William M. Rodman Explained

William M. Rodman
Order:7th
Term Start:June 1857
Term End:June 1859
Predecessor:James Y. Smith
Successor:Jabez C. Knight
Birth Date:19 June 1814
Birth Place:Newport, Rhode Island, US
Death Place:Providence, Rhode Island, US
Resting Place:Swan Point Cemetery
Office:Mayor of Providence, Rhode Island
Party:Republican-American
Occupation:Tailoring, Insurance

William Mitchell Rodman (June 19, 1814 – December 11, 1868) was a tailor and 7th mayor of Providence, Rhode Island from 1857 to 1859.

Early life

Rodman was born June 19, 1814, in Newport, Rhode Island. Young William attended the school taught by his father, a Quaker school-master. At age 16, he moved to Providence to become a tailor's apprentice with the firm E.C. & T. Wells.

Career

Wells were the leading tailors of Providence. Starting from about 1850, Rodman teamed with Sullivan Moulton to form the tailoring firm of Moulton and Rodman, located first in the Arcade, then at 27 Westminster Street. Their customers included some of the most prominent people of Providence.

Rodman was a member of the school committee and City Council before being elected to two consecutive terms as mayor from 1857 to 1859. After his political career, Rodman went into the insurance business.

Rodman died at his home in Providence on December 11, 1868 and was buried at Swan Point Cemetery.

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