Henry J. Steere

Henry Jonah Steere
Henry Jonah Steere
Born	Template:Birth date; Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
Died	October 28, 1889 (aged 59)
Occupation(s)	Industrialist, philanthropist
Known for	Textile manufacturing, philanthropy

Henry Jonah Steere (1830–1889) was a distinguished American philanthropist and industrialist based in Rhode Island.

Early Life

Born on April 11, 1830, in Providence, Rhode Island, Henry J. Steere was the son of Alice Smith (1789–1863) and Jonah Steere (1788–1871), who worked as a manufacturer and saddler. He was their sole surviving offspring. His lineage traces back to John Steere, an early settler of Providence prior to 1660, who married the daughter of Reverend William Wickenden. Henry received his education through a combination of home tutoring and public schooling, culminating in his graduation from Providence High School before beginning his career as a clerk at Merchants Bank.

During the Civil War, he held the rank of lieutenant in the First Light Infantry Regiment of the Rhode Island Militia and was assigned to guard Lovell General Hospital located in Portsmouth Grove.

Commercial Ventures

Steere made a notable impact in the textile manufacturing sector by founding mills across Providence, Burrillville, Smithfield, and Glocester. He assumed executive positions such as president or director at several financial and insurance institutions including Northern Bank, Globe National Bank, Fifth National Bank, Washington Insurance Company, Economical Insurance Company, and City Savings Bank.

Among his key enterprises was the establishment of Waskuck Mills alongside Jesse Metcalf and Stephen Olney. The company experienced substantial growth, leading to expansions on Wild Street in 1884 and Douglas Avenue in 1893. His industrial portfolio also encompassed Steere Mills and Geneva Mills, later extending operations to Mohegan and Oakland Mills outside Providence. Steere passed away unexpectedly on October 28, 1889, due to kidney-related illness. Having no direct descendants, he was interred at North Burial Ground in Providence.

Charitable Contributions and Enduring Impact

Henry Steere's estate amounted to $1.139 million (equivalent to approximately $22 million in 2006), which he distributed among individuals and philanthropic organizations. Of this sum, $654,000 was bequeathed to family members and associates including Senator Arthur Steere, Jesse H. Metcalf, Mary Ann White, Horace Steere, as well as several members of the Salisbury and Metcalf families. Charitable gifts totaled $340,000 and supported institutions such as Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center—renowned for Oscar the cat who is famed for foretelling imminent death—Beneficent Congregational Church, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Rhode Island Historical Society, Roanoke College, and Tabor College.

Steere maintained active participation with the Franklin Society within the Rhode Island Historical Society and fulfilled duties as a trustee for Rhode Island Hospital. He donated $30,000 toward constructing Beneficent Congregational Church as a tribute to his father’s memory. Presently, a descendant of Arthur Steere manages the Henry J. Steere Orchards located in Greenville, Rhode Island.

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