USA > Virginia > Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V > Part 39
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Rev. Joseph Glass was the first man the Presbytery of Winchester ordained to the ministry. He died in 1821 in the prime of a life of great usefulness, leaving a widow and ten children, the seventh child being Susan E., mother of Colonel Baker. Her mother was a lineal descendant of the McAllisters, distinguished for their gallantry and endur- ance during the one hundred and five days of fighting and famine endured by the de- fenders during the famous "Siege of Derry."
James Carr Baker, son of Captain Samuel Baker and father of Colonel James Carr Baker, was born near Winchester, Virginia, in 1813, died February 6, 1889, seventy-six years of age, at the home of his son in Woodstock, Virginia. When a mere youth he entered the office of the clerk of Fred- erick county and there and in the office of the clerk of Hardy county, Virginia, served as deputy clerk until qualified for the prac- tice of law and admitted to the bar. In 1836 he married and shortly afterwards moved to Georgetown, Kentucky, but in 1840 returned to Virginia and for a quarter of a century practiced his profession as an honored member of the Winchester bar. After the war between the states he devoted himself mainly to the pursuits of agriculture. He was a non-combatant during the war, but a strong sympathizer with the south, aiding in many ways to further her cause. He guided the troops of General Early around the defences erected by the Union general, Milroy, the movement resulting in the surprise of the Union forces and their retreat until met by General Sheridan after his famous "ride." For his sympathy with the south and his known activity, Mr. Baker was arrested and held a prisoner by the Fed- eral government. He was widely known for his integrity, public spirit and ability, but it was as a devoted Christian and ruling elder of the Presbyterian church that he was best
known. Brought into the church at an early age, under the ministry of the late Dr. D. H. Riddle, his life for nearly three-score years was a living exemplication of the ex- cellence of the Gospel, and of the transform- ing power of grace. At an earlier period of his Christian life than is usual, he was called to bear rule in the house of God, having been ordained to the eldership while in Kentucky. On his return to Winchester he was elected to this office in the Kent Street Church in that city and forty years afterwards became a member of the session of the Round Hill Church, then just organized. His service as a ruling elder covers, in the three churches, a period of at least fifty years, a term of service which very few have exceeded and few have ever filled the office with more acceptance or with greater faithfulness. Rarely ever absent from the meetings of his session, he was its delegate to Presbytery more frequently than any other member, and oftener than any other ruling elder in his Presbytery he was sent as commissioner to the general assembly. His attendance upon these courts of the church deepened his in- terest in all that pertained to the Kingdom of Christ, and contributed largely to make him the well informed and influential church official that he was. In conjunction with an elder of another and different church, he, for nearly half a century, maintained a regular religious service near his home on Sabbath nights, which has been a source of inestima- ble spiritual good to that entire neighbor- hood.
His personal character and disposition en- deared him greatly to the churches in which he ruled, and to the community in which he so long resided. His warm sympathy with the afflicted, and his ready help to the needy ; lis wise counsels and exemplary life won for him the confidence and affection of all who knew him. Yet the character and worth of Mr. Baker shone in their most attractive light to those who knew him in the tender relations of social and domestic life. His house was the abode of a generous hospital- ity, adorned by Christian grace.
James Carr Baker married, in 1836, Susan E. Glass, born in 1813, died July 10, 1885, seventh child of Rev. Joseph Glass and great-granddaughter of Samuel and Mary (Gamble) Glass, who one hundred years prior to the marriage of their great-grand- daughter, settled in the Shenandoah Valley, coming from county Down, Ireland. After
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their return from Kentucky, Mr. and Mrs. Baker took up their abode at the old home- stead, "Greenwood," at the head of the Opequon river, where their home was shared by several of her sisters, and soon became distinguished as the seat of a generous hos- pitality, which intelligence adorned and grace refined and to which the personal at- tractions of mind and heart of the hostess gave special charm. She was a woman of rare worth and her sterling character was appreciated by a large circle of friends, but in her own home she was honored with an affection and confidence never excelled. She was in full sympathy with her husband in his church work and like him died a tri- umphant death. Sons: Lieutenant Samuel and Colonel James Carr (2) Baker. Lieu- tenant Baker died in 1904, served in the Confederate army during the entire war. He married Margaret Heist, of Winchester, and had issue: Harry, Joseph, Alexander, Graham, George, Emily.
Colonel James Carr (2) Baker was born at "Greenwood," Winchester, Frederick county, Virginia, October 7, 1851. His early education was directed by private teachers, after which he entered Shenandoah Valley Academy, one of the three educational insti- tutions of learning for which Winchester is noted. His home in the Shenandoah was frequently the scene of military operations during the years 1861-65, and as a boy he witnessed the many efforts of both sides to control that rich valley of Virginia, Win- chester especially figuring in the military history of that period. After leaving the academy, Colonel Baker continued his studies at Romney Institute in West Vir- ginia and under private tutors until begin- ing the study of law under Judge James W. Allen's preceptorship. He was admitted to the Virginia bar at the age of twenty-one years and from that date until the present has been engaged in the practice of his pro- fession privately and as commonwealth at- torney in the states of Virginia and West Virginia.
He began practice at Moonfield, county seat of Hardy county, West Virginia, con- tinuing there in successful practice until 1876, when he accepted an important posi- tion under the state government at Wheel- ing, where he remained until 1880. He then returned to Virginia, locating at Woodstock, in the fertile Shenandoah Valley, the county
seat of Shenandoah county. He remained at Woodstock for nineteen years, spending seven of these years in the private practice of his profession and twelve years as com- monwealth attorney of the county, an office to which he was first elected in 1884.
In 1898, as colonel of the Second Regi- ment Virginia National Guard, he served with his regiment in the Spanish-American war, his regiment being held in Jacksonville, Florida, until their release from the United States service in 1899. After returning from military duty Colonel Baker located in New- port News, Virginia, where he was engaged in general law practice from 1899 until 1906. In the latter year he located in Stephens City, Frederick county, Virginia, and has there been engaged in the practice of his profes- sion until the present date (1915), has been admitted to practice in all state and federal courts of the district, has ever commanded a large practice wherever located, is learned in the law, skillful in the application, honor- able and upright in his professional and daily life, a man of culture and refinement, highly esteemed wherever known. He is a member of the bar associations of the district, is a past master of Moorefield Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is a companion of Wheeling Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, belongs to the Knights of Pythias, and is a communicant of the Episcopal church. He is a Democrat in politics, and has ever been an ardent supporter of the tenets and a worker for party success. Since coming to Stephens City he served for two years as mayor, 1912-13, and now is a justice of the peace. His military service in the Virginia National Guard began in 1886 and in 1898 he was elected colonel of the Second Regi- ment, holding that command until 1900.
Colonel Baker married, April 7, 1874, Ada Keene, born in Dorchester county, Mary- land. May 18, 1854. daughter of John R. and Henrietta (Chaplaine) Keene. Children : I. Anna Llewellyn, born in Moonfield, West Virginia ; educated in Episcopal Female In- stitute, taking special courses in music, now instructor in music in Ft. Loudoun Semi- nary. 2. Susan Glass, born in Moorefield, West Virginia ; educated in the grammar and high schools of Woodstock, Virginia; married Rev. Walter Mitchell, of Charles- ton, South Carolina, a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal church; children : Ewing Young and Ada Carr. 3. Ada Carr.
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born at Wheeling, West Virginia; married Alfred Walton, of Norfolk, Virginia, and has a daughter, Frances Baker. 4. William Keene, born in Wheeling, West Virginia; educated in the grammar and high schools of Woodstock; married Maude Steele, of Stephens City, and has a daughter, Dorothy. 5. James Carr (3), born in Woodstock, Vir- ginia ; now connected with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Company at Newport News.
John Langbourne Williams. John Lang- bourne Williams, son of John and Sianna Armistead (Dandridge) Williams, was born in Richmond, Virginia, July 13, 1831, and continued an honored resident of his native city until his death, February 11, 1915, in his eighty-fourth year. His father, John Wil- liams, of Scotch-Irish descent, was also a business man of Richmond, holding at one time the office of treasurer of the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad Company. The lat- ter's wife, Sianna Armistead (Dandridge) Williams, was a daughter of William Dan- dridge, of New Kent county, Virginia, and granddaughter of Judge Bartholomew Dan- dridge, brother of the wife of George Wash- ington, the first President. The collateral lines of descent lead to many of the noted families of Virginia.
John L. Williams was educated in the schools of Richmond, preparatory and col- legiate, winning his degree, Master of Arts, at the University of Virginia. For a short time after leaving the university, he taught in Loretto Academy, Essex county, Vir- ginia, and also prepared for the practice of law. He did not long continue at the bar, finding it uncongenial, and began his long and successful career as a banker by enter- ing the banking house of John A. Lancas- ter & Son, at Richmond, continuing there until he established his own business. After the war he founded the private banking house of John L. Williams in Richmond, and later. with his sons, John Skelton, Robert Lancaster, Langbourne, and his son-in-law, Eli Lockert Bemis, reorganized as John L. Williams & Sons. This became one of the strong, well-known banking houses of the state, and has ever been prominent in the development of railway properties, not only in Richmond, and Virginia, but throughout the south. Among these may be named the Georgia & Alabama railroad, and the Sea Board Air Line. The operations of John L.
Williams & Sons have included many of the valuable enterprises of Richmond, the his- tory of this house having ever been one of usefulness and honor.
During the war the firm of John A. Lan- caster & Son, with which Mr. Williams was connected, acted as fiscal agent for the Con- federate government, and provided the sin- ews of war, through successive flotations of Confederate States bond issues. During that period Mr. Williams bore heavy responsi- bilities and gained experience of correspond- ing value. His relationship with the finances of the Confederate government brought him into intimate acquaintance with President Davis, General Lee and others of the great official and military leaders, while later oper- ations as railroad financier and banker brought him in close contact with the great captains of the industrial republic ; his part being as a leader of the economic reconstruc- tion of the South.
Throughout his entire life he was an ardent reader and student, a constant writer for the press along philosophical and re- ligious lines; a philanthropist, active in church and educational causes, and a distin- guished layman of the Protestant Episcopal church. For nearly half a century he was treasurer of the Missionary Society of the Diocese ; for nearly as long represented his church in the diocesan council, and was sev- eral times a delegate to the general conven- tion of the Protestant Episcopal church. He was president for several years of the "Southern Churchman Company ;" president of the Virginia Bible Society; president of the Richmond Male Orphan Society ; treas- urer of the Virginia Negro Reformatory ; president of the Virginia State School for Colored Deaf and Blind Children, and presi- dent of the Memorial Hospital, the latter institution made possible by the generosity of Mr. Williams and his family, they thus honored the memory of a departed daughter and sister.
To his alma mater, the University of Vir- ginia, he was ever the generous friend, money, books and portraits having been be- stowed with a lavish hand. The portraits of Chief Justice Marshall and Commodore Maury were presented by him and adorn the university library, together with a "Tablet of Principles" from the same source. A man of broad culture, his "Observations" and "A Little Philosophy," so long a weekly feature of Richmond papers, were of rare interest
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and profit. He was held in the highest esteem as a Biblical and Shakesperian scholar, his conversation teeming with apt quotations from both sources. He received many honors during his long career, but none more pleasing to him than his honor- ary membership in the Phi Beta Kappa fra- ternity, an honor conferred by William and Mary, the mother chapter of all. Ever a believer that "the worship of the Divine Manhood of Jesus Christ is the only solution of the problem of life," Mr. Williams, as he advanced in years, believed, with ever in- creasing strength of conviction, the need of faith in the large and eternal purpose that governs the destinies of men and nations. In a recent letter he declared: "Without our holy religion, life is not worth living. The bases of our civilization are the Old Testament, with the great seal of the Ten Commandments, and the New, with the great seal of the Lord's Prayer."
A Democrat in politics, he never held any public office, but no duty pertaining to good citizenship was neglected. He gave to the state, stalwart sons who have worked with him and taken from his shoulders the bur- dens of business and vie with each other in exemplifying the teachings and virtues of their honored father.
Mr. Williams married, October 13, 1864. Maria Ward Skelton, a great-granddaughter of Edmund Randolph, one of the closest of Washington's lifelong associates, his attor- ney-general, and for a time secretary of state. Eight children of this marriage grew to maturity, one, a daughter, dying in youth- ful womanhood, and in her memory arose Richmond Memorial Hospital. In 1914 was celebrated the golden wedding of the par- ents. To few men is it given to see so per- fect a consummation of their life work. Per- sonally honored by all, this veteran citizen of such marked personality and consistent life, saw his city prosperous, his country united, his church triumphant, his sons in prominent, honored positions, and his own life overflowing with blessings. And amid it all he wrote: "Without our holy religion, life is not worth living." It is this high estimate of the value of the Christian re- ligion that made him the wise and useful man he was.
On the day following his death the "Rich- mond News-Leader" said, editorially :
Mr. Williams was a man of robust mind, of ro- bust character, of rubust thought, the influences of which touched a responsive and quickening chord in every sphere in which he moved or his activities were exerted, whether business, social or relig- ious. Pure of life, inflexible in integrity of pur- pose, warm and generous of heart, charitable in impulse and deed, public-spirited in the fullest sense of the term, and unafraid save of doing wrong, he measured up to the stature and rounded out the proportions of a model citizen. Possessed of a broad, liberal education, gifted with a naturally clear and avid intellect, which was refined and cultivated by constant reading and study and com- munion with the ancient and modern classics and the Book of Books. Mr. Williams was an orna- ment to any scholarly circle in contact with which he was thrown. He was no less a Latinist and a Grecian to the hour of his last illness than he was when he left the halls of the University of Vir- ginia with his A. M. degree. His knowledge of the humanities, of the great English standards in literature and history, and of the Scriptures, was wonderful. His faculty for applying their gems in private conversation, and even in discussion of practical business questions, was marvelous. It was in recognition of his attainments and pursuits in these fields that Washington and Lee Univer- sity conferred upon him several years ago "causa honoris," the degree of Doctor of Letters, a dis- tinction no other man of purely commercial voca- tion enjoyed from that institution. Mr. Williams was a wise business and moral counselor, an ever- dependable, loyal, and unselfish friend, and a Chris- tian gentleman in all that noblest of tributes sig- nifies. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart and with all thy soul and with all they mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first and the great commandment. And the sec- ond is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. These commandments of his Master were enshrined in the heart and soul and mind of John Langbourne Williams. That no man in the community ever strove more steadfastly to exem- plify them in his daily walks and intercourse thou- sands can testify. His life was a lamp to the feet and a light to the path of his generation. May that lamp and that light continue to shed their rays no less guidingly now that his patriarchial form shall be seen among us no more and his spirit has passed to a glorified reward! Such must be the hope and the trust of all who were blessed with intimate association with him.
Ennion Gifford Williams, M. D. Of dis- tinguished ancestry, Dr. Williams has added to the honor in which the name is held in Richmond by his untiring efforts in behalf of public health. His grandfather. John Wil- liams, came to Virginia about 1820, was a business man of prominence in Richmond, and his honored father, John L. Williams (q. v.), is yet a resident of Richmond. John Williams married Sianna Dandridge, daugh- ter of William and granddaughter of Judge Bartholomew Dandridge, whose sister was
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the wife of George Washington, the first President. William Dandridge married Sus- annah Armistead, only daughter of Major William Armistead, the emigrant to Vir- ginia, in 1635, the line of descent being through Captain Anthony, Major William, and Colonel John Armistead. Through his mother, Maria Ward (Skelton) Williams, Dr. Williams is descended from the Skeltons and Randolphs, two Virginia families of the highest standing. Maria Skelton's great- grandfather, Edmund Randolph, was a friend of Washington, his first United States attorney-general, and later secretary of state.
Dr. Ennion Gifford Williams, son of John Langbourne and Maria Ward (Skelton) Williams, was born in Richmond, Virginia, January 31, 1874. His education was ac- quired by hard work in McGuire's Univer- sity School and the University of Virginia, obtaining his degree of Doctor of Medicine from the latter institution, class of 1897. During these years of school life, he worked as a clerk and taught school, beginning med- ical practice in 1897, as interne at Willard Parker Hospital, New York City. During 1899 and 1900 he was resident physician at the Polyclinic Hospital, Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. From 1900-1908, professor of pa- thology, bacteriology and histology at the Medical College of Virginia; in 1913, he was professor of hygiene and public health at this same institution. Dr. Williams is a believer in the gospel of hard work, and that honesty, truthfulness and straight- forwardness, coupled with hard work, will bring success in any walk of life. His life has been one of strenuousness, his practice and teaching not absorbing all his energy. He has given much time to the public serv- ice; served from 1905 to 1908 as a member of the Richmond common council, and while in that office worked for the measures that made for better public health, the creation of the office of city bacteriologist, the re- organization of the city health department, and for reforms in the city hospital. His articles in the medical journals have been numerous, relating chiefly to X-ray treat- ment and public health, and have attracted much favorable comment, especially his article on "The Regulation of Duration of Exposure in X-ray Work" and his "Table Regulating the Duration of Exposure." He is a member of the Greek letter societies,
professional societies, the Westmoreland Club, and is a communicant of the Protes- tant Episcopal church. In politics he is a Democrat. He is emphatically a home man, his greatest enjoyment being found there.
Dr. Williams married, October 21, 1902, Anna Heath, daughter of Dr. Daniel Wil- liam and Anna (Heath) Lassiter. Children : Virginia Lassiter, Ennion Skelton, Anna Heath, Daniel Lassiter, John Randolph.
George Bolling Lee, M. D. Dr. George Bolling Lee, who has been practicing his profession for several years in New York City, has a high standing in medical cir- cles. He is descended from the famous Lee family of the Old Dominion that has been so closely associated with public af- fairs in Virginia since its early history and that has furnished so many illustrious sol- diers and statesmen. The most famous member of the family was General Robert E. Lee, grandfather of Dr. George B. Lee, and who was so highly respected by all nations and recognized by all as a soldier "without fear and without reproach," who did all in his power to prevent the useless sacrifices of lives in the great struggle in which he took one of the most prominent parts.
Dr. Lee was born at Lexington, Virginia, August 30, 1872, son of William Henry Fitzhugh and Mary Tabb (Bolling) Lee, the former born at Arlington, May 31, 1837, and the latter at Petersburg, Vir- ginia, in 1850. The father died in October, 1891, and the mother survives. He was a son of General Robert E. Lee and she a daughter of George Bolling.
In the earliest records of England may be found the name of Lee, although it was spelled in various other ways, such as Lea, Leigh, Ley and Lygh. In the eleventh century Launcelot Lee, an associate of William the Conqueror, came with his chief to England and distinguished himself in the battle of Hastings. The line from which descended the branch here consid- ered were known as the Lees of Langley and Coton, and several of its representa- tives were recorded in the Herald's College, their coat-of-arms being the fesse and bil- lets. This coat-of-arms was borne by the Virginia family and is still to be found on old silver.
Colonel Richard Lee, the American pro-
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genitor of the family, came to Virginia dur- ing the reign of Charles the First and lo- cated in that part of York county which subsequently became a part of Gloucester. The region was then unsettled and he be- came the owner of a large tract of land. He settled many of the servants he had brought with him on tracts of land, but subsequent- ly sold out his interests and returned to England. He lived there several years, but eventually returned to Virginia, with an- other band of settlers, and founded the fam- ily that became famous in that and other colonies. He and his wife Anne had several children, among them Richard.
The second Richard Lee was educated at Oxford and came to America with his father. He founded what became known as the Stratford branch of the family. He married Letitia Corbin, of Virginia, and the line was continued through their son Henry.
Henry Lee married Mary Bland, a de- scendant of Sir Thomas Bland, of England. Their son, Colonel Henry Lee, married Lucy Grymes, who was known as the "Low- land Beauty," according to tradition, and it was said that George Washington was at one time her suitor. Their son was General Henry Lee, the third of that name.
Major-General Henry Lee graduated from Princeton College in 1773, and in 1776 was appointed by Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia, as captain of a company of cav- alry commanded by Colonel Theodorick Bland. Later he served under General Greene, who said of him "No man in the progress of the campaign had equal merit." He served three years as governor of Vir- ginia. By his second wife, Anna Carter (Hill) Lee. he had a son Robert Edward.
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