USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 11
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Mr. and Mrs. Wilson reared four children, of whom two are living: Esther Murdaugh and Anna Fleet, the latter the wife of Claudius W. Murdaugh. William Lee, born in 1858, died at the age of 39 years, and Arthur Tay- lor, born in 1873, died at the age of 28 years.
The father of Arthur Emmerson Wilson was William H. Wilson, who was clerk of the Norfolk County Court for eight years, when he resigned to become cashier of the Bank of Virginia, in which place he served until the occupation of Portsmouth by the Federal forces in 1862. He first married Ellen Keel- ing, daughter of Rev. Jacob Keeling, of Suf- folk, and their children were: Arthur Em- merson ; Sarah, wife of Col. James G. Hodges ; Lucrece, wife of Col. D. J. Godwin ; and Will- iam Holt. His second wife was Margaret Murdaugh; they had one child, Mary, wife of Dr. George W. O. Maupin. His father was William Wilson, who served as clerk of the Norfolk County Court 39 years, whose father was John Wilson, colonel of Norfolk County during the Revolutionary War. Colonel Wil- son had, prior to that war, been a member of the County Court and a colonial military offi- cer. He was an ardent and enthusiastic patriot. as shown by his letters to Gov. Patrick Henry. In his will he left one negro girl, a legacy to a young lady, provided she did not marry an enemy of the American Independence.
G RIFFIN FAUNTLEROY ED- WARDS has been a practicing attor- ney at Portsmouth since his admis- sion to the bar in 1869, and has at- tained success in his profession.
He was born in Norfolk County. Virginia, in 1843, and attended boarding school in North Carolina two and one-half years, classical school at Norfolk for one year, and was at- tending Emory and Henry College when the war broke out. He enlisted in the Gist Regi- ment. Virginia Infantry, and was appointed
sergeant-major. He was later adjutant and participated with the regiment in every engage- ment until he was wounded at Salem Church. on Friday, prior to the surrender of the army at Appomattox Court House on Sunday morn- ing. After the surrender of General Lee Mr. Edwards returned home to Portsmouth and qualified as deputy to his father, Leroy G. Ed- wards, who was clerk of the Circuit and Coun- ty Courts of Norfolk County. He served as such until 1866, when his father died and our subject was elected clerk in his stead. He filled the office until removed in 1869 by the Military Government of Virginia, he refusing to take the iron-clad oath. He was admitted to the bar in 1869 and has since engaged in the practice of law-the past 20 years as a member of the firm of Edwards & Happer. He was a mem- ber of the Virginia State Legislature of 1879 and 1880. He is independent in politics. He was superintendent of schools of Portsmouth from 1882 to 1886. He has been commissioner of accounts since 1870. He is a member of Stonewall Camp. Confederate Veterans: Sons of the American Revolution; and the Society for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.
Mr. Edwards was joined in marriage with Isabel Bilisoly, daughter of Joseph A. Bilisoly, deceased. and they have one son, J. Griffin. who married Martha Nelson Page Boswell. He was educated in the Christian Brotliers' Col- lege at Norfolk. They have lost one son by death, Carl. aged six years. The family are members of the Catholic Church, although the family of Mr. Edwards has always been Epis- copalians. They reside at No. 421 London street.
His father, LeRov Griffin Edwards, was born in Northumberland County, Virginia, and was the son of Griffin Edwards and Priscilla. his wife, who was Priscilla Lee, daughter of Kendall Lee, of the estate of "Ditchley." in that county. He removed to Norfolk County in early life and was always prominent in the affairs of the county. He was at the time of his death. in 1866, president of the Dismal
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ALONZO P. CUTHRIELL.
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Swamp Canal Company, superintendent of public schools and clerk of the County and Cir- cuit Courts of Norfolk County. He was close- ly related to the well-known Virginia families of Griffin, Fauntleroy, Lee, Ball, Bushrod, Fitzhugh and many others of the historical counties of Northumberland, Lancaster, West- moreland and others in the "Northern Neck" of Virginia. He married Fannie W. Robbins, of Norfolk County, whose ancestors were of Norfolk and Gloucester Counties, respectively. Mr. Edwards was a man of high literary attain- ments and very popular. He left three sons and one daughter : John Robins, now deceased, who removed to Missouri and was clerk of the Circuit Court of his county; LeRoy Bushrod, of this city; Griffin Fauntleroy, the subject of this sketch: and Rosa Lee, the wife of Capt. John W. Happer, of Edwards & Happer.
H LONZO P. CUTHRIELL, master painter at the Norfolk Navy Yard. a portrait of whom, engraved from a recent photograph, is shown on the foregoing page, was born March 7. 1856, at Norfolk, Virginia, and is a son of John Cuthriell.
John Cuthriell was born near Great Bridge, in Norfolk County. He was a shoemaker by trade and conducted a shoe manufacturing bus- iness. His death occurred during the yellow fever period. in 1855. He married Ellen Stokes. who was also born near Great Bridge. and died in Portsmouth, October 23. 1881. Those of their children, who are living, are: Alonzo, P .; Margaret ( Brown), of Portsmouth; and James C., who is a machinist in the Norfolk Navy Yard.
Alonzo P. Cuthriell was reared in Ports- mouth, and attended the private schools of Mr. Simmons and Miss Sarah Custus. His first work was for Mr. Ward, in a barrel factory. where he continued 10 or 12 months.
then served an apprenticeship as a painter, un- der John Walton and Thomas Vernilson. and after 14 months secured a position in the Nor- folk Navy Yard, where he completed his ap- prenticeship. He worked as a journey two years and then entered the employ of B. A. Richardson, of Norfolk, for whom he worked six years. - He was appointed by the Secretary of the Navy as quarterman, in charge of painters in the construction department at the Norfolk Navy Yard June 15, 188S. This po- sition he held until October, 1900, when he was appointed master painter by Hon. John D. Long. Secretary of the Navy. He has charge of the paint-shop and varnish-room, finishing all the fine furniture in the various vessels. There are from 25 to 150 men under his charge, with an average of 40 constantly at work. He had charge of the painting of the "Raleigh" and the "Texas." besides many other vessels of importance. Mr. Cuthriell makes a constant study of paints and had the honor to go to New York as an expert. by or- der of the Secretary of the Navy, when a de- cision was to be rendered by the United States government, as to the quality of paints.
The subject of this sketch was married in 1878 to Rosa D. Montague, who was born and reared in Portsmouth, and is a daughter of James R. Montague. Her father is a ship-car- penter by trade and has worked most of his life in the Navy Yard. He is now over 70 years old. He married Louisa Guin, who is also living. Mr. Cuthriell and his wife have three children, namely: John F., who is at- tending Randolph-Macon College, and prepar- ing for the ministry ; Nellie L. : and Lyda May.
Mr. Cuthriell has always been a prominent worker in the Methodist Church. of which he is chairman of the building committee, and a member of the board of stewards. He has al- ways been a Republican in politics. Socially he is a member of the Royal Arcanum: and Portsmouth Lodge. No. 16, Knights of Pyth- He | ias, being a member of the Grand Lodge of
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Virginia. He is a member of the Independent Fire Company. Mr. Cuthriell has worked un- tiringly and with a determination to succeed, and has just cause to be proud of the result. He is held in high esteem by all with whom he comes in contact.
E UGENE MCCLELLAN ISAAC, who is a well-known resident of Park Place. Norfolk, Virginia, has been in the United States naval service for many years. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1862, and is a son of Gustave Isaac.
Gustave Isaac, who was born in Elberfeld. Germany, in 1St?, immigrated to this country in 1833, and located at Philadelphia, where it was not long before he became one of the larg- est importers and wholesale dealers in leaf to- bacco, his business increasing to such an ex- tent that he removed to New York City, where he extensively imported leaf tobacco and soon became known as one of the best judges of that commodity in the city. He had unlimited credit and was at one time considered one of the wealthiest merchants of New York. Dur- ing the Franco-Prussian War he contracted with the government of Germany to furnish the German Army with tobacco but, owing to a failure in the tobacco crop and the soaring of prices he lost all he possessed in fulfilling his contract. A luxurious home on the Hudson at Dobb's Ferry, together with the remainder of his property, was lost in this unfortunate transaction. He never fully recovered from the effects of this reverse, and subsequently be- came a broker in leaf tobacco, continuing in that business until his death.
Eugene Mcclellan Isaac began his educa- tion in a private school on Staten Island, then attended high school in New York City. At the age of 14 years, he entered a military acad- emy at Tioga, near Philadelphia, spent one year there, then returned home and worked in his
father's office for a short time. He then en- tered the employ of Ilfeld & Company, general merchants of Santa Fe. New Mexico. at their branch establishment located at Plaza del Alcalde, New Mexico. Finding that a com- mercial career did not suit him he returned to the East within nine months and entered the United States Navy at the age of 17 years, as an apprentice on board the U. S. S. "Minnesota," cruising along the Atlantic seaboard until he was transferred to the "Ports- mouth," which sailed for the West Indies, stopping at most of the ports of that country, thence to the Azore Islands, Portugal. Madeira and England. He was transferred to the "Van- dalia," which vessel was afterward lost in the Samoan hurricane, and during 1881 and 1882 cruised back to the West Indies, then to New- foundland, where he was located during the fishery troubles. Having reached his majority he re-enlisted and was promoted to school mas- ter and continued as such until 1886 on board the "New Hampshire." He then cruised to the Bermudas, thence to the West Indies. return- ing to Norfolk, where his second term of enlist- ment expired. He concluded to give up the sea and took a position as city editor on the Norfolk Evening News, which he retained for nine months and then, as the paper did not prove a success, re-enlisted for a third term in the navy and was assigned to the receiving ship "Franklin." He remained on board that ship as detail clerk from 1887 until 1897. when he was promoted to the rank of mate by Theo- dore Roosevelt, then acting Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Isaac continued in that position un- til July 18, 1898, when he was again promoted to the rank of boatswain, which he now holds, the commission being signed by President McKinley. During the war with Spain he was assigned for a short while to take charge of the coast signal service from Cape Charles to Cape Hatteras, and since then has served on board the battleship "Iowa." on which vessel he went to South America, thence by way of the Straits of Magellan to the Pacific Ocean ..
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visiting all the ports on the eastern and wes- tern coast of South America. He cruised on the "Iowa" while she was protecting our in- terests on the Pacific Coast, from Puget Sound to Panama, U. S. of Colombia, being present during the revolution there in 1901-02 and par- ticipated in the landing of U. S. marines and blue-jackets on November 22, 1901, to pro- tect American interests along the line of the Panama Railroad and in the cities of Panama and Colon. Mr. Isaac was detached from the "Iowa" while at Panama, and ordered home, his tour of sea duty having expired, subse- quently being ordered to command the U. S. S. "Triton," at Washington, D. C.
Mr. Isaac was united in marriage to Rose Creekmur, a daughter of Charles J. and Eliza- beth Creekmur, and they have one son, Louis C., born January 16, 1888, who is now at home attending school.
Mrs. Rose C. Isaac, Mr. Isaac's wife, is a daughter of Charles J. Creekinur, one of the historic figures of the Confederate War. The latter was born in Norfolk County September 14. 1828, and as a boy engaged in agricultural pursuits. When 18 years of age he came to the city of Norfolk and at his country's call enlisted in the Ist Virginia Volunteers, being assigned to Company F. under the command of Capt. John Young, of Portsmouth. Hc served throughout the entire Mexican campaign, be- ing present at the battles of Chapultepec, Re- saca de la Palma and other noted engagements. At the conclusion of war with Mexico he re- turned to Portsmouth, Virginia, and engaged in commercial pursuits, shortly afterward be- ing united in marriage to Elizabeth J. Mills, of Bell's Mills, Virginia. Upon the breaking out of the Confederate War he enlisted in the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues and served with them for a period of our months, when he was honorably discharged to accept the position of purser's steward on board the Confederate iron- clad "Virginia," known to history as the "Mer- rimac," which vessel was then under construc- tion at the Norfolk Navy Yard. Mr. Creek-
mur participated with great gallantry in the notable exploits of this famous vessel, which revolutionized the naval warfare of the world. He was one of her crew when she sank the U. S. S. "Cumberland" and destroyed the "Congress," sending dire dismay to the hearts of the people of the North. He was present at the memorable naval battle between the "Mer- rimac" and the "Monitor," in Hampton Roads, and remained on board of her until she was finally burned and sunk in the James River to avoid capture by the Federal troops. Return- ing home after the close of hostilities, Mr. Creekmur, when Pickett-Buchanan Camp, Con- federate Veterans, of Norfolk, Virginia, was organized, became a member and was ever thereafter prominently identified with it and took a lively interest in all the affairs of the organization. He was also a member of the Mexican Veterans. Mr. Creekmur was a man of unswerving character and upright demeanor in life, and would scorn to do an ignoble act. He was a prominent member of the First Bap- tist Church, of Norfolk, Virginia, and took an active interest in all that concerned its wel- fare. Mrs. Isaac is his only surviving child and is naturally proud of her father's brilliant life and record. She is a member of Pickett- Buchanan Chapter. United Daughters of Con- federacy, of Norfolk.
Religiously Mr. Isaac and his family are members of the Baptist Church, Mr. Isaac hav- ing been clerk of the First Baptist Church of Norfolk for four years. Politically he is a Democrat. He is also an Odd Fellow, belong- ing to Columbia Lodge, No. 144. 1. O. O. F .. of Norfolk. Virginia.
1
HE CITIZENS' BANK of Norfolk. Virginia, is one of the strongest fi- nancial institutions of the State. It was organized in May. 1807. with Richard Taylor as president. W. W. Chamberlaine as cashier, and the following di-
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rectors : Richard H. Chamberlaine, W. W. Sharp, C. W. Grandy, D. D. Simmons, Will- iam H. Peters, G. W. Rowland, G. K. Good- ridge. R. C. Taylor. Richard Walke, Jr .. and Richard Taylor. The bank started with a paid-up capital of $50,000 and. having the con- fidence of the community, at once commanded a full share of public patronage. In 1872 Pres- ident Taylor resigned, and was succeeded by Richard H. Chamberlaine, who died in office, in July, 1879. William H. Peters succeeded Mr. Chamberlaine as president of the bank, and continued as such until July, 1900. In Jan- uary, 1877, Walter H. Doyle was elected assist- ant cashier, and in 1879 as made cashier. W. W. Chamberlaine having resigned. Mr. Doyle was chosen president in 1900 as the successor of Mr. Peters. In July, 1885, the capital was increased to $100.000. $10 .- ooo of which was capitalized from the sur- plus fund, and the remaining $10,000 was paid in by the stockholders. In July, 1889, the capital was further increased to $200,- 000, $50.000 coming out of the surplus fund, and $50,000 being allotted to desirable de- positors, not stockholders. In October. 1891, the capital of the bank was again increased to the present amount, $300.000. The increase was allotted to and taken by the stockholders. The dividends declared since the organization of the bank, in May. 1867, aggregate $462,- 185.50, being 454 per cent. The surplus fund and undivided profits have steadily accumu- lated and now aggregate $240.000.
The Citizens' Bank was started where the Savings Bank of Norfolk is now located, and in 1885 was removed to the Dodson Building. January 19, 1899, it was moved to its present location, the old St. James Hotel site. The bank building consists of seven stories; it is of the skeleton-steel-construction type of arch- itecture, is absolutely fireproof and has a front- age on Main street of 54 feet and a depth of 137 feet. A glance at the handsome structure shows it to be of the Italian Renaissance style. the walls being of hard-burned brick through-
out. faced with pressed brick of old gold tint on all four sides, and trimmed with Worcester stone and terra cotta. The entire first floor. with the exception of a handsome entrance, is devoted to the bank. The upper floors are di- vided into offices of various sizes, of which 115 are used for renting purposes. Every facility known has been placed at the disposal of the tenants of the building. Two hydraulic pas- senger elevators and a large stecl staircase, with marble steps, permit access to all the floors, while in the rear there is a special freight elevator. A mail chute is placed in the hallway. extending from the mail box in the first story to the top of the building. Each floor is furnished with toilet rooms, while in the basement a room has been provided for bi- cycles. A complete electric light plant. owned- and operated by the bank, furnishes light for the entire building. The Warren-Webster sys- tem of steam heating on the indirect plan is used, while the sanitary plumbing is perfect. The banking room proper. on the first floor, is a scene of beauty, never to be forgotten by the visitor. The desks, handsome. substantial af- fairs, are arranged in the center, surrounded by cages of marble and wrought metal. with aisles next to the wall, giving access to the president's and cashier's private rooms, coupon rooms for ladies and gentlemen, a handsomely furnished directors' room, an employes' room and a toilet room. The banking room and entrance hall are handsomely wainscoated with marble and floored with marble-lithic tiling. The officers and directors' rooms are wainscoated with quar- tered oak. In the latter is a massive mantlepiece of the same wood, artistically carved. A mez- zanine story in the rear of the banking room contains storerooms for the bank books. em- ployes' dining rooms, kitchen and pantry, A cistern. having a capacity of 10,000 gallons, furnishes excellent drinking water for each floor. The main feature, however, of the bank- ing room is the magnificent vault. absolutely fire and burglar-proof, and one of the finest in the country. This vault is built free from
EDWARD W. FACE.
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:
contact with the walls of the building, and is only connected with the floor of the bank at the entrance of it, leaving a space open down to the basement floor, the space between the vault and the walls being about two and one-half feet. This vault is about 14 feet wide by 18 feet long, and is divided into two floors. The lower department is devoted to the storage of silverware. The upper portion is divided into two departments, separated by iron grills. The first department is devoted to the safety deposit department, wherein are 370 boxes, which are rented to the public at from $5 to $40 per an- num, according to size. The entrance to the vault is guarded by a massive door, weighing just seven tons, which moves on ball-bearing hinges, and can be moved by a child. The door is operated by an automatic time-lock. Behind a vestibule of several feet are double massive doors, opened by a combination lock. These are four and a half inches thick and are made of the best and hardest steel. The vault, which is of steel throughout, is perfectly air-tight and water-tight. The facing is of Italian mar- ble from the old Convent Quarries at Siena, as is also the wainscoating and counters in the ; banking room, the same as used in the Con-"; gressional Library at Washington. This pre- sents a beautiful view. In order to guard against any and all contingencies, the vault is supplied with an electrical device for the pur- pose of winding the clock and thereby prolong- ing the opening period, in case of a fire or riot. This device is new and is a patent of Mr. Hol- lar of the Hollar Lock Inspection and Guaran- tee Company, the designers of the vault. Thus it may be seen that the Citizens' Bank is as absolutely safe against fire and burglary as human ingenuity can make it.
The bank transacts a very large legitimate banking business, such as receiving deposits, negotiating loans, buying and selling stocks and bonds, exchange, etc. As the thermometer indicates the rise and fall of the temperature of the day and season, so the bank indicates the depression or buoyancy of the business of the
city. The bank may be likened unto the heart, the cash which continually flows back and forth between the bank and the people. correspond- ing with the blood that circulates through every artery, at each pulsation, and thus keeps alive the human body, which would otherwise become inanimate. There is a continual cur- rent of cash flowing from the banks through all the arteries of trade, day in and day out, which is their sustenance and support, just as the blood from the heart constitutes the vitality of the human frame. The presence, therefore, of a live. substantial bank in a city is an in- dication of a powerful pulsation. plenty of cash permeating the entire "commercial system. and a healthy condition of every branch of busi- ness. The Citizens' Bank is one of the great hearts of the commercial, manufacturing and agricultural bodies of this city and State. What a history of success is connected with the institution, which has been fostered with con- servatism and built up by the acumen and abil- ity of a management that deserves to rank with the leading financial enterprises of the South.
Tench F. Tilghman. cashier of the insti- tution, above described, was born in Norfolk in 1868. and is a son of Tench F. Tilghman. Sr. The father was born in Talbot County. Mary- land, and came of a prominent old family of that State. He was an engineer by profes- sion, but died at an early day. He was joined in marriage with Elizabeth Barron, a daughter of George W. Camp, of Norfolk, for many years cashier of the Exchange Bank of Vir- ginia.
DWARD W. FACE, a highly respected and valued citizen of Norfolk, Vir- ginia, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is a prominent manufac- turer of brick, a line of business he has followed here for almost half a century. He was born at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. May 14. 1829. and is a son of Edward and Catherine ( Heffley) Face.
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Edward Face was born in 1808. He was a carpenter by occupation and sent by the government, under Captain Hill, commander of the fort at that time, to Chattahoochee, Florida, to build an arsenal for the protection of the ammunition there. While on this duty he was drafted by the State to take part in the war with the Seminole Indians. As the arsenal was then being built he put in a substitute, pay- ing Sioo and a horse, but the substitute got only a short distance away when he was killed by the Indians. Mr. Face and his family were frequently obliged to seck refuge in the arsenal during the war, Edward W. being then about five years old. After the completion of the arsenal and the conclusion of the war, Ed- ward Face was very successfully engaged in mercantile pursuits. After President Jackson vetoed the National Bank Bill, State banks sprang up and the money becarne almost worth- less. For this reason. combined with the ill health of Mrs. Face, Mr. Face moved his fam- ily to Philadelphia. He subsequently took his family to Hampton, Virginia, and upon return- in gto his business in Philadelphia found that his partner had sold out and pocketed much of the money. His death occurred soon after, leaving a widow and five small children. Mrs. Face was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. and came of a sturdy Dutch family of that State. She possessed all the energy and thrift of her race, and imparted these qualities to her children, whom she brought up and cdu- cated in admirable fashion. All of her children grew to maturity, and of their number, E. W. Face is the sole survivor. She died in 1876. at the age of 71 years, and is buried at Elni- wood Cemetery, Norfolk City. She always regretted the fact that her husband was buried in Florida, so far from home, and the subject of this sketch promised her that when he was able he would bring the remains to the family lot for reburial. Accordingly, some years ago, he went to Florida and was conducted to the spot at the old Spanish fort. Finding the re-
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