USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 31
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Mr. Butt was born in Portsmouth and is a son of Dr. H. F. Butt, also a native of Portsmouth, and at the time of his death the oldest practicing physician there. Mr. Butt's mother is still living, and he has three broth- ors and three sisters, all living in Portsmouth.
Mr. Butt has had for his age an extensive experience in the banking business. He began at the bottom, in the Bank of Commerce. in Norfolk, and continued in different positions with that bank for a period of 10 years ; since 1893 he has occupied his present position. He also has many other business interests, being secretary and treasurer of the Portsmouth Knitting Mills, of which Mr. Gill is president : a director of the Portsmouth Star; and Ist vice-president of the new Business Men's As- sociation of Portsmouth. He is a member and officer of several different insurance organiza- tions.
Mr. Butt was joined in marriage with Miss Nimmo, and they have four children. For years he has been a member of Trinity Protest- ant Episcopal Church, of which he is a vestry- man and treasurer.
UGH JOHNSTON, who is editor of the Vorfolk County Democrat, which is published in Berkley. Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Edge- combe County. North Carolina. No- vemller 15. 1875. He is a son of George W. and Laura Jolinston.
George W. Johnston was born in North Carolina. He is now engaged in farming in
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Sussex County. Virginia, and is well and fa- vorably known in that community. He served as justice of the peace for a number of years. He is now 50 years old, and his wife is 48 years of age. They are members of the Bap- tist Church, in which Mr. Johnston is an of- ficer. Of nine children born to this couple, the subject of this sketch is the eldest.
Hugh Johnston received his early mental training in private schools of North Carolina, in the public schools of Virginia, and at Churchland Academy in Norfolk County. Later he attended Richmond College. He afterward taught in the public schools of Nor- folk County for four years. He began to work for the Norfolk County Democrat, in September. 1901. having assisted in the or- ganization of that paper. It is conducted by a stock company. and has started with very good prospects. It advocates the principles of the Democratic party, and has met with a good measure of success.
Mr. Johnston takes an active interest in politics, and is one of the most enterprising citizens of Berkley, where he is held in high esteem by all who come in contact with him.
HARLES JAMES WOODSEND, a member of the Business Men's Asso- ciation of Berkley. Virginia. is an architect and builder of that town, and an expert artisan. He has been a resident of Norfolk County for the past I4 years, and has spent 12 years of his life in the United States Navy Yard. Mr. Woodsend is of English nativity and was born in London in September. 1847.
In the year 1868 he came from England to the United States and was located in Boston for a short time. Thence he went to Ontario, Canada, and from there to Northern Michigan. where he resided until 1887. Then he left Michigan and came to Norfolk County. Vir- ginia. Norfolk City was his home for the i years. W. H. Brittingham has one sister liv-
next five years, when he moved to Berkley, and has been numbered among that town's resi- dents ever since.
In 1869 Mr. Woodsend was united in mar- riage with Maria E. Toman, who was born in 1847, at Preston, Canada. They have one child, Edward, who was born in 1870. and who married Carrie C. Vrooman : he is a member of the Jefferson Pie Company. of Norfolk. Mrs. Charles J. Woodsend is a member of the M. E. Church, South. The subject of this sketch is a Mason, and a member of Canadian Order of Foresters.
Mr. Woodsend is a shrewd business man and a successful manager, and has accumu- lated a comfortable competency. He is re- garded as one of the progressive men of his section of the county, and stands high in the estimation of the public. He is a man of high principles, honest and straightforward. and numbers his friends by the score.
H. BRITTINGHAM, a contractor and builder of Portsmouth, Nor- folk County, Virginia, was born on Deep Creek Road, three miles from Portsmouth, in November. 1836. He is a son of William P., and grand- son of Micajah Brittingham.
Micajah Brittingham, the grandfather of WV. H., was a cooper by trade, and also farmed during his life. He served in the War of IS12. William P. Brittingham, his son, was born in Maryland. July 4. 1806, and was but five years old when his parents removed to Norfolk County. Virginia. He bought a farm adjoining his father's, three miles from Ports- mouth. He married Martha Smith, who was born in Norfolk County. William P. Britting- ham served as deputy sheriff under Mr. Man- ning, during his early years, and then accepted a position with the Norfolk County Ferries, where he continued until his death, in 1855. He died from yellow fever, at the age of 50
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ing .- Elizabeth, -- who married O. H. Ed- wards, and resides in Portsmouth.
W. H. Brittingham, whose name opens these lines, attended the county schools one year, and later went to Prof. N. B. Webster's school in Portsmouth. He left school at the age of 15 years, and was apprenticed to John P. Minter. to learn the trade of a house car- penter. When his father died (his mother having previously passed away), he took charge of the family. which consisted of nine children,-a very large undertaking for a young man just starting out in life. He worked in the Gosport Navy Yard until the outbreak of the Confed- erate War, when he enlisted in the old Poris- mouth Rifle Company, which was organized in 1792. It became known as Company G. 9th Regiment, Virginia Infantry, Armistead's Bri- gade, Pickett's Division. He took part in the battles of Malvern Hill and Gettysburg, and was slightly wounded in the latter. He was in all the battles in which his regiment partici- pated during the closing days of the war. He was captured at Sailor's Creek three days be- fore the surrender, and was confined at Point Lookout. leaving there on the last special re- lease.
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After the war, Mr. Brittingham returned to Portsmouth. where he again took up his trade. In 1873 he began contracting for him- self, and has followed that line of business ever since. He employs a large number of men to assist him. He built the Market. Kirn Building and many houses in Norfolk. His work is of a very high order, and he is well known in Norfolk'County. He lends his as- sistance to any public enterprise which is un- dertaken for the advancement of Portsmouth. and is one of that city's most influential citi- zens.
Mr. Brittingham married Miss S. W. Brickhouse, who was born on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. near Accomac. They have six children, namely: Mary B., who is teach- ing school in Portsmouth ; Martha P., a teacher
of Norfolk County : William V., a bookkeeper and plumber : Philip B., who clerks for Mr. Barlow: Smith R., a law student : and Edith B., who is at school.
Mr. Brittingham is a Democrat in politics. He was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Order of Chosen Friends. He is a member of the Monumental Methodist Episcopal Church. South, being steward of that church, and one of its active workers. He has a host of friends in Portsmouth, who honor him for his many good traits of character.
D: CUTHERELL, one of the old residents of Portsmouth. Norfolk R County, Virginia, and a ship-joiner in the United States Navy Yard in that city, was born in Portsmouth in 1831. He is a son of Samuel Cutherell. and grand- son of Samuel Cutherell.
The Cutherell family located in Great Bridge in 1625, and were the first Methodists in Tidewater Virginia. Preaching was carried on in R. D. Cutherell's great-grandfather's family for over 40 years, and it was this great- grandfather who donated the land on which the Cutherell Meeting House was erected in 1770. The Cutherell family in those days often entertained as many as 40 people. at one time. in their home. When the British passed through Norfolk County, Mr. Cutherell buried all of his valuables in a field. He was obliged to feed the soldiers, and in return was most shamefully abused.
Samuel Cutherell, the grandfather of R. D .. was born in Portsmonth. He was commis- sioner of revenue and collector of taxes for many years. He served in the War of 1812. helping to defend Craney Island.
Samuel Cutherell. the father of the subject of this sketch, was also born in Portsmouth. He was a contractor and builder during most of his active life. For many years he was secretary of the Chambers Hook and Ladder
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Company of Portsmouth, then known as the Resolute Fire Company. He married Mary Virginia Stanhope, a daughter of William Stanhope, of Norfolk City. William Stanhope was a lieutenant of a cavalry company from Norfolk during the War of 1812. He manu- factured hats, and later in life moved to the West, and for some time conducted a large fur-warehouse in Missouri. This warehouse was destroyed by the Indians. He then re- turned to Norfolk, where he died. and was buried in St. Paul's Chuchyard. His mother was, at the time of her death. the oldest resi- dent of Norfolk. Dr. Crawford Toy, a pro- fessor of languages at Cambridge University, and a very eminent man, is one of her de- scendants.
R. D. Cutherell, the subject of this sketch. was reared and schooled in Portsmouth, where he was apprenticed as a house-builder. under W. G. Butler. His contract with that gentle- man ended in 1851. He then conducted that business alone for a number of years, and when the Confederate War broke out he was detailed to work on war vessels, among them being the "Merrimac" ( C. S. S. "Virginia"). After the til 1886, when ne entered the United States Navy Yard at Portsmouth as a ship-joiner. He is a splendid workman. and much confi- dence in his ability is felt by his employers and those beneath him in grade.
Mr. Cutherell married Mary F. Simmons, a daughter of Andrew Simmons, who was principal of the public schools of Portsmouth for some time. Mrs. Cutherell also taught school for a while. She died in 1888, aged 58. years. . Of eight children born to this couple, five are now living. namely : Anna V .. the wife of John L. Beaton. of. Portsmouth : Samuel D., a government storekeeper in Cali- fornia ; Fannie F .. widow of the late George A. Scott: Jennie S .: and Robert D., Jr., who is in the hardware and mill-supply business in Norfolk; Eva : Emily Amelia ( Williams ) ; and Mary, Wightman are deceased.
Politically Mr. Cutherell is a Democrat. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Religiously. he is a member of Monumental Methodist Epis- copal Church, South, and was secretary of the Sunday-school for 33 consecutive years. He is now a teacher in that body. Mr. Cutherell has . many interesting curios, which have been col- lected from all over the world. He has in his possession the Whig ticket voted by his grand- father in 1844. for Henry Clay as president, and Theodore Frelinghuysen as vice-president. His home is very charming, and is located at No. 200 Washington street. Portsmouth. Mr. Cutherell has watched with interest the growth and development of Portsmouth and Norfolk County, and has always given his assistance to any worthy enterprise.
A ILBERT JASON WHITEHURST. whose portrait is herewith shown. is one of the most progressive real es- tate dealers and rental agents of Nor- folk, Virginia, and his enterprise in that line has gone far toward making Norfolk close of the war he carried on contracting un- . the popular city it now is. He was born in Princess Anne County, Virginia, near Salem Church, and is a son of Neverson H. White- hurst. now deceased.
Mr. Whitehurst was reared in the country, and in his early life engaged in farming. Upon arriving at manhood he moved to Norfolk and for a few years clerked for some of the leading grocers of the city. He then opened a retail grocery at the corner of Bute and Brewer streets, which he conducted for several years. He then sold out and followed the business of a broker until 1899. when, with M. V. Ham- mack. under the firm name of Hammack. Whitehurst & Company, he engaged in selling suburban property, and conducted a general real estate business. The partnership lasted until tgo1. when Mr. Whitehurst began busi- ness alone under the firm name of A. J. White- hurst & Company. He organized a com-
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pany which purchased the J. S. Cooper truck farm of 35 acres, situated in the Seventh Ward, known as Park Place Ward, and laid it out in lots, which he is now placing on the market. Colley avenue runs through the center of this addition and is well graded. Walks have been built and shade trees set out, and there is a fine water frontage on the port. It is to be sold exclusively for residence purposes. Mr. Whitehurst handles property in Virginia Place and also considerable farming land. He is in- terested in the development of a large tract of land at Day's Point, where about 2,500 acres are being sold in small tracts for truck farms. Those already sold have been disposed of to men from Ohio and the West, who are well pleased with the transaction. Mr. Whitehurst has gained many friends by his enterprising business methods, and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact. He was a member of the Board of Health of Norfolk for a period of two years, and had the honor of being its president.
Mr. Whitehurst is an active and enthusias- tic member of Harmony Lodge, No. 19, I. O. O. F., and was the principal factor in organiz- ing, on December 14, 1891, Norfolk Lodge, No. 32, I. O. O. F., with 321 chatter members ranging in age from 21 to 44 years. This lodge has proved to be one of the most popular and prominent in Norfolk. Mr. Whitehurst has filled all of the principal offices of the lodge and is a member of the Encampment and Canton. He is a past grand of his lodge and past district dep- uty grand master of the Grand Lodge. He is also a member of the Woodmen of the World, and of the Brotherhood Accident Com- pany. composed of I. O. O. F. members. He is president of the Young Men's Society of the Cumberland Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South, an office he has held for years, and belongs to the Epworth League. He is an active church worker, a member of the choir and a. teacher in the Sabbath-school, having a class composed of 30 young men. He -was
joined in marriage with Lillian T. Dozier, a daughter of Marshall Dozier, and granddaugh- ter of Dr. Clinton, of Norfolk. They have four children, namely: Marshall Neverson; Myra Bernice; Mildred Lucille; and Albert Jason, Jr.
OSCOE J. DODD, who is chief clerk in the construction department at the Norfolk Navy Yard, is a gentleman of wide experience in that field of work. He was born at Portsmouth. Vir- ginia, on St. Patrick's Day, 1855, and is a son of Matthew M. Dodd.
Matthew M. Dodd, who was born at Nor- folk, was an officer in the navy for many years. and died in the service in 1857. He was at- tached to the line-of-battleship "Pennsylvania," and to the "Crane," throughout the Mexican War. Ile made his home at Portsmouth. His wife was of the Gayle family of Mathews County, Virginia, where she was born. She died in 1872, having given birth to three chil- dren, namely : Lucy C., of Portsmouth, widow of T. J. Jenkins, who died in North Carolina, in September, 1901; a son, who was a loco- motive engineer on the Seaboard Air Line Rail- way until he met death in an accident on Feb- ruary 22, 1896. in Weldon. North Carolia; and Roscoe J.
Roscoe J. Dodd was reared in Portsmouth. and there attended the public schools. At the age of 18 years he entered actively into busi- ness life by accepting a position as clerk with the Seaboard Air Line Railway. He resigned to accept the office of deputy clerk of the Ports- mouth courts under Colonel Janes D. Brady. who was later collector of internal revenue for the district. He continued with Colonel Brady for a period of six years. He then served two years as deputy sheriff of Norfolk County, un- der John Lesner. He was then appointed clerk to Captain George A. Stevens in the navy, with whom he continued about 19 months. be- ing attached during that time to the nionitor
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"Canonicus," and being at New Orleans dur- ing the political troubles between McEnery and Kellogg. He then. returned home and was soon appointed captain's clerk on the steamer, "Pinta," under Lieutenant Commander N. M. Dyer, afterward Captain Dyer, who command- ed the "Baltimore" in the engagement in Ma. nila Bay, under Admiral Dewey. After re- taining this position nearly a year he returned to Portsmouth, and shortly afterward accepted a clerical position with the Lobdell Car Com- pany of Wilmington, Delaware, where he re- mained three or four years. Upon his return to Portsmouth, he was engaged in the United States Navy Yard for a time, and then ac- cepted a position with the cotton firm of Eure, Farrar & Price at Norfolk. With this concern he continued until Cleveland's first administra- tion. In June, 1885. he was appointed chief clerk in the navigation office in the Norfolk Navy Yard, which has since been merged into the equipment department. He filled that po- sition until near the close of Cleveland's first administration, and then was transferred by Admiral Brown to the general storekeeper's de- partment, as chief bookkeeper, in order to open the books under the new system inaugurated by Secretary Whitney."He held that position no longer than was necessary to get the books in order. and was then made chief clerk under Pay Inspector Joseph Foster, which was not a political position. Ile served as chief clerk under seven different storekeepers, being with each for a term of from one to two years. He was removed by Pay Inspector Bellows, in the latter part of Harrison's administration, and was succeeded by Mr. Van Vranken. from Phil- adelphia. He was out of that office less than a year. and was meanwhile employed by the Imperial Guano Company of Norfolk. Pay Director F. C. Cosby was sent here by the Paymaster General to relieve Mr. Bellows, and straighten the tangle affairs had gotten into, and one of his first acts was to send for Mr. Dodd, to resume his former position. The lat- ter accepted and served with him and his suc-
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cessor Pay Inspector Burtis. He was appoint- ed by Mr. Lisle, also, and served with him for three months, when he was, through the in- fluence of the present chief constructor of the navy, Francis T. Bowles, transferred to the po- sition of chief clerk of the construction de- partment. Mr. Bowles was then in charge of the department, and was succeeded by Naval Constructor Albert W. Stahl, who served from October 4, 1895, to May 15, 1901, when he was succeeded by Naval Constructor Robert Stocker. Mr. Dodd has held more responsible positions than any other clerk. having been chief clerk in three different departments. He has supervision over the work of 31 persons. 26 of them being clerks.
Mr. Dodd married into the Dorsey family, one of the oldest families of Maryland. and has two children, Haywood S., who is 13 years of age. and is attending school ; and Ada Dor- sey, who is three years old. Fraternally. Mr. Dodd is a member of the Royal Arcanum and the National Union. He is liberal in his re- ligious views. In 1892 he erected his present fine home in Cottage Place, and it is one of the most attractive in that district.
APT. IRA E. DOLE has been in the service of the Old Dominion Steamship Company for a number of years, and is one of their most trusted captains. He was born in Brewer, Maine. December 2, 1849, and is a son of Ira and Mary J. ( Hayes) Dole.
The Dole family settled in Newbury. . Massachusetts, in 1650, and were from the northern part of France. Ira Dole, the father of Ira E., was born in Limerick, Maine, and later settled in Brewer; his wife was born in the same town. He was a farmer and spent his days in the town of Brewer, his death ve- curring at the advanced age of 76 years. His wife died at the age of 36 years, and he agvia married. By his first union he had two chi !-
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dren,-Charles, a farmer of Holden, Maine, and Ira E., the subject of this sketch.
Capt. Ira E. Dole atttended school in Brewer, Mainc. where he lived until he was 17 years old. At that age he went to sea on a sailing vessel, and from the lowest position soon worked himself to the top. His first command was a brig called the "Manson." of 300 tons. He remained on sailing vessels for a period of 15 years. His first steamer was the "Breakwater," and belonged 'to the Old Dominion Steamship line. His services with the Old Dominion Steamship Company began in 1882. and he has had charge of the follow- ing vessels: "Breakwater;" "Cleopatra:" "Richmond;" "City of Atlanta:" "York- town;" "Hamilton;" "Jefferson." He took command of the "Jefferson" in 1899. Captain Dole has sailed on the Northern and Southern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the South American side of the Pacific Ocean, these voyages all being made in salling ves- seis.
Captain Dole married Dora E. Pierce, of Brewer, Maine, and they have two daugh- ters .-- Edith W. and Ethel N. Captain Dole belongs to the A. F. & A. M., and also to the Forcsters. He makes his home in Arlington. New Jersey, where he is one of the best-known and most highly esteemed citizens:
APT. ISAAC H. BEALE, who has been connected with the Norfolk County Ferries for the past 17 years, has been identified with the progress and development of Nor- folk for the past 28 years, is a highly respected citizen of that place. He was born in South- ampton County. Virginia, April 27, 1849, and is a son of Jesse A. Beale.
Jesse A. Beale was born in Southampton County, and was a, farmer during all his act- ive life. He married Margaret March, who was born in Nansemond. County. Virginia,
and now resides in Ashland, Virginia. They had two children, namely : Isaac H. and Mrs. Annie Peel, of Ashland. Jesse A. Beale was a member of the old 13th Regiment, Virginia Cavalry, in 1819.
Capt. Isaac H. Beale began his seafaring life when a boy of 16 years. His first work was as an oyster culler, and from that he filled all the various positions on different crafts run- ning from New York to Savannah. His first command of a steam vessel was in South Caro- lina waters. Since coming to Norfolk he has i filled the positions of pilot and master, and for the past 17 years has been connected with the ferry-boats of Norfolk County. He is next to 1 the oldest man in point of service, on the Nor- folk County Ferries. He is very popular. and is well known in Norfolk. . He has won many friends by his pleasing personality, and is greatly loved by all who know him.
Captain Beale married Anna McDonald, of Portsmouth, Virginia, and to them have been born two children, -- MeHenry and Annie L. Captain Beale is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Knights of Pythias lodges. Politically he is a Democrat.
O. WRENN, one of the progressive business men of Norfolk, Virginia. is a member of the firm of A. Wrenn & Sons, carriage. and wagon manufacturers, a concern well known throughout the Southern States.
A. Wrenn & Sons operate the largest car- riage factory in the South, which is located from No. 20 to No. 40 Union street. The business was established as far back as 1852 by A. Wrenn. who then began the manufac- ture of vehicles in a small way. Owing to his fair business methods and the increasing de- mand for his product. his enterprise thrived and soon grew to large proportions. About 1880 C. O. Wrenn and MeD. L. Wrenn; his sons, were taken in as members of the firm.
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and since the retirement of their father. a few years later, they have owned and successfully conducted the plant. The output of their fac- tory is more than 5.000 vehicles per annum. which find a ready sale throughout Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia. Florida, Maryland, Delaware and other States of the South. They manufacture buggies. runal outs, phaetons, surreys, traps, rocka- ways and delivery wagons. and also deal in harness, robes, etc. Theirs is one of the most substantial business houses in Norfolk, fur- nishing employment to 150 people.
C. O. Wrenn is well known to the citizens of Norfolk, and since May, 1900, he has been a member of the Select Council of the city. doing all within his power to secure for it a good, honest business administration.
ILLIAM B. JOHNSON, who died February 22, 1902, was the only exclusive undertaker and embalmer in the city of Portsmouth, and stood prominently to the fore in that profession. He was born at Richmond. Virginia, June 12, 1841, and his parents were both Virginians. He was 14 years of age when his father died and he had one brother, Adol- phus, who was killed during the Confederate War, and two others. Oscar and Elliott, who are deceased. Two half-brothers and a half- sister of Mr. Johnson are living in Richmond, Virginia.
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