USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume IV > Part 93
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than L. R. Varser." As an orator he has a wide following and his services are constantly in de- mand at public gatherings.
Mr. Varser is a director of the National Bank of Lumberton. He is exceptionally progressive, publie spirited and a leader in all constructive and useful movements. He is chairman of the Soldiers' Business Aid Committee for Robeson County, by appointment of Governor Bickett, and chairman of the War Savings campaign for this county. He has made many addresses and is con- stantly active in these movements. As a friend of education, he is serving as a member of the board of education and is doing all in his power to elevate the standard of the graded schools. He is a leading member of the First Baptist Church of Lumberton and one of the most prominent lay- men in the state in that denomination, and in 1914 was honored by being elected moderator of the Robeson Baptist Association, a position which he still holds in this one of the most flourishing associations in the state which embraces fifty-four churches. Mr. Varser is a prominent democrat, and has taken an active part in all campaigns for his party.
In 1904 Mr. Varser was married to Miss Lily Ford Snead, of Fluvanna County, Virginia, and they are the parents of one daughter: Lily Snead Varser.
LAWSON A. GETTYS. For a number of years the monazite mining industry has been one of large importance in Cleveland County, and to Law- son A. Gettys belongs the credit of being the pio- neer here in this line. In addition to being a mineralogist, miner and road builder, Mr. Gettys has substantial farming interests in Rutherford County and is one of the enterprising and public spirited citizens of the beautiful little City of Shelby.
Lawson A. Gettys was born in 1866, in Ruther- ford County, North Carolina, as was his father, John Gettys, and his mother Alpha (Tomey) Get- tys the latter of whom on the maternal side was a Sweezy, which name is one of the oldest in Rutherford County, equalled only by that of Tomey, members of which took part in the Revolutionary war. The Gettys came originally from Scotland and established themselves first in Adams County, Pennsylvania, where the historic Town of Gettys- burg perpetuates their name and importance. A branch of this family came from Pennsylvania to Rutherford County, North Carolina, in 1791, and has been worthily represented here ever since.
Lawson A. Gettys was reared on his father's farm situated in the eastern part of Rutherford County, and obtained his education in the county schools and in early manhood taught school. Agri- culture, however, claimed the larger part of his time before becoming an expert in the mining and manufacturing of monazite, that important mineral deposit found only in the Carolinas and in Bra- zil. Mr. Gettys' interest in agriculture has never ceased, however, and he still owns a fine farm sit- uated in the foothills of the Cherry Mountains in one of the most picturesque parts of Rutherford County.
Mr. Gettys has probably had more to do with developing the monazite business in Cleveland County than any other man. He came to Shelby in 1893 and has made this place his home ever since, taking an active part in its business and public life and through his enterprise and en- ergy contributing largely to its solid progress.
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He was one of the organizers and is the manager of the Carolina Monazite Company, one of the largest monazite concerns in the United States. This company owns the mineral leases on several thousand acres of mineral land in the northern portion of Cleveland County, beginning at Shelby and extending to the extreme northern portion of the county and also extending across the line into portions of Burke and Lincoln counties. The principal business of this company is the mining of monazite on the land referred to and a large amount of business was done until unfavorable tariff legislation, enacted within the past few years, together with an influx of cheap labor and cheap transportation rates on this mineral mined in Brazil made the industry less profitable. The company still. retains all its lease-holdings, prop- erty and equipments, and is ready to resume ac- tive operation npon the reappearance of favor- able conditions.
There is no part of the monazite business that is unfamiliar, to Mr. Gettys, his knowledge begin- ning with the separation of the crude mineral from the sand as it is found in the creeks and little water branches, until it is manufactured into mantles, the Welsbach being an example, and other nsefnl articles. He knows the true value of monazite in its crude state, and its commercial value according to the presence of thorium, and probably has handled more than any other man in the state.
Mr. Gettys was nnited in marriage with Miss Mamie Brice, who was born in Fairfield County, Sonth Carolina, and they have two children, Alpha and Bertie.
Since becoming a resident of Shelby Mr. Gettys has cheerfully taken upon himself the responsi- bilities of citizenship and has been particularly ac- tive in all matters concerning the public schools and is a careful member of the graded school board. For several years he has also been serv- ing on the highway commission board of Town- ship No. 6, and has been one of the prime mov- ers in securing the justly celebrated good roads through this section. With his family he belongs to the Presbyterian Church and is a liberal con- tributor to its benevolent agencies, as he is mindful of the call of need from all over the world at the present time.
JOSEPH FRANCIS FERRALL. Since early youth Joseph Francis Ferrall has been steadily climbing along the road of business life, and a number of years ago acquired a substantial position as one of Raleigh's leading merchants.
Raleigh is his native city, where he was born October 17, 1859. His parents were Patrick and Margaret (Fanning) Ferrall, and his father be- fore him was a merchant. He was well educated, attending Lovejoy Academy, and found his first employment in the office of a manufacturing plant. He was promoted to bookkeeper, but subsequently transferred his energies to a retail dry goods house at Raleigh, with which he remained until 1898. He then engaged in business for himself, in the dry goods line, as junior member of the firm of Dobbin & Ferrall. This firm, which was incor- porated in 1906, with Mr. Ferrall as secretary and treasurer, carries one of the most complete stocks of general dry goods in the capital city.
In the meantime he has acquired various other connections with the business and social life of the city. He is a director in the Raleigh Savings Bank and Trust Company, and was one of its or-
ganizers; is a member and secretary of the Raleigh Township School Board; is a member of the Executive Committee of the North Carolina State Fair Association; a director in the Catholic Or- phanage, and has long been prominent in the Order of Elks. He is past exalted ruler of the Elks Lodge at Raleigh, has served as past district dep- uty of the order, and for 1916-17 is president of the North Carolina State Association of the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a member of the Capital and Country clubs and of the Neuseco Fishing Club. On November 16, 1887, Mr. Ferrall married Miss Anna H. Edmondson, of Houston, Virginia. In politics Mr. Ferrall is a democrat.
JOHN ROBERT MYERS. Conspicuously identified with the manufacturing interests of Davidson County, John Robert Myers, secretary and treas- urer of the Thomasville Furniture Company, is a man of solid worth, possessing the ability and in- tegrity that ever command respect in the business world, and gain the esteem of associates and friends. He was born in the Village of Thomas- ville, North Carolina, December 11, 1874, of pio- neer ancestry. His father, Wilson Lindsay Myers, and his grandfather, Peter Myers, were natives of Davidson County.
His great-grandfather, Michael Myers, an agri- cultnrist, owned and occupied a farm lying three miles southwest of Thomasville, and there lived and labored until his death, at the age of sixty- five years. He married Susan Hepler, whose mother, Mrs. Hepler, great-great-grandmother of John R. Myers died in Thomasville at the vener- able age of ninety-three years. The wife of Michael Myers died at the age of three score and ten years, leaving one son and four daughters.
Peter Myers was born on the home farm, near Thomasville, February 26, 1816, and spent his entire life there, he having inherited a portion of the homestead, his death occurring August 29, 1888. His wife, whose maiden name was Martha Meredith, was born near the north line of David- son County, July 15, 1816, on the farm of her father, who, as far as is known, was a life-long resident of the county. She passed to the life beyond June 10, 1886. Nine children were born into their household, as follows: Alfred, Wilson Lindsay, Franklin, Lorenzo W., Sandy, Louisa, John, Henry and Clay.
Born on the parental homestead in Thomasville Township, May 31, 1839, Wilson Lindsay Myers was early initiated into the mysteries of agricul- ture. Enlisting, in 1861, in Company H, Forty- eighth Regiment, North Carolina Troops, he was with his regiment in thirty-five regular battles, and numerous skirmishes. He was five times wounded, although none of the wounds proved serious. On April 2, 1865, he was captured by the enemy near Hatchers Run, where he had charge of 1,200 men on the picket line, the whole bunch being taken to Point Lookout, Maryland, and confined as prisoners of war until July, 1865. Being then paroled, he returned to Davidson County, and again assumed possession of his farm, which was located 134 miles southwest of Thomas- ville. He had purchased that tract of fifty-four acres when he was but eighteen years old, running in debt for almost all of the purchase price of $212. He immediately began farming in earnest, and met with such good results that in two years he had paid off all of his indebtedness. Moving to Thomasville in 1872, he followed the carpenter 's
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trade three years; was afterwards engaged in mercantile pursuits twenty-four years; and after that was for fifteen years engaged in the under- taking business. Having accomplished a satis- factory work, he is now living retired from active pursuits, enjoying a well-earned leisure.
Wilson L. Myers married in 1860, Susan Bath- sheba Fouts, who was born in Thomasville, a daughter of Jacob and Mary Magdalena (Long) Fouts, and who died in 1902. He has four chil- dren, namely : Mary, Fannie, Magdalena, and John Robert.
Receiving his preliminary education in the graded schools of Thomasville, John Robert Myers subsequently attended the High Point Institute a year, At the age of twelve years he entered his father's store as a clerk, and during the seven years he was thus employed gained a practical knowledge of the business. Thus well equipped, he embarked in mercantile pursuits on his own ac- count in Thomasville, continuing for six years as a merchant. Mr. Myers then purchased an interest in the Cramer Furniture Company, of which he was made secretary and treasurer. Disposing of his stock in that organization in 1912, Mr. Myers bought an interest, with his brother-in-law in the Thomasville Furniture Company, with which he has since been actively and officially identified as its secretary and treasurer.
Mr. Myers married, in 1900, Alice Herman Lambeth, who was born in Thomasville Township, Davidson County, a daughter of David T. and Caroline (Simmons) Lambeth. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have one child, Susie Kathleen Myers. Mr. Myers is a valued member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church, South, which he has served as a steward the past fifteen years. Fraternally he is a member of Thomasville Lodge No. 214, An- cient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Thomasville Chapter No. 62, Royal Arch Masons; of Salisbury Commandery, Knights Templar; and of Oasis Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Charlotte.
JULIAN MEREDITH BAKER, M. D. The first of the Baker family came to Edgecombe County, North Carolina, early in the eighteenth century from Virginia. They are an English family, though their home has been on American soil for fully two centuries. In Edgecombe County the name has been especially associated with the med- ical profession, in which several of the name have attained more than ordinary distinction. Dr. Ju- lian Meredith Baker, of Tarboro, is regarded as one of the foremost surgeons and gynecologists of the state.
Both his grandfathers and also his father were capable physicians. Julian M. Baker was born at Tarboro October 27, 1857, son of Dr. Joseph Henry and Susan (Foxhill) Baker. His father was a physician in Edgecombe County for fifty years, and was a graduate of the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, the same school which had been attended by the grandfa- thers of Julian M. Baker.
The latter was accorded the advantages of a thorough training and liberal education, attending Tarboro Male Academy, Horner and Graves Mili- tary Academy, and graduating Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina in 1877. He studied medicine in the University of Mary- land, graduating in 1879, and also was a student in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College and has taken a number of later courses in the New York
Polyclinic and also in Chicago. From the first he has specialized in surgery and gynecology, having begun practice at Tarboro in 1879. He is surgeon of the Edgecombe General Hospital of Tarboro, was surgeon of the First Regiment, North Carolina Guard, and assistant surgeon general of the state under Governors Scales and Fowler. He is a former superintendent of health of Edgecombe County, an ex-commissioner of Tarboro, ex-presi- dent of the State Board of Medical Examiners and of the State Board of Health, Fellow of the Ameri- can College of Surgeons and member of the State Medical Society, is surgeon in charge of Pittman Hospital at Tarboro, is president of the Red Cross Society of Edgecombe County, and has been identi- fied with all the medical organizations, including the County, State, Tri-State, Seaboard and Ameri- can Medical associations. He is a former president of the State Medical Society and is a member of the Association of the Atlantic Coast Line Rail- way Surgeons. Doctor Baker's practice has been that of a man of unusual ability, thoroughly in love with his work, with a deep undercurrent of sympathy for humanity, and money has never been a direct consideration or an end in itself, though he has been deservedly prospered. Doctor Baker is a past master of his Masonic Lodge, past high priest of the Royal Arch Chapter, is a Knights Templar Mason and a thirty-second degree Scot- tish Rite, and belongs to the Phi Kappa Sigma college fraternity.
On June 14, 1884, he married Miss Lizzie J. Howard, daughter of Hon. George Howard, of Tarboro. Three children have been born to their marriage: Anna Howard, Mrs. William E. Fenner, of Rocky Mount, North Carolina; Sue Foxhill, wife of Dr. William W. Green, of Tarboro; and Miss Elizabeth Howard Baker.
JAMES A. COSTNER is a banker in the Town of Mount Holly, Gaston County, where he has re- sided since 1887. The substantial place he oc- cupies in business affairs is a tribute to his own energy and also to the splendid qualities of his family, which has long been prominent in Lin- coln and Gaston counties.
He is a direct descendant of Adam Costner, who was the founder of the Costner family in this section of North Carolina. Adam was born in the Upper Rhine country in the south of Ger- many. He was a member of one of those early colonial movements that set out from Germany during the eighteenth century to found homes: in ' the American colonies, chiefly in Pennsylva- nia. From Pennsylvania about 1750 Adam Cost- ner moved to North Carolina and founded his family, numbering now a large number of de- sceudants in Gaston, Lincoln and other counties .. Adam Costner died in this state in 1767, One of his sons was Jacob Costner, who bought land from the state by patent in 1753. This is the- earliest grant of land of which there is any rec- ord in this part of North Carolina. Jacob Cost- ner became a man of large affairs and of influ- ential leadership. In 1769 he was commissioned a justice of the peace by virtue of a commission front the British Crown. In 1774 he became sher- iff of Tryon County. That old county was later divided into Lincoln, Gaston and other counties. In 1776, independence having been declared, he espoused the cause of his native country and ac- cepted a major's commission in the Tryon Regi- ment. He did his full duty as a soldier and from- him James A. Costner received the qualifications.
Julian M. Baker, M.D.
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
entitling him to membership in the Sons of the American Revolution.
Major Jacob had a son named Michael, who in turn was the father of Jacob Costner, grandfather of the Mount Holly banker. Jacob Costner had a fine estate about two miles north of Dallas in Gaston County. He married Anna M. Rudisill, a member of another prominent family of German origin in this part of North Carolina. The Rudi- sill family was founded by Philip Rudisill, who came from Pennsylvania in 1754 and located on what is now known as the Black place between Friday Shoals and High Shoals in what was then Anson, now Gaston County. His grant of land comprised 500 acres.
Mr. James A. Costner, who was born near Lin- colnton in Lincoln County, North Carolina, is a son of Ambrose and Melinda (Quickel) Cost- ner, both now deceased. Ambrose Costner was born June 14, 1825, at the old Costner farm two miles north of Dallas. He became one of North Carolina's most distinguished citizens, serving several terms as a member of the Legislature in the State Senate and throughout his active life was entrusted with numerous positions of respon- sibility. He became a generous patron of edu- cation and was a leader in every movement for the benefit of his community and state.
A just tribute to Mr. Ambrose Costner is paid by Mr. Laban Miles Hoffman in his excellent history of the Hoffman, Costner and related fam- ilies : "Ambrose Costner, " says Mr. Hoffman, "was one of nature's noblemen-a most lova- ble man, of born dignity, without the slightest suggestion of egotism; a straightforward, can- did man whose voice and bearing compelled con- fidence. He was a gentleman of fine intelligence, temper and judgment. He had held many places of honor and public trust, and always with the utmost fidelity to duty and credit to himself. Most of his life was spent on his farm near Lincoln- ton, but after his wife died he spent his remain- ing days in the Town of Lincolnton. The good Lord gave him neither poverty nor great riches, but an abundance for the comfort of himself and family, and he always fouud means to lend a helping hand to others in need and to materially assist in all the charitable work of his commu- nity. He was one of the founders of Gaston Fe- male College, and without ostentation or intol- lerance he was a stanch supporter of his church and all its enterprises-the church of his fa- thers-the Lutheran Church, to which he was de- voutly attached." The death of this good citi- zen occured in June, 1911.
Mr. James A. Costner grew up in a home nota- ble for its intelligence and culture. He was well educated, and since attaining manhood has be- come one of the progressive, substantial and pub- lic spirited citizens of Mount Holly. In 1903 he organized the Bank of Mount Holly and has had active charge of that institution in the office of cashier. He is also vice president of the Gas- ton Brick Company, a local manufacturing con- cern operating two plants. Mr. Costner has a beautiful home, located on the site of the former residence of the late Gen. D. H. Hill, who for some years owned a large plantation embracing the present Costner home. Mr. Costner married Miss Gertrude Dewstoe. She was born in Du- buque, Iowa, but her parents removed to North Carolina a number of years ago.
JOSEPH COLUMBUS ROWE, D. D. A man of strong personality and deep consecration, Rev. Joseph C. Rowe, D. D., a minister of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, South, now serving as pre- siding elder of the Salisbury district, is not only an eloquent preacher of the gospel but is also a deep thinker, as broad and liberal in his spirit as he is sincerely devout in his convictions. He was born August 4, 1848, in Providence Township, Rowan County, which was likewise the place in which his father, Charles Richard Rowe, first saw the light of this world.
His grandfather, George Rowe, was born in Pennsylvania, and without any doubt was of New England ancestry. In early life he came from his native state to North Carolina, locating in Rowan County, where he spent his remaining days.
Charles Richard Rowe was brought up on a farm and prior to the Civil war was employed as an overseer on plantations, operating with slaves. In January, 1862, he enlisted in Company D, Forty- second Regiment, North Carolina Troops, and was subsequently detailed as assistant in a hospital lo- cated at a place in North Carolina known as "Egypt." At the close of the war, he returned home, arriving in May, 1865. A short time after his enlistment he had purchased a farm in Provi- dence Township, and had there left his family. Soon after his return he sold his farm and pre- pared to remove to Iredell County, but circum- stances prevented. A horse which he was leading across a bridge broke through, and he received injuries from which he never recovered, his death occurring in 1868. He was three times married. Of his marriage with Mrs. Rosanna (Basinger) Stoup he had but one child, Joseph C. Rowe, the subject of this sketch. The mother died in 1858. There were other children in the family, named both Rowe and Stoup.
Gaining his early knowledge of books in the district schools, Joseph C. Rowe subsequently entered the Olin High School, and after his gradu- ation from that institution taught school four years. Of a naturally religious temperament and mind, he began a study of the Bible in early youth, and while yet a lad in his teens united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Gifted with oratorical powers, Mr. Rowe became noted as a public speaker, and in 1874 was li- censed as a local preacher. In December, 1877. he joined the North Carolina Conference, with which he has since been conspicuously identified. Mr. Rowe's first appointment was the Alexander circuit. Since that time he has served as pastor of the West Market Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Greensboro, and of various other churches of that denomination, including those at Monroe Station, Central Station, Asheville Station, and the First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Salisbury. Since first appointed to the position of presiding elder, for which he is eminently fitted and adapted, Mr. Rowe has had charge of the Franklin, Statesville, Charlotte and Asheville districts, and is now, in 1917, filling his second term as presiding elder of the Salisbury . District.
Mr. Rowe married, in 1872, Nancy Adelia Brown, a daughter of Jacob and Louisa (Arey) Brown. Six children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rowe, namely: Lillie, Gilbert, Eugenia, Laura, Claudius, and Henry Boyden; Laura died at the age of twenty-five years.
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Lillie, who is herself an able and accomplished lawyer, is the wife of Hon. A. M. Frye, an at- torney at Bryson, and has one child, Lois Frye. Claudius Rowe is a successful lawyer. Henry Boy- den Rowe, a physician at Mount Airy, married Sallie Lovell. Gilbert Rowe, the oldest son of the parental household, is one of the leading minis- ters of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and a prominent, member of the Western North Carolina Conference. He has been honored with various degrees, Trinity College, at Durham, hav- ing conferred upon him the degrees of A. B. and D. D .; the Parkyn School in Chicago honoring him with the degree of P. S. D .; the Central Uni- versity of Indiana conferring upon him the de- gree of Ph. D .; and Temple College, Philadelphia, with that of S. T. D.
FABIUS PORTER BROWN. One of the oldest busi- ness houses of the City of Raleigh, North Caro- lina, is that bearing the name of H. J. Brown Company, funeral directors, a business that has been handed down from father to son through three generations. It has been in existence for more than eighty years, for it was founded by H. J. Brown in 1836, passed from him to John W. Brown, who conducted the establishment for forty years, or until his death in 1914, when he was succeeded by the present proprietor, Fab. P. Brown, who is upholding in every way the honor- able prestige established by the former owners.
Fabius Porter Brown was born at Raleigh, North Carolina, August 23, 1873, and is a son of John W. and Anna Bell (Porter) Brown. His education was secured in the public schools of his native city, Morson and Denson Academy, where he prose- cuted his preparatory studies, and Trinity College, at Durham, from which institution he was grad- uated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. While attending college, Mr. Brown won considerable reputation as a football player, being a star half- back on the varsity eleven during the year that Trinity was conceded the college football cham- pionship of the South. While he is very modest in speaking of his achievements as a star of the gridiron, it is stated by his friends that much of the success of the team that year was due to Mr. Brown's skill in carrying the pigskin. On leaving college, he took up business life and gradually drifted into real estate operations, a field in which he won considerable success, and for seven years was secretary of the Raleigh Real Estate and Trust Company. In 1914, at the time of his father's death, he took over the management of the H. J. Brown Company, and has continued as its directing head to the present time. A com- temporary biographer, in speaking of Mr. Brown, says: "The fact that he is a funeral director is entirely incidental in the life of Fab. P. Brown, whose cheerful disposition and sunny smile belie the old theory that an undertaker should always typify a picture of gloom. He believes that it is life that really matters and refuses to allow his business associations to change his viewpoint or make him different from his fellows."'
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