USA > Virginia > Virginia and Virginians; eminent Virginians, executives of the colony of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 17
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business men of the city. For nine years he filled the editorial chair of the Virginian, and was a dealer and shipper of tobacco for forty years.
In 1861 he, with Charles J. Raine, raised and equipped an artillery company for the Confederate States Army. He went into service with the company, with the rank of First Lieutenant : was wounded and cap- tured in Rich Mt. battle, July 11, 1861, and held on field and at Bev- erly two weeks, then paroled. All the prisoners there taken were exchanged under a general cartel in August, 1862, and Captain Stat- ham rejoined his command on September 14, 1862. With his company he assisted in the capture of Miles and his forces at Harper's Ferry, and in two days thereafter was in Sharpsburg battle, under the immediate direction of Gen. Jackson. through Major Brockenbrough. Later he took part in battles of Hamilton's Crossing. Fredericksburg, Mine Run and many others, commanding his company at Mine Run. On account of disability he retired from active service in 1864, and was appointed by Gen. Kemper colonel in charge of local forces of Lynchburg, serving in that position till the close of the war, and surrendered the city to the Federal forces. His father, Richmond Statham, was born in what is now Nelson county, Virginia, and died in Campbell county in Septem- ber, 1839, at the age of 72 years. His mother, whose maiden name was Rhoda Hill, was born in Prince Edward county, Virginia, and died in Campbell county, in July, 1839, aged 52 years.
WILLIAM A. STROTHER.
The subject of this sketch was born in Richmond, Virginia, on November 15, 1832, but has long been a resident of Lynchburg. engaged in business in that city since 1855. His first marriage was with Sallie Mitchell of Bedford county, Virginia, who died leaving him two sons, William M. and Robert. He married secondly at Lynch- burg, on February 26, 1862, Jennie L. Langhorne, and they have one son, Sidney. Mr. Strother is now the only survivor of four brothers who gave their service to the Confederate States during the late war. He entered service in April, 1861, second lieutenant of Company E. 11th Virginia Infantry, and was obliged to resign, on account of sickness, in the following winter; was later made captain of a company of reserves, so serving till the close, of the war. His brother Sidney, sergeant in Cranshaw's battery, was killed in battle of Gaines Mills. Robert Q., another brother, served through the war in same battery ; since deceased. Fourth of these brothers was John M .. who served as treasurer, C. S. A., rank of captain. When Richmond was evacuated he held all the funds of the Confederate States in his keeping; died since the war. William A. Strother has been a bank
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director since 1861, in the First National Bank of Lynchburg and the National Exchange Bank. He is a trustee of the Lynchburg Female Orphan Asylum, and for five years has been Eminent Commander of the DeMolay Commandery, Knights Templar. He is head of the firm of W. A. Strother & Son, proprietors of the "Strother Silver Medal Cologne," and they are extensively engaged in the manufacture of per- fumeries, having a market in thirteen States.
ALEXANDER THURMAN
Was born in Lynchburg, July 22, 1845, the son of Samuel B. Thurman, now one of the oldest citizens of Lynchburg, and the grandson of Rich- ard Thurman, one of the early settlers of Campbell county. His mother, whose maiden name was Martha Cox, is now deceased. The wife of Mr. Thurman, is Mary A., daughter of John F. and Annie E. Sanderson, born in Goochland county, Virginia. Her father is now deceased, her mother living in New Kent county, Virginia. Their mar- riage was solemnized by Rev. S. Hepbron, November 9th, 1887, at the old Colonial Church of St. Peters, New Kent county. Mr. Thurman entered the Confederate States Army when in his 18th year, in January, 1864, serving from that time to the close of the war in Company B, 2d Virginia Cavalry, and taking part in battles of the Wilderness, Win- chester, Cedar Run, Trevellian Station, and the many engagements around Richmond and Petersburg. His father was also in the Confeder- ate States Army, and his two brothers, Powhatan and Samuel. In 1874 Alexander Thurman was appointed lumber inspector of Lynch- burg. In April, 1883, he was made chief of the fire department of Lynchburg, and is still filling that position.
SAMUEL TYREE
Has been for more than half a century an honored resident of Lynch- burg, for more than thirty years one of the city aldermen. He was born in Lynchburg, January 17, 1823, and was married on February 9, 1843, when Bishop Thos. Atkinson joined him in wedlock with Marian F. C. Henry, who was born in Campbell county, January 24, 1823. To trace the family line of Mr. and Mrs. Tyree is to connect them with names identified with the most honorable pages of the history of Virginia. He is the son of Richard Tyree, born in New Kent county, Virginia, and Mildred, daughter of Achilles Donglass, of Campbell county. Both died at the age of 73 years, and are buried in Lynch- burg. The Tyree and the Douglass families were early seated in Vir- ginia ; both of the Quaker faith. The father of Mrs. Samuel Tyree was
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A. S. Henry, son of Patrick Henry, and her mother was Paulina J., daughter of Dr. Geo. Cabell. Her mother was buried in Campbell county, and her father lies in the burial ground of the old residence of Patrick Henry, in Charlotte county. Her ancestry is further traced in preceding pages of " Eminent Virginians," by R. A. Broek. Mr. Tyree is now filling the office of notary public.
WILLIAM T. WALKER, M. D.
Was born in Prince Edward county, Virginia, August 22, 1825. He married S. Josephine Sampson, who died in 1870, leaving him three daughters, and four sons: Lelia, Frank, Richard S., Josephine S., Mary S., William T. and John. On May 25, 1875, Rev. Wm. Norwood offi- ciating clergyman, he was united in marriage with Mrs. Frances Bayly formerly Frances Holladay, born in Spotsylvania county, Virginia. They have one daughter, Gulielma. Dr. Walker is of Virginia descent, his father, William T. Walker, born in Amelia county, served in Revolutionary war with rank of captain; died in September, 1833. The mother of Dr. Walker was Mary, daughter of John Dupny, and descendant of Bartholomew Dupuy, a Huguenot refugee, who settled in Manakintown, Virginia colony, in 1699. She was born in Prince Edward county, and died in February, 1861. Dr. Walker holds the degree of A. M. from Hampden-Sidney college; of M. D. from the Jefferson Medical college. He began practice in Prince Edward county in 1849. In 1852 removed to Goochland county, and was thirty years in practice there. In 1882 settled in Lynchburg, where hestill remains. He is a member of the Lynchburg city council. Heentered service in the Confederate States Army on June 29, 1861, as surgeon at City Almshouse hospital, Rich- mond. After several months service there, he was appointed surgeon in charge of the hospital at Huguenot Spring, a hospital having 700 capacity, and remained there until the close of the war.
GEORGE P. WATKINS
Son of William and Mary ( Wharton) Watkins, and grandson of Thom- as Watkins, was born in Halifax county, Virginia, March 10th, 1852. His father was born in Virginia, where the family has been long seated. and his mother was born in the State of Maine. His wife is Jimmie Lelia, daughter of Col. James W. and Mary Elizabeth (Jones) Watts, whose family record appears in this volume. She was born in Bedford county, Virginia, and they were married by Dr. W. E. Edwards, at the Court Street M. E. Church, Lynchburg, December 22, 1880. Their child- ren are Florence, Incile, Lelia. Robert W. Watkins, brother of George
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P. served in the late war. His mother died in 1857, when he was five years old, and his father died in 1864, when he was twelve years old. After that he attended boarding school for two years, then entered on a business life in. 1868 as clerk in a retail store in Halifax county, Vir- ginia. In 1871 he went to Richmond as traveling salesman for the wholesale notion house of Yancey & Franklin; in 1875 went to Balti- more, traveling for a wholesale house. On July 1, 1878, became a partner in the wholesale boot and shoe firm of Witt & Watkins, in which he still continues at 808 Main street (see record of Geo. D. Witt). Mr. Watkins is also a director in the National Exchange Bank of Lynchburg, and has been since its organization.
COL. JAMES W. WATTS,
Son of Richard D. and Isabella E. (Newell) Watts, was born in Bedford county, Virginia, on April 19, 1833. On February 22, 1854, Rev. D. P. Wills officiating, he married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of F. E. and Sarah (Spears) Jones, of Appomattox county. Their children are named : Hubert B., Jimmie L., Thomas Ashby and Maude. They have buried one son, Oscar. Col. Watts entered the Confederate States Army May 11, 1861, in Company A, 2d Virginia Cavalry, rank of first lieutenant. In September, 1861, he was promoted captain; in March, 1862, received commission of lieutenant-colonel, same regiment. He received eight sabre cuts in battle of second Manassas; was again wounded at Opequan, December 27, 1862; and again at Aldie, June 1863 where a gunshot wound in right fore-arm permanently disabled him for active field service. He served subsequently, and until the close of the war, as post commander, at Liberty, Bedford county. Col. Watts, who has now retired from business life, was for some time a partner in the well-known firm of JJones, Watts Bros. & Co.
JAMES T. WILLIAMS,
Born in Lynchburg, on April 28, 1829, is the son of Jehu and Susan S. (Thompkins) Williams, long honored residents of Lynchburg, where the father was many years engaged in the jewelry trade and in his day the oldest business man of the town. He died in 1859, and his wife died in 1843. On December 17, 1850, James T. Williams married Martha J. Row, and their children were nine. Of these four are now deceased, Susan S., Annie E., Bryant, and James T., jr. The living children are: Jehu R., Mary J., Martha I., Amanda W. and S. Duncan. Mr. Williams married secondly Mary E. Hanvey, Rev. Thomas H. Early joining them in wedlock on July 20, 1887. Her father and
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brother were in the Confederate States Army during the late war, as was the brother of the first Mrs. Williams, Geo, W. Row. In 1848 Mr. Williams began business in Lynchburg as a merchant. In 1851 he removed to Richmond, where he was in business until 1867, and then returned to Lynchburg. He established a wholesale grocery business, in which he later associated with himself his eldest living son, and in January, 1883, the gentlemen who now with himself and son form the present house of James T. Williams, Son & Co., and carry on an exten- sive business extending throughout the State. Mr. Williams has been a member of the city council, a justice of the peace and chairman of the board of Fire Commissioners, which originated the present Efficient Department.
CAPT. JEHU WILLIAMS.
The subject of this sketch was born in Lynchburg, on June 24. 1836. He is the son of Jehu and Susan (Thompkins) Williams whose record appears in the sketch preceding this one. He entered the Confederate State Army in May, 1861, rank of Captain, and assigned to the com- missary department, with headquarters at Lynchburg. After serving six months at this point, he was sent to Manassas Junction, which re- mained his headquarters five months, after which he returned to Lynchburg, and later served at Petersburg Landing. He resigned in 1862. In 1864 he entered service again in Company G, 11th Virginia regiment, with which he was actively engaged until made a prisoner at Five Forks, April 1, 1865. He was held at Point Lookout three months, then paroled. First Manassas, Dinwiddie C. H., Five Forks. were among the battles in which he participated. Captain Williams is carrying on a coal, wood, ice and grocery business in Lynchburg.
SAMUEL GRIFFIN WINGFIELD
Is the son of the late Hon. Gustavus A. Wingfield, formerly judge of the 6th JJudicial District of Virginia, and who died on February 18. 1888, and the grandson of Lewis Wingfield, long an honored resident of Bedford county. His mother, who died in April, 1855, was Char- lotte, daughter of Samuel Griffin, also of Bedford county, for whom the subject of this sketch was named. He was born in Bedford county. In Lynchburg, October 17, 1887, Rev. JJ. J. McGurk officiat- ing, he married Sallie Lewis, daughter of John D. Alexander, and granddaughter of John Alexander. Her mother was Mary A .. daughter of Samuel Pannill. As these names indicate, Mrs. Wingfield is of families identified with the history of Campbell county. At the the time of the war between the States Mr. Wingfield was in attend-
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ance at the Virginia Military Institute, and he was one of the corps of cadets who figured so heroically in the battle of New Market. Mr. Wingfield was an attorney at law, practicing in Lynchburg; but at present is clerk of the corporation and circuit courts, having been elected to that office at the spring election held in May, 1888. He has filled the office of Mayor of Lynchburg for one term of two years, beginning July 1, 1880.
J. H. C. WINSTON
Was born in Halifax county, Virginia, April 18, 1829. He is of Welsh descent, the Winston family settling in Bristol, Connecticut, where his grandfather died. His father, Roma Winston, was born in Connecticut, in 1800, removed to Virginia, and died in 1834. His mother, whose maiden name was Saloma Heckman, died in 1875. On October 16, 1855, Rev. Wm. H. Kinckle officiating, J. H. C. Winston married Martha J., daughter of A. Winston, and sister of the wife of Senator E. J. Folkes. She was born in Lynchburg, February 29, 1832. They have nine children, all living in Lynchburg, Edgar R., Sallie F., John A., Eunice D., William F., Irene M., Joseph H., Paulina C., Kate E. and have buried three children : Effie, born July 4, 1856, died October 23, 1859; Annie T., born in 1860, died in 1862; Mamie, born in 1878, died in 1884. Mr. Winston entered the Confederate States Army in March, 1862, Company D, 19th Battery, Virginia Heavy Artillery, rank of Second Lieutenant, and was promoted First Lieutenant in July, 1862. He was in service till close of war, and took part in a number of skirmishes but no regular battles, the battery attached to Costis Lee's division at close of war. Mr. Winston came to Lynchburg in 1852, and was in the employ of A. Winston, furniture business until 1858, when he went into the same business with J. L. Winston. From 1859 until he went into the army was in business for himself, and in 1865 resumed the business. In 1868 removed to Snowville, Pulaski county, Virginia. In 1872 returned to Lynchburg, and again took up the furniture business, which he has continued to date. The firm, manufacturers and dealers in furniture at 620 and 622 Main street, is now J. H. C. Winston, Son & McGehee, the second son, John A., having entered into partnership in 1884, and Mr. McGehee in 1887.
GEORGE D. WITT
Son of David and Elizabeth J. Witt, was born in Nelson county, Vir- ginia, May 22, 1848. He entered the Fleetwood Academy at about ton years of age, and received an English education at the different schools of his native county. An earnest desire to complete his education
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prompted him, about this time, to write to Gen. R. E. Lee at the Wash- ington and Lee University, relative to admittance to that institution. Though circumstances forced him to forego that plan, he still treasures with warm appreciation the kind words of encouragement he received in reply, in a letter in General Lee's own hand. In 1866 he accepted the offer of a position in a counting house in Lynchburg, which position he held until in 1869 he accepted an offer to go to Baltimore, where he remained in the wholesale shoe trade until 1878. On November 5, 1873, he was married by Rev. Dr. Leeds of Grace Episcopal Church. Baltimore, to Ida E. King. The bride was the daughter of John King, of Baltimore, and granddaughter of William King of County Armagh, Ireland, who came to this country and made his home in Annapolis. Maryland, removing thence to Georgetown, D. C. The mother of Mrs. Witt, now deceased, was Amanda M., daughter of Geo. Sterret Ridgely Morgan, of Georgetown. A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Witt, Sep- tember 28, 1874, Clarence Morton, who lived but two years. In 1878 Mr. Witt returned to Lynchburg, and in July entered into a partner- ship with George P. Watkins, forming the house of Witt & Watkins, the pioneer wholesale boot and shoe house of Lynchburg.
His father David, son of David Witt, sr. and Jane ( Fitzpatrick) was born in Nelson county, still a resident there, went into the artillery ser- vice, Confederate States Army, in 1861, serving first in Capt. Lamkin's company stationed at Charleston, South Carolina, and was in several engagements there; later in Capt. Henry Rives' company, taking part in many engagements around Richmond. The mother of Mr. Witt was born in Nelson county, where she still resides. Brought up by Christian parents, she has ever exemplified in her life an humble Christian charac- ter, and has endeavored thus to sow the seed of virtue in rearing her own children, and with her husband will leave their children an inherit- ance of moral worth, more to be desired than refined gold. She was the daughter of George Jones, who was born May 14, 1791, and died May 25, 1883, and the granddaughter of Capt. Charles G. Jones, who served faithfully seven years under Gen. Washington in the Revolution- ary war. George Jones married Sally Pendleton, born in Amherst county, the daughter of Richard Pendleton, who settled in Amherst from Culpeper county, and whose forefathers came from Scotland to Eastern Virginia. Sallie Pendleton's mother, who was Miss Mary Tins- ley, was proud to boast of wearing a wedding gown spun from silk with her own hands. The father of Capt. Jones was Hezekiah Jones, who came from Spotsylvania county, and whose ancestors were of that sturdy Welch stock that ever guarded with jealous hand the principles of honesty and integrity that characterized their race.
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STEPHEN THOMAS WOOD,
Son of Samuel G. and Amanda (Gish) Wood, of Roanoke county, was born in that county on April 24, 1847. He is the grandson of Rev. Stephen Wood, who was a distinguished citizen of Franklin county, Virginia, where he served for many years in the offices of magistrate and high sheriff. Although only eighteen years of age when the war between the States was ended, the subject of this sketch had then seen one year's service, in Griffin's battery, Hardaney's battalion, 2d corps, Army of Northern Virginia. His parents still live in Roanoke county, his father now 70 years of age, his mother aged 63 years. In 1873 hecame to Lynchburg, and was first engaged as book-keeper for a grocery firm. For the past twelve years he has been connected with the People's National Bank, for which he is teller. In Lynchburg, November 20, 1878, Rev. A. C. Bledsoe officiating, he married Emma, daughter of Robert and Mariah L. (Thurman) Mays. She was born in Lynchburg, March 8, 1853. Her father died on October 19, 1884, aged 69 years ; her mother is still living in Lynchburg at the age of 70 years. The record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Wood is: Stephen Hervey, born Octo- ber 28, 1879; Mariah Louisa, born February 7, 1881, died March 8th following; Robert Gilbert, born September 30, 1882; Alice Latham, born September 10, 1886.
PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY.
EUGENE S. ARNETT
Was born at Brooklyn, Halifax county, Virginia, on January 30, 1847. He is the son of W. W. Arnett, a Virginian by birth, now a resident of Saline county, Missouri, and Martha A. Strickland, now deceased. He had an elder brother in the Confederate States Army, W. W. Arnett., jr. The first wife of Mr. Arnett was Sallie A. Hatchett, who died on July 25, 1880, leaving him one son, Willie P., born December 14, 1872. He married secondly Miss M. H. Dixon, of Pittsyl- vania county, their marriage solemnized December 6, 1881. Their children are two sons: Eugene W. and Alvah HI. Mr. Arnott received a common school education in his native county, and came to Dan- ville where he began business at the age of 22 years, in 1869, as leaf tobacco dealer. From 1876 to 1886 he was connected with the firms of Arnett & Wemple, and Arnett, Wemple & Ellyson. On January 1,
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1886, the firm as last named was dissolved, and Mr. Arnett entered into his present copartnership relation, in the firm of Arnett, Snelling's & Co., proprietors of the Martha Washington Tobacco Works, High street, Danville. The facilities of the firm, and their volume of busi- ness, are second to no similar house in the United States. For the past five years Mr. Arnett has been a member of the city conneil of Danville.
CHARLES A. BALLOU.
As the name indicates, the subject of this sketch is a descendant of one of the Huguenot families who escaped from religious persecution in France by emigration to America, and founded a line in Virginia. His father, also named Charles A. Ballou, was born in Cumberland county, Virginia, and his mother, Rebecca A. Medley, was born in Halifax county, this State. Both are now deceased, the father's death occurring in 1865, in his 73d year. The subject of this sketch was born in Hal- fax county, December 4, 1833. He has been twice married and has six children living. His first marriage was solemnized at MeMinnville, Tennessee, where on February 2, 1859, Mary G. Tate of Roanoke county, Virginia, became his wife. She died in 1866, leaving him two daughters, Kate P. and Mary G. He married secondly Annie P. Talley of Clarksville, Virginia, who died in JJanuary, 1885. Their children were: Natilie, Charles A., jr., James E. and N. Talley, and two daugh- ters now dead, Sallie T. and Alice R.
James E. Ballon, brother of Charles A., serving in the Confederate States Army, was killed at Balls Bluff. Charles A. was in service, 1864- 5, in the quartermaster's department. His early school years were passed in Halifax county, and his education completed at the Washing- ton and Lee University. In 1856 he accepted position as civil engineer on the M. C. & T. R. R., and except for the time he was in military service he followed this profession on various railroads until he made his home in Danville, in 1873. Since that time he has been city civil engineer, and is still serving in that capacity. He has also ably filled other city offices: Superintendent of water works, superintendent of electric lights, superintendent of gas works, etc.
LANDON CARTER BERKELEY, JR.
Was born at "Auburn," in the county of Westmoreland, Virginia. His father is Landon C. Berkeley, born in Hanover county, Virginia. November, 1818, represented the counties of Westmoreland and Rich- mond in the Virginia legislature some years, served as lieutenant in the 15th Virginia Infantry, C. S. A., now living in Hanover county. Lewis
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Berkeley, of "MonTont," Hanover county, was the grandfather of Landon Carter. His mother was Miss Sarah A. Campbell, born at "Kirnon," Westmoreland county, June 24, 1820, died at "MonTont." November 21, 1885. She was the daughter of John Campbell, a son of Rev. Archibald Campbell, of Scotland. At Fork Church, Hanover county, Virginia, September 8, 1880, Rev. R. R. Claiborne officiating, Landon Carter Berkeley, jr., wedded Annie Poe Harrison, who was born at "Dewberry," Hanover county, September 9th, 1856. They have two children, Harrison Campbell and Annie Churchill. Mrs. Berkeley is the daughter of John Poe Harrison, who held commissions of captain and colonel in the Confederate States Army, and died in service in the fall of 1861. Her mother, Nanny, daughter of Rev. John Cook of "Dew- berry," Hanover county, lives now in Danville.
After completing his school course, the subject of this sketch was four years a teacher in the Episcopal High School, near Alexandria, Virginia. He studied law privately, and in the summer law school of the Univer- sity of Virginia in 1874, and commenced the practice of law at Danville, in 1876, where he has resided and continued in practice ever since. John L. Berkeley, a soldier of the late war and a member of the Hanover Artillery, brother of Mr. Berkeley, was wounded in battle of Cold Harbor, gunshot wound in right hip, June 3d, 1864. He is now principal of the Danville white free school.
EDWIN E. BOULDIN,
Son of James W. Bouldin, of Charlotte county, Virginia, and Almeria (Read) Bouldin, was born in Charlotte county, on March 31, 1838. Both parents are now deceased. The father will be remembered as having served several terms in Congress, representative from the Charlotte District. The mother was the daughter of Rev. Clement R. Read. After pursuing the academic course of study in the University of Virginia, Edwin E. studied law under George W. Read, Esq., 1857- 8, then went to Texas, and practiced at Goliad from 1859 till the opening of the war. Hastening back to Virginia, to offer his services to his native State, he entered the Confederate Army in April, 1861, in Company B, 14th Virginia Cavalry, known as the "Charlotte C'av- alry." In September, 1861, he was commissioned first lieutenant of this company, and in the spring of 1862 elected captain of same. He was slightly wounded in battle of Gettysburg, on which immortal field he commanded his regiment, and was soon after very seriously wounded at the crossing of the Potomac, near Hagerstown. He was captured in battle of Moorfield, 1864, and held at Camp Chase, Ohio, eight months. Exchanged in 1865, he rejoined his regiment,
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