USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 41
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W. E. Crismond was reared at Ports- mouth, where he attended school. and was also a pupil in Prof. N. B. Webster's school at Norfolk. He was then employed by the Ad- : William: Walter; Charles: Louis: Pilkinton ams and Southern express companies as clerk : C .; Clara, who was united in marriage with
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Young Old; and Kate, who is the wife of George Porter.
In 1889 Pilkinton C. Codd was united in matrimony with Freddie Old, who was born in Princess Anne County, Virginia. They have two children. Marshall, who was born in 1892: and Mary, whose birth took place in 1895. The family attend divine service at the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which Mrs. Codd is a member.
Mr. Codd is a Democrat in politics and is faithful to the interests of his party at all times. In fraternal circles he affiliates with the Royal Arcanum and Knights of Pythias.
R. ROBERT SHEILD PERKINS. who has attained a high degree of success in the practice of the medical profession. is a prominent citizen of Norfolk. He is a North Carolinian by birth, but of Virginian ancestry, being a scion of the Sheild family, which has been one of prominence since near the beginning of the seventeenth century, when it was established in this State and country.
Robert and Mary ( Bray) Sheild were the first of the family to come to this country from England, locating in York County, Vir- ginia. They had a son, Robert Sheild. The latter, who died March 4, 1669, married Eliza- beth Davis, and had a son, Robert. Robert Sheild, the third, was born April 26. 1667. and was churchwarden of Charles Parish. He married Mary Dunn, only daughter of Charles Dunn, who married Temperance Roberts. who is referred to in the early records as "sis- ter to Thomas Roberts." Among the chil- dren born of this union were Robert Sheild and Dunn Sheild, the last named marrying Susan Curtis. The former, whose will was proved May 21, 1753, married Sarah, widow of Thomas Barber, and they, too, had a son named Robert. Robert Sheild, the son, served :as captain in the French and Indian War, and
became major in the militia of York County, Virginia. He was also a justice of the peace. He married Rebecca Hyde, daughter of Sam- uel Hyde, and granddaughter of Robert Hyde, who was an attorney-at-law. Their two sons were Samuel and Robert. Robert Sheild died March 31, 1804. He married at Chiskiack, February, 1781, Martha Hansford. They had a son. the seventh Robert Sheild. He was born October 30, 1789, and died No- vember 10, 1840. He married Martha Drum- mond, and they had a daughter. Martha. mother of Dr. Robert Sheild Perkins. Robert Sheild was a member of the House of Dele- gates.
Rev. Samuel Sheild, a son of Robert and Rebecca ( Hyde) Sheild. entered William and Mary College in 1769. He entered the philos- ophy schools, and in 1773 received from the faculty one of the two medals given by Lord Botetourt, July 29, 1773. for the encourage- ment of classical learning. Rev. Mr. Sheild was a friend of Gen. Thomas Nelson, who rec- ommended him in 1774 to Bishop Beilby for orders. In 1775 he was made minister of Drysdale Parish in Caroline County, and after the death of Jolin Camm, president of William and Mary College. he became minister of York-Hampton Parish. to which was added in 1792 the duties of Charles Parish which ad- joined. Bishop Meade relates that "Mr. Sheild was very earnest in his discourses and that a lady of the old school, at a time when stiff brocades were the church dress of those who could afford it, would go home after some of Mr. Sheild's more animated discussions and call upon her maid to remove her clothes. for she had heard so much of hell. damnation and death that it would take her all evening to cool." By his first marriage Rev. Samuel Sheild had three children: Col. Robert. Capt. Samuel and Mary. He formed a second union with Lucy Howard. a daughter of Henry Howard, and they had two children : Martha and Henry Howard. His will was proved in York County Court, June 20. 1803. and men-
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tioned his three sons: Robert. Samuel and Henry Howard.
Col. Robert Sheild was justice of the peace for York County, and was a member of the House of Delegates. He first married Eliza- beth Sheild, a cousin, and secondly Mary was father of the following children: Sam- tel R .: Richard Henry: Elizabeth, who mar- ried George Cooper: Martha, who married Joseph Algernon Graves, of Surry County, Virginia ; Rebecca : and Roberta.
Samuel R. Sheild was a physician and married a daughter of Westwood Armistead. clerk of Elizabeth City. Their children were : Nannie, who married John Willis, of Hamp- ton: Dr. Mallory, who married Florence W. Garrett and had two daughters: and Capt. Samuel, who was clerk of York County 40 years. The last named, who lived at Win- ton, York County. married Sallie C. Dudley. a daughter of Maj. William Dudley. of War- wick County, her mother being a Cary. Their children were: Mary Eliza, who married Dr. Francis Mallory, a member of Congress; and Bolivar, who was born in 1825 and was also clerk of the county for several years.
Dr. William Henry Sheild married Anna B. Corbin. at Isle-in-View, Gloucester, No- vember 29, 1831. Rev. John Goodall offici- ating. She died February 3. 1847. among their children being: William Henry, a sur- geon in the Confederate Army, who died in October, 1894 .- he was also assistant physi- cian at the Eastern Lunatic Asylum ; and Or- lando Fairfax. an artillery officer in the Con- federate Army, who died in 1862. Dr. Will- iam H. Sheild formed a second union with Susan Ann Howard, a daughter of Col. Henry Howard, of York County, and among their children is Charles Henry, who married Jane Barton, a daughter of David Barton, by whom he had a son, Charles H., a lawyer. of Louis- ville, Kentucky. After her death he married her sister Martha, by whom he had a son. Norton.
The coat of arms of the Sheild family. as preserved on old silver and engraved on a ring, is: On a bend engraved three escutcheons. The crest is a fleur-de-lis, and the motto, "Be Traiste."
On the paternal side Dr. R. S. Perkins is Reade, a daughter of Hawkins Reade. He | descended from Baker Perkins, who came to Virginia and settled in York County, where he purchased "Poplar Hall," situated between Yorktown and Jamestown. He owned a mer- chant ship and as long as he lived was accus- tomed to send to England for his merchandise. His wife was of English birth. They had two children : Baker, Jr., and his twin sister, who was grandinother of Judge Baker P. Lee.
Baker Perkins, Jr .. resided on the large plantation, "Poplar Hall." inherited from his father. He married Zelica Miles Whitaker, who traced relationship to Rev. Alexander Whitaker, who came to Virginia with Dale. He was a son of the distinguished Puritan. Dr. Whitaker. master of St. John's College. Cam- bridge. Without absolute authority, but with almost certainty. it is asserted that he per- formed the wedding ceremony of Pocahontas and John Rolfe. In a letter dated from Jaines- town. June 9. 1617. Gov. Samuel Orgall men- tioned that Rev. Whitaker had been drowned. Zelica Miles Whitaker was a daughter of Richard Harwood Whitaker and Zelica Miles. his wife, the latter's mother being a Tabb. Richard Harwood Whitaker was a grandson and ward of Col. William Harwood, by whom he was reared. According to a will found in the records of Charles City County, the latter was a son of Samuel Harwood. He came very early in the seventeenth century to Virginia and settled on the James River, where he re- ceived a grant of land called "Weyancke" or "Wanock." one of the residences of King Powhatan. In 1767 or 1768 he married Mar- garet Wardropp, of the Isle of Wight. The Miles family, above mentioned. intermarried with the Carys. Brians. Seldens, Camms and other families of colonial times. The Whit- , akers also intermarried with the Carys, of
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"Pear Tree Hall," Warwick County. Virginia. Baker and Zelica Miles ( Whitaker) Perkins were parents of three children: Alexander H. : Richard C. : and Mahala.
Dr. Richard C. Perkins, father of our sub- ject, is an alleopathie physician residing at present in Princess Anne County, Virginia. He served during the Confederate War as cap- tain in the Commissary Department. He mar- ried Martha Sheild, by whom there were two children : Ida, widow of William Whitehurst, of Princess Anne County : and Robert Sheild.
Dr. Robert Sheild Perkins was reared and educated in North Carolina. He later at- tended Horner's Academy at Oxford, North Carolina, and then attended and was gradu- ated from Hahnemann Medical College of Philadelphia, since which time he has engaged in the practice of medicine at Norfolk.
Dr. Perkins was united in marriage with Cornelia Vaughan. of Norfolk, and has seven children: Louise H., wife of Commander C. K. Curtis. U. S. Navy; Rosa V .: Kenneth .Sheild: Robert M .: Allan Armistead: Vir- ginia ; and Claudia.
D R. THOMAS H. WILKINS, a well- known physician of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, comes from one of the oldest and best fami- lies of this State. He was born in Portsmouth, and is a son of Thomas Jefferson Wilkins.
Thomas Jefferson Wilkins was born on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, and settled in Portsmouth when young. He engaged in the wholesale feed business, his store being located on the corner, near the ferry landing. He married Miss McCoy, who has taught school for over 25 years, and now conducts a private school on Court street, in Portsmouth. Her brother, C. W. McCoy; has been in charge of the freight department of the Bay line of steamers, and is also employed by the Sca-
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board Air Line Railway Company. Mrs. Wil- kins has two sons and one daughter, namely : Thomas H., the subject of this sketch : E. P .. who is engaged in the drug business in Ports- mouth ; and Sarah J., who is at school.
Thomas H. Wilkins received his primary education in Portsmouth. He entered the drug business in Norfolk, and subsequently re- moved to Portsmouth, where he continued in that business until 1897,-a period of eight years. He then attended the University Col- lege of Medicine, at Richmond, Virginia. from which he was graduated in 1900. Since that time he has been engaged in practicing his pro- I fession, and has met with much success. He thoroughly understands drugs and their uses, and is considered one of the best physicians in Portsmouth. He has a large practice .. and has cause to be proud of the progress he is making in his profession.
Dr. Wilkins is a member of the Norfolk Medical Society, and also of the Virginia State Medical Society. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and Heptasoph lodges, and is ex- amining physician of the latter. Religiously he is a Methodist. His mother teaches the in- fant class in Monumental Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is very active in church work.
K C. MARSHALL is Commonwealth's attorney for Norfolk County. a posi- tion he has held since 1891, maintain- ing an office in the Kirn Building. He was born in Fauquier County. Virginia, and attended Clifton Preparatory School before the war.
Mr. Marshall entered the Confederate Army at the age of 16 years, serving with the Sixth Regiment. Virginia Cavalry, one year. and then with the Seventh Regintent. Virginia Cavalry. He served as aide-de-camp on General Thomas L. Rosser's staff for the last years of the war, and was wounded at the battle of Trevillian's Station. between
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EDWARD M. BRUCE
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Gen. Phil. H. Sheridan and Gen. Wade Hamp- ton. June 1I, 1864. He was shot through the right lung and was out of service until Jau- uary, 1865, when he resumed his duties. He was at Appomattox Court House, but did not surrender with General Lee and his army, for the reason that Rosser's command was not then surrendered, the General having determined to attempt to join General Johnston's command.
After the close of the war Mr. Marshall commenced teaching school in his native coun- ty, and later had charge of an academy there. He then went to Brookville Academy in Mary- land, near Washington, and had charge of that institution. He removed to Portsmouth in 1873. was there admitted to the bar in 1875. and immediately thereafter entered upon a practice which has since continued. For 10 years he was in partnership with Judge Claud- ius W. Murdaugh, under the firm name of Murdangh & Marshall, their association being terminated by the death of Judge Murdaugh in 1899. Mr. Marshall was Commonwealth's at- torney of Portsmouth about eight years, and since 1891 has been Commonwealth's attorney of Norfolk County, Virginia, the duties of which office he has discharged in a manner entirely satisfactory to all concerned.
DWARD M. BRUCE, who is en- gagcd in the general merchandise business at Bruce Station, and is also one of Norfolk County's well- known truckers, was born on his present farm. December 17, 1850. He is a son of William A. Bruce, who was born in 1821.
William A. Bruce is still living, and resides with his son. He farmed throughout his act- ive life. He married Louisa Coplin, who was born in Nansemond County, Virginia, and died in 1855. Their children were,-Sarah, who married Mr. Peak: Louisa, who married George King, deceased; Henrietta, who mar- ried M. Jones, deceased: Edward M., the sub-
ject of this sketch: and Jenny and Ida, deceased.
Edward M. Bruce attended school in Churchland, and early in life applied himself to farming. In 1892. he built his present store, where he has since carried on a general mer- chandise business. He owns 124 acres of good farming land, and is also engaged in trucking. His store is much patronized by the residents around Bruce Station, and they are always treated with courtesy and fair dealing.
Mr. Bruce married Lovey Keeling. who was born in Princess Anne County, Virginia, and is a daughter of Thomas Keeling. They have two children, namely: Maggie V. and Elizabeth F. Mr. Bruce is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He is a Democrat in politics. and in religious belief prefers the Baptist Church. Mr. Bruce is well known in Norfolk, and is considered one of this coun- ty's best farmers and most enterprising citi- zens. He has a host of friends in the com- munity, who will view with pleasure his por- trait that appears on a page in proximity to this.
A MBROSE HARVEY LINDSAY. who is probably one of the largest and most successful farmers in Nor- folk County. Virginia, is also a man of various other business enterprises. He was born in 1831 and reared in Currituck County, North Carolina. where he also owned and operated a farm for some years.
In 1858 Mr. Lindsay removed to Norfolk County. Virginia, and located on a farmi at Deep Creek. He made his home there until January, 1870, since which time he has resided in the city of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, and was postmaster of said city for two terms, under Presidents Arthur and Harrison, re- spectively. He was an officer in the Confed- erate Army. being 2nd lieutenant in Captain Hopkin's company, which was afterward Com-
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pany B. 6ist Regiment. Virginia Infantry. His resignation as an officer in the army was accepted on the ground that his services to the Confederacy would be of greater benefit by his personal attention to his large farming interest.
Since the war Mr. Lindsay has cleared probably the largest tract of swamp and tim- bered land cleared by any one man in Virginia, and was a member of the State Board of AAg- riculture for some years. He has about 3,000 acres in one body within a mile of Deep Creek. all of which is under cultivation. He has large mercantile interests in Portsmouth, and resides at No. 306 Crawford street. He is a man of pleasing personality, and occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens.
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The termination of the war and its results ยท left him greatly embarrassed financially, but by his great energy and enterprise he soon liqui- dated an indebtedness of $70.000, personal and security obligations, and is now in a prosper- ous condition and free of debt. Success has characterized his entire business career ; his word is as good as his bond, and he is generally known as one of the substantial and repre- sentative men of Eastern Virginia. He is a gentleman by birth and raising, a man of high character and universally respected.
ULIAN A. NORFLEET, M. D., a prominent representative of the medi- cal profession of Berkley, Virginia, was born in Franklin, Southampton County, Virginia, May 2. 1864. He is a son of Alexander W. and Indiana V. ( Ed- wards) Norfleet, both natives of Virginia.
Alexander W. Norfleet was a merchant at Franklin. Virginia, all his active life. He was a soldier in the Confederate Army, and served gallantly in the Nansemond Cavalry. He was widely known, and lived to reach the age of 73 years. He was a member of the Baptist Church, of which he was a deacon, and
was one of the oldest Masons in Eastern Vir- ginia. His wife was a daughter of Jordan and Susan (Clanton) Edwards, and a sister of Lieut .- Col. L. R. Edwards, U. S. Army, Span- ish-American War, who previously served as a lieutenant in the Confederate Army, and also a sister of William Edwards, who served in the war between the United States and Mexico.
Dr. Norfleet is one of eight children. seven of whom are living. Both of his parents came of prominent Virginia families. On his fa- ther's maternal side he is a descendant of Col. Willis Parker, of Revolutionary fame, and Capt. John Holland, an officer of the War of 1812. On his father's paternal side he is a descendant of John Cowper, a captain in the United States Navy during the Revolutionary War, who in the small bark "Dolphin" sailed out of the Nansemond River. and attacked two English cruisers off Cape Henry.
Dr. Norfleet is a graduate of the Medical College of Virginia, class of 1886, and prac- ticed his profession at Ivor and Radford, Vir- ginia, prior to locating in Berkley, in 1893. since which time he has commanded a large practice in this section. He has membership i in the Norfolk Medical Society and the Sea- board Medical Association, of Virginia .and North Carolina, . He has always taken a deep interest in the advancement of the town and is identified with various enterprises, among them the Berkley People's Bank and the At- lantic Building & Loan Association, of which he is a director.
On October 3. 1889. Dr. Norfleet was united in marriage with Sallie Griffin, a daugh- ter of Dr. John C. and Nannie ( Boykin) Grif- fin. of Southampton County, Virginia. Dr. Griffin died in 1887. aged about 47 years. His widow is a beloved member of the household of Dr. Norfleet. Dr. and Mrs. Norfleet have four children, namely: Lelia C .; Hontas Z .: Nannie C .; and Margaret G. He belongs to no secret orders, but is medical examiner for numerous companies.
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L. BERKLEY, a well-known dealer in furniture and hardware in Berkley, Norfolk County, Vir- ginia, was born in Berkley. Au- gust 18, 1861, and is a son of Lycurgus and Eliza Middleton Berkley, who were natives of Fairfax County, Virginia. The father was the founder of the town of Berkley, and was one of the most prominent men of Virginia.
W. L. Berkley started in business for him- self in 1888. In 18944 he erected his present store, which is 40 by 80 feet in dimensions and consists of two stories. He carries a full line of furniture. carpets, stoves, ranges, and. in fact, everything pertaining to the furnish- ing of a house. He buys his goods from dif- ferent manufacturers in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and wherever he can obtain the best goods. He does an immense business, which increases each year. and is one of the largest dealers in that line in Norfolk County. A care- ful manager, painstaking and thorough in all he undertakes, he has met with much success in his business. a fact due entirely to his own efforts. He is much interested in various business enterprises of Berkley, being presi- dent of the Berkley Permanent Building & Loan Association, an organization that was started 15 years ago; and is vice-president of the Merchants' & Planters' Bank, which was established two years ago with a capital stock of $30,000.
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Mr. Berkley was married June 17, 1885, to Judith E. Ferebee, a daughter of Thomas Cooper and Bettie ( Wallace) Ferebee, and four children were born to them, namely : Percival C. ; Judith F. ; Helen M. : and W. L., Jr. Mr. Berkley is a member of the Masonic order, also of the Knights of Pythias. He was one of the first councilmen of Berkley. He is one of the most influential business men of the town, and is a man of sterling qualities. possessing many of the characteristics of his father, who was one of the most noble men of Virginia.
CLICS L. BUNTING, the subject of this sketch, was born in Northamp- ton County, Virginia. September 19. 1857. on the farm where his grand- father had lived and died, and where . his father. James Bunting, was born and reared.
In 1860 his father removed to Norfolk County, and a short while afterward was acci- dentally drowned, being only 26 years of age when he met his death.
His mother, who was Cassie A. Bishop before her marriage, and the daughter of Charles Bishop, died July 6, 1898.
His father's early death threw much care and responsibility upon him, and when quite young he assisted in the farm work, going to school at odd times.
He came to the City of Norfolk in 1876. and secured a clerkship in a ship-chandlery and grocery store, which position he held until 1880, when he succeeded to the business of his former employer. This business under his able management grew and prospered, and was continued at the old stand until 1901. when it was removed to his new building at the northeast corner of Brewer and Washing- ton streets, this building having been erected by him to meet the requirements of his increas- ing business.
In 1889 he associated himself with J. W. Montague, succeeding Peter Turney in the wholesale rubber footwear and rubber clothing business, having also the Southern agency for Carter's oiled clothing. This business is one of the largest of its kind in the South, and was located at No. 71 Commercial Place until 1901. when it was also removed to his new build- ing, thus housing his two interests under one roof.
In March. 1902. W. H. Lang was admitted to partnership in the grocery and ship-chand- lery business, the firm name becoming Bunt- ing. Lang & Company.
Our subject is a self-made man in every I sense that terin implies, and is one of the sub-
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stantial business men of Norfolk, command- ing the respect of all who come in contact with him, either in a business or social way.
Mr. Bunting was married in 1879 to Mar- tha J. Hailes, a daughter of John Hailes, who was a merchant during the latter years of his life. This union is blessed by the birth of three children, namely : Mary J., Etta M. and Julius L., Jr.
Mr. Bunting is Democratic in politics but has never sought political honors. He is a member of the Freemason Street Baptist Church, serves on the board of deacons, and is church custodian.
In the fraternal world none are more prominent or take a more active interest than Mr. Bunting, the following local fraternal or- ganizations claiming him as a beloved and worthy brother: Elizabeth Lodge. No. 34. A. F. & A. M .; Norfolk United Chapter, No. I. R. A. M .: Grice Commandery, No. 16, K. T. : Harmony Lodge, No. 19, 1. O. O. F. : Charity Lodge, No. 10. K. of P .: Black Hawk Tribe! No. 57. I. O. R. M. : Virginia Conclave, No. I. Heptasophians or Seven Wise Men.
For the past eight years he has filled the office of supreme treasurer for the United States of the last named order, and is also a member of Acca Temple Mystic Shrine, of Richmond, Va.
b ARMAN R. ANDERSON, who was for many years successfully engaged in the dry goods business in Ports- mouth, Norfolk County, Virginia. where he at present deals in real es- tate, is a native of North Carolina, and a son of Joseph Page and Margaret S. (Redman) Anderson, both natives of Norfolk County. Virginia.
Walter G. Anderson, the paternal grand- father of the subject of this sketch, was in the United States Navy and was a charter member of Portsmouth Naval Lodge, No. 100,
A. F. & A. M. His son, Joseph P., the father of Harman R., followed in his footsteps and early took up a seafaring life, which he mainly followed during his career. occasionally vary- ing it by divers land occupations. In 1845 or 1846 he removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and a few years later fell a victim to the gold fever which prevailed all over the country, and went to California, where he "struck gold." In 1850 he returned to Norfolk. Virginia, and once more became a seaman. After his marriage he abandoned sea life for a time, and was en- gaged in the book business at Portsmouth. He served during the late Confederate War as a civil engineer, and took an active part in building the fort at Craney Island, being at that time assistant to Captain Demock. He served principally, however, as captain of mer- ; cantile vessels, and had many rough experi- ences. He was cast away three times on Cat Island, of the West Indies, and was taken off each time by rescuing vessels. On account of ill health he was honorably discharged from the army, and died in 1864, at the age of 50 years. He was a member of Portsmouth Na- val Lodge, No. 100, A. F. & A. M .; and Mt. Horeb Chapter, No. IT, R. A. M.
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