History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 115

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 115

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

folk Medical Society, of which latter he served both as secretary and president. He was the adjutant of the 6th Regiment, Virginia In- fantry, in the Confederate War, the regiment forming a part of Mahone's Brigade of the Army of Northern Virginia. He has been medical examiner of the New York Life and Mutual Life insurance companies of New York. He has always taken an earnest and active interest in the progress and development of the city of Norfolk.

In April. 1876. Dr. Tunstall married An- nie D. McIntosh, a daughter of Capt. Charles F. McIntosh, C. S. Navy, who lost his life during the Confederate War. in 1862, after a gallant struggle with Farragut above New Orleans. The living issue of this union is: Elizabeth Walke. Charles McIntosh. Richard and Ruth.

HE NATIONAL BANK OF COM- MERCE is one of the solid financial institutions of Norfolk, and for many years has been a material factor in the growth and development of the city. fostering new enterprises and giving support to all business ventures tending to elevate Nor- folk in the commercial world.

The National Bank of Commerce is the out- growth of the People's National Bank. which was organized in 1867 with J. C. Demming as president. It was reorganized as the Bank of Commerce, July 16, 1878, with John Peters as president. The latter was succeeded by James E. Barry. July 12. 1879. and he in turn relinquished the duties of that office to Hon. T. A. Williams, November 11, 1889. The next president was Nathaniel Beaman, who now maintains that official capacity, the other offi- cers being Robert P. Voight as vice-president ; Hugh M. Kerr, cashier ; and M. C. Ferebee, assistant cashier. They are all men of promi- nence and experience in the business world. and the business affairs of the bank have flour- ished under the wise administration. The orig-

inal capital stock of $50,000 was enlarged to $100,000 in 1890, to $200,000 in 1897, and to $500,000 in1 1901. The Bank of Commerce was converted into the National Bank of Com- merce, December 2, 1901. The following statement made February 25, 1902, shows not only the wonderful growth of the institution, but its sound financial condition :

RESOURCES.

Feb. 25, 1902.

Loans and discounts.

$1.223.355 11

U. S. bonds and premiums.

257,912 00

Other bonds ..

42,796 78

Premium account

Banking house and fixtures.

32,000 00

Other real estate.

1,13× 1%

Due from banks. . $0,904 81

Due from approved reserved agents 123,586 11

Cash and exchanges.

191,685 71

$2,443,378 69

LIABILITIES.

Capital stock paid in. : 500,000 00

Surplus fund.

250,000 00

Undivided profits.

13,632 26

National bank notes outstanding.

246,300 00

Dividends unpaid.

120 00

Individual deposits

1,133,590 10

Bank deposits ..

249,736 33

Bills påyable and rediscounted.

Temporary loans

50,000 00

$2,443,378 69

The directors of the bank are: K. B. El- liott. B. T. Bockover, R. W. Santos, Fred Greenwood, J. W. Hunter, Thomas H. Will- cox, Henry L. Schmelz, Alvah H. Martin, Hugh M. Kerr, Robert P. Voight, F. M. Whitehurst, Cary P. Weston, Tazewell Tay- lor. T. S. Southgate and Nathaniel Beaman. The National Bank of Commerce has hand- some and commodious quarters at No. 241 Main street. The building, which the bank owns, was renovated and refitted in 1897: it is made of stone and the interior is of marble and mahogany, presenting an appearance of simple elegance. It is specially arranged for the banking business, and every detail which will in any way facilitate the work has been provided. One of the best features of the bank is its fire and burglar-proof vault. It is di-

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

vided into two parts, one part being used for safety deposit boxes and the other for banking purposes. Among the bank's principal corre- spondents are the following well-known con- cerns : National Park, Hanover National, Chase National and National Bank of Com- merce, New York: First National and Corn Exchange, of Philadelphia; First National of Baltimore: and Central National of Wash- ington.

The cashier of the bank, Hugh M. Kerr, is a native of Virginia, and has been identified with the institution for four years.

APT. JOSEPH DOWNING WOOD, a well-known citizen of Portsmouth, Virginia, is president of the Amer- ican Association of Masters & Pilots, an organization which was estab- lished 12 years ago, and has its headquarters in Odd Fellows Hall, on Church street, Nor- folk. It has been reorganized, and now has a membership of 150. It is not a labor organiza- tion, its purpose being to secure good com- petent men for navigators, which tends to bene- fit employers as well as the members. It is also a social organization. Captain Wood was quite active in the reorganization of this order and is now president, Captain W. A. Mayer being vice-president.

Captain Joseph Downing Wood was born in Plymouth, Washington County, North Car- olina, and is a son of Sammuel S. and Martha (Downing) Wood. He comes of distin- guished ancestry on both sides of the family. The Wood family is of English origin, and some of its members were comparatively early settlers of North Carolina. The Downing family has long been one of prominence in North Carolina. It is also of English extrac- tion, the first of its representatives in this coun- try being Henry Downing, who came from England and was a very early pioneer . of Plymouth, North Carolina. He was possessed

of large estates in that locality. A direct de- scendant of this pioneer was Col. Joseph Down- ing, grandfather of Captain Wood. He was a wealthy and influential man of Plymouth, and owned about 1,200 acres of land in that vi- cinity. He had a large number of slaves, fol- lowed farming, and also owned and operated a mill there. He was the leading man of that section, but the Confederate War caused him to loose the greater portion of his property. He spent his life on the farm, and died. in 1865. His union with Nancy Jones, also of North Carolina, resulted in the birth of seven children, as follows : Richard ; Hester ; Martha, the mother of Captain Wood; Thomas; Cath- erine : Stephen ; and Jannis. Mrs. Downing died in 1867. The old Downing estate re- mained in the family until about 1896.

Samuel S. Wood was born in Tyrrell Coun- ty, North Carolina, in March, 1845, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits during the early part of his life. During the past 15 years he has followed marine engineering, and lives at Berkley, Norfolk County, Virginia. In 1866 he married Martha Downing, who died in April, 1888, leaving five sons and one daugh- ter, as follows: Joseph D., Maud, Richard, Felder A., Stephen and S. Frank.

Captain Joseph Downing Wood came to Norfolk, Virginia, when about 17 years of age. He had received a common-school education in the rural districts, and after coming to Nor- folk attended night school. During his early life he engaged in farming, and afterward se- cured a position as clerk in a dry-goods store in Elizabeth, North Carolina. Then his con- nection with marine life began as a deck-hand. from which humble position he has worked his way up to be master and pilot. He has now been master for some 12 years, serving six years of that time for Norfolk County firms. He has been master of his present command. -- the steam-tug "Dorothea"-for the past two years.

Captain Wood was united in marriage with ·Ada Estelle Burnell of Portsmouth, Virginia,

PILKINTON C. CODD.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

in which city they now reside. He is a pleas- ant, genial man and has many friends. Fra- ternally, he is a member of Berkley Lodge, K. of P.

E. CRISMOND, who has served efficiently in the capacity of as- sistant postmaster of Portsmouth since April, 1898, is a native of that city. He was born in Janu- ary, 1863, and is a son of George E.

George E. Crismond was born in Glou- cester County, Virginia, and came to Ports- mouth in the "fifties." He was a ship-joiner by trade and was employed in the Navy Yard. He served in Grimes' Battery, Artillery, in the Confederate Army during the Intersectional War. and after its termination resumed his work at Portsmouth. He died in the summer of 1899. He married a Miss Topping, a de- scendant of the Wood family of Portsmouth. Mrs. Crismond was born at Portsmouth, and died in that city in 1888. Five daughters were born to George E. Crismond and his wife, as follows: Mrs. William J. Bohannan : Mrs. John W. Hart, whose husband is in the steam engineering department of the Navy Yard: Mrs. Clifford B. Corey, whose husband is superintendent of track laying of the bureau of Yards and Docks of the Navy Yard; Mrs. W. Roland King, of Portsmouth ; and Ethel. of Portsmouth. W. E. Crismond is the only son born to his parents. His brother-in-law. William J. Bohannan, is senior member of the wholesale and retail grocery firm of Bohan- nan. Blick & Company, on South street ; he is a native of Portsmouth, and his father was a Confederate soldier. Mr. Bohannan and his wife have four children, namely: William J .; .Aurelius J .: Earl Parker : and Marshall T.

W. E. Crismond was reared at Ports- mouth, where he attended school, and was also a pupil in Prof. N. B. Webster's school at Norfolk. He was then employed by the Ad- ams and Southern express companies as clerk

for six years, and in I888 was appointed by Secretary of the Navy Tracy as chief clerk in the equipment department at the Navy Yard. He continued thus for four years, and was removed when President Cleveland began his second administration. Ile then became local clerk and ticket agent of the Atlantic & Dan- ville Railway Company, with office at Nor- folk, and served as such until April, 1898, when he was appointed assistant postmaster at Portsmouth by Mr. Burroughs. He is pos- sessed of exceptional ability, and is well thought of by all to whom he is known. He attends the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

ILKINTON C. CODD, owner and pro- prietor of the largest livery business in the city of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, whose portrait ac- companies this sketch, is a wholesale and retail dealer in horses and also a veterinary surgeon of recognized ability. Mr. Codd's early life was spent in the butcher business. which he learned under his father. In October, 1899, he engaged in the livery business on a small scale, having only four horses. Under his successful management, the enterprise has proved a great success. Ile now owns 50 head of fine horses and has the largest stables in the city. The buildings cover half a block, and in- clude also a blacksmith shop.

Pilkinton C. Codd was born in Portsmouth September 27, 1857. and is a son of John A. and Clara Codd. both parents being natives of Baltimore. Maryland. The father was born in 1829 and passed to his final rest in 1884. He was reared in Norfolk County, Virginia. followed the butcher business very successfully in Portsmouth for many years, and was well known in mercantile circles. He and his es- teemed wife reared a family of 10 children. Those living are as follows : Jacob; John: William: Walter; Charles: Louis: Pilkinton . C .: Clara, who was united in marriage .with

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

Young Old; and Kate, who is the wife of George Porter.

In 1889 Pilkinton C, Codd was united in matrimony with Freddie Old, who was born in Princess Anne County, Virginia. They have two children, Marshall, who was born in 1892; and Mary, whose birth took place in 1895. The family attend divine service at the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which Mrs. Codd is a member.

Mr. Codd is a Democrat in politics and is faithful to the interests of his party at all times. In fraternal circles he affiliates with the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Pythias.

D R. ROBERT SHEILD PERKINS, who has attained a high degree of success in the practice of the medical profession, is a prominent citizen of Norfolk. He is a North Carolinian by birth, but of Virginian ancestry, being a scion of the Sheild family, which has been one of prominence since near the beginning of the seventeenth century, when it was established in this State and country.

Robert and Mary ( Bray) Sheild were the first of the family to come to this country from England, locating in York County, Vir- ginia. They had a son, Robert Sheild. The latter, who died March 4, 1669, married Eliza- beth Davis, and had a son, Robert. Robert Sheild, the third, was born April 26, 1667, and was churchwarden of Charles Parish. He married Mary Dunn, only daughter of Charles Dunn, who married Temperance Roberts, who is referred to in the early records as "sis- ter to Thomas Roberts." Among the chil- dren born of this union were Robert Sheild and Dunn Sheild. the last named marrying Susan Curtis. The former, whose will was proved May 21. 1753. married Sarah, widow of Thomas Barber, and they, too, had a son named Robert. Robert Sheild, the son. served as captain in the French and Indian War, and

became major in the militia of York County, Virginia. He was also a justice of the peace. He married Rebecca Hyde, daughter of Sam- uel Hyde, and granddaughter of Robert Hyde, who was an attorney-at-law. Their two sons were Samuel and Robert. Robert Sheild died March 31, 1804. He married at Chiskiack. February, 1781, Martha Hansford. They had a son, the seventh Robert Sheild. He was born October 30, 1789, and died No- vember 10, 1840. He married Martha Drum- mond, and they had a daughter, Martha, mother of Dr. Robert Sheild Perkins. Robert Sheild was a member of the House of Dele- gates.

Rev. Samuel Sheild, a son of Robert and Rebecca ( Hyde) Sheild, entered William and Mary College in 1769. He entered the philos- ophy schools, and in 1773 received from the faculty one of the two medals given by Lord Botetourt, July 29, 1773, for the encourage- ment of classical learning. Rev. Mr. Sheild was a friend of Gen. Thomas Nelson, who rec- ommended him in 1774 to Bishop Beilby for orders. In 1775 he was made minister of Drysdale Parish in Caroline County, and after the death of Jolin Camm, president of William and Mary College, he became minister of York-Hampton Parish, to which was added in 1792 the duties of Charles Parish which ad- joined. Bishop Meade .relates that "Mr. Sheild was very earnest in his discourses and that a lady of the old school, at a time when stiff brocades were the church dress of those who could afford it, would go home after some of Mr. Sheild's more animated discussions and call upon her maid to remove her clothes, for she had heard so much of hell, damnation and leath that it would take her all evening to cool." By his first marriage Rev. Samuel Sheild had three children: Col. Robert, Capt. Samuel and Mary. He formed a second union with Lucy Howard, a daughter of Henry Howard, and they had two children: Martha and Fleury Howard. His will was proved in York County Court. June 20. 1803. and men-

953

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

tioned his three sons: Robert, Samuel and Ilenry Howard.

Col. Robert Sheild was justice of the peace for York County, and was a member of the House of Delegates. He first married Eliza- beth Sheild. a consin, and secondly Mary Reade, a daughter of Hawkins Reade. Hc was father of the following children: Sam- tel R. : Richard Ilenry: Elizabeth, who mar- ried George Cooper: Martha, who married Joseph Algernon Graves, of Surry County, Virginia : Rebecca : and Roberta.

Samuel R. Sheild was a physician and married a daughter of Westwood Armistead. clerk of Elizabeth City. Their children were : Nannie, who married John Willis, of Hamp- ton: Dr. Mallory, who married Florence W. Garrett and had two daughters: and Capt. Samuel, who was clerk of York County 40 years. The last named, who lived at Win- ton. York County. married Sallie C. Dudley. a daughter of Maj. William Dudley, of War- wick County, her mother being a Cary. Their children were: Mary Eliza. who married Dr. Francis Mallory. a member of Congress : and Bolivar, who was born in 1825 and was also clerk of the county for several years.

Dr. William Henry Sheild married Anna B. Corbin, at Isle-in-View, Gloucester, No- vember 29, 1831, Rev. John Goodall offici- ating. She died February 3. 1847. among their children being: William Henry, a sur- geon in the Confederate Army, who died in October, 1894 .- he was also assistant physi- cian at the Eastern Lunatic Asylum: and Or- lando Fairfax. an artillery officer in the Con- federate Army, who died in 1862. Dr. Will- iam 11. Sheild formed a second union with Susan Ann Howard, a daughter of Col. Henry Howard, of York County, and among their children is Charles Henry, who married Jane Barton, a daughter of David Barton, by whom he had a son. Charles H .. a lawyer, of Louis- ville, Kentucky. After her death he married her sister Martha, by whom he had a son. Norton.

The coat of arms of the Sheild family, as preserved on old silver and engraved on a ring. is: On a bend engraved three escutcheons. The crest is a fleur-de-lis, and the motto. "Be Traiste.'

On the paternal side Dr. R. S. Perkins is descended from Baker Perkins, who came to Virginia and settled in York County, where he purchased "Poplar Hall." situated between Yorktown and Jamestown. He owned a mer- chant ship and as long as he lived was accus- tomed to send to England for his merchandise. His wife was of English birth. They had two children : Baker, Jr., and his twin sister, who was grandmother of Judge Baker P. Lee.

Baker Perkins, Jr., resided on the large plantation. "Poplar Hall." inherited from his father. He married Zelica Miles Whitaker. who traced relationship to Rev. Alexander Whitaker, who came to Virginia with Dale. He was a son of the distinguished Puritan, Dr. Whitaker. master of St. John's College, Can- bridge. Without absolute authority, but with almost certainty. it is asserted that he per- formed the wedding ceremony of Pocahontas and John Rolfe. In a letter dated from James- town. June 9. 1617. Gov. Samuel Orgall men- tioned that Rev. Whitaker had been drowned. Zelica Miles Whitaker was a daughter of Richard Harwood Whitaker and Zelica Miles. his wife, the latter's mother being a Tabb. Richard Harwood Whitaker was a grandson and ward of Col. William Harwood, by whom he was reared. According to a will found in the records of Charles City County, the latter was a son of Samuel Harwood. He came very early in the seventeenth century to Virginia and settled on the James River, where he re- eeived a grant of land called "Weyanoke" or "Wanock." one of the residences of King Powhatan. In 1767 or 1768 he married Mar- garet Wardropp. of the Isle of Wight. The Miles family, above mentioned, intermarried with the Carys. Brians. Seldens. Camms and other families of colonial times. The Whit- akers also intermarried with the Carys, of

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HISTORY, OF NORFOLK COUNTY

"Pear Tree Hall." Warwick County, Virginia. Baker and Zelica Miles ( Whitaker) Perkins were parents of three children: Alexander H. ; Richard C. : and Mahala.

Dr. Richard C. Perkins, father of our sub- ject, is an alleopathic physician residing at present in Princess Anne County, Virginia. He served during the Confederate War as cap- tain in the Commissary Department. He mar- ried Martha Sheild, by whom there were two children : Ida, widow of William Whitehurst, of Princess Anne County ; and Robert Sheild.

Dr. Robert Sheild Perkins was reared and educated in North Carolina. He later at- tended Horner's Academy at Oxford, North Carolina, and then attended and was gradu- ated from Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, since which time he has engaged in the practice of medicine at Norfolk.

Dr. Perkins was united in marriage with Cornelia Vaughan. of Norfolk, and has seven children: Louise H., wife of Commander C. K. Curtis, U. S. Navy; Rosa V .; Kenneth Sheild; Robert M .; Allan Armistead: Vir- ginia ; and Claudia.

D R. THOMAS H. WILKINS, a well- known physician of Portsmouth. Norfolk County, Virginia, comes from one of the oldest and best fami- lies of this State. He was born in Portsmouth, and is a son of Thomas Jefferson Wilkins.

Thomas Jefferson Wilkins was born on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and settled in Portsmouth when young. He engaged in the wholesale feed business, his store being located on the corner, near the ferry landing. He married Miss McCoy, who has taught school for over 25 years, and now conducts a private school on Court street, in Portsmouth. Her brother, C. W. McCoy, has been in charge of the freight department of the Bay line of steamers, and is also employed by the Sea-

board Air Line Railway Company. Mrs. Wil- kins has two sons and one daughter, namely: Thomas H., the subject of this sketch ; E. P., why is engaged in the drug business in Ports- mouth ; and Sarah J., who is at school.

Thomas H. Wilkins received his primary education in Portsmouth. He entered the drug business in Norfolk, and subsequently re- moved to Portsmouth, where he continued in that business until 1897 .- a period of eight years. He then attended the University Col- lege of Medicine, at Richmond, Virginia, from which he was graduated in 1900. Since that time he has been engaged in practicing his pro- fession, and has met with much success. He thoroughly understands drugs and their uses. and is considered one of the best physicians in Portsmouth. He has a large practice, and has cause to be proud of the progress he is making in his profession.

Dr. Wilkins is a member of the Norfolk Medical Society, and also of the Virginia State Medical Society. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Heptasoph lodges, and is ex- amining physician of the latter. Religiously he is a Methodist. His mother teaches the in- fant class in Monumental Methodist Episcopal Church. South, and is very active in church work.

R C. MARSHALL is Commonwealth's attorney for Norfolk County, a posi- tion he has held since 1891, maintain- ing an office in the Kirn Building. He was born in Fauquier County. Virginia, and attended Clifton Preparatory School before the war.

Mr. Marshall entered the Confederate Army at the age of 16 years, serving with the Sixth Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, one vear, and then with the Seventh Regiment. Virginia Cavalry. He served as aide-de-camp on General Thomas L. Rosser's staff for the last years of the war. and was wounded at the battle of Trevillian's Station. between

EDWARD M. BRUCE

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Gen. Phil. H. Sheridan and Gen. Wade Hamp- ton, June 11. 1864. He was shot through the right lung and was out of service until Jan- uary, 1865, when he resumed his duties. He was at Appomattox Court House, but did not surrender with General Lee and his army, for the reason that Rosser's command was not then surrendered, the General having determined to attempt to join General Johnston's command.

After the close of the war Mr. Marshall commenced teaching school in his native coun- ty, and later had charge of an academy there. He then went to Brookville Academy in Mary- land, near Washington, and had charge of that institution. He removed to Portsmouth in 1873. was there admitted to the bar in 1875. and immediately thereafter entered upon a practice which has since continued. For IO years he was in partnership with Judge Claud- ius W. Murdaugh, under the firm name of Murdaugh & Marshall, their association being terminated by the death of Judge Murdaugh in 1899. Mr. Marshall was Commonwealth's at- torney of Portsmouth about eight years, and since 1891 has been Commonwealth's attorney of Norfolk County, Virginia, the duties of which office he has discharged in a manner entirely satisfactory to all concerned.

E DWARD M. BRUCE, who is en- gaged in the general merchandise business at Bruce Station, and is also one of Norfolk County's well- known truckers, was born on his present farm. December 17, 1850. He is a son of William A. Bruce, who was born in 1821.

William A. Bruce is still living, and resides with his son. He farmed throughout his act- ive life. He married Louisa Coplin, who was born in Nansemond County. Virginia, and died in 1855. Their children were .- Sarah. who married Mr. Peak: Louisa, who married George King, deceased: Henrietta, who mar- ried M. Jones, deceased ; Edward M., the sub- !

ject of this sketch: and Jenny and Ida, cleceased.

Edward M. Bruce attended school in Churchland, and early in life applied himself to farming. In 1892. he built his present store, where he has since carried on a general mer- chandise business. He owns 124 acres of good farming land, and is also engaged in trucking. His store is much patronized by the residents around Bruce Station, and they are always treated with courtesy and fair dealing.

Mr. Bruce married Lovey Keeling. who was børn in Princess Anne County, Virginia, and is a daughter of Thomas Keeling. They have two children, namely: Maggie V. and Elizabeth F. Mr. Bruce is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat in politics, and in religious belief prefers the Baptist Church. Mr. Bruce is well known in Norfolk, and is considered one of this coun- ty's best farmers and most enterprising citi- zens. He has a host of friends in the com- munity, who will view with pleasure his por- trait that appears on a page in proximity to this.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 115

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