Rhode Island Genealogy

Connected for some thirty-three years with the Newport Fire Department, Mr. Lawton has been its chief since 1927. Under his very able and efficient direction the Newport Fire Department has been maintained on a very high plane of preparedness and efficiency, and Mr. Lawton ranks high among the city’s public officials. Joseph S. Lawton was born in Newport, February 22, 1871, a son of Edward N. and Frances (Wilson) Lawton. His father, likewise a native of Newport, was successfully engaged in the fishing industry. He is now living retired. He was a veteran of the Civil…

Rev B Marenchino Five years of active work as pastor of St. Rocco’s Church of Thornton, Rhode Island, have served to win for Rev. B. Marenchino the deep regard and the hearty cooperation of his people. St. Rocco’s parish was organized in 1905, with Rev. Belliotti Dominic as its first pastor. Father Belliotti Dominic labored a year organizing and starting the parish on the road of progress, building the church and establishing its societies, and then was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Gotti, who remained in charge from 1903 to 1918, for fifteen years. During that time…

Since 1920 Rev. Cornelius J. Holland has been the able pastor of St. Charles’ Church of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. St. Charles’ parish is the oldest Catholic parish in northern Rhode Island. As early as 1828 Rev. Robert D. Woodley visited Woonsocket and said mass in the house of Walter Allen, a generous Protestant, for the ten Irish Catholics who were then living in the town. That house, a two-story Colonial structure in Great Road, known as the Osborne House, is still standing (1930). Father Woodley’s ministry to this district ceased in 1831. During the next ten…

Cashier of the Centreville National and Savings Bank at Centreville, Rhode Island, J. Robert Abramson has risen to this position through the merit of his services in the institution with which he is connected. Though still a young man he is well known in financial circles of this section. Mr. Abramson was born on June 8, 1897, at Warwick, Rhode Island, a son of Charles A. Abramson, a carpenter, and of Ida J. (Johnson) Abramson. Both his parents were natives of Sweden. The son, J. Robert Abramson, received his education in the public schools of the…

Henry Manchester Boss Jr Henry Manchester Boss, Jr., United States District Attorney for the district of Rhode Island and a member of the law firm of Boss, Shepard & McMahon, leading attorneys of Providence, has made an enviable reputation in his profession since he was admitted to practice before the Rhode Island bar in 1900. He has served efficiently in the public office to which he was appointed April 24, 1929, prosecuting offenders against the law of the State with fearlessness and forcefulness, but the public has watched his work with complacency rather than surprise, for…

A native of New York State, but since his early childhood a resident of Rhode Island, Mr. Bradley was during the earlier part of his career identified in various responsible positions with several of the leading manufacturing companies of Kent County. Eventually, he became a member of one of the leading insurance firms of Kent County, becoming the secretary and treasurer. He enjoys not only a high reputation in business and financial circles, but has been exceptionally prominent and active in fraternal affairs. Effectively active in church work, Mr. Bradley, by the extent and variety of…

A native and lifelong resident of Rhode Island, Mr. Halliday has been connected with the Providence post office for almost a quarter of a century. From his first position as a substitute clerk he has been advanced at different times to positions of ever-increasing importance and responsibility until he became superintendent of mails. His long experience in the various branches of the local post office made him especially well qualified to fill his present position. He is generally regarded as one of the most efficient, as well as popular, executives of the local post office. For…

A descendant of the first white man to settle in what is now Westerly and himself a native and lifelong resident of that place, Mr. Stanton is widely known not only as a member of one of the pioneer families of his native town, but also because of his prominence in the business, civic, fraternal and social life of Westerly. The owner of a successful painting and decorating business founded by his father and for many years connected with one of the leading banks, Mr. Stanton is regarded as one of the representative business men of…