USA > Virginia > Men of mark in Virginia, ideals of American life; a collection of biographies of the leading men in the state, Volume III > Part 11
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After the war Mr. Lawson went to Alexandria, where he clerked for two years in the store of his cousin, Thomas Anthony Brewis, a general commission merchant, with whom he after -. wards entered into partnership. The latter was killed in 1870 in the capitol disaster at Richmond, and Mr. Lawson succeeded to the business.
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ROBERT MENNIS LAWSON
In 1884, Mr. Lawson's father died, leaving him executor of a considerable estate. Under his father's will he inherited " Oak Grove Farm," in Burkes Garden, Tazewell county, Vir- ginia, where he has since resided. Here he makes a specialty of breeding the principal classes of domestic animals. Of these Mr. Lawson keeps, and has brought to a high degree of excel- lence, the breeds which he regards as having the greatest economic value to the farmers and stock-raisers in the section in which he resides.
In politics Mr. Lawson is a Democrat, and, while in Alexandria, served repeatedly in the city council and on the board of alderman. He is a Mason and a Knight Templar, and has been for many years identified with the Episcopal church.
On November 14, 1876, Mr. Lawson married Grace Hayne Waters; and has four children now (1906) living.
There are few men more respected than Mr. Lawson by all who come into contact with him, and his name stands throughout the state for absolute integrity, fair dealing and unfailing courtesy ; few men, also, are so widely read or so intimately con- versant with so many varied subjects, or are so entertaining as raconteurs. He has traveled extensively and takes a lively interest in all questions of the day.
His address is Oak Grove Farm, Burkes Garden, Tazewell County, Virginia.
Men of Mack Publishing Co. Washington,DC
Lowlegale Leigh ,
SOUTHGATE LEIGH
L EIGH, SOUTHGATE, physician, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, May 21, 1864, and his parents were John Purviance Leigh and Fanny Cowdery. His ancestors on both sides were English settlers, who came to Virginia at a very early period of its history.
The subject of this sketch was a strong, healthy boy, who was fond of outdoor life and mechanics. He received his early education in private schools, and after a course in the academic and scientific departments of the University of Virginia, entered the medical department, from which he was graduated in 1888, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then attended lectures at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and at the medical department of Columbia university, New York city, where he was graduated M. D., in 1889, and for two years and a half served as interne at Mt. Sinai hospital, in the same city, being home surgeon thirteen months. He subsequently visited the hospitals of the principal cities of Europe and for some months was interne at the famous General hospital of Vienna. Upon his return to America, in 1892, he established himself at Norfolk and has given special attention to surgical and gyneco- logical practice, in which important field of medical science he is recognized as among the leaders of his profession.
Dr. Leigh is a member, and has been honored with the posi - tion of first vice-president, of the Virginia Medical society. He is a member of the American Medical society, of the Southern Surgical and Gynecological society; of the Tri-State Medical society, of which he was vice-president in 1905, and of the Inter- national Railway Surgeons' association. He recently held the position of president of the Association of Surgeons of the Atlan- tic Coast Line railway. He is a member of the Seaboard Medical association, the Seaboard Air Line Railway Surgeons' association, and is chief surgeon of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Traction company, and local surgeon to other transportation lines.
Dr. Leigh, while devoted to the exacting duties of his exten-
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sive practice, is active and influential in the business and social life of the city of Norfolk. He is prominently connected with the board of trade, and is a member of the Beta Theta Pi society, of the fraternal Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and of the Chesapeake, Virginia, and Westover clubs-all of Norfolk.
In the character of a public representative, Dr. Leigh is a member of the city council and is chairman of the committee for beautifying the city. He has recently been made president of the citizens commission which was formed for the purpose of getting the city in readiness for the Jamestown exposition.
In politics, Dr. Leigh is a Democrat, who has been constantly loyal to the party platform, and in religious matters he affiliates with the Protestant Episcopal church. He writes that his own experience teaches that "thoroughness is at the bottom of all success in life, to which may be added fidelity in subordinate positions." He is an excellent writer and is the author of various medical articles, which contribute much useful information.
Dr. Leigh's surgical practice is drawn not only from Norfolk and vicinity, but from Virginia, North Carolina, and other Southern states, and also includes considerable work from the Army and Navy and from Northern visitors. In 1903, finding a great demand for hospital facilities, he began the erection of a private sanatorium, built along modern lines, and with the most perfect arrangement and equipment. This was completed and opened the following year, and was named after his aunt, " The Sarah Leigh Hospital." It accommodates forty- five private patients, and is one of the most perfect and complete private hospitals in the United States.
On September 20, 1905, he married Alice Creekmore. They have one child, a son.
His address is Norfolk, Virginia.
Men of Mark Publishing Ca. Washington,D.C.
Very Giver
JAMES HUBERT LINDSAY
L INDSAY, JAMES HUBERT, editor, and member of the Constitutional convention, was born at Casanova, Fauquier county, Virginia, December 29, 1862, and is the son of Stephen Clarke and Annie (Morgan) Lindsay. His father was a teacher in Fauquier county and enjoyed an enviable reputation in his profession.
Mr. Lindsay is a member of the old Scotch family famous in history, song, and legend. Many of the Lindsays have come to America, and not a few of them are in Virginia. There, as elsewhere, they are virile, independent, energetic, valuable citizens.
The subject of this sketch was brought up in a country village, spending his winters in his father's school and his summers in all kinds of farm work; a division of his energies between mental and physical employments which gave his life its practical balance and proportion.
In his father's house was a library of unusual excellence, which was a source of delight and strength to this son, born with a love of reading. He grew up at his father's side and followed his father's ideals; for his mother was taken from him when he was but six years old. Boys brought up in this way are often prematurely developed. It was so with James H. Lindsay. At the age of sixteen he was appointed a teacher in the graded school of Staunton, Virginia, and at eighteen he was owner and editor of the " News," a weekly paper published at Kernsville, North Carolina. He edited that paper from 1880 to 1887, and for four years of that time was postmaster. In 1890 he founded the " Daily Progress," of Charlottesville, Virginia, which he has conducted from that time to the present (1907).
Though successful and influential as an editor, Mr. Lindsay did not originally desire to follow journalism as a profession. In early life he studied law, and arranged three times to take the law course at the University of Virginia, but circumstances prevented the gratification of his ambition.
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As a writer, Mr. Lindsay's work-while free from artificial or ornate finish-always shows the regard for style which char- acterizes authors who realize the dignity of their profession. There is in his productions that fitness of method for the subject in hand which is the perfection of taste. These rare merits were finely displayed recently in a series of sketches dealing with several phases of rural Virginia life-sketches full of realization of the winning impulses and motives of " The Simple Life," just in characterization and quick with a warm and loving insight. As the editor of a daily paper he is forcible and courageous, leading his community in upbuilding ways and propagating diligently enlightened views on profound public questions. In politics he is a Democrat.
It is difficult to refrain from a tribute to the quality of his friendship, marked as it is with the generous impulsiveness of the American, and the staunchness of the Scotch character. In social and fraternal relations he is ideal, and always a welcome frater among Masons, Templars, Shriners, and members of kindred organizations.
In 1900, when the Democrats of Albemarle county were looking for their best man to represent them in the Constitu- tional convention, they selected James H. Lindsay. This was a high honor to any man in any county, but especially so to a young man in Albemarle county, so prolific in men of a high order of leadership. His duties as a member of the convention he discharged with fine ability, loyally representing Albemarle by a faithful performance of his duty to the whole people of Virginia.
At this time (1907) Mr. Lindsay is serving as a member of the Charlottesville School board, and is in his third term as a member of the board of visitors of the School for the deaf, dumb, and blind, at Staunton, Virginia. He is at present engaged in editing the debates of the Constitutional convention of 1901-02.
December 24, 1884, Mr. Lindsay married Annie R. Sieg. They have four children.
Mr. Lindsay's postoffice address is Charlottesville, Virginia.
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THOMAS HARLAN LION
L ION, THOMAS HARLAN, lawyer and legislator, was born in Washington, District of Columbia, July 31, 1866. His parents were Thomas William and Sarah Somer- ville (Williams) Lion. His father was a native of England, who came to this country when he was about twenty years of age, who was a merchant with a taste for books and a talent for invention, and who reached the rank of major in the Union army during the Civil war. On the maternal side his ancestors have long been prominent in politics and in local affairs in Prince William county.
In childhood and youth, Thomas H. Lion passed most of his time in the country. His health was good and he was fond of athletic sports. He attended the public schools, and for a short time was pupil in a private school, but from the time he was twelve years of age until he was seventeen he worked hard on a farm. At the close of this period he became a salesman in a general store. He followed this occupation for five years, work- ing in various places from Virginia to Texas. Then he was employed for two years by the Adams Express company, being located first at Manassas and later at Lynchburg, Virginia. From 1890 to 1894, he studied law, the last year under Hon. C. E. Nicol, at Manassas. In 1895, he commenced active practice in the same town. The following year he became attorney for the National Bank of Manassas, which position he now (1906) holds. In 1891 he was appointed justice of the peace, and served for four years. In the same year he was elected mayor of Manassas- an office which he held for five years. He was elected in 1901 and reëlected in 1903 and 1905 (the last time without opposition), a member of the Virginia house of delegates.
Mr. Lion had great difficulties to overcome in acquiring an education. The books that he found most helpful were histories of America and England and the lives of men who through merit and effort had won success. Ambition to succeed in what- ever was undertaken was the first strong impulse which led him
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to strive for the prizes of life. In the choice of a profession he was left free to follow his own inclinations. The " kindly influence and advice " of his mother did much, he says, to help him win success. His favorite forms of sport and exercise he names as billiards, ten pins, baseball, football, and boxing. The only attention he has given to athletics has been in the general exercises of a gymnasium.
He is a Mason and an Odd Fellow. In politics he has always been a Democrat, though not always in accord with the party platform; in religious preference, he is an Episcopalian.
In response to a request for advice and suggestions which will help young people to attain true success in life, he says : " I would advise all to work faithfully to attain all objects, and not to surrender in the face of apparent defeat." And in the line of suggestion he adds: "Good habits, industry, and a faithful desire and effort to deal honestly with himself, his neighbor, and those with whom he may be brought in contact."
Mr. Lion was married June 19, 1888, to Ethel Adamson. Of their five children all were living in 1906.
His postoffice address is Manassas, Prince William County, Virginia.
no very truly 7. Feray oth
FRANK PERCY LOTH
L OTH, FRANK PERCY, stove manufacturer, was born in Richmond, Virginia, on May 24, 1871. His father was William J. Loth, a stove manufacturer, who was for several terms mayor of the town of Waynesboro, Virginia. His mother was Leonora Ann Carter.
Mr. Loth's earliest paternal ancestor in America was Carl Conrad Loth, of Hanover, Germany; and on his maternal side he is descended from Thomas Braxton Carter and his wife, Elizabeth Monroe, both of whom were members of prominent old Virginia families.
He grew up in the city of Richmond, and sold evening papers on the streets after school hours. His Saturdays were spent in collecting physicians' bills and accounts on commission. His father having met with business reverses, the son left school at the age of fourteen, and engaged in work as an office boy in the Southern Stove works. His subsequent schooling consisted in attending the night classes of a short course in a business college in Richmond.
Mr. Loth's business has continued to be that of manufactur- ing stoves since the time he began work with the Southern Stove works. In 1893 he formed a partnership with his father under the name of the W. J. Loth Stove company, and with a very limited capital leased a plant at Waynesboro, Virginia. This they afterwards bought; and by energy, economy, and industry, increased the business until it became a substantial success. In 1904, Mr. Loth bought out his father's interest in the Waynesboro plant; and is now (1906) the general manager and owns a one- half interest in the Continental Stove company, which owns and operates the W. J. Loth Stove company at Waynesboro, and the Southern Stove works of Richmond, Virginia, which last named concern is the largest stove manufacturing plant in the South. Mr. Loth is interested in other manufacturing and also in mer- cantile and banking enterprises.
He is a Mason; a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, and
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a Knight Templar; and is also a Mystic Shriner. In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Loth was married on January 26, 1897, to Lizzie Lewis Hogshead, of Staunton, Virginia; and of their marriage have been born three children, two of whom are now (1906) living. His address is Waynesboro, Virginia.
Menof Mark Publishing Co Washington, D! .
8 Sincerely yours.
WILLIAM WILLIS LYNN
L YNN, WILLIAM WILLIS, hotel proprietor and cor- poration director, was born in Gordonsville, Orange county, Virginia, June 4, 1866, son of Andrew Jackson and Nancy A. Lynn. He is of Scotch-English descent, and his first American ancestor on his father's side was Moses Lynn, who came from England about 1670 and settled in Loudoun county, Virginia. His earliest paternal ancestor on his mother's side was Major James Goodwin, who also came from England and settled in York county, Virginia, in 1648; while his earliest maternal ancestor on his mother's side was William Arnold, a Scotchman, who about 1675 settled in Prince William county, Virginia.
Major James Goodwin was a member of one of the earliest English-speaking families that came to America. He obtained land grants in Westmoreland county, Virginia, and left numerous descendants, who scattered throughout Virginia, Maryland, and the Ohio valley. The early records of York county indicate that Major Goodwin was a justice of the peace from 1657 to 1662, and that he also represented his county in the Virginia house of burgesses. He lived on Back Creek, York county, and was twice married. The impalement on the tombstone of his first wife would seem to indicate that her maiden name was Porter. His second wife was, in all probability, Mrs. Blanche Parry.
This branch of the Goodwin family, from which was descended Charles Edward Goodwin, of Prince William county, Virginia, great-grandfather of W. W. Lynn, come in direct line from Henry Goodwin, of Buckingham, England, in the fourth generation. The arms of the family are described in the following blazon : Per pale or and gules, a lion rampant, between three fleur-de-lis counterchanged. Crest- A demi-lion rampant argent gorged with an heraldic coronet gules. Motto: De bon volore.
Charles Edward Goodwin married Mary Cheak, of Fauquier county, Virginia, and had one brother, whose name was William.
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WILLIAM WILLIS LYNN
His son, John, married Mary Ann Arnold, of Prince William county, Virginia, and their sons were Charles Edward, who married Sarah Mason, of Orange county, Virginia; John Francis, who married Sarah Duval, of Orange county; James Alexander, who married Emily Mason; Robert Jackson, who married Betty Williamson Davis, of Orange county; and two others who died before reaching manhood. The daughters of John and Mary Ann Goodwin were: Jane Elizabeth, married to Charles Wright, of Prince William county; Nancy Ann, married to Andrew Jackson Lynn, of Prince William county; Mary Virginia, who died in her nineteenth year; Martha Ellen, married to John Richard Entwisle; Margaret Catherine, married to William Franklin Leef, of Baltimore, Maryland; and Lucy Ann, married to Benjamin Franklin Stockton, of Madison county, Virginia.
Andrew Jackson Lynn, father of William Willis Lynn, was a mechanic in moderate circumstances, and, beyond giving his son an excellent home training and the benefit of the public schools, was not able to assist him in gaining a more advanced training. The lad's ambition, however, was not to be satisfied with this limited education, and through his own efforts he managed to attend Oakland academy, at Oakland, Virginia, where he acquired a liberal education and exhibited many excellent traits of character.
Professor May, who was at the head of the academy at that time, describes him as the most systematic pupil he ever had, and also attributes to him a number of other superlative qualities which foreshadowed a successful career. Among the latter were unvarying politeness and the disposition to accommodate and help others.
According to another of his observers, he possessed many of the virtues of his youthful associates without any of their small vices, and still retained their esteem in an unusual degree. He was thoughtful, reserved, considerate of others, and above all, faithful in the performance of his daily task. These character- istics have marked his career throughout his earlier and later manhood, and have been important factors in carrying him to the successes in life which he has laboriously earned.
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WILLIAM WILLIS LYNN
His school life ended, Mr. Lynn began active work in 1887, as a clerk in a hotel at Charlottesville, Virginia. He continued in this and like positions there and at Danville, Virginia, for six or more years, when he acquired a part interest in the Southern Railway dining room, Danville, Virginia, of which he was manager. In 1898, he purchased a half interest in Hotel Carroll, Lynchburg, Virginia, and, in 1901, became the sole proprietor.
His success in hotel management has been paralleled in a number of other business ventures, and at the present time (1906) he holds an enviable position among the conservative and sub- stantial business men of Lynchburg. He is a director of the American National bank of that city, a director of the Lynch- burg Plow and Foundry company, and is identified with a number of other interests. His self-reliance, watchful diligence, mastery of details, and personal integrity have enabled him to form many valuable business connections, and have aided him materially in contributing to the successful management of important enterprises.
While a successful business man, Mr. Lynn's real joy lies in his home circle, to the elevation and happiness of which he is intensely devoted. He is also an active worker in the Baptist church, and lends himself to all worthy, humane, and civic movements in the interest of the common good.
On August 26, 1891, Mr. Lynn married Mary Edith Diffendal, daughter of William Diffendal and Ellen Shaw Diffendal, of Frederick county, Maryland. Six children have been born of their marriage, all of whom are now (1906) living.
His address is Number 822 Federal Street, Lynchburg, Virginia.
JOHN McLAREN McBRYDE
M cBRYDE, JOHN McLAREN, Ph. D., LL. D., educator and scholar, was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, January 1, 1841. His parents, John McBryde and Susan McLaren, emigrated from Scotland in early youth. After receiving thorough classical training in the schools of his native village, young McBryde entered South Carolina college, Columbia, South Carolina. There he came under the influence of the two LeContes, afterwards distinguished in scientific pur- suits, and from them imbibed the love of science which has marked him so distinctively, and by which he attained his first reputation in the educational world. From South Carolina college, he went to the University of Virginia, and was there at the outbreak of the war, in 1861. Entering the Confederate army, he served as a soldier until the effects of a typhus fever obliged him to retire from military life, and look for other means to help the South. Being assigned to the Treasury department, he soon became the head of an important division of the war tax bureau, in which position he won a distinction rare for so young a man.
In order to restore his shattered health after the war, Mr. McBryde started farming in Buckingham county, Virginia. In 1867, he removed to Albemarle county in the same state, where he farmed nearly a thousand acres. During that period, he resumed his scientific studies, which the war had interrupted. He devoted especial attention to agricultural chemistry and botany, making extensive collections of plants peculiar to the Piedmont section of Virginia. By helping to organize farmers' clubs, and by writing agricultural articles for the papers, he stirred up great interest in agricultural matters, and did no little to infuse new life into the farmers of his section. So well known did he become that, in the fall of 1879, he was appointed professor of agriculture and botany in the University of Tennessee, where he put the department of agriculture upon a firm basis, and made it one of the strongest features of the institution.
Yours truly
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JOHN M'LAREN M'BRYDE
In 1882, when South Carolina college was reorganized, Pro- fessor McBryde was offered a chair. His acceptance caused profound regret in Tennessee and great rejoicing in South Carolina. Immediately after his arrival in Columbia, the presidency became vacant, and, much to his surprise, Professor McBryde was elected chairman of the faculty, with all the duties of the presidency and of his own chair upon him. At the earliest meeting of the board, he was unanimously elected presi- dent of the college (1883). For the next four years, the college renewed its youth, and had an era of prosperity almost without parallel in its history. In the spring of 1887, the presidency of the University of Tennessee, with a handsome salary, was tendered President McBryde, but declined, much to the joy of the people and papers of South Carolina, and of the students, faculty and board of South Carolina college. During the winter of 1887-1888, the legislature of South Carolina increased the appropriation to the State college at Columbia, and ordered that it should be turned into a university, making it at the same time the state agricultural and mechanical college and experimental station. This development in one of the states so long lying in ruins attracted widespread attention, and promised to put the University of South Carolina, as an educational center, almost in line with the University of Virginia, and the revived University of North Carolina. Unhappily, however, there was just brewing in South Carolina a social and political storm which was destined to reduce the ambitious young university once more to the status of a small college. After this storm burst and President McBryde saw that his work was to be undone, he determined to seek another field of usefulness, where he might have opportunity for scientific work. Opportunely for him and for Virginia, the Agricultural and Mechanical college of Virginia, situated at Blacksburg, was looking for a president, and Dr. McBryde was offered the position. Since his election, the Virginia Polytechnic institute, as it is now called, has made great strides. The number of its students has increased many fold, its buildings have increased in number and in size, its equipment has been vastly improved. No little of this is due to the executive ability of President McBryde. While doing so much to make the Virginia
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