Frank Fuller Olney | |
---|---|
18th Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island | |
In office January 1894 – January 1896 |
|
Preceded by | William Knight Potter |
Succeeded by | Edwin D. McGuinness |
Personal details | |
Born |
Jersey City, New Jersey |
March 12, 1851
Died | October 24, 1903 Providence, Rhode Island |
(aged 52)
Cause of death | pneumonia |
Resting place | Swan Point Cemetery |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse(s) | Lizzie F. Dow |
Parents | Elam Ward Olney and Helen Fuller |
Religion | Unitarian |
Frank Fuller Olney (March 12, 1851 – October 24, 1903) was the 18th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island. He served from 1894 until 1896.
Frank Olney was born March 12, 1851, in Jersey City, New Jersey to Elam Ward Olney and Helen Fuller. The Olney family was one of the oldest in Providence; his ancestor Thomas Olney was a companion of Roger Williams in 1636. The family lent its name to the Olneyville neighborhood and Olney Street.
His family returned to their ancestral home city of Providence in 1860 when Frank was age nine. Frank's father died two years later, in 1862, and Frank went to live with his uncle, a founder of the Wanskuck Company in Providence. He attended public schools and graduated from the University Grammar School in 1867. Upon his uncle's death, seventeen-year-old Frank inherited his interest in the Wanskuck Company.
Olney married Lizzie F. Dow, daughter of George Smith Dow and Abigail Livermore Dow, of the Livermore family of Boston. They had three children, one of whom died in infancy.
Olney was a member of numerous social clubs and organizations. He was a member of the First Congregational Church, Unitarian (now the First Unitarian Church of Providence). He was a member of the Corinthian Lodge and Pomham Club. He was also a member of the Squantum Association, Hope Club, Athletic Club, Providence Art Club, Providence Whist Club, Rhode Island Philatelic Society, Rhode Island Temperance League, Rhode Island Veteran Citizens' Historical Association, the Rhode Island School of Design, and Home Market Club of Boston, among others.
Olney joined Company D of the First Light Infantry Regiment of Providence in 1882 and worked his way up to Colonel, a position he held until his death.
Olney was an ardent yachtsman. He joined the Rhode Island Yacht Club in 1892, and became Commodore in 1902. He was also a member of the New York Yacht Club. He owned several racing boats over the years, including the steam yacht "L Pli Cita", the prize-winning sloop "Amy", the schooner yacht "Rusalka" and the "Ingomar."