Bourn, Stephen Wentworth

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• Reference Number: 38650

Other Events and Attributes:

• Reference Number: 3945

Notes:

Augustus Osborn Bourn was born in Providence, R. I., Oct. 1, 1834, his birthplace the first two-story wooden house on the south side of Pawtuxet street (now Broad street). His first teacher was Mrs. Mary Arnold, who with her two daughters, Margaret and Sarah, both school teachers, resided in the upper tenement of the Bourn home, then on Trinity street, opposite Sabin street. He attended private and public school until twelve years of age, and, in September, 1847, entered the high school on Benefit street, and four years later entered Brown University. He attended the latter institution four years, 1851-55, was graduated with the degree of A. M., and at once joined his father in the rubber manufacturing business. The elder Bourn was senior of the firm, Bourn, Brown & Chaffee, but in his later years was a semi-invalid compelled to spend the winter months in Cuba, or in an equally tropical climate elsewhere. The son, Augustus O., took his place in the business so far as possible, during the winters of 1855-59, devoting his time especially to factory manufacturing details. After the death of the senior partner, Augustus O. succeeded to his interest and place in the firm. As Colonel Brown, one of the partners, went to the front as captain of the First Company, Light Artillery, of Providence, it was decided to incorporate to avoid complications which would arise in the event of Captain Brown's death. The Providence Rubber Company was therefore incorporated in 1861, as the successor of Bourn, Brown & Chaffee, and, before the expiration of the Goodyear patent in 1865, Mr. Bourn organized the National Rubber Company, and built a large plant in Bristol, RI. About January, 1868, the Providence Rubber Company consolidated with the National Rubber Company and moved their plant to Bristol. Mr. Bourn was treasurer and active manager of the National from 1865 until 1887, that company becoming the most important corporation of the town, nearly half the then population being employed at their plant. In 1894, after his return from Rome, Italy, Mr. Bourn again began rubber manufacturing in Providence, and in 1894 his interests and the old Providence Rubber Company were merged and re-organized as the Bourn Rubber Company, the firm becoming an incorporated body in 1902. Mr. Bourn is yet its capable treasurer and manager.

Augustus married Morrill, Elizabeth Robarts on 24 Feb 1863 in USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Morrill, David C. and Wentworth, Mary Mansfield) was born on 16 Feb 1838 in Epping, New Hampshire; died on 28 Jan 1915 in USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 44323

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• Reference Number: 36415

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History of the state of RI and Providence Plantations: Biographical
NY: The American Historical Society, Inc. 1920
George Osborn Bourn was born July 4, 1809, and died in Providence in 1859. He married in Providence, Dec. 1, 1833, Huldah Batty Eddy, daughter of Ezra and Sally (Peckham) Eddy, and granddaughter of William Eddy of Providence, a revolutionary soldier and pensioner. The family collateral lines embrace many distinguished families of New England, dating from the earliest days of the English settlement.
Augustus Osborn Bourn was born in Providence, R. I., Oct. 1, 1834, his birthplace the first two-story wooden house on the south side of Pawtuxet street (now Broad street). His first teacher was Mrs. Mary Arnold, who with her two daughters, Margaret and Sarah, both school teachers, resided in the upper tenement of the Bourn home, then on Trinity street, opposite Sabin street. He attended private and public school until twelve years of age, and, in September, 1847, entered the high school on Benefit street, and four years later entered Brown University. He attended the latter institution four years, 1851-55, was graduated with the degree of A. M., and at once joined his father in the rubber manufacturing business. The elder Bourn was senior of the firm, Bourn, Brown & Chaffee, but in his later years was a semi-invalid compelled to spend the winter months in Cuba, or in an equally tropical climate elsewhere. The son, Augustus O., took his place in the business so far as possible, during the winters of 1855-59, devoting his time especially to factory manufacturing details. After the death of the senior partner, Augustus O. succeeded to his interest and place in the firm. As Colonel Brown, one of the partners, went to the front as captain of the First Company, Light Artillery, of Providence, it was decided to incorporate to avoid complications which would arise in the event of Captain Brown's death. The Providence Rubber Company was therefore incorporated in 1861, as the successor of Bourn, Brown & Chaffee, and, before the expiration of the Goodyear patent in 1865, Mr. Bourn organized the National Rubber Company, and built a large plant in Bristol, RI. About January, 1868, the Providence Rubber Company consolidated with the National Rubber Company and moved their plant to Bristol. Mr. Bourn was treasurer and active manager of the National from 1865 until 1887, that company becoming the most important corporation of the town, nearly half the then population being employed at their plant. In 1894, after his return from Rome, Italy, Mr. Bourn again began rubber manufacturing in Providence, and in 1894 his interests and the old Providence Rubber Company were merged and re-organized as the Bourn Rubber Company, the firm becoming an incorporated body in 1902. Mr. Bourn is yet its capable treasurer and manager.
A Republican in politics, Mr. Bourn represented Bristol in the State Senate, 1876-83, and from 1886 to 1888. From 1877 to 1883 he was chairman of the committee on finance, and a member of the committee on the judicary. The constitution of RI, prior to 1888, limited the voting power of foreign-born citizens to those owning real estate. During the session of 1887-88, Senator Bourn introduced an act to amend the Constitution, and to grant foreign-born citizens equal franchise rights with native-born citizens. The amendment, as passed by the Legislature, was ratified by the people, and the 'Bourn' Amendment became a part of the organic law of the State. In 1883 Senator Bourn was nominated by the Republican State Convention for the office of governor, and was elected by a vote of 13,068 voted against 10,201 for his Democratic opponent. In 1884 he was re-elected by a vote of 15,036. From 1889 until 1893 he served as consul general to Italy, located at Rome, being appointed by President Harrison. At the close of his term he returned to his home in Bristol, and shortly after resumed rubber manufacturing in Providence. He is an ex-president of the New England Rubber Club of Boston, now the Rubber Association of America, a very large and influential association of which he is at present a director. To this association there has been entrusted, since the beginning of the present war by the Government of the United States and Great Britain, the distribution of all the rubber imported into the United States, as it was the only available, competent organized body in the country. The duty of the association has been to so supervise and oversee distribution of rubber among the different manufacturers as to make certain that no rubber can be used either directly or indirectly in a way that would benefit the enemy. The value of the rubber so distributed in 1917 amounted to over two hundred and thirty-six millions of dollars. He is a member of the University Club of Providence, and of numerous other societies and clubs; member of Brown Chapter of Phi Beta Kappa; What Cheer Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons; Providence Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; and Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar.
Governor Bourn married, Feb. 26, 1863, Elizabeth Robarts Morrill, daughter of David C. and Mary Mansfield (Wentworth) Morrill, of Epping, N. H. Her Wentworth and Morrill ancestry traced to the earliest New England days, both being prominent in State and National affairs. Mr and Mrs. Bourn were the parents of three sons and two daughters: Augustus Osborn (2), born May 5, 1865, a graduate of Brown University, A. B., Harvard Law School, and Colombia University, Washington, D. C., L.L. B.; Stephen Wentworth, born April 5, 1877, a graduate of Brown University; Elizabeth R.; George Osborn, a twin brother of Elizabeth R., who died in Bristol, Feb., 1887; and Alice M. W. Mrs. Governor Bourn died at the family residence in Bristol, R. I., Jan. 28, 1915.

George married Eddy, Huldah Batty on 1 Dec 1833 in Providence, RI. Huldah (daughter of Eddy, Ezra and Peckham, Sally) was born on 29 May 1815 in Providence, RI; died on 8 Sep 1892 in Rhode Island; was buried in Swan Point Cemetery. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 1977

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• Reference Number: 44324

David married Wentworth, Mary Mansfield. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 44325

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• Reference Number: 900

Ezra married Peckham, Sally on 10 Nov 1804 in Providence, RI. Sally (daughter of Peckham, Peter and Ball, Betsey) was born on 29 Jan 1788; died on 22 Apr 1830 in USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

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• Reference Number: 33052