History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 94

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 94

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Dr. Costenbader attended school at Oak Grove Institute in Westmoreland County, Vir- ginia, and supplemented this by a course in the dental department of the University College of Medicine, from which he graduated in 1899. His next move was to start his practice in Nor- folk, and there he enjoyed five months of suc- cess in his chosen line of work, removing at that time to Berkley, and there establishing an office at the corner of Berkley avenue and Chestnut street, where he has remained ever since, doing a fine business.

Dr. Costenbader is still enjoying single blessedness. He is a member of the Berkley Avenue Baptist Church, which he attends regu- larly. He affiliates with Lee Lodge, K. of P .. and is a member of the Berkley Business Men's Association.

The subject of this sketch is a well read and unusually intelligent man, and stands high in the esteem of his acquaintances, who respect him as one who is fulfilling all the requirements of a true citizen.

OHN T. GRIFFIN. a gentleman of prominence in Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, whose business career has been one of unceasing activity, is president of the Merchants' & Farmers' Bank, of Portsmouth, and is identified with many other enterprises which have contributed in a large degree to the progress and prosperity of the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth and of Norfolk County. He was born at Suffolk. 38

Virginia, February 5, 1838, and is a son of Nathaniel Griffin and grandson of Luke Griffin, who was born in Nansemond County, Virginia.

Nathaniel Griffin was also born in Nanse- mond County, Virginia. He mainly followed farming throughout his life, and conducted a large coach-making business at Suffolk. He re- moved to Norfolk County in 1844 and there farmed until his death in 1887, at the age of 81 years. He married Virginia Ann Gwinn, who was born in Nansemond County January 25, 1819, and died December 15, 19. 0, at the age of almost 82 years. They became the parents of three children : One who died in infancy; Virginia Judson, who died in May. 1898: and John T., the subject of this bio- graphy.

John T. Griffin was six years of age when his father moved to Norfolk County, and there went to school until 1855. when he entered the Columbian University, at Washington, D. C. After graduating from that institution, in 1859, he taught the preparatory department there during 1859, 1860 and a part of 1861. He then returned to Norfolk County and in 1862 served as engineer on General Randolph's staff, and later with other officers. Ile was on the defenses of Petersburg, after the evacu- ation of Norfolk, and served until the surren- der at Appomattox, when he reported to Gen- eral Lee, the parole being signed by that gener- al's adjutant, Walter H. Taylor, of Norfolk. He then taught school at Churchland Academy during 1865 and 1866. After the war he served for two years as surveyor of Nanse- mond County, and since 1867 has been engaged in truck farming on a large scale. He has six very fine truck farms, mainly in Norfolk Coun- ty, all of which are connected by telephone. In 1884, he was elected president of the Norfolk Storage Company, and served as such for ser- eral years. At the request of the depositors. in 1885, he became a trustee of the bankrupt firm of Bain & Brother, and discharged the cluties of that office in a most acceptible man- ner. In December, 1885, he was chosen presi-

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dent of the Merchants' & Farmers' Bank, an official position he has since maintained in a most creditable manner. He is also a director of the Atlantic & Danville Railway, the Sea- board Insurance Company, the Portsmouth Wharf & Warehouse Company, the American Fertilizing Company; and has been president of the Western Branch Drawbridge Company since its organization in 1871 ; being also a member of the board of directors. The other officers of the last named concern are E. C. Brooks, secretary; and William G. Maupin, Jr., treasurer. Mr. Griffin is one of the most progressive men of the county, and makes his residence in the vicinity of Churchland.

In 1865 Mr. Griffin married Julia Armi- stead Benn, who was born in Nansemond County, Virginia, and is a daughter of Thomas Benn, an ensign in the War of 1812. Three children resulted from this union, namely : Thomas Benn; Virginia Julia; and Mary Gasena. Thomas Benn was born in 1866 and looks after the farming interests of his father. He married Miss Williams; of Petersburg, and they have five children, namely: Mortimer ; Nathaniel J .; Sarah; Thomas Benn and John T. Virginia Julia married C. W. Coleman, an attorney of Portsmouth, and they have a daughter, Julia G. Mary Gasena is the wife of James Vernon Carney. Politically Mr. Griffin is a Democrat and has been a magistrate since 1879. He is a member of the Churchland Baptist Church and takes an earnest interest in church work .. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

ILLIAM G. ASHLEY, superintend- ent of the Union Mission, resides at No. 114 South Reservoir ave- nue, Norfolk, Virginia. He occu- pies a leading place among the many useful citizens of that city, and is known as a man of strong character, very pleasant in manner, but firm and persistent in executing his work to the best of his ability.

Mr. Ashley is a son of William P. and Vir- ginia D. (Guy) Ashley, natives of Virginia, and was born in Norfolk, October 12, 1847. William P. Ashley learned the trade of car- penter and builder, which he followed until the breaking out of the Confederate War. He then enlisted in the Confederate Army, serving under Custis E. Lee, youngest son of Robert . E. Lee, in the Army of Northern Virginia. For the following four years, Mr. Ashley saw active service, and when the war closed he re- turned to his business life as a carpenter and builder, and pursued that occupation until his death, October 16. 1878, at the age of 69 years.

In 1845. William P. Ashley was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Virginia D. Guy, a daughter of Elias E. Guy, and a de- scendant of one of Virginia's oldest and best families. She was a deeply religious woman, a member of the Baptist Church, and was al- ways busy with church work. She and her husband had five children, of whom William G. is now the only survivor. The names of their family are as follows : William G. ; Ida V., who married James H. Carroll, of New York, and died at the age of 35 years; Elizabeth E .; Eva M., wife of Frank A. Smith, who died at the age of 32 years ; and Harry.

William G. Ashley attended school in his native city until he attained the age of 14 years, and obtained what education was possible in that space of time. After leaving school, he enlisted in Company G, 4th Virginia Battalion, and like his father served under Custis E. Lee. Being too young to carry a Belgian rifle, he was given a breech-loading carbine, which had been captured from the Federals during the first year of the war. He took his place in all the conflicts in and around Richmond, and did gallant service, but was mainly en- gaged in the battles in and around Fort Harrison and Drewry's Bluff , and was pres- ent at the surrender of Richmond. Dur- ing all the years of his service he was never wounded or taken prisoner, but was all the better for the duty. The war closed

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before he had attained his 19th year, and he became a contractor and builder, as was his father. He proved very successful in that line of business, in which he continued until Aug- ust, 1900, when he assumed the numerous duties and responsibilities of his present posi- tion as superintendent of the Union Mission.

The Union Mission of Norfolk, Virginia. was established in 1892, and has progressed rapidly since that time, until it is a credit to the city ; the religious services are held regu- larly every evening, and a Sunday-school for Chinese has also been established in connection with the other work. Besides this there is an industrial school, which has grown with great rapid.ty, and which contains a carpenter shop, a shoemaker department, and a department where all the various trades are taught and car- ried on, so that everyone is kept busy, each at his trade. The good that has been accomplished and is now being done by this mission can not be overestimated; the library and reading rooms are not only of advantage to the occu- pants, but to anyone who may choose to come and enjoy them. Sometimes extra beds have been made, and meals prepared, around the stove in the chapel, all the other beds having been previously filled. As many as 14 have been accommodated in this way. Funds for the support of the mission are collected from the best people of Norfolk, and under the effi- cient management of Mr. Ashley, who is also ably assisted in his work by his worthy wife. it is doing much for the betterment of the condi- tion, both religiously and physically, of those in need.

On September 23, 1878, the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Nan- nie Pebworth. a native of Norfolk and a daughter of William and Georgia Pebworth, also natives of Virginia. They have no chil- dren of their own, but have adopted a child,- Guy,-whom they are rearing to the best of their ability. Both are active in the work of the Baptist Church, of which they are members.

In fraternal circles, Mr. Ashley is a member

of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias, having passed through all the chairs of both organizations ; he also affiliates with the Improved Order of Red Men.

The work in which Mr. Ashley is engaged is much to his taste and delight, and he has al- ways proved himself to be the right man in the right place. With unfailing energy and perse- verance he has applied himself to his task, and his work takes rank among the most useful and praiseworthy in the city.

R ICHARD COX BARLOW, who is one of the leading attorneys of Ports- mouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, is a descendant of one of the old Virginia families. His maternal grandfather Richard Cox, was a native of New Jersey, of Scotch descent, and was left an orphan at an early age. In 1840, he removed to Norfolk County, and was one of the pioneer truckers of this county, being known as the "Father of Truckers." His farm was located three miles from Portsmouth, and this he conducted until 1890, when he died, aged 85 years.

Thomas J. Barlow, the father of Richard Cox Barlow, was born at Williamsburg, Virginia. . where he lived until his mar- riage with Annie Cox, in 1865. In that year they removed to Portsmouth, where Mr. Barlow engaged in the grocery busi- ness. He continued in that line for some time and then engaged in the trucking business. He now lives in Portsmouth, but continues to make daily visits to the farm. His marriage with Miss Cox resulted in the birth of five children, namely: Tillie C .; Annie C .; Richard C .. the subject of this sketch : C. H., a physician of New York City ; and Carrie Y.

Richard Cox Barlow was reared in Ports- mouth, and after attending the public schools of that town took a course at William and Mary College, after which he attended the Uni-

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versity of Virginia. He graduated from that institution with the degree of B. L., in June, 1897. He opened spacious offices at No. 600 Court street, where he commenced the practice of his profession. He has met with much suc- cess in his chosen vocation, and his practice, which is general, is large and lucrative. He possesses much natural ability as a lawyer, and has easily won the confidence of the citizens of Portsmouth, by his upright and honest deal- ings with all men.

In politics, Mr. Barlow is a Democrat. He was elected Commonwealth's attorney of the city of Portsmouth, and has served in that capacity since July 1, 1900. Socially, he is a member of the Royal Arcanum and B. P. O. E., and in religious attachment he is a member of the Baptist Church.

HOMAS M. CASHIN, who was form- erly engaged in business with his fa- ther, Michael Cashin, at No. 463 Church street. Norfolk, for 12 years, was born in Norfolk in 1871. He was educated in St. John's Academy, after which he began his business career. He first engaged in the barrel business with his father, and continued thus about 10 years, when he succeeded to the business. In 1901 he en- gaged in the junk business. He is always in the market for the purchase of old wrecks, old steamers, old mills and old machinery of all kinds. This business is well known in Norfolk and the surrounding country.

M. T. Cashin, the brother of Thomas M .. was for a period of 20 years connected with the firm of James Power & Company, and later became their successor. He is a whole- sale and retail dealer in old iron, metals, rags. rope, anchors, chains, sails, riggings, dam- aged cotton, etc. His warehouses and yards are located at No. 26 Rowland's wharf, at which place he handles large amounts of paper stock, metal, etc. This business was estab-

lished 50 years ago by James Power & Com- pany. M. T. Cashin is well provided with submarine armor and diving apparatus, and is always prepared to take charge of all kinds of submarine diving work.

Thomas M. Cashin became a member of the Select Council in July, 1900. He is a member of the Norfolk Lodge, No. 38, B. P. O. E., and also a member of the Eagles. He is one of the best-known young business men in Norfolk, and is highly respected for his hon- est, upright dealing with all men.

APT. JESSE T. RHODES, who has charge of the vessel "Luray," and is in the employ of the Old Dominion Steamship Company, was born in Elizabeth City. North Carolina, De- cember 15, 1862. He is a son of Jesse and Sarah (Davis) Rhodes. His parents were both natives of Elizabeth City, and his father was a steamboat pilot. Jesse Rhodes died in 1882, his wife having passed away in 1875. They had four children, namely: Samuel D .; Jesse T. ; Henry B. ; and Annie.

Jesse T. Rhodes has been a resident of Nor- folk since he was eight years old. He attended the schools of that city, and at the age of 14. years began his life on the sea. At the age of 16 years he entered the employ of the Old Do- minion Steamship Company, and has remained in their service up to the present writing. He made rapid progress and soon worked his way to the top. The first ship which he commanded was named "Pamlico," and plied from Norfolk to North Carolina. He has also commanded the "Newberne." "Albemarle," besides his pres- ent vessel, the "Luray." He is well known among the seafaring men who make Norfolk their home, and his genial, affable manners make him beloved by all.

Captain Rhodes married Catherine Kesler, of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and they have two daughters. Elizabeth L., aged 16

N.B. Ceny

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years, and Catherine, aged 10 years. Captain Rhodes is a member of the Association of Mas- ters and Pilots of Steam Vessels of the United States, and also belongs to the Royal Arcanum.

B. CARNEY, a truck farmer re- siding on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River, whose por- trait is herewith shown, has fol- lowed agricultural pursuits exclu- sively all his life. He was born in Norfolk County, Virginia. January 27, 1853, upon the farm which is still his home, and which was also the birthplace of his father. He is a son of James and Katherine Ann ( Bruce) Carney.

James Carney was born December 3. 1819. and died March 17, 1871. The greater part of his life was spent in his native county, where he mainly followed farming. He devoted some time, however, to teaching school, and spent several years in Mississippi, during which pe- riod he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He subsequently returned to Norfolk County. He was twice married, being first united with Katherine Ann Bruce. mother of the subject hereof. She was also born in Norfolk County. and passed to her final rest November 25, 1865. She was the mother of seven children, of whom two only are now living, viz .: W. B. and a sister, Julia. Some time after the death of his first wife, the father married again, selecting Mrs. Emily J. Meyers, widow of Moses Mey- ers, of Norfolk County. for his wife. This union resulted in the birth of one son, James V., and one daughter, Emily M.

W. B. Carney received his mental train- ing in a private institution of learning at Churchland, and soon after leaving school en- gaged in farming, to which he has devoted his undivided time and attention. He has the well- earned reputation of being one of the most practical and successful men in this vicinity in the line of general truck farming. In 1874 Mr. Carney was joined in the bonds of matri-

mony with Mary F. Grimes, who is a native of Norfolk County, and a daughter of William S. and Elizabeth ( Taylor) Grimes. She is also a granddaughter of William Grimes, a great-granddaughter of Thomas Grimes, both natives of Norfolk County, Virginia, and a great-great-granddaughter of Lieut. John Grimes, who came to this country from Eng- land, where he served under Oliver Cromwell. Mrs. Carney is one of a family of four chil- dren, namely : Williani J., a physician of Nor- folk; Mary F .; Lucy A., now Mrs. John S. Wise : and John B. The mother of these chil- dren died in September, 1865, and some time afterward, their father, William S. Grimes, contracted a second marriage, being united with Martha A. Carney.

W. B. Carney and his worthy wife have a family which consists of seven children, as follows: William J. : Alonzo B .; Taylor E .; Elizabeth C .; W. B., Jr. ; Ione ; and Lucy, Mr. Carney is a man of good judgment and has well improved his opportunities. He is a director in the Merchants' & Farmers' Bank, of Portsmouth, and, like his father, is a Dem- ocrat in politics, and a member of the Baptist Church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

OE LEVY has attained an enviable reputation in Norfolk and vicinity as a practitioner of law, and al- though he has been in practice but a few years he already commands a remunerative patronage. He was born in Nor- folk, Norfolk County, Virginia, in December, 1876, and is a son of D. E. Levy.

Moe Levy attended the common schools, after which he took a course of study in the William Penn Charter College, from which he graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in 1895. He then prepared himself for the legal profession by attending a course of lectures in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated from that in-

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stitution in 1898 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, and remained in Philadelphia for a few months. He then returned to his native home and began the active practice of law. His ability .in that direction was soon recognized and his clientage has ever been on the increase. He has a large practice in the Federal courts, is attorney for various mercantile establish- ments, and is frequently called into criminal cases in which he displays no small degree of ability. He has a fine suite of offices in the City National Bank Building.

Mr. Levy was joined in the bonds of matri- mony on December 17, 1901, with Miriam Ull- man, of Warrenton, Virginia. He is very popular among the citizens of Norfolk, both socially and in his professional capacity. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

€ BENEZER BLACK. president of the Traders' & Truckers' Bank, and also president of the Kensington & Park Place Land Company, of Norfolk. Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1850. He is a son of John E. Black, an expert baker, who settled in Norfolk in 1864, where he worked as such until 1866, when he died.

Ebenezer Black, whose name heads these lines, learned his father's trade, and with his brothers, James M. and John M., established a : bakery in Norfolk, under the firm name of J. M. Black & Company, at No. 285 Church street. James MI. Black died in 1893. and his brother. John M. died four years later. Eben- ezer Black soon closed his bakery, and went into the real estate business. being associated with the growth and development of Ken- sington and Park Place. He became president of the Kensington & Park Place Land Com- pany. He was one of the organizers of the Traders' & Truckers' Bank, of which he was elected president. This bank began business January 6. 1902, with a minimum capital of

$30,000, and a maximum capital of $50,000. It is located in the C. Weston building, which has been remodeled. It has a fine fire-proof time-lock safe and deposit department. This is the only bank in Norfolk which is opened from 9 A. M. until 9 P. M. on Saturdays, which is of much benefit to merchants and working men in general.

The officers are as follows : Ebenezer Black. president ; C. N. Whitehurst, vice-presi- dent: and Turner P. Gray, cashier; W. L. Ward is general bookkeeper. The directors are, Ebenezer Black, C. N. Whitehurst, T. P. Gray. Joe Morris, J. W. Spagat, John G. Til- ton. H. D. Oliver, M. J. Madden, Samuel Phillip, J. W. Cashin, W. W. Dey, J. O. Reed, C. E. Kruzen, Henry Nixdorff, J. G. Riddick, Alan G. Burrow, H. Crockin and W. R. Martin.

Mr. Black has always been greatly inter- ested in the progress of Norfolk and has done much to assist in its development. He is one of the most active business men the city has, and is well known as a man of much shrewd- ness and ability. He married Alice L. Moore, a daughter of John A. Moore, of Norfolk. The children are: Jessie: Ethel: John E .; James L. : William M. : and Ruth Frances.

OLDER NOBLE POULSON, a resi- dent of Norfolk and a gentleman well known throughout this section of Virginia, was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, September 23, 1850, and is a son of George Oldham and Martha Ann (Spooner) Poulson.

George Oldham Poulson was born in Ac- comac County, Virginia, April 2, 1805. He came to Portsmouth when a youth and re- mained a resident of that city until his death, February 16, 1875. He married Martha Ann Spooner, a native of Alexandria, Virginia, Jan- uary 9. 1840, and to this union four children were born, namely: George Bagwell; Will-

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iam Erskine; Mary Eskridge; and Holder Noble.

George Bagwell Poulson was born and reared in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was mar- ried in Salisbury, North Carolina, and died there in 1872, at the age of 31 years. He was captured by the Federal troops while hospital steward of the Salisbury prison pen. After the war, he conducted a drug business until the time of his deatlı.

William Erskine Poulson was born and reared in Portsmouth. Virginia, and has re- sided in Chicago, Illinois, for many years, oc- cupied as a life insurance solicitor. He was made a Mason at Portsmouth when quite a young man, since which time he has attained the honorary and highest degree known to the Scottish Rites.

Mary Eskridge Poulson, the only daughter of her parents, died in infancy.

Holder Noble Poulson remained in his na- tal city until 1871, and from 1875 to 1887 was a resident of Chicago, Illinois. In the latter year he returned to the city of Norfolk, where he has since made his home. Since the age of 16 years, his life has been divided in occupation as druggist, life insurance solicitor, and clerk of the Select Council of Norfolk. He has held the last named position three terms, a period of six years. Mr. Poulson was united in mar- riage, June 23, 1886, with Lucy X. Parrott of Norfolk, and they have two children,-Lucy Aurelia and Mary Baker.

Than the Poulson family there is none in this section more highly esteemed : although the name is an uncommon one, there being few in the State outside of the "Eastern Shore." it is one of the oldest in Virginia. The name of Spooner, too, is very uncommon in this section. but quite prominent in the earliest history of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Few can lay claim to better ancestry than Mr. Poulson, de- 1 and later sergeant of the force. This position scended, as he is, on his father's side from men who have had much to do with the early his- tory of Virginia and its development to the present day; and on his mother's side from

those who played as important a part in the affairs of Plymouth, and the old Bay State, at its earliest period.

ILLIAM G. PETTIS, who is high constable of Norfolk. Virginia, was born in that city January 14, 1856, and is a son of Judson R. Pettis.

Spencer Pettis, the great-grandfather of William G., came to the United States from France with General LaFayette. But little is known of his history. His wife, Nancy Pettis, lived to the advanced age of 108 years, dying in Orange County. Rev. Madison Pettis, grand- father of the subject hereof, was a minister of the gospel all his life. He married Eliza Sem- ple. a lineal descendant of Baron Semple. of Scotland. They had five children. namely : Eliza : Robert ; Judson R .; Sally H. ; and Rev. William MI.

Judson R. Pettis, father of the subject of this sketch, was born May 7. 1831. in Williams- burg. Virginia. In early life he learned the art of ship-building, and built some of the noted ships of that day. one of which was known as the "Louis Napoleon." When the yellow fever broke out in 1855. he abandoned his business, as thousands of others did, to assist in nursing the sick. He was possessed of won- derful vitality and nerve, and being of an ex- ceptionally strong constitution was of great as- sistance in nursing the sick. He received no compensation for his services. In 1861, Mr Pettis enlisted in the Confederate Army, but, being transferred home to act as assistant. he never saw active service. After the close of the war, he turned his attention to house build- ing. In 1868, he was elected parole officer

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 94

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