USA > Rhode Island > Providence County > Providence > The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV > Part 91
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For a number of years he brightened the home, and eventually the day arrived when he was to begin his education which had its first and only inception in the small public school of Millvale. The school- room was rather crude, as all country schoolhouses are, and probably even at this early age Charles Ira Bigney saw an opportunity for him in the far distance. Nevertheless, from one grade to another he advanced until he reached the age of thirteen years. There was a considerable lot to be done in those days on the farm, and at this age he severed his connection with the institution of learning and became one of the chief assistants of his father on the farm. There were long tedious hours in farm work, from early morning until late at night. This, however, did not deter young Bigney and he applied himself with extraordinary effort. The farm prospered under his guidance, and his rare judgment oftentimes guided the family des- tinies. When the lad reached the age of twenty-four years the Bigney farm was considered one of the leading stock farms of that section.
Even while engaged in the pursuit of farming, the boy found an opportunity to put his mind to other uses than tilling the earth. At the age of fifteen years he earned his first money, trading knives and pocketbooks with boys of his own age. Even at this early age his shrewdness in a trade was commented upon, and later he sold farming implements in con- junction with his work on the farm. It was a com- mon occurrence, after his day's work, for him to ride his wheel twelve or fifteen miles, make a sale of a farming implement, ride back home, and deliver the goods by team from a town some ten miles away before the following morning. This proves in itself that ambition, once aroused, cannot be denied its right to compete in greater things, if the spirit of advance- mrent is predominant. When he reached the age of twenty-four years, Mr. Bigney expressed a desire to reach out in the world, and his eyes rested on Provi- dence as he glanced at the map of his schoolboy days. Undoubtedly this was because his brother, Eden H. Bigney, had selected Providence as the city in which to engage in the general contracting business.
The day when that country boy from Nova Scotia arrived in Providence is one long to be remembered by Mr. Bigney. With just the ordinary baggage he rested his eyes on one of the large cities of the East, and as he stood watching the crowds hurrying to and
fro he realized that at last he had been favored by fortune and was in a center of activity. With no knowledge whatsoever of the contracting business, he expressed his desire to immediately begin work .. A few days after his arrival he started as a laborer. After a while he apprenticed himself to the carpen- ter's trade and mastered this art. Previous to this he had done everything from digging a trench to wheel- ing a barrow, and tired was the body and mind that sought its rest at night. For a period extending over two years his efforts in the construction line were directed towards laboring and carpentering. Then came a chance, and he was put in charge of some heavy work. Under his direction the work was done in a satisfactory manner, a number of his ideas being entirely original and a new departure from the ordi- nary customs employed. From this time on he was entrusted with far more important work and his first complete change was during the erection of the brick building on Broad street for the Baird-North Com- pany, silversmiths. It was a structure 75 x 200 feet, two stories, and the builder was complimented when the completed building was turned over to the owners. During the next four years he supervised the con- struction of many big buildings in the city of Provi- dence. Long hours held no horrors for Charles Ira Bigney, and as a matter of fact he was happiest when "on the job." When off the job he was continually devising some means whereby construction could be improved. About this time the health of his brother, Eden H. Bigney, began to fail. The latter's confi- dence in his brother Ira, as he is better known, brought him into the office and he succeeded his brother as manager of construction with a share in the partnership of E. H. Bigney & Company, with offices at No. 898 Westminster street, where the firm's headquarters are at the present time.
Eden H. Bigney left for the South at this time for the benefit of his health, and the entire business was left on the shoulders of the younger brother. It was just such an opportunity as he had long wished for, and from that moment the construction company entered upon a new era which has spelled nothing but success all the way. For a period extending over three years he conducted the business, accepting and putting through new contracts, attending to purchases, and following the work in its progress.
Charles Ira Bigney came into full ownership of the company when his brother sold out to him in May, 1913. At that time, E. H. Bigney & Company was doing a business of $100,000 a year, but the younger brother found himself with practically no money, and $10,000 worth of stock. It was a condition which would tend to dishearten many, but not "Ira Bigney." His first act was to install an engineering and esti- mating departinent, and in so doing he was favored with the selection of men who have proven their worth and the respect of Mr. Bigney for his faith in their ability. The latter is never too busy to praise his different departments, and his contention is always that they cannot be equalled elsewhere. The first contract entered upon by the C. I. Bigney Construc- tion Company was the construction of the Cadillac
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building, combined with the Broadway Storage build- ng, which contract was awarded to the company by J A. Foster, of Providence. The contract price for this work was $130,000, and from that time on the company went into the building of mills, power houses, foundries, theatres, and residences. The Empire Theatre in Fall River is the work of the company and vies with anything in the New England States for beauty. The Empire Theatre in Fall River is one of the crowning successes of Mr. Bigney's career. Early in the construction period of this handsome playhouse, the entrance of the United States into the war occurred. There was a hurry call for steel and the government cancelled all civilian contracts in order to fill their own needs. Undaunted by the many set- backs the work was pushed along until in November of 1918, the magnificent playhouse was opened to the public. In March of this year the theatre was sold to other interests, and Mr. Bigney well told the story at a banquet of the employees following, when he said: "We built The Empire; we sold it; we made money." It was the shortest speech on record, but it contained a wealth of information.
In May, 1918, the C. I. Bigney Construction Com- pany began the erection of a manufacturing plant at Branch Village. R. I., for the Andrews Mills Com- pany, of Philadelphia. The plant was entirely de- signed and engineered by the Bigney corporation, and the structure, together with equipment, cost in the vicinity of $600,000. At the present time the plant has just begun operations and the character of con- struction has attracted the attention of mill owners generally. Some idca of the growth of the C. I. Big- ney Construction Company under Charles Ira Bigney may be gleaned from the fact that business has doubled and tripled in the last five years. The returns from the business have been large and Mr. Bigney might well be considered a man of more than ordinary wealth to-day. Those associated with him have also enjoyed their share of this world's goods with many good years to follow.
There are many contracts at hand, including the erection of a four-story building on Harrison street, two-story manufacturing building at Mapleville, R. I .. two-story silk mill at Valley Falls, two silk mills at Central Falls, a pipe shop and bending plant at the General Fire Extinguisher Company at Auburn, R. I., together with many miscellaneous structures through- out Rhode Island. A beautiful private residence is under construction in Elmhurst at a cost of $25.000 or more, and a number of mill houses at Esmond, R. I. In the city of Providence to-day there are three structures in the process of construction, a two-story jewelry factory, a two-story auto service station on Elbow street, the Apco building, 80 x 300 feet, one story, on Eddy street. The work is being done en- tirely on a ten per cent. commission basis, as is all the contracts taken by the company. Early in the present year Mr. Bigney came into possession of a mill at Wakefield, R. I .. and to-day it is operating as a braid and shoestring manufactory with a value of $155,000. Charles Ira Bigney is president and treasurer of the concern and it is known as the Braid & Lace Com-
pany of Rhode Island. The machines installed num- ber more than six hundred, and fancy hat bands are also manufactured. It is somewhat of a new venture for Mr. Bigney, but it has been a big success to date.
As can be seen, the story of Mr. Bigney's career is an unusual one. His life is one which might well be a model for others and it bears out the fact that per- sistency brings success. The year, 1918, took Mr. Big- ney on his first vacation, when he went through the South for a period of six weeks. In the years before that he felt he never had time to indulge in a short respite from business. The same spirit which char- acterized his boyhood days was carried into older life, but eventually he was prevailed upon to take his first real vacation. He is a member of the Standard Oil Golf Club. West Side Club, Kiwanis Club, Reci- procity Club, Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade. Also business men's clubs in other cities.
EUGENE FRANCIS PHILLIPS-The name Phillips is baptismal in its derivation and signifies "the son of Phillip." The name Phillip or Philip is of ancient Greek origin, and a combination of the two Greek words "philos" and "hippos," meaning lover of horses. The early records of the name are very numerous and show it to have been in use in England and Wales for a period exceeding five hundred years. It ceased to be popular as a iont name after the reigns of Mary and Elizabeth. Emigration to America of members of the Phillips family began early in the colonization period of our history, and from the earl- iest record of any of the name in New England the various branches here have continued to produce men of sterling worth, who have rendered service in our Republic in the various walks of life, respected and honored citizens, leaders of the sciences, professions and industries.
Arms-Gules, a chevron argent, between three fal- cons proper. ducally gorged, beaked and membered or. Crest-Out of a ducal coronet or, an arm embowed in armor, the hand holding a broken spear proper, powdered with fleur-de-lis gold.
Among prominent persons of this name, may be cited the following: Adelaide Phillips-Famous American contralto. Edward Phillips-English author; "Theatrum poetarum." John Phillips, F. R. S., LL. D., D. C. L .- English geologist. One of the found- ers of the British Association for the Advancement of Science: president of the Geological Society of Lon- don. Samuel Phillips, LL. D .- English journalist. One of the founders of the Crystal Palace Company. Stephen Phillips-British poet and dramatist. Author of "Endymion," "Paola and Francesca." "Herod: a Tragedy." "Ulysses." Thomas Phillips-English por- trait and subject painter. Professor of Painting at the Royal Academy. Wendell Phillips-American orator and reformer: president of Anti-Slavery So- ciety. William Phillips-British mineralogist and geo- logist. Author of "Outlines of Mineralogy and Genl- ogy," "Elementary Introduction to the Knowledge of Mineralogy," "Outline of the Geology of England and Wales." A Fellow of the Royal Society. Rich- ard Phillips, F. R. S .- Distinguished British chemist.
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(I) Michael Phillips, immigrant ancestor and founder of this branch of the Phillips family in America, cmigrated from England and settled in Rhode Island as early as 1668, during which year he was made a freeman in Newport. He died in Newport before 1689. The maiden name of his wife, Barbara, is not known. She died after 1706. After the death of Michael Phillips she married Edward Inman, who on August 17, 1686, deeded sixty-six acres of land north of Providence to Joshua Clarke, the husband of her daughter. On August 26, 1706, she declined adminis- tration of the estate of Edward Inman.
(II) Joseph Phillips, son of Michael and Barbara Phillips, was a resident of Providence, R. I., where in August, 1688, his name is found on the list of taxable persons. On June 16, 1713, he was taxed six shillings. He married Elizabeth Malavery, daughter of John and Elizabeth Malavery. She died about 1719. Joseph Phillips died September 3, 1719. His will, dated An- gust 21, 1719, was proved October 5, 1719, and named his wife Elizabeth, executrix. The inventory of his estate amounted to £ 105 5s. He was owner of much property in Providence, which he bequeathed to his wife.
(III) Jeremiah Phillips, son of Joseph and Eliza- beth (Malavery) Phillips, was born in Providence, R I., between the years 1700 and 1705. After his first marriage at Providence, November 5, 1730, he removed to Gloucester. He married (second) in Gloucester, Dinah Inman, October 23, 1753. He married (third) April 6, 1755, Rachael Inman. He was a man of prominence in the local affairs of Gloucester.
(IV) Jeremy Phillips, son of Jeremiah Phillips, was born at Smithfield, R. I., about 1748, and removed with his father to Gloucester. He resided in Glou- cester for the remainder of his life. He was a farmer on a large scale. Jeremy Phillips died in Gloucester, in 1822, aged seventy to seventy-five years, and was buried on his farm, near several other graves.
(V) David Phillips, son of Jeremy Phillips, was born in Gloucester, R. I., where he died August 9, 1847. He married Amy Smith.
(V1) David Gresham Phillips, son of David and Amy (Smith) Phillips, was born at Scituate, R. I., July 10, 1804, and was educated there. He later became the owner of the Phillips Tavern at North Scituate, R. I. David G. Phillips married, at Scituate, Maria Rhodes, and all his children were born there. Chil- dren: Emeline Rhodes, born Aug. 25, 1827; Abby Fenner, born Ang. 4, 1829, died Jan. 26, 1832; Os- trander, born Nov. 1, 1831, died Jan. 15, 1873: Eliza- beth Braman, born Jan. 9, 1834: Abby P., born March 9, 1837; Herbert, born March 12, 1839; Alice Arnold, born Oct. 4, 1841; Eugene Francis, men- tioned below: Charles Field, born Oct. 27, 1847, died in Oct., 1847.
(VII) Eugene Francis Phillips, son of David Gres- ham and Maria (Rhodes) Phillips, was born in Provi- dence, R. I., November 10, 1843. He received his early education in the public schools of the city of Providence. During the last years of his course in high school came the outbreak of the Civil War, and
its accompanying mad eagerness for war on the par of the youths in every section of the country. Mr Phillips left school to go to the fighting line, enlisting in the Tenth Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry Regi- ment. After serving his term of enlistment he returned to Rhode Island, and continued his education. He immediately entered the business world, and for a period of several years engaged in various lines o: endeavor. In 1878, after being in banking, Mr. Phil- lips began experiments on the manufacture of insulated electric wire. He was an organizer of great resource- fulness and genius, and the infant industry which started in a small shed in the rear of his home in Providence has since grown to enormous proportions and is to-day one of the largest steel and copper wire manufacturing establishments of the kind in the world. Discoveries in the field of electricity greatly developed the possibilities of the new industry, and through his ability to foresee the size and importance of the man- ufacture of insulated wire, and its value in extending and broadening the uses of electricity, Mr. Phillips was able to bring the business to the place which it now holds. The first plant of the company was located at the corner of Stewart and Conduit streets; in 1890 the factory was enlarged to include the entire square of which the two streets above named form part. In 1893 another addition to the plant was necessary, and since the city did not afford efficient nor ideal conditions for work, the present site on the Seekonk river, in East Providence, was purchased from the Richmond Paper Company, and the factory altered and modified for the manufacture of wire. The presence of an industry of such size in the vicinity. and the opportunity for employment which it afforded. caused the speedy growth of a village which was named Phillipsdale in honor of Mr. Phillips. Since its very inception, he has been the guilding genius of this huge project, and responsible for its success in a greater measure than any one connected with it.
The infant industry was named the American Elec- trical Works and is one of the largest and most im- portant plants of its kind in the world, controlling an industry whose importance cannot be overestimated. The annual output of the concern covers wire and cables of every description, from heavy telephone and street cable wire to the delicate silk covered wire used for testing. The plant at East Providence is complete in every detail, having within itself all facili- ties needed for the line of manufacture which it car- ries on.
In 1900 the American Electrical Works consoli- dated with the Washburn Wire Company, which enabled them to add the steel business to their already large variety of manufactured goods. The copper de- partment to-day consumes more than thirty million pounds of copper per annum. The steel department, equipped with open hearth furnaces, make their own- steel, using pig-iron as a basis. The quality of the metal produced is better than any other of American manufacture and is equal to the best Swedish steel. In 1889 Mr. Phillips established a similar plant in Montreal, Canada, which also holds the distinction of
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being one of the largest of its kind in the Dominion. This plant is known as the Eugene F. Phillips Elec- trical Works, Limited.
Eugene F. Phillips was a man of broad understand- ing, tolerance and sympathy, and thoroughly demo- cratic in his tastes. He was greatly loved by his employees, and highly respected and honored by his associates in the business world. He was one of the most prominent citizens of Providence, though never active in the official life of the city. He attended the Congregational church of Providence, and gave lib- erally to the worthy charities of every denomination. He erected the Grace Memorial Church (Episcopal) in East Providence, in memory of his daughter, Grace, who died in childhood.
Mr. Phillips married, October 30, 1867, Josephine Johanna Nichols, daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Baker) Nichols. Mrs. Phillips is also a member of one of the oldest families of the State of Rhode Island, and a lineal descendant of the founder of the family in America, Richard Nichols (see Nichols). The chil- dren of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips were: Eugene Row- land, mentioned below; Edith Josephine, born Dec. 2, 1873, died unmarried, Oct. 19, 1907; Frank N., mentioned below; Grace, born May 18, 1878, died in March, 1882. Mr. Phillips died in Providence, R. I., February 22, 1905. He was affiliated with the Repub- lican party, and was a member of the Agawam Hunt and Powham clubs, and a member of What Cheer Lodge of Masons.
(IX) Eugene Rowland Phillips, president of the Washburn Wire Company, son of Eugene Francis and Josephine Johanna (Nichols) Phillips, was born in Providence, R. I., January 17, 1871. He received his early education in the public schools of the city. Upon finishing his studies, he went into the business of man- ufacturing with his father, there learning the details of business management. He began his connection with the American Electrical Works in a compara- tively minor and unimportant position, gradually work- ing himself, through force of ability, to the position of influence and responsibility which he now holds. His success and achievement in the business world have been wholly his own, and been accomplished by the influence which his father's eminence in business affairs might naturally have brought to bear on his career. Mr. Phillips and his brother, Frank N. Phillips, are the leading active managers of the large manufac- turing industry represented by the Washburn Wire Company and the American Electrical Works.
Mr. Phillips is well known in the social and club life of the city, and is a member of the Rhode Island, Country, Agawan Hunt and Metacomet Golf clubs. He served as a councilman of East Providence, being elected to office on the Republican ticket.
Eugene Rowland Phillips had two daughters: Ruth, who married Walter J. Stein, of Chicago, Ill., a prominent banker; and Miriam, who married Ed- mund Parsons, and is a resident of Boston, Mass.
(IX) Frank N. Phillips, president of the American Electrical Works, is a son of Eugene Francis and Josephine Johanna (Nichols) Phillips, and was born in Providence, R. I., July 6, 1874. He attended the
public schools of Providence, where he prepared for college. He later attended the Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology, where he pursued a three year course in electrical engineering. Returning to Prov- idence, he entered the office of the American Electrical Works, and gradually worked himself up through the various departments of the work to his present post.
For several years Mr. Phillips has been active in the political life of Providence. He has served as councilman of the First Ward of Providence for six years, and now holds that office. He is also well known in social and club life, and is a member of the Rhode Island Country Club, the Wannamoisette Country Club and the Pomham Club, and a member of Adelphi Lodge of Masons.
Frank N. Phillips married, November 15, 1898, Edith R. Peck, daughter of Leander and Sarah (Can- non) Peck, of Providence, and a member of an old and distinguished New England family. They have two children: Charlotte and Donald Kay.
SAMUEL NICHOLS-The name Nichols is bap- tismal and signifies "the son of Nicholas." It has always been popular in England and is found in vari- ous forms among the earliest records. The names of William Nicoll, County Salop; John Nicole, County Oxford; and Stephen Nichole, County Ox- ford, are found in the Hundred Rolls, of 1273. Record of the names Alicia Nicholmayden and Robertus Nichol-man, meaning "servants of Nichol," is found in 1379. "Thomas Nicolls, County Middlesex," is found in the register of Oxford University in 1575. And among other public records are found the names of James Nickleson, of Canterbury, in 1687, and Rob- ert Nicholls, London, 1707. The Nichols coat-of-arms is as follows:
Arms-Gules, two bars ermine, in chief three suns or. Crest-Out of a ducal coronet or, a demi-lion ram- pant, argent.
(I) Richard Nichols, the progenitor of the family in America, emigrated from England and settled in East Greenwich, R. I., where he died prior to 1721. He was survived by his widow, Phebe Nichols, who died prior to March 25, 1721, the date on which her will was proved at Warwick, R. I.
(II) Richard (2) Nichols, son of Richard (1) and Phebe Nichols, was born in Rhode Island about 1705. He later removed to Warwick, where he married, August 8, 1736, Elizabeth Pierce, of Rehoboth, Mass.
(III) Israel Nichols, son of Richard (2) and Eliza- beth (Pierce) Nichols, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., October 8, 1741. He married, in Rehoboth, Novem- her 22, 1765, Robe Millerd. He served throughout the Revolutionary War as an officer in Captain Peleg Peck's company. His name appears on a list dated at Taunton, September 30, 1776, of officers appointed by Brigadier-General George Godfrey, to serve in a regi- ment raised from his brigade for three months' service under General Spencer, agreeable to orders of the Council. In December, 1776, at the alarm of Bristol, he was second lieutenant of Captain Stephen Bullock's company, Colonel Thomas Carpenter's regiment. On
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June 26, 1778, he signed a petition with other officers of his regiment, asking for a new election of officers. Israel Nichols died in Rehoboth, Mass., December 9, 1800.
(IV) Israel (2) Nichols, son of Israel (1) and Robe (Millerd) Nichols, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., Sep- tember 16, 1768. He married, June 15, 1791, Johanna Horton, daughter of Comfort and Johanna Horton. She was born November 2, 1772, and died March 28, 1854. Israel (2) Nichols died November 16, 1822.
(V) Samuel Nichols, son of Israel (2) and Johanna (Horton) Nichols, was born at Rehoboth, Mass., Jan- uary 4, 1809, and died at Dighton, Mass. He was a farmer on a large scale in Rehoboth, later removing to Providence, R. I., where he retired for nineteen years before his death. He married, in Rehoboth, December 23, 1832, Nancy Baker, daughter of Samuel and Patience (Pierce) Baker, of Rehoboth, where she was born March 15, 1814. Their children were: I. Otis H., born in 1835, died at Rehoboth in the fall of 1854. 2. Nancy Emily, born Sept. 20, 1837; married Daniel Horton, of Dighton. 3. Phebe Asenath, born Aug. 18, 1839; married Colin C. Baker, of Providence, R. I., and died in California. 4 George Dexter, born Aug. 26, 1841. 5. Josephine Johanna, born June 5, 1849; married Eugene F. Phillips.
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