USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 26
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Josiah McCoy Williamson, while the war was in progress, was at sea on a merchant ves- sel trading between Europe and the West In- dies. He followed the sea for 12 years. Since then he has followed the occupation of a farmer, and his knowledge of agricultural mat- ters is very thorough. He is considered one ,
of the best farmers in the vicinity of Great Bridge. He now owns 160 acres of finely im- proved land near Great Bridge, in which town he is very well known.
Mr. Williamson married Della Williamson, who was born in Norfolk County. They have one son. Carroll, who married Ludie Ether- idge. and conducts a general merchandise store at Great Bridge. Our subject is a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which he is an active worker.
W. GARY, who has served as super- intendent and collector of the Dismal Swamp Canal for the past 35 years. is a prominent resident of Deep Creek. Norfolk County. Virginia, where he was born December 24, 1839.
Benjamin A. Gary, his father, was born in Prince George County, Virginia, in 1805, and removed to Norfolk County in 1837, locating at Deep Creek, where he was engaged as teacher and followed a mechanical trade, He married Rebecca L. Weston, who was born in Deep Creek. in 1809. and they reared two chil- dren. namely: Sterling W. and S. W.
S. W. Gary enlisted in the Confederate Army, on April 20, 1861, as a member of the 3rd Regiment. Virginia Infantry. Pickett's Division. He participated in the battles of Yorktown. Williamsburg. Seven Pines. Mal- vern Hill and Harper's Ferry. He was in the Maryland campaign, and Gettysburg, and was then taken prisoner. and incarcerated from July 3. 1863. to July. 1865. During this time he suffered much from deprivation, subsisting for 84 days on cornmeal and pickles. He was released in 1865, and in 1866 returned to Deep Creek, where he has since resided. He was made superintendent and collector of the Dis- mal Swamp Canal, and has since served in that capacity.
Mr. Gary was united in marriage with
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JOHN W. RUTTER.
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Mary R. Weston, in 1867. She died in 1880, leaving one son, H. Wentworth. Fraternally, he belongs to the Masons, Elks, Knights of Pythias. Odd Fellows and other orders. He is a Democrat in politics. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
OHN W. RUTTER, whose portrait appears on the opposite page. has been prominent in the affairs of Portsmouth and of Norfolk County, Virginia, since the Confederate War, and has served in various capacities of official trust. He was born in Currituck County. North Carolina, and is a son of Alfred Rutter, whose land was in North Carolina, but adjoined Virginia.
John W. Rutter's grandfather. Rev. Jere- miah Rutter, a Baptist minister, was born at Deep Creek and was of Scotch descent. Rev. Jeremiah Rutter was one of the founders of the Court Street Baptist Church, and also preached at Churchland. .
Alfred Rutter, our subject's father, was born at Deep Creek in 1794 and was reared there. In early life he was overseer for Wes- ton, and was a farmer and magistrate until his death in 1857. By his first marriage Al- fred Rutter had three children, as follows : Lydia, deceased; James Alfred, who was a member of Major Etheredge's company. 4Ist Regiment. Virginia Infantry, was wounded at the Crater, near Petersburg, returned home after Lee surrendered, and died in 1884: and Barney, who was born about 1833, and is a ship-carpenter by trade. Mr. Rutter formed a second matrimonial alliance, wedding Chloe Drake. who was reared in Virginia, and died in 1884 .. having given birth to the following children : Martha, deceased: Chloe, who re- sides in North Carolina: John W., the subject of this sketch: Cornelius, deceased : Benjamin and Joseph, twins, both deceased ; and Melissa, deceased.
lina until 1861, living with his widowed mother. Being a union man in his views, he left home for Washington in 1861, and joined Company H, 16th Regiment, West Virginia Vol- unteer Infantry, as a private. In the sum- mer of 1863 he was transferred to the quartermaster's department and served in- til the-spring of 1864. when he was honora- bly discharged. He then worked in the Nor- folk Navy Yard as assistant weigher and wood inspector. He held various positions in the Navy Yard, and there learned the block- maker's trade. He continued at this until 1870 when he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal. He afterward returned to the Navy Yard as a special laborer in the block-maker's department, and remained there until appointed quarterman of laborers in the Bureau of Yards and Docks. In November, 1873, he left and engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he has since followed. his establishment being located at Nos. 1010-1012 South street. He took the United States Census in his district in 1870. 1885 and 1890, and discharged the duties of . that position in a most satisfactory manner. He was appointed on the School Board of Norfolk County, Western Branch, and served about 10 years. In addition to his mercantile business he has served as clerk of the district and county school boards. He was appointed at notary public and has served as such under : tour governors. He served as magistrate at Portsmouth from 1885 to 1899. He has also " been land assessor of the district and commis- sioner of revente for the First District of Ner- folk County, embracing three townships. For four years he was deputy treasurer of Norfolk County. He has a complete record of all his acts as a notary and magistrate.
Mr. Rntter was united in marriage with Esther Elizabeth Parker, who was born in Per- quimans County, North Carolina, in 1842, and was a child when her parents moved to Ports- mouth. They have had the following children : Nealie, deceased, who was the wife of a Mr.
John W. Rutter was reared in North Caro- | Cutler : Norman Whitfield, who is a ship-joiner
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in the Norfolk Navy Yard; Arthur John, who attended William and Mary College, taught school for a period of six years, and is now with the Old Dominion Steamship Company ; Willie H., who is a clerk ; Lena May ( Casteen) . of Portsmouth; and Cyrus Clifton, deceased. Religiously Mr. Rutter is a member of the South Street Baptist Church. He has been a Mason since 1866. is a member of the Knights Templar. Scottish Rite, Mystic Shrine; is past master, past high priest, and at the present time, secretary, of Portsmouth Naval Lodge. No. 100, A. F. & A. M. ; and recorder of Ports- mouth Commandery, No. 5. K. T. He is an A. P. A., and an honorary member of Junior Or- der of United American Mechanics. He was formerly a member of the I. O. O. F. He has been a member of the Grand Army of the Re- public since its inception in 1866, and has served therein in nearly all capacities. He is past department commander, and has many badges in token of services rendered. He has a badge of solid gold presented to him by the Department of North Carolina, G. A. R. He also served on the staff of Colonel Albert D. Shaw, commander-in-chief of the G. A. R.
C HOMAS MORRISON, a prominent farmer residing near Berkley, in Nor- folk County, Virginia, was born in New Jersey, in December, 1834. He is a son of Andrew Morrison, who was born in New Jersey, and was a farmer by occupation. Andrew Morrison married Mary Martin of Pennsylvania, and they reared the following children: Thomas, the subject of this sketch; Andrew; Robert; Anna; and Harriet.
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Thomas Morrison located in Norfolk when he was 18 years old, and has lived in Nor- folk County since that time. He worked for Richard Cox, the "King of Truckers," for nine years, at the end of which time he located on a farm near his present place, in Wash-
ington district. In 1892, he purchased the land on which he now lives, and which con- sists of 26 acres. This land he keeps in a splendid state of cultivation, giving his con- stant attention to the work. He is thoroughly conversant with agricultural matters. and is one of the best farmers of Norfolk County.
Mr .. Morrison married Fanny Cotton, who was born in Virginia. They have one child, John R., who is also a farmer and lives near his parents. Mr. Morrison enlisted in 1861, in the 4Ist Regiment. Virginia Infantry, and served in the army two years. He is a Demo- crat in politics. Religiously, he belongs to the Christian Church.
HOMAS A. SMOTHERS, who is postmaster at Lambert's Point. Nor- folk County, Virginia, and is also en- gaged in the drug business in that vil- ' lage, was born in Chesapeake County. Virginia, near Petersburg. August 21. 1871. He is a son of George W. and Mary E. ( Wat- son ) Smothers.
George W. Smothers was a native of North Carolina, and was born in I841. He died August 31, 1891. He was a railroad man and came to Norfolk in 1886. He married Mary E. Watson, who was born in Petersburg, Vir- ginia, in 1861. and died January 14. 1892. They reared two children, namely : Mary E., who married a Mr. Moore, and Thomas A., the subject of this sketch.
Thomas A. Smothers received his mental training in his native county, and later entered the drug business in Chesapeake County, where he remained two years. He settled in Norfolk County in 1887, and established a drug busi- ness at Lambert's Point, where he has since continued. He carries a full line of drugs, cigars and tobacco, and has a large patronage. He was appointed postmaster January 6. 1895. which position he still retains to the entire satisfaction of all. Mr. Smothers is a con-
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scientious business man, is possessed of thrift and integrity, and is highly esteemed in the community. He has a thorough understand- ing of drugs. and much confidence is placed in his ability as a chemist.
Mr. Smothers married, in September, 1894, Minnie A. Friary, who was born Novem- ber 15, 1870. They have two children .- Thomas A. : and Mary E. The family attends the Catholic Church. Politically Mr. Smoth- ers is a Republican.
ENRY B. ETHEREDGE, a well- known resident of Great Bridge, Nor- folk County, Virginia, was born in this county August 18. 1867, and is a son of William H. Etheredge, grandson of Henry Etheredge, and great- grandson of Henry Etheridge, the elder.
Henry Etheredge, the great-grandfather. was born in Scotland and came to this country at an early day. He fought in the Revolution- ary War and the War of 1812. He located in Norfolk County and lived here until his death. His son, Henry, was born in Norfolk County in 1790. He married Martha Butt, and they reared three children,-Rebecca, Carson and William H.
William H. Etheredge was born in Nor- folk County, Virginia, July 27, 1820, and in 1829 located in the city of Norfolk. He learned the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed many years. At the age of 21 years, he built a shop within two miles of Great Bridge, which he operated until 1841. He then built a shop on his present farm near Great Bridge, and there carried on his business until 1861. He then enlisted in the 4Ist Regiment, Virginia Infantry, as captain of Company F, a volun- teer company of 60 men, of which he was com- missioned captain by Governor Letcher of Vir- ginia. They first went into camp at the old Marine Hospital in Berkley, and in May, moved to the Navy Yard, under command of
Commodore Forrest. Here he had 100 men in his company, and took charge of the Navy Yard, helping during that time, to put the "Merrimac" in dry dock. He remained there nine months, in that time guarding the "Mer- rimac." and then took his company to Sewell's Point, to rejoin his regiment. He saw service in the battles of Seven Pines, Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Gettysburg and Cherryvale. He was promoted to the rank of major, after the battle of Malvern Hill, August IS, 1862, and was in command of the regiment during the battle of Williamsburg. At the close of the war, in 1865, he returned home and located on his present farm. In 1843, he married Sarah A. Carson, who was born in Norfolk County in 1828, and they became parents of the fol- lowing children: Lillian, deceased; Ella; Luther; Linnaeus; Lelia; Mellis; William T .; Henry B. ; and Martha R.
Henry B. Etheredge was reared in Norfolk County, and then, for four years, resided in Norfolk, where he was engaged as a clerk. Then, in 1891, after farming for two years, he entered the employ of the Albermarle & Chesa- peake Canal Company, and for three years served as keeper and timber inspector. Since January, 1901, he has been collector, and has ably discharged the duties of that position.
Mr. Etheredge was united in marriage with Leila V. Stout, who was born near Great Bridge, Norfolk County, and they have two sons .- Carson S. and Forrest. Politically, Mr. Etheredge is a Democrat. In religious attachment he is a member of the Oak Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
AMES T. MILLER, a successful farmer living at Lambert's Point. Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Norfolk County, February 10, 1859. He is a son of Cato Miller. Cato Miller was born in Norfolk County. and was reared on a farm. He has followed
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the occupation of a farmer all his life, and is still living at the age of 69 years. He married Sarah Vanderberry, who is also a native of Norfolk County. They have reared five chil- dren, namely: Emma, who married Henry Cooper; Isaac W .; James T .. the subject of this sketch : C. F. : and Addie L., who married Henry Robertson. All of the children reside at Lambert's Point.
James T. Miller has farmed all his life, with the exception of one year spent in the . commission business in New York. His farm contains 30 acres of finely improved land, and is the old H. J. Lambert homestead. Mr. Miller has had much experience in farming and is a thoroughly competent manager.
He married Ora Smith, who is also a native of Lambert's Point. It is a singular fact that both Mir. and Mrs. Miller were born in the sanie house. Mrs. Miller is a daughter of John W. Smith. The subject of this sketch and his wife have two children .-- James T., Jr., and Goldie. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Po- litically, Mr. Miller is a Republican.
ILLIS HUTCHINGS is the efficient principal of the public schools at Lambert's Point. Norfolk County, Virginia. He was born in Norfolk County, March 18. 1860, and is a son of Joseph and Caroline ( Sawyer) Hutch- ings.
Joseph Hutchings was born in North Car- lina. June 28, 1821, and died December 5. 1899. He was a farmer by occupation, and settled in Norfolk County in 1849, where he remained until his death. He married Carc- line Sawyer, who was born in North Carolina, September 3. 1827, and died Angust 31, 1894. They reared the following children: AAdelia H., who married Felix Jennings, and after-
After attending the public schools in his na- tive county, Willis Hutchings took a course in North Carolina College. and later went to Richmond, Virginia, and there attended Rich- mond College. He then spent two years at a Baptist theological seminary at Louisville, Kentucky, which he left in 1885. He then be- gan to teach school in Norfolk County, and. also spent some time in the county clerk's of- fice in Portsmouth. For eight years, he served as deputy treasurer of Norfolk County. In 1899, Mr. Hutchings took charge of the schools at Lambert's Point. There were then but two teachers there. and there are now five. Two hundred and fifty pupils are enrolled. Mr. Hutchings has served as principal of these schools with much ability. and to the entire satisfaction of all, and he is looked upon as a man of high capacity and scholarly attain- ments.
He was married January 21. 1885. to Fan- nie Creekmur, who was born in Norfolk Coun- ty. They reared the following children : : Roberta: Pauline; and Raymond. Mrs. Hutchings died in 1892. On January 20. 1900, Mr. Hutchings married Leona Ricketts. who was born in Kentucky. In politics, Mr. Hutchings is a Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic order. and of the Odd Fellows. He is an active worker in the Baptist Church, and has done considerable preaching in a num- ber of towns and villages.
ILLIAM I. CONOVER, who is a truck farmer in Norfolk County, Virginia, located at Edgewater, is one of the influential residents of of the county. He was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey. and is a son of Jolin and Mary ( Schenck) Conover.
Jolin Conover was born in 1835, and died in 1869. at the age of 34 years. He was reared ward Mr. Hodges: Joseph, Jr .: Willis, the , in Monmouth County. New Jersey, and was subject of this sketch; and Luther.
by occupation a farmer. He married Mary ยท
HENRY B. WILKINS.
RESIDENCE OF HENRY B. WILKINS.
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Schenck, a daughter of John C. Schenck, form- erly a well-known farmer of Monmouth Coun- ty, who is deceased. Mrs. Conover is still living, at the age of 68 years. She has had five children, namely: John and Peter S., twins. both living in New Jersey; Charles, who is in business in Cincinnati: Derua, who died in in- fancy; and William I., the subject of this sketch.
William I. Conover attended school two years at the Peddie Institute, Hightstown. New Jersey, and in 1869 removed to Norfolk Coun- ty. He finished his schooling at Lambert's Point, and later took up his present occupa- tion,-that of truck farming. He has one of the most beautiful homes in this section of the county. It is situated on the bank of the Eliza- beth River, and each day many vessels are to be seen passing the premises. Mr. Conover has always been successful in farming, and has found a ready market for all the products of his land.
He married Ella Rue, a daughter of Mat- thew P. Rue. She was born in Monmouth County, New Jersey. They have one son, ---- John W.,-who is a student of Washington and Lee University at Lexington. Virginia. In politics, Mr. Conover is a Republican. He at- tends the Presbyterian Church. He is well known and highly respected in Norfolk County.
ENRY B. WILKINS, dealer in coal and wood at No. 1213 Washington street, Portsmouth, Norfolk County. Virginia, was reared on a farm, and at the age of 22 years settled in Ports- mouth. He became clerk for the banking house of Bain & Brother, and remained in their en- ploy II years. In 1885 he engaged in business for himself, opening a wood and coal estab- lishment at his present location. He has given his constant attention to this business since 1887, and has met with good success. He em- ploys several people to assist him and con-
ducts a large business in Portsmouth and vi- cinity. Honest and upright in his dealings. he has made many friends, who patronize him lib- erally.
Mr. Wilkins married Sarah L. Reed, of Baltimore, Maryland, and to them have been born four children, namely: Samuel. deceased, and Eva. Reed and Arthur, who are at home. Mr. Wilkins is a Democrat in politics, and. although he has not given much of his time to political matters, he served four years as a member of the City Council of Portsmouth.
He is a member of the Royal Arcanum. Religiously he is a member of the South Street Baptist Church. A portrait of Mr. Wilkins and a view of his home appear on a preceding page.
D R. CHARLES WILSON DOUGH- TIE. This gentleman is a well- known physician of Norfolk County, Virginia, and is located at Lambert's Point. He was born in Nansemond County, Virginia, February 20, 1876, and is a son of H. S. Doughtie. and grandson of W. H. Doughtie.
H. S. Doughtie was a farmer by occupa- tion. He married Sarah J. Norfleet. also a native of Nansemond County, Virginia, and a daughter of John A. Norfleet. They reared one child, Charles Wilson, the subject of this sketch.
Charles Wilson Doughtie attended the schools of his native county, and also the Suf- folk Military Academy. Later, he entered the Medical College of Virginia, at Richmond. from which he was graduated in ISOS. He began the practice of medicine in Nansemond County, whence he removed to Lambert's Point. He has been associated with Dr. Her- bert R. Drewry. another well-known physician of Lambert's Point. Dr. Doughtie is a physi- cian and surgeon of great ability, and has been recognized as such in Norfolk County. He has a very large practice, and gives much of his 1
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time to medical societies, of several of which he is a prominent member.
Dr. Douglitie was married, November 21, 1900, to Florence M. Willis, a native of Rich- mond. Virginia. He is surgeon for the Nor- folk & Western Railway Company, and is one of the staff of Hospital St. Vincent de Paul. He is a member of the Board of Health of Norfolk County, of the Virginia State Medical Society, the Norfolk Medical Society, and the American Medical Association. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Red Men, Elks and the Masonic order. Re- ligiously. he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. South.
m W. DENNIS, a highly respected farmer living in Norfolk County, Virginia, is a native of this county, where he was born September 22, 1834. He is a son of M. and Mary (Dennis) Dennis.
The father of M. W. Dennis was a farmer and settled in Norfolk County when he was 50 years of age. His death occurred in 1898 .. He married Mary Dennis. a daughter of A. Dennis, who was born in Virginia. They reared seven children, of whom those living are as follows: M. W., whose name heads this sketch; Samuel; Mary. who married a Mr. Harrison; and Leigh, who married a Mr. Smith.
M. W. Dennis was reared in West Nor- folk, and he has followed the occupation of a farmer all his life. He owns 100 acres of fine trucking land, which is kept under a splendid state of cultivation, and his farm is considered one of the best in Norfolk County.
Mr. Dennis was married in 1857 to Eliza. beth F. Love. a native of Norfolk County. They have been blessed with 14 children. of whom those living are as follows: Lulie J .: Julia J. : John E. : Willie H. : Fannie L .: Ro- land; Maurice W .: and Claude. Mr. Dennis
enlisted in the Confederate Army in March, 1861, and saw much hard service along the James River. He was discharged on account of sickness.
Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias. In politics, he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Baptist Church, There is no more enterprising citizen of Norfolk Coun- ty than Mr. Dennis, and he has a host of friends in that county.
D R. HERBERT R. DREWRY. a well- known physician of Lambert's Point, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Southampton, Virginia. He is a son of E. A. and Laura S. (Roney) Drewry.
E. A. Drewry was a native of Southamp- ton, Virginia. He married Laura S. Roney, a native of Dinwiddie County, Virginia, and they reared the following children: Emmett, deceased : Mary; and Herbert R .. the subject of this biography. Mr. Drewry married, sec- ondly, Alta S. Booth, who was born in Peters- burg. Virginia. They have two children, namely: Patrick H. and Hunter L.
After finishing his primary education, Herbert R. Drewry attended the McCabe Academy. in Petersburg, and then entered the Virginia Military Institute, after which he was engaged in the feed business for one year and a half. He was connected with the Hotel Exchange of Richmond for io years, during which period he attended the Richmond Med- ical College. He was graduated from that in- stitution in 1895. and after practicing medicine in Richmond six months located in Norfolk. In 1896, he settled at Lambert's Point. where lie has since resided, being associated in prac- tice with Dr. Charles Wilson Doughtie.
Dr. Drewry is one of the best physicians of Norfolk County, and has a large and lucra- tive practice. He has a perfect understanding of the science of medicine and surgery. ard is
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always interested in any new methods, which are likely to be of assistance to him in his pro- fession. He easily wins the confidence of those who are associated with him, either profes- sionally or socially, and is highly respected for 'his many admirable traits of character.
Dr. Drewry is a member of the Norfolk Medical Society, the Seaboard Medical Asso- ciation, and the Virginia State Medical So- ciety. Fraternally, he is a member of the fol- lowing lodges: Masonic; Odd Fellows; Maccabees ; Elks ; K. A. M. O. : and Red Men. He attends the Prostestant Episcopal Church. Dr. Drewry stands very high in the com- munity.
A UBREY L. CHILDRESS. who carries on a general trucking busi- ness, is living on his farm of 187 acres in Norfolk County, Virginia, near Ocean View. He was born in Appomattox County. Virginia, January 23, 1867. and is a son of T. C. Childress, who was also a native of Virginia.
T. C. Childress was a farmer by occupa- tion. and a soldier in the Confederate War. He married Jane R. Webb, a native of Vir- ginia, and they reared six children, of whom those living are as follows: Charles E .; Thomas W. : Alice B. ; and Aubrey L., the sub- ject of this sketch.
Aubrey L. Childress received his mental training in Richmond. and spent his early life in and about that city. He settled in Norfolk County in 1885, locating on the farin where HI. Land was a farmer and spent most of his life in Virginia. He married Mary Ellis, a native of Norfolk County, and a daughter of William Ellis. They reared four children. namely: William J., the subject of this sketch; Rittie, who married a Mr. Bunter: Sarah, wife of K. Q. Backus; and Peter S. he has since lived. He owns IS7 acres of land, but cultivates only 127 acres. He carries on a general trucking business, in which he has met with much success. He has always been deeply interested in agricultural matters, and is possessed of much practical knowledge in that line. He tries to keep abreast with the times William J. Land, whose name opens the-e lines, attended a private school and was reared in affairs that concern his business, and takes advantage of all new methods introduced to .on his father's farm, where he learned much assist those engaged in the trucking business. 1 about agricultural matters. When he grew to
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