Collection: Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy

For forty-four years George H. Corliss was a resident of Providence, where he invented and developed the steam engine that today is known throughout the civilized world by the name of its creator. He has been named as the man who did more for the development of the steam engine than any other individual in the history of the country. His fame was world-wide and his activities throughout his life were devoted to this one purpose. His loss to the commercial world was irreparable and language unequal to expressing the void that was created in inventive circles when he passed. … Read more

President and treasurer of the Brown and Sharpe Manufacturing Company, of which his father was one of the founders, Henry D. Sharpe came to this business as a young man and later succeeded to executive control. Under his guidance the high standards of excellence always associated with the company name have been carefully maintained, while the varied mechanical product has found even wider sale in the markets of the world. The Sharpe family is one of the older families of New England, Robert Sharp, the American progenitor, coming from England to Massachusetts in 1635, and settling at Brookline. His descendants … Read more

Dauntless ambition and determination to make a place for himself in the ranks of one of the most exacting professions were the instruments employed by Claude Cuthbert Ball, of Providence, to attain a wide reputation as an able member of the bar of Rhode Island. No easy road to fame was set before the youth who had made up his mind to a certain end and the difficulties were many, but in his blood are the elements that make failure impossible, for they include indefatigable industry, a keen mind and an ability to absorb knowledge in intricate detail. These attributes … Read more

A native of Connecticut, Mr. Dooley, at the beginning of his career, for a number of years served as chairman of the Board of Assessors of the city of Hartford. Next he was for some twelve years a national bank examiner for the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island. He resigned this position, in order to accept the vice-presidency of one of the leading financial institutions of Providence. Nine years later, in 1908, he became president of another Providence bank, the National Exchange Bank, one of the oldest banks in Rhode Island, of which he continued to be the head. … Read more

Federal judge for the district of Rhode Island and a lawyer whose previous career well qualified him for this office, Ira Lloyd Letts has been a familiar figure in Rhode Island life for the past ten years. He was born at Cortland, New York, on May 29, 1889, a son of George J. and Emma (Slater) Letts. His father was a farmer for many years at Cortland, and later at Moravia, New York; he is now living retired from active pursuits in the latter town. Emma (Slater) Letts, his wife, is a member of an old Connecticut family. Ira Lloyd … Read more

Contributing to the financial strength of the monetary system as represented in Rhode Island, Albert Reid Plant, president of the Blackstone Canal National Bank of Providence, is one of the most favorably known of the financiers of the State. He has been connected with that institution for more than forty years, rising from one position to another until he reached the place of executive, in which he has had a larger opportunity to exhibit his talents in practice of his profession. Born in Providence, in 1873, Albert Reid Plant is the son of Joseph F. and Catherine E. Plant. Having … Read more

Equipped with a comprehensive college education and otherwise intellectually developed by exploration in unusual corners of the earth, by personal contact with internationally prominent personages and broad experience in the publishing field, John Revelstoke Rathom was one of the foremost journalists and authors in America. For the last seventeen years of his life he lived in Providence, from whence his literary contributions to current history emanated and brought him fame throughout the country and even in foreign lands. He was particularly gifted with a power of expression that carried his thoughts directly and effectively to the reader’s mind, while his … Read more

Members of the Providence bar join with the laity in advancing the favorable professional reputation attained by Thomas Francis Cooney in his achievement of success during a period of practice that already approximates thirty years. Born in Cranston, Rhode Island, October 21, 1873, Thomas Francis Cooney is the son of James and Bridget (Sheil) Cooney, his father deceased, and the mother making her home with her son. From the public schools of Cranston he passed to La Salle Academy in Providence. From the academy he went to Boston University Law School. He was graduated, June 6, 1900, with the degree … Read more

Mercantile advance in Providence and throughout the territory dominated by its influence has been markedly aided through the efforts and enterprise of Walter Reid Callender, president and treasurer of the Callender, McAuslan & Troup Company, one of the largest and most important department stores in the State. Mr. Callender is also connected officially or in a directorial capacity with other business concerns and with institutions of a philanthropic and educational character. He is a former commissioner of police of the city of Providence. Born in Providence, February 28, 1872, Walter Reid Callender is the son of Walter and Ann Oswald … Read more