Herbert A. Capron — One of the well-known men in the automobile industry in Rhode Island, is Herbert A. Capron, president of the Auburn Motor Car Company of Rhode Island, distributors of the Auburn and Cord cars for this State.
He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on January 2, 1885, son of Herbert A. and Ellen P. (McCloy) Capron. His father, a native of Wrentham, Massachusetts, was for many years engaged in the jewelry business, and later was in the automobile business until his death. The mother, Mrs. Ellen P. (McCloy) Capron, was born in Providence, where she still makes her home (1931). In the public schools of this, his native city, Herbert A. Capron received his early education, and also attended the English High School. In 1903 he entered the automobile business, becoming associated with his father in sales and service work connected with the Franklin automobile. They were the first to sell Franklin automobiles in the State of Rhode Island. He and his father continued this agency until 1905, when they became the representatives of the Pope automobiles, handling these cars until 1914, when Herbert A. Capron went with the Cadillac Motor Company as salesman. Here he remained until 1915 and the following two years he was in the used car business. In 1920 he became associated with Robert W. Powers and Company, distributors of the Hudson and Essex cars. Five years later, in 1925, he was made sales manager of this company, and continued in this position until 1929, when he made a change and became distributor of the Auburn and Cord cars for the State of Rhode Island. This company, which operates under the name of the Auburn Motor Car Company of Rhode Island, has as its officers: Herbert A. Capron, president; C. C. Darling, vice-president; G. P. Metcalf, vice-president; E. T. H. Metcalf, vice-president of sales and service; and Gardner Martin, Jr., treasurer. The company has a sales and service station at No. 91 Broadway, Providence.
Mr. Capron is a member of Nathanael Greene Lodge, No. 45, Free and Accepted Masons; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Providence Council, No. 1, Royal and Select Masters; Calvary Commandery, No. 13, Knights Templar; also Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Shriners’ Club. He also is affiliated with all bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, including the Rhode Island Consistory, where he attained the thirty-second degree. He is a member, too, of the Rhode Island Automobile Dealers’ Association and the Narragansett Boat Club. Mr. Capron’s politics are Republican and he believes in the policies and principles of that party. His religious faith is that of the Protestant Episcopal Church, his parish being St. Martin’s.
Herbert A. Capron married, in 1912, Charlotte Smith, a native of Johnston, Rhode Island, now deceased. By this union there were the following children: George B., and Barbara N.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 4 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.