Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V, Part 94

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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Edward C. Gay, and has Edward Compton and Ashton; Percy Ryland; G. Ashton, of whom further.

G. Ashton Harris, son of John Thomas and Mary ( Richardson) Harris, was born in Isle of Wight county, Virginia, in 1878. He was a student in private and public schools as a youth. When a young man of twenty years he formed a business partner- ship with a Mr. Smith, and in 1898 estab- lished in wood and coal dealings in New- port News, Virginia, trading under the firm name of Smith & Harris. He was so en- gaged for but two years, at the end of that time accepting a position with the Metro- politan Life Insurance Company, with that company serving in the capacity of man- ager of the Virginia district until 1910. In this year he was appointed deputy clerk of the circuit court of Nansemond county, and discharged the duties of his position until 1913, when he was made clerk of the cir- cuit court, in the same year becoming clerk of the city of Suffolk. Mr. Harris is popular with his colleagues in the public service, his able and conscientious performance of the tasks that come within his province lend- ing efficiency to the municipal and county administrations. Mr. Harris is associated with the Nelms-Harris Shoe Company as president, and is secretary of a building and loan association. His fraternal associations are with the Junior Order of United Amer- ican Mechanics, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Masonic Order, in the latter society belonging to Suffolk Lodge, No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons, and Suffolk Chapter, No. 20, Royal Arch Masons. His church is the Oxford Metho- dist Episcopal, and his political affiliations are strongly Democratic. He is a man of inany friends, identified with the best forces in civil life, and is favorably regarded where- ever known. His business and political careers are alike without a blemish, and he stands for progressiveness and honor in all of his relations with his fellow-men.

Mr. Harris married, in 1899, Nannie C. Pond, born in 1874 died in 1914, and is the father of one daughter, Mildred Lewis, born i11 1913.

William Leroy Stephens. As clerk of the police court of Norfolk, Virginia, Mr. Steph- ens, by reason of his wonderful faculty of remembering names and faces is an invalu-

able aid to the officials of that court, in ad- dition to the clerical ability the position de- mands. He has spent the greater part of his life in the police service of Norfolk, follow- ing in the footsteps of his honored father, who rose from harbor watchman to captain of police and head of the detective bureau of the city.

William L. Stephens is a grandson of An- drew and Henrietta Stephens, of Norfolk, where their three children were born: An- drew J., of further mention, Charles and Emma, the latter wife of Peter Dickson and the mother of Jennie. Walter, Peter (2) and Rosa Dickson, the two daughters both mar- ried.

Andrew J. Stephens was born in 1847, died in 1903. He was educated in Norfolk, and from youthful manhood was connected with the police department of his native city. His first assignment was to harbor duty, then was promoted to the regular force, winning promotion through meritor- ious service, through the various grades, un- til reaching the rank of first captain. He later became head of the detective force and in that capacity was responsible for the cap- ture of several noted criminals. His record in every grade of service was a proud and honorable one and brought him deserved recognition. He married, in 1894, Mary Susan Davies, who bore him five children : William Leroy, of further mention ; Charles B., married Minnie Butt and has a daugh- ter, Helen ; Amelia, married Marshall Wal- ker and has Edward, Mary, Albert ; Emma Holmes, married, September 19, 1896, Wil- lard Timothy Traylor, born November 23, 1872, children : Willard S., Emily Virginia, William Leroy, Ernest S.

William Leroy Stephens, eldest child of Andrew J. and Mary Susan ( Davies) Steph- ens, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1873, and until eleven years of age attended pub- lic school. He then obtained a boy's posi- tion in a Norfolk store, continuing until 1888. He then entered the employ of W. A. Young, remaining until June, 1894, leav- ing to become caretaker of the United States custom house. Four years later he was ap- pointed a member of the sanitary police squad, and in 1899 was appointed warrant officer for the police court. He served in that rank until 1902, when a change in the city administration, resulting in the dis- charge of fifty-six policemen. Mr. Stephens

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among the number. In 1903 he entered the employ of the Old Dominion Steamship Company, and in 1904 transferred his ser- vice to the Northern and Southern Railway Company. He was placed in charge of the electrical department under M. K. King and later was in charge of the entire Virginia and Northern car division. In 1910 he re- signed to accept the position of clerk of the police court in Norfolk, an office he now holds and most efficiently fills. His first ap- pointment was made July 1, 1910, by Mayor John F. Duncan, and four years later he was reappointed for four years by Mayor . J. S. Barron. Mr. Stephens is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Knights of Pythias, serving as dis- trict deputy of the latter order. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious affiliation belongs to Christ Episcopal Church. He married, in 1894, Lucy Lee Godfrey. Chil- dren : Andrew D., born June 11, 1895; Lu- cille, born December 23, 1901.

Josiah Thomas Nichols. Josiah Thomas Nichols, a popular citizen of Portsmouth, was a grandson of Josiah and Elizabeth (Smith) Nichols, of Norfolk county, Vir- ginia. Josiah Nichols was a farmer, promi- hent in his community, and an active mem- ber of the Methodist church. His son. Samuel J. Nichols, born in Norfolk county, was educated in the public schools, and set- tled upon a portion of the paternal planta- tion. where he was very successful as an ag- riculturist. He was active in the councils of the Democratic party, and highly esteemed by his contemporaries. He married Martha F. Booth, and had children: Sarah Eliza- beth, who died at the age of thirty years; Josiah Thomas, of further mention below : George Washington, and Lawrence. The eldest son was the only one who grew to manhood.

Josiah Thomas Nichols was born Septem- ber 17, 1871, in Norfolk county, Virginia, where he grew up, receiving his education in private schools. In 1890 he went to Ports- month, where he found employment in the general store of Rudolph Bohlkins, and was subsequently employed by Charles Friedlin. He was industrious and attentive to busi- ness, so that he was able to save from his earnings the means with which to engage in business on his own account. In part-

rership with Mr. John F. Hodges, he en- gaged in mercantile business under the firm name of Nichols & Hodges, in which he con- tinued with success until his death which occurred April 1, 1906. He was promi- nently identified with the social life of the city, thorough going and efficient, and very much esteemed wherever known. Believing in the broad fraternal principles of the Masonic order, he became early affiliated with it, and rose through its grades until he had attained the thirty-second degree in Acca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, which he joined De- cember 6, 1903. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, and Woodmen of the World. In religious faith he adhered to the Methodist church, and in matters of public policy acted steadfastly with the Democratic party. He married, March 26, 1896, Mary Eliza Hodges, born March 26, 1873, in Portsmouth, daughter of John K. and Martha Love (Hanbury) Hodges. They were the parents of two daughters: Mary Elizabeth, born August 7. 1899; Gladys Williams, October 31, 1901. The Hodges family is found quite early in Cheraws, South Carolina, in Kent, Mary- land, and in Virginia, where it was especial- ly identified with the Protestant Episcopal church. John Hodges and his wife Nancy had children: Fletcher, Ann, Claude, Eu- genia, Matilda, Andrew and John K. The last named married Martha Love Hanbury, and had the following children: I. Alice William Hodges, married William Taylor, and was the mother of Eunice Marie Taylor, who married John Ballance, and was the mother of Hugh and Helen Ballance. 2. John Frank Hodges, married Mamie Smith, and had children : John Stanley, Mary Alice, Marion Estelle, and John Frank (2). 3. Lewis Fletcher Hodges, born July 26, 1870; married Winnie Hodges, and they were the parents of: Grace, Della, Elton, Lewis, Elsie and Dwight. 4. Mary Eliza Hodges, wife of Josiah T. Nichols, as above noted. 5. Child, died soon after birth. 6. Indianna Hodges, born July 16, 1875; married, June 23, 1897, Samuel Waterman Hanbury, and was the mother of: Joseph Samuel, born May 16, 1898; Maud Lee, May 26, 1901; John Durwood, August 23, 1903; Hodges K., July 6, 1912.

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James V. K. Walker. James V. K. Wal- ker, late of Portsmouth, Virginia, was a grandson of Vincent Walker. Columbus WV. Walker, son of Vincent Walker, had three children: James V. K., of further mention below ; Lee Wood Walker, married Anna Low, and had three children: Colum- bus W. Walker, Jr.

James V. K. Walker was born April 3, 1871, in Portsmouth, where he continued to make his home through life, and died De- cember 7, 1895. In his brief career he gained a leading position among the merchants of the city, and enjoyed the esteem and good will of all who were privileged to know him. After a few years' attendance at the public schools, he entered the academy in Portsmouth, conducted by Professor Stokes, where he made rapid advancement, utiliz- ing to the fullest extent possible the oppor- tunities afforded him. He began his busi- less career in the service of the Seaboard Air Line at Portsmouth, where he continued a few years, being most of the time an air brake inspector. Soon after attaining his majority he engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in his native town, dealing in gents' furnishings, and became deservedly popular with the public, and therefore unusually successful in business. He was a man of broad mind and warm sympathies, and most naturally affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, whose teachings were made the practice of his every day life. He married, February 27. 1893. Mary Booth, born 1872, daughter of Joseph and Mary (Brinkley) Booth, who survives him. She is a grand- daughter of Nathaniel Booth, of Nansemond county, Virginia, and his wife, Mary Griffin. The Booth family is a very old one in Vir- ginia, having been founded by Thomas Booth, who was born in 1663, and came from Barton, Lancashire, England, settling on the Ware river, in Gloucester county, Virginia, where he died in 1736. He was a descendant of William Booth, who was liv- ing in England in 1279, a son of Adam de Booth. Thomas Booth was a son of St. John Booth, whose father. John Booth, was a son of George Booth. Another son of George Booth, William, was the father of George Booth, first lord of Delamere, whose son, Henry Booth, was earl of Delamere. Nathaniel Booth was a successful planter and active citizen, esteemed and respected in the community where he lived. His son,

Joseph Booth, born April 15, 1832, died March 29, 1882, in Nansemond county, Vir- ginia ; in early life he was a planter, and be- came president of the Farmers Bank of Nansemond. He was very successful as an agriculturist, as well as a business man, and enjoyed the confidence and neighborly good will of a great number of people. He mar- ried Mary Brinkley, born January 3, 1839, died April 15, 1877, and they were the parents of two children: Joseph Nathaniel, who died at an early age, and Mary, born 1872, wife of James V. K. Walker, as above noted. She is a lady of refinement and intelligence, and is much esteemed in the society of her home city of Portsmouth.

Edward Wren Hudgins. The family of which Edward Wren Hudgins, of the law firm of McNeal, Hudgins & Oglin, of Chase City, Mecklenburg county, Virginia, is a member, is one old in Virginia annals. It has furnished men for each emergency of the state and nation, whether the call has come from civil or for military duty. In the war between the states the name was numerously represented in the Confederate States army, Robert Henry, father of Ed- ward Wren Hudgins, and his uncles, Reu- ben B., George, and Thomas, participating actively in that conflict. Reuben B. Hud- gins was a non-commissioned officer in the brigade of General "Stonewall" Jackson. and was wounded at the second battle of Manassas. He was once taken prisoner by the Federal troops and confined in the prison at Elmira, New York, making his escape from that place and rejoining his regiment at the front. Dr. Thomas Hudgins was at- tached to the medical corps of the army, and had a son, John, who held a lieutenant's commission in the United States navy, serv- ing in the Spanish-American war. Lienten- ant John Hudgins was stationed on the United States steamer Kearsarge when the terrible explosion occurred, and lost his life in a heroic attempt to rescue his comrades.

Robert Henry Hudgins, father of Edward Wren Hudgins, was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, in 1846, and has been a farmer all of his life. During the Civil war he was for three years a member of the Home Guard, and was in active service for ten months. He married Lucy Ann Wren, born in Buckingham county, Virginia, in 1855, granddaughter of Colonel Barber, of

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revolutionary fame. Children of Robert Henry and Lucy Ann (Wren) Hudgins : Mabel Ann, born June 16, 1878, married Claude L. Goodman, and has Mabel and Claudelia ; Robert Lester, born October 12, 1879, educated in the public schools, Rich- mond College, and the University College of Medicine, now engaged in medical prac- tice at Farmsville, Virginia, married Julia Barnes, of Richmond, Virginia; Edward Wren, of whom further; Reuben Boat- wright, born March 23, 1885, educated in the public schools. Franklin Military Academy, and the D. P. I., a farmer.

Edward Wren Hudgins, son of Robert Henry and Lucy Ann (Wren) Hudgins, was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, January 17, 1882, and through attendance at the public school of Mount Zion and the graded schools of the county of his birth prepared for college entrance. He matricu- lated at Richmond College in the fall of 1900 and was graduated A. B. in 1905, in 1906 beginning a law course in the same institution. While so engaged he was for one year principal of the Tarrytown High School, then for a time teaching in the Rich- mond Academy for Boys, after which he was engaged in similar capacity for one year at Miss Elliott's School, at Richmond, Virginia. In 1908, after carrying his double duties as an instructor and student for two years, he was awarded the degree of LL. B. by Richmond College, and in that year was admitted to practice at the Virginia bar. He was for two years an independent prac- titioner in Chase City, Mecklenburg county, Virginia, and in 1910 formed a partnership with W. S. McNeal and T. W. Oglin, the three forming the law firm of McNeal, Hud- gins and Oglin. The four years of the firm's existence have brought success in a meas- ure far beyond the expectations of the mem- bers thereof, its reputation for business-like dealing and competent management of the most difficult cases having induced a larger practice. The three principals are lawyers of learning and ability, their association giving a combination of qualities and talents that have achieved much and promise still greater attainment.

Mr. Hudgins was elected to membership in a Greek letter fraternity while at college, and is past noble grand of the Chase City Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. For three years he was a member "Meck-

lenburg Guards," Third Regiment Virginia National Guard (Infantry). He is a com- municant of the Baptist church.

He married, March 16, 1910, Lucy Henry, born in Charlotte county, Virginia, daugh- ter of Major Jacob W. and Annie (Jones) Morton, her mother a daughter of Judge John T. Jones, for many years on the bench of Arkansas, and elected to the United States senate from that state prior to the adoption of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. Mr. and Mrs. Hudgins have one son, Edward Morton, born in Chase City, Virginia, December 19, 1910.

Bernard Van Buren McCray, D. D. S. There is no dissenting voice raised to the statement that, in his particular realm of activity, Bernard Van Buren McCray, D. D. S., of Richmond, Virginia, has no superior. His life achievements worthily illustrate what may be attained by persistent and painstaking effort. He is a man of pro- gressive ideas, and although versatile, he is not superficial. Exactness and thorough- ness characterize all his attainments. His genealogy also betokens that he is a scion of a family whose associations with the annals of American history have been inti- mate and honorable for many years.

William Alexander McCray, father of Dr. McCray, was born in Bath county, Vir- ginia, in 1841, and is still living on the old homestead. He served as a Confederate soldier throughout the war between the states, during which struggle he was wounded and taken prisoner. He married Martha Mallow, born in Alleghany county, Virginia, in 1841, and they had children as follows: Martha, who died in infancy ; Wil- liam Mallow, of Staunton, Virginia; John Henry, of Waynesborough; Charles Alex- ander, of Huntington, West Virginia ; Bern- ard Van Buren, whose name heads this sketch ; Joseph Sherod, of Hot Springs, Bath county, Virginia.

Bernard Van Buren McCray, D. D. S., was born on the family homestead in Bath county, Virginia, September 13, 1875, and resided on the homestead until he had at- tained the age of twenty-three years. His early education was acquired in the schools of Hot Springs, Bath county, Virginia, and when he was twenty years of age, he attend- ed the sessions at the Normal School in

B. V. M. Gray

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Shenandoah Valley for the period of one year. Electrical engineering was the next field of his activity, and he was in the em- ploy of the Virginia Hot Springs Com- pany for three years. At the expiration of this time he became a student at the Univer- sity College of Medicine in Richmond, from which institution he was graduated in the class of 1902 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He at once established himself in the practice of his profession in the city of Richmond, and by his careful and painstaking methods has acquired a large and lucrative practice. His religious affili- ation is with the Campbellite church, and he is a member of the Order of Free and Ac- cepted Masons. Dr. McCray married, No- vember 6, 1906, Nellie Stuart, born in Rich- mond, Virginia, where her parents, Thomas S. and Lillian (Caffee) Winn, are still re- siding, the former conducting a successful feed business. Dr. and Mrs. McCray have one child : Bernard Winn, born August 9, 1907.

Robert P. Holt. Colonel Robert P. Holt is descended from an old family in Virginia, a son of Hon. Micajah Quincy Holt, of Surry county, Virginia, one of the most dis- tinguished citizens of his time. He was the father of four sons, all of whom have gained distinction in their native state, namely : Judge Henry W. Holt, of Staunton ; R. W. Holt, of Washington, D. C .; Colonel Robert P. Holt, of further mention, and Saxton Winslow Holt, of Portsmouth, at present a member of the state senate.

Colonel Robert P. Holt was born in 1880, in Surry county, Virginia, and was brought up under the instruction of private tutors. subsequently attending the Episcopal high school. He was for some time a student at Randolph-Macon College, and graduated from the University of Virginia in 1902. In association with his younger brother, Hon. Saxton W. Holt, he engaged in mercantile business as jobbers of groceries and similar wares, under the firm name of S. W. Holt & Company. He is vice-president and di- rector of the Smelz Brothers Bank, one of the largest in the county of Warwick. Colo- nel Holt takes an active interest in public affairs, is a leader in the councils of the Dem- ocratic party, and served on the staff of Governor Swanson, with the rank of colo- nel. He is very popular with his fellow citi-

zens, and is actively interested in every movement calculated to promote the growth and prosperity of Norfolk. He is an active member of the Episcopal church. He mar- lied, in 1908, Nora Carlisle Herbert, daugh- ter of Colonel Arthur and Alice (Gregory) Herbert, of Alexandria. Virginia, and they have a son, Arthur Herbert Holt, born in IQII.

John Bolling Jones, M. D. John Bolling Jones, M. D., a successful physician of Pe- tersburg, is of Welsh descent, and comes of a family long settled in Virginia. His grandfather, Francis Fitzgerald Jones, was born in Amelia county, Virginia, and lived and died at "The Oaks," in Brunswick county, Virginia, where he was a planter and slave owner, and died at the age of fifty-two years. He married Lucy Thweatt, who died at the age of forty-five years. They had children: George, Thomas Thweatt, William Fitzgerald, Francis F .. Benjamin C., James E., Gregory, Lucy, wife of Dr. Hume Field, of Dinwiddie county ; Alice, first wife of Claiborne Pope, and Hat- tie, second wife of Claiborne Pope.

Rev. Thomas Thweatt Jones. son of Fran- cis F. and Lucy (Thweatt) Jones, was born in Amelia county, Virginia, in 1837, became a clergyman of the Presbyterian church, serving pastoral charges in Virginia, and died in Petersburg in 1904. He was a soldier during the first two years of the Civil war, and was captured at Fort Donaldson, and held some time as a prisoner. During the last two years of that struggle he was a member of the state senate of Virginia. He married Margaret Ann Bolling, who sur- vives him, and now resides at her old home in Dinwiddie county, aged seventy-seven years. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom nine are now living. One died in infancy, and another, Thomas F., Jr., died at the age of twenty-four years. Those living are: Lucy Ann, wife of William Boll- ing, of Mississippi; Sally Green, widow of John Pryor Atkinson, residing in Dinwid- die county ; Harriet Meade, wife of Rev. William B. MeIllwaine, a missionary in Japan : John Bolling, of further mention be- low; Robert Randolph, of El Paso, Texas ; Francis Fitzgerald, a Presbyterian clergy- man of Tinkling Springs, Virginia; Mar- garet Bolling, Mrs. Oscar Dameron, of Lan- caster county, Virginia ; Mary Barnett, wife

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of John L. Tucker, of Dinwiddie county ; William Elliott, a cotton planter of Sidon, Mississippi. Margaret Ann (Bolling) Jones, is a daughter of John Bolling, a native of Brunswick county, Virginia, who died in Texas at the age of ninety-four years. His wife was a Meade of Brunswick county, and they had four children, the only one of whom now living is Mrs. Thomas F. Jones, as above noted. There were three sons: Robert, Thomas and William.

Dr. John Bolling Jones, son of Thomas T. and Margaret Ann (Bolling) Jones, was born February 27, 1871, in Dinwiddie county, Virginia, and attended private schools there until seventeen years of age. At the age of eighteen he went to Massa- chusetts, where he attended the Mount Her- mon School, following which he entered the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in 1893, with the degree of M. D. In 1893-94 he was resident physician at the Good Samaritan Hospital of Petersburg, and from 1894 to 1897 engaged in the practice of his profession in Chesterfield county, Virginia. He removed to Petersburg in 1897, and is now engaged in the general practice of medi- cine and surgery, with office and residence on High street. Dr. Jones is associated with many professional organizations, including the Petersburg Medical Faculty, the oldest medical society in the United States. He is also a member of the South Side Medi- cal Society, the County Medical Society. Virginia State Medical Society, Southern Medical Association, and American Medical Association. He is also a member of the Presbyterian church of Petersburg. H married, in Clinton, South Carolina, July 7, 1896, Jane Barksdale Duckett, a native of South Carolina. daughter of Captain Thomas T. Duckett, who gained his military rank in the Confederate army, was many years a merchant of Laurens county, South Caro- lina, and now resides in Clinton, that state, retired trom active life. His wife was Clara Saxton Barksdale, now deceased. Dr. and Mrs. Jones have the following children : Herbert Claiborne, Thomas Duckett, John Bolling, Jean Barksdale, Margaret Bolling, Elliott Jacobs, Clara Elizabeth, and Francis Randolph.

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Encyclopedia of Virginia biography, Volume V, Part 94

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