurston, a prominen surgeon in the Civil War. To Mr. and Mrs. Merrimai the following children were born: William Thurston born Aug. 4, 1863, died 1868; Maria Lippitt, born June 20, 1866, died 1879; Charles Henry, Jr., born Oct. 23 1868; Harold Thurston, born July 10, 1870; Edward Bruce, mentioned below; Isaac Butts, born Oct. 8, 1874

Edward Bruce Merriman, son of Charles Henry anc Esther H. (Thurston) Merriman, was born August 15 1872, in the town of Barrington, R. I., where his father! had made his home. As a lad he attended the public schools of Providence, and afterwards the well known Mowry & Goff's English and Classical School, and the Providence High School. Having been prepared for college at these two institutions, the young man en- tered Brown University, in 1890, and there took the usual classical course, and was graduated with the class of 1894, receiving at that time the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Upon completing his studies at Brown Uni- versity, Mr. Merriman entered the employ of the Lip- pitt Mills at Woonsocket and worked there for a period of some three years, and later was sent by the same concern to New York City and given a position in the office of the company there. He continued to be thus employed until 1901, when he gave up his position to become associated with W. W. Dunnell, who was en- gaged in the bleachery business at Apponaug, R. I. After several years of this association it was dissolved, and Mr. Merriman became connected with the Eastern Coal Company of Providence. He remained but one year, however, with this company and then established himself in an independent business at Providence, under the name of the Merriman Solidified Oil Company. On January 1, 1918, Mr. Merriman became a partner in the firm of C. A. Kilvert & Company, investment securities. Mr. Merriman, although keenly interested in public affairs, has never felt any ambition to hold public office. He is a conspicuous figure in social circles

Luther F. Cobb

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BIOGRAPHICAL

here and is a member of a number of important fra- ernal organizations and clubs, among which should be nentioned the following: The Agawam Hunt Club, the Hope Club, the Rhode Island Country Club, and the Tennis and Raquet Club of New York, as well as the Psi Upsilon fraternity of Brown University. Mr. Mer- iman served in the Red Cross with the American Expeditionary Forces in France from November 4, 1918, o June 9, 1919.

Edward Bruce Merriman was united in marriage, November 28, 1900, with Helen Abbé Pearce, a native of Providence, born November 15, 1878, daughter of the late Henry Pearce of this city. Mr. and Mrs. Mer- riman are the parents of two children, as follows: Elizabeth Barbara, born Aug. 15, 1904, and Emily Bourne, born Nov. 22, 1908.

MATTHEW S. DWYER, son of James and Honora Dwyer, was born in Medford, Mass., June 2, 1859, and was educated in Providence public schools. He completed the grammar school courses with grad- uation in 1874, but it was not until 1876 that he entered the employ of the Providence Journal Company. He thoroughly mastered the business side of the newspaper business and in course of time acquired the title, pub- lisher of the Providence "Journal." In 1906 he became manager of the Providence "Tribune," a position he yet fills (1919), standing high in Providence news- paperdom. He is an Independent in his political faith, and a member of the Roman Catholic church. His clubs are the Rhode Island Country, Turk's Head, Pen and Pencil, Town Criers, and Catholic.

Mr. Dwyer married, January 18, 1909, Alice B. Barry, daughter of Thomas W. and Mary E. Barry. They are the parents of: Mary Matthew, Alice Barry, Ursula, Rita W., and David J. Barry.

LUTHER FRANKLIN COBB, well known in business circles in Providence, is a native of this city, his birth having occurred here August 18, 1873. Mr. Cobb is a son of Franklin and Mariama (Child) Cobb, the former now living in retirement here and the latter deceased. As a child, Mr. Cobb attended the local pub- lic schools, both the grammar grades and the high school, and was graduated from the latter with the class of 1890. Upon completing his education at these in- stitutions Mr. Cobb began his business career, finding employment with his present firm of Cooper & Sisson. This was in the year 1890, and his first position there was as bookkeeper, where he quickly proved himself a valuable man to his employers. From that position he gradually worked his way up in various departments, intil he was appointed office manager and credit man for the concern. Mr. Cobb is a man of unusual business ability and foresight, and has become interested in a number of important business concerns here, in addi- ion to the Cooper & Sisson Company. At the present ime he is secretary and assistant treasurer of the New- port Paper and Grocery Company, director and treas- harer of the Providence Credit Men's Association, and of the Adjustment Bureau of Providence, and a director of the Universal Plate and Wire Company, He is also associated with the What Cheer Lodge, Ancient Free

and Accepted Masons, Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and other organizations. In politics he is a Republican. In his religious belief, Mr. Cobb is a Baptist and is a member of the Central Church of that denomination here. He has been very active in church work and is a member of the Wayland Club, and the Men's Club connected with this church.

Luther Franklin Cobb was united in marriage October 16, 1901, at Providence, with Louise C. Gamwell, a daughter of Charles A. Gamwell, a retired manufac- turer, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Cobb, three children have been born, as follows: Luther Franklin, Jr., who is now a student in the technical high school here; Donald G., and John C.

ALLIN BICKNELL - The Bicknell family in America claims lineal descent from Zachary and Agnes Bicknell and their son John, who settled in Weymouth, Mass., in 1635.

Allin, of the seventh generation, traced his descent to Zachary1 through Joshua6, Joshua5, Joshua$, Zacha- riah3, John2, of Weymouth. His parents were Joshua6 and Amey (Brown) Bicknell. On his mother's side, Amey Brown, the line leads to Hon. John Browne and Dorothy his wife, who first settled at Plymouth and later at Wannamoisett, which Mr. Browne bought of Massassoit, about 1645.

Joshua and Amey (Brown) Bicknell had nine chil- dren : Jerusha, born 1783; Mary, 1784; Allin, 1787; Amy, 1789; Freeborn, 1791; Joshua, 1792; James, 1795; Elizabeth, 1799; Joseph P., 1801. All the children were born in Barrington, and all except the first three were born in the house now used as headquarters of the St. Andrews School, built by Joshua, in 1788 (See Bick- nell Genealogy, pp. 74-75).

Allin Bicknell lived at home on his father's farm until his marriage with Harriet Byron Kinnicutt, daughter of Josiah and Rebecca (Townsend) Kinnicutt and grand- daughter of Rev. Solomon and Rebecca (Baker) Town- send, of Barrington, December 23, 1817. His wife, Harriet Byron Kinnicutt, was descended from Roger and Joanna (Shepardson ) Kinnicutt of Malden, Mass., who removed from that town to Swansea, Mass., in 1679, settling on the east bank of the Kickemuit river, in the present town of Warren, R. I. The descent is through Roger1, Malden; John2, born 1669; John3, born 1700; Daniel4, born 1735; Josiah5, born 1735; Harriet ByronG, born 1791.

Allin? was a farmer and made his home in a cottage, on land of Bicknell ancestors, on Prince's Pond, in the southeast corner of the Bicknell estate.

Four children were born to Allin and Harriet B. (Kinnicutt) Bicknell: Joshua, Oct. 29, 1818; George Augustus, June 30, 1822; Daniel Kinnicutt, Sept. 24, 1829, and Thomas Williams, Sept. 6, 1834.

Allin Bicknell was ensign of the Barrington infan- try in 1812, captain in 1813, major of the Bristol County Regiment in 1814-15, and lieutenant-colonel in 1816. He was a member of the town school committee and of the town council for many years, and served the town in various capacities. He was elected to the General Assembly, as a representative from Barrington in 1842,

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HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

the year of the Dorr War, 1846 and 1849 and to the State Senate in 1850-51-52-53. He was a member of the Whig party till 1856, when, on the formation of the Republican party, he supported it with voice and vote. Mr. Bicknell joined the Congregational Church of Bar- rington in 1820, with seventy others, following what was known as "The Great Revival." On the death of his father in 1837, he succeeded him in the diaconate, holding the office until his own death in 1870. His religious life was consistent and constant. God's bless- ing was invoked at every meal. Reading a chapter in the Bible and a prayer always followed breakfast and before the day's work was begun. He was a regular attendant at all church meetings and a participant in speech and prayer. He was also a teacher in the early Sunday school. Mr. Bicknell was a strong temperance man, a friend of the slave, a supporter of missionary enterprises, conservative in religious belief, progressive in industrial and social enterprises and reforms, and especially interested in educational progress. Hospi- tality and cordiality characterized the Bicknell home and no needy person ever left it hungry or unaided. The warm hand was extended to ministers, mission- aries and christian workers.

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The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 89

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