USA > Virginia > Virginia and Virginians; eminent Virginians, executives of the colony of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 13
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His parents were both natives of Hanover County, Va., and his an- cestors were among the early settlers of the colony, although in him is intermingled the blood of several nationalities. His father, long a respected merchant of Richmond, was the son of John Philip and Elizabeth (daughter of Alexander King) Brock, and his mother the daughter of Fendall and Sarah (Nelson) Ragland, the granddaughter of Pettus and Elizabeth (daughter of John Davis, from Wales) Rag- land, and great-granddaughter of John and Anne (Beaufort) Rag- land, from Glamorganshire, Wales. The latter, with sons and daughters, settled in that portion of New Kent which was subse- quently Hanover county, about 1720, and patented several thousand acres of land, which descended to his children.
R. A. Brock, although possessed of antiquarian tastes from child- hood, was bred to mercantile pursuits, and, following the conclusion of the late war between the states, was so engaged until August, 1881, when he disposed of his interests to give more attention to the Vir- ginia Historical Society, of which he has been corresponding secretary and librarian since February, 1875.
He has been a frequent contributor to the press and magazines since boyhood; was one of the editors of the Richmond Standard, a select
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family paper, with departments of science, history, genealogy. etc., from 1879 to 1882; has edited seven volumes of the new series of the " Virginia Historical Collections," published by the Virginia Historical Society, and one volume of the " Papers" of the Southern Historical Society (of which he has been the secretary since July, 1887), and other historical, antiquarian and genealogical works, besides contribu- tions to standard works, and preparing various statistical and his- torical papers for the United States Government, and his native state and city. The labors of Mr. Brock have met gratifying recognition in accorded membership in many learned bodies in the United States, Canada and Europe-about two-score in number. Solicitous to aid, as far as his ability has admitted, in the general advancement of in- telligence, he has cheerfully met inquiry until his extended correspond- ence, although a great pleasure, has become an onerous tax upon his time.
He married, April 29, 1869, Sallie Kidd, daughter of Richardson Tyree and Margaret Mills (Watt, said to be of the family of the colo- brated James Watt) Haw, of Hanover county. She died February 6, 1887, leaving two daughters, Elizabeth Carrington and Anne Beau- fort, who compose their father's household. In the late deplorable war between the states of our Union Mr. Brock served in defense of his section, entering the service of the Confederate States with "F" com- pany, a select. body from Richmond, which shared the fortunes of the Army of Northern Virginia, to the surrender at Appomattox C. H., April 9, 1865, and whose ranks furnished it many officers from the grade of subaltern to that of general.
A few survivors are banded together as "F" Company Association, of which Mr. Brock is the secretary and historiographer. He is also a member of several secret and benevolent orders, among them that of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. His lodge, Richmond Lodge, No. 10 (of which he is historiographer), is the oldest in the city, having been chartered December 29, 1780. Its membership has comprised some of the most illustrious of Virginia and of the Union.
Quiet and retiring by nature, and simple in his habits, Mr. Brock, occupied with his pursuits, has never songht political station, but his efforts, as in him reasonably lay, have always been carnest in what his judgment deemed best for the sustenance of the interests of Virginia and the weal of the nation. He is of robust physique, and six feet in stature.
W. 5. Sulhulice
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MAJOR WILLIAM T. SUTHERLIN.
The Sutherlin family have long been among the honored residents of Pittsylvania county. George S. Sutherlin, now deceased, the father of Major Sutherlin, was born near Danville, Virginia. His mother, Polly S. Norman, was born in Henry county, Virginia. He was born on his father's estate, near Danville. on April 7, 1822. At Greensboro, North Carolina, October 18, 1849, he married Jane E. Patrick, who was born in North Carolina, Sept. 11, 1829. Two daughters were born to them, Janie Lindsay and Martha Ella. Both are now deceased, the latter dying in infancy. Mrs. Sutherlin is the daughter of William and Martha W. (Diet) Patrick, formerly of North Carolina, now deceased. Janie Lindsay, their eldest daughter, grew up into a beautiful and ac- complished woman, whose lovely character endeared her to all who knew her. She was born JJanuary 24, 1851, and died in Danville, Vir- ginia, August 24, 1876, and a beautiful monument marks the spot in Greenwood cemetery, where she is buried. She was the mother of three children, two died in infancy, and one, Janie Sutherlin Smith, whose home has been with her grandparents in Danville since the death of her mother, is now a school-girl, and promises to make an accomplished and useful woman. November 22, 1871, she married Col. Francis L. Smith, of Alexandria, Virginia, a graduate of the Virginia Military In- stitute. He went with the corps of cadets into the late war, and received in his first battle a severe wound in the neck. Besides filling other important positions, he has been a member of the State Senate, and is now one of the leading lawyers in the State.
Major Sutherlin's earliest education was received in a home school, after which he went to the male academy in Danville three years, then to the private school of Joseph Godfrey, in Franklin county, Virginia. Until twenty-one years of age he remained on his father's estate, then he entered into trade as a dealer in tobacco. From 1846 to the open- ing of the war, he was a manufacturer of tobacco in Danville, and one of the most successful managers of business of that day. He was mayor of Danville from 1855 to 1861, and was a delegate to the Vir- ginia Convention which adopted the Ordinance of Secession. He at once entered the Confederate States Army, but, owing to impaired health, was unable for field duty, and received appointment as com- mandant of the post at Danville. Later he was also made chief quar- termaster for the said post, and he served till near the close of the war, when his increasing ill health necessitated his giving up all official duties. The winter after the close of the war he went to Cuba for his health, and was greatly improved, when he returned to Danville where he has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the de-
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velopment of his State and section, living at his beautiful home, which is accounted the most pleasant residence location in Danville, if not in the State.
Major Sutherlin was elected early in the war a member of the Board of Public Works. He served two years in the legislature since the war. Was a prominent director in the Richmond & Danville Railroad for near fifteen years. He has built two railroads, the Milton & Sutherlin and the Danville & New River, and it is generally conceded that neither would have been built but for his energy and ability. He has been prominent in building up most of the enterprises in Danville for the past forty years, and contributed liberally of his time and means to secure them. It was mainly through his sagacity and efforts that Roman Eagle Lodge of Masons now owns its large and elegant build- ing, and is one of the wealthiest lodges in the State. It was through him that the first agricultural society and fair was held in the South after the war, in Danville, which was successfully kept up for several years. When the Virginia State Agricultural Society was reorganized after the war, he was unanimously elected its president and held the office for two years, and it was chiefly through his untiring efforts that the Society was placed upon a basis of success.
He secured a charter and established the Danville Bank, and its capi- tal at the breaking out of the war was three hundred thousand dollars. He was a very large stockholder and the only president the bank ever had. It was chiefly through his efforts that the Border Grange Bank at Danville was established, and he was its first president.
He has been a liberal contributor to the establishment and mainte- nance of his church ( Methodist ) in all her enterprises. He is a trustee of Randolph-Macon College, and has contributed liberally to its support. He was a large contributor to the college for young ladies in Dan- ville, and was the first President of the Board of Directors. His generous liberality has been continuous all through life, never withholding his support from any worthy enterprise either in church or State.
He has often been prominently spoken of for' Governor of the State, and member of Congress from his district, but belonging to that class of politicians who think the office should seek the man, and not the man the office, he has been content to serve his party, and not push his own claims for office.
Major Sutherlin is a clear and forcible writer, and has written many valuable and interesting papers which have found a large circulation through the press of the country. As a public speaker he is forcible, practical and strong, especially in debate, generally getting the best of his opponent. As an enterprising, practical business man, there is no
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one in Virginia who stands higher in the estimation of the people gen- erally throughout the State than Major Sutherlin.
GEN. V. D. GRONER.
General Groner was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on September 7, 1836. He married, in New Orleans, Louisiana, in April, 1866, Katherine Campbell, who was born in Mobile, Alabama, and who was a daughter of Justice John A. Campbell, formerly a Judge of the United States Supreme Court, and who, during the Confederacy, was associated with Vice-President A. H. Stephens, and Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, Senator from Virginia, as commissioners to meet President Lincoln and Secretary of State Seward, at Hampton Roads, just before the close of the war. Their children are three sons: JJohn A. C., Duncan Lawrence and Robert Newell.
At the age of eighteen the subject of this sketch, who had previously graduated at the Norfolk Military Academy, organized a military company, known as the "Independent Greys," and in the succeeding year he was made lieutenant-colonel of a regiment of Virginia militia, at Norfolk. After studying law one year, he entered into a business life, and was two years agent for an express company, then for a time in the employ of the New York & Virginia Steamship Co. In 1859 he went to Texas, where he was the guest of Gen. Sam Houston. There he tendered his services to Baylor's Texan Rangers, and assisted in subduing the Comanche Indians, and other hostile tribes.
On the election of Lincoln, he left Texas with the intention of return- ing to Virginia, but at the request of Governor Pettus of Mississippi he went to New York, and performed the delicate and valuable service of purchasing and shipping arms for Mississippi. This accomplished he returned to Virginia, and perfected a secret organization for the capture of Fortress Monroe, which would have been successfully accom- plished but for the interference of Governor Letcher. He then returned to Mississippi, and was tendered commission as adjutant-general of Mississippi by Governor Pettus, which commission he declined. Going to Montgomery he was commissioned and appointed captain and assistant-adjutant general of the regular Confederate States Army, and assigned to duty at the seat of government, the fifth military appoint- ment made by the new government. He remained in this service at Montgomery and in Richmond until after the first battle around the latter city, when he was directed to take charge of the archives of the government, which he removed by canal, in the direction of Lynchburg.
During this trip the James River overflowed, and when its waters receded the canal banks were washed out. Knowing the importance of
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this feeder for supplying troops at Richmond, General Groner appealed for aid to the farmers, and by the labor they furnished, had the canal thoroughly repaired in twenty-four hours, a work for which he was warmly commended by the President of the Canal to President Jefferson Davis.
While the second battle around Richmond was being fought, he reported on the field to General R. E. Lee, with whom he remained until after Malvern Hill battle. As a part of his service in the Adjutant Department, he had charge of the Organization Burean, and the entire Confederate Army, so far, had been organized through his office. Desirous of more active service, he was now assigned to the 59th North Carolina Cavalry, with headquarters at Franklin, Virginia. and with this regiment he was engaged in the fighting around Suffolk. At the time the Army of Northern Virginia was in Maryland, he was made colonel of the 61st Virginia Infantry, and took charge of the same at Warrenton, Virginia, defending the bridges both at Warrenton and at Rappahannock Station.
When Lee's Army moved back from Maryland into Virginia, General Groner was ordered to Fredericksburg, his command then consisting of his own regiment, the Norfolk Blues Battery, and a Mississippi Battery, to which, after he reached Fredericksburg, a portion of Ball's Regi- ment of Virginia Cavalry and a Battalion of Mississippians were added. Arriving in Fredericksburg, he took possession at Falmouth Ford, just as Burnside's Army reached the opposite shore. He at once engaged in an artillery duel, so defending the fort until Lee's Army reached Fredericksburg, two days later.
Shortly after, his regiment was assigned to Mahone's Brigade, with which he took part in all the subsequent gallant fighting of the Army of Northern Virginia, except when absent some two months with severe wounds received at Spotsylvania Court House. While yet on crutches, he rejoined the army around Petersburg, and engaged in battles there when he had to be assisted to monnt his horse, his wound preventing the use of his limb. In a number of battles he commanded the brigade. He surrendered at Appomattox Court House.
After the war was ended he returned for a short time to his home in Norfolk, then went to New York City, where he and Gen. Joe Davis (nephew of President Davis) were together some months. He then for a time accepted the management of a steamship line running between Virginia and New York, then was a short time general agent at Norfolk for the Norfolk & Petersburg R. R., and was then appointed general agent of the Merchants' & Miners' Transportation Co., a position he has ably filled ever since.
During reconstruction periods, General Groner was a zealous conser-
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vative, and he was largely instrumental in theelection of Hon. Gilbert C. Walker to the Governorship, and received from him tender of commis- sion as State adjutant-general, and also the tender of post of private secretary, both of which he declined. He was once candidate for Governor of Virginia, and has been several times endorsed by his city for United States Senator. He was president of both branches of the Norfolk City Council from the re-organization of the city government, after the war, to about 1880. During his administration, the bonds of the city appreciated from 47 to 107, and he was instrumental in saving the city a large amount of interest, for which, as well as for other acts in the interest of the city, he was, and still is, held in high esteem.
General Groner gives little attention to politics, being immersed in business, holding the following positions, at once onerous and honor- able: President of the National Compress Association; President of the Steamship Line run by this Association between Norfolk and Liverpool; General Agent of the Merchants' & Miners' Transportation Company, running steamers to Boston and Providence; General Manager of the Washington Lines, running daily boats between Washington City and Norfolk ; and actively engaged in many other enterprises. Norfolk as a shipping port is greatly indebted to him.
HON. ALEXANDER DONNAN.
Alexander Donnan was born in Galloway Shire, Scotland, on May 21, 1818, the son of David and Mary (Stewart) Donnan. The same year his parents came to America and made their home in Petersburg, Vir- ginia. Both were born in Galloway Shire, Scotland.
Alexander went to school in Petersburg to Young D. Perkins; to the Public School then taught by Minton Thrift; then to Jonathan Smith; then to the University of Virginia, session of 1839-40. He studied law under David May, brother of Judge John Fitzhugh May, and in May, 1840, commenced practice, which he has fol- lowed continuously since that date. He is senior member of the firm of Donnan & Hamilton. During the late war, being a member of the City Council, he performed local duty at Petersburg. He was in 1859 elected to represent the city in the House of Delegates of Virginia, but resigned shortly after- ward; has been a member of the Council for several years; is now and has been for several years the Vice President of the Peters- burg Savings and Insurance Co., the President of the Matoaco Cotton Manufactory, and a Director in other local companies in Petersburg.
At Williamsburg, Virginia, December 4, 1850, he married Anna E., daughter of Daniel Willson, of Amelia County, Virginia. Their children
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are nine: Mary Stewart, Allen Edloe, Alexander, William Willson, Harris Tinker, Etta Edloe, Lena May, Richard Thomas, and David May, all living but the first and the two last named. Mary Stewart married Alexander Hamilton. She died in 1877, leaving a son now living. Etta Edloe married Judge William Hodges Mann, of Nottaway County. Allen Edloe married Edith, daughter of Rev. T. DeWitt Talmage, D.D., of Brooklyn, New York.
CAMPBELL COUNTY.
R. H. T. ADAMS,
Son of Isaac and Susan (Duval) Adams, both now deceased, was born at Lynchburg, on November 6, 1839. He married, on September 10. 1868, Rev. C. C. Bitting officiating, Sue L. Scott, born in Halifax county, Virginia, daughter of Charles and Sarah (Adams) Scott. The children of this union are eight, Annie S., R. H. T. jr., Charles S., P. H., James D., Sue, Lizzie D., and James Duval.
Mr. Adams entered the Confederate States Army on April 19, 1861, in a company of Home Guards, which later became Company G, of the 11th Virginia Infantry. With this he took part in first Manassas bat- tle, and was in constant service about twelve months, or until, in 1862, he received commission as captain in the Signal Service, and reported to Gen. A. P. Hill, assigned to duty on his staff. He reported to Gen. Hill at Cold Harbor, served with him until his death at Petersburg, and remained with the Third Army Corps till the close of the war, taking part in every one of its engagements, and surrendering with it at Appomattox C. H. Captain Adams was in service four years, lack- ing nine days, and during that time never lost a day's duty on account of sickness; weight on entering service 110 pounds, on leaving service 160 pounds. He had three horses shot under him, was himself several times struck, but never seriously wounded. Two reminiscences of his service are of much interest, and are as follows: At the capture of Harper's Ferry he was assigned to a pass on Loudoun Heights, in the Signal Service, and this being an intermediate station, Gen. Jackson's order of attack was sent over its line to Maryiand Heights. This order covered nearly one page of legal eap paper, and from the time it was begun at Jackson's headquarters till it was completed at the Maryland Heights end of the line only five minutes elapsed. Gen. Jackson warmly complimented the Signal Service for this efficiency. The dis-
MINRYA
Respectfully
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tance to have delivered the order by courier would have been twenty miles, causing dangerous delay. From Harper's Ferry Capt. Adams went to Sharpsburg, where with the Third Corps he went into immedi- ate action, the Corps going in on the Confederate right, which had just been turned by Burnside, and hurling him back with great loss. Capt. Adams had one brother in the service.
After the close of the war, the first business in which Capt. Adams en- gaged was coal and lumber and coal mining in the Alleghany moun- tains. He followed this till 1875, and then entered on his present business at Lynchburg, leaf tobacco and strips, for export. He has been a member of the city council for two years, and is at present vice- president of the Lynchburg Tobacco Association.
BENJAMIN BLACKFORD, M. D.,
Is a grandson of Benjamin Blackford who came to Page county, Vir- ginia, from Carlisle, Pa., in the opening year (1801) of the present cen- tury. He was born in Luray, Page county, in 1834, the son of Dr. Thomas T. Blackford. The mother (Caroline Steenbergen) of Dr. Ben- jamin Blackford was born at Mt. Airy, Shenandoah county, Virginia. and is now 88 years of age. Dr. Blackford's wife is Emily, daughter of Robert and Annie (Ogle) Neilson, her father of Baltimore, her mother of Bellair, Maryland. She was born in Baltimore, in 1841, and they were married there by Rev. T. N. Dudley (now bishop of Kentucky) of Christ (Episcopal) Church, in January, 1871. Their children are six sons : Thomas Atkinson, Benjamin O., Robert Neilson, Charles M., W. Arthur and G. Tavloe.
Dr. Blackford entered the military service of Virginia forces April 23, 1861 (transferred to the Confederate States Service in July, 1861), and left Richmond as surgeon of Col. (afterwards Gen.) Garland's com- mand, for Manassas Junction. In May, 1861, he was appointed surgeon of the 11th Virginia Infantry, when Garland's command was formed into a regiment. In June, 1861, under orders from Gen. Beau- regard, he established the general hospital at Culpeper C. H. In August, 1861, he was ordered to establish the general hospital at Front Royal, where he remained surgeon in charge till March, 1862. When Gen. Johnston's army was falling back from Manassas he was on duty at Gordonsville, while the army was moving from Manassas to the peninsula. In May, 1862, he was ordered to increase the hospital accommodations in South Side Virginia, at Farmville, Danville, Lynch- burg and Liberty, and on reporting at completion of this work, was ordered to transfer his hospital stores, etc., from Front Royal to Lib- erty, establishing general hospital there. Established a large general
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hospital at Liberty, and remained in charge of same till close of war. In the retreat of army from Manassas saved all of his hospital supplies -furniture, medicines, etc .- by sending them down -the valley from Strasburg to Staunton. His brother, Capt. W. H. Blackford, now president of the Maryland Life Insurance Co., Baltimore, was in service through the war in Company G, 11th Virginia Regiment, C. S. A.
Dr. Blackford has devoted many years to the practice of his profes- sion. He is the present president of the State Medical Society, of Vir- ginia, and member of Board of Overseers of the Poor of the city of Lynchburg; also ahnshouse physician.
CHARLES MINOR BLACKFORD
Was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, on October 17, 1833, the son of William M. Blackford, who later removed to Lynchburg. Iiis mother was Mary Berkeley Minor, daughter of Gen. JJohn Minor of Fredericksburg, who married Lucy Landon Carter. For the first two years of the late war C. M. Blackford was captain of Company B, 24 Virginia Cavalry, the remaining years he was on staff of Gen. Long- street, as judge advocate of his corps. On February 19, 1856, he was married in Albemarle county, Virginia, to Susan Leigh Colston, who was born in Richmond, January 9, 1835. She is the daughter of Thos. Marshall Colston, of Fauquier county, Virginia, and his wife, nee Eliza Jaqueline Fisher of Richmond. The record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Blackford is: Nannie Colston, born April 20, 1857, married Samuel T. Withers, died February 6, 1884; Charles Minor, born Sep- tember 20, 1865, now a physician in practice; R. Colston, born June 25,1870.
Mr. Blackford graduated in law, at the University of Virginia, and is now in full practice as a member of the law firm of Kirkpatrick & Blackford at Lynchburg. He is also president of the People's National Bank of Lynchburg, the largest bank in that City and one of the most solvent and successful in the State. Mr. Blackford has also for many years been a director in the Virginia Midland Railway and has been identified with all railroad development on that line, which is now a part of the Richmond & Danville Railroad system. He is counsel for the Midland Division of that system.
JAMES M. BOOKER
Is of a family early seated in Cumberland county, Virginia, where his grandfather, William Booker, was born and died. He is the son of Richard A. and Eliza ( Davis) Booker, both now deceased, and was born in Cumberland county on February 3, 1830. He removed to Lynch-
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