History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 82

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 82

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Mr. Blackwell is a man of scholarly attain- ments, a good disciplinarian, and thoroughly competent to take charge of such a large insti- tution. He is considered one of the foremost educators of Virginia, having won an enviable reputation as such throughout the State.

ATHANIEL BEAMAN, present may- or of Norfolk, Virginia, whose por- trait is shown on the opposite page, is one of the most substantial and in- fluential business men of the city. He is president of the National Bank of Commerce, and of the Norfolk Storage Company, and is closely identified with many other flourishing enterprises. As mayor, he is giving the city a conservative, business-like ad- ministration, which is meeting wth the hearti- est approval, not only of his constituents, but the citizens in general, regardless of party affili- ations.

Mr. Beaman was born at Murfreesboro, North Carolina, February 10, 1859, and comes of a distinguished Southern family. He ob- tained his intellectual training in the schools. : of his native town; thinking that the larger

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city of Norfolk afforded greater opportunities for success in business, he moved there in 1879. He established a wholesale grocery house, and was successfully engaged in that line of busi- ness until 1892, when he was made president of the Bank of Commerce, an official position he has since maintained. Under the manage- ment of Mr. Beaman, the bank, in 1897, in- creased its capital to $200,000, and recently, to $500,000, making it now the largest bank- ing institution in Tidewater Virginia. He also became president of the Norfolk Storage Company and is interested in a number of other enterprises. Although always having the suc- cess of the Democratic party at heart, he did not take an active part in politics until 1898, when he was importuned to become the party candidate for alderman from the Third Ward, and accepted. His election followed, and ow- ing to his great knowledge of financial mat- ters he was made chairman of the finance com- mittee. The welfare of the city was ever fore- most in his mind, and through the recommend- ations of this committee many reforms were wrought by the City Council. During his chairmanship the bonds of the city were placed on a four per cent. basis, which alone saved Norfolk thousands of dollars annually. With- out increasing its tax rate, the streets of the city were improved and paved, a new filtering plant was added to the City Water Works at a cost of $2,500 and the obnoxious old toll bridges were replaced by substantial iron structures. A number of new free school build- ings were also erected, and marked improve- ments in every way were brought about. His work in the council was duly recognized by the citizens of Norfolk, and at the election held in 1901 Mr. Beaman was chosen mayor unani- mously by the council, upon the resignation of Mr. Johnston in the spring of 1901. He is wisely following out the same policy that he adopted when councilman and is bringing about many desirable changes in the city affairs.

On October 19, 1887, Mr. Beaman was

united in marriage to Katherine Prentis, of Suffolk, the daughter of the late Robert R. Prentis, and a sister of Judge Robert R. Pren- tis, present judge of the Circuit Court of this district. Mr. and Mrs. Beaman have three children : Sallie, Robert P. and Nathaniel, Jr. Mr. and Mrs. Beaman attend Christ Prot- estant Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. Bea- man is a member.

AMES H. TOOMER, cashier of the Merchants' & Farmers' Bank, and a prominent citizen of Norfolk, comes of a family well known in Norfolk County, the seat of its activities for many years. Mr. Toomer was born in Ports- mouth and was reared and educated there. Prior to the Confederate War he was an of- ficer in the United States Coast Survey, and during the war, he was a captain in the Corps of Engineers, Confederate States Army. He served throughout the war, and shortly after- ward applied himself to the banking business, to which he has devoted his entire time.

The Merchants' & Farmers' Bank was incorporated under the laws of Virginia, the date of its organization being December I, 1885. The present officers were then elected, as follows: Jolin T. Griffin, president ; James H. Toomer, cashier; and W. G. Maupin, Jr., assistant cashier. The directors are John T. Griffin, Joseph A. Parker, Wright B. Carney, James T. Borum, George L. Neville, Henry Kirn, R. C. Marshall, T. J. Barlow, S. P. Oast, J. S. Crawford and James H. Toomer. This institution was first located on the corner of High and Crawford streets, but the volume of its business transactions increased with such rapidity that it was forced to seek larger quarters after an existence of but two years, and located in the Kirn Building, on High and Middle streets. The bank remained in this building until it moved into its new building,

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which was begun in 1900, and first occupied by the bank January 19, 1901. The building is of three stories, is built of brick and stone, and is modern in its arrangement and conven- iences, The ground floor is occupied exclusive- ly by the bank, and the upper floors are devoted to office purposes. The capital stock of the bank is $51,500.00, and the surplus and un- divided profits amount to $107,141.20. It is one of the most stable financial institutions of the country, by reason of the methods employed by the president and cashier, to whom much credit is given for the conditions that exist.

On the left bank of New Mill Creek, about two miles from where it flows into the South- ern Branch of the Elizabeth River, stands one of the oldest houses in Norfolk County. Over the door, an inscription, which is still remark- ably distinct and legible, shows that the house was built in 1744 by Willis Wilkins. A pic- ture of this house is shown on Page 24 of this book. It is of two stories, with a Dutch roof, and is built, according to traditions, of brick brought from England, laid alternately, one, red and the next, blue. The courses are laid with is called the "Flemish" bond. A wing on the end and a porch on the east side have been added to the house in recent years, but in olden times, it was said, there were two wings, or L's, attached to it. These have long since been torn down and no vestige of them can now be seen. Like all colonial houses, many inter- esting stories and incidents, some sad and pa- thetic, others gay and humorous, are connected with this old house of Willis Wilkins. The grandmother of Captain Toomer, Sally Owens, who was born in this house in 1772, and was the granddaughter of Willis Wilkins, used frequently to speak of it as she remembered it in earlier days. At that time the creek flowed directly in front of the house, about 25 yards distant, with a width of clear water perhaps 150 yards across. After passing the house it changed its course somewhat, so that from the front veranda, a broad expanse of water in front and a stretch of nearly half a mile down

the creek, gave a pleasing variety to the view of oaks, beeches, etc., which bordered it, and almost surrounded the house. Surely it was "beautiful for situation." A magnificent beech still stands in the yard near the house, which, when the sun is at meridian, shades nearly a quarter of an acre of ground. From the yard in the rear of the house, runs a lane about a quarter of a mile long, to the main road from Deep Creek village to Great Bridge. This lane was said to have been lined with cedar trees, all the way from the house to the main road. It was down this lane that Sally Owens, as a wild young girl, started her horse at full gallop, in a race with some of her companions. The horse became unmanageable, and leaping the gate opening into the yard, threw her violently to the ground, and left hier senseless for many hours.

It was down this lane too, as a little girl, four or five years of age, that she saw the coming of the red-coats to the house, when this part of the country was occupied by the British during the Revolutionary War. Standing in the door, she was watching, with great curios- ity, the soldiers in their bright uniforms, as they marched down the road. As one of them. proceeding more rapidly than the rest, hastened to the yard gate and raised the latch to open it, her little heart was filled with fear, and, running back, she hid herself in a closet in her room. Following quickly, the tall grenadier flung the door wide open, and seeing the poor little child crouching and trembling in the corner of the closet, muttered,-"poor little thing." -- and left her to recover from her fright as best she could, while he and his comrades proceeded to ransack the house and possess themselves of such valuables as excited their cupidity.

Many such as these were the incident con- nected with this old house, where Sally Owens spent her youthful days. She loved to recall these incidents and relate them to her grand- children. Many years have passed since she was, laid at rest, and most of the old stories

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she used to tell linger but faintly in the mem- ories of her descendants, but there still stands the old house with its quaintness, to suggest to the imagination the people who once dwelt within its walls, and the scenes in which these people acted their different parts.

L. BILISOLY is cashier of the Bank of Portsmouth, reputed to be the strongest financial institution of Ports- mouth. This bank was organized on February 9, 1867, with a capital stock of $51,000, which, on October 15, 1889, was in- creased to $100,000. It has the largest busi- ness in the city in point of collections and de- posits, the latter amounting to more than $600,- 000. It was at first located opposite to the building which it now occupies. The present lot was purchased, and the building erected which is now its quarters. The bank was founded by Josepli Bourke, Maj. George W. Grice, W. W. Davis and W. H. H. Hodges,- the first officers being Mr. Grice, president ; Mr. Hodges, cashier ; and E. Alexander Hat- ton, end cashier. Mr. Bilisoly has been iden- tified with this institution since 1883, and has served as cashier since October, 1889. The other officers are,-Hon. Legh R. Watts, presi- dent ; and S. Dawson Maupin, assistant cashier.

Mr. Bilisoly was born at Portsmouth, Vir- ginia, October 27, 1840, and is a son of Joseph A. Bilisoly, and grandson of Antonius Sylves- ter Bilisoly, who was born at Ajaccio, Corsica, France. The last named came to this country with Count DeGrasse, and is buried in the vault of the St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church at Portsmouth. He was in partnership with his father-in-law, Bartholomew Accimelly, in the ship-building business at Portsmouth, on the wharf between High and King streets. They carried on the business until about 1817, when Mr. Bilisoly applied himself to mercantile pur- suits. He retired in 1833, and died in 1845. at the age of 87 years.

Joseph A. Bilisoly, father of J. L., was born December 4, 1799, at Norfolk, Virginia, and was taken, when an infant, to Portsmouth, in 1800. In 1828 he went to Mexico, where he remained until 1833. He then returned to Portsmouth and bought out his father's business, which . he conducted until 1862. He then lived in retirement until his death, December 15, 1880, at the age of SI years. He was joined in marriage in April, 1822, with Eliza Ann Benson, who was born at Portsmouth in 1804. and died in 1895. Her grandfather was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War. Her father came to this country from County Down, Ireland, in 1783. Mr. and Mrs. Bilisoly had II children, one of whom died in 1855. Ten grew to maturity and were married, and eight are living at the present time.

Prior to engaging in the banking business, J. L. Bilisoly acted as cashier for the Norfolk & Southern Seaboard Air Line, and Atlantic Coast railroads, having followed railroad work for years in many capacities. He was a mem- ber of the Old Dominion Guard, which he joined in April, 1857, and continued with them until the battle of Gettysburg, when he became sergeant-major of the regiment. He was called to the headquarters of General George E. Pickett, and appointed hospital steward, with M. M. Lewis as medical director .. At the close of the war he returned home. riding from Appomattox Court House to Portsmouth astride a mule.

In addition to the banking business. he is identified with various other interests of Ports- mouth, being president of the Portsmouth Land, Improvement & Promotion Company ; secretary and treasurer of the Portsmouth Electric & Gas Company ; a director, as well as cashier of the Bank of Portsmouth; a director of the Portsmouth Star Publishing Company ; chairman of trustees of the Roval Arcanum ;. treasurer of the People's Lot Club; treasurer of the Catholic Knights of America; treasurer of St. Paul's Church that is being built, which-

COL. GEORGE W. TAYLOR.

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will cost, when completed, upwards of $100,- 000. He is a member of the Catholic Church, and is colonel commanding Stonewall Camp, Confederate Veterans.

March 10, 1862, Mr. Bilisoly was united in marriage with Mary E. Bourke, a daughter of Joseph Bourke, who was a merchant from 1836 until his death. Five children blessed this union, as follows: Walter L., who re- sides with his family at Park View, and is in business for himself in Norfolk ; F. Nash, who conducts a fine dairy farm near Portsmouth, and is quite active, politically, having held ser- eral offices; Lorena; Adele Virginia; and Louvel A., who acts as clerk for his brother.

OL. GEORGE W. TAYLOR. who has attained a high degree of success in business and has been prominently identified with the affairs of Norfolk. comes of an old and honored family of Norfolk County. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1853, and is a son of Walter H. Taylor.

Walter H. Taylor, who was a prominent importer, was born in Norfolk City, and died with yellow fever in 1855. He married Cor- nelia Cowdery, who was born in Norfolk and was a daughter of Jonathan Cowdery, a sur- geon in the United States Navy, who died Sep- tember 19, 1899, at the age of 89 years. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor became the parents of 10 chil- dren, as follows: Maj. R. C., a merchant, of Norfolk: Colonel Walter H., president of the Marine Bank of Norfolk; Robertson, a coffee importer, of Baltimore, Maryland; John C., a merchant of Norfolk; L. Page, clerk in the Marine Bank, of Norfolk : Wickham, who died in April, 1894; George W .: Mary Louisa, of Norfolk; Cornelia, wife of B. P. Loyall, of Norfolk ; and Margaret, wife of H. C. White- head, who is treasurer of the Norfolk City Railway Company.

George W. Taylor attended school at Nor-

folk and then took a course of study in the Vir- ginia Military Institute, from which he was graduated. He then taught school in the coun- try and in the Norfolk public schools, of which he became superintendent. Prior to becoming superintendent of the schools, he served as clerk for the Merchants' & Miners' Transporta- tion Company, and in 1879 established the firm of George W. Taylor & Company, dealers in coal and ice. He has frequently been called upon to serve in public office. and has invaria- bly acquitted himself with credit and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has been a member of the City Council several terms, a member of the board of police com- missioners one term; and a member of the elec- tion board for several years, finally resigning. He is now rendering efficient service as a men- ber of the Board of Harbor Commissioners. During the Spanish-American War he served as colonel of the 4th Regiment, Virginia In- fantry, U. S. Volunteers.

In 1882 Colonel Taylor was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Higgins, who was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1863, and is a daugh- ter of John and Margaret Higgins. Four chil- dren were born to them, as follows: Marga- ret de Bree : Bayne: Eliza A., who died in in- fancy; and George de Bree. Religiously they are members of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church. Fraternally Mr. Taylor is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He has always been a stanch supporter of the principles of the Dem- ocratic party. His portrait appears on another page of this book.

THOMAS DUNN is a veteran of the Confederate War, and for a number of years has been a machinist with the Seaboard Air Line Company. He was born in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, October 1. 1846, of Scotch descent. He is a son of Thomas G. and Maria ( Lloyd) Dunn. His father was a seaman.

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J. Thomas Dunn was but 15 years old when he left the public schools to enlist in the Con- federate service. On account of his age, he was twice refused. On March 4, 1862, he en- listed in the Norfolk County Rifle Patriots, which was first organized in 1860, and did fine service throughout the war. Mr. Dunn ac- companied the regiment from the Navy Yard to Sewell's Point, in March, 1862, where it became Company F, of the 41st Regiment Virginia Infantry, and was subsequently assigned to Mahone's Brigade. He witnessed the famous battle between the "Virginia" and the "Monitor," but the first engagemnt in which he participated was at Seven Pines, where Company F distinguished itself for bravery. He also took part in the the Seven Days battle before Richmond, in the engage- ments at Malvern Hill, Fredericksburg, Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania Court House, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, the Cra- ter, and Yellow Tavern. He was twice cap- tured,-first at Strasburg, in 1864, and second- ly, at Yellow Tavern, being held at Lookout until May, 1865. He was the youngest regu- lar soldier in his regiment, and was not yet 19 years old when the war closed.

Mr. Dunn had but a limited education, as his school career was abandoned at the open- ing of the war. He perfected himself as a machinist, and has continued in that line of business ever since. He was foreman of the Seaboard Air Line shops for a number of years, and is still in that road's employ. He married Mary E. Ballentine, a daughter of Charles Ballentine, and they have four children.

William H. Dunn, Mr. Dunn's oldest son, served 10 years in the State militia, in which he held the office of lieutenant. He was also a lieutenant in the Old Dominion Guards dur- ing the Spanish-American War. E. C. Dunn, another son, who is a machinist with the Sea- board Air Line Company, married Effie Gar- ris, of North Carolina, and they have one daughter,-Stella. Mary Elizabeth Dunn, a daughter, married G. Hope Thompkins, who

is paymaster of the Aetna Iron Works; they have two sons,-John and Thomas, who live in Portsmouth. Sarah C. Dunn, another daughter, married Kemper Hankins, assistant agent of the New York, Philadelphia & Nor- folk Railroad; they have one son, whose name is Kemper.

J. Thomas Dunn has always been active in political, fraternal and social affairs in Ports- mouth. He served in the City Council one term, on the School Board for three terms, and was registrar of the Third Ward for three terms. He is a charter member, and adjutant, of Stonewall Camp, Confederate Veterans, and has served as such since 1890. He is trus- tee and treasurer of Grice Lodge, No. 83, I. O. O. F., and was chief of the board of organ- izers of Seaside Lodge No. 80, Knights of Pythias, of which lodge he was the first rep- resentative. He is also a member of the Inter- national Association of Machinists. He has a pleasant home on Prentis avenue, in Ports- mouth, where he is surrounded by a host of warm friends.

AMES W. ALEXANDER, deceased. For many years this gentleman occu- pied a place among the leading busi- ness men of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, and was engaged in the tin, copper and plumbing business. He was born in Washington, D. C., and was a son of James and Ann (Waller) Alexander.

James Alexander removed to Portsmouth with his family in 1840. There he conducted a hotel for many years, and was one of the most prominent citizens of that place. His hotel was located on High street, and there he entertained such guests as Henry Clay, and other distinguished men. He was an active member of the Whig party. His home was in the suburbs, or at that time in the country, the land being bought later by the Perrys. Five children resulted from his union with Ann Waller, who was a native of Stafford, Vir-

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ginia, of whom but two are living, namely : Mrs. Louisa Noel, who lives on Dinwiddie street in Portsmouth, and William H., who is also a resident of Portsmouth.

James W. Alexander removed with his parents, in 1840, to Portsmouth, where he continued to live until his death. In 1863 he entered the tin, copper and plumbing business, which he carried on extensively for a number of years. He died in 1883, aged 49 years, and his death was greatly mourned in the com- munity. He was a man of honor and integ- rity, charitable and kind to all, and his many lovable traits of character and open business methods made many warm friends.

Mr. Alexander was married, in 1862, to Alice Montagne, who was born in Portsmouth. She is a daughter of Richard T. and Mary (Hobday) Montagne. Richard T. Montague was born in Middlesex County, Virginia, and was a cousin of ex-Lieut .- Gov. Robert Mon- tague. His wife, Mary Hobday Montague. was born in Gloucester. Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander six children were born, name- ly : James E., a plumber of Portsmouth : Mary F. (Brownley), of Portsmouth; Henrietta (McLean). of Portsmouth; Richard A., a joiner by trade : E. W., who is employed on the Seaboard Air Line; and Arthur C. The Alex- ander homestead, which has been occupied by the family for 32 years, is located at No. 331 Fourth street. Portsmouth. Mr. Alexander was a member of the Knights of Honor and the Knights of Pythias. His wife is an active worker in the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Alexander was for a number of years a steward in the church.

HARLES R. NASH, a well-known citizen of Portsmouth, Virginia, is a dealer in coal and ice and has an extensive establishment in the city. He was born at the old family home at the corner of London and Middle streets, 1 Portsmouth, and is a son of John Nash.

Mr. Nash traces his lineage back to Thom- as and Annie Nash, who settled in Norfolk County as early as 1661. bringing with them from England, their native place, three chil- dren and four white servants. Upon coming to this county, they bought 480 acres of land on the Western Branch, which was later ex- changed for a heavily-timbered tract on the Southern Branch in St. Bride's Parish. The members of the family were large planters for many generations. . The grandfather of Charles R. Nash was a magistrate of Norfolk County for many years, having served as such from the age of 21 years until his death.

John Nash, father of the subject of this sketch. as born in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was a grocer through- out his entire business career, and was also engaged in the heavy-lumber business, supply- ing the United States government. He was mayor of Portsmouth in 1862, when the city was turned over to the Federals. He served as magistrate of Portsmouth and Norfolk County until his death, June 24. 1884. at the age of 79 years. His first wife was Elizabeth Edwards, by whom he had four children, namely : Thomas E .. John, Virginins W., and Mary Susan, all deceased. He afterward mar- ried the widow of Dr. Woodley, whose maiden name was Nancy Collins, and who was born in Portsmouth. They became the parents of five children, as follows: Sarah L., widow of R. G. Hume, deceased : Annie C .: William C .; Charles R. and Farley P. In 1824. when the Marquis de La Fayette visited Portsmouth, Mrs. Nash received him and presented him with a bouquet,-she being then about 13 years of age. Her address in making the presentation is as follows : "General, your love of liberty, your disinterested labor for the independence of these United States, endears you to our fathers and mothers, whose recapit- ulation of your valor, and of your friendship for our beloved Washington, has awakened in our young hearts feelings of gratitude which we cannot express. Be so kind, sir, as to receive

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from our hands this wreath. We wish it to express our most unfeigned respect for your heroisni, your regard for our country, and for us the happy people of our Union." On June 9, 1890, a tablet was placed at the corner of High and Crawford streets in commemoration of the event of 1824. The address in that year made by Mrs. Nash was repeated by that lady's granddaughter, Rebecca Coke Nash, and she also repeated the poem. The entire body of Lancaster school girls then recited the fol- lowing poem in concert :

It is a maxim of our school, And certainly a golden rule, That nothing is without grace If only in its proper place; And where is ours on this free day When all come on in grand array; To welcome one where should we be, But here to show ourselves to thee.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 82

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