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Note: I am not researching these families, this is part of a trancription project. Beth Hurd, Johnston, RI
from
History of the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
Biographical
NY: The American Historical Society, Inc.
1920
pp. 77 - 78:
"ARTHUR WHITMAN CLAFLIN -- In 1842 the name Claflin first became known in Providence, Rhode Island, in connection with the drug business. In that year George Lyman Claflin came to the city, a young man of twenty, and entered the employ of the drug firm John H. Mason & Company, whose store was on Weybosset street nearly opposite the old City Hotel. In 1869 another Claflin entered the same business, Arthur Whitman, and in 1873 the firm of Geo. L. Claflin & Company was organized. In 1884 Arthur W. Claflin became a partner in that firm, and for two years father and son were thus closely allied. Then the elder Claflin yielded to the inexorable demand that comes to every man, the son continuing and being now the honored president of the Geo. L. Claflin Company, wholesale and retail druggists, incorporated in 1903. Thus for seventy-five years, Claflins, father and son, have been intimately connected with drug activity in Providence, this review being devoted to their lives and work.
George Lyman Claflin, of the sixth American generation of the family founded in Wenham, Massachusetts, in 1661, by Robert MacClaflin, son of Lyman and Rebecca Gay (Starkweather) Claflin, was born at Pawtucket, R. I. (then in Massachusetts), Dec. 22, 1822, and died in Providence, April 4, 1886. He was educated in public and private schools, completing his studies at the Academy in Pawtucket taught by Frederick Vinton. In 1842 he came to Providence and became a drug clerk in the John H. Mason & Company store, continuing with their successors, Earl P. Mason & Company, with whom he remained many years, becoming a partner, the firm reorganizing later as Snow, Claflin & Company. This arrangement continued until 1873, when Mr. Claflin bought the stock, fixtures and good will of the store on South Main street, conducted by J. Balch & Sons, and continued the business under the firm name, Geo. L. Claflin & Company. He was senior member of that firm for thirteen years, building up a very large business in drugs, both wholesale and retail.
His connection with Providence business interests was not confined to drugs, but he was widely interested, and as the years passed he rose to influential position. He was one of the organizers of the Northern Bank in 1856, became a member of the first board of directors, and ever held that place in the bank's management. He was also a director of the Coventry Savings Bank (Anthony, Rhode Island); Jackson Institution for Savings; of the Second National Bank; Roger Williams Insurance Company; and the Union Mutual Insurance Company. He considered it a patriotic duty to answer every demand upon him, and in that public spirit consented to hold office, although he had no liking for public life. In 1870 he was elected councilman from the First Ward, served three separate terms in that body, then in 1874 was elected representative to the State Legislature, and in both positions served with ability and fidelity. Church affairs always attracted him, and he labored zealously for the advancement of the Congregational church which he joined in 1843, soon after coming to Providence, the congregation worshiping then in Westminster Hall, Rev. Thomas T. Waterman acting as pastor. When the Central Congregational Church was organized, Mr. Claflin at once identified himself with all its interests and became responsible for a large addition to the building fund. He became superintendent of the primary Sunday school, December 4, 1859, and for over twenty-five years held that position, one which only a man of tact, resource and love for the work could successfully continue, as he did for such a period.
Mr. Claflin married, Sept. 3, 1850, Louisa Sisson Whitman, born in 1828, died Oct. 19, 1892, daughter of Christopher A. Whitman, a manufacturer, bank president, and State Senator of Coventry, Rhode Island. In 1864-65, the Claflin mansion, at the corner of Halsey and Pratt streets, was erected by Mr. Claflin's orders, and there he resided the remainder of his life, no man taking a greater pride nor a deeper pleasure in his family and home. Mr. and Mrs. Claflin were the parents of four children: Arthur Whitman, of further mention; George Lyman, died young; William Lyman, born June 18, 1862, died Jan. 24, 1903; George Edwin, born April 4, 1866, married, April 18, 1894, Susan Emily Talbot, of Providence.
Arthur Whitman Claflin was born in Providence, R. I., Oct. 10, 1852, and there was educated in the public schools and at Mowry & Goff's English and Classical High School, completing his courses with graduation, class of 1869. His father was then a member of the drug firm, Snow, Claflin & Company, located on Canal street, and for three and one half years Arthur W. was connected with this firm, learning the drug business. In 1873 the Geo. L. Claflin & Company firm was organized on the J. Balch & Sons drug business site on South Main street, Nos. 62-72, the business of the new firm being conducted with both wholesale and retail departments. Until 1884 Arthur W. Claflin served the firm as an employee, being his father's assistant, but that year he was admitted a partner. In 1886 he succeeded his father as senior member, and on January 1, 1903, became executive head of the new incorporated Geo. L. Claflin Company, one of the leading wholesale and retail drug houses of New England. Mr. Claflin continues as president and treasurer of the corporation, the business yet being located at Nos. 62-72 South Main street. He confines his activity largely to his own company, although he has had official banking connections in the past, and is now a director of the People's Savings Bank. He is a member of Central Congregational Church of Providence, and in politics a Republican.
Mr. Claflin married, March 15, 1881, Mary Alice Howard, daughter of Lieutenant-Governor Albert C. Howard, of East Providence, a descendant of Thomas Howard, born in 1643, of Enfield and Lynn, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. Claflin are the parents of two children: Louisa Howard, born March 7, 1882; Albert Whitman, born Jan. 31, 1885; married, Feb. 23, 1918, Harriet A. Fuller, daughter of R. Clinton Fuller of Providence, and is now a member of the Geo. L. Claflin Company, and assistant treasurer."
from the RI Historical Cemeteries Database:
CLAFLIN, GEORGE LYMAN 1822 - 4 APR 1886 PV003
CLAFLIN, LOUISA SISSON (WHITMAN*) 1828 - 19 OCT 1892 PV003
CLAFLIN, GEORGE EDWIN 1866 - 18 APR 1919 PV003
CLAFLIN, SUSAN EMILY (TALBOT*)1865 - 8 DEC 1939 PV003
CLAFLIN, ARTHUR WHITMAN 1852 - 12 JAN 1926 PV003
CLAFLIN, MARY ALICE (HOWARD*)1854 - 25 MAY 1928 PV003
CLAFLIN, LOUISA HOWARD 1882 - 8 FEB 1965 PV003
CLAFLIN, ALBERT WHITMAN 1885 - 18 JUN 1956 PV003
+CLAFLIN, HARRIET AMES (FULLER*) 1895 - 6 OCT 1989 PV003
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