Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V, Part 33

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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All the Jerseys aflame ! And they gave him the name Of the "Rebel high priest." He stuck in their gorge, For he loved the Lord God, and he hated King George. -BRET HARTE.

One of the sons of Rev. James Caldwell, "the rebel high priest," was taken to France and educated by Lafayette. Martha Cald- well, a niece of Rev. James Caldwell, mar- ried Patrick Calhoun, and was the mother of the famous statesman, John Caldwell Cal- houn, of South Carolina.

Caldwells have been prominent in Vir- ginia in different walks of life, public and private. In the present day they are repre- sented in New Castle, Virginia, by Dr. B. Roscoe Caldwell, a leader in the medical profession, son of John Pendleton Caldwell, and grandson of Andrew Caldwell, of Craig county, Virginia, who was the father of seven children: John Pendleton, of whom further ; Oscar, a farmer of Craig county, Virginia ; William, deceased ; Ann, Jane, Adeline, Armita.

John Pendleton Caldwell was born in Craig county in 1846. During the war be- tween the states he served for eight months in a Virginia regiment, fighting at Cedar Creek, Malvern Hill, and elsewhere. After the war he became a merchant, also was proprietor of a hotel. He was elected a member of the Virginia legislature, serving during the sessions of 1887-88. He was com- missioner of internal revenue for Craig county, assessor of taxes for New Castle, and postmaster of that city for four years, appointed by President Cleveland. He mar- ried Victoria, daughter of Daniel Hoffman, of Craig county, she born in 1852, died in October, 1910. Her brothers, Ransom. Maz- erine, Dexter and Palse, all served in the Confederate army ; Ransom, a private in the Twenty-eighth Regiment Virginia Infantry, was wounded in battle; Mazerine was sec- ond lieutenant of a regiment recruited in New Castle county, was captured with his entire company by the Union forces, con- fined in Fort Delaware, later exchanged and was in the service until the end; Dexter served during the latter part of the war in a Virginia regiment and is now a farmer of West Virginia: Palse is now residing in Portland, Oregon. Children of John Pendle- ton and Victoria (Hoffman) Caldwell: B.

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Roscoe, of further mention; Lottie Vesta, born in Craig county, married Thomas H. Hawerton, and resides at Newcastle, Penn- sylvania ; she has a son Roscoe, born there in August, 1897; Mrs. Hawerton is presi- dent of the Craig County Chapter, Daugh- ters of the Confederacy.

Dr. B. Roscoe Caldwell was born in New Castle, Craig county, Virginia, December 22, 1877. His early and academic education was obtained in public and private schools, New Castle Academy, of which he is a grad- uate, and Virginia Military Institute, at- tending the latter but one year (1897). In the autumn of 1898 he entered the Medical College of Virginia, whence he was gradu- ated Doctor of Medicine, class of 1901. He pursued post-graduate study at the Post- Graduate College and Hospital, New York, in 1901 and 1902, and at the Polyclinic Hos- pital. New York, in 1903. In 1901 he located in New Castle, Virginia, and is there well established in general practice. He is a member of the American and Virginia State Medical societies, is past master of Moun- tain Lodge, No. 163, Free and Accepted Ma- sons, is a Democrat in politics, and liberal in his religious belief.

Samuel Gardner Waller. The family of Waller, one of the most distinguished among the English gentry, was founded by Almed de Waller, a Norman who settled in the county of Kent and died in 1183. From him descended the Wallers of England and other countries. Richard Waller, of Groombridge, Kent, distinguished himself at the battle of Agincourt, where he took prisoner the French prince, the duke of Orleans. Henry V., of England, in honor of his service added the ancient arms of the family (which were sable three walnut leaves, or, between two bendlets ar. with the inscription medio tutis- simus iris), the crest. "an oak tree proper, on the sinister side an escutcheon pendant charged with the arms of France, with a label of three points," and the motto, Haec fructus virtutis.

The first to whom the Virginia family definitely traces was John Waller, M. D., a grandson of Edmund Waller, of Beacons- field, the poet. Dr. Waller, born in 1617, married Marv Key, and came from England to Virginia in 1635 and was living in 1688.

Colonel John Waller, the third son of Dr. John Waller. was born in 1673 and was styled "gentleman." He was a member of

the house of burgesses, 1719, and the first clerk of Spottsylvania county, 1722-1742. He married Dorothy King and lived on his estate, "Newport," where he died in 1754. His children were: Mary ; Edmund, the sec- ond clerk of Spottsylvania county, 1742- 1751; William, the third clerk, 1751-1759; John, the fifth clerk, 1774-1786; Thomas; Benjamin, father of the celebrated Judge Waller, of Williamsburg, Virginia.

Edmund Waller, the eldest son of Colonel John and Dorothy (King) Waller, was born in Newport, Virginia, and died in Spottsyl- vania county. He served nine years as clerk of the county, succeeding his father, the first clerk, and was in turn succeeded by his brother, then by a nephew, John, who later gave way to John (2), son of John (I), the family term of service in the clerk's office covering sixty-four years. Edmund Waller married Mary Pendleton and left issue.

Benjamin Waller, son of Edmund and Mary (Pendleton) Waller, was born in Spottsylvania county in 1749, and died at Prospect Hill in 1835, an old Virginia gentle- man. He married Jeanne, daughter of Colo- nel Rice Curtis, and left issue.

Rev. Absalom Waller, son of Benjamin and Jeanne (Curtis) Waller, was born in Spottsylvania county in 1772, and died there in 1823, an eminent minister of the Baptist church. He married, November 10, 1805, Cicely, daughter of Colonel Clough Shelton and a descendant of Lord Clough.

Dr. Nelson Samuel Waller, son of Rev. Absalom and Cicely (Shelton) Waller, was born in Spottsylvania county, Virginia, De- cember 30, 1817, and died at Prospect Hill, July 20, 1868, an eminent physician of Spott- sylvania county. He married, May 7, 1843, Mary Hampton De Jarnette, daughter of Captain Elliott and Elizabeth De Jarnette, descendant of Lady Jane Grant. She was born at Pine Forest, Spottsylvania county, Virginia, in 1820, and died at Wildwood in 1902. She was also a connection of the Hampton family, her grandmother having been a sister of the grandmother of General Wade Hampton. Children of Dr. Nelson Samuel Waller: I. Nannie, born in 1844, died in 1897, unmarried. 2. Robert Emmet, born December 10, 1846; planter, lawyer, and judge of Spottsylvania county for twen- ty-six years, and later commonwealth attor- ney ; married (first) Constance Gardner Cazanove, daughter of William G. Cazanove, of Alexandria, Virginia, and granddaughter

Se , Jarduer Taller

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of Judge Stanard, of Virginia ; no issue ; he married (second) Catherine Perkins Dew; issue: Nannie and Robert Emmet (2). 3. William Judson, born in 1847, died in 1893; was a prominent physician of North Gar- den, Albemarle county, Virginia; married (first) Bettie Hart Dew; no issue ; married (second) in 1892, Cordelia Willing Byrd; no issue. 4. Nelson Samuel (2), of whom further. 5. Absalom, born at Wildwood in 1859; a lawyer and financier ; married (first) in 1886 Anne Du Pont, of Delaware; no issue; married (second) Louise Jones, of Greensboro, Georgia ; issue, Nelson Absalom and Louise.

Nelson Samuel (2) Waller, third son of Dr. Nelson Samuel (1) and Mary Hampton (De Jarnette) Waller, was born at Spottsyl- vania, Virginia, May 23, 1850. He embraced the profession of law, is a graduate of the University of Virginia. A. B., and LL. B. He has rendered distinguished and valuable service to the cause of education in Virginia, and is also interested in agriculture. He has served his day and generation well, and is one of the eminent men of his state. He is a member of the board of visitors of Mount Vernon from the seventh Virginia district and holds membership in other societies of note. He married, in 1880, Rebecca Branson Gardner, daughter of Captain Samuel B: Gardner, and his wife, Sarah Catherine ( Allen) Gardner. Children: Samuel Gard- ner, of further mention ; Robert Allen, born in 1884. died at "Mountain Home," in 1886; Mary Roberta, born at Mountain Home, Virginia, married, in 1907. William Addison Knowles, editor of the "Rome Tribune," Rome, Georgia.

Samuel Gardner Waller, eldest son of Nelson Samuel (2) and Rebecca Branson (Gardner) Waller. was born in Front Royal, Virginia, March 26, 1882. He secured his early education in the public schools of Front Roval, attended Randolph-Macon Academy three years, 1892-94. Locust Dale Academy, 1895-97. then entered the law de- partment of the University of Virginia, whence he was graduated LL. B., class of 1903. During his university years he was much interested in athletics. particularly baseball, making the university team. He began practice in Front Royal where he is now located and established in practice in all state and Federal courts of the district. He is United States referee in bankruptcy VIR-47

for the western district of Virginia, and has ever been prominent in the political and military life of his state. In 1906 Mr. Waller was the Democratic candidate for mayor of Front Royal and was elected for a term of two years. His administration was so high- ly satisfactory to the voters that in 1908, 1910 and 1912 he was elected to succeed him- self, and is now serving his fourth consecu- tive term. His service in the Virginia Na- tional Guard began in 1903 as lieutenant of Company D, Second Regiment Virginia In- fantry. He was aide-de-camp on the staff of General C. C. Vaughn, commanding the First Virginia Brigade, and was major of the Second Regiment, resigning that rank in 1908 to accept the captaincy of Company D. Second Regiment, a company of which his grandfather had also been captain.

Major Waller is a member of the law as- sociation of his district and has contributed many weighty articles to the law journals. He is a member of the National Educational Association and of other societies, social, professional and military. His fraternity is Pi Kappa Alpha, University of Virginia chapter, and he is prominent in the Masonic order, belonging to Unity Lodge, No. 1469, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Hiram Chapter, No. 45, Royal Arch Masons ; Win- chester Commandery, No. 12, Knights Templar ; and Acca Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. In religious faith he affili- ates with the Presbyterian church. Major Waller is unmarried.

Luther Monroe Abbott, M. D. Dr. Luther Monroe Abbott, one of a distinguished fam- ily of professional men, descends from James and Elizabeth (Caper) Abbott, of Craig county, Virginia.

Sinclair Calvin Abbott, son of James and Elizabeth (Caper) Abbott, was born in Craig county, 1832, died in 1902, a carpenter and wheelwright. He served four years in the Confederate army as a private of the Fifty-fourth Virginia Regiment, enlisting from Salem, Virginia. He was engaged at the battle of Manassas and many other of the historic battles of the war, receiving a wound in the hand, which, however, did not incapacitate him for further service. He married Jane Williams, born in Craig county, Virginia, in 1842, died in 1884, daughter of Philip Williams. Children, all born in Craig county: 1. Peyton B., born

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in 1860, prepared for and practiced law but later became a minister of the Disciples of Christ and is now pastor of the church of that denomination in Winston-Salem, North Carolina ; he married Mary Etta Chaffin and has children, Mary, Ethel and Thanie Ab- bott Francis. 2. Layton, born in 1862, a graduate of Milligan College, now a prac- ticing lawyer of Roanoke, Virginia. 3.

Luther Monroe, of further mention. 4. Byrdine A., born in 1876, a graduate of Milligan College, post-graduate student of the University of Virginia, an eminent min- ister of the Disciples of Christ, was pastor of Highland Avenue Church, Baltimore, for sixteen years, and has for the past fifteen years been pastor of the Disciples of Christ church at St. Louis; is one of the leading ministers of his denomination and has won international reputation ; he was a delegate of the national convention of his church, held recently to plan a world-wide cam- paign for the extended usefulness of the Dis- ciples church, taking important part in the proceedings of the convention. 5. Wade Hampton, born in 1877, married Nanny M. Caldwell and has children, Howard Beulah, Lucy, Arthur Dean, Hazel, Roy, Arline. 6. Edna Earl, married Arthur M. Lee, de- ceased, and has children, Robert E. and Mary. 7. Elizabeth Susan, married Robert O. Lee and has a child, Arlington B. 8. Minnie B., deceased.

Dr. Luther Monroe Abbott, of New Castle, Virginia, was born in Craig county, Virginia, July 31, 1870, son of Sinclair Cal- vin and Jane (Williams) Abbott. He se- cured his primary, grammar and high school education in Craig county schools also hav- ing the advantage of instruction under pri- vate tutors. He chose medicine as his pro- fession and in 1895 entered Baltimore Medi- cal College, whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1896. He served for one year at Maryland General Hospital as interne, then returned to his native county of Craig, where he has since been in general county practice. In 1908 he located in New Castle, the capital of Craig county, and has since continued his practice from that point. He is highly regarded as a skillful physician, his practice also extending to minor surgical cases. He is a member of Marion Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and the Royal Arcanum, is independent in politics and re- ligious views.

Dr. Abbott married, in 1891, Josephine Rider, born August 18, 1870, daughter of Fanatam and Julia (Wilmore) Rider. Chil- dren : Mattie Kathleen, born March 15, 1893; Edward Sinclair, May 7, 1896; Sidney Hampton, August 15, 1901 ; Richard Wil- liam, May 20, 1904.

Colonel James David Johnston. The Johnston family, now represented in Roa- noke, Virginia, by Colonel James David Johnston, the well known attorney, was Scotch-Irish. They migrated from Annan- dale, Scotland, into Ireland during the re- ligious persecutions and after the fall of Londonderry. Sir Walter Scott refers to the clan in the following words :

Within the bounds of Annandale The gentle Johnstons ride; They have been here a thousand years, And a thousand more they'll bide.

Among the relatives of Mr. Johnston who have been noted for their public service were his paternal great-uncle, James Johnston, who served in the Continental army during the war of the revolution, and was with General Washington at Valley Forge. One of his maternal uncles, the Hon. I. C. Fow- ler, was speaker of the house of delegates of Virginia in 1877-78. Another maternal uncle was Allen Fowler, who served as a colonel in the Confederate army, and later became distinguished as a physician at Salt Lake City, Utah.

The American ancestor of Colonel John- ston was David Johnston, who came from Enniskillen, Fermanagh county, Ireland, in 1736, and settled in Culpeper county, Vir- ginia ; in 1778 he removed to Giles county in the same state. His son, Colonel Andrew Johnston, was a business man of great abil- ity, and his interests were extensive, and in many lines. He earned his commission while in service in the Mexican war. He married Jane Henderson.

Hon. James David Johnston, son of Colo- nel Andrew and Jane (Henderson) Johnston, was a student in Emory and Henry Col- lege, which conferred upon him the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. He then studied law under private tuition, was admitted to the bar, and was a prominent lawyer all his life. For nine years he served Giles county as commonwealth attorney, at last refusing re-election. He served two

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terms in the Virginia house of delegates. and refused nomination for Congress. For many years he was district counsel for the Norfolk & Western Railroad Company. For a considerable number of years he was a member of the board of trustees of Emory and Henry College, and his death occurred at Roanoke. November 15, 1897. He mar- ried Mary Ann, daughter of Dr. Thomas and Priscilla Breckenridge (Chapman) Fowler, and granddaughter of Isaac Chap- man, of Giles county, Virginia. Dr. Thomas Fowler was a direct descendant of the Eng- lish Fowlers, there having been a lord may- or of London, and an English Episcopal bishop among them.

Colonel James David Johnston, son of HIon. James David and Mary Ann (Fowler) Johnston, was born in the town of Pearis- burg, Giles county, Virginia, September 16, 1869. His preparatory education was ac- quired in the private schools, grammar and high schools of his native county, and he then entered Emory and Henry College Upon leaving this, he became a student at Randolph-Macon College, at Ashland, Virginia, and from there went to the law department of the University of Virginia, from which he was graduated in the class of June. 1893. the degree of Bachelor of Laws being conferred upon him. He at once es- tablished himself in the practice of his pro- fession in Roanoke, Virginia, and since that time has been actively identified with the legal profession in a variety of capacities. His ability was soon recognized, and he rose rapidly in his profession, and received many important commissions. He is counsel for the Norfolk & Western Railway in Giles county ; was one of the organizers and a director in the People's National Bank of Roanoke. until its consolidation with the National Exchange Bank.

In July, 1901, he was elected a member of the city council of Roanoke, was presi- dent of this honorable body in 1903, and served until 1904. when he was tendered re- election, but refused to serve another term Since the fall of 1908 he has been president of the Roanoke Anti-Saloon League, and has been active throughout the state and before legislative bodies, and one of the most in- fluential men in securing the passage of the pending State Enabling Act. He is vice- president and director of the Yost-Huff Company, one of the leading implement firms of Roanoke, and a director of Hix-

Palmer Company and the Roanoke Iron and Bridge Works. Mr. Johnston is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association of Roanoke, and has been a director in it. He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Brotherhood of the Trinity Methodist Church, and is steward, and a member of the board of trustees of the church. He is a fluent and eloquent speaker, and was the orator at the unveiling of the Giles County Confederate Monument. August 8, 1908, and the Tazewell Memorial Celebration. July 3. 19II.

Colonel Johnston was a member of the staff of Governor Mann. He is also a mem- ber of the board of trustees of the Medical College of Virginia. While at college he was a prominent member of the Kappa Sig- ma fraternity, and organized chapters at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia ; and at Randolph-Macon, Ashland, Virginia. He was elected as a delegate to four national conventions of the Kappa Sig- ma fraternity-Baltimore, St. Louis, New Orleans and New York City.

Colonel Johnston married, June 7. 1913, Elizabeth Sinclair, a daughter of Judge Stafford G. and Ruth (Drewry) Whittle, of Martinsville, Virginia. He has traveled ex- tensively, both in this country and in Eu- rope, and is a charming conversationalist. He is fond of outdoor sports of various kinds, and in them finds his chief form of recreation. In connection with this he is a inember of the Roanoke Country Club. At the centennial celebration of the organiza- tion of Giles county, held May 12, 1906. Colonel Johnston was one of the most popu- lar orators of the day, and his oration won well merited applause.

Joel Cutchins Rawls, M. D. A graduate M. D. since 1909, Dr. Rawls in the five years he has been practicing compressed into that short period an experience in two southern states, Florida and Virginia, his medical educations having been obtained in a third state, Maryland. He is, however, of Vir- ginia birth and family, Nansemond county, the family seat. A resident since 1912 he has rapidly established in public favor as an honorable and skillful practitioner.

Dr. Rawls is a grandson of Randolph and Christie Rawls, of Nansemond county, Vir- ginia, the former a farmer of Dutch ancestry. He is a son of Robert Rawls, born in Nanse- mond county, Virginia, in 1844. yet a farmer

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of his native county. He is a veteran of the Confederacy, serving as a private in Com- pany I, of Suffolk, his company and regi- ment attached to General Mahone's division. He was shot through the thumb in battle, the same bullet passing through his cloth- ing, making several holes, but no further wounds. He is a member of Gillette Camp, United Confederate Veterans. He married Dianna Cutchins, born in Nansemond county, Virginia, in 1848, and died June, 1907, daughter of John A. and Tracey (Odell) Cutchins. Children : I. James T., now superintendent of Phosphates Mines in Florida ; married Molly Lawrence, of Vir- ginia. 2. Susan, married Professor J. R. L. Johnson, of the Franklin, Virginia, High School; residence, Franklin, Virginia; chil- dren: J. R. L., Jr., and Robert Bruce. 3. John A., married (first) Lora May, child, John L .; married (second) Colly Ellis, of Portsmouth, Virginia; children: James, Robert Addison and Margaret; he is a farmer of Nansemond county, Virginia. 4. Odell, married John Paul Jones, and has Robert E., Eugenie, Lelia ; residence Frank- lin, Virginia. 5. Charles Randolph, married Garrie Jones, and has Elizabeth R., Charles Randolph (2) ; farmer in Nansemond coun- ty, Virginia. 6. Christian, unmarried; re- sides in Nansemond county, Virginia. 7. Joel Cutchins, of whom forward. 8. Robert Paine, married Roberta Fristoe, of Suffolk. 9. Solomon Waite, attended William and Mary College, member of Theta Delta Chi; automobile dealer in Franklin, Nansemond county, Virginia. 10. Mabel, unmarried.

Dr. Joel Cutchins Rawls, of Franklin, Virginia, was born in Nansemond county, Virginia, August 15, 1883, son of Robert and Dianna (Cutchins) Rawls. He obtained his early education in the public schools, then for three years attended Franklin Academy. He then for three years pursued an academic course at William and Mary College, 1902 to 1905. In the latter year he began his professional education at the Uni- versity of Maryland, whence he was grad- uated M. D. in the class of 1909. After re- ceiving his degree Dr. Rawls began practice at Crystal River, Florida, remaining two years, then returned to Virginia, locating at Franklin, Southampton county, the seat of Franklin Male Academy and Franklin Fe- male Seminary. His practice is general in character and is increasing as his ability is

becoming more widely known. Dr. Rawls is modern in his methods of treatment and keeps abreast with the latest medical thought by close association with his pro- fessional brethren by membership in the medical societies. He belongs to the Vir- ginia Medical, Southern Medical, Southamp- ton County Medical, and South Side Medi- cal societies. and American Medical Asso- ciation; the South Side Medical Society is composed of the physicians of fifteen Vir- ginia counties. He is active in these asso- ciations and has read several carefully pre- pared papers before them on subjects of medical importance. He is also a member of the Theta Delta Chi academic fraternity and Phi Chi medical fraternity. He is a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Baptist church.

Dr. Rawls married, June 28, 1911, Ella Guthrie, daughter of James Henry and Lelia (Wright) Guthrie, of Lynchburg, Vir- ginia.

Virginius Randolph Shackelford. The life of Virginius Randolph Shackelford, with its record of carnest and unwavering effort, should be an inspiration and an encourage- ment to every young man acquainted with it. The degree of prestige he has achieved in a short space of time is truly remarkable, and he is highly esteemed by his colleagues at the bar. He is a descendant of a family to which some lines must be devoted.

The Shackelfords of Huguenot descent, originally settled in Gloucester county, Vir- ginia, and in the early half of the eighteenth century one branch of the family removed to Culpeper county, in the same state.

Benjamin Howard Shackelford, grand- father of Virginius Randolph Shackelford, was a noted member of the Warrenton bar, and during the civil war became captain of the Warrenton Rifles, Fourteenth Virginia Infantry, Confederate army. He was a bril- liant man, of fine physique. He married Rebecca B., daughter of James Green, de- scendant of Robert Green, who came to this country from Ireland in 1710, settled in Orange county, Virginia (in that portion which was afterwards cut off and called Cul- peper), and there died in 1736.

George Scott Shackelford, son of Benja- min Howard and Rebecca B. (Green) Shackelford, was born in Warrenton, Fau- quier county, Virginia, December 12, 1856.

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Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V, Part 33

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