USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 33
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
fice on Southern Memorial Day, in May. Act- ing with the president of the Council, he se- cured an earlier arrival and a later departure of mails for the North and his efforts in this line and the results secured have received ia- vorable comment from the press of Ports- mouth. At a cost of $4,000 a screen-wagon service has been added, a great improvement over the push-cart service, and one which is warranted by the large increase in business. Mr. Burroughs is a man of great executive ability, and his conscientious discharge of the duties of his office has gained for him the good will and hearty approval of the citizens of Portsmouth.
Mr. Burroughs was first united in mar- riage with Annie B. Lane. "who died about 1895. leaving three children, as follows: Hat- tie, Harvey and Aletha. He formed a second union in February. 1901 .- wedding Mrs. Lalla B. Jones, who had three children, namely : Lalla Jones; Park Jones and Jack Jones. They re- side at No. 509 Dinwiddie street. Fraternally. the subject of this sketch is a member of the National Union. Religiously. he is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
OOD P. JOHNSON, in the service of the Old Dominion Steamship Company as captain of the steamer "Accomack," was born in Me- chanicsburg. Pennsylvania. 1860. He is a son of William Y. and Hulda M. ( Howard) Johnson.
William Y. Johnson was a native of Penn- sylvania. He was engaged in the steamboat business, and in 1869 removed to Norfolk, where he remained until 1894. He was ap- pointed inspector of hulls, and held that of- fice until his death, which occurred October I, 1901, at the age of 73 years. At one time ' he was a member of the Virginia Legislature. serving in the House of Delegates, and was ;. is a Democrat.
also a member of the City Council of Norfolk three terms, both in the Select and Common branches. He was a Democrat in politics. He belonged to the Masonic order. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. William Y. Johnson married Hulda M. Howard, a daughter of Thomas and Elea- nor. ( Flemming) Howard. She was born in Frederick, Maryland. and is now living in Nor- folk. Seven children were born to William Y. Johnson and his wife. four of whom are now living. They are as follows: Charles How- ard. harbor master at Norfolk: Hattie H., who lives with her mother: Porter Y., a merchant of Norfolk: and Wood P .. the subject of this sketch.
Wood P. Johnson attended the public schools of Portsmouth. After leaving school he went on the Portsmouth Enterprise. remain- ing there until 1881. He then worked with his father as clerk on the wharf for one year, after which he worked as purser on the steamboat "Harbinger." Later he became first pilot and master, and in I&S; went back to the wharf, becoming his father's clerk. Mr. Johnson en- tered the service of the Old Dominion Steam- ship Company in January, 1894. as purser and first officer. He remained in that capacity un- til February, 1900, when he was made captain af the vessel "Accomack." Much confidence is placed in his ability as a seaman, and he is highly esteemed by his employers and by those beneath him in rank.
Mr. Johnson was married in April. 1890. to Fannie V. Smith, a daughter of George William and Virginia ( Howard) Smith. She was born in Frederick. Maryland. in 1861. They have two children, namely: Virginia Howard, who was born February 11. 1894: and Kate Marie, who was born January 19. 1896. The Captain and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Elizabeth Camp. No. 3. Woodmen of the World: and Progressive Harbor, No. 9. Masters' & Pilots' Association. Politically, he
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CAPT. M. C. KEELING.
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APT. M. C. KEELING, who has long been one of the most prominent men of the town of Berkley, of which he is now mayor, was born in Williams- burg, Virginia, October 7. 1838. Ilis father and grandfather were natives of Princess Anne County, Virginia. Although the family. both in England and America, had been members of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Captain Keeling's father conceived a strong admiration for Rev. Melville Cox, the noted African missionary, and accordingly named his son after him.
When Captain Keeling was about a year old his parents moved with their family to Norfolk. where, when 20 years old. he joined the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, an organi- zation whose inception dates back to 1828. He participated in his first parade with that body on February 22, 1858. and has been a member of that command ever since. In point of con- tinuous service he is probably the oldest officer if not the oldest member of the Volunteers of Virginia. When the "Blues" went to the front at the outbreak of the Confederate War, Cap- tain K eling accompanied them, saw his share of hard service and received his portion of hard knocks. He was twice wounded, once at Chancellorsville, and again at the Crater. He was taken prisoner during the Stonewall raid, but was shortly afterward exchanged. He was again captured at Hatcher's Run. and was im- prisoned at Point Lookout three months, or until the close of the war, when he was re- leased by order of President Johnson. He was elected to the captaincy of his company March 1, 1889. During the visit of the Blues to New Orleans, in 1895, at the Mardi Gras, he was created "Duke of Norfolk" by the King of the Carnival and presented with the "Jewel of the Household." He is an honored and respected citizen of Berkley, where his neighbors admire him for his public spirit and sterling worth as a man. He is prominent in both public and private enterprises .of the town, and served as a member of the Council for some years.
He was elected by that body as mayor of the town in 1899, and has given Berkley an honest. business-like administration. He also served as president of the Council.
August 12, 1866, Captain Keeling was uni- ted in marriage with Sally Walker, a daughter of HI. B. C. Walker. Her father was born in Princess .Anne County. Virginia, and inarried Miss Creecy. Mrs. Keeling was born in Hart- ford in 1842. As a result of her union with Captain Keeling she gave birth to two chil- dren: Emily Armistead, who married C. W. Robertson, a lumber dealer of Norfolk; and Harry Walker, who is secretary and treasurer of the R. E. Johnson Company, brokers, of Norfolk. The latter married Lucy Scott, a daughter of R. B. and Susan Scott. Captain Keeling is superintendent of the Sunday-school of the Chestnut Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is one of the best-known Masons of Berkley. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
IRS. ELIZA ANN HODGES, the relict of Caleb Hodges. Sr., is an honored resident of Portsmouth, Virginia. She was born at Deep Creek, Norfolk County, July 18. 1820, and is a daughter of Samuel and Lucretia. Cherry. Her father was a ship-carpenter, mer- chant and farmer.
On November 5. 1840, Eliza Ann Cherry was united in marriage with Caleb Hodges, Sr .. who was born at Deep Creek, a son of Josiah. Hodges. Josiah Hodges was born in North Carolina, and was a child when brought to Deep Creek, where he was reared by Sam- tel Weston. He followed farming until his death, which occurred at an early age. Ile married Mrs. Lydia ( Brown) Gordon, and they were the parents of the following chil- dren : Nathan. Thomas. Josiah, Hilry, James. Elizabeth and Caleb, Sr.
Caleb Hodges, Sr., was reared on a farm and learned boat building with his brother,
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY .
Thomas Hodges. They established a business at an early day, and manufactured skiffs and other light boats. They built boats and ran some of them to near-by ports with produce. They also engaged in the manufacture of shingles, doors, blinds, etc., during the days in which such things were made by hand. Caleb Hodges, Sr., became the owner of three farms, but as he did not believe in slavery he
paid all his help by the day. He served as magistrate and was captain of a company of State Militia. From the time he reached his ISth year, until his death, he was a very active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and at all times his house was thrown open for church work. He was superintendent of the Sabbath-school until the time of his death, and he and his wife were the center and main support of their church. He built a large tab- ernacle called the Rohoboth Church, which the colored people of the community now own, and in which they hold religious services. He had a very fine property, with a fine home, good orchards and other improvements, and this, un- divided, is now owned by his widow. He died in 1871, at the age of 33 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Hodges became the parents of the following children: Caleb W., de- ceased : Samuel W .; Albert, deceased, and . Jerome, twins; Henry T., deceased : Caleb, Jr. ; Mary P., wife of W. G. Pettis; Joseph G .; Emily, wife of J. Carson: John N .; and Kate F., wife of J. W. Outten. Mrs. Hodges is now eighty-two years of age, and is enjoying the best of healthi. She is a loving mother and kind neighbor, and has many friends in this county.
APT. JOHN S. WEBBER, assistant chief of the Fire Department of Nor- folk. Virginia, was born in that city in 1843. He is a son of John Web- ber, who served for many years in the United States Navy, and died in 1869, aged 54 years.
Capt. John S. Webber was reared in his native city, received his mental training there. and learned the trade of a sailmaker. This trade he followed for a period of six years, after which he accepted a clerkship. He en- listed in the Confederate War, and served un- til its close in Company A. 38th Virginia Bat- talion of Artillery. Captain Webber began his career as a fireman 40 years ago, his first po- sition being that of lamp-boy. He was sul se- quently promoted to be hoseman. and in 1896 to be foreman of Engine No. I. In that year he was elected by the City Council as assistant chief of the Fire Department of Norfolk. He has served in this capacity with great ac- ceptability since that time, and is very highly spoken of by his men and by the public in general.
He manages the Queen street fire district with much good judgment. and everything is kept in excellent condition around the enginc- house. An old hook-and-ladder cart. which was bought in Baltimore in 1858, by Thomas Corprew. for the city of Norfolk, is still kept : at this engine-house as a relic. The original wheels of the cart were used until 1898. There is a second-class Silsby engine and a Gleason & Bailey combination truck and chemical engine, with a capacity of 70 gallons, an extension ladder, 65 feet long, and two 50-foot ladders at this engine-house. Seven fine horses are used, and also a buggy for the assistant chicf. The building, which is of brick, was erected in 1893. The floors are brick with steel guide- rails. The second floor is devoted to reception and sitting rooms, bedrooms, lockers and baths. Eleven men are employed. nine being on duty daily. This company has won much praise for bravery. both individually and as a whole. at fires which called for quick action and steadi- nes's of nerve.
Captain Webber married Caroline Mary of Norfolk. Their children are as follows: Lucy P. (Childs) : Sarah L. ( Page) : Madeline E. ( Cage) : Caroline Lawrence: John J .; Will- iam S. : Charles C .: and Oliver A.
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H. MINOR, one of Norfolk's large real estate owners and a pro- nh ter of the Park Place district in the city, is also a director of the City National Bank. He was born in Chenango County, New York, and was reared in the country. Much of his early life was devoted to learning a trade, but being very active in mind, he decided to venture into the lumber business, and accordingly estab- lishing himself in that line in Bradford County, Pennsylvania, where his business proved a great success.
But Mr. Minor worked too hard and his health became much impaired; he was advised by Dr. S. W. Mitchell, of Philadelphia, and by his friends to go South on a vacation, which he did, traveling through several States. Find- ing the Southern air very beneficial to him, he decided to locate at some city where he could enjoy the air from the ocean. His health soon returned under this treatment and with it came the desire to be busy at some employ- ment. Therefore, in company with several of Norfolk's most active citizens, he purchased 178 acres of land north of the city and ad- joining the city park. This land they platted as Park Place. laid out streets and walks, planted shade trees, and finally had about 2, 100 lots in splendid condition to sell, with sewers and water pipes laid, and fitted for all the con- veniences of modern homes. These improve- ments were soon followed by electric lights and the telephone service. Mr. Minor's prop- erty was on a fine elevation, and he was one of the first to build, his beautiful residence be- ing situated in the midst of grassy lawns, planted artistically with shade trees and flow- ers. Besides his home property he owns sev- eral other fine and altogether desirable lots.
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As will be seen from this account, Mr. Minor has been one of the city's greatest bene- factors, having taken such an interest in the welfare of Park Place that his fellow citizens ; should feel proud of its beauty, as well as grate- ful to its promoters. Mir. Minor is a stock-
holder and director of the City National Bank, of which he was one of the organizers. He is interested in the Union Stock Yards at Berk- ley. Fraternally, he is a member of Atlantic Lodge, No. 2, A. F. & A. M., Norfolk United Chapter, No. I. R. A. M., and Grice Com- mandery, No. 16, K. T., all of Norfolk. He still holds membership in Scottich Rite de- grees in Harrisburg Consistory, Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, and is a member of Acca Tem- Ele, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Richmond, Vir- ginia.
AROD D. LOWNSBERY, an ex- tensive real estate dealer of Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Oxford, New York. There he was reared and educated, and at the age of 20 years, possessing an ambitious disposition, he acted upon the advice which Horace Greeley gave to young men, to "Go West."
Mr. Lownsbery went to Michigan, and at the breaking out of the Confederate War, enlisted for service in Company F. Third Regiment, Michigan Volunteer Cavalry. At the close of the war he went to Arkan- sas, which was then very sparsely inhab- ited, and there engaged in mercantile busi- ness. Later, he became a cotton dealer, and in this venture he secured a very good financial start in the world. He remained in Arkansas for 13 years, and then sold out his business interests and returned to his native State. Ile entered the wholesale grocery busi- ness at Jamestown. New York, and carried on that business with success for several years. He relinquished the business and retired from active life for awhile, but in 1884; he made a trip to the South, to see the country. and was so impressed with its climate that he resolved to locate in Norfolk. Being offered a tract of 50 acres of land just two miles from the city, be purchased it for $5.000. He then en- gaged in general trucking business on this land, and the first year cleared $2.800. Five
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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
years later he sold the same tract of land for $15,000, and since that time it has again been sold for $30,000. . After the sale of this land, ho removed to Norfolk proper, where he be- came one of the promoters of East Bramble- ton, and now owns 86 lots there. He was one of the promoters of Villa Heights, owning one- eleventh of the suburb. Two strect car lines connect Villa Heights and Norfolk, and the pretty little suburban town is steadily growing. It is well graded, and is thoroughly modern in all its improvements. About 700 trees have been set out. Besides the property which Mr. Lownsbery owns in East Brambleton and Villa Heights, he is possessed of one-seventh of the Miller tract of land of 72 acres on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, and of a large amount of city property. Alr. Lownsbery has seen the population of Norfolk double, and has done much to assist in the progress and development of the city. He is one of Norfolk's best capitalists,, and is inter- ested in many enterprises in that city. He is a stockholder in the knitting mills.
Mr. Lownsbery is possessed of extraordin- ary business ability and good judgment. Naturally persevering and energetic, he has pushed on to success with a will, and is con- sidered one of the most capable business nien of Norfolk. He is a Mason.
J OHN H. CORE, a respected and hon- ored resident of Norfolk, Virginia, whose business associations identify him with the leading real estate inter- ests in that thriving community, is a well-known agriculturist. For many years he has made a specialty of stock raising, dealing especially in thoroughbred hogs, which he was. among the first to introduce in Norfolk County.
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county, where he obtained his primary educa- tion in the public schools. This was supple- mented by a more complete course in Ran- dolph-Macon College. He also took a special law course in Norfolk, Virginia. After all these preparations, however, he chose instead, a mercantile life in Norfolk, where he asso- ciated himself with George J. Thomas, engag- ing in the wholesale grocery trade under the firm name of Thomas Core. This firm con- ducted a large and prosperous business until 1875, when the partnership was dissolved by the death of his partner.
Mr. Core enlisted. in 1861, as a corporal in the Confederate Army in Company G, 6th Regiment, Virginia Infantry, He assisted in the capture of Fort Norfolk, and participated in the battle at Drewry's Bluff. Returning to Richmond, he was detached from his regiment on account of sickness, but in November, 1862. he was able to again enter the service, and joined the famous Mosby troop, in which he served throughout the war ; he is at the present time a valued member of the Mosby Camp.
Abont 1876, Mr. Core purchased land and engaged in general farming and truck and stock raising. As the years passed by, he de- voted more attention to the last named feature. especially to hogs, paying as high as $75 for a pair of thoroughbred pigs. He made a great success of this branch of farming, and raised only the best breeds. He prospered to such an extent that he was soon the owner of 375 acres in Princess Anne County, and 100 acres in Norfolk County.
Mr. Core continued farming quite exten- sively up to 1883. when he sold his land in Princess Anne County, but still owns the 100 acres in Norfolk. This tract lies directly northwest of Ghent. and is very valuable real estate. At the option of the owner, it will be converted into building lets, and in this way may be made to yield enormous profits.
Mr. Core was born in Bellehaven. Acco- mack County. Virginia. November 12, 1838. Mr. Core was united in marriage with Martha Tarrant. a daughter of Capt: William and is a son of William H. and Margaret (Wilkins) Core. He was reared in, his native / Tarrant. a well-known citizen. of Norfolk
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JOHN WILLIS BIDGOOD.
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County. Although he has personally superin- tended the farmns accumulated by his good management and correct methods, Mr. Core has not been too busy to take a fitting interest in municipal affairs. He has served the city as a magistrate, and as president of the Board of Health, and is justly considered one of Nor- folk's leading and most progressive citizens.
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R ICHARD B. TAYLOR, attorney-at- law, is a member of the well-known firm of Tunis & Taylor, with offices in the Taylor Building at No. 308 Main street. He was born in Northamp- ton, Virginia, January 20, 1874, and is a scion of a distinguished Virginia family. His pa- ternal great grandfather was Gen. Robert Bar- raud Taylor, who enjoyed a wide reputation as soldier, lawyer and judge, -- he was a gen- eral in the American Army during the war with England in 1812. and for many years was a prominent judge of the Circuit Court. On the maternal side of the family, Mr. Taylor is a grandson of Judge Richard H. Baker, a man of great prominence in his day, who suc- ceeded Judge Robert Barraud Taylor on the Circuit Court bench.
It was the success of the eminent jurists from whom he is descended that influenced Richard B. Taylor to enter the legal profes- sion. He completed a course of study in the Episcopal High School, near Alexandria, and during 1891-1892 attended the academic de- partment of the University of Virginia. He then entered the law department of the latter institution, and was shortly' afterward ad- mitted to the bar at Norfolk. During the following nine months he gained valuable ex- perience in the law-office of his uncle. Richard H. Baker. He then practiced alone until. Jan- uary 1. 1899, when he became associated with Matt M. Tunis, under the firm name of Tunis & Taylor, a partnership which has since ex- isted. He is attorney for the South Norfolk
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Company, and the Tunis Lumber Company of Berkley.
In politics, Mr. Taylor has always been enthusiastic in his support of the Democratic party, although he has never aspired to political preferment, nor would he accept of office other than one in the line of his profession. He was united .in marriage with Grace Eyre, a daugh- ter of Severn Eyre of Baltimore, and they have one daughter, Margaret Eyre. Fratern- ally, Mr. Taylor is a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon, a college society.
OHN WILLIS BIDGOOD, a prominent truck farmer of Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, whose portrait is shown on a preceding page, comes of a well- known family of the county. He was born on the old Bidgood homestead in Norfolk :County March 31. 1847, and is a son of C. E. and Elizabeth S. Bidgood. The family descent is traceable to three brothers bearing that name, . who came to this country before the Revolu- tionary War. After the close of that great struggle, one of the brothers settled in Nanse- mond County, Virginia, and from him is the subject of this sketch descended.
C. E. Bidgood was born in Norfolk County. Virginia, September 4. 1825. and died October 24, 1900. His wife, who was born December 23. 1827, died September 19, 1867. They reared six children. namely: John Willis: C. M. : Thomas A. ; Dr. Vincent C. ; Nathaniel B. : and Anna J. The father was a farmer by oc- cupation and lived in Norfolk County all of his life. He was a Democrat in his political belief.
John Willis Bidgood went to school until the outbreak of the Confederate War, and after its close attended Columbian College. In 1869 he returned home and in I870 went to Mem- phis, Tennessee, where he was engaged in the merchandise business for a period of five years. He has since been engaged in truck farming and has met with .deserved success .. .
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In 1875 Mr. Bidgood was united in mar- riage with Florence S. Gary, who was born in Nansemond County, Virginia, June 2, 1846. and is a daughter of William R. Gary and Elizabeth S. Riddick, his wife. Six children have been born to them. namely: William G. ; Elizabeth B. ; Fanita : Sumner; and John Wil- lis, Jr., and Margaret L., both deceased. Fra- ternally Mr. Bidgood is a member of the Ma- sonic order and the Knights of Pythias. He is 1
a Democrat is politics, whilst in religious at- tachinent he is a Baptist.
ILLIAM H. ROBINSON, who is chief engineer of the Atlantic Pump House, of Atlantic City Ward, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1849.
street. The smoke-stack is of terra-cotta brick, and is 80 feet high. In the same build- ing with the pump-house, is the police station of Atlantic City Ward. Mr. Robinson is as- sisted very ably by Frank Norton and William F. Thornton, on Colley avenue, and at Ward avenue and Duke street, by William Humph- rey and Joseph Walters. He is held in high esteem by his employers and much confidence is placed in his ability as an engineer. In 187+ Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Maria L. Ward, a native of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania. There were three children, namely : Winfield, deceased : Charles H., a cigar manu- facturer of Norfolk; and Mary A., who resides at home.
Mr. Robinson is a member of Colley Mem- orial Presbyterian Church, and has been as- sistant superintendent of the Young People's Society of Atlantic City for a number of years. He is a man of honest. upright character, and his friends are many.
. In Wilmington, Mr. Robinson was reared and schooled, and it was there that he mastered the art of engineering. He has been a sta- tionary engineer for the past 32 years, and in JOHN LESNER. ex-sheriff of Norfolk County, Virginia, has for many years been one of the most active and in- fluential citizens of Norfolk. He was born in Germany in 1839, and : is a son of Philip Lesner. this line he has been very successful. He has served with many large firms, such as Hollin & Hollinsworth: Mccullough Iron Works; Beggs & Olman; Pullman's Palace Car Com- pany; and Willis Singley Pulp Works. In 1899, he removed to Atlantic City, or the Sixth John Lesner attended the public schools of his native town, and early in life learned the trade of a tailor. In 1860, he came to Amer- ica, landing in Virginia. He worked at the' trade of a tailor for some time. carrying on that business until 1870, when, through his ac- tive spirit in political affairs, he was elected deputy sheriff to Sheriff W. L. Kent. Three : years later, owing to his capability, he was made sheriff of Norfolk County, and was re- elected to that office for four consecutive terms. He faithfully discharged his duties, and served in the capacity of sheriff with great acceptabil- ity to all who were concerned. Since that time, he has filled many offices. among them Ward of Norfolk, to become engineer of the Atlantic Pump House. Ten years previous to that time, the citizens of Atlantic City had erected a sewer pump-house 36 by 36 feet in dimensions, which was enlarged in 1901. It has a 20-horse-power engine and boiler, and an : extra 50-horse-power engine and boiler have been lately added. One is a Wells engine, and the other a Morrison, and there are two cen- tripetal pumps, one of which pumps 4.000,000 gallons per 24 hours, and the other 5,000,000 gallons. There is a receiving well zo feet deep and 10 feet in diameter, which drains all of the Sixth Ward. This is-assisted by the pump- . house at the corner of Ward avenue and Duke ! that of collector and assessor on the Board of
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