USA > Washington DC > Eminent and representative men of Virginia and the District of Columbia in the nineteenth century. With a concise historical sketch of Virginia > Part 24
USA > Virginia > Eminent and representative men of Virginia and the District of Columbia in the nineteenth century. With a concise historical sketch of Virginia > Part 24
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65
the editor of the Star (Washingon city), has been connected with the paper thirty- seven years. His individuality has been most eventful and interesting periods in
Crosby S. norges
23I
PERSONAL SKETCHES - DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
the history of the nation, and his reminis- cences, if he ever writes them, will make a most readable and valuable volume. In 1855 Mr. Noyes became connected with the Star, as a reporter first, but his talent was quickly recognized, and he became the assistant editor.
Though never robust, Mr. Noyes has done an enormous amount of newspaper work. Until within a few years he at- tended to nearly all the details of ed- itorial management, and he still gives his personal supervision to the work of the staff to a greater extent than is usually done byeditors-in-chief. Like Mr. Kauff- mann, his business partner, a sketch of whom will be found on another page of this volume, Mr. Noyes is fond of travel. Early in life he tramped in the Bayard Taylor style, and wrote most interesting letters about his trip. He has traveled over the United States and the West In- dies, made several European trips, and has just returned from a trip around the world, involving some thirty-five thousand miles of travel. Mr. Noyes has a pleas- ant home in the country a few miles from Washington, but spends his winters at one of the hotels in town. He has three sons and two daughters. The sons are connected with the Star, Mr. Theodore W. Noyes being associated with him as editor; Mr. Frank B. Noyes is treasurer of the company, and Mr. Thomas C. Noyes is in the news department.
and as a newspaper, until October 30, 1867, when it was purchased by a com- pany consisting of Crosby S. Noyes, Clar- ence C. Baker, S. H. Kauffmann, A. R. Shepherd and George W. Adams. Mr. Noyes had been editor of the paper un- der Mr. Wallach for some time. Mr. Ba- ker had been connected with the business office, and Mr. Kauffmann had had news- paper experience in Ohio. Mr. Shepherd and Mr. Adams bought in as an invest- ment, and had nothing to do with the management of the paper. The circula- tion of the Star at that time was about 6,000 copies, with the best advertising patronage of the city, to which it was en- titled by reason of a larger circulation than was enjoyed by any of its rivals. Its visible property consisted of a four-cylin- der Hoe press, with an indifferent boiler and engine, and the type from which the paper was printed. The price paid for the property was $100,000, which at that time was regarded as very high, and in fact considerably more than it was worth. The new proprietors had, however, faith in the future of the city, in the possibili- ties of an enterprising newspaper at the national capital, and in their own energy and capacity; and that faith has been abundantly justified. After conducting the business as a partnership for awhile, the advantages of an incorporated com- pany became apparent, and a special char- ter was obtained from congress, under which the Evening Star Newspaper com- pany was organized in 1879, and by that corporation the paper has been published ever since. The stock in the new com-
But it is necessary here to give a brief history of the journal itself. The first number of the Evening Star was issued December 16, 1852, by Joseph B. Tate. It soon, however, passed into the hands pany was taken in equal portions by the of Hope & Wallach, and subsequently original partners, and so held until into those of W. D. Wallach, the junior changes were wrought, in the course of member of that firm, by whom it was con- time, by business contingencies, and by ducted with great success, both financially death; but the majority of it still remains
232
PERSONAL SKETCHES-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
in the hands of Messrs. Noyes and Kauff- typing department, a commodious press- mann, of the original purchasers, and by room, and illustrating department, whom the paper is still conducted on the besides, of course, a handsome counting- precise lines laid down when they first room and well appointed editorial rooms. became its active managers. It is proper The circulation of the Star has steadily to say here that Mr. Adams, who, up to increased from 6,000 in 1867, until it that time, and from the first issue of the ranges now from 36,000, the ordinary cir- New York World, had been the Wash- culation, to over 43,000, the number ington correspondent of that paper, re- printed on Saturdays, when the paper is signed that position in the latter part of issued in 16-page form. What the pub- 1878, and became actively connected with lishers of the Star have considerable the Star, acting as president of the com- pride in is the fullness of its home circu- pany until his death, in October, 1886. lation. Less than five per cent. of its From the day of small things in 1867 the large circulation goes out of the city. Star has grown to be one of the promi- Among the journalists the Star is well nent journals of the country, recognized known for another fact, most honorable everywhere as one of the first in its en- to the men who conduct it. Hardly a ergy and enterprise in collecting news newspaper man enters the local field at and the ability and fairness with which it Washington without making an effort to is conducted editorially. secure a place on the Star's staff, for such
The Star was moved in 1881 from an places are considered desirable on ac- old building it had occupied for many count of the fair and generous treatment years on the south side of Pennsylvania rendered employees. Not only the best avenue to a handsome marble-front build- rates of compensation prevail in the of- ing, purchased by the company on the fice, but numbers of cases are known, north side of Pennsylvania avenue at the among the newspaper men, where em- corner of Eleventh street. This building ployees have been carried on the rolls and an adjoining structure fronting on
during long periods of illness and their Eleventh street, bought at the same time, pay sent to them regularly every week. it was supposed would suffice for many One result of this consideration of em- years to come, but the company was re- ployees is seen in their loyal attachment cently obliged to add to them a new build- to the paper.
ing, a four-story structure having a frontage of fifty-five feet and a depth of PATRICK O'FARRELL, 100 feet. The adjoining property on Pennsylvania avenue has also been pur- pension and patent attorney, Washington, chased to supply needed additional room D. C., was born in county Cavan, Ireland, for the editorial department. The old in 1832, and educated in her schools. He and new buildings are united, and to- came to America in 1862, landing in New York, and inside of twenty-four hours en-
gether make one of the most complete newspaper establishments in the world. listed in company G, Sixty-ninth New York It includes a spacious composing room. infantry (Corcoran Irish Legion) as a pri- capable of meeting all the demands of a vate, and in January, 1863, was promoted great newspaper, a well-equipped stereo- to second lieutenant, and to first lieuten-
233
PERSONAL SKETCHES-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
ant at the battle of Cold Harbor, in June, mained until 1874, inclusive. The follow- 1864, for gallant and meritorious conduct, ing year he commenced the study of law and brevetted captain in August, 1864, at in the office of Hon. Daniel W. Voorhees, - the battle of Reams Station for gallantry of Indiana, and after two years of this on the field; he was wounded three times- practical training, he was admitted to the first, at the battle of Cold Harbor, and bar in Terre Haute, Ind., commencing secondly (two wounds) at Reams Station. his practice with Senator Voorhees. In After the war Mr. O'Farrell received an 1880 he removed to La Fayette, Ind., and appointment in the United States pension was there associated in the law business with Hon. John A. Stein. office, and while in the pension office he studied law, was admitted to the bar in In 1881 he settled in Washington city, and has since continued the practice of his profession in company with Mr. Reese H. Voorhees. While he has never offered himself as a candidate for public office, he has been an active participant in the politics of the state of Indiana. June, 1885, and was discharged from the pension office in July, 1885, as an offensive partisan republican by the Cleveland ad- ministration. He then opened a law office in Washington, D. C., and practiced in the patent, pension, and land offices, and is now a member of the bar of the District Mr. Jones was married to Miss Eliza- beth D. Giddings, on the 30th of May, 1888. She belongs to one of the oldest and most prominent families in Maryland, the Giddings of Baltimore being well known bankers. of Columbia supreme court and the su- preme court of the United States-and does a very large patent and pension busi- ness, employing about thirty clerks. He is a member of John A. Rawlins post, G. A. R., and is most highly esteemed wher- ever known.
JOHN PAUL JONES.
John Paul Jones was born in the town of Greencastle, Ind., on the 26th of Feb- ruary, 1857. His maternal grandfather, Reese Hardesty, was a pioneer in that state, and was one of the founders and first trustees of Asbury university, located in that town. This institution was a few years ago endowed by Washington De Pauw, and is now known as De Pauw uni- versity. Mr. Jones' father was a valiant soldier on the Federal side during the late war, and lost his life in the battle of Richmond, Ky.
The subject of the present sketch ac- quired his early education in select schools in his native town, and in 1872, he entered the Georgetown university, where he re-
Mr. Jones is largely interested in real estate matters in the city of Washington, and has been identified with a number of very important transactions in that line. With a natural genius for organization, he has piloted several corporations into successful existence and prosperity. He organized the company that erected the Inter-Ocean building, the splendid nine- story structure at present occupied by the census bureau. He also formed the com- pany that built the Union building, which has the distinction of being one of the largest private buildings in Washington, and which at this writing is occupied by the city postoffice. Of both of the above companies, Mr. Jones occupies the respon- sible position of secretary and treasurer. He is also a director of the United States electric light company.
Mr. Jones has been very successful in
23
234
PERSONAL SKETCHES - DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
his law practice, and it may be interest- of claims and the pension business. In ingly said of him, in this connection, that he enjoys the notable distinction of hav- ing received the largest judgment ever rendered by the United States court of claims. The amount was $832,000, and was in favor of the western Cherokee In- dians, the case growing out of their re- moval from their former eastern home to their present abiding place in the Indian territory. This claim had been pending before the court since 1846, and in the prosecution of the case such famous men as Amos Kendall, Caleb Cushing, and Jeremiah Black had acted as counsel.
GEORGE E. LEMON.
Troy university, and on the 15th of August, 1862, he enlisted in a volunteer corps composed principally of students of the university. He was appointed captain and served with distinction up to the time of his capture at Harper's Ferry. After his exchange, returning to service he re- linquished his command of the company, but continued to do good work as a soldier until he was severely wounded at Bristoe station. Upon his recovery he was as- signed to duty on an important military war Mr. Lemon came to Washington, D. C., and took up the study of law at the Columbia university, from which institu- tion he was graduated and admitted to the bar of the supreme court of the United States. Beginning law work upon some claims of his own he was gradually led deeper into the business, and has con- tinued to devote himself to the prosecuting
1877 he became the founder, proprietor, and publisher of the National Tribune. Besides being a successful newspaper publisher, he has at times been identified with railroads, banking, and mining in- terests. He is also largely interested in Washington city real estate. At the inauguration of 1889, Mr. Lemon was appointed chairman of the finance com- mittee, and during the Washington en- campment of the Grand Army of the Republic, he occupied a similar position. Through his endeavors, $100,000 was raised for the benefit of Mrs. Logan. As a member of the citizens' committee, he helped to carry the Rock Creek park pro-
George E. Lemon was born in Onon- ject to its final success of October, 1890. daga county, N. Y., in the year 1843. His Mr. Lemon's paper, the National Tribune, early days were spent upon a farm. The has a circulation throughout every state outbreak of the great Civil war found him in the union. It is published in the in- a student in the freshman class of the terest of old Union soldiers, and is devoted heart and soul to the historical records of the war. In February, 1892, the Tribune company became the owners of the American Farmer, a periodical established in April, 1819, and said to be the oldest agricultural paper in the United States.
FRANCIS G. NEWLANDS.
Francis G. Newlands was born in the year 1847, near the famous old town of Natchez, Miss., which is considered the most beautiful and romantic spot on the the state of Illinois and was partially educated at Yale, retiring therefrom in his junior year. In 1870 he graduated in the law department of Columbia college, Washington, D. C. As a student he was bright and hard working and a general favorite with both professors and fellow- students. He early evinced an inclination and aptitude for politics and a brilliant
commission. At the conclusion of the " Father of Waters." He was reared in
235
PERSONAL SKETCHES - DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
future was predicted for him. After re- Union. But the federal election bill, ceiving his diploma he went to San Fran- brought up in the house of representa- tives in 1890, met with his opposition. cisco, where he practiced law for seven- teen years, building up for himself a large and lucrative business and advancing rapidly to the front ranks in his profes- sion. He was brought forward by the democratic party to run in opposition to
Mr. Newlands is a wealthy and public- spirited man. His own interests as well of those of the Sharon estate, of which he acts as sole trustee, are largely con- fined to Nevada. He has implicit faith Senator Hearst for United States senator, in the future material prosperity of the but withdrew from the field before the time appointed for the legislative elec- tion.
In 1887 he was made trustee of the large estates of the late Senator William Sharon, and the duties pertaining thereto required his removal to Nevada, where he has since made his home and maintained his legal residence. Always interested in political and economical questions he be- came warm in his views respecting the silver question in its bearing upon the financial policy of the government, inves- tigating the subject profoundly and ex- haustively in a manner similar to that which years before had characterized his legal studies. He became a convert to the double monetary standard or bi- metallic system of currency, and in 1889 was appointed a delegate to the great silver convention held at St. Louis. By this convention he was made a member of the national executive silver commit- tee and in 1800 vice-chairman.
Francis Newlands remained with the democratic party up to the issuing of President Cleveland's famous tariff re- form message. Differing vehemently with the views therein set forth he turned to the republican party and voted and worked for Mr. Harrison. During the campaign of 1889 he engaged in “stump- ing" Nevada for the republican ticket, which was elected by the largest majority of votes ever enjoyed by any state in the
state of his adoption, and for its advance- ment has intelligently and zealously striven. No man has stood higher in the business circles of Washington city. Large enterprises have been assigned him for the forwarding of the interests of the city.
A prominent citizen of the west and an intimate friend of Mr. Newlands, says of him: " Mr. Newlands is one of the most energetic, enlightened and public-spirited citizens that Nevada has. He believes the state is susceptible of a development like that which has made California per- manently a great agricultural state. He believes that the same results as those ob- tained in California in developing the soil, and the good effect it has had in agriculture, horticulture and viniculture can through irrigation be accomplished in Nevada. He believes Nevada is destined to become a great state and he is doing a giant's part to bring it about."
In order that he might better demon- strate his faith in the results that might be obtained by developing the soil in Nevada, Mr. Newlands published a book upon the Possibilities of Irrigation in Ne- vada, accompanying the same with maps and diagrams. This volume attracted a great deal of attention, not only in Nevada, but throughout the United States. The wonderful zeal compounded with his rare intelligence have filled his speeches with interest, and his utterances have been
236
PERSONAL SKETCHES - DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
irrefutable in their logic and masterly and His final preparations for a university convincing in their marshaling of facts. As a conversationalist Mr. Newlands is entertaining and cultured; his manner is earnest and direct, utterly devoid of af- fectation, exhibiting the gift of the orator in a high degree; but upon no subject has he talked more clearly or convincingly than upon his favorite "Silver Question."
EDWARD A. OLDHAM
was born in Wilmington, in the state of North Carolina, on the 13th of January, 1860. His ancestry, like that of all the Oldhams in America, goes back to Hugh de Oldham, Bishop of Exeter, after whom the city of Oldham in England originally took its name. The father of the subject of this sketch was Alexander Oldham, a native of Orange county, N. C., who was educated at the Bingham school, a famous institution established in that county a century ago. He was afterward a prosperous manufacturer and leading business man in the city of Wilmington. His wife, and the mother of Edward A. Oldham, was a Miss Pipkin, the daughter of a wealthy planter, who was educated in the affluent days of the old south, at the famous Friends' school of Dubre Knight, at Wilmington, Del., where many southern families sent their daughters. She was a woman of rare social charms and intellectual gifts, who personally superintended her son's education until he was prepared to enter select private schools in his native city. In 1874 he en- tered the Horner school, a North Car- olina institution, famous for its thorough- ness in the languages and belles lettres. He was next a student in Wilson college, at Wilson, N. C., which bore a high repu- tation for its attention to popular science.
course were made at Bethel, in Virginia, where he edited the college paper and won the W. W. Corcoran essayist medal. He was to go to Europe and complete his education in Germany, but the serious illness and subsequent death of his mother, and unforseen business re- verses of his father, changed his cher- ished plans, and he determined forthwith to enter upon his chosen career as a man of letters. His first newspaper work was for the New York Herald. This was in 1879, and from that date to this writing, he has led the active life of a journalist and litterateur. He came to Washington city as a newspaper correspondent in the winter of that year, and for a time worked for the Post and Sunday Capital. He was managing editor of the Daily Commercial News at New Berne, N. C., in 1880, and the following year began the publication of The New South, a Monday morning paper at Wilmington, N. C., which he discontinued, at the end of a year, to assume control of the Sentinel, at Winston, N. C. Here he remained four years, and gave that paper the largest weekly circulation in North Carolina, with a single exception. He was asso- ciated with Walter H. Page, now editor of The Forum, in the establishment at Raleigh, N. C., in 1883, of the State Chronicle. He became managing editor of the Daily Hot Blast, at Anniston, Ala., in 1887. During 1888 and '89 he was editor-in-chief of the Daily World and the Sunday Budget, at Charleston, S. C. He next founded the Daily Globe at Dur- ham, N. C., but withdrew in 1890 from active newspaper work, removing in that year to Washington city, where he has since devoted himself to literary work, the while, employed in the preparation of
237
PERSONAL SKETCHES - DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
the North Caroline volume of "Stories of C. C. Andrews, of Andrews college, at the States," the historical series pub- Cuthbert, in that state.
lished by D. Lathrop & Co., of Boston.
Mr. Oldham was the youngest member of the honorary committee under whose was given at Booth's theater in New
He is a vice-president of the North Carolina Historical society, and a mem- ber of the American Historical associa- tion, the American Economic society, the American Folk Lore society, and the Association of American Authors. As a member of the American Copyright league, of which James Russell Lowell was president, he did zealous and highly effective service in securing the enactment of the international copyright law.
Mr. Oldham is a contributor to The Century Magazine, the Harper publica- tions, The Arena, the Magazine of Ameri- can History and many other leading periodicals. As a writer on technical and industrial subjects, he has con-
NATHANIEL PAIGE,
formerly journalist but now an active auspices the memorable entertainment practitioner of law in Washington, D. C., was born in the picturesque Mohawk val- York, in February, 1881, to provide funds ley, N. Y., near Schenectady, in 1830, and for the erection of a fitting national memorial to Edgar Allan Poe. Among the names on the committee were many of the most distinguished writers and actors in this country.
was educated at Lansingburg, in che same state. His law studies were under Hoyne, Miller & Lewis, of Chicago, Ill., where he was admitted to the bar in 1861. In the same year he removed to Washington, D. C., engaging as correspondent of the New York Tribune, and his spicy war re- ports to that journal, over the signature " N. P.," attracted much attention at that time and are still remembered by many until the present day. When the excite- ment of the war was over, he went to New Orleans, where he was the impelling power that started the New Orleans Re- publican. Two years later he went to Raleigh, N. C., where he edited the Stan- dard, with great vigor, during the Grant campaign, after which he returned to Washington, where he has ever since re- mained and been engaged in the active and lucrative practice of his profession.
The marriage of Nathaniel Paige was tributed to every leading American solemnized in 1868, his bride being Rose journal of that class, and some abroad. Goldsmith, of New York, the happy union He was the first to agitate the subject of resulting in the birth of six children, of a state technological school in North whom five still survive, as follows: Martha Carolina, and for years he has been re- Elizabeth, Nathaniel, Jason, Sidney and garded as an authority on all matters Lida. The Paige family is of genuine pertaining to the material side of the American stock and antedates the Revolu- south.
tionary war, the grandfather of the gentle- Mr. Oldham was married at Norfolk, man whose name heads this sketch, and Va., on December, 1884, to Miss Margaret whose name was also Nathaniel, having Andrews. They have two children. Mrs. been born in Massachusetts in the early Oldham is a member of the Georgia part of the eighteenth century and having family of Andrews, noted for their intel- taken an active part in the heroic struggle lectual gifts. Her father was President alluded to. This patriot's son, Nathaniel
238
PERSONAL SKETCHES - DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Fish Paige, was also a native of Massachu- tysburg. General Cross had also been setts, having been born in Hardwick, in that state. He was a manufacturer, and his business life was passed in Albany, and New Amsterdam, N. Y. He married Abigail Remington, who bore him a family of four children, in the following order: Martha (now deceased), Parmelia, Laura (deceased), and Nathaniel, the em- inent attorney named above. Nathaniel Fish Paige bade farewell to earth in 1858, and in 1859 his widow also went to her long home.
MYRON MELVIN PARKER,
banker and real estate dealer at Wash- ington, D. C., was born in Fairfax, Vt., November 7, 1843, and came of a martial family and a patriotic one. He is a son of Melvin V. and Emeline (Story) Parker, grand- son of Robert and Sophia (Cross) Parker, and great-grandson of Robert Parker, a private in the Revolutionary army. On the maternal side he is a grandson of Elijah and Rhoda (Cressey) Story, great- grandson of Elijah Story of Fairfax, Vt. - a soldier of the Revolution, and great-grandson of Joseph and Persis (Wheeler) Cross. Joseph Cross, who died in 1850 at the age one hundred and three years, served in the patriot army at Lexington and Bunker Hill. M. M. of the ceremonies incident to the laying Parker is also a great-grandson of John Cressey, a native of Connecticut, who served with the continental army at Brooklyn, White Plains, Brandywine, Germantown and Yorktown. All of his grandfathers served in the war of 1812. Mr. Parker is a cousin, also, of Colonel and brevet Brigadier-general Edward E. Cross, who was a colonel of the fighting Fifth New Hampshire regiment; com- manded a brigade, and was killed at Get-
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.