The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 94

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 94

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CHARLES EATON DUDLEY-At the age of sixteen years, Mr. Dudley started in the hardware business as an errand boy and has never been con- nected with any other line, and since 1911 has been president and treasurer of the Dudley Hardware Com- pany, of Providence, R. I. The Dudley Hardware Company was formed by Charles E. Dudley and Wil- liam J. Hermann in 1911, they buying out the builders' hardware department of the Union Hardware & Elec- tric Supply Company, Mr. Dudley having been con-

nected with the last named company as an incorpora- tor and director. The Dudley Hardware Company does a general retail hardware business, specializing in builders' hardware, their sample room in that line one of the finest in New England. The company caters to the highest grade of contract work in build- ers' hardware, and is widely known in the trade.

Charles Eaton Dudley was born in Providence, Au- gust 30, 1873, son of William Aldrich and Jennie Louise (Church) Dudley, both his parents now de- ceased. William Aldrich Dudley was a merchant of Providence and Marlboro, Mass., and later city auditor of Marlboro, Mass. Charles E. Dudley attended the public schools of Providence and of Marlboro, Mass., finishing grammar school courses before beginning with Barker, Chadsey & Company, as errand boy in their hardware store. He remained with his first employers three years, going thence to the Belcher & Loomis Hardware Company, remaining with that company nine years. At the age of twenty-one he was placed in charge of the builders' hardware department of the Belcher & Loomis Hardware Company, and held that position until the organization of the Union Hardware & Electric Supply Company, of which he was an incor- porator and a director. For eleven years he continued manager of the builders' hardware department of the Union Hardware & Electric Supply Company, then with his assistant, William J. Hermann, bought that department of the company's business and organized the Dudley Hardware Company, to own and operate it. The new company prospered from the beginning, coming as it did into an established business with which the president, Charles E. Dudley, and William J. Hermann, secretary, had previously been intimately connected. When the Dudley Hardware Company began business in 1911, six hands were sufficient to handle the trade, now fourteen are employed in caring for the large business daily transacted.

Mr. Dudley is an authority in the hardware trade, having made it his sole business since 1889. He is recognized in the trade as a leader, a tribute to his thirty years' individual interest in the business. Now hardly more than in the prime of life, Mr. Dudley can review his rise with the satisfaction which follows duty well performed, and look forward confidently into the future. He has been the architect of his own fortunes and has borne a man's part in the battle for commercial supremacy. He is a member of Hope Street Congregational Church; Mt. Vernon Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and in politics an Independent.

Mr. Dudley married, September 23, 1897, Harriet Almira Nourse, of Marlboro, Mass. They are the parents of three children: William Nourse, Harriet Louise, and Alden Church.

GEORGE LUTHER PIERCE-The name of Pierce was common in England at a very early age, and had many ways of spelling, such as Parr, Piers, Pierce, Pears, Pearce, Pearse, Peers, Peirce, and Purse. It dates from a remote period, and is widely distributed throughout the United States, and there is some reason for believing that some of its bearers, if not all of

371

BIOGRAPHICAL

hem, derive their origin from the ancient Percy fam- y of Northumberland (the Hotspurs of the North). t not only possesses an honorable Colonial record, but figured prominently in the war for national inde- endence, and is especially distinguished as having fur- ished the fourteenth President of the United States. This branch of the Pierce family is one of long stand- ig and among the first settlers in New England. The ame was variously spelled in the Massachusetts and Chode Island records, and the modern form, Pierce, as been adopted by most of the descendants of the ame in this country. In the Old World the members f this family have been quite prominent, and the name an be traced through a long and distinguished line ack to the days of the Norman Conquest.

Arms-Three ravens rising sable, fesse numette. Crest-A dove with olive branch in beak. Motto-Dixit et fecit.

(I) Brave Galfred, born in 972, left his Normandy istle to come over with venturesome Pollo, and in ngland assumed the name of Percy. From him the ne is traced to the American progenitor as follows: (II) William, his son.

(III) Allan, son of William.

(IV) William, son of Allan.

(V) William, son of William.

(VI) Agnes, daughter of Willlam, who married Jos- line de Louvaine, who was Prince of Normandy, it who on account of his marriage relinguished his vn name and assumed that of Perci; however, he kept s Royal coat-of-arms of Brabant.

(VII) Lord Henry, of Petrovith, who married Isa- elle De Bruce.

(VIII) William, third Lord of Petrovith, who mar- ed Ellen De Baliol.

(IX) Henry, who married Eleanor Plantagenet.

(X) Henry, first Baron of Alnwick, who, from youth old age, was a warrior and was one of the victors the battle of Dunbar. He was highly distinguished roughout the Scotch War during the reign of Henry He married Lady Eleanor Fitzalan.

(XI) Henry, second Lord of Alnwick, born in 1299, ho in 1346 was the chief of forces and gave battle to e Scots at Neville's Cross, where he took King David 'uce prisoner. He married Idonea De Clifford, and ed in 1351.

(XII) Henry, who In 1346 accompanied King Edward [. to France and was at the victory of Crecy, and terward held high offices under the King. He mar- ed Mary Plantagenet.

(XIII) Henry, first Earl of Northumberland, who ll at the battle of Branham Moor, in 1408. He mar- ed Margaret Navill.

(XIV) Henry, born May 30, 1364, who fought at the Ittle of Shrewsbury against the Crown, 1403. He arried Elizabeth de Mortimer.

(XV) Henry, second Earl of Northumberland; ac- rding to an old ballad, of which his bride was lroine, he fell fighting for Lancaster. He married Idy Eleanor Nevill.

(XVI) Sir Ralph, who fell at Towton field, 1464, lhting with his father and brothers for the house of Incaster.

(XVII) Peter, son of Sir Ralph, who was standard larer for Richard III., in 1485, at Bosworth field.

(XVIII) Richard, son of Peter, founded Pierce or larse Hall at York, England, where he lived and ed.

(XIX) Richard Pierce, son of Richard above men- tned, resided at Pierce Hall, at York, England. He gelled the name Pearce, which name and way of selling continued to within the last three quarters of ¢ury among his descendants in England. He had sas, Richard and William, both of whom immigrated t 'America early in the Colonial period, and Michael, finder of the Pierce family of Rhode Island, herein ider consideration.

(I) Captain Michael Pierce, son of Richard Pierce, J, of the twentieth generation in direct descent from Jave Galfred, was born in England about 1615, and vs killed by the Indians, Sunday, March 28, 1676, in Ing Philip's War. He settled at Hingham, and after

at Scituate, Mass. His first wife died in 1662, and he married (second) about 1663, Hannah James, widow, having a son, Mark James, and a daughter, Abigail James, who married Charles Stockbridge, son of John, born about 1638. His house was on the Cohasset road, a mile from the present North Meeting House He was in the Narragansett fight, in December, 1675. Captain Michael Pierce was prominent in the official life of the colony, and was commissioned captain by the General Court in 1669, and had been an ensign and lieutenant before that. In the spring of 1676 he com- manded an expedition against the Indians under Canon- chet, was attacked near Pawtucket by a superior force and his command nearly annihilated. The story of the fight, related by Mather and others, is well known in history. Captain Pierce fell early in the fight. Fifty- five of the sixty-three Englishmen were slain, and ten of the twenty Indian allies. The Indians were com- manded by Nanuntenoo, better known as Canonchet, and the place of the battle is now called Quinsniket.

Captain Pierce's will was dated January 15, 1675, "being now by appointment of God going out to war against the Indians." He assisted in building the first sawmill in the colony, burned by the Indians, May 20, 1676. Children : I. Persis, baptized 1646. 2. Benjamin, baptized 1646. 3. John, married Patience Dobson. 4. Ephraim, mentioned below. 5. Eliza. 6. Deborah. 7. Anna. 8. Abiah. 9. Ruth. 10. Abigail, married John Holbrook.

(II) Ephraim Pierce, son of Captain Michael Pierce, resided for a time at Weymouth, Mass., whence he removed to Warwick, R. I., where his first child was born. He was made a freeman of the Colony of Rhode Island, in Providence, May 3, 1681, and died Septem- ber 14, 1719. His will, made July 18, 1718, was proved September 23, 1719, in Warwick, R. I. He married Hannah Holbrook, and had children: I. Azrikim. 2. Ephraim (2), mentioned below. 3. Michael, born in 1676. 4. Rachel, born in 1678. 5. Hannah, born in 1680. 6. Experience, born in 1682. 7. John, born in 1684. 8. Benjamin, born in 1686.

(III) Ephraim (2) Pierce, son of Ephraim (1) and Hannah (Holbrook) Pierce, was born in 1674, prob- ably at Warwick, R. I. He married Mary Low, and later resided in Rehoboth and Swansea, Mass., where he was a prominent and respected citizen. Children : I. Mial, mentioned below. 2. Mary, born Nov. 16, 1697. 3. David, born July 26, 1701. 4. Elizabeth, born May 30, 1703. 5. Clothier, born May 24, 1708. 6. Ephraim.

(IV) Deacon Mial Pierce, son of Ephraim (2) and Mary (Low) Pierce, was born April 24, 1692, and died October 18, 1786, aged ninety-four. He married Judith Ellis, daughter of Judge Ellis. She was born in 1686, and died October 6, 1744. They were residents of War- wick, R. I., and of Rehoboth and Swansea, Mass. Chil- dren : I. Ephraim, born Nov. 9, 1712. 2. Wheeler, born July II, 1714. 3. Nathan, mentioned below. 4. Mary, born Oct 18, 1718. 5. Judith, born Oct. 21, 1720. 6. Mial, born March 24, 1722. 7. Jobe, born April 25, 1723. 8. Caleb, born June 8, 1726. 9. Joshua.

(V) Rev. Nathan Pierce, son of Deacon Mial and Judith (Ellis) Pierce, was born February 21, 1716, and died April 14, 1793. Rev. Nathan Pierce was a Bap- tist minister, preaching for forty years in one church,

372

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

called the Pierce Meeting House. His son, Rev. Pre- served Pierce, also preached in the same house for forty years. Elder Daniel Martin, son of Deacon Mel- atiah Martin, was ordained pastor of the Pierce or Second Church in Rehoboth, February 8, 1753, and there were between thirty or forty members under his care. Elder Martin died November 18, 1781, a few years after Nathan Pierce was ordained. Rev. Nathan Pierce married, October 6, 1736, Lydia Martin, daughter of Ephraim Martin, born July 17, 1718, died December 21, 1798. She was of Barrington, R. I., and was said to have been "a remarkably smart woman," short, black- eyed and handsome, noted for her learning. They lived at Rehoboth and Swansea, Mass. The will of Rev. Nathan Pierce was proved June 4, 1793, Hezekiah Martin being executor, and her will was proved Janu- ary 18, 1799, Hezekiah Martin acting as executor. Chil- dren : I. David, born April II, 1739. 2. Lydia, born April 1, 1741. 3. Freelove, born Oct. 8, 1742. 4. Na- than, born Jan. 22, 1745. 5. Joseph, born Sept. 7, 1746. 6. Benjamin, born Jan. 29, 1748. 7. Pardon, born Oct. 23, 1749. 8. Mary, born March 23, 1751. 9. Martin, born Feb. 15, 1752. 10. Judah, born Oct. 23, 1754. II. Hez- ekiah, born Jan. 25, 1755. 12. Peleg, born Nov. 15, 1756. 13. Preserved, born July 28, 1758. 14. Isaac, men- tioned below. 15. Chloe, born Nov. 18, 1765.

(VI) Isaac Pierce, son of Rev. Nathan and Lydia (Martin) Pierce, was born September 22, 1763, died November 26, 1849, in the town of Rehoboth, where he resided. Isaac Pierce served in the American Revolu- tion when only sixteen years of age, when the British were at Newport. He lived for a time after his mar- riage with his grandfather, Deacon Mial Pierce, and after two years returned to his father's farm, where he lived the remainder of his life. He joined his father's church when eighteen years of age, but was excom- municated at twenty-five years of age because he went twice to hear a Universalist preacher. He married (first) October 7, 1782, Anna Fitch, daughter of Cap- tain Amos Fitch, of Swansea. She was born March I, 1763, died November 15, 1809, and was buried in the Pierce burying ground in Rehoboth. He married (sec- ond) November 1, 1810, Polly Bowen, ceremony per- formed by Elder Preserved Pierce; she was born Au- gust 21, 1789, died March 10, 1838. He married (third) Elizabeth Carpenter. Children: 1. Hannah, born Sept. 18, 1783. 2. Nancy, born April 15, 1786. 3. Cyrus, born June 9, 1788, died in March, 1789. 4. Isaac, born Dec. 21, 1789. 5. Mahala, born April 29, 1792. 6. Angia, born June 1, 1794. 7. Levi, born June 8, 1797. 8. Mary A., born May 29, 1799. 9. Waterman, mentioned be- low. 10. Hiram W., born Feb. 19, 1804. II. Betsey, born Feb. 3, 1807. 12. Lymon, born Jan. 1, 1813. 13. Holofanes, born Feb. 21, 1816. 14. Jeremiah, born Aug. 20, 1820. 15. Delana, born July 13. 1823; married, Dec. 29, 1844, Philip Allen Munroe. 16. Laura A., born May 18, 1825. 17. Sephirona, born Aug. 12, 1827.

(VII) Rev. Waterman Pierce, son of Isaac Pierce, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., December 24, 1801. He married, June 15, 1820, at the age of nineteen years, Betsey Baker, and shortly after his marriage removed to Seekonk, R. I. Rev. Waterman Pierce was pastor

of the Free Will Baptist Church at Barneyville, Nor Swansea, Mass., and held that office for mo than forty years, during a portion of that time shari the pulpit with his grandson. He was the father of ti following children, all of his sons attaining a large degr of distinction in public life in Providence: I. Bradfo. B., born Nov. 7, 1821. 2. Sarah F., born July 25, 182 3. Elisha W., born Jan. 22, 1829. 4. Mary E., bo: April 27, 1831, died March 10, 1845. 5. Maria B., bo: Feb. 1, 1835. 6. George Luther, mentioned below. Julia E., born Nov. 16, 1839. 8. Mercy A., born Ju 14, 1842; married, June 17, 1864. Burden Munroe. Richmond, born July 2, 1847 ; died March 13, 1848.

(VIII) George Luther Pierce, son of Rev. Wate man and Betsey ( Baker) Pierce, was born Septemb 9, 1837. He received his education in the schools . the town of Seekonk. Mass., where he prepared for tl Fort Edward Institute, of Washington county, Ne York State, which he later attended. Deciding on business career rather than professional life, he r turned to Providence, after completing his course, ai entered the large retail and wholesale grocery esta lishment of E. W. Pierce & Company, of which I brothers, Elisha W. and Bradford B. Pierce were ti chief executives. He was eminently fitted for busine life, and proved his worth in the firm shortly after ente ing its employ. In 1854, George Luther Pierce was a mitted a partner of the firm, and retained his conne tion with the business for a period of more than thirt five years, becoming known as one of the foremc and ablest men in the business and commercial circl of Providence and the surrounding territory. He w a keen judge of values, and his advice and counsel w sought on the executive boards of many of the lar; mercantile enterprises of the city. He was known as man of the strictest integrity and fair dealing in all h relations, and was honored and respected in many circl in Providence.

Mr. Pierce was active in the political life of the ci and was frequently honored with public office. He w. a member of the Republican party, and for many yea held a prominent place in its councils, in the city ar State. For seven years he was a member of the Repu lican committee of the city of Providence, beginnit in 1886 or 1887. In 1886 he was elected a member the Providence City Council, and fulfilled his duties : well in this capacity that he was returned to the offi every year for a number of years. From 1886 to 18 he was a member of the Common Council of Providenc and from 1895 to 1898 a member of the Board ( Aldermen. From January, 1895, until the time of h death, he was a commissioner of the North Buryir Ground, of Providence. Mr. Pierce was recognize as a public man of the highest and most disintereste type, and was constantly sought for office. From Ma 1886 to 1887, he was a member of the General Assen bly of Rhode Island, and in the spring of 1898 wa again chosen a member of the House, serving unt 1902 inclusive. He was reelected in November, 190 for the year 1905, with an unusually large majorit For a period of three years Mr. Pierce served as member of the Committee on Finance, for two years c' the Committee on State Charities and Correction, an

William Of Who

373

BIOGRAPHICAL

or one year on the Committee on Military Affairs. e was highly respected during the entire term of his iblic service, and accomplished during the period uch beneficial and needed legislation.

George Luther Pierce married Sarah E. Cory, who ed August 24, 1910. They were the parents of the llowing children: 1. Archie LeGrand, died in boy- od. 2. Wilton Cory, died in infancy. 3. Grace, a 'aduate of Brown University, graduating with high nors; was president of her class; taught for a period the grammar grades of the Point Street School; she arried Russell W. Richmond; they have two sons : ory Pierce Richmond and Parsons Pierce Richmond, id a daughter, Barbara, who died at the age of two id one-half years. 4. Ethel, twin of Grace, is a grad- ite of the Rhode Island School of Design; was super- sor of drawing in Warwick, R. I., and is now teaching awing in the Technical High School of Providence. Chauncy Giles, died in infancy. 6. Bertha. 7. eorge Luther, Jr., born Oct. 2, 1886; graduated from rovidence Technical High School and Brown Univer- ty. He married Ruth Brooks, and they have one son, eorge Raymond, born Aug. 26, 1916. George L. ierce, Jr., was in the traffic engineer's office of the rovidence Telephone Company, when he was stricken ith influenza and died suddenly, Sept. 30, 1918.

George Luther Pierce died at his summer home in ast Providence, R. I., October 21, 1909.

WILLIAM H. WOOD-Wood is a name local in derivation and signifies "at the woods." It is com- on to every medieval register in England.

Arms-Argent, an oak tree vert, fructed or. Crest-A demi-wildman, on the shoulder a club, hold- g in the dexter hand an oak branch, all proper, reathed about the middle vert.

The late William H. Wood, of Providence. R. I., as in every respect a self-made man, a success in ery sense of the word in the field of endeavor which had made his work in life, and in which he had :iven from early manhood to become a figure of fluence and importance. From earliest childhood he as thrown upon his own resources, and compelled to ake his own way unaided in the world, and not only to pport himself but to contribute to the support of his mily. Despite this handicap at the outset, he rose adually to a position of prominence in the real estate orld and became a leading factor in the real estate d financial interests of the city of Providence, R. I. To the man who possesses within himself the desire succeed, there is no obstacle too great to block the th to achievement. The men who fail are those who tack the problems of life and work with a half- arted willingness to succeed if the effort so to do be t too great. In addition to the necessity to work for s maintenance, Mr. Wood possessed the desire for hievement, which would have made him a success in e without the spur to ambition which the former "cumstance offered. Unless the necessity to work is led and abetted by the desire to work, success is im- ssible.

William H. Wood was born in Providence, R. I., No- mber 13, 1849, the son of William and Delia (Bundy)

Wood. His father, who was a native of England, came to America scarcely under a century ago accom- panied by his wife. They settled in Providence, R. I. When the gold fever caught the country, with its ac- companying whirl-wind of prospecting and mining, William Wood, Sr., joined the ranks of the "forty- niners" and went West to California, where he died shortly after his arrival. The death of his father oc- curred when William H. Wood was but a small boy, and necessitated his adding to the support of the family as soon as he was able. He was given, however, the greatest chances possible for gaining an education in the local public schools. This was cut short early, how- ever, but he continued his studies at home and after hours, becoming a man of sound education and cultured tastes in the field of literature. Appreciating education as only those who are barred from its privileges can, he made every effort to supplement his work in the public schools, and succeeded admirably. He posessed a strong ambition to succeed, and into every position which he held put the best which was in him. Mr. Wood secured his first employment in the office of Jason Stone, a dealer in sewing machines, and he continued in that line of work for a period of several years.

Fitted with a keen intellect and analytic mind, he was strongly desirous of entering the legal profession, and made every effort to complete the studies toward that end. He was unable, however, to realize this ambition, and abandoned the idea finally. Mr. Wood entered the field of real estate, in which he later became a power in the city of Providence, at the suggestion of the late Daniel Lyman, of that place. He began his career as an agent for the large real estate holdings of Mr. Ly- man, and from this comparatively unimportant be- ginning gradually rose to the position of prominence which he later held. Mr. Wood was eminently fitted for success in this line. He was a keen judge of busi- ness valnes, and foresaw in many cases with great accuracy the trend of development of property in Providence, and the surrounding country. He was noted for the fairness of his business principles and was en- trusted with many of the largest real estate deals which were put through in the city of Providence in his day. He carried on a most extensive business, and a very lucrative one. At the time of his death he had in his charge the large properties of the Vinton and Barnaby estates, and the Nancy K. Bishop estate. Mr. Wood's first office was located in Providence, on the corner of Exchange and Westminster streets, and he continued to do business there until his death.

As one of the leading figures in the real estate world, Mr. Wood was intimately identified with the largest business and financial interests of the city. He was treasurer of the Rhode Island Investment Company and of the Beckwith Land Company. He was ap- pointed by the heirs of the Lemuel Bishop estate ad- ministrator of the funds received from the French spoilation claims, rising out of the destruction of the brigantine "Nancy" in the year 1799.

Mr. Wood was also identified with the political and public life of the city of Providence, and always active in any movement which had for its end the betterment of conditions in the city of Providence. He served as a member of the City Council from 1883 to 1885, and in

374

HISTORY OF RHODE ISLAND

the latter year was elected to the State Legislature, where he served honestly and well the interests of the people, unswayed by partisan lines of influence. He was defeated for reelection to this office by which is known in the politics of Rhode Island as the "May Deal." The obvious unfairness of this treatment was the direct cause of Mr. Wood's premature retirement from public life, and was responsible for a loss to the city of Providence, and the State of Rhode Island, of a man who had conserved with all his strength the interests of both, and gave promise of greater achieve- ment in the future. Mr. Wood was a Republican in political affiliation, and upheld the finest and best of the traditions of the Grand Old Party.

He was also active in the social and club life of Providence. He was a man of magnetic personality and fine character, and possessed numerous friends in all walks of life. He was a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, and was prominent in the affairs of the What Cheer Lodge and St. John's Commandery. He was a member of the Hope Club, and the Metacomet Golf Club of Providence.

William Henry Wood married, October 2, 1872, Adele S. Remington, daughter of William H. and Jane ( Smith) Remington. Mrs. Wood is a native of Providence, and actively identified with the social life of the city. She is a woman of wide culture, and has also greatly travelled, having made a trip around the world in 1910. (See Remington IX.) Mr. and Mrs. Wood were the parents of two children : 1. William Remington, born in Providence, Jan. 14, 1876; received his education in the Providence High School, and was graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; on com- pleting his training he became a naval architect, gain- ing a position of prominence in this field, in which he was engaged at the outbreak of the war; upon Amer- ica's entry into the conflict he offered his services to Secretary Daniels and was commissioned assistant superintendent of the Hull division buying department at the Mare Island Naval Base, San Francisco; Mr. Wood is now engaged in this work; he married Caro- line Jonsen, of Boston, Mass .; Mr. Wood owns a large ranch in California. Children: i. Remington, who after making a determined effort to enlist in some branch of service in the United States Army or Navy, who is now but sixteen years of age, went to Canada, enlisted in the Canadian army, and is now serving with Canadian troops. ii. Richard. iii. Elizabeth. 2. Florence, born Jan. 28, 1878. in Providence, R. I .; married George Owen, an instructor in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in the department of marine architect ; they reside at Newton, Mass. Children: i. George. ii. Florence.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, V. IV, Part 94

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