USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume V > Part 57
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Frank Smith Wilkinson was born in Edgecombe County on a farm in township No. 5, nine miles north of Tarboro, September 25, 1833. His par- ents were Charles and Nancy ( Holloman) Wilkin- son. The Wilkinsons followed the Edgecombs out of England and the Hollomans came from Vir- ginia and were also of English stock. Charles Wilkinson was born in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, and in his time was an extensive farmer and prominent locally as a fox hunter. He was a
devoted friend of Elder Joshua Lawrence, who was a prominent preacher of the Primitive Bap- tist Church and also known as a writer.
Frank S. Wilkinson was educated in three dif- ferent schools in Edgecombe and Halifax coun- ties, and from the Tarboro Male Academy entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was graduated in 1858 with the degree A. B.
Curiously enough, though Mr. Wilkinson gave all his active years to education, it was not his primary ambition and purpose to follow teaching. On leaving college he accepted the opportunity to teach and manage a small college within sight of the City of Raleigh, on the old Fayette Road, a little beyond the old governor's mansion. No pupil under twelve years was allowed to enter that school. It had two departments, one for girls and one for boys. Mr. Wilkinson says that the hardest work of his professional career was done here. He had just come from college, was with- out experience, and also suffered the handicap of teaching only as a means of and opportunity to attend law school at Raleigh. The position was tendered him through Hon. George E. Badger and Hon. John H. Bryan at the solicitation of their sons, Henry Bryan who afterwards became a judge, and Richard Badger.
It was while teaching this school that Mr. Wil- kinson met Miss Annie Stronch, one of his col- leagues in the teaching staff, and at the close of the school year they were married. He then re- turned to Tarboro to visit his mother, and while there the trustees of the Tarboro Male Academy elected him principal of that famous old school. That brought him his permanent position and con- nection in school affairs, and for fifty-one years he was at the head of the academy without los- ing so much as five weeks from duty. The old institution lost its buildings by fire after the war, and Mr. Wilkinson then re-established the school as an independent institution under his in- dividual proprietorship. It had two departments, one for female and the other for male pupils. These two departments were kept separate, though most of the teachers did work both among the boys and the girls.
During the war, as the school had an average attendance of more than seventy-five pupils, Mr. Wilkinson was exempted from active military serv- ice in the Confederate army, though he was re- quired to drill recruits. That was a continuous work and with the title of first lieutenant of the Home Guards he spent every winter and summer vacation on military duty, sometimes being sent to Newbern and Washington, North Carolina. He was also employed as the enrolling officer and in the quartermaster's department and frequently hunted up deserters in adjacent' counties.
Besides his duties at his academy Mr. Wilkinson was for fifteen years superintendent of the pub- lic schools of Edgecombe County. During that period he held institutes for teachers in the two counties of Edgecombe and Nash. The first in- stitute in the state was held in Edgecombe under his supervision, and it is also noteworthy that the first literary society was held at Tarboro as the outgrowth of the institute.
Politically Mr. Wilkinson has always been a democrat, but never held any public position ex- cept during Reconstruction days. He has never affiliated with any secret society except of a lit- erary character, though at the close of the war with others in Tarboro and Edgecombe County
J.M. Washington
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he helped form a temperance society for the pur- pose of reclaiming good men who had fallen vic- tims to excessive drinking. Mr. Wilkinson has never had an active church membership, though his wife and children have all been Presbyte- rians.
It was in June, 1859, at Raleigh, that Mr. Wilkinson and Miss Annie M. Sfronch were mar- ried. She was the oldest child of William and Sallie Stronch. Her father was a native of Scot- land. Her mother, whose maiden name was Sav- age, was connected with the family of the noted General MacGruder of Virginia. Mrs. Wilkinson had one sister, Mary, and four brothers. Of these brothers George, William and Alexander all entered the war before they were seventeen years of age. Her youngest brother Frank is still living at Raleigh.
Professor Wilkinson and wife had three daugh- ters and two sons. The oldest daughter, Annie, married Dr. C. C. Cheney and went out to the State of Kansas. Sally E. married Alexander Robertson, now of New York City. The third daugh- ter is Mrs. R. E. Jones, of Suffolk, Virginia. Both the sons are now living at Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The older, W. S. Wilkinson, married the youngest daughter of Professor Wilkinson's old room and class mate for seven years, George L. Wimberley, who is still living on his farm in Edgecombe County. The youngest child and sec- oud son married Miss Mary Geiger.
HON. THOMAS M. WASHINGTON. To successfully manage large property interests aud at the same time give freely of judgment and efforts towards a betterment in administration of civic and legis- lative conditions requires more than ordinary ability. Many men achieve prosperity; others rise to high positions within the gift of the people, but all do not prove equally efficient along both lines. When a man is found, however, who has demon- strated his ability as a sound, reliable and success- ful business man, willing to assume the responsi- bilities of public life, the office he accepts benefits accordingly. Such a man will give to his duties the same conscientious and capable administration that resulted in his material advancement. Wilson County and others have benefited greatly from the fact that Thomas M. Washington, capitalist, agri- culturist and virile business man, has represented the Sixth District of North Carolina in the State Senate, after an honorable record in other official positions and in business life.
Hon. Thomas M. Washington was born in Gran- ville County, North Carolina, April 16, 1862, his parents being M. C. and Nancy (Jones) Washing- ton. His academic education was secured in the local schools of his home community, from which he was graduated in 1874, and much of his boy- hood and youth were passed on the home farm, where he was reared to habits of industry and principles of integrity. His primary education being completed, he was sent to Knap of Reeds Academy, which institution he attended in 1875 and 1876, and later he was a student at Caldwell Institute. His early training, as noted, had been in the field of agriculture, and the voeation of farming was adopted by him when he attained man's estate and was ready to enter upon a career of his own. Through the exercise of enterprise, hard effort and good management he became the owner of a valuable property when still a young man, and as the years have passed he has added to his acreage until he now is in possession of one
of the best farms in Wilson County. As his resources grew, his interests expanded, aud busi- ness affairs soon began to demaud a large share of his attention. His associates in various veu- tures came to depend upon him for leadership, and placed him at the head of business organizations which have benefited and growu under the stimu- latiug power of his business acumen and foresight. At this time, among others, he is vice president of the Farmers Cotton Oil Company, president of the Wilson Ice and Fuel Company and president of the Wilson Livestock Company. Always honorable and straightforward in his dealings and true to his engagements, his name leuds strength and solidity to any enterprise with which it is identified.
From young manhood Mr. Washington has been interested in public affairs. His first public office was that of register of deeds, which he held in Granville County from 1884 to 1886. He was sent to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1907 and rendered his constituents and his com- munity excellent service as a member of that body. In 1908 he was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, held at Deuver, Colorado, and in 1913 became the candidate of his party for the state senatorship of the Sixth District, including the counties of Franklin, Nash and Wilsou. As senator he has worked faithfully in endeavoring to represent ably and helpfully the best aims of the people who showed their coufidence in his ability and integrity, and his record is one that will bear the closest scrutiny. Although a man of distiuc- tion, Mr. Washington is as easy of approach as any man in Wilson County. He has contributed liberally towards churches and benevolent move- ments and has given his loyal support to the cause of education. It is needless to say that his name stands with the people of Wilson as a synonym for public spirit and disinterested patriotism. He was in past years captain of the Wilson Military Company, and is fraternally identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Masons.
On July 4, 1901, Mr. Washington was united in marriage with Mrs. Clarke, widow of James A. Clarke. Mrs. Washington's maiden name was Nettie E. Ellis.
HUGH WADDELL'S name was well placed among the "Makers of North Carolina," and while re- peated reference to his services in the twenty years preceding the Revolution are demanded by any adequate account of that period, this brief sketch is confined to an account of his life as a whole.
He was of the Scotch-Irish race, noted for their love of liberty, of learning and of religion, and was born in the north of Ireland in 1737, son of Hugh Waddell, Sr. In 1742 his father, having killed a man in a duel, fled to America, bringing his children with him. Locating at Boston, the boy was sent to school. After the lapse of a few years Hugh, Sr., thought he could safely return to Ireland, but on reaching that country found that all his property had been conhseated, and he soon afterwards died, leaving his son withont any estate.
In 1753, when he was sixteen years of age, one of his father's Irish friends, Arthur Dobbs, was appointed governor of North Carolina. It was this that probably was the chief influence in at- traeting Hugh Waddell to North Carolina. He arrived in the colony about the beginning of 1754. He had been in the colony only a short time when its assembly voted to raise a regiment to serve
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against the French. Hugh Waddell was appointed one of the lieutenants of the command, and during the campaign in Virginia so distinguished him- self that he was promoted to the rank of captain. Not long afterward he was given an important command to protect the western frontier of North Carolina from Indians, and in 1755 was selected to built a fort and take command of the garrison. He carried out this important duty with charac- teristic promptness and energy, and when the fort was constructed he named it Fort Dobbs in honor of the governor. Fort Dobbs was near the site of the present Town of Statesville, and then and for several years remained the most important military post in the colony. Captain Waddell remained in command two years, and in the words of the governor was "in every way quali- fied for such a command, as he was young, active and resolute. "
His next brilliant exploit was the relief of the .English garrison at Fort Loudon on the Tennessee River. He took some of the best men from the garrison of Fort Dobbs, made a toilsome and dangerous over-mountain march in 1757, and after accomplishing his purpose returned to North Carolina, and was soon afterward promoted to the rank of major.
In the meantime the American colonies had become involved in the Seven Year war, as it was known in Europe, the American war being more familiarly called the French and Indian war. Major Waddell commanded the North Carolina Troops in the notable campaign against the French and Indians of Western Pennsylvania in 1758, known in history as the Forbes Expedition. He and his Carolina riflemen were among the most experienced in methods of Indian warfare, and General Forbes placed Major Waddell and his detachment along with Colonel Washington and his Virginia followers in the front of the army to act as scouts, pioneers and road makers in that long and toilsome march over the mountains, end- ing with the attack upon and capture of Fort Duquesne, which after falling into Washington's hands was changed to Fort Pitt. It is said that the first member of the English expedition to enter Fort Duquesne was a large dog belonging to Major Waddell. For his services in that campaign Hugh Waddell was promoted to colonel.
During the winter of 1759-60 Colonel Waddell was busy in protecting Fort Dobbs and the western frontier from the hostile Indian tribes. In February, 1760, his little garrison was besieged by Indian forces many times its number, but Colonel Waddell handled his men so resourcefully and inspired them to such deeds of courage that the enemy was driven off with great confusion. In the campaign of the following year Colonel Waddell commanded the North Carolina Troops in the great expedition sent by North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia against the western Indians, terminating in a brilliant victory near the present Town of Franklin in Macon County.
As his biographer states: "Colonel Waddell had now become the foremost soldier in North Carolina. As an Indian fighter he had no equal in the province and no superior anywhere. He had learned all the tricks of the savage and he knew how to meet them. His hard life on the frontier had made him used to hardships and dangers. He had grown into a large, powerful man, with strong, active limbs, broad chest and shoulders. As a leader he was fearless, cool and
calm in the midst of danger, and quick to see the best way out of it."'
Not all his time was taken up with fighting. In 1757, while in commaud at Fort Dobbs, he was elected to represent Rowan County iu the As- sembly, and attended the session of that year at Wilmington. While there he experienced the romance of his life, and fell a captive in love to Mary Haynes, daughter of Capt. Roger Haynes, an officer of the British Army. Captain Haynes owned a fine place named "Castle Haynes" near Wilmington. After his marriage Colonel Waddell made his home at Wilmington, but owned several plantations in Rowan, Anson, New Hanover and Bladen counties. His favorite residence was at Bellefont in Bladen County on the Cape Fear, about two miles below Elizabethtown.
In 1760 Colonel Waddell was again elected a member of the Assembly, and after his removal to Bladen County he was elected four times. He was also recommended to the king for appointment to the Council, by both Governor Dobbs and Gover- nor Tryon.
Hugh Waddell was the leader of the North Carolina forces in active resistence to the notor- ious stamp act, and in November, 1765, was commander of the armed colonists who assembled on the banks of Cape Fear and forbade and pre- vented the captain of the English war vessel Diligence, from bringing the stamps to shore. On this occasion Colonel Waddell placed himself squarely in opposition to Governor Tryon and the king's government, but only a little later he stood by Governor Tryon in his fight against the regu- lators, who were in open rebellion and refusing to obey the laws or to pay taxes. There is good ground for holding that Colonel Waddell's course was justified by consistency rather than incon- sistency. He was an enemy both of tyranny and of lawlessness, and the regulators he considered a lawless body. Hugh Waddell was appointed by Governor Tryon as general of the army raised by the governor to oppose the regulators. However, Waddell did not arrive in Alamance in time to take part in the famous battle there.
In 1772 General Waddell started on a trip to England, but was suddenly taken ill before board- ing ship, and after nearly a year of suffering died April 9, 1773.
BOSWORTH CLIFTON BECKWITH during his thirty years of honorable and active membership in the North Carolina bar has attained position and in- fluence that ranks him among the ablest lawyers of his state. Born in New Hanover County, North Carolina, October 2, 1859, a son of James L. S. and Evelyn (Clifton) Beckwith, he is the son of a man who rose to distinction in the profession of medi- cine and in the service of his home state and nation. Dr. James L. S. Beckwith was appointed to mid- shipman in the United States navy by President John Tyler, but resigned from the navy in 1846. He took the degree of M. D. in the University of Pennsylvania and applied himself to the private practice of medicine. At the outbreak of the war between the states he entered the Confederate army and served with the rank of surgeon until he was killed in 1865, at the close of the war.
Bosworth C. Beckwith, who was six years of age when his father died, was liberally educated, graduating A. B. in 1883 from Trinity College, North Carolina, and then pursuing his law course in the Greensboro Law School. He was admitted
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to practice law by the Supreme Court in February, 1884, and a few years later, in 1887, began the practice of law in Raleigh, where he has since looked after his large general practice.
In the meantime frequent honors have come to him in public life. In 1885 he was engrossing clerk in the State Senate. From 1884 for ten years he served as secretary of the State Democratic Com- mittee. He was elected and served for fourteen years as a commissioner of internal improvements for the State of North Carolina. In 1900 Mr. Beckwith was a presidential elector on the demo- cratic ticket, and for the past six years, from 1910 to 1916, he has given a capable service as county attorney of Wake County. His service covered three terms of two years each. He is one of the honored members of the North Carolina Bar Asso- ciation.
February 2, 1892, in Wake County, Mr. Beck- with married Iola Bledso. They have two children. Clifton Warren Beckwith was educated in the literary and law departments of the University of North Carolina, graduating in February, 1916, and is now in early practice at Raleigh. Chloe, the only daughter, is a graduate of St. Mary's School.
GEORGE D. HODGIN. The Hodgin family has been closely identified with the commercial, civie and institutional life of Winston-Salem for half a century. Among the former business men of the city the name of Stephen Hodgin is espe- cially well remembered. His son, George D. Hod- gin, has also been active in commercial life and during the past ten years has developed some of the most attractive residence districts in the sub- urban sections.
The High School Building and the Young Men's Christian Association Building now mark the site formerly occupied by the old Hodgin home, which stood on Cherry Street at the cor- ner of West Fourth. That home was occupied by the late Stephen Hodgin for many years. Ste- phen Hodgin was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, February 8, 1827. His parents were natives of England and were members of the So- ciety of Friends. Stephen acquired a good busi- ness education and as a young man went to Virginia, where he clerked in a mercantile es- tablishment for several years. About the begin- ning of the war between the states he returned to North Carolina and became an employe of the Confederate Government. For the Government he operated a general supply store in Randolph County, and his capable energies were employed in that direction until the close of the war. He then removed to Bairdstown, where he was a merchant for several years, but in 1868 came to Winston and thenceforward was one of the lead- ing merchants of the city until he retired sev- eral years before his death. He was first in business with N. D. Sullivan, their store, con- ducted under the name Hodgin & Sullivan, being located on the southwest corner of Liberty and Fourth streets. Later George Hinshaw was ad- mitted to the firm, the name being Hodgin, Hinshaw & Company. When Mr. Hinshaw with- drew the firm again became Hodgin & Sullivan. Soon after coming to Winston Stephen Hodgin became a member and treasurer of the Planters Warehouse Company. This Company erected a warehouse on the northwest corner of Trade and Fifth streets. The building was leased to M. W. Norfleet. Stephen Hodgin had unusual
business ability, and his power and influence were recognized for the good of the community during the many years he lived in Winston- Salem.
Stephen Hodgin married Lucy Moir. She was born on a farm in Rockingham County, North Carolina, February 24, 1832. Her father, Alex- ander Moir, was a native of Scotland, settled in Rockingham County when he came to America, bought some extensive land, and operated a plantation with the aid of slave labor. Besides farming he was a tobacco manufacturer. Alex- ander Moir reared a large family of children. Stephen Hodgin and wife had four children : Anna, who married John W. Hanes; James Moir, deceased; George D .; and Mary, deceased."
George D. Hodgin was born at Bairdstown in Guilford County, North Carolina, October 24, 1867. He came to Winston when an infant, grew up in that city and attended the public schools. At the age of fourteen he started out to make his own way- in the world. His first employment as collecting teller for the First National Bank.' After four years in that position he was promoted to head bookkeeper and remained with the bank three years longer. At the end of that time he resigned to engage in tobacco manufacturing with his brother James and L. L. Lunn. His brother died about three years later, and he and Mr. Lunn then contin- ued the business until Mr. Lunn's death three years later. The business was then discontinued.
From tobacco manufacturing Mr. Hodgin en- gaged in the real estate and insurance business. He was associated with G. A. Follin under the name of Follin & Hodgin, but after three years sold his interests and then organized the Realty Exchange of which he is president and principal owner. In 1906 Mr. Hodgin bought 200 lots in what is known as Liberty Heights in North Win- ston-Salem. He has used a great deal of care in developing this property for residence pur- poses and much the greater part has been sold to individual purposes. He subsequently bought the land near the Granville school in West Win- ston-Salem, and also in the locality known as Lewis Heights in North Winston. Each of these tracts have been developed and that develop- ment has added materially to the expansion and improvement of the city.
Outside of busines affairs Mr. Hodgin takes his greatest delight in his church. He is a mem- ber of the West End Methodist Episcopal Church, South, His affiliation formerly was with the Centenary Methodist Episcopal Church, and he was a member of its board of stewards in 1887. In 1888 the quarterly conference voted to build a church in North Winston. Mr. Hodgin was appointed a member of the building committee and trustee. A lot was bought and the church edifice erected in 1889. It was named the Burk- head Church, in honor of a former pastor of Centenary Church. It is now known as Burk- head Institutional Church. In December, 1909, Mr. Hodgins became one of the organizers of the West End Methodist Episcopal Church, South, being elected one of its first trustees and a mem- ber of the building committee. Services were held in the chapel of the West End graded school building until the church building was completed in 1912. In 1910 this church had a membership of 262, while in 1916 its member- ship rose to more than 600. Mr. Hodgin is a member of the Bible class of its Sunday school.
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He is a member and has served as vice presi- dent of the Twin City Club. He was a member of its finance and building committee when in 1912 the present home of the club was erected at a cost of $50,000. This club has a member- ship of 500, the membership being limited to that number, and there is a large waiting list.
JAMES LAFAYETTE EGERTON, M. D. In the prac- tical work of his profession as a physician and surgeon aud in his devotion to the interests of the medical fraternity and welfare of the community Doctor Egerton is one of the conspicuous citizens of Hendersouville, where he has lived aud practiced his calling for forty years. He is a fine representa- tive of the older type of medical practitioners and at the same time has all the ability and skill of the modern doctor, and is highly esteemed for the con- scientious devotion he has given to the duties of his calling.
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