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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY
He was a student and reader, his literary and medical library having been one of the best and most carefully selected in the state. Hle was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, member of many surgical and medical societies, belonged to the Masonie order, and was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian church, his father also having been a pillar of that society, serving the Reidsville congregation as elder for forty- nine years.
Dr. Irvin married, in Danville, Virginia, October 17. 1906, Kate Ross Patton, born there, daughter of J. Allen Patton, a banker of Danville, who died in 1891. His widow, Itenrietta (Crew) Patton, yet resides in Danville. The Pattons are an old Virginia family of prominence.
William James Glasgow. Born in Rich- mond. Virginia, William J. Glasgow was there educated and spent his youth. After an absence of a decade he returned to the city of his birth where he maintains a busi- ness unique in its character and most sur- prising in its magnitude. The plant, a model one, is fitted with machinery especially in- vented by the owner for its peculiar duty : every detail of the plant and its equipment having been carefully planned by Mr. Glas- gow before even a site was purchased. The Victory Renovating Works is now one of Richmond's well established business enter- prises, and has a record of thirteen years service. He has the names of three thou- sand of Richmond's best families on his book of customers, and in the busy season over $150,000 worth of carpets are handled. This record speaks volumes for the careful management and perfect system of the busi- ness.
William James Glasgow was born in Rich- mond, Virginia, October 4, 1863, son of Rob- ert Freeman Glasgow, born in Virginia ; his father of Scotch descent and his mother a native of Ireland. Robert F. Glasgow mar- ried Josephine Gordon, born in West Hamp- tin, near Richmond, died in October, 1900, aged sixty-three years. He died aged fifty- nine years, a carpenter and builder. Chil- dren : Mary, married Tristram Mallonee, of Richmond: William James, of whom fur- ther : Rose Evelyn, married Thomas Han- lon, of Washington, D. C .; Robert Edward 1.ce, a hardware merchant of Richmond . Alice May, married Robert P. King, whom
she survives, a resident of Richmond : George Percy, engaged in the grocery busi- ness in Richmond ; Guy, died in infancy.
William James Glasgow was educated in the public schools and began his active busi- ness life with a tobacco manufacturer. After two years in the tobacco factory, he spent two years in a mattress factory, and tour years in an upholstery establishment. These years were spent in Richmond, but in 1888 he moved to Danville, Virginia, where for ten years he engaged in the upholstery busi- ness. Ile had carefully saved his earnings in early life and during his ten years in Dan- ville was successful in accumulating capital sufficient to carry into effect a carefully planned enterprise to be established in his native city, a carpet. mattress and feather renovating works. For this business his long experience in the mattress and uphol- stering line has especially fitted him. The features to be supplied were, proper ma- chinery for the different processes and a factory in which to install them. The first Mr. Glasgow supplied from his own brain. inventing such machines as he needed and having them built to his order ; the second. he supplied from his pocket, investing $25 .- coo in a model plant at 407 South Cherry street, Richmond, and opening it for busi- ness in 1900. From fifteen to eighteen men are employed in the operation of the enter- prise, it having met with public approval from its very inception. Mr. Glasgow is a man of untiring energy, personally super- vising his business in its every detail. those who are acquainted with his business methods paying the highest tribute to his ability and integrity. Success has followed his well directed efforts and never has suc- cess been more fully or justly deserved. For years his residence was adjacent to the ren- ovating works, opposite the Hollywood Cemetery, but he has recently finished and removed to a fine residence. Mr. Glasgow married, in Caroline county. Virginia, Caro- line Robiou, from Kentucky.
Robert Lecky Jr. The paternal grand- father of Robert Lecky. Ir., of Richmond. Virginia. was Colonel William Lecky, of Carlow county, Ireland, a colonel in Well- ington's army, and connected with the Lecky family of Scotland, carls of Lennox.
Dr. Robert (D) Lecky, son of Colonel William and Sarah ( Prescott) Lecky, was
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born in Carlow county, Ireland, April 9, 1835, died in Richmond, Virginia, May 25, 1896. He came to Richmond when a young man, becoming a druggist, and a graduate M. D. He was assistant purveyor of medi- cine in the Confederate States navy all through the war. He was a member of the Presbyterian church. He married Marcella J. Ralston, born August 9, 1844, still living, daughter of Peter Wyse and Mary Jane (Woodson) Ralston. Children of Dr. Rob- ert (1) Lecky: Robert (2), of whom fur- ther; William Ralston; James Douglas; Marcella J., married Maben L. Clark ; Mary L., married Thomas B. Bigger ; Anna.
Robert (2) Lecky, eldest son of Dr. Rob- ert (I) and Marcella J. (Ralston) Lecky, was born in Richmond, June 9, 1870. He was educated in the public schools of Rich- mond, and early in his business life became interested in the fire insurance business and kindred lines. He acted as special agent for many leading foreign and home com- panies, finally founding an insurance agency which conducts a large bond, fire, accident and liability business, extending over sev- eral of the Southern states. . The company offices are in the Virginia Railway and Power Company's new building. Mr. Lecky is a Democrat in politics and since 1902 has been fire commissioner. Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church. His clubs are the Country Club of Virginia, Chicaquahominy Country, the Custis and the Business Men's of Richmond. He is a member of the Masonic order, be- longing to lodge, chapter and commandery.
Mr. Lecky married. in Richmond, Janu- ary 5. 1892, Ida May Ware, born in Charles City county, Virginia, daughter of Francis Wortham Ware, a school teacher, and his wife, Martha E. (Cauthorne) Ware. Chil- dren: 1. William Prescott, born in Rich- mond, November 1, 1892 ; graduate of Rich- mond High School. Fishbourne Military Academy, Richmond College and the Uni- versity of Virginia; a journalist on the "New York World." 2. Marian L., born January 20, 1898.
James David Jones, M. D. A native of Pittsylvania county, Virginia, it is in that locality that the greater part of the life of Dr. James David Jones has been passed. At the present time he is a member of the medi- cal fraternity of Chatham and is promi-
nently identified with numerous institutions of that place, his professional and private reputation giving him high position among the foremost citizens of Chatham. His de- scent is Welsh, the immigrant ancestor of the line, a member of the Episcopal clergy, coming to America from Wales, his son holding a professorship in. William and. Mary College, at Williamsburg, Virginia.
(I) James Jones, grandfather of Dr. James David Jones, was born in Pittsyl- vania county, Virginia, in 1795, there lived his entire life and died in 1870. He enlisted in the American army during the second war with Great Britain and although he was never engaged in conflict with the ene- my his widow received a pension from the government. He married Jane Thompson, a native of Pittsylvania county, and of their seven children but one, Mary Jane, widow of Thomas Jefferson Adams, a farmer, sur- vives.
(II) John T. Jones, son of James and Jane (Thompson) Jones, was born in Pitt- sylvania county, Virginia, in 1836, died in 1866. Throughout his short life he con- ducted agricultural operations, enlisting, at the beginning of the war between the states, in General Stuart's cavalry, fighting under that gallant and daring commander until the declaration of peace, his death occurring the year following. He married Mary Lanier, born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, April 4, 1844, died May 31, 1889, daughter of David Thompson and Ann (Carter) Lan- ier, her father, born in 1813, a farmer of Pittsylvania county. David Thompson and Ann Lanier were the parents of three chil- dren, all deceased, while John T. and Mary (Lanier) Jones had one son, James David, of whom further.
(III) Dr. James David Jones, only son and child of John T. and Mary (Lanier) Jones, was born in a log cabin in Pittsyl- vania county, Virginia, September 1, 1865, the place of his birth now known as Chest- nut Level. After attending the public schools he was for three years a student in Bethel Academy, then spending a like time in the University of Virginia, and complet- ing his studies by a medical course one year in length at the University of Maryland, whence he was graduated M. D. in 1887. Leaving the university he returned to the home farm and assumed its management, in October, 1908, moving to Chatham, where
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he purchased and remodeled a house, re- siding there at the present time. He is a vestryman of the Episcopal church, and since September. 1913, has been a member of the town council. The subject with which Mr. Jones is most concerned, with the exception of his professional and busi- ness interests, is education, and he is an earnest exponent of the most modern and advanced methods in public school instruc- tion.
Dr. Jones married, in Chatham, Virginia. December 12, 1899. Maria E. Pannill, born in Northampton county, Virginia, Septem- ber 7, 1878, daughter of David H., born in Halifax county, Virginia, died October 25, 1909, and Augusta (Roberts) Pannill, born in Northampton county, Virginia, Decem- ber 26, 1854. now a resident of Chatham. David H. Pannill was for a time an attorney of Chatham, during the war with the states taught school, and after his retire- nient to the country spent more than ten years on an exhaustive history of the Army of Northern Virginia, a task most congenial to his scholarly mind. Children of David H. and Augusta (Roberts) Pannill: Maria E., of previous mention, married Dr. James David Jones; David Henry, a resident of Martinsville, Virginia ; Augustus Hunter, lives in Toronto, Canada ; William Banks, resides in Albemarle, North Carolina ; Samuel Roberts, lives in Martinsville, Vir- ginia. Dr. and Mrs. Jones have children : James Marion, born October 15, 1900; Stuart Pannill, February 9, 1902; George Washington, August 1, 1903 ; Mary Hunter, May 28, 1905. All four are students in the public schools of Chatham.
Charles Miller. For sixty-five years a resident of the city of Richmond, Virginia, to which city he came a lad of sixteen years. fatherless and fresh from his German home, Charles Miller in his life exemplified the value of those characteristic German traits, thrift, industry and perseverance. He was not blessed with influential friends or abun- diant capital when beginning life in a strange country, but was handicapped by lack of experience, a strange language and environ- ment. But this handicap he quickly over- came by a willingness to learn, a quick mind, retentive memory, obliging disposition and a determination to succeed. He began as an humble employee in the meat market
kept by a German, a Mr. Heckler, but five years later, on arriving at legal age, estab- lished a business of his own, beginning again in a humble way but constantly ex- panding. He continued in successful busi- ress for over half a century, prosperous, in- fluential and honored.
Charles Miller was born in Weidenberg, Germany, November 4, 1829, died in Rich- mond, Virginia, July 5, 1910, son of Fred- erick and Frances Miller. Frederick Miller was a shoemaker of Friedrichstadt, a town in Prussia in Schleswig on the Eider, where he died in 1843. Two years after his death his widow came to the United States with her children, landing in New York City, where she remained. Two of her daughters, Theresa and Frances, died in Germany, a third daughter, Christine, married and died in Wisconsin, leaving a large family. A fourth daughter, Catherine, died in Rich- mond. Virginia.
Charles Miller was educated in excellent German schools which he attended until his sixteenth year, when with his mother and sisters he came to the United States in 1845. The family remained in New York City. but Charles came to Virginia, locating in Richmond, where he found employment with a Mr. Heckler, a butcher. He remained with him five years, acquired an excellent business training, a good knowledge of the language, made many friends and saved suf- ficient capital so that on arriving at legal age to transact business for himself he was well equipped. He began business at 314 Sixth street, Richmond, in a small shop. prospered from the beginning and as busi- ness needs demanded, enlarged his quarters. He continued in business there for over fifty years, finally retiring with a generous com- petence.
During the war, 1861 to 1865, he served with the local forces for the defence of Rich- mond, but his life with that exception was devoted to private business and to the up- building of the Sixth Street Lutheran Church, of which he was a member and a strong pillar of support. Ile was a Demo- crat in politics, but took no active part in public affairs. lle was a good man, up- right, generous and helpful, devoted to his family and had many friends, whom he loved to entertain with true German hos- pitality.
Mr. Miller married, in Sixth Street Luth-
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cran Church, Richmond, in January, 1878. Fanny Johann, born in Richmond in 1852, daughter of Caspar Johann, born in Ger- muiany, but when young came to Richmond, where for thirty years he maintained a mer- chant tailoring establishment. He married Fredericka Temple, born in Goethe, Ger- many, who bore him five children, three of whom are now living, Fanny, widow of Charles Miller, Matilda and Laura, both un- married, and all residents of Richmond. Children of Charles and Fanny (Johann) Miller : Laura, born October 2, 1886; Fanny, November 10, 1888, both born in Richmond, where they now reside with their widowed mother.
Frederick Pleasants. In 1664 John Pleas- ants, the earliest known ancestor of the family, settled at Curles Neck on a grant of land received from the King of England. From the earliest days of the city of Rich- mond the family of Pleasants has been con- nected therewith, a connection beginning when the city of today was in its infancy, Joseph J. Pleasants, grandfather of Freder- ick Pleasants, having been one of the engi- neers who laid out many of the streets, parks, etc. In this time many of the family have rendered valuable and appreciated service to the city, county and state, from which high honor has come to the name.
(I) Joseph J. Pleasants was born in Goochland county, Virginia, in 1799, died in 1884. He was a planter and civil engi- neer. He and his son, George Dillwyn, platted Hollywood Cemetery before its use as a burial ground had begun. His wife was Miss Bates, who preceded him to the grave by many years, having borne him: Benjamin B., William H., Mary, George Dillwyn, of whom further, Nannie, Walter F., Julia, who now lives on the home estate, Marion Hill, in Henrico county, Virginia, which Joseph J. Pleasants bought and made his residence.
(II) George Dillwyn Pleasants, son of Joseph J. Pleasants, was born in Goochland county, Virginia, October 7, 1830, died June 21, 1904. Upon attaining man's estate he made his calling that of his father, plant- ing and surveying, being for a time asso- ciated with him in business. The greater part of his life was passed in Richmond, and here he died. He was sheriff of Hen- rico county immediately after the war be-
tween the states, and was subsequently pre- siding magistrate in the Henrico county court. His religious beliefs were those of the Society of Friends, and although his peaceful sect discountenanced war strongly, his patriotism and sense of right and jus- tice so far overruled the teachings of his faith that he served as purchasing agent for the Confederate States army. After the war he joined the Baptist church. George Dillwyn Pleasants was a man held in uni- versal high esteem, widely known and liked because of a nature so fair and generous that it defied antagonism. He married, Novem- ber 15. 1856, Martha J., daughter of Joseph Edwin Pleasants, of Goochland county, Virginia, a distant relative, and had issue, six of their twelve children now survive: Frederick, of whom further; Arthur Lee, lives in Richmond ; Irene, married John Mal- lory, deceased, of Richmond; Bertha, mar- ried Stanley B. Tyler, of Richmond ; George Dillwyn Jr., resides in St. Louis, Missouri ; Percival C., of Richmond.
(III) Frederick Pleasants, son of George Dillwyn and Martha J. ( Pleasants) Pleas- ants, was born at Marion Hill. the home- stead in Henrico county, Virginia, October 18, 1858. He was educated in the common schools of his native county. In 1879 he came to Richmond and the following year entered the fire insurance business with his father. Success has attended his efforts and he has written policies almost without num- ber, his clientele an important and influen- tial one. He is a Democrat in politics, and has served on the governor's staff under Governors O'Farrell and Tyler. He was also for many years on the City Democratic Committee. A member of the Second Pres- byterian Church, his fraternal society is the Masonic order, and in this organization he has since 1895 been treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Mr. Pleasants is an ac- tive citizen of many interests, prominent in Richmond, and a leader in movements for the improvement and advancement of the city, aiding with his time, purse and ser- vices.
Mr. Pleasants married, in Halifax county, Virginia, November 5, 1895, Emma, born in Richmond, Virginia, January 16, 1873, daughter of Clement Read and Jennie E. (Venable) Barksdale, both natives of Vir- ginia, her father born in Farmville, a to- bacco merchant, who died in Richmond in
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April, 1909, aged ninety-two years, her inother dying in 1898, aged sixty-four years.
Judge Charles E. Nicol. The Nicol pio- neer in Virginia, an officer of Frederick the Great, of Prussia, founded an estate in the Old Dominion that has been held well to- ward two centuries by his descendants, the original grant yet being held in the family. On maternal lines Judge Nicol descends from English forbears, his grandfather, John Williams, holding the office of clerk of courts, an office held in the family for over one hundred years.
Charles Edgar Nicol is a son of Judge Aylett Nicol and a grandson of Michael and Sarah (Miller) Nicol, the last-named a daughter of a wealthy farmer of Rappahan- nock county, Virginia. Judge Aylett Nicol was born in Rappahannock county, Vir- ginia, in 1822, died in 1878. 1le was a man of good education and strong character, a law- yer by profession, one time judge of Prince William county, a colonel of militia, and a land-owner. He married Mary Jane Wil- liams, who died in 1862, a lady of culture and intellectual powers.
Charles Edgar Nicol was born at Brents- ville, Prince William county, Virginia, Feb- ruary 22, 1854. and spent his early life on the home farm, where he engaged in every form of farm labor. He developed a strong body during those early years of out-door life, an asset that has never failed him. He obtained his education through his own ef- forts, earning the necessary funds as he ad- vanced in his college life. He attended pri- vate schools, Rappahannock Academy, and Richmond College, graduating in Latin, Greek and French, also being awarded the Magazine Medal of the Mu Sigma Rho fra- ternity, a prize given the best magazine writer of the college. In 1875 he attended the law school of the University of Vir- ginia, obtaining a certificate of proficiency in international and constitutional law, and winning in open contest the "debater's medal," offered by the Washington Liter- ary Society to the best speaker and debater.
During the year preceding his entrance to the university he taught school and stund- ied law. After leaving the university he was admitted to the Virginia bar and has since been continuously engaged in profes- sional work, either as practitioner or jurist. His work as an attorney has been largely de-
voted to general practice, but considerable time has been given to the law of corpo- rations and the settlement of estates. His greatest case in the latter line was the set- tlement of the large estate (six million dol- lars) left by Dr. Thomas W. Evans, the American dentist of Paris, France, further poted as the rescuer of the Empress Eu- genie, consort of Napoleon III., his efforts enabling her to escape from Paris and France when her husband lost his throne. The Evans estate consisted of property in Philadelphia, New York and Paris, Judge Nicol visiting the last-named city during the settlement.
He served in the Virginia house of dele- gates for three terms. 1879-1880, 1881-1882, and 1893-94. During the last year he made his residence in Manassas, Virginia, that be- ing his home until 1907, when he moved to Alexandria, but still retains his Manassas home. In 1893 he was elected judge of the eleventh judicial district of Virginia, a posi- tion he worthily filled for over twelve years. In 1903 he became judge of the sixteenth judicial district, but on March 4. 1907, he resigned to resume private practice.
During his professional career Judge Nicol has been in the state and federal courts of Virginia, and in Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia. He has been connected with many famous cases and ranks among the foremost men of his profession. As a jurist he was noted for the clearness and justice of his decisions and his fair treat- ment of all litigants and their attorneys. lle was held in high esteem by the mem- bers of the bar of the districts over which he presided, and was highly regarded for his judicial qualifications by his fellow- jurists. He has contributed many valuable papers to the law journals, and his decis- ions, many of them, are quoted authorities.
Judge Nicol is a member of Manassas Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a thirty-second degree Mason of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Ile is a member of the National Geographical Society, the Society for the Preservation of Virginia An- tiquities, trustee of Richmond College, trus- tee of Eastern College. member of the State and National Law associations, and other organizations social, fraternal and scien- tific. In political faith he is a Democrat. and in religious preference a Baptist. His own life has been such that his advice to
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young men is of value: "Persist in some chosen occupation, lead a simple life, es- chew bad habits and associates, form regular habits of work and exercise, cultivate faith in God and an earnest purpose to perform ever duty, however simple and humble." He is a devotee of out-door recreation, horse-back riding, driving, walking and swimming, while his favorite indoor amuse- ment is chess-playing.
Judge Nicol married (first) November 17. 1880, Marie Louise, daughter of Professor Ezra Bander, a descendant of the Garnett family of Tidewater, Virginia. She died in 1900, leaving children : Aylett Bander, born in Prince William county in 1883; Pauline, born in Brentsville, Virginia, in 1885, mar- ried, in 1912, Dr. Benjamin F. Iden, of Min- neapolis, Minnesota; Julia Carr, born in Brentsville, in 1891; Mary Louise, born in 1894; Fanny B., born in 1896. Judge Nicol married (second) August 3, 1908, Mrs. Flor- ence (De Cusac) Nash, a descendant of the De Cusac family of Charleston, South Caro- lina.
Richard Hewlett Smith is a member of an old and distinguished Maryland family, which has, however, since his father's time made its home in Richmond, Virginia, where it has become thoroughly identified with the life and traditions of that state, as it had been previously with Maryland.
(I) Mr. Smith's paternal grandfather was Anthony Smith, a prominent resident of lloward county, Maryland, where he was born in the latter part of the eighteenth cen- tury, and lived his entire life, finally dying at an advanced age. He married Anna Maria Brown, a native of Maryland.
( 11) Samuel Brown Smith, son of An- thony and Anna Maria ( Brown) Smith, was born in Rockdale, Howard county, Mary- land, in the year 1822. He passed the years of his childhood and young manhood in his native place, receiving there his education and remaining a resident until shortly after his marriage, when he removed to Virginia, hic being at that time about thirty-four years of age. He was by occupation a civil and mining engineer and followed this line of work during his life in Maryland, but upon coming to Richmond, he entered an entirely different field and accepted a position as as- sistant cashier in the National Exchange Bank, Richmond. This was in 1856, and he
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