Ambitious beyond what heights might have been reached in association with established mercantile enterprises, Sylvester M. Budlong, of Providence, after a long period in the employ of a manufacturing establishment, founded his own independent business and within fifteen years has reached a prominent position in the local industrial field. His activities have also included participation in public affairs and he has held office to the satisfaction of the community and to his own credit. In fraternal circles he is well established and popular and in the esteem of the people holds a high place.
He was born in Providence, Rhode Island, June 17, 1885, the anniversary of the famous battle of Bunker Hill, a son of Robert E. Budlong, also a native of Providence and a manufacturing jeweler until his death here in 1916, and of Edith M. (Merrill) Budlong, of Scituate, Rhode Island. His education was attained in the public schools and at Mowry and Goff’s School, upon completion of which he became associated with the manufacturing jewelry concern of S. K. Merrill Company. He was made secretary of this establishment and remained in its employ from 1902 to when
he withdrew and established himself in writing general insurance, locating at No. 17 Exchange Street, Providence, where he still retains his offices. He is general agent here for the Great American Indemnity Company of New York and for the Merchants’ Mutual Casualty Company of Buffalo, New York. Republican in politics, he has served as chairman of the Republican Town Committee of Lime Rock and for three years was a member of the Lincoln Town Council. He attends the Free Evangelical Church in Hope Street, Providence. He is fraternally affiliated with Harmony Lodge, No. 9, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which he is Past Master, and since 1915 has been its treasurer. He is also a member of Harmony Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, of which he is Past High Priest; member of Providence Council, No. 1, Royal and Select Masters; Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar; member of the Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Masons, and serves as second district deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Rhode Island. He also belongs to the Pawtuxet Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and was treasurer of the building committee of Harmony Lodge of Masons. He is allied also with the Rhode Island Association of Insurance Agents and with the Providence Insurance Association.
Sylvester M. Budlong married, in 1905, Bertha F. Lawton, of Barrington, Rhode Island, and they are the parents of two children: Kenneth L., born in 1907, deceased in 1914; Harriet L., born in 1913.
Mr. Budlong is a lineal descendant of Lieutenant Mumford Davis, who served in the War of the Revolution in the First Regiment of Rhode Island under command of Colonel Holden.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.