Kent County Biographies

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HEYDON, Henry Darling, merchant, Crompton, was born in Coventry, R. I., December 25, 1851, son of David and  Remima C. (Johnston) Heydon. He is   a lineal descendant of William Heydon, who  emigrated  from   England   to  this country about 1630, and his ancestors took part in the Colonial and Revolutionary wars.    He received his early education in the public schools of Providence, and began his business career at an early age as clerk in a store in Providence,  where he remained for two years, and then took a special course  at Mount   Pleasant Academy.   He then served as clerk in a store in  Oineyville for a number of years, when he engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business.   Later he disposed of his business to take charge of a large establishment in the same place. In 1874 he removed to Crompton, R. I., where he assumed charge in behalf of the creditors of a large general store in that village.  The “promising outlook induced him, six months later, to form a co-partnership with Daniel W.  Batchelder to purchase the business, in which they have since continued. He has taken an active part in public life. He was Postmaster at Crompton from 1883 to 1887, a member of the school committee since 1883, and Town Auditor of Warwick five years. He was appointed aid-de-camp with the rank of Colonel by Governor Tail in 1888-89, and by Governor Ladd 1889-92. He was a member of the committee to secure a permanent campground for the state militia, and also a member of the committee to procure a site for a state armory in Providence. He is a member and Past Master of Manchester Lodge, A. F. & A.  M.f was High Priest for three years of Landmark Chapel Royal Arch Masons, and member of St.  John’s Commandery. He was a Representative in the General Assembly from Warwick in 1879-80 and since 1888, and Chairman of the Committee on Finance. In politics he is a Republican. He married, March 16, 1881, Miss Charlotte A. Booth : they have two children: Howard Raymond and Wright David Heydon.

Source: Rhode Island Men in Progress - Submitted by Marie Miller

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