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I am not related - this is part of a transcription project.
from "History of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations," 1920, biographical sketches:
p. 177 - 178:
EDGAR M. DEXTER, one of the most prominent business men of Rhode Island, and a public-spirited and influential citizen of Edgewood, is a member of the old Dexter family, which has been associated with the affairs of this State for nearly three centuries, and which was founded here by the Rev. Gregory Dexter, fourth pastor of the First Baptist Church at Providence. Many of his descendants have occupied prominent places in that city and in other Rhode Island communities, and have distinguished themselves in many callings throughout the State. Gregory Dexter was born in 1610, at Olney, Northamptonshire, England, and came to America with Roger Williams in 1644. He had been a printer and stationer in London, and carried on a correspondence with Williams, and printed for the latter in London, 1643, his dictionary of the Indian language. Upon coming to New England, he was received in the First Baptist Church at Providence, and subsequently became its pastor. A few years after his arrival in Providence, he was chosen town clerk and took a most active part in the civil affairs of the colony. On the death of the Rev. William Wickenden, February 13, 1669, Mr. Dexter succeeded to him in the pastorate of the Providence church, and while in this position, amid his other duties, earned for himself the name of an effective and able preacher. He was the first accomplished printer that had come to the colony, and although he did not pursue the occupation in Providence, he occasionally went to Boston and rendered assistance in that line there. He printed with his own hands the first almanac for the meridian of Providence.
Edgar M. Dexter, son of Waterman W. Dexter, was born at Pawtucket, May 14, 1861. He was but three weeks of age when his mother died, and he was thereupon taken to Fall River to live with an aunt who brought him up. He was educated at the schools of Fall River, and in addition to the usual studies learned telegraphy. When eighteen years of age Mr. Dexter came to Providence, where he secured a position with the Western Union Telegraph Company as operator, and remained thus employed until 1885. He then accepted a position with the firm of Wilbour, Jackson & Company, bankers and brokers, as an operator, and later was given a position as bookkeeper with the same concern. He continued with this company until 1893, and then withdrew from it and opened the office of C. Franklin Nugent & Company, bankers and brokers, at No. 37 Weybosset street, and was manager of that concern until 1897. He then formed a partnership with A. F. Davis, and the firm of Davis & Dexter, investment brokers, and founded with offices in the Bannigan building, and there continued with much success until the year 1903. Mr. Dexter was then obliged to retire from business for a time on account of ill health, but in 1905, this having been completely restored, he started business again under the name of Edgar M. Dexter & Company, which was later changed to Edgar M. Dexter & Company, Incorporated, investment brokers, with offices in the Grosvenor building. In the spring of 1918, however, he was once more obliged to discontinue business on account of ill health.
He is a director of the Providence, Warren & Bristol Railway, and inspector of the road. He had been an exceedingly conspicuous figure in the business life of Providence, and was president for three years of the Providence Stock Exchange, its secretary for eight years, and is a member at the present time (1918). He is also a member of the Board of Sinking Fund Commissioners of the city of cranston, and a member of the Rhode Island Bankers' Association. Mr. Dexter is prominently identified with the Masonic order, having taken his thirty-second degree in Free Masonry, and is a member of Orpheus Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Providence Council, Royal and Select Masters; Cavalry Commandery, Knights Templar; Palestine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and the Scottish Rite body. In the year 1910, Mr. Dexter purchased a place in the town of Cranston, in a rural district, has improved this and has made it an attractive and beautiful country home. His city home is situated on Albert avenue, Edgewood. He is a member of the Pomham Club, and of several other clubs, and is very active and public-spirited and always exceedingly interested in any movement undertaken for the welfare of the community. Several years ago Mr. Dexter conceived the idea of furnishing Christmas cheer to all the poor and sick children in Providence and in its vicinity, and through his efforts and solicitations one thousand eight hundred children were made happy. In this he was ably seconded by the district nurses, who distributed the gifts, and his idea has now grown into a permanent institution in the community.
As a writer on financial matters Mr. Dexter has occupied a unique position. The 'market letters' which he frequently sent to his clients were widely copied by the leading financial papers throughout the country, and the opinion of one of the leading financial editors of Boston that Mr. Dexter's were 'the brightest market letters that came into New England' was probably well-deserved. He was a conspicuous member at the annual meetings of the stockholders of various local corporations, and always took the part of the stockholders whenever there was any disagreement between them and the directors. For a number of years he was the official appraiser for the tax commission department of the State of Rhode Island, and his reputation for fairness was such that whenever a party appeared before the commissioners to register a claim that too high a valuation had been put upon their property, the commissioner simply said 'Those prices were placed against those securities by Edgar M. Dexter. Have you anything further to say?' Invariably the people went away satisfied. Inheriting as he did some of the traits of character of one of his ancestors, Lord Timothy Dexter, the man who cornered the 'whale bone' market and sent 'warming pans' to Cuba, he naturally did things in a way that might have been considered spectacular, but it was never selfish and always had for its end some contribution to the public good.
Edgar M. Dexter married (first), May 4, 1886, at Providence, R. I., Annie J. Barker. Mrs. Dexter died in 1893, and Mr. Dexter married (second), April 28, 1896, at Brooklyn, N. Y., Emma M. Johnson, daughter of George A. Johnson, of Seymour, Conn."
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