Biography of G. Kenneth Earle

Identified throughout his entire business career with the textile industry as a cotton merchant, Mr. Earle has for many years been one of the best known cotton merchants of Providence.

G. Kenneth Earle was born at Valley Falls, Rhode Island, April 28, 1882, a son of George T. and Ada (Ide) Earle. His father, now deceased, was also a native of Valley Falls, where he was engaged as a florist until his death. Mr. Earle’s mother, still living, is a native of Norton, Massachusetts. Educated in the public schools of Central Falls, Mr. Earle graduated from the Central Falls High School in 1901. Immediately afterwards he became associated with the Arthur C. Almy Company, of Providence. In 1903 he was made treasurer of this company and in 1919 he purchased the business. Since then he has continued it, as the sole proprietor, under the name of G. Kenneth Earle Company, with offices located at No. 4 Market Square, Providence. Mr. Earle is also secretary of the Personal Finance Company, of Providence, and a member of the Corporation of the Peoples Savings Bank, of Providence. To what a degree he is regarded as a leader in the business, with which he has been connected for so many years, is indicated by the fact that he is chairman of the Cotton and Cotton Products Committee of the New England Shippers Advisory Board, secretary and treasurer of the Providence Cotton Buyers Association since its organization in 1912, a member of the board of the New England Cotton Buyers Association, and member of the Southern New England Textile Club. Other organizations in which Mr. Earle maintains active membership include the following: Providence Chamber of Commerce, of which he is a director; Rhode Island Country Club, and Squantum Association in both of which he is a governor; St. Andrew’s Country Club; St. Andrew’s Chapter, of which he is a past president; and Palestine Shrine Club. For many years prominently active in Masonic affairs, he is also a member of numerous Masonic bodies, including the following: Union Lodge, No. 10, Free and Accepted Masons; Pawtucket Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Pawtucket Council, Royal and Select Masters; Holy Sepulcher Commandery, Knights Templar; the various bodies of the Scottish Rite, up to and including the Consistory in which he has attained the thirty-second degree, and Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of which he was Potentate in 1927. He is also a member of the Royal Order of Jesters. In politics he is a supporter of the Republican party. At one time he served for four years as a member of the Central Falls School Board. He is now a member of the Governor’s Railroad Committee. During the World War Mr. Earle served as State Inspector for the American Protective League and also as a member of the Military Intelligence for the State of Rhode Island. His religious affiliation is with All Saints Memorial Church.

Mr. Earle married, in 1918, Maud M. Burt, a native of Taunton, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. Earle have no children.

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

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