USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 47
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CRANEY ISLAND, June 10, 1821.
CAPTAIN ETHAN A. ALLEN -
Sir :- As you are about to take your leave of us, probably never to meet again, we deem it a duty to express on the occasion of our unfeigned regret, and to tender you our united declaration of the veneration and respect we have always entertained for you as an officer during the period we have had the honor of being under your command. Be assured, sir, that we entertain the liveliest gratitude to you for your inde- fatigable zeal in promoting our happiness and welfare, and the discipline and good order of your command. which convince us that your aim was at all times to promote the public good in your official capacity, with- out oppression.
trust that the Almighty will guide and protect you wherever you go, and that prosperity may attend you in whatever pursuit of life you may hereafter enter upon. We now bid you adieu. That the blessings and prayers of your old company may be propitions is our sincere wish.
(Signed By) WILLIAM COOPER, DANTIL DAWLING, GEORGE COUZENS, JAMES HANNA.
Sergeants of Company O, and by the rest of the non-commissioned officers and privates of said com- pany.
Captain Allen received the following an- swer :
CRANEY ISLAND, June II. 1821. I cannot well express the feelings of my heart to the men of the company that I have lately had the honor of commanding, for the spontaneous declaration of approbation and good wishes which has been by them tendered to me. I hope that whenever and under whatever circumstances I may hear of Company O, that its reputation for correct discipline, subordination and honorable conduct may stand unrivaled. I am now about retiring to the peaceful walks of private life. I leave you with regret. I hope that your conduct may be such as to command the esteem of your officers and the respect of the citizens. With feelings of sincere friendship. I bid you all a long and last farewell.
TO COMPANY O.
E A. ALLEN, Late Captain U. S. A.
Mrs. Jennings has always been a bright, active woman. She possesses a good mind and scholarly instincts and was well educated in private institutions of learning. She has been twice married, but has been a widow for many years, both her husbands having been long since deceased. Her first marriage was with Andrew Weir, a Virginian by birth, who was born April 12, 1818, and died August 9. 1865. Hle was a lieutenant in the United States Navy, and upon his death leit two chil- dren : Walter G., who died April 22. 1889; and Allen, who is his mother's standby and su- perintends her farm. giving personal attention to every detail of the farm work.
Our subject's second marriage with George Wythe Jennings, who was born at Nor- folk. Virginia, October 10. 1820. He was a son of William Jennings, a native of the same
As you are now about to retire to private life from the bustle of a camp, and from the service of your country (which you have served honorably and faithfully for nearly seventeen years), it is our wish and , city. Mr. Jennings was also a military man
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of some distinction and saw active service during the Mexican War. serving as sergeant. He died December 5. 1888, and was mourned as only a good and esteemed resident can be. Both husbands were Democrats.
Mrs. Jennings is the owner of considerable real estate, which with the valued assistance of her son she manages wisely and well. Although the possessor of an ample competence. her i thrifty habits will not allow her to lead an idle life, even at her advanced age, and her many and various ways of assisting people in deep distress and want have caused her to become widely known, loved and esteemed. She is an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, with which she united many years ago.
In connection with this sketch are presented the portraits of Mrs. Tennings and her father. Capt. Ethan Alphonso Allen.
D AVID R. CREECY, of D. R. Creecy & Company. is one of the greatest hustlers among real estate men, and stands second to none on investments and sales in Norfolk and its sur- rounding country. There are two classes of : real estate dealers in the world. One class sits in the office and waits for a purchaser, while the other class goes out and finds buy- ers and sells land before the others even reach their office. To this latter class belongs the firm of D. R. Creecy & Company, dealers in : all kinds of Norfolk rcaity: these gertlemen are always on the alert, ready to make big or little deals, and are among the up-to-date. wide-awake firms of the city. They started in business in 1896, with offices in the Moritz Building, but a year later moved into the City National Bank Building, at the corner of Main and Atlantic streets.
D. R. Crecey & Company have been inter- ested in a number of large real estate transac- tions, principal among which have been Vir-
ginia Place, River View and a portion of the Ballentine farm. They have sold also over 1.ooo building lots. They have for sale hotels, dwelling houses, fruit farms, stock and grain farms. plantations, lumber and sawmilis, tim- berland, stores, factories, coal lands, vacant lots, summer resorts, wharf and mining prop- erty, stone and marble quarries and gold and copper mines. They publish in connection with their business. The American Real Es- tate Advertiser, a monthly paper devoted to the realty business.
Mr. Creecy was born in Norfolk County. near Portsmouth. Virginia. in 1863, and is a son of David R. and Pauline ( Wilkinson) Creecy. the former of whom was born in Per- quimans County, North Carolina, in 1821.
David R Creecy. Sr .. followed farming at | his native place until about 50 years ago, at which time he went to Norfolk and bought a farm at Paradise Creck. near Portsmouth, where he followed market gardening. Fii- teen years later he sold this place and was en- gaged in similar business on a farm at Sewell's Point, for two years, and later, for two years. at Berkley. Virginia, after which he retired from active life. He married Pauline Wilkin- son, a native of Norfolk, who was a daughter of John Wilkinson, and died in 1898, at the lage oi 73 years.
The subject of this sketch acquired his mental training in the public schools of his na- tive city, and was reared there, devoting much of his early life to clerking in a furniture store. After 14 years spent in this manner, he en- tered business under the firm name of Creecy & Dilt. furnishers, and continued thus for four years, when they met reverses and closed the business, paying. however, 100 cents on every dollar.
In 1885. a friend of Mr. Creecy, knowing his business capacity, urged him to take an interest in real estate. This he did, and on his first day soll 49 lots in the Park Place dis- trict. a most promising suburb of Norfolk. He knew from that time on that he had found
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his calling, and perceiving that Norfolk had before it a great future, with fine opportunities for interested capitalists to invest in real cs- tate, he went to work diligently and has since won the confidence and esteem of a large cir- cle of acquaintances, and made some of the . best sales on record. He has handled much property in Park Place, Virginia Place. River View, Chent. Sewell's Point, Lambert's Point. Williamson's Addition, and other places, starting in while many of these subur- ban places were only cornfields. His main et- fort has been to improve them, and to sell to men who would build and make all the modern improvements. These places now boast of fine streets, walks, shade trees, etc. Besides these subdivisions, Mr. Creecy has also han- dled agricultural land in the county, especially for market-gardening purposes. He has also sold and handled much property for Norfolk propor, for instance, the Norfolk College, which is to be rebuilt as the Granby Hotel. and also the Atlantic Hotel. He is now de- . veloping a large area of mineral lands in both Halifax County. Virginia, and in North Car- olina.
Mr. Creecy as one of the originators of the American Real Estate Company. Although a very active citizen, he has never aspired to the honors of public office.
P ETER ALEXANDER AGELASTO, : attorney-at-law of Norfolk. Virginia. was born at Bombay. India. Febru- ary 14, 1868, of Greek ancestry. He came to Virginia with his parents in 1881, and settled in Norfolk. He was edu- cated at the University of Virginia, from the law department of which he was graduated in the spring of 1888. After his graduation he went abroad for about a year. Early in 1889 he began in Norfolk, the practice of his chosen " profession, in which he is still engaged. He has . leen very successful, having built up a good
practice and gained a creditable standing at the bar. He is a man of scholarly attainments, and is progressive in all his ideas.
Mr. Agelasto does not belong to any fra- ternal organizations. His parents and two brothers also reside in Norfolk.
h ENRY O. BILLUPS, who is a butcher, with place of business at stall No. 26, City Market, Norfolk, Virginia, was born in Mathews County, Virginia, in 1858. He is a son of Frank S. Bill- ups, who was a merchant of Norfolk many years ago. and is now living in that city in re- tirement.
Mr. Billups grew to manhood in his native county, and attended the district schools of that time. In 1875, he came to Norfolk, where he served as an apprentice boy to Thomas Win- ingder. At that time Mr. Winingder was locat- ed at the old City Market, in stalls Nos. 29-31. and all animals were slaughtered on the home place. Mr. Billups soon learned all the partic- ulars of the business, and worked for Mr. Win- ingder nine years and seven months. He then entered into partnership with P. B. William- son, the firm name being Williamson & Billups. and their shop was in stall Nos. 18-20 at the old City Market. When the new City Market was opened in October, 1893. Mr. Billups se- cured one of the best stalls and was one of the first occupants of the new building. In 1896. he began business alone, and his trade is on the increase. He keeps only the best of meats. and his prompt and courteous attention wins for him much patronage. His shop is open from 4 .A. M. to 12 P. M.
He was married to Mary W. Harris, a daughter of Hunter Harris, of North Caro- Fina. They have two children, namely : Harry E. ; and George M. Mr. Billups is a member of the following fraternal organizations : Knights of Pythias; Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Improved Order of Red Men:
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Woodmen of the World; Knights of the Mac- cabees; National Union; Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks: and Modern Puritans. He is what may be termed a self-made man. and is possessed of good business ability, and many sterling qualities.
A MOS JOHNSTON ACKISS, who is engaged in the practice of law in Norfolk, also holds the office of Com- monwealth's attorney in Princess Anne County. Virginia. He is a young man of unusual ability, and has made a success in his profession. He was born at Princess Anne Court House, Virginia, Au- gust 31. 1871, and is descended from one vi the earliest settlers of Lower Norfolk County.
Caleb Lamont Ackiss, the grandfather of Amos Johnston Ackiss, was a son of Thonias and Jane (Lamont) Ackiss. He was an ex- tensive farmer. He married Lovey Fisher, a daughter of Israel Fisher.
John B. Ackiss, the father of our subject. was reared on his father's plantation and went West to the Mississippi Valley, where he was overseer of a plantation ; he returned to Virginia prior to 1861. He enlisted, in that year, as a private in Capt. E. W. Copp's company, was later discharged on acount of sickness, and never regained his health sufficiently to re- enter the service. He became a commissioner of revenue of the county, and served as such until his death in 1880, at the early age of +3 years.
Amos Johnston Ackiss was nine years of age when deprived of the assistance of a father, and at the age of II years he be- gan clerking in a store in the summer and attending public school in the winter. When nineteen years old he attended William and Mary College. and then became clerk of the County Court of Princess Anne County, where he took up the study of law in 1893. IIe then entered the law !
department of the University of Virginia, and was admitted to practice in 1894. He lo- cated for the practice of his profesion at Prin- cess Anne Court House in 1895. and was ap- pointed commissioner of courts, which office he held for two years. He then resigned to accept the office of Commonwealth's attorney, in which capacity he is now serving. On July 23, 1900, he opened an office in Norfolk, in the Citizens' Bank Building, where he spends a part of each day, having established a well- paying practice in that city.
In 1894, Mr. Ackiss was joined in marriage with Bessie Sheild Kemshall of Suffolk, a daughter of Frank and Robinett | Sheild ) | Kemshall. Her mother was a daughter of Robert Sheild of Norfolk, Virginia. This un- ion has been blessed with one daughter .-- Madge. Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is a member of Princess Anne Lodge. No. 25. A. F. & A. M. ; Princess Anne Lodge. No. 16. I. O. O. F .; and Norfolk Lodge, No. 38. B. P. O. E.
A. WAINWRIGHT, a leading resi- R dent and business man of Norfolk. Virginia, is a large property owner and heavy real-estate dealer in the above-named city, having success- fully conducted some of the best deals vet made in that vicinity. He is indigenous to Norfolk County, his birth having occurred in 1877 in the city which is still his home. His father is Capt. R. D. Wainwright. well known in the community.
Mr. Wainwright attended various institu- tions of learning in his native place during his youth, availing himself of every opportunity to acquire a more comprehensive education. and finally entered V. P. I., where he took a scien- tific course. His college education completed. young Wainwright accepted a clerical position in the large realty office of R. M. Garrettson &' Company, of New York City, and remained in
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their employ for several years, or until 1900. He severed his connection with this company during that year. and went to South Carolina. where he was engaged as paymaster for the At- lantic Coast Lumber Company, and filled this position with credit to himself, and to the em- inent satisfaction of his employers. While thus employed, he could not fail to see the ad- vantages open to real-estate dealers along the coast : returning to his old home in 1901. he opened a real-estate and loan office, a business for which he had received special training and for which he has much natural adaptability. as the number and character of his recent sales gu to prove. He owns some very fine real estate in Norfolk, which he is improving and prepar- ing to market.
Mr. Wainwright is an energetic man, and understands how to make a success of his work. Besides being an excellent business man. he is a public-spirited citizen, and is no better pleased than when performing some useful service in the community. He is blessed with exceptional talents and takes a high place in social affairs.
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D R. LUTHER R. CHILES, who for a third of a century has followed the calling of a physician and surgeon, has won a standing that may well be envied. No more popular or es- tecmed gentleman than he is to be found in Norfolk. Virginia, which place has been his home and the scene of his successful labors, for the past To or II years.
Dr. Chiles is a native of Chesterfield County, Virginia. where he was reared on a farm and attended the district schools. When he reached manhood's years, he chose to fit himself for the medical profession. Entering a well-known medical college of Virginia, he began his preparations for his life work, and in time completed the medical course with credit. A short time afterward he opened an office in Hanover County, where he engaged
in the practice of his chosen profession. From the start his success was marked. and a little later he sought a broader field for his labor at Manchester. Virginia, which was his home for a period of 21 years. His practice grew and yielded good returns. Being, as he is, a thorough student, and well versed in all that pertains to his business, he was regarded, in a comparatively short time, as one of the best and ablest physicians and surgeons in Man- chester, and succeeded in winning the conti- dence of a large element of the population. which learned to depend entirely on his efforts for success in battling disease. It is needless to say that Dr. Chiles, in addition to keeping abreast of the times, was au indefatigable worker and served his patients well. This he did too well. in fact, for his own good. caus- ing his own health to break down, and neces- sitating his removal from the city in order to seek a much needed rest. In looking about for a more healthful resort. Dr. Chiles came to Norfolk, Virginia, where he found the cli- mate to be of such benefit to him that he de- cided to locate liere permanently, and since 1891, has been a general practitioner in Nor- folk. He has not only regained his own health, but is now able to care for a large and constantly increasing number of patients. His practice is remunerative, being principally among well-to-do people.
Dr. Chiles is a gentleman who fully ap- preciates the duties of his profession, and at the same time does not forget the claims which the public has upon him as a citizen. While a resident of Manchester. he was elected mayor of that city and served as such for two terms. He was also elected a member of the State Senate and served one term. Being tall and of noble physique, he has a commanding ap- pearance: in addition to his imposing person- ality. he is a fluent speaker, with a fine com- mand of language.
Dr. Chiles speaks in the highest terms of the healthful climate of Norfolk, and can not say too much in its favor. He served for
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some time as a member of the Board of Health, and took a very active part in the proceedings of that body. During the late Confederate War, he served as surgeon on the east side of the James River and at Georgia Hospital. and is regarded as one of the most expert surgeons in Norfolk.
Active in thought and movement, pos- sessed of keen foresight, the Doctor is, apart from his calling, a man of influence and force : as a physician, he is both trusted and loved. His office is at No. 570 Church street. Fra- ternally Dr. Chiles has been a member of the following organizations : Masons. I. O. O. F .. and Knights of Pythias, as well as several others. He is not now active in any.
FREDERICK E. NOTTINGHAM. who is engaged in the real estate and rental business in Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in North- ampton County, Virginia.
Mr. Nottingham was reared on a farm in his native county, and upon the breaking out of the Confederate War enlisted and served until its close. He endured many hardships, participated in many important battles, and can relate many thrilling incidents which cc- curred during his service. At the close of the war, he returned home and followed mercan- tile pursuits until 1881. He met with re- verses, and after settling all debts removed to Norfolk, where he was obliged to begin at the bottom once more. Being a man of untiring energy and perseverance, his ability was soon recognized, and he accepted a position with W. H. Turner, at one time one of the largest real estate dealers of Norfolk. When that gentleman died, Mr. Nottingham took charge of his estate, and looked after all the prop- city owned by him. He saved money, and scon began to build and sell on a small scale. His business gradually increased. and he is now one of the largest real estate dealers in
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Norfolk. He has built about 500 houses in Norfolk, a record which shows the volume of business transacted by him. He believes in building up the city proper, before improving suburban property.
Mr. Nottinghami was assessor in 1900. He is a self-made man, and possesses many sterling qualities. He has just cause to be proud of his business career, because he has met with success solely through his own un- tiring efforts.
C THOMAS S. SOUTHGATE & COM- PANY, Norfolk, Virginia. This firm occupies an individaul position in this section, and to them must be given credit for the development of an entirely new character of commercial busi- ness, which did not exist in the South up to a few years ago.
Business was established by Mr. Southgate individually in 1892 under the firm name of T. S. Southgate & Company. It was carefully planned and laid out on broad lines with a view to the possible development of which a dis- tributive business was susceptible. And it may be safely said that the proportions to which it has attained is conclusive evidence to the mind of any one that the original views and expec- tations of this gentleman have been largely more than realized.
They may be styled "Wholesale Brokers and Southern Distributing Agents" for all classes of finished manufactured product. and have the representation of the largest and most influential manufacturers and producers in the North. East and West. They enjoy the most intimate relationship with every wholesale dealer in the States of Virginia. North and South Carolina, which fact enables them to say to the manufacturers that if they will place their interests in their hands they will guaran- tee to put their product with the selling medi- Luis, which it is the desire of every manufac-
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turer to accomplish. All the product is handled through this port, the aggregation of which is several hundred cars per month.
Mr. Southgate's entire attention is given to the further development of his business. He nevertheless finds time to perform a share of the duties of a public-spirited citizen, serving the city in its Councils and being connected with several of its banking institutions.
D. ARMSTRONG, one of the pro- gressive citizens of Norfolk, secretary and treasurer of the J. D. Armstrong Oyster Packing Company, whose plant is located in Berkley, Virginia, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. in 1860, and is a son of Benjamin and Catherine Arm- strong. His mother was a native of Virginia and his father a native of Baltimore, Maryland.
J. D. Armstrong came to Norfolk in 1876 and associated himself with H. Edwards & Company in the oyster business until 1880. He was then connected with the Norfolk & South- ern Railroad Company until 1884. He then identified himself with the Nottingham & Wrenn Company. and remained with them until 1891, when he organized the J. D. Arm- strong Oyster Packing Company, with D. D. Wright as president and H. E. Willis vice- president, and J. D. Armstrong secretary and treasurer. Their plant was established at the' foot of Pearl street in Berkley, Virginia, and they now employ 250 workmen. Their output is 200,000 gallons of oysters per season. It is the largest packing house south of Baltimore and handles, in addition to their own plants, oysters from the Eastern Shore. James River, Chesapeake Bay and all the rivers tributary thereto. The company is capitalized at $25 .- 000, all paid in.
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They are the parents of seven children : Wal- ter. the manager of the business established by his father: John, the bookkeeper of the above- mentioned firm: Hattie. Lessie, Duston. Vira and Maxine. He and his family are members of the Le Kies Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church. South. Fraternally, he is a member of Grice Commandery. No. 16. K. T., of Nor- folk, Virginia, being a Royal Arch Mason and Master Mason, and has been secretary of At- lantic Lodge, No. 51, I. O. O. F., for 20 years. In 1885 be organized the Massasoit Tribe, lin- proved Order of Red Men, in Norfolk, and has been the keeper of wampum for the last 15 years. He is also a member of the Royal Ar- canum and a member of Norfolk Lodge, No. 38. B. P. O. E. He is chairman of the local board of improvement for Atlantic City Ward and has served on the City Council for eight years. He is also president of the Oyster Pack- ers' Association of Norfolk and Portsmouth, trustee of Le Kies Memorial Methodist Epis- copal Church, South, and its choir master. He is an tuniswerving Democrat and has always taken an active part in political affairs and has been spoken of for mayor of Norfolk, but he is connected with too many private business en- terprises to accept any office in which there is any emolument.
HARLES H. CONSOLVO, whose career, as a member of the Select Council of Norfolk, has been marked by the greatest activity in protecting and furthering the interests of the city, occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens. As a representative citizen. and one peculiarly dominated by a desire to see Norfolk in the front rank of Southern cit- ies, he stands out prominently.
Mr. Consolvo was born at Norfolk, Febre- i arv 9. 1871, and is a scion of a prominent old
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