CHAMPLIN, Christopher Elihu, was born at the homestead of his grandfather Rose on the easterly side of Block Island, September 24. 1860, the son of John P. and Lydia M. (Rose) Charaplin, He comes from old Rhode Island families on both sides, his great-grandfather, Nathaniel E., being the first Chainplain to settle on Block Island, and ihe Rose family having been long identified with its history.   He received his education in the public schools of New Shoreham and at East Greenwich Academy, where he was prepared for Brown Uni-versity in which he studied.   He adopted the law as his profession and received his early training in the office of Edward H. Hazard and Col. C. H.  Parkhurst of Providence.   He studied in the Boston University of Law, from which he graduated in the class of 1884, and was admitted to the Suffolk County bar of Massachusetts in July 1884, and to the Rhode Island bar the following year. Immediately upon admission to the Rhode Island bar he opened a law office in Providence, where he has acquired a valuable practice. Although practicing in Providence he has retained his residence in New Shoreham, and has been its Town Solicitor for the past ten consecutive years. In 1887 he entered in-to politics and was elected a Representative to the General Assembly from New Shoreham, and was unanimously re-elected the following year, serving upon the Judiciary Committee for both terms. In 1888 he was Secretary of the Democratic State Central Committee of Rhode Island. In 1S90 he was elected a Senator to the General Assembly from New Shoreham, and has been continuously re-elected each year since, serving upon the Judiciary and Corporation committees. From the beginning of his legislative career he interested himself strongly in securing an appropriation for the construction of a harbor of refuge in the Great Salt Pond of Block Island, and it was due chiefly to his exertions that the work was accomplished. At the formal dedication of the new harbor, September 21, 1895, Senator Champlin made the address of welcome to the Executive, Judicial and Representative bodies of the State. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of New Shoreham, and of Atlantic Lodge of Masons. He was married, October 14, 1891, to Miss Joannah Hayes; they have no children. 

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

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CONGDON, William Washington, retired business man, Wickford, was born in North Kingston, R. I., February 22, 1831, the son of Stanton W. and Izette (Hammond) Congdon.  He comes of old Rhode Island ancestry, his grandfather being Daniel Congdon, and his grandmother Hannah Stanton.  He received his early education in the common schools, and engaged in active business life when quite young.   For thirty-five years he conducted a livery business and stage route, and for fifteen years was conductor on the Newport & Wick ford Railroad, retiring from active business in 1892. He has beena Deputy Sheriff of Washington county, member ofthe Town Council of Wickford in 1891-92, Repre-sentative in the General Assemby in 1894, and aDirector in the National Bank and Savings Bank of Wickford. In politics he is a Republican. He married, in November 1856, Miss Frances A.Gardner, daughter of George and Mary A. Gardner; they had one daughter, who died in infancy.

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

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CRAFTS, Albert Barnard, attorney-at-law, was bom at Milan, N. H.; September 4, 1851, son of Frederick A. and Maria L. (Soule) Crafts. He received his education in the high schools of Edgar-town, Martha’s Vineyard, and Brockton, Mass. He graduated from Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in the class of 1871, afterwards receiving the degree of A. M. in course. He adopted the law as a profession, studied in the office of the Hon. Thomas H. Peabody, in Westerly, R. I., and was admitted to the Connecticut and Rhode Island bars in 1875. nas Deen a member of the firm of Peabody & Crafts and Crafts & Tillinghast, and has since practised by himself in the Rhode Island, Connecticut and United States courts. He has not taken an active part in public life. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows, and the Westerly Business Men’s Association. He married, October 1, 1881, Miss Jennie Louisa Blake of Ashaway, R. I, who died November 19, 1884.  He married, December 17, 1892, Miss Man- Amittai Stark of Mystic, Conn; he has no children.

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

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CRUMB, Alexander Green, of Westerly, granite manufacturer, was born in Charlestown, R. I., November 2, 1830, son of Gardner and Hannah Hoxsie (Hazard) Crumb. His education was obtained in the common schools of his native town.  He worked as a farm hand during his youth, after-ward learning the granite cutter’s trade, embarking in the granite business for himself in 1857, and in which he has continued to the present time. With him are associated his three sons in the business, under the firm name of A. G. Crumb and Sons their quarry and works being located at or near Niantic, in the town of Westerly.   Mr. Crumb has been variously honored by his fellow citizens by his election to public office. He was a member of the Town Board of Assessors for eight years, and in 1888 was elected a member of the Town Council, which office he has held continuously since, serving as president of the council in 1893-94. In April 1895 he was chosen to represent the town of Westerly in the General Assembly of the state, in which capacity therefore he at present serves. He is a member of the Business Mens Association of Westerly, but belongs to no other important social, business or fraternal organization. In politics he is a Republican. He was married, January 15, 1857, to Miss Sarah   Frances  Hines;  they have five children: Erskine A., Edward S., William A., Susan E. M.  and Eugenia A. The three sons, as has been stated, are established in business with their father.

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