USA > Virginia > Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V > Part 63
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William (2) Ward was born in New York
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City, in 1800, died in 1875, in Norfolk, Vir- ginia. He attended the Catholic schools, and although he was not a graduate, he was a man well read, intelligent and fully in- formed. His life was largely devoted to real estate improvement and dealing, in con- tracting, and in supplying the naval station and ships with food stuffs and farm produce. He owned farms near Norfolk, some of which he platted as additions to the city, two of these additions, Villa Heights and Park Place, now being of the favored resi- dential districts of the city. His personal residence was on York street, and there his wife resided as wife and widow for sixty-six years. The farms, which he managed per- sonally, Mr. Ward operated as truck and vegetable gardens, maintained dairies and poultry yards on a large scale, finding ready markets in the city and harbor, his largest trade being with the many vessels whose port of supply was Norfolk. He did a large business of this kind, his real estate inter- ests also being very large and profitable. He was a man of exceedingly friendly, gen- erous nature, always ready and anxious to help others, and a great friend to the chil- dren. He was public spirited and progres- sive, a Democrat in politics, a member of the common council, and for some time president of that body. He was devoted to his family, and in all things was a good citizen, leaving behind him an honored name. Prior to his death he retired from business and sold most of his real estate, re- taining his York street home, and the home on West Bute street, now occupied by his two daughters, Julia and Priscilla.
William (2) Ward married, in 1829, Pris- cilla Cross, of North Carolina, who died Au- gust 27, 1893. Children: 1. Emily R., mar- ried Richard G. Broughton ; children: Wil- liam Rollins, Pauline, Eulalie, Emily. 2. Colonel William Henry, of the United States navy, commanded the Tallahassee ; he was at sea when the Civil war broke out; upon his arrival in port he resigned, was made a prisoner of war, soon afterwards ex- changed, then was in Confederate navy, three times captured and each time ex- changed, the last time being the last pris- oner to be liberated after the war; subse- quently he was in the army service of the Egyptian government, and received from the Khedive the highest honor he could be- stow upon a foreigner ; he died in Norfolk,
Virginia, in 1892. 3. Artemus, was in the Virginia cavalry throughout the Civil war, and was a brave soldier ; he died in Norfolk, Virginia, 1898. 4. Thomas Bryson, M. D., a surgeon in the Confederate army four years and in charge of hospitals ; was after- wards a well known surgeon of Norfolk; died in 1885; he married Julia Paul; chil- dren: Anna Moore, married Lieutenant Fritz Lewis Sanduz, of New Orleans, United States navy, now resides in Wash- ington, D. C .; Mary Baird, deceased ; Henry, residing in Norfolk; Isidore, deceased. 5. Anna Pauline, married E. D. Smith ; chil- dren : Herman, Henry, Julia, Emily, Anna Belfield. 6. John Tyler, was in the sixth Virginia Artillery Volunteers and remained throughout the war; died in Norfolk, 1892. 7. Julia Rollins. 8. Priscilla. The latter two daughters are unmarried and reside in Norfolk, at No. 357 West Bute street, their home being a veritable treasure house of antiques, portraits and family relics. Their house is an historical one, having been used in the war of 1812 as an officers' hospital. It was probably built about 1780, purchased by William (2) Ward in 1830. Many peo- ple were buried in the grounds surrounding the house, and it is said that sculls were dug up by the boys in after years. The Misses Ward are greatly beloved by a large circle of friends and entertain with charming hos- pitality.
Thomas Bolling Coles. Thomas Bolling Coles, of New York City, is descended from an early Virginia family, of Irish or Scotch- Irish origin. The first known ancestor was John Coles, who came from Enniscarthy, Ireland, to Virginia about 1712, and located in Hanover county, Virginia, where he lived and died. He married Mary Winton, and had children: Walter, Sarah, Mary, John and Isaac. Mary married John Payne, and was the mother of Dorothy, wife of Presi- dent Madison. Isaac was a member of con- gress from Virginia, residing in Halifax county.
John (2) Coles, second son of John (1) and Mary (Winton) Coles, bought three thousand acres at Enniscarthy, Albemarle county, Virginia, receiving a deed in 1777, and resided there. He married Rebecca E. Tucker, born 1727, in Jamestown, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Travis) Tucker, of Norfolk. John Tucker's tomb is in Norfolk
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church yard. John (2) Coles died in 1808, and his wife survived him about eighteen years, dying in 1826. Their children were : Walter, John, Isaac, Tucker, Edward, Re- becca, Mary, Eliza, Sarah, Elizabeth and Emily.
Walter Coles, eldest son of John (2) and Rebecca E. (Tucker) Coles, was born 1772, at Enniscarthy, and died in Woodville, Albe- marle county, Virginia, in 1854, aged eighty- two years. He was a planter at Woodville, an active member of the Episcopal church, a county magistrate, and was buried in the Coles cemetery on Green Mountain, in Albe- marle county. He married (first) Eliza, daughter of Bowler Cocke, of Turkey Island, and (second) Sally, daughter of John Swann, of Powhatan. The children of the first marriage were: John Bowles, Walter, Sally (married a Taylor, of South Caro- lina) and Rebecca, wife of Tarleton Flem- ing. of Goochland county, Virginia.
Walter (2) Coles, second son of Walter (I) and Eliza (Cocke) Coles, was born about 1800, in Albemarle county, Virginia, and succeeded his father on the plantation at Woodville. He died in Goochland county about 1856, and his body was taken to his native place, for burial in the Coles Ceme- tery. He married Ann Eliza Carter, who was also buried in the Coles cemetery. The family was allied with the Presbyterian church, probably from the first immigrant. Walter (2) Coles had children: Walter, a physician soldier of the Civil war, who died in August, 1892, in St. Louis, Missouri; Sally Logan, now residing in Esmont, Albe- marle county, Virginia; Elizabeth Cocke. died unmarried; James Carter, died at the age of sixteen years; John, a business man of St. Louis, Missouri; Thomas Bolling, mentioned below.
Thomas Bolling Coles, son of Walter (2) and Ann Eliza (Carter) Coles, was born July 15, 1853, in Goochland county, Virginia. He was educated at boarding schools in Vir- ginia. At the age of seventeen years he went to St. Louis, to begin a business career which has proved eminently successful. He engaged as clerk in a wholesale hardware store, and was subsequently employed by the same establishment as traveling sales- man in Texas, continuing twelve years. In 1890 he went to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he took charge of the sales depart- ment of the Braddock Wire Company, of
which John W. Gates was the head. This was later the Consolidated Steel and Wire Company, and in 1899 was merged in the American Steel and Wire Company, which became a part of the United States Steel Company, with headquarters in New York. Mr. Coles moved to that city, and still has charge of sales in the wire department, deal- ing with wholesalers in all parts of the world. His long continuance in this posi- tion suffices as proof of his ability and in- tegrity. He resides in Brooklyn, and is junior warden of St. John's (Protestant Episcopal) Church, of that borough. He is a member of the Crescent Athletic and Brooklyn Riding and Driving clubs, and of the Royal Arcanum. Politically, he is inde- pendent of party control, and endeavors to cast his influence and vote for good govern- ment and the promotion of the public weal. He married, in St. Louis, in 1882, Charlotte J. Berkeley, born in Kentucky, daughter of Rev. Edward F. Berkeley, who baptized and buried Henry Clay, and his wife, Sarah (Maury) Berkeley, daughter of Charles Maury.
Gideon Lee Long. For two centuries Long is a name found in Page county, Vir- ginia, history. Isaac Long, grandfather of Gideon L. Long, formerly of Luray, Vir- ginia, was a landed proprietor, deriving title in 1729 from Lord Fairfax. These acres have descended through several generations of the family, have never been out of the family and are now owned by Gideon L. Long. There is record of military service in the revolution and subsequent wars waged by the United States and in the war be- tween the states. Michael Long, father of Gideon L. Long, served in the Confederate army, while his sister's husband, Colonel Thomas Price, was an officer of the Federal army, and there were similar instances in other branches of the family. Longs have been prominent in the professions, in busi- ness and in agricultural lines since the foundation of the family in Virginia, the branch of which Gideon L. Long is a fore- most representative, having as a rule been agriculturists, owning large estates and holding influential positions.
Michael Long, son of Isaac Long, was born on the Page county homestead, Au- gust 31, 1817, died in 1887, a farmer and a merchant. He served in the Confederate
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army in a Virginia regiment and when the war was over returned to his native county, where he continued active in business until his death. He married his cousin, Susan E., daughter of Philip Long, and sister of Captain Powell Long, of the Frederick county, Virginia, state militia. Isaac Long. a son of Michael and Susan E. (Long) Long, served in a Virginia regiment of the Confed- erate army in charge of a hospital corps at Keswick, Albemarle county, Virginia.
Gideon Lee Long. son of Michael and Susan E. (Long) Long, was born on the old Long homestead, in Page county, Virginia, eight miles from Luray. He pursued ad- vanced courses for two years at the Poly- technic Institute, Newmarket, Virginia, and for one year at Virginia Military Institute, at Lexington. He then returned to the farm and for many years devoted his life to the management of his large estate, that for two centuries has been in the Long name. He is a true type of the Virginia gentleman farmer, courteous, genial and hospitable, progressive and modern in his methods, political and religious views broad-minded and liberal.
Mr. Long married (first) Amanda Vir- ginia, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Allen) Spangler. She died September 15, 1907. He married (second) September 4, 1912, Annie, daughter of Judge J. W. Malone, of Quincy, Florida. Children: Michael Allen, born on the old homestead, November 23, 1890; Rob- ert Edward, born on the homestead, Janu- ary 10, 1898; Thomas Bayard, born in Luray, January 11, 1905.
Frank H. Couch. Incumbent of high fra- ternal office, Frank H. Couch, a native of Hampton, Virginia, is at this time a resident of the city, the greater part of his earlier business career having been passed in asso- ciation with the Newport News Shipbuild- ing Company. Son of a veteran of the Civil war. Mr. Couch is himself a veteran of the Spanish-American war, and as an officer of Company D, Fourth Virginia Volunteer Regiment, saw much strenuous service in the conflict that gave to Manila and Santi- ago more than geographical distinction. Prominent fraternally, he is also closely identified with religious work, and in official positions aids in planning the activities of the Hampton Civic Improvement League and vigorously strives for their realization.
Frank H. Couch is a son of William Couch, born at Church Falls, province of Quebec, Canada, in 1837. As a young man of twen- ty-four years William Couch enlisted as a soldier in Battery C, Thirty-ninth Regiment New York Light Artillery, at the beginning of the Civil war. He was wounded in the action before Richmond, and was placed in the national hospital at Gatewoods Corner. One of his nurses at this time, and the one whose ministrations seemed to him most tender and angelic, was Emma Smith, and in the midst of all the suffering and misery of war there grew and flourished a romance of beauty and sweetness. When strength and health returned William Couch made his nurse his bride, and after receiving his discharge from the service made his home in Hampton, Virginia, where he made photography his occupation. He was suc- cessful in business and in Hampton kept his home until his death in 1907, aged seventy years. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, held the Knights Templar degree in the Masonic order, and also affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In politics a loyal Demo- crat, his church was the Methodist Epis- copal, of which he was an earnest and life- long member. William and Emma (Smith) Couch were the parents of: Frank H., of whom further; Louise, born January I, 1868; married, July 13, 1896, Christopher Ethelbert Cheyne, born in 1867, and has children : Ethelbert, born May 26, 1898, Emily, born June 13, 1901, and Marian, born February 6, 1909.
Frank H. Couch, only son of William and Emma (Smith) Couch, was born in Hamp- ton, Virginia, in 1866, and after studying in the Sims-Eaton School and the Model School, entered the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, whence he was graduated in the class of 1888. For a time after leaving school he read law, never, however, advanc- ing into practice of this profession, and sub- sequently was employed by the Newport News Shipbuilding Company. For nineteen years he remained with this concern, deputy in one of the important offices of the com- pany, his term of service with the Newport News Shipbuilding Company marked by capable effort and efficient administration of a difficult office.
When war with Spain was declared he was first lieutenant of Company D, Fourth
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Regiment Virginia Volunteers, attached to the Seventh Army Corps of the United States, and during the course of the war ex- perienced considerable exciting action. Upon the re-establishment of peace and the re- turn of the army from the front he was elected to the captaincy of his company, which he led in the disturbances arising from two street car strikes. At the close of the second of these he decided to relinquish his command, and at his own request was placed upon the retired list of officers of the state militia.
Mr. Couch, long a member of the Im- proved Order of Red Men, has for several years held the office of great chief of the records of that organization, and since his election to his present office has devoted all of his time to the discharge of its responsi- bilities. He is also a member of Tammany Lodge, No. 5. Free and Accepted Masons, and the Modern Woodmen of the World. He was on one occasion a candidate for the office of sheriff, but as he only permitted his name to be placed upon the ticket after con- tinued urging by the party leaders and made no effort to secure the election, he was de- feated by a small plurality. He holds mem- bership in the Presbyterian church, and is secretary of the West End Memorial Church, also filling the associate secretary- ship of the Sunday school. Of any project that, if accomplished, would make Hampton a better city in which to live, he is an en- thusiastic supporter, and as secretary and treasurer of the Civic Improvement League, a strong and useful organization, he is close to the heart of the institution whence many such movements spring. He is a citizen of unselfish and practical ideals, a friend of all that is good in the political and social life of Hampton, deservedly popular in all circles because of the recognition of his many superior qualities of manhood.
Mr. Couch married, January 6, 1889, Clara M. Sager, born in 1871, and is the father of : Charles F., born in 1890; Dorothy E., born in 1892; Ruth, born in 1894: William, born in 1906; John, born in 1909: Margaret, born in 1913. Charles F. Couch, his eldest child. has for the past five years, since finishing his training, been a mould loft expert, one of the most able in his line.
Luther M. Parker. Luther M. Parker, ad- jutant and inspector of the Soldiers' Home
at Old Point, Virginia, is descended from a Kentucky family, and is a grandson of Joel Parker, who was born August 21, 1818, in Wayne county, Kentucky. Joel Parker re- ceived but a limited education in the coun- try schools of his native county, and was one of the pioneers in that part of Scott county, Tennessee, known as Horseshoe Bend. From a wild and unbroken wilder- ness he lived to see this section cleared and developed into the finest farming territory in the county. He was an ideal citizen, modest and unassuming, yet firm and ag- gressive in support of his convictions. In spite of criticism or opposition he followed his convictions, and taught what seemed to him right. He was a devout believer, and was many years a member of the Black Creek Baptist Church. He died near Rugby, Tennessee, June 26, 1900. He married Maria Hurtt, and they were the parents of five sons and five daughters.
The eldest of these, Judge James Craw- ford Parker, was born March 22, 1841, in Wayne county, Kentucky, and was a young man when he accompanied his parents to Scott county, Tennessee. There he was sent to school, and made the best possible use of his opportunities. After some years in the common schools he became a student at a high school in Morgan county, Tennes- see, and was soon fitted for teaching. Dur- ing his early manhood he engaged in this occupation with eminent success, and many of the leading citizens of to-day were reared under his instruction. During the war be- tween the states he enlisted in the Federal army as a private of Company I, Thirtieth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and served throughout the war. Soon after his enlist- ment he was made orderly sergeant of the company, and throughout his term per- formed every duty, as became a brave sol- dier and painstaking officer. In 1870 he was a member of the constitutional convention of Tennessee, and his course in that body was that of a broad-minded statesman. He was an intense lover of justice, and every vote cast by him in the convention was on the side of right and human equality. In the thirty-seventh general assembly of Ten- nessee, he served as representative of the counties of Scott, Morgan and Fentress, and in the election received every vote in Scott county except one. The records of that most important body of legislators indicate
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the important part acted during all its pro- ceedings by Mr.Parker. He was strongly attached to the people, who appreciated his worth and his sterling honesty, as did all his associates. He was a member of three im- portant committees in the thirty-seventh general assembly, and never failed to stand by the people in defence of their rights in every contest. He was admitted to the bar in 1873, and practiced his profession until within a few months of his death, which oc- curred July 25, 1906. For four years he was county judge of Scott county, and as soldier, teacher, lawyer, legislator and judge, he passed through life without a stain upon his reputation. He married, in 1865, Mary E. Burke, of Rock Creek, Wayne county, Ken- tucky, and they were the parents of eight children.
Luther M. Parker, eldest son of Judge James C. and Mary E. (Burke) Parker was born April 29, 1877, at Somerset, Pu- laski county, Kentucky, and attended the public schools at Helenwood, Tennessee, and also a private school. In 1893 he enter- ed American University at Harrison, Ten- nessee, where he continued two years, and was subsequently for two years at the State College of Kentucky. In 1897 he entered the employ of the Centennial Exposition Company at Washington. District of Co- lumbia, as an inspector in its concession de- partment. In 1898 he was appointed private secretary to R. W. Austin, United States marshal of the eastern district of Tennessee, and eight years later became secretary to Colonel T. T. Knox. In 1909 he was appointed adjutant and inspector, with the rank of cap- tain, at the Soldiers' Home of Virginia. He is a member of the great Masonic brother- hood, affiliating with Monitor Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Phoebus, Virginia, and is a member of the Hampton Roads Golf and Country Club, the Virginia Yacht Club, Senior Assembly German Club, and is also affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. He was a member of the Republican execu- tive committee of Knox county, and was sergeant-at-arms of the noted convention of 1904, which nominated Mckinley and Roose- velt for president and vice-president respec- tively. He was secretary of the Republican executive state committee. Mr. Parker is much interested in historical subjects, in which he is widely read, and recently pre- pared a paper to be read before the Daugh-
ters of 1812. He is a member of the Congre- gational church, and endeavors to exemplify his principles by his daily walk and conver- sation.
Walter Herron Doyle. The Doyles were long seated in Wexford, Ireland, from whence came Walter Herron Doyle, son of John Edward and Mary Hite (Fitz Gerald) Doyle. John Edward Doyle came to the United States at the solicitation of his uncle, Walter Herron, who was a large land- owner and rope manufacturer of Norfolk. He owned many slaves and with them per- formed much labor at his rope walk, which was a very large one. Among the nine chil- dren of John Edward and Mary Hite (Fitz Gerald) Doyle was Walter Herron Doyle, named after his great-uncle, Walter Her- ron, of Norfolk.
Late in the seventeenth century Sir Wal- ter Herron, a gentleman of means, came on a visit to America, landing at Norfolk, Vir- ginia. Here he became acquainted with a Mr. Plume, proprietor of a large rope walk, whose only daughter he married. Their location was called Plumesville, and from them Plume street in Norfolk received its name. This rope walk was one of the sights of the borough of Norfolk, extending at great length, where the slaves engaged in its operation and sang as they weaved the rope. Many ships came to this port for sup- plies of provisions, and were largely out- fitted with ropes supplied by Walter Her- ron. The present St. Vincent's Hospital of Norfolk was built by him. Having no chil- dren of his own, Mr. Herron brought over several relatives from England, including his nephew, John Edward Doyle, as above mentioned, who became associated with him in business. About this time Mr. Herron's residence was destroyed by fire, and he im- mediately erected a handsome dwelling on the same site, which in 1800 was considered the finest residence in Norfolk. It stood at the terminus of a street, surrounded with beautiful grounds, with large conservatory and gardens. On the death of Walter Her- ron, John E. Doyle inherited his business and handsome property. The family resi- dence, however, fell to his adopted daugh- ter, Miss Ann Behan, of Wexford, Ireland, whose name was changed by the adoption to Ann Herron. Just as she was preparing for a visit to Europe, a plague of yellow
UH. Doyle
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fever broke out in Norfolk and she refused to leave her faithful servants, some of whom were ill. She fell a victim to the scourge, and the homestead by her will became the property of the Sisters of Charity for a hos- pital, with ample income for its support. John Edward Doyle married Mary J. Fitz Gerald, daughter of Purser Edward Fitz- Gerald, of the United States navy.
Walter Herron Doyle, son of John Ed- ward and Mary J. (Fitz Gerald) Doyle, was born July 20, 1845, died February 29, 1904. He obtained his early and preparatory edu- cation in Norfolk Academy and in George Sheffield's private school, completing his studies at Calvert College, Maryland. In 1861, at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in Norfolk Artillery Blues and from that year until Lee's surrender, four years later, was a soldier of the Confederacy, enduring all the trials, perils and hardships of that distressing period of our nations' history. Returning from the war a veteran in experi- ence, but a minor in years, he entered busi- ness life as a clerk for the firm of Koder, Briggs & Company, remaining with them until 1867. In that year he became book- keeper in the Citizen's Bank, of Norfolk, and for thirty-seven years thereafter was identi- fied with that institution to its everlasting good. Beginning as clerk and bookkeeper in 1867, he was appointed assistant cashier in 1877, cashier in 1879, and in 1881 was elected president, an office he held for twen- ty-three years until his death in 1904. He developed wonderful ability as a financier, placed the bank upon a solid foundation and gave it a name and fame among the leading banks of the South. He was a tower of strength to the bank whose destinies he guided, held the unqualified esteem of the banking public, and was the warm friend and confidential adviser of many who relied implicity upon his counsel. Outside the world of business he was well known as one whose purse was always open to relieve dis- tress or to aid in any worthy cause. He was particularly warm in his regard for his old comrades and aided many of them to secure solid financial footing. He was devoted to his home and family, his only outside inter- est, besides his business, being Picket Bu- chanan Post, United Confederate Veterans. His sons were all given the benefit of that great school, Virginia Military Institute, all being graduates of that famous institution,
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