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 3
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LAUNCELOT MINOR BLACKFORD
of soldiers that ever went out to war since the days of ancient Athens. Mr. Blackford afterward became clerk to the military court of Longstreet's corps, and later was adjutant of the 24th Virginia infantry.
The war over, Mr. Blackford became a teacher. From 1865- 1870 he was associate principal of the Norwood school, Nelson county, which was for many years one of the leading boys' schools of Virginia. In 1870 he became principal of the Epis- copal high school. Of this school no Virginian need be told. Indeed its reputation attracts boys from all parts of the United States. Its students stand high in the colleges and universities, and have distinguished themselves in the learned profession. The credit for all this is largely due to the attainments and the ability of Mr. Blackford.
Mr. Blackford's work has won recognition. In 1904, the Washington and Lee university conferred upon him the degree of LL. D.
Mr. Blackford is an Episcopalian and his wisdom and experience are highly valued in the church. For forty years he has sat in the annual councils of the diocese of Virginia, he has been three times elected to represent his diocese in the General convention, and, since 1890, has been a member of the standing committee of the diocese.
On August 5, 1884, he was married to Eliza Chew Ambler, daughter of Rev. John Ambler, of the well-known family of Yorktown and Jamestown, one of whom married Chief Justice Marshall. They have had seven children, of whom five are now (1906) living.
Mr. Blackford's address is Alexandria, Virginia.
1333084
CALVIN SIMEON BLACKWELL
B LACKWELL, CALVIN SIMEON, was born March 27, 1850, in Roanoke county, Virginia. He was the son of Robert M. and Lucy A. (Shank) Blackwell. His father was a farmer, kind-hearted, honest, industrious, and very popular.
The earliest known ancestors of the family in America emi- grated from England. Samuel Blackwell settled in Heathsville, Northumberland county, Virginia, in 1680. In the court-house of Northumberland county, on a small tablet five feet long and four feet wide, is carved the Blackwell coat-of-arms and beneath it is the following family history :
SAMUEL BLACKWELL 1680-1732 Vestryman & Justice CAPT. SAMUEL BLACKWELL 1710-1762
Member of Legislature & Vestryman WILLIAM BLACKWELL 1713-1772 Sheriff of Fauquier Co.
JOHN BLACKWELL JOSEPH BLACKWELL Revolutionary patriots.
COL. SAMUEL BLACKWELL 1785-1835
MAJOR HIRAM BLACKWELL of the War of 1812
COL. FERDINAND BLACKWELL-Commonwealth Atty. 1846-1856
LIEUT. OSCAR BLACKWELL-C. S. A. 1861-65
LIEUT. T. B. BLACKWELL-C. S. A. 1861 (Killed)
The old family estate of the Blackwells was located on the Wicomico river. It included three thousand acres which, in 1680, were given in patent by the king to Samuel Blackwell. The mansion was erected in 1698, and stood, still in the possession of the family, until five years ago, when it was burned. Only the walls now stand. Calvin Blackwell's branch of the family has descended through William Blackwell, sheriff of Fauquier, whose
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CALVIN SIMEON BLACKWELL
son Thomas moved to Halifax county in 1780. His son James moved to Bedford in 1799. He was the father of Calvin Black- well's grandfather, Moses. Calvin's father, Robert, moved to Roanoke, where his son Calvin was born.
Calvin Blackwell was reared in the country. Here he en- joyed perfect health. Much of his time was spent in labor on the farm. At ten years of age he was a great reader. He was also fond of dogs and of the chase, which he eagerly pursued in the mountains among which he was brought up.
Speaking of the regular tasks imposed upon him in youth, Mr. Blackwell declares that they were very regular and very abundant. During the first three years of the war, it was a part of his duty to cut and haul wood for his neighbors, the "war widows," to help them on their farms, and to assist them in secur- ing a living while their husbands were off in the service.
His efforts in securing an education were equally strenuous. After Lee's surrender he walked a thousand miles north in order to get money to go to college.
In early life Calvin Blackwell lost his mother. At that time he did not go to school; he did, however, read many books. The chief formative influences which affected him during that period were communion with nature in the solitude of the mountains, and his books, which, by night, he read by light of the pine knot fire. Afterward, Mr. Blackwell attended the commercial school at Lodogo, Indiana, from which he graduated, and later he was granted the degree of Master of Arts by the Drake university, Des Moines, Iowa. In the years from 1872 to 1874, Mr. Blackwell took the theological course at Oskaloosa college, Iowa, receiving, upon its completion, the degree of Th. D., and in 1898 Howard college, Alabama, conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
Mr. Blackwell's special reading has been in the line of his profession. He has taught elocution and the dramatic arts and. to some extent, has specialized in that department.
Like the Apostle, Mr. Blackwell heard the divine injunc- tion to preach the Gospel, and, in 1872, he entered upon the work of the mininstry. Since that time, his principal work has been that of preaching. Mr. Blackwell has served as a pastor in Nor-
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CALVIN SIMEON BLACKWELL
folk, Virginia; in Brooklyn, New York; in St. Louis, Missouri; and in Chicago, Illinois; and also as secretary of the Baptist Young People's union of the South. From 1881 to 1883 he was superintendent of public schools in Norfolk, Virginia.
In April, 1864, when but fourteen years of age, Mr. Blackwell entered the Confederate States army, enlisting in Company F of the 2nd Virginia Junior reserves, of which company he was made orderly sergeant. On March 1, 1864, he was transferred to the 36th regiment, Company F, and served there until the surrender.
Dr. Blackwell is author of a work entitled "New Light on the Old Book." For their insurance benefit he has become a. mem- ber of three or four fraternal orders. In politics he is a Demo- crat and in religion, a Baptist. He is a member of several literary clubs and national organizations. Mr. Blackwell is not only a clergyman but a platform orator. From press notices, the fol- lowing may be inserted :
" Mr. Blackwell's birth and experience in the South, as a Virginian who wore the gray under Lee, and his residence in New York, St. Louis and Chicago, give him the warmth and feeling of a Southerner and also the quickness of calculation of the Northerner, which admirably fit him to speak upon the theme of his last lecture, 'The Perils of the Republic.'" " Post-Dis- patch," St. Louis.
" We publish the sermons of the Reverend Calvin S. Black- well, because of their great beauty and power." "Farmer's Voice," Chicago.
" The three thousand people in Cooper institute meeting, yesterday afternoon, were perfectly under the influence of a young Southern orator, Reverend Calvin S. Blackwell." "New York Star."
" He has made an enviable reputation as a word painter." " St. Louis Republican."
Dr. Blackwell finds his amusement and recreation in baseball, which he began to play in college in 1868.
To the young, Mr. Blackwell's advice is: "Have a high ideal to start with. Then work, work, work; with hands, head and heart."
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CALVIN SIMEON BLACKWELL
On August 30, 1881, Dr. Blackwell was married to Fannie de Jarnette, youngest daughter of Colonel Robert E. de Jarnette, of Caroline county, Virginia. Of this marriage two children have been born, both of whom are now (1907) living.
His address is 234 Fairfax Avenue, (Ghent) Norfolk, Virginia.
Vol. 3-Va .- 3
ROBERT EMORY BLACKWELL
B LACKWELL, ROBERT EMORY, is the son of Rev. John Davenport and Julia Anna Butts Blackwell, and was born in Warrenton, Virginia, November 14, 1854. His father was a minister of the Gospel in the Methodist Epis- copal Church South, who held charges in Richmond, Lynchburg, Petersburg, Norfolk, and other cities in Virginia, and was chaplain in the Confederate army. The founder of the family in Virginia was Joseph Blackwell, who came from England, and settled in Westmoreland county. Another Joseph Black- well, great-grandfather of our subject, received the first land- grant ever recorded in Fauquier county and was afterwards major in the War of the Revolution. His great-grandfather on his mother's maternal side was of French origin and settled in Southampton, where the Buttses, who are English, also located.
The childhood and youth of young Blackwell were spent chiefly in the country, and he was essentially a boy, healthy, fond of play, and of hunting, fishing and riding, with no special predilection for books. Though he had no special tasks involv- ing manual labor, he learned to do most kinds of work done on a farm, and, after the war, took care of the cattle on his grand- father's farm. Although his mother died when he was twelve years of age, he recognizes her influence as strong in the develop- ment of his intellectual and spiritual life. While early accus- tomed to reading and always keenly interested in discussion of books between his father and his father's friends, he recalls the reading at a later day of the life of Dr. Thomas Arnold of Rugby as furnishing an inspiration and an ideal which have been largely helpful. He thinks, however, that he has learned more from men with whom he has associated at college and throughout life than from books. His elementary education was received at Bethel academy, Fauquier county, Virginia; his collegiate training, at Randolph-Macon college, where he took the A. M. degree in 1874. He also studied two semesters
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ROBERT EMORY BLACKWELL
at Leipsic. He received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Washington and Lee university, and from Wofford college, South Carolina.
He began his life work as a teacher at Randolph-Macon college in 1871, when he was appointed tutor in Latin, German and French. This led to his choosing teaching as his profession, a profession which he has steadily pursued, and in which he has been greatly helped by the example of the men with whom he has associated, more particularly Thomas R. Price, James A. Harrison, James A. Duncan, and R. M. Smith. He regards home influence and home guidance as most pregnant for good, but regards school and college associations and the contact with students and professors as invaluable.
Dr. Blackwell's whole adult life up to 1899 was given to teaching as professor of English at Randolph-Macon college. In that year he was elected vice-president of the college, and in 1902, president, still retaining his professorship. From 1903 to 1905, he served on a commission appointed by the Bishops to prepare a ritual and catechism to be used in common by the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Outside of his collegiate duties, his energies have been given chiefly to an effort to improve the schools and the teaching throughout the commonwealth.
Though a Democrat in politics, he, in 1896, took the stump against W. J. Bryan and the free coinage of silver. As an author, Dr. Blackwell is favorably known. He was associated with Dr. James A. Harrison in preparing, "Easy Lessons in French " and with Dr. W. W. Smith in " Parallel Syntax Chart of Latin, Greek, English, German, and French." President Blackwell is fond of hunting, bicycling, tennis, and other sports. When a student at college, he was pitcher and captain of the base- ball team. Dr. Blackwell's administration of the affairs of Randolph-Macon college has been highly successful in increasing the number of matriculates, enlarging the funds of the institu- tion, and adding to its noble reputation.
August 28, 1877, Professor Blackwell was married to Theela Epia Duncan, daughter of the distinguished Dr. James A. Duncan, president of Randolph-Macon college. They have had one child, who is still living.
President Blackwell's address is Ashland, Virginia.
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JAMES EDWARD BOWMAN
B OWMAN, JAMES EDWARD, was born at Amherst, Amherst county, Virginia, January 3, 1873. His father, Gilbert E. Bowman, was a farmer, a man of methodical and systematic habits, who was for many years the deputy treasurer of his county. Mr. Bowman's grandparents came to America from England, one of them, Captain I. S. Tinsley, serving in the War of 1812.
Mr. Bowman was a strong and healthy boy and from his earliest youth performed the various tasks that fall to the lot of a farmer's boy. He was fond of his books, and so eager to acquire knowledge that he frequently took them to the field to study during the moments he could spare from work. His taste for outdoor sports acquired in his youth still continues and he finds his recreation in manhood in bicycling, horseback riding and tennis.
The influence of the father over the young man was very strong, and guided by his advice Mr. Bowman overcame the many difficulties in the way of acquiring the means by which to secure his education and passed successfully through the public schools of his county, the Kenmore high school, and entered William and Mary college. Mr. Bowman was exceedingly for- tunate in his teachers, being brought in contact with men to whom he could look up with affection and esteem and of whom he still holds high regard. He succeeded accordingly in equip- ping himself well for a business life acquiring great proficiency especially in bookkeeping, typewriting, letter writing and tele- graphy.
After teaching in the public schools of Amherst county for two years he entered the Bank of Amherst and by keeping constantly before him high ideals of integrity, sobriety and morality, and by watchful care in his work which he considered due his employers, he became the cashier, which position he now holds. In addition to his connection with the bank Mr. Bowman represents the Mutual Life Insurance company of New
Men of Mart Publishing Co Washington DC
yours very truly
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JAMES EDWARD BOWMAN
York, in Amherst, and is notary public for the county of Amherst.
Mr. Bowman is an Odd Fellow .; he is a Democrat in his politics and is an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.
On September 13, 1899, he married Mary Reed, daughter of Dr. James C. Reed, of the Virginia Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church South, and niece of the late Maj. Walter Reed. They have one child now (1906) living.
His address is Amherst, Amherst County, Virginia.
ELISHA HOLMES BOYD
B OYD, ELISHA HOLMES, lawyer and soldier, was born April 3, 1840, in Boydville, near Martinsburg, Berkeley county, Virginia (now West Virginia). His father, Rev. Andrew Hunter Holmes Boyd, D. D., Presbyterian clergy- man, was one of the most learned theologians and eloquent pulpit orators of his church; his mother, Eleanor Francis (Wil- liams) Boyd, a woman of unusual intellectual attainments and of earnest piety, wielded a powerful influence in the molding of his character, both intellectually and morally. His blood is English- Irish. The American branch of the family was founded in the eighteenth century by John Boyd and William Williams, from England, and Joseph Holmes, from Ireland. The latter, his great-grandfather, served with distinction as a colonel in the American army of the Revolutionary war; Elisha Boyd, his grandfather, was one of the most prominent lawyers of his time, and served gallantly in the War of 1812, as a colonel. The family has been prominent in Virginia for a long time, though its members have had little inclination to seek political honors; and, while none have been very wealthy, all of them have been well-to-do, and esteemed members of the state's highest and most cultured society-a society which has always placed good blood and worth before money.
He spent his early life in Winchester, Virginia; his prepara- tory education was obtained at the Winchester academy, and at the Tennent school in Pennsylvania. He then attended the University of Virginia and graduated from several of its schools. When the Civil war opened, he was a student at the university; but the momentous issues of the day so stirred his patriotic and fighting blood that he laid aside his books and enlisted as a private in the Confederate army. He was afterwards promoted to a lieutenancy, and served during the entire war, making a record worthy of his soldier ancestors.
At the close of the war he began the study of law, in Judge Richard Parker's law school, at Winchester, in 1866. In October
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ELISHA HOLMES BOYD
of the same year, having been admitted to the bar, he began the practice of law, in Winchester, where he has continued it ever since. His marked legal ability has brought tempting offers to move to fields of larger opportunities, but he loves his home, and his neighbors, as they love him, and has preferred to remain in Winchester, contented with his practice, and not in the least envy- ing his brother lawyers of the large cities their big fees, knowing that in his life there is much that it is impossible for them to have.
He was president of the city council; is president of the school board, and a director of the Union bank of Winchester. In politics he is and has always been a Democrat, and attends the Presbyterian church. As a man he is everything that the term " Virginia gentleman " implies.
He was married October 16, 1866, to Lily Dandridge. Five children have been born to them, of whom two are now (1906) living.
Mr. Boyd's address is Number 120 North Braddock Street, Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia.
JAMES HAMILTON BROWNING
B ROWNING, JAMES HAMILTON, physician and sur- geon, was born at Fabers, Nelson county, Virginia, on August 15, 1866, son of James Peter and Mary Elizabeth (Gay) Browning. His American ancestors were of English de- scent and have been residents of Virginia for several generations. The founder of the Southern branch of the family was Jonathan Browning, great-grandfather of Dr. James Hamilton, who, after arrival in this country, first settled in Piedmont Virginia.
James Peter Browning was a railroad contractor, during the boyhood of his son, and, for a number of years, was engaged on contracts in various states throughout the South. The boy- hood of James Hamilton Browning was spent in various states. He assisted his father in contract work, and thus, in early life, learned the principles of self-reliance, which have been of great value to him in more recent years.
When he entered the University of Virginia he was far from well. On account of delicate health he was obliged to withdraw from the institution for a part of two years and often studied in bed when preparing for examinations. He fixed upon the profession of medicine at an early period, and all his subsequent education was pursued with that point in view.
In addition to the common schools, Dr. Browning attended Wytheville Military academy, receiving a scholarship both years, the academic department of the University of Virginia, and the medical department of the same institution. In 1891, he was graduated in medicine, and received the degree of M. D., from the University of Virginia. Immediately thereafter he received an appointment in Dr. Hunter McGuire's hospital, (St. Luke's), Richmond, Virginia; but, the year following, he accepted a posi- tion as contract physician and surgeon with Mason, Hoge and Company, a large firm employing over one thousand men then engaged on the Chicago drainage canal. Subsequently he re- turned to Virginia, and resumed regular practice, in which he has achieved a place of high standing among the medical prac-
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Men of Mark Publishing Co. Washington, D.C.
Jours Jouly gosto Browning
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JAMES HAMILTON BROWNING
titioners of the state. In 1901, he was appointed instructor in surgery in the University of Virginia, which position he held until he was elected professor of abdominal surgery in that insti- tution. In 1903, he became president of the Martha Jefferson sanatorium, which position he still (1907) holds.
Dr. Browning is a member of the following fraternal and social organizations : Widows' Sons lodge, A. F. A. M .; Doctor's club; Radlands club; Nu Sigma Nu Greek letter society ; Medical Society of Virginia; Piedmont Medical Society; and American Medical association. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Baptist. He has contributed many articles on medicine and surgery to leading medical journals.
On April 24, 1895, Dr. Browning married Roberta Coleman, daughter of R. E. and Margaret Alexander Coleman, of Harrods- burg, Kentucky. They have had two children, Robert and Dor- othy, the latter of whom is now (1907) living.
His address is 201 East High Street, Charlottesville, Virginia.
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JOHN ALEXANDER BUCHANAN
B UCHANAN, JOHN ALEXANDER, lawyer, and jurist, is the son of James A. and Mary G. Buchanan, and was born in Smyth county, Virginia, October 7, 1843. His father was a farmer, and sprang from the genial, sturdy, and conservative Scotch-Irish stock who settled in the Valley of Virginia before the Revolution, and who did so much in winning the liberties of America, and in giving tone to the national character. J. A. Buchanan was reared in the country, and in childhood and youth was accustomed to the amusements, employ- ments, and duties of the farmer boy. His early education was received at " old field schools," established in rural districts by neighbors for the benefit of their children, and conducted gen- erally by men of education and character, whose purpose was not to coddle and indulge their pupils but to teach them something that would be useful and to train them for college or for the active duties of life. His collegiate training was received at Emory and Henry college, especially distinguished at that time for its literary societies, which exerted a great influence in stimu- lating and molding the characters and in evoking the energies of their members. When the War between the States began, young Buchanan though not yet having reached military age, promptly volunteered as a private in Company D, Virginia infantry, (Stonewall brigade) Confederate States army, in which he served from 1861 to 1865. He was in the thick of the fight on many fields, and was captured at Gettysburg in July, 1863, and kept in prison until February, 1865, when he was exchanged, joined his regiment, and shared its fortunes. After the war was over, Mr. Buchanan took the law course at the University of Virginia. At that time, there were gathered in that institution many choice spirits, consecrated by the priva- tions, dangers, and hardships through which they had passed, and united as a band of brothers equipping themselves to serve their mother commonwealth under the darkness and the dis- couragements which rested on her. Having completed his
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JOHN ALEXANDER BUCHANAN
studies, he was licensed to practice his profession, and settled in Abingdon in Washington county, not far from the home of his childhood, and near the place of his collegiate education. Enter- ing on his work with full appreciation of its dignity and impor- tance and prosecuting it with intelligence and energy, he was inspired by the traditions of his adopted home and of the men who had made it illustrious :- the Johnstons, the Prestons, the Floyds, and many others of national reputation. It was not long before his name became known and his character appre- ciated, and his practice soon grew to such proportions as to spread his reputation throughout the whole of Southwestern Virginia.
Judge Buchanan has been a Democrat from early manhood and, loyal to his party and state, has consistently advocated the principles for which his party stands. He has never been willing to truckle to the dominant party, in order to acquire popularity, place, or power, but, true to his principles, has ever stood for what he believes to be truth and right. In religious preference, he is a Presbyterian.
Up to 1885, Judge Buchanan's reputation was chiefly con- fined to the section of the state in which he has been born, educated and lived. His service in the house of delegates in 1885-87, however, soon made him known throughout the whole commonwealth. Two years later, he was elected from the ninth congressional district, to a seat in the house of representatives, where he served two terms, 1889-93, and, two years afterwards, he was elected a member of the supreme court of appeals.
His address is Emory, Washington County, Virginia.
JOSHUA FRY BULLITT
B ULLITT, JOSHUA FRY, attorney-at-law, was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, July 24, 1856. His parents were Joshua Fry Bullitt and Elizabeth Roland Smith. His earliest American ancestor was Benjamin Bullett (anglicised to Bullitt), a Huguenot, who emigrated from France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and settled at Port Tobacco, Maryland, about 1689. His son, Benjamin, moved in 1727 to Fauquier county, Virginia, and the family continued in that colony until Alexander Scott Bullitt, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, moved to Kentucky. On his father's side, Mr. Bullitt is related to the Walkers, Christians, Henrys, Scotts, and Frys of Virginia. His mother was the eldest daughter of Dr. George W. Smith, who stood at the head of his profession in Louisville in the middle of the century. Among Mr. Bullitt's ancestors the most distinguished were Colonel John Henry, (father of Patrick Henry), Colonel Joshua Fry, professor of mathematics in William and Mary college, and afterwards colonel of the 1st Virginia regiment in the French and Indian war, Dr. Thomas Walker, of Castle Hill, Albemarle county, surveyor and explorer, Alexander Scott Bullitt, member of the Constitutional convention of Kentucky, in 1792, Cuthbert Bullitt, judge of the general court of Virginia, 1788 to 1791, and Joshua Fry Bullitt, Senior. The latter was a man of great legal ability, honesty, modesty, charity, courage and sincerity. He was a member of the city council of Louisville, a member of the legislature of Kentucky, city attorney of Louisville, reviser and editor of the " Codes of Practice " and " General Statutes " of Kentucky, and associate justice and chief justice of the supreme court of that state.
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