In the financial world of Rhode Island, Edward Russell Cutler has made notable advancement. He has worked up through the various grades to his present position of assistant manager of the Warren branch bank of the Industrial Trust Company of Providence. He is highly stationed in the Masonic fraternity, having proceeded into the Scottish Rite Consistory, and served as an officer of the subordinate bodies. For a quarter of a century he was a member of the Warren School Committee, and served as tax collector of that town for a number of years. He is also a prominent churchman-official of the Baptist denomination.
Mr. Cutler’s family background is one of the most desirable. His father, Hon. Charles Russell Cutler, born in Schenectady, New York, followed the sea as a captain of a merchantman in early life. Later he engaged in business as a textile manufacturer. He rose to leadership in political circles in Rhode Island, and was elected to the office of Lieutenant-Governor of the State, in which he served most acceptably for his single term. He was also one of the foremost members of the Masonic fraternity in this jurisdiction, having held the office of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of the State of Rhode Island. Lieutenant-Governor Cutler married Lydia Leonard Gushee, a native of the town of Warren, and now deceased. Of their son, Edward Russell, see further.
Edward Russell Cutler, son of Hon. Charles Russell and Lydia Leonard (Gushee) Cutler, was born in Warren, May 31, 1873. He passed through the grades and into the high school, where he completed his academic education. Direct from school he entered upon his career as a financier. In 1893 he was made a member of the staff of the National Hope Bank of Warren. The following year he accepted an invitation of the Merchants National Bank of Providence and remained a member of its force until 1900.
In the latter year, Mr. Cutler returned to his native town of Warren, having been elected to the offices of cashier of the National Hope Bank and treasurer of the Warren Trust Company. When these banks were absorbed, in 1904, by the Industrial Trust Company of Providence, his services were retained in the capacity of teller at the Warren branch. Since 1914 he has held the position of assistant manager of that branch.
In politics always Republican, Mr. Cutler is a seasoned public official of Warren, having served on the school committee from 1889 to 1914, and during that long period he was instrumental in making many improvements in the school system, its physical properties, curricula and faculties. The town will always be in his debt for his services rendered on that board. His quarter-century membership of the school administration embraced the years, May, 1900, to 1905, in which he served as town tax collector also, his efficiency having much to do with the successful financing of the municipal budget.
In fraternal affairs, Mr. Cutler is a Past Master of Washington Lodge, No. 3, Free and Accepted Masons; a Past High Priest of Temple Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons; a Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Webb Council, No. 3, Royal and Select Masters; a member of St. John Commandery, No. 1, Knights Templar; and of all the bodies of the Scottish Rite, inclusive of the Consistory. For fifteen years he has served the Warren Baptist Church as treasurer and is a strong pillar of the society’s spiritual and business activities.
Mr. Cutler married, in 1908, Marion B. Buckingham, born in West Barrington, and they are the parents of four children:
- Louise C., married Byron A. Waterman, of Warren.
- Charles Russell.
- Edward G.
- John W.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.