BROWN, Edward Alvin , market man and dairy farmer, was born in Little Compton, R. I., October 23, 1859, son of John C. G. and Maria M.  (Brownell) Brown. He is a descendant of Elizabeth Alden, the first white woman born in New England, the daughter of John Alden and Priscilla Mullens.  He received his early education in the public schools of his native town and at the Friends' School of Providence. He then took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College, Providence. His early business career was in connection with his father's firm, John C. G. Brown & Co., of Little Compton.  On January 1, 1885, he purchased the business of Benjamin Bateman of Newport, and has continued it since, living in Newport for two years, and then removing to Middletown, where he is now carrying on, in connection with the market business, the largest dairy and poultry farm on the island. He has been Senator in the General Assembly from Middletown since 1892, and is a member of the Republican State Central Committee. He has been a Director of the National. Exchange Bank and of the Island Savings Bank of Newport since 1891, and he is a member of the Newport Business Men's Association.  He married May 28, 1885, Miss Mabel Tompkins; they have four children:  Eugene Irving, Louise, Lawrence Edward and Pauline Brown.  Biographie Index

BUFFUM, William Pouter , civil engineer, Newport, was born in Middletown, R. I., August 29, 1858, son of Thomas B. and Lydia R. (Potter) Buffum.   He is descended from Quaker ancestry: his father, Thomas B. Buffum, his grandfather David Buffum, and his great grandfather David Buffum, were prominent in the Newport branch of the denomination ; the first of the name in the country, Robert Buffum, who came to Salem, Mass, about 1634, was a Quaker, and the majority of the family have since belonged to that sect.   He received his early education in private schools at Newport and at the Friends' School in Providence, from which he graduated in 1875.   He then entered Brown University and graduated in the class of 1879. He devoted himself to farming in Middletown until 1886, when he entered the office of J. P. Cotton, civil engineer, at Newport, and remained with him for six years and a half. Since August 1892, he has carried on the business of civil engineering independently. He was elected a Representative from Newport in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1894 and re-elected in 1895, and has been a member of the Board of Reference of the Charity Organization of Newport since 1887. He is a member of the Alpha Delta Phi Fraternity, Ninigret Lodge, and the Newport Business Men's Association.  He married, April 5, 1883, Miss Joanna Sophia Kimber of Germantown, Pa.; they have three children : Margaret, William P., Jr., and Marmaduke Cope Buffum.  Biographie Index

ECROYD, Henry, M. D., of Newport, was born in Muncy, Lycoming county, Pa., May 6, 1858, son of James and Rachel (Haines) Ecroyd.  He is descended, on the paternal side, from the Ecroyd family of Lancashire, England, where the records show they have held public offices since the reign of Richard II in the fourteenth century.  This family were among the early followers of George Fox, and introduced into their district the manufacture of worsted. The grandfather of the present representative of the family in this country emigrated to the United States in 1795 and bought a large tract of land in Pennsylvania from sons of the scientist Dr. Priestly. The subject of this sketch is a graduate of the Friends' School at Westtown, Pa., and of the University of Pennsylvania, class of 1883, Medical Department. He read medicine eighteen months with Dr. Rankin of Muncy, Pa., was three years at the University of Pennsylvania, and two years in the hospitals.  He is acting Assistant Surgeon of the United States Marine Hospital service, a member of the staff of the Newport Hospital, and Medical Examiner for the Third District of Rhode Island. He is also a member of the Rhode Island State Medical Society, the State Medico-Legal Society, and the Newport Medical Society. He was married, October 30, 1890, to Miss Rebekah Ashbridge of Philadelphia, Pa., and has two children : Henry Ecroyd, Jr., and Elizabeth Ashbridge Ecroyd.  Biographie Index

HEYDON, Henry Darling, merchant, Crompton, was born in Coventry, R. I., December 25, 1851, son of David and   Remima C. (Johnston) Heydon.  He is a lineal descendant of William Heydon, who  emigrated   from   England   to   this country about 1630, and his ancestors took part in the Colonial and  Revolutionary wars.    He received his early education in the public schools of Providence, and began his business career at an early age as clerk in a store in Providence, where he remained for two years, and then took a special course   at  Mount   Pleasant Academy.   He then served as clerk in a store in   Olneyville for a number of years, when he engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business.   Later he disposed of his business to take charge of a large establishment in the same place. In 1874 he removed to Crompton, R. I., where he assumed charge in behalf of the creditors of a large general store in that village.  The promising outlook induced him, six months later, to form a co-partnership with Daniel W.  Batchelder to purchase the business, in which they have since continued. He has taken an active part in public life. He was Postmaster at Crompton from 1883 to 1887, a member of the school committee since 1883, and Town Auditor of Warwick five years. He was appointed aid-de-camp with the rank of Colonel by Governor Taft in 1888-89, and by Governor Ladd 1889-92. He was a member of the committee to secure a permanent campground for the state militia, and also a member of the committee to procure a site for a state armory in Providence. He is a member and Past Master of Manchester Lodge, A. F. & A.  M., was High Priest for three years of Landmark Chapel Royal Arch Masons, and member of St.  John's Commandery. He was a Representative in the General Assembly from Warwick in 1879-80 and since 1888, and Chairman of the Committee on Finance. In politics he is a Republican. He married, March 16, 1881, Miss Charlotte A. Booth ; they have two children: Howard Raymond and Wright David Heydon.  Biographie Index

HIGBEE, Edward Wyman, editor and printer, Newport, was born in Newport, N. H., December 26, 1854, the son of John Hitchcock and Adeline (Emmons) Higbee. His ancestors on the paternal side were among the early settlers of Connecticut, and his great-great-grandfather Stephen and great-grandfather Charles served in the war of the Revolution. On the maternal side his ancestors were among the early settlers of New Hampshire He received his education at New Hampton Institute, New Hampton, N. H. In 1871-72 he was employed in the Smith & Wesson Arms Works at Springfield, Mass. He then learned the printer's trade and worked on Newport and Providence newspapers. He was the Newport correspondent of the Boston Globe for upwards of twelve years.  He is now associate editor of the Newport Mercury, and President of the Newport Mercury Publishing Company. He represented the second ward in the Newport Board of Aldermen from 1889 to 1891 inclusive. In 1893 he was unanimously elected by the Newport City Council a member of and clerk to the Board of License Commissioners. In 1895 he was elected a Representative in the General Assembly from Newport. He is a member of Redwood Lodge Knights of Pythias, of Newport Associates N. M. R. A., Malbone Lodge N. E. 0. P..  Gen. G. K. Warren Associates and Treasurer of the Lawrence Club. In politics he is a Republican.  He married, in 1883, Miss Alice E. Thompson; they have three children: Alice Francis, Edward Wyman and Margarita Emmons Higbee.  Biographie Index

HORTON, Jeremiah Wheeler, furniture manufacturer and dealer, Newport, was born in Rehoboth, Mass., April 8, 1844, son of Tamerlane Wheeler and Amanda (Walker) Horton.   He received his early education in the public and private schools of Rehoboth.    He lived on a farm until he was eighteen years of age, and then went to Perryville, Mass., to learn the trade of wood-turning. Two years later he came to Newport, and was employed by J. L. & G. A. Hazard, furniture manufacturers; he remained in their employ until 1884, when the firm dissolved and he was appointed to settle the business, which occupied a year.   He then engaged in the business with G. A. Hazard, under the firm name of Hazard & Horton.   Eight years later he purchased Mr. Hazard's interest, and took F. A. Ward as a partner, under the firm name of J. H.  Horton & Co., furniture manufacturers and dealers, which still carries on the business.   He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and was its Treasurer for eighteen years.   He is chairman of its board of trustees, and Superintendent of the Sunday School, a position he has filled for a quarter of a century.   He was a member of the School Board of Newport for six years, and served on the Board of Overseers of the Poor and Asylum for several terms.   He was a member of the Board of Aldermen for two years, and Mayor of Newport in 1893, declining to accept a re-nomination. He was a Representative in the General Assembly for three years, and in 1894 was nominated for Senator but declined.   He served the state in its militia for twenty-six consecutive years as a member of the Newport Artillery Company, and held commissions as Captain, Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, and is now on the retired list.   He was master of St. Paul's Lodge A. F. & A. M. for three terms, is a member of Washington Commandery Knights Templar, and is a Past Grand of Rhode Island Lodge I. O. O. F., and was its Financial Secretary for fifteen years.   He is a member of the Business Men's Association, the Newport Historical Society and the Redwood Library and Athenxum.  He is President of the Coddington Savings Bank.  He is President of the G. K. Warren Post Associates Grand Army of the Republic.   He is a member of the Rhode Island Hospital Corporation.   In politics he is a Republican.   He is not married.  Biographie Index

LANDERS, Albert Crocker, State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner of Rhode Island, was born in Newport, R. I., June 19, 1845. He was educated in the public schools of that city. He established himself in the china, glass and fancy goods business some thirty years ago, and has been very successful.  He served on Governor Bourne's personal staff in 1883 to 1885. He has been a member of the State Central Republican Committee for twenty-odd years. He was elected State Auditor and Insurance Commissioner in May 1891, and still holds the offices. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, Elks, Knights of Honor, Good Fellows, and an active member of the Lawrence Club of Newport and the Athletic Club of Providence. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Sarah Perry Clarke, granddaughter of Hon. Joshua Perry of Newport.  Biographie Index

PITMAN, Theophilus Topham, proprietor of the Newport Daily News, was born in New Bedford, Mass., April 12, 1842, son of William R. and Ann Agnes (Topham) Pitman. His ancestry on both sides dates from the earliest settlement of Newport ; he is of the seventh generation from John Pitman, who settled in the town in 1710. His father was active in the formation of the Republican party. His mother was the daughter of Hon.  Theophilus Topham, for thirty years a member of the Town Council of Newport, its President for many years, and an influential citizen in the affairs of the town. Mr. Pitman received his education in the public and private schools of New Bedford and Newport. He came to Newport in 1856, and in 1862 engaged in the coal and grain business in partnership with the late John O. Peckham. In June 1867 he purchased the half interest in the Newport Daily News of Rev. M. J. Talbot, forming a co-partnership with Hon. L. D. Davis.  In August 1887 he bought the interest of Mr. Davis in the News and has since conducted the publication of the newspaper alone. He has never held public office, with the exception of that of Park Commissioner.   He has been a Director of the Newport Co-operative Association for Savings and Building since the first year of its existence, was a charter member of the Newport Street Railway Company, and has always been a member of its board of management. He married, November 1866, Miss Marie J. Davis, widely known in literature as "Margery Deane" ; Mrs. Pitman died in Paris, November 30, 1888.  Biographie Index

SEABURY, Thomas Mumford, merchant, Newport, was born in Newport, October 4, 1821, the son of Thomas Mumford and Elizabeth Webster (Marsh) Seabury. His paternal grandfather was John Seabury, brother of Samuel Seabury, the first Episcopal Bishop of America; his maternal grandfather was Benjamin Marsh. He received his early education in the public schools, and at the age of fifteen entered the Trader's Bank, now the First National, of Newport, as its first clerk. He remained in that position for four years and then opened a boot and shoe store, which he has continued up to the present time. He has taken an active interest in public affairs. He was a member of the School Board of Newport from 1865 to 1872, and a member of the Board of Aldermen for eight years. He was Senator in the General Assembly from 1877 to 1885. He has been President of the First National Bank since 1865 and was Vice-President in 1864. He is a deacon of the Central Baptist Church, and is Vice-President of the Newport Business Men's Association.   In politics he is a Republican. He married, November 15, 1845 Miss Caroline A. Lovie; they had four children : John Cozzens, Caroline, Benjamin Hammett and Thomas Mumford, Jr. He married, March 30, 1879, Miss Mary Seabury Tilley; they have one son, George Tilley Seabury.  Biographie Index

SHEFFIELD, William Paine, Jr., City Solicitor of Newport, was born in Newport, January 1, 1857, the son of William Paine and Lilias White (Sanford) Sheffield.    He is descended on both sides from the early settlers of New England, and both families have been settled in Rhode Island since the early days of the colony, and have held various positions of trust and responsibility in the colony and state.   He received his early education in the private schools of Newport and graduated with honor from Phillips Andover Academy in 1873.   He graduated from Brown University in the class of 1877.  He studied civil and Roman law in the law school of the University of Paris, France, and prepared for the bar in the office of his father, Hon. Wm. P. Sheffield, and at the Harvard Law school.   He was admitted to the Rhode Island bar in March 1880, and located in Newport, where he has since been actively engaged in general practice.    He was elected City Solicitor of Newport in 1891 and holds that office at the present time.   Since arriving at age he has been actively interested in public affairs. He was a member of the School Committee of Newport from 1885 to 1894, and a portion of the time its Chairman. He was State Commissioner on the affairs of the Narragansett Indians 1880-1884, and aid-de-camp on the staff of Governor Wetmore with the rank of Colonel, 1885-87.   He was a member of the House of Representatives from Newport, 1885-87, 1889-90, 1894-96. He is a Director of the Redwood Library, and its Secretary for thirteen years ; a Trustee of the Newport Hospital, the People's Library, the Savings Bank of Newport, and connected with other charitable and financial institutions.   He has been especially interested in education, and in promoting thorough, progressive and practical methods of instruction.   Since 1882 he has been interested in the subject of manual training, and in 1886 in association with others instituted and maintained in Newport private instruction for boys in woodworking. He has also been an advocate for a system of manual training in the public schools.  He married, October 16, 1889, Miss Mary Stevens Burdick; they have three children : Margaret Burdick, William Paine and Mary Morse Sheffield.  Biographie Index

WARD, Abner Herbert, dairy and poultry farmer, Middletown, was born in Middletown, September 6, 1854 is the son of John B. and Ann S. (Sherman) Ward. His ancestors on both sides were of old Rhode Island families, and on his mother's side were members of the Society of Friends. He received his early education in the public schools of Middletown and Newport.   Later he attended East Greenwich Academy and graduated from a commercial college in 1878.   He worked for his father on a dairy and stock farm for several years before starting for himself.   He commenced the business of dairy and poultry farming in 1880, and has conducted it successfully ever since, supplying a large number of the principal summer residents of Newport with milk, cream and eggs.   He has been a member of the Town Council of Middletown since April 1884, and President of that body since 1892.  He was elected a Representative to the General Assembly in 1893 and re-elected for successive terms since.   He is a member of Coronet Council Royal Arcanum, of Aquidneck Grange Patrons of Husbandry, and is Treasurer of Chapter 666, Middletown, Epworth League.   In politics he has always been a Republican.   He married, February 24, 1880, Miss Annie Medora Brown of Middletown, at Whitehall Farm, the former residence of Bishop Berkeley : they have four children : Helen M., A. Sadie, Charles H., 2nd, and Medora May Ward.  Biographie Index

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