USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume V > Part 47
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Age of pupil
KV This certificate must be presented within one month after the opening of the next term, or it will not be valid. J. T. ALDERMAN,
Superintendent.
1
TEACHER.
C
InChadwick
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McPherson, removed to what is now Iredell County from Rowan County, he and his brothers having lived in the vicinity of China Grove. He purchased Baker's Mill, which was situated near the present site of Mooresville, and at his death bequeathed it to his three sons, Matthew, John and Robert.
Matthew McPherson, father of Theresa Phoebe McPherson and great-grandfather on the maternal side of the subject of this sketch, served, as shown by records preserved in the war department at Washington, District of Columbia, in several enlist- ments during the Revolutionary war, having served six weeks in 1775; five weeks in 1776; three weeks in 1779; three months and three weeks in 1780; and one month and two weeks in 1781. For a number of years prior to his death, which occurred August 5, 1843, he received a pension. He married, September 28, 1797, Elizabeth Briggs Wilson, who, it is said, was born on board the ship "Elizabeth Briggs" while her parents were en route to Amer- ica. The captain of the vessel gave the parents twenty guineas for the privilege of naming the child. She survived her husband, dying August 25, 1856, in the eighty-sixth year of her age. Mrs. Theresa Phoebe (McPherson) Bell died at her home in Statesville May 13, 1863.
Obtaining his rudimentary education in States- ville, J. Franklin McCubbins afterwards continued his studies in Mocksville and at the Finley High School in Lenoir, after which he spent three years at Davidson College. The following two years he was employed in the office of the clerk of courts and register of deeds, and after that was engaged in mercantile business with his father. In 1898 Mr. McCubbins was elected county commissioner, and served for four years as chairman of the board. In 1902 he was elected clerk of the court of Rowan County, and has been continued in the office by re-election until the present time, his long record of service bespeaking his efficiency and trustworthiness. Mr. McCubbins is identified with several prominent organizations of the city, being president of the Citizens Building and Loan As- sociation; vice president of the Morris Plan Com- pany; and a director in the Peoples National Bank.
Mr. McCubbins married, June 27, 1893, Mary Louise Gaskill. She was born in Farmington Township, Davie County, North Carolina, a daugh- ter of John D. and Annie Eliza (Lunn) Gaskill, granddaughter of Guilford Gaskill, great-grand- daughter of David Gaskill, and great-great-grand- daughter of Jacob Gaskill. The Gaskills were pioneers of Carteret County, where several genera- tions were life-long residents. Guilford Gaskill was a seafaring man, during his active life having been in the coastwise service. He married Eliza- beth Davis, a daughter of John S. and Rosamond (Harker) Davis. John D. Gaskill spent the latter part of his life in Salisbury, where he was for many years engaged in the manufacture of tobacco. His wife, mother of Mrs. McCubbin, was born in Davie County, a daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Louisa (Jones) Lunn, and granddaughter of William and Esther (Lindsay) Lunn. She survived her husband and is now making her home with Mr. and Mrs. McCubbins. Mr. and Mrs. McCub- bins havo one child, Theresa, wife of Forrest J. Allen, of Baltimore, Maryland.
Prominent in fraternal circles, Mr. McCubbins is a member of Fulton Lodge No. 99, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons; of Salisbury Chap- ter No. 20, Royal Arch Masons; of Adoniram Coun- cil No. 2, Royal and Select Masters; of Salisbury Commandery No. 13, Knights Templar; of Oasis
Temple at Charlotte; of Salisbury Lodge No. 24, Knights of Pythias; and of Salisbury Lodge No. 699, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
DAVID NICHOLAS CHADWICK, JR., is prominently identified with Wilmington business affairs, and has been especially a factor of enterprise and de- velopment in real estate lines. Mr. Chadwick is secretary and treasurer of the Wilmington Beach Corporation, secretary and treasurer of the Fidelity Trust and Development Company and is officially connected with several other local organi- zations.
Mr. Chadwick was born at Wilmington Novem- ber 19, 1883, a son of David N. and Lina (Rob- inson) Chadwick. His father was a substantial farmer. The son acquired his early education in the public and private schools, the University of North Carolina, and a business college.
His preliminary business experience was as a clerk in the Murchison National Bank and as bookkeeper in one of Wilmington's wholesale houses. Since 1909 he has given all his time to real estate, and besides the two companies above named he is vice president of the San Souci Abattoir Company, secretary and treasurer of the , Wilmington Dock and Storage Company, chairman of the Board of Elections of New Hanover County, secretary and treasurer of the Taylor Fisheries, Wilmington, North Carolina, secretary and treasurer of the Seminole Fertilizer aud Oil Corporation, Jacksonville, Florida.
The Wilmington Beach Corporation was organ- ized in 1913 with a capital stock of $50,000 and in the following year the capital was increased to $100,000. This corporation has acquired a mag- nificent track of 426 acres located thirteen and a half miles from Wilmington comprising the ex- treme point of Cape Fear and between Cape Fear River and the Atlantic Ocean. As an ocean resort it promises a magnificent future, and has unrivaled facilities of ocean beach, convenience to trans- portation and is close by historic old Fort Fisher. For development purposes the tract has been divided into 1,500 lots, each 50 by 100 feet. The executive officers of this company are C. C. Chad- bourn, president; L. W. Davis, vice president; D. N. Chadwick, Jr., secretary and treasurer; and W. E. Price, general manager.
The Fidelity Trust and Development Company was.organized in 1912 and has also undertaken an ambitious development project, having acquired 442 acres a mile and a half from Wilmington, where it has laid out and begun the development of Sunset Park. This land is divided into 1,600 lots, extending for a distance of a mile and a half along beautiful Cape Fear River, and the capital of the trust company is $100,000.
Mr. Chadwick has always been active in demo- cratic party affairs and in community advance- ment. In 1913-15 he served as councilman in charge of the finances of the City of Wilmington. He is a former secretary of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at the City of Wil- mington.
Mr. Chadwick married December 4, 1912, Ethel- H. Hopkins of Wilmington. They have two chil- dren, Jean Robinson and David Nicholas III.
JOHN RICHARD DILDY. Few citizens are bet- ter known in Wilson County than John R. Dildy, register of deeds for Wilson County and a prom- inent business man at Wilson. He has had ex- perience along several lines and his activities
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have resulted in his securing and preserving the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens.
John Dildy was born in Pitt County, North Carolina, September 10, 1871. His parents are Louis S. and Mary (Gay) Dildy. His father fol- . lows a profitable trade and the family is very well known in this section. Mr. Dildy attended the public schools in Wilson County, being two years old when his parents moved to Wilson. At the age of seventeen he began to teach school and continued in that line for four years, meet- ing with enough success to have encouraged him to adopt teaching as a profession. Circumstances, however, led in another direction and he ac- cepted a position as traveling salesman for a crockery and glassware store and was on the road for five years. For' the two years follow- ing he was a bookkeeper in a commercial house and then was appointed deputy sheriff and served with entire efficiency for six years. In 1908 Mr. Dildy was elected register of deeds for Wilson County and no change has been even suggested since.
Mr. Dildy was married June 25, 1910, to Miss Edwina Barnes, who is a daughter of W. T. and Tiney (Blount) Barnes, well kown residents of Wilson. Mrs. Dildy is a lady of taste and re- finement and they maintain a hospitable home.
One of the leading business enterprises of Wil- son is the Dildy & Agnew Company, incorpo- rated, dealers in hardware, agricultural imple- ments and building material. Mr. Dildy is presi- dent of this company and stands very high as an honorable and capable business man.
In politics Mr. Dildy is a democrat and has always been loyal to his friends and to party candidates and has often taken part in close political councils. He is a valued member of the Commonwealth Club, and fraternally is an Odd Fellow, belongs to the Junior Order of United American Mechanics and the Elks, and is ex- past exalted ruler of the last named organiza- tion.
HON. JAMES CRAWFORD BIGGS. Of the members of the North Carolina bar who have been in active practice during the last twenty years few have received higher honors in their profession and in public life than James Crawford Biggs of Raleigh. One special distinction such as any lawyer might covet was his election at the 1914 annual meeting of the North Carolina Bar Asso- ciation as president. He was unanimously chosen to that office and served one year.
Equally notable have been his services on the bench and as a professor of law. In the summer of 1906, when he was only thirty-three years of age, he was nominated for judge of the Superior Court for the Ninth Judicial District. His nom- ination came on the first ballot. His opponents were two of the prominent lawyers of the district, Hon. Thomas J. Shaw, the incumbent judge, and S. M. Gattis, a former speaker of the House of Representatives. Judge Biggs was elected for a term of eight years and remained on the bench until the fall of 1911, for nearly five years. He then resigned in order to be at home with his family, and resumed active practice at Durham.
Judge Biggs was born August 29, 1872, at Oxford, North Carolina. He comes of a tinguished family. His grandfather, Hon. Asa Biggs, was elected United States senator from North Carolina in 1854, but resigned that office in 1858 to become United States District Judge
for North Carolina. His father was Capt. William Biggs, the fearless and accomplished editor of the Tarboro Southerner and the Oxford Free Lance, during the period of Reconstruction. The mother of Judge Biggs was Elizabeth Arring- ton Cooper, whose father, J. Crawford Cooper, was head of the banking house of J. C. Cooper & Sons of Oxford.
The traditions of his family and his early train- ing opened a large career for Judge Biggs. He was educated at Horner School and at the Univer- sity of North Carolina, where he graduated at the head of his class and with the honor summa cum laude. At graduation he won the Willie P. Mangum medal for oratory. He excelled in athletics, as he did in his studies. He was a mem- ber of the noted football team of 1892, and was chief marshal, editor-in-chief of the College Annual, editor of the Tar Heel and president of his class at graduation.
After one year of teaching school in Virginia he re-entered the University of North Carolina and studied law under the late Dr. John Manning. In September, 1894, being licensed to practice, he located at Oxford. During the greater part of his four years' residence there he was associated with R. W. Winston and F. L. Fuller of Durham, under the firm name Winston, Fuller & Biggs. He was twice elected mayor of Oxford.
In the fall of 1898 Judge Biggs was made associate professor of law in the University of North Carolina. In the course of the year the beloved Doctor Manning, dean of the law school, died and Judge Biggs was put in charge of the department.
However, in the fall of 1899 he resigned his chair in the University Law School and located in Durham, forming a partnership with R. B. Boone and V. S. Bryant. When this partnership was dissolved several years later he practiced alone, and subsequently formed a copartnership with R. P. Reade under the name Biggs & Reade. This continued until Judge Biggs went on the bench.
After retiring from the bench and taking up his residence at Durham, Judge Biggs became a member of the law faculty of Trinity Law School. The death of Governor Aycock in the spring of 1912 dissolved the old firm Aycock & Winston, of Raleigh, and Judge Biggs then became the partner of Judge R. W. Winston and moved to Raleigh in July, 1912.
This partnership continued until the summer of 1917, when Judge Biggs was appointed by the Attorney-General of the United States as special assistant to the attorney-general in charge for the government of its litigation in the state of California, known as the billion dollar oil cases against the Southern Pacific Railroad Company and other defendants.
The selection of Judge Biggs to conduct these cases was a signal distinction and a merited recog- nition of his learning and ability and of his stand- ing at the American Bar, as the amount involved was about five hundred million dollars, said to be the largest and most important case ever tried in this country. Judge Briggs took up his resi- dence in San Francisco September 1, 1917 and the cases, having been consolidated were tried there in April, 1918. In May, 1918, Judge Briggs returned to Raleigh, North Carolina, and resumed the practice of law there.
Judge Biggs deserves the credit for the organiza- tion of the North Carolina Bar Association, which
Danie HPeaton
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
is one of the most successful organizations in the country. It was while teaching law in the State University that he prepared the call and secured the signers which resulted in the organization of the association. This meeting of organization was held in the Supreme Court room in Raleigh February 10, 1899. Judge Biggs was elected the first secretary and treasurer of the association and held those positions until he was nominated for judge.
He was Supreme Court reporter in 1905-06 and represented Durham County in the Legislature at the session of 1905. He has always taken an active interest in politics, having served as chair- man of the Democratic Executive Committee of Granville County and as chairman of the Demo- cratic Executive Committee of Durham County both before and after his service on the bench.
Judge Biggs married in February, 1906, Miss Marjie Jordan, of Durham. They are the parents of one daughter.
RICHARD WILLS NORMAN. Devoting his earnest efforts to the direction of his business interests, Richard W. Norman, of Salisbury, holds high rank in mercantile circles, as secretary, treasurer and manager of The R. W. Norman Company, giving close attention to all the details connected with its supervision, his quick insight and practical sagacity having placed the firm on a substantial foundation, rendering it one of the successful busi- ness organizations of the county. A native of North Carolina, he was born August 3, 1883, in Skinnersville Township, Washington County, on the same plantation that the birth of his father, Thomas J. Norman, occurred July 30, 1838.
His grandfather, Joseph S. Norman, was a pros- perous farmer of Washington County, where, as far as known, he spent his entire life. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza M. C. Swift, was born in Washington County, North Carolina, April 24, 1814, and died on the home plantation Decem- ber 23, 1845. Her father, Rev. Swain Swift, was born December 15, 1782, and died October 8, 1831. He married Eliza Lucy Chesson, who was born September 15, 1791, and died May 16, 1815.
Brought up on a farm, Thomas J. Norman be- came familiar with agriculture in all of its branches when young. At the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate service and had com- mand of a company in Colonel Martin's regiment. Having succeeded to the ownership of the parental estate, he resumed farming after his return from the war and was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Washington County until his death, January 31, 1885. He married Mary E. Brown, who was born in Martin County, North Carolina, September 21, 1843, a daughter of William R. and Ellen Brown. She survived him many years, passing away April 4, 1904. To her and her husband six children were born and reared, namely: Annie Belle, born April 21, 1864; Joseph Stockton, born April 9, 1869; Ellen Marion, born February 22, 1872; Thomas S .; George Brown, born August 16, 1881; and Richard Wills.
Acquiring his preliminary education in the dis- triet schools of his native township, Richard W. Norman afterward continued his studies for a time at the Oak Ridge Institute, in the meantime assist- ing in the work incidental to life on a farm. At the age of eighteen years, agriculture having no charms for him, he entered the employ of the Standard Oil Company at Wilmington, this state, and continued with the firm until 1906. The ensu-
ing three years Mr. Norman was traveling sales- man for the Tomlinson Chair Company, having a good territory to cover and being quite successful. Resigning the position in 1909, Mr. Norman located in Salisbury, and having organized The R. W. Norman Furniture Company, of which he is secre- tary, treasurer and manager, has since carried on an extensive and lucrative business.
Mr. Norman married Miss Patrick Henry Mor- gan, who was born in Currituck County, North Carolina, a daughter of Patrick Henry and Bettie (Ferreber) Morgan, and was given her father's name. Mr. and Mrs. Norman are conscientious Christians and valued members of the Baptist Church. Fraternally Mr. Norman is a member of Andrew Jackson Lodge of the Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Masons.
DANIEL HARRISS PENTON. The large and varied interests which have engrossed the time and tal- ents of Daniel Harriss Penton have brought him to the forefront among the progressive business men of Wilmington, which city has been his home since 1875. Here he received his education, here he was initiated into the mysteries of business life, and here have his best efforts been expended and his great success gained. His extensive con- nections have necessarily made him an extremely busy man, yet he has never found himself too actively employed in his own affairs to neglect the interests of the city.
Mr. Penton was born at Bridgeton, the county seat of Cumberland County, New Jersey, March 30, 1868, being a son of Abner Comley and Emily Fithian (Harriss) Penton. His father was for many years a mariner, trading at various points in the West Indies, but did not desire his son to enter the same business. In 1875 the family took up its residence at Wilmington, and here Daniel H. Penton secured his education at private schools .. He began his business career in the establishment of a commission merchant, distiller and dealer in naval stores and turpentine. He remained with this concern for five years, and April 20, 1888, when just past twenty years of age, became identi- fied with the J. A. Springer Coal Company, where his energy, ability and fidelity won him rapid pro- motion, until 1895 he was admitted to partner- ship. When the business was incorporated he was ยท made vice president and secretary of the new or- ganization, positions which he still retains. Mr. Penton is interested in various other prominent business establishments of Wilmington, being vice president of the Independent Ice Company, vice president of the Thomas F. Wood Company, vice president of the City and Suburban Building and Loan Association, and a director of the Wilming- ton Savings and Trust Bank. A man of acknowl- edged integrity, his standing is an asset in every enterprise with which his name is associated, and throws about his actions a glow of sincerity that gives his promise or word the value of a bond. He is a member of the board of managers of the James Walker Memorial Hospital, and belongs to the board of directors of the Young Men's Christian Association, of which he was formerly president. His religious connection is with the First Baptist Church, in the work of which he has taken an active part, being a deacon in the church and president of the Business Men's Bible Class in the Sunday School. Mr. Penton has numerous friends in the social circles of Wilming- ton and is a popular member of the Carolina Yacht Club.
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On September 27, 1898, Mr. Penton was married to Miss Hester Allen, of near Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia, and of their children three are now living: Lidie Winstead; Howard Allen, who was born October 10, 1901; and Daniel Harriss, Jr., who was born February 25, 1903. Mrs. Pen- ton died May 16, 1911, and Mr. Penton was mar- ried January 16, 1913, to Mrs. Mary Brewer (nee Gore), of Wilson County, North Carolina.
ROBERT LUTHER HUFFINES. One of the nat- ural cravings of the average man is satisfied when he reaches that point in life when he can say "this is my home" whether large or small, spacious and modern or primitive and possibly little more than a shelter, the fact of possession is the same. With many preferably perhaps it includes a wide enough area for cultivation of the soil or surroundings that will make for priv- acy, but inevitably the having of one's own home brings a measure of happiness that others may well envy. In these days of increasing popula- tion and limited opportunity it is not so easy for the ordinary individual to find this home without assistance, for now there is much more to the proceeding than in days gone by when our forefathers chose at will and settled on hill or in vale, on prairie or in forest as inclination or vocation led. There were then no law-tied gates like those now confronting the homeseeker, only a benevolent Government to be satisfied. Hence have arisen men and agencies for the purpose of assisting this laudable home securing desire, and in every reputable community may be found in- dividuals and firms who have made an exhaustive study of this business and thereby not only ben- efit themselves but those who deal with them and accept their help. Perhaps no man in Eastern North Carolina is better known in this connec- tion or is more thoroughly trusted than is Robert Luther Huffines, who not only is at the head of local homestead and loan associations of much repute, but is known much farther afield in this line and in others. It is estimated that no man in Edgecombe has handled a larger acreage of land than has Mr. Huffines within the past two decades.
Robert Luther Huffines was born in Rocking- ham County, North Carolina, January 28, 1873. His parents were Lewis Craven and Sarah Ann. (Hopkins) Huffines. His father was a farmer and also a merchant, and after the youth had completed his education in the Oak Ridge In- stitute he spent, two years on his father's farm. An agricultural life with its somewhat restricted outlook did not appeal to him as a permanent vocation and in 1893 he came to Rocky Mount to enter into business and until 1900 he covered the country as a traveling salesman. In the meanwhile, with the business alertness which has assisted in making him affluent and successful in his various undertakings, he realized the op- portune field that rested in handling real estate, and when he was prepared to embark for himself it was under the style of R. L. Huffines, real es- tate and insurance, the latter being a line that is easily and usually combined with the former. Mr. Huffinnes conducted his affairs with such marked success that in January, 1906, he incor- porated his business as the Rocky Mount Insur- ance & Realty Company, of which he is vice presi- dent and general manager.
Mr. Huffines is financially and officially con- nected with many other business organizations and
corporations. He is secretary and treasurer of the Rocky Mount Homestead & Loan Association; is president of the Bunn Banking Company, at Bunn, Franklin County, North Carolina; presi- dent of the Old North State Development Com- pany; secretary and treasurer of the Rock Fish Cotton Mills Company, at Hope Mills, North Car- olina; secretary and treasurer of the Eureka Farm Company that is handling 4,500 acres; secretary and treasurer of the Tar River Development Com- pany, 1,500 acres; and additionally is a director in the National Bank of Rocky Mount, and a director in the Rocky Mount Savings & Trust Bank.
Mr. Huffines was married November 9, 1898, to Miss Carrie Whitehead, who is a daughter of Dr. W. H. Whitehead, of Rocky Mount, and they have the following children: Carrie Louise, Rob- ert Luther, Sarah Elizabeth, Josephine White- head, Carolyn, Alta and Lewis Craden. The fam- ily has always been prominent in a social way.
On account of his business interests being so many and important Mr. Huffines has not taken as active a part in politics as he otherwise might have done, but has occasionally accepted local office and formerly was a city commissioner. He has been notably public spirited and enterprising in relation to everything that has concerned Rocky Mount and has done more, perhaps, to bring capi- tal to the city and found sound enterprises than any other individual. He gives a hearty support to all uplifting movements, including those of church and school, and is generous at all times in contributing to charities. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In the fall of 1916, Mr. Huffines moved out to his farm of 173 acres 21/2 miles northwest of Rocky Mount on the Rocky Mount Road, where he raises cotton, to- bacco, corn and Hampshire hogs.
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