USA > Virginia > Men of mark in Virginia, ideals of American life; a collection of biographies of the leading men in the state, Volume V > Part 12
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217
JED HOTCHKISS
At the New Orleans exposition he represented Virginia ; and he was one of the judges of mines and mining at the World's Fair at Chicago in 1893. He was employed by the government at various times as an expert topographer and rendered special ser- vice to the Battle Fields commission of Antietam and Fredericks- burg.
Mr. Hotchkiss was also a most interesting and instructive pub- lic speaker. His lectures on the battles of the Civil war were de- livered at various important points North and South, and were greatly admired. At the close of his lecture on " Topography in War " given before one of the learned societies of Washington, George Bancroft, the great historian, said " It is the best thing I ever heard in my life." In England he lectured before some of the leading scientific societies. Possibly his most useful work as a lecturer was done, in connection with Dr. Barnas Sears, of the Peabody fund, to popularize the public school system in the South.
Major Hotchkiss was a member of several learned societies including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Geographic society, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Philosophical society. He was a member of the Stonewall Jackson Camp of Confederate Veterans, and on June 30, 1896, he was commissioned “ Brigadier- general and chief of the engineer corps, staff of General J. B. Gordon," the commission being signed by General Gordon " gen- eral commanding the United Confederate Veterans."
Early in life, while at Mossy Creek, Major Hotchkiss united with the Presbyterian church. After his removal to Staunton he became one of the founders of the Second Presbyterian church in that city and was a leader therein for more than twenty years. For a long period he was indentified with the Sunday school and served many terms as its superintendent. He was also deeply interested in and a supporter of the work of the Young Men's Christian association.
On December 21, 1853, he was married to Miss Sara Comfort, of Lanesboro, Pennsylvania, who, with their two daughters, Mrs. George S. Holmes of Charleston, South Carolina, and Mrs. Allen M. Howison of Staunton, are now living.
Major Hotchkiss died at his home, "The Oaks," in the suburbs of Staunton, Virginia, January 17, 1899.
WILLIAN GRAYSON HOWE
H OWE, WILLIAM GRAYSON, who is most promi- nently connected with the cattle-raising and cattle- shipping industry of Virginia, and is perhaps the best known, and certainly one of the most thoroughly respected citizens of Southwestern Virginia, was born in July, 1847, at Mechanicsburg, in what was then Giles county, Virginia. He is the son of Captain William Harrison Howe and Mrs. Mary (Fisher) Howe. Joseph Howe, the first of the family to come to America, had lived in Nottingham, England, and was first cousin of Lord Howe, commander of the British forces in the War of the Revolution. Joseph Howe came to America in 1737. Among the passengers on the ship that brought him over was a beautiful girl, Miss Eleanor Dunbar, and, falling in love with each other on the voyage, they were married soon after landing, and made their home near Boston, Massachusetts. After a few years they went southward and finally settled in the mountainous region of Southwestern Virginia, when the country was still a trackless wilderness-one of the first two or three families to settle west of the New river in 1757. The old homestead, which has been the scene of many hospitable enter- tainments and delightful family reunions, was built on land held by direct grant from King George III., and it has con- tinued in the possession of the family until within the last few years. A son of Joseph Howe was Major Daniel Howe, a soldier in the Revolutionary war, a man of strong and high character. Detailed to arrest a supposed Tory, John Haven, young Major Howe was himself taken captive by the charms of the pretty daughter of Mr. Haven, who afterward became his wife. Cap- tain William Harrison Howe, the father of the subject of this sketch, was the son of the marriage which thus came about.
From his father, Captain William Harrison Howe, a man of gentle and quiet manners, upright and honorable in all his dealings, William Grayson Howe, the son, inherited many friends and a good name. He was early taught to rely upon
Yours Sincerely
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WILLIAM GRAYSON HOWE
his own exertions, and from his boyhood he has held to the principle that "a man's word should be as good as his bond."
His preparatory education had been obtained at Ambler's primary school, known as "Seven Islands." He was but four- teen years of age when the War between the States broke out. In the following year, while a student at Roanoke college, he was elected lieutenant of a regularly organized college company for the guarding of bridges and other points against raids. In December, 1863, he was captured by Averill's troops in their raid on Salem, Virginia. Probably on account of his youth he attracted the favorable attention of the lieutenant in command of his captors, and on his way to the Federal lines he was al- lowed to escape. At the close of the school in June he resigned his office in the college company, enlisted as a private in the cavalry, and served in the Army of Northern Virginia until the close of the war.
After the war he interested himself steadily and systemati- cally in raising, buying and marketing cattle and horses. He traveled constantly, especially in the Southwestern part of the State, in developing this business. He is now the largest indi- vidual shipper of stock on the entire line of the Norfolk and Western railway-the value of his shipments for a single year having exceeded three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He is the owner of two of the largest and most desirable farms in Wythe county, and has an elegant home at Rural Retreat, Vir- ginia, his present address.
In 1874 Mr. Howe married Miss Alice Virginia Brown. Her grandfather was a Lutheran preacher, in his day a man of great prominence and usefulness, and for many terms a repre- sentative in the legislature of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Howe have had two daughters, both of whom are living in 1908.
In his political relations Mr. Howe is a Democrat, of un- swerving loyalty to party traditions, principles and nominees. He has never sought public office, but he was appointed by the governor and served for several years as one of the directors of the Southwestern State hospital. He is universally popular in the good sense of that word, and is interested in all that makes for the public welfare of his county and his state.
His religious connection is with the Presbyterian church.
Vol. 5-Va .- 11
SLAUGHTER WILLIAM HUFF
H UFF, SLAUGHTER WILLIAM, electrical engineer, was born at Hillsboro, Albemarle county, Virginia, March 9, 1867. His father, Samuel P. Huff, who was for many years chaplain of the famous Miller Manual school in Albemarle county, was a Baptist minister of prominence and wide usefulness. He was a man of strong, unassuming per- sonality, calm determination, and remarkable self-control. The mother of S. W. Huff was Bettie Jurey, whose influence, with that of her husband, upon the son's life, went to the making of the vigorous manhood by which the subject of this article is characterized. The boy was first sent to local schools in Albe- marle county, Fishburne Military school, Waynesboro, Virginia, then to Richmond college; and later on, to Cornell university, where he took a thorough course in electrical engineering.
Mr. Huff's first American ancestors on the father's side set- tled in the state of Pennsylvania immediately after the Revolu- tion. One branch of the family moved to the Valley of Virginia shortly afterward and took a prominent part in the develop- ment of that section of the state. On his mother's side he is a great-grandson of Colonel John Slaughter, of the Revolution, whose descendants have been among the most prominent people of Culpeper and the adjoining counties.
S. W. Huff entered active life as principal of a graded school in Staunton, Virginia. He also taught one year at the Miller Manual Labor school of Albemarle, Virginia, and then took technical work at Cornell university. His previous con- tact with men and affairs enabled him to make the most of the opportunities offered at Cornell and to shape his work along lines that would be of most practical use to him in after life. Among the many positions in his chosen profession which he has held successfully may be named the following: Superintendent of the Baxter Electric Motor and Manufacturing company, Bal- timore; general manager, Raleigh Street Railway company, Raleigh, North Carolina; electrical engineer, Columbia and
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SLAUGHTER WILLIAM HUFF
Maryland Railway company; master mechanic, and later electri- cal and mechanical engineer, United Railways and Electric com- pany, Baltimore; and general manager and acting president San Francisco and San Mateo Railway company. In July, 1902, he became general manager of the Virginia Passenger and Power company, of Richmond, Virginia, a position which he now fills with great ability. He has found time for original work in his specialty and he has received patents for improvements in railway track bonds, a series for electric street car controllers, and also a series for railway block signaling.
Mr. Huff is a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity; the Westmoreland club; the Lakeside Country club, and the Ameri- can Society of Mechanical Engineers.
On October 5, 1892, he was married to Julia Evelyn Graham, of Lincoln county, North Carolina. They have had three chil- dren, all of whom are now (1908) living.
CHARLES HUTZLER
H UTZLER, CHARLES, for the last forty years honor- ably prominent in the business life of Richmond, was born in that city on the 26th of October, 1849. As he was eleven years old when Virginia seceded, and fifteen when Richmond surrendered, the stirring scenes of the period of the Civil war were witnessed by him at a time of life when they were most indelibly impressed upon a retentive mind. Marching with the soldiers, taking part in their discussions, often carrying to them food and dainties from a generous and sympathetic home, identifying himself with them even to the extent of carry- ing his father's musket when the home guard was ordered to the front at the time of Dahlgren's raid, the boy's character was formed, developed and schooled under conditions which rendered his convictions decided, firm, and perhaps somewhat inflexible.
Mr. Hutzler's father and mother, both born in Bavaria, Germany, came to Richmond in 1839, leaving their native home because their religious rearing had brought upon them the denial of the right to marry. At that time, the number of Jewish families in that part of Bavaria was limited by law; and since an older brother had already married, marriage was forbidden to all other members of the family. Coming directly to Rich- mond, Mr. Abraham Hutzler identified himself with his adopted city and state, living for the remaining fifty years of his life within fifty yards of the place where he first made his home in Richmond. He is well remembered for his firmness of convic- tion, his piety, his unswerving honesty and reliability, and the faithfulness with which he clung to his friends. Declining to speculate, and refusing to enter into contracts which might have yielded large profits while the struggle for independence was raging, the end of the Civil war found him with diminished means; and he was not able to give to his son, the subject of this sketch, the liberal education which he had intended to insure him.
At the age of sixteen, Charles Hutzler began a business career.
. . "Maro Patishiva
Yours Juicerely
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CHARLES HUTZLER
Through the influence of an older sister of fine taste and sound judgment, he had been led to the systematic improvement of his mind by courses of reading. Begining with the subject of history, he read rapidly but thoroughly the leading works upon American and modern European history, as well as books upon ancient and Biblical history. After completing this his- torical course, he took up English literature, devoting much time to the works of Addison, Macaulay, Carlyle and Shakes- peare. With the English and American novelists who were most read in the last third of the last century, as well as with the poetry of Pope and Byron, he became very familiar.
At the age of eight he attended a parochial school. In early boyhood he attended the night school of Major S. T. Pendleton ; and later he took private lessons in French, German and Hebrew, meanwhile reading omnivorously. It should be an encourage- ment to young men who educate themselves outside the schools, to know that Mr. Hutzler has found that with the foundation laid down in the course thus described, he has not been afraid throughout his life to undertake the reading of anything that was ever written; nor has he felt himself in danger of suffering either mentally or morally by dangerous doctrines of skeptic or libertine. Through all these years, he never began to read a fresh volume, without first writing out his opinion of the book last read, and comparing it as to style and contents, with other books which he had read. Of the writings which have left their most lasting impression upon his character, he names the Bible, and the works of Shakespeare, Macaulay and Bulwer.
Mr. Charles Hutzler ha~ spent his entire life in Richmond and for forty years has been engaged in merchandising. For the first eleven years he served as confidential clerk for his employers; but since the age of thirty-eight he has conducted business in his own name and for himself. Meanwhile, he has served as director of three different banks, and has found time to serve the public as director of the prison association of Vir- ginia of which he is now president; as a member of the school board, of which he is now chairman ; and as an officer of the con- gregation Beth Ahabah, of which he is now president. He has filled the position of president, librarian and treasurer of the
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CHARLES HUTZLER
Jefferson literary society, a literary club which he helped to organize in 1867, and of which he continued to be an active mem- ber for about thirty years, until that association was finally merged in the Jefferson club.
In politics, Mr. Hutzler has always been associated with the Democratic party.
In 1869, when Virginia was trying to escape from the evils of the reconstruction period, he found his name on the poll-books; but as he was still under age, he refused to avail himself of the privilege of voting which was thus given him. Two years later, when the fierce struggle for local supremacy demanded the cour- age of conviction on the part of those who dared to accept office, he received from Judge Guigon an assignment as judge of elec- tion, serving under the most trying conditions.
Mr. Hutzler is closely identified with the Jewish conserva- tive reform movement. He is the author of "The Jews of Ger- many and the Anti-Semitic Question" and of "Religious Leaders of the World,"-both published in 1897. Mr. Hutzler has de- livered lectures upon Shakespeare's Othello.
On the 26th of October, 1875, he was married to Miss Jean- nette Milhiser. They have had six children, of whom but one is now (1908) living,-a son who has taken the degree of bache- lor of arts at the University of Virginia and is studying for the degree of law at that institution. Mr. Hutzler's favorite relaxa- tion has always been the drama.
To young Virginians, he offers this advice: "Take the best education you can afford. Never cease to read and study the Bible and other books of unquestionable character. Meet every engagement promptly. Bring cheerfulness and service into every phase of life. Abstain from all games of chance where there is a stake. Express your views in simplest language; avoid profanity and superlatives. Look for good qualities in every man, and persevere in all you undertake."
HENRY SIGISMUND HUTZLER
H UTZLER, HENRY SIGISMUND, merchant and banker, was born at Petersburg, Virginia, September 25, 1857, and his parents were Sigismund L. Hutzler and Fan- nie Seligman. His family on both sides are of Jewish extrac- tion, and his father, who was a broad minded merchant, was born in Bavaria, and his mother in Baden, Germany.
His physical condition in childhood was robust and as his parents were far from being rich; he was able to attend the common schools for only a limited period. At the age of ten he found himself compelled to assist his widowed mother, and at fourteen worked as a stock boy in a large dry goods store in Richmond. Nevertheless, his mind was not allowed to be idle. His tastes were naturally literary, and his mother's influence was particularly strong upon his intellectual, moral and spiritual life. He was, moreover, very fond of reading, and thus, though his experience in the school room was very short, he acquired by his own efforts an extensive fund of information and literary knowledge. To an ambitious boy anything is possible, and so it is not after all surprising that Henry Hutzler, whose first strong impulses in life were directed by a mother's teaching and training, should have become happy and successful. He became successively a stock boy, an entry clerk, and bookkeeper in retail and wholesale establishments, and finally a merchant and banker on his own adventure. He holds a prominent posi- tion in the city of his residence, and has been honored with many offices of responsibility. He is president of the Hebrew Home for the Aged and Infirm, of Richmond, Virginia, secretary of the Foundling hospital, of Richmond, secretary of the Beth Ahaba congregation; member of the directories of the chamber of commerce, of the Wednesday Music Recital club, of the Richmond Male Orphan asylum, of the Sheltering Arms hos- pital, of the Virginia Mechanics institute, and of the Rosemary Public library. He is also a member of the Virginia Historical society ; of the Richmond Education association; of the Jefferson
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HENRY SIGISMUND HUTZLER
club; and of the court of appeals, district No. 5, Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, of which body he was elected president at its annual convention in April, 1908. He is also a member of other orders and associations. He has been superintendent of a local Sunday-school, and a director of the National Jewish Hospital for consumptives at Denver, Colorado.
In estimating the relative influences which have controlled the destinies of his life, Mr. Hutzler ranks home first, private study, second; traveling, third; contact with men in active life, fourth; school, fifth, and early companionship, last.
In politics he is a Democrat, although when William Jen- nings Bryan was nominated, in 1896, he declined to support the party platform and voted for Palmer and Buckner. His favorite form of amusement is walking and horseback riding, and he has traveled much abroad. He has delivered lectures and addresses, has been charitable to the poor, and has assisted several poor boys in their effort to obtain an education.
Mr. Hutzler was a poor boy himself, but he has met with few failures of any kind. His experience and observations are, therefore, of great value. When asked for his advice to young men, he writes: "Every boy will conquer success who keeps a clean, moral life; who practices economy, truthfulness, and in- dustry; who reverences and obeys his parents; who seeks to cultivate his mind, is broad minded, charitable, and recognizes that all men are brothers with one Father. Let every boy stand with the banner of patriotism in his hand upon this platform, and there is no fear of the future."
Mr. Hutzler has never married.
His address is Richmond, Virginia.
JOHN H. INGRAM
I NGRAM, JUDGE JOHN H., lawyer, jurist, was born at Culpeper court-house, Virginia on March 17, 1862, son of Dr. Sylvanus Littlepage and Eliza (Smart) Ingram. His father was a native of Laurel Hill, Lunenburg county, Virginia, and his mother of Leesburg, Loudoun county, Virginia, both of whom were descended from a long line of colonial ancestors. For many years, Dr. Sylvanus Littlepage Ingram practiced medi- cine in the county of Chesterfield and city of Manchester, Vir- ginia.
The boyhood of Judge Ingram was spent in Chesterfield county, where he received his education in the public schools, later finishing his preparatory education in McGuire's Univer- sity school, Richmond, Virginia. In 1980, he entered Richmond college from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Law. Subsequently, he entered the University of Virginia and received his degree in law during the session 1881-1882. Shortly after his graduation from college, he was admitted to the practice of law in Richmond and continued the practice of his profession in that city, Manchester, and Chesterfield county, up to the time he went on the bench as judge of the corporation court of Manches- ter on January 1, 1887. He was elected by the legislature of Virginia to succeed himself on the bench three times in succession and resigned in September, 1903, to accept appointment at the hands of Governor Montague as judge of the law and equity court of the city of Richmond. This appointment of the governor was confirmed by the legislature during its session in 1903-1904 to fill the unexpired term of the Honorable E. C. Minor, deceased. At the legislative session of 1906, he was reelected for a term of eight years, beginning with February 1, 1907.
Judge Ingram was a member of the Constitutional conven- tion of Virginia during 1901-1902, representing Chesterfield county, the city of Manchester, and the county of Powhatan. In this convention, he served as a member of the committee on suffrage and the committee on corporations.
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JOHN H. INGRAM
On June 7, 1887, Judge Ingram married Octavia Page Sub- lett, of Manchester, Virginia, daughter of James M. Sublett and Lucy Nelson Page, of Powhatan county, Virginia. They have four children : Elsie Page Ingram, John Littlepage Ingram, Nel- son Ingram, and Carter Sublett Ingram.
His address is Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia.
PAULUS A. IRVING
I RVING, PAULUS A., was born July 22, 1857, at Carters- ville, Cumberland county, Virginia. He was the son of Judge Francis Deane and Mary Page Irving. His academic education was obtained at Hampden-Sidney college, Virginia. At the University of Virginia and the Medical col- lege at Richmond, he obtained a medical education. From the last named institution he was graduated in 1879 with the degree of M. D., and for some time he practiced medicine at Farmville, but in 1892 he removed to Richmond.
Dr Irving has held numerous responsible and honorable positions. Until his removal from Farmville he was secretary and treasurer of the medical examining board of Virginia; later he was reelected a member of the board, his term to begin January 1, 1893. In October, 1893, he resigned. He has served as surgeon to the Virginia penitentiary, as director of the Eastern State hospital, as professor of diseases of children in the Uni- versity college of medicine at Richmond, and as secretary and treasurer of the same institution. He is also a member of the Richmond academy of medicine and surgery. Further, he has been secretary of the state board of health since 1892, and secre- tary of the Tri-State Medical society of Virginia and the Carolinas for two years. Among the papers he has published may be mentioned one on puerperal eclampsia which, in 1879, appeared in the "Virginia Medical Monthly."
Dr. Irving is an elder in the First Presbyterian church of Richmond. He is a member of the board of trustees of Hampden- Sidney college, and was recently appointed by Governor Swanson a member of the State board of charities and correction.
He has been married twice; first, to Lizzie Nash, daughter of Dr. John W. Nash, of Farmville, Virginia. Of this mar- riage three children were born-Frank Deane, Mary Page, and John Nash. Dr. Irving's second marriage was with Lucy Tay- lor, daughter of Major Erasmus Taylor, of Orange, Virginia. Of this marriage two children have been born-Paulus A. Irving, Jr., and Lucy Taylor Irving.
His address is Richmond, Virginia.
THOMAS CARY JOHNSON
J OHNSON, THOMAS CARY, D. D., LL. D., minister of the Gospel and professor in Union Theological seminary, near Richmond, Virginia, was born at the paternal home on the Greenbrier river, in Monroe county, Virginia (now West Vir- ginia), July 19, 1859. His father, Thomas Johnson, was the son of Barnabas and Sarah Thomas Johnson.
Barnabas Johnson was one of the seven sons of Robert John- son, who emigrated from the North of Ireland to this country about 1750, and, after a short stay on the Eastern Shore of Vir- ginia, removed to the head waters of Wolf Creek, in what became Monroe county, and built for himself a dwelling, which served as the fort of the neighborhood against Indians. Though a farmer, Barnabas Johnson was a man of considerable culture, and was held in high esteem for the excellence of his character. His wife, Sarah Thomas, was of English extraction, and a woman of singular piety.
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