Rhode Island African American Data   E. P. MCCABE The subject of this sketch was born in Troy, N. Y., October 10, 1850. His parents soon moved to Fall River and shortly afterward to Newport. Almost unknown to this generation of Newporters, the old timers claim him as one of their own. He attended public school here and went to Bangor, Maine, where he further pursued his studies. He went to Chicago in 1872. In a short while he secured a clerkship with the late Potter Palmer of hotel fame. After a short time he received an appointment as Clerk in the office of the Cook County Treasurer through competitive examination. Soon tiring of city life, he went West and settled in Graham County, Kansas. For a while he was engaged in the land business. His ability and character soon won recognition and he was appointed first county clerk, in which office he remained until his election to the State Auditorship in 1882. To this office he was twice elected. He refused a third nomination. The office, which he filled with distinguished ability, was the highest elective office held by any member of the race west of the Mississippi at that time. After the second term he went West to California.   Source: Negroes of Rhode Island, by Charles A. Battle, 1932 - Transcribed by C. Anthony