USA > Virginia > City of Norfolk > City of Norfolk > History of Norfolk County, Virginia and representative citizens, V.2 > Part 8
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Many such as these were the incident con- nected with this old house, where Sally Owens spent her youthful days. She loved to recall these incidents and relate them to her grand- children. Many years have passed since she was laid at rest, and most of the old stories
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she used to tell linger but faintly in the mem- ories of her descendants, but there still stands the old house with its quaintness, to suggest to the imagination the people who once dwelt within its walls, and the scenes in which these people acted their different parts,
L. BILISOLY is cashier of the Bank of Portsmouth, reputed to be the strongest financial institution of Ports- mouth. This bank was organized on February 9. 1867. with a capital stock of $51,000, which, on October 15, ISS9. was in- creased to $100,000. It has the largest busi- ness in the city in point of collections and de- . posits, the latter amounting to more than $600,- 000. It was at first located opposite to the building which it now occupies. The present lot was purchased, and the building erected which is now its quarters. The bank was founded by Joseph Bourke, Maj. George W. Grice, W. W. Davis and W. H. H. Hodges,- the first officers being Mr. Grice, president; Mr. Hodges, cashier ; and E. Alexander Hat- ton, 2nd cashier. Mr. Bilisoly has been iden- - tified with this institution since ISS3. and has served as cashier since October. 1889. The other officers are,-Hon. Legh R. Watts, presi- dent ; and S. Dawson Maupin, assistant cashier.
Mr. Bilisoly was born at Portsmouth, Vir- ginia, October 27, 1840, and is a son of Joseph A. Bilisoly, and grandson of Antonius Sylves- ter Bilisoly, who was born at Ajaccio. Corsica, France. The last named came to this country with Count DeGrasse, and is buried in the vault of the St. Paul's Roman Catholic Church at Portsmouth. He was in partnership with his father-in-law, Bartholomew Accimelly, in the ship-building business at Portsmouth, on the wharf between High and King streets. They carried on the business until about 1817. when Mr. Bilisoly applied himself to mercantile pur -; suits. He retired in 1833, and died in 1845. at the age of 87. years.
Joseph A. Bilisoly, father of J. L., was born December 4, 1799, at Norfolk, Virginia, and was taken, when an infant, to Portsmouth, in 1800. In 1828 he went to Mexico, where he remained until 1833. He then returned to Portsmouth and bought out his father's business, which he conducted. until 1862. He then lived in retirement until his death, December 15, 1880, at the age of 81 years. He was joined in marriage in April, 1822, with Eliza Ann Benson, who was born at Portsmouth in 1804, and died in 1895. Her grandfather was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War. Her father came to this country from County Down, Ireland, in 1783. Mr. and Mrs. Bilisoly had II children; one of whom died in 1855. Ten grew to maturity and were married, and eight are living at the present time.
-. Prior to engaging in the banking business, J. L. Bilisoly acted as cashier for the Norfolk & Southern Seaboard Air Line, and Atlantic Coast railroads, having followed railroad work for years in many capacities. He was a mem- ber of the Old Dominion Guard, which he joined in April, 1857, and continued with them until the battle of Gettysburg, when he became sergeant-major of the regiment. He was called to the headquarters of General George E. Pickett, and appointed hospital steward, with M. M. Lewis as medical director: At the close of the war he returned home. riding from Appomattox Court House to Portsmouth astride a mule.
In addition to the banking business. he is identified with various other interests of Ports- mouth, being president of the Portsmouth Land. Improvement & Promotion Company; secretary and treasurer of the Portsmouth Electric & Gas Company ; a director, as well as cashier of the Bank of Portsmouth; a director of the Portsmouth Star Publishing Company : chairman of trustees of the Roval Arcanum : treasurer of the People's Lot Club; treasurer of the Catholic Knights of America; treasurer of St. Paul's Church that is being built, which
COL. GEORGE W. TAYLOR.
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will cost, when completed, upwards of $100,- . 000. . He is a member of the Catholic Church, :. and is colonel commanding Stonewall Camp, . Confederate Veterans.
March 10, 1862, Mr. Bilisoly was united in . marriage with Mary E. Bourke, a daughter of Joseph Bourke, who was a merchant from . 1836 until his death. Five children blessed - this union, as follows: Walter L., who re- sides with his family at Park View, and is in business for himself in Norfolk: F. Nash, Svhc conducts a fine dairy farm near Portsmouth, and is quite active, politically, having held sev- eral offices; Lorena; Adele Virginia; and Louvel A., who acts as clerk for his brother.
OL. GEORGE W. TAYLOR, who has attained a high degree of success in business and has been prominently identified with the affairs of Norfolk, comes of an old and honored family of Norfolk County. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1853, and is a son of Walter H. Taylor.
Walter H. Taylor, who was a prominent importer, was born in Norfolk City, and died with yellow fever in 1855. He married Cor- nelia Cowdery, who was born in Norfolk and was a daughter of Jonathan Cowdery, a sur- geon in the United States Navy, who died Sep- tember 19, 1899, at the age of 89 years. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor became the parents of 10 chil- dren, as follows: Maj. R. C., a merchant, of Norfolk; Colonel Walter H., president of the Marine Bank of Norfolk; Robertson. a coffee importer, of Baltimore, Maryland; John C., a merchant of Norfolk; L. Page, clerk in the Marine Bank, of Norfolk; Wickham, who died in April, 1894; George W .; Mary Louisa, of Norfolk; Cornelia, wife of B. P. Lovall, of Norfolk ; and Margaret, wife of H. C. White- head, who is treasurer of the Norfolk City Railway Company.
George W. Taylor attended school at Nor-
folk and then took a course of study in the Vir- ginia Military Institute, from which he was graduated. He then taught school in the coun- try and in the Norfolk public schools, of which he became superintendent. Prior to becoming superintendent of the schools, he served as clerk for the Merchants' & Miners' Transporta- tion Company, and in 1879 established the firm of George W. Taylor & Company, dealers in coal and ice. He has frequently been called upon to serve in public office, and has invaria- bly acquitted hiniself with credit and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He has been a member of the City Council several terms, a member of the board of police com- missioners one term ; and a member of the elec- tion board for several years. finally resigning. He is now rendering efficient service as a mem- ber of the Board of Harbor Commissioners. During the Spanish-American War he served as colonel of the 4th Regiment, Virginia In- fantry, U. S. Volunteers.
In 1882 Colonel Taylor was united in mar- riage with Elizabeth Higgins, who was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1863, and is a daugli- ter of John and Margaret Higgins. Four chil- dren were born to them, as follows: Marga- ret de Bree: Bayne: Eliza .A., who died in in- fancy ; and George de Bree. Religiously they are members of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church. Fraternally Mr. Taylor is a member of the Royal Arcanum. He has always been a stanch supporter of the principles of the Dem- ocratic party. His portrait appears on another page of this book.
THOMAS DUNN is a veteran of the Confederate War. and for a number of years has been a machinist with the Seaboard Air Line Company. He was born in Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, October 1. 1846, of Scotch descent. He is a son of Thomas G. and Maria ( Lloyd) Dunn. His father was a seaman.
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J. Thomas Dunn was but 15 years old when he left the public schools to enlist in the Con- federate service. On account of his age, he was twice refused. On March 4, 1862, he en- listed in the Norfolk County Rifle Patriots, which was first organized in 1860, and did fine service throughout the war. Mr. Dunn ac- companied the regiment from the Navy Yard to Sewell's Point, in March, 1862, where it became Company F, of the 4Ist Regiment Virginia Infantry, and was subsequently assigned to Mahone's Brigade. He witnessed the famous battle between the "Virginia" and the ."Monitor." but the first engagemnt in which he participated was at Seven Pines, where Company F distinguished itself for bravery. He also took part in the the Seven Days battle before Richmond, in the engage- ments at Malvern Hill. Fredericksburg. Chan- cellorsville, Gettysburg, Spottsylvania Court House, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, the Cra- ter, and Yellow Tavern. He was twice cap- tured,-first at Strasburg, in 1864. and second- ly, at Yellow Tavern, being held at Lookout until May, 1865. He was the youngest regu- lar soldier in his regiment, and was not yet 19 years old when the war closed.
Mr. Dunn had but a limited education, as his school career was abandoned at the open- ing of the war. He perfected himself as a machinist, and has continued in that line of business ever since. He was foreman of the Seaboard Air Line shops for a number of years, and is still in that road's employ. He married Mary E. Ballentine, a daughter of Charles Ballentine, and they have four children.
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William H. Dunn, Mr. Dunn's oldest son, served 10 years in the State militia, in which he held the office of lieutenant. He was also a lieutenant in the Old Dominion Guards dur- ing the Spanish-American War. E. C. Dunn, another son, who is a machinist with the Sea- board Air Line Company, married Effie Gar- ris, of North Carolina, and they have one daughter .- Stella. Mary Elizabeth Dunn, a daughter, married G. Hope Thompkins, who , Waller, who was a native of Stafford, Vir-
is paymaster of the Aetna Iron Works; they have two sons,-John and Thomas, who live in Portsmouth. Sarah C. Dunn, another daughter, married Kemper Hankins, assistant agent of the New York, Philadelphia & Nor- folk Railroad; they have one son, whose name is Kemper.
J. Thomas Dunn has always been active in political, fraternal and social affairs in Ports- mouth. He served in the City Council one term, on the School Board for three terms, and was registrar of the Third Ward for three terms. He is a charter member, and adjutant, of Stonewall Camp. Confederate Veterans, and has served as such since 1890. He is trus- tee and treasurer of Grice Lodge, No. 83, I. O. O. F., and was chief of the board of organ- izers of Seaside Lodge No. So, Knights of Pythias, of which lodge he was the first rep- resentative. He is also a member of the Inter- national Association of Machinists. He has a pleasant home on Prentis avenue, in Ports- mouth, where he is surrounded by a host of warm friends.
AMES W. ALEXANDER, deceased. For many years this gentleman occu- pied a place among the leading busi- ness men of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia, and was engaged in the tin, copper and plumbing business. He was born in Washington, D. C., and was a son of James and Ann ( Waller) Alexander.
James Alexander removed to Portsmouth with his family in 1840. There he conducted a hotel for many years, and was one of the most prominent citizens of that place. His hotel was located on High street. and there he entertained such guests as Henry Clay, and other distinguished men. He was an active member of the Whig party. His home was in the suburbs, or at that time in the country, the land being bought later by the Perrys. Five children resulted from his union with Ann
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ginia, of whom but two are living, namely: Mrs. Louisa Noel, who lives on Dinwiddie street in Portsmouth, and William H., who is also a resident of Portsmouth.
James W. Alexander removed with his parents, in 1840, to Portsmouth, where he continued to live until his death. In 1863 he entered the tin, copper and plumbing business. which he carried on extensively for a number of years. He died in 1883, aged 49 years, and his death was greatly mourned in the com- munity. He was a man of honor and integ- rity, charitable and kind to all, and his many ยท lovable traits of character and open business methods made many warm friends.
Mr. Alexander was married, in 1862, to Alice Montague, who was born in Portsmouth. She is a daughter of Richard T. and Mary (Hobday) Montague. Richard T. Montague was born in Middlesex County, Virginia, and was a cousin of ex-Lieut .- Gov. Robert Mon -. tague. His wife, Mary Hobday Montague, was born in Gloucester, Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Alexander six children were born, name- ly : James E., a plumber of Portsmouth ; Mary F. (Brownley), of Portsmouth; Henrietta (McLean), of Portsmouth: Richard A., a joiner by trade ; E. W., who is employed on the Seaboard Air Line; and Arthur C. The Alex- ander homestead, which has been occupied by the family for 32 years, is located at No. 331 Fourth street, Portsmouth. Mr. Alexander was a member of the Knights of Honor and the Knights of Pythias. His wife is an active worker in the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Alexander was for a number of years a steward in the church.
HARLES R. NASH, a well-known citizen of Portsmouth, Virginia, is a dealer in coal and ice and has an extensive establishment in the city. He was born at the old family home at the corner of London and Middle streets, Portsmouth, and is a son of John Nash.
Mr. Nash traces his lineage back to Thom- as and Annie Nash, who settled in Norfolk County as early as 1661. bringing with then from England, their native place, three chil- dren and four white servants. Upon coming to this county, they bought 480 acres of land on the Western Branch, which was later ex- changed for a heavily-timbered tract on the Southern Branch in St. Bride's Parish. The members of the family were large planters for many generations. The grandfather of Charles R. Nash was a magistrate of Norfolk County for many years, having served as such from the age of 21 years until his death.
John Nash, father of the subject of this sketch, as born in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, Virginia. He was a grocer through- out his entire business career, and was also engaged in the heavy-lumber business. supply- ing the United States government. He was mayor of Portsmouth in 1862, when the city was turned over to the Federals. He served as magistrate of Portsmouth and Norfolk County until his death, June 24, 1884. at the age of 79 years. His first wife was Elizabeth Edwards, by whom he had four children, namely : Thomas E., John. Virginius W., and Mary Susan, all deceased. He afterward mar- ried the widow of Dr. Woodley, whose maiden name was Nancy Collins, and who was born in Portsmouth. They became the parents of five children, as follows: Sarah L., widow of R. G. Hume, deceased ; Annie C .; Williamt C .; Charles R. and Farley P. In 1824, when the Marquis de La Fayette visited Portsmouth. Mrs. Nash received him and presented him with a bouquet,-she being then about 13 years of age. Her address in making the presentation is as follows: "General, your love of liberty. your disinterested labor for the independence of these United States, endears you to our fathers and mothers, whose recapit- ulation of your valor, and of your friendship for our beloved Washington, has awakened in our young hearts feelings of gratitude which we cannot express. Be so kind, sir, as to receive
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from our hands this wreath. We wish it to express our most unfeigned respect for your heroism, your regard for our country, and for us the happy people of our Union." On June. 9, 1890. a tablet was placed at the corner of High and Crawford streets in commemoration of the event of 1824. The address in that year made by Mrs. Nash was repeated by that lady's granddaughter, Rebecca Coke Nash, and she also repeated the poem. The entire body of Lancaster school girls then recited the fol- lowing poem in concert :
It is a maxim of our school, And certainly a golden rule, That nothing is without grace If only in its proper place; And where is ours on this free day When all come on in grand array; To welcome one where should we be, But here to show ourselves to thee. The Nation's guests, the Nation's joy And dear to every girl and boy; Whose name we never shall forget, The great and gentle LaFayette.
Mrs. Nash lived to reach the advanced age of 90 years. She died September 12, 1898, having had comparatively no sickness or ail- ments until a few days prior to her death.
Charles R. Nash received his scholastic training in the schools of Portsmouth, under C. T. Phillips, now clerk of the court. He was first engaged for six years as clerk for a wholesale commission house at Norfolk, and then, in 1878, he embarked in the ice business. He has an ice office and store-house, located on Queen street, and another building of the same size on the opposite side of the street. He established the coal branch of his business in 1894; it occupies a building facing on Crawford street. He has room for about 1,600 tons of coal, runs three teams, and employs a number of people. He enjoys a high class of trade, and is highly thought of by his fellow citizens. Mr. Nash has been identified with numerous other enterprises. He is vice-presi- dent and a director of the Portsmouth Gas Company, and a director of the People's Bank, in the establishment of which he was one of
the prime movers. He is a member of the City Council, and since 1885 has been a jus- tice of the peace. He married Rebecca F. Marshall. of Fauquier County, Virginia, great- granddaughter of Chief Justice Marshall. Four daughters were born to bless this union, namely: Rebecca Coke, who was born in 1880; Nancy Collins; Florence Hibbett: and Mary Byrd Marshall. Religiously Mr. Nash is a member of Trinity Protestant Episcopal Church, of which he was a vestryman for about 10 years.
6 LMIER F. WHEELER, who is cap- tain of the steamer "Ocean View," and a resident of Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia, was born in that city in 1872. He is a son of Charles and Elizabeth Wheeler, the former being a native of New York, and the latter a native of Georgetown, D. C.
Charles Wheeler was a boatman, and dur- ing the war, a blockade runner. He was a member of the Home Guards of Norfolk. His death occurred just two months before his son, Elmer F .. was born. His wife died at the age of 67 years. They were members of the Cath- olic Church. Eight children were born to them, of whom they reared five, as follows : Josepli, who died at the age of 35 years ; Will- iam J .. who is a printer, with W. T. Barron & Company of Norfolk; Charles, who is a tinner of Atlantic City Ward, Norfolk: Mary, who married Capt. J. L. Cherry of the tug "Helen," of Philadelphia, and is now living in Atlantic City Ward. Norfolk; and Elmer F .. whose name heads these lines.
Elmer F. Wheeler attended private schools and St. John's Academy, at Norfolk. After leaving school, he followed steamboating, for two years and was then an apprentice in the Norfolk Lundmark office, for two years. He then returned to steamboating, as captain of the "Major," and was later captain of the tug "Willard." He was made mate of the "Ocean
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View," and later was appointed captain of that vessel, a position he has continued to fill with much efficiency for the past four years.
Captain Wheeler was married. in 1898, to Maggie C. Lanigan, a daughter of T. P. and Margaret Lanigan, born in Norfolk in 1875. They have one child, Elmer F., who was born in December, 1899. Captain Wheeler and his wife are members of St. Mary's Roman Cath- olic Church. The Captain is a member of the Masters and Pilots of Steam Vessels Associa- tion, Progressive Harbor. No. 9. He is also a and the Knights of Columbus.
His father, Patrick McCarrick, who came member of the Emerald Beneficial Association | to America from Ireland when a boy, had a
ILLIAM W. HARRIS is superin- tendent of the Gilmerton mills of the John L. Roper Lumber Com- pany. He was born January 10, 1861, and is a son of W. B. Harris, who was born in Virginia. His father married Jennie Henderson, who was born in North Carolina, and the subject hereof was the only issue of this union.
After receiving his mental training in the public schools, Mr. Harris engaged in the mill- ing business, in which he first worked for Tilley Brothers. He was then in the employ of the Johnson Lumber Company for a period of 12 years, as mill-man. He became identified with the John L. Roper Lumber Company in 1896, was superintendent of the Gilmerton plant, and has since occupied that position. He is a man of good business ability and is capable in the management of his affairs. He occupies a high place in the esteem of his employers, as well as of the men under his charge.
In 1882, Mr. Harris was united in marriage with Martha Bernard. a daughter of Dr. R. S. Bernard, a prominent resident of Berkley, Vir- ginia, and they have five children. as follows : Bernard; Henderson ; Raymond; Martha : and Catherine. Politically, the subject of this
sketch is a Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic order. Religiously, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
APT. JAMES W. MCCARRICK, a prominent citizen of Norfolk, and general Southern agent for the Clyde Steamship Company, was born in Norfolk June 22, 1843.
notable record in the service of the Confeder- ate States. His active business career after the war was spent in the service of the Old Do- minion Steamship Company, in command of several of its vessels. During the war he first served as master in the North Carolina Navy, and was later commissioned a lieutenant in the Confederate States navy. He commanded the steamer "Sea Bird," the flag-ship of Com- modore Lynch, when that vessel was sunk at Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and with the entire crew was captured by Admiral Rowan, U. S. Navy. After being exchanged, he was detailed as one of the officers of the Canadian Expedition for the relief of prisoners at Jolin- son's Island, and upon the failure of that en- terprise through betrayal he ran the blockade with the celebrated Capt. John Wilkinson. He also commanded the steamer "Winslow" when she rescued the crew of the French corvette "Prony," for which he was officially thanked by the French government. The "Winslow" was lost in making this rescue.
Capt. James W. McCarrick, whose name heads this sketch, was educated at Mount St. Mary's College and at Georgetown College, leaving the latter institution early in 1861 to enlist with the Norfolk Juniors, of the 12th Virginia Regiment, commanded by Gen. Will- iam Mahone. He was one of the 25 volunteers from that company that manned one of the
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guns which repelled the attack of the Federal steamer "Monticello," upon the Confederate batteries at Sewell's Point. Soon after this, he received an appointment as master's mate in the North Carolina Navy, and was assigned to the steamer "Winslow" at Hatteras Inlet. He participated in the capture of merchant ves- sels along the coast of North Carolina. After being transferred to the Confederate Navy, his first action was upon the "Sea Bird," under Commodore Lynch, in cutting out a Federal schooner from under the guns of the Federal fleet in Hampton Roads, and successfully bringing her into Norfolk, although pursued by four Federal gunboats. He participated in the action at Roanoke Island. where a few im- provised gunboats held Burnside's fleet in check all day. Later, in the engagement at Elizabeth City, he was wounded and captured on the sinking steamer "Sea Bird." by Captain Flusser, of the Federal fleet. Being paroled under the "Wool cartel," he returned to Nor- folk, and from the Naval Hospital witnessed the "Virginia" going down the river to attack the "Cumberland" and "Congress." attended by a number of small gunboats. Upon one of these was his friend, Midshipman Charles K. Mallory, whom Captain McCarrick hailed and begged that he bring back a Federal officer for whom he might be exchanged. It happened that Midshipman Mallory was one of the offi- cers detailed to remove the prisoners from the "Congress," and he did bring back an officer in safety, for whom McCarrick was exchanged. He was then promoted to be master and as- signed to the navy yard at Selma, Alabama. Subsequently he was attached to the iron-clad "Tuscaloosa," in Mobile Bay. From there he was sent by Admiral Buchanan to Jackson, Mississippi, to receive some guns that had been captured by Gen. Wirt Adams on the Big Black River. After returning from this expe- dition, he was sent with orders from the Sec- retary of War to select men for the Mobile fleet from the commands of Generals Loring
and Pope at Demopolis, Alabama. During the naval operations in Mobile Bay he was on the steamer "Baltic," in charge of the forward di- vision and was subsequently ordered to the flag-ship "Tennessee," but being taken sick was sent on shore to the hospital, just in time to escape the capture of the "Tennessee" by Farragut. After his recovery he served upon the gunboat "Macon," guarding the ferries of the Savannah River against Sherman's ad- vance. In his service he participated in sev- eral encounters with troops and light batteries. He was afterward detailed to command a bat- tery at Shell Bluff, where he remained until the close of the war.
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