USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 4
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until January 1, 1900, when the concern was sold to Frank T. Clark and associates. The Frank T. Clark Company, Limited, manufac- tures and handles saslı, doors, blinds, hardware, plate and window glass, cabinet mantels, grates, tile work, gas. electric and combination fixtures, paints and builders' and painters' sup- plies. This is one of the leading firms of Nor- folk, and Mr. Clark occupies a conspicuous place among the prominent and influential bus- iness men of that city. He possesses more than ordinary business ability, and is 'a man of keen perceptions and sound judgment.
Mr. Clark is president of the Norfolk Freight & Transportation Bureau, and is also a member of the Business Men's Association. He belongs to the Royal Arcanum, and the Travelers' Protective Association. He is a Democrat in political affiliations. Religiously he is a Presbyterian. He is a man of pleasing personality and has many friends in Norfolk.
OHN L. ROPER, whose reputation as a lumberman extends far beyond the confines of his own State, has been one of the leading and most prominent cit- izens of Norfolk. Virginia, since 1865. It was in that year, in partnership with Fran- cis R. Baird, that he established the lumber business which has grown to stich an enormous size, and of which he is now at the head. That the amount of business transacted each year is extensive can readily be imagined when it is stated that the landed interests of the John L. Roper Lumber Co. consists of more than 200- 000 acres, all of which is owned in fee. The value of so gigantic an enterprise to a city is incalculable, and it may be said that this com- pany has done its full share and more toward making Norfolk one of the greatest seaports in the world.
The original firm name was Baird & Ro- per, and in 1866 they built their first mill on the North Landing River, in Princess Anne
County, During the following year they built a second mill at Deep Creek in Norfolk County. The firm name was changed to J. L. Roper & Company after the death of Mr. Baird in 1876, and continued as such until 1885, when it was incorporated under the State laws of Virginia as the John L. Roper Lum- ber Company. The principle office of the com- pany is in Norfolk, located next to the Nor- folk and Portsmouth ferry docks, and their principal mills are at Gilmerton, Virginia, and Roper and Winthrop, North Carolina. At Gilmerton, a town five miles from Norfolk, in Norfolk County, on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River, are located their large planing mills, with a capacity of 150,000 feet, or more, per day. They also have there a band-sawmill, with dry kilns and all modern equipment. such as electric light plant, fire de- partment, stores, churches and comfortable homes for the employes. Roper, North Caro -. lina, which was named after John L. Roper, was founded by this company, and is located on the Pamlico division of the Norfolk & Southern Railroad, four miles from Albemarle Sound. This division is 30 miles long, extend- ing from Albemarle Sound to the Pungo River, and is another manifestation of the enterprise of the John L. Roper Lumber Company. It was constructed in the interest of the business and was subsequently sold to the Norfolk & Southern Railroad Company. In this town they have a well-equipped band-sawmill, dry kilns and all modern appliances for the man- ufacture of pine lumber, they being pioneers in the South in the preparation of pine lumber for the Northern markets. They also have a mill used extensively in the manufacture of cedar lumber, such as tank-plank and boat- boards. They have a cedar shingle-mill, the Roper cedar sliingle being well known through- out the United States. At Winthrop, North Carolina, on the Neuse River, they have a comparatively new band-sawmill, with dry kilns, etc .. for manufacturing lumber, and at other points in Virginia and North Carolina
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they have circular inills for manufacturing pine lumber. In addition to the lumber of their own manufacture, they contract for the output of other mills, and are undoubtedly the largest lumber dealers of this section. The principal products of this company are North Carolina lumber in all its forms, from boards in the rough to the finest interior woods, cedar lumber of all dimensions, telegraph arms, cedar shingles, railroad ties and cooper logs and staves. Mr. Roper is president of and the prin- cipal stockholder in the company, and has as- scciated with him in the management of the business his two sons, George W., as vice-pres- ident of the company, having general charge of the mills: and W. B., as secretary, having general supervision of the office work. R. D. Parrot, treasurer, is bookkeeper and has been identified with the company since 1867.
John L. Roper was born in Pennsylvania and is a son of Richard Byham Roper, who was born and raised to manhood in Lowther, England. His mother was Esther A. Reyn- olds. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The sub- ject of this sketch came from Norfolk in 1865. and since that time has been prominently iden- tified with various interests of the city. His entire time has not been devoted to his business, and he has never been too busy to assist those who were not so fortunate and successful as himself. He is of charitable disposition and has given freely of time and money to worthy charitable organizations. He has served as president of the United Charities of the city since its inception and has given much atten- tion to the Union Mission. He has been a member of the various Masonic bodies of the city and State, and was instrumental in the organization of the Masonic Relief Associa- tion, through which the Masonic Temple, of Norfolk, was built .. He has been interested in educational work, and indirectly through his efforts the Norfolk College was built; he was president of this institution for about 18 or 20 years. For many years he was president of the Norfolk & Princess Anne Turnpike Company,
and at the present time is president of the North Carolina Pine Association, the Sea- board Fire Insurance Company and the Roper Storage Company. He is also financially in- tcrested in many other enterprises. While never active in politics he has served several terms in the City Council, having been president of the Common branch one term. A portrait of Mr. Roper accompanies this sketch, being pre- sented on a foregoing page.
AMIES N. PEED is a member of the firm of M. L. T. Davis & Company, dealers in wholesale groceries at No. 183 Water street, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was born in Portsmouth, Virginia. in 1869, and is a son of S. S. Peed, and grandson of James Peed.
James Peed was a native of Norfolk Coun- ty, and was of English and Scotch descent. His son, S. S. Peed, father of the subject of this sketch, was also a native of Norfolk Coun- ty. His death occurred in October, 1895. For 18 years he was manager of the George L. Crow Company. He was a strong Democrat in politics and served as chairman of several committees while a member of the City Coun- cil of Portsmouth. He married Elizabeth F. Neville, also a native of Portsmouth. She lives in that city with her son, the subject of this sketch.
James N. Peed, whose name opens these lines, was reared and educated in Portsmouth, and in 1884 entered the grocery store of M. L. T. Davis & Company, taking a clerical po- sition. He is now a member of the company. of which he is also manager. This firm is probably the largest of the kind in Norfolk, and its business covers the territory of Virginia and North Carolina. Mr. Peed has done much to assist in the growth of this firm, and is thor- oughly competent to manage such a large con- ! cern. He is possessed of good judgment and
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unusually keen perceptions, and his long busi- ness experience has made him an authority in his line.
James N. Peed. married Mattie Corbitt, of Southampton County, Virginia, and two chil- dren have been born to them namely: Mar- garet C. and Samuel. He has always made his home in Portsmouth. where he is well known and highly esteemed for his good citi- zenship.
Mr. Peed's brother, Dr. George M. Peed, is a graduate of the University of Virginia, and also of the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He re- turned to Portsmouth in 1897, practiced one year and was then appointed assistant surgeon of the Fourth Regiment. Virginia Infantry, U. S. V., being sent to Jacksonville, Florida. He was next sent to the division hospital in Cuba, and later returned to Portsmouth, where he was mustered out. He was reappointed and sent back to Cuba for six months and later re- ported at Camp Meade. where he acted as ex- amining physician for recruits. He then went to the Philippines with the regiment and was on active duty for 18 months as ist assistant surgeon. He was finally appointed captain and returned to America on a 90-days' leave, when he was made surgeon. with rank of major. He returned to the Philippines in July, 1901.
EORGE MCKENDREE BAIN. one of the prominent educators of Norfolk. Virginia, has been connected with the schools of that city since 1894. Hle comes from a fine old Virginia family and was born at Portsmouth May IT. 1859. His great-grandfather, James Britian Bain, lived in Portsmouth. George Bain, his grandfather, also lived in Portsmouth, and was engaged in the banking and insurance business. George M. Bain, his father, was born in 1826, and is now living in Norfolk. He married
Willie F. Cherry, who was born in that city in 1827.
George McKendree Bain grew to manhood in his native town. He was a pupil in a private school at Norfolk and later attended Randolph College, near Richmond, and the University of Virginia. There he was graduated in 1883, receiving the degree of M. A. He then began the study of law at the University of Virginia and also attended Columbia College at New York City. He next went abroad and remained one year, after which he returned to Virginia and took up his present vocation, that of teach- ing. His first service in that capacity was in the Kenmore High School. Since 1894, he has been identified with the schools of Norfolk, and has been deeply interested in their growth and advancement. He is a deep student and a man of scholarly attainments. He stands among the foremost educators of Norfolk County and this section of Virginia, and is widely and fa- vorably known.
Mr. Bain is a Democrat in politics. He be- longs to no fraternal organizations. Socially he is a member of the Virginia Club and the Country Club, of Norfolk.
HARLES W. COLEMAN. attorney- at-law in the city of Portsmouth. Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Caroline County, Virginia. He was educated at Richmond College. from which he graduated, after which he taught school. He then read law, and after- ward took a course in the University of Vir- ginia, and was admitted to the bar in 1802. He at once began practice in the Kirn Building in Portsmouth, where his office is now located. He is engaged in general practice, and has a large clientage. Previous to practicing his profession he was principal of the Churchland Academy. Mr. Coleman is a lawyer of marked ability, and a man of scholarly attainments :
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he is possessed of much shrewdness and good judgment. He married Virginia J. Griffin. a daughter of John T. Griffin, and they reside in Norfolk County, where they are well- known. They are members of the Christian
Church. Mr. Coleman is a Democrat in politics and has received several import- ant nominations. At one time he was a candi- date for the Senate. His prospects of a splen- did future in legal circles are promising.
C OLONEL C. A. NASH, a repre- sentative citizen of Norfolk, Vir- ginia, has been identified with many important enterprises of the city for many years. He has a military rec- : ord of which he and his family may justly feel proud.
Colonel Nash was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, and at the age of 16 years became a member of the Norfolk Junior Rifles. After serving in that organization for some time he joined the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues. He was a member of that command at the outbreak of the war and continued thus until his elec- tion as first sergeant of the Jackson Grays. in, July, 1861. The company was recruited in Colonel Nash's native county. After seeing some service at Sewell's Point, this com- pany, on the evacuation of Norfolk, proceeded to Petersburg, where it was assigned to duty as Company A. 6Ist Regiment, Virginia In- fantry. In the following October the regi- ment was assigned to Mahone's Brigade. Col- onel Nash took part in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged until the severe wounds he had sustained compelled him to go to the hospital. His first wounds were re- ceived the battle of the Crater, on July 30, 1864, and on August 19th of the same year, he was more seriously wounded at Davis Farm and was forced to retire from the field. Later he resigned his commission in the 6Ist Regi- ment and sought and obtained the consent of
the Secretary of War to enlist in Mosby's bat- talion of partisan rangers, as a private. In the ranks of this daring command he served until its disbandment subscquent to the sur- render of General Lee and the fall of Rich- mond. After the war Colonel Nash took no active part in miltary affairs until his election as first lieutenant of the Norfolk City Guard, May 3, 1877. September 23. 1879, he suc- ceeded to the command of that company. He was elected major of the 4th Regiment, Vir- ginia Volunteers, March 2, 1885, and attained the rank of colonel on October 7, 1890. This hc resigned in 1896.
Colonel Nash has long been prominent in the business circles of Norfolk ; he is connected with many commercial enterprises and is a director in one of the city's most important banks. It is a fact well worthy of mention that Colonel Nash is a self-made man to the fullest extent implied in that term. He started out after the war with willing hands and with the same determination that characterized his life as a soldier during the bloody conflict from 1861 to 1865. and by fair dealing with all men, he has become one of Norfolk's most success- ful and valued citizens.
In political belief he adheres to the princi- ples promulgated by the Democratic party and has been called upon to fill many important offices. He served in the Council of Norfolk many years and was chairman of the finance committee. He is a Mason and is connected with numerous other fraternal organizations.
R JEV. WILLIAM VANN SAVAGE. pastor of the Churchland Baptist Church, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Hertford County, North Carolina, April 6, 1864. He is a son of Robert R. Savage.
Robert R. Savage, who was also a Baptist minister, was born October 14, 1832, in Nan- semond County, Virginia, and graduated from .
THEODORE JACKSON WOOL.
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the Wake Forest College of North Carolina. He spent most of his life in North Carolina and was one of the most prominent preachers of that State in his day. He married Rowena Vann, who was born in Hertford County, North Carolina, December 19, 1840, and they reared five children, namely: William V., the subject of this sketch; Carrie, who married J. L. Camp; Lizzie: Mary, who married Rev. H. T. Williams : and Toy D., a law student at the University of Virginia.
Rev. William V. Savage, whose name heads these lines, attended the Buckhorn Acad- emy of Hertford County, North Carolina, and later graduated from Wake Forest College, North Carolina, in 1884. He then taught school in Raleigh, North Carolina, acting in the capacity of principal of the city schools for three years. He also taught in the academy at Henderson, North Carolina. Rev. Mr. Sav- age was ordained to the ministry in 1891, and for a period of six years occupied a pulpit in North Carolina. He located at Churchland. Virginia, in 1897, where he has since resided. He is a man of scholarly attainments and has done much noble work in his chosen profession. He has a large congregation who honor him for his teachings and upright life.
Rev. Mr. Savage was married in 1888 to Mattie Williams, who was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, August 21, 1868, a daughter of John G. Williams, a prominent banket of that city. Our subject and his wife have four children namely: Mattie T .; Robert R .; John G. : and William V., Jr. Rev. Mr. Savage is a Democrat in politics.
HEODORE JACKSON WOOL, whose portrait is shown on the op- posite page, was born at Nyack, Rockland County. New York, June 17, 1865, where he lived until Sep- tember, 1876, when he removed with his fa-
ther's family to Petersburg, Virginia, where his father engaged in the manufacturing busi- ness.
Mr. Wool was perhaps the only boy born at the North at the very close of the war be- tween the States named after a Southern gen- eral.
Mr. Wool's father was a lifelong Demo- crat, a Southern sympathizer throughout the war, and a great admirer of General "Stone- wall" Jackson, after whom Mr. Wool was named.
Removing to the South in 1876, during the Hayes-Tilden campaign, when Federal sol- diers were placed at the voting precincts at Petersburg, to intimidate Southern voters, his father threw himself at once into the ranks of the Virginia Democrats.
Mr. Wool attended the public schools of Nyack and Petersburg, after which he attended McCabe's university school at Petersburg, and in 1884 entered the sophomore class at Hamp- den Sidney College, from which institution he was graduated in 1887, receiving the medal for oratory in his senior year.
He then taught school for two years in Charlotte County, Virginia, and in September, 1889, came to Portsmouth to take the position of principal of the Fourth District schools, in which capacity he served for three years, until June, 1892. During this time he labored con- scientiously and earnestly in connection with others for the upbuilding of the public- school system, and much credit is due him for his indefatigable efforts in rais- ing the standard of public-school work in Portsmouth. During the winter of ISOI and 1892, he pursued the study of law. having taken a summer course at the Uni- versity of Virginia, during the summer of 1891, and attended the University during the winter of 1892 and 1893. He was admitted to the bar in the summer of 1893, and took up the practice of law at Norfolk, continuing his resi- Idence in Portsmouth.
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In January, 1894. he formed a copartner- ship with Benjamin D. White, afterward judge of the County Court of Princess Anne County. which continued until January 1, 1901. In the meantime Mr. Wool had become interested in a number of enterprises in Portsmouth and its suburbs, and upon the termination of his part- nership with Judge White, he removed his office to Portsmouth, where he has continued in the general practice of the law.
Mr. Wool has devoted a great portion of his time to the material development of Ports- mouth and the surrounding territory. In April, 1899, he became one of the lessees of the Norfolk County Ferries and in May, 1899. was one of a syndicate to purchase the Port Norfolk Electric Railway Company since which time he has served as counsel for both companies.
In March. 1900, when the two companies were consolidated as the Norfolk, Portsmouth & NNewport News Railway Company, Mr. Wool was elected a director in the company and made its counsel, and he has had much to do with the extensions and developments which have grown out of that consolidation.
He is connected with numerous land im- provement companies, among which may be named,-the Portsmonth Water Front Land Company, Pinner's Point Water Front Com- pany, Pinner's Point Land Company, Pinner's Point Home Company. Western Branch Land Company, and the Air Line Land Company, in all of which companies he is a director and for the most of which he is counsel. He is identi- fied with the syndicate which purchased about 500 acres of land on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River, consisting of the Rodman, Maynard and Livingston farms, and is vice- president and counsel of the Portsmouth Dime Savings Bank.
Upon the organization of the Portsmouth Business Men's Association, Mr. Wool was chosen as its first president.
In the summer of 1892, Mr. Wool was
joined in marriage with Esther Todd, daugh- ter of Captain D. W. Todd, of Portsmouth, since which time three children have blessed their home.
Mr. Wool has always been a stanch Demo- crat. - He is a member of the Odd Fellows. Knights of Pythias, Elks and Royal Arcanum. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He is recognized as a man of energy and ability, and although still young, in the prime of his life. the impress of his labor and influence has been felt upon the progress of the community.
JON. MERRITT TODD COOKE was born October 17, 1846, in Norfolk and is a son of Dr. Arinstead T. M. and Mary Louisa ( Todd) Cooke, and grandson of Mordecai Cooke.
Mordecai Cooke was born in Gloucester. Virginia, in 1785, and moved to Portsmouth. Virginia. early in life, becoming a very prom- inent figure there in public affairs. He was a man of wealth and owned a large number of slaves being a true type of the Southern gentle -. man.
Dr. Armistead T. M. Cooke was born and reared in Portsmouth, and attended the schools of that town. He was graduated from the University of Virginia and the Medical College of Pennsylvania, and then entered upon the practice of his profession at Norfolk. His death occurred in 1866. at the age of 51 years. Dr. Cooke was joined in marriage with Mary Louisa Todd, a daughter of Merritt Moore Todd.
Merritt Todd Cooke was born, reared and educated at Norfolk, Virginia, attending the Norfolk Academy and the private school of Professor Galt and of Professor Harrison, of Nelson County. When the Confederate War opened, he left school and by running the Fed- eral blockade at Norfolk joined the Norfolk Light AArtillery Blue. He served in that com-
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pany with the dash and vim characteristic of the Southern soldier until the war was closed by the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Mr. ' Cooke was paroled at Lynchburg, Virginia. He then returned to Norfolk, where he has since been engaged in the real-estate business. In 1872. he was elected city collector of taxes and served two terms. He was a member of the City Council, of which he served as president several terms. He was a member of the State Legislature from 1891 to 1899, and was one of the most able representatives who ever went from his district. He was chairman of the finance committee, and chairman of the Demo- cratic caucus of the House of Delegates.
Mr. Cooke married Mary E. Dickson, a daughter of Richard Dickson and Kate Tal- cott Hale, his wife. Mr. Dickson was a promi- nent merchant of Norfolk at an early date. They have five children: Richard Dickson, a student in law at the University of Virginia ; Mary Louisa: Merritt, T., Jr. ; Kate Talcott ; and Elizabeth Ayman.
RANKLIN D. GILL is one of the most prominent business man of Portsmouth, and is at the head of various enterprises which have gone far toward giving the city the com- mercial standing it now enjoys. He is presi- dent of the Portsmouth Knitting Mills, which were incorporated in 1896, the building having been erccted in 1804. 1895 and 1896. The officers are: Franklin D. Gill, president and general manager; John T. King, vice-presi- dent: Alexander B. Butt. secretary and treasurer ; and R. S. Mackan, superintend- ent. The building occupied is a two-story brick structure, covering about two acres of land, and is well arranged, and equipped with modern machinery for the manufac- ture of cotton knit-goods. They employ about 250 men and women, and use an- nually between 1,200 and 1.500 bales of cot- ton. It is the first and only mill of the kind
in Portsmouth, and about $50,000 is paid an- nually in wages, some of the employees being paid by the day and others by the piece. They have their own electric light, steam heating and dyeing plants, and a 250 horsepower steam-engine: The plant is fully equipped for turning out finished garments, especially under- wear. The process of converting the cotton from the bales to finished garments is a most interesting one. The bales are first run through the carding machines, then to the spin -. ning room, thence to the knitting room. after which the cotton is put through the washing room, then through the finishing room. and lastly finds its way to the packers, and is pre- pared for shipment. Railroad facilities are ex- cellent. as the concern owns its own track, which is connected with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad. The manufactured garments are shipped to all parts of the world. being handled through agents at New York City.
Mr. Gill was born near Portsmouth, and reared in that city. He is of Scotch descent. For years he was identified with the tobacco business at Norfolk, and was one of the first lessees of the Norfolk County Ferries, which he owned and operated from 1889 to 1899. in- clusive. He is president of the People's Bank, which is one of the most flourishing banks in the city of Portsmouth. He is also president of the Portsmouth Star Publishing Company. which publishes the Portsmouth Star. one of the best and most successful papers in the State of Virginia.
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