Biography of Frank Floyd Nolan

A native of Utah, but a resident of Newport during practically all of his life, Frank Floyd Nolan has been for many years, one of the leaders of the Newport bar. As a lawyer he has to his credit a successful career, covering more than four decades.

Frank Floyd Nolan was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, January 6, 1859, a son of James and Ellen (Welsh) Nolan, the latter, a native of County Cork, Ireland, and both now deceased. James Nolan was a native of County Carlow, Ireland, and for many years until his death was superintendent of the Old Colony Railroad at Newport. He was a veteran of the Civil War, in which he served with the 3d Regiment of Artillery. After the war he became a member of the Newport Post, Grand Army of the Republic. Frank Floyd Nolan came to Newport early in life, received his early education in the public grammar and high schools of this city and graduated from Rodgers High School. Later he attended Holy Cross College at Worcester, Massachusetts. He then read law in the office of the Hon. William P. Sheffield of Newport. Admitted to the Rhode Island bar in 1887, he has been successfully engaged in the practice of law in Newport since, with offices in recent years at No. 250 Thames Street. His standing in the legal profession is of the highest, and for several years he has been president of the Newport Bar Association. He is also a member of the Rhode Island State Bar Association since its formation. In politics Mr. Nolan is a supporter of the Democratic party and he has been active and prominent in his party’s work, being a member of the Democratic City Committee and of the Democratic State Central Committee. At various times he has also held important local public offices, having served for one year as city solicitor of Newport, for two years as clerk of the Newport Superior Court, and for four years as a member of the Newport School Committee. He is also a director of the Newport Beach Association. During the World War he was a member of the local legal advisory board under the Selective Service Act. He is a member of Newport Lodge, No. 104 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Newport Democratic Club, and the Newport branch of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, of which latter he is president. His religious affiliations are of the Catholic faith and he is a member of St. Joseph’s Church of Newport.

Mr. Nolan married, in 1891, Mary A. Carey, now deceased, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Nolan had one son, John H. Nolan.

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

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