Biographies taken from Books

Charles T. COLVIN
Charles T. COLVIN-In 1885 at the age of seventeen, Charles T. COLVIN entered his father's employ as office clerk, and from that time has been constantly connected with the same business and since 1896 has been secretary-treasurer of the COLVIN Foundry Company, successor to Theodore H. COLVIN, successor to G & T.H. COLVIN, established n business in Providence in 1872. The founder of the business Theodore H. COLVIN, retired since 1916, trained a son with special reference to the position he now fills that training including not only every phase of office work but a full term in the foundry, where he became thoroughly familiar with every detail of the mechanical department of the business before being allowed a return to office duties. He was long kept on a small salary, for Theodore H. COLVIN had well-defined ideas of his responsibility as a parent and firmly believed that he should have only enough for real needs. The son realized at an early day that his father had only the son's welfare, at heart and cheerfully accepted his rulings, being determined to so his part. Now a successful man himself, and in a responsible post, he accords the credit for pursuing the very best course of training and acknowledged that the father's plan of development was wise.
Charles T. COLVIN, eldest son of Theodore H. COLVIN, and his first wife, Hannah (BROWN) COLVIN was born in Worcester, Mass., July 3, 1869 and in 1872 was brought to Providence, RI by his parents. He was educated in the graded and high schools of the city, attending until seventeen years of age. During part of that period he carried a paper route and in 1885 was given a position in his father's business office. One year later he was sent to the foundry to acquire practical knowledge of casting and foundry method. He then returned to office work, and later became office manager. So eleven years were passed until 1896, when the business, developed by Theodore H. COLVIN, was incorporated as The COLVIN Foundry Company, Theodore H. COLVIN; president; Charles T. COLVIN secretary treasurer. The position he occupied in administering the financial department of the company them as now doing a large business, was beset with legal pitfalls into which he did not intend to fall, in the year of 1899 was devoted to the study of law at the Rhode Island Law School, making a special study of commercial law that he might avoid trouble. This training was most valuable and combined with that of earlier years renders him "fit" in every sense for the position he fills. He is the member of the New England Foundrymen Association, the American Foundrymen Association, Independent in politics, and liberal in religions faith. His clubs are the Economic and West Side. In 1916 Theodore H. COLVIN retired, his sons succeeding to the full management of the company as president and treasurer.
Mr. COLVIN married in 1904, Louisa (COUNTER) of Pawtucket, RI.

History of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Biographies page 114-115.
STEPHEN COLVIN
Stephen COLVIN-The surname COLVIN, one of the most ancient of English surnames, greatly antedates the Norman Conquest, and is found in the Domesday Book. Its origin is traced to the invasion of Britain by the Romans. The name is of baptismal, signifying literally the son of COLVIN or COLVINUS, as the name appears in the Latin form in the Domesday Book, was a Devonshire tenant-in-chief, and held lands in the reign of Edward the Confessor. The surname COFFIN, found in the County Devonshire and with great irequency in New England is but a variant of Colvin in many cases.
The American COLVINS date from the second half of the seventeenth century, and are traced without exception to John COLVIN, immigrant ancestor and founder of the family, of Dartmouth, Mass. And Providence, RI. Rhode Island has been the most notable branch of the family since the time of its founding in the State, and the name came an honorable repute in professional, business and industrial annals in the State. The line of ancestry herein under consideration is that of the late Stephen COLVIN, founder and for many years head of the firm of S. COLVIN & Company, and manufacturer of the celebrated COLVIN loom.
(1) John COLVIN, the progenitor, emigrated from England to Dartmouth, Mass. At a date unknown. He is first of record in Providence, RI in the year 1705, when he purchased upwards of four thousand acres of land. It is evident from this fact that John COLVIN was a man of wealth. Little is known of his life, however. He made subsequent purchases of land in Providence and the vicinity, and is thought to have been a farmer on a large scale. He married first Dorothy ALLAN, daughter of Matthew ALLEN, of the Dartmouth, Mass. He married (second), May 30, 1726 Mary KEACH. According to Austin, he died prior to November 17, 1729.
(2) Rev. James COLVIN, son of John and Dorothy (ALLAN) COLVIN, was born November 21, 1695. He resided first in Providence, later removing to Coventry, RI. On July 7, 1729, he bought of Randell HOLDEN and his wife Rose, sixty or seventy acres of land in Westquadnaig. On February 2, 1743 he is mentioned as one of the executors of the will of ROBERTS, who calls him Brother-in-law. Rev James COLVIN married______ ______; (second) Anne _____on February 24, 1755, and was proved on March 29 following. The inventory of his estate amounted to L1570.
(3) Caleb COLVIN, son of Rev. James COLVIN inherited land under the will of his father. He was life-long resident of Coventry, RI and a prosperous farmer there. He married, August 3, 1739 Anne BURLINGAME, daughter of Rev. Thomas BURLINGAME of Providence. He died after 1773.
(4) George COLVIN, son of Caleb and Anne (BURLINGAME) COLVIN, was born in Coventry, RI December 25, 1744. He was a resident of Cranston, RI and served during the American Revolution in the navy. He followed the sea for many years to his death. George COLVIN married March 13, 1774 Mary SHELDON, daughter of Nicholas and Abigail SHELDON of Cranston, who after his death received pension from the United States government. She died December 30, 1841, at the venerable age of 91years, seven months, six days. Mr. COLVIN died December 19, 1806.
(5) George (2) COLVIN, son of George (1) and Mary (SHELDON) COLVIN was in Cranston, RI. May 23, 1779 and was a lifelong resident of the town. He married Huldah DAVIS.
(6) Sheldon COLVIN, son of George (1) and Mary (SHELDON) COLVIN was born in Cranston, RI February 21, 1781. He was a farmer and well-known citizen of Cranston for many years prior to his death, in November 1871. He married Sarah RANDELL, who died August 8, 1878. Their children were 1. Caleb who married Catharine DAWLEY, and died April 6, 1882. 2. Mary Ann, died Oct. 1897. 3. Nehemiah 4. Stephen mentioned below. 5. William Wallace, born Aug. 27,1825, died Sept. 22, 1851. 6. Daniel, born June 30, 1830 died March 17, 1832. 7. Daniel, born June 1, 1833.
(7) Stephen COLVIN, son of Sheldon and Sarah (RANDALL) COLVIN, was born in the town of Cranston, in Pippin Orchard, on February 24, 1821. He was educated in the schools of the town, attending during the few short winter months, and leaving in the spring as did all farmers sons of the period in New England to help with the work on the farm. Despite these disadvantages in education, however, he found time for study. He was an apt student of mathematics, of an inventive turn of mind, and the wide knowledge of mathematics and mechanics, which he gained in early years later, stood him in good stead in his business career. At an early age he learned the trade of machinist at Black Rock, in the Valley section of Warwick, and later entered the machine shop of Perez PECK at Anthony. At a later date he was employed with Asa SISSON, builder of the once well-known SISSON Loom, in Anthony. Under Perez PECK and SISSON both inventors of considerable genius, Mr. COLVIN received training of great value. He familiarized himself thoroughly with every detail of loom manufactured by Perez PECK. In 1862, in partnership with several gentlemen among whom were Alden WILLIAMS and Charles CASE, Mr. COLVIN founded the firm of S. COLVIN & Company. In December 1862, the firm began the manufacture of the celebrated COLVIN loom, which within a short period came into very general use in New England and throughout the South. The business grew to very large proportions, and under the direction of Mr. COLVIN was one of the most successful enterprises of its kind in Rhode Island. LODOWICK and BRAYTON became half-owner of the firm and the plant was removed to Riverpoint, RI where the business was conducted successfully until the death of Mr. COLVIN.
Although widely known and eminently respected in business and financial circles in Rhode Island, the late Stephen COLVIN, as far as was possible for a man of his responsibilities, remained a private citizen. He was a Republican in political affiliation, but in no sense of the word an office seeker. A keen student of the times, he was deeply interested in national and local issues, and espoused every movement for the advancement of the interests of the Valley. He was essentially a worker, detesting idleness. His success in life was distinctly the result of his own indomitable perseverance and energy. The strictest integrity characterized his every transaction in business and he was widely known for the fairness and justice of his dealings with men. For many years prior to his death he was a director of the Phenix Trust Company, and the Phenix National Bank of Phenix, RI and he was also a stockholder in other local enterprises. He was a member of Warwick Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
On May 6, 1868, Mr. COLVIN married at Phenix, RI, Clara A. TURNER daughter of Charles P. and Caroline (HALE) TURNER. Mrs. COLVIN, who survives her husband, resides at the COLVIN home in Riverpoint, RI. Mr. and Mrs. COLVIN were the parents of the following children: 1. Dr. Stephen Sheldon COLVIN, born March 29, 1869; a graduate of Worcester Academy in the class of 1887, and from Brown University in 1891; on completing his studies he was employed for about a year on the "Providence Journal!" and the "Telegram;" in 1895 he went to Berlin, where he pursued a course of study for several months, later going to Strasburg, where in May 1897, he was granted the degree of PH.D; on his return to America, Dr. COLVIN taught at Worcester English High School for four years; in 1901 he was called to the chair of Philosophy and Natural Theology of the University of Illinois, at Champaign, Ill. Where he remained about ten years, then came to Brown University. Dr. COLVIN married (first) Oct. 18, 1891, Edna BOOTHMAN, who died January 19, 1893; he married (second) July 23, 1895, Eva Mable COLLINS, of Providence; they are the parents of one son, Sheldon David born Sept.19, 1896 in Strasburg, Germany; 2. Sara Hale, born Aug. 29, 1878; was a graduate of Brown University in the class of 1899; she married , May 23, 1900. Lewis Anthony COLVIN, son of James COLVIN of Worcester, Mass; they have one son, Kenneth HALE, born Jan 5, 1902, and one daughter Amey born January 3, 1909. 3. Vincent Livingstone, born Dec 6, 1882, lives at home. Stephen COLVIN died at his home in Riverpoint, RI February 18, 1904.

History of Rhode Island- Biographies page 365-366
THEODORE HAMMETT COLVIN
Theodore Hammett COLVIN-As young men of twenty-six years, a molder by trade, an experienced journeyman and foundry worker, Theodore Hammett COLVIN came to the city of Providence in 1872. The business he then started caught the full force of the panic of 1872-1877, and those five years were such as try men's ability to the limit. But he prevailed, and it is his pride that The COLVIN Foundry Company has weathered every financial storm and has never failed to meet every obligation. Another record to be proud of is the fact that for twenty-seven years he never had labor trouble, that record then being broken by a strike to unionize the plant. Mr. COLVIN resisted, and in time the men voluntarily agreed to work, rejoicing to find their jobs open, as they had found they were the best paid men in the business, taking conditions into consideration. He always kept in close personal touch with every transaction occurring throughout the works, and to that fact much of his success may be attributed. From 1872 until January, 1916, he was supreme at the plant, then having brought up his sons in the business, and thoroughly trained them for their responsibilities, he sold his interest to them and retired, leaving Clarence H. COLVIN president of the company, and Charles T. COLVIN, Treasurer.
Theodore H. COLVIN is of the seventh American generation of the family founded in New England by John COLVIN, of Dartmouth, Mass., and Providence, RI, the owner of a tract of four thousand acres at Providence, where he died, November 28, 1729. The line of descent is through the founder's son, Rev. James COLVIN, of Providence and Coventry, RI; his son Caleb COLVIN of Coventry; his son George COLVIN of Coventry, a Revolutionary sailor, his widow Mary drawing a United States pension; their son, George (2) COLVIN; his son Henry COLVIN of Plainfield Conn.; his son Theodore H. COLVIN, of Providence, RI. Henry COLVIN born December 20, 1813, died December 14, 1869, married Mary Ann BENNETT, and born May 11, 1808 died August 26, 1892, surviving her husband twenty-three years. Their children were: Frances S; Elizabeth deceased; Theodore Hammett, of further mention; Elisha H. deceased, and Emily.
Theodore Hammett COLVIN was born in Plainfield, Conn. April 26, 1846, now (1918) living in Providence, RI retired. After school days were ended he began learning the molder's trade at now Danielson, Conn., finishing his apprenticeship in the foundry owned by his kinsmen, Caleb and James COLVIN, entering their employ in 1864 and continuing until 1865. He worked as a journeyman in Whitinsville, Mass., for a few months, then in December 1865, went to Worcester, Mass, where his old employer had opened a foundry. He continued a molder at Worchester until 1872 then came to Providence, where the years, which have, since elapsed have been spent.
The first Providence venture in business was also his last, forty-four years having been spent in the same business. The beginning was in 1872, when with his uncle, George COLVIN, he formed the firm, G. and T.H. COLVIN, and began a foundry business on Dyer Street moving to their own plant on now West Exchange Street in 1873. The original firm continued until 1876, when George COLVIN sold his interest to his nephew and retired. Theodore H. COLVIN continued the business under his own name until 1896, then incorporated as The COLVIN Foundry Company, capitol $100,000. The business of the company constantly increased, and in October 1897, the company erected a new plant on Globe street, a large and modernly equipped foundry, on of the best of its kind in New England. The business of the company is the casting of engine and machine parts; an extensive business having been developed through the energy and ability of Mr. COLVIN during the forty-four years he was the responsible head. He conceived an idea of fusing imperfect casting, which would otherwise have been thrown out, this resulting in a great saving and led to the development of a large repair business.
Hand in hand with the development of a large and profitable business, Mr. COLVIN carried along plans for its perpetuation, and two sons were trained in its every detail, each being in time elected to official position. Came the time when the founder, proud of his work, felt that the time had come to retire, the son Clarence H. succeeded his father as president, the other son Charles T., continued as treasurer, the change being made so quietly that no friction developed in anticipation of the event. He retired at the age of seventy, having been "in the harness" from the age of eighteen, when he began learning the molder's trade. The success which came to him was fairly earned and achieved through his own force of character, perseverance, indomitable spirit and business genius. He had long been a member of the New England Foundryman's Association, and he carried with him into retirement the respect and esteem of every man with whom he came into personal contact independent in political thought, he has no affiliation. In Free masonry he holds the degrees of the York Rite, belonging to St. John's Lodge No. 1 of Providence, Royal arch Chapter, and St. John Commandery, Knights Templar. He is a member of Pomham Club.
Mr. COLVIN married (first) in April 1868, Hannah BROWN, they the parents of Charles T. whose sketch follows. He married (second) in October 1876, Augusta L. HAMMETT, they the parents of the Clarence H. whose sketch follows; and Earl born May 23, 1887, drowned at HUNT's Mills April 9, 1903.
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