USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 43
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Mr. Casteen continued his work with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company until January,. 1891, when he entered the employ of
the Freidlin wholesale grocery house in Ports- mouth, Virginia, where he remained until May, 1891. He then accepted a position with E. C. Brooks & Company, general commission and produce merchants, located at Portsmouth. He remained in their employ until the fall of 1891, at which time he accepted a position with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Com- pany and the Old Dominion Steamship Com- pany, working under C. P. Brownley. Later Mr. Casteen was transferred to the general offices at the corner of Church and Water streets in Norfolk. He is now filling the posi- tion of O. S. and D. clerk. Mr. Casteen is one of the brightest and most progressive young men of the city, and is possessed of un- tiring energy and zeal. He readily gains the confidence of those who employ him, and his future career seems very promising.
He was married May 17, 1899, to a daugh- ter of John W. Rutter. Mr. Rutter and his wife, Esther Parker Rutter, are natives of North Carolina. Mr. Casteen and his wife have one child,-John T. Mrs. Casteen is a member of the South Street Baptist Church.
R. THOMAS JUDSON WRIGHT. a prominent physician of Churchland, Norfolk County, Virginia, whose , portrait accompanies this sketch, was born in Nansemond County, Vir- ginia. September 26, 1845. He is a son of W. J. and Martha ( Smielley ) Wright.
W. J. Wright. the father of our subject, was born in Nansemond County, March 8. ISI9, and departed this life in 1874. He was a prominent and wealthy citizen of that county all his life. He married Martha Smelley, who was born in Virginia in 1821. They reared five children, namely: Joseph S .. deceased. who was a member of the Signal Corps, C. S. Army : John H .. a captain in Col. William H. Stewart's regiment, the -6ist Regiment, Vir- ginia Infantry; William S., deceased, who was
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adjutant of the 6ist Regiment, Virginia In- fantry; J. Edwin, deceased, a member of the Signal Corps. C. S. Army : and Thomas Jud- SON.
Thomas Jndson Wright, whose name opens these lines, attended the Yate's school at Belle- ville, and later Columbian University, at Washington, D. C., from which he was grad- uated in IS70, receiving the degrees of A. B. ; and M. D. He then attended the medical de -. partment of the University of New York and, after graduating in the class of 1871, located at Edenton, North Carolina, where he prac- ticed in partnership with Dr. W. R. Capehart, until 1874.
After taking a post-graduate course in New York, he took up the practice of his pro- fession in 1875 in Churchland. He is a splen- did physician, with a thorough knowledge of his profession. and his reputation has been es- tablished in Norfolk County. He enjoys a large practice and stands high in his profes- sion.
Dr. Wright was married, January 10, 1881, to Mary E. Johnson. of Petersburg. Virginia, who was born March 30. 1852. They have two children namely: Thomas Judson. Jr .; and Anna S. Dr. Wright is a member of the Sea- board Medical Association, and the Norfolk Medical Society. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Religiously he is a Bap- list, being a deacon in the church.
R. BENJAMIN MAY BAKER re- sides at No. 177 Freemason street, and liis office is at No. 61 Granby street, Norfolk, Virginia.
Dr. Baker was born August S. 1865, at Petersburg, Virginia. His boyhood was spent in that city during the weary and burdensome period known as "reconstruction times.":
. After a brief preliminary schooling the sub- ject of this sketch was sent to the University
of Virginia. He then attended the Columbia Medical College, where he graduated in 1889. Soon after obtaining his medical diploma he came to Norfolk, where he began the practice of medicine, in which he is still engaged.
In the spring of 1894 Dr. Baker made a trip to New York City, where he was united in marriage to Theodosia Burr Potts, of that city. They have three children,-Richard Henry, Helen Mav and Benjamin May, Jr.
R ICHARD M. PHELPS, a well-known civil engineer of Berkley, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in Wash- ington County, North Carolina, July 31, 1871. He is a son of Hor- ace F. and Melissa E. (Snell) Phelps, both of whom were natives of North Carolina.
Horace F. Phelps was a civil engineer, and did much surveying in his county. He also taught school for a number of years, being both a public and private tutor. He was well and favorably known in his section of the State. His death occurred in 1895, at the age of 65 years. . He was a member of the Episco- pal Church. His wife, a devout member of the Methodist Church. is still living, aged 56 years. Both were descended from old families of North Carolina. Three children were born to Horace F. Phelps and his wife, namely : Richard M., the subject of this sketch : Pegram L., of Berkley: and Lula, who lives in North Carolina.
Richard 'M. Phelps was educated princi- pally at the Creswell Academy, where he took a special course in civil engineering. He also gained much of his knowledge of that profes- sion from his father. He made his home in Washington County until 1894, when he re- moved to Edenton, North Carolina, where he opened an office, and worked for some time. In 1896 he removed to Norfolk, and has been in business for himself since that time. He left Norfolk to settle in Berkley. and - from
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1897 until I901 was construction engineer for the Berkley Street Railway Company. Since that time he has been the official engineer of the town, and has done much general work in · civil engineering. He has established a good reputation as a civil engineer of much ability, and is well known in Norfolk County.
On May 23. 1893, Mr. Phelps was united in marriage with Edna Phelps, a native of North Carolina. They bore no relationship to each other, although the family names were identical. Mrs. Phelps was a daughter of Hardy Phelps, and for many years was a teacher. She taught school, both in public and private institutions in North Carolina, for six years. She died in 1897. in her 27th year. laving one child,-Richard M ..-- who is named for his father. Mr. Phelps formed a second marriage, wedding Alma Shell, of Richmond, Virginia, November 22, 1899. She is a daughter of L. R. and Ada Shell, and has one daughter,-Alma May.
Mr. Phelps has met with much success in his profession, and has made for himself a host of warm friends, who admire him for his many good traits of character. He and his wife attend the Episcopal Church.
C APT. ELLSBERRY V. WHITE, now connected with important com- mercial and financial interests of Norfolk, Virginia, is well known throughout the South through his association as engineer with the famous iron- clad ram, C. S. S. "Virginia." whose brief service in Hampton Roads attracted the atten- tion of the civilized world. He is a native of Georgia, and was born in Wilkinson County in 1839. When he was a child his parents moved to Macon, where he was schooled and apprenticed to a machinist, in which line he worked for several years, and fitted himself un- wittingly for his future distinguished service.
Georgia, when he became a member of the City Light Guards, commanded by Capt. Pey -. ton H. Colquitt. a brother of the late Senator A. H. Colquitt. After the secession of Georgia this company was mustered into service as a part of the Second Georgia Battalion, and was the first Georgia command to enter Virginia. reaching Norfolk two days after the evacu- ation by the Federals and the destruction of the Navy Yard. After his arrival Captain White witnessed the expiring flames of the i burning of that magnificent old ship, the "Mer- rimac." once the pride of the navy and the ob- ject of adiniration in foreign ports, whose sinken hull was to be raised and made the foundation of the irresistible floating battery. known as the "Virginia." Sergeant White, for such was his rank at that time, applied sub- sequently for admission to the Confederate States Navy, and was accepted and commis- sioned as an officer of the Engineer Corps. January 19, 1862. He was among the first men assigned to the "Virginia," and remained with her until her destruction. His office re- quired him to do duty on the gun-deck during engagements, which gave him an opportunity to observe closely the operations of the day. The thrilling history of this famous old bat- tery has been often told by Captain White upon the lecture platform, where he has ap- Feared many times for the benefit of charitable enterprises and on behalf of Confederate Vet- eran associations. On Pages 86-92. inclusive. of this book may be found a history of the bat- tle-ship "Merrimac"-"Virginia," written by Captain White.
In the encounter between the "Monitor" and the "Virginia." March 9, 1862. the honors of shot and shell were well balanced. and if the "Virginia" had not on the previous day lost 1 her ram in the sides of the "Cumberland," the . moment when she succeeded in sinking that famous old frigate, Ericsson's invention would probably have seen its last day afloat: as it was, the "Monitor" 'drew away after that, In 1856 the family removed to Columbus, ' shock and sought shallow water . where the
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"Virginia" could not follow, and, though often thereafter given an opportunity to meet the "Virginia," never again offered to accept bat- fle with her. Captain White remained on his vessel, whose very presence effectually guarded the James River from the Federal fleet, until the evacuation of Norfolk in 1862, when, de- spite the eutreaties of her officers and men for permission to attack some Northern port. she was ordered abandoned, and it became neces- sary to destroy the historic vessel, which was accomplished by her own men on May 12, 1862, near Craney Island. Captain White afterward joined the crew in the defense of the James River at Drewry's Bluff, where they again encountered the "Monitor" where the rest of the Federal fleet, and de- feated the attempted landing of troops. Sub- sequently he was assigned to the gunboat ""Baltic." and participated in several minor actions about Mobile Bay, assisting the "Florida" when she ran the blockade under command of Captain Moffat, with a fever- stricken crew. He then resigned from the navy, and returned to Columbus. Georgia, where he invented and put into operation ma- chinery with which nearly all the buttons and buckles used in the army were subsequently manufactured. Becoming a member of the Georgia Reserves, he served with them when . called to Atlanta under General Hood, in the important battles of June 20, 21 and 22, 1864. After the fall of Atlanta he was ordered to re- . turu to Columbus, where he encountered the Federal forces of General Wilson, and was compelled to surrender. This ended a mili- tary record of which he might justly be proud.
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After these events Captain White resided at Portsmouth, and then, making his home in Baltimore, was occupied for over two years as a traveling salesman. By industrious persist- ence he accumulated a small capital, which en- abled him to embark in business as a partner of his father-in-law, Nathan Forbes, at Norfolk. Subsequently he established an independent
business under the title of E. V. White & Com- pany. Captain White is a man whose ability is recognized, and he has been called to fill some important and responsible positions. In political life he has often sat as a delegate in State and national conventions. For many years he served as commander of the Norfolk militia -: at the occasion of the noted Mexican Parade at Norfolk, the largest ever seen in the city, his services were in demand as grand marshal of the day.
His religious affiliations are with the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South, and he has represented that denomination in State and general conferences many times. He was chief promoter of the Park View Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Portsmouth, which was dedicated in 1894 by Rev. Sam Jones.
He is officially connected with various business enterprises of the city and county, being president of the Tidewater Insurance Company of Norfolk and one of the founders of the Norfolk National Bank. Under hin was introduced one of the largest branches of any business known in Norfolk,-railroad, steamboat and manufacturers' supplies,- which started in 1868 with only about $2.000 invested. Now, with the many houses in Nor- folk. the investment has grown to possibly more than three-fourths of a million dollars.
ILLIAM H. WHITE, formerly United States district attorney for the Eastern District of Vir- ginia, is a member of the firm of White, Tunstall & Thom, an as- sociation of legal talent which has attracted attention throughout the State and enjoys a large clientage, both individual and corporate. Mr. White was born in Norfolk County, April 16, 1847. and is a son of Dr. William White. Dr. William White was also a native of Norfolk County, and became , a prominent
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WILLIAM V H. WILLIAMS.
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member of the medical profession. He was also a power in public affairs and represented the county of Norfolk in the Virginia Conven- tion of 1861, strongly advocating the Union, but when the convention voted in favor of se- cession he was among the first to tender his services to the Governor of the State. and be- came a Confederate soldier. He received a commission as major of the 14th Regiment, Virginia Infantry, and ultimately became its commander. His reginient formed a part of Armistead's Brigade of Pickett's Division, and he participated in all the engagements of that famous division, receiving many serious wounds in the famous charge at Gettysburg. He fought with great gallantry and bravery. and although they went down in defeat, the division of which he is a member will live for- ever in the hearts and minds of true Southern- ers. The Doctor never entirely recovered from wounds received in battle, and they were the cause of his death in 1896.
William H. White received a partial edu- cation at the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington, and completed it at the University of Virginia. He entered upon the practice of law at Portsmouth. Virginia, in April, 1868. and was subsequently made Commonwealth's attorney for Norfolk County. He removed to the city of Norfolk in 1870, and for several years was Commonwealth's attorney for that city. In 1873 he formed a partnership with Judge T. S. Garnett, under the firm name of White & Garnett, which existed until 1896, when the subject of this sketch was appointed United States district attorney for the East- ern District of Virginia by President Cleve- land, the appointment being confirmed by the Senate in January, 1897. He resigned from that office in December, 1898, and on January 1. 1899. became a member of the firm of White, Tunstall & Thom, a firm enjoying one of the largest practices in Virginia. Mr. White is also connected with many business enterprises of the city, being vice-president and general counsel of the Norfolk Gas Com-
pany, a director of theNorfolk National Bank, and director of the Norfolk Bank for Savings & Trusts. For many years he was a member of the State Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington. Vir- ginia.
Politically Mr. White has always been a sturdy supporter of Democratic principles, but has never sought or accepted political offices other than those connected with his profes- sion. He is a lawyer first and always, possess- ing a sound, discriminating mind. a profound knowledge of legal principles, and as an advo- cate is earnest and eloquent. He is conserva- tive in speech and of courteous nature, but withal is a pleasing conversationalist and loves. intellectual intercourse with his friends.
ILLIAM V. H. WILLIAMS, de- ceased. whose portrait is herewith shown, was a prominent citizen of Portsmouth, Virginia. He was the youngest son of John Will- iams and Paulina Luke Herbert, and was born in Portsmouth April 12. 1846.
Mr. Williams was descended from some of the oldest families in Virginia. His paternal ancestors first settled on the Eastern Shore. His great-grandfather. Samuel Williams, born in 1725, and Sarah Haggoman, his wife, moved to Mathews County. Virginia. before the Revo- lution, and were patriotie American sympa- thizers. Thomas Williams, their third son, born in 1762. married Mary L. Billups and they had eight children, all noted for their strict integrity and high moral character. Their longevity was remarkable-all lived to be over So, except the heartiest and strongest, who was drowned at 75 years. Jolin, second son of Thomas Williams, and father of William V. H .. was born June 18. 1807 : he married Pant- ine Luke Herbert, daughter of Peter Herbert and Elizabeth Granberry Luke, on January 27, 1835.
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Isaac Luke, one of the maternal ancestors, was in his day one of the best known and most prominent citizens of Portsmouth, a large landowner and a wealthy man. He was a member and vestryman of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, but after hearing George Williams, an English divine, preach on Meth- odisin, he entertained him at his home on Court street and became the first class-leader of the Methodist Episcopal Church south of the Potomac River. He and his wife are bur- ied in Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church- yard. and his wife's tombstone is now ensconced on the south end of the east wall in the church. This tombstone, which was brought from Eng- land, was originally fastened on the wall in the churchyard with copper bolts; but during the war betwen the States the Federal soldiers wrenched it from its place for the sake of the copper bolts, which they sold as old copper. The stone was broken and lay upon the ground until after the war, when the pieces were ce- mented together. In 1804, when the present church was remodeled. the rector. Rev. J. B. Funston, had it carefully reset in the church wall. where it now rests.
Through the Herberts, the subject of this sketch is descended from the nobility of Eng- land. The Herbert family in America was es- tablished by three brothers, who came from England and settled in St. Bride's Parish on a neck of land between Norfolk and Portsmouth, once called Ferry Point, for a short time Her- bertsville, and now known as Berkley. The Herberts were well-to-do people, and were very proud of their birth and position. Mr. Williams' great-great-grandfather, William ITerbert, was descended through Fitzhugh Herbert, from Lord Herbert. William Her- bert, born in 1718, married Janet Causon, and had 12 children, but we have records of the families of only four of them. Reuben, the old- est. born in 1743, married Betty Sparrow in 1765. Martha, the third child, married Mr. Odean. Janet, the sixth child. married Mr. Moore. William, the seventh child, had !
a grandson living near New Orleans in 1868. - Reuben Herbert and Betty, his wife, had To children. Those who married were Martha, the eldest. who married Thomas Tatem in 1786: Peter, the second child. born September 9. 1769, who married Peg- gy Sparrow, died December 1. 1792. and after her death married Elizabeth Granberry Luke, April 30, 1816. and died suddenly of apoplexy on Sunday, December 6. 1829: Jo- seph. the third child, who married Sarah Rey- nolds : Frances, the fourth child, who married Sheldon Toomer, in 1793 : Mary, the fifth child, who married James Lewelling; and Reaben. the eighth child. who married Ann V. Luke.
Peter and Elizabeth ( Luke) Herbert were the parents of Pauline Luke Herbert, who mar- ried John Williams. and was the mother of William V. H. Williams. John Williams and his wife had five children: Mary Elizabeth. Thomas Herbert, Lucy Jane, John Herbert and William V. Herbert.
William V. H. Williams was educated at the Virginia Collegiate Institute, at that time the principal institution of learning in this sec- tion. Though too young to enter the Confed- crate Army, a fact which he always regretted, he was a zealous, patriotic worker in the cause. His family, however. were well represented in the Southern Army, his two brothers, Jolm Herbert Williams and Thomas Herbert Will- iams, enlisted early and stayed to the finish. His uncle. John Luke Herbert, was wounded at Malvern Hill July 1, 1862, and honorably discharged, but enlisted again in the Engineer Corps. Lieut .- Col. G. G. Luke, a cousin, led the brigade at the capture of Plymouth. North Car- olina, and was severely wounded at Drewry's Bluff ; but he was again with the brigade around Petersburg, and was captured at Five Forks.
After the war Mr. Williams engaged in ser - eral lines of business and at the age of 19 had a large school in Hampton, Virginia. where he taught for several years. He returned to Portsmouth and for about two years as-
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sisted Capt. C. T. Phillips in his school. but afterward established a school on North street, between Court and Middle streets, in the old homestead of his grandfather, Peter. Herbert. This school was largely patronized, and was always a great pleasure to him. He contin- ued to conduct it until 1874, when he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Ports- mouth Insurance Company. It was the only home company in this section owned and man- aged by home ( Portsmouth ) people. Its building was on High street. where the new Merchants' & Farmers' Bank now stands. During his management of the business. through his ability and integrity, its success and prosperity were remarkable. At his death no one satisfactory to the company could be secured to take his place. so the company. which had been incorporated in 1832. was sold. the entire assets. liabilities, business and charter of the company. The stockholders received nearly four dollars for one. or, in exact figures. $3.90 net for every dollar invested. During the 24 years he was connected with the com- pany he did not lose a day on account of sick- ness until the illness which resulted in his death, July 14, 1898.
Loan Association: past master of Seaboard Masonic Lodge, No. 56. A. F. & A. M .; a member of Portsmouth Council, No. 227. Royal Arcanum: treasurer of the Confederate Monumental Association from 1880 until the completion of the Confederate Monument ; and had served on the School Board, and in the City Council.
On February 21, 1882, Mr. Williams mar- ried Sallie E. Kearns, of New Orleans, Louisi- ana, daughter of Lawrence Lamb and Anna ( Devereaux) Kearns. They had four chil- dren : Pauline K., Lawrence, Cecile and W. V. H.
Mr. Williams was loved and respected by all who knew him, but it was in his home. among his family, that his generous heart and gentle nature were seen at their best. His presence shed sunshine and happiness wherever he went. He was one of the most charitable men of the city. With a generous disposition and a lavish hand, he aided the poor and helped the needy. He gave systematically-creed ar na- tionality made no difference to him. Besides contributing nobly to his own church -- Monu- mental Methodist Episcopal. South-he gave liberally to others of the city, and made it a point to give regularly one-tenth of his income to charity.
For years Mr. Williams was the intimate friend and business companion of O. V. Smith. and these two together took an active part in No man could be more sorely missed from the business and social life of the city than Mr. Williams. His charitable acts will live in the memory of his intimates who chanced to know of them. The influence of his sound business sense will live after him, and his thousand good qualities will not soon be for- gotten. the advancement of the city's interest, which very naturally developed her advantages. At the time of his death. he was actively con- nected with the following organizations: Sec- retary and treasurer of the Portsmouth In- surance Company: director of the Bank of Portsmouth ; director of the Portsmouth Com- pany; secretary of the Portsmouth Land Im- provement & Promotion Company : a member of the Board of Trade: trustee and director APT. WILLIAM W. OLD, a prouni- lent attorney of Norfolk, was born in Princess Anne County. Virginia. November 17, 1840, and is a son of Jonathan Whitehead Old. and a lineal descendant of Edward Old, who settled of the Y M. C. A., of which he had also served as president : a steward and trustee of Monumental Methodist Episcopal Church. South, and at the time of his election was the youngest man to fill that office: a director of" the Portsmouth & Norfolk County Building & | in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia, early in
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the seventeenth century. During the Indian wars previous to the Revolution, and in that struggle itself, members of his family gallantly served the Commonwealth. Thomas Old. of that period, and his kinsman, James Tooley, were members of the Committee of Safety in Princess Anne County during the War of In- dependence. Captain Old's mother. Elizabeth Anne ( Whitehurst ) Old, connects him with another old and honorable family of Virginia. Her father, Colonel William Whitehurst, was for many years the presiding justice of Prin- cess Anne County by commission from the Governor.
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