History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 109

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 109

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Mr. Crowell has been connected with the First National Bank of Newport News since its organization, being one of the directors. He is also a director in the Colonial Fire In- surance Company of Washington, and is in- terested in several other business enterprises. He is a man of more than ordinary executive ability, and manifests keen foresight and sound judgment in all weighty business matters.

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R OBERT JOHNSTON, president of the Old Dominion Paper Company. of Norfolk, Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, is of Scotch-English ancestry. He was born in Portsmouth, Novem- ber 15. 1859, and is a son of Robert MI. Johns- ton and Augusta J. Young, his wife. The father was a native of Princess Anne County, Virginia, and the mother was born in Ports- mouth. Virginia.

Robert Johnston's paternal grandfather. James J. Johnston, was a Scotchman, and a boat-builder by trade. His son, Robert M. Johnston, was born in 1809, and died in 1864. He was a farmer and served several terms as sheriff of Princess Anne County. The ma- ternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Rev. George Young, rector of Trin- ity Protestant Episcopal Church of Ports- mouth. He settled in Norfolk County in 1802. having come here from England. His son. Captain Hy. A. F. Young, was born in England in 1787, and came to the United States with his parents. He was appointed to the United States Navy, and served in the War of 1812. He retired from the navy in 1856, resigning his position several years later. He cast his fortune with his adopted State (Virginia) when she seceded from the Union. His resignation after his retirement was unique; he alleged the reason for such a course being that he did not want to receive a gratuity from a government with which he had no sympathy.

Robert Johnston, whose name opens these lines. removed with his parents to Washing- ton. D. C., in 1864. He attended the public schools of that city until 1874, when he was appointed to a position as messenger in the United States Treasury Department, and as- signed to duty with the Secretary of the Treas- ury, Hon. Benjamin H. Bristow. He also served under Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury. He took the civil service ex- aminations, and was appointed a clerk in 1878. Later he attended lectures at the law school

of Georgetown University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1880. He was pro- moted to be chief of division in the custom office in 1882, and relinquished that position two years later to begin his present business.

He became president of the Old Dominion Paper Company in January, 1884. The prod- uct of the company goes from Maryland to Georgia, and west as far as Tennessee. It is one of the largest concerns of the kind in the South, and is excellently managed. MIr. Johnston is a director in the following insti- tutions: Merchants' & Mechanics' Savings Bank: Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk: Chamber of Com- merce ; and the Tidewater Insurance Company.

He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., hav- ing been treasurer of the Blue Lodge for the past 10 years, and served as worshipful master for two years. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk.

A LEXANDER H. ASHBURN, who has been a magistrate .of Norfolk, Virginia, since January. 1894. was born in Nansemond County, Vir- ginia. in 1828. Mr. Ashburn was reared on a farm, and his first business under- taking was in the tannery line. Later he dealt extensively in lumber. He owned several mills in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, but at the breaking out of the war between the North and South he gave up this business.

Mr. Ashburn went to Windsor, Virginia, where he engaged in mercantile business, and also did some railroad contracting. He was also postmaster of Windsor for some time, and during the war was appointed by the gov- ernment to supply the sailors' and soldiers' wives and families with the necessaries of live- lihood. He did not realize one cent in return for this, and accordingly was obliged to accept any position he could obtain in order to earn a living.

HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

Mr. Ashburn was employed as a book- keeper after coming to Norfolk, in 1877. Later he held the office of street inspector at Brambleton, and served in that capacity until his appointment, in 1894, to the office of magistrate. He has filled that position ever since, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He was appointed through the Temperance administration. being an advocate of that cause.

Mr. Ashburn has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Wadkins, a daugh- ter of M. H. Wadkins. She died, leaving two daughters. Mr. Ashburn married, secondly. Miss Owens, a daughter of Rev. Putnam Owens, and they have four sons, namely : Lee ; Wallace: Charles; and William H., all of whom are representative men of Norfolk.

Mr. Ashburn has been a member of the Baptist Church for a great many years, and is deacon of that church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has watched with interest the growth of Norfolk and the coun- try surrounding, and has always been keenly interested in its progress. He is a man of honor and integrity, and his services have always been greatly appreciated.

L AURENCE WARING, attorney-at- law, and clerk of the Circuit Court of Norfolk, Virginia, is a member of the firm of Jones & Waring. He was born in Richmond, Virginia, Decem- ber 14, 1868, and is a son of William P. Waring.

Laurence Waring was educated at Balti- more, at the Lester Academy. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1894. Mr. Waring opened practice in Norfolk with C. W. B. Lane, under the firm name of Waring & Lane. Mr. Lane died in 1897, after which Mr. Waring continued the practice alone for one year, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Jones. the firm name reading Jones &

Waring. In 1894 Mr. Waring was elected clerk of the Circuit Court, and re-elected in 1900. He was elected on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Waring has always taken an act- ive interest in local politics, and is considered one of the brightest young lawyers in Nor- folk. He has filled the position of clerk of the Circuit Court with great acceptability, and bids fair to occupy that office for some time to come. He is deeply interested in his profes- sion and has a large general practice, and is ranked with th leading lawyers of Norfolk. Mr. Waring is a member of the Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk.

HE NOTTINGHAM & WRENN COMPANY, one of the most sub- stantial and progressive business con- cerns of Norfolk. Virginia, deals ex- tensively in coal, both wholesale and retail, and is engaged in the manufacture of lumber, shingles and laths. This business was established in 1877 by Thomas J. Nottingham and William A. Wrenn, who dealt in coal, wood and ice. At that time they shipped the ice from the pure lake waters of Maine, and dealt extensively in hard and soft coal, and all kinds of lumber. Thomas J. Nottingham died in September, 1891, and the company was or- ganized and incorporated with the following officers : William A. Wrenn, president ; Thom- as J. Nottingham, Jr., vice-president : G. B. Ferebee, secretary and treasurer ; and William J. Woodward, manager of the lumber depart- ment. The above-mentioned gentlemen, to- gether with William T. Anderson, form the board of directors of the company. The com- pany also invested in real estate enterprises, and manufacturing concerns, and has lent a helping hand to many business ventures of the city, of the most progressive nature. It has large lum- ber mills at Grifton, North Carolina, and man- ufactures and deals in North Carolina pine and cypress lumber, long-leaf Southern pine tin-

C. PRESTON DENBY.

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ber, shingles, laths, etc. In addition it handles the products of many other mills, the magni- tutde of its transactions being evidenced by a view of the yards and wharf of Nottingham & Wrenn. and the city pier of the Norfolk & Western Railway. The company maintains a finely equipped office on Granby street.

William A. Wrenn, president of the Not- tingham & Wrenn Company, is a son of .1. Wrenn, founder of the well-known carriage manufacturing establishment of A. Wrenn's Sons. William A. Wrenn is vice-president of the Norfolk Ice Company, of which he was one of the founders. This company dropped the handling if natural ice in 1899. finding that it could manufacture a fine quality at a much smaller expense.

PRESTON DENBY, who is a member of the City Council of Nor- folk, Norfolk County, Virginia, rep- resenting the Fifth Ward from Brambleton, was born in Norfolk County October 4. 1860. He is a son of Charles L. Denby, who lived on the place in this county, known as the Millsville farm.

Charles L. Denby followed the occupation of farmer until 1886. when he removed to Nor- folk, departing this life at the age of 63 years. His wife. Virginia (Nimmo) Denby, was born in Norfolk. She makes her home with her children. C. Preston: and Mrs. Virginia Flournoy, of Washington. District of Co- lumbia.

C. Preston Denby was reared and schooled in Norfolk, which city has always been his home. He learned bookkeeping at an early age and has devoted most of his time to that occupation. He was elected a member of the City Council in May, 1900, representing the Fifth Ward from Brambleton. He has served on the committee on storage of oils, special street committee, school committee and im- provement for Newton's Creek. He is deeply

interested in the welfare of his native city, and is always willing to assist in any public move- ment which is for the good of that community. .An honest, upright citizen, he is respected as such, and stands high in Norfolk.

On December 26. 1886. Mr. Denby was married to Martha Cartwright, who is a na- tive of North Carolina. The subject of this sketch is a member of the Royal Arcanum and also belongs to the Modern Puritan society. In political faith he has always adhered to Deme- cratic principles. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

R ICHARD W. PEATROSS, one of the popular young barristers of Norfolk. Virginia, has enjoyed a large client- age since 1899, when he first ap- peared at the Norfolk County Bar.

Mr. Peatross is a son of Hon. Robert (). Peatross, a prominent citizen of Bowling Green. Virginia, and is a native of Caroline County, where he was born in 1870. The boy- hood days of Mr. Peatross were spent in ac- quiring an education at the public schools of his native place. He had exceptional scholastic training, and after finishing in the public school entered Randolph-Macon College, where he graduated with honor in 1890.

Mr. Peatross decided to teach school for a time. and was professor of English in the University School at Knoxville, Tennessee, which position he retained until he reached the age of 29 years, having proved successful as a teacher.

While teaching, Mr. Peatross studied law, and was admitted to the bar at Knoxville. Ten- nessee, in 1808. He acquired great fluency of speech and is well equipped for the career of a lawyer. In 1899 he removed to Norfolk and engaged in practice, and the possession of a legal turn of mind, coupled with superior ex- ecutive ability, has made him successful, and won him numerous friends, who predict for him a brilliant future.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

LARENCE W. TEBAULT, who has been a conspicuous figure in the de- velopment and growth of Norfolk, Virginia, is president of the Security Real Estate Company, secretary and treasurer of the West End Annex Company, and a partner of D. P. Blount in the general real estate business.

Mr. Tebault was born in Princess Anne County, Virginia, and is a son of Dr. A. G. Tebault, who was engaged in the practice of medicine in Princess Anne and Norfolk Coun- ties for 53 years prior to his death. The sub- ject of this sketch received his intellectual train- ing in the schools of Princess Anne and Nor- folk Counties, and early in life embarked in the real-estate business. He organized Park Place, on the tract of 180 acres formerly owned by R. H. McDonald, and this he disposed of for $150,000. He organized the suburban dis- trict of Villa Heights, formerly known as the 80 acres of the Ward heirs, which he sold to the present company for $80,000. He has also made large sales in city and country prop- erty, and in August, 1899, was one of the principal factors in organizing the Security Real Estate Company, of which he is president, and D. P. Blount is secretary and treasurer. This company has built more than 190 homes at Lambert's Point, Brambleton, Pinner's Point, Portsmouth and Norfolk. The com- pany will sell any kind of a lot desired, and on it will erect a house from plans desired by the purchaser, exacting at first but a small part of the purchase price. In this manner the com- pany has aided many men in securing homes. It also has for sale a considerable amount of farming and timber lands in this section of the State, and negotiates loans. It deals in min- eral lands, including copper, kaolin and iron- ore lands in Virginia. It organized the Wheel- ing Development Company, which owned the A. J. Newton property of 150 acres, which it sold for $100,000. In 1891 the Security Real Estate Company was the principal factor in or- ganizing a company to purchase of the Hamp-

ton Roads Company a site of 703 acres of land and water for a new shipyard building and dry dock, planned at a cost of $5,000,000. The Security Real Estate Company stands among the foremost concerns of the kind in Norfolk County, its success being due to the executive" ability of its officers, their untiring energy, and the enterprising business methods they employ.

David Perry Blount, who is identified with the various enterprises above mentioned, was born in Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina, and is a son of Maj. John G. Blount. He was reared and schooled in his native town, and spent his early active career in the trans- portation business at Washington, North Caro- lina, and Memphis, Tennessee. In 1893 he came to Norfolk and established the Blount Fruit & Produce Company, which still exists and is located at Nos. 35-37 Roanoke street. In August, 1899, he was one of the organizers of the Security Real Estate Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer ; he is also presi- dent of the-West End Annex Company. He is vice-president of the United States Mutual Pro- tective Association, and stands prominent among the leading business men of Norfolk.

HE BENNETT MEDICINE COM- PANY, of Norfolk, which during its brief existence has won the confidence of the people and a large patronage, is composed of L. R. Bennett, presi- dent: E. K. Bennett, secretary; and R. M. Bennett, oculist. The company was estab- lished April 13, 1901, and has placed on the market, with wonderful success, Dr. Bennett's New Life, the great cell-builder, a remedy for all chronic diseases where there is a deficiency of nutrition and cell growth; Dr. Bennett's Wonder Oil for the relief of pain; Dr. Ben- nett's Corn and Bunion Cure; and Dr. Ben- nett's Neuratine, a remedy for nervous dis- eases. The consultation parlors and labora- tory are located at No. 448 East Main street.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

The members of the company are brothers. all born in Daviess County. Kentucky. Dr. L. R. Bennett is a graduate of the Eclectic Medi- cal College of Cincinnati, Ohio: Dr. E. K. Benrett. of the University of Ohio; and Dr. R. M. Bennett, of the Louisville Medical Col- lege.

OHN N. HART is the senior member oi the firm of Hart & Watts. exten- sive planing mill operators. of Ports- mouth. Virginia. They are wholesale and retail dealers in lumber and build- ers' supplies in general.

Mr. Hart was born in New Jersey, where he resided until i8;o. when he removed to Portsmouth. He comes of a good old family ui New Jersey, and enjoyed the advantages of a good academic and collegiate course of study. After locating in Portsmouth. he served as clerk for 20 years in the employ of R. J. Neely & Company. with the exception of some three or icur years spent in other large mills. In I&o, his present business enterprise was ILLIAM S. LANGHORNE. who is engaged in the wholesale and re- tail drug business at No. 800 Crawford street, Portsmouth. Nor- folk County. Virginia, is a native of Portsmouth, and a son of Maurice B. Lang- horne. started by Mr. Hart and his brother. W. F. Hart. under the firm name of John N. Hart & Brother. The partnership continued until the death of W. F. Hart. in 1894. John N. Hart then operated the business alone ustil 1898. when he took Harry L. Watts into partner- ship. The building in which the business was The Langhorne family is one of the old families of Virginia. The great-grandfather of William S. Langhorne was a resident of Warwick County, near Newport News. Win- iam Langhorne. the paternal grandfather. com- manded the company which escorted the Mar- quis de La Fayette through the town of Ports- mouth. Virginia. during his visit to America. He was also a soldier during the War of 1812. He married Charlotte Wilson, whose father fought in the Revolutionary War. Her grandfather commanded troops at Great Bridge during Cornwallis' invasion. Maurice B. Langhorne. father of the subject of this begun was on the site of the present structure. It was originally a car shop of the Seaboard Air Line Railway. It was transformed into a planing mill by Mr. Grice. and conducted as such by him until Mr. Hart purchased it. During the Confederate War. it was used as a hospital. This mill was destroyed by fire in 1897. and was at once replaced by the present one. The plant and lumber yard cover about two and a half acres, the dimensions being 600 by 226 feet. The location of this industry is on High. Chestnut and Queen streets. The mill is modern in all its appointments. its machinery being of the most approved type. I sketch. was born in Portsmouth. and for many

and the firm manufacture a full line vi house finishings goods, which are sold in neighbor- ing towns and cities, and as far distant as Bal- timore. Maryland, and Washington. D. C. Employment is given to about 50 men. who are in charge ci a regular foreman, W. J. Parker. Messrs. Hart and Watts are also identified with the Virginia Sash & Door Com- pany, adjoining their lumber mill. on Queen street. This company was incorporated in March. 1901. and its officers are as follows : John N. Hart, president : J. T. Robinson, vice- president : and H. L. Watts. secretary and treasurer. The subject of this biography is held in high esteem in Portsmouth, where he has been in business for so many years : his residence is at Park View. Mr. Hart has been twice married. His first union, with Lutie M. Turner, occurred in 1896. She died in April, 1901. He subsequently married Lena S. Sports.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

years was a prominent attorney of that city. He was appointed by the Governor of Vir- ginia, in 1852, a colonel in the Virginia State Militia. He married a Miss Bilisoly. Will- iam Wilson, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was clerk of the Norfolk County Court for 39 years. He died in 1843.

William S. Langhorne, whose name opens these lines, served in the Confederate Army during the Intersectional War. He enlisted in March, 1862, in Company K. 9th Regiment, Virginia Infantry (the Old Dominion Guard), which was attached to Armistead's Brigade, Pickett's Division. Being under age, he was honorably discharged after the first Maryland campaign, having participated in all the battles of his brigade. He re-enlisted in the Signal Corps at Petersburg, Virginia, and served around that city until after the Crater battle, when he was ordered to the Trans-Mississippi Department, and surrendered to General Gor- don Granger, U. S. Army, at Galveston, Texas, June 5, 1865. He arrived home July 10, 1865.

In 1867, Mr. Langhorne engaged in the re- tail drug business, and has continued in that line ever since. He has a large wholesale and retail drug store, which is well known through- out that section of Virginia. The present building at No. Soo Crawford street was ready for occupancy in May, 1894. Mr. Langhorne is interested in several banks in Portsmouth, and is a director in the Permanent Home Building Association. He has done much to assist in the progress and development of Portsmouth, and is a man of splendid business abilities. This fact has been proven by his steadily growing business.

Mr. Langhorne married Rosalie Bilisoly, a daughter of Charles Bilisoly. They have two sons and one daughter, namely: William S., Jr., who assists his father ; Maurice B., who is bookkeeper for Earl Gregory & Company : and Rosalie, who is now 14 years old. Politi- cally, Mr. Langhorne is a Democrat, and is a member of the City Council. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and Catholic Knights of

America. He is quartermaster of Stonewall Camp, Confederate Veterans. His son, Will- iam S. Langhorne, Jr., is a member of the Knights of Columbus; Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks; Royal Arcanum ; and Portsmouth Business Men's Association. In religious belief, the family adheres to the faith of the Catholic Church.

S. BROOKS, one of the leading real estate, insurance, and rental agents of Portsmouth, Virginia, like his father and grandfather, is a native of that city, and is closely identified with many enterprises which have added to its growth and wealth, and given it prestige as a thriving business center. Mr. Brooks was born in 1865 and is a son of E. C. Brooks, and grandson of William Brooks.

E. C. Brooks has never known any other home than Portsmouth, having been a prom- inent business man of that place for many years. He is now living in partial retirement. having a desk in the office of the subject of this sketch, and rendering at pleasure some as- sistance in the real estate business, but more frequently, however, giving valuable advice. In company with Mr. Etheredge, he estab- lished a commission house in Portsmouth, and under the firm name of Etheredge & Brooks conducted a very profitable business until 1894. when it was discontinued. About that time the E. C. Brooks Company was formed, with E. C. Brooks as president, Mr. Etheredge, vice-president, and R. S. Brooks, as secretary and general manager. This company con- ducted a wholesale fancy grocery and con- fectionery business until about 1898 at Nos. III-113 High street.

R. S. Brooks began his business career when he was 18 years old. His first work was at Norfolk. in the wholesale grocery house of M. L. T. Davis & Company, where he filled a position with credit to himself and satis-

WILLIAM THOMAS SYKES.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

faction to his employers, for a period of 18 months. During this time, young Brooks ob- tained some insight into the business, and was later associated with his father in a similar line, as before mentioned.

In 1898, Mr. Brooks embarked in the real- estate business, having an office on Court street. Two months later, he removed to his present location. No. 313 High street. . \ large amount of business is disposed of at this office. necessitating the employment of two competent assistants. Mr. Brooks is also sec- retary of the Portsmouth & Norfolk County Building & Loan Association, which adds not a little to his clerical work. This association was incorporated in .April. 1884, and the pres- ent officers are: George R. Trant, president ; R. A. Hutchins, vice-president ; and C. S. Sher- wood, treasurer. The last named gentleman has filled that office since the inception of the company, which operates principally in Ports- mouth and its suburbs. It has been the means of improving and developing various parts of the city, and has been instrumental in causing the erection of a large number of dwelling houses. Besides being of such material benefit to homeseekers, the association offers great inducements for profitable investment. having. in the year 1900, paid a 10 per cent. dividend on the capital invested.

Socially, the subject of this sketch is a prominent member of the Business Men's As- sociation of Portsmouth, and is affiliated with the Masonic Order, Elks, Royal Arcanum, and Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Court Street Baptist Church, of which he is treasurer. His marriage with. M. · Elizabeth Eastwood. a daughter of MI. D. Eastwood, a highly respected citizen of Portsmouth, re- sulted in the birth of five children, viz : Hazeltine E .: R. Sherwood : Mary T. : Eleanor Louise, and Elizabeth. The family home is located at Cottage Place, one of the most charming and rapidly growing, suburbs of the city. Mr. Brooks was one of the very, first to take up his residence there.

The subject of this sketch has been very successful in his undertakings, and as a man of sound judgment, great industry, and honorable dealing, he is held in high esteem in the com- munity of which he is a prominent and worthy member.

ILLIAM1 £ THOMAS SYKES, Among the many prominent agri- culturists of Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, is the gentleman whose name opens these lines, and whose portrait appears on the opposite page. He re- sides on his farm near Great Bridge, where he is engaged in general farming. Mr. Sykes was born five miles south of Great Bridge. January 25, 1850, and is a son of William W. Sykes.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 109

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912 Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 1054

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054