USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 7
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Dr. Hampton Wade Bynum, father of Dr. John Bynum, was born on a plantation about two miles from the birthplace of his son John, in 1823. He was liberally educated and was trained for his profession in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. After graduating from that institu- tution he began practice in Stokes County. When a young man he was given by his father a planta- tion about two miles from Germanton, and lived in that country district a number of years, acquir- ing in the meantime an extensive practice through- out Stokes and Forsyth counties. He was a typical pioneer physician and endured innumerable hardships in attending to his practice. He was almost constantly on horseback and rode through all kinds of weather to the homes of the siek. In 1869 he removed to Winston, where he was one of the first physicians to locate and was successfully engaged in practice there until his death in 1880. Dr. Hampton Wade Bynum married Mary Spease. She was born in Yadkin County April 1, 1828. Her grandfather, John Spease was a German and spoke only his native tongue in his own home and family circle. He was a farmer, owning and operating a place near the Yadkin River in what is now Vienna Township, Forsyth County. In that locality he spent his last years. Henry Spease, father of Mary Spease, was born in what is now Forsyth County, and on reaching his majority crossed the Yadkin River into Yadkin County and acquired an extensive plantation in that locality. He was one of the successful men of his time and was able to assist each of his twelve children to acquire a farm. Henry Spease married Anna Shore. This grandmother in the maternal line of Doctor Bynum was born in Vienna Township February 10, 1789, a daughter of Johan aud Elizabeth (Beckel) Shore. Doctor Bynum's sister has the baptismal certificate of this grandmother, Anna Shore. Her father was of German ancestry and a farmer in Vienna Township, where he and his wife speut their last years. Dr. John Byuum's mother is still living in Winston-Salem. She reared uino children : Wade, Hampton, Gray, Mary, Annie, John, Benjamin, Pamelia and William.
Dr. John Bynum was educated in the public schools of Winston and for his medical education went to New York, entering the University of New York, where he was graduated in the medical department iu 1892. After this preparation he
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
returned to Winston-Salem and has been continu- ously engaged in the duties of a large professional practice to the present time.
Doctor Bynum married Miss Eva Hall, who was born at Wentworth in Rockingham County, North Carolina, daughter of James and Martha Hall. Doctor Bynum and wife had two daughters, Mar- garet and Elizabeth. Doctor Bynum is an active member of the Forsyth County Medical Society and also the North Carolina State Society and the American Medical Association. In 1908 he was elected by the State Medical Society as examiner serving six years.
HERMAN CUMMINGS CAVINESS had established himself in successful practice at Wilkesboro soon after his twenty-first birthday and in his case youth has proved no bar to rapid advancement and definite achievement in the legal profession. He is now one of the leaders of the Wilkes County bar.
He was born at Ellerbe Springs in Richmond County, North Carolina, January 27, 1887. The family was founded in America by his great-grand- father, who according to the best information was a native of England and came to this country a young man. He located in Virginia. The family tradition is that his name was spelled Cavendish. His son, the grandfather of the Wilkesboro lawyer, changed the name to Caviness because of some disagreement with other members of the family. It was Grandfather Caviness who came to North Carolina when a young man and located in Moore County. He bought land about twelve or fifteen miles north of the present site of Pinehurst, the noted resort, and there ran a plantation with the aid of slaves.
Dr. Isaac W. Caviness, father of Herman C., was born in Moore County, North Carolina, in 1855. For his higher education he attended the Vermont State University at Burlington. After graduating there he taught school and then took up the study of medicine and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. During his brief career he practiced at Keyser in Moore County and was still busy in his work when death stayed his hand in December, 1887, when only thirty- two years of age. He married Mary Emma Cum- mings, who was born near Pomona in Guilford County, North Carolina, daughter of Enos and Mary (Bollinger) Cummings. Herman C. was their only child. The widowed mother married for her second husband Walter W. Mills of Greens- boro and had a son, Walter W., Jr.
Herman C. Caviness was graduated from Guil- ford College at the early age of seventeen. His work in college was characterized by a keeness of intellect and a resourcefulness that enabled him to keep up with young men much older. When he graduated from college he was ready to undertake the serious responsibilities of life and in June, 1904, a few days after leaving the halls of col- lege he married Miss Gladys E. Benbow. Mrs. Caviness is a daughter of Lewis S. and Lula (Henderson) Benbow, who is lineally descended from Thomas and Mary (Carver) Benbow. Mr. and Mrs. Caviness have had a most happy mar- ried life and have a family of four children named Nellie, Lewis R., Merrill and Herman Cummings, Jr. Soon after his marriage Mr. Caviness took up the study of law and was graduated from the law department of the University of North Carolina in 1908. He immediately began practice at Wilkes- boro and his success and reputation are now as.
sured. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and he and his wife are active in the Methodist Episco- pal Church, South.
FASSIFERN, a home school for girls, which recently closed its tenth successful year, has gained and holds a place as one of the distinctive preparatory schools of the South. It represents a happy development of a plan for giving wholesome mental discipline and practical instruction in an environment of picturesque buildings, grounds and landscape charm calculated to make years spent here abundant in happy associations and produc- tive of the greatest good in real culture and character formation.
Fassifern was opened in October, 1907, at Lincolnton, North Carolina. In October, 1914, the school was moved to Hendersonville. At Lincolnton the number of boarding pupils was limited to fifteen and the total number had been enrolled within a month from the opening day. During the seven years in Lincolnton the number was increased to forty. When the school moved to Hendersonville it had sixty boarding pupils. The curriculum has been gradually enlarged, and since 1916 the school has maintained a full depart- ment in home economics. In the ten years of its existence Fassifern graduated twenty young women in the full course besides various certifi- cate students. The first diploma was awarded in 1913.
Fassifern is distinctly a standard preparatory school, furnishing the facilities of instruction and other training required to meet the require- ments and standards of such American women's colleges as Smith and Wellesley. Fassifern is on the accredited list of the Association of Southern Colleges, of the University of North Carolina and of Smith and Wellesley and other similar schools. The departments for instruction include the usual literary and language departments, a business course, and special departments in music, art and home economics. The school makes a specialty of individual work, all classes being small, and the instructors and principals paying special atten- tion to the particular needs of each pupil.
The school home is a stately group of colonial buildings standing on an eminence from which some of the finest topography in that section of North Carolina is surveyed. There is every oppor- tunity and encouragement for wholesome outdoor life and recreation. It is a school where every vital interest is carefully safeguarded, and where the best ideals of home life are upheld and stimulated.
The principals of Fassifern are Miss Kate C. Shipp and Mrs. Anna C. McBee, and assisting them are half a dozen specialists in their particu- lar fields, in languages, music, art and domestic science. Miss Shipp, who has charge of the depart- ment of mathematics, is a woman of broad experience as an educator and as a school admin- istrator. She has a teacher's diploma from Cam- bridge University of England.
DAVID N. DALTON, M. D. The career of the true physician is a life of service, a devotion to the well being of his fellow men such as no other professions require of their practitioners. One of the oldest and best known members of the medical fraternity in Forsyth County is Dr. David N. Dalton, who has practiced continuously at Winston and over the surrounding country for over 35 years.
A. M. Dalton
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
The Dalton name has many associations with early history in Western North Carolina. As a family they have been soldiers, fighters for the integrity of their country in times of national danger, and effective workers in whatever field or vocation they have undertaken. Doctor Dalton is descended from a branch of the family which was established in this country by three brothers named Samuel, William, and Robert, who were natives of Ireland and came to America in early Colonial days. After a brief halt in New Jersey William and Robert moved to Virginia, while Samuel became the ancestor of the family in North Carolina.
Doctor Dalton's great-grandfather, Capt. David Dalton, was commander of a company in the Revolutionary War and was with the victorious armies under Washington which participated in the surrender of Cornwallis and his British troops at Yorktown. Captain David married Nancy Bostwick, whose father had served as a colonel in the same war. After the war Capt. David Dalton removed to North Carolina and bought land in what is now Stokes County.
Absalom B. Dalton, grandfather of Doctor Dal- ton, was probably a native of Virginia. He acquired an extensive estate as a planter in Stokes County, North Carolina, had a number of slaves to look after his fields and the other work of his farm, and became one of the first manufacturers of tobacco in Stokes County, which then included Forsyth County. Grandfather Dalton remained in Stokes County until his death when about eighty .years of age. He married Nancy Poindexter, whose brother, General Poindexter, was a promi- nent pioneer lawyer. Absalom Dalton and wife reared eight children: David Nicholas, John F., George, William, Gabriel, Robert F., Christina and Susan.
David Nicholas Dalton was the father of Doctor Dalton. He was born in the locality known as Pine Hole in Stokes County, North Carolina, grew up on a farm, but in his mature manhood acquired many other interests and became one of the most prominent men of Forsyth County. After his marriage he bought a plantation near Walnut Cove in Forsyth County. After two years he removed to the Village of Dalton, where he bought property and became a merchant. He also erected two flour mills, one at Dalton and the other five miles below the town. Dalton was on the stage route extending from Kentucky and Tennessee to South Carolina and Georgia. It was a noted old thoroughfare, and before railroads became common was traversed by an immense volume of traffic, which, because it made slow progress, afforded notable opportunity to inn keepers and others along the route. David N. Dalton kept a stage station on his place at Dalton, and also built up a large system of what would now be called stock- yards. He had accommodations for 2,000 or more cattle and also yards for hogs and turkeys. In those days all live stock, including turkeys, were driven over the highways to market. One of his flour mills also had machinery for the manufacture of lumber, while the other had a shingle mill run in connection. Besides these various enterprises he bought large tracts of land, raised crops on a large scale, and was a dealer in live stock, includ- ing cattle, horses and mules. Necessarily he had to delegate much of his business to other parties, but he possessed that splendid faculty of being able to oversce and practically supervise personally
his entire range of interests. He continued to live in Dalton until his death in 1895.
David N. Dalton married Melissa Rives, who died in 1866. Her father, William Rives, was a planter in Chatham County, North Carolina, where- so far as known he spent all his life. Mrs. David N. Dalton reared seven children : William, Robert, Rufus I., David N., Jr., Ernest L., Nancy and. Margaret.
Dr. David N. Dalton was born at Dalton, North Carolina, and his father being a man of large- estate and prosperous circumstances was able to give him the best of advantages. However, he mingled with his early studies a practical service to his father in the mills and on the farm. After making known his choice for a professional career he entered in 1877 the University of North Caro- lina, where he carried on his studies two years. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Thomas W. Harris of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Seeking the broader advantages and opportunities of New York City, he became a student in the medical de- partment of New York University where he was. graduated in 1881.
For the first two years Doctor Dalton practiced at Walnut Cove, but since then has had his home- in Winston-Salem and his services have been in constant demand over since. He began practice before telephones and automobiles came into a physician's life, and in recent years most of his work has been done in consultation in his own office.
Doctor Dalton was married in 1887 to Louisa Wilson Bitting. Mrs. Dalton was born near Hunts- ville in Yadkin County, North Carolina, daughter of Joseph A. and Louisa (Wilson) Bitting. Her Grandfather Wilson was a prominent physician in his day.
Doctor and Mrs. Dalton have three children: Margaret, Joseph N. and Wilson B. Doctor Dalton has long had active membership in the Forsyth County and North Carolina Medical societies. He is a member of Damon Lodge, No. 41, Knights of Pythias, and is a Presbyterian, while Mrs. Dalton is of the Episcopal faith.
CORNELIUS M. MCKAUGHAN has for a number of years been officially identified with Forsyth County and is now serving as clerk of courts at Winston-Salem. He is one of the most popular men in the courthouse and has many times over justified the confidence of his fellow citizens in reposing in him the duties and responsibilities of public affairs.
Mr. McKaughan was born on a farm in Kerners- ville Township of Forsyth County November 5, 1873. He is a son of Isaac Harrison and Esther (Robertson) McKaughan, a grandson of Archibald and Mary (Welch) McKaughan, a great-grandson of Hugh and Phebe (Pope) McKaughan, all con- stituting well known names in the history of this part of the state. Mr. McKaughan's mother was a daughter of William Haley and Mahala (Lonus) Robertson.
Cornelius M. McKaughan grew up at his father's home at Kernersville, attended the public schools there, and from the high school entered the Oak Ridge Institute for a commercial course. His education completed he accepted the position of deputy register of dceds at Winston, and gave faithful and conscientious work in that capacity for six years. His experience made him the logical candidate for chief in the office and he was elected
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
and served one term. Following that for four years he was clerk in the sheriff's office and in 1915 was appointed clerk of the courts to fill the unexpired term of R. E. Transau, deceased. In 1916 Mr. McKaughan was regularly elected to the office.
He was married October 4, 1906, to Leota Reed. Mrs. McKaughan was born in Old Richmond Town- ship, daughter of Elijah L. and Permelia M. (Spease) Reed. They have one son, Robert Steele. Mr. McKaughan is affiliated with Fairview Coun- cil No. 19, Junior Order United American Mechanics and with Salem Lodge No. 36, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are members of the Calvary Moravian Church.
MR. FRED M. PARRISH, born in 1880, Goochland County, Virginia-father Fred M. Parrish, mother Hattie Lacey Parrish. Educated at Fork Union Academy, William Mary College and University of North Carolina. Lawyer in Winston-Salem.
JEFFERSON BOSTWICK COUNCILL, M. D. An ac- tive and prominent member of the medical fra- ternity of Rowan County, Jefferson B. Councill, M. D., of Salisbury, has often been identified with important work in connection with his regular practice, his wisdom and skill in dealing with difficult cases having gained for him the confidence of the entire community, and placed him among the leading physicians of the city. A son of Dr. William B. Councill, he was born in Boone, Wa- tauga County, North Carolina, of English ancestry.
His grandfather, Jordan Councill, was born in England, and came with his parents, and his two brothers, Benjamin and Jesse, to North Carolina, settling in Watauga County in pioneer days. He assisted his father in clearing a homestead, but did not care to continue life as a farmer. Soon after attaining his majority, he embarked in mer- cantile pursuits, an occupation much to his tastes, and for which he was well fitted. At that early day there were no railways in the Carolinas, and all of his goods had to be transported with teams from Charleston, South Carolina, to Watauga County. Very successful as a merchant, he ac- cumulated considerable wealth, acquiring large tracts of land and many slaves. He married Sally Elizabeth Bowers, who was born in Ashe County, North Carolina, where her parents were pioneers. They reared four children, namely: James W .; William B .; and Elizabeth, who married Col. G. N. Folk, a prominent lawyer, who served as a colonel in the Confederate army; and George R.
Born in Watauga County, North Carolina, Feb- ruary 23, 1829, William B. Councill acquired his elementary education in the schools of Caldwell County, and was subsequently graduated from the Charleston Medical College with the degree of M. D. He began the practice of medicine at Boone, but soon after the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army as a private; he won promotion from time to time through bravery and meritorious conduct until being made captain of his company. He was twice wounded, but escaped capture, and served until the close of the conflict. Resuming his practice in Boone, he re- mained there, an active and beloved physician until his death, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, whose maiden name was Alice M. Bost- wick, was born in the Sumter District, South Caro- lina, December 1, 1832. She is still living, and though upwards of four score years of age enjoys good health, and retains her interest in the topics
of the day. She is the mother of six children, as follows: Jefferson Bostwick, of this sketch; Wil- liam B., Jr., a prominent lawyer and judge in Hickory, North Carolina; Margaret; Emma; Isaac Lenoir, who is engaged in the real estate and mining business at Waynesville, this state; and Virginia.
After his graduation from the Finley High School at Lenoir, Jefferson B. Councill entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, where he was graduated with the class of 1884. Beginning the practice of his profession with his father in Boone, he remained there until 1888, gaining knowledge and experience of great value. Coming from there to Salisbury, Doctor Councill has since built up an extensive and lucrative practice, and has won an assured posi- tion among the leading physicians of this section of the state.
Doctor Councill married, in 1899, Bessie Brandt Krider, a native of Salisbury. Her father, Charles C. Krider, who lost a leg while serving in the Con- federate army, was for many years sheriff of Rowan County, holding the position at the time of his death. Doctor and Mrs. Councill are the parents of five children, namely : Margaret Eliza- beth, Charles Bower, Jefferson B., Jr., Catherine Stokes, and Alice Virginia.
The doctor is an active member of the Rowan County and the North Carolina State Medical so- cieties, and belongs to American Medical Associa- tion. Fraternally he is a member of Fulton Lodge No. 99, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Ma- sons ; and of Salisbury Chapter No. 20, Royal Arch. Masons.
JAMES WEBB MATTHEWS. Iu the expansion of important commercial concerns Rocky Mount, North Carolina, holds a foremost place in business development in Eastern North Carolina, and a very creditable fact is that they have been founded and fostered by local capital and home enterprise. A commercial house here of solid standing, that has developed its business along quality lines, is that of Matthews, Weeks & Company, of which James Webb Matthews, one of Rocky Mount's represen- tative citizens, is the junior partner.
James Webb Matthews was born at Rocky Mount, February 15, 1878. His parents were Gideon Taylor and Mary E. Matthews. The father was engaged in a general mercantile business here for many years and was one of the city's honorable and respected business men.
In the public schools and at Oak Ridge In- stitute James W. Matthews secured his general educational training and learned the principles of business while associated for a time with his father. Later he became connected with the firm of H. E. Brewer & Company, wholesale grocers, and thereby had training and experience which have proved exceedingly helpful since embarking in the same line for himself. In 1899 he found himself in a position to enter the wholesale trade and established the J. W. Matthews Wholesale Grocery and conducted a prosperous' business under that caption until 1902, when, on ,account of the growth of the same, more capital was needed to expand the enterprise advantageously and a partnership was formed, which combina- tion has continued until the present date. This is one of the largest houses in its line in this section and one of the most up-to-date. Its com- modities include both staple and fancy groceries,
A. J. Bahuras
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
pure food laws are observed in the stock, and courtesy and honorable business methods are rules of the house. Mr. Matthews has additional busi- ness interests, the Rocky Mount Woodworking Company being one of these, of which he is secre- tary.
Mr. Matthews was married April 27, 1904, to Miss Estelle Weston, who was born in Mathews County, Virginia and is a daughter of Julius A. Weston who is a substantial farmer in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have two children: Florence Estelle and James Webb the last named born December 12, 1912.
Mr. Matthews is a man of public spirit and much local pride and his main investments are at Rocky Mount. He is one of the directors of the National Bank of Rocky Mount and is also on the directing board of the Rocky Mount Insurance & Realty Company. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias. As a business man he is credited with keen insight and sound judgment, and his everyday life with his fellow citizens proves neighborliness and good will and ensures him their respect and esteem.
HENRY THEODORE BAHNSON, M. D. A life filled with untold services, beyond all human reckoning, and one that should prove a lasting inspiration to the living, was that of the late Dr. Henry Theodore Bahnson of Winston-Salem. North Carolina may well take pride in such a character, and there is reason to recall and remember what he was and what he did even more than the careers of some men who had perhaps a wider newspaper publicity. The story of his career is effectively and beauti- fully told in a memoir recently read by Bishop Rondthaler, and with only a few changes and omis- sions the following is substantially Bishop Rond- thaler's words.
Dr. Henry Theodore Bahnson was the son of Bishop George Frederick and Anna Gertrude Pauline (Conrad) Bahnson. He was a member of a large family, all of whom have now entered into rest with the exception of one surviving brother, the, Rev. George Frederic Bahnson, pastor of the Moravian Church at Coopersburg, Penn- sylvania.
Doctor Bahnson was born at Lancaster, Penn- sylvania, on March 6, 1845, and was baptised in his infancy. When four years old his father was called to the pastorate of the Moravian congrega- tion at Salem, North Carolina, where in after years he became the bishop of his church, rendering memorable service in maintaining hope and courage among his people during the terrible ordeal of the Civil War. His son was destined to become, like his father, an eminent citizen and servant of this community, which throughout his life he loved as his home.
As a boy he attended the old Salem Boys' School, from which he was transferred in 1858 to the well known Moravian Institution of Nazareth Hall in Pennsylvania, whence he passed for his further education into the Moravian College and Theological Seminary at Bethlehem. One who remembers him from those early years recalls his alert, beautiful face, giving promise of a career which a long life has now worthily fulfilled.
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