from "Printers and Printing in Providence, 1762 - 1907"
prepared by a committee of Providence Typographical Union #33 as a
souvenir of the 50th anniversary of its institution
printed in 1907
"The Journeymen" (part 196)
p. XCII.
"WALTER R. WHITTEMORE - Born in Lynn, Mass., Oct. 22, 1880; learned
the printing trade in the office of the Evening Telegram; he was
initiated into Providence Typographical Union Feb. 24, 1901.
JOHN N. WHITTEM - Learned printing in Portsmouth, N. H.; admitted to
Providence Union by card April 25, 1897; I. T. U. delegate from
Boston to Chicago convention in 1893; located in Boston in 1907.
DAVID A. WILBUR - Born Little Compton, R. I., Jan. 5, 1838; learned
the printing trade in Fall River, Mass; came to Providence in 1879,
and has worked in this city since; initiated into Providence Union
April 29, 1900.
HERMAN J. WILBUR - Born Quidnick, R. I. Oct. 22, 1866; learned
printing in Gazette and Chronicle office, Pawtucket, R. I., beginning
Oct. 1, 1882; initiated into Providence Union Oct. 28, 1900; worked
in this city since 1892; foreman for J. C. Hall Co. from March 21,
1889, to Aug. 1, 1900; foreman Loose Leaf Co. in 1907.
CHARLES P. WILLARD - Born Springfield, Mass., April 19, 1847; died
Providence June 2, 1907; began to learn printing in New Haven and in
his youth travelled extensively in the Eastern States; he deposited
card with No. 33 on June 8, 1872, and worked almost steadily from
that time until 1890 on the Journal; after the linotypes has
displaced hand composition on that paper he was employed for a time
on the Telegram; in 1897 he went to the Pawtucket Times, where he
worked the last ten years of his life. He was one of the swiftest of
the hand typesetters, easily setting 2000 ems per hour.
GEORGE O. WILLARD - Died Providence Dec. 2, 1903; learned printing in
office of Gazette and Chronicle, Pawtucket; June, 1860, he started
the Pawtucket Observer; under Sidney Dean's management of the Evening
Press, Mr. Willard was city editor; April 30, 1885, in company with
George Cooley, he started the Pawtucket Evening Times, and continued
control of it until Jan. 31, 1890; he was initiated into Providence
Union May 4, 1857, and placed on the honorary list Oct. 15, 1864. Mr.
Willard wrote a 'History of the Providence Stage, 1762 - 1891,'
published in 1891.
EDWARD A. WILLCOX - His name appears in the Directory of 1850 as a
printer and for several years in the 50's he worked for A. Crawford
Greene. He was a charter member of Providence Typographical Union;
Vice President in 1862, President in 1862, '64 and '68, delegate in
1868. He died July 27, 1876. The following, printed in the Journal of
Aug. 2, 1876, was written in by George W. Danielson when he heard of
the death of his friend: 'Ned. - A score of years ago Ned was a young
man of abundant promise. Possessing a good mind, sound health, genial
disposition and industrious habits, he entered upon the arena of life
with courage and hope. He was an intelligent, well-trained workman,
and might easily have been a master among his fellows. For some years
all went well with Ned. But there was an element of ruin at work. His
companionable qualities were leading him astray. The occasional
social glass was creating and stimulating an appetite that was to
drag him down. By-and-by Ned became indifferent to his work.
Employers could not rely upon him, and employment was fitful and
uncertain. But the appetite was craving, steady, undying - consuming
health and making a wreck of manhood. After a pitiful struggle for
existence upon the charity of sympathizing fellow craftsmen came the
almshouse and the shelter of a pauper's grave. And so it was told the
other day in the places that once knew him, that Ned was dead. Poor
Ned! If only the warning of your sad career shall turn back some not
yet hopelessly drawn into the maelstrom of ruin, you will not have
died - as you lived - in vain.' "
continued in part 197.