History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 95

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 95

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he held until he was elected. about 26 years ago, sanitary inspector of the city of Norfolk. He has held this position since that time, filling it with marked success. During many of the

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outbreaks of smallpox and other contagious diseases, he has cared for those afflicted, and prevented the spread of the disease. He is still a very well preserved man.

Judson R. Pettis married Mary Jane Casey, a daughter of Graham Casey. She died at the age of 29 years, leaving three children, name- ly : Charles E. ; Caroline, deceased ; and Will- iam G., the subject of this sketch. His second marriage was with Anna Decordy, a daughter of Francis Decordy. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 19, and is well known and highly respected in Norfolk.

William G. Pettis was reared and educated in Norfolk. He began the study of law with Hinton, Goode & Chapman, but gave it up to learn bricklaying. This was in 1872, and in 1884 Mr. Pettis entered the government emt- ploy as a mail carrier, during Cleveland's ad- ministration. He then began contracting, and erected many of the substantial brick buildings of Norfolk. He reconstructed the City Water Works, the Knitting Mills and Hotel Glad- stone, and also built many fine residences. From 1890 until 1894, he was a member of the City Council, and was secretary of the J. S. Barbour Democratic Club, a club which has been active since 1887. He was the father of the resolu- tion in the City Council to purchase the Nor- folk City Park, which gave $1,200 worth of employment to the labor class during the winter months. In 1898, Mr. Pettis was elected by the Councils over Col. D. J. Turner, to the of- fice of high constable, and was almost unani- mously re-elected in 1900. He has filled this office acceptably, and bids fair to remain in it for some time to come.

Mr. Pettis was united in marriage with Mary P. Hodges, a daughter of Caleb Hodges, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume The children resulting from this un- ion are as follows: Pauline A., a stenographer in her father's office ; Willie E. ; another daugh- terter ; and two boys,-Charles S. ; and James B. T.

Mr. Pettis has a very attractive home at No. 130 Wood street, in Norfolk. He is a member of the Improved Order of Red Men; Knights of the Mystic Chain and Knights of Pythias; and a charter member of the Eagles Lodge.

M. TILLEY is recognized as one of E founders and substantial citizens of Berkley, Norfolk County, Virginia, whose interests he has probably done more to promote than any other man. He was engaged in the lumber business for many years, and built the Berkley Electric Light & Power Company's plant. He was born in Bristol, Rhode Island, in 1834, and was reared in that State.

Upon the outbreak of the Confederate War, Captain Tilley resided in the State of New York and enlisted as a private in the 16th Reg., N. Y. Vol. Inf. Later he was promoted to be a captain on the staff of General Newton. In 1865 he came to Port Norfolk and started in tlie lumber business by erecting a lumber mill in Berkley on a small promontory east of the town, known as Washington Point. In 1876, his mill was destroyed by fire, but undaunted he immediately rebuilt, and from that time on his plant was an unqualified success. Mr. Til- ley, having reaped a moderate competence in this field of labor, decided to turn its manage- ment over to his eldest son. He has interests in the local cotton mills and other enterprises. He has a beautiful residence in South Norfolk, a suburb of Berkley.

Mr. Tilley has five children, as follows : William M., who has charge of the plant for- merly conducted by his father; George T., cashier of the Merchants' & Planters' Bank, and a prominent insurance and real-estate man of Berkley : Mrs. Foster Black, whose husband is lessee of the Chesapeake Knitting Mills and the Elizabeth Cotton Mills: Mrs. Alvah H. Martin, whose husband has been clerk of the

HENRY KIRN.

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County Court of Norfolk County for more than twenty years : and Mrs. John Jones, whose husband is a leading contractor and builder.

Mr. Tilley is public spirited and has at heart the interests of Berkley and all that pertains to its advancement. In 1900. a magnificent church edifice, the Chestnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was erected at a cost of $40,000, and of this amount, Mr. Tilley contributed $25,000. He is a member of the church. and his generosity was inspired by his desire to leave a fitting memorial of his de- ceased wife.

ENRY KIRN, one of the best-known citizens and business men of Norfolk County, Virginia, whose portrait ap- pears on the opposite page. has been identified with various business enter- prises and financial institutions, but his great- est success has been in truck farming. He is located in one of the greatest truck farming districts of the world, and is one of the most extensive farmers in the State.

Mr. Kirn was born in Wurtemberg. Ger- many. December 1, 1834. and is a son of Will- iam H. Kirn, a native of that place. The lat- ter was a hatter by trade and followed that vo- cation all his life. He married Anna Pflieger. also a native of Germany, and they reared 10 children. of whom those living are as follows : Maria: Gottlieb; Henry, the subject of this biography: Louisa: Caroline: Frederick; Ro- sina ; and Fredericka. The father died in I857, at the age of 50 years.

Henry Kirn received his education in Ger- many. and then served an apprenticeship of three years at the blacksmith trade. At the age of 17 years he came to the United States. the trip consuming 52 days and costing him $70. He landed in New York City on August 3. 1852. and went to Philadelphia. Pennsyl- vania. where he lived and followed his trade until 1857. He met Richard Cox, of Norfolk County, Virginia, known as the "Father of

Truckers." by whom he was induced to locate in this county, in 1857, and he has never had cause to regret this choice of location. He started a blacksmith and wheelwright shop at Churchland, and remained in business until 1861, after which he engaged in trucking. At- ter the close of the Confederate War. he en- tered into partnership with Tully Wise and. to- gether, they worked five truck farms, consist- ing of 400 acres. They continued together for two years, when their partnership was ended by the death of Mr. Wise. Mr. Kirn has since continued in business alone, and is now one of the largest farmers in Virginia, owning about 2,000 acres of land in Norfolk and Nan- semond Counties. Among other commercial enterprises, he is a director in the Norfolk Na- tional Bank, the Norfolk Bank for Savings & Trust, the Norfolk Marine Bank, and the Merchants' & Farmers' Bank of Portsmouth. He served on the Board of Harbor Commis- sioners of Norfolk County for about 15 years. He is a Democrat in politics and served for two years as supervisor.

Mr. Kirn was married, in 1856. in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. to Elizabeth Smith, who was born in Nuremberg. Bavaria, May S, 1838, and they had the folowing children : Anna, who married M. W. Armistead ; Will- iam H .: Henry, Jr .: Rufus; Clara: Bessie; Charles (1). deceased ; Charles (2). deceased. Mr. Kirn is a member of the K. of P. lodge.

L EROY M. NICHOLAS, who has been very active in the political affairs of his community, and has occupied numerous positions of responsibility and trust, is at the present time prin- cipally engaged as commissioner of revenue, and in conducting the affairs of his farm near Hickory Station. He was born near Hickory Ground, Norfolk County, Virginia, July I, 1857. and is a son of Joshua and Martha (Mills) Nicholas.

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY

Joshua Nicholas was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, and died there in 1871, aged 65 years. He was a farmer by occupation, and was very successful in his life work. Re- ligiously, he was a member of Goodhope Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South. By his first marriage he had the following children : James W .. : Calvin V .: Willoughby L .; and Annie V. James W .. who died in 1892, served in the Confederate War, and then became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, with pastorate at Mount Pleasant. Virginia. Calvin V. V. served in the United States Navy during the Confederate War, and was afterward in the employ of the Hudson Bay Fur Company. Willoughby L., deceased, was in the Confed- erate service during the same conflict, and was imprisoned for 18 months at Elmira. New York. He was a teacher in Norfolk County 45 years. He also engaged in teaching at Lex- ington. Kentucky, where he served for a time as postmaster. Annie V. first married Ed- ward Cone, and subsequently James Lassiter. Joshua Nicholas then married the mother of Leroy M. Her maiden name was Martha Mills, and she was born near Beill's Mills, Nor- folk County, Virginia, and died in 1877. at the age of 63 years. She was a member of the Goodhope Methodist Episcopal Church. South. Her first union was with Taylor Sivills, by whom she had five children. as follows : Tay- lor, who lost his life in the battle of Chan- cellorsville : Ethelbert; William T .; Catherine, wife of Joseph Rodgers: and Sally, wife of Wilson Forbes. Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas be- came parents of two children : Leroy M .. the subject of this sketch; and Martha, wife of Charles C. Frost.

Leroy M. Nicholas attended the common schools of the county. most of the time under the instruction of his brother. Willoughby L. Nicholas. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits, a line of work which he has since followed ; at the present time he manages his farm near Hickory Station. He was elected

commissioner for the second district of Norfolk County in 1889, and is now serving his fourth term in that capacity. He was chairman of the Norfolk County Republican Commitee for eight years, and retired from that office in June, 1901. He stands very high in his party, and has many friends throughout Norfolk County.

In 1875, Mr. Nicholas was united in mar- riage with Amanda L. Roach, a daughter of Jacob and Nibbie (Halstead) Roach. She was born near Hickory Ground in August, 1858, and as a result of her union with Mr. Nicholas has given birth to six children, name- ly: Ida Lillian, who was born in December, 1875, and married Batson O. Fentress, a farmer and a member of the Board of Super- visors ; Annie Clara, born in 1877, who married Benjamin Lassiter, a furniture dealer in Nor- folk: Sadie, born in 1879, who lives with the subject hereof ; Harry L., born in 1881, who at- tended the Norfolk Business College ; Clyde V., who died in infancy: Raleigh P., who was born in 1892, and is attending school: and James G., who was born in 1895. Religiously, the subject of this sketch and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South. Fraternally. Mr. Nicholas is a member of Orion Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is a Repub- lican in politics.

ARRY L. WATTS, who is the junior member of the firm of Hart & Watts. is extensively engaged in the lumber and planing mill business at Ports- mouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was born in Portsmouth, and is a son of Judge A. S. Watts, who was judge of the Corporation Court of that city for a period of 12 years, but is now living practically in retirement. Judge Watts married a daughter of David A. Bain.

Harry L. Watts first accepted a clerical position in the cotton business at the Cotton

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Exchange, and was then in the employ of George L. Arps. He was engaged in the in- surance business several years at Portsmouth. and was secretary of the Portsmouth Gas Com- pany from 1897 to 1899. In 1898, he formed a partnership with Mr. Hart under the firm name of Hart & Watts, in the planing mill and lumber business. They rank among the fore- most concerns in that line of business, and their enterprise is gradually growing. Mr. Watts is a man of marked ability in business affairs. and his many excellent traits of character have gained him numerous friends throughout Nor- folk County.

Mr. Watts married a daughter of Dr. H. F. Butt, and has three children .- Harry. Lee. Holt, Fairfield and Sarah Monrovia. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and was collec- tor for his lodge several years, but resigned this position. He is an Episcopalian.

B ENJAMIN H. MARKS. a well-known lawyer of Norfolk, Norfolk County. Virginia, was born in Prince George County, Virginia, in 1871. He is a son of Robert C. Marks, one of the most prominent business men of Norfolk.

Robert C. Marks was born in Prince George County, Virginia. He became one of the largest peanut growers in the State, and in 1889 re- moved to Norfolk. He was connected with the American Peanut Company, manufactur- ers, which shipped peanuts to all parts of the world. He left that company in 1892 to be- come president and treasurer of the Norfolk- Virginia Peanut Company. This company

handles 60,000 sacks of peanuts each year and exports its products in every direction abroad. It is widely known, and carries on an immense business, employing about 80 men in the fac- tory. Mr. Marks is one of the most influential business men of Norfolk, and is widely known there.

Benjamin H. Marks attended a college at

Petersburg. Virginia, and later took a course of law at the University of Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in December. 1893. In that year he commenced practice in Norfolk. where he has since remained. and is attorney for many of the leading business firms of the city. He stands high in legal circles, and is a lawyer of undisputed ability. He has a large general practice, and is one of the active young professional men of Norfolk.

EORGE R. TRANT is a member of the firm of Pollard. Trant & Com- pany, which is extensively engaged in the lumber business, and maintains a lumber yard and office on Crawford street, between County and Columbia streets. It is the oldest firm in the city of Portsmouth. and was established 22 years ago by Mr. Trant and W. T. Baker.

Mr. Trant was born and reared in King William County. Virginia. and at an early day entered the employ of a lumber firm at Rich- mond, Virginia. He then spent three years in the lumber business in North Carolina, and in 1879 moved to Portsmouth, Norfolk Coun- ty. Virginia. In partnership with W. T. Baker, deceased, who was a son of General Baker of North Carolina, he established his present business enterprise. He was next in partnership with L. T. Gwathmey, and is now associated with Mr. Pollard. who is in the gen- eral commission business at Norfolk. Mr. Trant has full charge of affairs at Portsmouth, their business being a very extensive one. They are both excellent business men and their en- terprise has been one of continued success. Mr. Trant is also president of the Portsmouth & Norfolk Building & Loan Association, with which he has been officially connected for the past five years. Before that time he was a stockholder in it.

George R. Trant married Virginia Y. Boy- kin, a daughter of R. V. Boykin. of Ports-

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mouth, who is deceased. This union was blessed by the birth of four children, as fol- lows: Mildred M. and Emma B., who attend Hollins Institute; Helen M .; and George R., Jr. The last named is the fourth of the family to bear the name of George R. Mr., Trant is a member of the School Board; he was presi- dent of the Y. M. C. A., and chairman of the finance committee of that organization. He is a member of the Baptist Church, of which he is a deacon. He has a very fine home in Park View, a beautiful residence district of Ports- mouth.

HARLES W. PRIDDY, one of Nor- folk's most reliable and progressive citizens, is president of the Norfolk Bagging Company and of the Poco- moke Guano Company, and one of the firm of Charles W. Priddy & Company, wholesale jobbers of bagging and ties for bal- ing cotton. He was born in Charlotte County Virginia, October 6, 1864, and is a son of John D. and Mary E. Priddy.

John D. Priddy was a farmer and merchant at Keysville, Virginia, for many years, and the old family homestead is now owned by the subject of this sketch. John D. Priddy was a thrifty man and was well and favorably known over a large section of the country. He died in 1887, at the age of 72 years ; his wife died in 1895, at the same age.

Charles WV. Priddy attended various schools, and then took an advanced course at Poughkeepsie, New York. He was then en- gaged in the fertilizing business in Richmond, Virginia, and some years later in Baltimore. He came to Norfolk in 1896, and has since been active in the various enterprises above men- tioned, all of which he established. The Poco- moke Guano Company has a large output, and does business in four States,-Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The Norfolk Bagging Company manufactures bag- ging and cotton ties in its factory at Ports-

mouth. It is the largest concern of its kind in the South, employing from 100 to 125 inen, and does business in all the Southern States, from Virginia to Mississippi. Charles W. Priddy & Company are wholesale jobbers of bagging and ties for covering cotton and do business throughout the Southeast. They have storage houses in, and distribute goods from, Wilmington, North Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina ; Savannah, Georgia; and Nor- folk, Virginia. Mr. Priddy maintains his of- fices at Nos. 622-624-626 Citizens' Bank Build- ing in Norfolk.

Mr. Priddy was joined in marriage with Myrtie Young, daughter of J. T. S. and Mary E. Young, of Virginia, both of whom are de- ceased. This union was blessed by the birth of three children, namely: Fanny Y .; Mai Merriman; and Sidney Young. Mr. Priddy is chairman of the finance committee of the Jamestown Celebration for 1907, and also vice- president of the Norfolk Chamber of Com- merce. He is one of Norfolk's most earnest, enterprising and active business men. He be- lieves faithfully in the future greatness of Nor- folk as a commercial center, and takes a prom- inent part in her activities.

DMUND L. BARLOW, a prosperous business man of Portsmouth, Vir- ginia, is junior member of the firm of T. J. Barlow & Brother, wholesale and retail grocers. This firm handles groceries, feed, flour, etc., in large quantities at their store at Nos. 810 and 812 Crawford street. It carries an abundant stock and en- joys the patronage of the best people of the city. It has a double store building, large and roomy, and a large force is employed and kept busy most of the time in attending to the wants of customers.

This business was founded in 1867 by T. J. Barlow, the senior member of the firm, who first conducted a retail business only, but grad-

N. A. McCURDEY, M. D.

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ually changed to both wholesale and retail. By his energy and perseverance he has made the most of his opportunities to build up the busi- ness, and has established a large and constant- ly increasing trade.

Edmund L. Barlow was born at Williams- burg. Virginia, and is a son of John H. Bar- low, deceased. John H. Barlow was for many years very prominent in business circles, and was engaged very successfully in mercantile pursuits at Williamsburg for about 40 years. All of the members of this family are deceased. with the exception of Edmund L. and his brother. T. J.

Edmund L. Barlow moved to Portsmouth in 1890, after obtaining his mental training at his birthplace, where he remained until he at- tained manhood. He has since been a resident of Portsmouth, and entered the firm as junior member in 1896, when its name became T. J. Barlow & Brother. The business owes much of its success to the efforts of this gentleman. who has built up a most enviable trade by his genial, accommodating manners and his evi- dent desire to make friends of his customers.

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Isabel Stout, an estimable young lady of Portsmouth, and they reside at their comfortable home at No. 312 North street. They attend the Baptist Church. In politics, Mr. Barlow is a Democrat, who does what he can to promote the interests of his party.

A. McCURDEY, M. D., physician and surgeon located at No. 371 Free- mason street. Norfolk, Virginia, whose portrait appears herewith, has met with the most flattering recog- nition of his ability and worth during his short but successful practice in that city. and has won golden opinions from all fair-minded citi- zens by his skillful and practical methods of treating all applications for his professional as- sistance. He is exceptionally well fitted to

make a success of his chosen calling, having graduated from the medical department of the University of Virginia, and is well read and keeps abreast of the times in his profession as well as upon the leading questions of the day. Like his mother. he is a native of Norfolk and was born December 15. 1871, being a son of T. B. McCurdey and Martha Frances Wins- low. his wife.

T. B. McCurdey, the father, is a native of Richmond. He has an army record which is a source of pride to him and his family. He served in the Thomas Battery. Artillery, en- listing as a private and receiving promotion as Ist junior lieutenant. He served in Pickett's Division, Longstreet's Corps : after the battle of Gettysburg. his battery became a part of Casker's Battery, in which he was made ist lieutenant. He was mustered out of service on the close of the war.

Dr. McCurdey is the eldest of a family of three children, the other members of the family being Carrie W., wife of Rev. George P. Rut- ledge. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: and a brother. Paul W. MeCurdev.

June 30. 1900, the Doctor was united in marriage with Virginia Farragut Newton. a daughter of George Newton and Celestia Meade Loyall, old and highly respected fami- lies of Norfolk. Mrs. McCurdey's lineage is traceable directly to ancestors who were among the first families to settle in Virginia. The Doctor and his accomplished wife have one son, Newton Farragut, who is a great-nephew of David Glascow Farragut, the first admiral of the United States. Mrs. McCurdey was named after her mother's sister, Mrs. Virginia Farragut, a lady of great benevolence and charity and wife of Admiral David Glascoe Farragut, of the United States Navy. Religi- ously they are members of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, Norfolk, Virginia.

Dr. McCurdey received his primary in- struction at the Norfolk Academy. In 1894 he matriculated in the University of Virginia and graduated from the medical department

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with high honors in 1896. He then served one vear as interne in the Norfolk Retreat for the Sick. now known as the Norfolk Protestant Hospital, subsequently taking a post-graduate course in New York City. Feeling himself to be fully equipped to do justice to the noble profession which it is his aim in life to honor. Dr. McCurdey returned to Norfolk and opened an office as general practitioner in 1898. His success has been phenomenal and he is looked upon as one of the rising young physicians of the city.

Fraternally he is a member of Rathbone Lodge, No. 93. K. of P., being also examining physician of the Endowment Rank and having held the office of trustee. He is a member of the Norfolk Medical Society, the Medical So- ciety of Virginia, and a fellow of the American Medical Association. He takes a becoming in- terest in politics, but allows nothing to interfere with his professional duties. He is interested in educational matters and has served as a school trustee. He is one of the directors of the Young Men's Christian Association and is highly esteemed as a citizen.

APT. CHARLES A, EARNEST, who has a remarkable record for long and faithful service in the em- ploy of the Old Dominion Steamship Company, is now serving in the ca- pacity of division superintendent. Captain Earnest was born in Richmond, Virginia, No- vember 13, 1846, and is a son of George L. and Agnes L. Earnest, the former a native of Han- over County, and the latter of King William County, Virginia.

Captain Earnest passed his boyhood in Richmond, Virginia. At the age of 13 years, his health being bad, his father permitted him to go to sea in the hope of improving his health, and to choose sailing as his life work, if he so desired. The father was well acquainted with several ship-owners in Richmond, and starting

his son under very favorable auspices. He first became a cabin boy, in 1858, on the schoon- er "Gallego," which ran as a packet between Richmond and New York. He remained on it four months, in which time they made three trips. In the spring of 1859 he changed to the bark "Virginian," in the South American trade, making three voyages,-to Pernambuco, Bahia and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His health having greatly improved, he returned home in 1860, and re-entered school. He attended but one month, when another vessel came to Rich- · mond, which needed a boy. He gave up school and again shipped on the bark "Parthian." He made a voyage to Brazil, and upon return- ing found war in progress between the North and South. He could not get to his home in Richmond, and so went on the ship "Planter," bound for Havre, France. While there he chanced to meet his brother-in-law, A. V. Soule, in command of the bark "Fame" of Richmond. He was delighted to meet him and managed to be transferred to that vessel from the "Planter." He continued on board the "Fame" for eight months, and finally re- turned to New York. Still being unable to go to his old home on account of the war, he put to sea again in the ship "Oracle," bound for Callao, Peru. He continued with that ves- sel three years, making South American and European ports. Upon one occasion he was washed overboard while on the boom, furling a sail, but was rescued. He finally made the port to San Francisco, and from there went to Hong Kong, China, and thence to the East Indies. He then went to Yokohama, Japan. and finally returned to San Francisco, and thence went to New York. He returned to Richmond after an absence of five years, and remained at home one year. He became rest- less and determined to continue his seafaring life, to which he had become wedded. He went on the steamer "Dirigo." bound for Portland, Maine, and this voyage marked the end of his sailing days, and the beginning of his career on steamers. He spent the following winter

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History of Norfolk County, Virginia : and representative citizens, 1637-1900, Part 95

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