USA > Virginia > Virginia and Virginians; eminent Virginians, executives of the colony of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 16
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MAJOR MARCELLUS N. MOORMAN.
The subject of this sketch was born and wedded in Campbell county. which has always been his home. March 13, 1835. is the date of his birth, and on January 20, 1863, Rev. S. T. Moorman united him in marriage with Ellen, daughter of John C. and Catharine ( Leftridge) Moorman. The record of their children is: Marcellus N., jr., born November 1, 1864; Etta H., born March 24, 1866, died October 26. 1867; J. Pelham, born June 11, 1868; Annie C., born February 19, 1875, died May 9, 1876; L. Leftwich, born April 21, 1873. In April. 1861, Mr. Moorman entered the Confederate States Army, in the Beau- regard Rifles, but in a short time was commissioned captain of Moor- man's battery of six guns. After a year's service he was transferred to the Stuart Horse Artillery. In 1863 he was promoted major of ar- tillery. Except when disabled by wounds he was in constant service in the field till the close of the war, participating in over sixty engage- ments, among which were the battles of Malvern Hill, Gettysburg. Fredericksburg, and Chancellorsville. He was wounded in the right. foot, and again (at Spotsylvania C. II.) in the right shoulder. Paroled at Appomattox C. H. In battle of Chancellorsville, Major Moorman
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was riding beside General Jackson, (who was his teacher in former years) when that loved leader received the fatal shot, and as the Gen- eral fell Major Moorman took charge of "Old Sorrel," which later he turned over to Gen. Stuart. The last words of General Jackson were addressed to Major Moorman. E. H. Moorman, brother of Marcellus N., was in the artillery service, C. S. A., through the war. Major Moor- man is engaged in the tobacco commission business.
GEN. THOMAS T. MUNFORD
Was born in the city of Richmond, Virginia, in 1831, the son of Col. George Wythe Munford, who for twenty-five years was Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In November, 1853, he married Elizabeth Henrietta, daughter of Col. George P. Tayloe of Roanoke county, Vir- ginia. She died in December, 1863. In 1866 he married Emma Tayloe, who was born at her father's seat, Mount Airy, Richmond county, Vir- ginia. This marriage was solemnized in Washington City, by Rev. Charles Mumegerode. Thomas T. Munford entered the Virginia Military Institute in July, 1849, and was graduated thence in July, 1859. For a time he was clerk for Ing. G. Mason, president of the I. R. & K. Railroad company. He then settled down as farmer and planter, and was so engaged until the war broke out. At the close of the war he resumed the same occupations, which he still follows.
He entered the Confederate States Army with commission of lieuten- ant-colonel in the 30th Virginia Mounted Infantry. At the reorganiza- tion of the regiment into the 2d Virginia Cavalry he was commissioned its colonel. Later he was promoted brigadier general, rank to date from Wickham's resignation. In second Manassas battle he received two slight sabre cut wounds; was wounded by spent ball at Turkey Ridge. Served through the war, and was in command of Fitz Lee's division at Appomattox. At the head of his command cut through the enemy's lines, and his forces disbanded at Lynchburg, April 9, 1865. where the regiment with which he entered service first formed to go the front. General Munford has served two terms as president of the Board of Visitors of the Virginia Military Institute at Lexington.
JUDGE A. W. NOWLIN.
Although many years an honored resident of Virginia, Judge Nowlin was born in the State of Missouri (in 1841), and has lived for a time in Texas. He is of English descent, his grandfather coming to America before the Revolutionary war, in which he was a soldier of the Con- tinental army, and also serving in the war of 1812, with rank of major,
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Judge Nowlin entered the Confederate States Army on April 23, 1861, in Company G, (Old Home Guard of Lynchburg), 11th Virginia Infantry. He was with his regiment in the fights of July 18 and 21, 1861, and in the battle of Williamsburg, May 5, 1862, where he was badly wounded and captured. He was taken a prisoner to Washington, D. C., and confined in the "Old Capitol Building," about six months. Was exchanged among the first prisoners, but never again able for fieldl duty on account of wound. He was on local military duty from that time to the close of the war, and took part in the defense of Lynchburg when it was attacked by Hunter. In 1867 he graduated in law, and began practice. In 1872 removed to Texas, where he remained twelve years. He wasappointed district judge of the Denton district, Texas, by Gov. Roberts of Texas; served a number of years and resigned ; served two years as city attorney of Dallas; returned to Virginia in 1883, and is now attorney for the Lynchburg & Durham Railroad. In Campbell county he married Lutu M. Nowlin, of Virginia, Rev. Jos. Spriggs uniting them, and they have three children: Percy V., Elmo P., and Viva M.
COL. KIRKWOOD OTEY
Was born in Lynchburg, October 19, 1829; was graduated at the Vir- ginia Military Institute in July, 1849; enlisted in the same year in the Virginia Volunteer Militia, serving until April 23, 1861, when he was mustered into service at Richmond as First Lieutenant of Company G. 11th regiment, C. S. A. He served through the war, rising to the command of the regiment, and was twice severely wounded : first, in the last day's fighting at Gettysburg, in the famous charge of Pickett's Division ; again at Drurys Bluff, May 16, 1864, the latter wound per- manently disabling him from active service in the field. After the close of the war he assisted in the reorganization of the Lynchburg Home Guards, the company with which he entered service in the war becoming Company E, 3d Virginia Regiment. With this he has ever since been connected, and is now captain, constituting altogether, except two brief intervals, an almost uninterrupted military service of forty-three years. He is present commander of Camp Samuel Garland, Confeder- ate Veterans, of Lynchburg. Col. Otey is serving as auditor of the city of Lynchburg at the present time. He married, February 19, 1862, Lucy Dabney Norvell, daughter of Fayette H. and Mary C. ( Roane) Norvell. born at Trenton, Tennessee, Jannary 14, 1845. They have three child- ren living: John M., born February 5, 1866; Norvell, born November 17, 1872; Kirkwood, jr., born March 3, 1884. Their first-born was a daughter, Mina Gaston, born February 23, 1863, died Angust 12, 1879.
The paternal grandfather of Col. Otey was Major Isaac Otey, of
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Bedford county, Virginia, who ably represented that tier of counties of which Bedford is one. in the Senate of Virginia for thirty years. The family of Col. Otey was of essentially military stock, adding well-earned laurels for the name in the late war. Of seven brothers and the only brother-in-law in the family, all entered the Confederate States Army at its first call for troops, and served through the war, or were killed or died in the service. An extract from a Lynchburg paper published in the Spring of 1861, the article entitled "A Military Family," shows this and is worthy of perpetuation here. It reads:
The family of the late Capt. John M. Otey of Lynchburg are all in active service, as follows: Dexter Otey, first lieutenant of a cavalry company, Lynchburg; Van. R. Otey, member of the same company ; John Stewart Walker (son-in-law), captain of the Virginia Life Guards, at Yorktown; Kirk Otey, captain of a Lynchburg company at Manassas Junction; Hays Otey, first lieutenant in provisional army at Norfolk; Gaston Otey, first lieutenant in provisional army at York- town; John M. Otey, second lieutenant in provisional army under Col. Cocke at Manassas; Peter J. Otey, second lieutenant provisional army at Sewells Point, fired the first gun in response to the salutations of Lincoln's vessels. All of these gentlemen, we believe, have the advan- tage of a military education, one served in Mexico, and four were at Harpers Ferry and Charlestown. We may mention the fact that twenty years ago, Captain John M. Otey, father of the seven above named, and father-in-law of the other. at a time of profound peace, and when there was an absence of all military spirit, expressed the opinion that the boy who made himself the best soldier would be likely to find the most ready and useful employment before he had passed the matu- rity of manhood. He confirmed it by graduating five of them at the Virginia Military Institute, and tho' deprived by death of the pleasure and gratification 'twould have given him, his widow lived to see every one of them in the active military service of her beloved Southern country, not even detailing one of them to remain at home as her "Safe-Guard."
The further service in the field of Col. Kirkwood Otey has just been given; that of Major Peter J. Otey is in the sketch following this. Of the others the record is: Dexter, lieutenant in the Wise troop, died in 1863; Van. R., lieutenant Company B, 2d Virginia Cavalry, rendered unfit for field service by sickness contracted in army, made provost mar- shal at Lynchburg, and died in 1864; Gaston, captain of the Otey Battery, wounded and died in Lynchburg in 1863; W. H. ( Hays), adju- tant of the 56th Virginia regiment, subsequently captain of ordnance; Col. Jolin M., on staff duty, assigned to Gen. Beauregard's staff at Manassas in 1861, served with him until after battle of Shiloh, sub-
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sequently with Gens. Bragg and Joseph E. Johnston in their western campaigns, returned to Gen. Beauregard at Charleston, and surrendered at Greensboro, N. C.,in 1865, and paroled by Gen. Sherman. Major John Stewart Walker (Col. Otey's brother-in-law) raised and chiefly out of his private means armed and equipped, the Virginia Life Guards of Richmond, was promoted major of the 15th Virginia Infantry, and was in command of his regiment when killed in battle of Malvern Hill. The devoted mother of this family, Mrs. Lucy W. Otey, rendered service not less to be commemorated. She established, organized, and man- aged the Ladies' Confederate Hospital at Lynchburg ( which was inde- pendent of the Confederate States Medical Department there),reporting direct to the Surgeon General's office, Richmond, Virginia. It was well known throughout the Confederacy through those who had been inmates thereof, and was in great measure maintained by those officers and soldiers who had experienced the kind attention, care and nursing of the officers and ladies of the hospital.
John M. Otey, father of Col. Kirkwood Otey, was born Dec. 2. 1792, in Bedford County, Virginia, and died in Lynchburg, Feb. 3. 1859. He removed to Lynchburg at an early age, and was successively the Book-keeper, Teller and Cashier of the Bank of Virginia at that place, holding the latter position at his death. Was for 21 years a member of the City Council and for 18 years its president. His wife. Mrs. Lucy Wilhelmina Otey, daughter of Capt. William Norvell, was born Feb. 28, 1801, and died in May, 1866, in Richmond, Virginia.
COL. PETER J. OTEY,
One of the sons of the distinguished family whose military and family record has just been given, was born in Lynchburg. At Wytheville, Vir- ginia, Father Walters officiating, he married Mallie, daughter of Benj. Rush Floyd, and granddaughter of the first Gov. John Floyd. Mrs. Otey's mother was Nannie S. Mathews, granddaughter of Gen. Smyth, member of Congress from Virginia. The record of the children of Col. and Mrs. Otey is : Mary, born March 4, 1866, now Mrs. Mitchell, living in Lynchburg; Nannie, born January 18, 1869, now Mrs. Miller, living in Lynchburg; Floyd, born June 7, 1872, and Nathalie F., born March 8, 1876, living at home; Peter JJ. jr., born July 21, 1879, died Febru- ary 7, 1882; Charles Heald, born May 15, 1884, died same day. Col. Otey entered the Confederate States Army as lieutenant, April 19. 1861. On May 19 following, his was the hand that fired the first gun at Sewells Point, Virginia, the first gun fired after the declaration of war, and the first blood shed after the declaration was in the two hours engagement following, when the "Monticello," under command of
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Commodore Eagle, was repulsed. He served as adjutant in battles of Carnifax Ferry, Fayette C. H., Charleston, Montgomery Ferry, and Cot- ton Hill, all under Floyd and Loring; was assistant adjutant general battle of Fort Donelson; was major of 30th Virginia battalion, and commanded one wing of same in charge of Breckenridge on Siegel at New Market. There Col. Otey was wounded, having right arm shat- tered. Later was transferred to Early's command, participating in campaign of the Valley, succeeding Lieut. Col. Clark ( who was disabled ) in command of 30th Va. Battalion; commanded brigade in battle of Cedar Creek. October 19, 1864; commanded battalion in battle of Waynesboro, March 2, 1865, and was there captured: held in Fort Delaware until released May 31, 1865. Col. Otey has held a number of municipal and political offices; was thirteen years the active executive officer of the Lynchburg National Bank, and is now president of the Lynchburg & Durham Railroad.
CAPT. JOHN MEEM PAYNE
Was born in Lynchburg on November 11, 1840, and was educated at the University of Virginia. From April 17. 1861. to May 4, 1865, he was in the military service of the Confederate States, entering service as first lieutenant of Company "C," Irish Battalion, Second Brigade, Jackson's Division. With this command he was in active service, tak- ing part in all its engagements until after the battle of Fredericksburg. He was then appointed a captain in the Ordnance Corps C. S. A., and stationed first at Wilmington, then at Greensboro, North Carolina, where he was surrendered with Gent. Johnston's army.
At " Walnut Grove" in Montgomery county, Virginia, on December 2. 1863, he married Elizabeth Allen Langhorne, who was born at " Edge Hill," Montgomery county, on December 20, 1842. Their children are six : Archer Langhorne, Robert Spotswood, John Meem, jr., Margaret Kent and Eliza M. Payne. The genealogy of the families of Capt. Payne and his wife is thus traced: Capt. Payne is the son of Dr. Robert Spotswood Payne of Lynchburg, who was the son of Alexander S. Payne and his wife Charlotte, daughter of Archibald Bryce, who came to Virginia from Scotland. The wife of Archibald Bryce was Mary, daughter of William Mitchell, whose wife was Agatha, daughter of Josiah Payne, who came to Goochland county from England and was the ancestor of Mrs. Presi- dent Madison. Alexander S. Payne, grandfather of Capt. Payne, was the son of Archer Payne, who married Martha Dandridge, a cousin of Mrs. Genl. Washington, and was the daughter of Nathaniel West Dan- dridge, who married Dorothia Spotswood, daughter of Governor Alexander Spotswood (see Vol. 1, page 39). The father of Nathaniel
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West Dandridge was Capt. William Dandridge, who married Unity West. a descendant of Lord De La Ware. Archer Payne, great grandfather of Capt. Payne, was the son of John Payne of " White Hall," Gooch- land county, who was the eldest son of the above mentioned Josiah Payne, who was the son of Sir William Payne of Bedfordshire, England.
The mother of Capt. Payne was Frances A. R., daughter of John G. Meem of Lynchburg, whose parents were Gilbert and Frances ( Simvall) Meem. Her mother was Eliza C., daughter of Andrew Russell, who was the son of Andrew Russell, whose wife was Margaret Christian, daughter Col. William Christian and Molly Campbell. an aunt of Genl. William Campbell of Kings Mountain. The wife of Andrew Russell first named was Anna, daughter of Edward and Mary ( Robinson) Me- Donald, and was an aunt of Governor David Campbell (see Vol. 1, page 177).
Elizabeth Allen (Langhorne) Payne is the daughter of John Archer Langhorne of Montgomery county, who was the son of Col. Maurice Langhorne, jr., who married Elizabeth Allen of Prince Edward county. The parents of Col. Maurice Langhorne, jr., were both of the Langhorne family, the wife bearing the same name before marriage. John Archer Langhorne married Margaret, daughter of Capt. Jacob Kent of Mont- gomery county, who was the son of Joseph and Margaret ( MeGavock) Kent of Wythe county. Capt. Jacob Kent's wife was Mary, the daugh- ter of Abraham and Mildred ( Blackburn) Buford, and was a niece of Capt. Thomas Buford, who was killed at the battle of Point Pleasant (see Vol. 1, page 323).
MOSBY H. PAYNE
Was born in Campbell county, Virginia, May 10, 1848, the son of Philip M. Payne, now deceased, and Mary E. (Mitchell) Payne, now a resident of Albemarle county, Virginia. He married in Lynchburg on New Year's Day, 1878, Mary A. Morris, who was born in Richmond, Virginia. They have an only child, a son named Samuel G. Mes. Payne is the daughter of Charles and Pauline B. (Garland) Morris, her mother now living in Lynchburg; her father deceased. In the late civil war, Mr. Payne's family was represented in the Confederate States Army by three brothers: Charles R., Samuel G. and John A .; Charles R. died in the service. Mr. Payne is in business in Lynchburg as tobacco commission merchant, head of the firm of Mosby H. Payne & Co., proprietors of Pace's Tobacco Warehouse, Main, Twelfth and Church streets. He is recognized not only as one of the best and most progressive tobacco merchants, but as a public spirited citizen and enpitalist. He is a member of the Electoral Board of the State, and of the Board of Police Commissioners of Lynchburg; a prominent
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Knights Templar, and his social standing is as assured as his posi- tion in the commercial world.
HOWELL ALLISON ROBINSON
Was born in Lynchburg, on July 19, 1857, the son of James Alexan- der Robinson, and his wife, nee Mary Virginia Love. The mother of Mr. Robinson, is still a resident of Lynchburg. His father, who was born in New London, Bedford county, Virginia, died in Lynchburg in 1883. During the war between the States he served as provost marshal. Nannie Josephine, wife of Mr. Robinson, was born in Chesterfield county, Virginia, the daughter of Edwin J. and Mollie Madder Gresham. Her mother died in Petersburg, Virginia; her father, born in Chesterfield county, Virginia, now lives in Washington, D. C. She became the wife of Mr. Robinson on the 19th of December. 1882, and they have one son, James Edwin. Mr. Robinson is a whole- sale dealer in confectionery, tobacco and cigars; headquarters No. 609 Main St.
EDMUND SCHAEFER
Was born in Bremen, Germany, December 5, 1851. He is the son of Johann Wilhelm Schaefer, also born in Bremen, who died March, 1880, and Sophie (Brandes) Schaefer, born in Leipzig, Germany, died in August, 1874. The first wife of Edmund Schaefer was Mary Walker of Richmond, whom he married October 28, 1880, and who died on the 9th of March, 1882. He married secondly, at Baltimore, Maryland, Eugenia E. Martin, born in Baltimore. They were united in wedlock of October 29, 1884, by Rev. Dr. Leeds. . They have three sons, born : Edmund, August 16, 1885; Charles Martin, February 10, 1887: Fred- erick August, March 13, 1888. Mr. Schaefer was raised in Bremen, and entered the tobacco business there in April, 1867 .. On October 21, 1871, he left Bremen, coming to America, and making his home first in New York City, then in Baltimore. He first came to Lynchburg in October, 1872, where he spent portions of his time each year during the tobacco season. Hosettled permanently in Lynchburg May 1, 1877, going into partnership with John D. Holt, forming the firm of Holt, Schaefer & Co. Since 1882 he has been identified with many other interests, among them : President of the Virginia Nail & Iron Works to. since January, 1885; president of the Lone Jack Cigarette Co. since July, 1886; president of the Lynchburg lee & Refrigerator Co. since March, 1885; and is on the Board of Directors of other companies.
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GEN. JOHN HOLMES SMITH.
The subject of this sketch was born in Lynchburg, on August 12. 1838, son of William T. and Susan ( Leftwich) Smith. William Todd. the great grandfather of Gen. Smith, came to the colony in 1750, from Scotland. In Richmond, Virginia, February 27, 1878. Gen. Smith married Norvell, daughter of Dr. Joseph V. and Mary E. ( Bullock) Hobson, now of Richmond, formerly of Powhatan county, Virginia. She was born in Powhatan county, August 26, 1856. From the open- ing to the close of the late civil war, Gen. Smith was in active and honorable service in the Confederate States Army. He entered service on April 23, 1861, in the Home Guard company of Lynchburg. which at once took the field as Company G, of the 11th Virginia regiment. His rank then was third corporal, and he received rapid promotion through all the non-commissioned grades until, in January, 1862, he was promoted junior second lieutenant ; one year from entering service. on April 23, 1862, he was commissioned first lieutenant ; in May, 1862. promoted captain. For thegreater portion of thelast eighteen months service he was in command of the 11th in the field. He was wounded in the left arm at Seven Pines, from the effects of which he has never recovered. Again wounded at Gettysburg, gunshot in right leg, received during that brilliant fighting in the last day of the battle which has rendered immortal the name of Pickett's Division; was captured with the regiment at Sailors Creek, April 5, 1865; held three weeks in the Old Capitol Prison, Washington: six weeks on Johnsons Island, Lake Erie, then paroled. In 1867 he reorganized his old company, which has ever since been a part of the State troops. He was made a general of the State Militia soon after, and retains the rank. Gen. Smith is engaged in business in Lynchburg as tobacco manufacturer.
WILLIAM OTWAY SMITH
Was born in Gordonsville, Virginia, August 15, 1861. His father was Benjamin Thomas Smith, born in Culpeper, Virginia, entered Con- federate States Army in the Cavalry service, was wounded, and died of effects of wound at Gordonsville, in 1862. William Smith, brother of Benj. Thomas, was also in the Confederate States Army, and was killed in battle. The mother of Mr. Smith, whose maiden name was Bettie Amanda Blanks, removed to Lynchburg during the war, and died in November, 1876. In Lynchburg, July 11, 1883, Rev. T. M. Carson officiating, Wm. Otway Smith married Flora Lee, daughter of Philip Thornton Withers and Flora Virginia Withers, still residents of Lynchburg. She was born in Lynchburg, October 25, 1862, and their children were born here: Win. Otway, jr., on July 7, 1884; Benj.
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Thornton, December 4, 1886. Mr. Smith attended the Lynchburg schools about six years. In 1879 he clerked for W. D. Smyth, tobacco jobber. In 1882, went into the same business for himself, and is still so engaged, a member of the firm of Smith, Stuart & Co.
WILLIAM B. SNEAD
Was born in Staunton, Virginia, September 1. 1836, the son of Elisha L. and Susan A. (Thomas) Snead. His father, now deceased, was born in Albemarle county, Virginia. When he was four years of age his parents made their home in Lynchburg, and he attended the schools here for a number of years. At the age of fifteen years he left school to learn the carpenter's trade under his father, who was a contractor and builder. Except for the time he was in military service he remained with his father, and when the latter died in Lynchburg, in 1869, he continued in the business, and is now head of the firm of W. B. Snead & Co., doing a large and lucrative business as contractors and builders. He entered the Confederate States Army April 23, 1861, in Company G, 11th Virginia Infantry. After participation in battles of 1st Manassas and Seven Pines, he was on special detail in the secret ser- vice, till forced by disability to leave the army, in July, 1862. On February 21, 1862, Rev. H. P. Mitchell officiating, he married Susanna A. Bailey. She was born in Richmond. Virginia, the daughter of James Bailey, born in Maryland, died in Lynchburg, and Ann (Ophold) Bailey, born in Pennsylvania. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Snead are six : Carrie A., W. W., John T., Henry C., Aurelia H. and Edward Carl. All live in Lynchburg except Carrie A., who is now the wife of E. M. Graham, of Omaha, Nebraska.
CAPT. CHARLES W. STATHAM
Was born May 19, 1819, in that part of Campbell county, Virginia, now included in Appomattox county ; was married in Lynchburg, Decem- ber 18, 1845, Rev. E. H. Crumpston officiating; he married Maria V. Ferguson, who was born in Lynchburg, October 16, 1825. The record of their children is: Charles W., deceased ; Thomas R., married ; Beaumont, deceased ; Elizabeth, married ; William, lives in Appomattox county ; Mary, lives in Lynchburg; Clifford, deceased; Lelia, deceased : Gertrude, deceased. Capt. Statham was magistrate of Lynchburg two terms; member of school board four years; trustee of the Miller Female Orphan Asylum now and for a number of years; ten years director of the Norfolk & Western Railroad; now director of the First National Bank of Lynchburg. He made his home in Lynchburg in 1833, and has lived here continuously since then, and is now one of the oldest
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