USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 20
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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.
THOMAS 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 io 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 inen.
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
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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 Deceniber 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 inost practical and successful men in this vicinity in the line of general truck farming. In 1874 Mr. Carney was joined in the bonds of maui-
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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 : William 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 judginent 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.
m 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 189S 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.
6 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 M. Black died in 1893, and his brother. John M. died four years later. Eben- ezer Black soon closed his bakery. and went : (Spooner) Poulson.
$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
1 into the real estate business, being associated George Oldham Poulson was born in Ac- comac County, Virginia, April 2, 1805. He came to Portsmouth when a youth and re- 1 mained a resident of that city until his death, February 16, 1875. He married Martha .Ann 1 Spooner. a native of Alexandria, Virginia. Jan- uary 9. 1840. and to this union four children 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 ; 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 death.
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 1873 to 188; 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- 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 M.
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 and later sergeant of the force. This position 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 goverment en- 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 18944. he was a member of the City Council, and was secretary of the T. 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 daugli- 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 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 the lumber business by erecting a lumber mill in Berkley on a small promontory east of the town, known as Washington Point. In 1876, his inill 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
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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- iant 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 1857, 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. Af- 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.
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 farin near Hickory Station. He was born near Hickory Ground, Norfolk County, Virginia, July 1, 1857, and is a son of Joshua and Martha ( Mills) Nicholas.
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Joshua Nicholas was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, and died there in IS71. 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 Josepli 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.
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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. Fraternaliv. 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.
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