USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 13
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Committee of the Grand Lodge, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons. In 1914 the county commis- sioners of New Hanover County unanimously chose him county coroner, and he has filled that office with credit ever since. In 1916 he was elected by popular vote to the office. That was almost a unanimous declaration in favor of his official conduct and an evidence of his high standing in the community. Mr. Holden is an active mem- ber of the First Baptist Church of Wilmington, is chorister of the Sunday school, and has sung in the choirs of the leading churches of the city for the past twenty-five years.
January 17, 1884, he married Miss Josephine Taylor, daughter of Joseph W. and Flora Ann (Perry) Taylor. Mr. and Mrs. Holden have three children. Ethel Clarice married M. E. Graham, bookkeeper for a lumber plant at Green Cove Springs, Florida, and they have two children, Mar- ion E. and Josephine. Bessie Morrison is the wife of Alva H. Standland, bookkeeper for a lumber plant at Newbern, North Carolina, and their three children are Alva H., Jr., Josephine and Bettie Patterson. Arnold Willey, the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Holden, is now attending private school.
EDWIN LLEWELLYN TRAVIS. One of the most important positions in the State Government is held by Edwin Llewellyn Travis as chairman of the Corporation Commission, an office he has held for the past six years. Mr. Travis is a lawyer by profession, and a man of wide experience in state politics. For a number of terms he was in the State Senate, and took a very prominent part in securing the adoption of the suffrage amendment to the constitution, a few years ago.
A native of Virginia, born in Brunswick Coun- ty June 6, 1866, he has lived in North Carolina since he was thirteen years of age and has made his own way in the world, His parents were Ed- ward W. and Mary Harrison (Clark) Travis. His father was a farmer and also a surveyor.
Mr. Travis after leaving the public schools had to use his wits and industry to contrive means of self support and it was the self reliance developed by overcoming obstacles that proved an invaluable resource to him in his later professional career. For a number of years he lived at Halifax, North Carolina, where he took up the study of law in the office of Robert O. Burton. Admitted to the bar in 1890, the next three years he was in prac- tice with his former preceptor as a member of the firm of Burton & Travis. After that he practiced alone in Halifax.
Mr. Travis was elected and served in the State Senate from Halifax during the sessions of 1899, 1901, 1903 and 1909. It was in 1909 that he was chairman of the Senate Committee which prepared the suffrage amendment to the constitution, and afterwards he was unanimously selected to make the speech for the measure representing the ma- jority party. Later the Senate presented him with the pen which had been used to ratify the measure, and that is a token of appreciation and service which he greatly cherishes. Mr. Travis is a keen debater, and that fact has been made apparent through all phases of his legal and political career. He has proved a forceful campaigner, and in 1898 and again in 1900 was chairman of the Demo- cratic Committee and has been a factor in other campaigns in the state.
Governor W. W. Kitchen first appointed Mr.
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Travis a member of the Corporation Commission of North Carolina, and in 1914 he was elected to that office for the regular term of six years. He has been chairman of the board since 1913. He is a Knight Templar Mason and Shriner, and a mem- ber of the Country and Capital clubs at Raleigh.
In August, 1894, Commissioner Travis married Miss Jennie Outlaw Grady, daughter of Rev. Louis G. and Mary (Ruffin) Grady. Her father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Travis have two sons: Edward L. and Louis G., both of whom are now students in the University of North Carolina.
WILLIAM THOMAS PFOHL, deceased, was long and prominently known in business affairs at Win- ston-Salem. He is kindly and affectionately remembered by his surviving comrades of the war between the states, and especially in Norfleet Camp of the United Confederate Veterans, in which he was an active member for many years. He did a soldier's duty, and in civil life and in those rela- tions which brought him into contact with his fellowmen he proved equally loyal, just, upright and honorable. The original name Pfohl was spelled "Phole."
The Pfohl family has many associations with the old Town of Salem and also of the City of Winston-Salem. His grandfather, Rev. Christian Thomas Pfohl, was born in Germany in 1759. He was reared in the old country and liberally edu- cated. When a young man he came to America for the purpose of taking charge of the Boys' School at Salem, North Carolina. For several years he remained as an instructor in that insti- tution, and then, having been ordained for the ministry, became pastor of the Moravian Church at Bethania, which he served upwards of twenty years. His death occurred in 1838, when nearly eighty years old.
Gottlieb Pfohl, father of the late William T. Pfohl, was born in what is now Forsyth County and as a young man learned the jeweler's trade. He was in the jewelry business and also in music merchandise at different places. For a time he was located at Columbus, Ohio, and afterward at New Orleans, where he spent his last years. He married Anna Janette Grenshaw, of the prominent Virginia family of that name. She also died in New Orleans. Her three sons were Theodore, Henry and William Thomas, and her three daugh- ters, Retta, Susan and Sally.
The late William Thomas Pfohl was born Sep -. tember 17, 1840. At the time of his birth his mother was on the steamer Annie Calhoun, of which his uncle was captain, off the coast of Florida. When he was a boy of tender years he was sent to Salem to be educated, and while there attended the Salem Boys' School. He had hardly attained his years of majority when the war broke out between the states, and he enlisted as a drum- mer in Companies D and L'of the Twenty-first Regiment North Carolina Troops. He went with that regiment through all its numerous campaigns. He bore himself bravely in the face of the enemy's bullets and never faltered in any emergency or danger. He was twice wounded. A minie ball struck the end of his finger and penetrated his arm, and at another time he was wounded in the ankle. His name appears in the official list of those paroled at Appomattox.
After the war he returned to Winston and was collector of taxes for the town ten years. For six
years he was in the grocery business. Much of his time was spent in some official duties, and he served as city detective until the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893, and was assigned to similar duty on the grounds of the exposition in that city. On returning to North Carolina he was given a place on the state detective force of South Caro- lina, but after a while returned to Winston-Salem. For several years he was a collector of rents, and then engaged in the general advertising and bill posting business, which he developed to success- ful proportions. He was still active in this busi- ness at the time of his death, which occurred November 6, 1913.
He was survived by his widow and one daugh- ter. Mrs. Pfohl still lives in Winston-Salem and she continues the business as manager of the Dixie Poster Advertising Company with home office in Richmond, Virginia. She is one of a few lady managers of that kind of business. Before her marriage she was Roxana Lutitia Farabee. They were married July 19, 1882. Mrs. Pfohl is a native of Winston. Her father, Samuel Wesley Farabee, was born on a farm in Davidson County, and his parents were natives of England and of English lineage, being early settlers in Davidson County. Mrs. Pfohl's father was reared on a farm, but at the age of twenty-one moved to Salem. He arrived in that town dressed in homespun and had had practically no experience except that of a farmer boy. He had neither friends nor money, but soon acquired both, and he became one of the steadiest and most reliable workmen in the Phillip Nissen wagon factory at Waughtown. After learning the trade he bought some property on Liberty, Sixth and Trade streets in Winston and built up a business of his own as a wagon manu- facturer. His output was calculated to win increased favor with passing years, and in time he found himself at the head of a highly profitable business. He remained a resident of Winston until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Riggs, who was born in Surrey County, North Carolina. Her first husband was Thomas Highland of Utica, New York, who died leaving three daughters, named Julia, Maggie and Adelia. Mrs. Pfohl was her father's only daughter and inherited his estate, including the fine old home- stead at the corner of Liberty and Sixth Street. That was her own home until 1917, when she sold part of the property and bought the home on South Main Street where she now resides. Mrs. Pfohl is an active and helpful member of the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church. She is the mother of one daughter, Robah Janette, now the wife of Beimon Ora Jones, Winston-Salem.
THOMAS PERRIN HARRISON, an educator of twenty-five years' experience and now dean of the North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering Arts at West Raleigh, was born at Abbeville, South Carolina, October 11, 1864, son of Francis Eugene and Mary Eunice (Perrin) Har- rison. His youth was spent on his father's plan- tation at Andersonville in Anderson County, South Carolina. At the age of eighteen he entered the South Carolina Military Academy at Charleston, from which after the regular four years' college course he was graduated Bachelor of Science in 1886.
After graduation he was appointed to an in- structorship of English in his alma mater, and at once began his duties. After two years he re-
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
signed in order to take advanced courses at Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore. While there the university honored him with a scholarship and a fellowship, and in 1891 conferred upon him the degree Doctor of Philosophy.
Doctor Harrison has occupied the following posi- tions: At the South Carolina Military Academy, instructor in English, 1886-1888; at Clemson Col- lege, South Carolina, assistant professor and sub- sequently associate professor of English, 1891-96; at Davidson College, professor of English, 1896- 1909; at the North Carolina State College of Agri- culture and Engineering, professor of English, 1909, and dean of the college since 1910.
In 1894 he married Adelia Lake, daughter of Rev. Dr. James Turner Leftwich of Baltimore. They have three sons and a daughter.
Doctor Harrison is a member of the Presby- terian Church, of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity, of the State Farmers' Union and the Teachers' As- sembly, the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and of the International Association of Teachers of Eng- lish. He and his family reside at 1603 Hillsboro Street in Raleigh.
THORNWELL GIBSON FURR. Possessing to a marked degree the abilities which have made him a thorough and exact scholar in many branches of the law, Thornwell G. Furr, of Salisbury, just- ly occupies a place of note in the legal circles of Rowan County. He was born on a farm in Atwell Township, Rowan County, of German an- cestry, his line of descent being as follows :- Henry, Henry, John, Samuel Monroe, and Thorn- well Gibson.
Henry Furr was born, reared and married in Germany. Immigrating to America in colonial days, he landed in Charleston, South Carolina, after a tedious ocean voyage of several weeks. Soon after, with his wife and infant son, whose birth had occurred during the voyage across the ocean, he made his way by wagon to what is now Cabarrus County, North Carolina, becoming one of its earliest pioneers. Securing a tract of wild land on Cold Water Creek, six miles south- east of the present site of Concord, he began the improvement of a homestead, and there spent the remainder of his life.
Henry Furr, born on board ship while his parents were en route to America, grew up on the home farm in Cabarrus County, and when but six- teen years of age enlisted as a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, and fought bravely with the colo- nists in their struggle for liberty. An ardent pa- triot, and a fluent speaker, he was afterwards called upon to deliver the oration at a Fourth of July celebration. He was a man of physical and mental vigor, and lived to the venerable age of ninety-six years. He married, and reared a fam- ily of nine children, six sons and three daughters.
John Furr spent his entire life of three score years in Township No. 2, Cabarrus County, throughout his active life having carried on gen- eral farming with slave help. He married, April 28, 1808, Sarah Boger. She was a daughter of Daniel Boger, who owned and operated Boger's Mill, which is now known as Boss Mill. They were the parents of eleven children, eight of them being sons, as follows: Allison, Henry, Daniel, John Simpson, Tobis, William A., James Burton, and Samuel Monroe.
Samuel Monroe Furr was born February 3, 1828, in Township No. 2, Cabarrus County, and
was there reared to agricultural pursuits. At the age of twenty-two years, he bought a tract of land on Coddle Creek, Atwell Township, Rowan County, erected a comfortable house, and with the assistance of his slaves began to cultivate the land. During the Civil war, he served as captain of the Home Guard. He was quite successful as an agriculturist, and having purchased a farm ad- joining his own, he lived upon it until 1902. He then removed to Mocksville, Iredell County, where he is now living, retired from active pursuits. On November 3, 1853, he was united in marriage with Lucilla McNeeley, a native of Iredell County, be- ing a daughter of Joel McNeeley, a well-known farmer. Her mother was a great-granddaughter of Capt. William Gilbert Falls, who was killed in the Battle of Ramsouers Hill, June 20, 1780. Mrs. Samuel M. Furr is still living, being eighty-seven years of age. To her and her husband eight chil- dren were born, namely: Alice Elizabeth, Chal- mers Victor, Sarah Isabelle, Junius Monroe, James Edgar, deceased; Walter Espey, Thornwell Gib- son, and Clarence L.
Thornwell Gibson obtained the rudiments of his education in the district schools, and after com- pleting a course of study in the high school earned enough money by teaching school to enable him to enter the law department of the University of North Carolina, from which he was graduated in 1907, having in the meantime paid his college ex- penses by spending his vacations as a teacher in the public schools. Being licensed by the Superior Court to practice law, Mr. Furr located in Salis- bury, where his legal talent and skill are recog- nized and appreciated.
HON. HUGH G. CHATHAM. Possessing in a large measure the energy, force of character and pro- gressive spirit necessary for the successful con- duct of business affairs of importance and magni- tude, Hon. Hugh G. Chatham, of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, has contributed appreciably to- ward the development and advancement of the manufacturing, railway and financial interests of Western North Carolina, his influence being felt in public affairs and in private enterprises. A native of Surry County, he was born on a plan- tation. on the present site of Elkin, a son of Hon. Alexander Chatham and grandson of Martin Chat- ham, a pioneer of Wilkes County, North Caro- lina. He comes of English ancestry, his great- grandfather on the paternal side having emigrated from England to America when young, settling in Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Martin Chatham was born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1803, and there learned the trade of a blacksmith and machinist. In 1828, in company with Major Finley, General Patterson and others, he came to Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and having purchased a tract of land established a black- smith's shop, which he operated until his death, at the age of three score and ten years. The maid- en name of his wife, grandmother of the subject of this sketch, was Elizabeth Cass. She was a daughter of Moses and Elizabeth (Jones) Cass. She reared thirteen children, and five of her sons enlisted in the Confederate army, two of them being killed while in service.
Hon. Alexander Chatham was born January 14, 1834, in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, and as a lad of ten years began working in his father's smithy.
H.G. Charhow
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Being a natural mechanic, he soon became an ex- pert in the use of tools and very proficient as a workman. Removing to Elkin, Surry County, when about twenty-five years old, he entered the employ of the Elkin Manufacturing Company, which was then operating with about thirty hands, and con- tinued with that concern until after his marriage, when he embarked in mercantile and agricultural pursuits. In 1878, in company with his brother- in-law, Thomas Gwyn, he built a small woolen mill on Elkin Creek, and, under the firm name of Gwyn & Chatham, operated it successfully for twelve years, in spite of the fact that the nearest rail- road was forty miles away. About that time his sons, Hugh G., Richard and Paul, and Capt. G. T. Roth purchased Mr. Gwyn's interest in the firm and incorporated it under the name of the Chat- ham Manufacturing Company, with Mr. Alexander Chatham as president. Three years later he re- signed the presidency and organized the Elkin National Bank, to the affairs of which as presi- dent, he has devoted his time and energies.
Hon. Alexander Chatham has been twice mar- ried. The maiden name of his first wife was Mary Elizabeth Gwyn. She was born in Elkin, Surry County, in 1840, a daughter of Richard Gwyn. Her grandfather, James Gwyn, a native of Vir- ginia, came to North Carolina at an early day, set- tling in Wilkes County. Buying an estate near, Ronda, he erected a fine mansion, which he occu- pied many years, and which is still standing, be- ing one of the landmarks of the county. He was an extensive planter, operating with slave labor. James Gwyn married Martha Lenoir, whose father, Thomas Lenoir, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and being captured by the British was con- fined as a prisoner in Camden, South Carolina. His daughter Martha, then a brave little girl of twelve summers, visited him in prison, carrying him clothes and food, making the journey on horse- back, and being accompanied by a negro servant. She met Lord Cornwallis, who, after hearing of her perilous trip, released her father, who returned home with her. Mr. Lenoir was a large land- owner, his estate comprising upwards of two thou- sand acres of land.
Richard Gwyn, the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born at the Gwyn home- stead, "Green Hill,"' near Ronda, Wilkes County. Inheriting a part of the parental estate, he man- aged it with the help of slaves, and from time to time added to his landed possessions, by pur- chase, until he, too, was owner of more than two thousand acres. He lived to the advanced age of four score and four years. An active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, he served as class leader and as steward. He was prominent in public affairs, and represented Wilkes County in the State Legislature. He married Elizabeth Hunt, a daughter of Daniel Hunt, of Jonesville, Yadkin County. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth (Gwyn) Chatham died at the early age of thirty-five years, leaving three sons, namely, Hugh G., the special subject of this sketch; Richard M .; and Paul. After the death of his first wife, the Hon. Mr. Chatham married Miss Alice Hickerson, a daugh- ter of Lytle Hickerson, who served as a major in the Mexican war. Of this union four children have been born, namely, Alexander, Jr., Raymond, Daniel and Myrtle.
Hugh Chatham. acquired his elementary cduca- tion in the Elkin public school, and after his grad- uation from the Jonesville High School took an
advanced course of study at Vanderbilt Univer- sity in Nashville, Tennessee, remaining as a stu- dent in that institution two years. Beginning work then in his father's woolen mill, which had just been completed, he operated the first loom in the mill. He learned the entire process of making cloth from the raw material to the fin- ished product, and when perfect in the details of manufacturing turned his attention to the bust- ness part of that industry, mastering that also. Upon the organization of the Chatham Manufac- turing Company, Mr. Chatham was made president of the concern, and has continued in that respon- sible position to the present time, the business under his judicious management being in a flour- ishing condition. Soon after he assumed the presi- dency the mill was transferred from Elkin Creek to a site on the railroad, and a small brick build- ing was erected. The business grew with remark- able rapidity, requiring large additions to the original mill, and in 1906 the company, owing to its increased business, established a factory in Winston-Salem, where Mr. Chatham is now resid- ing, being not only one of the more active and successful business men of the city, but prominent in its social life.
Mr. Chatham married, in 1894, Miss Martha Lenoir Thurmond. She was born in Ripley, Mis- sissippi, a daughter of Richard Jackson and Mar- garet (Miller) Thurmond. Two children have blessed their union, Richard Thurmond Chatham and De Witt Chatham.
Officially connected with various organizations, Mr. Chatham is a director of the Wachovia Bank and Trust Company. In 1901 he was appointed president of the North Carolina Railroad Company by Governor Aycock, and was reappointed to the same responsible position by Gover- nor Glen, his executive ability and busi- ness acumen eminently fitting him for the office. He was also one of the promotors of the Elkin and Alleghany Railroad Company, which he is now serving as vice president. Mr. Chatham has always taken a deep interest in public matters, and in 1913 had the honor of being elected to the State Senate. While there he served as chairman of the Finance Committee and as a member of several committees of minor importance.
Fraternally Mr. Chatham is a member of Win- ston Lodge No. 167, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Elkin Lodge of the Knights of Pythias; and of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He also belongs to the Twin City Club and to the Forsyth Country Club.
HON. JOHN FEWEL REYNOLDS of Winston-Salem has long been prominent both in the business and official life of that city, and for many years held the position of deputy internal revenue collector at Winston. He also served in the State Legis- lature and as a republican has done much to build up the strength of that party in Western North Carolina.
Mr. Reynolds was born September 14, 1858, at Leaksville in Rockingham County, North Carolina. While the exact facts concerning the earlier gen- erations are not ascertainable, it is believed that his great-grandfather, George Reynolds, was a native of Pennsylvania, from which state he became a pioneer in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Mr. Reynolds' grandfather, Pryor Reynolds, was probably born in Pittsylvania County, but after reaching manhood he moved across the state line
Vol. IV-4
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
into North Carolina and bought the land in the locality known as The Meadows in Rockingham County, near the present site of Draper. There he was a substantial farmer for many years. He married Prudence Morehead, sister of Governor Morehead.
Thomas Reynolds, father of John F., was born at The Meadows in Rockingham County, North Carolina or Eastern Tennessee, April 19, 1819. He was well educated, subsequently took up the study of medicine, at first with a physician at Greensboro and then in the Jefferson Medical Col- lege at Philadelphia, where he was graduated with his degree. He began practice at Madison, North Carolina, but in 1850 removed to Leaksville, where he commanded a large clientage until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Sarah J. Fewel, her death occurring at the early age of thirty-nine. She was a native of Madison, Rockingham County, and daughter of William and Mrs. (Wall) Fewel. The children of Thomas and Sarah Reynolds were: Charles A., former lieutenant governor of North Carolina; Lelia, who died when quite young; Elizabeth D., Thomas E. and John F.
John F. Reynolds after his early education in the district schools and Mount Airy Academy entered the noted law school conducted by Judges Dick and Dillard at Greensboro, and completed his law course in 1883. Though well qualified for the law Mr. Reynolds has never practiced. Removing to Winston, he became a tobacco manufacturer in company with his brothers, and was in that busi- ness until the panic of 1894. In 1897 he was appointed deputy internal revenue collector at the branch office in Winston, and filled the office con- tinuously for sixteen years and four months. Dur- ing that time forty-three milion dollars worth of revenue stamps were sold through his office and without the loss of a single cent to the Govern- ment. Mr. Reynolds is a thoroughly competent and efficient business man, and has proved capable and just in every relationship of life.
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