USA > North Carolina > Historical and descriptive review of North Carolina, volume 1 > Part 17
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
regarded as one of the most clear headed men in Granville. Mr. Cannady also does the fire insurance business for the county, represent- ing four of the strongest companies in exis- tence: the Hartford, the North British and Mer- cantile, Germania and New York Home, which last paid 4,000,000 of losses at the Chicago fire. Last year he wrote premiums running up $12,000 in amount, which, coupled with the names of the companies he represents and the attention he gives all claims and counter- claims is sufficient to allow one to congratu- late the county on the possession of such a desirable insurance agency. He is a' K. of P. and a Baptist; he married in 1879 Miss Young, of Granville, has 3 children and a nice home with every comfort.
D. A. HUNT, GENERAL MERCHANT.
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This house was originally founded in 1855 as R. L. Hunt & Bros., who continued till after the war; in '65 the name was changed to R. L. & D. A. Hunt; in '72 the latter joined the firm of Herndon, Hunt & Co., till the fall of 1874 ; from then till April. 1881, when Mr. Hunt took in his sons, H. & R. Hunt, he conducted his affairs alone waxing stronger and growing greater with each succeeding year, till now he is considered the largest and and solidest merchant in this town. The house occupies a 3 story corner building which is filled with stock valued at from 35 to $40,000. This contains everything ordinarily used for clothing or feeding man or beast, as well what goes to make up articles used in the prosecu- tion of farming or other business. Foreign and domestic dry goods, clothing, fine and cheap shoes, hats and caps, hardware, cutlery, farming implements, crockery and glassware, and heavy groceries.
The firm i- this season going into handling good brands of fertilizers. Six or eight com- petent employees assist the owners in the dis- charge of their duties, and the trade of the
firm steadily increases through Wake, Frank- lin, Warren, Vance, Halifax, Mecklenburg. Va., Person, Orange, Caswell, Durham and Granville.
Mr. Hunt comes of an influential family. His great grandfather, Jno. Penn, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, is buried in what is now Vance county. Mr. Hunt was born in Granville near Oxford and is the only one left of a large family. He owns large tracts of valuable lands in this county. His plantations are are all named and numbered: Harrisburg, near town, 245 acres, produces fine tobacco; Mallory, 451 acres also grows tobacco: Mallory No. 2, 300 acres. is further from town; the old Hunt home- stead is 135 acres, and the fifth. the Frazer farm of 187 acres, is located 7 miles north of Oxford. These are all rented to tenants who are among the most prosperous farmers in the country. Last year there was sold from these farms 60 barns of flue-cured leaf, about 300,000 lbs., besides this, large quantities of corn, wheat, oats, etc., were raised. Mr. Hunt also has some stock on the land. He runs the Herndon mill at Fishing creek. This gentleman is a leader in the Baptist denomi- nation. He has been once or twice town commissioner. He married on 19th January, 1852. Miss L. Herndon, and has 7 children and 3 grand-children.
He stands as a pillar of Granville and North Carolina's commercial greatness and material welfare and moral and social prosperity.
R. W. LASSITER, ERIOR CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT.
Was born in this county on December 29th, 1815. His ancestors who came from the eastern part of the State settled in the north- ern portion of this county where young Lassi- ter was raised, received the rudiments of edu- cation and then went to Randolph-Macon College for two years. Leaving here he went to Hillsboro where, under Gov. Graham, for two years he applied himself to the study of law being admitted to the bar on January 1st, 1841. He commenced practice at Oxford and for many years was one of the lights of the bar at this point. Judge Lassiter was now one of the weightiest men in the county, and during the war, being a strong Unionist, he was in 1862 elected to the Senate, the people having such confidence in him that they thought he could put an end to the contest, and in 1864 he was elected for the same rea- son. In 1865 he became President of the R. & G. R. R .. In 1868 and in 1870 he was again returned to the Senate. Leaving the Senate he returned to practice law; was later ap- pointed United States Commissioner holding that office till 1882 when he was elected to his present position. He was also county examiner in 1880 and 1881 and was one of the first board of the State Asylum. The Judge has been a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity since 1840, and origin-
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TOWN OF OXFORD.
ated and built St. John's College under its anspices. He is a man of a well trained mind and he has refused more offices than many men have aspired to ; he is in principal stalwart, in speech liberal and in action independent. He married on February 14th. 1849, Catharine P. Skinner of Perquimans county and has a family of five sons. The eldest is a gradu- ate of West Point and Lieutentant in the United States army, the second graduated from Princeton studied at Berlin and Bonn and is a minister of the Episcopal Church with a charge on Staten Island, N. Y .; the fourth is in the United States sub-treasury in New York, and the third and fifth are in Ox- ford in business.
COL. J. S. AMIS.
A respected citizen and well known lawyer of Granville was born in this county, edu- cated at Caldwell Institute at Greensboro, af- torwards at Chappel Hill from which he grad- uated in 18446. He was engaged as a teacher a year at the first mentioned institution, later studied law under Judge Battle and was ad- mitted to the bar in 1848 and to the Supreme Court in 1849. He practiced till 1856 and then retired to his farm and came again to. the courts after the war. In 1852-3-4 he was representative to the State Legislature and in 1854 was the Whig candidate for the Speaker- ship of the House. During the war he was Colonel of the militia stationed in this county. In 1862 and again in 1864 he was elected to the House of Representatives. In 1866 he was elected County Solicitor serving till recon- struction in 1868. From 1872 to 1878 he was chaiman of the county Democratic Execu- tive Committee, of which he is still a mem- ber, from 1877 to 1878 he was on the Board of Directors of the State Insane Asylum. In all the various positions Colonel Amis has acted unselfishly and energetically and has shown hiniself fully worthy of the trusts submitted to him. Since the war he has had his law of- fice in Oxford, is now in the bank building and being a well read lawyer enjoys a good practice in this and Vance counties. He is a member of the Presbyterian body. He mar- ried a Hillsboro lady and has two of a family.
L. H. CURRIN, LEAF TOBACCO BROKER,
Among these younger men who are rapidly increasing the importance of this thriving to- bacco centre is the above gentleman. He first started as a buyer 5 years ago in Hen- derson, after two years there, he moved to Oxford where he was also two years ; he then went to Ashville, but after a season found that in this market he could best secure the grades of bright leaf that his patrons mostly wanted. He consequently returned here at the begin- ning of the present season. He handles the leaf mostly on order for large manufacturers and dealers of the North and West. He has
large accommodation for drying and storing the tobacco after it is bought. His two prize houses are located near the depot : the one is four stories high 40x80 ft .. the other being 3 stories with the same size of floors. He en- ploys regularly about 8 hands. This year lie will handle about half a million pounds of all grades of bright leaf. Mr. Currin is one of the numerous and influential family of that name, is a native of Granville, was formerly chairman of the arbitration committee, and has a wife. He enjoys a reputation as an ac- tive buyer, and parties will look to their best interests by trusting their orders to him.
WILKINSON BROS. GENERAL MERCHANTS, AND LEAF TO- BACCO DEALERS.
These enterprising gentlemen originally started business 4 years ago in Henderson, suc- ceeding J. F. Harris & Co,, and on 1st April,'84 moved to Oxford, where they have since done a live and rapidly increasing trade. They oc- cupy on the main street a handsome store 28x 120 ft., and here they carry a varied stock of general merchandise valued at some 6 or $7000. This contains a full line of foreign and domestic dry goods, fancy and dress goods, a large variety of shoes, including Geo. H. Ziegler's and Heizer's famous makes ; their own 2.98 shoe commands a large sale ; also clothing to suit all pockets, gents' fur- nishing goods, a fine lot of new furniture- chamber and parlor sets, staple groceries and farmers' supplies generally. Their trade this year amounts to about $25.000. Messrs. Wil- kinsons have also this season commenced the leaf tobacco business, have provided them- selves with a 2-story 38x80 ft. prize house, and we cannot wish them anything better in this line than the same success they have had as general merchants. These gentlemen W. I. & Henry Wilkinson are natives of Mecklen- burg county, Va., the former has been 14 years in this State ; they are men of foresight and prudence, are also socially active, and belong to the Baptist denomination.
JOHN W. HAYS, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW .
A well known citizen of Oxford, was born at Crowell Cross Roads, Halifax county, N. C. When he was ten years old his mother moved to Oxford, and young Hays thus re- ceived his education at the academy in this town. Leaving school he diligently applied himself to the study of the fundamental principles of that profession, he has since happily pursued, in Judge Pearson's Law School at Richmond Hill, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. He has since practiced in Oxford and enjoys a fine business, chiefly in real estate and as a consulting lawyer. From 56 to 66 Mr. Hays was in partnership with R. W. Lassiter, and from about '71 to '74 with A. S. Peace, both of this town. From 1856-68
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
he was Master in Equity, a post to which the incumbent, it is well known, is appointed in virtue of his wide knowledge of the law. Mr. Hays has also been from time to time Mayor and Alderman in Oxford. He is a Master Mason. He married in 1859 Miss Sally Deuty. of this county, and has a family of six chil- dren. Mr. Hays is a conscientious and care- ful counsellor, and is held in general respect by the people of this country.
LASSITER & KING, DRUGGISTS.
The advent into mercantile circles of young men of push and ability is a special subject for favorable comment, as they tend not only to introduce new and improved methods of doing things, but give a tone and strength to their line. Such a firm is that of Lassiter & King, who have succeeded to this old drug business. The house
was originally nally founded about 15 years ago as Crawford & Co., who were followed by Jones & Rodgers, these by E. T. Jones & Co., who gave place on 1st January of this year to the present house. The store, a central point for business as well as for the social gathering of the town, is 26x60 feet in extent. It is filled with a varied and carefully selected stock, valued at some $4,000, which includes a full line of foreign and home drugs and chemicals, also all the standard proprietary medicines, Landreth's garden seeds, perfumery, toilet neccessaries, fancy holiday articles, cigars. tobacco, confectioneries etc. An $800 soda fount forms a handsome ornament to the premises. The individual owners of the es- tablishment are Jas. S Lassiter and W. H. King. The first is a native of Granville, was 8 years in New York, where he gained that experience which has placed him as one of the best young business men of Oxford. The second is from Wake county, has had many years practice as a druggist in Goldsboro, Dur- ham and Raleigh. He obtained his diploma in August last, while in Charlotte, belongs to the N. C. Pharmaceutical Association, and gives his careful attention to the prescription department. In conclusion it is but just to say Messrs. Lassiter & King are fully compe- tent to maintain and increase the large patron- age this establishment has always enjoyed.
Dr. C. D. H. FORT, DENTIST.
The dental profession in Oxford is well rep- resented in the person of the above gentlemen who during several years practice has made for himself a first-class reputation. The doc- tor is a native of Maryland, having been born in Ellicott city in that State. He studied his profession at the famous Baltimore Dental College, graduating from it in 1875. In 1876 he graduated in medicine from College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore.
He first practiced in Scotsville, Albemarle Co., Va .. 18 months, then in Vicksburg. Miss.
2 years, and in '79 came to Oxford. His den- tal rooms located on the main street, are pro- vided with every convenience for carrying on operations with speed, which combined with the skill of an experienced operator make the establishment a desirable place to visit when in request of such work.
Dr. Fort married an Oxford lady, is a K. of H., K. of P. and Methodist. Lately the Dr. has made a great success with the application of Cocoaine in extracting teeth by which there is very little pain felt in the operation.
A. W. ALLEN,
LAWYER.
A young lawyer of Oxford. was born in the southern portion of this county, received his elementary education at the county schools and then went to the State University at Chap- pel Hill. Here he carried off the Debater's Medal in the Dialetic Society and graduated from it in 1882. He was a student of law under Robert Winston, at present Senator from Granville, and was admitted in October, 1884. During his short career at the bar Mr. Allen has shown himself possessed of a good know- ledge of law and of those qualities which go to make a successful advocate.
He is one of the popular young men of the county, and has been appointed to attend to the duties of the county treasurer's office. In the fall of last year he edited the 'Torchlight'. He is 2d lieut. in the newly organized military company, the Granville Greys, also belongs to the A. O. O. F., and being of progressive and liberal ideas well merits success at the bar.
A. H. A. WILLIAMS,
PRESIDENT OF THE
OXFORD AND HENDERSON RAILROAD.
To-day when railroads have become the most powerful agents in civilization the historian descanting on the industries of a people must give conspicuous mention to a railroad that has had a great and beneficial influence on the progress of Oxford.
The road was commenced in 1880 and on the 16th of August, 1881, was opened for busi- ness. The track is 13 miles long; rails are of steel, and broad guage single track. The rolling stock consists of 2 locomotives, 2 pass- enger. 7 box and flat cars. A mixed train is run both ways daily.
Mr. A. H. A. Williams, the president of the road, was born in Franklin and reared in Nash county. In 1871 he removed to Gran- ville, and was several years engaged princi- pally in the manufacture of tobacco. and grad- ually engaged in other enterprises. He is a large dealer in real estate. also in tobacco, and has extensive farming and mining interests in varions counties. He owns valuable lands in Granville, on which he raises fine tobacco, corn, oats, wheat, etc .: his crops being a stand- ard advertisement for this section of the coun-
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TOWN OF OXFORD.
try. His opinion is highly valued in regard to subjects pertaining to agriculture and other local topics. In Person county he owns rich copper mines, the metal from which rivals the finest Lake Superior. Possessing one of the best and most thorough financial heads that graces the commercial enterprise of our State, Mr. Williams annually increases his stock of this world's goods.
His advancement in political prominence has been steady and uninterrupted from his advent in political life. His family has ever been a moter in Governmental circles, and the subject of our sketch does not lack thesc an- cestral traits. In 1882-3 he represented his county in the State Legislature and was elected again last year. As representative Mr. Williams is perhaps the strongest leader of the sound sense and judg- ment of the House, and his arguments have a telling effect on his hearers. A born leader of men, in the prime and vigor of man- hood, with a clear head and a mind unsullied by those excesses to which public men often fall a prey, with wealth, experience and friends, Mr. Williams in the great political material and social era which is dawning on our State is destined to play a no less con- spicuous than beneficial part.
This excellent gentleman among other offices is Director of the State Orphan Asylum. He married in 1871 Miss Sue Bryan of Edgecombe county, and has an interesting group of five children to shed the rays of sunshine around his domestic hearthstone.
E. T. RAWLINS,
DRY GOODS, SHOES, CLOTHING, ETC.
Mr. Rawlins started business in 1880 in this town. His store 24×60 ft., is centrally lo- cated on the main street, is well arranged, and is one of the popular purchasing resorts of town. The stock averaging some 5 or $6,000 in value, is displayed so as to invite the attention of callers, and enable them to readily select something suitable. It contains the largest selection of shoes in the county, from heavy brogans to finest ladies French calf goods, procured direct from manufac- turers and sold at prices which defy competi- tion ; the assortment of ready made men's and boys' clothing is full and complete : in dry goods we find the products of the best foreign and domestic looms, also hats and caps, and Amcrican and French notions. Mr. Rawlins is a merchant of no mean ability, knows exactly when, where and how to buy, consequently the wonderful bargains he is constantly astonishing the publie with. He employs two polite hands, and his trade amounting to some $15,000 annually steadily increases. He is a native of Mecklenburg, Va., has been 11 years in this business, came to this State in 1875. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Mr. Rawlins handles the following specialties ; Eighmnie shirt, best fitting shirt in the world, sold at $1.00, manufactured at
Poughkeepsie. He has just received a solid case of corsets containing 300. He sells them at 50c., a better cannot be got in town for 75c : this season he has had made for Spring trade, 144 pairs of calf skin shocs, familiarly known as Rawlins 2.49, 2.99 and 3.00, in lace, congress and button, also a case of shirting prints at 5e. a yard, a case of dress prints at same.
BOOTH & ROGERS, LEAF TOBACCO DEALERS,
Who are among the principal leaf speeula- tors in Oxford, commenced business on the 1st Nov. last, though the senior partner has been on this market many years. They oc- cupy a large and well arranged prize house, 40x80 feet, 4 floors, enjoy every facility for drying, storing and handling tobacco, and have always on hand a large stock of all grades of the fine bright yellow leaf raised in this section of country, whose soil as a to- bacco producer, stands nnrivalled throughout the world. Careful in selecting uniform grades for shipment with ample capital enabling them to buy at the most convenient seasons, they enjoy a solid and increasing patronage from the great tobacco manufactu- ring centres of the continent, and can refer those wishing to open up relations with them, to the strongest houses in these markets, as well as at home.
HOBWOOD FEMALE SEMIN- ARY.
Oxford which has always been noted as an educational centre maintains to-day in great measure her envied reputation in the exis- tence and successful working of the above institution. Professor Hobgood took the school in charge in 1880 and during these five years has greatly increased its popularity, its number of pupils (the first year 104 now 135) as well as the efficacy and extent of the course of tuition. This now consists of the following : All the English branches, Latin, French and German, the rudiments of science ; for music and vocal there is a first- class German professor and lady assistant; in the art department, superintended by a graduate of Cooper Institute, N. Y., lessons in all styles of drawing and painting as well as ornamentation and decoration are given. The age of the pupils runs from 8 to 20 years, they come from all over North Carolina, they average about half and half, boarders and day scholars. The school building, irregularly shaped, is large and handsome, and the rooms are spacious, well ventilated and provided with every facility for teaching and every convenience for the comfort and health of pupils. Professor Hobgood who is ably as- sisted by his wife and a matron, besides com- petent teachers for each department is well known as one of the men most suited to his calling in the State. He is a native of Gran- ville, graduated from Wake Forest in 1868,
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
taught two years at Reidsville and ten years at the Raleigh Female School, and those de- siring for their girls a first-class education and a pleasant home at reasonable rates can not do better than place them under his ex- perienced care.
M. B. JONES, POSTMASTER.
The position of Postmaster is at present filled in Oxford by a gentleman whose apti- tude therefor has been thoroughly tested. Mr. Jones is a native of Orange county, and has had a gradually rising political career. From '67 to '70 he was Internal Revenue Officer, his place of action being in the northern part of Granville county ; in '70 he was appointed census taker, from '72 to '78 he was county treasurer. On the 11 January '82 he entered upon the duties of his present po- sition, and has given such strict attention to the same, as to have drawn forth favorable comments from various members of the community on the system that has attended the receipt and distribution of mail matter. In March last the business of the office in- creased so as to obtain for Oxford a classifica- tion as a third-class postoffice. Mr. Jones is an active member of the Masonic Order, and is the right man in the right placc.
W. S. OVERBEY, MANUFACTURER OF WAGONS, CARTS. &c.
REPAIRING A SPECIALTY. IIORSE-SHOEING.
In country districts the subject of wagon manufacturing and repairing is one of the utmost importance, and it takes men of no small experience to conduct the business sue- cessfully. Oxford in the person of the enter- prising gentleman under notice fortunately possesses a mechanie of experience in and aptitude for his line of trade, Mr. Overbey started in his new shop on the 1st of January last, though he has been known to the people of this county as a carriage maker for over 8 years. He is properly speaking a wood-work- er by trade. In his shop which is provided with all the conveniences for carrying on work, he employs four hands, two in the wood working and two in the blacksmithing department. He is prepared to make any kind of buggy, carriage or wagon to order at short notice, though he makes a specialty of repairing. Mr. Overby is also agent for Davis & Gregory's buggies and wagons. He is a native of Granville, is a Methodist, has a family of two, and as a mechanic has a thorough knowledge of what is requisite to the well being of a four-wheeled vehicle.
THOMAS M. WASHINGTON,
REGISTER OF DEEDS.
The post of Register of Deeds is at present well filled in Granville by a young and rising gentleman of Oxford. Mr. Washington was born in Granville on the 16th April, 1862, raised here and finished his scholastic educa- tion at Carwell Academy in Orange county . He then entered the store of Morgan Bros. in Wake county, was later at home a couple of years with his father, and clerked in Oxford several years.
He was three years auctioneer in Cooper's tobacco warchouse till last Fall he was chosen as democratic nominee for the post of Regis- ter, and in the election made a glorious race beating the conjoint vote of his two republi- can opponents by 319 majority. Mr. Wash- ington is one of the most popular young men in this county. He is an Odd Fellow, is in the new military company-the Granville Greys, and is one of those men to whom this country will look for her continned prosperity and happiness.
TORCHLIGHT.
An enterprising town naturally possesses a go-a-head journal, and in eonsequenee we find Oxford the owner of the above mentioned newspaper, which in its progressiveness keeps pace with the general advancement of the town. The torehlight for upwards of 12 years has been a truthful exponent of the views of the people, and its columns have always eon- tained concise information. It has a eircula- of about 1000, is 8 page 6 column. 29x44 in .. and is very largely patronized in the adver- tising columns by the best houses of the whole country. In connection with it the owners also do a good job printing business, and un- dertake all work in this line. Three compe- tent hands are employed aud satisfaction is guaranteed to all having dealings with the house. Messrs. Gregory & Jones, the owners. are live and active men. The first is a native of Granville, is a Mason, Episcopalian and is well and favorably known throughout this eounty. He was lieutenant in the 2d N. C. Junior Reserves, served as a Justice of the Peace, and is now Mayor of Sassafras Fork, the only incorporated town in the county be- sides Oxford. The second is from Mecklen- burg county, Va., is a practical printer by trade, came here last year, and is an addition to the journal and the town. Energetie journ- alists, and honest business men these gentle- men have attained a standing for themselves and their paper which is but merited and de- served.
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