USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 48
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In 1881 Mr. Armstrong was united in mar- riage with Sallie V. Thornton, who was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1863. and is a , Virginia family. His ancestry in America may daughter of Walter and Roberta Thornton. : be traced back to about 1730, in which year the
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family beeame established in Virginia. He re- William and Mary Consolvo. of Norfolk, Vir- : ginia, who were of Spanish descent. She died ceived a good education in St. John's Academy, at Norfolk, and then entered the employ of [ of yellow fever during the epidemic in 1835. George W. Taylor & Company, a firm with TIe has one brother, J. C., who is employed by which he has since been identified. He is also . the Post Office Department in the city of one of the proprietors of the Norfolk Steam Portsmouth. Laundry, and owns the franchise for bill post- ing in Norfolk and vicinity. He became inter- ested in politieal affairs before attaining his majority, and in 1898 was elected to the Select. Council of Norfolk from the First Ward, being the youngest member of either branch of the Council. His youth has in no wise interfered with the efficiency of his service. Having en- tered upon business at an early age. he has had wide experience and is enabled to give all mat- ters brought before the Council mature reflec- tion and the proper consideration. Having evidenced his knowledge of finance and his general executive ability, he was made chair- man of the finance committee, and it has since been demonstrated to the satisfaction of cvery- one that the selection was a wise one, and has redounded to the benefit of the people of the eity.
Mr. Consolvo is unswerving in his support of the Democratic party, whose principles he believes to be wise and just, and has taken an active part in the working's of the party. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Board of Trade and Business Men's Association. of Norfolk. Re- ligiously, he is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church.
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Mr. Herbert was edueated at the Webster Institute, until he had reached the age of 15, when he assisted. early in 1861, in organizing the Junior Guards. an organization of boys about 15 years of age, who being full of the fervor and patriotism of youth, armed them- selves as best they could with a view toward entering the Confederate Army, but were not accepted by the government on account of their tender age. They afterward aeted as couriers for General Blanchard, who was in command of the department. until after the evacuation of Portsmouth. After this, young Herbert, who was determined to enter active service. ran the blockade through the Federal lines and made his way to Richmond for the purpose of join- ing Grimes' Battery. When he reached there he met Capt. John H. Thompson, who was acting provost marshal. and was by him de- tailed for service in the ordnance department. and became a private in Company A. 4th Na- val Battalion. under command of Major Miner. who was afterward sueeeeded by Major Curl- ing. Richard Ammon was captain of the com- pany. Young Herbert did service in defense i of Richmond against the raids of Dahlgren. Stoneman and Kilpatrick, around the Chick- ahominy Swamp. He continued in active ser- vice around Richmond until the evacuation and was among the last troops to leave that city to join that part of Lec's army on the south side of the James, and was captured en route and . paroled. He returned home on the 18th day of April, 1865, and readily found employment. He was connected with the Seaboard & Roan- oke Railroad until 1868 as machinist, and then until iSzo as locomotive engineer. In the lat- ter year he became an engineer in the Ports-
R ICHARD L. HERBERT was born at Portsmouth, Virginia, July 12, 1846. His father, Francis C. Herbert, was a prominent business man, whose family came from England and were among the carly settlers of Portsmouth; he ! was born in Norfolk County in 1868, and died in 1876. Richard L. Herbert's mother was : mouth Volunteer Fire Department, which po- Mary E. (Consolvo) Herbert, daughter of 'sition he resigned in 1883 to accept that of
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general superintendent of the Electric Light & Gas Company. This position he held for II years, during which period the first electric light plant in the Tidewater section was in- stalled and other improvements made. During all this time he had taken an active part in po- litical affairs and did veoman service for his porty, serving as chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee from 1873 to 1893. hold- ing a seat in the City Council two terms, and was a member of the House of Delegates of Virginia from Portsmouth City during the ses- sion of 1887-88. On March 1, 1894. having retired from the position of superintendent of the Electric Light & Gas Company. on account of failing eyesight, he received from President Cleveland the appointment of postmaster for the city of Portsmouth. In this important sta- tion, he was zealous as usual in the interest of the public, and succeeded in putting the office in the front rank of its class in character of ad- ministration and improved conveniences. In November. 1898, he was appointed by Judge A. S. Watts, of the Hustings Court, commis- . sioner of the revenue for the city of Poris- mouth. to fill out the unexpired term of Vir- ginius Butt, deceased. In May, 1900, he was elected by the people to this same office, which position he now holds.
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Mr. Herbert was made a Mason in 1868. is past master and has taken the degree of Knight Templar : he is also a member of the Odd Fellows. Royal Arcamun and Hepta- sophs. He has been connected with the Ports- mouth Volunteer Fire Department ever since 1866, and has held the position of Ist assistant chief engineer for the past 15 years. He is a devoted member of the Chambers Steam Fire Engine Company, No. 2, one of the oldest or- ganizations of the State, and is a brave and fearless fireman.
Mr. Herbert was married on May 25. 1869. to Mary E. Browne. daughter of Benjamin W. Browne, of Portsmouth. Mrs. Herbert's mother was Sarah Wilson and came of a prom- inent family of that name in Norfolk County.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert have four children, three sons and one daughter: Calder HI., a prominent business man; J. Pendleton, a first- class ships' draftsman in the United States Navy Yard: Richard A., who is a machinist; and Ethel Browne. 1
0 LIVER D. JACKSON. of the O. D. Jackson Realty Company, which is known as one of the leading and largest realty companies in the South. was born in Athens County, Ohio. He has been engaged in the real-estate business in Norfolk County, Virginia, since 1897. and there is not a better known business man in the city of Norfolk than this gentleman.
At the age of 24 years. Mr. Jackson entered the mercantile business in his native county, and subsequently engaged in business with the Akron Iron Company of Akron, Ohio. He sold that business in 1882. and began to deal in and handle coal mining property. establish- ing mines in the town of Jacksonville, Athens County, Ohio. This is now one of the most thrifty towns of Ohio. Later. he went to Co- lumbus, Ohio, where he continued in the same line of business, and sold $3.400,000 worth of coal mining property in Ohio. In 1895. he re- moved to Norfolk, Norfolk County. Virginia. and in 1898 established the O. D. Jackson Realty Company, having his offices in the Mon- ticello Hotel Building.
The O. D. Jackson Realty Company's busi- ness is largely in real estate and investment se- curities. It is also engaged in promoting Southern colonies and industrial enterprises. The company handles suburban properties in large tracts, also timberland and agricultural lands in large acreage. It does not handle any agricultural tracts less than $2.500 in value. The company sold a tract of 5.000 acres to the Franklin Land Company, and one of 12,000 acres to the Virginia Land & Lumber Com- pany. The latter is known as the Wallace tract
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and is being improved for truck farmers. In February, 1902, they sold a tract of 31,000 acres in North Carolina, at $120,000, and another tract of 10,000 acres adjoining, at $40,000. During 1899 Mr. Jackson sold to parties in Ohio, alone, over $258,000 of Nor- folk County property. He has a large circle of acquaintances in all of the large cities, from New York to Chicago, and makes frequent trips to Ohio in order to keep before them the land in his possession. He is assisted most ably in business by his two sons, William W. and Fred H.
The O. D. Jackson Realty Company has done more to assist in the development of Nor- folk and Norfolk County than any other con- cern of the kind in this section of Virginia, and the citizens of Norfolk have just cause to be proud of the fact that they have in their midst so progressive and public spirited a gen- tleman as the one whose name heads this bi- ography.
APT. JOSEPH J. JONES, a well- known sea captain of Norfolk, Nor- folk County. Virginia, was born in Maryland, March 2. 1854, and is a son of Darius S. Jones. Darius S. Jones was also a native of Maryland. and was a mariner for many years. He died at the age of 70 years.
Joseph J. Jones grew to manhood in Mary- land, where he received his scholastic training. He began his career as a seaman at the lowest grade, but his quickness of perception. close application to duty, and thorough knowledge of the sea soon placed him in the top ranks and at the early age of 18 vears he became master of a sailing vessel. His first steam vessel was the "Harbinger." Later in life he operated a line of steamers of his own, and this business was conducted under the name of the North Carolina line. He continued in that line of business for 22 years, and has followed steam-
boating up to the present time. Captain Jones has been a resident of Norfolk since 1878. and is always interested in that city's welfare.
Captain Jones was married to Catherine C. Holtzman, of Washington, D. C., and they have three children, namely: Catherine E .; Joseph S .; and Marie M. Two are deceased. namely: An infant, and Catherine. Captain Jones is a Democrat in politics.
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DWIN R. EASTWOOD, who is at the head of Eastwood's Private Detective Agency, of Norfolk. Virginia, was born in Gloucester County, Virginia. in 1860. He is a son of Alexander and Virginia ( Wright) Eastwood.
Alexander Eastwood is a brick-masen by trade and spent his early days in Norfolk. working at that business. He is now engaged in farming. He served throughout the Con- federate War, having enlisted in the Southern Army. His wife, Virginia Wright, is a daugh- ter of John and Rachel Wright, and was born on Staten Island, New York. She is a Meth- odist. Of 12 children born to Alexander East- wood. the following are now living: Edwin R., the subject of this biography; James, a farmer of Gloucester County: Alice, who mar- ried Dr. William Simcoe, of Gloucester : \1- berta, the widow of Capt. Walter Almond. fr. : Albert. a farmer, of Gloucester; Virginia, who married Captain Marshall, and is living at West Point, Virginia: Rachel, who married Captain Tucker, and is living in King and Queen County, Virginia; and Garry, who is living at home.
Edwin R. Eastwood attended public and private schools in his native county. After leaving school he farmed somewhat, and then went to Baltimore, Maryland, where he became a commercial traveler. From that business he went into the service of the Atlantic & Dan- ville Railroad Company, now known as the Southern Railway Company, and worked as
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clerk for that company a short time. In 1883 he engaged in the private detective business. which he commenced for the Southern Railway Company, with headquarters at Richmond. Virginia. Later he removed to Norfolk, where he established Eastwood's Private Detective Agency, the only agency of the kind in Nor- folk. His offices are in the Citizens' Bank Building. Mr. Eastwood is a man of shrewd- ness and is possessed of those attributes which go to make a successful detective. He was deputy United States marshal and also a city detective for some time. He has met with much success in his chosen work.
In 1885 Mr. Eastwood married, Fannie Johnston, a daughter of J. L. Johnston. She was born in Gloucester County, Virginia. in IS61. Mr. Eastwood is a Republican in na- tional politics. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
APT. THOMAS MUSE SOUTH- GATE, who is in command of the vessel "Mobjack." which is owned by the Old Dominion Steamship Company, and which is conceded to "be the fastest vessel in the service of that com- pany. was born in King and Queen County. Virginia. September 19. 1838. He is a son of James S. and Myra Anne ( Muse) Southgate. James S. Southgate was a Virginian by birth, and for many years followed the occu- pation of a farmer. In connection with his agricultural pursuits he also conducted a board- ing school. He removed to Norfolk in 1853. where he died at the age of 73 years. He mar- ried Myra Anne Muse, who was a daughter of ' Thomas Muse. That gentleman was clerk of Middlesex County, Virginia, for 30 years. Mrs. Southgate died at the age of 67 years. Of five children born to her, but two are living, name- ly : James : and Thomas Muse, the subject of . this sketch.
Thomas Muse Southgate grew to manhood
in his native county. He removed to Nor- folk in 1853. At the age of 16 years he shipped as mate on the steamer "Star." This was the first vessel he ever took passage on and was also the first vessel of which he be- came master. He was captain of the "Star" at the age of 19 years. His rise was rapid, as can be readily seen by his promotion to be a captain at that early age. In 1870 he entered the service of the Old Dominion Steamship Company and was given command of the steamer "Olive." Since that time he has had command of the "Pamlico." "Newberne." "Shenandoah." "Mantio." "Northampton." and his present vessel, the "Mobjack." This steamer, as before mentioned. is considered the fastest one owned by the Old Dominion Steam- ship Company, and is a beautiful vessel. Cap- tain Southgate was in the Confederate service during the Intersectional War and saw much active service in the naval movements on these waters.
Captain Southgate married Mary E. Port- lock, and they have six children, as follows: Thomas S .; Myra Muse: Elizabeth: Fannie B. : Helen H. ; and Hugh Lawton. The Cap- tain is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Royal Arcanum. His record as a vessel commander is above reproach, and his carcer has been a very successful one. He possesses many admirable traits of character, which greatly endear him to his acquaintances, and he is widely known.
OIIN FRANCIS LAWLER, city ser- geant of Norfolk, Virginia, was born in Richmond, Virginia, May 18, 1855. and is a son of John and Susan ( Shaw ) Lawler.
John Lawler was born in County Queens, Ireland, and his wife was born in County Wex- ford. Ireland. They came to the United States, locating in Richmond, Virginia, where Mr. Lawler followed his trade of blacksmithing.
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In 1855 he removed to Norfolk, where. his death occurred at the age of 72 years. Of 13 children born to this couple, but five are 110W living, and these are residents of Norfolk. with the exception of P. H. Lawler, who lives in Washington.
John Francis Lawler, whose name heads these lines, was reared in Norfolk, where he attended the public and parochial schools. Af- ter leaving school he entered the United States Navy. as a carpenter's mate, and was on the : U. S. S. "Plymouth" for three years. At the expiration of that time he entered the contract- ing and building business in Norfolk, in part- nership with A. F. Holmes, under the firm name of Lawler & Holmes. They followed this business for 15 years. during which time they erected many of the fine business buildings and private residences now standing in Nor- folk. They erected the Ballentine home in Brambleton, and the Ballentine and Hadding- ton blocks in Norfolk. While engaged in the contracting business they established a livery stable on Cove street, which they sold out to W. T. Davis in 1888. In that year Mr. Law- ler was elected fire commissioner, but resigned that position later, and was elected, on the Democratic ticket, to the State Legislature. in which he served during 1889 and 1890. He made a record worthy of mention, and was a supporter of the Belt Line Bill, which was fought very hard by the city of Portsmouth. Mr. Lawler succeeded in getting this bill through.
In 1896 Mr. Lawler was nominated and elected to the office of city sergeant, and is now serving his third term in that office. Dur- ing his last term he had two executions, which is the greatest record of the kind made by any sheriff in the past 60 years. He treats the pris- oners with kindness, but never swerves from the path of duty. During his service in the office of city sergeant, an operating room and an isolation hospital have been added to the old jail, and a new jail has been built.
Mr. Lawler was a member of the Demo-
cratic committee and was the first chairman of Brambleton Ward, when it was annexed to Norfolk. He did much in the matter of an- nexing the ward and it became a part of Nor- folk in 1887. three years after he erected his home. Mr. Lawler has always taken a deep interest in military affairs, having served as : drummer boy in the "Guard" during his youth. He was .also quartermaster and sergeant in the 4th Regiment. Virginia Infantry. for five years.
Mr. Lawler married Nora Donovan. daugh- ter of Patrick and Mary Donovan. She was born in Richmond, Virginia, but when she was a child her parents removed to Norfolk, where she was reared and educated. Nine children I have been born to, Mr. and Mrs. Lawler, five of whom are now living. namely: John B. : Lee ; Emmett : Vincent. and Nora.
M1. Lawler is a member of several fra- ternal organizations, among them being the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks: Em- crald Beneficial Association: St. Patrick's Be- nevolent Society: Ancient Order of Hibern- ians; Knights of Columbus: National Union ; Catholic Benevolent Legion : Eagles : Improved Order of Red Men; and the Board of Trade and Business Men's Association of Norfolk. He is a prominent man in local circles, and is highly esteemed for his many admirable quali- ties.
ESSE 1. HAMILTON, who gallantly served in Mahone's Brigade through- out the Confederate War, is a promi- nent truck farmer located on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River, in Norfolk County, Virginia. He was born in Nansemond County, Virginia. October 23, 1842, and is a son of Jethro Hamilton, also a native of Nansemond County.
Jesse A. Hamilton came to Norfolk County in 1861, and at the age of 18 years enlisted in the Confederate Army before the actual seces- sion of Virginia. He was in Company . A. 16th
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Regiment, Virginia Infantry, and served until house. He remained in that business four the close of the war, in Mahone's Brigade. An- , years and then entered the banking business, in which he was engaged 16 years.
derson's Division. He actively participated in the battles of Malvern Hill, Manassas. Crampton's Gap, Fredericksburg, Chancellors- ville, Salem Church, Gettysburg, Bristol, Mine Run, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania Court House, Anderson Farm, near Hanover Junc- tion, the Crater, and Hatcher's Run. He was wounded three times during the last year cf the war. first at Hanover Junction, May 27. 1864. when he received a wound in the right shoulder. He was wounded at the battle of the Crater July 30, 1864, being struck by a shell in the left hip, and disabled until January I. 1865. On February 7, 1865, he was again wounded at Hatcher's Run, being hit by a rifle shell in the right hand and wrist.
Upon his return home after the war. he engaged in agricultural pursuits and has since continued thus. He has been located on his present farm of 104 acres since 1875. and has carried on trucking on an extensive scale, and
with good results. He is one of the substantial . tha Sigourney, a daughter of Andrew Sigour- men of the community and has many friends. ney, November 24, 1887. They have two sons,
December 31, 1874. Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage with Anna H. Love, and they have reared five children, namely; Min- . nie L .; Clarence; Anna S .; Margaret: and Marvin G. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Royal Arcanum.
Mr. Herman was elected a member of the Common Council from the Second Ward in 1894, and served most acceptably in that body until 1896. In 1897 he was elected city treas- urer, carrying all of the wards in the city, with the exception of the 4th. He has since been re- elected to that office, and this fact alone proves his ability to hold such a position. This is one of the most important offices in connection with the city government, and Mr. Herman has won much praise for his faithfulness in the discharge of his duties. He is keenly alive to the interests and progress of Norfolk, and is interested in several important enterprises. Although his duties in the office of city treas- uier have been exacting. Mr. Herman has found time to engage in other undertakings, and is a business man in every sense of the word.
The subject of this sketch married Mar-
Andrew Sigourney and William Foster.
Mr. Herman was elected president of the Board of Trade and Business Men's Associa- tion. of Norfolk, in 1901, and again in 1902, having been for several years chairman of the executive committee of that organization. He is also prominent in fraternal organizations, being a member of the Masonic order, Knights of Pythias, Elks, Mystic Chain and others. By virtue of his many sterling qualities and his manliness of character, he has won many friends, and is esteemed by all as one of the best citizens of Norfolk.
S. HERMAN, who holds the respon- 'sible position of treasurer of the city of Norfolk, Virginia, was born in Nansemond County, Virginia, De- cember 5, 1859. Shortly after his birth he was brought to Norfolk. where he lived until 1866, when he was taken to Louisi- ana and lived there until 1870. He was taken OHN J. HALL, who is engaged in a prosperous mercantile business in partnership with his brother, William W., is a substantial citizen of Great Bridge, and exerts a wide influence to Minnesota in the fall of 1870 and lived there until the fall of 1872, when he came to Nor- folk to live permanently. He was educated in the Norfolk Academy and at the age of 17 years began work in a wholesale boot and shoe ; in the promotion of the town's best interests.
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He is a son of William H. Hall and a grand- son of Willis Hall, both of these honored gen- tlemen having been born at Great Bridge. The Hall family have lived in Norfolk County since a very early day, and played their part in the history of the county. William H. Hall owned a large plantation and a number of slaves. He was united in the bonds of mat- rimony with Argy Hall, who was also born at Great Bridge, and they had seven children. four of whom still survive. namely: John J .; William W., engaged in business with the sub- ject hereof ; George M., the efficient postmaster at Great Bridge, who was appointed to that position in 1896; and Virginius. The beloved father of these children departed this life in 1895.
John J. Hall was born October 28, 1848. at. Great Bridge, Norfolk County, Virginia. He remained under the parental roof until he had acquired a sufficient mental training in the schools of Bell's Mill to enable him to cope more intelligently, than he otherwise could. with the many probems of life. In 1871 he engaged in mercantile pursuits at Bell's Mill, and was successful for seven years. In 1882 he moved to Great Bridge and there established his present business, taking into partnership with him his brother, William W. The hon- esty and uprightness with which he conducts his affairs, and which distinguish his dealings. detract in no way from his popularity, and he i: respected and esteemed by all who know him.
Mr. Hall has been twice married. He was first united in marriage with Martha Lock- wood, who was born in Norfolk, and they had one child, a daughter, named Willie L. In 1896, some time after the death of his first wife, he was united in marriage with Josephine Holman, a native of Norfolk County. They attend the Berca Christian Church, and are identified with all its interests.
Mr. Hall is Democratic in his political opinions and is outspoken in his endorsement of that party's aims. Fraternally he is a Mason.
AMUEL C. PHILLIPS, a well-known dealer in furniture, stoves and car- pers and other household furnishings. with place of business at present at Nos. 331-337 Church street, Nor- folk. Virginia, was born in that city March 8, 1843.
His father, Samuel Phillips, was a native of the Eastern Shore, Virginia, and was a steamboat captain for many years. In 1840 he removed to Norfolk, where he resided until his death, which occurred at the age of 47 years. He was a consistent member of the Catholic Church. He married Annette Mea- gher, who was born in Charleston. South Car- olina, and by her had two children, George A. and Samuel C.
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