USA > North Carolina > History of North Carolina: North Carolina biography, Volume V > Part 99
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The first school James Edward Kirkman at- tended was kept in a log cabin. There were no glass windows and the openings were covered with wooden shutters. The seats were of slab timbers, set up from the floor with wooden pins, and of course had no desks in front of them. A broad pine board against the wall served as a desk for the larger scholars to write upon. Later Mr. Kirk- man attended a brick schoolhouse on the present site of the Guilford County Fair Grounds, After his parents removed to High Point he attended a public school, the teacher being Major Lynch, a former instructor in Horner's Institute.
While still a boy Mr. Kirkman went to work for Capt. William H. Snow, who was then in partnership with Seabury Perry. Later when the plant was burned and the partnership dissolved Mr. Kirkman continued with Captain Snow in a newly erected plant. Eventually he devoted his entire energies to the sash and blind factory of Captain Snow. When this plant was leased by E. A. Snow, son of Captain Snow, Mr. Kirkman continued in the business and eventually became financially interested.
Thus step by step he entered into the business and industry which has made High Point notable among the cities of North Carolina. Mr. Kirk- man is now one of the directors and is manager of the Snow Lumber Company, has many other corporation interests and is the principal stock- holder, president and treasurer of the Giant Fur- niture Company, a stockholder in the Tomlinson Chair Company, Southern Chair Company, North Carolina Wheel Company, the Rankin Coffin and Casket Company, the High Point Milling Company, and is a stockholder in the Commercial National Bank, the Alamance Bank at Graham, the Ash- boro Bank at Ashboro, the Madison Bank at Mad- ison, and the High Point Savings and Trust Com- pany.
In 1892 he married Miss Bettie Hunt Sapp. She was born at High Point, daughter of Dr. An- drew J. and Mrs. (Hunt ) Sapp. They have two daughters, Avery Irma and Maud Marguerite. Mr. Kirkman is affiliated with Numa F. Reid Lodge No. 344, A. F. and A. M .; with the Royal Arch Chapter and Knight Templar Commandery, with Repeton Lodge No. 63, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; Piedmont Camp No. 92, Wood- men of the World; Guilford Council No. 23, Junior Order United American Mechanics, and with Lodge No. 1155 of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks.
As the foregoing indicates, Mr. Kirkman is a man of many interests and has shown a great capacity in handling well every responsibility con- ferred upon him. This article would not be com- plete without reference to his political activities, which have made him one of the leaders of the democratic party in his part of the state. Twice he has served his home town in the capacity of alderman. In 1910 he was elected a member of
the General Assembly by a large majority over his opponent. In 1908 he served as a delegate from the Fifth District to the National Demo- cratic Convention at Denver, where William Jen- nings Bryan was renominated. Mr. Kirkman, like many other whole-souled and busy Americans, is now giving a large part of his time to the varied activities that are promoting the war and the rebuilding of an intense Americanism and a new unity in American life.
ANDREW JACKSON SAPP, M. D. While the chief business and interest of his life consisted in utmost devotion to and fulfillment of his responsibilities as a physician, Doctor Sapp was also identified in a business way with the City of High Point, and must be reckoned as one of the factors in its early history and development. As a pioneer resi- dent of High Point he helped to lay out the town, and the broad streets of this city are a monument to his keen foresight, as the other members of the board were opposed to them. In surveying the hundred foot Main Street the present generation might well feel proud and thankful to him for his wisdom and foresight in looking into the future when the town might grow to need the broad streets which scemed so useless then.
He was born on a farm near Winston-Salem in 1815, a son of Newell and Sarah Sapp. During his youth he acquired a good education in the schools of the time, and completed his medical training in Illinois. For a long period of years he practiced his profession, and was regarded as one of the most competent physicians and surgeons in his locality. A host of people looked upon his skill and advice as invaluable, and this advice was frequently sought by his professional brethren. As a resident of High Point he helped organize the First National Bank, and was its first vice presi- dent and held that office until his death. Though a democrat, he never found time amid the range of his professional work to take much part in politics.
Doctor Sapp married Mary Ann Hunt, daughter of Ithamar Hunt, of Friendship, North Carolina. To their marriage were born three children. The only son, Avery B. Sapp, is now deceased. The two living daughters are Mrs. J. A. Lindsay and Mrs. J. E. Kirkman.
WILLIAM THOROGOOD PATE, M. D. In a con- spicuous place on the roll of Scotland county's eminent members of the medical profession is found the name of Dr. William Thorogood Pate, a native of the community in which he has always made his home, and a splendid type of the learned and skilled practioner whose record is an indica- tion that success is ambition's answer. For thirty-two years he has been engaged in practice at Gibson, where he has not only arisen to a high place in his profession, but is also widely known in financial and business circles, and in the vari- ous affairs which combine to make for progress and good government. He was born at the old Pate home, within a mile of the present Town of Gibson, in what was then Richmond and is now Scotland County, in 1860, and is a son of George Thorogood and Mary ( Adams) Pate.
Historians and genealogists assert that the name of Pate, when the ancestors of this family lived in Scotland, was Patterson, but that through residence of a generation or so in Wales the name became changed to Pate on account of the peculi- arities of Welsh vowelization. The given name
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Thorogood is an historic one in the family, it having been borne by Doctor Pate's great-grand- father, his grandfather, his father, himself and by his eldest son. The home place of the Pate family in Scotland County is where the great-grandfather of Doctor Pate, Thorogood Pate, a Scotch-Irish- man from Wales, settled in 1764, and his descend- ants have lived on this property ever since, some- thing quite unusual in American families. When the original ancestor settled here it was Anson County, there being at that time but three coun- ties in the state. By subsequent division of Anson County the Pate home became a part of Richmond County, and still later, by another division, of Scotland County. The town of Gibson, which is of modern growth, adjoins the old Pate home lands. Thorogood Pate had four sons, the youngest of whom was Thorogood Pate (II), who was a prominent figure in the early history of North Carolina, being a delegate to the Constitu- tional Convention and several times a member of the Legislature, as well as a large planter and prosperous merchant.
George Thorogood Pate, the father of Doctor Pate, was born on the family homestead in 1836 and has passed his entire life there, having de- voted his energies to farming and planting. Dur- ing the war between the states he served as a captain in the Home Militia, and he has always been one of his community's most highly esteemed and most public-spirited citizens. He is widely known as an authority on local history and his interesting reminiscences of earlier years are always attentively listened to. Mrs. Pate, who also survives, was born in Marlboro County, South Carolina. A younger brother of Doctor Pate, Zeb V. Pate, is one of the leading merchants of the Carolinas and has had a remarkably successful career as a business man. His establishment at Gibson is said to be the largest of any country store under one roof in the South, while his store at Laurel Hill, although not housed in so large and fine a building, does a still larger business. He also has mercantile and commercial interests at other points in North and South Carolina.
William Thorogood Pate was educated primarily at old Trinity College in Randolph County, under that greatest of all North Carolina educators, Dr. B. Craven, and was graduated from that fa- mous institution with the class of 1883. Following this he enrolled as a student at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Baltimore, where he secured his medical training and was graduated in 1885 with his degree, and then took various post- graduate courses at Baltimore, particularly in the diseases of women, a field in which he has won far greater than local reputation. Following his graduation in 1885 he began his professional labors at Gibson, where he has since been in the enjoy- ment of a practice that has grown steadily in size and importance and which has led him to a position where he is ranked among the leading practitioners of this part of the state. Doctor Pate belongs to the Scotland County Medical Society, the North Carolina Medical Society and the South- ern Medical Association. He has had the honor of having been for seven years state bacteriolo- gist for North Carolina, with his laboratory at Gibson, and after being selected for this im- portant post was sent to Washington, District of Columbia, where he received special in- struction and training in preparation for this work under the Government. While the duties of his profession occupy the major part of the
Doctor's energies, he also has interested himself in other directions, being a farmer on a large scale with several valuable properties in this section, president of the Bank of Gibson, and interested generally in the various business life of the section. Like other intelligent and public- spirited men he takes an interest in the civic and public affairs of Gibson and Scotland County and has given of his best talents in the promotion of beneficial movements.
Doctor Pate married Miss Mattie Gibson, a mem- ber of a very prominent family of this section of the state, for which the town of Gibson was named, and their sons are Dr. James, Thomas and William T., Jr. Dr. James Pate is a young physician of fine abilities and comprehensive education and a graduate of the medical department of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, class of 1916. He is now associated with his father in the practice of his profession and gives promise of upholding the elder man's reputation.
LEON WATSON, M. D. The Village of Broad- way in Lee County has been the scene of activ- ities of members of the Watson family for a great many years, where they have figured as farmers, manufacturers, merchants and profes- sional men. The Watsons are of stanch Scotch Presbyterian stock, and were among the pioneer Scotch families in that part of Moore County which is now Lee County.
The late M. McFarland Watson, father of Doctor Watson, was one of the leading men in that section of country and is properly credited with doing much to make Broadway a town of importance. In his young manhood he served in Company F of the 50th North Carolina Infantry during the war between the states. Following that struggle he sought new fields in the far South- west and lived for about nine years in and around Fort Worth, Texas. On his return to his native county he engaged in the turpentine distilling industry at Broadway, then only a postoffice, and without any business activities of any importance whatever. M. McFarland Watson was in fact the pioneer business man of what is now the rich and growing Town of Broadway, situated in the center of an agricultural section that has be- come famous for its productive wealth. He cou- tinued as a turpentine manufacturer until the turpentine resources were worked out in this sec- tion of the state. He had also steadily pursued his primary vocation as a farmer and really fol- lowed farming all the active years of his life until his death in 1908, at the age of seventy-two. He was a quiet and unassuming man, enjoyed the highest esteem of all, was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was well worthy of the character of a solid and substantial citizen. He married Elizabeth Lassiter, and she died in 1915,
Dr. Leon Watson was born at the home of his parents at Broadway in 1878, was educated there in the public schools, and studied medicine in the medical department of Davidson College at Davidson. He graduated M. D. with the class of 1900, and for a time practiced at Hope Mills in Cumberland County, then a busy cotton mill center. Returning to his old home at Broad- way, he resumed his practice and such are his character and abilities that his services are now in great demand over a large scope of territory in the eastern part of Lee County and the west- ern part of Harnett County. His profession does not represent his only interest in the community.
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He is a retail druggist and has the only drug store at Broadway, and spends much of his time supervising his farm within and adjoining the town. With his sister, Miss Alberta, he occupies the old Watson home at Broadway, where the family have lived for many years.
Doctor Watson is a member of the County and State Medical societies, belongs to the Presbyte- rian Church, and is an active and public spirited citizen in the rapidly expanding activities and importance of the country of which Broadway is the center.
ROBERT L. BURNS. Thoroughly equipped in every way for a successful lawyer, not only by reason of a thorough and comprehensive legal training but also through the possession of natural abilities of a very high order, Robert L. Burns has established an enviable reputation in legal circles of Moore County and at the present time is one of the leading members of the Carthage bar. Mr. Burns has worked out his own success, as he started life with few advantages and was forced to make his own opportunities, and thus his present pros- perity and position are the more creditable and satisfying. He is a true product of this part of North Carolina, for here he was born and reared, here he received his literary training and his law education, and here, with the exception of two years, his entire life has been passed and his des- tiny worked out.
Mr. Burns was born on his father's farm in Moore County, North Carolina, in 1867, and is a son of J. F. and Ann (Brown) Burns. As his name would indicate, he is of pure Scotch ancestry, but the family has resided in America for a num- ber of generations. His father, J. F. Burns, was born in Randolph County, North Carolina, but several years prior to the outbreak of the war between the states changed his place of residence to Moore County. He was one of the old-time gold miners of North Carolina, a business which he followed off and on from 1853 until 1903, a great deal of this time being spent in the western part of Moore County, chiefly about fifteen miles west of Carthage. He said in later years, in answer to inquiries in regard to the subject, that during his lifetime he had probably taken about three times his own weight in gold out of the soil of his native state. In addition to his gold mining oper- ations Mr. Burns followed the vocation of farm- ing, and at times owned several different farms in Moore County. He was accounted as being a skilled miner and an able farmer, was a good, quiet citizen and a substantial man who had many friends in the community. His death occurred in 1906.
Robert L. Burns secured his early educational training in the public schools of the country dis- tricts of Moore County, principally under Profes- sor Street Brewers, one of the ablest teachers the state has produced. Following this he enrolled as a student at Tom Robinson's school at Liberty. Under these preceptors Mr. Burns, who was a bright and energetic youth, with ready adaptation and a keen and retentive mind, made rapid prog- ress. He attended Wake Forest College for four years, graduating from this college in 1891, and while there he was prominent in athletics, being a member of the foot ball team for four years. He had decided upon the law as the pro- fession in which to test his abilities, and after spending two years as a teacher in the City Schools of Palestine, Texas, he took up the study of law
at the University of North Carolina, and finished the law course under Dr. Maurice and Judge Shep- herd in the fall of 1894, and received license to practice law in September, 1894. Since receiving his license, he has practiced law in Moore County, the county of his birth, and he has resided at Carthage. He opened an office for the practice of his profession, the study of which he had never given up, and after passing through the probation period that must be bridged by all young lawyers, finally got a foothold upon the ladder. From that day he has been steadily climbing toward a higher and better success. During the twenty-four years of his practice he has become one of the successful lawyers of this section of North Carolina, enjoy- ing a large and general practice in the various state and federal courts and representing a num- ber of important interests, private and corporate, in court actions of a complicated and important character. Mr. Burns is the unopposed candidate for the State Senate in the Twenty-first District, being nominated in the democratic primary in June, 1918.
He takes an active and prominent part in the varied business and social activities of the beau- tiful little City of Carthage, and, quite naturally, has a particular interest in the betterment of the schools and the elevation and advancement of the cause of education. It was he who drew up the bill which was passed by the North Carolina Legis- lature under which was established the Sand Hills Farm Life School, a most excellent institution, which is located near Carthage in Moore County.
Mr. Burns married Miss Emma L. Muse, a mem- ber of an old, prominent and highly respected fam- ily of North Carolina which has lived for several generations in Moore County. They are the parents of five interesting and talented children: Howard F., Robert L., Jr., Edward J., Sarah A. and Paul. Mr. and Mrs. Burns and their children are mem- bers of the Methodist Church. Their home, "Moss- giel," at Carthage is a beautiful structure of Colonial architecture, a center of warm Southern hospitality, and one of the show places in a beau- tiful little city that is noted for its handsome homes.
J. FRAZIER GLENN. By environment and expe- rience Judge J. Frazier Glenn is well fitted for public service. Born and reared on a farm, and even now an extensive crop producer at his country place, "Glenwood," near Asheville, and so incul- cated with the ideals of simple and normal life, trained and experienced as a lawyer for fifteen years, well informed in business affairs through his management of a successful mining and manu- facturing enterprise; brought in touch with public needs through four years' service as an alderman of Asheville and two years as a member of the North Carolina Legislature from Buncombe County, Judge Glenn was equipped to assume the responsible duties of judge of the Asheville Police Court, to which he was elected in May, 1915, when the city changed to the non-partisan form of gov- ernment. Prior to this time Judge Glenn was for two years city corporation counsel, and before that had served as prosecuting attorney of Police Court.
As judge of the Police Court Judge Glenn has proved a practical idealist, no less sympathetic than just, but not swerved from the path of duty by any maudlin sentiment which defeats the pur- poses of real reformation sought. As police judge he is also judge of the Asheville Juvenile Court, which has jurisdiction of youthful delinquents, and
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he is unceasingly persistent in his efforts for good, observing no office hours in the public service but taking its problems home with him for consider- ation.
In carrying out his ideas of reform, of saving the young delinquents and making them good cit- izens, Judge Glenn organized the Juvenile Pro- tective Association, of which all the public school teachers are members, and the Buncombe County Welfare Association, composed largely of minis- ters and women welfare workers of the city. Through an act passed by the Legislature in 1917, this latter organization was given power to care for fallen women, and became the first organiza- tion of its kind in the South.
Judge Glenn makes use of every available re- source for helping delinquents. He has utilized the "Big Brother"' movement, and has instituted a system of paroles which require report to him at frequent intervals. A Sunday school for delin- quent colored children is held in the Police Court room. Practical results indicate the fact that since Judge Glenn went on the bench records of crime show a reduction of fifty per cent.
A record of Judge Glenn's activities in the way of reformation would not be complete without mention of the establishment through his instru- mentality by the county commissioners of a public farm where boys are taught farming and other industrial occupations.
J. Frazier Glenn was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina, February 6, 1875, the son of Marian S. and Martha Ann (Curtis) Glenn. His father was a farmer and for many years served as county commissioner. Judge Glenn attended the public schools and high school, and later the noted Bingham Military School near Asheville, and in 1902 was graduated with the degree of LL.B. from the University of North Carolina. Before enter- ing on the practice of law in Asheville in May, 1903, he completed a business college course.
This business course was not without immediate practical use, since Judge Glenn became interested in the mining and manufacturing of tale, being secretary and treasurer and general manager of the Georgia Talc Company, whose offices are in Asheville and whose plants are located at Chats- worth, Georgia, Marshall, North Carolina, and at Candler, North Carolina. Business duties, gen- eral law practice and public service all receive full and careful attention by Judge Glenn because a strong constitution and unremitting energy are at his command, it being a local saying that work is his favorite occupation.
Judge Glenn was married on December 19, 1905, to Miss Eunice Woodard Farmer, daughter of Woodard E. and Frances T. (Greenwood) Farmer, of Wilson, North Carolina. Mrs. Glenn's father was officially connected with the Atlantic Coast Line Railway at Wilson, North Carolina, for many years. Mrs. Glenn was educated at the Wilson High School and thic State Normal for Women at Greensboro, North Carolina. Judge and Mrs. Glenn have a family of four children: John Frazier, Jr., Eunice Farmer, Marion Woodard and Francis Thornton Glenn.
WILLIAM PRESTON ROSE. Goldsboro has much reason back of its claim to be a modern, beautiful city, with advantages of every kind to attract capital for business investment as well as for the establishing of permanent homes. It is exceeingly attractive to the eye because of its beautiful style of architecture as well as its appearance of sta-
bility of construction and to no one in this con- nection is greater credit due than to William Preston Rose, the leading contractor and builder here.
William Preston Rose was born in Wayne County, North Carolina, June 6, 1870, and belongs to one of the old settled families of this section, the first of the name having come here from Vir- ginia three generations ago. His parents were George Pinckney and Nancy (Brunt) Rose. His father, a millwright by trade, was also engaged in agricultural operations.
After his public school course Mr. Rose be- came a student for a time in Turlington Institute. He then learned the carpenter trade and in the course of time became a contractor and still later, through diligent study of architecture, became able not only to erect buildings but also design them. This led into general contracting and this has been Mr. Rose's business for a number of years, each year finding his reputation more widely ex- tended and his contracts of greater and still greater importance and volume. He has done a large part of the modern building at Goldsboro and all through Wayne County and has many fine structures to his credit in other parts of the state.
In 1914 Mr. Rose built the handsome Wayne County courthouse and recently has completed the spacious Borden office building, one of the fine modern structures at Goldsboro. He secured the contract and satisfactorily completed the fine Elks' Temple at Newbern, North Carolina. The magnificent courthouse at Whiteville, North Caro- lina, and the Hemingway school at Wilmington are his work, as are also three public school buildings at Fayetteville, North Carolina. He also was the general contractor that built Mercy Hospital at Charlotte, North Carolina, and the stadium at Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Mr. Rose was the contractor and builder of the J. & D. Tire & Rubber Company plant at Charlotte, North Caro- lina. His work is characterized by thoroughness in every detail and integrity in every supply and in his field of endeavor his name is a synonym for reliability.
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