USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 34
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Supervisors; he was chairman of the building: committee during the construction of the steamer "Portsmouth."
In 1867, Mr. Lesner bought a block of land on Church street, which was known as Huntersville. He built a house on the land,; and laid out a park. This soon became so popular that he added to it a "zoo," laid out ivalks and planted shade trees. also erecting a high fence around the park. On July 23, 1885, he built a beautiful entrance to this park on Church street, and made a trip to Germany, where he purchased an orchestral organ. the finest which has ever been brought into the State of Virginia. This organ now stands in Mr. Lesner's reception hall in his own home, and represents many hundred dollars of cost. Ile expended $25.000 in beautifying this gar- den, which became known as "Lesner's Maple- wood Garden." It was a beautiful garden, and was visited by many hundred people. A few years ago this garden was sold, or at least, a part of the grounds, which is occupied by a brewery. On the rest of the land Mr. Lesnen has built several homes, which he owns and. rents. He has made many trips to his native country, in which he was accompanied by his family.
He has been twice married, first to Matilda Killman, a daughter of James Killman. She died at the age of 35 years. Their children were: James, who is engaged in railroad business in Pennsylvania : John. who is general agent for the Consumers' Brewing Company, and president of the Builders' Manufacturing Company ; and William, who is associated with the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association. Mr. Lesner married. secondly, Margaret Rehling, a daughter of John Rehling of Norfolk. Their 1 children are: Edward. who enlisted in the : on Cumberland street, in 1890, the city alms- Spanish-American War, served at Santiago. in Company , 16th Regiment, Virginia In- fantry. U. S.V., and is now in the hospital department in the Philippines: Frederick; Charles: Ruth ; and Amy.
Mr. Lesmer is a member of the Royal Ar-
canum, and I. O. O. F. lodges. He has done much to assist in the development and growth of Norfolk, and is possessed of more than or- dinary business ability. He stands high in the community, and is esteemed and respected by all who come in contact with him.
OHN T. WILLIAMSON. a retired contractor and builder of Norfolk. Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Princess Anne County. Virginia, in 1830. He is a son of Abel and Mary ( Williamson ) Williamson, and a grandson of Abel Williamson.
Abel Williamson, Jr .. was a shoemaker by trade, and came to Norfolk in 1855. The siege of yellow fever persuaded him to return to Princess Anne County. He suffered from deafness, and in his 76th year he was struck by a load of lumber on a tramway. which caused instant death. He married Mary. Will- iamson, a daughter of Caleb Williamson of Princess Anne County.
John T. Williamson, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native county, and at the age of 16 years was apprenticed to John Whitehurst, to learn the trade of a carpenter and builder. In 1861, he enlisted in the Nor- folk Juniors, and was taken prisoner twice during the war. He served with gallantry and distinction throughout the conflict. He settled in Norfolk, and in 1870 built the first building in what is now known as Brambleton. This was a store and residence for James E. Moore. The building was burned some years later. llis first residence was erected for F. Richardson, who laid out the suburb of Bram- bleton. In 1884, he built the city school house
house, and many other prominent public build- ings and private homes. He met with mich success in his career, and was able to retire from active business duties in 1894. He wa- greatly missed in his profession, as his work- manship was always of the highest onder.
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Mr. Williamson married Mary F. White- hurst. a daughter of John Whitehurst. She died in 1899, aged 69 years. Three children, who were born of this union. are deceased. They were named .- Everett, John and Robert. Those living are as follows: Mrs. Sarah God- frey; Robert A., a contractor and builder; Broxton O., also a contractor and builder ; Laura: Tunstall, a carpenter ; and Minnie.
Mr. Williamson has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1859. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, and Knights of Honor. Religiously, he is a member of the Baptist Church, and has served for many years as deacon, and as treasurer of a society in the church.
EBELON B. CAPPS, a well-known contractor and builder. at No. 801 Tunstall avenue, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Prin- cess Anne County, Virginia, April 26, 1865. He is a son of Dennis and Ann (Davis) Capps.
Dennis Capps was born in Princess Anne County, as was his wife. He was a farmer all his life, and was one of the prominent farm- ers of that county. His death occurred in 1869, at the age of 45 years. His wife died December 25. 1897, after having lived 63 years. Seven children resulted from this union, whose names are as follows: George- anna, the wife of .George Miller, a farmer of Princess Anne County: Dennis, deceased; Lizzie, the wife of J. C. Whitehurst, also of that county; Josephine, who married S. D. Burgess, of Princess Anne County; John W .; Zebelon B., the subject of this sketch; and Charlie, who died, aged 13 years.
Zebelon B. Capps lost his father when he was but four years old, and at, a very early age he was obliged to begin work for himself. When it was possible he attended school in his native county, but he received only a very hill-
ited education. He was put to work for the small remuneration of $24 per year, and for five years was on the water in battery shoot- ing. He then learned the trade of a carpen- ter and builder, in mastering which he spent about five years ; in 1889 he moved to Norfolk. where he has since resided. He soon became well known as a contractor and builder. and many of the most substantial buildings in Nor- folk are the result of his work. He erected the eight-room school building in the First Ward, and also one in the Fourth Ward. He built the large drug store near the bridge. on the Norfolk side of Ghent, and also many resi- dences in that suburb, notably : Mr. Malbon's. Mr. Johnston's, Mrs. B. Johnston's and others. He often employs a large number of workmen to assist him. Mr. Capps has won splendid recognition for his excellent work, and is one of the enterprising business men of Norfolk.
He married, November 17, 1889. Nettie Harrison, a native of Princess Anne County. She is a daughter of William T. Harrison, who died in 1899. Mrs. Harrison makes her home with her daughter and son-in-law. Mrs. Capps is the youngest of two living children. -- her brother, Henry A., being a farmer in Princess Anne County. Mr. and Mrs. Capps are members of the Queen Street Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which Mr. Capps is league chorister. He is a member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Mr. Capps is a self-made man, and possessed of many manly attributes of character and mind.
R ICHARD P. BUNTING, ex-sheriff of Norfolk County, Virginia, was for many years a successful business man of Portsmouth, his native city. He is now filling the office of justice of the peace in an able and satisfactory manner. being located at Cottage Place, Virginia ave- nue. Mr. Bunting was born September 21. 1858, and is a son of Richard P. and Virginia
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THOMAS W. BUTT.
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A. (Diggs) Bunting, both parents being Vir- ginians by birth.
Richard P. Bunting. the father, was a very prominent man during his life, and was well known and honored by the citizens in Nor- folk County and its vicinity. During his en- tire life he followed the occupation of a ma- chinist. At one time he was customs officer at Old Point Comfort, and served thus for six or eight years. He was later elected sheriff of Elizabeth City County, in which position he served four years. He was a Mason of high degree, being a Knight Templar, and al- ways took an active part in Masonry. He de- parted this life. at the age of 55 years, in July, 1889. His wife was, before marriage, Vir- ginia A. Diggs, a daughter of William and Mary A. Diggs, a family well known and of some prominence in Portsmouth. Her death took place in July. 1887, two ycars previous to the demise of her husband. The subject of this sketch was one of a family of five chil- dren, and he and his sister, Rosa L., now Mrs. L. W. Codd, are the only ones now living, the others having died while very young. L. W. Codd is deputy sheriff of Norfolk County, and is serving his third term in that office.
The Pittsfield ( Massachusetts) schools were the source of Mr. Bunting's mental train- ing ; following this he immediately engaged in the grocery and liquor business in his own name. For 16 years he continued in this busi- ness, and was fairly successful. During this time he served in the position of United States gauger of liquor for Norfolk and Portsmouth. In 1887 he was elected by a majority of over 1,100 votes to the office of sheriff. defcating a candidate who had held the office for 17 years. During his term of four years he was ever faithful to his duties. One man, Henry Coleman, was hanged under his supervision as sheriff. Since then he was interested in the real estate business until 1899, when he was elected justice of the peace, and so great was the public satisfaction during his first term as
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such that he was elected a second time, and his term will not expire until June 30. 1903.
Mr. Bunting chose for his wife Emily F. Lawrence, a native of Portsmouth, and a daughter of the late John O. Lawrence, of that city, who served as postmaster and mayor dur- ing his busy life, and was of much promi- nence. Four children have been born to this union, as follows: Guy J., Emily V .. R. Paul and Lawrence W. Mrs. Bunting is a very active member of the Park View Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
Socially, the subject of this sketch is a valued member of the Business Men's Associ- ation of 'Portsmouth, and in fraternal circles he affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. the Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Pythias,-being cap- tain of Atlantic Company. Uniform Rank, and past chancellor of Portsmouth Lodge, No. 16. Mr. Bunting takes a very decided interest in politics.
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HOMAS W. BUTT, whose portrait is shown on the opposite page. is one of the progressive and substantial farmers residing south of Berkley, in Norfolk County. Virginia. He was born near Great Bridge. Norfolk County, Vir- ginia. February 14, 1848. and is a son of Henry Butt.
Henry Butt was born in Norfolk County and always followed the occupation of a farmer. He married Mary A. Old. who was also a native of this county, and they reared the following children: Frank and Mary E., de- ceased; Frederick, a farmer residing near Great Bridge : Henry, who lives on a farm near Great Bridge: and Thomas W., the subject of this biographical record.
Thomas W. Butt attended school at Elbow, Virginia, and was reared on his father's farm until the latter's death in 1857. He was but 13 years of age when the Confederate War
HISTORY, OF , NORFOLK . COUNTY.
broke out and was left at home in charge of the farm. He resided on the home place until 1868, then located on a farm of his own near Great Bridge, on which he lived and farmed 1 successfully until 1894. He then purchased his present farm of 225 acres, which he de- votes to general farming and trucking. . He also raises some stock and is & contractor. He has a comfortable three-story house of nine rooms, located on his farm, and everything about the place has an air of system and neat- | ent and capable man. ness, which indicates capable management and prosperity. His farm is what is known as the Keys Hawksey land.
December 21. 1900, Mr. Butt was joined in marriage with Eugenia T. Portlock, who was born in Norfolk County, and they have a son. William P. In politics Mr. Butt is a Democrat. He is a member of Berkley Lodge, B. P. O. E. Religiously he and his wife belong to Providence Christian Church.
C. FLETCHER, who is inspector of plumbing at the City Hall in Ports- mouth, Norfolk County. Virginia, was born in Washington County, Virginia. December 6, 1861. His parents were John and Louisa M. ( Hyslop) Fletcher, the father a native of Washington, D. C., and the mother a native of Virginia.
John Fletcher, the father of J. C., was a ship-carpenter during his active life. He is now an honored and respected resident of Portsmouth, and is 72 years of age. His wife died a number of years ago. Five children were born to this union, namely: Mary E., deceased, who married George Meshler, of Portsmouth, and died, leaving two children, -- Mary and Ida: Charles B. Fletcher, who is a carpenter in the United States Navy Yard in Portsmouth ; Anna, the wife of T. B. Tyler, who lives in Newport News; J. C., the subject of this sketch; and Robert T.
J. C. Fletcher attended the public schools
of Portsmouth, and learned his trade of plumbing and gas-fitting with Alexander & Powell, the oldest firm of the kind in the city. He worked for that firm for 12 years, and in the Navy Yard until 1896, assuming his pres- ent position in August of that year. He was appointed to the position of inspector of plumb- ing by the City Council, and has filled it in a most acceptable manner. He has a thorough understanding of his work, and is a most effici-
Mr. Fletcher is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Ocean Council, No. 1063, Royal Arcanum, of Portsmouth. He is very well known in Portsmouth, where he has a host of friends.
B. CROWELL, general agent for the Old Dominion Steamship Company, who has his head- quarters at Norfolk, Virginia. is a native of Ohio. There he was reared and educated, removing to Newport News, Virginia, in ISSI, when a movement was begun there to build up that town. He was the first postmaster of Newport News, and filled that office with great acceptability. When there was business enough to justify a small steamer touching that port he was appointed agent for the Old Dominion Steamship Com- pany, and has been connected with that com- pany ever since. He remained in Newport News until 1894, when he removed to Norfolk, assuming the agency of the Old Dominion Steamship Company there.
Mr. Crowell has been connected with the First National Bank of Newport News since its organization, being one of the directors. He is also a director in the Colonial Fire In- surance Company of Washington, and is in- terested in several other business enterprises. He is a man of more than ordinary executive ability, and manifests keen foresight and sound judgment in all weighty business matters.
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R OBERT JOHNSTON, president of the Old Dominion Paper Company, of Norfolk, Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, is of Scotch-English ancestry. He was born in Portsmouth, Novem- ber 15, 1859, and is a son of Robert M. Johns- ton and Augusta. J. Young, his wife. The father was a native of Princess Anne County, Virginia, and the mother was born in Ports- mouth, Virginia.
Robert Johnston's paternal grandfather, James J. Johnston, was a Scotchman, and a boat-builder by trade. His son, Robert M. Johnston, was born in 1809, and died in 1864. He was a farmer and served several terms as sheriff of Princess Anne County. The ma- ternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch was Rev. George Young, rector of Trin- ity Protestant Episcopal Church of Ports- mouth. He settled in Norfolk County in 1802. having come here from England. His son, Captain Hv. A. F. Young, was born in England in 1787, and came to the United States with his parents. He was appointed to the United States Navy, and served in the War of 1812. He retired from the navy in 1856, resigning his position several years later. He cast his fortune with his adopted State (Virginia) when she seceded from the Union. His resignation after his retirement was unique : he alleged the reason for such a course being that he did not want to receive a gratuity from a government with which he had no sympathy.
Robert Johnston, whose name opens these lines, removed with his parents to Washing- ton, D. C., in 1864. He attended the public schools of that city until 1874. when he was appointed to a position as messenger in the United States Treasury Department. and as- signed to duty with the Secretary of the Treas- ury, Hon. Benjamin H. Bristow. He also served under Hon. John Sherman, Secretary of the Treasury. He took the civil service ex- aminations, and was appointed a clerk in 1878. Later he attended lectures at the law school
of Georgetown University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1880. He was pro- moted to be chief of division in the custom office in 1882, and relinquished that position two years later to begin his present business.
He became president of the Old Dominion Paper Company in January. 1884. The prod- uct of the company goes from Maryland to Georgia, and west as far as Tennessee. It is one of the largest concerns of the kind in the South, and is excellently managed. Mr. Johnston is a director in the following insti- tutions: Merchants' & Mechanics' Savings Bank; Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk: Chamber of Com- merce : and the Tidewater Insurance Company.
He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., hav- ing been treasurer of the Blue Lodge for the past 10 years, and served as worshipful master for two years. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk.
H ALEXANDER H. ASHBURN, who has been a magistrate of Norfolk, Virginia, since January, 1894. was born in Nansemond County, Vir- ginia, in 1828. Mr. Ashburn was reared on a farin, and his first business under- taking was in the tannery line. Later he dealt extensively in lumber. He owned several mills in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, but at the breaking out of the war between the North and South he gave up this business.
Mr. Ashburn went to Windsor, Virginia, where he engaged in mercantile business, and also did some railroad contracting. He was also postmaster of Windsor for some time. and during the war was appointed by the gor- ernment to supply the sailors' and soldiers' wives and families with the necessaries of live- lihood. He did not realize one cent in return for this, and accordingly was obliged to accept any position lie could obtain in order to earn a living.
HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY
Mr. Ashburn was employed as a book- keeper after coming to Norfolk, in 1877. Later he held the office of street inspector at Brambleton, and served in that capacity until his appointment, in 1894. to the office of magistrate. He has filled that position ever since, to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He was appointed through the Temperance administration. being an advocate of that cause.
Mr. Ashburn has been twice married. His first union was with Miss Wadkins, a daugh- ter of M. H. Wadkins. She died, leaving two daughters. Mr. Ashburn married. secondly, Miss Owens, a daughter of Rev. Putnam Owens, and they have four sons, namely : Lee : Wallace; Charles; and William H., all of whom are representative men of Norfolk.
Mr. Ashburn has been a member of the Baptist Church for a great many years, and is deacon of that church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He has watched with interest the growth of Norfolk and the coun- try surrounding, and has always been keenly interested in its progress. He is a man of honor and integrity, and his services have always been greatly appreciated.
L AURENCE WARING, attorney-at- law, and clerk of the Circuit Court of Norfolk. Virginia. is a member of the firm of Jones & Waring. He was born in Richmond, Virginia. Decem- ber 14, 1868. and is a son of William P. Waring.
Laurence Waring was educated at Balti- more, at the Lester Academy. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1894. Mr. Waring opened practice in Norfolk with C. W. B. Lane, under the firm name of Waring & Lane. Mr. Lane died in 1897. after which Mr. Waring continued the practice alone for one year, when he formed a partnership with Mr. Jones, the firm name reading Jones &
Waring. In 1894 Mr. Waring was elected clerk of the Circuit Court, and re-elected in 1900. He was elected on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Waring has always taken an act- ive interest in local politics, and is considered one of the brightest young lawyers in Nor- folk. He has filled the position of clerk of the Circuit Court with great acceptability, and bids fair to occupy that office for some time to come. He is deeply interested in his profes- sion and has a large general practice, and is ranked with th leading lawyers of Norfolk. Mr. Waring is a member of the Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk.
HE NOTTINGHAM & WRENN COMPANY. one of the most sub- stantial and progressive business con- cerns of Norfolk, Virginia, deals ex- tensively in coal, both wholesale and retail, and is engaged in the manufacture of lumber, shingles and laths. This business was established in 1877 by Thomas J. Nottingham and William A. Wrenn, who dealt in coal, wood and ice. At that time they shipped the ice from the pure lake waters of Maine, and dealt extensively in hard and soft coal. and all kinds of lumber. Thomas J. Nottingham died in September, 1891, and the company was or- ganized and incorporated with the following officers : William A. Wrenn, president ; Thom- as J. Nottingham. Jr., vice-president : G. B. Ferebee, secretary and treasurer : and William J. Woodward. manager of the lumber depart- ment. The above-mentioned gentlemen, to- gether with William T. Anderson, form the board of directors of the company. The com- pany also invested in real estate enterprises, and manufacturing concerns, and has lent a helping hand to many business ventures of the city, of the most progressive nature. It has large lum- ber mills at Grifton. North Carolina, and man- ufactures and deals in North Carolina pine and cypress lumber, long-leaf Southern pine tim-
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ber. shingles, laths, etc. In addition it handles the products of many other mills, the magni- tude of its transactions being evidenced by a view of the yards and wharf of Nottingham & Wrenn, and the city pier of the Norfolk & Western Railway. The company maintains a finely cquipped office on Granby street.
William A. Wrenn, president of the Not- tingham & Wrenn Company, is a son of A. Wrenn, founder of the well-known carriage manufacturing establishment of A. Wrenn's Sons. William A. Wrenn is vice-president of the Norfolk Ice Company, of which he was one of the founders. This company dropped the handling if natural ice in 1899. finding that it could manufacture a fine quality at a much smaller expense.
C PRESTON DENBY, who is a member of the City Council of Nor- folk, Norfolk County, Virginia, rep- resenting the Fifth Ward from Brambleton, was born in Norfolk County October 4, 1860. He is a son of Charles L. Denby, who lived on the place in this county, known as the Millsville farm.
Charles L. Denby followed the occupation of farmer until 1886, when he removed to Nor- folk, departing this life at the age of 63 years. His wife. Virginia (Nimmo) Denby, was born in Norfolk. She makes her home with her children. C. Preston: and Mrs. Virginia Flournoy, of Washington. District of Co- lumbia.
C. Preston Denby was reared and schooled in Norfolk, which city has always been his home. He learned bookkeeping at an early age and has devoted most of his time to that occupation. He was elected a member of the City Council in May, 1900, representing the Fifth Ward from Brambleton. He has served on the committee on storage of oils, special street committee, school committee and im- provement for Newton's Creek. He is deeply
interested in the welfare of his native city, and is always willing to assist in any public move- ment which is for the good of that community. An honest, upright citizen, he is respected as such, and stands high in Norfolk.
On December 26, 1886, Mr. Denby was married to Martha Cartwright, who is a na- tive of North Carolina. The subject of this sketch is'a member of the Royal Arcanum and also belongs to the Modern Puritan society. In political faith he has always adhered to Demc- cratic principles. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
R ICHARD W. PEATROSS. one of the popular young barristers of Norfolk. Virginia, has enjoyed a large client- age since 1899, when he first ao- peared at the Norfolk County Bar.
Mr. Peatross is a son of Hon. Robert O. Peatross, a prominent citizen of Bowling Green. Virginia, and is a native of Caroline County, where he was born in 1870. The boy- hood days of Mr. Peatross were spent in ac- quiring an education at the public schools of his native place. He had exceptional scholastic training. and after finishing in the public school entered Randolph-Macon College, where he graduated with honor in 1890.
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