An outstanding figure in Providence, Rhode Island, throughout his mature years was the late Henry Marsh, Jr., attorney and public official. He held many offices of educational and general significance and bestowed upon his duties a loyalty and integrity of spirit which placed him among the exemplary public servants especially esteemed by his community.
Henry Marsh, Jr., was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, September 20, 1849, son of Henry and Mary M. A. (Doane) Marsh. He was educated in the Providence public schools and graduated from Brown University in 1871 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He then read law and won his admission to the bar in 1874, continuing his studies until he commanded a wide range of information in law and passed his examinations to practice before the United States Circuit Court in 1876. As his ability and intelligence made themselves felt, he came to take a larger and larger part in the affairs of the community. He was deputy clerk of the United States Circuit Court and the Federal District Court from 1882 to 1892, and United States Commissioner from 1881 to 1908. In 1906 Mr. Marsh was clerk of the Municipal Court in Providence, and he was for a time Master in Chancery.
In the meantime, Mr. Marsh was participating actively in civic affairs. He was a member of the Providence School Committee from the First Ward from 1905 to 1925, and he was the oldest committee member from the point of view of service. He was highly esteemed in Providence, where he died January 22, 1929, at the age of seventy-nine.
Henry Marsh, Jr., married Mary Ida Gildersleeve, daughter of James Stewart and Harriet (Watson) Gildersleeve, and member of a distinguished Long Island family. Mrs. Marsh died February 4, 1908. A son survives, Henry Gildersleeve Marsh, whose record accompanies this (q. v.).
A modest man, in spite of his ability and the importance of his public offices, Mr. Marsh had a gentle and kindly spirit and rounded out a career which won him a permanent place in the affections and memory of his fellow-townsmen.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.