History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 85

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 85

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the House of Burgesses bearing the name of Anthony Walke. in the first half of the eighteenth century. One of these mar- ried Jane Randolph, of Curl's Neck, Virginia, on the James River. She was a granddaughter of Thomas Rolfe, a son of Pocahontas.

Dr. Walke's father, John Newton Walke, was a farmer in Princess Anne County. He married Mary Land, also a native of Princess Anne County. He died at the age of 31 years and his wife at the age of 18 years. John Ran- dolph, the "Sage of Roanoke," was related to the Walke family, being a nephew of James Randolph, wife of Anthony Walke.

Dr. Walke was educated in the schools of Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia ; in Jeffer- son County, Virginia (now West Virginia) ; at the high school at Alexandria, Virginia; at Concord Academy, in Caroline County, Vir- ginia : and at the Universities of Virginia and of Pennsylvania. He took a course in medi- cine in the latter institution and graduated in the class of 1851. He then entered the United States Navy as assistant surgeon. his first ser- vice being on the old warship, "Princeton." He was stationed at the U. S. Naval Hospital at Portsmouth, in 1855, and went through the yellow fever epidemic of that year. The hos- pital was thrown open to the afflicted, and the city of Portsmouth presented Dr. Walke with a gold medal as a token of appreciation of his services. In 1857 he left the navy and opened a drug store in Norfolk. also engaging in the practice of medicine. After the breaking out of the Intersectional War, in 1861, he joined the Confederate Army as a member of the 13th North Carolina Regiment, with the rank of surgeon. At the end of six months he was transferred to the 46th Regiment. Virginia In- fantry,. and served in that command until the surrender at Appomattox. He lien returned to Norfolk and resumed his practice. He sub- sequently lived and practiced in Charles City County, and Appomattox County, but returned to Norfolk in 1878. He opened another drug

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store, which he conducted until 1898, since which time he has devoted his entire time to the practice of medicine.

Dr. Walke is surgeon of Pickett-Buchanan Camp, Confederate Veterans, of Norfolk, and is surgeon general of the United Confederate Veterans of Virginia. He has been twice mar- ried, first in 1852, to Anna Maria Baylor. He was again married in November, 1896, to Belle W. Tunstall, but has no children by either union.

OHN C. ASHTON is a native of Ports- mouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. He is a son of John Newton Ashton, a native of King George County, Vir- ginia, but who became a resident of Portsmouth in the year 1839. He was of the Ashton family that immigrated to Virginia about the year 1625 and settled in Westmore- land County.

John Newton Ashton married Ellen Cocke, a daughter of John Cocke. who has been a res- ident of Portsmouth since 1829. Mr. Cocke was a descendant of Richard Cocke, who im- migrated from Worcestershire, England, and settled at Malvern Hill, Henrico County, Vir- ginia, about the year 1626. John Cocke and John Newton Ashton were prominent and suc- cessful merchants in Portsmouth for many years and both of them occupied positions of honor under the municipal government.

John C. Ashton, the subject of this bio- graphy, attended the public and private schools in Virginia up to the breaking out of the Con- federate War. While the war was in progress he volunteered for service in the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, which company was afterward known as Company C. Richardson's Battalion of Artillery, and participated in all of the bat- tles in which his battery was engaged after his enlistment. He was finally made a prisoner of war, with his entire company, at the fall of Petersburg in April, 1865, and was imprisoned at Point Lookout, Maryland, for a few months.

Since the war Mr. Ashton has been a member of Stonewall Camp, Confederate Veterans, and for several years past has been treasurer of that organization.

In 1869 he established himself in mercantile business in Portsmouth, which he still controls. In 1886 Mr. Ashton was appointed superin- tendent of public schools for the city of Ports- mouth, which office he has held continuously to the present time. Under his superintendence the schools have increased in number from 20 to 38 and the course of study has been ex- tended.

In 1888 the Public High School was estab- lished, which prepares its graduates for en- trance into colleges and State Universities and into the United States Academies at Annapolis and West Point.

In 1880 Mr. Ashton was married to Martha E. Cole, a daughter of Dr. William Cole, of Prince George County, Virginia. They have one child, a daughter.

INDSEY McD. SILVESTER, clerk of the Circuit Court at Portsmouth, Vir- ginia, was born in the city of Norfolk June 13, 1859, and is a son of WV. WV. and Virginia L. (Lindsay) Silves- ter, natives of Virginia and North Carolina, respectively.

Mr. Silvester is a grandson of Dr. R. W. Silvester, who attained success in Norfolk as a practitioner of medicine. Dr. Silvester was the father of the following children: Richard, deceased ; William, who died of yellow fever in 1855; Keeling, who was killed while serving in the army during the Confederate War ; Mar- garet, who died of yellow fever; Lydia, wife of R. C. Taylor, of Norfolk, she being the only surviving child; and W. W. It is an old Vir- ginia family of Scotch-Irish descent, and the first county records in 1637 refer to the family as one of the earliest established here. They have always been prominent in the county.

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W. W. Silvester was born in Virginia and was a well-known farmer of Norfolk County. He was an officer in the Commissary Depart- ment, U. S. Army, during the Confederate War. He always took a deep Interest in the political affairs of the county, being, after the war, a stanch Republican. He died May 18, 1889, and was buried with Masonic rites. Ilis wife, who was a Miss Lindsay, of Currituck County, North Carolina, died June 30, 1889. Nine children were born to them, six of whom are living, namely: R. W., president of the Agricultural College of Maryland: Lindsey McD .; W. W., who is engaged in the real es- tate business in Berkley, Norfolk County ; Lydia E., wife of Harry Welch, of Detroit, Michigan : Jane B .. of Washington, D. C. : and Margery G., who was educated in Washington. | D. C., and is now engaged in teaching in the schools of that city.

L. MI. Silvester received his early educa- tion in Norfolk County, and later attended the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, after which he successfully engaged in farm- ing, now owning two farms of 600 acres each. His farms, which are located in Norfolk Coun- ty, are well improved and mainly devoted to grain and truck raising. He was elected clerk of the Circuit Court on the Republican ticket in 1887, and has been twice re-elected, serv- ing in a highly satisfactory manner.

Mr. Silvester was joined in marriage De- cember 19, 1882, with Virginia E. Hurst, a native of Norfolk County and a daughter of Logan and Lucy V. Hurst ( nee Hughlett ). old residents of the county. Her parents died when she was an infant. and she was reared by her grandmother, Virginia Fauntleroy Hughlett (nce Edwards). Five children have blessed this union: Logan W., who is attending the Norfolk Academy: Stewart Leigh; Lucy H. ; L. M., Jr .; and Virginia. Mrs. Silvester is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of this biography is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He is a man who stands high among his fellow citizens. He is a de-

voted and affectionate husband and father, a kind neighbor. charitable to the poor and highly respected by all classes of people.

RTHUR EMMERSON WILSON, a highly respected and popular citizen of Portsmouth, was born at the old Wilson homestead on North street in that city on the 3rd day of September, 1832, and died in 1896. He was educated at the University of Virginia. During the yellow fever epidemic in 1855 he remained in the city heroically devoting his time to nursing the un- fortunate victims.

In June, 1861, Mr. Wilson was appointed captain A. C. S. in the 14th Regiment, Vir- ginia Infantry, C. S. Army, and was afterward detached as purchasing agent and quartermas- ter. He was captured by Kilpatrick on the raid through King William County and after be- ing exchanged resumed his duty in the counties between the York and Rappahannock Rivers. He served faithfully through the war and was paroled on the surrender of General Lee. He was elected a member of Stonewall Camp, Con- federate Veterans, in July, 1884.

After the war Mr. Wilson went into the drug business with John N. Williams in Nor- folk, continuing until he began business on his own account in Portsmouth, which he pur- sted until his death.

In 1856 Mr. Wilson was united in marriage with Annie Taylor Moler, a native of Jeffer- son County, West Virginia, a daughter of Levi and Esther (Taylor) Moler. The family is English and the great-great-grandfather of Mrs. Wilson had a grant of land in the Vir- ginia Valley from the English Crown. Levi Moler and his wife were parents of three chil- dren, namely: Lee H., who was a captain in the Confederate Army, serving with Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson, and at the present time resides in Shepherdstown, West Virginia ; Mary E., deceased: and Annie Taylor, widow of the subject of this sketch.

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Mr. and Mrs. Wilson reared four children, of whom two are living: Esther Murdaugh and Anna Fleet, the latter the wife of Claudius W. Murdaugh. William Lee, born in 1858, died at the age of 39 years, and Arthur Tay- lor, born in 1873. died at the age of 28 years.

The father of Arthur Emmerson Wilson was William H. Wilson, who was clerk of the Norfolk County Court for eight years, when he resigned to become cashier of the Bank of Virginia, in which place he served until the occupation of Portsmouth by the Federal forces in 1862. He first married Ellen Keel- ing. daughter of Rev. Jacob Keeling, of Suf- folk, and their children were: Arthur Em- merson ; Sarah, wife of Col. James G. Hodges ; Lucrece, wife of Col. D. J. Godwin ; and Will- iam Holt. His second wife was Margaret Murdaugh ; they had one child, Mary, wife of Dr. George W. O. Maupin. His father was William Wilson, who served as clerk of the Norfolk County Court 39 years, whose father was John Wilson, colonel of Norfolk County during the Revolutionary War. Colonel Wil- son had, prior to that war, been a member of the County Court and a colonial military offi- cer. He was an ardent and enthusiastic patriot, as shown by his letters to Gov. Patrick Henry. In his will he left one negro girl, a legacy to a young lady, provided she did not marry an enemy of the American Independence.

RIFFIN FAUNTLEROY ED- WARDS has been a practicing attor- ney at Portsmouth since his admis- sion to the bar in 1869, and has at- tained success in his profession.

He was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, in 1843, and attended boarding school in North Carolina two and one-half years, classical school at Norfolk for one year, and was at- tending Emory and Henry College when the war broke out. He enlisted in the 6ist Regi- ment. Virginia Infantry, and was appointed

sergeant-major. He was later adjutant and participated with the regiment in every engage- ment until he was wounded at Salem Church, on Friday, prior to the surrender of the army at Appomattox Court House on Sunday morn- ing. After the surrender of General Lee Mr. Edwards returned home to Portsmouth and qualified as deputy to his father, Leroy G. Ed- wards, who was clerk of the Circuit and Coun- ty Courts of Norfolk County. He served as such until 1866, when his father died and our subject was elected clerk in his stead. He filled the office until removed in 1869 by the Military Government of Virginia, he refusing to take the iron-clad oath. He was admitted to the bar in 1869 and has since engaged in the practice of law-the past 20 years as a member of the firm of Edwards & Happer. He was a mem- ber of the Virginia State Legislature of 1879 and 1880. He is independent in politics. He was superintendent of schools of Portsmouth from 1882 to 1886. He has been commissioner of accounts since 1870. He is a member of Stonewall Camp. Confederate Veterans; Sons of the American Revolution; and the Society for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

Mr. Edwards was joined in marriage with Isabel Bilisoly, daughter of Joseph A. Bilisoly, deceased, and they have one son. J. Griffin. who married Martha Nelson Page Boswell. He was educated in the Christian Brothers' Col- lege at Norfolk. They have lost one son by death, Carl. aged six years. The family are members of the Catholic Church, although the family of Mr. Edwards has always been Epis- copalians. They reside at No. 421 London street.

His father. LeRoy Griffin Edwards, was born in Northumberland County, Virginia, and was the son of Griffin Edwards and Priscilla, his wife, who was Priscilla Lee, daughter of Kendall Lee, of the estate of "Ditchley," in that county. He removed to Norfolk County in early life and was always prominent in the affairs of the county. He was at the time of his death, in 1866, president of the Dismal

ALONZO P. CUTHRIELL.

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Swamp Canal Company, superintendent of public schools and clerk of the County and Cir- cuit Courts of Norfolk County. He was close- ly related to the well-known Virginia families of Griffin, Fauntleroy. Lee, Ball, Bushrod. Fitzhugh and many others of the historical counties of Northumberland. Lancaster, West- moreland and others in the "Northern Neck" of Virginia. He married Fannie W. Robbins. of Norfolk County, whose ancestors were of Norfolk and Gloucester Counties, respectively. Mr. Edwards was a man of high literary attain- ments and very popular. He left three sons and one daughter : John Robins, now deceased. who removed to Missouri and was clerk of the Circuit Court of his county; LeRoy Bushrod. of this city: Griffin Fauntleroy, the subject of this sketch: and Rosa Lee, the wife of Capt. John W. Happer. of Edwards & Happer.

A LONZO P. CUTHRIELL, master painter at the Norfolk Navy Yard. a portrait of whom, engraved from a recent photograph, is shown on the foregoing page, was born March 7. 1856, at Norfolk, Virginia, and is a son of John Cuthriell.

John Cuthriell was born near Great Bridge. in Norfolk County. He was a shoemaker by trade and conducted a shoe manufacturing bus- iness. His death occurred during the yellow fever period. in 1855. He married Ellen Stokes. who was also born near Great Bridge, and died in Portsmouth. October 23. 1881. Those of their children, who are living, are: Alonzo, P .: Margaret (Brown), of Portsmouth ; and James C., who is a machinist in the Norfolk Navy Yard.

Alonzo P. Cuthriell was reared in Ports- mouth, and attended the private schools of Mr. Simmons and Miss Sarah Custus. His first work was for Mr. Ward, in a barrel factory. where he continued 10 or 12 months. He

then served an apprenticeship as a painter, un- der John Walton and Thomas Vernilson, and after 14 months secured a position in the Nor- folk Navy Yard, where he completed his ap- prenticeship. He worked as a journey two years and then entered the employ of B. A. Richardson, of Norfolk, for whom he worked six years. He was appointed by the Secretary of the Navy as quarterman, in charge of painters in the construction department at the Norfolk Navy Yard June 15, 1888. This po- sition he held until October. 1900, when he was appointed master painter by Hon. John D. Long. Secretary of the Navy. He has charge of the paint-shop and varnish-room, finishing all the fine furniture in the various vessels. There are from 25 to 150 men under his charge, with an average of 40 constantly at work. He had charge of the painting of the "Raleigh" and the "Texas." besides many other vessels of importance. Mr. Cuthriell makes a constant study of paints and had the honor to go to New York as an expert. by or- der of the Secretary of the Navy, when a de- cision was to be rendered by the United States government, as to the quality of paints.

The subject of this sketch was married in 1878 to Rosa D. Montague, who was born and reared in Portsmouth, and is a daughter of James R. Montague. Her father is a ship-car- penter by trade and has worked most of his life in the Navy Yard. He is now over 70 years old. He married Louisa Guin, who is also living. Mr. Cuthriell and his wife have three children, namely: John F., who is at- tending Randolph-Macon College, and prepar- ing for the ministry : Nellie L. : and Lyda May.

Mr. Cuthriell has always been a prominent worker in the Methodist Church, of which he is chairman of the building committee, and a member of the board of stewards. He has al- ways been a Republican in politics. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum; and Portsmouth Lodge. No. 16. Knights of Pyth- ias, being a member of the Grand Lodge of

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Virginia. He is a member of the Independent Fire Company. Mr. Cuthriell has worked un- tiringly and with a determination to succeed, and has just cause to be proud of the result. He is held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact.

€ UGENE MCCLELLAN ISAAC, who is a well-known resident of Park Place, Norfolk, Virginia, has been in the United States naval service for many years. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1862, and is a son of Gustave Isaac.

Gustave Isaac, who was born in Elberfeld, Germany, in 1812, immigrated to this country in 1833, and located at Philadelphia, where it was not long before he became one of the larg- est importers and wholesale dealers in leaf to- bacco, his business increasing to such an ex- tent that he removed to New York City, where he extensively imported leaf tobacco and soon became known as one of the best judges of that commodity in the city. He had unlimited credit and was at one time considered one of the wealthiest merchants of New York. Dur- ing the Franco-Prussian War he contracted with the government of Germany to furnish the German Army with tobacco but, owing to a failure in the tobacco crop and the soaring of prices he lost all he possessed in fulfilling his contract. A luxurious home on the Hudson at Dobb's Ferry, together with the remainder of his property, was lost in this unfortunate transaction. He never fully recovered from the effects of this reverse, and subsequently be- came a broker in leaf tobacco, continuing in that business until his death.

Eugene McClellan Isaac began his educa- tion in a private school on Staten Island, then attended high school in New York City. At the age of 14 years, he entered a military acad- emy at Tioga, near Philadelphia, spent one year there, then returned home and worked in his

father's office for a short time. He then en- tered the employ of Ilfeld & Company, general merchants of Santa Fe, New Mexico, at their branch establishment located at Plaza del Alcalde, New Mexico. Finding that a com- mercial career did not suit him he returned to the East within nine months and entered the United States Navy at the age of 17 years, as an apprentice on board the U. S. S. "Minnesota," cruising along the Atlantic seaboard until he was transferred to the "Ports- mouth," which sailed for the West Indies, stopping at most of the ports of that country, thence to the Azore Islands, Portugal, Madeira and England. He was transferred to the "Van- dalia," which vessel was afterward lost in the Samoan hurricane, and during 1881 and 1882 cruised back to the West Indies, then to New- foundland, where he was located during the fishery troubles. Having reached his majority he re-enlisted and was promoted to school mas- ter and continued as such until 1886 on board the "New Hampshire." He then cruised to the Bermudas, thence to the West Indies, return- ing to Norfolk, where his second term of enlist- ment expired. He concluded to give up the sea and took a position as city editor on the Norfolk Evening News, which he retained for nine months and then, as the paper did not prove a success, re-enlisted for a third term in the navy and was assigned to the receiving ship "Franklin." He remained on board that' ship as detail clerk from 1887 until 1897, when he was promoted to the rank of mate by Theo- dore Roosevelt, then acting Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Isaac continued in that position un- til July 18, 1898, when he was again promoted to the rank of boatswain, which he now holds, the commission being signed by President McKinley. During the war with Spain he was assigned for a short while to take charge of the coast signal service from Cape Charles to Cape Hatteras, and since then has served on board the battleship "Iowa," on which vessel he went to South America, thence by way of the Straits of Magellan to the Pacific Ocean,

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visiting all the ports on the eastern and wes- tern coast of South America. He cruised on the "Iowa" while she was protecting our in- terests on the Pacific Coast, from Puget Sound to Panama, U. S. of Colombia, being present during the revolution there in 1901-02 and par- ticipated in the landing of U. S. marines and blue-jackets on November 22, 1901, to pro- tect American interests along the line of the Panama Railroad and in the cities of Panama and Colon. Mr. Isaac was detached from the "Jowa" while at Panama, and ordered home, his tour of sea duty having expired, subse- quently being ordered to command the U. S. S. "Triton," at Washington, D. C.

Mr. Isaac was united in marriage to Rose Creekmur, a daughter of Charles J. and Eliza- beth Creekmur, and they have one son, Lonis C .. born January 16, 1888, who is now at home attending school.

Mrs. Rose C. Isaac, Mr. Isaac's wife, is a daughter of Charles J. Creekmur, one of the historic figures of the Confederate War. The latter was born in Norfolk County September 14, 1828, and as a boy engaged in agricultural pursuits. When 18 years of age he came to the city of Norfolk and at his country's call enlisted in the Ist Virginia Volunteers, being assigned to Company F. under the command of Capt. John Young. of Portsmouth. He served throughout the entire Mexican campaign, be- ing present at the battles of Chapultepec, Re- saca de la Palma and other noted engagements. At the conclusion of war with Mexico he re- turned to Portsmouth, Virginia, and engaged in commercial pursuits, shortly afterward be- ing united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Mills, of Bell's Mills, Virginia. Upon the breaking out of the Confederate War he enlisted in the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues and served with them for a period of our months, when he was honorably discharged to accept the position of purser's steward on board the Confederate iron- clad "Virginia," known to history as the "Mer- rimac," which vessel was then under construc- tion at the Norfolk Navy Yard. Mr. Creek-

mur participated with great gallantry in the notable exploits of this famous vessel, which revolutionized the naval warfare of the world. He was one of her crew when she sank the U. S. S. "Cumberland" and destroyed the "Congress," sending dire dismay to the hearts of the people of the North. He was present at the memorable naval battle between the "Mer- rimac" and the "Monitor," in Hampton Roads, and remained on board of her until she was finally burned and sunk in the James River to avoid capture by the Federal troops. Return- ing home after the close of hostilities, Mr. Creekmur, when Pickett-Buchanan Camp, Con- federate Veterans, of Norfolk, Virginia, was organized, became a member and was ever thereafter prominently identified with it and took a lively interest in all the affairs of the organization. He was also a member of the Mexican Veterans. Mr. Creekmur was a man of unswerving character and upright demeanor in life, and would scorn to do an ignoble act. He was a prominent member of the First Bap- tist Church, of Norfolk. Virginia, and took an active interest in all that concerned its wel- fare. Mrs. Isaac is his only surviving child and is naturally proud of her father's brilliant life and record. She is a member of Pickett- Buchanan Chapter, United Daughters of Con- federacy, of Norfolk.

Religiously Mr. Isaac and his family are members of the Baptist Church, Mr. Isaac hav- ing been clerk of the First Baptist Church of Norfolk for four years. Politically he is a Democrat. He is also an Odd Fellow, belong- ing to Columbia Lodge, No. 144, I. O. O. F., of Norfolk, Virginia.

HE CITIZENS' BANK of Norfolk, Virginia, is one of the strongest fi- nancial institutions of the State. It was organized in May, 1867, with Richard Taylor as president, W. W. Chamberlaine as cashier, and the following di-

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rectors : Richard H. Chamberlaine, W. W. Sharp. C. W. Grandy, D. D. Simmons, Will- iam H. Peters, G. W. Rowland, G. K. Good- ridge, R. C. Taylor, Richard Walke, Jr., and

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 85

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