Providence County Biographies
T
TAFT, Royal Chapin, A. M., banker and manufacturer, is the son of Orsmus and Margaret (Smith) Taft. He was born in Northbridge, Mass., February 14, 1823. His parents removed to Uxbridge, Mass., when he was less than one year of age, where he remained until his removal to Providence, R. I., in July 1844, in which city he has since resided. He is a descendant in the seventh generation from Robert Taft, one of the original settlers of the town of Mendon, Mass., who moved to that town from Braintree, Mass., at the close of King Philip's war, in 1680. Robert Taft originally came from Scotland, and was a householder while in Braintree, was chosen one of the selectmen of Mendon in 1681, and he, with his five sons and their descendants, has had an important influence upon the history and affairs of Mendon and Uxbridge. His grandfather, Jacob Taft, appears with the rank of private on Lexington alarm roll of Capt. Joseph Chapin's company, which marched from Uxbridge on the alarm of April 19, 1775. He appears with rank of Sergeant on muster roll of Captain Seagrave's company. Col. Joseph Read's regiment, May 1, 1775, as also on September 25,1775, having served in that capacity at the battle of Bunker Hill. The subject of this sketch had the usual common-school instruction in the town of Uxbridge, and the benefit of a two-years' term in Worcester Academy. Upon his removal to Providence he entered as clerk in the office of Royal Chapin, who was engaged in business as a woolen manufacturer and dealer in wool. After five years service he was admitted as a partner with Mr. Chapin, under the firm name of Royal Chapin & Co. In 1851 he started in the wool and manufacturing business with S. Standish Bradford, of Pawtucket, as a partner under the firm name of Bradford & Taft, which was continued as Bradford, Taft & Co., and Taft, Weeden & Co., until 1885, when he for a while retired from active business. He is now engaged in manufacturing both cotton and wool. In 1888 he purchased the interest of the late Henry W. Gardner in the Coventry Company. He is Treasurer of the Bernon Mills at Georgiaville, R. I., and President of the Quinebaug Company, located at Brooklyn, Conn. He has been for many years prominently identified with the financial affairs of the state, as President of the Merchants National Bank of Providence since 1868, as Vice-President of the Providence Institution for Savings, and one of the directors of the Rhode Island Hospital Trust Company. He is also President of the Boston & Providence Railroad, and a director of the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company. It may be truly remarked in this connection that few men have had more influence upon the financial affairs of the state than Mr. Taft. Originally a member of the Whig party, he has, since the dissolution of that party, been a Republican. He was, during 1855 and 1856, a member of the City Council of the city of Providence; a Representative to the General Assembly from that city in 1880, 1881 and 1882, and for six years one of the sinking fund commissioners for the state. In April 1888 he was elected by the people Governor of the state of Rhode Island upon the Republican ticket. He held the office one year, and declined a renomination on account of the increasing demands of his private business. He has held many positions of trust and honor in the city and state. He is now President of the Rhode Island Hospital, has been a member of the board of trustees of Butler Asylum for the Insane since 1865, and is Vice-President of the Providence Athenaeum. He was associated with the late Hon. George H. Corliss as one of the Commissioners from the State of Rhode Island to the Centennial Exposition of 1S76 held in Philadelphia. He received the degree of Master of Arts from Brown University in 1891. He married, October 31, 1850, Miss Mary Frances, daughter of George B. Aimington, M. D., of Pittsford, Vt.; their children are : Mary E. (now Mrs. George M Smith), Abby F., Robert W. and Royal C. Taft, Jr.
Source: Rhode Island Men of Progress - Submitted by Cathy Schultz
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