History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 116

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 116

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MBROSE HARVEY LINDSAY, who is probably one of the largest and most successful farmers in Nor- folk County, Virginia. is also a man of various other business enterprises. He was born in 1831 and reared in Currituck County, North Carolina, where he also owned and operated a farm for some years.

In 1858 Mr. Lindsay removed to Norfolk County. Virginia. and located on a farm at Deep Creek. He made his home there until January, 1870, since which time he has resided in the city of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, and was postmaster of said city for two terms. under Presidents Arthur and Harrison, re- spectively. He was an officer in the Confed- erate Army, being 2nd lieutenant in Captain Hopkin's company, which was afterward Com-

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

pany B. 61st Regiment, Virginia Infantry. His resignation as an officer in the army was accepted on the ground that his services to the Confederacy would be of greater benefit by his personal attention to his large farming interest.

Since the war Mr. Lindsay has cleared probably the largest tract of swamp and tim- bered land cleared by any one man in Virginia, and was a member of the State Board of Ag- riculture for some years. He has about 3,000 acres in one body within a mile of Deep Creek, all of which is under cultivation. He has large mercantile interests in Portsmouth, and resides at No. 306.Crawford street. He is a man of pleasing personality, and occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens.

The termination of the war and its results left him greatly embarrassed financially, but by his great energy and enterprise he soon liqui- dated an indebtedness of $70.000. personal and security obligations, and is now in a prosper- ous condition and free of debt. Success has characterized his entire business career; his word is as good as his bond, and he is generally known as one of the substantial and repre- sentative men of Eastern Virginia. He is a gentleman by birth and raising, a man of high character and universally respected.

ULIAN A. NORFLEET. M. D., a prominent representative of the medi- cal profession of Berkley, Virginia, was born in Franklin, Southampton County, Virginia, May 2, 1864. He is a son of Alexander W. and Indiana V. (Ed- wards) Norfleet, both natives of Virginia.

Alexander W. Norfleet was a merchant at Franklin, Virginia, all his active life. He was a soldier in the Confederate Army, and served gallantly in the Nansemond Cavalry. He was widely known, and lived to reach the age of 73 years. He was a member of the Baptist Church, of which he was a deacon, and

was one of the oldest Masons in Eastern Vir- ginia. His wife was a daughter of Jordan and Susan (Clanton) Edwards, and a sister of Lieut .- Col. L. R. Edwards, U. S. Army, Span- ish-American War, who previously served as a lieutenant in the Confederate Army, and also a sister of William Edwards, who served in the war between the United States and Mexico.

Dr. Norfleet is one of eight children, seven of whom are living. Both of his parents came of prominent Virginia families. On his fa- ther's maternal side he is a descendant of Col. Willis Parker, of Revolutionary fame, and Capt. John Holland, an officer of the War of 1812. On his father's paternal side he is a descendant of John Cowper, a captain in the United States Navy during the Revolutionary War, who in the small bark "Dolphin" sailed out of the Nansemond River, and attacked two English cruisers off Cape Henry.

Dr. Norfleet is a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia, class of 1886, and prac- ticed his profession at Ivor and Radford, Vir- ginia, prior to locating in Berkley, in 1893, since which time he has commanded a large practice in this section. He has membership in the Norfolk Medical Society and the Sea- board Medical Association, of Virginia and North Carolina. He has always taken a deep interest in the advancement of the town and is identified with various enterprises, among them the Berkley People's Bank and the At- lantic Building & Loan Association, of which he is a director.

On October 3, 1889, Dr. Norfleet was united in marriage with Sallie Griffin, a daugh- ter of Dr. John C. and Nannie ( Boykin) Grif- fin, of Southampton County, Virginia. Dr. Griffin died in 1887. aged about 47 years. His widow is a beloved member of the household of Dr. Norfleet. Dr. and Mrs. Norfleet have four children, namely: Lelia C .; Hontas Z .: Nannie C .: and Margaret G. He belongs to no secret orders, but is medical examiner for numerous companies.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

L. BERKLEY, a well-known dealer in furniture and hardware in Berkley, Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, was born in Berkley, Au- gust 18, 1861, and is a son of Lycurgus and Eliza Middleton Berkley, who were natives of Fairfax County, Virginia. The father was the founder of the town of Berkley, and was one of the most prominent men of Virginia.

W. L. Berkley started in business for him- self in 1888. In 1894 he erected his present store, which is 40 by 80 feet in dimensions and consists of two stories. He carries a full line of furniture, carpets, stoves, ranges, and, in fact, everything pertaining to the furnish- ing of a house. He buys his goods from dif- ferent manufacturers in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and wherever he can obtain the best goods. He does an immense business, which increases each year, and is one of the largest dealers in that line in Norfolk County. A care- ful manager, painstaking and thorough in all he undertakes, he has met with much success in his business, a fact due entirely to his own efforts. He is much interested in various business enterprises of Berkley, being presi- dent of the Berkley Permanent Building & Loan Association, an organization that was started 15 years ago; and is vice-president of the Merchants' & Planters' Bank, which was established two years ago with a capital stock of $30,000.

Mr. Berkley was married June 17, 1885, to Judith E. Ferebee, a daughter of Thomas Cooper and Bettie ( Wallace) Ferebee, and four children were born to them, namely : Percival C .; Judith F. ; Helen M. ; and W. L., Jr. Mr. Berkley is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Knights of Pythias. He was one of the first councilmen of Berkley. He is one of the most influential business men of the town, and is a man of sterling qualities. possessing many of the characteristics of his father, who was one of the most noble men of Virginia.

ULIUS L. BUNTING, the subject of this sketch, was born in Northamp- ton County, Virginia, September 19, 1857, on the farm where his grand- father had lived and died, and where his father, James Bunting, was born and reared.

In 1860 his father removed to Norfolk County, and a short while afterward was acci- dentally drowned, being only 26 years of age when he met his death.

His mother, who was Cassie A. Bishop before her marriage, and the daughter of Charles Bishop, died July 6, 1898.

His father's early death threw much care and responsibility upon him, and when quite young he assisted in the farm work, going to school at odd times.

He came to the City of Norfolk in 1876, and secured a clerkship in à ship-chandlery and grocery store, which position he held until 1880, when he succeeded to the business of his former employer. This business under his able management grew and prospered, and was continued at the old stand until 1901, when it was removed to his new building at the northeast corner of Brewer and Washing- ton streets, this building having been erected by him to meet the requirements of his increas- ing business.

In 1889 he associated himself with J. W. Montague, succeeding Peter Turney in the wholesale rubber footwear and rubber clothing business, having also the Southern agency for Carter's oiled clothing. This business is one of the largest of its kind in the South, and was located at No. 71 Commercial Place until 1901, when it was also removed to his new build- ing, thus housing his two interests under one roof.

In March, 1902, W. H. Lang was admitted to partnership in the grocery and ship-chand- lery business, the firm name becoming Bunt- ing, Lang & Company.

Our subject is a self-made man in every sense that term implies, and is one of the sub-

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

stantial business men of Norfolk, command- ing the respect of all who come in contact with him, either in a business or social way.

Mr. Bunting was married in 1879 to Mar- tha J. Hailes, a daughter of John Hailes, who was a merchant during the latter years of his life. This union is blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Mary J., Etta M. and Julius L., Jr.

Mr. Bunting is Democratic in politics but has never sought political honors. He is a member of the Freemason Street Baptist Church, serves on the board of deacons, and is church custodian.

In the fraternal world none are more prominent or take a more active interest than Mr. Bunting, the following local fraternal or- ganizations claiming him as a beloved and worthy brother: Elizabeth Lodge, No. 34, A. F. & A. M .; Norfolk United Chapter. No. I. R. A. M .: Grice Commandery, No. 16, K. T .; Harmony Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F .; Charity Lodge, No. 10, K. of P .; Black Hawk Tribe, No. 57. I. O. R. M .: Virginia Conclave, No. I. Heptasophians or Seven Wise Men.

For the past eight years he has filled the office of supreme treasurer for the United States of the last named order, and is also a member of Acca Temple Mystic Shrine, of Richmond, Va.

ARMAN R. ANDERSON, who was for many years successfully engaged in the dry goods business in Ports- Henry W., deceased.

mouth. Norfolk County, Virginia. where he at present deals in real es- tate, is a native of North Carolina, and a son of Joseph Page and Margaret S. (Redman) Anderson, both natives of Norfolk County, Virginia.

Walter G. Anderson, the paternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was in the United States Navy and was a charter member of Portsmouth Naval Lodge, No. 100,

A. F. & A. M. His son, Joseph P., the father of Harman R., followed in his footsteps and early took up a seafaring life, which he mainly followed during his career, occasionally vary- ing it by divers land occupations. In 1845 or 1846 he removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and a few years later fell a victim to the gold fever which prevailed all over the country, and went to California, where he "struck gold." In 1850 he returned to Norfolk, Virginia, and once more became a seaman. After his marriage he abandoned sea life for a time, and was en- gaged in the book business at Portsmouth. He served during the late Confederate War as a civil engineer, and took an active part in building the fort at Craney Island, being at . that time assistant to Captain Demock. He served principally, however, as captain of mer- cantile vessels, and had many rough experi- ences. He was cast away three times on Cat Island, of the West Indies, and was taken off each time by rescuing vessels. On account of ill health he was honorably discharged from the army, and died in 1864, at the age of 50 years. He was a member of Portsmouth Na- val Lodge, No. 100, A. F. & A. M .; and Mt. Horeb Chapter, No. II, R. A. M.

Harman R. Anderson was third in a fam- ily of eight children. The others were as fol- lows: Elizabeth, who died young; Walter G., who succumbed to an attack of yellow fever in 1855 : George, who also died in early life ; Rob- ert H., a well-to-do merchant in the South; Sarah E., a resident of Portsmouth ; Joseplı | P., a prominent business man of Norfolk; and

Mr. Anderson was reared in the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, his parents having removed to that vicinity in 1860. In 1880 he went into the dry goods business for himself, in which he enjoyed a fair patronage for many years, and practically retired in 1896. Since then Mr. Anderson has devoted some time and attention to the real estate business, with his office at Portsmouth.

The subject of this sketch was united in

JOHN W. BALLARD.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

marriage with Mary V. Wise, who was born near Churchland, in Norfolk County, and who is a daughter of John S. Wise. They have two children : May R., who is at present at- tending the Woman's College at Richmond, having completed the course in the Ports- mouth High School: and Henry Stewart, who is in school at Portsmouth. The family at- tend the Episcopal Church, of which they are members.

Politically, Mr. Anderson is an ardent Democrat ; he is also prominently allied with many fraternal organizations, chief among which are the Masonic and K. of P. lodges. He is a member of Seaboard Lodge, No. 56. A. F. & A. M .: Mt. Horeb Chapter, No. 11. R. A. M .: Grice Commandery, No. 5. K. T .: Royal Arcanum: Heptasophs; and Atlantic Lodge, No. 24. K. of P., in which he has passed through all the chairs. Mr. Ander- son has won an enviable reputation among the best business men of the city, and is recognized as the personification of integrity and honor. He is a public-spirited citizen, and is greatly interested in the welfare and advancement of Fis community.

OHN W. BALLARD, who is living on his farm of 250 acres. where he car- ries on an extensive oyster and fish business, is one of the well-known men of Norfolk County. He was born on his present farm near Churchland, July 5. 1872. and is a son of L. R. Ballard.

L. R. Ballard was born in Isle of Wight County. Virginia, in 1833. His death oc- curred in 1889. He settled in Nansemond County when a boy and later removed to Nor- folk County, where he remained the greater part of his life. He was a farmer by occupa- tion. He married Bettie Wells, who was born in North Carolina. She died in 1887. They reared the following offspring: Fannie W .. who married a Mr. Dennis: William L., de-

ceased: and John W., the subject of this sketch.

John W. Ballard attended the Churchland Academy, and after finishing school engaged in the merchandise business in Churchland. However, he did not remain long in that line. but turned his attention to farming, and the oyster and fish business. He owns a farm of 250 acres, which is kept in a fine state of culti- vation. The oyster business he carries on at Hampton Roads, shipping to New York and other Northern cities. He also supplies the home market. In addition to the oyster and fish business he carries on general truck farming. Mr. Ballard is one of the best-known farmers . in the State, and is considered an authority on oyster and fish matters.

In politics the subject of this sketch is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic Order. Religiously he is a member of the Baptist Church. A\ portrait of Mr. Ballard accompanies this sketch. being pre- sented on a foregoing page.

R ICHARD T. BARNES. master ma- chinist (inside) at the United States Navy Yard at Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Ports- mouth, and is a son of Joshua N. Barnes, who was also a native of that town. Joshua N. Barnes was a carpenter and con- tractor by trade, and died some years ago.

Richard T. Barnes, the subject of this sketch. was reared and educated in Ports- mouth. He worked on the Norfolk County Ferries, first under Joseph Porter and later un- der Captain Murdaugh. He remained there until he reached the position of chief engineer. and shortly afterward left Portsmouth and went to Baltimore, where he took charge of the People's Iron Works for a few months. He returned to Portsmouth, where he resumed his duties at the ferries, under Gill & Company, and remained there about one year. He then

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

entered the Navy Yard, and on October I, 1893, was appointed master machinist in charge of the engineering department. He succeeded William A. Fairless, having been examined according to civil service. The em- ployees,-inside,-of this department number about 80 men. Mr. Barnes has met with much success since assuming the charge of this de- partment and is highly commended by all for his faithful and conscientious service. He is a fine workman and has succeeded in life solely through his own merit.

Mr. Barnes has several brothers living in Portsmouth and in Baltimore. He has been twice married, his present wife having been Laura King. Wilkie T., a son of Mr. Barnes, is a member of the Virginia Pilots' Associa- tion, and lives in Ghent : he has one daughter. Mr. Barnes also has one daughter.

Mr. Barnes is a member of the I. O. O. F., having joined that body over 30 years ago. He is also a member of the Knights of Honor of Portsmouth. He is an Episcopalian, al- though his wife prefers the Baptist faith. Mr. Barnes resides in a very comfortable home at No. 809 Court street, Portsmouth, Virginia.

P. DEMUTH, a well-known con- tractor and builder of Berkley, Nor- folk County, Virginia, was born in Frederick County, Maryland, June 5, 1840. He is a son of Henry and Barbara ( Valentine) DeMuth, both natives of Frederick County, Maryland.

Rev. John Valentine, the maternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was a noted divine of the Presbyterian Church in Maryland. He was a scholar, well and favor- ably known. Henry DeMuth, the father of S. P., was a justice of the peace of Frederick County for 10 years. He was well known in that county. He died at the age of 78 years, and his wife died aged 83 years. Eleven chil- dren resulted from this union, namely :

Joshua, who lives in Iowa ; Samuel, deceased ; Henry, who lives in Baltimore County, Mary- land; Cecelia, the widow of John Stansberry, who lives on the old homestead in Frederick County; Margaret, the wife of Granville Stultz, of Washington County, Pennsylvania ; Jeremiah, who lives in Frederick County, Maryland, on the home place ; William, Anna and Elizabeth, deceased; an infant, who died unnamed ; and Mary A., deceased.

S. P. DeMuth, whose name opens these lines, attended the common schools of Freder- ick County, Maryland, and after. leaving school learned the trade of a carpenter and contrac- tor. Then, at about the age of 15 years, he began to work for himself. He went to Balti- more, Maryland, where he worked for 30 years. He erected many of the substantial buildings now standing in that city and its su- burbs, and also erected many government buildings for which he was greatly com- mended, the workmanship being of the high- Est order. From Baltimore he went to Ash- land, Virginia, where he took charge of a large stock farm, known as the River View Stock Farm, owned by E. H. Wise. He remained at Aslıland for four years, and in 1897 removed to Berkley, where he engaged in his present business. He first removed to Berkley, at the solicitation of Mrs. Greenleaf Johnston, for whom he built 21 houses. He is one of the most enterprising business men of Berkley, and stands high in the community. He re- ceives many contracts in Berkley and sur- rounding towns, and is kept busy all of the time. He is a conscientious, energetic worker, and is deserving of the success which has been his.

Mr. DeMuth was married, November 4, 1860, to Rebecca J. Sutton, a native of Balti- more, and a daugliter of Joseph Sutton, de- ceased, who was a well-known man in Mary- land. The Sutton family were of English origin and were early settlers of Maryland.

Mr. DeMuth and his wife have had II children, whose names are as follows: Clin-

MICHAEL GLENNAN.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

ton: Harry C .: Florence: Clara B .: Claude ; Robert E. L .: Emory ; Jay G. : Robert E. and Howard, deceased : and one deceased, without name. Clinton married Mary Towson, lives in Ghent. Virginia. and has three children .- Paul. Carl and Reynolds; he is a contractor and architect. Harry C. is a farmer of Ash-

land. Virginia. Florence, who has taught in one school in Frederick County, Maryland. for 10 years. is a graduate of New Windsor Col- lege. Clara B .. a graduate of the Baltimore Normal School. is a teacher in Frederick County. Robert E. L. is doing business with his brother. Clinton. under the firm name of DeMuth Brothers, carpenters at Ghent. Vir- gina. Emory farms with his brother. Harry C .. and Jay G. is now taking a course in the Norfolk Business College.

Mr. DeMuth has been a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Junior Order of United American Me- chanics.

RANCIS HART is a ship-fitter who has worked in the United States Navy Yard at Portsmouth for the past 10 years. He is nnexcelled in his line of work. and is a leading man in the vard. He was born in Ireland in 1865. where he attended the public schools. He learned his trade in Scotland, serving an apprenticeship of five years. It was at that time that iron began to be used in the construction of ships, and in this branch Mr. Hart learned all the details. Having friends in America, he came to this country, and for two years was located in New Orleans. Finding the climate of Norfolk more agreeable. he located here in 1886, and for a few years worked in small shipyards. He then became identified with the Navy Yard. As before mentioned. he learned the use of Iron in the construction of ships in Scotland while working on the "Trafalgar." a four- masted steel sailing ship. He was one of the first men to begin work on the battle-ship

"Texas." and was employed on its construc- tion until completed. He also worked on the "Raleigh." He has made a great success of his work, having taken advantage of every opportunity presented to him to improve his position, and he stands high in the esteem of the officers under whom he works.

In February. 189t. Mr. Hart was united in marriage with Minnie Pethabridge. a na- tive of Berkley, and a daughter of Elmore Pethabridge, and they have four children,- Ellie B .; Mary L. : Elmore J. ; and Francis I. Mr. Hart is a member of the Catholic Church. He belongs to the B. P. O. E. He is a well- known citizen of Berkley, and has his home at the corner of Washington and Mulberry street.s.

m ICHAEL GLENNAN. deceased, whose portrait is shown herewith. was for many years one of the most prominent and influential cit- izens of Norfolk. Virginia. He was owner and editor of the l'irginian, which was consolidated with the Pilot in 1898. into the Virginian-Pilot. The admitted power of the press to mould public opinion was always exerted by him in behalf of the best interests of his city. State and country, and he enjoyed the confidence and affection of the citizens of this community to a marked degree.

Mr. Glennan was born in Dublin, Ireland. and was about four years of age when he came to the United States with his parents, locating in Brooklyn, New York. With his parents lie removed to Norfolk. Virginia, and attended the private school of Mr. Hubert, afterward attending the parcchial school of Father O'- Keefe.

When the Confederate War broke out he enlisted in 1861. becoming an orderly to Gen. W. B. Taliaferro, at the age of 16 years, when he assumed command of a volunteer company at Norfolk. Virginia. He was afterward re-

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

fused enlistment on account of his youth and lameness. November 26, 1861, he became a private in Company G. 36th Regiment, North Carolina Heavy Artillery. Department of Cape Fear. He participated in all the engagements in the vicinity of Cape Fear, near Wilmington, being among those who captured the Federal vessels at Masonboro Inlet, and the blockade runner "Kate," off Smith Island. He partici- pated in both engagements at Fort Fisher and was captured there. He was imprisoned at Governor's Island, New York, and while thus incarcerated contracted rheumatism from which he never recovered. He was parolled, re- turned to the service and was at Greensboro at the surrender of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and his army. After surrender, May 2, 1865, he proceeded to Norfolk. During the service he was promoted to quartermaster sergeant. Jan- uary 25, 1884, he was elected a member of Pickett-Buchanan Camp, Confederate Veter- ans, of Norfolk. After the close of the war he engaged in teaching at Portsmouth for two years, beginning with two paid and two charity pupils. He then became employed in the mail- ing department of the Daily Argus, and in 1867 the management of the l'irginian was tendered to him. In November of the same year Mr. Glennan purchased an interest in the paper, and in 1876 became sole owner by pur- chasing the remainder of the stock. In 1880 he became editor of the paper, Capt. John S. Tucker retiring. In 1887 he was commis- sioned postmaster of Norfolk by President Cleveland, turning the editorial chair over to Capt. Henry E. Orr. After the expiration of his term as postmaster he was proffered a sec- ond appointment, but refused owing to press- ing business engagements. He then re- sumed his duties as editor of the Virgin- ian. His paper inaugurated the Yorktown Celebration, which was held in 1881 and porved so great a success. He was also one of the prime movers in the State Memorial Day services of Virginia. He

continued in charge of the l'irginian until 1898, when it was consolidated with the Pilot. He was a very prominent figure in politics and served as chairman of the Democratic Execu- tive Committee, chairman of the State Demo- cratic Committee several times, and as dele- gate to national conventions. He served as World's Fair Commissioner for the Second District of Virginia. He was at times men- tioned for Congressman from this district and in 1889 was urged to accept the nomination for Governor. but declined for business reas- ons. During his incumbency as postmaster, he gained the lasting favor of the farmers of the county by inaugurating free rural mail delivery.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 116

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