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 18
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ALEXANDER FARISH ROBERTSON
He attended private schools in Culpeper county, and then entered the University of Virginia, where he took valuable aca- demic honors in 1872-1873. In 1874, he also graduated in the law department, with the degree of B. L. It was in this period that he came under the influence of the famous John B. Minor, pro- fessor of law in the university for fifty years.
No man in Virginia ever entered life with higher ideals than Mr. Robertson. Besides the home training already spoken of, he acknowledges his great indebtedness to the late Dr. Frank L. Hall, one of the noble-almost great-men that have taught in Virginia within the memory of many now living. It was Dr. Frank Hall that turned young Robertson's thoughts towards the law, and it was he also who, by precept and practice, supple- mented the training that the boy had received at the old fireside.
In 1876, Mr. Robertson settled in Staunton, Virginia, to practice law. After taking some part in politics for a while, he settled down to the exacting but not to him tedious details of the chancery law. His specialty is fiduciary law, and he is con- cerned in most of the chancery cases at the Staunton bar. Set- tling up estates engages no little of his time.
In politics, Mr. Robertson is a Democrat; although in 1898, he was a " gold Democrat," that is, he did not vote for W. J. Bryan and " free silver."
On May 4, 1882, Mr. Robertson was married to Margaret Briscoe Stuart, daughter of the Honorable A. H. H. Stuart, and cousin of J. E. B. Stuart, the great cavalryman of the Con- federacy. Mr. Robertson has had six children, all of whom are now (1906) living.
He and his family reside at 107 Church Street, Staunton, Virginia.
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FLEMING SAUNDERS
S AUNDERS, FLEMING, soldier and farmer; was born on a farm in Campbell county, Virginia, July 18, 1829. His father, Judge Fleming Saunders, whose marked character- istics were brilliancy of intellect, fairness, firmness, and good judgment, was one of the most distinguished members of a ju- diciary which won for the Virginia courts a wide reputation for even-handed justice. He was judge of the general court for thirty-two years, and many of his decisions are still regarded as beacon lights in the troubled waters of Old Dominion litigation. His mother, Alice Watts Saunders, was a lovable and estimable woman, whose influence on his intellectual and moral character, especially the latter, was strong and lasting.
He is descended from some of the most prominent families in England, such as the Hydes, and the Dudleys-names appear- ing upon the brightest pages of English history. One of the earliest members of the family in America was Reverend John Hyde Saunders, who was ordained to the ministry of the Church of England in Westminster Abbey, London; had a glebe in Pow- hatan county, Virginia, and was an enthusiastic patriot of the Revolution. The first of the family to come to Virginia was John Saunders who died in York county in 1700.
Fleming Saunders has always been fond of the active out- door recreations of country life, especially hunting, and to that fondness he doubtless owes his vigorous constitution and the good health he has always enjoyed. Severe athletic sports have never appealed to him. His preparatory education was obtained at the New London academy, from which he went to the University of Virginia, where he was graduated A. B. in 1852. Duty has been one of the guiding lights of his life. When he entered college it was his intention to become a lawyer, and he took one year of the law course at the University of Virginia. But the health of his father, who owned and operated an extensive estate, with many slaves, became infirm. Consequently, instead of returning to college to complete the law course, he, from a sense of duty
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and in deference to the wishes of his father, took up the manage- ment of the estate, which was to become his life-work; and he has never regretted obeying that call to duty.
Previous to the Civil war he was an old line Whig, and as such opposed the secession of the state; but when Virginia se- ceded and cast her fortunes with the infant Confederacy he felt it to be his duty to stand by the state he loved so well, and at once entered the Confederate army, in which he served until the surrender at Appomattox court-house, and with such gallantry and efficiency that he received the personal commendations of Generals Robert E. Lee, and Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson- honors that every Confederate soldier knows were never lightly or undeservedly bestowed.
After the war he returned to his home, and courageously took up his work where he had left it off to become a soldier. He found many difficulties, but he proved himself more than able to carry all the responsibilities devolved upon him by the vicissi- tudes of war.
No man has the esteem and respect of the people among whom he has spent his life to a greater extent than has Mr. Saun- ders. He is a fair example of the Virginia type of gentleman farmer, whose occupation is regarded as one of the most inde- pendent on earth. He has never aspired to a public career, but such offices as magistrate, supervisor, road commissioner, and school trustee, have been held by him as a part of the duty of a good citizen. He is a lay reader in the Protestant Episcopal church in which he was reared. Since the war he has been a Democrat in politics.
He thinks the strongest influences in his life have been home and family, particularly the latter, and, from his own experi- ence, suggests the following precepts to aid in strengthening sound ideals of life among the young: "Be honest and brave; what you attempt, do well; respect the rights of others and be unselfish."
He was married July 30, 1874, to Mary Gwathmey. Five children have been born to them, four of whom are (1906) living.
His address is Evington, Campbell County, Virginia.
JOSEPH WESLEY SHACKFORD
S HACKFORD. JOSEPH WESLEY. minister of the Gospel and educator, was born at Orange Grove, near Walkerton, in King and Queen county, Virginia, July 21, 1848. His father was the Rev. John William Shackford, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, who was a member of the Virginia conference from 1843 to 1849, and who during the latter part of his life preached in King and Queen and adjacent coun- ties. Mr. Shackford's mother, before marriage was Martha Cole McLelland.
In his paternal line Mr. Shackford is descended from Wil- liam Shackford, the founder of the American branch of the family, who came from England about the middle of the seven- teenth century, bought lands in Massachusetts Bay colony, and settled in that part of ancient Dover that is now Newington, New Hampshire. His descendant. John William Shackford, who was the second son of Samuel and Nancy Shackford. of New Hampshire, came to Virginia in 1837, at the age of eighteen. taught school near Norfolk, joined the Virginia conference in 1842. and died July 10. 1900, at Orange Grove. On his mother's side Mr. Shackford is descended from Joseph Temple, of England, whose wife was Ann Arnold, of England, and who came to Virginia in the early part of the eighteenth century, and settled at " Presq' Isle," in King William county. Virginia, where he owned a large landed estate along the Mattaponi river.
Mr. Shackford grew up in the country. When quite young he had occasional duties to do about the house and farm. and after the emancipation of the slaves he worked for several years on the farm-an experience which he regards as having been of great practical value.
Mr. Shackford acquired his primary and academic education at Walkerton academy. and Aberdeen academy, in King and Queen county: and then went to the University of Virginia for one session, 1869-1870. taking only a partial course in the
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academic department, and graduating in the school of Latin, in 1870.
On September 20, 1870, he began the active work of life as an assistant teacher in the Aberdeen academy, of which Colonel J. Calvin Councill was president; and he preached his first sermon in July, 1871, at Lebanon church, Essex county, Virginia. Since those dates he has taught in academic schools fourteen years, and has been a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, for thirty-four years. He was an assistant teacher in Aberdeen academy from 1870 to 1874, and from 1878 to 1880; and was successively principal of the Richmond academy in Rockingham, North Carolina, 1881-1882; of Stevensville academy, 1883-1887; and of Walkerton academy, 1887-1889. He has been pastor of the following charges: Warrenton, North Carolina, 1875-1876; Henrico, Virginia, 1877; Ashland Circuit, 1889; King and Queen, 1890; Westmoreland, 1891-1894; Martins- ville, 1895-1896; Bedford Circuit, 1897-1900; Bedford City, 1901- 1904; and Rivermont Avenue, Lynchburg, Virginia, 1905. In November, 1906, he was appointed presiding elder for the Lynch- burg district.
He served in 1879-1880 as secretary, and then as master, of a farmer's organization at Bruington, in King and Queen county. In 1899, he was appointed a trustee of the Virginia Conference orphanage. He was chairman of the Lynchburg district board of education, 1900-1904; and was elected a member of the Virginia conference board of education for the term 1902-1906.
Mr. Shackford is a Mason and a member of the Royal Arcanum, in both of which organizations he has been chaplain; and he has been senior warden in his local Masonic lodge. He is a Democrat in politics; but reserves the right to vote against the party nominee if the latter does not commend himself to his judgment as a worthy person. He has contributed various articles to the religious and secular press, but has published no books.
Mr. Shackford married, November 25, 1875, Cora Kingsbury, daughter of T. B. Kingsbury, LL. D., of Oxford and Wilming- ton, North Carolina; and of their marriage have been born seven children, of whom five are now (1906) living.
Mr. Shackford's address is Number 518 Clay Street, Lynch- burg, Virginia.
WILLIAM J. SHELBURNE
S HELBURNE, WILLIAM J., farmer, was born in Lunen- burg county, Virginia, January 21, 1837. His parents were Cepras Shelburne and Mary Ann Shelburne. His father was a minister of the Gospel, as had been his grandfather, Silas Shelburne, and his great-grandfather, James Shelburne, all of whom were vigorous and influential preachers.
Mr. Shelburne traces his descent to the earliest settlement colony of Virginia. His earliest ancestor of his name in America was Thomas Shelburne, who came to Virginia from England, and was one of the first settlers (in 1607) at Jamestown, the cradle of the English-speaking race in the western hemisphere. In succession the line of descent from him runs thus, through ten generations: Thomas, Augustine, Augustine, Jr., James, Silas, Cephas, William James (the subject of this sketch), Craig Augustine, William James, Jr., and William Augustine Shel- burne.
William James Shelburne passed his boyhood in the country. His father combined the business of farming with the duties of the ministry. He was an energetic and successful farmer; and the son was taught to do all kinds of farm work. He thus acquired in youth a knowledge of manual labor, with the self- reliance which comes from such knowledge and experience.
His education preparatory to college was acquired at the Male academy in Christiansburg, Montgomery county, Virginia. He attended Bethany college, but he did not complete the course of study there. His purpose in life had been to become a physician; but he suffered from ophthalmia, which seriously interfered with his studies, and he was compelled to abandon his intention of taking a medical course. He thereupon decided to begin farming; and as a farmer he established himself, January 1, 1858, on the Pepper's Ferry farm, in Pulaski county, Virginia. Since that time he has continued to follow the life of a farmer in Pulaski county, and later in Montgomery county.
He is a member of the Christian church, of which he has
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been a ruling elder for thirty years. He has taken an active interest in church and Sunday school work. He has served as a road commissioner of his county; and was for several years president of the Montgomery county Farmers' club.
During the War between the States, Mr. Shelburne served as a soldier in the army of the Confederate States. In 1861 he served as second lieutenant of Company F, of the 54th Virginia infantry. After re-enlistment in 1862, he was commissioned captain and acting quartermaster Confederate States army, with rank of captain of cavalry, was assigned to duty in the 27th Virginia cavalry battalion, and served his country faithfully until the surrender.
He is a member of the Prohibition party, having left the Democratic party on the issues involved in the liquor question. From 1877 to 1879 he was a member of the Virginia house of delegates. He is an active worker in behalf of his party, and a strong temperance advocate.
Mr. Shelburne married January 4, 1859, Miss Mary Craig. They have had three children, two of whom are living in 1906.
His address is Riner, Montgomery County, Virginia.
STEPHEN SANDERS SIMMERMAN
S IMMERMAN, STEPHEN SANDERS, farmer, stockman, legislator, and mineral land owner, was born November 18, 1854, on the family estate in Wythe county, Virginia. His father, John P. M. Simmerman, a large and successful farmer and stockman, was a man of excellent foresight and strong intellect. His mother, Mary A. Simmerman, was a cul- tured woman of exalted character, and exerted a powerful and enduring influence on his intellectual and moral life. The Sim- merman family has always been one of wealth, influence and the highest social standing. Stophel Simmerman, the paternal great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came from Penn- sylvania to the Valley of Virginia and from there removed to Wythe county, where he bought large tracts of land. Of this he donated ninety acres upon which the town of Wytheville is situated. The first court ever held in Wytheville was convened in his residence. His son, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was Thomas H. Simmerman. He married Mary Campbell, a daughter of Colonel Stephen Sanders whose wife was a member of the Campbell family which figured con- spicuously in the early history of Southwestern Virginia.
Mr. Simmerman has always lived upon the estate on which he was born. When a boy he was strong, active and healthy, and devoted to all the outdoor sports of well-to-do country life. He was also fond of assisting his father in directing his extensive farming operations and in caring for his large herd of cattle. He became greatly attached to country life, and, after completing his education, he cheerfully complied with the wishes of his father, that he remain on the farm. He received his primary and preparatory education at private schools in the county, and then entered Emory and Henry college. In the spring of his last year at college, he was very ill and was unable to graduate with his class. His standing as a scholar was so good, however, that the college authorities tendered him a diploma, but his scrupulous adherence to high ideals of right and justice caused him to decline
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STEPHEN SANDERS SIMMERMAN
it with thanks. That action was thoroughly characteristic of the man and of his rule of life.
After leaving college he was an extensive reader, especially of contemporary history as given in the newspapers, and he is inclined to think that such reading was very useful in preparing him for his marked success in business. Until his father died, in December, 1880, he was his confidential business assistant and associate. Since that time he has managed the entire business, and by his executive ability, and financial acumen has made it more successful than ever. He thinks the influence of his parents, and especially his long and close association with his father, had much to do with the success which has attended every line of endeavor in which he has been engaged.
He served one term, 1901-1903, in the state legislature, but on account of ill-health he declined renomination. For the same reason he declined the tendered nomination, equivalent to election, for state senator, and also refused to be a candidate for the Democratic nomination to congress for the ninth district- though repeatedly urged to do so-or to permit his nomination for lieutenant-governor of the state. He is still comparatively young, and his many friends may compel him to reënter public life.
When in college he served as vice-president and secretary of the college fraternities. He is a director of several prosperous banks; a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in politics is a life-long Democrat. His most enjoyable and help- ful recreation is found in horseback riding, and driving over his large estate. He thinks that every young man should strive for an education, and when not at school should have some regular employment, so as to prevent decline of physical and mental activity.
On October 21, 1885, he was married to Mary Lula Painter, of Ivanhoe, Wythe county, Virginia. Four children have been born to them of whom three are now (1906) living. Their daughter, Elizabeth, when six years old, was, at the Confederate fair, held in Richmond in 1903, awarded by popular vote the bride doll, as the most beautiful and attractive little girl in Vol. 3-Va .- 17
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Richmond, her nearest competitors having been Miss Lee, of Richmond, and a daughter of Governor Montague.
The address of Mr. Simmerman is Speedwell, Wythe County, Virginia.
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FREDERICK WILMER SIMS
S IMS, FREDERICK WILMER, lawyer, jurist, was born in Louisa county, Virginia, July 23, 1862, son of Dr. Frederick H. and Maria Louisa (Kimbrough) Sims. His father was a skilled physician, of fine conversational powers, a man of culture and refinement, and an alumnus of the Uni- versity of Virginia, and of Jefferson Medical college, Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania. He is of Scotch-English lineage and on the paternal side is descended from Micajah Sims, who came from Scotland in 1740 and settled in Hanover county, Virginia, now the lower part of Louisa county in the same state. In direct line of descent was John Sims, his son, Hezekiah Sims, son of John, and Frederick H., son of Hezekiah and father of Frederick W., all of whom were natives of Louisa county. The mother of Frederick H. Sims was Mary Perkins, daughter of Zachariah W. Perkins, a man of culture and large property, and a resident of Louisa county. The latter was a son of Abram Perkins, son of Constantine Perkins, who emigrated from Eng- land in 1714 and settled upon lands patented from the Crown in that year, and located in what is now Goochland county, Virginia.
On the maternal side, Maria Louisa Kimbrough was a daughter of Charles Yancey Kimbrough, a man of marked abil- ity and influence, who had extensive holdings in Louisa county. He was also a member of the general assembly of Virginia, and gave promise of exerting an unusually strong and whole- some influence upon the destinies of his state, when at the early age of forty-eight he died. He was a son of Joseph Kimbrough and Elizabeth Yancey, his wife, daughter of Captain Charles Yancey and Mary (Crawford) Yancey. Captain Yancey was a son of Charles Yancey, who married Mlle. Dumas, a French lady. Mary Crawford was descended from John Crawford, a Scotch- man who lost his life in Bacon's Rebellion, and who was said to be a descendant of Reginald, younger son of Alan, the Fourth Earl of Richmond.
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Charles Yancey Kimbrough married Mrs. Mary Honeyman, née Pottie, a granddaughter of George Pottie, the elder, who came from Scotland about 1747 and married Mary Jordone. The father of Mary Pottie was George Pottie, the younger, and her mother was Sarah Jordone Thompson, daughter of Charles Thompson first, an Englishman, and son of Sir Charles Thomp- son, baronet of England, and Joana Douglas, his wife.
During his childhood and up to the age of fifteen or sixteen, Frederick W. Sims was physically frail, but was possessed of great fondness for reading and study and was especially inter- ested in history, historical novels, mathematics and languages. He was brought up in the country, amid healthful home influ- ences, and was early trained in habits of industry and the neces- sity of cultivating the cardinal virtues that form the basis of all true success. His elementary education was obtained in pub- lic and private schools, and later he entered the University of Virginia, where he pursued courses in mathematics, Latin, Greek, and English literature. Upon the death of his father, which occurred shortly after his entrance to the university, he withdrew from that institution. His first impulse was to make civil engi- neering or literature a profession, but he subsequently turned to the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1885, and began practice at Louisa. He soon earned recognition in his profession as a careful, painstaking lawyer, and on January 1, 1891, was elected judge of the county court of Louisa county, Virginia, which office he continued to fill until its abolishment by the new constitution February 1, 1904. In November, 1905, he was elected to the state senate of Virginia, from the thirteenth dis- trict, without opposition, and is at present a member of the follow- ing committees : privileges and elections; courts of justice; roads and internal navigation; and enrolled bills. His public and professional career admits of but one construction, in that he has always been called upon to take part in any and all movements affecting the progress and welfare of his town and county. So well has he played his part that his work and his words are worthy of close study and emulation. "I would advise," said he, " thoroughness in every undertaking and the constant appli- cation in practice of that homely admonition, ' What is worth do-
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ing at all is worth doing well.' Be absolutely honest in thought, word and purpose; be temperate in all things, rather than absti- nent; lead a perfectly clean life, then no thought need be taken about success, for it will inevitably follow."
He is a member of Providence Presbyterian church, Louisa county ; past master of Day lodge, Number 58, A. F. and A. M., at Louisa ; and an active and zealous, though conservative, sup- porter of the Democratic party.
On September 14, 1888, Judge Sims married Miss Lucy Payne Winston, daughter of William A. and Lucy P. Winston of Louisa county, Virginia. Two children have been born to this union, both of whom are now (1906) living.
His address is Louisa, Virginia.
FRANCIS LEE SMITH
S MITH, FRANCIS LEE, lawyer, was born in Alexandria, Virginia, October 6, 1845, and is the son of Francis Lee Smith and Sarah Gosnell Vowell. His father was a law- yer by profession, and was very prominent in Alexandria in the ante-bellum and later periods. His marked characteristics were temperance, justice, mercy, purity, industry, love of home and of country. All these high qualities he instilled into his son, and in doing so was earnestly seconded by his wife, Mrs. Sarah G. V. Smith, of whom the son says: " My mother was the inspi- ration of my life. Her precepts and example were always for good, and the consciousness that any thought or act would not receive her approbation was sufficient to condemn it."
Colonel Smith's earliest American ancestors were Captain Nicholas Martain, who emigrated from France about 1620, and settled in Yorktown, Virginia; Colonel George Reade, who came from England to James City county, Virginia, about 1635; Major John Smith, who emigrated from England about 1640, and settled in Gloucester county, Virginia; Colonel Miles Cary, who came from England about 1640, and settled in Warwick county, Virginia; Colonel Richard Lee, who emigrated from England about 1641 and settled in York county, Virginia; and Colonel William Ball, who came from England to Lancaster county, Virginia, about 1640. It will be very evident, therefore, that Colonel Smith is connected with nearly all the old families of Virginia, such as the Lees, the Balls, the Marshalls, the Reades, the Jacquelins, the Corbins, and the Carys. Among his dis- tinguished ancestors not already named, we might mention Colo- nel Augustine Warner, Sr., burgess for York and for Gloucester, and member of the council; Colonel Augustine Warner, Jr., speaker of the house of burgesses; Edward Jacquelin, burgess for Jamestown Island; Henry Corbin, Thomas Taylor, and Ma- jor John Smith, burgesses; Doctor Adam Thompson, the dis- tinguished physician, who made a wide reputation for curing
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