ALMY, Herbert, attorney-at-law, was born in Providence, February 25, 1851, the son of Humphrey and Amey Ann (Chase) Almy.   He came of well-known and respected Rhode Island ancestry.  He received his early education in the public schools of Providence, and was fitted for college at Merrick-Lyon's University Grammar School. He graduated from Brown University in the class of 1873. He adopted the law as a profession, and was a student in the office of the late Wingate Hayes and the present Chief Justice Matteson He was Assistant Clerk of the Supreme Court from December 1876 to April 1885, since which time he has successfully practiced his profession in Providence. He is not a member of any societies or clubs, and has taken no part in public life. He married, February 21, 1884, Miss Lydia F. Kelton; they have four children : Bertha K., Carrie W, Ada F. and Marion Almy.  Biographie Index

AMES, George Henry, D. M. D., of Providence, was born in Foxboro, Mass, April 24, 1848, son of Benjamin Keath and Sarah Durbey (Carpenter) Ames. The family has been long prominent in the history of New England; it came originally from Somersetshire, England, in the person of William Ames, born at Burton, October 6, 1605, who settled at Braintree, Mass., very early in the planting of New England, and from a large and excellent posterity descended. The first English settler died in Braintree, January 11, 1654. Dr.  Ames's parents came to dwell in Providence in 1855, and young Ames was entered as a pupil in the Providence schools, where the foundation of his education was laid; subsequently the young student was entered at the Lapham Institute, which institution had succeeded the Smithfield Academy, then among the most distinguished of the secondary schools in New England. After graduation from this institution young Ames was sent to Biddeford, Me., where he entered the office of Thomas Haley, D. M. D., for the purpose of acquiring some practical knowledge of the science of dental surgery.  One year was spent in this pursuit, until the autumn of 1870, at which time young Ames entered the Dental School at Harvard University, where he pursued the full course two years, and was graduated February 14, 1872. Doctor Ames then opened an office in the town where he was born, Foxboro, Mass., for the practice of his profession. At the end of a year, in May 1873, reopened a second office, the latter in Butler's Exchange in Providence, R. I.; but he still accepted appointments at Foxboro, making weekly visits to that town for that purpose.   In the meantime the requirements of practice which developed at the Providence office so fully occupied his time that the visits to Foxboro were forced to be abandoned. In 1874 he entered into partnership with T. D. Thompson, D. D. S., the two surgeons joined offices, and for three years, until September 1877, this business arrangement was continued. In September of that year, he succeeded to the business of William B. Dennis, D. D. S., whose office was then at No. 17 Mathewson street, Providence. Here Dr. Ames developed one of the finest practices of dental surgery which had been known in that city. In 1879 he visited Europe, partly for rest and pleasure, and partly in pursuit of the further development of his profession.  In 1888 he removed to his elegant and admirably fitted quarters on Snow street, which were especially fitted with every appliance that modern science had developed for the skilful practice of dentistry, and where a liberal share of the best patronage has fallen to his lot. Dr. Ames married first, June 26, 1872, Miss Myra Hatton, of Port Clyde, Me.; one son, Reginald Mountford Ames, was born of this marriage; Mrs. Ames died January 1, 1879. His second wife was Miss Isabel Brownell, daughter of Stephen and Henrietta (Hunt) Brownell. The Doctor and Mrs. Ames are active in all the best society movements in Providence. He has long been connected by membership with several of the leading clubs and societies of Providence, in which pleasing relations he finds that rest and recuperation which the severe practice of his profession necessitates. Biographie Index

ANTHONY, Charles Wilfred, architect, was born in Providence, May 19, 1854, son of Henry E.  and Lucy Dudley (McKnight) Anthony. He belongs to the Anthony line so long prominent and well known in Rhode Island. He received his early education in the public schools of Providence, and was a student in the classical department of Mowry & Goff's Classical School in that city. He adopted the profession of architecture, and for a number of years has been a member of the firm of Anthony Brothers, architects, of Providence. Mr.  Anthony is well known and his original and unique designs for buildings have met with high commendation and attracted favorable notice outside of local circles. He leads a quiet bachelor life and is a congenial, companionable man to meet, being possessed of an ample fund of information in general, as well as on professional subjects, that enables him to acceptably entertain his friends as well as his clients. In politics he is a Republican, and has always been a thorough advocate of sound financial measures. Biographie Index

BALLOU, Colonel Daniel R., attorney-at-law, was born at Smithfield, R. I, August 6, 1837, eldest son of the late Arnold and Roxa (Ross) Ballou.  He is a lineal descendant of Maturin Ballou, who settled in Providence about the year 1646. According to the best authenticated information Maturin Ballou was a native of England and a descendant of the famous Norman chieftain, Guinebond Belleau, a field marshal of William the Conqueror at the battle of Hastings, in 1066. Descendants of this ancestor are found in the different counties of England and Ireland, where they have long enjoyed distinguished heritage and honors.  He received his early education in the public and private schools of his native state and completed his student life at Brown University. Upon leaving college he at once entered on the study of the law at Providence and was admitted to the bar in May 1864. He was largely dependent upon his own resources, and passed through the usual experiences incident to a young man striving for an education.  Among the most valuable experiences of his earlier days were those incurred during the eight winters spent in teaching school in the country and " boarding round " the district. He commenced the practice of the law in Greenville and North Scituate, in 1864, and continued in business there until 1867, when he was elected Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for Providence county, which office he filled until the spring of 1875, when he retired, declining a re-election. He then resumed the practice of law in Providence, and has continued in active practice ever since. His son-in-law, Clifford S.  Tower, is associated with him in professional business, under the firm name of Ballou & Tower.  Colonel Ballou served as a Representative in the General Assembly from his native town of Smithfield, to which office he was elected in 1865 and was returned in 1866 and 1867. He represented the city of Providence in the General Assembly in 1882, and was defeated at the next election, but was returned again in 1884. He resigned in the fall of that year in consequence of increasing professional business. During this term in the General Assembly he was Chairman of the Committee on Corporations. He represented the Seventh Ward in the City Council of Providence during the year 1886, but the next year he declined a re-election.  He has also served on the School Committee of the city of Providence. He was elected Alderman from the Ninth Ward in the fall of 1891, and occupied a seat in the Board during the years 1892-93-94, and was honored by his associates who elevated him to the position of President of the Board, in which capacity he served during the years 1893 and 1894. In 1890 he was nominated for the office of Attorney-General by the Republican State Convention ; he reluctantly and with grateful appreciation of the distinguished honor, declined to accept, on account of the pressure of professional business.  In 1862, during the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, a nine-months regiment, and was promoted to a Lieutenancy. He was engaged with the regiment, which was in General Nagle's brigade, General Sturgis' Division of the Ninth Corps, in the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 12th and 13th, 1862, in which battle the regiment suffered a loss of 109 men, killed and wounded.   He accompanied his regiment when it was transferred to the Department of Ohio, under General Burnside, in 1863, where it performed arduous and valuable service in holding Morgan and his guerrillas in check in Kentucky. On his return home from the army, he was commissioned by Governor James Y. Smith, Colonel of the Seventh Regiment Rhode Island Militia, which had been armed and equipped in anticipation of active service. Colonel Ballou has been prominent in the Grand Army of the Republic, having filled nearly every position in the gift of the Department of Rhode Island, and during the past year, 1895, he held the position of Department Commander. He is a member of the Massachusetts Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and is also a member of the Providence Athletic Club and the Providence Bar Club.  In politics he has been a life-long Republican and has taken an active part in every national campaign from the nomination of General Fremont, in 1856, to the late Presidential election. He married Miss Ellen R. Owen of Scituate, Rhode Island, daughter of Benj. and Betsey Owen; this union has been blessed with two daughters : Leonora L., who is the wife of Dr. Jacob Chase Rutherford, a prosperous physician of Providence, and Fannie R., the wife of Clifford Sayles Tower, the associate of Colonel Ballou in professional business. Biographie Index

BARRY, William Francis, M. D., of Woonsocket, was born in Woonsocket, November 11, 1872, son of Michael and Catherine (Ryan) Barry. His early education was acquired in the public schools, and after attending the Woonsocket high school for a year he entered the high school at Franklin, Mass., from which he graduated in 1887. He adopted the profession of medicine, and graduated with honors from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore in 1893. Dr. Barry was appointed and served for one year as Resident Physician at St.  Joseph's Hospital, Providence, and in  1896 was elected Consulting Physician to that institution. He is a fellow of the Rhode Island Medical Society, having been elected in 1895, and is a member and local examiner of the society of Knights of Columbus. Biographie Index

BAXTER, John James, physician and surgeon, Woonsocket, son of Charles and Elizabeth (McQueeney) Baxter, and grandson of Michael Baxter, was born in Providence, June 23, 1860. After graduating from Lasalle Academy, Providence, in 1876, he entered the mercantile office of B. B. & R.  Knight, as a clerk, and remained in their employ until 1881. Having accumulated sufficient money for a professional education, he began to read medicine in 1881, at Providence, under William F.  Hutchinson, M. D. He attended two winter and one summer courses of lectures at the University Medical College, New York City, and was graduated in March 1885, being president of the class and among the honor men in the final examinations.  He has practiced medicine at Woonsocket since April 1885. Dr. Baxter is a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society, the Rhode Island Medico-Legal Society, the Woonsocket Medical Society, the Ancient Order of Foresters and the Catholic Knights of America. He has been secretary of the board of pension examining surgeons at Woonsocket since 1891, a member of the staff of the Woonsocket Hospital since 1888, Medical Examiner of District 6, State of Rhode Island, and is medical examiner and physician to the secret societies of which he is a member. He is a tenor vocalist of considerable reputation. He married, June 2, 1886, Miss Jennie C. Furlong, of Providence, R. I.; they have three children: Thomas Furlong, Rosa and John C. Baxter. Biographie Index

BEANE, George Frederick Aldrich, general teaming, coal, and wood business, was born in North Scituate, R. I., October 24, 1849, the son of Constant Cook and Olive L. (Aldrich) Beane.   His ancestor, William Pitt Beane of Meredith, N. H, married Annie Cook of Scituate, daughter of Constant Cook, a descendant of the brother of Governor Cook, one of the first governors of Rhode Island.  His father Constant C. Beane was born in Pomfret, Conn., and married Olive L. Aldrich, born in Scituate, a descendant of David Aldrich of South Kingston on the father's side and on the mother's of Thomas Angell, one of the five settlers who came with Roger Williams   to Providence.   She is a cousin of Hon. James B. Angell, ex-Minister to China.   He received his early education in the district schools, at Lapham Institute, North Scituate, and at Schofield's Commercial College, Providence.  He entered the office of the Franklin Manufacturing Company, Merino village, October 16, 1865, as clerk, and Horace Beane's market, Fall River, in the same capacity in 1868.   He returned to the Franklin Company in 1871, and in 1872 entered the employ of Rice & Hayward, bakers, Providence.  In 1873 he engaged in the real estate business in Providence under the firm name of Peirce & Beane.  In 1874 he started in the egg business, and is now engaged in the general teaming and coal and wood business in his present location in Olneyville. He has been a highway surveyor, member and President of the Town Council, State Senator from 1890 and 1892, Town Moderator in 1894 and 1896, and was Chairman of the State Highway Commission, appointed by Governor H. W. Ladd, in 1892. He was Chairman of the Republican Committee of the town of Johnston from 1887 to 1890, and a member of the State Central Committee in 1891-92. He is ex-foreman of the Rough and Ready Fire Company of Johnston. He has been President of the Olneyville Business Men's Association, and of the Fruit Hill Detecting Society.   He is a member of Nestell Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Providence, and of Scituate Royal Arch Chapter, P. G. of Manufacturers' Lodge and P. C. P. of Woonasquatucket Encampment, and is a Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Encamp-ment of Rhode Island, I. 0. O. F. He married, June 14, 1870, Miss Abby Louisa Angell, who died in August, 1887 ; they had children: Louisa A., Josephine A., William Henry and George Frederick. He married, January 1, 1893, Mrs. Ida Louise McAllister, nee Marshall, of Bear River, Nova Scotia. Biographie Index

BRUCE, Henry Jewett, M. D., Pascoag, was born in Webster, Worcester county, Mass., November 8, 1849, son of Winsor and Huldah (Webster) Bruce. His father was a native of Dover, Vt., and his grandfather was Abijah Bruce, formerly of Milford, Mass. His mother was born in Woodstock, Conn., of the same stock as Noah Webster of dictionary and spelling-book fame. Henry's early education was obtained in the public schools of his native town. Having gone through the college preparatory course, he afterward took up the scientific course, and graduated in 1869. Following graduation he engaged in surveying and civil engineering, having an office with the Town Clerk of Webster, and devoted his spare time to reading law. In the spring of 1871 he began the study of medicine, under the tutorship of Dr. E. G. Burnett, of Webster, and attended the following winter term of the College of Physicians and Surgeons (the Medical Department of Columbia College), New York, after which he took the two following courses at the Long Island Hospital College, from which he received his diploma in June 1874. In company with an old schoolmate, Albert Howard, he opened a drug store in Webster, and also engaged in practice in his native town : but after a time, as the business did not pay very well, he sold out and went to Olneyville, R. I, where he spent the winter, and in the spring of 1877 took up his residence in Pascoag, about twenty miles from Providence. He had been a resident of Pascoag about a year when his father, mother and sister, who were all in poor health, came to live with him. They took a house and lived very comfortably, considering their condition of health, but in December 1879, his mother, who had been an invalid for more than twenty years, died; in June following, his father, who had been suffering from a spinal disease for about six years passed away, and a week later occurred the death of his sister. During all the family sickness Dr. Bruce had personally taken upon him most of the care of the sufferers, besides attending to quite a busy practice, and when it was all over he succumbed to the long continued strain and was compelled to lay aside the most of his practice for over two years on account of nervous prostration.  Dr. Bruce has always been a Republican but has never held political office. He has been many times importuned to serve as a candidate for election to the Town Council but has always refused. In 1878 he was appointed Superintendent of Schools, and filled the position two years, when he resigned. He has devoted much time and earnest work to influencing the public mind in favor of good roads, and is happily beginning to see some of the results of his labors in this direction. He is a member of the Masonic order of Knights Templar. In 1881 Dr. Bruce married Mrs. Lydia Bailey, a widow with three children mostly grown up, the youngest about fourteen years, with whom he is still living; he has no children. Biographie Index

BURBANK, Robert Willard, attorney-at-law, Providence, was born at Koloa, island of Kauai, Hawaiian Islands, September 14, 1856, son of Samuel and Mary A. (Morse) Burbank. He is descended from New England ancestry, the family having been residents of the state of Maine. He prepared for college at  the Friends' Boarding School in Providence and entered Brown University, from which he graduated in the class of 1878.  After graduation he commenced the study of the law in the office of Mowry & Comstock, and was admitted to the bar November 29, 1880. He established a successful practice in Providence and in 1888 was appointed Assistant Attorney General, holding the office for one year. In 1891 he was unanimously nominated for Attorney General of the State by the Republican Convention and held that office for three successive terms. Since that time he has continued in general law practice in Providence. In the municipal elect on of the city of Providence in November 1895, he was elected Alderman from the Second Ward on the Good Government Ticket, and now represents that Ward in the Board of Aldermen. In politics he is a Republican. He married, April 12, 1883, Miss Martha Anna Taylor; they have three children: Robert Taylor, Philip and Elizabeth Burbank. Biographie Index

CADY, George Waterman, architect, Providence, was born in Providence, August 27, 1825, son of Rev. Jonathan and Eliza (Pettey) Cady.  He comes of old New England stock, his ancestor, Nicholas Cady, having settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1645.   The family soon afterward removed to Killingly, Conn., where they were prominent citizens of the town for many generations.   He received his early education in the public schools and in the Lowell high school.   After his school education he was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade, and after some time in this work developed his studies in architecture, for which he had a natural taste and ability.   In 1860 he opened an architect's office in Providence, and has since, under the firm name of Geo. W. Cady & Co., done a large business in designing and superintending the erection of many important buildings.   He has always taken an active interest in military affairs and in the fire department.   He has been a member of the First Light Infantry Regiment from 1854 to 1895, and was an inspector on the staffs of Cols. Dennis, Goddard and Thornton.   During the war he was commissioned Major of the Twenty-second Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers, which was not called into the service.   In the Fire Department he was captain of a company from 1854 to 1870, and second President of the Providence Veteran Fireman's Association.   He is a member of the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, of the First Light Infantry Veteran Association, and of the Providence Art Club. In politics he is a Republican, but of late has not taken an active part in public affairs.   He married, July 20, 1846, Miss Mary Anna Burr of Providence; have   four  children:   Frederic Waterman, Porter, Annie Burr and George Milton Cady, latter associated with his father's firm. Biographie Index

CAPWELL, Remington Pendleton, physician and surgeon, Slatersville, was born in Phenix, R. I, January 5, 1872, the son of Edwin C. and Susan (Remington) Capwell. He is a nephew of Dr. Wm.  C. Monroe of Woonsocket, with whom he studied during his school term in that city.   He received his early education in the primary and grammar schools of Phenix and the high school of Woonsocket, graduating from the latter in the class of 1891. He entered the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York, and graduated in 1894. Dr.  Capwell established himself in practice in Slatersville, R. I., April 1, 1894, at the age of twenty-two, and has since remained there.   He is not married. Biographie Index

CARPENTER, Alva, iron manufacturer, Providence, was born in Seekonk, Mass., March 2, 1829, son of Jonathan and Leafy (Bourne) Carpenter, and a descendant of Albert Carpenter, who came over from England with the early Puritans.  He attended  the common schools until fifteen years old, and then spent two years in a cotton mill.   In 1846, at the age of seventeen, he was apprenticed to learn the moulder's trade with Thomas J. Hill   (now the  Providence Machine Company), and at the expiration of his term of service worked three years in a foundry at Mateawan, N. Y., returning to Rhode Island in 1850 and working two years in a foundry at Newport. In 1852 he entered the employ of the Corliss Steam Engine Company, remaining with them until 1865 and in September of that year started in the foundry business in company with Amos D. Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Carpenter, on Dyer street. The partnership continued until 1870, when they disposed of the business there and removed to Aborn street, Mr. Carpenter buying out Mr.  Smith's interest soon after and continuing the business alone.   In 1880 he took in Henry C. Bowen as partner, and they continued together until 1889, when the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Carpenter with his two sons building a new foundry in their present location on West Exchange street. On November 11, 1892, this foundry was entirely destroyed by fire.   The firm immediately rebuilt on the same site, and on a larger scale, and they have at present one of the best equipped foundries in the state, employing one hundred hands. Mr. Carpenter has never taken a very active part in politics, but has always been a staunch and consistent Democrat of the old school.   In 1892 he was elected and served as a Representative in the Rhode Island State Legislature for one year. He joined Roger Williams Lodge of Odd Fellows in 1874, received the highest honors of the Lodge, and in 1886 became a charter member of Mount Pleasant Lodge No. 45, I. O. O. F., of which he is still an active member.   He is also a member of the Pomham and West Side clubs.    He was married in 1854 to Miss Mary E. Allen of Attleboro, Mass.; they have five children: three sons, all married and having families, the eldest an Episcopal clergyman, rector of St. Mark's Church at Warren, R. L, and two daughters, residing with their parents in Providence. Biographie Index

CLARK, Henry Clinton, President of the Rhode Island Coal Company, Providence, was born in Providence, November 28, 1822, son of Sterry and Julia Ann (Morse) Clark. He came of good old New England stock, his grandfathers on both sides having been Revolutionary soldiers. His first American ancestors settled in Southbridge, Mass., where his father, Sterry Clark, was born. He received his early education in the public schools of Providence, commenced active business life in 1841 as a clerk in the employ of Jackson & Clark, and held that position until his admission into the firm, whose name was changed to Jackson, Clark & Company. The firm name underwent successive changes to S. Clark & Co., Clark & Coggeshall, Clark & Webb, H. C. Clark & Co., and later to the Providence Coal Company, as the head of which Mr. Clark has conducted one of the largest coal concerns in New England. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs, and has been influential with voice and pen both in and out of office. He was a member of the State Legislature, and of the Common Council of Providence from 1882 to 1885, and was a member of the Board of Aldermen in 1876. In 1892 and 1895 he was an independent candidate for Mayor. In politics he was originally a Whig, later a Freesoiler, and then a Republican. He is not a member of any society or club, preferring to devote his time to business and his family. On February 27, 1895, Mr. Clark presented to his native city a bronze statue of Ebenezer Knight Dexter, a philanthropist who gave his large property for the benefit of the homeless and the public. He was married, January 21, 1844, to Miss Martha E. Field, who died December 8, 1888 ; they had one child, a son : Harry C. Clark. He married, second, Miss Mary Caroline Phillips. Biographie Index

CLARKE, Charles Kendall, physician and surgeon, Fiskeville, was born in North Scituate, R. I,  January 9, 1851, the son of Daniel A. and Mary E.  (Harrington) Clarke.   He received his early education at the public schools and at Lapham Institute.  He adopted medicine as a profession, and studied at the Bellevue Hospital in New York, from which he graduated March 1874, with the degree of M. D.  He established himself as a physician at Fiskeville, in the town of Scituate, R. I., in 1875, where he has since remained in the enjoyment of a large practice. In addition to his professional work Dr. Clarke has been Superintendent of Public Schools and Assessor of Taxes in the town of Scituate.   He is a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society and of the Royal Society of Good Fellows.   In politics he is a Republican. He married, January 8, 1875, Miss Lizzie M.  Manter; they have had two children : Daniel A. and Mary M. Clarke; the latter died in January 1888. Biographie Index

COLT, Samuel Pomeroy, President of the Industrial Trust Company, Providence, was born at Paterson, New Jersey, January 10, 1852, the son of Christopher and Theodora (DeWolf) Colt.   On his father's side he is descended from the Colts of Hartford, Conn., his grandfather being Christopher Colt, and his uncle Samuel Colt (for whom he is named) was the inventor of the Colt's Revolver, and founder of the Colt's Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, Hartford, Conn.   His grandfather's brother was Peter Colt of New York, and his son was Roswell Colt of Paterson, New Jersey.   On his mother's side he is of the DeWolfs of Rhode Island. His grandfather was General George DeWolf, who, in 1810, built the colonial mansion at Bristol, R. I., the present summer residence of the subject of this sketch.   The De Wolfs were extensively engaged in East and West India trade in the early part of the century, and in privateering, in which they amassed large fortunes for those days.   James DeWolf, his great-uncle, was United States Senator from Rhode Island in 1821, and drove from Bristol to Washington with his own four-in-hand; the coach used is still preserved.   Henry Goodwin of Newport, R. I., Attorney-General of Rhode Island, 1787-1789, was also a great-uncle.    His great-grandfather was Gov. William Bradford, who was of the sixth generation from Gov. William Bradford of Plymouth Colony, who crossed in the Mayflower.   He received his early education from five to ten at New Hartford, Conn., ten to fourteen at Hartford, Conn., and afterward at Bristol, R. I., and Anthon's Grammar School, New York.   At eighteen he entered the Massachusetts   Institute  of Technology and graduated at twenty-one in 1873.   He passed a year traveling in Europe, 1873-74.   On his return he entered the Columbia Law School, New York, autumn of 1874, graduating in the spring of 1876, and was admitted to the New York bar May 1876.  He was admitted to the Rhode Island bar January 1, 1877. He was Aide-de-Camp on the staff of Gov. Henry Lippitt, with rank of Colonel in 1875-76-77. He was elected a member of the General Assembly from Bristol 1876-77-78-79, was Assistant Attorney-General of Rhode Island 1879-80-81, he was elected as the Republican candidate for Attorney-General of Rhode Island 1882-83-84-85.  After his term of office he again visited Europe. He founded the Industrial Trust Company, Providence, 1887, and reorganized the National Rubber Company of Bristol, 1888. He has been President of the Industrial Trust Company and National India Rubber Company since their organization. He is President of the National Eagle Bank and Vice-President of the First National Bank, of Bristol, also a Director, member of Executive Committee and Legal Adviser of the United States Rubber Company. He married, January 12, 1881, Miss Elizabeth M. Bullock, daughter of J. Russell Bullock, Ex-Judge of Supreme and United States District Courts of Rhode Island: they have two children : Russell Griswold, born October 1, 1882, and Roswell Christopher, born October 10, 1889. Biographie Index

CONLEY, John Edward, attorney-at-law. Providence, was born in Warren, R. I., September 7, 1868, son of Michael F. and Catherine (Dolan) Conley. His father died when he was about four-teen years of age, and he has been in a great measure dependent on his own exertions for success in life. He received his early education in the public schools of Warren and the Perry Business College of Providence. He attended Brown University for two years, after which he was bookkeeper and clerk until November 1885, when he entered the office of the Hon. George J. West, Providence, for the study of law. He was admitted to the Rhode Island bar July 29. 1889, and has since been associated with Mr. West in practice.   He has taken an active part in politics and public life.   He served as a clerk of the Committee on Corporations in the Rhode Island General Assembly in 1889-1890, and was elected Clerk of the House of Representatives for the political years 1893-94.   He has been Secretary of the Democratic State Central Committee for the past two years and still holds the office. He has also been Chairman and Secretary of the Democratic Town Committee of Warren for the past five years, and has held other offices of importance and responsibility in his party.   He is a good speaker, and occasionally writes for the current magazines and newspapers.   He served in the Rhode Island militia for over two years as First Lieutenant of Company A, Second Regiment, and was elected Captain in May 1892, resigning in February 1893.  He is President of the Catholic Club of Warren, is a member of Burnside Lodge Knights of Pythias, Bristol, R. I., of Massasoit Council Royal Arcanum, Warren, and a member of the Democratic Club of the city of New York.   He married, September 22, 1891, Miss  Esther J. Murphy;  they have two children : Gertrude and Esther Conley. Biographie Index

COOPER, Robert Wright, manufacturer, is a native of Manchester, England, born September 2, 1844, son of Francis A. and Maria (Wright) Cooper.  His paternal grandfather, Francis Cooper, came from Ripon, Yorkshire, England, where his forefathers lived for many generations.   On the maternal side, his grandfather, Robert Wright, was a Manchester merchant, originally from Coventry, Warwickshire, England.   His early education was acquired in private schools, principally Alms Hill Academy at Cheetham Hill, Manchester.   At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to a large dry goods firm in Manchester, where from the first his ambition to "get on" was manifested by diligence, punctuality-never being known to be late - and by paying very close attention to business. When seventeen years of age he commenced taking short trips as a commercial traveler, and at nineteen he made his first journey to New York. After several years of hard struggle he succeeded in working up a valuable connection with leading firms in the largest American cities, in English full-fashioned hosiery, representing manufacturers of Nottingham.  England, with whom he was associated, first as traveling salesman, later as partner, and finally establishing his own firm of R. W. Cooper & Co.  He continued his American trips for twenty-one years, crossing the ocean about one hundred times, and traveling an average of nearly twenty-five thousand miles a year, without ever meeting with an accident. About the year 1880 he began to lose his trade, the German manufacturers coming into the market with the same class of goods, but made by their cheap " pauper " labor, paying wages about one-third what he was paying in England, thus enabling them to undersell him in the American market. After several years of ineffectual struggling to meet the conditions arising from this German competition, he found that to save himself from ruin he must choose one of two things - move to Germany to secure the advantage of cheap labor, or move to America and get the benefit of the protective tariff.  He decided upon the latter. With the aid of New York friends he removed his machinery and skilled work people to this country, arriving with them December 24, 1884, in the village of Thornton, R. I., where a mill and cottages had been especially built for them by Charles Fletcher of Providence. They succeeded in making exactly similar goods in their new home to those they had made for so many years in England, hence the appropriate change in the firm name to British Hosiery Company, which was incorporated under Rhode Island state laws in 1885.   The industry thus brought here was entirely new in this country, and in their specialty - full fashioned cashmere hosiery- they are still (1895) alone in it.   The business has grown to four times the size of eleven years ago.   When they came to Thornton they found about two hundred inhabitants; now the village contains about fifteen hundred prosperous and contented people, some of the most  thrifty living in houses of their own.   They have two churches, large public school, city water, macadamized roads and electric cars from Olneyville.   Nearly all  Mr. Cooper's people, with himself, have become American citizens.   He has never held public office in this country, outside of the different societies in his village, as he is too busy a man in his private affairs, which after all may be termed public in a measure, inasmuch as upon their successful conduct depend the welfare and prosperity of a large and growing community. In England he was prominent in church and temperance work, holding office as Deacon in the church and as Vice-President in temperance societies in Nottingham. In politics he is not active, but is an adherent of the Republican party. His elder son, Oliver W., in his twenty-second year, is learning the business with him; his other son Augustus, is at school in Europe. Biographie Index

COVELL, William Henry, of Providence, merchant, was born in Killingly, Conn., January 27, 1836, son of Willis and Lydia (Perrin) Covell. His grandfather, Ebenezer Covell, was in the Revolutionary war, serving as body guard to General Washington; and his father, Willis Covell, was one of those who answered to the call for men in 1812.  His early education was obtained in the public schools and academy of Thompson, Conn., and East Greenwich, R. I. In 1858 he commenced farming in Thompson, Conn., and continued until 1861,when he took up the meat, poultry and produce business, and carried it on until July 1866. He then removed to Olneyville, R. I., and entered the grocery trade, in connection with R. S. Rouse, under the firm name of R. S. Rouse & Company, continuing to May 1871. In October 1871 he opened a new store in Olneyville under the name of Wm. H.  Covell & Company, continuing until obliged to close out on account of ill health. In 1878 he opened a store at No. 589 Atwell's Avenue, formerly the Cove Store, owned by the Richmond Manufacturing Company, in connection with S. N. Davis, under the old name of Wm. H. Covell & Company, where the firm now carries on the hay, grain, wood, coal, grocery and market business. Mr. Covell was a member of the Town Council of North Providence in 1873-74, and for several years was trustee of North Providence School District No. 8, now the Tenth Ward of the city of Providence. He served on the School Committee of Providence in 1878-80, was elected to the Common Council in 1883 and again in the successive six years 1888-93; was a member of the Committee on Highways six years and chairman four years; and served on the Railroad Committee three years, Finance three years, Lights one year and on Committee City Engineer's Department three years.  He was appointed in 1888 on a committee to purchase land for sewerage purposes, and is still acting in that capacity. He has also served upon committees to confer with owners of the shore between Hill's Wharf and Sassafras Point, relative to improved navigation; to examine and report relative to taxation upon special franchises; to confer with owners of real estate relative to the widening of Elmwood Avenue, and other important committees. He was elected a Representative to the General Assembly in 1886-87, 1891-92 and 1894-95, and in 1892 was appointed on a committee to examine into the condition of the roads and public highways of the State.  Mr. Covell is a Republican in politics, and belongs to the Young Men's Republican Club of Providence, and the Mount Pleasant Republican Club of the Tenth Ward. He is also a member of the Butchers and Marketmen's Association of Providence, and President of the Olneyville Business Men's Association. He was married June 2, 1858, to Miss Mary Jane Davis; they have four children : Agnes M., Alice L., Lucy F. and William H. Covell, Jr. Biographie Index

CROOKER, George Hazard, physician and surgeon, Providence, was born in Providence, February 25, 1865, son of Josiah Whipple and Eliza (Hazard) Crooker.    He is descended from old New England stock on both sides, the Crooker family of Richmond, New Hampshire, and the Hazard family of Wakefield, R. I., both very well known and distinguished for generations.   He received  his preparatory education in   Mowry & Goff's Classical School, Providence, from which he graduated  in 1883.    He then  entered Brown University, from which he graduated in 1887 with the degree of A. B., receiving that of A. M. in 1890.  He adopted medicine as a profession and entered the Harvard Medical School, from which he graduated in 1893 with the degree of M. D.   In 1890 he went to Europe to complete his education and spent two years in studying in Heidelburg, Vienna, Berlin, Dresden and London.    In the winter of 1892-93 he took a course of hospital work in Boston.   He began the practice of medicine in Providence in the spring of 1894.   He holds the positions of Externe of the Rhode Island Hospital and House Physician of the Providence Lying-in-Hospital. Dr. Crooker is a member of the Rhode Island Medical Society and the Providence Medical Association, also of the Providence Art Club and the Providence Athletic Association.   He is unmarried. Biographie Index

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