USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 103
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 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106
Mr. Elliott came to Hickory in 1885, finding the usual quiet, unambitious country town, with its small, everyday activities and unimportant dragging industries. His quick intelligence saw wonderful opportunities here, and with the instinct of a natural builder, in imagination he pictured the present flourishing industrial plants with their hundreds of happy, contented, prosperous workmen, and then set the machinery in order
that made his visions concrete facts. Since then hundreds of thousands of dollars have been in- vested here in establishing furniture factories and various kinds of wood-working industries, this being a great construction point for wagons, builders' material and cotton mills. All these concerns are well capitalized and pay high wages and this contributes to general prosperity as the larger part of these wages are spent at Hickory.
While Mr. Elliott has built up an independent fortune for himself, no other man has done so much for the place. Besides being the organizer and principal financier of most of the large enter- prises, he has spent a fortune in erecting the busi- ness houses and industrial plants that he still owns. Mr. Elliott owns a large amount of property but very little of it is vacant, it being said of him that no land appears attractive to him until it has been improved with buildings, and these, to satisfy him, must be appropriate and fine ex- amples of constructive art. He may be especially proud of the building which is the home of the First National Bank, of which institution he is president. This is, undoubtedly, one of the handsomest bank buildings in the South, with an exterior of white marble and an interior of Tennessee marble, seemingly perfect in its classic beauty. It is the exclusive home of the bank and is equipped with every modern safety device and comfort and convenience.
Mr. Elliott is president, as mentioned above, of the First National Bank, and additionally is presi- dent of the Hickory Manufacturing Company; the Dudley Shoals Cotton Mills; the Falls Manu- facturing Company; the Hickory Electric Com- pany; the Elliott Knitting Mills; the Hickory Overall Company; and is vice president of the Hickory Furniture Company; of the First Building and Loan Association, and of the Hickory Spinning Company. The last named is a new industry, the most modern, complete and thoroughly equipped spinning mills in the South, for the manufacture of cotton yarns, having been completed in the summer of 1917, on a site of twenty-three acres, in West Hickory. Mr. Elliott is also a member of the board of directors of the A. A. Shuford Mills Company, of the Piedmont Wagon and Manu- facturing Company, and a number of other business enterprises and industries in which he is interested financially.
It is remarkable, but typical of the energy and enterprise of Mr. Elliott, that with the responsi- bilities of these large business interests resting upon him, he should have found time and inspira- tion to take an active part in politics and the civic welfare of the community. It is creditable to his fellow citizens that they early recognized his sterling traits of character, his energy, vitality and sound judgment, and practically forced public office upon him, with the convictions that he would find a way to accomplish needed things. He has served ten terms of two years each, as mayor of Hickory, and during his administrations admirable public improvements have been brought about. He also served two terms as state senator from this district, representing Catawba and Lincoln counties, and during that time brought about the passage of the bill that provided for the drainage of these counties under which thousands of acres of what is now the richest agricultural land in the district have been reclaimed.
Mr. Elliott was united in marriage with Miss Mary Eliott, who belongs to one of the old families of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and they have three daughters:
J2. A. V .d. IV
385
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Mrs. Pearl Sherrill, Mrs. Hazel Henderson, and Miss Kate Elliott. Mr. Elliott is a Knight Temp- lar Mason and a Shriner, belonging to Osiris Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Charlotte.
JOHN Q. A. WOOD. Few there are still remain- ing among earthly scenes who can claim the unique distinction of having carried on the dangerous work of blockade-running during the civil strife between the forces of the South and North in the '60s, yet this was the experience of Hon. John Quincy Adams Wood, then a lad in his 'teens, and now one of the most highly respected busi- ness men of Elizabeth City. During a long and honorable career Mr. Wood has been identified with various large and important business enter- prises, has likewise been prominent in public life, and at the present time is chiefly interested in the operation of a large buggy manufacturing and repair shop and automobile garage.
Hon. John Q. A. Wood was born at Parkville, North Carolina, July 20, 1846, and is a son of William G. and Martha (White) Wood. His par- ents were farming people, and the youth's early education was gained in the country public schools, and when the struggle between the states came on he ran the blockade on the land between Eliza- abeth City and Richmond. When the war had closed he completed his education in the Univer- sity of North Carolina, and after completing his education secured employment in a general store as a clerk. In that capacity he gained the neces- sary knowledge of business methods to engage in commercial pursuits on his own account, and for some years carried on a general merchandising business.
For some years Mr. Wood had been interested in republican national affairs, and finally came prominently before the public in 1874 as candidate for a seat in the Legislature. He was duly elected to that body, and when he left the House, in 1878, was elected clerk of the Superior Court, a position which he retained for twenty years. He was then ready to reenter the business field, and January 1, 1899, purchased a plant for the man- ufacture of wagons, buggies, etc., which he soon put on a decidedly paying basis and which he has since built up to large proportions, now employ- ing fifteen skilled mechanics. The advent of the automobile and its subsequent growth in public favor caused him to add a garage to his manu- facturing and repair plant, and he now handles Dodge Brothers automobiles, this department hav- ing also shown a steady and healthy growth. In the meantime Mr. Wood has continued to main- tain his interest in politics and public affairs, and is one of the most prominent republicans in the commonwealth. In 1896 he was nominated and made an especially good race for Congress, but political conditions were against him, as they were also in 1908, 1910, 1912, 1914 and 1916, in each of which years he was candidate for state audi- tor. He has numerous business interests and is a director in the Savings Bank & Trust Company, the Elizabeth City Electric Light & Power Com- pany, and the Elizabeth City Water Works. He is a Mason of prominence, and has been active in religious work, being a member of the board of stewards of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, and a delegate to conventions of that denomina- tion for many years.
Mr. Wood has been married three times, the Vol. IV-25
present Mrs. Wood having borne the maiden name of Julia Elliott. Mr. Wood is the father of the following children: Mary E., who is now Mrs. T. B. Cooke; Julia E., who is the wife of Wil- liam P. Skinner; John E., who graduated from the state university and taught there one year. He is now a lieutenant in Company C, One Hun- dred and First United States Engineers, and now in France in the line of battle; Walter P .; Nellie R., of Saint Mary's College; Helen G., a graduate of Winston-Salem College; Elizabeth Olive; and Harold Stuart.
CAPT. JAMES BORDEN LYNCH. Among the men prominent in the architectural profession of Wil- mington, one who has come to the forefront rap- idly during recent years is Capt. James Borden Lynch, junior member of the firm of Gause & Lynch. Captain Lynch is also well known in military circles, being an officer of the Wilming- ton Light Artillery, now connected with the United States Coast Artillery.
Captain Lynch was born January 29, 1883, at Wilmington, North Carolina, and is a son of Adolphus B. and Mary (Borden) Lynch. His fa- ther is one of the well known citizens of Wil- mington, and at present is paymaster for the At- lantic Coast Line Railway. James B. Lynch was educated in the public schools of Wilmington, at Cape Fear Academy, and at the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Raleigh, North Carolina. For eight years after his graduation from the last-named institution he was employed in the offices of various architects from New York City to Tampa, Florida, and in 1915 returned to Wil- mington and entered upon the private practice of his profession. Shortly thereafter he formed a partnership with James F. Gause, Jr., and the firm of Gause & Lynch is now accounted one of the leading firms of this kind in the county. They have numerous handsome structures to their credit and have contributed materially to the upbuilding and beauty of Wilmington. Mr. Lynch is a member of the North Carolina Architectural As- sociation, and aside from his profession is a mem- ber of the Cape Fear Country Club, the Carolina Yacht Club and the Kappa Sigma fraternity. In 1901 he enlisted as a private in Company C, Sec- ond Regiment, North Carolina National Guards, known as the Wilmington Light Artillery. In 1909 he was advanced to second lieutenant, in 1915 to first lieutenant, and August 1, 1916, was promoted to captain, a rank which he now holds. Company C has since 1908 been connected with the Coast Artillery, and is known as Sec- ond Company, Coast Artillery Corps, North Car- olina National Guard.
On January 16, 1916, Captain Lynchi was mar- ried to Miss Carlotta Mugge, of Wilmington. They are members of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church.
L. A. CARPENTER. Among the old families of Catawba County, none are more widely known or have been of more substantial importance to this section of the state, than the Carpenters. Since 1760 this family has belonged to this county, liv- ing in the vicinity of the present Town of Maiden, a busy center that it founded, furnishing the original site and largely nourishing by the enter- prises it established. The Maiden Cotton mill, which has been in continuous and successful opera- . tion for the past thirty-five years, was the begin- ning of the industrial prosperity of this section.
386
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
The present head of this old and prominent family worthily represents the stock and is found in L. A. Carpenter, one of Maiden's most substantial men and respected citizens.
L. A. Carpenter was born on the Carpenter home- stead, five miles east of the present Town of Maiden, Catawba County, North Carolina, in 1853. His parents were H. F. and Mary (Car- penter) Carpenter.
Joseph Carpenter, the paternal grandfather, de- scended from one of the early German settlers in Catawba County and here he reared his family. He acquired extensive tracts of land, the Car- penter farm embracing a wide territory. His son H. F., father of L. A. Carpenter, was born one mile south of the present Town of Maiden. He became a farmer and for many years did a heavy business as a tanner. He was one of the thrifty, enterprising men who are so valuable to a community. In 1882 he established the Maiden Cotton mill, which was the first industry here and around it the town was built up on what was pre- viously the Carpenter farm. For many years the mill was operated under the firm of H. F. Car- penter & Sons, and he retained his interest until his death.
L. A. Carpenter not only learned the principles of farming but also the affiliated industries that pertain to extensive agricultural operations. Thus he became an expert tanner and also a wool carder, wool carding being an industry in the hands of the Carpenter family to a large extent in this section at that time. As a member of his father's firm, he was one of the owners of the Maiden Cotton mill, and still retains this valuable interest. He owns the old Carpenter farm on which his father was reared and it is highly developed and well improved.
Mr. Carpenter was united in marriage with Miss Ellen Huitt, who belongs to a well known old family of the county, and they have the following children : Mrs. Essie Murphy, M. F., P. A., Mrs. Bertha Holeshauser, Mrs. Pearl Covington, Mrs. Daisy Warlick, Mrs. S. M. Finger, and Clyde, Ruby, David and Donald Carpenter. While a number of his children are married and have settled near the old home, the third youngest son, thinks of home and parents from the other side of the world. He is a soldier in the regular army of the United States, is sergeant of his company, and is stationed in the Philippine Islands.
Mr. Carpenter has always taken some pride in his ancestry and also an interest in local his- tory, identified as it is with so much that pertains to the honorable achievements of his own family. At his home in Maiden, a visitor is sometimes invited to a view of a wonderful collection that he owns, a museum in fact, for it contains articles of great value and antiquity, and an added in- terest is afforded as Mr. Carpenter is acquainted with the history of the rare old books, the ancient ornaments, the faded pictures and by-gone house- hold utensils and even the firearms of another day. The collection is larger and more varied than is often found in a private home and if its ulti- mate destination be a public museum, Mr. Car- penter will have performed a generous and public spirited act.
ARCHIBALD L. BULLOCK is one of the leading merchants, bankers and planters of the commu- hity of Rowland in Robeson County. The quali- ties which have been dominant in his own success- ful career are those which have characterized and
distinguished the Bullocks for generations. There is hardly a better known name in the South. It is an English family, and the first Americans of the name settled in Virginia in the early part of the eighteenth century. From Virginia one broth- er went to North Carolina and another to Georgia. The Georgia Bullocks have spelled their names slightly different from those of North Carolina. Some of the family still remain in England, where for several generations they have been connected with the Bank of England. Sturdiness and sta- bility are the outstanding characteristics of this family. With few exceptions they have never gone in for public life, law or politics. They have been essentially and practically financiers and builders of permanent wealth in property and lands.
Archibald L. Bullock was born in Robeson County, at what is now the Town of Fairmont, in 1852. He is a son of J. W. and Sarah (McCal- lum) Bullock. His father was born in Robeson County in 1828, served through the war as a Confederate soldier, and died at his home at Rowland in 1906. His father was Lemuel Bul- lock, and his grandfather was a Revolutionary soldier who settled in Robeson County, North Carolina, while the war for independence was still in progress. J. W. Bullock's wife, Sarah McCal- lum, was of pure Scotch ancestry. Her father, Archie McCallum, was a Robeson County resi- dent and the family had been identified with that county from the time of the earliest Scotch set- tlements there.
Until he was twenty-two years of age Archi- bald L. Bullock lived at home on his father's plantation. When he left home it was to take his place at wages of $10 a month in a store at Alfordsville. It was chiefly on the foundation of his own character and sturdy abilities that he laid the structure of his permanent and sub- stantial success. He remained an employe of the store at Alfordsville 71/2 years. Experience gave him confidence and with his capital he finally formed a partnership with his brother, W. F. Bul- lock, and together they set up as general mer- chants at Alfordsville under the name A. L. and W. F. Bullock. That business grew and pros- pered and was continued until 1903, when A. L. Bullock withdrew and established himself in a similar business at Rowland. For the past fifteen years Rowland has been his home and the scene of his varied business enterprises. He now has the largest store and the best commercial build- ing in Rowland, conducted under the name of A. L. Bullock. The store building is one of the best in the entire county, a two-story brick block with a hundred foot frontage. It comprises sev- eral complete stores, filled with .a large stock of merchandise. Mr. Bullock is also vice president of the Bank of Rowland, is an extensive farmer and one of the leading producers of cotton in this section of the state. His principal farm, is the "Doors" farm in Alfordsville Township, com- prising 300 acres of the rich soil for which this part of the state is noted. Two other good farms belonging to Mr. Bullock lie east of Rowland in Thompson Township.
His solid character and large means have made him a leading and invaluable citizen of his town and county. He served four years as county com- missioner of Robeson County and two years as a member of the county board of road commissioners. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Flora McDonald College at Red Springs, and has
J. W. BULLOCK
A.E.B -Hock.
387
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
been one of the most liberal supporters of that splendid Presbyterian school since its foundation. On his mother's side he inherits the best of Scotch Presbyterianism and since his youth has been a leader in the church. He is a communicant and an elder in the Ashpole Presbyterian Church. This is 11/2 miles from Rowland, and is a flourishing congregation of nearly 250 members. Ashpole has much history associated with it as a church, and has been an organized institution for about 125 years.
Mr. Bullock married Mary Whitley, of Mecklen- burg County. They have one son, A. L. Bul- lock, Jr.
ALONZO COMMODORE KERLEY is an alumnus of the University of North Carolina whose time and activities for fifteen years have been completely devoted to educational work. Aside from the formal routine of teaching he has done much in a constructive way to promote educational advance- ment in different sections of the state, and is regarded as one of the most resourceful school administrators. Mr. Kerley is now superintendent of the Morganton graded schools.
He was born in Burke County, North Carolina, May 22, 1877, son of Samuel Commodore and Har- riet Matilda (Warlick) Kerley. He grew up on his father's farm, attended country schools and also the Patton School at Morganton. From 1898 to 1902 he pursued the classical course in the Uni- versity of North Carolina, graduating A. B. Dur- ing the following year he taught at Siler City and then for one year was principal of the Ash- land Avenue School in Asheville, for two years did school work in Tennessee, and then took charge of the schools of Mooresville, North Car- olina. Mr. Kerley has the distinction of having organized the graded school system of that town, and worked until the community had voted suf- ficient bond issues to give the schools proper equip- ment. He was there from 1906 to 1910 and stepped from the school superintendency into the office of postmaster of Mooresville, which he held from 1910 to 1914. Since then he has been superintendent of the Morganton High School.
Mr. Kerley is a member of the North Carolina Teachers Assembly and is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He was formerly a steward of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
November 26, 1905, he married Mary Louise McAnulty, of Hickory Valley, Tennessee They have three children: Martha Louise, Robert Com- modore, boru August 28, 1908, and David Moor- man, born January 9, 1918. .
REV. WILLIAM CALOWAY MEADOWS. Earnest and sincere in his convictions and broad and lib- eral in spirit, Rev. William C. Meadows, of East Fruitland, Wilkes County, is well-known through- out the district in which he resides as au earnest worker in all religious and charitable undertakings and as a man of sterling worth and integrity. He was born in Sugar Loaf Township, Alexander County, North Carolina, February 11, 1845, of English ancestry, being a descendant in the fifth generation from Daniel Meadows (1), the immi- grant ancestor, the line of descent being through Daniel (2), Gilham (3), Harvey (4), and William C. (5).
Daniel Meadows (1) was born and bred in England, and as a soldier in the British Army came to America during the Revolutionary war. He evidently sympathized with the colonists, as he
never returned to his native land, but settled in Virginia at the close of the war, and there re- mained until his death.
Daniel Meadows (2) migrated from Virginia, the place of his birth, to North Carolina when young, becoming one of the earlier settlers of that part of Wilkes County that is now included within the limits of Alexander County. Purchasing a tract of wild land, he at once began its improve- ment, and was there engaged in tilling the soil throughout the remainder of his life.
Gilham Meadows was born and reared on the home farm in Alexander County. He became a farmer from choice, and with his wife, whose maiden name was Sally Laws, lived to a good old age, his entire life having been spent in his native county.
Harvey Meadows was born in Alexander County in 1806, and was there a life-long resident and farmer. He married Jane Grayson, who was born in Wilkes County in 1814, of Virginian ancestry, and to them six children were born and reared, as follows: Elizabeth, Martha, William C., John G., Serena and Clementine.
During the days of his boyhood, William C. Meadows attended the short terms of the Sugar Loaf Township Schools, in the meantime, while as- sisting his father, becoming thoroughly familiar with the various branches of agriculture. In November, 1863, he enlisted in Company F, Second Regiment, North Carolina Troops, and with his comrades actively participated in many engage- ments of importance. At Winchester, Virginia, in October, 1864, Mr. Meadows was severely injured, a ball passing through his neck. Two months later, having recovered from his injuries, he rejoined his command, and was again at the front in several battles. On April 3, 1865, he was captured by the enemy, and being taken to New York was there held as a prisoner of war until June 20, 1865, when he was paroled.
Returning to the parental home, Mr. Meadows resumed farming with his father, and continued as his assistant about three years, when he settled on the farm which he has since occupied. This prop- erty was improved by Mr. Meadows' father-in-law, Mr. James Price, who came to Moravian Falls Township at an early day, and having bought this land, which is advantageously located on Moravian Creek, immediately began to make use of its avail- able resources. ' Soon after settling here Mr. Meadows built a grist mill and a saw mill, and subsequently took up the millwright's trade, which he followed successfully several years, erecting mills in different parts of Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee. In 1901 Mr. Meadows invented the Meadows Mill, a portable mill for grinding corn, and in 1907 took out a patent for the mill. He and his son Franklin D., subsequently began to manufacture these mills on the home farm, and at the Jamestown Exposition were awarded the gold medal for the best mill. In 1909 they sold their mill manufacturing business to R. L. Doughton and J. D. Moore, and Mr. Meadows resumed farming.
At the age of twelve years William C. Meadows united with the Baptist Church, and from that time was deeply interested in religious matters. In 1871 he was licensed to preach, and in 1879 was ordained as a minister of the gospel. The ensuing four years he had charge of the Pilgrim Church in Alexander County, and for another four years was pastor of the Pleasant Home Church in Wilkes County, at the same time preaching in Little Rock
388
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Church. Later Mr. Meadows had charge of the churches of his denomination in Mount Carmel, Mount Pleasant and Pleasant Hill, and at New Hope in Wilkes County. After eighteen years of strenuous labor as a minister Mr. Meadows lost his voice, and lie was forced to retire from the ministry for twenty years. Since regaining his vocal powers he has often supplied pulpits in different places, being ever ready to respond to calls.
Mr. Meadows married, April 3, 1867, Mary Price, who was born on the farm now occupied by Mr. Meadows, a daughter of James and Annie (Hubbard) Price. She died November 7, 1895, leaving five children, William G., Franklin D., Robert C., Viola and Pansy. Mr. Meadows mar- ried for his second wife, in 1896, Eveline Carlton, who was born in Wilkes County, a daughter of Burton and Nancy (Swanson) Carlton.
William G. Meadows, the eldest child of Rev. Mr. Meadows, married Grace McRary, and they have three children, Vetra, Mark and Annie. Franklin D. Meadows married for his second wife, Miss Parlier, who died a few years later, leaving two children, Fay and Clate. He subsequently married for his third wife Edna Edson. Robert C. Meadows married Minnie Carlton, and they have two sons, James and Earl. Viola, wife of Rom Carlton, has three children, Blake, Caloway and Marie. Pansy, wife of Mint Jones, has two chil- dren, Mary and Evelyn. Vetra Meadows, the oldest grandchild of Rev. Mr. Meadows, married Arthur Deal, and has two children, Lucile and Annie W. Mark Meadows married Margaret Pennell, and they have one daughter, Pauline. Annie Meadows married Romulus Jennings, and has three children, Beatrice, Romulus, Jr., and Gracie E.
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.