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 20
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On April 4, 1872, he married Miss Anna von Valér, daugh-
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ROBERT PORTNER
ter of Johann Jacob von Valer, a native of Switzerland. They had thirteen children, ten of whom are now (1908) living.
On May 28, 1906, Mr. Portner died at his country place, "Annaburg," surrounded by his family. A large circle of friends, business associates and acquaintances, cherish the memory of this active and enterprising citizen.
Sjors Sincerely Pr. . Preston
ROBERT JOHN PRESTON
P RESTON, ROBERT JOHN, physician, was born January 25, 1841, at " Locust Glen," near Abingdon, in Washing- ton county, Virginia. He is the son of John Fairman and Nancy Jane Preston, née Rhea. His father was a farmer, and held the offices of justice of the peace and county supervisor, and served as a captain in the Mexican war. John Fairman's brother, Dr. Alexander R. Preston, was a distinguished physi- cian, and a member of the legislature of Virginia. The Ameri- can ancestors of Dr. R. J. Preston were Scotch-Irish, and emigrated from Londonderry. His paternal ancestor, Robert Preston, settled in Washington county, Virginia, soon after the Revolutionary war, and his maternal ancestor, Rhea, at an earlier date.
Robert J. Preston passed his early life in the country. He was healthy and robust in childhood and youth, fond of reading, and had a special taste for Bible study. His mother's influence has been a potent factor in his life; her prayers and advice his polar star.
After attending the " old-field " schools near his home, he entered Abingdon academy, and later Emory and Henry college. His last year at college was interrupted by the War between the States. On the secession of his state, he laid aside his books, went home immediately, enlisted in Capt. James Campbell's com- pany, and was elected first lieutenant. The Washington Inde- pendents being ordered to Richmond, he resigned his office, and with several others of his company reënlisted as a private in that company, being afraid that the advance soldiers would enter Washington city before Campbell's company. The Washington Independents were assigned to the 37th Virginia infantry regi- ment, Col. Samuel V. Fulkerson, of Taliaferro's brigade. This command was ordered to Northwest Virginia, to join the army of Gen. Garnett. Private Preston participated with his company in the fight at Laurel Hill and in the skirmishes on the retreat, including that near Carrick's Ford, where the gallant Garnett Vol. 5-Va .- 18
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fell. They finally reached Monterey, where the army was reor- ganized. The next engagement was at Alleghany mountain, after which the regiment joined the army at Winchester under Stone- wall Jackson. Dr. Preston took part in the Bath expedition, fought at Kernstown, and in the succeeding battles of the valley campaign of 1862, in which Taliaferro's brigade participated. He marched through Maryland under Early, participating in the fight at Monacacy and in the attack on Washington, when he came near realizing his first wish to enter that city with the triumphant soldiery of the South.
On the return to the Valley, he was transferred to Company C, of the 21st Virginia cavalry, commanded by Col. William E. Peters, which he had assisted in organizing; and he was made first lieutenant. With this company he participated in the South- western Virginia and East Tennessee campaigns of General Williams E. Jones, until that officer was killed in June, 1864, at Piedmont. After this battle, Lieutenant Preston was promoted to captain. He took part in the operations of McCausland's brigade in its expedition through Maryland against Washington, and was in the raid upon Chambersburg, where Col. Peters, of the 21st regiment, occupied the town but refused to apply the torch. Escaping the disaster at Moorefield, Capt. Preston served under General Rosser in Early's Valley campaign and around Richmond. At Appomattox, Capt. Preston was with the cavalry corps which drove back the enemy on the right of General Lee's line, when the announcement of the surrender was made. Being dispirited and crushed, they became desperate, and under the call of Rosser cut their way through the Federal lines and marched to Lynchburg. There the division of cavalry was disbanded; and a month or more afterwards Captain Preston was paroled by a Federal colonel at Abingdon.
Now came the struggle for existence; Captain Preston had nothing, and his father had only a few hundred acres of land, which had been stripped of horses, cattle and almost everything that could be used to support a family. Very soon Capt. Preston became a teacher of languages in Abingdon academy, and at the same time read medicine with his uncle, Dr. Robert Alexander Preston. By teaching he accumulated enough money to study at
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the University of Virginia, where he took the degree of M. D., in 1867. He and several of his classmates borrowed enough money to go to New York, where by competitive examinations they se- cured positions in different hospitals and continued their studies. From 1872 to 1875, he took post-graduate courses in New York with Dr. Noyes and Dr. Agnew, in diseases of the eye, ear and throat, and in physical diagnosis under Dr. A. L. Loomis. Dr. Preston has attained marked distinction in his profession, and has had many honorary degrees bestowed upon him. He is the author of many valuable medical essays, hospital reports, and addresses as president of medical societies. He is honorary fel- low of the Virginia Medical society, of the American Medico- Psychological society, and of the Boston Gynecological society.
Dr. Preston is a member of the Presbyterian church, and has been an elder since 1870. He has found the Bible and the Shorter Cathechism the most helpful books in fitting him for his lifework. The counsel of his parents, his own preference, with the advice of his professor, Colonel William E. Peters, deter- mined his choice of profession. Home influences, religious and social, above all other things paved the way for his success in life, which has been truly phenomenal and well merited. He suggests to young Americans, " If you would succeed, be true to yourself, your country and your God; touch not, taste not, handle not intoxicants, tobacco or degrading drugs."
Dr. Preston is a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Knight Templar, and a member of the State and National board of charities. He was president of the Virginia Medical society from 1894-1895, and president of the American Medico-Psycho- logical association in 1891-92. He is president of the Abingdon academy of medicine, and has been superintendent of the South- western State hospital at Marion, Virginia, since 1888.
Dr. Preston has always been a stalwart Democrat, and his brothers, father and grandfather all were of the same political faith.
On October 19, 1875, Dr. Preston married Martha E. Sheffey. His second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth Gravely, née Stuart. He has had three children, all of whom are now living.
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ROBERT JOHN PRESTON
The above sketch was written during the lifetime of its subject.
On August 20, 1906, while on his way to Toronto, Canada, where he was to deliver an address before an important medical association, Dr. Preston died suddenly at Lewiston, New York. The burial was at Wytheville, Va.
ALFRED MAGILL RANDOLPH
R ANDOLPH, RIGHT-REVEREND ALFRED MAGILL, D. D., LL. D., D. C. L., first Protestant Episcopal bishop of Southern Virginia since 1893, (132nd in suc- cession in the American Episcopate,) was born at "The Meadows," the estate of John Magill, near Winchester, Virginia, on the 31st of August, 1836. He is the son of Robert Lee Ran- dolph and Mrs. Mary Buckner Thruston (Magill) Randolph, daughter of Colonel Charles Magill, of Winchester, Virginia, a grandson of Colonel Robert Randolph and Mrs. Eliza (Carter) Randolph, on his father's side; and on his mother's side grandson of Colonel Charles Magill and Mrs. Mary Buckner (Thruston) Magill. He is a direct descendant of William Randolph, of Tur- key Island, Virginia, who came from Warwickshire, England, arriving in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1674.
Alfred Magill Randolph matriculated as a student at Wil- liam and Mary college, and was graduated in 1855. Believing himself called to the work of the Christian ministry, he entered the Virginia Theological seminary at Alexandria and was grad- uated in 1858. Becoming a deacon in that year, he was made priest in 1860; and in that same year he was appointed rector of the Episcopal Church of Saint George, at Fredericksburg, Vir- ginia. He became a chaplain in the Confederate army, and served from 1862 to 1864. In 1866, he accepted the position of rector of Christ church, at Alexandria, Virginia. In 1867, he was called to be rector of the Emmanual church at Baltimore; and this important position in church work he filled with great acceptance and usefulness for sixteen years, until 1883. In 1883, he was made coadjutor bishop of Virginia; and he was conse- crated October 21, 1883, by Bishops Williams, Perry, Burgess, and Peterkin. When the diocese was divided, in 1892, Bishop Randolph became the first bishop of the new diocese of Southern Virginia, and made Norfolk the See city.
On the 27th of April, 1859, Rev. Mr. Randolph married Miss Sallie Griffith Hoxton, daughter of Dr. William W. Hoxton and
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Mrs. Eliza (Griffith) Hoxton, of Alexandria, Virginia-and a great granddaughter of the Rev. David Griffith, D. D., first bishop-elect of Virginia.
In 1876, William and Mary college conferred upon him the honorary degree of D. D. In 1887 Washington and Lee univer- sity gave him the degree of LL. D. In 1902, the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee, conferred upon Bishop Randolph the degree of D. C. L.
In 1902 Bishop Randolph delivered the Paddock lectures, at the General Theological seminary of the Protestant Episcopal church, in New York city.
Bishop Randolph is the author of a volume entitled, " Reason, Faith and Authority in Christianity," 1902.
His address is 238 Free Mason Street, Norfolk, Virginia.
STEPHEN PETTIS READ
R EAD, STEPHEN PETTIS, was born in Palmer's Spring township, Mecklenburg county, Virginia, March 2, 1841, and his parents were William Harvey Read and Martha T. Turner. The Read family has been in Mecklenburg county for three generations. Clement Read, father of William H. and grandfather of Stephen P., moved from Nottoway county to Mecklenburg in the early part of the last century. He was a planter and teacher, and a man of standing in his community. Captain Read's maternal grandfather was Rev. Stephen Turner, of Warren county, North Carolina. He was coadjutor of the Rev. O. Kelly, who left the Methodist church and established the "Christian" church. He was a man of intellectual force and was highly respected. The Reads have long been prominent in Southern Virginia, more especially in the counties of Mecklen- burg and Charlotte.
Mr. Read's mother had a marked influence in shaping the character of her son, and fitting him for usefulness in life. In his early boyhood, he attended schools in Virginia and North Carolina. At fourteen, he became a salesman in a general mer- chandise store in his native county, and has spent most of his life in mercantile pursuits. At the same time, he helped his father on the farm, and thus acquired habits of industry which have proved of much value to him all through life. Though owning many slaves, William H. Read required his children to help with the work on the plantation, and thus trained them not to despise labor.
In April, 1861, Mr. Read entered the Confederate army, and threw himself enthusiastically into the struggle for Southern independence. We soon find him corporal of Company F, 14th Virginia infantry, and later he reached the rank of captain. He served faithfully in the Confederate army in Pickett's division until the surrender at Appomattox, and fought in all the battles in which that famous division was engaged. He is one of the few surviving officers of that noble body of men.
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The war over, Captain Read returned to his mercantile pur- suits, and for some years led the quiet life of a country merchant. In 1870, he was elected supervisor, and held this office until 1883, being several years chairman of the board. In 1884, he was elected state senator from the twenty-fifth senatorial district, composed of the counties of Mecklenburg and Charlotte. Being the only Democratic senator from the fourth congressional dis- trict, Captain Read lay under a heavy responsibility as the legis- lature of 1884 had to undo a large part of the work done by the Readjuster legislature whose term had just expired. At the extra session of 1902-1903, Captain Read was elected to the house of delegates, and was reëlected to the regular session of 1904. In 1907 he was again reelected to the legislature by a large majority and without personal solicitation on his part. He has taken a deep interest in educational matters but the acts which have claimed his special attention were those reducing the State tax and the "electrocution bill" which requires that all felons con- demned to death shall be electrocuted at the State prison.
Captain Read is a temperance man of the conservative type, and was probably the first public man in Virginia to advocate state or local control of the liquor business. He has had the good fortune to live to see prohibition working more or less suc- cessfully in about seventy of the counties of Virginia, and in many towns. In the matter of roads and highways, Captain Read is again several years ahead of the public sentiment, or, certainly, ahead of legislation. During his legislative career, he faithfully endeavored to secure laws for the improvement of the roads. He is in favor of having two highways in each county; one from north to south, the other from east to west, crossing each other at a central point (say) the county court- house. This would give the state a network of roads that would be off much value to all classes. This bill failed of passage, but may pass in some future session, and would be a great success, though it would entail heavy expense at the start.
October 3, 1866, Captain Read was married to Mary Wright. They have had seven children, three of whom are now (1908) living.
His address is Palmer Springs, Mecklenburg County, Vir-
Yours Sincerely
EDWIN SIDNEY REID
R EID, EDWIN SIDNEY, cashier of the Chatham Savings bank, of Chatham, Pittsylvania county, was born in Rustburg, Campbell county, Virginia, on the 28th of November, 1856. His father, Alfred S. Reid, was an attorney- at-law and a farmer, who had served as clerk of the Virginia senate during the war, and was for many years commissioner in chancery of the Campbell county courts. His mother was Mrs. Eliza Franklin De Priest Reid.
His early boyhood was passed in the village near which lay his father's farm. He was a strong, healthy boy, fond of hunt- ing and fishing, an omnivorous reader, and when he was not en- gaged in the school room and in study, he was accustomed, even in his early boyhood, to do light work upon his father's farm. He also wrote in his father's office and the county clerk's office during his vacations, and the information and experience thus obtained have been of great value to him. He attended private schools until he was eighteen years old, and then began business life.
In 1875 he became a clerk in the office of Colonel G. D. Neal, then commisioner in chancery at Chatham, Virginia. Two years later, on Colonel Neal's death, he was appointed commis- sioner in chancery in his place; and the duties of this position he discharged for five years, resigning to enter the banking business.
In 1882, Mr. Reid became assistant cashier of the Chatham Savings bank, and a few years later he became the cashier of that bank. This position he still fills. He is the principal owner of the stock of that bank, which is one of the largest country banks in Virginia, having deposits of over half a million dollars. He is also a director in the Riverside and Dan River cotton mills, of Danville, Virginia, two of the largest institutions of the kind in the South. He is vice-president of the Chatham Episcopal insti- tute. He is a member of Governor Swanson's staff, with the rank of colonel, and he is regarded as a very close friend of Gov- ernor Swanson.
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His fellow citizens have shown their appreciation of Colonel Reid's interest in public affairs, and their estimate of his ability and integrity, by electing him for a number of successive years to membership in the town council of Chatham. He has also served as mayor of Chatham.
In his political relations, he is a Democrat. He has been for a number of years, chairman of the Democratic party of Pittsyl- vania county.
On the 26th of October, 1880, Colonel Reid married Miss Sallie T. Scruggs, daughter of the late Major Langhorne Scruggs, who was a prominent attorney at Chatham, Virginia. Of their ten children, nine are living in 1908.
Colonel Reid is a prominent Mason, past master of Pittsyl- vania lodge; a member of the Royal Arch; and a Knight Tem- plar. He is a Shriner, a member of Acca Temple, of Richmond, Virginia, and is also an Elk.
He is connected with the Episcopal church, and for the past twenty years has been junior warden of Emmanuel church at Chatham, Virginia.
Colonel Reid has found his chief form of relaxation in bird hunting; he keeps fine bird dogs, and enjoys that sport to the full, every autumn. He has also been fond of tennis, which he has found a most healthful and enjoyable recreation. He owns a beautiful home at Chatham and dispenses hospitality in the old Virginia style.
JOHN OBADIAH REYNOLDS
R EYNOLDS, JOHN OBADIAH, lawyer, was born in Cumberland county, Virginia, January 31, 1830. His parents were James W. Reynolds and Nancy Reynolds; and his father was a farmer of Cumberland county, who at one time held the office of sheriff of the county. His ancestor in the colony was English, and came at an early date to Virginia, settling in one of the eastern counties.
His early life was spent almost entirely in the country ; where from early childhood he attended school. At a later period he worked as clerk in a store, and then became deputy sheriff. This service was followed by a course in the law school of the University of Virginia.
He began the practice of law in Cumberland county; and was elected the first judge of the county of Cumberland under the new constitution creating that office, serving one term. As at first organized and provided this court had jurisdiction in both criminal and civil suits and the position of county judge was regarded as one of great importance. He was afterwards for some time commonwealth's attorney.
At the reorganization of the army Judge Reynolds waived an exemption that he held and entered the military service of the Confederate States. He served as first lieutenant in the 22nd Virginia battalion for one year after which, upon the advice and certificate of his surgeon, he resigned from the army and re- ceived from the secretary of war an honorable discharge.
Judge Reynolds is a member of the Masonic fraternity, has held the position of senior warden of his lodge, and is now worshipful master. He is a Democrat, who has never abandoned his allegiance to party principles or organization. He is a member of the Baptist church.
He is in the active practice of his profession as a lawyer, and is also a commissioner in chancery of his circut court.
On January 25, 1863, he married Martha E. Brown. Of their marriage seven children have been born, of whom four are now (1908) living.
His address is Cartersville, Cumberland County, Virginia.
DAVID CLARKE RICHARDSON
R ICHARDSON, DAVID CLARKE, was born June 7, 1845, and his parents were Turner Richardson and Mar- garet Ann Robertson. The Richardson family was settled at an early date in New Kent county, Virginia, and Mr. Richardson's great-grandfather was a large land owner who held the positions of vestryman of Blissland parish and high sheriff of the county. His father, Turner Richardson, was a successful farmer, noted for his benevolence and unwavering in- tegrity.
The subject of this sketch was a strong healthy boy, who, while fond of all outdoor sports, was glad to assist in the culti- vation of the farm. In 1855, his father removed to Richmond, where the son attended the best schools until 1862. On March 12, of that year he enlisted in Parker's battery of artillery from Richmond city and became a soldier in the army of the Con- federacy. His gallantry as a soldier and loyalty as a Virginian were attested by a wound received at the second battle of Manassas and by his following the fortunes of his state till General Lee laid down the arms of his army at Appomattox, April 9, 1865. Mr. Richardson's taste early induced him to study and reading, and as a youth of seventeen years he carried his school books into camp and pursued his studies in winter quarters under the direction of James Darden, a private and messmate, who was a highly cultured gentleman. He continued his studies after the war, and in 1867 entered the office of John- son and Guigon to study law. In July, 1870, he became clerk to the police justice of Richmond and filled that office for ten years. During this period he pursued the study of law with great earnestness and attended the law lectures of Professors Maury and Neeson at Richmond college during the session of 1873-74, and was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law. In July, 1880, Mr. Richardson was elected police justice of Rich- mond and filled that office for eight years. This position con- stantly gave him much familiarity with the criminal laws of the
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state. But he was anxious to return to the practice of his chosen profession, and notwithstanding the great pressure brought to bear to persuade him to retain the position, he declined reëlec- tion in 1888 and for eight years devoted himself to the law. In 1896, he was elected commonwealth's attorney of the city of Richmond, in which position he served ten years to the general satisfaction of the public. In 1905 he declined reëlection and re- sumed the practice of law. On his retirement as common- wealth's attorney the members of the bar and officers of the court presented to him a handsome testimonial of appreciation and love. Owing to his long experience as police clerk, police jus- tice and commonwealth's attorney, there are few men in the state who are so familiar with the criminal law as David Richardson. During his career in the criminal courts Judge Richardson has had spread before him the full extent of human depravity, but the effect has been not to harden his nature but to soften it if possible and make him more charitable to his fellow creatures. The honesty, integrity and kindliness of Judge Richardson are proverbial, and few men are more highly respected or more sincerely beloved than he.
He is a member of many societies and fraternities. He is a Mason, Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, Red Man, a member of the Royal Arcanum, of the Heptosophs, the Woodmen of the World, Lee and Pickett's Camps of Confederate veterans, and of the Commonwealth and Virginia clubs, and a life member of the Virginia Historical society.
In politics he is identified with the Democratic party and has taken an active part in the elections in Richmond city. In 1904, he was prominently mentioned as a candidate for congress, but found that he could not spare the time and work required to make a successful canvass. An editorial in the "Times-Dis- patch " at this time highly eulogistic of Judge Richardson, con- cludes in these words: If all office holders were like David Richardson, there would be no occasion to complain of the pub- lic service." On June 9, 1908, Judge Richardson was elected mayor of the city of Richmond, Virginia, for a term of four years, beginning September 1, 1908.
His favorite forms of amusement in his more youthful days
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were athletic sports, hunting and fishing, but in his more mature age he enjoys a quiet game of whist. The books which he has found most useful in life are history, poetry, biography, law and the Bible. From his wide experience and observation he finds that no advice can be better than to follow the old lines of char- acter and integrity. "Be honest," he writes, " be honest and earnest in whatever you undertake; be not afraid to assume re- sponsibilities, and manfully discharge them." When asked to state what influence has affected him most he answers: "My mother's example and counsel above all else. She was sensible, loving and ambitious for her boys and stimulated them."
Judge Richardson has married twice, first on December 4, 1874, Alice A. Fellows, and secondly on February 10, 1892, Flor- ence B. Hechler. He had six children, of whom five are now (1908) living.
His address is Mutual Building, Richmond, Virginia.
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