History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 110

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 110

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William W. Sykes was born one mile south of his son's present farm. in 1829. He was engaged in farming until his death. He en- listed in the Confederate Army under Captain Hopkins, and served for two years. He mar- ried Nancy A. Halstead, and they were blessed with one child .- William Thomas .- the sub- ject of this sketch. Mrs. Sykes died in 1893. William Sykes married, secondly. Emma J. Sykes, and they have reared the following chil- dren, namely: Willie : Laban : and Frances.

William Thomas Sykes has been engaged in farming all his life, and also spent five years in the lumber business. In 1884. he bought his present farm, which contains 84 acres of well-cultivated land. He also purchased an- other farm of 174 acres, and one of 74 acres. He takes great pride in bringing this land to a fine state of cultivation, and devotes all of his time and energy to agricultural matters. He built a modern two-story house. of seven rooms, on his home farm, and this has added greatly to the general appearance of the place.

November. 19, 1885. Mr. Sykes was wed- ded to Vandalia Waterfield, who was born in North Carolina, in 1841. She avas a daughter of Jesse R. Waterfield. Her death occurred August 21, 1891. and .she left . four children,

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namely: N. Ava, Thomas E., Lillie Mae, and an infant child; the three last named are de- ceased. Mr. Sykes is a Democrat in politics, and religiously, he is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church. South. He is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Great Bridge, and is a man of honor and integrity.

P HILLIPS & MAHONEY, operators of a large planing mill and lumber yard and dealers in all kinds of builders' supplies, conduct their extensive es- tablishment at No. 1206 Court street, Portsmouth, Virginia. It is one of the most progressive firms in the city, and gives employ- ment to about 50 persons. It was established February 2, 1892, by J. W. Phillips and A. N. Mahoney, and at first these two practical mechanics did all of their own work. The suc- cess which attended their efforts caused them to enlarge their business and employ assist- ants. From a small beginning, with little cap- ital to further their enterprise, the present ex- tensive business has grown, ranking among the largest and most prosperous of the county. Both members of the firm are possessed of un- usual ability, and are most worthy citizens.

J. W. Phillips was born on Court street. Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1856, and is a son of Henry J. Phillips. The latter was a ship-car- penter and an excellent mechanic. He was en- gaged at the Navy Yard for some time prior to the Confederate War, and was a leader in his work. He died in 1886, and his wife passed away in 1899. He had a large family of chil- dren, most of whom are now progressive citi- zens of Portsmouth. J. W. Phillips served an apprenticeship with LeRoy Godwin. one of the finest mechanics Portsmouth has ever had. He also engaged in contracting somewhat before entering into partnership with Mr. Mahoney. He married Cora M. Williams, a daughter of John J. Williams, and they have two children, --- Mary E. and Joseph J. They reside at No. 221 Washington street. Mr. Phillips carries

old-line insurance in the Union Central and Northwestern insurance companies, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

A. N. Mahoney was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, in 1857, and is a son of A. Mahoney, who was a fine carpenter, and for many years in the employ of the James River Canal Company. The father was born at Old Point Comfort, and resided at Portsmouth un- til he was 19 years old, when he moved to Richmond, where he married Mary C. Everett. a native of that city. Both are deceased. Two of their sons, G. W. and W. C., now reside at Richmond. Both of them are mechanics, and one is a master car-builder. A. N. Mahoney learned his trade with his father at Richmond, and was employed in the locomotive works at that city a number of years. After removing to Portsmouth he was in the employ of Mr. Godwin until the firm of Phillips & Mahoney was established. He married Mary T. Tynan. a daughter of C. B. Tynan of Portsmouth, and they have four children, as follows: Lee Vic- tor, who was born in Richmond, on the day of the unveiling of the Lee memorial monument ; Madeline : Mary T .; and Harry L. Socially, Mr. Mahoney is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He carries old-line insurance in the Union Central and Northwestern insurance companies.

L H. DAVIS, a well-known business man and a highly esteemed citizen of Portsmouth, is superintendent of the ferries plying between Portsmouth, Norfolk and Berkley, having filled the position efficiently since April, 1899.

Mr. Davis was born at Williamsburg, Vir- ginia, and is a son of J. A. Davis, who for many years was in the government employ. The subject of this sketch has a brother and sister who reside in Portsmouth, namely : William L., who is special battle-ship inspector at Newport News, but resides at Portsmouth : and Mrs. Mary J. Powers, a widow.

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L. H. Davis has been a resident of Ports- mouth since 1873, having been reared in that city. He served an apprenticeship as a ma- chinist, and was employed in the Navy Yard for a period of 12 or 13 years. In 1896, he was elected mayor of Portsmouth, and for two years gave the city an honest business admin- istration. He then had charge of the power plant of the city for two years. He had served as councilman prior to being mayor. In .April. 1899, he accepted his present position as super- . intendent of ferries. In March. 1900, the fer- ries were consolidated with the Port Norfolk Electric Railway, and the present name of the corporation is the Norfolk, Portsmouth & New- port News Railway Company. The officers are: Harry L. Maynard, president : Gustavus Ober of Baltimore, vice-president : \. J. Phil- lips. secretary: John L. Watson, treasurer : Theodore Jackson Wool. counsel : M. R. Jones. superintendent of the railway; and L. H. Davis, superintendent of ferries. Mr. Davis has entire charge of the extensive business of the ferries, which employ about 100 men.

Mr. Davis was united in marriage with a daughter of John W. Land, and has two chil- (ren : L. L. Davis, aged 20 years, who is learn- ing mechanical drafting : and Bertha H., aged 17 years. Religiously, he and his family are members of the Fourth Street Baptist Church. Their residence is at No. 431 Randolph street.

OHN W. H. PORTER, who is widely known as a practitioner of law. com- missioner in chancery and writer on historical subjects, maintains his law office at No. 212 High street, in the city of Portsmouth. Virginia. He was born in that city in 1842. and comes of one of the oldest families of the State. his ancestors hav- ing been established in Norfolk County more than 250 years ago. He is descended from John Porter. Jr .. who came t . Nori ik County as far lxtck as the year 1646. married Mary

Sidney, daughter of Col. John Sidney, and be- came one of the justices of the County Court and high sheriff of the county, besides filling other official positions. The line of descent from John Porter, Jr., to the subject of this sketch is as follows: Samuel Porter, who died in Ity8: Samuel Porter Jr., who died in 1718: William Porter, who died in 1760: Will- iam Porter. Jr., who died in 1807: Joseph Porter, who died in October. 1831: and John L. Porter, father of John W. 11. Porter, who died in December. 1893.

William Porter, Jr .. the great-grandfather. was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He entered the army in 1775, as a lieutenant in the 12th Virginia Regiment, was promoted to be captain, and later was appointed captain of an artillery company, and served until the close of the war. He was a vestryman in the Estab- lished Church and filled a number of official positions in the county. In 1782. he married Elizabeth Luke, daughter of Isaac Luke, and a cousin of Commodore Richard Dale. His brother. David Porter, was before and during the Revolutionary War, a justice of the County Court, and high sheriff of the county. Joseph Porter, the grandfather, served as captain of Virginia troops in the War of 1812, between the United States and Great Britain. He car- ried on an extensive ship-building establish- ment in Portsmouth, and did a large business in that line.

John L. Porter, father of the subject of this biographical sketch, deserves to be classed among the world's greatest inventors, for, as far as authentic records show, he was the first man who conceived the idea of a steam-pro- pelled, iron-clad vessel for war purposes. He was born in Portsmouth. September 13. 1813. and died December 4. 1893. His mother was Frances Pritchard, daughter of Capt. William Pritchard, an officer of the Revolutionary War He had four brothers, all of whom are de ceased, namely: William, who was prominent in the mercantile and shipping business, an 1 later removed to Petersburg, where he resi led

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until his death; Sydney Dale, who went to Mobile, Alabama, and became prominent as a ship and steamboat builder; Joseph; and Fletcher. He learned the art of ship-building under his father, and after his father's deatlı, carried on the business and became the owner of several vessels engaged in the West India trade. In 1846 he was appointed acting con- structor in the United States Navy, and sent to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to superintend the building of the iron sloon-of-war "Alleghany," remained in Pittsburg about three years. While there, he conceived the idea of building a seagoing, iron-clad ship, and made plans and specifications, which were submitted to the Navy Department at Washington, but nothing was done about it at that time, except to acknowledge their receipt. The idea was too far advanced for those days. We had not then reached the era of iron-clads. He re- tained, however, copies of his plans for future use. This was 15 years before England and France began experimenting on the subject. Shortly after this, Mr. Porter received a reg- ular appointment as constructor in the navy and built for the government the sloop-of-war "Constellation," the steam sloops "Pensacola" and "Seminole." and the steam frigates "Pow- hatan" and "Colorado," besides a number of smaller vessels. The beginning of the troubles between the States found him stationed at the Pensacola Navy Yard, and. upon the secession of Florida, in January, 1861, he was ordered to the Washington yard, where he remained until April, when he was ordered to the Gos- port Navy Yard, and witnessed the destruction of that establishment by the Federal authori- ties on the 20th of that month. Among the vessels destroyed at that time was the frigate "Merrimac," which was sunk and burned to her water-line. She was raised May 30th, and Mr. Porter put the hulk in the dry dock. Mr. Porter was opposed to the secession of Vir- ginia, but when the State decided. to go out of the Union, he resigned his position in the United States Navy and cast his fortunes with

her. He considered that he owed allegiance first to his State. He received an appointment as constructor in the Confederate States Navy, and was ordered to remain on duty in the Gosport Navy Yard.

Then the thought of his Pittsburg iron-clad recurred to him and he made a model, but so modified as to bring it within the limited build- ing facilities of the South. He took the model to Richmond on June 24, 1861, and submitted it to Secretary Mallory of the Confederate States Navy, who ordered a board to assemble the next day to consider it. The board was composed of Mr. Porter, Chief Engineer Will- iam P. Williamson and Lieutenant John M. Brooke. The board approved the model and decided to recommend that a boat be built after it, but the necessary delay that would be occasioned in building machinery for her sug- gested to Mr. Porter that he could adapt his plan to the "Merrimac," and utilize the ma- chinery in her. He so stated to the board, and his suggestion was adopted. He returned to the Gosport Navy Yard to draw his plans, and Chief Engineer Williamson went there to sup- erintend her machinery. Mr. Porter completed the plans on July Ioth, returned to Richmond with them, submitted them to Secretary Mal- lory and that official approved them and sent the following order to Commodore Forrest, commanding the Navy Yard :

NAVY DEPARTMENT. RICHMOND, VA., July 11, 1861. 5

FLAG-OFFICER F. FORREST:

SIR-You will proceed with all practicable dispatch to make the changes in the Merrimac, and to build, equip and fit her in all respects, according to the plans and designs of the Constructor and Engineer, Messrs. Porter and Williamson. As time is of the utmost im- portance in this matter, you will see that the work pro- gresses without delay to completion.

S. R. MALLORY, Secretary, Confederate States Nary.

This order set th'e, ball in, motion and Mr. Porter had full sway. Work on the vessel was pushed as rapidly as possible," and, on the 8th of March, 1862, she made her debut. The.re- sult is a matter of general history. The whole

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system of naval architecture was revolution- ized and the nations of the old world realized the fact that the days of their wooden ships were numbered. The difference in the plans of Mr. Porter and those of Federal naval architects was that in his boats the resisting surface was on a slant while in theirs it was perpendicular.

In the summer of 1861 before the ports of the Confederate States had been closed by blockade. Mr. Porter advised Secretary Mal- lory to import from Europe iron-plating and steam-engines for gunboats so as to keep the enemy out, but the Secretary thought the war would be over in six months and it was useless to go to so much expense. Had the advice been taken the result of the war might pos -. sibly have been different. Certainly the "Louisiana" and "Mississippi" at New Or- leans would have been finished in time to have saved that city from capture and the vessels which were supporting Mcclellan's army on the Virginia Peninsula would have been driven away. The South was rich in timber with which to build the gunboats, but had no ma- chinery or iron-plating for them.

Mr. Porter was made chief constructor in the Confederate States Navy, a position corre- sponding with that of chief of the Bureau of Construction, and served in that capacity con- tinnously until the close of the war. He de- signed most of the iron-clads built in the South, and also several seagoing iron-clads. which the Confederate government contracted to have built in England and France, but which were stopped by those governments. After the war he went to Baltimore. and was for a time superintendent of Abrams & Sons ship- yard. He had charge of the ship-building de- partment of the Atlantic Iron Works in Nor- folk until that company discontinued business. He was superintendent of Baker's shipyard in Berkley until 1883. when he was appointed superintendent of the Norfolk County Ferries. serving some five years until he retired. When

Portsmouth was first incorporated, he was elected president of the first City Council.

John L. Porter married Susan N. Buxton. who was born in Nansemond County in 1817. and still resides at Portsmouth. Their chil- i dren were as follows: George P., of Ports- mouth; Mary Susan, wife of Prof. John S. Moore, of Oxford, Georgia: Alice F., who married George H. Ellison, both deceased. of Mobile, Alabama: John W. H. : Martha B .. who married Prof. Frank P. Brent, now of Richmond : and James B., of the Norfolk busi- ness firm of Porter. Me Neal & Company.

John W. H. Porter attended the public schools, and later the Virginia Collegiate In- stitute in Portsmouth, and was pursuing an academic course at the University of Virginia at the outbreak of the Civil War. He was in one of the companies of university students that assisted in the taking of Harper's Ferry by the Virginia troops in April, 1861, after which he returned to Portsmouth, and at once entered the Confederate service as a member of Company K. 9th Regiment, Virginia In- fantry, known as the "Old Dominion Guard." He was subsequently transferred to the Signal Corps, and again in the infantry, where he was promoted to lieutenant in 1864, serving as such until the war closed. He was 19 years old at the time of enlistment. After the war he studied law in the office of Godwin & Crocker. and was admitted to the bar in 1866, at once beginning practice. In 1872 he was elected city attorney and served as such for a period of seven years. He then retired from practice to devote attention to newspaper work, conduct- ing the Portsmouth Daily Enterprise, of which he was editor and publisher. until 1889, when he sold the paper and resumed the practice of law. In 1883 he was elected to the Virginia Legislature, serving two successive terms. 1Ie has served as councilman from the Second Ward, and as a member of the joint ferry com- mittee managing the Norfolk County Ferries. His office for the past two years has been in

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the Rosenbaum Building. The members of the Porter family have been prominent in the administration of the affairs of the county of Norfolk and city of Portsmouth since the early days when John Porter, Jr., first located there.

John W. H. Porter was joined in marriage in January, 1869. with a daughter of Owen D. Ball, of Baltimore, who was superintendent of the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad and resided some years at Portsmouth. She is a direct de- scendant of Caleb and Priscilla Dorsey, of Elk Ridge, Maryland. Two children were born of this union: J. Ridgely, bookkeeper at the Bank of Portsmouth; and Hunter Ball, who is now obtaining his intellectual training. Mr. Porter is a member of the Monumental Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South, and is a mem- ber of the board of trustees of that church.

A RCHIBALD OGG, of the firm of Ogg & Walker, contractors for all kinds of stone work, who is located at Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, was born in Richmond, Vir- ginia, in 1875. His father. George Ogg. whose death occurred in 1896, was a carver.

Archibald Ogg was reared and schooled in Richmond, and served a portion of his appren- ticeship under his father, who had learned his trade and art in his native country, Scotland. His partner in business, Mr. Walker, is a na- tive of Aberdeen, Scotland. These gentlemen opened their business in Portsmouth, in 1896. with general offices at Nos. 818-820 Glasgow street. and their marble and monument yard is located at the corner of Chestnut and London streets. They have also another large yard where the stone-cutting is carried on. Since removing to Portsmouth, this firm has handled practically all of the large contracts in stone work in the city and vicinity. At the present writing, they are constructing two large build- ings, which will be a credit to themselves and to the community,-the Court Street Baptist

Church and the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, South. They employ on an average 25 men the year round, and during the busiest seasons often have from 50 to 75 men. Among the many fine buildings they have erected are the Merchants' & Farmers' Bank at Ports- mouth a fine bank at Suffolk, and several large buildings in Norfolk. They have also built the E. M. Tulley monument, the Samuel Bland monument at Berkley, and a large monument for Mr. Griffin. This firm has by far the larg- est business of the kind in Norfolk County, and has established a reputation throughout this section of Virginia.

Mr. Ogg married Mary E. Castine of Nor- folk, her parents being residents of Norfolk County. Two children have blessed this un- ion, namely: Isabel and George. Mr. Ogg has a home on the boulevard in Park View. the charming suburb of Portsmouth. In poli- tics, he favors the Democratic party. He be- longs to the Woodmen of the World. He is deply interested in the welfare of Portsmouth. and is one of that city's most prominent citi- zens.

ILLIAM H. STOKES, an old and highly esteemed resident of Ports- mouth, Virginia, is principal of the Portsmouth Academy, a well-pat- ronized institution, which he es- tablished in 1868. He was born in Baltimore. Maryland, in 1845, and is a son of Isaiah and Jane ( Morton) Stokes.

Isaiah Stokes was a pattern-maker by trade. and followed that occupation in the Navy Yard until his retirement five years before his death in 1875, at the age of 70 years. He was born in Ireland and served in the Confederate Army during the Intersectional War. He inarried, in America, Jane Morton, a native of Ireland. William H. Stokes has one sister ; and a brother, Edward . S., who joined the Porthmouth National Grays. of which his father was a sergeant, served during the war

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and died October 4. 1804. in Chimborazo Hos- pital at Richmond, about two weeks after be- coming of age.

William H. Stokes was an infant when his parents located in Portsmouth. Virginia, and he first attended public school in the basement of the Court Street Baptist Church. He then attended the Virginia Collegiate Institute. 1111- der Prof. N. B. Webster, until the outbreak of the Confederate War. At the close of the war be became a bookkeeper in the naval store- keeper's office in the Navy Yord, and served thus until the office was abolished. in July, 1867. He then began teaching, having estab- lished the Portsmouth Academy, on County street. between Court and Dinwiddie streets. It began with an attendance of 15 pupils. about 10 of whom were in the primary depart- ment, of which his sister. Miss E. J. Stokes.' has had charge since the start. In 1873. the school was removed to Court street, opposite the site of the old St. John's Church, where it remained for 15 years. In the meantime the attendance had greatly increased. It was then moved, in 1887. to No. 401 Crawford street. where it has since been located. A night school was established which convenes three nights a week. its object being to prepare boys for examination in the Navy Yard. This course includes bookkeeping, mathematics and penmanship. Many prominent business men received their start in this institution, and a few girls also attend. most of them being in the primary department. The night-school ses- sion continues for eight months, and the day- school session, for two months longer. The recent enrollment is 85 students. There are two large school rooms, and above them is the home of Professor Stokes. He edited the Portsmouth Times from 1880 to 1885. until the failure of Bain & Brother, and at different times since has been editor of the Portsmouth Record. At one time. he was associate editor of the Portsmouth Enterprise, with John W. H. Porter.

Mr. Stokes was united in marriage with

Josie E. Clemm of Baltimore, October 11, 1877, and five children were born to them, namely: Annie : Josie Clemm: William Reese; Emily Anerson : and Ralph Morton. Annie married J. Harlan Winslow of Shelby, North Carolina, who is identified with the Seaboard Air Line Railway. They have two daughters. Annie Marie and Madge Stokes. Josie Clemin died at the age of five years. and William Reese died at about the age of two years. Emily Anerson is 15 years old, and lives at home. Ralph Morton, who was born in 1890. also lives at home. In politics, Mr. Stokes is a Democrat, and he has frequently been urged to run for mayor. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Honor. In religious belief, he is a Presbyterian, as was his father. He has been an elder in the First Presbyterian Church at Portsmouth since 1869. and is also superintendent of the Sabbath-school.

R E. CRUMP. secretary and treasurer of the Portsmouth Cotton Manufac- turing Company, was born in Rich- mond. Henrico County. Virginia, in 1859. He has been a resident of Portsmouth for the past 32 years, and is one of that city's most influential citizens.

Mr. Crump has been associated with the Portsmouth Cotton Manufacturing Company since 1898. The board of directors' first meet- ing was held January 2. 1893, to arrange for the crection of a cotton factory in Portsmouth. The directors were as follows: W. G. Parker ; Franklin D. Gill: T. W. Whisnant: Joseph F. Weaver: Joseph A. Parker: John L. Thomas: James A. Mulvey: A. J. Phillips : E. W. Owens: Jolm L. Watson: John T. King: S. P. Oast: L. H. Pearson: John H. Hume : V. G. Culpepper : and Robert Bohlken. Mr. Whisnant was elected president of the com- panv: W. G. Parker, vice-president : James . 1. Mulvey. secretary : and Alexander B. Butt. treasurer. W. G. Parker was made president

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of the company, May 22, 1895, and on July 8, 1896, E. N. Wilcox became secretary, stic- ceeding Mr. Mulvey. July 7. 1898, Mr. Crump was elected secretary to succeed Mr. Wilcox, and on January 9. 1901, he was made secretary and treasurer, at which time the two offices were merged into one. The capital stock of the Portsmouth Cotton Manufacturing Com- pany is very valuable, and the company is pay- ing large dividends.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 110

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