Providence

For a period of thirty-five years the Hon. Frank Fenner Davis, of Chepachet, Rhode Island, has been active in the public life of his town and State. In thus giving his career to the service of the people and the advancement of the public welfare, he has achieved a notable record of success, and the positive value of his achievements have added much to the progress of the State. Mr. Davis was born at Glocester, Rhode Island, on January 1, 1873, a son of Gilbert H. and Abigail Alverson (Briggs) Davis. He is a descendant of the ancient and eminent … Read more

Chairman of the board of managers of the Industrial Trust Company at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, E. Charles Francis has occupied a distinguished place in this city’s affairs for many years. Aside from his personal interests, he has given his services freely in public life. Colonel Francis was born at Utica, New York, on September 6, 1851, a son of Eben and Mary (Hunnewell) Francis, the father a minister in the Universalist Church, and chaplain of the 127th New York Volunteers during the period of the Civil War. As usual in a minister’s family, Colonel Francis’ boyhood years were passed in … Read more

Secretary and treasurer of the Woonsocket Trust Company since its organization, William E. La Fond has given his entire life to banking and finance, and in this field has risen to high position in Rhode Island. Mr. La Fond was born in Manitoba, Canada, in November, 1890, a son of Ernest P. and Maria T. (McCarthy) La Fond. His father was a farmer for many years, and both parents are now living retired in North Smithfield, Rhode Island. When he was still a child, William E. La Fond came with his parents to Woonsocket and in the public schools of … Read more

A lifelong resident of Woonsocket, and its mayor from 1926 to 1930, J. Hector Paquin has been an important and familiar figure in city affairs for many years. His career includes such varied activities as newspaper reporter and editor, banking official and city clerk, and also from 1926 to 1930, in addition to his civic duties, he retained his position as manager of a broker’s office. Mr. Paquin was born in Woonsocket, on April 14, 1890, and received his education in local schools. While still a boy he decided upon a newspaper career and, for one year, during 1907 and … Read more

Chief executive of the State of Rhode Island, Governor Norman Stanley Case, now (1931) serving his third term, has been a familiar figure in its public life for the past ten years. He was born at Providence, on October 11, 1888, a son of John Warren and Louise Marea (White) Case, the father a gold and silver refiner by occupation, and a member of the school committee at Providence for several terms. He was a man of considerable local prominence. Norman Stanley Case attended the Providence public schools. He was graduated from Federal Street Grammar School in 1900, from Classical … Read more

For more than forty years Thomas Zanslaur Lee, who died in Providence, Rhode Island, April 13, 1931, carried on the practice of law in Rhode Island courts. He held a distinguished position among the members of his profession, and by his efforts built up a large practice. Mr. Lee was born at Woonsocket, Rhode Island, on September 26, 1866, a son of Thomas and Eleanor M. Lee, the father a merchant. He attended Woonsocket public schools, including the high school, and was later graduated from St. Bernard’s Academy and from Boston University. He early determined upon the practice of law … Read more

President of Brown University for a period of thirty years, Dr. William Herbert Perry Faunce was one of the most distinguished of American educators and a figure of genuine prominence in the nation’s life. As a minister he was one of the most liberal and able in the Baptist faith. As an educator and administrator he guided Brown in its development from a provincial New England college to a leading university of the country. His writings and public utterances won him a reputation for fearlessness and demonstrated his enlightened devotion to the finest principles of thought and conduct, as well … Read more

The Church of the Holy Trinity, Central Falls, Rhode Island, is fortunate in having for its pastor the able leader and distinguished writer, Monsignor John F. Sullivan, D. D., who has been in charge here since 1912. Holy Trinity Parish of Central Falls was formed from portions of St. Patrick’s Parish, Valley Falls; Sacred Heart Parish, Pawtucket; and from a portion of the parent parish of the first two, St. Mary’s of Pawtucket. Land was purchased in July, 1889, more was bought that same year, and on September 15, 1889, the cornerstone of the church was laid. The building was … Read more

Long active in the work that he had chosen and followed in his career, William Eaton Foster had been, since 1877, librarian of the Providence Public Library, of Providence, Rhode Island. He also held numerous other positions in this field of human endeavor, and in all of them performed, like most members of his craft, duties which have won all too little respect and admiration from his fellowmen. For, routine workers though librarians appear to be, they are more than that; they have within their handling the knowledge of the centuries, all that has come down from ancient times in … Read more

Descended from a long line of patriotic and professional men who served well their respective generations, William Bates Greenough, distinguished member of the Rhode Island bar, has filled, among other offices of a public character, that of Attorney-General of the State. He has also discharged several important commissions. His rise in the legal profession has been steady and sustained in the nearly two-score years of his practice; and he is a former vice-president of the American Bar Association and is at present a member of the Executive Committee. Providence recognizes him as one of the foremost of her citizens, one … Read more