The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-06-06

More than eighty years ago Eli Ayls-
worth worked on a farm with his father.
Arthur, in the up-country town of Foster,
in the northern part of the State. Later
in life this same boy became a bank pres
ident. To-day he is 30 years OF age and
president of bank still, and attends to
his business in the old-time rigorous
way. He is one of the richest men in
Providence, has been lifelong Republi-
can and voted first for John Quincy
Adams.
Although a nonogenarian he is active
and alert aud no better KNOWN man lives
in the State than Judge Aylsworth.
His parents were settlers In Foster In
the last century. His forefathers came
to North Kingstown from Scotland.
There are now four living generations of
the Aylsworth family and they are all
located in Providence. Judge Ayls-
worth's son, Hiram b., Is widely known
business man and for almost 80 years has
been in the wholesale boot and shoa- Trade
on Pine street. The sign on the estab-
lishment indicates that 1t was founded in
1916.
Judge Aylsworth was one of twelve
children born in q meagre little house
away up in the country, and as his par
ents were not rich nor even well off he
was forced out into the fields when he
was hardly old enough to read one
SYLLABLE words. He found some work at
the farms of neighbors, and thus he was
enabled to contribute his mite to the in
come of the family. AT about 10 years
of aye he earned few dollars hoeing po-
tatoes, and these he saved. He has them
to-day, all safely laid away in the big
vault ut the Westminster Bank, of which
he is president. This was the fortune of
his bothood days. The fortune of his
manhood amounts to vast sum, and the
many documents in the same vault alone
indicate how his sturdy habits and intelli-
gent economy nave welded together for
tune.
In the early days Judge Aylsworth con-
tinued in vigorous pursuits in the town
of Foster for thirteen years, and then he
went to Connecticut In 1850 he came to
Providence but before locating here he
Savings Bank in 1S45 and he continued in
that office until 1878 He was for twenty
years vice president of the same institu-
tion and was also director in the Atlantic
Bank and the first president Of the Jack
son Bank. Since 1858 he has been di
rector and president Of the Westminster
Bank which position he still holds.
While in Foster Judge Aylsworth was
justice of the peace, deputy sheriff and
held various other offices.
In 1888 he was elected one of the judges
of the Court Of Common Pleas of Provi-
dence county, and was associated with
Hon. Thomas Burgess. Judge Daniels,
Judge Uriel Potter and Judge Armstrong.
From 1854 to 1867 he was a member of
the General Assembly. He was an en-
thusiastc supporter OF the Federal and
Wing parties and was a leader in the
Abolitionist movement. Since its organi-
zation he has been member OF the Re-
publican party.
lie is member of the Mathewson
Street Methodist Church of this city.
Recently he donated bell to the new
Methodist church in his native town.
Judge Aylswortn has been the father
of thirteen children. His third wife, TO
whom he has been almost married nifty
wears. is nowjmore than 80 years old. He
was married first in 1922 to Martha Ben
net of Foster. She died in 1887, and in
1910 he was married to Maria Freeman of
killingly, Conn, who died two years
later.
In September, 1s43, he was married to
his present wife, Eliza ;. Angel of this
city. There were ten children by his irst
wife, one by his second and two by his
third.
Judge Aylsworth goes down town to
the bank by the Broad street car every
morning with the same regularity as a
business man of 40. He attends all
directors meetings and neyotiates per-
sonally about all the transactions where
mortgages are lndue duu Dnonty ~ lOaueu.
Far and wide in Rhode Island Judge
Aylsworth Is known as a shrewd business
man aud an exceptional financier.
lie gave the first reception in his long
life to-day at his residence, No. Az Broad
street, and the invited guests included
all the leading men Of the city; State and
city officials were also among those fav-
ored with cards.
Not long ago a Rreat-grandchild was
born to Judge Aylsworth. It was the
daughter Of Henry Congdon Aysworth.
The reception to-day was a dual affair,
the children, grandchildren and great
grandchildren having their reunion In
the afternoon, and the legion of wealthy
aud influential friends being entertained
in the evening.
Among those present was a lady of 81 ~,
bright aud chiffer, who sat beside the
Judge In the little school-house up In Fos-
ter many years ago.
Among the presents received by Judge
Aylsworth was silver saliva worth $780,
from the board of directors Of the West
Minister Bank.
Congratulations are extended 20 the fortunats
purchaser of the Brown estate In harrington which