Owner and operator of the Center dale Pharmacy, at North Centerdale, Rhode Island, Charles Francis Gilson is a man of thorough training and wide experience in this field. His present enterprise is one of the important business establishments of the community, and one of the best of its kind in this part of the State.
Mr. Gilson was born at Providence, Rhode Island, on May 2, 1892, son of Thomas and Annie (Maher) Gilson, both now deceased. The father, born in Portland, Oregon, was engaged as a machinist until the time of his death. The mother was a native of Ireland.
Charles Francis Gilson was educated in the Providence public schools, and having determined early upon his career, he then entered the Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, from which he was graduated in 1910. Upon the completion of his education, Mr. Gilson began active work in his profession in the employ of H. L. Swindle, of Providence, with whom he remained for three years. Then for one year he worked with the Colonial Drug Company in that city, after which he came to Centerdale as an associate of John A. McKenna, in his drug business here. Three years later, Mr. Gilson returned to Providence and took a position with the Blanding and Blanding Drug Company. Finally in 1915, three years later, he was able to purchase the drug business formerly owned by Charles A. Keller of Centerdale, and has continued this enterprise at North Centerdale under the name of the Centerdale Pharmacy. Mr. Gilson is sole proprietor of this business, which he operates with every success, supplying a fine pharmaceutical service to the community.
In other phases of local life, Mr. Gilson has also been active. He has been a member of the School Board of the town of North Providence, while since 1924 he has been tax collector, and since March, 1929, town moderator. To these offices he has given the same energy and ability which brought him his own business success. Politically, Mr. Gilson supports Republican principles and candidates, being chosen to his present public offices as the standard bearer of this party. Mr. Gilson and his wife attend St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church of this place. His hobby and chief diversion is golf. Fraternally, he is affiliated with Providence Lodge, No. 14, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, with the North Providence Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, and with St. Lawrence Council of the Knights of Columbus. Mr. Gilson is also a member of the Rhode Island Town Criers; the Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Association, of which he is past president; the Centerdale Business Men’s Association, the American Pharmaceutical Association, the Lions Club, and the Highland Country Club.
In 1929, Charles Francis Gilson married Josephine B. Case, who was born at Fall River, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Gilson maintain their residence at North Centerdale.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.