CAMPBELL, Frank A., Postmaster of Woonsocket, was born in Providence, July 6, 1858, son of Patrick and Jane (Mercer) Campbell.   His early education was acquired in the public schools and La Salle Academy, in his native city. Following his school-days he worked at tailoring for a time in Providence.   In 1879, he came to Woonsocket, where the following year he established himself in the merchant-tailoring business.   He served as Tax Collector in the years 1886-7, and in December of the latter year was appointed Postmaster by President Cleveland.   In this capacity he served a term of nearly five years, when, the opposing political party having secured control of national affairs, he was superseded   by   a   Republican   official. Mr.  Campbell retired from office, temporarily as it afterwards proved, with a record that had never been surpassed in the Woonsocket postmaster ship, for efficiency, intelligent personal supervision of every detail of the work, uniform courtesy and general satisfaction.   He secured additional mails for Woonsocket, among them a much-needed but hitherto denied outgoing Sunday mail, and also secured a new and handsome location for the office in the new Longley Building, and fitted up the new quarters in accordance with the latest improved designs of post-office furnishings.   Under his administration many new rules were adopted, and were continued in force by his successor.   On account of his record, when a change of national administration again occurred, and once more the Democracy came into power, Mr. Campbell's reappointment was favored and strongly urged, not only by his friends in his own party, but by business men of both parties.  There was a warm contest for the office, but Mr.  Campbell had besides his other support the unanimous endorsement of the Democratic State Central Committee, and in June 1893 he was reappointed Postmaster by President Cleveland.   Mr. Campbell was married, in March 1883, to Miss Delia Burke of Woonsocket. Biographie Index

CHAPIN, Charles Value, M. D., Superintendent of Health for the city of Providence, was born in Providence, June 17. 1856, son of Joshua Bicknell and Louise (Value) Chapin.   He is of well-known and highly-respected Rhode Island ancestry, his father having been a practicing physician of repute in Providence, and for many years Commissioner of Public Schools for the State of Rhode Island. He received his early education at the well-known English and Classical High School of Providence, and graduated from Brown University in the class of 1876 with the degree of A. B.   He adopted medicine as a profession, and after studying for a year in the office of Dr. George D. Wilcox, a distinguished physician of Providence, attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons and Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York, graduating from the latter institution in 1879. He at once received the appointment of House Physician to Bellevue Hospital, where he served until October 1880, when he returned to Providence, where he established a successful private practice.  He was appointed Professor of Physiology in Brown University in 1883, where his lectures and methods of instruction received high approval.    Dr. Chapin had given much attention to questions of public health and municipal sanitary management, and in 1884 he was elected Superintendent of Health for the city of Providence, which position he has continuously held to the present time, his executive ability commanding the warm  approval of the citizens, and his reports attracting the attention of distinguished scientists in municipal sanitation. In 1888 he was elected City- Registrar.     He was librarian  and  pathologist of  the Rhode Island Hospital from 1882 to 1886, and is now one of the Consulting Physicians. He is also a consulting physician at the Providence Lying-in Hospital. In 1891-92 he was Director of Physical Culture at Brown University. He is a lecturer at the School of Sociology in Hartford, Conn.; is a fellow of the Rhode Island Medical Society, and a member of the Providence Medical Association, of which he was President in 1894; and is a member of the American Academy of Medicine, the American Public Health Association, the American Statistical Association, and the Association of the Massachusetts Board of Health. He is the author of the following essays, which received the award from the Fiske fund of the Rhode Island Medical Society: " The Sympathetic Nerve, its Relation to Disease," 1880; "Origin and Progress of the Malarial Fever now prevalent in New England," 1884; " Present State of the Germ Theory of Disease," 1885 ; " Methods and Practical Results of the Treatment of the Malarial Disease now prevalent in New England," 1886 ; " What Changes has the Germ Theory made in the Means for the Prevention and Treatment of Consumption?" 1888. He has also published: "Some Points in the Etrology of Scarlet Fever," 1889 : "Disposal of Garbage in the City of Providence," 1893; "Purification of Public Water Supplies," 1893; and Reports on Public Health, and Births, Deaths and Marriages in Providence. Outside of his office Dr. Chapin has not taken part in public life. He was married, May 6, 1886, to Miss Anna Augusta Balch; they have one son : Howard M., born May 11, 1887. Biographie Index

COLWELL, Wilmarth H., architect, Providence, was born in Providence, July 24, 1849, son of John W. and Hannah (Wing) Colwell. His ancestor, Robert Colwell, the first of the name in this country, came from England. His father, John W. Colwell, was a Freewill Baptist Clergyman and for many years pastor of the church in South Providence.  In 1852, the Rev. Mr. Colwell's church was struggling under a burdensome debt, and the pastor being offered a good salary for his services as school-teacher on the Pacific Coast, he was induce. to accept the position by the prospect of thus securing the means to pay off the church mortgage. He accordingly started for California, but died on the passage, as a result of exhaustion and fever brought on by caring for the sick passengers of the steamer Monumental City. His death left the wife and mother with seven children, the eldest thirteen; of these three are now deceased, one being the late Rev. John W. Colwell, a Congregational clergyman of Barrington, Rhode Island.  Wilmarth, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public primary and in private intermediate and high schools of Providence. After graduation he went into the dry goods business and continued about four years, and was then apprenticed to Charles P. Hartshorn, a prominent architect of Providence. He studied with Mr. Hartshorn three years, and then went to Boston where he served as draughtsman for a time in different architectural offices. In 1873 he returned to Providence and started business for himself, establishing his office alone, and continuing in that relation ever since.  Mr. Colwell's professional skill and reputation are not limited nor directed to any particular class of work or school of architecture. His work is scattered all over the state, and comprises business blocks, manufacturing buildings, of which the American Electrical Works may serve as a good example, and churches, including the two Jewish synagogues in Providence and several small church edifices; but his principal work has been in the designing and construction of dwellings, of which he has built nearly eight hundred in the city of Providence and elsewhere throughout Rhode Island.   His designs are original, pleasing and practical, and his work is noted for its modern and pretentious results accomplished at moderate and economical cost. Mr.  Colwell lives in the house in which he was born, and outside of his family his life is thoroughly devoted to his profession.   He is, however, an enthusiastic Republican in politics, and has attended every election-return meeting in Providence since the Fremont campaign, but has never sought nor accepted public office.   He was married, February 25, 1874, to Miss Ida F. Horton, of Providence; they have six children : Carrie L., Henry H., Wilmarth H., Jr., Chester R., Florence D. and Lillian H. Colwell. Biographie Index

 ECCLESTON, Alvin Herbert, M. D., Providence, was born in North Stonington, Conn., November 26, 1858, son of Latham Hull and Harriet Elizabeth (Burdick) Eccleston. His paternal ancestry is English, county Cheshire, and his maternal ancestors, also English, were among the first settlers of Rhode Island. . He received his early education in the public schools of his native town and at Hopkinton Academy, Ashaway, Rhode Island, entered the Albany Medical College and graduated in the class of 1880 with the degree of M. D. He commenced the practice of his profession in Rhode Island in the summer of 1880, and obtained an extensive and lucrative practice in Washington county. In 1892 he removed to Providence, where he has since practiced. During his residence in Washington county he was a member of the Town Council of Richmond, and Chairman of the School Committee for five years.   In 1889 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of the General Assembly and served two years.   In 1890 he was appointed by Governor Ladd a member of the State Board of Health.   In 1S92 he was commissioned an Examining Surgeon for the United States.   He is Surgeon of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, and is Major and Surgeon of the United Train of Artillery, Rhode Island Militia.   He is a member of the Rhode Island  Medical Society and of the Washington County Medical Society, and is a member of Charity Lodge, A. F. & A.   M.,   Franklin   Royal Arch Chapter, Narragansett Commandery, Providence Consistory Thirty-Second degree. Northern Jurisdiction, also of  Mechanics Lodge, I. O O. F., and Niantic Encampment.    Dr. Eccleston is also a member of the Rhode Island Sons of the American Revolution. Biographie Index

EVERSON, Edward W., of Providence, contractor for public works, was born in Manlius, Onondaga County, N. Y., July 14, 1847, son of  William and Adaline D. (DeLamater) Everson.  He is of Dutch ancestry on the paternal side, and of French Huguenot on the mother's, and his progenitors settled in New York city and in the Mohawk Valley before the Revolution. He was born and bred on a farm, was educated in the common schools, and from the age of nineteen has been actively employed on public works of varied character. Since 1873 be has been in business for himself, as a general contractor, and has had an extensive experience in New York, Ohio, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine and Canada. Mr. Everson has executed large sewer work in Akron and Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo and Yonkers, N. Y.; Providence, R. I., and Boston, Mass. He has the best known appliances for such work, which he performs by modern methods in part exclusively his own, and with thoroughness and despatch.   At present he is at work on a contract for building Section Two of the Boston Rapid Transit Subway, through Boston Common.   He has lately completed a heavy contract at  Pawtucket, R. I., for building a dam and   power station  for  the  Bridge  Mill Power Company, to which the builder may justly point with pride as an enduring example of his work. In 1894  Mr. Everson organized the Narragansett Improvement Company, of Providence, of which he is the Secretary, Treasurer and General Manager, to lay sheet-asphalt pavements in New England, with principal office at 17 Custom House street, Providence.   The company have paved Broadway, Pine street, Washington Row and the Red Bridge in Providence with Trinidad Lake sheet-asphalt, on a six-inch base of cement concrete, and the people of the city are now beginning to appreciate the good qualities and superior merits of a noiseless, smooth and impervious pavement, while wheelmen are enthusiastic  in  its  praise.    The  strongest surety companies write guarantees for long terms of years on this form of pavement, which is rapidly succeeding all other kinds wherever it is once laid and the people experience its advantages, not  the least among which is its cheapness, as it is claimed that it can be laid and kept in good order for less money than any other pavement. At all events it has never anywhere been replaced by any other pavement, and is rapidly superseding all others. To Mr. Everson belongs the chief credit for the introduction of this valuable modern pavement into Providence and neighboring towns. In politics Mr. Everson is a Republican. He was married, October 21, 1875, to Henrietta Cady Liddle, of Duanesburgh, N. Y. Biographie Index

FARRELL, John T., M. D., Providence, was born in Webster, Mass, September 11, 1858, son of Thomas and Catherine (Thompson) Farrell.  His parents were natives of Ireland, and came to this country when children; they are still living.  His early education was acquired in the public schools of his native town, and after leaving the high school he entered a large dry goods store, where he rose in course of time from the position of store-boy to that of confidential clerk. His school days were marked by evidences of ambition, energy and executive ability, and during summer vacations he published a small local paper, which yielded him some financial returns.   An especial interest in physiological study awakened in his high-school course developing as he reached manhood, he relinquished promising mercantile opportunities to enter Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.  There after a three years course he graduated in April 1886, and a month later came to Providence and opened an office at 1913 Westminster street, where he has remained, and by earnest application and an early-gained reputation for professional skill has established a large practice. Dr. Farrell is a member of the American, Rhode Island and Providence medical associations, and served as delegate from the Rhode Island Society to the meeting of the American Association in Atlanta, Ga. He is also a member of the Providence Press Club and Ancient Order United Workmen, and Medical Director of the Knights of Columbus, Good Fellows, Foresters and Catholic Benevolent Legion. He is also Medical Examiner for the Massachusetts Mutual and other insurance companies, and has served as Town Physician of the town of Johnston. In national politics he is a Democrat of the free trade and sound money order, but in local affairs he is independent. Dr. Farrell was the eldest of five sons; and of his four brothers, Dr. Henry W. Farrell is associated with him in practice, the Rev. James J.  Farrell is located in Everett, Mass., Dr. Geo. L. Farrell is a physician in Maiden, Mass., and Thomas Farrell is a lawyer in Providence Dr. John T. Farrell was married, July 14, 1892, to Miss Mary A. Quinn of Providence; she died June 21, 1894. Biographie Index

FISHER, George Russell., physician and surgeon, was born in North Scituate, R. I., May 28, 1852, the son of Charles Harris and Sophia Remington (Smith) Fisher. His father was a surgeon, and at his death was Secretary of the State Board of Health, and for many years represented Scituate in the General Assembly. On his mother's side he is descended from the West family, one of whose members was Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island; her grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He received his early education in the common schools and Lapham Institute, Scituate. He entered Brown University and graduated in the class of 1872. He adopted medicine as a profession and studied at Bellevue Hospital and at the Yale Medical school. He established himself as a physician in Scituate, where he was town physician from 1876 to 1879. He was Assistant Surgeon General from 1876 to 1881, and on May 6, 1895, was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the United Train of Artillery.  He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, of Roger Williams Lodge, A. F. & A. M. of Centreville, R. I., and of the Order of United Workmen. He married, December 6, 1886, Miss Annie Wilkinson Hale; they have no children. Biographie Index

FULLER, Myron Holley, General Manager of the Providence Coal Company, was born in Hampton, Windham county, Conn., September 21, 1844, son of Elisha S. and Esther E. (Chester) Fuller. His ancestors on both sides settled in Windham county at a very early period, and were noted for being long-lived people, most of them reaching the nineties and many exceeding that age by from two to six years; his mother died in 1805, aged eighty-five, and his father is now living at eighty-seven. His education was that of the country school, never having had any other except that which he has "picked up" himself. He worked on the farm until the age of eighteen, and in September 1862 came to Providence, where he secured a situation in a boot and shoe store as clerk.  He worked a year in the store, when the proprietor sold out, and after remaining with the new one two months he hired with Bangs Williams as entry clerk.  After a little over a year in this position he transferred his services to the business in which he has ever since been engaged. This was in 1865, and the business was conducted by Henry C. Clarke, for many years one of the prominent merchants of Providence. In 1870 Mr. Clarke sold out to Tucker, Swan & Company, who in 1878 were succeeded by the firm of Tucker & Little, and in 1880 the growth and transfers of interests in the business, which had meanwhile grown to extensive proportions, resulted in the organization of the Providence Coal Company, of which Mr. Fuller was made General Manager in 1881. Mr. Fuller has therefore been identified with the business over thirty-one years, through all its successive changes first as book-keeper, later in charge of the financial affairs, and finally as General Manager of what is now one of the largest coal distributing institutions of Rhode Island. Notwithstanding the magnitude of the business over which he presides, Mr. Fuller finds time to devote to other business interests, as well as to political affairs and social life. Since 1880 he has been connected with the firm of Royce, Allen & Company, manufacturers of jewelry novelties, and he is Treasurer of the Nelson's Improved Seamless Filled Ware Company, an enterprise started early in 1896. In 1890 he was elected Alderman from Ward Six, and served successively in 1891-2-3-4, and was again elected in 1896. He is a Thirty Second Degree Mason, and a member of What Cheer Lodge and St. John's Commandery Knights Templar, also of Eagle Lodge of Odd Fellows, and the Athletic, Press, Union and Country clubs. He has also served as Commissary of the United Train of Artillery for the last two years. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Fuller was married, May 20, 1869, to Miss Sarah A.  Martin, born in Camden, Alabama, a daughter of William P. Martin of Providence; they have one child: Edward Martin Fuller. Biographie Index

GARDINER, Aldridge Bissell, retired manufacturer. Providence, was born in Wickford, R. I., May 25, 1826, son of Beriah and Elizabeth (Hammond) Gardiner, being next to the youngest of eighteen children. His American ancestors for four generations were named Nicholas Gardiner, and the family originally came from Poole, England.  He received his early education in the common schools and at Wickford Academy, and at the age of thirteen joined his elder brothers in following the sea. After a couple of years of seafaring life he came to Providence and apprenticed himself with Hunt &: Owen, manufacturing jewelers, and remained with them nine years. In 1866 he entered into copartner ship with Josiah W. Richardson, in the jewelry business, under the firm name of J. W. Richardson & Company. This copartner ship continued until the death of Mr. Richardson in 1881, when his son, George H. Richardson, succeeded him. In 1893 Mr. Gardiner retired from the business, disposing of his interest to Mr.  Richardson and two of the clerks in the office.  The business is still carried on under the old firm name in Providence, with offices in New York, and has been very successful. For a long time they were the only concern in New England making a specialty of society emblems.   Mr. Gardiner was for ten years an active member of the First Light Infantry, and since then a member of the Veteran Association up to the present time. He is prominent in Masonry, being a member of St. John's Lodge and the oldest Mason in the lodge, also a member of Providence Royal Arch Chapter, Providence Council Royal and Select Masters, St John's Commandery of Knights Templar, Rhode Island Consistory Thirty-second   Degree   Scottish Rite, and Palestine Temple Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He has the honor of being the first man to be made a Knight of Pythias in Rhode Island. He is also a member of the West Side, Pomham and Athletic clubs of Providence.  In politics he is a Republican.   Mr. Gardiner was married, June 14, 1854. to Miss Agnes D. Jackson of Rockaway, Morris county, New Jersey; they have had three children: Annie R., now Mrs.  Frank T. Pearce, Laura C., now Mrs. C. M. Lee, and John J. Gardiner, who died in his seventeenth year. Biographie Index

GARDINER, Jeremiah Briggs, Superintendent of the Stonington Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, was born in South Kingstown, R. I., July 15, 1831, son of Henry and Mahala (Briggs) Gardiner. He obtained his early education in the common schools of his native country district, until the age of fourteen, when he came to Providence. In 1849, then a lad, he was induced by Governor William Sprague, Senior, his friend and adviser, to go on the ship William Sprague and learn navigation, with the purpose of fitting himself for a ship-master. He was absent at sea two years, making a voyage around the world.  In the fall of 1850, the ship being then at Manila, the young man of twenty was appointed master for the remainder of the voyage, and brought the vessel home to New York, arriving in February of 1851.  But sea life was not in accordance with his health or inclinations, and he decided to abandon it for transportation business on shore. Soon after the close of his first and only sea voyage, he was appointed to a position in one of the subordinate departments of the New York, Providence & Boston Railroad, where the fidelity and intelligence with which he served the interests of the company and the public secured him rapid promotion. Advancing from one position to another toward the higher grades, he was in 1869 appointed Superintendent of the Neptune Line of steamers running between Providence and New York. After four years or more of efficient service in this office he was chosen, in 1873, Assistant Superintendent of the New York, Providence & Boston Railroad, and five years later was elevated to the position of Superintendent. The Providence & Worcester Railroad having been leased to the New York, Providence & Boston Company, this road, thereafter known as the Worcester Division, was in 1889 also placed in charge of Mr. Gardiner, and so remained until 1892, when the entire property was leased by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company.  The New York, Providence & Boston Railroad became known as the Stonington Division of the New York, New Haven & Hartford, and Mr. Gardiner remains Superintendent of that division. In 1873, Mr. Gardiner was appointed Agent of the Stonington Steamship Line, which position he held for a number of years in connection with his railroad duties.  In addition to the foregoing executive offices, he was in 1888 made Superintendent of the Newport & Wickford Railroad and Steamboat Company, which position he held until 1894. Mr. Gardiner is a man of genial nature and strong character, and is of the comparatively few that seem to find the station in life best fitted to their tastes and talents. He has mastered the details of his business from the beginning, and having rare executive ability, and thoroughly understanding human nature, he has acquired or originally possessed the happy faculty of handling men judicially, or in other words, for the best interests of the great road and the greater traveling public whom he alike serves. He was married, April 11, 1852, to Miss Eliza Antoinette, daughter of Tolland and Rhoda Ann Benson; they had five children, of whom only two are now living Antoinette Augusta and Granville S. A. Gardiner.  Mr. Gardiner was married a second time, April 23, 1896, to Miss Cecilia Augusta Potter. Biographie Index

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