USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 53
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Twenty years or more ago Mr. Jones saw an opportunity to enter a paying business and one that would be greatly appreciated by the people of the community. He bought two cows and sold the milk to his neighbors. That was the begin- ning of the Salem Dairy, an institution which has grown by the increasing demand for its prod- ucts, and it is now conducted on an extensive scale. The dairy farm is located about four miles from Winston-Salem, in Broad Bay Township, and up- wards of a hundred head of cattle are used for dairying purposes.
Charles A. Jones and his sister Caroline both occupy the old home place on Marshall Street in Winston-Salem, and the sister has always been associated with her brother in his business affairs. She was educated in the Salem Academy College and for twenty-five years was a teacher in that institution. She finally resigned in order to give her undivided time to the conduct of the business and the management of her household duties. Both are members of the Baptist Church.
EDWARD L. GREENE, EsQ. Prominent and active in the business life of Davidson County, Edward L. Greene, Esq., of Yadkin College, has for years been a leading force in promoting the higher interests of this section of the state, whether re- lating to its agricultural, manufacturing, or financial prosperity, his guiding spirit being in evidence in many undertakings of value and im- portance. A son of George W. Greene, he was born, December 17, 1856, in Tyro Township, Davidson County, North Carolina. He comes of pure Scotch ancestry, his great grandfather, Wil- liam Greene, a native of Scotland, having immi- grated to the United States when young, settling in Pennsylvania, his first home having been in Phil- adelphia, while the closing years of his life were spent in Reading, that state.
Samuel Greene, Mr. Greene's grandfather, ac- quired a good education, and as a young man came to North Carolina, locating in Lexington, which was then but a hamlet, and formed a part of Rowan County. He became very successful and
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popular as a school teacher, and being a fine scholar made himself generally useful, as a scrivener writing many wills, and drawing up many contracts. He died at his home in Lexington in 1855. He married Mary Davis, who was born in New Jersey, and died in Lexington sometime after he did, at the time of her death having been four score and four years of age. Her father, Isham Davis, was one of the colonists that came from New Jersey to North Carolina, and located in what was known as the Jersey Settlement, in Cotton Grove Township. Purchasing land, he lived there a number of years, and then disposed of his farm, and moved to Tyro Township, where he spent his remaining days.
George W. Greene was born in 1828, and was brought up in Lexington, where, as a young man, he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed a few years. In 1859 he bought a tract of land in Boone Township, and was there a resident until his death in 1910, at the advanced age of eighty- two years. The maiden name of his wife was Albertine Swicewood. She was born in 1832, and died in 1906. Her father, Philip Swicewood, was born in Germany, and early in life came to North Carolina, settling in Tyro Township, Davidson County, where his death occurred at the good old age of eighty-four years. He was four times married, the maiden name of his second wife, the maternal grandmother of Mr. Greene having been Kline. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Greene reared seven children, as follows: Edward L., Thomas D., James M., Catawba, Flora Belle, Wil- liam S., and Maude. The father was a Lutheran in religion, and the mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Having as a youth acquired sufficient education to impart some of his knowledge to others, Edward L. Greene earned enough money teaching in the country districts to take an advanced course of study at the Tyro Academy, and later at Yadkin College. Subsequently becoming agent for a pub- lishing house, Mr. Greene traveled through North Carolina and South Carolina selling books until he had accumulated the sum of $500, a small amount that became the nucleus of a successful business. Embarking in the manufacture of to- bacco, he was thus engaged in Yadkin College for a quarter of a century, meeting with highly satisfactory results in his venture. In the mean- time, Mr. Greene had bought considerable land, including among other tracts 700 acres in Wake County, a large farm that was superintended by a man in his employ. He disposed of that estate, but still has extensive holdings in Davidson County. He is a director of the Bank of Lex- ington, and of the Nokomis Mills, also of Lexing- ton, and at one time was vice president of the Dakota Cotton Mill.
In 1886 Mr. Greene was united in marriage with Lucy L. Foard. She was born at Cleveland, Rowan County, a daughter of Osborn and Bettie (Alli- son) Foard. Mr. and Mrs. Greene have six children, namely : Carl D., Garland V., Mary Lee, G. Homer, Hobart L., and Weyolene. Garland V., a graduate of Trinity College, and of the Virginia Medical College, is now a practicing physician. Mary Lee has received excellent edu- cational advantages, having graduated at Yadkin College, later taking an advanced course at Florence University, Alabama, and subsequently being graduated from Salem College, North Caro- lina.
Mr. and Mrs. Greene are members of the Metlio-
dist Episcopal Church, South, and Mr. Greene has served as a member of the district board of stewards, and of the circuit board of trustees. He cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland in 1884, subsequently voting the republi- can ticket, and has since been a stanch supporter of the principles of the republican party. Mr. Greene has ever evidenced a warm interest in public affairs, and has served acceptably on the local board of education; as chairman of the board of county commissioners; and as mayor of Yadkin College. He has taken active part in politics and at the present time is member of the Board of Road Commission of Davidson County. He at one time was nominated for the House of Representatives and later was republican candidate for probate judge of the county.
JESSE HARPER ERWIN, a prominent cotton manu- facturer at Durham, has since boyhood filled about every position that anyone could name in the general scheme and schedule of cotton mill opera- tion and management. He is a practical man of the industry and by his individual exertions has won success and prosperity.
Mr. Erwin was born at Morganton, Burke County, North Carolina, March 3, 1864, a son of Col. J. and Elvina Jane (Holt) Erwin. The Erwins have long been prominent as planters, busi- ness men and soldiers in North Carolina. They are of Scotch-Irish descent and the first of the name to come to America arrived about 1740. On his mother's side Mr. Erwin is descended from Dr. William R. Holt. Many of the Holt family have likewise been prominent. Jesse H. Erwin has membership in the Sons of the American Revolu- tion on account of the participation of some of his ancestors in the war for independence. His father was a well known plauter and farmer in Burke County. Colonel Erwin was a graduate of William and Mary College of Virginia, and was an attorney by profession, though he never practiced. For thirty years he was clerk of the County Courts.
Jesse H. Erwin attended public aud private schools, Catawba College at Newton, North Caro- lina, and at the age of nineteen went to work with the Aurora Cotton Mills. He did clerical work in the offices, was in the shipping depart- ment, around the mills in various capacities, served as time keeper, and also did work as a sales- man. He finally achieved the position of secretary and treasurer of the E. M. Holt Plaid Mills at Burlington, North Carolina, but left there in 1899 to come to Durham.
For many years he has been secretary and treasurer of the Durham Cotton Manufacturing Company and the Pearl Cotton Mills, is a director of the Erwin Cotton Mills Company, director of the Durham & Southern Railway, and has given his energetic support and encouragement to many local enterprises that have been factors in the growth and development of the Durham Industrial district. Mr. Erwin served as aide de camp on Governor Aycock's staff.
November 7, 1895, he married Lena Haynes of Americus, Georgia. They have a family of three daughters and two sons, Mary Haynes, a graduate of Trinity College; Eleanor, attending Trinity College; Josephine, attending St. Mary's School; Jesse Harper Jr., who is now in the University of North Carolina; and Eugene at Durham High School. Mr. Erwin is a vestryman of St. Philip's Episcopal Church of Durham, a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Pythias and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
JAMES NORFLEET PRUDEN. Engaged in the practice of law at Edenton for almost a quarter of a century, James Norfleet Pruden has gained honorable prominence and commands the respect and enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fel- low citizens in every walk of life. It is permis- sible, perhaps, to attribute something of Mr. Pruden's success to inheritance, for his father was eminent in the law, but credit must largely be accorded Mr. Pruden himself, for he has al- ways been a close student, a patient invesiga- tor, and a true friend as well as able counselor to those who entrust the adjustment of their rights and wrongs to his faithful care.
James Norfleet Pruden was born at Edenton, North Carolina, March 19, 1873. His parents were William Dossey and Mary (Norfleet ) Pruden, people of old family and influential connections and for many years the father was prominent as a lawyer.
Among the many advantages that were a part of James N. Pruden's earlier years, those per- taining to the acquirement of a liberal education were included, and he passed from the Edenton Academy to the somewhat famous Horner's Mili- tary School at Oxford, North Carolina, spent the years 1891 and 1893 in the University of North Carolina, and in 1895 was graduated from the law department of that institution and was immedi- ately admitted to the bar.
However quiet, peaceful and law abiding a coni- munity as a whole and its citizens separately may be, there arise occasions when these normal con- ditions do not prevail. It is astonishing how little the ordinary citizen knows of the gen- eral laws of the land and how absolutely igno- rant he is of the technicalities by which he should govern his course of action under certain circum- stances. Thus great business, big corporate in- terests and even nations must be as carefully protected by the learning and ability of the law- yer as the humblest and most unenlightened of their people. Modern life, with its perplexing problems growing more numerous day by day, is very dependent on the lawyer, with his trained fac- ulties and thorough understanding for the justice that democracy demands for all. Such a law- yer Mr. Pruden has ever been. Associated first as the junior member of the law firm of Pruden, Vann & Pruden, in 1897 he became an equal partner in the firm of Pruden & Pruden, one of the strongest combinations in this part of the state.
Mr. Pruden was married November 16, 1898, to Miss Pensie McMullan, who is a daughter of Dr. John Henry and Lina McMullan. They have three children, one daughter and two sons, namely : Lina Tucker, James Norfleet and John (Jack) McMullan Pruden.
Mr. Pruden has always been an active citizen, ever ready to lend his influence to assist in move- ments for the general welfare and is particularly interested in public education. He is chairman of the graded school board of Edenton and has been a member of the board since its organiza- tion in 1903. He belongs to the state bar asso- ciation and his old college fraternities.
GEORGE W. WHITLOCK. For many years inti- mately associated, as a prominent shoe dealer, with the mercantile affairs of Salisbury, George
W. Whitlock is recognized as a man of solid worth and integrity, and has ever been held in high respect throughout the community in which he lives, and to promote whose advancement he has ever lent a helping hand. He was born in Stanly County, July 31, 1852, on a plantation lo- cated on the Norwood Road, 31% miles from Albemarle, being a son of Rev. Alexander Lawson Whitlock.
His paternal grandfather, James Whitlock, a native of South Carolina, came to North Carolina as a young man, settling in Montgomery County. There were no railroads in the state, and though he was a mechanic he did not seek employment, but embarked in business on his own account, be- coming a contractor, and built up a large business in the building of flat boats to be operated on the Pedee River. He married a widow, a Mrs. Atkins, who, as far as known, was a life-long resident of Montgomery County. She had one son by her first marriage, Arthur Atkins, who be- came a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church and held local positions in different places, his last years having been spent in Stanly County. By her marriage with James Whitlock she had two sons, Alexander L. and Davidson. Davidson Whitlock obtained a practical knowledge of agri- culture when young as overseer of a plantation, and later bought a plantation, which he operated with slave labor.
Attending the rural schools in his youth, Alex- ander Lawson Whitlock obtained a common educa- tion and while yet in his teens united with the Methodist Episcopal Church South and later joined the Missionary Baptist Church. Subse- quently becoming a preacher in the Methodist Church and subsequently becoming a pastor in the Missionary Baptist Church, leaving the Metho- dist Episcopal Church and joining the Baptist Church. He filled the pulpits at Roplin's Grove, Kendall, Silver Springs and other places, and was widely known as an earnest and fervent worker in religious circles. He bought a farm located 31/2 miles from Albemarle and occupied it for many years, although he spent his last days in Stanly County, near Porter, dying there in 1905.
The maiden name of the wife of Rev. Alexander L. Whitlock was Sarah Ivey. She was born at the Benjamin Ivey homestead, in Stanly County, in 1831, a daughter of Benjamin Ivey, Jr., and granddaughter of Benjamin Ivey, Sr., who lived and died in the vicinity of Ashboro, Randolph County, this state. Benjamin Ivey, Jr., was born near Ashboro, and early in life bought land about six miles from Albemarle, and operated his plan- tation with slave help until his death, in 1858. He married Mary Shankle, whose father, George Shankle, the great-grandfather on the maternal side of the subject of this sketch, was born in Germany, and as a young man came to North Carolina, locating in Stanly County, then Mont- gomery County, where he was enrolled as a minute man . during the Revolutionary war, and for his services in that capacity received a pension in his last days. Mrs. Mary (Shankle) Ivey survived her husband, passing away in 1874. She reared nine children. One of her sons, George W. Ivey, who was active in the ministry for fifty years, belonged to the South Carolina Methodist Epis- copal Conference, which then embraced a part of North Carolina. Another son, Tyson, lost his life in the Confederate service. John R., another son, was successfully engaged in farming near New London. Mrs. Alexander Whitlock died in 1884, a
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score or more of years before her husband's death. She reared eight children, as follows: George W., the subject of this sketch; William E .; Laura E. married D. Mann; Mary F. became the wife of Rufus Hartley ; Ann Eliza married Marshall Sides ; John Ivey; Isaac Tyson; and Martin Alexander.
As a boy and youth George W. Whitlock at- tended the rural schools, and on the home farm obtained a practical knowledge of agriculture. Leaving home on attaining his majority, he took the contract to carry the mail from Salisbury to Albemarle, and was thus busily engaged for six years. Then, in 1880, Mr. Whitlock accepted a position as clerk in the shoe store of Overman & Co., of Salisbury, and in the six years that he was thus employed gained an insight into the details of the business. Thus prepared for a busi- ness career, Mr. Whitlock, in 1886, formed a partnership with W. C. Wright, now of Winston- Salem, and embarked in the shoe business. In 1897 Mr. Wright sold his interest in the firm to W. T. Rainey, and the firm name became Whit- lock & Rainey, continuing thus until 1915, when the junior member of the company sold to Mr. Byrd, and the name of the firm was changed to Whitlock & Byrd. In 1917 Mr. Whitlock dis- posed of his interest in the firm to Mr. Byrd, who is now the sole proprietor of the establishment, and all of the large trade and Mr. Whitlock still has a position with Mr. Byrd.
Mr. Whitlock married, in 1882, Annie Smith. She was born in Salisbury, a daughter of Alex- ander and Adelaide (Cauble) Smith. Four chil- dren have been born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock, namely: Joseph Wheeler, manager of a big store now in Charlotte, North Carolina, married Sadie Williamson and has one child, Jo- seph Wheeler, Jr .; Henry Earl W., of Statesville, North Carolina; Alma, who married Fred Ander- son, and has two children, Fred J. and William George; Paul Wilson, who is now in the service of his country. Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock are members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is a steward.
CHARLES A. HUNT, JR. Prominently identified with one of the more important industries of Davidson County, Charles A. Hunt, Jr., of Lex- ington, president of the Dacotah Mills Company, is a man of unquestioned executive and financial ability, and a conspicuous factor in the business affairs of the city in which he lives. He was born in Lexington, Davidson County, which was also the birthplace of his father, Charles A. Hunt, Sr., who was born October 20, 1843.
His paternal grandfather, Andrew Hunt, a native of Stokes County, moved from there to Mocksville, and a short time later came to David- son County, locating in Lexington, which was then in its infancy. He embarked in mercantile pur- suits, and there having been no railroads in this part of the country at that time, he had all of his goods brought by water from the northern markets to Fayetteville, and from there to Lexington by teams. For the greater part of the way between the two places, there was a plank road, and one or more stations where toll was collected. He carried on a good business for several years, re- siding in Lexington until his death. He married Mary Henley, who was born in Stokes County, as was her father, John Henley, a well-to-do merchant, who spent his last years as a business man in Kernersville, Forsythe County. Six children were born of their union, as follows:
Virginia; John died in early manhood; Sarah; Mary; William, who died at the age of forty-five years, was a soldier in the Confederate army; and Charles A.
Leaving school in May, 1861, Charles A. Hunt, Sr., enlisted in Company I, Fourteenth Regiment, North Carolina Volunteers, and took an active part in various engagements. On September 19, 1864, he was wounded, and being captured, was confined as a prisoner of war until March, 1865, when he was paroled, and went home. Going a short time later to Arkansas, he was engaged in mercantile business at Desha and Pine Bluff for three years. Returning then to North Carolina, he was similarly employed at Union until 1875, when he opened a general store at Lexington, where he continued as a merchant for eleven years. In 1886 he be- came associated with William E. Holt in the manufacture of cotton goods. In 1900 the Nokomis Cotton Mills Company was organized, and he was made its president, a responsible po- sition, which he has since held, and at the same time he is financially interested in other mills.
On December 23, 1869, Charles A. Hunt, Sr., married Frances Amelia Holt, who was born in Lexington, North Carolina, a daughter of Dr. William R. and Louisa (Hogan) Holt. Four children have been born of their union, namely: Louisa, wife of George W. Montcastle; Charles A., Jr .; Camille; and Lloyd R.
Charles A. Hunt, Jr., was educated in Lexington and at the Davis Military Institute, La Grange, North Carolina. In leaving school, he entered the Wennonah Mill, where, by persevering in- dustry, close application to his duties, and practical experience in all of its departments, he mastered every detail of the business. At the organization of the Dacotah Mills Company, in 1909, Mr. Hunt was elected president, a position for which he is eminently qualified, and has since devoted his time and energies to the affaris of the corporation.
Mr. Hunt married Margaret Leonard, a native of Lexington, being a daughter of William Leonard, a merchant, who was retired from active pursuits during the latter part of his long life of four score years. The immigrant ancestor of the Leonard family of North Carolina was Valen- tine Leonhardt, who came to America in colonial times, and fought as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. The maiden name of the wife of William Leonard was Mary Roberts. She was a daughter of Colonel Burrell and Susan (Hargrave) Roberts, and a granddaughter of Jesse and Elizabeth (Lind- say) Hargrave. Susan Hargrave was three times married, her first husband having been a Mr. Hilliard; her second a Mr. Humphrey; while Colonel Roberts was her third. The mother of Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Mary (Roberts) Leonard, died at the age of fifty-eight years, leaving seven children, . Ella R., Lena, Margaret, May, Lilla, Nona, and Roberts.
Mr. and Mrs. Hunt have two children, namely : Margaret, wife of E. I. Bugg, of Davidson County, who has two children, E. G., Jr., and Margaret Frances; and Robert H., a student at the Sewanee Military Institute, in Tennessee. Mr. Hunt is one of the directorate of. the Bank of Lexington.
RICHARD HARVEY WRIGHT of Durham, capitalist, street railway owner and long identified with public utility corporations, also has a special dis- tinction which comparatively few people now asso- ciate with his name. Many years ago, as represen- tative of the great tobacco house of Duke, in
R.H. Hright
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
In politics Mr. Clark is identified with the dem- ocratic party and, elected on that ticket, he has served the City of Edenton faithfully and con- scientiously as councilman, his civic duties con- tinuing as chairman of the important commit- tee on street improvements, which work is well under way. His public spirit has been evidenced in many directions, officially and otherwise, his acknowledged business judgment making his sug- gestions worth while.
JOHN D. NORWOOD. Always ready to take ad- vantage of every offered opportunity for advancing his own interests and those of his home city, John D. Norwood's grand success in life is not the result of heredity, environment, or chance, but is the logical consequences of his own untiring in- dustry, keen foresight, and sound business judg- ment, which have placed him among the leading citizens of Salisbury. He was born in Winston, North Carolina, in 1876, a son of George Wash- ington Norwood and grandson of Nathaniel Nor- wood, who was born in Williamsburg, this state, where his father, John Norwood, was a pioneer settler.
Born in Williamsburg, in that part of Gran- ville County that is now included in Vance County, George Washington Norwood was there brought up and educated. Subsequently removing to Per- son' County, he engaged in the manufacture of tobacco. During the Civil war he was detailed to care for dependent families of Confederate sol- diers and to secure supplies for the Confederate Army. After the war he removed to Winston, which was a small place, important only as being the county seat of Forsyth County. Resuming his former occupation, he was there engaged in the manufacture of tobacco until his death, in 1879. He married Bettie Lawson, who was born in Halifax County, Virginia, in 1841. Her father, David Lawson, born in Virginia in 1803, removed to North Carolina, and having purchased a large plantation in Person County managed it with slave help, having upwards of 200 slaves. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Bailey, was born in 1819. Mrs. Bettie (Lawson) Norwood is now a resident of Salisbury, making her home with her only child, John D. Norwood. .
An ambitious student as a boy and youth, John D. Norwood attended Randolph and Macon College at Bedford City, Virginia, his mother having moved to Halifax County, that state, after the death of her husband, and later completing his studies at Trinity College, North Carolina. Soon after leaving that institution, Mr. Norwood em- barked in the wholesale grocery trade at South Boston, Halifax County, Virginia, continuing there until 1905. Coming then to Salisbury, North Carolina, he was one of the organizers of the Peo- ples National Bank, with which he has since been officially and prominently connected, having
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