History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2, Part 2

Author: Stewart, William H. (William Henry), 1838-1912
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 866


USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 2


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Returning from the war he engaged in the drug business at Farmville, Virginia, where he continued in that line for two or three years. He subsequently followed the same business in Arkansas and Mississippi for several years, and succeeded in finishing his medical course in 1874.


to Norfolk, Virginia. He now ranks among the most successful physicians and surgeons of his vicinity. He is a valued member of the State Medical Society and the Norfolk Medi- cal Society. Like his father, he is an occa- sional contributor to medical journals and is medical examiner for several life insurance companies in Norfolk, among them the North- western Mutual.


May 21, 1867. Dr. Dupuy was joined in matrimony with Nannie Walton, a daughter of the late Dr. Richard P. Walton, of Norfolk. Four children were born to the Doctor and his worthy wife, namely: Minnie: Cortlandt ; Rolfe W. ; and Howell Eldridge. Minnie mar- ried Charles T. Ironmonger, of Boston, and they have three children-Mary, Cortlandt and Thomas Dupuy. Cortlandt married Edmund Foster, also of Boston, and they have one child, Lavinia. Rolfe W. is a successful business man of Norfolk ; he married a Miss Walker. of Danville, Kentucky, and one child. Elizabeth .. Caldwell, brightens their home. Howell Eld- ridge, the youngest son, is a resident of New York City.


Both the Doctor and his wife are devout members of the Second Presbyterian Church, the former having been an elder of that church for years. He affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., of Norfolk.


Dr. Dupuy is one of Norfolk County's most highly esteemed and valuable citizens, and at one time was health officer of Norfolk. Dur- ing that period he did his full share in bring- ing about many needed reforms, insisting on more cleanliness in streets and a better sewer- age system.


A M. AGELASTO, a well-known citi- zen of Norfolk. Virginia, is a prosper- ous cotton merchant. a line of busi- ness with which he has been identified since his early manhood.


Dr. Dupuy immediately commenced the practice of his chosen profession, having lc- cated at Cumberland, where he remained for 12 years and built up quite a large practice. He served three years as surgeon for the Buck- Mr. Agelasto was born in Greece in 1833. ingham Slate Quarries, and in 1887 removed ! and received his education in Smyrna, Turkey,


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and in Athens, Greece. He was then engaged in the cotton business in Greece until 1859, in which year he came to this country and located in New Orleans, Louisiana. He embarked in the cotton business in that city, and later be- came agent for Ralli Brothers. . He came to Norfolk, Virginia, in 1880, and has since been engaged as cotton merchant here. He is pos- sessed of more than ordinary ability as a busi- ness man, and well merits the success which has attended his efforts.


A. M. Agelasto was married in 1867, at Syra, Greece, to Polyxene A. Mavrogardato, and they became the parents of three children, namely: Peter, Michael, and Alexander. Re- ligiously, they are members of the Greek Church. Mr. Agelasto has been engaged in his present business for more than half a cen- tury, and understands it in all its details. He is well known in Norfolk County, where he has many warm friends.


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AMES HUME is a prominent insur- ance dealer of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, and was born in Portsmouth, in 1879. He is a son of J. H. Hume, and a grandson of Rev. Thomas Hume.


Rev. Thomas Hume. grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the first president of the Portsmouth Insurance Company, which was established in 1852, and which liquidated in July, 1898. He was a minister, and at his death, in 1872, his son, J. H. Hume, took charge of his insurance business. J. H. Hume was then carrying on a wholesale booksellers' and stationers' store, under the firm name of R. G. Hume & Brother. J. H. Hume carried on an extensive insurance business, and among the companies he represented was the Virginia Fire & Marine Insurance Company. Mr. Hume was president of the People's Bank of Portsmouth during the later years of his life.


He married a Miss Peebles of Petersburg. who is now a resident of Portsmouth.


James Hume was partially educated in Portsmouth, and also attended the University of North Carolina. He returned to his native town, where he has since been engaged in the insurance business. It is a notable fact that he is of the third generation of the Hume fam- ily to handle insurance for the Virginia Fire Insurance Company. He assumed his father's business in 1898, and represents the following companies, namely: North British & Mercan- tile Insurance Company of New York: Sun Insurance Office of London: Imperial Insur- ance Company, Limited, of London; Tide- water Insurance Company, a local company ;. Greenwich Insurance Company of New York; and other minor companies.


John H. Hume, a brother of James, is an attorney, although not in practice at the pres- ent time. Charles. G. Hume is city attorney of Portsmouth.


James Hume is one of the most influential young business men in Portsmouth, and has done much to assist in the progress of that city. He is progressive and enterprising, and is possessed of excellent business ability. He is a member of Portsmouth Lodge, No. 82, B. P. O. E. He also belongs to the Business Men's Association. Religiously, he is a mem- ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church. His office is located at No. 226 High street.


ARRY A. BRINKLEY, a prominent young attorney of Portsmouth, Nor- folk County, Virginia, has been a member of the bar in that city since 1900. He is a native of Portsinoutl. and is a son of A. Brinkley, who is a wholesale grocery dealer at No. 157. Water street, Nor- folk. A. Brinkley is a native of Nansemond County, he married Laura Warren, a native of Norfolk, who is a descendant of Gen. Joseph Warren, who was killed at Bunker Hill.


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WALTER H. DOYLE.


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Harry A. Brinkley attended the Norfolk Academy, and completed the course there. He then attended the Virginia Military Institute, and finished the academic course there in 1896. He then went to the University of Virginia, where he took up the study of law, and re- ceived the degree of B. L. in 1899. After graduating from that institution, he went west, and was located at Spokane, Washington, for. about three months. He returned to Ports- mouth, Virginia, in the spring of 1900, and opened an office at No. 408 Court street. He had been admitted to the bar in July, 1898, having taken the second examination under the new regime, before the Supreme Court of Vir- ginia. He is engaged in the general practice of his profession, and has met with much suc- cess. His ability as a lawyer is undisputed ; he is a man of learning, and is progressive and modern in all his ideas.


Mr. Brinkley married Mary Thompson of Baltimore, who is a descendant of ex-Governor Chew of Maryland. Mr. Brinkley resides with his parents. He is one of the best known citi- zens of Portsmouth.


ALTER H. DOYLE, who has been closely identified with the financial interests of this community for many years, needs no introduction to the residents of Norfolk County. He is president of the Citizens' Bank, of Nor- folk, an office for which he is well qualified by long experience in connection with bank- ing institutions. As a young man he became bookkeeper for the Citizens' Bank, in 1868 and upon giving evidence of his true worth, was advanced successively to the positions of teller, assistant cashier, cashier and president.


Mr. Doyle was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1845. and is a son of John E. Doyle. He received his educational training in the schools of this city and pursued a collegiate course at Calvert College, in Maryland. Mr. Doyle was


joined in marriage with Virginia Camp, a daughter of George W. Camp, and they are the parents of four children, Bessie A .; Ed- ward Fitzgerald; Walter H., Jr .; and John E. Mr. Doyle's portrait accompanies this sketch.


J. ROBINSON, a successful business man, although not an old resident, of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, is vice-president of the Virginia Sash & Door Company. He has con- ducted a sawmill for the past 15 years, and has- a thorough understanding of every detail of the business.


Mr. Robinson was born and reared in Greenesville County, Virginia, and at an early , age engaged in the lumber business. For three years, he conducted a sawmill in Southampton County and in the early " 'nineties" moved to Portsmouth. He came to the city a stranger and possessed of no capital, and is now in com- fortable circumstances, owning about $7,000 worth of real estate, in addition to his business. He was instrumental in organizing the Phil- lips-Mahoney & Company. lumber and mill business, to which firm he sold his interests in 1899. The Virginia Sash & Door Company was organized and incorporated on March I, 1901, with J. N. Hart as president : J. J. Rob- inson, vice-president : and H. L. Watts, secre- tary and treasurer. Mr. Robinson is also serv- ing as general manager, and to his efficiency in that capacity is due much of the success of the company. They carry a complete line of sash, doors and blinds, and have offices and warerooms on Queen street, adjoining the lum- ber yard and planing mill of Hart & Watts. The building occupied is 50 by 70 feet, in di- mensions, and the goods manufactured are shipped extensively to points in Virginia, Geor- gia, Florida, and North Carolina, and up the Chesapeake Bay.


Mr. Robinson was united in marriage with Annie R. Weaver, who comes of a substantial,


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old Virginia family, and is a daughter of Win- field Weaver of Greenesville county, Virginia. The father was a Democrat and a member of the legislature, and was also at one time sheriff of the county. This union resulted in four children, namely: Annie James, aged 1.4 years: Lucille Manning, aged II years; Mal- colm Graime, aged five years: and Carl Ran- dolph, aged two years. Mr. Robinson erected a comfortable home at the corner of B and Pearl streets, and was one of the pioneer build- ers in the Fifth Ward. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum. Religiously, lie is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.


ORMAN CASSELL, a prominent at- torney of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. whose office is lo- cated in the Merchants' & Farmers' Bank building, has been practicing law in Portsmouth since 1882. He was born in that city, and is a son of Virginius O. Cassell.


Charles Cassell, the grandfather of Nor- man, located in Norfolk County, in 1826. com- ing from Washington, D. C. His son, Vir- ginius O. Cassell, was born in the town of Portsmouth, Norfolk County. His death oc- curred there in 1891 at the age of 64 years. He was a lawyer, and at one time served as Commonwealth's attorney of Norfolk County. During the Confederate War, he was captain of a Virginia company and rendered valuable service in the Confederate cause. He mar- ried Jane Manning, who was born in Norfolk County, and is now residing in Portsmouth. They reared several children, who are engaged in various lines of business.


Norman Cassell attended the University of Virginia, took the degree of B. L. in June, 1882, and was admitted to the bar. He first began the practice of his profession in partner- ship with his father, under the firm name of V. O. Cassell & Son. Mr. Cassell possesses


much ability as a lawyer and has won distinc- tion as such in the city in which he resides. He has a large clientage, which increases each year, and he is well known in Norfolk County. In political belief, he is a Democrat, but takes no active interest in politics. Mr. Cassell lives with his family in Portsmouth. He attends the Protestant Episcopal Church.


LLIS A. BUTT, chief clerk, Depart- ment of Yards and Docks, United States Navy Yard, Portsmouth, Vir- ginia, was born in Portsmouth, Nor- folk County, Virginia, November 23, 1846. the eldest son of George W. and Eliza- beth A. ( Wood) Butt. His father, George W. Butt. died December 7, 1853: his mother, Elizabeth A. Butt, is still living and resides in her native city, Portsmouth, Virginia. George W. Butt at the time of his death was in busi- ness as a contractor and builder.


Ellis A. Butt, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Ports- mouth, and at an early age learned the trade of printer, under the late D. D. Fiske, wlio owned and edited the Portsmouth Transcript. He worked at that trade on the different news- papers published in Norfolk and Portsmouth some five years or more; was connected with the Portsmouth Gas Company for a number of years; and engaged in the cigar and tobacco business for a short time. On April 18, 1885. he was appointed store clerk in the Department of Yards and Docks, United States Navy . Yard, Portsmouth, Virginia, promoted to the position of chief clerk, October 1, 1886, hold- ing said position at this time.


Mr. Butt was-married November 11, 1885, to Annie Warren Ives, only daughter of the late William and Rachel E. Ives. Mr. Ives was engaged in the mercantile business for 50 years or more, having retired from the same just prior to his death. Mrs. Ives died Febru- ary 6, 1902. Two children have been born to


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Mr. and Mrs. Butt-Ellis Warren, born Janu- ary 9. 1888; and Fairlie Marshall, born June 18, 1897.


Mr. Butt is a Democrat, having represented his native city of Portsmouth in the Virginia Legislature, 1881 and 1882 (in what was known as the Readjuster Legislature), being the only Democrat elected during that period from the Second Congressional District of Vir- ginia. He is a member of Portsmouth Lodge. No. 24, Knights of Pythias; Portsmouth Council, No. 227, Royal Arcanum: ex-captain and honorary member of the Chambers Steam Fire Company ( volunteer ) : a member of and past exalted ruler, Portsmouth Lodge. No. 82, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.


R ICHARD B. TUNSTALL, a member of the firm of White, Tunstall & Thom, attorneys-at-law in the city of Norfolk, Virginia, is one of the most prominent lawyers in the Old Domin- ion. He was born in Norfolk, July 1, 1848, a son of Dr. Robert B. Tunstall, who was for a period of 40 years one of the leading physicians of Norfolk. Dr. Tunstall married Elizabeth ( Williamson) Walke.


Richard B. Tunstall received his early edu- cation in private schools in Norfolk, and in 1864 entered the Virginia Military Institute, where he remained until the close of the Con- federate War. It was his privilege, although under the age of 16 years, to participate in the famous battle of Newmarket. It was in this battle, that the Virginia Military Cadets showed of what nerve and daring they were, possessed. In the fall of 1865, Mr. Tunstall entered the University of Virginia, where he remained three years, and graduated in June, 1868, with the degree of Master of Arts.


..


After leaving college, Mr. Tunstall spent the ensuing year in teaching school, and also in preparing to enter the university law school. He was graduated from the university law de-


partment in 1870, and opened practice in Nor- folk the same year. He continued to practice alone until October, 1871, when he went to New York City, and became associated with the firm known as Kaufmann, Tunstall & Wagoner. This firm made a specialty of real estate. He subsequently entered into partner- ship with John Grimball. the firm name being Grimball & Tunstall. This partnership contin- tted until June. 1883, when Mr. Tunstall re- turned to Norfolk and entered the firm. In January, 1900, the present firm of White, Tun- stall & Thom was formed. This firm has one of the largest law practices in the State of Virginia, each member being a lawyer of more than ordinary ability. It was the firm of Tun- stall & Thom which organized and promoted the Norfolk Land Company, and that company has developed one of the best resident suburbs of Norfolk, known as the Ghent Addition.


Mr. Tunstall is one of Norfolk's most progressive citizens, and is actively interested in all public enterprises which tend to advance the interests of the city in which he lives.


R OBERT J. NEELY, deceased, for many years one of the most prominent lumber merchants of Portsmouth, Virginia, was well known throughout Norfolk County, and took an active part in its affairs.


Mr. Neely was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and with his brother Willian moved, in 1855, to Southampton County, Vir- ginia, where, under the firm name of R. J. & W. Neely. they engaged in the lumber busi- ness, their plant being located at Franklin. Both served throughout the Confederate War. having enlisted from Southampton County. William Neely was in the quartermaster's de- partment. Robert J. Neely was a sergeant and served mainly about Richmond. being a guard at Libby Prison a part of the time. At the elose of the war he returned to Franklin


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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY


and soon moved to Portsmouth, where he bought two of the wharves now owned by the Seaboard Air Line, and conducted a lumber business at the corner of Crawford and London streets, dealing also in doors, sash and blinds. He conducted a coal yard at Gosport, and had the largest business of the kind in Portsmouth. In 1866, he was one of the founders of the Bank of Portsmouth and served as a director until 1890, when he died at the age of 62 years. He filled numerous public offices. He was in the Council six years, was a chairman of the finance committee, and was on the ferry com- mittee six years. He was one of the organ- izers of the Board of Trade of Portsmouth, and was an active supporter of all enterprises tending to benefit the city. He commanded the respect and good will of the entire com- munity, and upon his death there appeared ju the local papers many articles eulogistic of his life and work, and pronouncing his demise a loss to the city of Portsmouth.


In 1869, Mr. Neely married Elizabeth N. Ridley, who was born in Southampton County, Virginia, and is a daughter of F. T. Ridley. and a great-granddaughter of Maj. Thomas Ridley, who served in the Revolutionary War. and carried on an 'extensive correspondence. with both Washington and La Fayette. Mrs. Neely was one of six children born to her par- ents, as follows: William, who was killed in the second battle of Manassas, during the Con- federate War: Mrs. L. B. Drewry of Jackson, North Carolina: Elizabeth N .; Mrs. N. B. Ridley of Portsmouth; Julia; and Frank T., deceased.


Mr. and Mrs. Neely became the parents of seven children, as follows: Clara : William R .; Elizabeth N .: Jane Boyd: R. Johnson; John Thompson ; and Emily G. Clara was reared in Portsmouth, and left in September, 1899, for Tokio, Japan, where she expects to remain for seven years as an Episcopalian missionary. She is a correspondent of the missionary papers of New York City. William R., who has been a civil engineer in the employ of the United ; with Martha Julia Armistead, a daughter of


States, at Vicksburg, for 10 years, was edu- cated in the University of Virginia. He was at one time sent on an expedition to Southi America under Admiral Walker, but resigned and returned to his old corps. R. Johnson, who graduated from Blacksburg College, Vir- ginia, and Cornell University, in naval archi- tecture and marine engineering, is now at the Norfolk Navy Yard. John Thompson is now taking a course in engineering at Blacksburg College. Fraternally, Mr. Neely was a Mason. Although his family were Presbyterians, he became a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Mrs. Neely is a member of Ports- mouth Chapter, United Daughters of Confed- eracy. She and her daughters are members of the various organizations of Trinity Protest- ant Episcopal Church, and two of the daugh- ters are teachers in the industrial school. Clara Neely is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. They all belong to the King's Daughters.


OHN NEWTON WILLIAMS, a life- long resident of the city of Norfolk, is a member of the wholesale drug firm of Williams. Martin & Gray. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia. in 1842, and is a son of John and Martha Julia (Armistead ) Williams.


John Williams was born in Fairfax Coun- ty, Virginia, and came to Norfolk in 1813, when a lad. He engaged in mercantile pur- suits and later, in banking. He was clerk of the Circuit Court for about 30 years prior to the war, and before that was a department clerk about 10 years. He was elected treas- urer while the city was still under martial law and in the hands of the Federal Army. and was also president of the City Council a number of years. His death occurred in 1875. He was a member of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church. Mr. Williams was united in marriage


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Theodorick and Martha ( Newton) Armistead. She was born in Norfolk and died in 1858, at the age of 52 years. They became the parents of four children, namely: Eliza Darraugh, wife of Captain William Sharp, who was in the United States and Confederate navies and now lives in Norfolk; Walter Wheeler and Theodorick Armistead, deceased; and John Newton.


John Newton Williams attended private schools in Norfolk and William and Mary Col- lege. At the outbreak of the Confederate War he enlisted at the age of 18 years in Company F, 6th Regiment, Virginia Infantry, being first stationed at Craney Island. He joined his regiment as it went into the second battle of Manassas, having witnessed the battle between the "Monitor" and "Virginia." He was taken sick with typhoid fever, and running the block- ade returned home and was cared for at the home of his brother at Leesburg, Virginia. Upon his recovery he joined the Richmond Howitzers, Artillery, and was in the battle at Spottsylvania Court House, where his com- mand surrendered. The regiment disbanded and he tramped to Leesburg, returning home via Baltimore, where he took the oath of alle- giance. He arrived home June 23, 1865, and on the following day his father was elected city treasurer and employed him in that office. He was subsequently elected deputy to his father and continued thus for 18 months. He con- tinued bookkeeping for three or four years, and then went into the drug business, organizing the firm of Walke & Williams, which continued for a period of 25 years. He was then out of business on account of ill health for about three years, and in 1898 the drug firm of Williams, Martin & Gray was established, his partners being A. S. Martin and George T. Gray. Their concern is located at No. 79 Commercial Place and they are large wholesale dealers in drugs, paints, oils, etc.


Mr. Williams was joined in the bonds of matrimony, in 1866, with Virginia A. Bland. who was born in St. Louis, Missouri. in 1846,


and is a daughter of Dr. Richard and Virginia ( Williams) Bland. Three children have been born to them namely: Richard Bland, assist- ant surgeon on the U. S. battleship "Kear- sarge" ; John Newton, Jr., who is attending the University of Virginia at Charlottesville; and Alice B., who is attending school in New Jer- sey. They are all members of St. Luke's Prot- estant Episcopal Church.


AJ. CHARLES ROBERT MCAL- PINE, M. D., deceased, a distin- m guished soldier and eminent physi- cian of Portsmouth, Virginia, whose portrait is herewith shown, was born at Kempsville, in Princess Anne County, Virginia, on April 9, 1827, and died February 14, 1876. He was educated at Will- iam and Mary College, studied medicine under Dr. Balform in Norfolk and then went to the University of Pennsylvania where he gradu- ated and received his professional diploma in 18.47.


Dr. James McAlpine, of Edinburg, Scot- land, our subject's father, immigrated to this country about the first of the nineteenth cen- tury and located in Princess Anne County, Vir- ginia. He soon acquired a large practice and be- came one of the most prominent citizens of the seaboard. He married Yates Newton Fisher, which union resulted in three sons and one daughter: James Newton, a physician; Mar -. garet, who married the late Dr. Virginius Bil- isoly : and Charles R.


Dr. Charles R. McAlpine commenced the practice of his profession in his native county. He married and continued his profession there until he removed to Portsmouth, in 1856, where he spent the remainder of his useful life. except the period of his military service. He. filled with credit a number of positions of pub- lic trust. Previous to the war between the States, he was health officer of the city and a member of the Council when. Portsmouth .was.


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incorporated in 1858. He was president of the Board of Health and a member of the Pub- lic School Board. He was often urged for mayor of the city and the characteristics of the man are truly described in a communication presenting his name, as follows: "In a recent issue the names of several prominent gentle- men are mentioned in connection with the office of mayor of Portsmouth. Being in a state of semi-military vassalage. it is useless to shut our eyes to the fact that the military aim of this government is an usurping power in the State. Under the circumstances, the incum- bent of this office should be a man of firmness, unwavering resolution and possessing; ample knowledge of the law. He should be a man having foree of character. one who commands respect of his fellow citizens, possessing ad- ministrative ability and resolution to resist the smallest encroachment of the law. no matter from what source emanating. Without any disparagement of any of the gentlemen here- tofore named, such a one is Dr. Charles R. McAlpine, and he possesses the qualities in an eminent degree. His administrative ability and moral courage are unquestioned. Modest and unassuming in his demeanor, there lurks behind these qualities a settled. determined will to execute fearlessly any undertaking in which he may engage. Prompt and energetic in his profession, relieving the poor and indigent. without hope of compensation, with the same alacrity and willingness as the wealthy, he ' commands the respect and retains the confi- cence of his fellow citizens in an eminent de- gree. As a magistrate of the city heretofore. he filled the position with that dignity charac- teristic of the man. dispensing justice with an even hand, regardless of position; and as mayor he would be found equal to any emer- gency. An intimate acquaintance of years warrants the writer in making this statement. and his earnest wish to see his native city rise from her present prostration, is his pretext for the advocacy of a warm friend's advancement to this position of trust and responsibility.




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