Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V, Part 21

Author: Tyler, Lyon Gardiner, 1853-1935, ed. cn
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 848

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continued in the banking business until his death in 1871. Upon the organization of the First National Bank of Richmond, in connection with which Mr. Smith, Sr., had been very active, he was offered the posi- tion of cashier, the first of that institution, and accepted, holding the same until the end of his life. Upon the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted in the Army of the Confederacy, and served on the ambulance corps, seeing very difficult and perilous service therein. Before coming to Virginia, while yet a resident of Maryland, he had met Margaret Strother, a native of Rich- mond, Virginia, where she was born Feb- ruary 3, 1830, and to this young lady he was married in Richmond, October 18, 1855. Mrs. Samuel Brown Smith was the daugh- ter of William Porter Strother, born Febru- ary 14, 1798, died April 23, 1874, and a granddaughter of John Strother, born in 1771, died in 1805. The Strother family is an old and distinguished Virginia house, long identified with the history and tradi- tions of the state. John Strother married Catherine Fox Price, June 25, 1793. Sam- utel Brown Smith had three brothers and two sisters, the names of the former being William Henry, Rinaldo P. and George. To Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brown Smith were born six children, as follows: William Strother, now a captain in the United States navy ; Richard Hewlett, of whom further ; Sydney Elizabeth ; Henry Meredith; Sam- uel Burns ; Samuel Brown, Jr. ; the last four named being now deceased.

(III) Richard Hewlett Smith, second child of Samuel Brown and Margaret (Strother) Smith, was born July 27, 1859, in Richmond, Virginia. In this city of heroic and tragic associations he passed his boyhood, receiving his education in the pri- vate schools, and enjoying the influence of his father's cultured home. Always of a sensitive temperament, the traditions of his native region and of his family exerted a strong influence upon him in the moulding of his character, and perhaps there is no part of the United States in which the rec- ord of our great past is valued so highly, or plays so important and immediate a part in the formation of the present generation, as in Virginia. His own grandfather, the An- thony Smith already mentioned, was a man of high military record, whose service in the war of 1812 was of a very distinguished

VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

haracter. He was a personal friend of the larquis de Lafayette, who embraced him n his visit to the United States. His sword Iso was hung up as a memento in Rockdale. These accounts and others of a similar ature affected the boy's youthful imagina- ion potently, and developed in him a love f the old gracious courtesies which marks im to this day. After attending the private chools of Richmond for a number of years, e took a course of more advanced studies n the University School of the same city, here he distinguished himself notably and rew the favorable regard of his professors nd instructors upon himself. When he had eached the age of seventeen years he left chool and accepted a position as deputy reasurer in the office of the city treasurer. lere he remained for a period of four years, erforming his duties in a highly creditable manner, but at the end of that time decided n embark on an enterprise of his own in a mercantile line. He accordingly engaged a wholesale grain business, under the rm name of Richard H. Smith. At the nd of four years, however, he received an xcellent offer from the Planters' National Bank to take a position with them as dis- ount clerk, which Mr Smith promptly mbraced. This was in the year 1884, and Ir. Smith remained in this service until 891, when in January he became the cashier f the Security Savings Bank. This post id not last much above a year, however, or in April of the following year, 1892, the 'lanters' National Bank offered him the ame position, cashier, in that institution, nd he returned to it. On April 15. 1892, took up his new duties and has continued n that capacity up to the present time 1914). On January 10, 1911, the office of ice-president was added to that of cashier recognition of the invaluable services he as rendered the bank, so that his position now a double one. Mr. Smith's business areer has been a brilliant one, and his finan- ial prominence is great in Richmond, recog- ized throughout a much larger circle than hat represented merely by his own bank. le combines with an unimpeachable record or integrity the two cardinal qualifications or a successful banker or business man generally, an alert and progressive mind eady to take advantage of opportunities as hey arise, and a conservative judgment to

distinguish between good and spurious op- portunities.

Mr. Smith married, October 18, 1882, in Markham, Fauquier county, Virginia, Mary Douthat Barton, a native of Fauquier coun- ty, born August 26, 1860. Mrs. Smith is the daughter of Charles Marshall and Ellen Harvie (Marshall ) Barton, of Fauquier county. Charles Marshall Barton was born in Winchester, Virginia, in 1833. He en- listed in Cutshaw Battery in the Confed- erate army during the civil war, and had at- tained the rank of first lieutenant at the time of his death. He was killed while gal- lantly fighting at the second battle of Win- chester in 1863. falling thus, as it were. at his own doorstep. His wife, Mrs. Barton. who was a granddaughter of John Marshall (chief justice), was born in Richmond, but is now a resident of Markham, Fauquier county, at the age of seventy-five years. To Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hewlett Smith have been born five children, as follows: Mar- shall Barton, born August 29, 1883, now a resident of Markham. Fanquier county : Sydney Strother. born August 19. 1887 ; Ellen Harvie, born September 26, 1891 : Richard Hewlett, Jr., January 19, 1894: David Barton, who died when but eleven months old. With the exception of Mar- shall B., whose residence has been men- tioned, the remainder all live in Richmond. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Episcopal church, and attend the Church of the Good Shepherd of Forest Hill, a suburb of Richmond, Mr. Smith being the senior warden. They are active in church work, materially supporting its many benevo- lences, and are rearing their children in the same faith.

Charles W. Mugler. The present incum- bent of the office of postmaster of Newport News. Virginia, Charles W. Mugler, is a native of the Old Dominion, has had an active business career in this state, for the past fifteen years has been prominent in the public life of the city he now serves as post- master, and in every respect is a representa tive Virginian and responsible man of affairs.

Philip Mugler, father of Charles W. Mug- ler, was born in Dernorainee, Alsace Lor- raine, France, in 1824, and as a youth of thirteen years immigrated to the United

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States, settling in New Bedford, Massachu- setts. When a young man he shipped on a whaling vessel about to sail for the South Falkland Islands, and was absent on this trip for three years, upon his return obtain- ing employment in a cotton mill in Massa- chusetts. After a short time spent in this manner he learned the painter's trade, mov- ing to Richmond, Virginia, later making his home in Orange, Virginia. In this latter place he resided until his death, busily en- gaged at his calling, gaining a modest ma- terial competence. He married Lucy M., daughter of Joseph and Susan (Kenzer) Fandree, and had issue: 1. Hamlet Marion, a retired merchant of Hampton, Virginia, married Minnie Guy and has one child, Marion. 2. Philip Joseph, married Laura Davis. 3. Christopher Columbus, born July 29, 1867, married, September 28, 1897, Annie Kenney, and has: Guy, born in 1900, John Philip, born in 1901, and Harry, born in 1904; Mr. Mugler is a dry goods merchant of Phoebus, Virginia. 4. Charles W., of whom further. 5. John Edward. 6. Cath- erine M., born in 1872, died in 1900, married Frank Souder ; their daughter, Martha, mar- ried John E. Bully.

Charles W. Mugler, son of Philip and Lucy M. (Fandree) Mugler, was born in Orange, Orange county, Virginia, in 1869, and when a boy attended Professor Schwartz's school, completing his studies in a business college in Fredericksburg, Vir- ginia. Under his father's instruction he be- came a painter and decorator, specializing in interior work, and followed this line in Orange for several years, then going to New York in the pursuit of the same busi- ness. After two years in the latter city Mr. Mugler returned South, and in Newport News and Hampton was associated in busi- ness with his brother, Hamlet Marion, a shoe merchant. It has been one of Mr. Mug- ler's lifelong traits that in whatever associa- tion lie meets men he possesses the happy faculty of making them feel that he is their friend and of attracting them to him as his friends. The popularity that he had gained during his residence in Newport News and the high regard in which he was held by his fellows found expression in his election, in 1901, to the office of high constable, to which he was reelected four years later, at the expiration of his first term. At the end of his second term, in 1909, he was the can-

didate of his party, the Democratic, for sheriff of Newport News, and was elected for a four years term. He filled the latter office until January 1, 1914, and soon after descending from office was appointed, May 4, 1914, postmaster of Newport News by President Wilson.

If the good wishes of a host of friends have power to make his administration of his federal office a success, little will be left undone that should be accomplished, and judging on the surer basis of his past per- formances in important public place, ability, fidelity, and energy will characterize his official actions. Mr. Mugler is a communi- cant of the Baptist church, and holds mem- bership in the Chamber of Commerce, the Postmasters' Association, the Masonic order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Improved Order of Red Men.

Charles W. Mugler married, in 1895, Lil- lian E. Watson, and has issue: Hilda Vir- ginia, born November 11, 1896; Charles W., Jr., born January 5, 1900; Samuel Watson, born November 14, 1904; Catherine Louise, born in July, 1906.

Charles Wesley Pritchett, M. D. A prac- ticing physician of Danville, Virginia, since 1898, Dr. Pritchett brought to that city a wide experience gained in hospital work and private practice in different localities. Of Virginia birth and ancestry his career re- flects credit upon his state, while the lives of his ancestors spent in professional, agri- cultural and business pursuits have been uniformly honorable and successful.

Charles Wesley Pritchett, M. D., was born at Mount Cross, Pittsylvania county, Virginia, July 1, 1864, son of Charles Wes- ley (1) Pritchett and grandson of William Edward Pritchett, a school teacher of Prince Edward county, Virginia, who married a Miss Read and died at the age of fifty years.

Charles Wesley (1) Pritchett was born November, 1826, died October 30, 1906. He was a farmer by occupation. He served during the last two years of the war with the states in the Thirty-eighth Regiment Virginia Infantry, Pickett's division; was engaged in several battles, taken prisoner and for some time confined in the Federal Prison at Point Lookout. The family were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and active workers in the church and Sunday school. Mr. Pritchett married

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Lydia A. Robertson, born 1831, died De- cember 3, 1893, the mother of eight chil- dren, as follows: William Nathaniel, a farmer of Pittsylvania county; Anna Ger- trude, died in 1898, the widow of J. R. Breedlove; Ida Virginia, now Mrs. C. D. Ramsey, of Danville; Charles Wesley (2) ; Emma Celeste, now Mrs. J. S. Reynolds, of Witt, Virginia ; J. Howard, of Keeling, Vir- ginia ; Charles, died in infancy ; Rosa, died in infancy ; Charles Wesley, mentioned be- low.

Dr. Charles Wesley (2) Pritchett grew up at the Pritchett homestead farm, and ob- tained his early education in the local schools. He then attended Whitmell graded school, later entering Richmond College. Having decided upon the profession of medi- cine as his lifework, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, whence he was graduated Doc- tor of Medicine, class of 1886. He then served as resident physician at the Ma- ternity Hospital, Baltimore, beginning pri- vate practice at Keeling, Pittsylvania coun- ty, Virginia, in 1887. He continued there in successful practice for twelve years, be- coming most favorably known as a skillful, honorable physician. In 1898 he located in Danville, Virginia, his present field of prac- tice. Dr. Pritchett has kept in closest touch with all modern medical thought and dis- covery by membership in the best medical societies, and by frequent post-graduate courses at the leading hospitals of Balti- more, New York and Philadelphia. In 1895 and 1896 he took courses at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore ; in 1898 at Philadelphia and the New York Polyclinic; in 1903-04 at Philadelphia, and in 1906 again in New York. He is a member of the American Medical Association ; is an ex-vice-president of the Virginia State Medical Association, and ex-president of the Danville Academy of Medicine. He is a specialist in gynecol- ogy and electrical therapeutics, although his practice is general in character. Highly re- garded as a physician Dr. Pritchett has at- tained high standing among business men and is also prominent in the activities of Dan- ville. He is visiting physician to Danville General Hospital; president of the city board of health; director of the Virginia National Bank ; director in the Acme Laun- dry Company, and interested in other Dan- VIA-43

ville enterprises. In political faith he is a Democrat, and in religion a Baptist, belong- ing to the First Church of Danville. He is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, belonging to Lodge, Chapter, Council, Com- mandery and Shrine, and is a past eminent commander of Dove Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templar, of Danville. His clubs are the Tuscarora and Elks.

Dr. Pritchett married at Keeling, Vir- ginia, December 12, 1888, S. Clay Keesee, born in that place, November 1, 1873, daugh- ter of Peyton Keesee, a farmer and native of the same county. Peyton Keesee was an artilleryman in the Confederate army, serv- ing throughout the entire four years of the war between the states. He married Sallie Perry, who survives him and resides at the old home farm. He died in May, 1909, aged seventy-four years. Children of Dr. Pritchett : Charles Bernard, born October 10, 1889, a graduate of Washington and Lee Univer- sity, Bachelor of Arts, 1912, now a student at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, class of 1916; Eunice Clay, born February 7. 1893, graduate of Roanoke Institute for Young Women, Bachelor of Science, class of 1911, and later a student at Sweet Briar College ; now residing at home.

The Taylor Family. Fintrie parish, coun- ty of Sterling, Scotland, a locality known to travelers by the "Loup of Fintrie," a beauti- ful cascade nearby, was the birthplace of John Taylor, the progenitor of his branch of the family in America. He was born in March, 1694, and died in Norfolk, Virginia, October 25, 1744. He was the son of James and Christian (Adam) Taylor, whose lives were spent in their native land. The year of John Taylor's arrival in America is not known. The coat-of-arms which he bore is preserved on his tombstone in St. Paul's Churchyard, Norfolk. Virginia. No record is preserved of whom he married, but he was the father of two sons, James and John.

(II) John (2) Taylor, son of John (I) Taylor, was born in Virginia, in 1741. and died in 1772. He married Sarah, daughter of Robert and Johanna (Corbin) Tucker (the Tucker family mentioned elsewhere in this work) and to them was born an only son, James.

(III) James Taylor, son of John (2) and Sarah (Tucker) Taylor, was born in Vir-

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ginia, 1770, died June II, 1826. He was a commission merchant and importer, trading with the West Indies. He married, in 1799, his first cousin, Sarah, daughter of Thomas and Martha (Tucker) Newton. Among their children was a son, Tazewell.

(IV) Tazewell Taylor, son of James and Sarah (Newton) Taylor, the Nestor of the Norfolk and Portsmouth bar, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, January 30, 1810, died October 22, 1875. His preliminary educa- tion was acquired under private tutors, and subsequently he was a student in William and Mary College and University of Vir- ginia, graduating with high honors in the class of 1829. For a few months he studied law under Judge St. George Tucker, and be- fore attaining his majority had passed his examination and entered upon the practice of the profession which for forty-five years he graced with all the admirable qualities of his heart and mind. In the profession of his choice he rose rapidly, meeting with suc- cess, and soon made himself recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the state. Never aspiring to political reputation, he was but rarely a candidate for any office within the gift of the people, but served in the constitutional convention of 1849-50 with great credit and distinction, adding new lustre to an already well-earned repu- tation, that of having but few equals in his profession as a lawyer. Possessed of a re- markably quick perception, fine reasoning power, without the slightest tint of sophis- try, and great fluency, he was equally strong before court and jury.

As a business man he was remarkable for judgment, fidelity and unswerving integrity, and he was eminently successful. He was active in church affairs, represented the dio- cese of Virginia in the general convention of the Protestant Episcopal church several times, and was for forty years trustee and vestryman of Christ Church in Norfolk, Virginia. In private life the beauty of his character was most manifest. As a husband, father and brother, he was kind, indulgent and warmly affectionate ; as a friend he was true and faithful ; a Christian gentleman in the truest sense of the word. Unassuming in manner, genial and kindly in disposition, frank and manly in spirit, and ever accessi- ble to all.

Mr. Taylor married April 19, 1838, Anna Robinson Dickson, born in 1814, died in

1904. Children: I. Tazewell, born in 1841, died in 1843. 2. Angelina D., born in 1842, died in 1911. 3. Sallie Loyall, born October 8, 1843, of whom further. 4. James Her- ron, born November 28, 1845, died in 1850. 5 Frederick Southgate, born December 16, 1847, died February 13, 1896; married, No- vember 12, 1873, Bessie Peyton Brooke, and had children: Tazewell, married Anne Mc- Caw, and has Tazewell, Jr., and William McCaw; Ashby Brooke, married Mabel Pet- tit, and has Aileen, Anna Robinson, Ashby Brooke, Jr .; Frederick Southgate, Jr., mar- ried Nanci Whitman, and has Southgate Whitman ; Anna Robinson, born July 7, 1878, married, November 18, 1903, Robert Wilkinson; Mary Zollikofer, died in in- fancy ; Lewis Selden, born 1890. 6. Louisa Leonard, of whom further.

(V) Sallie Loyall Taylor, daughter of Tazewell and Anna Robinson (Dickson) Taylor, was born October 8, 1843. She mar- ried (first) June 1, 1864, Rev. James Robert Hubard, born November II, 1838, died Feb- ruary 25, 1896. He was a son of James Rob- ert and Jane (Thompson) Hubard. In early manhood he began his preparation for the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal church, his first charge after his ordination being at Chestertown, Maryland, and in 1866 he came to Warrenton, Virginia. In 1871 he was called to the rectorship of the Church of the Incarnation, Washington, D. C., where he remained three years, but failing health caused him to seek rest in Europe. In 1876 he became rector of Christ Church, Winchester, Virginia, where he spent ten happy and useful years. His health again failing so that he could not take up the arduous duties as rector of a parish he was made secretary to the commission on the work for colored people and also assisted during the Lenten season the Rev. Dr. Bar- ten and the Rev. Dr. Eccleston. For four years before his death he served as rector of St. Thomas' Church, Berkley, Virginia. A short time before being called to the rec- torship of the latter church he was ap- proached in regard to his attitude toward accepting the presidency of William and Mary College, but declined its consideration on account of poor health. He was held in high esteem by his brothers of the cloth, a minister with the noblest conception of his ecclesiastical responsibilities. He was rigid in his adherence to the creed of the Protes-

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tant Episcopal church and forms of the prayer book, and was a strict construction- ist. His funeral was attended by thirty clergymen, a fine tribute to the regard in which he was held by those who labored with him in the Christian ministry. Chil- dren of Rev. and Mrs. Hubard: I. James Leighton, born March 16, 1865; married, June 10, 1902, Elizabeth McDonald Lauder. 2. Tazewell Taylor, born October 20, 1866; married, November 12, 1895, Elizabeth Mal- lory Cannon, and has Tazewell Taylor, Jr., born May 24, 1902, and James Douglass, born March 31, 1910. 3. Taylor Holliday, born September 30, 1878, died July 28, 1879. Mrs. Hubard married (second) February 29, 1908, Henry Northrup Castle.

(V) Louisa Leonard Taylor, daughter of Tazewell and Anna Robinson (Dickson) Taylor, was born July 25, 1853. Since its organization, twenty-five years ago, she has served as president of the women's auxiliary of the board of missions of the Protestant Episcopal church in the diocese of Southern Virginia, and is the directress of the Nor- folk branch of the Association for the Pres- ervation of Virginia Antiquities. She mar- ried, in 1908, John D. Letcher, born in Lex- ington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, son of John and Mary Susan Letcher. He was graduated from the Virginia Military Insti- tute in the class of 1873, receiving from that institution the degree of Bachelor of Science, and from the University of Arkansas the de- gree of Civil Engineer. He became inter- ested in educational work, and for two years was an assistant professor at his alma mater, and was then successfully engaged at the following institutions : Mobile Military Academy; Danville high school, of which he was principal; University of Arkansas, and University of Oregon, and was also pro- fessor and acting president of the Oregon Agricultural College. At the University of Arkansas he filled the chair of civil engi- neering, and at the University of Oregon was professor of mathematics. He then re- tired from the pedagogical profession, and became chief engineer of the Ohio & North- western railroad, filling that position with the ability that comes of wide knowledge. He has been as successful in practical engi- neering as in his teaching of its principles, and at the head of the engineering depart- ment was a trusted employee of the Ohio & Northwestern railroad. Mr. Letcher

affiliates with Mountain City Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is a communi- cant of the Protestant Episcopal church in Norfolk, Virginia.

Lee Ashby Gay. This is a familiar name in Southampton county, Virginia, father and son both native born sons, having spent many years in the public service of the county, the father as clerk of courts, the son as town of Franklin recorder.

William Gay, grandfather of Lee Ashby Gay, of Franklin, was a farmer in the county, and on the maternal side as well as the paternal side the family is an old and honored one. Littleton Allen Gay, son of William Gay, was born in Southampton county, Virginia, in 1842, and died October 4. 1904. He was a farmer of his native county all his life, his term as clerk of courts and his service in the Confederate army be- ing the only interruptions. He was a lieu- tenant in Company D, Third Regiment Vir- ginia Infantry attached to Pickett's division of Longstreet's corps. He was wounded in one of the later battles of the war, having his knee cap shattered and was recuperating iti a hospital at Danville, Virginia, at the time of the surrender at Appomattox. After the war he returned to the farm, was later elected clerk of the circuit court, and for eight years most satisfactorily performed the duties connected with that office. He was a member of Gillette Camp, United Confederate Veterans; a communicant of the Baptist church, and a man held in high esteem by all who knew him. He married Rosa Mary, daughter of Captain William Bryant. Lieutenant Gay had two brothers in the Confederate army, Joseph Powell Gay, who enlisted when but sixteen years of age, and William Gay, also of Company A, who was killed in a skirmish with the Federals. A brother of Mrs. Gay, James Fenton Bryant, was also a Confederate sol- dier. Children of Littleton Allen and Rosa Mary Gay : 1. Ann Betty, born in Franklin county, unmarried. 2. Joseph Barnum, born in Southampton county, Virginia, in 1874, married Annie Lee Gardner and has a son, Joseph Barnum (2). 3. Rosa Mary, born in Southampton county, Virginia, married Benjamin Holt, and has a son Douglas. 4. Lee Ashby, of whom forward.

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Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V, Part 21

Author: Tyler, Lyon Gardiner, 1853-1935, ed. cn Publication date: 1915 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company Number of Pages: 848

Author: Tyler, Lyon Gardiner, 1853-1935, ed. cn
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 848