* * * * * *
The late Dutee Arnold, for several decades a notable figure in the life and affairs of East Greenwich, R. I., a well-known business man of the City of Providence, a widely-known inventor and promoter of mercantile enterprises, descended lineally through distinguished forebears from William Arnold, founder of the family in Rhode Island. He was born in Pontiac, R. I., September 4, 1820, on the old Arnold homestead which had descended from father to son in the family for several generations. He received his early education in the local schools, but at the age of fourteen years quitted his studies and secured his first employment in the business world as a clerk in a grocery store. Several years later, having familiarized himself thoroughly with business methods, and amassed a small capital, he established, in partnership with his brothers a shoe business in Providence. This venture proved highly successful but, however, failed to engage his entire attention or to afford the stimulus which his active mind needed. From earliest boyhood he had been deeply interested in mechanics, and had displayed great mechanical and inventive talent. In conjunction with his other business enterprises he continued his inventive experiments. The first invention which insured his success and placed him in a position of prominence in this field in Rhode Island was the Spicer & Peckham stove, now the widely-known Barstow stove. Mr. Arnold became the head of the company organized to manufacture his invention, and for several years was its manager, retiring only when ill health prevented him from engaging in active business duties. He was widely known in mercantile and manufacturing circles in the City of Providence, not only as a man of great inventive genius, but as an executive and organizer of great ability. Mr. Arnold was one of the founders of the Providence Wall Paper Company, and of the B. H. Gladding Company, and was connected in official and advisory capacities with many other business enterprises in the city. A man of keen foresight, thoroughly familiar with business conditions in the City of Providence, his judgment was often sought by men about to launch new enterprises. Unimpeachable honesty, and a high-principled sense of justice and equity, characterized his every dealing in the business world, and made him honored and respected by his friends and associates.
In 1868 Mr. Arnold purchased a large farm at Chepiwanoxet, R. I, whither he removed shortly afterward. At the same time he bought Chepiwanoxet Island, a tract of two and a half acres, which throughout his life time was thrown open to the public as a free camp ground for picnics. This site is now occupied by the Gallaudet Air Craft Corporation, of East Greenwich. Ill health necessitated his retirement from active business life and although he retained a minor portion of his large interests, Mr. Arnold spent the remaining years of his life on his farm. This he cultivated to some extent, but he maintained it largely for the rest and recreation which it afforded, and because he wished his children to grow up in the healthful rural atmosphere, loving nature and the great out-of-doors. After his removal to Chepiwanoxet he identified himself with the life of the town, and for more than fifteen years prior to his death was a beloved and respected member of the community. He interested himself early in school affairs, and for many years was a trustee of the Cowesett School. Mr. Arnold was active in church work, and a generous donor to all religious endeavors. He purchased old St. Luke's Episcopal Church to aid the congregation in erecting a new church. The transaction represented as absolute loss financially, for he subsequently disposed of the property by giving it away. His gifts to charity were very large. He was not the impersonal philanthropist, but the friend of the poor and needy, and he was a staunch believer in the principle of helping people to help themselves. Numerous small homes he erected at his own expense, and gave to needy families, furnishing land also for them to work. He was a tireless fighter in the cause of temperance. Mr. Arnold remained strictly outside the field of politics, although urged on numerous occasions to accept public office. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masonic order.
Mr. Arnold married (first), Mary E. Howard, daughter of the late Governor Preston Howard, of Rhode Island on 30 March 1846 in Cranston, R.I.. He married (second), Abbie Allen Potter on 15 June 1863 in Providence, R.I. The children of the first marriage were: 1. Nicholas. 2. Dutee (2). Dutee and Abbie Allen (Potter) Arnold were the parents of the following children: 3. Phoebe Potter, now the wife of George F. Brownell, of Providence. 4. Mary A.; on the death of her father, Mary A. Arnold succeeded him in his numerous philanthropic and civic endeavors, and has since carried on his work. 5. Harriet A. 6. Celia S., now Mrs. Eldridge C. Wheat, of Great Neck, L. I.
Dutee Arnold died at Chepiwanoxet, R. I., on July 26, 1886, in his sixty-sixth year.
The late Dutee Arnold, for several decades a notable figure in the life and affairs of East Greenwich, R. I., a well-known business man of the City of Providence, a widely-known inventor and promoter of mercantile enterprises, descended lineally through distinguished forebears from William Arnold, founder of the family in Rhode Island. He was born in Pontiac, R. I., September 4, 1820, on the old Arnold homestead which had descended from father to son in the family for several generations. He received his early education in the local schools, but at the age of fourteen years quitted his studies and secured his first employment in the business world as a clerk in a grocery store. Several years later, having familiarized himself thoroughly with business methods, and amassed a small capital, he established, in partnership with his brothers a shoe business in Providence. This venture proved highly successful but, however, failed to engage his entire attention or to afford the stimulus which his active mind needed. From earliest boyhood he had been deeply interested in mechanics, and had displayed great mechanical and inventive talent. In conjunction with his other business enterprises he continued his inventive experiments. The first invention which insured his success and placed him in a position of prominence in this field in Rhode Island was the Spicer & Peckham stove, now the widely-known Barstow stove. Mr. Arnold became the head of the company organized to manufacture his invention, and for several years was its manager, retiring only when ill health prevented him from engaging in active business duties. He was widely known in mercantile and manufacturing circles in the City of Providence, not only as a man of great inventive genius, but as an executive and organizer of great ability. Mr. Arnold was one of the founders of the Providence Wall Paper Company, and of the B. H. Gladding Company, and was connected in official and advisory capacities with many other business enterprises in the city. A man of keen foresight, thoroughly familiar with business conditions in the City of Providence, his judgment was often sought by men about to launch new enterprises. Unimpeachable honesty, and a high-principled sense of justice and equity, characterized his every dealing in the business world, and made him honored and respected by his friends and associates.
In 1868 Mr. Arnold purchased a large farm at Chepiwanoxet, R. I, whither he removed shortly afterward. At the same time he bought Chepiwanoxet Island, a tract of two and a half acres, which throughout his life time was thrown open to the public as a free camp ground for picnics. This site is now occupied by the Gallaudet Air Craft Corporation, of East Greenwich. Ill health necessitated his retirement from active business life and although he retained a minor portion of his large interests, Mr. Arnold spent the remaining years of his life on his farm. This he cultivated to some extent, but he maintained it largely for the rest and recreation which it afforded, and because he wished his children to grow up in the healthful rural atmosphere, loving nature and the great out-of-doors. After his removal to Chepiwanoxet he identified himself with the life of the town, and for more than fifteen years prior to his death was a beloved and respected member of the community. He interested himself early in school affairs, and for many years was a trustee of the Cowesett School. Mr. Arnold was active in church work, and a generous donor to all religious endeavors. He purchased old St. Luke's Episcopal Church to aid the congregation in erecting a new church. The transaction represented as absolute loss financially, for he subsequently disposed of the property by giving it away. His gifts to charity were very large. He was not the impersonal philanthropist, but the friend of the poor and needy, and he was a staunch believer in the principle of helping people to help themselves. Numerous small homes he erected at his own expense, and gave to needy families, furnishing land also for them to work. He was a tireless fighter in the cause of temperance. Mr. Arnold remained strictly outside the field of politics, although urged on numerous occasions to accept public office. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masonic order.
Mr. Arnold married (first), Mary E. Howard, daughter of the late Governor Preston Howard, of Rhode Island on 30 March 1846 in Cranston, R.I.. He married (second), Abbie Allen Potter on 15 June 1863 in Providence, R.I. The children of the first marriage were: 1. Nicholas. 2. Dutee (2). Dutee and Abbie Allen (Potter) Arnold were the parents of the following children: 3. Phoebe Potter, now the wife of George F. Brownell, of Providence. 4. Mary A.; on the death of her father, Mary A. Arnold succeeded him in his numerous philanthropic and civic endeavors, and has since carried on his work. 5. Harriet A. 6. Celia S., now Mrs. Eldridge C. Wheat, of Great Neck, L. I.
Dutee Arnold died at Chepiwanoxet, R. I., on July 26, 1886, in his sixty-sixth year.
* * * * * *
The late Dutee Arnold, for several decades a notable figure in the life and affairs of East Greenwich, R. I., a well-known business man of the City of Providence, a widely-known inventor and promoter of mercantile enterprises, descended lineally through distinguished forebears from William Arnold, founder of the family in Rhode Island. He was born in Pontiac, R. I., September 4, 1820, on the old Arnold homestead which had descended from father to son in the family for several generations. He received his early education in the local schools, but at the age of fourteen years quitted his studies and secured his first employment in the business world as a clerk in a grocery store. Several years later, having familiarized himself thoroughly with business methods, and amassed a small capital, he established, in partnership with his brothers a shoe business in Providence. This venture proved highly successful but, however, failed to engage his entire attention or to afford the stimulus which his active mind needed. From earliest boyhood he had been deeply interested in mechanics, and had displayed great mechanical and inventive talent. In conjunction with his other business enterprises he continued his inventive experiments. The first invention which insured his success and placed him in a position of prominence in this field in Rhode Island was the Spicer & Peckham stove, now the widely-known Barstow stove. Mr. Arnold became the head of the company organized to manufacture his invention, and for several years was its manager, retiring only when ill health prevented him from engaging in active business duties. He was widely known in mercantile and manufacturing circles in the City of Providence, not only as a man of great inventive genius, but as an executive and organizer of great ability. Mr. Arnold was one of the founders of the Providence Wall Paper Company, and of the B. H. Gladding Company, and was connected in official and advisory capacities with many other business enterprises in the city. A man of keen foresight, thoroughly familiar with business conditions in the City of Providence, his judgment was often sought by men about to launch new enterprises. Unimpeachable honesty, and a high-principled sense of justice and equity, characterized his every dealing in the business world, and made him honored and respected by his friends and associates.
In 1868 Mr. Arnold purchased a large farm at Chepiwanoxet, R. I, whither he removed shortly afterward. At the same time he bought Chepiwanoxet Island, a tract of two and a half acres, which throughout his life time was thrown open to the public as a free camp ground for picnics. This site is now occupied by the Gallaudet Air Craft Corporation, of East Greenwich. Ill health necessitated his retirement from active business life and although he retained a minor portion of his large interests, Mr. Arnold spent the remaining years of his life on his farm. This he cultivated to some extent, but he maintained it largely for the rest and recreation which it afforded, and because he wished his children to grow up in the healthful rural atmosphere, loving nature and the great out-of-doors. After his removal to Chepiwanoxet he identified himself with the life of the town, and for more than fifteen years prior to his death was a beloved and respected member of the community. He interested himself early in school affairs, and for many years was a trustee of the Cowesett School. Mr. Arnold was active in church work, and a generous donor to all religious endeavors. He purchased old St. Luke's Episcopal Church to aid the congregation in erecting a new church. The transaction represented as absolute loss financially, for he subsequently disposed of the property by giving it away. His gifts to charity were very large. He was not the impersonal philanthropist, but the friend of the poor and needy, and he was a staunch believer in the principle of helping people to help themselves. Numerous small homes he erected at his own expense, and gave to needy families, furnishing land also for them to work. He was a tireless fighter in the cause of temperance. Mr. Arnold remained strictly outside the field of politics, although urged on numerous occasions to accept public office. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masonic order.
Mr. Arnold married (first), Mary E. Howard, daughter of the late Governor Preston Howard, of Rhode Island on 30 March 1846 in Cranston, R.I.. He married (second), Abbie Allen Potter on 15 June 1863 in Providence, R.I. The children of the first marriage were: 1. Nicholas. 2. Dutee (2). Dutee and Abbie Allen (Potter) Arnold were the parents of the following children: 3. Phoebe Potter, now the wife of George F. Brownell, of Providence. 4. Mary A.; on the death of her father, Mary A. Arnold succeeded him in his numerous philanthropic and civic endeavors, and has since carried on his work. 5. Harriet A. 6. Celia S., now Mrs. Eldridge C. Wheat, of Great Neck, L. I.
Dutee Arnold died at Chepiwanoxet, R. I., on July 26, 1886, in his sixty-sixth year.
The late Dutee Arnold, for several decades a notable figure in the life and affairs of East Greenwich, R. I., a well-known business man of the City of Providence, a widely-known inventor and promoter of mercantile enterprises, descended lineally through distinguished forebears from William Arnold, founder of the family in Rhode Island. He was born in Pontiac, R. I., September 4, 1820, on the old Arnold homestead which had descended from father to son in the family for several generations. He received his early education in the local schools, but at the age of fourteen years quitted his studies and secured his first employment in the business world as a clerk in a grocery store. Several years later, having familiarized himself thoroughly with business methods, and amassed a small capital, he established, in partnership with his brothers a shoe business in Providence. This venture proved highly successful but, however, failed to engage his entire attention or to afford the stimulus which his active mind needed. From earliest boyhood he had been deeply interested in mechanics, and had displayed great mechanical and inventive talent. In conjunction with his other business enterprises he continued his inventive experiments. The first invention which insured his success and placed him in a position of prominence in this field in Rhode Island was the Spicer & Peckham stove, now the widely-known Barstow stove. Mr. Arnold became the head of the company organized to manufacture his invention, and for several years was its manager, retiring only when ill health prevented him from engaging in active business duties. He was widely known in mercantile and manufacturing circles in the City of Providence, not only as a man of great inventive genius, but as an executive and organizer of great ability. Mr. Arnold was one of the founders of the Providence Wall Paper Company, and of the B. H. Gladding Company, and was connected in official and advisory capacities with many other business enterprises in the city. A man of keen foresight, thoroughly familiar with business conditions in the City of Providence, his judgment was often sought by men about to launch new enterprises. Unimpeachable honesty, and a high-principled sense of justice and equity, characterized his every dealing in the business world, and made him honored and respected by his friends and associates.
In 1868 Mr. Arnold purchased a large farm at Chepiwanoxet, R. I, whither he removed shortly afterward. At the same time he bought Chepiwanoxet Island, a tract of two and a half acres, which throughout his life time was thrown open to the public as a free camp ground for picnics. This site is now occupied by the Gallaudet Air Craft Corporation, of East Greenwich. Ill health necessitated his retirement from active business life and although he retained a minor portion of his large interests, Mr. Arnold spent the remaining years of his life on his farm. This he cultivated to some extent, but he maintained it largely for the rest and recreation which it afforded, and because he wished his children to grow up in the healthful rural atmosphere, loving nature and the great out-of-doors. After his removal to Chepiwanoxet he identified himself with the life of the town, and for more than fifteen years prior to his death was a beloved and respected member of the community. He interested himself early in school affairs, and for many years was a trustee of the Cowesett School. Mr. Arnold was active in church work, and a generous donor to all religious endeavors. He purchased old St. Luke's Episcopal Church to aid the congregation in erecting a new church. The transaction represented as absolute loss financially, for he subsequently disposed of the property by giving it away. His gifts to charity were very large. He was not the impersonal philanthropist, but the friend of the poor and needy, and he was a staunch believer in the principle of helping people to help themselves. Numerous small homes he erected at his own expense, and gave to needy families, furnishing land also for them to work. He was a tireless fighter in the cause of temperance. Mr. Arnold remained strictly outside the field of politics, although urged on numerous occasions to accept public office. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Masonic order.
Mr. Arnold married (first), Mary E. Howard, daughter of the late Governor Preston Howard, of Rhode Island on 30 March 1846 in Cranston, R.I.. He married (second), Abbie Allen Potter on 15 June 1863 in Providence, R.I. The children of the first marriage were: 1. Nicholas. 2. Dutee (2). Dutee and Abbie Allen (Potter) Arnold were the parents of the following children: 3. Phoebe Potter, now the wife of George F. Brownell, of Providence. 4. Mary A.; on the death of her father, Mary A. Arnold succeeded him in his numerous philanthropic and civic endeavors, and has since carried on his work. 5. Harriet A. 6. Celia S., now Mrs. Eldridge C. Wheat, of Great Neck, L. I.
Dutee Arnold died at Chepiwanoxet, R. I., on July 26, 1886, in his sixty-sixth year.
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