USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 35
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Mr. Peatross decided to teach school for a time, and was professor of English in the University School at Knoxville. Tennessee. which position he retained until he reached the age of 29 years, having proved successful as a teacher.
While teaching, Mr. Peatross studied law, and was admitted to the bar at Knoxville. Ten- nessee, in 1898. He acquired great fluency of speech and is well equipped for the career of a lawyer. In 1899 he removed to Norfolk and engaged in practice, and the possession of a legal turn of mind, coupled with superior ex- ecutive ability, has made him successful. and won him numerous friends, who predict for him a brilliant future.
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LARENCE W. TEBAULT, who has been a conspicuous figure in the de- velopment and growth of Norfolk, Virginia, is president of the Security Real Estate Company, secretary and treasurer of the West End Annex Company. and a partner of D. P. Blount in the general real estate business.
Mr. Tebault was born in Princess Anne County, Virginia, and is a son of Dr. A. G. Tebault, who was engaged in the practice of medicine in Princess Anne and Norfolk Coun- ties for 53 years prior to his death. The sub- ject of this sketch received his intellectual train- ing in the schools of Princess Anne and Nor- folk Counties, and early in life embarked in the real-estate business. He organized Park Place, on the tract of 180 acres formerly owned by R. H. McDonald, and this he disposed of for $150,000. He organized the suburban dis- trict of Villa Heights, formerly known as the 80 acres of the Ward heirs, which he sold to the present company for $80.000. He has also made large sales in city and country prop- erty, and in August, 1899, was one of the principal factors in organizing the Security Real Estate Company, of which he is president. and D. P. Blount is secretary and treasurer. This company has built more than 190 homes at Lambert's Point. Brambleton, Pinner's Point. Portsmouth and Norfolk. The com- pany will sell any kind of a lot desired, and on it will erect a house from plans desired by the purchaser, exacting at first but a small part of the purchase price. In this manner the com- pany has aided many men in securing homes. It also has for sale a considerable amount of farming and timber lands in this section of the State, and negotiates loans. It deals in min- eral lands, including copper, kaolin and iron- ore lands in Virginia. It organized the Wheel- ing Development Company, which owned the A. J. Newton property of 150 acres, which it sold for $100.000. In 1891 the Security Real Estate Company was the principal factor in or- ganizing a company to purchase of the Hamp-
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ton Roads Company a site of 703 acres of land and water for a new shipyard building and dry dock, planned at a cost of $5,000.000. The Security Real Estate Company stands among the foremost concerns of the kind in Norfolk County, its success being due to the executive ability of its officers, their untiring energy, and the enterprising business methods they employ.
David Perry Blount, who is identified with the various enterprises above mentioned, was born in Washington. Beaufort County, North Carolina, and is a son of Maj. John G. Blount. He was reared and schooled in his native town, and spent his early active career in the trans- portation business at Washington, North Caro- lina. and Memphis, Tennessee. In 1893 he came to Norfolk and established the Blount Fruit & Produce Company, which still exists and is located at Nos. 35-37 Roanoke street. In August, 1899. he was one of the organizers of the Security Real Estate Company, of which he is secretary and treasurer ; he is also presi- dent of the West End Annex Company. He is vice-president of the United States Mutual Pro- tective Association, and stands prominent among the leading business men of Norfolk.
HE BENNETT MEDICINE COM- PANY, of Norfolk, which during its brief existence has won the confidence of the people and a large patronage, is composed of L. R. Bennett, presi- dent : E. K. Bennett, secretary; and R. M. Bennett, oculist. The company was estab- lished April 13, 1901, and has placed. on the market, with wonderful success. Dr. Bennett's New Life. the great cell-builder, a remedy for all chronic diseases where there is a deficiency of nutrition and cell growth: Dr. Bennett's Wonder Oil for the relief of pain: Dr. Ben- nett's Corn and Bunion Cure: and Dr. Ben- nett's Neuratine, a remedy for nervous dis- eases. The consultation parlors and labora- tory are located at No. 448 East Main street.
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The members of the company are brothers, all born in Daviess County, Kentucky. Dr. L. R. Bennett is a graduate of the Eclectic Medi- cal College of Cincinnati, Ohio: Dr. E. K. Bennett, of the University of Ohio; and Dr. R. M. Bennett, of the Louisville Medical Col- lege.
OHN N .- HART is the senior member of the firm of Hart & Watts, exten- sive planing mill operators, of Ports- mouth, Virginia. They are wholesale and retail dealers in lumber and build- ers' supplies in general.
Mr. Hart was born in New Jersey, where he resided until 1870, when he removed to Portsmouth. He comes of a good old family of New Jersey, and enjoyed the advantages of a good academic and collegiate course of study. After locating in Portsmouth, he served as clerk for 20 years in the employ of R. J. Neely & Company, with the exception of some three or four years spent in other large mills. In 1890, his present business enterprise was started by Mr. Hart and his brother, W. F. Hart, under the firm name of John N. Hart & Brother. The partnership continued until the death of W. F. Hart, in 1894. John N. Hart then operated the business alone until 1898, when he took Harry L. Watts into partner- ship. The building in which the business was begun was on the site of the present structure. It was originally a car shop of the Seaboard Air Line Railway. It was transformed into a planing mill by Mr. Grice, and conducted as such by him until MIr. Hart purchased it. During the Confederate War. it was used as a hospital. This mill was destroyed by fire in 1897, and was at once replaced by the present one. The plant and lumber yard cover about two and a half acres, the dimensions being 600 by 226 feet. The location of this industry is on High, Chestnut and Queen streets. The mill is modern in all its appointments, its machinery being of the most approved type,
and the firm manufacture a full line of house finishings goods, which are sold in neighbor- ing towns and cities, and as far distant as Bal- timore, Maryland, and Washington, D. C. Employment is given to about 50 men, who are in charge of a regular foreman, W. J. Parker. Messrs. Hart and Watts are also identified with the Virginia Sash & Door Com- pany, adjoining their lumber mill, on Queen street. This company was incorporated in March, 1901, and its officers are as follows: John N. Hart, president ; J. J. Robinson, vice- president; and H. L. Watts, secretary and treasurer. The subject of this biography is held in high esteem in Portsmouth, where he has been in business for so many years: his residence is at Park View. Mr. Hart has been twice married. His first union, with Lutie M. Turner, occurred in 1896. She died in April, 1901. He subsequently married Lena S. Spotts.
ILLIAM S. LANGHORNE, who is engaged in the wholesale and re- tail drug business at No. 800 Crawford street, Portsmouth, Nor- folk County, Virginia, is a native of Portsmouth, and a son of Maurice B. Lang- horne.
The Langhorne family is one of the old families of Virginia. The great-grandfather of William S. Langhorne was a resident of Warwick County, near Newport News. Will- iam Langhorne, the paternal grandfather, com- manded the company which escorted the Mar- quis de La Fayette through the town of Ports- mouth, Virginia, during his visit to America. He was also a soldier during the War of 1812. He married Charlotte Wilson, whose father fought in the Revolutionary War. Her grandfather commanded troops at Great Bridge during Cornwallis' invasion. Maurice B. Langhorne, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Portsmouth, and for many
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years was a prominent attorney of that city. He was appointed by the Governor of Vir- ginia, in 1832. a colonel in the Virginia State Militia. He married a Miss Bilisoly. Will- iam Wilson, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was clerk of the Norfolk County Court for 39 years. He died in 1843.
William S. Langhorne, whose name opens these lines, served in the Confederate Army during the Intersectional War. He enlisted in March, 1862, in Company K. 9th Regiment, Virginia Infantry ( the Old Dominion Guard). which was attached to Armistead's Brigade, Pickett's Division. Being under age, he was honorably discharged after the first Maryland campaign, having participated in all the battles of his brigade. He re-enlisted in the Signal Corps at Petersburg. Virginia, and served around that city until after the Crater battle. when he was ordered to the Trans-Mississippi Department, and surrendered to General Gor- don Granger. U. S. Army. at Galveston. Texas, June 5. 1865. He arrived home July 10. 1865.
In 1867. Mr. Langhorne engaged in the re- tail drug business, and has continued in that line ever since. He has a large wholesale and retail drug store, which is well known through- out that section of Virginia. The present building at No. 800 Crawford street was ready for occupancy in May. 1894. Mr. Langhorne is interested in several banks in Portsmouth. and is a director in the Permanent Home Building Association. He has done much to assist in the progress and development of Portsmouth, and is a man of splendid business abilities. This fact has been proven by his steadily growing business.
Mr. Langhorne married Rosalie Bilisoly. a daughter of Charles Bilisoly. They have two sons and one daughter. namely: William S .. Jr., who assists his father : Mauriee B., who is bookkeeper for Earl Gregory & Company : and Rosalie, who is now 14 years old. Politi- cally. Mr. Langhorne is a Democrat, and is a member of the City Council. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum and Catholic Knights of
America. He is quartermaster of Stonewall Camp, Confederate Veterans. His son, Will- iam S. Langhorne, Jr., is a member of the Knights of Columbus: Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks: Royal Arcanum: and Portsmouth Business Men's Association. In religious belief, the family adheres to the faith of the Catholic Church.
S. BROOKS, one of the leading real estate. insurance, and rental agents of R Portsmouth, Virginia, like his father and grandfather, is a native of that city, and is elosely identified with many enterprises which have added to its growth and wealth, and given it prestige as a thriving business center. Mr. Brooks was born in 1865 and is a son of E. C. Brooks, and grandson of William Brooks.
E. C. Brooks has never known any other home than Portsmouth. having been a prom- inent business man of that place for many years. He is now living in partial retirement. having a desk in the office of the subject of this sketeh. and rendering at pleasure some as- sistance in the real estate business, but more frequently. however, giving valuable advice. In company with Mr. Etheredge, he estab- lished a commission house in Portsmouth, and under the firm name of Etheredge & Brooks conducted a very profitable business until 1894. when it was discontinued. About that time the E. C. Brooks Company was formed. with E. C. Brooks as president. Mr. Etheredge. vice-president, and R. S. Brooks, as secretary and general manager. This company con- ducted a wholesale fancy groeery and con- fectionery business until about 1898 at Nos. III-113 High street.
R. S. Brooks began his business eareer when he was IS years old. His first work was at Norfolk. in the wholesale grocery house of M. L. T. Davis & Company, where he filled a position with credit to himself and satis-
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WILLIAM THOMAS SYKES.
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faction to his employers, for a period of 18 months. During this time, young Brooks ob- tained some insight into the business, and was later associated with his father in a similar line, as before mentioned.
In 1898. Mr, Brooks embarked in the real -. estate business, having an office on Court street. Two months later, he removed to his present location. No. 313 High street. A large amount of business is disposed of at this office, necessitating the employment of two competent assistants. Mr. Brooks is also sec- retary of the Portsmouth & Norfolk County Building & Loan Association, which adds not a little to his clerical work. This association was incorporated in April, 1884, and the pres- ent officers are: George R. Trant, president : R. A. Hutchins, vice-president ; and C. S. Sher- wood. treasurer. The last named gentleman has filled that office since the inception of the company, which operates principally in Ports- mouth and its suburbs. It has been the means of improving and developing various parts of the city, and has been instrumental in causing the erection of a large number of dwelling 'houses. Besides being of such material benefit to homeseekers, the association offers great inducements for profitable investment. having. in the year 1900, paid a Io per cent. dividend on the capital invested.
Socially, the subject of this sketch is a prominent member of the Business Men's As- sociation of Portsmouth, and is affiliated with the Masonic Order. Elks, Royal Arcanum, and Knights of Pythias. He is a member of the Court Street Baptist Church, of which he is treasurer. His marriage with M. Elizabeth Eastwood, a daughter of M. D. Eastwood, a highly respected citizen of Portsmouth, re- sulted in the birth of five children. viz: Hazeltine E. : R. Sherwood : Mary T. : Eleanor Louise, and Elizabeth. The family home is located at Cottage Place, one of the most charming and rapidly growing suburbs of the city. . Mr. Brooks was one of the very first to take up his residence there.
The subject of this sketch has been very successful in his undertakings, and as a man of sound judgment, great industry, and honorable dealing, he is held in high esteem in the com- munity of which he is a prominent and worthy member.
ILLIAM THOMAS SYKES. Among the many prominent agri- culturists of Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, is the gentleman whose name opens these lines, and whose portrait appears on the opposite page. He re- sides on his farm near Great Bridge, where he is engaged in general farming. Mr. Sykes was born five miles south of Great Bridge, January 25. 1850, and is a son of William W. Sykes.
William .W. Sykes was born one mile south of his son's present farm, in 1829. He was engaged in farming until his death. He en- listed in the Confederate Army under Captain Hopkins, and served for two years. He mar- ried Nancy A. Halstead, and they were blessed with one child .- William Thomas .- the sub- ject of this sketch. Mrs. Sykes died in 1893. William Sykes married. secondly, Emma J. Sykes, and they have reared the following chil- dren, namely : Willie : Laban : and Frances.
William Thomas Sykes has been engaged in farming all his life, and also spent five years in the lumber business. In 1884. he bought his present farm, which contains 81 acres of well-cultivated land. He also purchased an- other farm of 174 acres, and one of 74 acres. He takes great pride in bringing this land to a fine state of cultivation, and devotes all of his time and energy to agricultural matters. He built a modern two-story house. of seven rooms, on his home farm, and this has added greatly to the general appearance of the place. November 19. 1885. Mr. Sykes was wed- ded to Vandalia Waterfield, who was born in North Carolina, in 1841. She. was a daughter of Jesse R. Waterfield. Her death occurred August 21. 1891, and she left four children.
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namely : N. Ava. Thomas E .. Lillie Mae, and an infant child; the three last named are de- ceased. Mr. Sykes is a Democrat in politics, and religiously. he is a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, South. He is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Great Bridge, and is a man of honor and integrity.
P HILLIPS & MAHONEY, operators of a large planing mill and lumber yard and dealers in all kinds of builders' supplies. conduct their extensive es- tablishment at No. 1206 Court street. Portsmouth, Virginia. It is one of the most progressive firms in the city, and gives employ- ment to about 50 persons. It was established February 2, 1892. by J. W. Phillips and A. N. Mahoney, and at first these two practical mechanics did all of their own work. The suc- cess which attended their efforts caused them to enlarge their business and employ assist- ants. From a small beginning, with little cap- ital to further their enterprise, the present ex- tensive business has grown, ranking among the largest and most prosperous of the county. Both members of the firm are possessed of un- usual ability. and are most worthy citizens.
' .. J. W. Phillips was born on Court street, Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1856, and is a son of Henry J. Phillips. The latter was a ship-car- penter and an excellent mechanic. He was en- gaged at the Navy Yard for some time prior to the Confederate War. and was a leader in his work. He died in 1886, and his wife passed away in ISog. He had a large family of chil- dren, most of whom are now progressive citi- zens of Portsmouth. J. W. Phillips served an apprenticeship with LeRoy Godwin, one of the finest mechanics Portsmouth has ever had. He also engaged in contracting somewhat before entering into partnership with Mr. Mahoney. He married Cora M. Williams, a daughter of John J. Williams, and they have two children, --- Mary E. and Joseph J. They reside at No. 221 Washington street. Mr. Phillips carries
old-line insurance in the Union Central and Northwestern insurance companies, and is a inember of the Royal Arcanum.
A. N. Mahoney was born in Albemarle County, Virginia. in 1857, and is a son of A. Mahoney, who was a fine carpenter, and for many years in the employ of the James River. Canal Company. The father was born at Old Point Comfort, and resided at Portsmouth un- til he was 19 years old, when he moved to Richmond. where he married Mary C. Everett. a native of that city. Both are deceased. Two of their sons, G. W. and W. C., now reside at Richmond. Both of them are mechanics, and one is a master car-builder. A. N. Mahoney learned his trade with his father at Richmond. and was employed in the locomotive works at that city a number of years. After removing to Portsmouth he was in the employ of Mr. Godwin until the firm of Phillips & Mahoney was established. He married Mary T. Tynan. a daughter of C. B. Tynan of Portsmouth, and they have four children. as follows: Lee Vic- tor, who was born in Richmond, on the day of the unveiling of the Lee memorial monument : Madeline: Mary T .; and Harry L. Socially. Mr. Mahoney is a member of the Knights of Columbus. He carries old-line insurance in the Union Central and Northwestern insurance companies.
L HI. DAVIS, a well-known business man and a highly esteemed citizen of Portsmouth, is superintendent of the ferries plying between Portsmouth, Norfolk and Berkley. having filled the position efficiently since April. 1899. ,
Mr. Davis was born at Williamsburg. Vir- ginia, and is a son of J. A. Davis, who for many years was in the government employ. The subject of this sketch has a brother and sister who reside in Portsmouth. pamely : William L., who is special battle-ship inspector at Newport News, but resides at Portsmouth : and Mrs. Mary J. Powers, a widow.
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L. H. Davis has been a resident of Ports- mouth since 1873, having been reared in that city. He served an apprenticeship as a ma- 1 chinist, and was employed in the Navy Yard for a period of 12 or 13 years. In 1896, he was elected mayor of Portsmouth, and for two years gave the city an honest business admin- istration. He then had charge of the power plant of the city for two years. He had served as councilman prior to being mayor. In April, 1899, he accepted his present position as super- intendent of ferries. In March, 1900, the fer- ries were consolidated with the Port Norfolk Electric Railway, and the present name of the . corporation is the Norfolk, Portsmouth & New- port News Railway Company. The officers are: Harry L. Maynard, president ; Gustavus Ober of Baltimore, vice-president: A. J. Phil- lips, secretary: John L. Watson, treasurer: Theodore Jackson Wool, counsel ; M. R. Jones. superintendent of the railway; and L. H. Davis, superintendent of ferries. Mr. Davis has entire charge of the extensive business of the ferries, which employ about 100 men.
Mr. Davis was united in marriage with a daughter of John W. Land. and has two chil- dren : L. L. Davis. aged 20 years, who is learn- ing mechanical drafting : and Bertha H., aged 17 years. Religiously, he and his family are members of the Fourth Street Baptist Church. Their residence is at No. 431 Randolph street.
Sidney, daughter of Col. John Sidney, and be- came one of the justices of the County Court and high sheriff of the county, besides filling other official positions. The line of descent from John Porter, Jr., to the subject of this sketch is as follows: Samuel Porter, who died in 1698: Samuel Porter Jr .. who died in ITIS; William Porter, who died in 1760: Will- jam Porter. Jr., who died in 1807; Joseph Porter, who died in October. 1831 : and John L. Porter, father of John W. H. Porter, who died in December. 1893.
William Porter. Jr., the great-grandfather. was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He entered the army in 1775, as a lieutenant in the 12th Virginia Regiment, was promoted to be captain, and later was appointed captain of an artillery company, and served until the close of the war. He was a vestryman in the Estab- lished Church and filled a number of official positions in the county. In 1782. he married Elizabeth Luke, daughter of Isaac Luke, and a cousin of Commodore Richard Dale. His brother, David Porter, was before and during the Revolutionary War, a justice of the County Court, and high sheriff of the county. Joseph Porter, the grandfather, served as captain of Virginia troops in the War of 1812, between the United States and Great Britain. He car- ried on an extensive ship-building establish- ment in Portsmouth, and did a large business in that line.
John L. Porter, father of the subject of this biographical sketch, deserves to be classed among the world's greatest inventors, for. as far as authentic record's show, he was the first man who conceived the idea of a steam-pro- pelled. iron-clad vessel for war purposes. He was born in Portsmouth, September 13. 1813. and died December 4, 1893. His mother was Frances Pritchard. daughter of Capt. William
OHIN W. H. PORTER. who is widely known as a practitioner of law, con- : missioner in chancery and writer on historical subjects, maintains his law office at No. 212 High street, in the city of Portsmouth. Virginia. He was born in that city in 1842, and comes of one of the oldest families of the State, his ancestors hav- ' Pritchard. an officer of the Revolutionary War. ing been established in Norfolk County more . He had four brothers, all of whom are de- than 250 years ago. He is descended from ' ceased, namely: William, who was prominent John Porter. Jr., who came to Norfolk County , in the mercantile and shipping business, and as far back as the year 1646, married Mary later removed to Petersburg, where he resided.
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until his death; Sydney Dale, who went to Mobile, Alabama, and became prominent as a ship and steamboat builder; Joseph: and Fletcher. He learned the art of ship-building under his father, and after his father's death, carried on the business and became the owner of several vessels engaged in the West India trade. In 1846 he was appointed acting con- structor in the United States Navy, and sent to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to superintend the building of the iron sloon-of-war "Alleghany," remained in Pittsburg about three years. While there, he conceived the idea of building a scagoing, iron-clad ship, and made plans and specifications, which were submitted to the Navy Department at Washington, but nothing was done about it at that time, except to acknowledge their receipt. The idea was too far advanced for those days. We had not then reached the era of iron-clads. He re- tained, however, copies of his plans for future use. This was 15 years before England and France began experimenting on the subject. Shortly after this, Mr. Porter received a reg- ular appointment as constructor in the navy and built for the government the sloop-of-war "Constellation," the steam sloops "Pensacola" and "Seminole." and the steam frigates "Pow- hatan" and "Colorado." besides a number of smaller vessels. The beginning of the troubles between the States found him stationed at the Pensacola Navy Yard, and. upon the secession of Florida, in January, 1861, he was ordered to the Washington yard, where he remained until April, when he was ordered to the Gos- port Navy Yard, and witnessed the destruction of that establishment by the Federal authori- ties on the 20th of that month .. Among the vessels destroyed at that time was the frigate "Merrimac," which was sunk and burned to her water-line. She was raised May 30th, and Mr. Porter put the hulk in the dry dock. Mr. Porter was opposed to the secession of Vir- ginia, but when the State decided to go out of the Union, he resigned his position in the United States Navy and cast his fortunes with
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