History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 111

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

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Mr. Crump is a man of splendid business ability, and he is interested in several of the leading enterprises of Portsmouth. For the past 19 years, he has been associated with the Greenleaf-Johnson Lumber Company, acting in the capacity of secretary. He is chairman of the finance committee of the City Council of Portsmouth, and is considered one of the most progressive business men of that city. He is deeply interested in the welfare of Ports- mouth, and always gives his assistance when any worthy movement is undertaken to im- prove the city. Mr. Crump has an elegant home at No. 109 Court street. Mr. Crump was joined in marriage, in 1889, to Eugenia T. Schroeder, a daughter of Charles Schroeder, of Portsmouth, Virginia, who was, prior to the war between the States. in the United States Navy. But at the beginning of that war, he enlisted and rendered valuable service in the Confederate States Navy. Mrs. Schroeder, the mother of Mrs. R. E. Crump, was born in Portsmouth and was descended from one of the early families of Virginia. Mrs. Crump is president of Portsmouth Chapter. United Daughters of the Confederacy.

TEPHEN BOWERS, an extensive brick contractor of Portsmouth, Nor- folk County, Virginia, was born on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River, Norfolk County, August 22, 1829. He is a son of Jeremiah Bowers, who was born in Norfolk County. His grandfa- ther was also a Virginian.

Jeremiah Bowers was a wheelwright and blacksmith by trade, and worked for many years in Norfolk. He also farmed somewhat in the county. He married Mahala McPher- son, who was born in Perquimans County, North Carolina. She removed with her par- ents to Portsmouth, where she was married and where she died in 1855. She left three sons,-Samuel and Thomas, who are deceased ; and Stephen, the subject of this sketch.

Stephen Bowers was reared in Portsmouth. He served an apprenticeship as a brick-mason with William B. Cullens, who is deceased. He was with that gentleman from 1843 until 1848, and then entered into business for him- self. He is now engaged in government con- tracting, and has erected all of the Seaboard Air Line Railway buildings in Portsmouth.

Mr. Bowers married Mary Jane Denby, who was born in New Orleans, March 24. 1831. She is a daughter of William B. Denby, an early resident of Portsmouth. Her mother was Jane Veale, a descendant from Crawford Veale, one of the original settlers of Ports- mouth. Mrs. Bowers' uncle, Dr. Dempsey. Veale, practiced medicine at Deep Creek for many years. One sister, Adelia D. Denby, is deceased ; she married William Virnelson, and at her deatlı, left two children,-Clifford, who is assistant gunner in the United States Navy, and is now located near Philadelphia; and Mamie, the wfe of Clarence T. Peed, a clerk in the Seaboard Air Line Railway offices, who lives in Portsmouth, and has three children, viz. : Clarence ; Ralph D .; and Adelia A.

Mr. and Mrs. Bowers have had eight chil- dren, two of whom are deceased. Their names are: Alice Dale, deceased : Sallie, the wife of James C. Curlin ; Will D .; Blanche ; Josephine: Delia, deceased; May, the wife of Paul Whitehurst; and Eva, the wife of Ed- ward M. Dashiell.

Mr. Bowers and his son, Will D., are now erecting two large magazine buildings at the United States Arsenal in Norfolk County. They have done much work for the govern-

LYSANDER HENRY KINGMAN.

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ment and the Seaboard Air Line Railway. They also erected the Chamberlin Hotel at Old Point. the Post Office at Norfolk, and many other large and important structures in the city and vicinity. Will D. Bowers has also done a large amount of work in New York City. This firm is one of the best known of the kind in Virginia, and their workmanship is of the highest order. They have done much to as- sist in the general progress of Norfolk Coun- ty, and stand among the foremost business men of Portsmouth.

R S. WILSON, master machinist. out- side. in the United States Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Norfolk Coun- ty. Virginia, was born in that city in 1862. He is a son of James R. Wil- son, who was connected with the Navy Yard for many years.

James R. Wilson was born in Maryland. on Chesapeake Bay. He was a ship-joiner in the Navy Yard for many years, and died in 1892. Besides R. S., another son. James H., lives in Portsmouth. James R. Wilson's fan- ily were all natives of Baltimore, Maryland. R. S. Wilson attended the public schools of Portsmouth, and also Prof. N. B. Web- ster's school in Norfolk. Since entering upon his business career. he has continued his studies both by correspondence and in schools. In the summer of 1878, at the age of 16 years, he en- tered the Navy Yard as an apprentice. In 1899. he was given his present position, that of master machinist on the outside. Ile has charge of all repair work on all machinery afloat, and placed the machinery in the "Ra- leigh." He was connected with the work on the "Texas" and many others among the prin- cipal vessels of the navy. Mr. Wilson is what may be termed a self-made man. He has al- ways sought to improve his mind and gain additional knowledge of his profession, and he is possessed or more than ordinary ability.

Mr. Wilson married Alice E. Wilson, a daughter of Willis Wilson, who was a Con- federate soldier. Ile was a member of Grimes' Battery, Artillery, and died soon after the war closed. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have four daughters and two sons, namely: Herbert L .. who is learning draughting in the engineer- ing department in the Navy Yard: Georgia Elizabeth, who attends school in Portsmouth ; Mary Maupin and Dora, also at school ; Hazel ; and Robert.

Politically, Mr. Wilson is a Republican. Socially, he is a member of the Ocean Council, No. 1,063. Royal Arcanum: and National Union. He also belongs to the B. P. O. E .; Atlantic Lodge, No. 24. Knights of Pythias; and the Independent Fire Company. The Wil- son family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

YSANDER HENRY KINGMAN, deceased, for many years a well- known resident of Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Amherst. Mas- sachusetts. in 1803. He came to Norfolk County. Virginia, when a young man and engaged in teaching school.

Mr. Kingman was united in marriage with Elizabeth Carney, who died in 1837. His sec- ond marriage was contracted with Mrs. Tay- lor, nec Grimes. He was again married. wed- ding Mrs. Wilder, who died in 1863. In 1865 he married Mrs. Joseph M. Wise, who was born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. November 19. 1824, and is a daughter of Dr. John MI. Krozer. Dr. Krozer was a graduate of the Imperial College of Vienna : upon com- ing to the United States he located at Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, where he married Fran- ces Mayer. a native of Germany. Their chil- dren were: Dr. John J. R. : and Mrs. King- man. Mrs. Kingman was first married in 1839. to Andrew J. Wise, who died in 1862, at the age of 44 years.

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Mr. Kingman was a teacher, lawyer and farmer, and stood high among his fellow men. He served as a justice of Norfolk County be- fore and during the Confederate War. He was a Baptist in his religious attachment, while in political belief he was a strong Whig. At the time of his death he was residing on the farm of 120 acres, which is now owned by his widow, and is under the management of Henry Duke. Mrs. Kingman is one of the grand old ladies, for which the South is noted. Especially is she kind to the young, and al- though she has never had any children of her own, she has reared many homeless ones.

A portrait of Lysander Henry Kingman accompanies this mention.

URDON K. BAKER, deceased, who came of a prominent old family of Virginia, was engaged in pile driv- ing, dredging and wharf building, his residence being at the corner of Main and Virginia streets, in Berkley. He . was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, Feb -. ruary 5, 1850, and was a son of Capt. Joseph and Rachel ( Moody) Baker, and grandson of Barnabas Baker, who was a sea-captain.

Joseph Baker was born in West Dennis, Massachusetts, and received his mental train- ing in that State, his mother and sister, Nabby Taylor, being school teachers. He was mas- ter of a vessel when fourteen years old, and took a vessel filled with corn to Ireland, during the famine there in 1846. In that year, he and his brother Barnabas came south and lo- cated first at Portsmouth, where they remained until the winter of 1856-57, when they moved to Berkley, Virginia. They were the first wreckers in the bay and became the most extensive operators in that line in the United States. They were the most daring as well as the most successful, wreckers of their day, and were always on hand, day or night, when informed of trouble. They sent a steamer

named the B. & J. Baker on a wrecking expedi- tion to Africa, but this did not result success- fully. At another time they went to Cape Horn for a similar purpose. They raised the "Merrimac" for the Confederates. They also raised the "Germantown," which was sunk in 1861. They worked on the government man- of-war which was lost off the coast of North Carolina, and assisted in carrying down crews, some of which were lost. In 1877, while sav- ing a Norwegian bark, loaded with barrels of petroleum, Barnabas Baker fell into the hold, . and his death resulted an hour later, at the age of 72 years. He was a brave and daring man, and performed many heroic services dur- ing his life. At one time when their vessel was in a storm, he lashed those on board up in the rigging and then proceeded to fasten him- self likewise. The vessel sank to such a depth that only the mast was above water. They were rescued by a friendly vessel, and only two of the number died, their deaths resulting from the extreme cold. The company owned one of the first steamers of the harbor of Norfolk, the "Bladen," and also were possessed of steamers and sailing vessels of all kinds. In 1861, they sent down a tug called "Young America," after a vessel in distress, which had on board a cargo of sugar and molasses. The tug went to Hampton Roads, and was taken by the Federals and confiscated, although she was going on a peaceful mission, before Nor- folk Harbor was blockaded. After the death of Barnabas Baker, Capt. Joseph Baker as- sumed charge of the business and carried it on for a number of years, when the Baker Sal- vage Company was formed in Norfolk and Berkley. He continued with the company un- til it sold out, when he undertook dredging and wharf building, which he followed until his death. He was born October 23, 1813, and died March 6, 1893. In 1835, he was united in marriage with Rachel Moody, who was born June 30, 1813, and died January I, 1874. Both were devout members of the Pres- byterian Church. Seven children blessed their

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union, of whom three died before coming to Virginia, namely: Albert .\. and Lydia, who died the same week, of scarlet fever; and Thankful, who died in 1846, aged one year. Those who grew to maturity were .- Joseph .A., a record of whose lite appears elsewhere in this work: Mercy B .. wife of Capt. J. J. Cole, who was identified with the wrecking business; Gurdon K., whose name heads this sketch : and Ann L .. wife of William H. Kirby.

Gurdon K. Baker was educated in Char- lotte. North Carolina, and Norfolk, Virginia. and after school days engaged in business with his father. He succeeded to the latter's busi- ness, which he conducted until his death. He died August 14, 1895, at the age of 45 years. and was the last of the seven children born to his parents.

Mr. Baker was married November 3. 18SI. to Nannie Hodges. a native of Berkley and daughter of George T. and Herbert A. (Live- ly) Hodges. Her father was a native of Nor- folk County. Virginia, and her mother, of Hampton, Virginia. Mr. Hodges was born in Norfolk. and became commissioner of rev- enue and looked after his father's business. He died at the age of 40 years, and his wife at the age of 34 years. Religiously, they were Episcopalians. Mr. and Mrs. Baker became the parents of four children, namely: Clar- ence H .. who died at the age of two years : Jo- seph P., who attends school: Gurdon K., who died at the age of one year : and Gurdon K .. the second son to bear that name. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Presbyterian Church.

OSEPH A. BAKER, who was a ma- rine engineer and a wrecker through- out his entire business career. lost his life in the discharge of his duties. He was just entering his prime and was highly esteemed by his acquaintances, to whom his unfortunate end was a sad blow. He was born June 14. 1840. and was a son of Capt.

Joseph and Rachel ( Moody) Baker. His grandfather on the parental side was Barnabas Baker, who was a sea-captain, and he come- of Puritan stock.

Capt. Joseph Baker was born in West Den- nis, Massachusetts, and received his mental training in that State. His mother and sister. Nabby Taylor. were school teachers. He was master of a vessel when 14 years old, and took a vessel loaded with corn to Ireland. during the famine there in 1846. In that year he and his brother Barnabas came south and located first at Portsmouth, where they remained until the winter of 1850-1857. when they removed to Berkley, Virginia. They were the first wreckers in the bay and became the most ex- tensive operators in that line in the United States. They were the most daring, as well as the most succesful, wreckers of their day. and were always on hand, day and night, when informed of the trouble. They sent a steamer named the "B. & J. Baker." on a wrecking ex- pedition to Africa, but this did not result suc- cessfully. At another time they went to Cape Horn for a similar purpose. They raised the "Merrimac" for the Confederates. They also raised the "Germantown," which was sunk in 1861. They worked on the government man- of-war which was lost off the coast of North Carolina, and assisted in carrying down crews. some of which were lost. In 1877. while serving a Norwegian bark, loaded with petro- leum in barrels. Barnabas Baker fell into the hold and his death resulted an hour later, at the age of 72 years. He was a brave and dar- ing man, and performed many heroic services during his life. At one time when their ves- sel was in a storm, he lashed those on board up in the rigging and then proceeded to do the same to himself. The vessel sunk to such a depth that only the mast was above water. They were rescued by a friendly vessel. and only two of the number died. their deaths re- sulting from the excessive cold and exposure. The company owned one of the first steamers of the harbor of Norfolk. the "Bladen." and

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also were possessed of steamers and sailing vessels of all kinds. In 1861, they sent down a tug called "Young America," after a vessel which had on board a cargo of sugar and mo- lasses. The tug went to Hampton Roads, and was taken by the Federals and confiscated, al- though she was going on a peaceful mission. before Norfolk harbor was blockaded. After the death of Barnabas Baker, Captain Joseph Baker assumed charge of the business and carried it on for a number of years, when the Baker Salvage Company was formed in Nor- folk and Berkley. He continued with the com- pany until it was sold out, when he undertook dredging and wharf building, which he fol- lowed until his death. He was born October 23. 1813, and died March 6. 1893. In 1835. he married Rachel Moody, who was born June 30, 1813. and died Janttary 1. 1874. Both were devout members of the Presbyterian Church. Seven children blessed their union. of whom three died before coming to Vir- ginia, namely: Albert A. and Lydia, who died in the same week of scarlet fever : and Thank- ful, who died in 1846, aged one year. Those who grew to maturity were,-Joseph A. : Mercy B., wife of Capt. J. J. Cole, who was identified with the wrecking business: Gurdon K., whose biography is also in this work: and Ann L., wife of William H. Kirby.

Joseph A. Baker was educated in Norfolk. where he attended Professor Webster's school, and later Professor White's school. After school days, he went into business with his father, but not liking it did not work steadily at wrecking. He sought other employment. but always returned when his father needed his assistance in emergency cases. He and his brother-in-law. Captain Cole, took the first steamer to Richmond after the war, and later he was engineer on a steamer which conveyed troops all through the Gulf of Mexico. He started east, and was discharged from the ser- vice before reaching New York. He continued as a worker in the Navy Yard, and was engi- neer on different boats until his death. Upon

the request of his father, he went to the as- sistance of a boat which was ashore on Smith's Island. In the discharge of his duty, he had all the pumps arranged and ready for operation as soon as the tide was suitable. At the in- stance of Capt. King, he lay down to rest. He had been asleep but a short time when it was discovered that something was wrong with the boiler, and he was awakened to right the matter. He knew at once that the boiler had on too much steam, and with lantern in hand and a monkey wrench to open the safety-valve, he approached it. The boiler blew up, instant- ly killing him and the two Cobb brothers, and wounding several others. This terrible acci- dent occurred on August 30. 1869, when he was 29 years of age.

Mr. Baker was married January 22, 1863, to Henrietta S. Long. a native of Maine, and a daughter of William and Nancy Long. Mrs. Baker is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Baker belonged to the Masonic fraternity.

5 ARRISON S. ACKISS was formerly the assistant treasurer of the Bridge- port Silver Plate Company, and also for many years was the efficient clerk of the United States Court in Nor- folk. Norfolk County. Virginia. He was born in Princess Anne County. Virginia, July 31, 1868, and is a son of William H. and Mary Anne ( Seneca ), Ackiss.

William H. Ackiss and his wife were both natives of Princess Anne County. William H. Ackiss has always given much attention to agricultural pursuits, and is still engaged in farming. Their son. Caleb L., was for several years stenographer to the naval constructor at the Navy Yard at Portsmouth, which position he lately resigned. and is now connected with the passenger department of the Boston & Al- bany Railroad, Boston, Massachusetts. A sister, younger than the subject hereof, died at the age of five years, and the remainder of the

SAMUEL T. HAND.

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eight children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ackiss are living in Princess Anne County.

Harrison S. Ackiss, whose name heads these lines. attended the public schools of Prin- cess Anne County. after which he went to New York, where he entered a business college. from which he was graduated. He then ac- cepted a position as bookkeeper. and worked at that several years. In 1888 he settled in Norfolk. Virginia, where from 1890 until 1892 he was deputy clerk. In 1892 Mr. Ackiss was made clerk of the United States courts in Nor- folk, and filled that position with credit and honor to all until 1898. His services in the capacity of clerk of the United States courts were excellently rendered and his resignation was received with much regret. He next en- tered mercantile business as assistant treasurer of the Bridgeport Silver Plate Company, an office which he held for two years, until No- vember. 1900.

Mr. Ackiss was married November 21. 1893. to Lizzie Anderson. a daughter of Will- iam A. and Ella Anderson. Mr. Anderson has an iron foundry in Norfolk, and is an in- fluential citizen of the city. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Ackiss .- Ella D. and Harrison S .. Jr. The family attend the Baptist Church. Mr. Ackiss is well known in Norfolk, where he takes a deep interest in all public enterprises which are undertaken for the advancement of the community.

AMCEL T. HAND. a chief engineer in the merchant marine. lately retired from service at sea. is a gentleman of marked ability as a marine engineer. as his years of successful service tes- tify. He resides at No. 600 Chestnut street, Portsmouth. Virginia. Mr. Hand was born at Warren. Massachusetts. October 29. 1845. and is the only son of Samuel T. and Lois C. ( Cur- tis) Hand. and grandson of James and Eliza- beth ( Pennington) Hand. The beloved pater-

nal grandparents passed their last days at the home of the father of the subject thereof. in Somerset County, New Jersey.

Samuel T. Hand, Sr., the father. was a na- tive of Somerset County. New Jersey, where he was born August 31. 1819. He was a man of splendid business sagacity. and for more than halt a century served as superintendent of roads and bridges of the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad. now a part of the Sealx ard Air Line Railway. He left his native State. and located in Virginia about 1848. The following year. he entered the service of the atoresaid com- pany, as one of its officials. His superior ex- ecutive ability fitted him to a nicety for such a position and the success of that company is at- tributed largely to his efforts. Although it was his earnest desire to spend his closing years in retirement. through the earnest and com- bined efforts of the other officials, he was per- suaded to retain his position, and continued in the business for which he was so admirably adapted. up to his last illness. His death took place June tt. 1900. He was quite prominent in Masonic circles.

The mother of the subject of this sketch was a member of the Baptist Church. She was born in the State of Massachusetts. March 10. 1812, and passed to her final rest. January 19. 1899. She and her husband were the parents of three children .- two daughters and one son. The son was the second child born to them. and is the only surviving member of the family.

Sarah. the eldest. was born September 13. 1843. and died August 26, 1848. Mary J., the youngest daughter. died in 1855. during the prevalence of yellow fever. being only one year old at the time of her death.

Samuel T. Hand attended Webster Collegi- ate Institute of Portsmouth. and after leaving school entered the machine shops in the same city, where he served a three years' apprentice- ship. He then went to Wilmington. Dela- ware. and worked one year in the marine ma- chine shops of that place. Later, he served for some time as 3rd assistant engineer in the

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United States Navy. When the Confederate War broke out, he enlisted in Company D, 9th Regiment, Virginia Infantry, but, in a short time, was discharged for disability. He returned to the service in the navy, from which he resigned in 1865, and spent some time in the shops of the Seaboard & Roanoke Railroad. He was soon promoted to be an engineer and was placed in charge of a locomotive. A little later he was transferred to one of the Seaboard company's boats, where he also served as engi- neer. Severing his connection with that com- pany, he entered a similar service with the Pio- neer Line, and later with the Old Dominion Steamship Company, where he remained for a period of 27 years. He finally resigned his position with that company in May, 1900. Since 1866, he has been a chief engineer in the merchant marine, a position he is well qualified to fill in an able manner.

Mr. Hand has been twice married. His first wife was, before marriage, Margaret Vir- ginia Divine, a Pennsylvanian by birth, but reared principally in Virginia. She crossed the river of death, June 25, 1897, after 31 years of happy wedded life; she was a faithful member of the Roman Catholic Church. .

On March 16, 1899. Mr. Hand was again married, Mary J. Pritchett being this time the lady of his choice. The ceremony took place in the city of Baltimore, of which the present Mrs. Hand was then a resident, al- though she is not a native of that place. She was born October 7. 1870, at Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Two children bless this un- ion, Samuel T .. Jr .. and Margaret Lois. Mrs. Hand is one of a family of seven children, and early embraced the faith of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

In his long and eventful service on ocean- going steamships. Mr. Hand had many inter- esting experiences, his duty calling him on Chesapeake Bay, the North Carolina sounds, the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea ; he fre- quently visited Cuba in charge of one of the largest steamships. Since 1900, when he re-

signed his position with the Old Dominion Steamship Compnay, he has been largely inter- ested in agricultural pursuits. He has a 1,400- acre farm in Southampton County, which he personally oversees. He raises cotton, peanuts, and corn,-the annual yield being about eight bales of cotton and 300 bags of peanuts, while the corn crop varies.

Mr. Hand takes little or no interest in poli- tics, having led too busy a life to assume even the duties of minor offices. But with social cir- cles, it is far different. Like his father, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has advanced through the intermediate degrees to the rank of a noble of the Mystic Shrine, being a member of Acca Temple, of Richmond, Vir- ginia. He also affiliates with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Pythias.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 111

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