USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 38
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Mr. Johnston has been twice married. He mar- ried, on September 4, 1866, Julia A. Brown, who was born in Salisbury Township, youngest daugh- ter of Moses L. and Letitia (Hartman) Brown, her father having been a large landholder, and a prosperous agriculturist. She died in 1890. Mr. Johnston married second, in 1892, Mrs. Jennie (Keistler) Wincoff, a native of Concord, North Carolina. Her father, Jeremiah Keistler, was born in Salisbury, this state; her grandfather, Ralpel Keistler, came from Pennsylvania to North Carolina to sell clocks. Meeting pretty Nancy Reeves, he fell in love with her, married her when she was but fourteen years old, and subse- quently lived in Salisbury until his death. Jer- emiah Keistler learned the tailor's trade, and fol- lowed it in Concord until the outbreak of the Civil war. Enlisting then in Company E, Thirty- third Regiment, North Carolina Troops, he served until the surrender at Appomattox. He returned home broken in health, and though he lived until February 12, 1872, he never recovered his former physical vigor. The maiden name of the wife of Jeremiah Keistler was Nancy Haithcox. She was born in Cabarrus County, a daughter of Lee and Sarah (Wilhelm) Haithcox, and died No- vember 8, 1893. She was the mother of five chil- dren, as follows: Jennie, now Mrs. Johnston; Fannie; Moselle; Robert Lee; and Laura. Mrs. Johnston's first husband, J. N. Wincoff, died November 8, 1893, in Concord.
Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, three sons have been born, namely: Thomas Pinckney, Jr .; Ralph Balfour, who was accidentally killed at the age of sixteen years; and Robert K. By his first marriage, Mr. Johnston had seven chil- dren, of whom four grew to maturity, namely : Anna, Thomas Edgar, Samuel Reeves, and Wil- liam M. Anna married D. J. Miller, and has four children, Robert Lee, a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadelphia; Jesse N. and Council J., now members of the United States Regular Army and Navy; and Julia B., wife of Harry Edwards, of Jasper, Florida. Thomas Edgar married Mabel Kizer, who was a most suc- cessful teacher, and is now a member of the
State Board of School Examiners. Samuel Reeves first married Ada Cathcart, who died, leaving one son, Edgar Reeves Johnston. He then married for his second wife, Mrs. Edith Bowman, by whom he has one daughter, Ada M. William M., who died at the age of thirty years, married Jessie Sims, who, with their two daughters, Dorothy Sims and Julia E., survive him. Mr. and Mrs. Johnston are valued members of the Presbyterian Church, and Mr. Johnston is a life-long advocate and practitioner of prohibition and votes and prays as he lives.
JOHN C. SPACH. For a long period of years the name Spach has been identified in Forsyth County with manufacturing and industrial inter- csts. Farmers of half a century or more ago used wagons and other vehicles manufactured in the Spach factory at Waughtown, and today the Spach vehicles are noted for the same qualities of durabil- ity and service as the old hand made wagons were. The proprietor of the wagon industry at Waugh- town is John C. Spach, a son of its original founder.
Mr. Spach was born May 15, 1854. His father, William Elias Spach, was born in what is now Forsyth County, and the grandfather was Chris- tian Spach, a native of the same locality.
The name Spach has historic associations with the early history of this part of Western North Carolina. There is some confusion in the family records, and the genealogy through the earlier generations cannot be exactly traced. However, from the best information at hand Christian Spach is supposed to have been a son of Gottlieb Spach, while Gottlieb was a son of the pioneer of the family, Adam Spach. A record in the Fried- berg Church register states that Adam Spach was born in Alsace January 20, 1720, was married in 1752 to Elizabeth Hueter, and came to North Carolina in 1753. He died August 23, 1801. From another source it is stated that Adam Spach lived a time in Pennsylvania before coming to North Carolina. In this state he located about two miles from the present site of Friedberg, and was the first premanent settler in that vicinity. There he built a substantial rock house. The basement was pierced for port holes, showing that the house was meant to serve the purpose of a fort in case the Indians, then numerous in North Carolina, should prove hostile. This old house is still standing as a relic of early days and is shown elsewhere in this work. Adam Spach and wife joined the Friedberg Moravian Church.
Grandfather Christian Spach was a farmer, and spent his last years on the farm near Salem. Wil- liam Elias Spach, though reared on a farm, early left home to learn the trade of carriage builder. He did his first work in the shop of John Vaugh- ters and later was connected with the wagon factory of J. P. Nissen. During the last year of the war he was in the Confederate army. Follow- ing the war he engaged in business for himself. He had a shop 16 by 24 feet, had a limited capi- tal and equipment, and did all the work connected with the making of a wagon himself. His work- manship was unsurpassed, and there was no dearth of buyers for the vehicles that came out of his shop. He continued this business many years, but finally retired to his farm, where he died in 1892. He was four times married. His first wife, the mother of John C. Spach, was Mary Ann
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Vaughters. She was born in Waughtown, a daugh- ter of John M. and Polly (Campbell) Vaughters. John Vaughters was born in North Carolina and was one of the first wagon manufacturers in the state. Mrs. William E. Spach died in 1858.
John C. Spach was contented with a limited education in schools and displayed his enthusiasm as a boy chiefly by work in his father's shop. Aided by unusual natural talent, he advanced rapidly in proficiency and at the age of four- teen was entrusted with the buying of materials and also had charge of the sale of the output of che wagon factory. In 1886 he bought the plant. At that time it was employing twelve men, and the factory had a limited output. In 1894 Mr. Spach took in as a partner his brother, Samuel L. The business has shown a steady and most satis- factory growth for many years. The brothers bought five acres of ground at Waughtown and subsequently purchased other land until they had eleven acres as a factory site. On this land they constructed commodious brick and frame buildings, equipped them with modern machinery, and on the same land they put up a flour mill. These enterprises were run jointly by the broth- ers until January, 1914, when the partnership was dissolved, Samuel L. taking the flour mill, which he still operates, while John C. continues the wagon business being assisted by his son and son-in-law.
Mr. Spach was married December 27, 1880, to Miss Lucy Masten. She was born about two miles from Salem, daughter of Mathias Masten, who for fourteen years held the office of sheriff of Forsyth County. Mathias Masten married Catherine Masten. Mr. and Mrs. Spach have reared two children: Mary Catherine and William Mathias. The daughter is the wife of Charles L. Creech. Mr. and Mrs. Creech have three chil- dren, Charles, Jr., Mary Catherine and John Spach. Mr. John C. Spach is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and is affiliated with Winston Lodge No. 167, Ancient Free and Accepted Ma- sons.
HENRY WALTER HORTON. A live, wide-awake business man, thoroughly public-spirited and pro- gressive, Henry Walter Horton, of North Wilkes- boro, Wilkes County, has been conspicuously con- cerned in many important commercial enterprises, his remarkable capacity for the handling of multi- tudinous details having made him a leader in the establishment of the numerous beneficial projects with which he has been actively and officially identified. A native of North Carolina, he was born on a plantation near Boone, Watauga County, being a son of Hon. William Horton, and a descend- ant in the ninth generation from one Barnabas Horton, his ancestral record, for which we are indebted to the "History of the Horton Family, " published by George F. Horton, of Tarrytown, being thus traced: Barnabas, Caleb, Barnabas, Caleb, Capt. Nathan, Col. Nathan, Phineas, Will- iam, and Henry Walter.
Barnabas Horton was born in Moulsey, Leicester- shire, England, July 13, 1600. Sometime between 1635 and 1638 he came to America in the good ship Swallow, locating first in Hampton, Massachusetts. In the spring of 1640 he migrated to New Haven, Connecticut, and in the fall of that year settled in Southold, Long Island, New York, where, in 1660, he erected a house which is still standing, and is now occupied by one of his descendants.
Caleb Horton was born in Southold, Long Is-
land, in 1640, and when ready to begin life for himself located at Cutchogue, Long Island, and was there a resident until his death, October 3, 1702. The maiden name of his second wife, the mother of his children, was Abigail Hallock. She was a daughter of Peter Hallock, the pilgrim an- cestor of the Hallock family of America. She died in 1697.
Barnabas Horton was born at Cutchogue, Long Island, in September, 1666. He was twice married. His second wife, the mother of his children, was before marriage Sarah Hines. Their son, Caleb Horton, was born at Southold, Long Island, Decem- ber 22, 1687. He married Sarah Terry, who was a native of Southhold, being a daughter of Na- thaniel Terry, and granddaughter of Richard Terry, men of prominence in the early annals of Long Island. In 1748 they moved to New Jersey, set- tling in Chester, where his death occurred August 6, 1772. His wife survived him, passing away De- cember 24, 1776, and on her tombstone may be seen the following epitaph:
"Martha's care she had at heart
And also chosen Mary's better part."
Capt. Nathan Horton was born at Southold, Long Island, in 1725. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was commander of the guard that executed Major Audre. The gun that he carried while in the army is in the Hall of History, in Raleigh, having been loaned by J. B. Horton, one of his descendants. In 1749, soon after his marriage with Mehitabel Case, of Southold, he moved to Chester, New Jersey, and there spent his remaining days.
Col. Nathan Horton was born in Chester, New Jersey, February 25, 1757. He joined the State Militia when but eighteen years old, and being elected lieutenaut of his company was subsequently . promoted through the different grades until com- missioned colonel of his regiment. Colonel Horton married July 10, 1783, in New York City, Eliza- beth Eagles, daughter of John and Hannah Eagles, and about two years later came to North Carolina, settling on New River, in what is now Watauga County, as pioneers, and on the farm they cleared and improved reared their sons and daughters.
Phineas Horton was born on New River, Watauga County, January 9, 1795. He became one of the extensive landholders of the county, operat- ing his estate with the assistance of slaves. Pa- triotic and public-spirited, he volunteered his serv- ices as a soldier in the War of 1812. He became prominent in public life, serving for many a term as magistrate, and also being county treasurer several years. He married, about 1827, Rebecca. Council, a daughter of Jordan and Sarah (Howard) Council.
William Horton was born on a plantation bor- dering on New River, Watauga County, March 9, 1828, and was there brought up and educated. Following in the ancestral footsteps, he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits during his life, dying on his plantation in 1875. Active in public affairs, he was elected county surveyor in 1849, and served efficiently in that capacity until 1862. In that year he was elected to represent his district in the State Legislature, and there proved himself so loyal to the interests of his constituents that he was honored with a re-election to the same office in 1864, and again in 1866.
Hon. William Horton married, in 1860, Nancy Rebecca Blair, who was born in Caldwell County, North Carolina, August 26, 1835, a daughter of
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Henry and Mary (Steele) Blair. Eight children were born of their union, namely: James Critten- den, Julia Rebecca, Mary Emma, Henry Walter, Jonathan Blair, William Phineas, Annie Elizabeth, and Sally Hill. The father died in 1875, and the mother is still living (March 23, 1918).
Henry Walter Horton was born on the home farm July 4, 1873. He was educated in the rural schools and at New River College, and as a boy acquired some knowledge of agriculture. At the age of eighteen years he entered upon a business career, becoming a clerk in the commissary depart- ment of the North Carolina Midland Railroad Company, which was then building a railway ex- tending from Goldsboro to Charlotte. Returning home at the end of a year, he worked on the farm for awhile, and then accepted a position as travel- ing salesman in Georgia. Coming to North Wilkes- boro in 1898, Mr. Horton was assistant station agent for about two years, and during the ensuing eight years was a clerk in the Bank of North Wilkesboro.
In the meantime, Mr. Horton, with characteristic foresight and energy, had organized the Citizens Loan and Trust Company, of which he has since been secretary and treasurer. In 1900 he purchased the Wilkesboro telephone properties, which he now owns, and is operating under the name of the Horton Telephone Company. Mr. Horton was also the organizer, and is the secretary and treasurer of the Gwyn-Horton Fire and Life Insurance Com- pany. In 1911 he organized the Kensington Heights Land Company, of which he was made secretary and treasurer. Purchasing in the center of the town ten acres of land, in which is included the site of the "Red House," the first dwelling erected in the place, the company platted the tract, and put it on the market. If the full history of this old house was written it would fill a large volume, but below are recorded a few items that may be of interest to the future generations:
About 1760, in colonial days, Charles Gordon ยท came to this part of North Carolina, which was then a wilderness, through which Indians and wild beasts of all kinds roamed at will, and on the site of the present building erected what was called "The Red House." The house was built of logs sawed flat on two sides by a cross-cut saw, one man standing on the log and the other be- neath, and the doors were made with port-holes, in order that the occupants could look out and ascertain whether it was friend or foe demanding admittance before opening the door. The slope of the hill in each direction was kept clear so that in case of an attack the savages might be shot before reaching the house, the range of the firearms of that day being about 100 yards. When- ever the Indians living in the jungles in the bot- toms became enraged, and started on the war path, the settlers would gather from far and near, and go to "The Red House" for protection, the women and children remaining inside, while the men went out to fight. Wilkes County was not then formed, the only inhabitants being a small band of Moravians, who, a few years before, had taken up land on the south side of the river, in the vicinity of Wilkesboro and Moravian Falls.
The present house, the first frame house erected in this section, was built by Chapman Gordon, son of Charles Gordon, and grandfather of Gen. John B. Gordon, of Georgia, one of the noted generals of the Confederate army. There may be some of the original house in the one now standing. The nails were made by a blacksmith, machine made
nails being then unknown and unthought of. In the early days the "Red House" was the scene of many social events, and a center of interest. Its first occupants fought in many engagements with the enemy, including the Battle of Kings Moun- tain. They also served in the United States Sen- ate, and Chapman Gordon had the distinction of being the first clerk of the court of Wilkes County.
Several years before the war between the states, Mr. A. W. Finley married Miss Martha Gordon, bought the place, then called "Fairmount, " and occupied it until his death. Before the Town of North Wilkesboro was started, the place was bought by the Winston Land and Improvement Company, and its name was changed to "Kensing- ton Heights."
While on his march northward at the close of the war, General Stoneman camped his army in Wilkesboro, and made this place his headquarters. Soon after the war. Gen. Robert F. Hoke, being sent here to put down the "Bushwhackers, " also made it his headquarters. It is said that General Lee had recommended General Hoke as command- er-in-chief of the Southern army, if he, General Lee, should be killed or incapacitated for the posi- tion.
Mr. Horton now owns the site of the "Red House, "' and also owns and occupies the house that was built on that spot by Chapman Gordon, it having been removed from its original site.
In addition to the many organizations of which Mr. Horton is serving as secretary and treasurer, he is vice president and director of the North Wilkesboro Deposit and Savings Bank. He is in- terested in the automobile business, and has always been an earnest advocate of good roads. A zealous worker in the latter cause, he is now secretary of the Wilkes County Good Roads Association, which has charge of the extensive work in that line now going on, and upon which upwards of $300,000 will be expended.
Mr. Horton married, December 18, 1912, Charity Susan Usher, who was born near Charlotte, North Carolina, a daughter of John W. and Sarah Usher. Three children have brightened the union of Mr. and Mrs. Horton, namely: Sarah Lillian, Rebecca Sue, and Henry Walter, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Horton are active and faithtul members of the Baptist Church, and are bringing up their children in the same religious faith. Mr. Horton is a deacon in the church, and for fifteen years has taught a class in its Sunday school. When the present church edifice was erected, he served as treasurer of the building committee.
LOGAN EDWARD OLD. In business circles of Elizabeth City, and more particularly in the field of fire insurance and bonds, a name that has be- come prominent within recent years is that of Logan Edward Old. This energetic and progres- sive business man, who is secretary and treasurer of the Culpepper-Griffin-Old-Grice Company, has passed practically his entire career in the handling of fire insurance, and while other matters have claimed a part of his attention, it is in this line of business that he is best known.
Logan E. Old was born in Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, September 20, 1872, a son of Rev. James Young and Agenora (Ives) Old, his father being a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His education was secured in public and private schools of his native county, and at Elizabeth City, whence he came while still a youth, and his
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first independent venture when he faced life's responsibilities on his own account was in the posi- tion of dispatching clerk in the Elizabeth City postoffice. After one year in that position he decided that that was not his forte, and, in search of a more congenial and profitable occupation, decided upon the general insurance business, but particularly upon that of fire indemnity. This was work for which he had been peculiarly fitted, and he was soon in possession of a clientele that was representative and profitable. Finally, with other prominent business men of the city, he or- ganized what is now one of the largest firms of its kind in the state, the Culpepper-Griffin-Old-Grice Company, of which he became secretary and treasurer, positions which he still retains. This concern does a general business in insurance and bonds and has figured in some of the largest trans- actions in the history of the city. Aside from his business, Mr. Old has few interests, but is a popu -- lar member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and treasurer of the First Methodist Church, where he is also a member of the board of stewards. He lends his support in all worthy measures for the benefit and advancement of the city of his adoption, and is accounted a good and public-spirited citizen.
Mr. Old was married August 19, 1905, to Miss Helen Holmes Cone, of Riverton, Virginia, who died September 16, 1909, leaving one son: Logan Edward, Jr.
WALTER NORMAN OLD, brother of Logan Edward Old, was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, August 5, 1866. He was educated in the public schools of Norfolk County and at Norfolk Acad- emy, and after his graduation from that institution in 1889, came to Elizabeth City and engaged in the manufacture of lumber. He and his father erected five lumber mills in North Carolina, three of which were located at Elizabeth City, but they subsequently sold these mills and for two years Walter N. Old acted as assistant superintendent in these enterprises. His next venture was in the grocery business, but he sold out his establishment to engage in the proprietorship of horse and mule sales stables, which he disposed of after two years to become a member of the firm of E. S. Chesson Company. Retiring from that concern, he spent some time as manager and adjuster for lumber companies, but in January, 1917, joined the Cul- pepper-Griffin-Old-Grice Company as assistant sec- retary and solicitor. Mr. Old is widely known in business circles of Elizabeth City, and is accounted a capable and shrewd man of affairs, of high in- tegrity. He is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.
HON. WALTER MURPHY. Prominent among the able and influential members of the Rowan County bar is Hon. Walter Murphy, of Salisbury, who has won professional precedence by reason of his legal ability and his devotion to his work, while his personal characteristics have gained for him a place of importance in the public life of city and county. He was born in Salisbury, North Caro- lina, which was likewise the birthplace of his father, Andrew Murphy, and of his grandfather, John Murphy.
His great-grandfather, James Murphy, was born and bred in Glasgow, Scotland, and as a young man came with two of his brothers to America. He located first in Wilmington, North Carolina,
but prior to the Revolutionary war settled in Salis- bury, where he embarked in mercantile pursuits, his store having been at the corner of Main and Fisher streets. There were no railways in the state at that early day, and all of his merchandise was transported by teams from either Fayetteville, or from Charleston.
John Murphy succeeded to the business estab- lished by his father, and managed it successfully until his death, in 1848. He married Mary Furr, who was born in Rowan County, the daughter of a Revolutionary soldier, and died at her home in Salisbury, in 1867.
Andrew Murphy was born in Salisbury in 1832, and as a boy began working in his father's store. After the death of his father he and one of his brothers assumed the management of the store, with which he was identified the remainder of his life. During the Civil war, he was detailed for railroad service. The maiden name of his wife was Helen Long.
She was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, as was her father, Dr. Alexander Long, while her paternal grandfather, Alexander Long, Sr., was born on the Long plantation, located about six miles from Salisbury. She was the mother of eight children, as follows: Alexander, Frederick, Elizabeth, Charles, Hamilton, Edgar, Carrie and Walter. The great-grandfather of Mrs. Murphy, John Long, native of England, came to America with two of his brothers, Alexander, who settled in Massachusetts, and William, who located in Pennsylvania. John Long came to North Carolina, locating in Rowan County, where he received a grant of 16,000 acres of land. He erected a frame house, having bricks brought from England with which to build the chimneys. He was a commander in the militia of Western North Carolina, and was killed in the skirmish with the Indians, in McDowell County, in 1675. He mar- ried for his second wife a Miss Harrison, through whom the line of descent was continued.
Alexander Long, Sr., being an only son, inher- ited his father's estate, and for many years was one of the leading planters of Rowan County, the census of that time showing that he owned 112 slaves. Although a graduate of Princeton Col- lege, he did not adopt a profession, preferring to devote his time to agricultural labors. He married Susan Stokes, a sister of George Montford Stokes, and they reared thirteen children. Dr. Alexander Long was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1789. He was graduated from the University of North Carolina with the class of 1811, and three years later, in 1814, received the degree of M. D. at the University of Pennsylvania. Beginning the practice of his chosen profession in Hillsboro, Orange County, he remained there until 1818, when he settled in Salisbury, where he built up a large patronage, as a physician being very suc- cessful. He died in 1877, at the venerable age of ninety years. He married Mary Williams, who was born in Petersburg, Virginia, being a sister of Maj. Joseph Williams, who won distinction as a soldier. She died in 1877, at an advanced age.
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