History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV, Part 42

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 42

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Realizing that school work was the vocation calling forth his best powers and the one most congenial to his tastes, he gave up a promising practice as a lawyer and accepted the superintend- ency of the Goldsboro graded schools. In 1893 he resigned that position to become professor of English in the North Carolina Normal and In- dustrial College at Greensboro.

In 1902 Governor Aycock appointed him state superintendent of public instruction to fill a va- cancy and in 1904 he was regularly elected and has been the choice of the people for that position up to the present time. During these years he has done much to improve the standards of the public school system throughout North Carolina, has been a real leader in educational progress, and his administration is likely to stand for many years as an impressive epoch in North Carolina education.

In 1896 he was elected president of the State Teachers' Association. He is a member of the board of directors of the Baptist University for Women at Raleigh, and since its organization has served as secretary or president of the State Su- perintendents' Association. During 1899-01 he was director of the Colored Agricultural and Me- chanical College at Greensboro. At the same time he served as an alderman of that city. In 1901 he was chairman of the North Carolina Text Book Commission. Since 1902 he has been ex-officio chairman of the board of directors of the Normal and Industrial College, and in 1906 was elected president of the North Carolina Summer School at Raleigh. He was elected president of the Na-

tional Education Association in 1910 and has served as secretary of the board of trustees of that association since 1912.

In 1887 Professor Joyner married Effie E. Rouse of LaGrange, North Carolina. They have two children: James N., a graduate of the Uni- versity of North Carolina, and William T., who is also an alumnus of North Carolina State Uni- versity.

SAMUEL TIMOTHY NICHOLSON, M. D. One of Washington's physicians and surgeons for more than a third of a century, Dr. Nicholson has em- ployed his professional skill in many ways to serve the public welfare and his name has been associated with much that is substantial in his community's affairs.

Dr. Nicholson was born in Halifax County, North Carolina, December 25, 1855, son of Major Blake Baker and Lucy (Thorn) Nicholson. His early life was spent in the period of the war and the years of depression immediately following, but he acquired partly through his own efforts a liberal education. He attended school at Warrenton and the John Graham High School, from which he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, now the medical department of the University of Maryland, where he was graduated M. D. in March, 1881. Doctor Nicholson located soon after- ward at Washington, North Carolina, and through all the subsequent years has been a general practi- tioner of medicine. He was formerly superin- tendent of health of Beaufort County, and from 1882 to 1902 was United States Examining Sur- geon. For one year he was surgeon in chief of the S. R. Fowle Memorial Hospital, then resign- ing, but is now one of the Surgical Board of the hospital. He is well known among medical fraternities, being a member of the Beaufort County, First District and North Carolina Medi- cal societies. Doctor Nicholson is chairman of the board of trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Washington. On July 4, 1876, the centennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, he married Miss Annie E. Lucas, of Washington, daughter of Jesse B. and Eliza- beth (Sasswell) Lucas. Her father was for many years a merchant and banker. Doctor and Mrs. Nicholson became the parents of fourteen chil- dren, eight of whom are now deceased. Those living are: Dr. John L .; Lucile, wife of Henry Clay Carter, Jr., an attorney at law; Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Louis Mann, a dentist; Annie E., Neck; Winifred E. Taylor, a farmer of Scotland Neck; Winifred Wiggins, still at home; and Carlotta, wife of Harold J. Washburn, of Ossing, New York.

JOHN WARRICK THOMAS. Standing prominent among the brave, energetic, far-seeing and opti- mistic pioneers who contributed liberally toward redeeming the western central portion of North Carolina from its primitive wildness was Johu Warrick Thomas, noteworthy as the founder of the present prosperous city of Thomasville. A native of this state, he was born in June, 1800, in Guilford County, a son of David Thomas.

David Thomas was born, without doubt, in Pennsylvania. In early manhood, soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, he came to North Carolina and bought a tract of land on Reedy Creek in Guilford County, near the present site of Gibsonville. He labored industriously, and on the homestead which he improved spent his re-

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

157

maining days. He reared three children: John Warrick, the special subject of this sketch; Jen- nie, who married Shadrach Lambeth; and Polly, who became the wife of Silas Lambeth.

Migrating from Guilford County to what is now Davidson County, John Warrick Thomas purchased 1,500 acres of wild land, a large tract that in- cluded the present site of Thomasville. He en- gaged in farming, with the help of slaves, and with characteristic enterprise established a cop- per mill three miles south of Thomasville, and operated it successfully a number of years.

Ever ready to lend a helping hand toward the development of beneficial projects, Mr. Thomas was one of the larger stockholders of the North Carolina Railroad, and it was entirely through his influence that its route was extended through Davidson County. He built under contract 51/2 miles of the road, and when it was completed there was held in Thomasville a grand celebra- tion, Mr. Thomas furnishing an ox and a sheep for the barbecue.

A leader in the administration of public af- fairs, Mr. Thomas represented his county in the State Legislature for upwards of thirty years. He was a whig in politics until the formation of the republican party, when he became one of the most earnest of its supporters. He was a thorough believer in the doctrine of protection for American industries, and the country's prosperity under the protective system bears visible proof of his wisdom and sound judgment.

Mr. Thomas married Mary Lambeth, and of the ten children born of their union, three are now living, namely: John W .; Pleasant C .; and Mary J., wife of John G. Cramer.

ROBERT LEE STONE. Three generations of the Stone family have been identified with the com- munity in Rockingham County known as Stone- ville. The principal mercantile enterprise of that village is carried on by Robert Lee Stone, whose father was the main factor in establishing the first store that gave prominence to this particular locality.

This branch of the Stone family was estab- lished in America by George Stone, a native of England, who came with his three brothers to this country, all of them young men. They first lo- cated on land that is now included in the site of the famous Bull Run Battlefield in Virginia. Three of the brothers subsequently went west and their descendants are now found in different states. George Stone remained in Henry County, Virginia, married a Miss Spencer, and both died there. They had four children, Nancy, Sally, Polly and John.

John Stone was born in Henry County, Virginia, and when a young man removed to Rockingham County, North Carolina. He bought land a mile from the present site of Stoneville. His land extended on both sides of the Mountain Run Creek. This property had been sadly neglected by its previous owners, the house being in a di- lapidated condition. Under his ownership the house was repaired, the wet land was drained, and in course of time he had a plantation in a high state of cultivation. He lived there until his death in 1872, when about eighty-two years of age. He married Matilda Roberts. She was born in Mayo Township of Rockingham County, daugh- ter of Henry Roberts, a farmer and planter who spent his life in that community. Matilda Stone

died in 1884. She had eight sons and two daugh- ters: James Madison, John Henry, Thomas, Pink- ney M., Francis J., Elizabeth A., William, Jack- son L., Washington and Loula. Four of these sons were Confederate soldiers. John Henry died while in the service and William died from the ef- fects of wounds received at Gaines Mills, Virginia. Jackson L, was in Company F of the Forty-fifth North Carolina Troops, and after the war suc- ceeded to the ownership of the old homestead. He died July 15, 1918.

Francis J. Stone, father of Robert L., was born on a farm a mile from Stoneville, was accustomed to agricultural methods from early youth, and at- tended a log school in the community. This schoolhouse was frequently described by him to his children. It had no seats except rough slabs elevated from the floor by wooden pius, and there were neither backs nor desks, the only desk being a plank laid along one side of the wall. The building had no floor and was heated by a rough fireplace. At the age of twenty-one Francis J. Stone went to Henry County, Virginia, and for one year clerked in the general store of Reed Ayers. Iu 1857 his brothers Pinkney and Thomas erected a brick building at the present site of Stoneville. It was the first structure erected on that townsite. In the employ of his brothers Francis went to Richmond to buy a stock of goods. In the absence of railroads this merchandise was hauled from Danville with wagon and team. Francis clerked for his brothers until 1862, when he enlisted in Company H of the Forty-fifth North Carolina Infantry. After a few months he was granted dis- charge from the army in order to take charge of his father-in-law's plantation and give service oqually valuable in raising supplies for the Con- federacy. When the war was over he resumed merchandising, opening his first stock with a cap- ital of only $35. However, his previous experi- ence enabled him to secure ample credit. He con- tinued merchandising with increased success un- til 1892, when he was succeeded by his son. After that he lived retired until his death in March, 1904. He and his wife were members of the Primitive Baptist Church. He married Martha Dalton. Her father, Capt. Billy Dalton, was an extensive planter and slave owner, his plan- tation being 11% miles west of Stoneville. Captain Dalton married Nancy Jones, of Ridgeway, Henry County, Virginia. Martha Stone died in 1882, the mother of five children : Cornelia, John F., William J., Cora E. and Robert Lee. The father married for his second wife Mary Sue Roberts, and by that marriage had one son, Buford R., who is located in Reidsville, North Carolina, and manager of the George Washington Life Insurance Company of Charleston, West Virginia, for North Carolina.

Robert Lee Stone was born in his father's home at Stoneville in 1871, and after making the best of such advantages as were supplied by the Stoneville schools he pursued his studies in the Leaksville High School and the Oak Ridge Insti- tute. In the fall of 1890, at the age of nineteen, he began a steady job clerking for his father, and in 1892 succeeded to the business, he and R. T. Stone, a third cousin, buying the stock and good will. His father gave him $1,000 of the amount. In 1900 Mr. Stone bought his partner's interest and has since continued as sole proprietor of the establishment.

At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Sallie L. Claybrook. She was born near Stoneville, a

156

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

college trained. Mary is Mrs. W. B. Hobby, wife of a farmer and stockman at Culpepper, Virginia; Claudia B. is the wife of N. L. Simmons, an at- torney at Washington, North Carolina; Alice is a teacher iu this state; Josie is a member of the class of 1917 in the State Normal School at Greensboro; and Evelyn is a member of the class of 1918 in the state normal.

JAMES YADKIN JOYNER. For the past twelve years state superintendent of public instruction in North Carolina, James Yadkin Joyner has long been recognized as one of the men of light and leading in educational affairs in the Old North State. He began his active career as a teacher, turned from it to follow what he believed was his real voca- tion, the law, but after a few years gave it up and returned to his first choice.

Born at Yadkin College, Davidson County, North Carolina, August 7, 1862, he is a son of John and Sallie A. (Wooten) Joyner. His ancestors came from England and from Germany. His grandfa- ther, John Joyner, was a prominent citizen of Pitt County, served in the Senate of the state five terms and was one of the two delegates from that county to the constitutional convention of 1835.

James Y. Joyner prepared for college in the LaGrange Academy, entered the University of North Carolina in 1878, and was graduated Bach- elor of Philosophy in 1881. He was at that time nineteen years of age. He soon afterwards took up public school work, and at the age of twenty was made principal of the LaGrange Academy. He subsequently was superintendent of the public schools of Lenoir County. While thus engaged he took up the study of law in private offices, and in 1886 was admitted to the bar. Mr. Joyner prac- ticed at Goldsboro until 1889, and during that time, from 1887 to 1889, served as chairman of the board of education of Wayne County.

tional Education Association in 1910 and has served as secretary of the board of trustees of that association since 1912.

JOHN WARRICK THOMAS. Standing prominent among the brave, energetic, far-seeing and opti- mistic pioneers who contributed liberally toward redeeming the western central portion of North Carolina from its primitive wildness was John Warrick Thomas, noteworthy as the founder of the present prosperous city of Thomasville. A native of this state, he was born in June, 1800, in Guilford County, a son of David Thomas.

David Thomas was born, without doubt, in Pennsylvania, In early manhood, soon after the close of the Revolutionary war, he came to North Carolina and bought a tract of land on Reedy Creek in Guilford County, near the present site of Gibsonville. He labored industriously, and on the homestead which he improved spent his re-

157

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

maining days. He reared three children: John Warrick, the special subject of this sketch; Jen- nie, who married Shadrach Lambeth; and Polly, who became the wife of Silas Lambeth.

Mr. Thomas married Mary Lambeth, and of the ten children born of their union, three are now living, namely: John W .; Pleasant C .; and Mary J., wife of John G. Cramer.

John Stone was born in Henry County, Virginia, and when a young man removed to Rockingliam County, North Carolina. He bought land a mile from the present site of Stoneville. His land extended on both sides of the Mountain Run Creek. This property had been sadly neglected by its previous owners, the house being in a di- lapidated condition. Under his ownership the house was repaired, the wet land was drained, and in course of time he had a plantation in a high state of cultivation. He lived there until his death in 1872, when about eighty-two years of age. He married Matilda Roberts. She was born in Mayo Township of Rockingham County, daugli- ter of Henry Roberts, a farmer and planter who spent his life in that community. Matilda Stone

died in 1884. She had eight sons and two daugh- ters: James Madison, John Henry, Thomas, Pink- ney M., Francis J., Elizabeth A., William, Jack- son L., Washington and Loula. Four of these sons were Confederate soldiers. John Henry died while in the service and William died from the ef- fects of wounds received at Gaines Mills, Virginia. Jackson L. was in Company F of the Forty-fifth North Carolina Troops, and after the war suc- ceeded to the ownership of the old homestead. He died July 15, 1918.

Francis J. Stone, father of Robert L., was born on a farm a mile from Stoneville, was accustomed to agricultural methods from early youth, and at- tended a log school in the community. This schoolhouse was frequently described by him to his children. It had no seats except rough slabs elevated from the floor by wooden pins, and there were neither backs nor desks, the only desk being a plank laid along one side of the wall. The building had no floor and was heated by a rough fireplace. At the age of twenty-one Francis J. Stone went to Henry County, Virginia, and for one year clerked in the general store of Reed Ayers. In 1857 his brothers Pinkney and Thomas erected a brick building at the present site of Stoneville. It was the first structure erected on that townsite. In the employ of his brothers Francis went to Richmond to buy a stock of goods. In the absence of railroads this merchandise was hauled from Danville with wagon and team. Francis clerked for his brothers until 1862, when he enlisted in Company H of the Forty-fifth North Carolina Infantry. After a few months he was granted dis- charge from the army in order to take charge of his father-in-law's plantation and give service oqually valuable in raising supplies for the Con- federacy. When the war was over he resumed merchandising, opening his first stock with a cap- ital of only $35. However, his previous experi- ence enabled him to secure ample credit. He con- tinued merchandising with increased success un- til 1892, when he was succeeded by his son. After that he lived retired until his death in March, 1904. He and his wife were members of the Primitive Baptist Church. He married Martha Dalton. Her father, Capt. Billy Dalton, was an extensive planter and slave owner, his plan- tation being 112 miles west of Stoneville. Captain Dalton married Nancy Jones, of Ridgeway, Henry County, Virginia. Martha Stone died in 1882, the mother of five children: Cornelia, John F., William J., Cora E. and Robert Lee. The father married for his second wife Mary Sue Roberts, and by that marriage had one son, Buford R., who is located in Reidsville, North Carolina, and manager of the George Washington Life Insurance Company of Charleston, West Virginia, for North Carolina.

Robert Lee Stone was born in his father's home at Stoneville in 1871, and after making the best of such advantages as were supplied by tlie Stoneville schools he pursued his studies in the Leaksville High School and the Oak Ridge Insti- tute. In the fall of 1890, at the age of nineteen, he began a steady job clerking for his father, and in 1892 succeeded to the business, he and R. T. Stone, a third cousin, buying the stock and good will. His father gave him $1,000 of the amount. In 1900 Mr. Stone bought his partner's interest and has since continued as sole proprietor of the establishment.

At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Sallie L. Claybrook. She was born near Stoneville, a

158

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

daughter of Jasper and Mary Fleming (Smith) Claybrook. Mr. and Mrs. Stone have three sons: Robert Boaz, Carl B. and Otis C. Robert married Marie S., a daughter of W. A. Newberry, of Bland, Virginia, May 8, 1916, and has a daughter eighteen months old, named Mildred Marie, and a son, Wil- liam Larry, born August 15, 1918. The son Carl enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of seventeen and saw active service one year on the battleship Arkansas. He is now connected with the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency of Norfolk, Virginia.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV, Part 42

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