USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 45
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Allen Turner Morrison, the second son, born at Alexander, North Carolina, March 23, 1886, is al- ready making a distinguished record for himself as a soldier, having given up a promising law prac- tice to volunteer in the service of his country. He was educated in private schools, including the Bingham School at Asheville, graduated A. B. from the University of North Carolina in 1907, and re- ceived his law degree from the State University in 1908. He practiced law at Asheville with Davidson, Bourne and Parker, and later as a mem- ber of the firm, Bourne, Parker and Morrison. In May, 1917, though he was beyond draft age, he volunteered and became a candidate in the officers training camp at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, and on August 13 was commissioned first lieutenant to the Coast Artillery of the United States Reserves at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. He is now serving with the heavy artillery division in France with the American Expeditionary Forces. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and a deacon in First Presbyterian Church.
Some interesting comments and side lights upon Mr Morrison's business career were recently made in a North Carolina magazine. Some sentences from this article should be quoted as supplementing what has already been told in the preceding para- graphs.
A fine measure of success has come to Mr. Mor- rison and he looks back with pleasure to begin- ning his career as a clerk in a dry goods store in 1872. He commenced business for himself on borrowed capital in 1875, establishing a retail mercantile business of modest dimensions. Since that time Mr. Morrison has been interested in dif- ferent phases of the mercantile business and today heads a firm which covers the surrounding states.
During the past twenty years Mr. Morrison has taken a great interest in the cotton industry of the South. He has been connected with various cotton mills and has been a director of every mill in which he has been interested.
Mr. Morrison is deeply interested in the develop- ment of Asheville and western North Carolina. He has done much for his own "Land of the Sky" and sees a great future ahead of his community. When the Asheville Board of Trade was estab- lished he was its first president and served as diree- tor for a number of years after resigning the presidency. He has served on numerous committees
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and boards working for the betterment of Ashe- ville, notably ou the Building Committee of the present Auditorium.
Mr. Morrison is the type of a North Carolinian who adds energy to vision and patriotism to achievement. He is widely known throughout the state and everywhere regarded as an able leader in business and financial circles. 1
JAMES FRANKLIN BEALL, M. D. While Davidson County has been fortunate in the eminence and character of its citizens, no more worthy name has been enrolled among its representative men than that of the late Dr. James F. Beall, who spent the later years of his life at his pleasant home in Boone Township, near Linwood, on the farm where his birth occurred, Septem- ber 1, 1837.
Burgess Lamar Beall, the doctor's father, was born in Maryland, and as a child was taken, it is supposed, to Georgia, from there coming with his parents to what is now Davidson County, North Carolina, when ten years of age. After attain- ing manhood, he bought a tract of land in Boone Township, about a mile from Linwood, and im- proved the farm, and erected the house, now occu- pied by Doctor Beall's widow and sons. The house, standing back from the road, is surrounded by ample grounds, which are ornamented by large shade trees. It has been weather boarded and painted, and has the appearance of a modernly constructed home. A thrifty boxwood hedge adorns the front yard, adding to the attractiveness of the estate, which is one of the finest in this section of the state.
Having prepared for college, James Franklin Beall, entered the University of North Carolina, and later took a course of study at the University of Virginia. He then began the study of medi- cine with his brother Robert, a well-known and successful physician. In June, 1861, giving up his studies, he enlisted in the Twenty-first Regiment, North Carolina Troops, and was commissioned major. Continuing with his regiment, he partici- pated in many of the important battles of the war, and was five times wounded. An interest- ing article written by Major Beall, and published by Clark, entitled "North Carolina Regiments," is without doubt the best history of the regiments ever written.
After the close of the war, Doctor Beall entered the Jefferson Medical College, in Philadephia, and was there one year. The doctor immediately be- gan the practice of his chosen profession in Cot- ton Grove Township, Davidson County, where he remained for about ten years, having a fine patron- age. Returning then to the old home farm, a part of which he inherited, Doctor Beall resided there until his death.
Doctor Beall was a member of the Davidson County Medical Society of the North Carolina State Medical Society and of Lexington Camp, Confederate Veterans.
Doctor Beall married, in 1869, Cornelia Harper. She was born at Lenoir, Caldwell County, North Carolina, a daughter of James and Caroline (Fin- ley) Harper, and maternal granddaughter of Sam- uel and Ellen (Tate) Finley, her ancestors on both sides of the house having been of Virginia stock. James Harper was a wide awake business man, and as a farmer, tanner, and merchant car- ried on a prosperous business, being successful in each. Three children were born of the union of Doctor and Mrs. Beall, namely : Frank Harper,
Carrie, and James Lamar. Carrie is the wife of James Cliftou Calvert, and has two daughters. Mrs. Calvert is a member of Daughters of the American Revolution.
Frank Harper Beall, the oldest son, was educated in the North Carolina State University, and is now, with his brother, interested in the dairy busi- ness on the home farm, and also superintends the management of the Craig farm, in Davie County.
James Lamar Beall attended Davenport Col- lege, in Lenoir, and the Donaldson School at Fayetteville, after which he spent two years as a student at Peonian Springs University, in Loudoun County, Virginia, and two years as a student in the Agricultural and Mechanical College, at Ral- eigh, North Carolina, now the A. and E. Since 1907 he has had charge of the home farm, where he is making a specialty of dairying. His fine herd of cows, though not thoroughbred, are classed as Guernseys and Jerseys. He has a thoroughbred bull at the head, and in the near future will buy thoroughbred cows. In the summer season he sup- plies ice cream parlors with cream, and in other seasons of the year manufactures butter of a su- perior quality. He has erected a commodious barn, which is equipped in a thoroughly sanitary manner, and is kept as clean as it is possible for any barn to be, while everything pertaining to his dairy work is conveniently arranged.
HARRY MARSHALL UZZLE. The value of a use- ful trade, of making one's energy count toward one thing, of forging steadily ahead, regardless of all obstacles and discouragement has found em- phatic expression in the career of Harry Mar- shall Uzzle, of Raleigh. When he entered upon his wage-earning career it was as a machinist apprentice, and in that trade he steadily advanced, so that when opportunity came he was ready to grasp it and to place himself at the head of a business of his own. He is now manager of the Harry M. Uzzle Undertaking Company, one of the substantial business establishments of the City of Oaks.
Mr. Uzzle was born at Raleigh, June 17, 1877, and is a son of Peyton Randolph aud Mary Eliza- beth (Baker) Uzzle, his father having been en- gaged in mercantile pursuits in this city for a number of years. His education was secured in the graded and high schools, and after his gradu- ation he served an apprenticeship of four years to the trade of machinist in the shops of the Sea- board Air Line Company. In 1905 Mr. Uzzle went to Salisbury, worked at Southern Railroad shops about ten years, and for about nine years was in the undertaking business. In the year 1915 he returned to the city of his birth aud opened an undertaking establishment, and January 1, 1916, this business was incorporated under the firm style of Harry M. Uzzle Undertaking Company, Inc., Mr. Uzzle being vice president and man- ager. This business is equipped with all modern accessories for the reverent care of the dead, and caters to the most representative families in the capital. Mr. Uzzle is a member of the Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Royal Arcanum and the International Association of Machinists. He is a good citizen who is ready to assist in worthy and beneficial enterprises and a business man who has the confidence and respect of his fellows because of the honorable manner in which he has conducted his dealings.
Mr. Uzzle was married December 26, 1900, at
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JAMES F. BEALL
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Salisbury, North Carolina, to Vera Geneva Wright, and they have five children: George Randolph, Nel- lie Wright, Harry Marshall, Jr., Vera Marie and Edwin Clark. Mr. Uzzle is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Raleigh and his wife and children are members of the First Baptist Church.
HON. SHELLEY FRONTIS, D. D. S. The science of dental surgery has in more recent years come to be recognized as a prominent branch of pro- fessional knowledge upon which civilized humanity is more or less dependent for the maintenance of healthful conditions and for exemption from physical distress. As in medicine and surgery the science of dentistry is constantly developing new phases of usefulness, and in order to insure success the practitioner of today must keep fully abreast of the latest achievements in his profes- sion. He must add skill to thorough research and combine close application to his task with the ability gained through experience. Such a prac- titioner is Hon. Shelley Frontis, D. D. S., who for more than nineteen years has been engaged in the practice of his calling at Mooresville, Iredell County. The high position which Doctor Frontis occupies in the confidence of the people of his community is shown in the fact that he has held the office of mayor of Mooresville since 1914, thus combining professional ability with public useful- ness.
Doctor Frontis was born in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1870, and is a son of Stephen and Julia C. (Leazar) Frontis, natives of the same county, the former of whom is now deceased, while the latter survives and makes her home in Moores- ville, Iredell County. The paternal grandfather of Doctor Frontis was Rev. Stephen Frontis, a minister of the Presbyterian faith and a native of France. He saw Napoleon in his day, and after coming to North Carolina knew Marshal Ney, who was an exile in this state from his country. Rev. Mr. Frontis was familiar with the life of Marshal Ney and with the history of his mysterious death, about which so much has been written. Upon coming to America, Rev. Stephen Frontis located in Rowan County, North Carolina, and occupied a prominent place in the religious and educational work of his church. He was a member of the original committee which met at old Prospect Church in Rowan County about six miles east of the present Town of Mooresville, to con- sider plans for the proposed enterprise which led to the founding of Davidson College in Mecklen- burg County.
One of the maternal uncles of Doctor Frontis, the Hon. Augustus Leazar, was in his day a very prominent character in public life. He repre- sented Iredell in the North Carolina Legislature and drew up and introduced the bill providing for the establishing of the Agricultural and Mechani- cal College of North Carolina. He was also su- perintendent of the North Carolina State Peni- tentiary under Governor Carr, and was the first official to put that institution upon a paying basis.
Shelley Frontis' birthplace and childhood home was located in the extreme southwest part of Rowan County, about six miles east of Moores- ville, in Iredell County. When he was a child of four years the family moved to the latter place, and Mooresville has been his home since that time. He attended the public school of this community, and spent the year 1892 at Davidson
College, and after some further preparation, iu 1896 matriculated in the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, the oldest and largest educa- tional institution of its kind in the South. Doctor Frontis spent the full three years there, and was graduated in 1899. There his work proved promising for a successful career, for his ability and knowledge were shown when he grad- uated with the highest honors in a class of sixty- five students, making the highest average in all the branches, and receiving the beautiful gold medal which is bestowed each year upon the stu- dent gaining this honor. This is a splendid tribute to Doctor Frontis' ability, an ability which has steadily grown with the passing of the years, and which has kept pace with the marvelous de- velopments which have been brought about in the profession. Since the time of his graduation, Doctor Frontis has been engaged in practice at Mooresville. By diligent attention to his work, he has acquired a profitable and representative patronage, and by keeping himself fully abreast of all current developments and improved meth- ods in his art, has maintained an excellent profes- sional standing, and inspired confidence in his skill through the community. Meanwhile his amiable disposition and genial deportment have attracted to him many friends and admirers. He takes a keen and lively interest in civic affairs and in the growth and development of the fine little manufacturing community of Mooresville. In 1914 he was chosen to represent the city in the chief executive's chair, and so capably and ener- getically did he discharge the duties of his office that the people saw no reason for a change, and in 1916 gave him the reelection. He has endeavored to the full measure of his ability to give the city a clean and progressive administration, and to aid it in its struggle for civic betterment, indus- trial growth and honorable prestige.
Doctor Frontis married Miss Lillian Frances Williams, of Wayne County, North Carolina, and they are the parents of four children, namely : Shelley, Jr., Irving, Stephen and Mary.
SAMUEL YOUNG BRYSON, present postmaster of Hendersonville, is a civil and construction engineer of wide experience, has done his work in many dif- ferent states, but belongs to an old and prominent family of this section of North Carolina. . His grandfather was at one time representative from the Hendersonville District in the State Senate.
Samuel Young Bryson was born at Henderson- ville October 31, 1877, and is a son of Joseph Andrew and Sarah L. (Taylor) Bryson. His father at one time was associated with Grandfather Bry- son in the contract for carrying mail from Hen- dersonville to Asheville prior to the building of the railroads. In later years he has been engaged in the stock and livery business.
Mr. S. Y. Bryson was educated in private schools, and during his youth spent four years learning the blacksmith 's trade. He finished his technical edu- cation by three years in the Agricultural and Me- chanical College at Raleigh. His first position after leaving that school was cashier for the Southern Railway at Hendersonville, North Caro- lina. He was there a year and a half, and then spent a year as general superintendent and civil engineer in opening the coal mines for the Vulcan Coal Company at Vulcan, West Virginia. For about two years he was erecting engineer with the A. Leschen Sons Rope Company of St. Louis, Mis-
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souri. Following that he did erecting work on brick plants all over the country. As engineer he built the plant of the Saco Flume Company.
On returning to North Carolina Mr Bryson served as city tax collector of Hendersonville two years and then was active in business as con- tractor and builder for three years. On March 11, 1914, he was appointed postmaster by President Wilson and has since that date concentrated all his time and energies in improving and directing to the highest degree of efficiency the local post- office.
Mr. Bryson is one of the owners of the Caro- lina Oil and Supply Company. He is affiliated with the Masonic Order, having attained the thirty- second degree of Scottish Rite and membership in the Mystic Shrine. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World.
June 21, 1907, he married Julia Estelle Brittner, of St. Louis, Missouri. They have two sons, Samuel Joseph and Charles Taylor.
ALEXANDER ARTHUR YORK, M. D. Identified with one of the most exacting of the higher occu- pations to which one may devote his time and energies, Alexander Arthur York, M. D., of South- mont, has gained marked success in his profes- sional career, and occupies a noteworthy position among the active and prosperous physicians of Davidson County. A son of Rev. Isaac I. York, he was born May 8, 1877, on a farm in Abbotts Creek Township, Davidson County.
His paternal grandfather, John H. York, learned the trade of a hatter, which he followed as a young man. He subsequently engaged in farming in Iredell County, but later in life settled in Davidson County, and spent his last years in Abbotts Creek Township. He married Mary Brisendyne, and they reared five children, Abel H., Isaac I., Sarah, Julia, and Ruth.
Isaac I. York was born in Iredell County, North Carolina, near Olin, where, having acquired a good education in his youthful days, he taught school during the winter seasons for four years. Soon after the outbreak of the Civil war, he en- listed in Company A, Thirty-third Regiment, North Carolina Troops, and with his command went to the front, his regiment having formed a part of the Army of Northern Virginia. He was with his command in all of its important engagements with the exception of the Battle of Gettysburg. Re- turning to Davidson County at the close of the war, he bought land in Abbotts Creek Town- ship, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. Re- ligiously inclined, he turned his attention to the study of theology, and having been ordained as a preacher in the Methodist Protestant Church was active in the ministry for thirty-five years. He still resides on his farm, but is practically retired from active pursuits.
The maiden name of the wife of Rev. Isaac I. York, was Julia A. Cecil. She was born in Abbotts Creek Township, a daughter of Rev. Samuel A. Cecil, and granddaughter, on the ma- ternal side, of Charles Elliott, a well-to-do farmer of that locality. Her father was a successful agriculturist, and for many years was a preacher in the Methodist Protestant Church. He was twice married, and reared eight children. Rev. Isaac I. and Julia A. York reared five children, namely : Alexander Arthur, Minnie Lou Ella, Mamie Isabelle, Samuel Lee, and John Gurney.
Alexander A. York acquired his preliminary
education in the district schools, after which he attended Pinacle Academy two years, and con- tinued his studies at Fallston Institute, in Cleve- land County, for an equal length of time. Taking up the study of medicine, he entered the Chatta- nooga Medical College, where he was graduated in 1907. In June, of that year, Dr. York was li- censed by the State Board to practice, and imme- diately located in Southmont, where he has gained professional prestige, by his skill and ability hav- ing built up an extensive and remunerative patron- age, his services being in demand in town and country.
Dr. York married, in 1902, Bessie Blanche Sur- ratt, who was born in Jackson Hill Township, a daughter of William and Margaret (Cunningham) Surratt. Five children have blessed the union of Dr. and Mrs. York, namely: Minnie Blanche, Claude Elwood, Daisy Lee, John Arthur, and Mary Louise. The doctor was reared in the faith of the Methodist Protestant Church, and Mrs. York is a member of the Macedonia Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Dr. York is a member of the David- son County Medical Society; of the North Carolina State Medical Society; of Southmont Council, Jun- ior Order of United American Mechanics; of Lexington Camp, Modern Woodmen of America; and of Lexington Lodge, Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks. Dr. York is local surgeon for the W. S. S. R. R., and also one of the mem- bers of the Health Board of Davidson County.
M. ASHBY LAMBERT. Among the alert and en- terprising attorneys who, during the past decade, have taken advantage of the opportunities offered for advancement in the City of Oaks and have thereby attained a large measure of success, M. Ashby Lambert is one of the best known.
Mr. Lambert was born at Culpeper, Culpeper County, Virginia. July 17, 1876, and is a son of Maurice W. and Blanche (Ashby) Lambert. His father, a native of the Old Dominion, passed most of his life in that state, and in Maryland, where he was identified with a number of enterprises in connection with hotel keeping, in which he met with much success, particularly in summer resorts, in- cluding Orkney Springs, and Deer Park and Oak- land. Mr. Lambert's mother is of the noted Ashby family of Virginia, and first cousin of the famous Gen. Turner Ashby, of Black Horse Cavalry fame. M. Ashby Lambert was brought up at Culpeper, where he secured his education in the public schools, and following this went to Washington, D. C., where he furthered his preparatory training. Having decided upon a career in the law, Mr. Lambert enrolled as a student in the University of North Carolina, graduating with the class of 1904 and immediately entering upon the practice of his profession at Raleigh, which city he had chosen as his field of endeavor, and here he has continued in a general business to the present time. Mr. Lambert specializes in civil practice. From the outset of his career he has been success- ful, and now enjoys a large practice. . Aside from his profession, he is identified with numerous busi- ness enterprises of the city, in which his judg- ment and discrimination are recognized as val- uable assets. He is a member of the Wake County Bar Association, and is attorney for the Mer- chants Association, which latter position he has held for ten years. Although interested in all that pertains to progress along every line and carefully watchful of the events which, at the present day, are history making, Mr. Lambert is
MIR
aayorkmed.
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not an ardent politician. He belongs to the cham- ber of commerce, and has done his share in help- ing the city of his adoption to grow and develop. His fraternal connection is with Seaton Gates Lodge No. 54, Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows.
Mr. Lambert was united in marriage August 7, 1906, with Miss Sallie Pickett Whitaker, who was born at Raleigh, daughter of the Rev. R. H. Whitaker, a Methodist minister of this city.
JAMES FULLER GLASS is prominently known in insurance and real estate circles in several sections of North Carolina and also in Virginia. He is well fitted by temperament and talents for this field of business which requires men of great force and capacity, and he has already at the age of twenty-six justified his choice of a vocation.
Mr. Glass was born in Caswell County, North Carolina, January 4, 1891, a son of Eugene Alex- ander and Bettie (Cobb) Glass. His father was a Caswell County farmer. James F. Glass was educated in public schools and the Trinity Park School, and at the age of eighteen in 1909 went to work for the American Tobacco Company. He withdrew from that company in 1914 to establish the Home Agency Company, insurance and real estate, at Durham, of which he has since been sec- retary and treasurer. He is also treasurer of the Leak-Cobb Company, insurance and real estate, maintaining offices in Winston-Salem and Durham, North Carolina, and Danville, Virginia.
GENERAL W. D. PENDER, who was probably the most distinguished officer sent by North Carolina into the Confederate Army, has his name and deeds enshrined in the history of the state, and the following is offered as only a partial account of his career.
He was born in Edgecombe February 6, 1834, of ancient English ancestry. In 1850, at the age of sixteen he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. On graduation he was assigned to the First Artillery as Brevet Second Lieutenant and later saw active service in the First Regiment of Dragoons.
March 21, 1861, General Pender resigned his commission with the United States Army and was appointed a captain in the artillery service of the Confederate Government. In 1863 he was appoint- ed major general and assigned to A. P. Hill's Light Division. He was the youngest major gen- eral in the service of the Confederate Army, at that time being only twenty-nine years of age. In the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded, and on the retreat of the Confederates suffered a hemorrhage of the wound from which he died after an operation at Staunton.
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