Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V, Part 37

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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The Fox and Dinneen families belong to what is called the line of Heremon in Irish genealogy, the other lines to which the an- cient Milesian families belong being those of Heber, Ir, and Ithe. The line of Here- mon is, however, much the most distin- guished of the group and it is to this line that most of the monarchs of Ireland be- long. Heremon was the seventh son of Mi- lesius of Spain, the semi-mythical character

to which most of the genealogies of Ireland are referred parallel to the Greek use of a similar godlike character, but he is the third of the three sons who left any issue. From Heremon were descended the kings, nobil- ity, and gentry of the kingdoms or princi- palities of Connaught, Dalriada, Leinster, Meath, Orgiall, Ossory, of Scotland since the fifth century, of Ulster since the fourth, and of England since the reign of King Henry II. down to the present time. "The House of Heremon," writes O'Callaghan. "from the number of its princes, or great families, from the multitude of its distin- guished characters, as laymen or churchmen, from the extensive territories acquired by those belonging to it, at home or abroad, or in Alba (Scotland ) as well as in Eirinn ( Ire- land)-was regarded as by far the most illustrious ; so much so according to the best native authority, that it would be as reason- able to affirm that one pound was equal to one hundred pounds in value as it would be to compare any other line to that of Here- mon."

It is interesting to trace the line of pedi- gree of the Fox family from one of its chief ancestors, the monarch, Niall of the Nine Hostages, to the point where the Dinneen branch shoots forth, if only to note the lit- any of warriorlike names. Niall of the Nine Hostages, living in the early part of the fifth century. A. D., was 126th high monarch of Ireland, and figures as No. 87 on the Fox or Mac Sionnaighe (fox) pedigree. The son of Niall in the direct line was Main, and his son was Brecan. The son of Brecan was Brannan and his son was Aodh or Hugh. Bladhmhach, the son of Hugh had a brother named Aongus who was ancestor of the Loughnan or Loftus family of Meath. From Bladhmhach the direct line from son to son was as follows: Congall (son of Bladhm- hach), Colla, Giolla Brighid, Maolbeanach- tach or Benedict, Tagan and Beice. This Beice had three warrior brothers, Doigh- nain, Cearnachan and Gabhtach, and it was from this Doighnain, son of Tagan, and brother of Beice, that the Dinneen and Din- nan families descend and derive their sur- name. Few kings have been more cele- brated in history and legend than Niall of the Nine Hostages, descendant at the sev- enth remove from the renowned Conn of the Hundred Battles, also high king, ancestor of the Dinneen and Fox families. as well as of many of the royal and princely families

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of Europe. Niall was twice married, his first queen being Inne, the daughter of Laughdheach, who was the relict of Fia- cadh ; and his second queen was Roigneach. This Niall succeeded his uncle Crimthann. He was a stout, wise, and warlike prince, and was fortunate in his conquests. He was called Niall Naoi-Ghiallach "Of the Nine Hostages" from the royal hostages taken from the nine countries by him subdued and made tributary: Munster; Leinster; Con- acht; Ulster; Britain; the Picts; the Dal- riads : the Saxons; and the Morini, a people ot France towards Calais and Picardy, when he marched with his victorious legions of Irish, Scots, Picts and Britons further into France to aid the kindred Gauls in expelling the Roman eagles, as described by Tacitus. Niall was slain on the banks of the River Leor (now Lianne) in France, the spot is still called the "Ford of Niall." It was in one of Niall's expeditions to France, that Patrick was first brought as a slave to Ire- land, with many thousand other prisoners as he describes in his "Confession."

Michael Archibald Dinneen, descended from this historic Dinneen family, was educated in the parochial schools of Balti- more, Maryland, and at Calvert Hall Col- lege, Baltimore, Maryland. After leaving school he went into the insurance business, and became an agent in Maryland. He came to New York City in 1908 and is now in the insurance business with Whilden and Hancock, at 95 William street. Mr. Din- neen is a member of the society of Elks, and of the Southern Society of New York City. He is a Catholic in religion, and a Democrat in politics. His brothers and sisters are: I. John Houston Dinneen, born at Ashland, . where he pursued a post-graduate course Virginia, January 1, 1883, now in the in- from 1906 to 1911. Dr. Grice is one of the most able bacteriologists of the state of Vir- ginia, and since 1900 has enjoyed a large practice in his native city. He is a member of the Norfolk County Medical Association, the State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association, and is chair- man of the Public Health Association of Portsmouth. He is a vestryman of St. Thomas (Protestant Episcopal) Church, and of Grice Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. of Portsmouth. While not a politician, Dr. Grice sustains settled views of public policy, and usually acts with the Democratic party. He is largely interested in real estate of Portsmouth, and is esteemed surance business at Kansas City, Missouri, having been educated at the Richmond pub- lic schools, and at the Polytechnic Institute at Baltimore, Maryland. 2. Matthew Hale Dinneen, born at Ashland, Virginia, Febru- ary 25, 1884, and educated at Loyola Col- lege, and the Polytechnic Institute, Balti- niore, Maryland, and is now a civil engineer ; married Laura Virginia Jenkins of Balti- more, Maryland. 3. Henry Houston Din- neen, born July 24, 1886; educated at the Calvert Hall College of Baltimore. He is a Baltimore attorney, and married Eleanor F. Hayward. and has one son, Henry Hay- ward, Jr. 4. Elenor Clare Dinneen, born at

Richmond, Virginia, in 1890, married Hilary W. Lucke, of Baltimore.

Joseph Grice, M. D., of Portsmouth, is descended from one of the ancient families of the Old Dominion, and has won for him- self a place of high honor in his profession, and among his fellow citizens. The first mention of the name in Virginia appears in 1684, when John Grice was one of the jus- tices for James City county. His descend- ant, Joseph Grice, was the father of George WV. Grice, a noted citizen of Portsmouth, where he died in 1875. He was educated in private schools, and was chiefly engaged in mercantile business during his active life. He was a soldier of the Confederate army in a Georgia regiment during the civil war, was president of the city council of Ports- mouth, and a director of the Bank of Ports- mouth. Grice Commandery, Knights Temp- lar, of Norfolk, was named in his honor, as was also a lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Portsmouth.

Dr. Joseph Grice was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, was educated in private schools and in the celebrated preparatory school of Professor Gatewood, in Norfolk. He pur- sued the academic course in the University of Virginia, and subsequently the medical course, and received the degree of M. D. After graduation he went to New York City, where he was for some time on the medical staff of the City Hospital, the Ma- ternity Hospital, and the City Prison. He pursued a special course in surgery at the New York Polyclinic Hospital. In 1896 he began practice in Portsmouth, and then went to Harvard University Medical School,

R . Parks

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and appreciated in every circle in which he moves. He is deeply interested in his pro- fession, to which he gives most of his at- tention.

Captain Richard Stewett Parks. A de- scendant of distinguished Virginia ancestors with a proud record as educator, soldier, legislature, lawyer and civilian Captain Parks, now past the scriptual allotment of years, is rounding out in peaceful retirement a life-time of adventurous and useful ser- vice, honored and respected of all men. He is a great-grandson of Richard Parks, of Culpeper county, Virginia, who with his brother John, moved to South Carolina. Gabriel Parks, son of Richard Parks, mar- ried Elizabeth Botts, and settled in Rappa- hannock county, Virginia, where his son, John Graves Parks, was born.

John Graves Parks, a civil engineer and farmer, married Susan Pannell Stewett, and had two sons, Richard S., of further men- tion, and James Gabriel Parks, sergeant major of the Seventh Regiment Virginia In- fantry of the Confederate army, and al- though shot through the lungs at the second battle of Manassas, is yet living, a resident of Cotton Hill, Fayette county, West Vir- ginia.

Richard S. Parks was born in Rappahan- nock county, Virginia, June 4, 1839. He was educated in an "Old Field" private school remaining at that institution until fifteen years of age, then entering "Bleak Hill Sem- inary" where he finished his years of study. After leaving school he taught in Madison county, Virginia, for eighteen months, at- taining honorable distinction as an educator. He opened a private school in Luray, Vir- ginia, in 1858, later he spent a few months in the west, then returned to Luray where he was employed in the county clerk's office and prepared for the profession of law. In January, 1861, he was admitted to the Page county bar, but before becoming fairly es- tablished in practice, abandoned his profes- sion and joined the Confederate army. He enlisted in Company K, Tenth Regiment Virginia Infantry, as second lieutenant, and in 1862 was elected captain. His regiment was attached to the old Stonewall Jackson division, led by that great commander. Cap- tain Parks was wounded in the foot, May 8. 1862, while engaged with the Federal troops under General Milroy at McDowell, but continued in the service until 1864 when

he was honorably discharged for disability. He was an intrepid soldier, a dashing offi- cer and led his troops wherever duty called. After retiring from the army, he taught school in Luray for two sessions, then when peace returned, resumed the practice of law. He served as commonwealth attorney of Page county for sixteen years, being re- elected and served four terms in that re- sponsible position. He ably upheld the ma- jesty of the law as prosecutor and gained an enviable reputation for his strict adherence to duty. In 1895-96-97-98-99 and 1900 he was a member of the Virginia legislature, also served in the senate one term, and was a delegate to the Virginia constitutional con- vention representing Page and Rappahan- nock counties. He filled these positions with honor, and when he again returned to the private practice of his profession it was with a rich experience to add to his legal learning. He has since been in continuous practice in Luray, practicing in all courts of the district, state and Federal. His career at the bar has been an honorable one, and has been endorsed by the commendation of his townsmen who have awarded him gen- erous patronage and freely entrusted him with their legal business. He is a member of the various bar associations of the dis- trict and state, held in high esteem by his professional brethren. Captain Parks was one of the charter members of Rosser Gib- bons Camp, No. 89, Confederate Veterans, and is past commander of the camp. He is past master of Lafayette Lodge, No. 127, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. He is a Democrat in politics, and in religious faith a Baptist.

Captain Parks married, February 7. 1871, Elizabeth Minerva Grayson, born in Luray, Virginia, May 4, 1841, daughter of Benja- min F. Grayson, of Page county, Virginia. Children, both born in Luray: Susan Vir- ginia, married F. W. Berry, and has chil- dren : Laurence, Richard F., Lee G., Vir- ginius, Frank, Elizabeth P., Keightley Berry : Emma Grayson, married E. S. Morris.

With a record of a well spent life behind him, Captain Parks, secure in the regard of his townsmen, looks confidently into the future. Progressive and enlightened views are his source of strength and with no doubt or hesitation he advances along the narrow- ing pathway of life with no regard for the lengthening shadows, concerned only with doing well the duty that each day brings.

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John Newton Marshall. The founding in America of this illustrious Virginia family was the overthrow of King Charles by Cromwell. John Marshall, a captain of cav- alry in the royal army, was an ardent sup- porter of the crown and a zealous adherent of the Established church. When the Pro- tector triumphed over the King, Captain Marshall, who was of Irish birth, was un- willing to bow to Cromwell's rule and about 1650 came with his family to Virginia, and is recorded as having been of great service to the colony during the Indian wars of his time.

Captain John (2) Marshall, known as "John of the Forest," became the owner of twelve hundred acres on Appomattox Creek in Washington parish, Westmoreland county, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Markham and was the father of Colonel Thomas Marshall and grandfather of Chief Justice John Marshall of the United States supreme court.

Colonel Thomas Marshall, who is re- garded with veneration by his posterity. in sound judgment and in depth of native mind surpassed even his illustrious sons. He was an ardent patriot, was colonel of the Third Virginia Regiment, fought with Washington, at Germantown, and for his valiant service on that day received a sword from the Virginia house of burgesses. He was soldier, statesman and pioneer, settling in Kentucky in 1780. He owned many thou- sands of acres in Fauquier county, Virginia, and Mason county, Kentucky, his son John inheriting "The Oaks" in Fauquier county. Colonel Thomas Marshall married Mary Randolph Keith, daughter of Parson James and Mary Isham (Randolph) Keith, the lat- ter being a granddaughter of William Ran- dolph, of Turkey Island, and closely related to John Randolph, of Roanoke, Thomas Jef- ferson and Richard Henry Lee.

John Marshall, chief justice of the United States, and son of Colonel Thomas Marshall, passed a life so intimately connected with the administrative, diplomatic and judicial history of his country, that volumes could not exhaust his wonderful life. He was born September 24. 1755. At the bar and on the bench, in Congress and in cabinet, in the councils of war and embassies of peace, he proved himself a jurist, a states- man, a soldier, an orator and a patriot. As the expounder of the Federal constitution and laws, he laid the foundation of a great

judicial system and left a name revered by the nation and adored by his posterity. He died July 6, 1835, and is buried in Rich- mond, Virginia, by the side of his wife, Mary Willis (Ambler) Marshall, whom he married, January 3, 1783. His wife was a descendant of John and Elizabeth (Burka- dike) Ambler, of York, England, who came to Virginia in 1716, and of Edward Jacque- lin, who came from Kent, England, to Vir- ginia in 1697.

Thomas Marshall, eldest son of Chief Jus- tice John Marshall, and his wife, Mary Wil- lis (Ambler) Marshall, was a graduate of Princeton College at the age of nineteen years, receiving the degree of A. B. He studied law, engaged in practice at Rich- mond, and as lawyer, scholar, patriot and philanthropist, was one of the leading men of his day. He owned "Oakville," that had descended from Colonel Thomas Marshall and to that beautiful estate he retired after the failure of his health. He built up the estate to a condition of high fertility, and there his children were born and lived until war drove them apart. He was a member of the Virginia constitutional convention of 1829, over which his honored father pre- sided, but was not an aspirant for office, his delight being in the quiet seclusion of home with choice friends and the education of his children. In June, 1835, he was summoned to the bed of his dying father, the chief jus- tice, in Philadelphia. Stopping at Baltimore, he took shelter from a sudden storm by standing under the scaffolding surrounding the court house, then undergoing repairs. The building was struck by lightning and a dislodged brick fell fracturing Mr. Mar- shall's skull. Although he lived a week thereafter he never regained consciousness. He was born July 21, 1784, and died June 29, 1835. He married, October 19, 1809, Margaret W. Lewis, born at Weyanoke, Charles City county, Virginia, in 1792, died at "Oakville." Fauquier county, Virginia, February 2, 1829, daughter of Fielding Lewis, son of Warner Lewis, son of Colo- nel Fielding Lewis, who married (first) Catherine Lewis, a cousin, and (second) Bettie Washington, sister of President Washington. Colonel Fielding Lewis was a son of John (2) Lewis, son of John (1) Lewis, son of General Robert Lewis, of Beecon. Wales, who came to Virginia in 1640, settling in Gloucester county, Vir- ginia. (Much discussion has raged about

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General Robert Lewis, but the above is the view of able authorities ).

Fielding Lewis Marshall, son of Thomas and Margaret W. (Lewis) Marshall, was born at "Oakville," Fauquier county, Vir- ginia. March 29, 1819. He was educated at the University of Virginia, and after com- pleting the classical course, graduated from the law department, but never practiced. He settled on his portion of the homestead estate, "Oakville," and engaged in farming until war broke out between the states, in April, 1861. He at once enlisted as orderly sergeant. Company H, of the Wise Dra- goons, recruited in Fauquier county. The dragoons were assigned to the Sixth Regi- ment of Cavalry, and in June, 1862. Ser- geant Marshall was commissioned first lieu- tenant of artillery and placed on ordnance duty at Lynchburg. Virginia. He continued in the service until the final surrender in 1865. He was a member of the Virginia house of delegates, 1869-70-71, and for years after the war was engaged in teaching. He possessed a fine mind, high literary acquire- ments, superior judgment and unblemished honor. He married (first) April 19, 1843. Rebecca F. Coke, born October 26, 1824, died April 20, 1862. He married (second) July 9, 1867, Mary Newton Thomas, born August 9, 1842, at Alexandria, Virginia, who survives him, a resident of Orange, Vir- ginia. She is a daughter of George I. and Maria Newton (Harper) Thomas. By his first marriage Lieutenant Marshall has eight children, by his second marriage seven were born. John Newton Marshall of Orange, Virginia, being the fourteenth child and youngest son. One of his daughters was married in the White House, Lieuten- ant Marshall acting as best man at the wed- ding.

John Newton Marshall, son of Lieutenant Fielding Lewis Marshall and his second wife, Mary Newton (Thomas) Marshall. was born at Culpeper. Virginia, September 18, 1879. He was educated in public and private schools, but his best and most cap- able teacher was his honored father. After completing his studies he engaged in dif- ferent lines of activity and finally located in New York City, where for a time he was engaged as a broker on the Stock Exchange. Later he returned to Virginia, and is now engaged in a profitable real estate business in Orange. He has added a slightly new residence section to Orange, that is rapidly

being improved. Mr. Marshall, as the Mar- shalls have ever been, is a member of the Episcopal church, and in political faith is a Democrat. He is an active progressive young man and has won high standing in his native state, where the Marshalls have always held high social standing.

Rev. William D. Smith. Virginia offers no name more rich with memories, more honorably connected with the history of the state than that of Smith. Well is it remem- bered from the earliest founding of the col- ony, and descending from colonial days to more modern times none of the worthy repu- tation it then gathered has been lost, the in- creased opportunities and responsibilities of latter day life having offered a new field for fame to its members that has been eag- erly seized. It is with one of this line that this record is concerned, Rev. William Dick- inson Smith, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, of Winchester, Virginia.

He is a son of William Dickinson Smith, and a grandson of Edward J. Smith, his father a planter of Virginia, a magistrate and at one time a member of the state sen- ate. William Dickinson Smith was born in Winchester, Frederick county, Virginia, in 1813. died in 1894. He married Agnes Pickett, born in Clarke county, Virginia in 1836, died in 1913, daughter of Le Roy Pinckney Williams. William Dickinson Smith was a statesman of high purpose and great influence, and throughout his long and active career was a sturdy champion of the right, defending the principles for which he stood with all the force of an alert, vigorous mind.

Rev. William Dickinson Smith, son of William Dickinson and Agnes Pickett ( Williams) Smith, was born in Frederick county, Virginia, November 19. 1863. After a course in the Episcopal High School of Alexandria, Virginia, he entered the Uni- versity of Virginia, where he remained for one year. For five years after leaving the university he followed farming as his occu- pation, then matriculated at the Theological Seminary at Alexandria. Virginia, whence he was graduated in 1891. Soon after his ordination into the ministry of the Pro- testant Episcopal church he became first assistant rector at St. Paul's Church, at Pe- tersburg. Virginia, and after remaining there for two years filled the same position in a parish in Brooklyn, New York. From

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1894 until 1897 he was rector of St. Paul's Church, of Norfolk, Virginia, then became rector of St. George's Church, of Fredericks- burg, Virginia. Since 1905 he has been rec- tor of Christ Church, in Winchester, Vir- ginia, the nine years that he has passed as the head of that church having been years of rich benefit, both to pastor and to people. He is a believer in Democratic principles, supporting that party with his vote.

Rev. William D. Smith married (first) Lucy Harrison, daughter of William H. and Mary (Johnson) Powers, of Richmond ; (second) in 1907, Elizabeth W., born in Winchester, Frederick county, Virginia, in . C. Burdette, a brother of Sarah Amanda 1868, daughter of Major Holmes and ( Burdette) Martin, was an officer in the Union army. Georgia Bryan (Foreman) Conrad. Chil- dren of his first marriage: Agnes Pickett, a student at college ; Ann J .; William Dick- inson, Jr .; Mary Bryson, and Lucy Harri- son Powers. By his second marriage Rev. Smith is the father of one child, Holmes Conrad.

Jesse B. Martin. Of honored Virginia ancestry and in his own right a citizen of distinction, Mayor Martin, of Luray, is worthily upholding the honor of the family name. He is a son of John Van Buren Mar- tin, born in Farmington, Marion county, now West Virginia, in 1838, died September 1876. John Van Buren Martin read law in the office of his brother, Benjamin Franklin Martin, who attained distinction at the bar, served in the Congress of the United States from Virginia and was president of the Graf- ton & Greenbrier Railroad now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio system in West Virginia. During the war. 1861-1865, he was drafted for service in the Union army, but was re- lieved from service after furnishing a sub- stitute. He was a distinguished citizen of the commonwealth and retained his influen- tial position until death. He married Sarah Amanda Burdette, born in Culpeper county, Virginia, in 1838, died in October, 1909, daughter of Frederick and Susan ( Broad- dus) Burdette, both of noted Virginia fami- les. Sons of John Van Buren and Sarah A. (Burdette) Martin: I. Frederick Thorn- ton, born at Worthington, West Virginia, in 1862; an attorney ; now residing at Oak- land. Maryland; married Marv Sinnott, of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. John Franklin, born at Prunty Town. West Virginia, in 1866, died at the threshold of life, aged twenty-one years. 3. Jesse B., of further

mention. 4. Bernard Leslie, born at Prunty Town, in 1873; now a printer of Fairmont, West Virginia ; married Louise Stearns. 5. Arthur George, born in Prunty Town, in 1875, now residing in Fairmont, West Vir- ginia, an ex-mayor of that town. Daugh- ters, both born in Prunty Town : I. Marion, born in 1864; married Frank C. Fisher, of Fairmont, West Virginia, now deceased. 2. Elizabeth Broaddus, married Herndon V. Abbott, and resides in Fairmont, West Vir- ginia. A brother of John Van Buren Mar- tin, Jesse Thornton Martin, was a soldier in the Confederate army, while Captain John

Jesse B. Martin, son of John Van Buren and Sarah Amanda (Burdette) Martin, was born in Prunty Town, West Virginia, March II, 1868. He was educated in the public schools of Luray, Virginia, Locust Dale Academy, and the University of Virginia, completing his legal studies at the latter in- stitution in 1894, and the same year was ad- mitted to the Virginia bar. He began pro- fessional practice at Luray, as member of the law firm, Armstrong & Martin, general practitioners, but since 1909 has been prac- ticing alone. A Democrat in politics he was elected mayor of Luray in June, 1913, and in all his activities is a leader. He is a man of untiring energy, his ambition being to do all things well, and to merit the approval of his own conscience. As is ever the case with the fearless honorable men, he found popu- larity and warm support from the best ele- ment of his community and from his posi- tion of trust and influence, has been able to accomplish much for the public good. He is a member of the fraternal order, Knights of Pythias, and is a communicant of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, of Lu- ray.

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Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V, Part 37

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