Biography of Albert H. Daly

Starting an independent retail food business in Providence in 1915, with a force of thirty clerks, Albert H. Daly conducted the industry with such ability that it prospered from its inception and today is one of the largest and finest establishments of its kind in Rhode Island and requires approximately two hundred employees to handle its trade. Mr. Daly’s success is due to a combination of industry, keen intellect, courage in the face of intense competition and small profits and an unaltering determination to prove to the public the value of pure foods offered at the lowest possible prices. During the years he has given this proof in substantial measure, as has been illustrated by the constantly growing trade with which his establishment has been favored.

He was born in Dalton, Massachusetts, May 22, 1885, a son of Peter F. Daly, a native of Ireland, who came to this country in his youth and here became a successful building contractor, and Mary (Connelly) Daly, a native of Dalton, both deceased. Educated in the public schools and completing the high school course, Albert H. Daly began his business career in the grocery trade in Dalton, following it for five years and then undertaking the study of hotel operation in its foodstuffs department. In 1908 he became associated with the Mohican chain of markets as buyer of fruits and vegetables for the store in Brockton, Massachusetts, and later was entrusted with the establishment of fruit and vegetable departments in the Springfield, Massachusetts, and New Haven, Connecticut, stores. In 1909 he was made manager of the Mohican store in Norwich, Connecticut, remaining in that capacity for five months and then being transferred in a like capacity to the Springfield store. This was followed by the management of the stores in New Haven and Scranton, Pennsylvania, until 1910, when he left the chain stores and came to Providence. Here he leased the fruit and vegetable department of the Diamond Market on Weybosset Street and continued to conduct that enterprise with growing success until 1915, when he organized the Weybosset Pure Food Market. This establishment occupied some four thousand square feet of floor space, which served until 1917, when fifty per cent, more space was added to meet the requirements of the increased trade. It dealt in meat, fruit, vegetables and groceries and continued to prosper, still more floor space being added in 1919 and again in 1924, in which last noted year it attained its present size, with complete equipment to handle the large business. It is one of the largest markets in the State and uses fifteen delivery trucks to take care of the city and suburban custom. The officers of the company are: Albert H. Daly, president and treasurer; Timothy J. Sullivan, assistant treasurer; M. I. Daly, secretary. Its president is independent in his political leanings and a member of the St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church. He is a director in the Lincoln Trust Company and a member of the Providence Chamber of Commerce, the Catholic, Town Criers, and Metacomet Golf clubs and of the New London, Connecticut, Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Albert H. Daly married, in 1912, Margaret I. Sullivan, a native of Norwich, Connecticut, and they are the parents of five children:

  1. Albert H., Jr.
  2. Mary Lillian.
  3. W. Norbet.
  4. Donald C.
  5. Paul.

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

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