USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 60
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For three years he was city attorney, and has also served as county solicitor of Edgecombe County from 1911 to date, and as a county attor- ney from 1914 to date. He is a member of the North Carolina Bar Association and of the Tar Heel Club. His mother owns 1,500 acres of farming land, and Mr. Philips gives active su- pervision to this property.
November 15, 1916, he married Miss Ethel Skin- ner, daughter of Charles and Hattie (Cotton) Skinner, of Greenville, North Carolina. Her fa- ther was a merchant and is now deceased.
JULIUS ALEXANDER CALDWELL, M. D. The long and varied professional experience of the late Julius Alexander Caldwell, M. D., of Salisbury, coupled with his keen observation and conception of disease in its many phases, and his promptness in meeting and successfully conquering them, eminently entitle him to representation in this volume. He was born in Salisbury, February 9, 1833, a son of Hon. David Franklin Caldwell, whose birth occurred in what is now Iredell County, North Carolina, in 1793.
The doctor's grandfather, Andrew Caldwell, a native of Iredell County, served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Rumple's History of Rowan County thus speaks of him: "In the eastern part of Iredell County, then Rowan County, lived a hundred years ago, a substantial citizen named Andrew Caldwell. He was of that sturdy Scotch- Irish stock that peopled so much of this region of the country. He married Ruth, the daughter of Hon. William Sharpe. He was one of the leading men of his county, and often represented his fellow- citizens in the Legislature. He had a number of children, among them being three sons widely known, viz .: Hon. David F. Caldwell; Hon. Joseph P. Caldwell, of Iredell County; and Dr. Elam Caldwell, of Lincolnton."
Hon. William Sharpe, the maternal great-grand- father of the doctor, married Ruth Reese. She was
ST. MARY'S PRO-CATHEDRAL, WILMINGTON, N. C.
Per. Elfennen
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a daughter of David Ap Reese, a native of Wales, and his wife, Gladys, who was a daughter of Red- wallon, Prince of Powys.
Hon. David F. Caldwell was graduated from the literary department of the University of North Carolina, read law with Hon. Archibald Henderson, and being admitted to the bar commenced practice in Statesville, where, in 1816, he was elected to the House of Commons. Later he removed to Salis- bury, and soon became one of the foremost lawyers of the place. In 1829-30 and 31, he represented Rowan County in the State Senate, in the first named year being the presiding officer. He con- tinued in active practice in Salisbury until 1844, when he was appointed judge of the Superior Court. It is said that he presided with much grace and great dignity, and although somewhat stern was invariably just and impartial in his rulings. Resigning the judgeship in 1858, he sub- sequently lived retired until his death, in 1867.
Hon. David Franklin Caldwell married first Fannie Alexander, a daughter of William Lee Alexander, and on the maternal side a grand- daughter of Hon. Richard Henderson. Her father, an officer in the Revolutionary war, was a lieuten- ant in the Tenth Continental Regiment. The children of D. F. Caldwell, all by his first mar- riage, were William Lee; Archibald Henderson; Elizabeth Ruth, who married Col. Charles Fisher; Richard A .; Julius Alexander; and Fanny McCoy, who married Peter Hairston.
As a youth Julius Alexander Caldwell attended, in Cleveland, the school taught by the man that many believed was Marshal Ney. At the age of eighteen years he was graduated from the Univers- ity of North Carolina. Entering then the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, he was there graduated with the class of 1859, receiv- ing the degree of M. D. Immediately locating at Lincolnton, Doctor Caldwell practised medicine there until the Civil war. He then entered the Confederate service as a surgeon, and served in that capacity until stricken with a fever. When he had sufficiently recovered from his serious ill- ness, he came to Salisbury, and until the close of the war was physician at the soldier's prison. The doctor was subsequently actively engaged in gen- eral practice at Salisbury until his death, at the good old age of seventy-six years.
Doctor Caldwell married, August 24, 1867, Fannie Miller, a native of Winchester, Virginia. Her father, John W. Miller, was born at Glen Hausen, Germany, three leagues from Frankfort, and as a boy came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Miller, to America, settling near Frederick, Maryland. After his marriage, he lived several years in Winchester, Virginia, from there going with his family to Lake Providence, Louisiana, where both he and his wife were soon stricken with yellow fever, and died. The maiden name of the wife of John W. Miller was Herriot Patton. She was a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Roberdeau) Patton. Mary Roberdeau's father, Gen. David Roberdeau, was born in St. Christopher, a son of Isaac Roberdeau, who was born near Rochelle, France, and settled in St. Christopher before 1723. In 1775 David Roberdeau was a member of the committee of the Council of Safety, and later was commissioned brigadier general, but was forced to retire from the service on account of ill health. Realizing the financial needs of his country, and anxious to help all he could he generously gave $18,000 from his own private purse. In 1787 he was elected a member of the Constitutional Con-
gress that met in Philadelphia, and on September 17, 1787, signed the Articles of Confederation.
Mrs. Caldwell has one brother, Albert P. Miller, now a merchant in Trenton, Missouri. Very young when her parents died, Mrs. Caldwell came to North Carolina to live with friends, and was educated in Raleigh. She and her only daughter, Fannie Caldwell, now occupy the home on East Innes Street. Mrs. Caldwell has two sons, Archi- bald H. and Julius Alexander, Jr. Archibald H., who is in the railroad service at Tucson, Arizona, married Mary, daughter of Doctor Jones, of Ashe- ville, and has two children, Archibald H., Jr., and Isabella. Julian A., a graduate of the Medical Department of John Hopkins University, is prac- tising medicine at Montclair, New Jersey. He married Ethel Millard, a daughter of Rev. Nelson Millard, of Rochester, New York, and they have three children, Julius A., Jr., Alice Boyd, and Robert Millard.
Doctor Caldwell was a member of the Rowan County and the North Carolina State Medical societies, and was one of the vestrymen of the Episcopal Church, to which his widow and daugh- ter belong. Miss Caldwell is a member of the Elizabeth M. Steele Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution.
REV. CHRISTOPHER DENNEN has been identified with St. Thomas Parish of the Catholic Church at Wilmington ever since his ordination to the priest- hood a quarter of a century ago. His service has been distinguished even more by the efficiency of his administration and the zeal with which he has undertaken the complex responsibilities of his parish and carried it forward to success.
He was born January 5, 1866, at Danville, Penn- sylvania, a son of Sylvester and Bridget Dennen, his parents natives of Ireland and his father a Pennsylvania farmer. Father Dennen grew up on a farm and after determining upon a career in the church he directed all his studies and efforts towards a liberal education and training. He was graduated in May, 1891, from St. Vincent's Col- lege in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and on June 14, 1891, was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at Belmont, North Carolina. A few days later, on June 27th, he was made assistant priest of St. Thomas Church at Wilmington, and since 1892 has been its rector. In December, 1911, the old parish church of St. Thomas was turned over to Mother Drexel for the colored people and a new church, St. Mary's, was dedicated. Father Dennen has under his jurisdiction fourteen mis- sions connected with his parish. He takes an active part in all the church activities, and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
GASTON E. HORN. An active and successful representative of the lumber trade of Davie County, Gaston E. Horn occupies a prominent position in the industrial life of his community, being secre- tary, treasurer, and general manager of the Horn Land and Lumber Company, which is doing an extensive business not only in Davie County, but in several near-by counties. Born on a farm in Davie County, he was educated in the public schools, and while young obtained a practical knowledge of agriculture in all of its branches.
Leaving the farm in 1901, Mr. Horn came to Mocksville, and having organized the Mocksville Chair Company had, as its general manager, full control of its affairs for ten years. In the mean-
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time, in 1908, Mr. Horn, realizing the value of the extensive forests standing ready to be transformed into a marketable commodity, organized the Horn Land and Lumber Company, with which he has since been officially identified, being the leading spirit in its management. This enterprising com- pany has built up a large business, in its opera- tions having purchased timbered land in Davie, Yadkin, Stokes, Rockingham, and Forsyth counties, and, with a portable saw mill, have converted the giants of the forest, when felled, into first class lumber, for which now there is greater demand than ever. The company also deals extensively in land, and has platted additions to both Mocksville and Winston. Mr. Horn and his wife, who form- erly owned the land on which the courthouse and jail stand, transferred it to the county commis- sioners.
Mr. Horn married, in 1886, Mary Jane Foster, who was born in Davie County, a daughter of Samuel and Laura Foster, and granddaughter ou the paternal side of Berry and Polly Foster, and on the maternal side of John and Jane Higdon Foster. Seven children have blessed their union, namely: Mamie, Octa, Everett, Elsie, Pauline, Mary, and Regina. Mr. Horn is an active member of the Baptist Church, to which Mrs. Horn also belongs. He is a member of the building com- mittee, and he and his brother are superintend- ing the church edifice now in process of con- struction. Fraternally Mr. Horn is a member of Mocksville Lodge No. 226, Junior Order of United American Mechanics.
LLOYD WILLIAMS MOORE. After many years of active service in a railroad office, Lloyd Williams Moore resigned to devote his time and energies to the real estate and life insurance business, and in 1910 established the L. W. Moore Real Estate and Life Insurance Agency. His success in this field has been distinctive, and he is one of the leading business men and citizens of Wilming- ton.
Mr. Moore is district agent for the Equitable Life Assurance Association, is secretary and treas- urer of the Carolina Building and Loan Associa- tion and is director of the Home Savings Bank. He handles a general real estate business.
He was born in Wayne County, North Carolina, February 25, 1877, a son of William Rufus and Mary A. (Hollowell) Moore. His early life was spent on a farm. His education came from the public schools of Goldsboro and Guilford College. He left school in 1898 to enter the general of- fices of the Atlantic Coastline Railway Company, where he remained continuously from December, 1898, until January 1, 1910. All that time he was located at Wilmington, and for the last nine years was clerk of the traffic department.
His has also been a creditable record as a pub- lie spirited citizen. In January, 1916, on account of the urgent requirements of his private affairs, Mr. Moore resigned after four years of service as county commissioner of New Hanover County. He was formerly a director of the Wilmington Young Men's Christian Association, and is now a director of the Tuberculosis Hospital. He is chairman of the board of trustees of the First Baptist Church of Wilmington, and is superin- tendent of the Delgado Mission of the First Bap- tist Church. Fraternally he is a Mason and Odd Fellow, and now chairman of the Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows building committee.
February 8, 1899, he married Miss Georgia
Keaton, of Goldsboro, North Carolina. Their two children are Ruth Lucile and Lloyd Williams, Jr.
HON. RICHARD GWYN FRANKLIN. An excellent representative of the native-born citizens of Elkin, Surry County, where his birth occurred on March 25, 1848, Hon. Richard Gwyn Franklin comes of Revolutionary stock, and of Virginian ancestry, being a descendant in the fifth generation from Lawrence Franklin, the line being continued through Bernard, Meshack. Columbus Bernard, and Richard Gwyn. Lawrence Franklin married Mary Paine, and both were life-long residents of the Old Dominion.
Bernard Franklin was born, in 1731, in Albe- marle County, Virginia, and there grew to man- hood. When quite young he there married Mary Cleveland, a sister of Col. Benjamin Cleveland, an officer in the Revolutionary army. About 1776 his son Jesse became prominent in public affairs, serv- ing not only as governor of Virginia, but as United States senator. This son subsequently came to North Carolina to visit the family of his uncle, Colonel Cleveland, and was so impressed with the resources of this section of the country that he selected for his father a location in Surry County, on the Fish River. Soon after the return home of his son, Bernard Franklin came with his family to Surry County, settling on the banks of Fish River, and there resided until his death. Many of his descendants are living in that vicinity at the present time, but very few of them bear the name of Franklin.
Meshack Franklin was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, May 26, 1773, and was but a boy when he came with the family to Surry County. Choos- ing for his life work the free and independent occu- pation of a farmer, he inherited a part of the parental homestead, and continued in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his days. The maiden name of his wife was Mildred Edwards.
Columbus B. Franklin was born on the home farm, in Surry County, in 1806, and there grew to manhood, receiving as a boy and youth ex- cellent educational advantages for his time. When ready to begin life for himself, he bought a tract of land, a part of which is now included within the limits of Elkin. Subsequently, in partnership with Richard Gwyn, Sr., and his sons, James George Gwyn and Richard Gwyn, Jr., he improved the water power, and erected the first cotton mill established in Elkin. A few years later he mi- grated to Mississippi, and purchased land in Mar- shall County, that state, and just across the line in Fayette County, Tennessee. Making his home in the latter place, he remained there until his death, in 1866. He married Amelia Gwyn, who was born in Jonesville, Yadkin County, North Carolina, being descended from a family of prom- inence.
The Gwyn family is one of the oldest in the United States, the immigrant ancestor, a Scotch- man by birth, having come to America, it is said, in 1610, locating in Virginia. In 1611, accord- ing to tradition, he started on an exploring expedi- tion along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. Sud- denly before his gaze appeared a beautiful female, who plunged into the water from a near-by island, and started to swim ashore, but the distance was too great for her, and she became exhausted. Rescuing her from her fate, he asked her name, and why she was there. She replied that her name was Pocahontas, and that she had come there to worship the spirit of her fathers. She then
For Pride
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said "You have saved my life, and in the name of my father, king of this country, I make this island yours." The island contained about 2,000 acres of fertile land, and for many years was known as Gwyns Island. James Gwyn, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came from Virginia to North Carolina, locating near Ronda, in pioneer days. He bought land, and with the assistance of slaves improved a plantation. He married Martha, daughter of Thomas Lenoir, a soldier in the Revolutionary army. Their son, Richard Gwyn, settled on the south side of the Yadkin River, buying a tract of land that included the present site of Jonesville. After living there for a time, he bought on the north side of that river a tract of land that included the greater part of what is now Elkin, and there he and his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Hunt, spent the remainder of their years.
Of the union of Columbus B. and Amelia (Gwyn) Franklin, eight children were born, as follows: James Gwyn, Meshack, Elizabeth, Rich- ard Gwyn, Sallie Frances, Mildred, Gideon E., and Columbus Bernard, Jr. James and Meshack both served in the Confederate Army during the Civil war, and Meshack was several times wounded. The father was a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and a colonel in the State Militia. The mother died in 1858.
Richard Gwyn Franklin was graduated from Trinity College, and subsequently served most acceptably and efficiently as president of the Jonesville College. Preferring, however, a more active life, he adopted the profession of a civil engineer, and in that capacity did much railroad surveying. He also traveled extensively in differ- ent states, surveying land for the Government. When ready to settle permanently, Mr. Franklin bought the Gwyn homestead property in Elkin, where he has since resided, an honored and esteemed citizen.
Mr. Franklin married, September 7, 1882, Miss Annie V. Harris, who was born in Wilkes County, a daughter of F. A. and Sallie (Moore) Harris. Six children have brightened their union, namely : Jesse, Bernard, Annie, Sarah Elizabeth, Mary, and Richard Gwyn, Jr. Mr. Franklin and his family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Franklin has ever taken. an in- telligent and active interest in public affairs, and represented his county in the State Senate in 1885.
ENOS ELIJAH HUNT, EsQ. For nearly forty years a resident of Mocksville, Davie County, Enos Elijah Hunt, Esq., now serving as postmas- ter, has contributed his full share toward advanc- ing the city's material interests, and his honor- able record as a public official has won him a posi- tion of prominence and influence in the municipal- ity. A son of Daniel Hunt, he was born, in 1852, on a farm located three miles west of Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina.
Elijah Hunt, Mr. Hunt's grandfather, was long a resident of Davidson County, where he and two of his brothers owned adjoining farms. He married a Miss Smith, and they reared a family of five children, the names of their three sons having been William, John, and Daniel.
Daniel Hunt was born, in 1815, on a farm lying six miles south of Lexington, Davidson County, and there grew to manhood. He acquired a good knowledge of general farming when young, and also served an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, learning the work at a time when nearly
all shoes were made to order, and by hand. Locat- ing on land about three miles west of Lexington, here, in addition to farming, he was kept busy at his trade until the breaking out of the Civil war, not so very long before his death, which occurred in 1863.
Daniel Hunt was twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Lanning, was born about three miles west of Lexington, North Carolina, a daughter of Enos and Elizabeth (Smith) Lanning. She died in 1857, leaving four children, David, Sarah Elizabeth, Enos Elijah, and Mary Matilda. By his marriage with Sophro- nia Leonard, his second wife, three children were born, John C., William B., and Susan C.
A lad of eleven years when his father died, Enos Elijah Hunt was bound out to a neighbor- ing farmer, and worked for his board and clothes until attaining his majority. Then, leaving the home in which he had lived and labored, he obtained a position as clerk in a general store in Lexing- ton, remaining there in that capacity until obtain- ing a practical knowledge of the business. Locat- ing in Mocksville in 1879, Mr. Hunt embarked in the furniture and undertaking business, which he carried on most successfully until 1913, when he was appointed postmaster at Mocksville. Kind, courteous and obliging, Mr. Hunt rendered such excellent service in that capacity that, in 1917, he was reappointed to the same position by President Wilson. Genuinely interested in munici- pal affairs, Mr. Hunt has served wisely and well in various public offices, having been a member of the Mocksville Board of Aldermen; for three years having served as mayor of the city; and for ten years as justice of the peace.
Mr. Hunt married, in 1879, Alice F. Rose, a daughter of Samuel and Mary E. Rose, of Mocks- ville. Eight children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, namely: Oscar M .; Ernest E .; Ida G .; Mary E .; Cicero H., who is now in the United States Military service, being stationed at Camp Jackson; Kopelia T .; Alberretta M .; and Julia A. Mr. and Mrs. Hunt are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
COL. ROBERT STRIDE, a retired British army offi- cer, is one of the interesting and prominent resi- dents of Southport, Brunswick County. He is a man whose military and business connections, his wide experience as a man of the world, give him special dignity and honor among North Carolinians and he himself deems it to be a great privilege to be a citizen of the state.
Colonel Stride was born at Brighton in Sussex, England, in 1852, son of Robert and Mary Anne (Ridley) Stride. The Strides and Ridleys have been in Sussex for generations. Through his mother Colonel Stride is of kinship with Sir Mathew Ridley. He himself at one time was in the line of succession for the title of Viscount Ridley.
His early education was acquired in a prepara- tory school at Brighton and under private tutors at Cheltenham he prepared for entrance to Eton with a view to finishing his education at Oxford University. Frail health prevented his carrying ont his ambition for a student career, and he then made choice of the outdoor life of the army. In the meantime under private instructors he received special training in foreign languages, in Switzer- land. He then entered the famous artillery school at Woolwich, made satisfactory progress, and was given a commission as lieutenant of artillery in
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the British army. Incidentally it should be noted that two of his schoolmates at Woolwich were Prince Louis Napoleon and the Duke of Connaught, the duke in later years being Governor General of Canada. Colonel Stride was attached to the Third Royal Artillery, and was with that regiment while in the army. For merit he was advanced to the rank of captain, and at the close of his service upon his retirement with the highest hon- ors he received the rank of colonel. For several years he was stationed at London and other cities of England in charge of recruiting and instruction of volunteer artillery.
Colonel Stride came to the United States in 1888, locating at Springfield, Massachusetts. For several years he was more or less actively con- nected with the brokerage business, handling stocks, bonds, mining interests. In 1913, seeking a home in a more congenial climate, he came to Southport, North Carolina, and there is no resident of that locality more enthusiastic in its praises and better satisfied to make it a permanent home than Colonel Stride. His choice of this location is the more siguificant when it is recalled that Colonel Stride has been a world wide traveler, and has intimate knowledge of nearly all the countries of the Globe. It is his opinion that this beautiful and quaint little city at the mouth of the Cape Fear River has a climate that for all the year around is unmatched.
Colonel Stride has been interested in other pos- sibilities of Southport aside from its advantages as a place of residence. He has looked ahead and endeavored to promote the future growth of the town. Southport possesses a broad and deep har- bor, one of the best in its possibilities along the Atlantic Coast, and has unequaled facilities for the location of government enterprises such as coaling stations, ship yards, etc. Furthermore Southport is a sportsman's paradise, for both hunting and sea fishing. These advantages Colonel Stride, as a typical English sportsman, naturally appreci- ates, and has found Southport a place that fulfills all his desires.
Every year many hundreds of transient visitors seek Southport for reasons similar to those that have caused Colonel Stride to make it his perma- nent home. The latter was therefore impressed with the need of a modern tourist hotel, and re- cently he promoted the organization of the Claren- don Hotel Company, which was organized early in 1918 and at the present writing is seeking the required financial cooperation for the construction of a modern hotel adequate for all the purposes of a high class family and transient hostelry.
Colonel Stride's first wife died in England. After coming to this country he married Helen L. (Johnson) Dinsmor. She is the widow of Sam Dinsmor, Jr., whose father, Governor Sam Dins- mor, was for twelve years governor of New Hamp- shire and a man of great power and influence in that state. Mrs. Stride's father, George Johnson, was prominent as a shoe manufacturer at Brad- ford. One of her brothers is Dr. Frederick John- son of Boston, a man of genuine distinction in his profession. One of her sisters married Dr. George Bridgman, who for a number of years was prom- inent in American diplomatic circles, representing his country as minister to Peru, and afterwards holding similar high positions in Jamaica and Italy.
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