USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900 > Part 93
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George Martin, the grandfather of our sub- ject, served as aide-de-camp to his father, Gen. Joseph Martin, during the Revolutionary War, and was cotemporary with Daniel Boone in settling Kentucky. He came to Norfolk Coun- ty from Kentucky, immediately after the Rev- olutionary War. He married Ann Old, and they reared two sons, Col. James Green, Sr .; and George Thomas, who died about 1837.
The latter married Olive Gresham, a sister of Thomas B. Gresham, and they had two chil- dren, Joseph, who died very young; and Mi- nerva, who married Robert Miller, from whom are descended Dr. Miller and others prominent in Norfolk County.
Col. James Green Martin, Sr., was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, March II, 1797. He married a sister of General Foreman, who was a captain of cavalry, and later a general during the War of 1812. General Foreman was descended from Alexander Foreman, one of the first settlers of Norfolk, who owned large possessions about Great Bridge, where the famous battle was fought. James Green Martin was reared in Norfolk County, and be- came a merchant in partnership with General Foreman, continuing as such until after his marriage with the latter's sister. He then re- moved to his farm in the country. He served in the War of 1812, having entered the ser- vice at the age of 16 years, under Captain Poll- ard. He was later made a colonel in the mi- litia. He also became presiding magistrate of Norfolk County, and served as such until he resigned in 1849. He was also a local Meth- odist Episcopal preacher. Five children were born to Colonel Martin and his wife, nan:ely : James Green, Jr .: George Alexander; Fran- ces Ann : Marina Martha ; and Mary E. James Green, Jr., was the father of Alvah H. and George G., the latter an attorney of Berkley, and Maude, wife of F. W. Lyons, who is treas- urer of Norfolk County. George Alexander is the subject of this sketch. Frances Ann was the wife of George T. Old, both of whom are deceased. Their union was blessed by two children, James Y. and Mrs. Alonzo Ives. Ma- rina Martha married N. B. Foreman, a son of General Foreman: both are deceased, leaving the following children: Ionia, wife of J. F. Cooper, who was captain of Company F, 15th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, C. S. Army, and after the war went to Texas, where he became a judge; Eugenia, who married Jerome Ethe- ridge, of Princess Anne County, Virginia :
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Frances, who married a legislator of Florida ; Florence, widow of Gideon Hearing. a Confed- erate soldier : and Mary, who married a mem- ber of the legislature of Florida. Mary E., the youngest child born to James Green Martin and his wife, married William II. Barnes, recently deceased. who was deputy clerk of the Nor- folk County Court. Mrs. Barnes also died, leaving the following children: Maacah, who cied recently. unmarried; Mary ( Wicks), of Berkley: and Marina (Sykes), of Mount Pleasant. Norfolk County.
Alvah H. Martin, a son of Col. James Green Martin. Jr., and Bettie L. Gresham, his wife. and nephew of the subject of this biog- raphy was born in Norfolk County, Septem- ber 20, 1858. He first entered the office of the clerk of Norfolk County in 1874. He was soon after appointed deputy clerk, and later, clerk, to fill a vacancy. He was then elected county clerk and is now serving his fourth consecu- tive term of six years each, the last term hay- ing begun July 1. 1899. He has discharged the duties of his office in an irreproachable manner. and although the office is an attractive one and there are many candidates for it. the people have always rallied to his support. He is prom- inently identified with many land and improve- ment companies and manufacturing concerns. He is president of the Merchants' & Planters' Bank. of Berkley, and a director in the Na- tional Bank of Commerce. of Norfolk. Vir- ginia. He is also the owner of large landed interests, which he manages profitably. The Improvement Board of Berkley was established by Act of the General Assembly in 1896, and of this Mlr. Martin was elected chairman. This body has been of great benefit to Berkley, and evidences of its work may be seen on every street. In politics Mr. Martin is a Republican. having allied himself with that party at the same time as did General Mahone. He was a trusted friend and supporter of the latter, with whom he served on the Republican State Ex- ecutive Committee. Socially, as well as in business, Mr. Martin moves in the best circles,
and is highly esteemed by all with whom he is acquainted. Mr. Martin married, January 6. 1881, Mary E. Tilley, a daughter of Edward M. Tilley of Berkley, Virginia, who for more than 25 years has represented that section on the Board of Supervisors. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born the following children : Fay; Mabel; James Green ; Alvah H., Jr. ; and Howard Gresham. Mr. and Mrs. Martin are members of Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
A portrait of Alvah H. Martin, engraved from a recent photograph, accompanies this sketch.
J OHN S. ETHEREDGE. a prominent liveryman of Berkley, was born in Berkley. Norfolk County. Virginia, April 16, 1865, and is a son of Jolin Etheredge, and grandson of Samuel Etheredge.
John Etheredge was born five miles south of Berkley, in Norfolk County, and was a civil engineer by occupation. He was also engaged in the livery business in Berkley, where he spent 40 years of his life, and died there in 1888. He married Inda Hodges, who was born in Norfolk County, and is a daughter of J. H. Hodges. They reared seven children, as follows: John S .: Lala: Percy: Rosa; Colon and Mary. deceased ; and Inda.
John S. Etheredge attended the public and private schools of Berkley, and later engaged in the livery business in partnership with his fa- ther. Upon the death of his father, in ISSS, he continued the business alone. He enjoys his full share of patronage and has the largest busi- ness in Berkley, the stable being 98 by 165 feet, in dimensions. He is widely known in Nor- folk County, and numbers his friends almost by his acquaintances.
In March, 1900. Mr. Etheredge was joined in matrimony with Miss L. Rogerson, who was born in Petersburg, Virginia. He is a Demo- crat in politics, and is a member of the Benevo-
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lent and Protective Order of Elks; Knights of Pythias ; and Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Religiously, he is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
ON. TAZEWELL TAYLOR, judge of the Police Court of Norfolk, is one of the most brilliant of the younger members of the bar of this county. He was elected to his present office in 1900. He had previously been for several years a member of the City Council, in which body he was one of the most energetic and tire- less workers in behalf of the city's progress.
Judge Taylor was born in Norfolk, Vir- ginia, August 19, 1874, and comes of an old and distinguished Virginia family. He is a son of Frederick S. and Bessie ( Brooke) Tay- lor, the latter of Fauquier County. His grand- father was Tazewell Taylor, who attained dis- tinction as a lawyer, and was a well-known citizen of Norfolk. On his father's side, his ancestry in America can be traced back about 200 years.
Tazewell Taylor was reared in Norfolk and here received his preliminary education. He entered William and Mary College at Will- iamsburg, Virginia, and was graduated from that institution in 1892, with the degree of A. B. During the following year hie took a post-graduate course in that institution. In the fall of 1893, he entered the law department of the University of Virginia, and was grad- uated with the degree of B. L. in 1895. Not having reached his majority, he spent a brief period in the office of tlie clerk of the Corpora- tion Court, and in September, 1895, was ad- mitted to the bar. He at once entered into active practice, and in 1897 formed a partner- ship with James U. Goode, the firm name be- ing Goode & Taylor. It was a strong legal combination, and they quietly worked their way to the front, acquiring a good clientage, which was constantly becoming larger. This
firm was dissolved in the spring of 1900, when Mr. Taylor was elected judge of the Police Court. He is a student, by nature, and is en- dowed with the qualifications which go to make a good lawyer. During the year, 1898, he was elected a member of the Common Council of Norfolk from the Third Ward, and imme- diately because one of the hardest working members of that body. He secured the passage of good legislation, and actively supported all measures which he deemed for the good of the city. He was placed upon a number of com- mittees, among them the finance committee, and attended as many as 100 committee meet- ings in one year. He is an unswerving sup- porter of the Democratic party, but has always refused political office unless it was associated with his profession. Aside from the profes- sion of law, he is a director in the National Bank of Commerce, and in the Seaboard Fire Insurance Company, two strong local organ- izations.
In 1897, Judge Taylor was united in mar- riage with Miss McCaw, of Richmond, Vir- ginia, a lady of many excellent traits of char- acter, who has proved a true helpmeet to him. They have one son, and reside on West Fair- fax avenue, Ghent.
HARLES W. ROCKAFELLER, superintendent of the Tunis Lumber Company of Berkley, Norfolk Coun- ty, Virginia, was born in Stafford County, Virginia, and is a son of T. F. M. and F. M. (Whaling) Rockafeller. J. F. M. Rockafeller was a native of New York, and his wife was a native of Virginia.
J. F. M. Rockafeller was a farmer of Northern Virginia at one time, and later spent many years in prospecting in the West. notably in California, Nevada and Utah. He went to California during the gold fever in 1849, making the journey by the overland route, and suffered many hardships on the way. He mined in California, and made considerable
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MRS. MARGARET CROMWELL.
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money, which he afterward lost through some misfortune. He died in Utah. in 1887. aged 74 years. He married Miss F. M. Whaling. whose father was a member of one of the early families of Maryland. Mrs. Rockafeller was a very devout member of the Baptist Church, and a most worthy woman. Charles W. Rockafeller is the youngest of seven children. but three of whom are now surviving. Of these. Mrs. T. W. Williams is living in Wash- ington, D. C .: and Mrs. . A. P. Crane, resides in Baltimore.
Mr. Rockafeller was educated in New York and in Virginia, in the latter State, attending Oak Seminary. After leaving school. he em- barked in the drug business, but after six months in that line abandoned it, and served as a machinist. At this he continued for six years. when he entered the building and real estate business in Baltimore, where he lived for seven years. He subsequently entered the lumber business in Norfolk, and has been en- gaged in that business for the past 13 years. He spent seven months in North Carolina, and six months in South Carolina, in the employ of the Atlantic Coast Lumber Company. With the exception of the 13 months spent in the service of that company. he has been with the Tunis Lumber Company, and is at present superintendent of its mills. He stands high in the esteem of his employers and subordinates. and is a man worthy of the confidence reposed in him.
Mr. Rockafeller was married January 12. 1874, to Miss E. F. Fritter, a native of Staf- ford County, Virginia, and a daughter of W. P. and Eliza Agnes Fritter, the latter an lion- ored resident of South Norfolk. They have three children. namely : Grace: Lillian M .. the wife of John M. Gibbs, of South Norfolk: and C. Hamilton, inspector for the E. H. Barnes Box Company. Mr. Rockafeller and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which the former was a deacon for many years : he was also for a number of years, superintend- ent of the Sunday-school.
Mr. Rockafeller has served as a member of the Town Council of Berkley for several terms. He has always taken an active interest in the politics of the county, and is an ardent Demo- crat. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Junior Order of United American Me- chanics.
RS. MARGARET CROMWELL, an octogenarian and a highly es- teemed resident of Tanner's Creek. Virginia, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is a lady possessing many excellent qualities, and oc- cupies a high place in the estimation of her nu- merous friends. Mrs. Cromwell was born No- vember 9. 1819. and is the relict of George E. Cromwell, who died at the age of 65 years.
General E. Cromwell was a native of Mary- land, and was born in the year 1813, being a son of George Cromwell, also born in Mary- land, who was of English descent. and traced his ancestors in a direct line to Oliver Cromwell, so well known in English history. George E. Cromwell was a farmer and fruit grower. and a great lover of fine stock. es- pecially fine horses. At the time of his demise he left a widow and five children to mourn his death. The names of the children are as fol- lows: George E .; Emma V. : Anna P .; Joseph B., deceased : and Maggie E. George E .. the only son living. is a farmer and resides near Norfolk. Emma V. married John E. Ross, also a farmer, and they live on the farm near Tanner's Creek; Mr. and Mrs. Ross have two children, James F. and Georgia E. Anna P. was united in marriage with C. E. Powell, and also lives on a farm near Tanner's Creek. Mag- gie E. is the wife of J. D. Guy, whom she mar- ried April 27. 1886, and they have two chil- dren. Joseph Emmett, born February 5. 1887. and Mary Louisa, born May 2, 1889. who at- tend school at home.
J. D. Guy was born in 1861 in Norfolk
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County, Virginia, where he remained until 1882, after securing his mental training as best he could, from the public schools. He then vented a farm and started out for himself. On this he remained for two years, and subse- quently purchased a farm of 100 acres, on which he still resides and has been very stic- cessful. He has it in the highest state of cul- tivation, with well-kept outhouses and a com- modious and convenient residence, in which he and his family dwell in comfort. The family are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, South, and attend services regu- larly. Mr. Guy is a Democrat in politics and served as a registrar of votes for two years.
Mr. Guy traces his descent from George Guy, who, with three brothers, Bailey, Nelson and Harry, lived in Norfolk County during the eighteenth century, and mainly followed fishing and farming. Harry died in early life and Nelson lived to a ripe old age. Bailey at- tained the age of about 60 years, and George died of old age. The last named was a native of Norfolk County and was the great-grand- father of Mr. Guy. His son, John, the grand- father of Mr. Guy, was a farmer and fisher- man of the same county, and passed to his final rest in 1858, being 72 years old at the time of his demise. His son, Joseph L., the father of Mr. Guy, was born in 1825, and is now liv- ing a retired life at Tanner's Creek, having been for many years a successful fisherman, disposing of the fruits of his skill in the Nor- folk market. Mr. Guy is considered a repre- sentative farmer in this district, is progressive in his methods, successful in his business and thoroughly reliable in every respect.
APT. F. M. WOOD, who is in the service of the Norfolk County Fer- ries, was born in Plymouth, Wash- ington County, North Carolina, in October, 1874. He located in Nor- folk in 1886, but his mental training was re-
ceived in the schools of North Carolina. At the early age of 13 years, he became mess boy on a yacht. He then sailed up and down the Atlantic Coast on a sailing vessel, and also made a voyage to the West Indies. After leav- ing the sailing vessel, he worked on a tug-boat, and filled all the positions on various kinds of craft. His advance was so rapid that at the age of 18 years, he was master of a vessel, his first command being the "Dirigo," owned by the Tunis Lumber Company. The first steam ves- sel which he commanded was the tug "Major" of Norfolk. Since 1899, he has been connected with the Norfolk County Ferries, and is one of its most trusted employees. He is now master of the steamer "Twin City." His record as a seaman has always been an excellent one.
Captain Wood was united in marriage with Dora Randolph, of Berkley, Virginia, and they have four children,-Annie E .; Herbert M .; Marion L .; and Joseph D. The Wood family reside in Berkley, where they are well known and highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. Captain Wood is a member of the American Association of Masters & Pilots.
APT. A. D. MORGAN, harbor master at Portsmouth, Norfolk County. Virginia, was born in Mathews County, Virginia, May 10, 1857. He is a son of William Morgan, who was also a native of Virginia.
Captain Morgan received his intellectual instructions in private schools of Mathews County, and at the age of 16 years began the life of a mariner. He was first employed on a sailing vessel for five years, and at the age of 22 years was master of a steam vessel. He continued this life until he was appointed har- bor master of Portsmouth, a position he fills in a most able and creditable manner, winning the highest commendation for his faithful dis- charge of duty. He was appointed harbor mas- ter in 1898, and bids fair to hold that position for some time to come.
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Captain Morgan is a member of the Amer- ican Association of Masters & Pilots, and is one of the charter members of that organiza- tion. Ile also belongs to the Royal Arcanum ; Woodmen of the World; and A. F. & A. M. lodges. He makes friends easily, and is con- sidered one of the most popular men in Ports- moutlı.
APT. GEORGE B. DOWNING, who has been associated with the Mer- chants & Miners Transportation Company for the past five years, was born at Mackey Ferry, Washington County, North Carolina, January 9, 1871. He is a son of Thomas S. and Hattie E. ( Wood) Downing.
The Downing family is one of the oldest families in the United States, and a tract of land, which was granted by the English crown, is still owned by Mrs. D. M. Herrington, a | descendant of the original Downing grantec. Capt. William Downing, who came from Eng- land, settled in Washington County, North Carolina, as early as 1701. He engaged in the sawmill business, sawing boards for the old Methodist Church at Edenton, North Carolina. Henry Downing, his son was Capt. George B. Downing's great-grandfather, and Col. Joseph Downing was his grandfather. The first rep- resentative to the House of Representatives, from Washington County, was Capt. William Downing, and he was also elected speaker of that body.
Thomas S. Downing, the father of George B., was a farmer throughout his career. His early life was spent as a mill-boy. He was en- gaged in running a water and grist-mill until the time of the war. when. in 1863. he enlisted in the Montgomery True Blues, and served un- til the end of the conflict. He then married, and was engaged in farming in Washington County until 1879, when he removed to Tyrrell County. There he spent his remaining days, and departed this life, May 31. 1896. His 1
wife, Hattie E. Wood, died February 9, 1888. They had nine children, six of whom are still living, namely: Mrs. Katie C. Barco; George B., the subject of this biography ; Thomas W .; Richard S. : Lella (Lipscomb) ; and Joseph H.
Capt. George B. Downing grew to man- hood in Tyrrell County, although his early training had been received in Washington County, North Carolina. In 1889, at the age of 18 years, he removed to Norfolk, where he began his nautical career. He took a position as cook on a steamboat, and from that he filled various positions on the deck until he was made master. His first steam-craft was the tug "Juniper." He was in the employ of the Sea- board Air Line for three years, and next en- gaged with the Merchants & Miners Trans- portation Company, in whose service he has been for the past five years. He has proven very valuable to this company, and is held in high esteem by his employers and by those be- neath him in rank.
Captain Downing was married in 1896 to Mattie E. Perry of Berkley. She is a daugli- ter of J. H. Perry, who was a merchant. Cap- tain Downing and his wife have two children, namely: James B. : and Hattie M. The sub- ject of this sketch is a member of the Elizabeth Lodge, .A. O. U. W., of Norfolk : he is also a member of the American Association of Mas- ters & Pilots. He has been quite active in the reorganization of the latter. Captain Down- ing makes his home in Berkley.
J. OTTLEY, who has been identified with various business interests of Berkley for many years, is one of the oldest inhabitants of the town. He was born in Berkley, Norfolk County, Virginia, October 7. 1846, being of Scotch an- cestry, and is a son of William Ottley.
William Ottley was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that occupation until his death in 1846, before the birth of his son. J. J. He was
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united in marriage with Mary Halstead, who was born in Norfolk County, and died in 1876. at the age of 69 years. They had six children, as follows: Covington M., who died in 1881 ; Sarah K., widow of C. O. Ives, who was a farmer by occupation: John K., who was wounded in front of Petersburg, and died there ; Mary E., who died at the age of four years : William N., who is a farmer in Missis- sippi ; and J. J., the subject of this sketch.
J. J. Ottley was married in November, 1889, to Rosa C. Parker, a daughter of Josiah and Mary Ann (Keith) Parker. She is de- scended from Col. Josialı Parker, who served in the Revolutionary War, and took part in the battle of Trenton. The family have always been prominently identified with the army and navy, and Maj. Leo P. Parker, a brother of Mrs. Ottley, was lately retired from the navy. Religiously. Mrs. Ottley is a member of the St. Thomas Protestant Episcopal Church of Berkley.
Mr. Ottley has been prominently identified with many of the leading business enterprises of the town, and at the present time is treasurer of the Berkley Permanent Building & Loan Association; a director of the Merchants' & Planters' Bank; and a director in the Chiesa- peake Building Aasociation, of which he is also vice-president. He has many lifelong ac- quaintances in Berkley, and enjoys the uni- versal good will and respect of his fellow citi- zens.
APT. JOHN E. BUNCH, who is in the employ of the Norfolk County Ferries, and is pilot of the "Twin City," was born in Chowan County, North Carolina. March 16, 1862. He is a son of William and Mary ( Goodwin) Bunch, both natives of North Carolina. Will- iam Bunch was a farmer and followed that occupation all his active life. Of five children born to himself and wife, three are now living, namely : Ephraim, John E. and Puss.
Capt. John E. Bunch grew to manhood in Chowan County, and attended the schools there, although his educational advantages were indeed meager. He farmed until he was 19 years old, working on nearby farms. He be- came a deck-hand on the "Schuyler Nelson." under Capt. E. L. Hoagland, and worked his way up from that position to hiis present one. He has been with the Norfolk County Ferries some time, and is one of their most esteemed employes. At present he is pilot of the "Twin City" ferry-boat.
Captain Bunch was married in July, 1901, to Catherine Revere of Virginia. By his former marriage with Lula E. Parker, who died July 7. 1896, aged 27 years, four children were born, two of whom are now living,- Willie A. and Hazel.
D R. J. H. COSTENBADER, one of the bright and energetic young business inen of Berkley, Virginia, where he ably represents the profession of dentistry, has made ample prepara- tion for his chosen calling, and, judging by the extraordinary rapidity with which his present clientage has been built up, gives promise of be- ing one of the most successful dentists in that city. Dr. Costenbader was born in Westmore- land County, Virginia, in 1876. and is a son of William H. and Ella J. ( Pitt) Costenbader.
William Costenbader was a native of Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania, a miller and mer- chant by occupation, and during his active life enjoyed the greatest success. He is now 68 years old, and is living a retired life in West- moreland County, Virginia. His beloved wife. Ella J. (Pitt) Costenbader, was a native of Virginia, and died in 1898, at the age of 50 years. She was a member of the Baptist Church, and her husband is a member of the Presbyterian Church. They had seven chil- dren, namely : S. Benjamin, a successful mer- chant of Pennsylvania : Elwin H., manager of
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his father's mill and store in Westmoreland County, Virginia, known as the Potomac Mills; Cora V., wife of Robert L. Thomas, a farmer in Westmoreland County; J. H., the subject of this biography; Frank L., who is now taking a course in medicine and surgery at the University College of Medicine in Rich- mond, Virginia, and who is a dentist by pro- fession: and Vivenna and Ardelle, both at home.
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