USA > Virginia > Washington County > Washington County > History of southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870 > Part 69
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Peter J. Davenport.
PETER JOHNSTON DAVENPORT.
The subject of this sketch was born near Lindell, in this county, on the 14th of February, 1863. He is the son of Elijah P. Davenport, a native of this county, and Adelia H. Hall, daughter of Dr. John Hall, of Russell county. Educated in the schools of the county. Studied law in the office of Colonel John C. Summers, Abingdon, Virginia. Was licensed and began the practice of his profession in Abing- don. Was elected Commonwealth's Attorney for Washington county in the year 1895, which posi- tion he has since held, and the duties of which he has discharged with marked ability.
Washington County, 1777-1870.
STATE SENATORS.
WM. E. PETERS.
Hle was born in Bedford county, Virginia, August 18th, 1829. Received academic training at New London Academy. Entered Emory and Henry College in 1840, and graduated in 1848. Taught a private school at Lynchburg, and entered the Uni- versity in 1850. In 1853 he was elected to the chair of ancient languages in Emory and Henry College, filling this position until 1856, when a leave of ab- sence was granted him by the Board of Trustees and he spent two years studying ancient and modern languages at Berlin, Prussia; after which he re- sumed his duties at Emory and Henry. He entered the Confederate service as a private in April, 1861; served as lieutenant of cavalry; later as captain, lieutenant-colonel of infantry and colonel of the Wm. E. Peters. Twenty-first Virginia Cavalry. After having been three times wounded, he surrendered with his command at Appomattox Courthouse. Was elected a member of the State Senate from this district in 1863, which position some months thereafter he resigned. Professor of Latin in the University of Virginia from 1866 to 1902.
JOSEPH J. GRAHAM.
The subject of this sketch was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His grandfather. Robert Graham, emigrated to this country from the north of Ireland prior to the American Revolution and settled in North Carolina, near Guilford Courthouse. He was a soldier in the Revolution, and was so harassed by the Tories that he refugeed to what is now the east- ern portion of Wythe county, about twelve miles east of Wytheville, where he accumulated a consid- erable fortune. Jos. J. Graham was born on one of the farms owned by his grandfather, near Max Mea. dows, on the 16th of July, 1811. In his early life he taught a country school. Afterwards he had em- ployment with his uncle (David Graham), who was the pioneer in the iron industry in Southwest Vir- ginia. After remaining with him some years, he Joseph J. Graham. went to Tennessee, where he was engaged in busi- ness at the outbreak of the Mexican war. He went with a body of troops to join Scott's column in Mexico, and took part in the bombardment of the fortress of Vera Cruz. After the Mexican war he returned to Wythe county, and for several years was engaged with the late Colonel James Piper, of Wythe county, in lo- cating turnpike roads in Southwest Virginia. He was three times elected a
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Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
member of the Legislature from Wythe county, and once to the State Senate from this district. He died April 9th, 1877, without issue.
HIRAM A. GREEVER.
Was born October 30th, 1806, and died the 23d day of May, 1882. He was colonel of militia before the civil war, and served in the House of Dele- gates from Smyth county. He afterwards served one term as a Senator in the General Assembly from this district; after which he retired to private life on his estate, in Smyth county, a part of which was inherited from his father, who was among the pioneers of Southwest Virginia.
JAMES S. GREEVER.
General James S. Greever was born September 9th, 1837, and died December 30th, 1895. He was edu- cated at Emory and Henry College, and was an honor graduate in the year 1859. The degree of James S. Greever. Master of Arts was conferred upon him in 1867 by the same institution. When war was declared he entered the Confederate service as captain of Company A, in the Forty-eighth Virginia Infantry. In 1869 he was elected to the Senate from Smyth and Washington counties. He was reelected at the expiration of his first term, serving through the administrations of Walker and Kemper. During this period he married an only daughter of Mr. Richard Woolfork Scott, of Prince Edward county, Virginia, and left one child, Miss Virginia Holmes Greever, who, with her mother, survives him. General Greever was elected a member of the Board of Trustees of Emory and Henry College in 1875, which place he held until his death. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Southwest Virginia Hospital, at Marion. He filled other responsible positions, being for years agent for the large and valuable property known as the "Douglas Lands." When he died he was president of the Bank of Glade Spring, and it was largely through his influence that this bank commenced operations. He died at his home, "West- view," a fine estate lying along the banks of the Hol- ston river, near Chilhowie, Virginia, where his wife and daughter still reside.
DAVID FLOURNOY BAILEY.
Born January 23d, 1845, in Charlotte county, Vir- David F. Bailey. ginia. Came to Bristol before the civil war, where he has since resided. Learned the art of printing in the office of the Bristol News and at one time owned and edited that paper. Was a private Confederate soldier in Company A, Thirty-seventh Virginia Infantry, and later in the cavalry service. Studied law at Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, and began the practice of his profession in July, 1869, at Bristol. Was married February 29th, 1872, to Sarah Eleanor
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Washington County, 1777-1870.
Preston, daughter of JJohn F. Preston, of "Locust Glen," Washington county, Virginia. He represented Washington county in the Legislature of Vir- ginia 1879-1880, and was chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Was Sena tor from Washington and Smyth counties in 1881-1885. Was Republican nominee for Congress in 1884, and was defeated by C. F. Trigg. Was As- sistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia during Harrison's administration. Was a delegate from this district to the Na- tional Republican Convention at St. Louis in 1896, and placed in nomination General James A. Walker for Vice-President of the United States. Was the Republican elector from this district in the year 1900, and at the present time is referee in bank- ruptcy for this division.
E. L. ROBERTS.
The subject of this sketch was born at Broad Ford. Smyth county, Virginia, April 4th, 1831. Was educated in the common schools of the county, and held the position of Superintendent of Schools for E. L. Roberts. Smyth county before the war. Soon after the war he was elected clerk of the county and circuit courts of Smyth county, which position he held for six years. Was twice elected a member of the House of Delegates from Smyth and Bland counties. Was elected a member of the State Senate from this district in the jar 1889. Has served as school trustee, sheriff and justice of the peace.
B. F. BUCHANAN.
The subject of this sketch was born in Smyth county, Virginia, and graduated in the academic department of the University of Virginia in 1590 and the law department in 1884. Was elected a mem- ber of the State Senate from this district, serving from 1893 to 1897. Was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention in 1900, and has been a mem- ber of the State Democratic Committee for ten years. Was Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knight- Templar of Virginia for the years 1901-1902. Now prae tices law at Marion, Va.
CHAS. W. STEELE.
B. F. Buchanan. The subject of this sketch 1.14 born at Steelesburg. Tazewell county, Virginia. July 24th, 1958. Married and settled in this county. Was land assessor in 1895. Elected a member of the State Senate from this district, and served from 1897 to 1901.
Charles W. Steele.
782
Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
J. CLOYD BYARS.
The subject of this sketch was born at his father's farm, "Southern View," in Washington county, Virginia, on December 9th, 1868. Located at Bristol in 1891. Admitted to the bar in 1896. Was elected City Attorney for Bristol in 1899. Was de- feated for Mayor of Bristol in 1900, and was elected to the State Senate from the First Senatorial Dis- trict, composed of the counties of Smyth and Wash- ington, in the year 1901, which position he now fills.
MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
JOHN GIBSON.
J. Cloyd Byars.
The subject of this sketch was born in the Valley of Virginia January 1st, 1775, and married Amelia
Carter Cummings, daughter of the Rev. Charles Cummings, and settled in this county. He was a captain in the war of 1812 and a member of the Legislature from Washington county in the year 1837, and died at his home, in this county, August 26th, 1863.
"ROBERT E. GRANT.
The subject of this sketch was born on the 25th of September, 1825, in Washington county, Vir- ginia, and was married in 1850 to Miss Anna Snod- grass, of this county. Was elected a member of the John Gibson. Legislature from Washington county in 1855, and a member of the Secession Convention of 1861. Upon the breaking out of the war he organized a company, afterwards Company H of the Thirty-seventh Virginia Volunteers, of which company he was captain. He en- tered the service and remained until the surrender at Appomattox. He removed with his family to Austin, Texas, in 1872. Died July 17th, 1888, leaving his wife and several children surviving him.
JACOB LYNCH.
Major Lynch was born in Abingdon in the year 1798, and died March 16th, 1862. He was educated by Mr. Samuel Baillie, who taught a school in Abingdon for Robert E. Grant. many years. He entered the Clerk's office at the age of fourteen years as a deputy to Andrew Russell, and remained with him for many years. He then became deputy clerk to David Campbell, and remained
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Washington County. 1787-1870.
with him until he (Campbell) was elected Governor of Virginia. Jacob Lynch was then elected clerk of the court, and held this office until 1858, when he declined a reelection. In the spring of the year 1859 he was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county, and served until the spring of 1860, when he was elected president of the Exchange Bank of Abing- don, and resigned his position as a member of the Gen- eral Assembly. He was for many years president of the Russell Turnpike Company.
DR. ALEXANDER R. PRESTON.
Dr. Preston was born at "Locust Glen," the home of his father, Robert Preston, five miles west of Abing- don, on December 8th, 1805. He was the son of Robt. Jacob Lynch. Preston, who emigrated to this country from Ireland, and Jennie Preston, his wife, a daughter of Robert Preston, of Walnut Grove. He received his educa- tion at the Abingdon Academy, and was educated in medicine at Transylvania College, and practised his profession in this community until March 5th, 1874, the date of his death. He was elected a mem- ber of the General Assembly from Washington county in the year 1860, and was clerk of the Circuit Court of this county in the year 1870.
DAVID B. CLARK.
The subject of this sketch was born near the Old Glade Spring Church on the 18th of March, 1827, Alex. R. Preston. ind died March 12th, 1896. He was for a number of years a member of the County Court of this county, a school trustee for Saltville District, and a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county in 1863-1865.
DAVID CAMPBELL DUNN.
The subject of this sketch was born at Abingdon, Virginia, May 7th, 1829. Educated at the Abingdon Academy. Mem- ber of Captain J. M. Stephens David B. Clark. militia company before the war. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Floyd's Brigade; pro- moted to captaincy of Company B; second lieuten- ant of the Sixty-third Virginia Regiment, which David C. Dunn. position he held until the close of the war. He was wounded at the battle of Cross Lanes. Was a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county from 1861 to 1865. Now lives at Conway, South Carolina.
184
Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
ARTHUR CAMPBELL CUMMINGS.
The subject of this sketch is the son of James and Mary Cummings, and was born October list, 1822, on the location of the first settlement made by his great-grandfather, Charles Cummings, in about the year 1774, at the head of Wolf Hill Creek, about three miles west of Abingdon. Attended the private schools of the neighborhood until appointed a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute in the year 1841, from which institution he graduated in 1844. He studied law and was licensed to practise in 1846. When the war between the United States and Mexico commenced, in May, 1846, he raised and was elected captain of two different volunteer com- panies under a call for volunteers by the United States Government, but neither company was called to go into service. Was commissioned by President Polk in March, 1847, as captain of Company K, Eleventh Regi- ment of the United States Infantry, being one of the ten regiments raised under an act of Congress to serve for five years, or during the war. He enlisted about thirty-six men at Abingdon and at Chillicothie, Ohio, the rest of the company being enlisted by the two lieutenants at Wheeling, Virginia. He was then ordered to join his regiment, and reached Vera Cruz the 1st of July, 1847; was there attached to the command of Major Lally, being the first troops to leave Vera Cruz after the army under General Scott had commenced their march on the city of Mexico. Captain Cummings was dangerously wounded in an engagement with a large force of guerillas concealed in a chaparral, at a place called Paso Ovejas, near the National Bridge leading to the City of Mexico, and was made brevet major for gallant conduct in that engagement. He served as captain until the close of the war, and was discharged with the regiment at Fort Hamilton, Long A. C. Cummings. Island, New York, about September 1st, 1848. Was appointed division inspector of militia for the Fifth Division on October 22d, 1849; was commissioned colonel of the Fifth Regi- ment of Artillery (militia) July 24th, 1858; was commissioned captain of the Eleventh Regiment of Infantry (militia) May 20th, 1847. On his return home he resumed the practice of law. In May, 1861, he was commis- sioned colonel of Virginia Volunteers; was ordered to report to General T. J. Jackson at Harper's Ferry, and was by him assigned to the command of what was then the Second, afterwards the Tenth, Regiment. In June, 1861, by order of General Jackson, he organized the Third Regiment, then reporting from the adjoining counties. He afterwards organized the Thirty-
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Washington County, 1777-1870.
third Regiment, and was assigned to its command, and this command he. came a part of the Stonewall Brigade. He commanded this regiment at the first battle at Manassas and until the reorganization in 1862. Elected a member of the House of Delegates from this county in 1863 and again in 1869 and 1871.
GEORGE GRAHAM.
Born August 9th, 1831, at the location of his pr --- ent residence, in this county. Entered the Confed- erate service in April, 1861, as first lieutenant of the George Graham. Glade Spring Rifles, known in the service as Company F, Thirty-seventh Virginia Regiment. Was promoted to captain in June, 1861, where he remained until September, 1863, when he was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county. Was reëlected in 1869; since which time he has been engaged in farming upon an extensive estate. He married Miss Rebecca Preston, daughter of Colonel Thomas M. Preston.
SELDEN LONGLEY.
Born at Emory and Henry College on the 7th of February. 1846, and is the son of Edmond Longley and May Hammond Longley. Educated in the common schools and Emory and Henry College. At the age of seventeen he entered the Confederate army, first in Captain J. K. Rambo's company of Border Rangers; was afterwards transferred to Company F. Twenty-first Virginia Cavalry, Captain Fred Gray and others commanding. He was made orderly sergeant soon after he enlisted, and commanded a company for several months before the close of the war. When the war was over he reentered Emory and Henry College, and in June, 1866, won the Robertson prize medal for oratory, and graduated in 1868. He was elected assistant professor of ancient and modern languages, and taught at Emory for one year. Studied law at the University of Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in 1870. In June, 1870, he was the final orator of the Washington Literary Society at the University of Virginia, and in November, 1873, he was elected to the House of Delegates from Washington county, and in the same year he was happily married to Miss Leona Howard Jordan, Selden Longley. daughter of Colonel W. J. Jordan, of Pulaski county. In 1891 he re- moved to Pulaski county, was appointed judge of the County Court of that county by Governor Chas. T. O'Ferrall, and was elected by the General Assembly in 1897 to serve for the term of six years, which position he now occupies.
#86
Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
ISAAC CHAPMAN FOWLER.
The subject of this sketch was born at Tazewell, Virginia, September 23d, 1831, but was principally reared near Red Sulphur Springs (now West Vir- ginia ). Was educated at Emory and Henry Col- lege. Was engaged in mercantile pursuits at Tazewell from April, 1852, until October, 1860, when he removed to Emory and engaged in mer- chandising there until all of his property was swept away by the war. Was connected with the Commissary Department of the Confederate States under General Breckenridge. After the close of the war he removed to Bristol. Was five times Mayor of that town. Represented Washington county in the House of Delegates for six years, during which time he was Speaker of the House of Delegates. Was owner and editor of the Bristol News from August, 1868, until Isaac Chapman Fowler. February, 1884, at which time he was appointed
clerk of the United States Court, Abingdon, Vir- ginia, which position he now holds.
CHARLES B. COALE.
Was born in Maryland in 1807. He came to Abingdon and became associate editor and proprie- tor of the Abingdon Virginian, in 1837. In 1841 he associated himself with Geo. R. Barr and began the publication of the Abingdon Virginian. To- gether they continued to own and publish the Abingdon Virginian until February, 1873. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Charles B. Coale. this county in the year 1875. Was the author of a book entitled "Wilburn Waters," in which much of the history of this county has been preserved. While not a native of this county, he contributed his time and energy to a greater extent than any that had pre- ceded him in preserving the history of the county. Was an active member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, of Abingdon, Virginia, and took an active part in the founding of Martha Washington College. He died on January 3d, 1879, and was buried in Sinking Spring Cemetery. He left no descendants.
Jonas S. Kelly.
JONAS S. KELLY.
The subject of this sketch was born near Emory, Virginia, February 22d, 1819; died November 29th, 1895. He was a mem-
Washington County. 1977-1570.
ber of the House of Delegates from Washington county for apif you W. a member of the Board of Supervisors from Saltville Mint La mano tears. He was one of the most popular men that over appeared before the people of Washington county.
DANIEL TRIGG.
The subject of this sketch is a son of Dr. Daniel Trigg and Anna Munford Trigg, daughter of Alexan- der Tompkins, and was born in Abingdon on the 12th day of March, 1843. Was educated at the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, resigned there- from in 1861 and joined the Confederate States navy, and served therein throughout the war, attaining the Daniel Tn __. rank of lieutenant. After the war he studied law, was licensed, and settled in Arkansas in the year 1868, but returned to Abingdon and settled in the year 1869, where he has since practised his pro- fession with success. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county in the year 1882, and took high rank in the proceed- ings of the following sessions of the General As- sembly. He married Miss Louisa Bowen John-ion. daughter of Judge John W. Johnston, and has three sons and two daughters now living.
CHAS. W. ALDERSON.
Born at Lebanon, Russell county, Virginia, June 21st, 1846. Settled in Washington county. Was Chas. W. Alderson. elected a justice for the Glade Spring District for the year 1887. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county in the year 1891. Served as school trustee in Glade Spring District from 1896 to 1900.
L. H. SNODGRASS.
The subject of this sketch was born in Sullivan county, Tennessee, June 18th, 1859. Married and settled at Craig's Mills, in this county. Served as supervisor and school trustee of Kinderhook Dis- triet for several years. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county in 1991
JAMES CROW.
James Crow was born near Friendship, October 15th, 1821, and died November 14th, 1902. He was the descendant of one of the original settlers of this L. H. Snodgrass county. Was well known and respected for his fine character and abilit ;. Was a justice of the peace for fifteen years : supervisor, first of Glade Spring
.
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Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786.
District and afterwards of Holston District for a number of years. Was elected a member of the House of Representatives from this county in 1889. He accumulated a considerable fortune and left very respectable descendants.
E. S. KENDRICK.
Was born in New Garden, Russell county, Virginia, September 20th, 1856. Removed to Bristol in 1882. Was a member of the Washington County School Board for Goodson District for several years and a member of the Town Council for Goodson for four years. Represented Washington county in the House of Delegates 1889-1890, and during this time secured an act of the General Assembly changing the name of Goodson to the city of Bristol. Was a member of the City Council for Bristol for four years and a member of the School Board of the city. Again represented Washing- ton county and the city of Bristol in the House of Dele- gates in the years 1893-1894. James Crow.
A
ANDREW F. RAMBO.
The subject of this sketch was born near Palestine, in this county, July 5th, 1845. Educated in the E. S. Kendrick. schools of the county. Has been a merchant most of his life. Joined the Washington Mounted Rifles in April, 1861; served through the war. Has been postmaster at Palestine since 1881. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county in the year 1895.
JOSEPH M. BUTT.
Joseph M. Butt.
Was born four miles north- west of Abingdon, October 29th, 1846. Was the youngest child of Rignal and Sarah Butt. Served as lieutenant in Company E, Thirteenth Bat- Andrew F. Rambo. talion of Virginia Reserves. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county in 1895. Twice married-first to Theresa J. Lyon, of Washington county, and secondly to Fannie A. Drinkard, of Richmond, Virginia.
W. H. TOMNEY.
Great-grandson of Christopher Simmerman, who gave the land for the location of the town of Wytheville. Was born in Wytheville, September
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Washington County, 1777-1870.
15th, 1862. Has spent his life in the newspaper business. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county in the year 1593. at which time he was the editor of the Glade Spring Citizen.
JOHN ROBERTS.
Born on the head waters of Rattle Creek, in this county. five miles north of Abingdon. on December 9th, 1834. Was the son of Henry and Elizabeth Roberts. Was captain of militia in 1858. Enlisted as a private in Company I, Forty-eighth Virginia Regiment, in 1861, and was elected lieutenant of the company at the reorganization in 1862. 10 lost his right leg at the battle of Chancellorsville, May 30, 1862. Was appointed purchasing agent for the county in 1864. Twice represented North Fork District as a super- visor. Elected a member of the Legislature in 1887. Has served as Commis- W. H. Tomney. sioner of the Revenue for the Western District since 1895.
SAMUEL P. EDMONDSON.
The subject of this sketch is a direct lineal de- John Roberts. scendant of one of the heroes of King's Mountain. He was born in this county, educated in the schools of the county, and for many years has been a very successful farmer and cattle trader. Has held a number of very responsible positions. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washing- ton county in the year 1887.
CHAS. H. JENNINGS.
Charles H. Jennings.
Born in Bristol, Vir- ginia, February 9th, 1865. Has lived in Abingdon since January 1st, 1883. Member of the Town Coun- Samuel P. Edmondson. cil and the School Board of Cave City School Dis- trict. Married Miss Hattie McChesney Jones, De cember 9th, 1884. Was elected a member of the House of Delegates from Washington county in 1897. Is now the proprietor of the Hattie House and of Jennings' drug store, Abingdon, Va.
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