History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 120

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 120

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F. S. Royster, president of the F. S. Royster Guano Company; R. Page Waller; John N. Vaughan, of Vaughan & Barnes: D. Lowen- berg; J. G. Womble: C. A. Woodard; C. Bil- lups, of C. Billups, Son & Company ; Thomas R. Ballentine; Caldwell Hardy; William M. Whaley, president of the Roanoke R. R. & L. Company : and Henry Kirn.

A B. SCHWARZKOPF, who has been identified with the Norfolk National Bank since its organization, now oc- cupies the office of cashier. He was born in Norfolk. Virginia.

Mr. Schwarzkopf was reared and educated in his natal city, and began his connection with the Norfolk National Bank on its establish- ment. as a runner. He made his services val- uable to the bank, and was rewarded by pro- motion after promotion until he was made cashier, a position he fills in a manner creditable to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is truly a self-made man, and his sterling worth to the community is recog- nized by all.

DGAR EUGENE DAWES, secretary of the Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk, Vir- ginia, was born in that city April 5, 1857. He is a son of Samuel S. Dawes, and grandson of John Dawes, who were descendants of the English nobility.

Sir William Dawes. one of Edgar Eugene Dawes' ancestors, was one of the royal chap- lains of Queen Anne. The "Biographical Dictionary," published in Richmond, Virginia, in 1826, speaks of Sir William Dawes, as a pious and learned gentleman who was sent to the United States by Queen Anne to reorganize the Established Church. He settled in Vir- ginia, where he died in 1724. He was the author of several religious works.

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John Dawes, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in Warwick County, Virginia, and became a seafaring man, serving in the United States Navy. He died at the age of 62 years. He married Ann Seymour, who died at the age of 77 years. Their chil- dren were: Robert: Samuel S .: Nelson : and Caroline, who married William Shelly.

Samuel S. Dawes, father of the subject hereof, was born at Hampton, Virginia, July 16, 1819, and at the age of 14 years entered a dry goods store at Hampton as a clerk. He continued as a clerk until 1845, when he es- tablished a general dry goods store on Church street, in Norfolk. Later he removed to Main street, where he carried on this business until the breaking out of the war. He then became a clerk in the treasurer's office in Richmond. and joined the Home Guards. After the war he returned to Norfolk. where he held the office of treasurer of Norfolk for 15 years. He then became entry clerk in the Custom House, and held that position four years, when he was chosen secretary of the Merchant & Manufac- turing Association. In 1895 Mr. Dawes re- tired from active business duties, and is living at his home on Boush street. He has enjoyed a very active and useful career, and is a man of considerable literary ability, having written much for newspapers, and also some poetry which has been published. He married Mary Jane Seymour, who was born July 6, 1824, and died at the age of 62 years. She was a daugh- ter of William and Eliza Seymour. Her chil- dren were as follows: Robert N., William S. and Samuel S., deceased ; Mary L .. who mar- ried Thomas H. Browne ; and Edgar Eugene.

Edgar Eugene Dawes was reared and edu- cated in Norfolk. For 24 years he was em- ployed as clerk for Burruss, Son & Company. at the end of which time he was made secre- tary of the Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk, 'of which a full de- scription is given elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Dawes affiliates with the Democratic party. and was a member of the Democratic commit-

tee from the Third Ward for several years. The subject of this sketch is possessed of much business ability and is well and favorably known in Norfolk, being one of that city's most progressive business men. He married Mrs. Linda Wright Dey, and they have two children,-Linda R. and Edgar Eugene.

5 ON. ALVINZA JEFFERS. a well- known resident of the city of Norfolk, Virginia, has been an extensive real estate dealer there since 1880 and through the medium of The Cornu- copia, which he edits and publishes, has at- tracted many men from other States to locate in Norfolk County or elsewhere in Virginia.

Mr. Jeffers was born in Canton, St. Law- rence County, New York. and received his education there. During his early manhood he taught school in New York State. Missouri and Kansas, and remained in the latter State for a period of 10 years. He spent most of this time in Marshall County, and while there was elected to the State Legislature of Kansas, where he served one term. He was then elected and served two terms as county superintendent of public instruction. In 1864 he enlisted in Battery D, New York Light Artillery, and served with bravery to the close of the war.

In 1880 Mr. Jeffers located in Norfolk, Virginia, and in 1884, started the publication of The Cornucopia, a paper devoted to the real estate interests of the county and State. He has placed in circulation more than a million copies of this paper, which contains maps and charts and illustrates to the public the advantages of this section. His office is a "Bureau of Information" respecting Eastern Virginia. His principal work has been in in- teresting· capitalists of New York, Ohio, Illi- nois, Michigan and other States, and in this way he has drawn to this seaport the best men to invest money and to locate here. He has had some very extensive real estate transac-

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tions and has disposed of large tracts of land profitably. In private life Mr. Jeffers is a man of strong personality, and the citizens of this section accord him the highest respect, and esteem him as one of the most substantial residents of the community.

AMES A. KERR, a member of the legal fraternity, and a notary public, of Norfolk, Virginia, is an excellent counselor and adviser, and is able to enroll his name on the list of the best lawyers of the State. Mr. Kerr was born at Petersburg, Virginia, where he grew to man- hood. A good practical education in the Uni- versity School of W. Gordon McCabe, of that city, was closely followed by a thorough normal course in the University of Virginia, which he entered in 1871, and from which he graduated with honors in 1874. The following three years he labored in the capacity of schoolmas- ter, and during this time his spare eagles were hoarded and saved toward defraying the ex- penses of a legal education. Returning to the same university, Mr. Kerr then took a special law course, and was admitted to the bar in 1878.

Finding a most desirable location at Nor- folk he opened an office there during the same year and has confined his practice to that lo- cality ever since. His name had been before the public only a comparatively short time, before he was recognized as a man of ability, and as one who was an honor to his profession. After practicing alone for several years Mr. Kerr as- sociated himself with the late William H. C. Ellis, and together they engaged in the general practice of law, many important cases being handled by them in a very satisfying manner to their clients. In 1896 this partnership was dis- solved, and since that time Mr. Kerr has prac- ticed alone. In 1880 he was appointed United States Commissioner and retained the position until 1884. Since his retirement from that

office he has practiced in the several courts and has filled with credit the office of notary public. In 1890 he was appointed commis- sioner of accounts for the Corporation Court of Norfolk City, which office he still holds.

With his superabundant energy and un- daunted perseverance, he has attracted to him- self a large and well-paying business. His close application to his professional work, supple- mented by his genial and hearty manners, has not only surrounded him with a host of ad- miring friends, but has placed him among the leading attorneys and counselors-at-law in his county and State, and this distinction is well- merited. Although modest and unassuming in manner and somewhat reserved in public, Mr. Kerr is nevertheless a public-spirited citi- zen, and is deeply interested in the welfare and advancement of Norfolk.

HEODORE N. RAMSAY, a promi- nent real estate dealer of Norfolk, Virginia, has certainly done much to develop the suburbs of that city, and can well boast of his ability in this line of business, having sold upwards of 3,000 building lots during the past eight years.

Mr. Ramsay is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was practically reared. About 1884 he removed to Norfolk and en- gaged in the life insurance business, which oc- cupied his attention until about eight years ago, when he discontinued it in order to en- gage in buying and selling realty. He deals in both city and country property and still has a number of very desirable beach lots for sale.

Mr. Ramsay sold 1,800 lots in Park Place alone; these sales were augmented by the dis- position of 1,160 lots in Kensington and Wil- loughby additions, besides a large number of sales in various parts of Norfolk, and especi- ally in the popular suburb of Ghent. Many of these lots were sold on the installment plan, and thus splendid inducements were offered to

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the homeseeker. and these suburbs are now dotted with fine residences.

Mr. Ramsay has also been instrumental in selling a large number of truck farms, both in Norfolk County and in North Carolina, and stands to-day among the most active real estate dealers in Norfolk, in the advancement of which city he has assisted so materially. His business integrity has stood the most severe tests, and his unqualified success is attributed to his ability to read character and to his quick- ness in perceiving the wants of his customers. Truly has he made an enviable record as a real estate dealer. and is also highly esteemed in his community as a citizen.

R ICHARD M. JOHNSTON, a well- equipped and promising young attor- ney-at-law and a worthy and es- teemed citizen of the flourishing city of Norfolk. Virginia, was born in Lincoln County, North Carolina. in 1876. Young Johnston proved to be very studious from early youth and his boyhood days were spent in attending the schools of his native place, where he won many a hard-fought bat- tle in his endeavors to fitly prepare himself for the struggle of life. After completing the course in the public schools he entered the Uni- versity of North Carolina, where he took up the study of law and determined to devote his life to that honorable profession.

Mr. Johnston entered the University of North Carolina in 1896. He was subsequently admitted to the bar and became a full-fledged lawyer. He came to the bar in Norfolk in 1900 and has met with an unusual degree of success, gaining a foothold among men of his profession. He is a thorough student. is methodical and industrious in all the details of his business, both private and public, and, as a general practitioner. it is predicted. he will soon win an enviable position. He has al-

ready identified himself with many of the in- dustries of Norfolk, whose prosperity is dear to his heart.

Mr. Johnston is unmarried. He is a man of firm purpose, and it is his constant aim to assist in elevating the social and moral condi- tion of his community.

HARLES PARKER BREESE. con- sulting mechanical engineer for the firm of Carpenter, Breese & Fergu- son, well-known architects of Nor- folk, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Brooklyn, New York.

Mr. Breese was born in Brooklyn, and re- ceived his education at the Sheffield Scientific School, of Yale University. He chose the pro- fession of a mechanical engineer, and devoted many months to that work. grasping the minutest details. After doing work in all parts of the United States he removed to Nor- folk, where he has since been established in business. On June 15, 1901, the firm of Car- penter. Breese & Ferguson was established, succeeding J. E. R. Carpenter, architect. Car- penter. Breese & Ferguson have received many large contracts, and among the buildings which they have planned and completed are the Hume Building. Withers Building, the Second Presbyterian Church, Swan Building, Coun- try Club House, the Gill Warehouse, for the Henry Walke Company, and many others. They have also remodeled many business houses, warehouses and private homes.

Mr. Breese has charge of the plans of elec- tric lighting plants and electric railways, also buildings and factories, and is thoroughly versed in mechanical and electrical engineer- ing in all its branches. He has a wide repu- tation, and there is no better engineer in this section of Virginia. lle is a member of the Board of Trade and Business Men's Associ- ation of Norfolk; Virginia Club: Country

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Club ; Norfolk Lodge, No. I. A. F. & A. M .; and Ruth Lodge, No. 89, A. F. & A. M. He was married, in 1889. to Miss M. G. Moore, daughter of Dr. E. D. Moore, deceased.

A UGUSTUS T. STROUD, attorney-at- law in the city of Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Nor- folk in 1879, and is a son of John Stroud, and a grandson of Edward

Stroud.

Matthew Stroud, the great-great-grand- father of Augustus T., died before 1800. He was a native of England, and was a master mariner. John Stroud, the great-grandfather, was a stone-mason and one of the sub-con- tractors for the building of Fortress Monroe. He married a Miss Sturgess, of the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Edward Stroud, his son, was a farmer by occupation, and served as sergeant in Doyle's Cavalry during the Con- federate War. He became the owner of a large tract of land at Ocean View and Sewell's Point. About the time of the Revolution, the residence on this property was a court house. and the kitchen a jail. The Confederate sol- diers camped on his farm. John Stroud, the father of Augustus T., was born at Ocean View, his birthplace being where the Ocean View Hotel now stands. He was always en- gaged in mercantile pursuits, conducting a re- tail grocery store in Norfolk. He owned a fine home at Ghent. He married Emma Cook, a daughter of Cassius Cook of Norfolk.

Augustus T. Stroud, whose name opens these lines, attended the Norfolk Academy. from which he was graduated in 1897. He then entered the University of Virginia, and graduated from the law department of that in- stitution in 1900. He engaged in the general practice of his profession in Norfolk, where he has taken an earnest interest in all local affairs. He has been quite active in political matters, having been a delegate to many conventions,

and also a candidate for the State Legislature. As a lawyer, he has won considerable recogni- tion, as he is an earnest advocate and fluent speaker. He purchased 45 acres of land at Sewell's Point, and divided it into resident lots to form a negro colony ; he has already sold over 100 lots to negrocs. He has also done some building there. He possesses good sound judgment and much energy, and is looked upon as one of Norfolk's most promis- ing young business men.

D ARIUS W. TODD, a retired merchant of Norfolk, Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, was born in Westchester Coun- ty, New York, and is a son of Dr. D. W. Todd. Dr. Todd came to Norfolk during the siege of yellow fever, and did much noble work in assisting in the care of the afflicted.

Darius W. Todd, the subject of this sketch, first engaged himself as a clerk in the grocery establishment of S. S. Griggs upon locating in Norfolk. In 1858, he opened a restaurant, which afterward became known as the Atlantic Hotel, and was located on Water street. He then established a wholesale liquor and tobacco house, to which was subsequently added a re- tail department. James G. Gill, James G. Todd and J. H. Schlegel were taken into the firm in 1898. Three years later, Mr. Gill withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Todd sold his interest to his son. The firm is now known as Todd & Schlegel, wholesale and retail to- bacco dealers. Besides building up this large business, Mr. Todd has been extensively en- gaged in buying and selling property. He has done considerable building in Norfolk and Berkley, and is the owner of a fine tract of land in Berkley, and many residences. He has traveled abroad, thereby gaining many new ideas, which have been of assistance to him in his business.

While Mr. Todd is retired from active busi-

JOHN H. DOWNING.

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ness duties, he is keenly alive to all progressive movements of the citizens of Norfolk and the surrounding towns, and is ever ready to give his assistance to any worthy enterprise. He makes his home in Portsmouth, and is one of the most active citizens in that town. He has always possessed excellent business ability. sound judgment, and ceaseless energy, perse- vering in all that he has undertaken. No business man in Norfolk or its vicinity is better known that Mr. Todd.

B® ENJAMIN R. JONES & COMPANY is one of the largest and most suc- cessful real estate firms in the city of Norfolk, Virginia, and consists of Benjamin R. and Alexander M. Jones. The former was born in North Caro- lina, in 1860, and the latter was born in Edge- comb, of the same State, in 1870, both being sons of Rev. Richard Henry Jones, a retired Episcopalian minister, who now resides in Norfolk.

Benjamin R. Jones came to Norfolk about 1885, and entered into a partnership under the firm name of Marshall & Jones. They engaged in real estate business on an extensive scale. and in 1890 developed Lambert's Point. In a period of four months, they sold property amounting to $484,000, the land consisting of 490 acres formerly known as the truck farms of Parker, Rust. Mellon, Backus, Landberry, Cooper, Conovo & Brother, and Wood. Many fine houses have been built, streets graded and trees set out, making an attractive little suburb. After the dissolution of the firm of Marshall & Jones, the firm of Benjamin R. Jones & Company was established. In 1900, they sold for $140,000 a tract of land at Tanner's Creek, at the present time owned by the New Norfolk Company. They have dealt largely in timber lands in North Carolina and Vir- ginia, and also in mining lands. In 1895 Mr. Jones organized the land company which has

placed Woodland Addition on the market, and which owns about one-third of it at the pres- ent time. They have graded streets, set out shade trees, and built walks, and about 30 fine modern residences have been erected. They organized the Villa Heights Company, and helped to organize other land companies, which have done much toward developing the suburbs of the city of Norfolk. It is their aim to sell to men who will improve the prop- erty, and take an interest in the welfare of the city. In 1900 Benjamin R. Jones formed and organized the Smokeless Furnace Company of Portsmouth, manufacturers of smokeless fur- naces, and on January 16, 1902, Benjamin R. Jones & Company and A. J. Newton bought out the entire business of the furnace com- pany, and are now sole owners and proprietors. The Jones brothers are men of superior busi- ness ability, and their honest and straightfor- ward transactions have gained them respect wherever they are known.

AMES Y. DEBAUN is one of the pro- gressive farmers of Norfolk County, Virginia, and has a fine farm of 145 acres, located south of the town of Berkley. He was born near Pater- son, New Jersey, about 20 miles from the city of New York, and is a son of Garrett Duryea and Elizabeth (Young) DeBaun. The history of the DeBaun and Young families is given in detail in the sketch of John G. DeBaun, brother of the subject hereof.

Garrett Duryea DeBaun was born in New Jersey. October 17, 1826, and has been a farm- er throughout his entire life. He removed to Norfolk County, Virginia, in March, 1869, and after remaining here for many years finally lo- cated in Princess Anne County. Virginia, where he now resides and owns a fine farm. He was married in New Jersey to Elizabeth Young, and the following children blessed their union : John G., a biographical sketch of

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whom appears elsewhere in this volume; Hat- tie : James Y., whose name heads these lines ; Theodosia : Peter and Jacob. The combined holdings of the different members of the De- Baun family, in Norfolk County, amount to more than 1,000 acres in Washington district, Norfolk County.

James Y. DeBaun came to Norfolk Cotin- ty, Virginia, with his parents in 1869, and has been a resident of Washington district since that time. About 1891, he located upon his present farm, which lies near the old estate of his father. He has a farm of 145 acres, which he devotes to general trucking and stock raising, in which branches he has - met with good results. He is a man of good ability and excellent character, and stands high in the es- teem of his fellow men.

Mr. DeBaun was joined in marriage with Lucy Wetzel, who was born in Ohio, in 1867. and they have reared four children, as follows : Garrett : James; Bessie ; and Kattie. In poli- tics, Mr. DeBaun is a strong supporter of Democratic principles.

RANCIS RICHARDSON has for many years been prominent among the many real estate men in Norfolk, Virginia, and in that time has estab- lished a number of suburbs of the city which will long stand as monuments to his memory.

Mr. Richardson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was there reared. He re- ceived his education in Haverford College, from which he was graduated. He then en- gaged in the fruit and nursery business at Macedon, Wayne County, New York, in 1860, and contintted thus until 1868. He sold his in- terests and removed to Norfolk, Virginia, in 1870. He embarked in the real estate business and in that year took steps toward the estab- lishment of a suburb of Norfolk, which became Brambleton. With wonderful foresight he

saw the growth of the city would be in the di- rection of this town, the site of which had been a farm under partial cultivation. It was owned by George Bramble, who had 245 acres, the only tenant being W. H. C. Lovitt. Mr. Rich- ardson purchased 40 acres of this land and in- duced J. F. B. Marshall to purchase an ad- joining tract of 36 acres. They laid out the land in lots, and opened up streets, built roads and bridges to draw country travel through their property. Their intention to establish a model community in every particular was car- ried out to the end. The streets were opened at a uniform width of 60 feet and were made to intersect each other at right angles. $1,200 was expended in laying out brick and board sidewalks. Duie precaution was taken that the moral tone of the community should be of the best, and in the sale of lots, the early pur- chasers were required to give a bond in the sum of $1,000 not to sell or permit to be sold intoxicating liquors on the premises, by which means the temperance sentiment was firmly es- tablished. The result of this enterprise is well known. Mr. Lovitt, who controlled adjoining land, joined with the original promoters in their work, and through the efforts of J. F. B. Marshall and Mr. Richardson, a tract of 30 acres was purchased by Mrs. M. Hemenway, a wealthy and philanthropic lady of Boston, who aided greatly in carrying out their plans. There were in 1887, at the time of annexa- tion to Norfolk, about 500 handsome brick and frame houses in Brambleton, and numerous dwellings, schools and churches have since been built. The population numbers about 5,000, and consists of the very highest class of citizens. The suburb became a part of the of Norfolk under very advantageous condi- tions, including the right of local option. Mr. Richardson and his associates can look with pride upon their work, and it is safe to say his name will always be connected with that of Brambleton.

Mr. Richardson also purchased a tract of land at Campostella, in Berkley. and laid out

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140 lots. He is president of the Park View Land Company of Portsmouth, and was one of its original promoters. He was a promoter and stockholder of the South Portsmouth Land & Improvement Company, which has about 900 lots. In 1891, he established in South Portsmouth an ornamental and shade tree nur- sery, growing Norway maple, elm and poplar trees. He is president of the Southern Branch Drawbridge Company. He served as super- visor of census in 1880, and is a member of the recently organized Chamber of Commerce. Ile was one of the first promoters of shell roads, which have since been built in all directions from the city of Norfolk.

W. PANNILL, real-estate dealer. is one of the most energetic and active men in that line of business in the city of Norfolk, Virginia. He is also identified with several other important real-estate concerns, among them,-the Nor- folk Real Estate & Stock Exchange, of which he is secretary.

Mr. Pannill is a Virginian by birth, his birth having occurred at Petersburg in this State. About 1884, he moved to Norfolk and worked two years as clerk in a wholesale gro- cery house, previous to entering the real-estate business, in which he has shown much ability by making some very remarkable sales. Upon first embarking in this business, he was asso- ciated with his brother. A. P. Pannill, and the firm name was Pannill Brothers. Together they entered into the development of Ghent. now a very popular suburb of Norfolk. Sev- eral hundred sales were made in this addition alone, besides a large number in various other parts of the city, while some little attention was also given to buying and selling farms and truck patches.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 120

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