Trails to the Past

Kent County, Rhode Island Biographies

Personal Paragraphs of Coventry

D - F

Source: The History of Washington & Kent Counties
Written by J. R. Cole published in 1889 by W. W. Preston & Co.

Thomas G. Dorrance was born in 1827 at Foster, R. I. He is a son of George, whose father, Michael, was a son of James Dorrance, who came from Ireland about 1720. Mr. Dorrance is a machinist by trade. He worked for the Lanphear Machine Company of Phenix twenty years, and afterward for the Colvin Machine Company about six years. He has been station agent at Anthony about fourteen years. He was married in 1852 to Sarah W. Tarbox. She died in 1859, and he was again married in 1860 to Lamira D. Potter, who died in 1884. He was married in 1884 to Leonora L. Young. He has one son-George R. Mr. Dorrance is a member of Warwick Lodge, No. 16, A. F. and A. M., of Landmark Royal Arch Chapter of Phenix, and of Anthony Lodge, No. 21, L O. of O. F. He is a member of the Quidnick Baptist church.

Elbridge G. Fairbank was born in 1825, and was married in 1867 to Emma A., daughter of Nathan Mathewson. She was born in 1835, and was a teacher before her marriage. She has taught twenty-one terms. Mr. Fairbank kept a store near Rice City about forty-five years prior to his death. He died in 1881, leaving a widow and one daughter, Emma G., who graduated in June, 1888, from the Friends' School of Providence.

John Fiske, born in 1837 in Coventry, is a son of Isaac, whose father was Daniel Fiske. Mr. Fiske is a carriage maker by trade, and worked at the trade eight years. Since the war he has been a top roller coverer for cotton mills. He has worked for the Coventry Company about twenty-three years. He was married in 1863 to Phebe A. Hopkins. Mr. Fiske was in the war of the rebellion from August, 1861, to August, 1863, in Company C, First Rhode Island light artillery. He received a wound at Malvern Hill which caused the loss of a leg. He is a member of Anthony Lodge, No. 21, I. O. O. F.

Patrick Fitzpatrick was born in Ireland. He first came to Connecticut, then removed to Poughkeepsie. He has resided here about thirty years. He kept the Nipmunk station nine years before it was discontinued. Since that time he has been a farmer. Mr, Fitzpatrick has been married three times. He was married the last time in January, 1888.

Horace N. Foster was born in 1886 in Scituate, and is a house carpenter and machinist by trade. He built the new Quidnick Baptist church. He has been town sealer two years and is a republican. He was married in 1858 to Sybil W. Read, sister of Byron Read. They have one daughter, Ora Jane.

James Franklin, born in 1798 in Coventry, is a son of .Samuel Franklin. He now lives with his son James, Jr. He has had a family of eight children, five of whom are living. James, Jr., was married in 1865 to Eliza J., daughter of Henry Walker.

John A. Franklin, born in Coventry in 1805, is a son of Jonathan and grandson of John Franklin. He has been a farmer for forty years. He was a mill operative in his younger days. He was married in 1830 to Louisa Knight, who died in 1875. In politics he is a republican.

Stephen H. Franklin, born in 1854 in Coventry, is a son of Horace C. and grandson of James, who was a son of Samuel Franklin. Mr. Franklin is a farmer and occupies what is known as the Alfred O. Matteson farm. Mr. Matteson was a farmer here for many years. He began a poor boy and when he died he had 800 acres of land besides considerable other property. Mr. Franklin was married in 1877 to Sarah H., only daughter of Alfred O. Matteson. They have had three sons : Wilbur O., who died in infancy ; Walter and Arthur. Mr. Franklin and his wife keep a little store which was begun by Mr. Matteson about four years ago and at his death in February, 1888, Mrs. Franklin assumed control of it. Mr. Franklin is a member of Ionic Lodge, No. 28, A. F. & A. M., and a member of the Summit Baptist church.

Daniel H. Freeman, son of Ira and grandson of Daniel Freeman, was born in 1823 in Coventry. He lived in Connecticut twenty-eight years. He is one of seven children. He had three brothers in the war of the rebellion. The youngest brother was killed. Mr. Freeman was married in 1849 to Emily S., daughter of Nathaniel Robinson. He is a member of Manchester Lodge, No. 12, A. F and A. M. He is also a member of Anthony Lodge, No. 21, I. O. of O. F. He is a member of the Baptist church of Sterling, Connecticut.

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