USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 12
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Mr. Rich's early home and his birthplace was Mocksville in Davie County, North Carolina. His father, Calvin Updegrove Rich, was born on a farm in Davie County, May 27, 1827. He, too, had the spirit in him to climb over handicaps and difficulties, and first acquired such education as was possible in the local schools, and then came to Salem, North Carolina, where he became clerk in Edward Belo's store, then the leading mercantile establishment in this part of the state. By care- ful and studious attention to his work he learned the details of merchandising and after a few years opened a general store of his own in Mocksville. He made a success of his business, but at the close of the Civil war in 1865 he, with his neighbors and friends, sustained a severe financial loss, due to the pressure of those strenuous times. However, he rallied and continued his mercantile business in a small way for a number of years, and his last days were spent in honored retirement. He died at the age of sixty-one. C. U. Rich married Betty Tennessee Williams. She was born on a farm in Yadkin County, North Carolina. Her father, Thomas Williams, was a well known early citizen of Yadkin County, a farmer, distiller and slave owner. He also held the office of justice of the peace. Mr. and Mrs. C. U. Rich reared five children: Louie, who married Judge James A. Williamson, of Taco- ma, Washington; Thomas W., who married Emily G. Hanes and lives in Pennsylvania; Bessie, wife of H. T. Brenegar, of Mocksville; Dee, which is Mr. Rich's first name as completely spelled out, and Lena M., wife of C. N. Christian, of Halifax, North Carolina.
As a boy in his native Town of Mocksville, D. Rich had instruction in the primary grades of the public schools and also attended the high school taught by Prof. A. M. Sterling. He was eighteen years of age when he came to Winston
D. Rich
Mrs. Carrie St Kich
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
and entered the employ of Bynum, Cotten & Jones, tobacco manufacturers. He was with them for four years, and next transferred his services to the greatest tobacco manufacturer of them all, R. J. Reynolds. The more positive details in the career of Mr. Rich are interestingly described in a sketch written by one who has known him and which was published in the "Open Door." From that article the following paragraphs are ab- stracted.
"At thirteen years of age young Rich was stemming tobacco in a factory in Mocksville, North Carolina, at ten cents a day. His first pay envelope contained the not very munificent sum of forty cents for four full days of strenuous physi- cal labor. He later became associated with Mr. R. J. Reynolds on November 15, 1884, as manager of the rolling and casing department. At that time Mr. Henry Roan was bookkeeper. Mr. Roan subsequently resigned to engage in business for himself and was succeeded by Mr. W. D. Moore. During the incumbency of both Mr. Roan and Mr. Moore it was Mr. Rich's habit to voluntarily offer his assistance in the evening. He wanted to land in the bookkeeping department, so availed him- self of every opportunity to acquaint himself with all of the intricate details involved in the clerical end of the business.
"In 1893 Mr. Moore died and the company began casting about for some one to succeed him. Mr. Rich applied for the position but was informed that he 'could not keep books.' However, he sur- prised Mr. Reynolds by telling him he was fully competent to hold down the job. He also stated how he had been fitting himself to be ready to seize just such an opportunity when it developed. He was given a trial and gave entire satisfaction. At that time he did practically all the bookkeeping for the company. Today it requires over five hun- dred men to take care of the immense volume of details connected with the clerical end of the com- pany's affairs. From bookkeeping Mr. Rich was promoted to cashier, and in due course of time was made treasurer and director of the company, both of which offices he holds today.
"Mr. Rich believes first, last and always in holding out hope to the aspiring young man. He takes a special delight in constantly keeping the door of opportunity wide open for them, never once forgetting the struggle that was required of him to climb up the ladder round by round. His attitude toward the men under him is far more paternal than dictatorial; he reasons with them- guides, counsels and encourages them at all times. If he has a single hobby it is the desire to help young men help themselves by becoming more effi- cient. Whenever asked by some young man what are the chances for promotion he invariably replies, 'You can have my position when you have proved that you are competent to fill it satisfac- torily to the company.'
"Mr. Rich numbers his staunch friends simply by the number of people he knows, and he knows thousands. Genial, optimistic and most democratic in manner, not to mention his efficiency, he fills his niche with the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company with every degree of satisfaction."
Mr. Rich is an active member of the First Bap- tist Church of Winston-Salem, is affiliated with Winston Lodge No. 167, Ancient Free and Ac- cepted Masons, Winston Chapter No. 24, Royal Arch Masons, and Piedmont Commandery No. 6, Knights Templar. He is also on the Board of
Trade, and a member of the Twin City Club and the Forsyth Country Club. Politically he is a democrat.
On January 8, 1889, he married Miss Carrie Watkins. She was born on a farm in Forsyth County, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Hauser) Watkins. The long and close companionship of Mr. and Mrs. Rich, beginning when he was a strug- gling young man in the business world and grow- ing even closer and more affectionate as prosperity became assured to him, was terminated in the death of Mrs. Rich on January 17, 1916. The province of this work is to make known not only the repre- sentative men of North Carolina but also its ster- ling and true hearted women. For that reason there is singular appropriateness in quoting a trib- ute paid to Mrs. Rich by her intimate friend Mrs. Polly Kerr Spencer.
"Early Monday morning, January 17, 1916, there passed from earth's twilight into the noon- day glory of God's summerland the spirit of Car- rie Watkins Rich. She was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Watkins and was born near Clemmons, North Carolina, but spent practically all her life in Winston-Salem, indeed and in truth growing up with the town. Educated in Salem College, she passed her happy girlhood as a flower that cometh up. She was married January 8, 1889, in the First Baptist Church of this city, to Mr. D. Rich, and for twenty-seven years she has been to that consecrated Christian gentleman truly a helpmeet and power of strength, through every change of time and fortune, and though she has preceded him to that 'ain countree' yet will her gentle spirit hover over her best beloved and guide and comfort him in a tenderer and more subtle manner than has ever before been possible. There are also left three sisters, Mrs. E. F. Coble, Mrs. J. F. Jeffreys, and that other self-Mrs. W. J. Conrad-all of Winston-Salem, and one brother, Mr. P. C. Watkins, of Clemmons, North Carolina, to all of whom she was very dear.
"A wonderfully comprehensive mind enabled her to reach out and grasp every avenue of good, throughout the community, and her name stood first on the list in the promotion of every good cause. By right of innate goodness and continual consecration she was the accepted leader in her church work, and always the strong right hand of her beloved pastor under all circumstances. She was the vice president of the Woman's Missionary Union, of the State Baptist Convention, president of the Young Woman's Christian Association, and leader of the Young Woman's Auxiliary of the First Baptist Church, teacher of the Fidelis Class in the Sunday school, and leader of the Fannie Heck Circle of the Missionary Society. Always with her hands full of work, yet ever ready to answer another call, she knew the poor and needy of the community as no other person did, and to know them was to help them and uplift them and to give to them, besides material comforts, the bread of life, that was to her the very essence of living.
"Realizing how full of purity and goodness, of self-sacrifice, and of personal service was her life, when the quiet shadows gather we sit and think of her as the very spirit of gentleness, meekness and of Christ-likeness, lent to us by a kind Father to show us the way home. Methinks that tonight we see her gentle spirit, as it, listening, heard the 'call, rise from its earthly tenement of clay and step forth with outstretched hands, unafraid, to
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enter in with the hosts of light, for truly she had walked with God. We see the same old-time sweet smile linger on her face as her eyes rest on that one whom she had loved through the years, and who was enshrined in her heart of hearts-her beloved husband; and again we seem to see it lin- ger for a moment on the grief stricken forms of all her loved ones and pass on in tender pity to the myriad of friends to whom she was so dear; and with that self-same sweet smile, so much a part of her-our last memory of her beautiful life -- resting like a benediction on us all, we see the gates of Heaven open to receive her and 'Well done, good and faithful servant,' is her welcome home.
"We cannot believe that thou art gone, dear heart, we would only remember that thou hast passed into God's other room, into that beautiful country where existence is eternal, and thanks be to God thou hast left for us the gates ajar, so that when we, like you, have finished our work and the sands of life have run out, remem- bering Him whom thou hast loved and in whose footsteps we would follow, may we, too, close our tired eyes and step into Heaven, where thou hast gone to await us:
" ' We cannot feel that thou art far, Since near at hand the angels are, And when the sunset gates unbar, We shall surely see thee waiting stand And, white against the evening star, The welcoming beckoning of thy hand. '
"We shall miss thee, dear heart, miss thee more than tongue can tell, and the way will be lonely without thy guiding hand, but we know that thou hast grasped that knowledge of the broader vision for which we have so often heard thee pray, and that thou art satisfied. Thou hast gloriously solved the problem of life and death and though the pathway seem dark to the loved ones left behind without thee, we know that always we are in God's hands and we doubt not that:
" ' If we could push ajar the gates of life And stand within, and all God's workings see, We, too, could interpret all our doubts and fears, And for each mystery we would find a key.'
"Thou art not dead, beloved one, thou can'st not die so long as the memory of thy beautiful life and thy wonderful influence shall live in the lives of thy friends; so long shalt thou live upon the earth though thy spirit rests with God.
"So we say not to thee farewell, but au revoir, for we know that somehow, somewhere, sometime, on a fairer shore, shorn of all earth's infirmities and clad in garments not made with hands, we shall meet thee again and sit with thee, around that throne eternal in the heavens. Once again we hear thee say in the words of the Master, 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, I go away and come again unto you. If ye loved me ye would rejoice, because I go unto my Father,' then beloved-
" 'Only good-night, not farewell,
Until we meet again before His throne, Until we know even as we are known, Good-night, beloved, good-night.
. Sleep on and take thy rest,
Only good-night, beloved; just good-night.' "
MAJOR ALEXANDER HENDERSON GALLOWAY, who won his title as a gallant officer of the North Carolina troops during the war between the states, has spent many years of his life at Reidsville in Rockinghamn County and has been variously identi- fied with business and civic affairs in this part of North Carolina for over half a century. Much of the history of Rockingham County revolves around the name Galloway. The family is Scotch in origin. The thrifty virtues of Scotland have predominated in the Galloways of North Carolina and as a family they have proved themselves com- petent in business, upright citizens and workers for the general welfare in every direction.
The founder of this branch of the family in North Carolina was Robert Galloway. He was a native of Scotland, and immigrated to America about 1784, two years after the close of the Revo- lutionary war. He was the only member of his immediate family to come to this country. He chose as a home what was then the western fron- tier of North Carolina, Rockingham County. He brought with him a thorough training in business affairs, and became a merchant at Wentworth and established branch stores in several other lo- calities. The surplus of his success he invested in extensive tracts of land, and his holdings at one time amounted to twenty-two thousand acres, all in Rockingham County, besides some other large tracts in Tennessee. He had a large number of slaves, and worked them on the plantation raising tobacco. Robert Galloway died at Valley Field in Rockingham County at the age of eighty-two years. He reared a family of four sons and two daughters: Robert, Charles, Thomas, Rawley, Eliza and Mary.
Hon. Rawley Galloway, the father of Major Galloway, was born in Rockingham County March 8, 1811. Besides the school advantages given him on his father's plantation he also attended Chapel Hill College, and studied law under the eminent Judge Ruffin, and was admitted to the bar. The law as a career was not to his liking, and he chose instead the peaceful pursuit of agriculture. The lands he had inherited he operated profitably with slave labor, and kept his home throughout his life at Valley Field. His death occurred there in April, 1872.
Rawley Galloway married Sarah Henderson. Her family was also of Scotland and was established in North Carolina even earlier than the Galloways. She was born at Milton in Caswell County, North Carolina, a daughter of Alexander Henderson, who was born at Granville, North Carolina, about 1780, a granddaughter of Thomas Henderson, also a native of Granville, and a great-granddaughter of Samuel Henderson. Samuel Henderson was born in Scotland, came to America in Colonial times, and was one of the pioneers at Granville, where he kept his home until his death. His son Thomas Henderson moved to Danbury in Guilford County, and upon the organization of that county became the first clerk of courts, an office he filled several years. Thomas Henderson married Jane Martin, of Snow Creek, and a sister of Governor Alex- ander Martin. Alexander Henderson, father of Mrs. Rawley Galloway, as a young man entered the United States Federal service on a revenue cutter commanded by Captain Wallace, whose daughter he afterwards married. On leaving the Federal service he served for a time as teller in a bank at Newbern, then removed to Milton, establishing a branch of the bank at Newbern, and
Rf Galloway
lafle Thingham
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
from there came to Mount Pleasant in Rocking- ham County, where he put in several years as a farmer. Alexander Henderson finally determined to engage in the foreign trade from the port of Mobile, and became an extensive buyer and ship- per of cotton to Liverpool. He was in business there about eighteen months when he returned to Mount Pleasant for his three daughters. His wife had died in the meantime, and he and his daugh- ters started on the overland journey for Mobile. At Eskridge on the National Road in Tennessee he was stricken with fever and died. His wife's maiden name was Mary Wallace. One of their three daughters was Mrs. Rawley Galloway, who died March 5, 1887.
Rawley Galloway was a man of prominence in his generation. Politically he was a whig and was an elector from North Carolina on the whig ticket in 1848, casting his vote for General Taylor. He also represented Rockingham County in the Legislature one term. He and his wife were active members of the Episcopal Church.
Alexander Heuderson Galloway, the only child of his parents, spent his early life on his father's plantation in Rockingham County. He had the advantages of the rural schools and also prepared for college under private tutors. He became a student in the University of North Carolina, but on account of his father's ill health left before graduating. He then took charge of the home farm, and was thus employed when the war broke out: In March, 1862, he enlisted in Company F of the Forty-fifth Regiment, North Carolina Troops. His first commission was as first lieu- tenant. He was promoted to captain of his com- pany, and led it in many important battles until he resigned to accept the office of quartermaster of Scales Brigade. He remained with the com- mand until the surrender at Appomattox, and then having given the best of his strength and service to the Southern' cause he accepted the decision of arms and returned home.
For two years after the war he traveled over the South as a tobacco salesman, and then resumed farming on the old homestead. In 1882 Major Galloway removed to Reidsville, operated a to- bacco warehouse for a year and a half, and after that his time was largely taken up with public and official affairs. He was elected sheriff of Rockingham County, and office he held by re-elec- tion for six years. This was followed by three terms as mayor of Reidsville, and he was then appointed postmaster. After four years as post- master he retired and has since looked after his private affairs.
On October 26, 1858, Major Galloway married Miss Sally Scales. She was born in Rockingham County, North Carolina, a daughter of Robert and Jane (Bethell) Scales, and a sister of General Scales, the old commander under whom Major Galloway served during the war. Mrs. Galloway died in 1901. Both she and her husband were very active members of the Episcopal Church at Reids- . ville, and reared their family in the same faith. They had eight children: Mary Wallace, Robert Scales, Jane Bethell, Alexander Henderson, Jr., Rawley, Emma Scales, Annie Irving and Alfred Scales.
ROBERT SCALES GALLOWAY, a son of Maj. Alex- ander H. Galloway, of Reidsville, whose career is found identified through the greater part of his
business career with Winston-Salem, where he is now serving as postmaster of the Twin City.
He was born at Valley Field in Rockingham County, and grew up in that county, partly on the plantation of his father and partly in the Town of Reidsville. His first instructor was his aunt, Miss Emma Scales, who afterward founded the Reidsville Female Academy. Later he was a student in the Boys' School at Reidsville, and there he was under the instruction of Rev. Mr. Currie, a minister of the Presbyterian Church.
His first work after leaving school was a clerk- ship at Reidsville. With considerable business experience to his credit he came to Winston as bookkeeper for Watt & Webb, proprietors of the Orinoco Warehouse. He remained with that firm as long as they were in business and toward the close of Mr. Cleveland 's second administration accepted an appointment as deputy revenue col- lector. From the Federal service he entered the employ of the R. J .- Reynolds Tobacco Company as bookkeeper and remained with that great indus- trial organization for eight years. He resigned to go into business for himself, organizing the Stand- ard Building and Loan Association, of which he became director, secretary and treasurer. He was one of the officials most actively identified with that organization until 1913. In that year Mr. Galloway was appointed postmaster, and was the first official to occupy the handsome new Postoffice Building at Winston-Salem.
On December 7, 1905, he married Miss Ida Miller. Mrs. Galloway was born in Indian Terri- tory, now the State of Oklahoma, a daughter of Frank and Ida (Wharton) Miller, both of whom were from Forsyth County, North Carolina. Frank Miller for some years engaged in business in Indian Territory but finally returned to Forsyth County, North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Galloway have two children : Ida Clifton and Louisa Scales.
The family are active members of the Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Galloway is a vestryman. He is a member of the Twin City Club, the Rotary Club, and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. His first presidential ballot was given to Grover Cleveland, and he has been a steadfast and loyal democrat ever since.
CONNER J. COTTINGHAM. To be financially in- terested in the prominently identified with both railroad and lumber interests in a prosperous com- munity indicates a large measure of business stability, and such is a fact in regard to Conner J. Cottingham, a leading citizen of Alma, North Carolina, who is secretary and treasurer of the Alma Lumber Company, and secretary and general manager of the Maxton, Alma & Southbound Rail- road. While Mr. Cottingham is not a native of Robeson County, almost his entire life has been spent here.
Conner J. Cottingham was born in Marion County, South Carolina, December 24, 1872. His parents were A. J. and Annie (Jacksou) Cotting- ham, the latter of whom is deceased. In 1875 A. J. Cottingham moved with his family from Marion County, South Carolina, to Maxton, Robe- son County, North Carolina, and established him- self there in the mercantile business, becoming in time, one of the leading merchants in the county, doing an extensive business with farmers over a wide territory. Since retiring from merchandis- . ing he has devoted himself to farm pursuits and to large lumber interests.
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
The Maxton public schools provided Conner J. Cottingham with his educational training. As a boy he began to learn the first principles of busi- ness in assisting his father in his store, and con- tinued to be associated with him until two years after he was married. For about four years after- ward he was employed by his brother, L. T. Cot- tingham. In the meanwhile he had become otherwise interested, finding a promising business opportunity in the great lumber industry, and in 1906 became an official of the Alma Lumber Com- pany of Alma, two miles from Maxton. This company since then has been developed into one of the largest manufacturing agencies in this section of the state. The president of the company is Maj. A. J. McMinnon, and its secretary and treasurer is Conner J. Cottingham. The Lumber Veneer Company was incorporated May 1, 1918, and three fourths of the stock is owned by the Alma Lumber Company, Major Mckinnon being its president, J. H. Taylor its secretary and manager, and Conner J. Cottingham its treasurer.
Mr. Cottingham has been associated for some years also with Major Mckinnon, a capitalist and most enterprising and progressive business man, in a railroad enterprise, the building and operat- ing of the Maxton, Alma & Southbound Railroad, of which Major Mckinnon is president and Mr. Cottingham is secretary and general manager. This road was built under Mr. Cottingham's management and direction and began operation on November 4, 1912. It is a local enterprise of which the citizens of this section are justly proud. It has a mileage of fifteen miles and extends from Alma, where it connects with the Seaboard Air- line to Rowland, on the Atlantic Coast Line Road. It has proved a successful venture as it traverses a rich and prosperous agricultural and lumber manufacturing section, and does a general freight and passenger business. Its affairs have always been well and honestly managed and much credit is due Mr. Cottingham.
Mr. Cottingham married Miss Mamie McCallum, who is a member of one of the old and prominent Scotch families of the county, and they have six children: Annie Montgomery, Henry M., Conner J., Angus F., Margaret and Graham Kirkpatrick.
ALEXANDER STEPHENS HOLDEN, who was long favorably known as a salesman at Wilmington, has since 1905 been in the insurance business as district agent for the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, of Newark, New Jersey, with head- quarters at Wilmington.
Mr. Holden, who has been a factor in the civic and social life of his home city, was born at Wil- mington November 2, 1861, a son of Samuel Wil- liam and Mary Ann (Barlow) Holden. His father was for many years a machinist with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company. After an educa- tion in the public schools at Wilmington, Alex- ander S. Holden found his first opportunity as clerk in a dry goods store. Later for twenty-five years he was in the shoe business, and part of that time was a traveling salesman with territory in all the southern states. He finally gave up mercantile lines to accept the district agency of the Mutual Benefit Life.
He has long been prominent in Masonry, is now serving as secretary of St. John's Lodge No. 1, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, at Wilmington, and is secretary of the Sepia Grotto No. 79, M. O. V. P. E. R. He is also chairman of the Credential
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