History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV, Part 11

Author: Connor, R. D. W. (Robert Digges Wimberly), 1878-1950; Boyd, William Kenneth, 1879-1938. dn; Hamilton, Joseph Gregoire de Roulhac, 1878-
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Chicago : New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 750

USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 11

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In 1886 he removed to the new Town of Winston and spent five years with A. B. Gorrell as auc- tioneer. Then associated with W. P. Watt, of Reidsville, he leased a warehouse and operated it two years under the firm name of Watt & Webb. In the meantime he was elected a member of the board of aldermen and was mayor pro tem. On the death of Mayor Kerner he was elected mayor. In 1894 Mr. Webb became auctioneer for the firm of M. Norfleet, and has followed that business steadily to the present time. For some years he has also edited and published the Southern Tobacco Journal and is a recognized authority on the tobacco business of the South. Mr. Webb is now a member of the board of aldermen of Winston-

GARLAND E. WEBB

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

Salem, and again occupies the office of mayor pro tem. He is also a member and vice chairman of the school board of Winston-Salem and for twelve years has been secretary and general man- ager of the Piedmont Fair Association. For five years he has been secretary and treasurer of the Tobacco Association of the United States.

At Lancaster, Massachusetts, in 1883 he married Miss Adeline Emmerson Holman. The officiating clergyman at the marriage was Doctor Bartol. Mr. and Mrs. Webb had four children: Charlotte, Adeline, A. Magnum and Calvin. Mrs. Webb died in September, 1914. She was a devout mem- ber of the First Presbyterian Church, with which Mr. Webb is also identified. In June, 1917, Mr. Webb married Miss Annie Laur Forgan, of Ogle, Virginia.

ZACHARIAH TAYLOR BYNUM. A surviving vet- eran of the war between the states, and for many years identified with the tobacco industry in West- ern North Carolina, Zachariah Taylor Bynum is still active as a business man and citizen of Win- ston-Salem.

He represents an old and well known family of North Carolina. His birth occurred on a planta- tion in Chatham County, April 14, 1847. His grandfather, Mark Bynum, owned and operated a plantation on the Haw River in Chatham County, and gave his best years to the prosecution of its management and to the discharge of his duties as a local citizen.

Turner Bynum, father of Zachariah T., was born on a plantation in Chatham County in 1808. With such advantages as were supplied by the rural schools of his time, he grew to manhood and then bought a plantation on Haw River adjoining the old home place. He owned a number of slaves and was rated one of the very substantial men of that community. His death occurred in 1873. He was a man of affairs and at one time served as representative in the State Assembly, filling that office several terms, and was also chairman of the County Court. He married Julia Ward. She was born in Wake County, North Carolina, and died in 1865. Both were active in the Methodist Epis- copal Church. They reared five sons and four daughters, named Joseph M., Alvis Jesse, Zacha- riah T., Rufus, Turner, Elizabeth, Sarah, Minnie and Pattie. Three of the sons, Joseph, Alvis and Zachariah, were soldiers in the Confederate Army. Jeseph went to the war with a Mississippi regiment, while Alvis was with the Chatham Rifles.

Zachariah T. Bynum spent his early youth on the home plantation, and was only fourteen years of age when the war broke out. In April, 1864, at the age of seventeen, he enlisted in Company H of the Seventy-first Regiment North Carolina troops, and was with that command through all its re- maining service. He participated in the last impor- tant battle of the war, Bentonville, and soon after- wards was paroled and returned home. He sur- rendered with his regiment at Greensboro.

After his military service Mr. Bynum engaged in farming for two years, following which for three years he was in the mercantile business at Raleigh. He then resumed merchandising in the old home community where he was located until 1878. In that year he came to Winston and be- came a tobacco manufacturer under the firm name of Bynum & Colton. This firm was continued

with successful results until 1893. In 1895 Mr. Bynum was appointed supervisor of tobacco sales of the western market, and has filled that position ever since. He is a man of excellent business judg- ment and familiar with every phase of the tobacco industry from its growing to its manufacture and ultimate market.

Mr. Bynum was married in 1872 to Annie Tenny. She was born at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, daughter of William and Jane Tenny. Mrs. By- num died in October, 1904. To their marriage were born six children, named Brooks, Taylor J., Turner, Annie, Julia and Grace. The son Brooks is married and has a son named Brooks, Jr. Annie is the wife of Thomas Kapp and has a daughter Elizabeth. Mr. Bynum has for thirty-seven years been treasurer of the Centenary Methodist Epis- copal Church at Winston-Salem and his wife was also a loyal worker in that denomination as long as she lived.

WILLIAM W. MILLER, for many years an esteemed and respected resident of Mocksville, was a valued member of his community, and those who knew him best reposed implicit confidence in his honesty, integrity and fidelity. He was born January 31, 1856, in Yadkin County, North Caro- lina, a son of Sanford and Caroline (Woodruff) Miller.

Growing to man's estate in his native county, Mr. Miller received a practical education in the public schools, being fitted for a business career. Locating as a young man in Forsyth County, he was engaged in the manufacture of tobacco in Winston for a number of years. Having accumu- lated considerable money, he bought a farm in Davie County, and to its management devoted much thought and energy, continuing its super- vision until his death, December 2, 1900, while yet in the prime of manhood.

Mr. Miller married, October 18, 1882, Maggie Booe. She was born in Davie County, North Carolina, a daughter of Alexander and Sarah (Clement) Booe. Six daughters blessed their mar- riage, namely: Maude Clement, wife of Herbert Birdsall; Anita, wife of Carl Sherrill; Sarah; Millie; Carolyn, wife of Price Sherrill; and Ruth. Mrs. Miller is a faithful and valued member of the Presbyterian Church, and reared her family in the same religious faith.

JOHN HARE BONNER, an accomplished young lawyer, now serving as deputy collector of United States customs at the Port of Washington, is identified with Beaufort County by many excep- tional ties of family association and interest. He is descended from that James Bonner who is given credit in history as the founder of the Town of Washington. The land in this section was orig- inally granted to Christopher Dudley, but about 1729 it passed to the Bonner brothers, James and Thomas. Their grant consisted of 337 acres. ex- tending from back of the Hotel Louise in Wash- ington to Runyon Creek. They also owned an extensive plantation in Southern Beaufort County, comprising thousands of acres. The Bonners in Beaufort County were ardent patriots of the Revo- lution, and one of them was commander of the Beaufort County militia.

John Hare Bonner was born in Beaufort County July 9, 1887, a son of Macon Herbert and Hannah Selby (Hare) Bonner. Through his mother Mr.

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

Bonner is of Irish stock. His father was for many years a boatmaster and pilot in the navigation of Eastern North Carolina rivers and other waters.

John H. Bonner was educated in the public schools, in the Trinity School at Chocowinity, North Carolina, and after that had some experience in the cotton business at Washington and Greensboro; and for eighteen months was connected with the Norfolk & Southern Railroad at Norfolk, Virginia. He studied law in law offices for three years, finishing at the law department of the University of North Carolina, and was admitted to practice February 7, 1910. He has handled a general practice at Washington since his admission to the bar. He is also a director of the Washington Building and Loan Association. Mr. Bonner is affiliated with the Masonic Order and the Benevo- . lent and Protective Order of Elks, in both of which he has held several positions of trust.

VANN M. LONG, M. D., is a specialist enjoying high rank and a fine practice at Winston-Salem, where he has been located for a number of years. He is a product of North Carolina's best educa- tional facilities and resources and thorough train- ing and experience have broadened and accentu- ated his exceptional talents for his profession.

Doctor Long was born on a plantation in Goose Creek Township of Union County, North Carolina. His people have been in North Carolina for a great many years. His grandfather, John Long, was born in Union County and became a very suc- cessful farmer, having a large plantation in Goose Creek Township. He married Margaret Russell, who so far as known was a lifelong resident of Union County.

John Cicero Long, father of Doctor Long, was born January 21, 1842, on the same plantation as his son. He grew up there, and at the outbreak of the war between the states enlisted in a regi- ment of North Carolina troops. While on duty he was shot by a sharpshooter, and it was supposed that he was mortally wounded. He was taken to a hospital, and as a result of careful nursing he finally recovered and was able to report for duty. From that time until the close of the war he did guard duty at Charlotte. Having inherited a part of his father's estate, he bought the interests of the other heirs, and as sole owner he became one of the most successful farmers in Union County. He personally supervised the farm until 1900, when he moved to Unionville, but after two years returned to his plantation and again superintended its fork for two years. He then retired and removing to Davidson College lived there until his death on October 8, 1912. John C. Long married Nancy Jane Winfree. She was born in Wades- boro, Anson County, North Carolina, in 1846, and died December 23, 1912. Her parents were Henry and Thetus (Teal) Winfree. Her paternal grand- parents were natives of England and coming to America settled in Virginia and from that state their numerous family have become widely dis- persed. Henry Winfree was a planter in Anson County and before the war operated with slave labor. He died when about sixty years of age and his wife survived him and lived to be ninety. John C. Long and wife reared six children: Min- nie, Alonzo, Hattie, Louis, Vann M. and Neal. The daughter Minnie is the wife of J. A. Helms, while Hattie married J. H. Forbes.

Doctor Long, though reared in the country, early set his mind upon a profession and after attend-

ing the district schools was a student in Unionville High School and Mint Hill High School. He took up the study of medicine in the North Carolina Medical College at Davidson and Charlotte, and in 1906 graduated with his degree. For four years Doctor Long practiced at Newell Station in Meck- lenburg County. His success there justified him in removing to a larger community, and locating at Winston-Salem he soon acquired a large practice. Doctor Long gave his time to the general practice of medicine until 1916, and since that date has been a specialist.

He is an active member of the Forsyth County and State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. He is affiliated with Win- ston Lodge No. 167, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and Twin City Camp No. 27, Woodmen of the World.

Dr. Long was married October 11, 1911, to Miss Hannah Bryce Mclaughlin. Mrs. Long was born at Newell Station in Mecklenburg County, daugh- ter of James Bryce and Annie (Sturges) Mc- Laughlin. Dr. and Mrs. Long have one son, Vann M., Jr.

WILLIAM T. VOGLER. Among those substantial people, the Moravians, who contributed so much to the early character and industry of several counties of Western North Carolina, including Forsyth, hardly a better known family in name exists than that of Vogler. Many branches of the family are represented in and about Winston- Salem, and one of the individuals is William T. Vogler, the veteran jeweler of Winston-Salem and also prominent in banking and church affairs.

The record of this branch of the family begins with Phillip Vogler, who was born in Gundelsheim in the German Palatinate in 1725. General Waldo, a native of Germany, acquired some large tracts of land in the vicinity of what is now Waldo, Maine. In order to develop the land he promised two hundred acres and support for six months' time to each of his countrymen who would cross the ocean and settle there. Phillip Vogler's parents were among those attracted by this offer and comprised the colony that left Germany in 1745 and came to America. They landed on the coast of Maine late in the fall, and found shelter in the woods sixteen miles from any other white settlement. They were ill prepared for the severe winter that followed, and endured terrible suffer- ings, several of the colony dying from hunger and exposure. The Indians were also hostile, and Phillip Vogler's father fell a victim to their en- mity. Phillip Vogler himself was thrust into the service of the Colonial forces, and did duty in border protection for four years. After the death of General Waldo the title to his lands was dis- puted, and during the troubles that followed many of the occupants of the separate homesteads either paid again for the right of possession or else surrendered their claim altogether and sought homes elsewhere.

In the meantime Moravian missionaries from Pennsylvania had visited the German colonists about Waldo, and as a means of escaping the persecution and oppression they recommended North Carolina as a place of refuge. Phillip Vog- ler, with his and other families, accordingly set sail in 1770 for the Southland. The vessel that carried them was wrecked off Virginia Beach. The passengers and crew landed on a near-by island, and some days later a passing vessel

Vann M. Long M.Q.

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

picked them up and carried them to Wilmington. Thence they proceeded to what was known as Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, North Carolina, and from there came to the Moravian settlement in what is now Forsyth County. It should be remembered that this was several years before the outbreak of the Revolutionary war. Only a fringe of settlement had extended westward toward the Blue Ridge Mountains, and this section of the Carolinas was still virtually a wilderness. Indians were numerous and were more or less hostile, unwilling to give up their hunting grounds with- out some struggle against the advancing tide of white settlement. In such condition the little colony from Maine bought land in the southeast corner of Wachovia tract and named it Broad Bay in honor of the name of the locality where they had lived in Maine. In 1771 nine houses were built there. All these settlers had embraced the Moravian faith, and on February 18, 1785, a church edifice was built of spruce and hemlock logs and was consecrated to worship.

Phillip Vogler bought a tract of land, as did the other colonists, and began farming at Broad Bay. Late in life he moved to Bethania and died there. The maiden name of his first wife, and the mother of all his children, was Catherine Seiz. She was stricken with fever while coming to North Carolina, and died at Fayetteville, where her remains were laid to rest. Phillip Vogler married for his second wife Barbara Fishcuss. She died in 1781. For his third wife he married Christina Margaret Sennert. This Phillip Vogler was the great-grandfather of William T. Vogler.

Christopher Vogler, a son of Phillip, the North Carolina pioneer, was born in or near Waldo, Maine, but grew up in Western North Carolina. He learned the trade of gunsmith, and for many years conducted a shop at Salem, where he man- ufactured many of the firearms used by the hunt- ers and pioneers. He lived at Salem until his death. Christopher Vogler married Anna Johanna Stauber. She reared six children, named Gott- lieb, Maria, Nathaniel, Timothy, Paulina and Regina.

Nathaniel Vogler, father of William T., was born at Salem, North Carolina, May 26, 1804. He grew up with little advantages in the way of books or schools, but became a very practical man and completed his apprenticeship in his father's shop. When he was twenty-two years of age he and another young man went north to Pennsyl- vania. They had one horse, and they used it alternately. One would ride a stipulated distance, then tie the animal and proceed on foot, while the other would come up and ride the horse. Ar- riving in Pennsylvania Nathaniel Vogler worked at his trade at Nazareth for a time, and then returned to his old home at Salem. In 1827 he bought the house his father had built on Walnut Street, and that was his home until his death. He also succeeded his father in business and kept the old shop going for many years.

Nathaniel Vogler married Anna Maria Fishel. They were married December 20, 1827, and began housekeeping in his father's old home. They reared the following children: Henry S., Laura C., Julius R., Alexander C., Mortimer N., Maria E., Martha V., Regina A. and William T. The last two are still living. The daughter Maria E., who was born March 5, 1835, was educated in the old Salem Academy, and in 1853 became a teacher in that institution and filled that post

for twenty-nine years. Hundreds of young women recall with gratitude this splendid old teacher. She finally resigned in 1882, in order to look after her aged mother. It was Maria Vogler who, as the result of much research and investigation, compiled the history of the family, and from those records much has been taken for the sketch of the family as above given. The Vogler family is still represented in Maine, where lineal descend- ants of a son of Phillip live. However, they have changed the name to Fogler.

The old gunsmith at Salem, Christopher Vogler, had as an apprentice in his shop a nephew named John Vogler. This John was a natural mechanic and had no superior as a workman. While serving his apprenticeship he had occasion to take his watch to pieces, and he thoroughly cleaned it, made some minor repairs and put it together as good as new. In those days Salem boasted no jewelry store, and his feat of watch repairing became known over the neighborhood and others brought their watches and clocks to him. Thus by the time he had completed his apprenticeship as a gunsmith he had a business ready made as a watch repairer, and consequently he opened the first jewelry store in Salem. He continued it through all his active years, and died at the age of ninety-seven. He is the oldest man laid to rest in the Moravian grave yard.

Thus the Vogler name in its association with the jewelry business goes back to pioneer times in Salem. William T. Vogler, who continued the jewelry business, was born at Salem in October, 1843. He attended the Boys School at Salem, and on leaving his studies entered his father's shop. In 1862 he entered the Confederate service and remained until the close of the war. On returning to Salem he began an apprenticeship in Linebech's jewelry store, but after a year went to the E. A. Vogler store, where he remained five years. In 1871 he engaged in business for him- self at Salem, and remained in that town until 1879, when he removed to the growing city of Winston, where he has conducted one of the chief establishments of his line for upwards of forty years. For a long time he has also been interested in banking. He was a director of the First Na- tional Bank of Winston, and since the consolida- tion of this bank with the Trust Company he has been a member of the board of directors of the Wachovia Bank & Trust Company.

Mr. Vogler was married August 13, 1867, to Johanna C. Mack, and August 13, 1917, they celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their mar- riage. Mrs. Vogler was born at Friedburg in Davidson County, a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Spaugh) Mack. Mr. and Mrs. Vogler have reared three children: Henry E., William N. and Emma. William N. died when sixteen years of age and Emma at the age of thirty-three. Henry E. is now associated with his father in business. By his marriage to Biddie V. Goslin he has four children, named Helen, Gertrude, Blanche Mary and Harold.

William T. Vogler was reared in the Moravian Church and has always held to that faith. He is a member of the Central Board of Trustees of the Home Church and a member of the Finance Board of the province.

J. WESLEY SLATE, M. D. While a graduate of medicine and for a number of years a successful practitioner at Walnut Cove, Doctor Slate now

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

gives most of his time and attention to his duties as cashier of the Farmers Union Bank at Winston- Salem. He is a member of one of the old and in- fluential families of Western North Carolina, and his people have been identified with Stokes County since pioneer times.

Doctor Slate was born on a farm in Yadkin Township of Stokes County, a son of William Slate and a grandson of Samuel Slate. The early records of the family have not been completely preserved. However, it is believed that Doctor Slate's great-grandfather was the founder of the family here. He was a native of England and was one of four brothers who came to America and settled in Virginia. Doctor Slate's grand- father, Samuel Slate, was born in Halifax County, Virginia, and subsequently bought land in Yad- kin Township of Stokes County, where he became a successful general farmer. In contrast with the customs and practices of the times he was opposed to the institution of slavery and chose to operate his lands with free labor. He married Lena Hall, the Halls being early settlers in North Carolina. Lena Hall's mother was of the old Vir- ginia family of Dewberry. Samuel Slate and wife both lived to old age.

William Slate, who was born in Yadkin Town- ship of Stokes County in 1842, learned the trade of millwright and machinist. He also acquired land in Yadkin Township, and while following his trade he superintended the operation of his farm and with marked success. He married Lurena Wall, who was born in Halifax County, Virginia, a daughter of Robert Wall. She died in January, 1915, having reared seven children: Lena, Nan- nie, Pinckney, Agnes, William, Alice and J. Wesley.

Doctor Slate was well educated and spent his early life on his father's farm in Yadkin Town- ship. He attended the district schools, the Mount View Institute, and for one term was a teacher in Quaker Gap Township. He attended his first medical lectures in the North Carolina Medical College at Davidson, and afterward entered the University of Medicine at Richmond, Virginia, where he was graduated M. D. in 1900. Doctor Slate at once began practice in Yadkin Township and soon had a large practice throughout that community. He gave his time and best energies to his profession until 1912, when he engaged in banking at Winston-Salem as cashier of the Farmers Union Bank. He has been very influen- tial in making that institution a bank of strength and of extended service over this part of the state.

Doctor Slate was married December, 1900, to Martha Meadows, who was born in Meadows Town- ship of Stokes County, a daughter of William and Jane (Boles) Meadows. Doctor and Mrs. Slate have six children: Ralph, Frank, Marion, Wil- bur, Esmond and Myron. Doctor and Mrs. Slate are active members of the Missionary Baptist Church, in which he is a member of the board of deacons, and he is fraternally affiliated with Wal- nut Cove Lodge No. 629, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, with the Royal Arch Chapter, with Smith River Lodge of Knights of Pythias, and with Walnut Cove Council of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

WILLIAM SAMUEL CLAYTON has been well known in the Federal customs service both in South and North Carolina, and in July, 1914, was appointed

special deputy collector of United States customs at the Port of Wilmington.

He comes of an old South Carolina family, and was born at Ehrhardt, South Carolina, September 10, 1877. His parents were Charles Rivers and Sallie (Pulaski) Clayton. His father was a sol- dier in the war between the states and spent his life as an active farmer. William S. Clayton gained his early training in public schools and in 1900 graduated A. B. from the South Carolina Military College. After leaving college he spent two years as a teacher in high school, and from 1902 until 1906 was a clerk in the Atlantic Coast Line Railway. He then entered the United States customs service, and his ability secured him pro- motion until he was appointed to his present of- fice, with headquarters at Wilmington.

Mr. Clayton is a member of the Masonic Order, is a deacon in the Lutheran Church, and is adjutant of the George Davis Camp No. 389 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

On May 26, 1902, he married Miss Minnie Smith Wescott, of Wilmington. They have two children, Minnie Wescott and Emmett Louise.

D. RICH is one of the successful men of North Carolina today. Success in his case has involved a long and steady struggle and rise, and his posi- tion as treasurer of the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company at Winston-Salem, North Carolina, means complicated business responsibilities which only a man of bigness and breadth in mind and char- acter could handle.

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History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV, Part 11

Author: Connor, R. D. W. (Robert Digges Wimberly), 1878-1950; Boyd, William Kenneth, 1879-1938. dn; Hamilton, Joseph Gregoire de Roulhac, 1878- Publication date: 1919 Publisher: Chicago : New York : Lewis Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 750

Author: Connor, R. D. W. (Robert Digges Wimberly), 1878-1950; Boyd, William Kenneth, 1879-1938. dn; Hamilton, Joseph Gregoire de Roulhac, 1878-
Publication date: 1919
Publisher: Chicago : New York : Lewis Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 750