History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 88

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 1054

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Mr. Rudd was united in marriage with Sarah Virginia Petit, a native of Norfolk, and a daughter of John and Susan Petit, deceased.

DENNIS ETHERIDGE.

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They became the parents of eight children, of whom the following are now living: Charles E., a machinist in the Norfolk Navy Yard, who married Ella Howard of Berkley: W. S., Jr., who is clerking for the N. Y., P. & N. R. R .; Walter S., who is an ordnance man; and F. M., who is an undertaker and embalmer. Mrs. Rudd is a member of the Baptist church. Fra- ternally, Mr. Rudd is past exalted ruler of the Elks.

D ENNIS ETHERIDGE, whose por- trait is herewith shown, is president and general manager of the Mer- chants' and Farmers' Peanut Com- pany, which operates one of the largest peanut industries in the United States. From 85,000 to 100,000 bags of peanuts per year are cleaned, separated and graded, and employment is given to about 75 men and women. The company was established in Oc- tober. 1886, with Mr. Etheridge as president and general manager, and M. L. T. Davis, as secretary.

Dennis Etheridge was born in North Caro- lina August 24. 1842, and is a son of Isaiah Etheridge. His opportunities for an educa- tion were very meager. He moved to Norfolk in 1872 and engaged in the commission busi- ness as a member of the firm of Etheridge. Fulgham & Company. He continued with that firm a number of years and then embarked in the peanut trade, and is now one of the best- known men identified with that business. Mr. Etheridge is a busy man but has found time to serve in the Council of Norfolk one term, al- though it was at the sacrifice of his business interests.

. He bears an honorable record for service in the Confederate AArmy during the Intersec- tional War. He enlisted in the 61st Regiment. Virginia Infantry, and upon the reorganization of the Confederate Army joined Company F. 15th Regiment. Virginia Cavalry, of which

John F. Cooper was captain. He participated in the battle of Gettysburg, Brandy Station, the Wilderness, Culpepper Court House, and others. He was captured at Luray and con- fined in prison for 141/2 months.

Dennis Etheridge was joined in marriage with Louisa J. Cox, of North Carolina, in Feb- ruary, 1866, and they have six children, name- ly: Mrs. Sally Jackson; Mrs. Lillie Wombie ; Elizabeth: W. E .: Lulu; and Myron. Fra- ternally 'Mr. Etheridge is a member of Ruth Lodge. A. F. & A. M., No. 89; and Pickett- Buchanan Camp Confederate Veterans, of Norfolk.

L ONSDALE J. ROPER, the well-known cashier of the John L. Roper Lumber Company's plant at Gilmerton, Nor- folk County, Virginia, has been an im- portant factor in the progress and wealth of that prominent concern. He was born March 4. 1830, and is a son of William B. and Hannah (Lithgow) Roper, his native city being Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

William B. Roper was born in England, but when still a young man determined to cross the ocean, and therefore came to America and located in Philadelphia, where he followed a successful trade as a marble-cutter. There he met Hannah Lithgow, a native of Philadelphia, who became his worthy helpmeet.

Lonsdale J. Roper attended the schools of his native city, and was a pupil in the Central High School there. He chose for his life work the trade of a wheelwright and coach-maker. and learned all the different branches of the trade while residing in Philadelphia. In 1869. he removed to Norfolk County, and chose Deep Creek for a location, the Baird & Roper lumber mills being located at that place, of which he was the efficient superintendent of the same until they were destroyed by fire. Then their location was changed to Gilmerton, where the John L. Roper Lumber Company was formed. Some time later he resigned his du-

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ties as superintendent, to become cashier. He found the work of superintendent too heavy for one of his years, so, after serving the company faithfully for 20 years in that position, he as- sumed the lighter duties of cashier, his pres- ent occupation.

In June, 1853, while living in his native city, he was united in matrimony with Caro- line M. Lake, who was born in Philadelphia, in January. 1830. He and his worthy wife reared a number of children, whose names are as follows: William D .; Alice L .; Joseph S .; Charles B. ; David L. ; and Thomas D. David L. departed this life November 6, 1901. Alice is the wife of J. D. Carey. In their religious life, the family arc identified with the Baptist Church, of Gilmerton.

Mr. Roper affiliates with the A. F. & A. M .; I. O. O. F. ; and K. of P. He has had an ac- tive, industrious career, one that would justify him in retiring and taking life easier, but his interest in the busy world is so keen, that he prefers to stay at his post and continue to do his best. He is highly honored and esteemed, and his influence is great among his fellow citizens.

OSEPH J. RIDDICK, who is engaged in business at Great Bridge, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Gates County, North Carolina, March 6, 1850. He is a son of John and Mar- garet (Louis) Riddick, who were both natives of that county. John Riddick was a farmer by occupation, and was clerk in the court of his county, being an ardent Democrat in poli- tics. He married Margaret Louis, and they reared 11 children. Those living are : Maggie L .; Fanny; R. M .; and Joseph J., the subject of this sketch.

Joseph J. Riddick was reared in North Carolina, and has been engaged in mercantile pursuits since first entering upon a business career. In 1884 he settled in Great Bridge, where he engaged in business in the store of

George A. Wilson, afterward launching a business of his own. He carries a good stock, and supplies the various wants and needs of the residents of Great Bridge, and its vicinity. He possesses good business ability, and is fair and honest in his dealings.

In 1880, Mr. Riddick married Florence V. Wilson, a daughter of the late George A. Wil- son, of Norfolk County. She was born at Great Bridge in 1855, and died in 1886. One child, Cecil, was born to this union. Mr. Rid- dick is a Democrat in politics, but does not aspire to office. He is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church.

AMĒS HENRY CRUSER, who has been engaged in the oyster business for many years, has a fine home at Cruser Place, Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, where his family have been lo- cated for about a half a century.

The Cruser family is one of prominence in the county, and was first established in America in 1790, when some of his ancestors came from Germany and located on Staten Is !- and. The family name was spelled Krutzer until changed to Cruser by Capt. Cornelius Cruser, about 1833. Captain Cruser removed from his home on Staten Island to Gloucester County, Virginia, being accompanied by his family. He was one of the pioneers in the oyster business, and shipped to New York City and other Northern markets. He had four children, as follows: Washington C .. Cor- nelius Crocheron ; James Henry ; and a daugh- ter, who was drowned in the York River by the capsizing of a boat.

Captain Cornelius Crocheron Cruser was born in 1818, on Staten Island, and like his father engaged at the oyster industry. In 1853. he moved from Gloucester County to Tanner's Creek, Norfolk County, where he purchased four acres of land from his father-in-law, Michael Hendron, and built the old homestead

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which has since stood, having brought the frame of the house from Staten Island, and also the pressed brick for its foundation. In addition to the oyster business. I:e engaged in trucking, and shipped vegetables to Northern markets. During the Intersectional War, he was a Northern sympathizer, but did not par- ticipate in the struggle. During that period the oyster industry was at a standstill, owing to the closing of Northern markets to ship- ments, and the Captain lost all the wealth he had accumulated. His oysters had a growth of four years, and were of such size as to con- mand a high price when the markets were again opened. He died in 1901, at the advanced age of 83 years.

Capt. Cornelius C. Cruser was married, in 1845, to Margaret Ann Hendron, a daughter of Michael Hendron, who was prominent among the early residents of Tanner's Creek. Eight children blessed this union, of whom the following grew to maturity: Cornelius Mich- ael, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work: William Samuel; James Henry : Lola Ann, wife of Robert L. Bunting: Hansford Thornton : and Ella Angusta (Bunting), who died in 1893.

James Henry Cruser was united in mar- riage, January 9, 1885, to Emma Etta Parker. a daughter of Benjamin and Anna Parker, both of whom came from England, where they were born, reared and married. Mr. Parker became a citizen of this country, and during the war with the South enlisted in the Union Army, and gave his life m the interest of that cause. His widow married Thomas Reynolds, and is now living. James Henry Cruser and his wife became parents of the following chil- dren : Olive B .. born April 15, 1885: Amber E .. born July 17. 1887; Melvin, born July 28. 1889: Lawrence C., born December 12, 1890: Gilbert M., born January 18, 1892; James O .. born March 18. 1893. and deceased October 7. 1895: Myrtle, born November 28. 1895 : James R., born April 22, 1897: Coral C., born Feb- ruary 20, 1900, and deceased July 10, 1901 ;

and Violet, born September 3, 1901. Mr. Cruser built at Cruser Place a very fine home of II rooms, which is arranged and equipped with modern conveniences. He takes a deep interest in the prosperity and progress of his town and community, and stands high among his fellow men.

R OBERT ARMISTEAD STEWART, M. A., PH. D., the only child born to Col. William H. and Annie Wright ( Stubbs ) Stewart, was born in Ports- mouth. Virginia, March 9. 1877.

Robert A. Stewart's primary education was conducted in Portsmouth, first in the primary school and later in the Portsmouth Academy. and Portsmouth English and Classical School. Afterward, he attended Col. Hillary P. Jones School. in Norfolk. He matriculated in the academic department of the University of Vir- ginia in September. 1894, and took the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts, June 15, 1898. He was for two years assistant to Maj. Horace Jones, principal of the University High School at Charlottesville, while pursuing his course at the University. For the session of 1899-1900, he was called to fill the chair of French and German at Wofford College. Spartansburg, South Carolina, in place of the regular professor, who was on leave in Europe. Upon leaving that institution. Dr. J. H. Car- lisle, president of Wofford College, wrote as follows: "Ile leaves a good record here. and carries with him the respect, confidence and good wishes of professors and students." Mr. Stewart returned to the University of Vir- ginia for the session of 1900-1901 for post- graduate study, and receive i the degree of Ph. D., June 12, 1901. being the youngest man to whom the honor was ever awarded by that institution. During the same session he was assistant in Teutonic languages, and associate editor. with Dr. James \. Harrison, on the 16-volume edition of Edgar Allen Poe's works.

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published by T. Y. Crowell & Co., of New York. He is now assistant in Romance lan- guages at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana.

ON. JAMES MILNOR KEELING, a leading attorney of Norfolk, who for a long term of years was judge of the County Court of Princess Anne County, Virginia, was born in that county August 31, 1844. His family is one of the oldest in Virginia, the first settler being Thomas Keeling, who came from England to what is now Princess Anne County in 1635. The family homestead, which passed into other hands in 1881, has been continuously in the hands of the Keelings since 1693. The father of the Judge was Solomon S. Keeling, born in 1805, died in 1881, who was the son of Adamı Keeling, born in 1745, who served in the Revolutionary War as a lieutenant in the light horse cavalry, and died in 1805. Solo- mon S. Keeling married Martha Peters, a daughter of Milnor Peters, a business man of Norfolk.

Judge Keeling was reared at the homestead, and at the age of 15 years entered the military academy of Prof. N. B. Webster, at Ports- mouth, and subsequently the academy of Will- iam R. Galt, where he remained for two years. But it was difficult for Virginia youths to con- fine their attention to text-books at that period, and on March 8, 1862, the day of the memor- able encounter between the Virginia and Moni- tor, he left school to enter the Confederate service. Joining the Chesapeake Cavalry on April 1, 1862, he led the adventurous life of a trooper throughout the remainder of the war, being promoted to sergeant, and, on occasions. commanding his company. He was in the battle of Gaines' Mill, Seven Days before Rich- mond, Culpeper Court House, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Brandy Station ( where he was wounded by a saber-cut on the right hand), Beaver Dam Station, Luray, Win-

chester, Cedar Creek, Dumfries, Ream's Sta- tion, Raccoon Ford, Stevensburg, Trevilian and Lacey Springs. He participated in Staurt's celebrated raid around the army of Burnside, was with Stuart at Yellow Tavern, and bore a message from him, shortly before he was killed, to Col. Henry Clay Pate. For a short time, Sergeant Keeling served as courier for Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.

The war over, Mr. Keeling studied law for three years under Alexander Coke, of Princess Anne County, and, having been admitted to the bar in 1868, actively engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in 1872. On June 18, 1875, he was appointed judge of the County Court of Princess Anne County by Gov. James L. Kemper. In this position he was continued by legislative election in the fall of 1875, and again in 1879, 1885 and 1891. After con- tinuous service upon the bench for 21 years, he resigned in 1896, and removed to Norfolk, fo resume the practice of his profession as a mem- ber of the bar.

Judge Keeling is a past district-deputy grand master in the Masonic order, and main- tains a membership in Pickett-Buchanan Camp, Confederate Veterans, of Norfolk, besides hav- ing other fraternal connections. He was mar- ried in November, 1876, to Annie Whiddon Shepherd, formerly of Norfolk, Virginia. They have one child, Sarah Camp.

R ICHARD HENRY BAKER. The distinguished Baker family is of Eng- lish ancestry and of ancient residence in the Old Dominion, one of the Amer- ican founders of the family having been knighted by King Charles in the seven- teenth century.

Richard H. Baker was born in Nansemond County, Virginia, in 1826. His early educa- tional training was at the Norfolk Academy, and afterward at the Episcopal High School, near Alexandria, Virginia. After the com-

M. D. EASTWOOD.

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pletion of his studies at this admirable school. he took the full course at the University of Virginia, graduating with the degree of B. L .. i11 1850. From 1870 to 1875, he was a mem- ber of the State Board of Visitors at that in- stitution. He began to practice law in Nor- folk as soon as he graduated ; in 1879, he took in his son as a law partner, and the firm of. Baker & Baker still exists. During the admin- istration of President Fillmore, Mr: Baker was judge-advocate of the naval courts at Norfolk. Upon the secession of Virginia, in 1861, he went immediately into the military service of the State, but was soon after elected to the Legislature of Virginia from the city of Nor- folk, and was continuously re-elected, without opposition, until the close of the war, his ser- vices in the House being considered too val- uable to permit him to withdraw from the office.

He was married November 12, 1850, to Anna M. May, a daughter of David May, Esq., of Petersburg, Virginia, and to them were born eight children, of whom the following survive : Maria M., wife of John Burroughs, of Norfolk; Richard H .. of Norfolk, who mar- ried the daughter of the late distinguished Capt. James Barron Hope, of Norfolk : Kate H., wife of George G. Hobson, of Norfolk; Benjamin! May. a physician of Norfolk; Lucy Lee; and Emily Gay.

The father of Mr. Baker, also Richard Henry Baker, was born February 22, 1789, in Nansemond County, Virginia. He was a law- ver of high repute, and judge of the Circuit Court for nearly a third of a century, and up to within a short time of his death, in 1871: His wife was Lelia Ann Barraud, daughter of Dr. Philip Barraud, of Williamsburg, a dis- tinguished surgeon in the Revolutionary War, and afterward appointed by Washington, in' recognition of his conspicuous military service, surgeon of the U. S. Marine Hospital at Nor- folk. which office he held until his death, in 1832. Judge Baker left six children, Richard Henry; Philip Barraud, a surgeon in the Con-

federate Army, who died in 1887; Mary, wid- ow of Capt. T. Barraud, who was killed, fight- ing gallantly, at the battle of Brandy Station, in 1863; Catherine B., wife of Capt. Samuel Wilson, of Charlotteville; Lelia, wife of Maj. Robert B. Taylor, of Norfolk; and Emily Eyre, deceased wife of Judge T. S. Garnett, of Norfolk.

Mr. Baker's grandfather was Richard Bak- er, born in Nansemond County, in 1764. His wife was Judith Bridger, great-grandfather of Sir Joseph Bridger, a member of the Council of State under Charles II. He died in 1789, leaving three children,-Benjamin Beverly, Mary and Richard Henry Baker. The great- grandfather's name was Benjamin Baker, born in Nansemond County early in 1700; his wife was Sallie Blount, of North Carolina, and to them were born three sons,-William, Blake and Richard. The founder of the Baker fam- ily in America came from Sussex, England, prior to 1650.

D. EASTWOOD, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page, has been engaged in mercantile pur- suits in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, for a number of years. He was born in Norfolk County on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River, and is a son of Josiah Eastwood, who was also a native of Norfolk County. Josiah Eastwood followed the occupation of a farmer, and never removed to the city. He married Lydia Pow- ell, who was born in Norfolk County. M. D. Eastwood is the only one living of several chil- dren born to his parents.

M. D. Eastwood settled in Portsmouth in 1851, and his first work in that city was as a clerk in a store. He has since engaged in var- ious lines of mercantile business and for 30 years, until 1895, carried on business alone. He owns a large amount of real estate in Ports-

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mouth and the country adjoining. He is also interested in several prominent enterprises of Portsmouth, being one of the organizers of the Bank of Portsmouth, and a director in the People's Bank of that city. He is possessed of much shrewdness and good judgment in bus- iness affairs, and has always been prominent in all worthy enterprises undertaken for the development of Portsmouth.

Mr. Eastwood was united in marriage with Mary A. Thornton, of Gloucester County, Vir- ginia, who died in October, 1901, after 40 years of wedded life. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Eastwood, namely: M. L., who took a course at Eastman's Business Col- lege at Poughkeepsie, New York; Elizabeth ( Brooks), of Cottage Place; Frank T., who is clerk in the Norfolk Navy Yard; John T., who was educated at the University of Virginia, and is now a civil engineer of New Orleans ; Wililam T., educated at the University of Vir- ginia, now a prominent attorney of Ports- mouth; Joseph Powell, an electrical engineer of Portsmouth, who was educated at the Uni- versity of Virginia; Everett O., who was also educated at that university, where he taught astronomy for three years, and who is now at the Boston School of Technology; and N Louise, who is at home.

Mr. Eastwood is a member of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church.

ILLIAM HENRY VENABLE, a gentleman who has attained a high degree of success as a practitioner of the bar at Norfolk, was born at Hickory Grove, the old homestead of his family near Hampden Sidney, in Prince Edward County, Virginia, September 2. 1870. He is a son of Maj. Andrew Reid and Louisa Cabell (Carrington) Venable, and comes of a distinguished line of ancestry on both sides of the house. Representatives of this family

played an important part in the Revolutionary War, and were closely identified with the his- tory of Virginia from that period down to the present day.

Mr. Venable received his preliminary edu- cational training in the public schools of his native county. He entered Hampden Sidney College in September, 1887. From the first he took a prominent place among the public speakers of that institution, and his oratorial ability was in evidence during the entire time he attended college. During the first year he was awarded the Freshman Declaimer's Medal in the Union Literary Society. He was absent from college during the session of 1888-1889, but returned in September, 1889. During the session of 1890-1891, he represented his society at both the intermediate and final celebrations, and was sent by his fraternity as a delegate to the "Chi Phi" convention held in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated with the degree of A. B. in 1892, and carried off the Senior Orator's Medal presented by his society. He was the unanimous choice of his college to represent it in the Inter-Collegiate Oratorical Association of the State of Virginia, and in the contest held in Richmond, July 7, 1892, he carried off first honors and the gold medal. In the fall of 1892, he entered the law department of the University of Maryland. In the summer of 1893 he attended the summer law school of the University of Virginia under Prof. John B. Minor, and graduated from the University of Maryland with the degree of B. L. on May 25, 1894. In the meantime he acquired a practical knowledge of his profession in the law office of a relative, Maj. R. M. Venable, of Baltimore, Maryland.

Mr. Venable located in Norfolk September 20, 1894, and has since practiced law in this city. His ability and true worth as a lawyer soon became recognized, and his practice has since been a constantly growing one. He num- bers among his clients many of the leading citizens and business firms of Norfolk, and stands high among the members of the legal

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profession. He was sent by the Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk, of which he is a member, to represent the city in the Pure Food Congress held in Washing- ton. D. C., in January, 1899. In March, 1901, he was elected to the position of exalted ruler of Norfolk Lodge, No. 38. Benevolent & Pro- tective Order of Elks. He was the first com- mander of Pickett-Buchanan Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, of Norfolk. Virginia, and the first worthy president of Norfolk Evrie. Fraternal Order of Eagles of America, and is a member of Virginia Conclave, No. I. Heptasophians or Seven Wise Men.

On November 15. 1899. Mr. Venable was united in the bonds of matrimony with Eliza- beth Berkley Wight, of Richmond, Virginia.

At the Democratic primary election held in Norfolk, April 17, 1900, he received the nom- ination of the party for the office of Common- wealth's AAttorney for the city of Norfolk and was elected to that office in the general election held in May of that year by a large majority.

On August 1, 1901, he was appointed as- sistant counsel of the Norfolk Railway & Light Company, and will retire from politics on the Ist of July so as to be able to devote more of his time to this company and other corpora- tions by whom he has been retained as counsel.

RANK D. PINKERTON is manager for Baugh & Sons Company, manu- facturers of fertilizers and chemicals, located at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : he is secretary of the Baugh Chemical Works of Baltimore, Maryland. His office is located at No. 159 Main street, Norfolk, Vir- ginia. Mr. Pinkerton was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia. April 11, 1858, and is a son of Rev. William and Mary (Dandridge ) Pink- erton.

Rev. William Pinkerton and his wife were natives of Eastern Virginia. The former was a minister in the Presbyterian Church, and for

40 years was one of the most able clergymen of that denomination. He preached in many of the important cities of Virginia and other States, and was a man of noble purpose and excellent character. He left behind him the reputation of one who was ardent in the life work that demanded and received his best en- ceavors, and who possessed a character well rounded in Christian completeness. His wife, who came from one of the oldest and best families of Virginia, was a woman who was loved for her many acts of charity. She took an active part in church work until prevented by the infirmities of age.

Frank D. Pinkerton, the subject of this sketch, has been connected with Baugh & Sons Company for the past 29 years. He left home to enter their employ as a traveling salesman, and also spent 15 years in their office. He has been engaged for some time in his present work in Norfolk, looking after the interests of the firm. His long service with the company speaks well for his ability and faithfulness. He is an excellent business man, and commands the respect and esteem of all with whom he comes in contact.

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 88

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