Biography of Gerald M. Richmond

Gerald M Richmond
Gerald M Richmond

One of the most highly respected bankers and business men of Providence, Rhode Island, during his active years was the late Gerald M. Richmond, of the firm of Richmond, Dorrance and Company. His knowledge of the financial world, his interest in his clients and his sagacious and honest advice for their economic welfare, and his straightforward and attractive personality brought to his office large and small investors, men and women of every type, whose confidence he won and kept. His was an important and constructive role in financial progress in Providence.

Gerald M. Richmond was born in Providence, January 12, 1876, son of Walter Richmond, who was born in Providence, July 27, 1839, he the son of George Martin and Anna (Eddy) Richmond. The first wife of Walter Richmond, and the mother of our subject, was Julia Coggeshall Anthony, after whose death Walter Richmond married Amy Ross. The son grew up in Providence, receiving his education at Mowry & Goff’s private school, at the Worcester Academy, and at Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts, where he was a member of the class of 1897. He received the degree of Civil Engineer at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The business career of Mr. Richmond began in the office of Stone and Webster in Boston, with whom he advanced to the position of Providence representative. After his resignation from this company, he formed a partnership with Herbert R. Dorrance for the purpose of handling investment securities. He was very conservative and well-informed, and he advocated security, with small but dependable interest from safe investments. The firm of Richmond, Dorrance & Company prospered and attained a lofty reputation for probity and wisdom. The personality of Mr. Richmond, forceful, dignified, yet friendly, contributed much to the success of the business and to the large and loyal patronage enjoyed by the firm. He belonged to the Board of Trade and to several clubs, including the Agawam Hunt, the University, the Noonday Gub, and the East Side Skating Gub, as well as the Technology Gub of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island Amherst Alumni Gub. He was also a member of the Alpha Delta Gii Fraternity, the scholarly Phi Beta Kappa, and the Providence Atheneum. He attended the First Congregational Church in Providence.

Gerald M. Richmond married, on June 28, 1913, at Northampton, Massachusetts, Isobel S. Bryan of Charlottesville, Virginia; they were the parents of three children: Gerald Martin, Jr., Joseph W., and Martha M.

The death of Mr. Richmond, October 31, 1923, at the early age of forty-seven, cut short a career filled with worthwhile achievements and bright with promise for the future. To all who knew him or knew of him, he seemed an unusually fine man, honest, upright, keenly intelligent, and idealistic. His memory is imprinted deep in the social and business life of Providence and lends inspiration to all who knew and honored him.

Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.

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