USA > Virginia > Virginia and Virginians; eminent Virginians, executives of the colony of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 18
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which he commanded from Five Forks until its surrender at Farmville, Virginia. Since the war, he has lived in Danville, where he is still engaged in the practice of his profession. as attorney and counselor at law. At Charlotte, Virginia, on February 9, 1871, he married Lucy L. Edmunds of Charlotte, and their children are seven : James W., Bessie E., Joseph N., Almeria K., Lucy L., Fannie H. and Hattie.
COL. GEORGE C. CABELL.
The illustrious Cabell family was among the earliest seated in the colony of Virginia, and the name has ever maintained its rank among the first families of the Commonwealth. The descent of the subject of this sketch is thus traced: William Cabell settled in Buckingham county, where he was succeeded by his son Joseph, and he by Joseph who was the father of Benjamin W. S. Cabell, father of George C. Benjamin W. S. Cabell, born in Buckingham county, died in Danville . in March, 1862, was an officer of the war of 1812, and afterwards attained the rank of major general of State troops. He served from fifteen to twenty years in the Senate and House of Delegates of Virginia, and was a member of the famous Convention of Virginia of 1829-30. The mother of Colonel Cabell, Sallie E. Dosewell of Nottoway county, Virginia, died in Danville, in August, 1874.
In . Brunswick county, Virginia, October 25, 1860, Colonel Cabell married Mary H. Baird of that county, Rev. Geo. Wm. White officiating clergyman. Their children are: Sallie D., now Mrs. L. H. Lewis; Annie A., now Mrs. G. S. Wooding; Benjamin W. S .; George C. jr., and Powhatan A. Mrs. Cabell is the daughter of Henry R. Baird, who was reared in Person county, North Carolina, and died a resident of Bruns- wiek county, Virginia, in April, 1887. Her mother, Ann P. Atkinson, born in Halifax county, Virginia, died in Danville, in 1862.
George C. Cabell was born in Danville, January 25, 1837, and has lived in or near Danville all his life, living now within fifty vards of the spot where he was born. His academic education was received in Dan- ville, after which he took the law course in the University of Virginia. He commenced practice in Danville in 1858, and was attorney for the Commonwealth for the town of Danville four years; representative in Congress twelve years. His rank was won by gallant service in the Confederate States Army. He went into the war on April 27, 1861, and served till its close, receiving successive promotions from private to captain, major, colonel. He had five brothers, all in service, and commissioned officers, captains, colonels and one major-general. Two of these gave their life to the cause: Col. Jos. R. Cabell, killed at Drurys Bluff; Lieut. Benj. E. Cabell, died in service. Colonel Cabell is still engaged in practice in Danville.
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JOHN R. CABELL, M. D.
The name of Cabell is one of frequent mention in the pages of Virginia and Virginians, many of the name having been closely associated with the history of the Commonwealth. The subject of this sketch was born in Danville, and is the son of Benjamin W. S. Cabell, who was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, and who died in 1862, aged 69 years. Dr. Cabell's mother was Sarah E. Dosewell, born in Nottoway county, Virginia, died in 1874. In early youth Dr. Cabell attended the schools in Danville, after which he took the course of the Virginia Military Institute, whence he was graduated in 1845. He taught school in Pittsylvania county two years, then studied medicine under Dr. W. G. Craighead of Danville and completed his studies for practice of medicine at the Virginia University, where he graduated with honors. He was in practice for about thirty years at Callands, Pittsylvania county, but in 1886 returned to Danville, and went into the tobacco warehouse business, under the firm name and style of Cabell & Coleman, proprie- tors of the Cabell Warehouse, dealers in leaf tobacco. He entered the Confederate States Army in April, 1861, and served with rank of cap- tain, Company B, 38th Virginia Infantry, until January, 1863, when he resigned. In 1849, he married Martha C. Wilson of Pittsylvania county, who died in 1858. Secondly he married Catherine F. Witcher. He has four children : Lilly, W. C., N. W. and Mary.
JOHN W. CARTER
Was born in Halifax county, Virginia, on March 25, 1851, and was educated in the schools of that county, beginning his business life in 1873. He is the son of Captain Jeduthan Carter, born in Pittsylvania county sixty-seven years ago, and who commanded Company F, of the 38th Virginia Infantry, C. S. A., during the late war. His mother, whose maiden name was Ann Hubbard, died on June 8, 1874. His wife was Maggie A., daughter of Frank and Anie E. (Watson) Redd, of Prince Edward county, Virginia. They were married in Danville, December 3, 1879, and have now three sons: Warner P., J. Epps, and John W., jr. In 1873 Mr. Carter clerked for W. P. Robinson. of Dan- ville; from 1874 to 1878 was with John F. Rison & Co., Danville; then went into business with W. P. Hodnet, style of firm Hodnet & Carter; from 1880 to 1885 was in business alone; and in the last-named year organized the first wholesale grocery house in Danville, which he still continues, under the firm style of John W. Carter & Co., wholesale grocers, and jobbers of manufactured tobacco and cigars, 304 Main street. Mr. Carter is also connected with S. P. Wimbish & Co., brokers and commission merchants.
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CHARLES H. CONRAD
Was born at Barboursville, Orange county, Virginia, on September 22, 1849. His parents were Virginians. J. M. Conrad, his father, born in Rockingham county, died August 23, 1881, at age of sixty-six years. His mother, whose maiden name was Sarah C. Sneed, was born in Albemarle county, and died January 9, 1877, aged fifty-two years. William Conrad, his brother, was four years in service, Otey's Battery, C. S. A. The subject of this sketch, although then but a lad, had also his war experience. He was taken a prisoner, at age of fourteen years, at Chester Station, Virginia, on May 9, 1864, by Gen. Benj. F. Butler, and after a thorough march through that general's army was held by him three months at Fortress Monroe, then regularly exchanged as a prisoner of war. Mr. Conrad in reviewing this experi- ence says that General Butler was particularly kind to him, supplying his every want, and offering to adopt and educate him, if he would consent. An occasional correspondence between the two was kept up, after the war, and they met at the Democratic National Convention, held in Chicago in 1884, where there was a mutual recognition and conversation concerning their war experiences.
Mr. Conrad received a common school education in the city of Rich- mond. At the age of twenty-one years he began business in Danville, as a leaf tobacco dealer, in which he still continues, senior member of the firm of Chas. H. Conrad & Co. In December, 1886, he bought Mr. A. Y. Stokes' interest in the banking business of W. S. Patton, Sons & Co., which he still holds, the business still conducted under the same firm name. At Danville, November 8, 1876, Rev. G. W. Dame officiat- ing, he married Mary Parker Holland, daughter of John W. Holland. now of Danville, born in Franklin county, Virginia. Her mother, who was Mary L. Rosser, born in Culpeper county, Virginia, died February 18, 1887. Louise, born August 11, 1877, died July 16, 1878, was the · first of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Conrad. They have four daughters: Lucile, Lizzie, Grace and Myrtle, and one son, Holland. Mr. Conrad is one of the councilmen of the city of Danville at the pres- ent time.
JOHN HAMILTON COSBY,
Son of C. M. and Ann ( Mattox) Cosby, was born in Danville, on July 14. 1849. His father died in 1861, his mother in 1864. At Danville, Vir- ginia, January 19, 1887, he married Mary Smith Wilson, and on December 17. 1888, their son, John Hamilton, jr., was born. At the age of eighteen years, Mr. Cosby embarked in the tobacco trade in his native place. For seven years following he held responsible positions in two
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of the principal factories of the city. In 1875 he commenced business for himself, entering into partnership with F. X. Burton, style of firm Burton & Cosby. This partnership was dissolved in 1880, when Mr. Cosby took into partnership with himself his brother Charles M., the style of the firm being J. H. Cosby & Bro. They at once erected a large factory, fitted up with all modern appliances, and in which they now employ an average of two hundred hands. Their plug, twist and coil tobaccos sell readily in all the principal markets of the country, and their attention to business and efficient management of the same promise them an ever increasing trade.
CHISWELL DABNEY.
The paternal ancestry of Mr. Dabney is thus traced : He is the son of Rev. John Blair Dabney, for many years attorney-at-law and common- wealth attorney for Campbell county, Virginia, born in Hanover county, Virginia, in 1794, died in Campbell county, at Vancluse, April 23, 1868, who was a son of Judge John Dabney, who was born in Han- over county, and died at Vancluse in 1816, at age of forty-six years. Judge Dabney was a son of George Dabney, of Hanover county, born in that county in 1740, died there in 1824. George Dabney was a son of Col. William Dabney, who was born in 1714, and died just before the American revolution of 1776. The founder of the family in Virginia was Cornelius Dabney, who emigrated from England to Virginia soon after the establishment of the colony. The mother of Chiswell Dabney, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Lewis Towles, was born on Christmas Day, 1801, and lived to be nearly eighty-three years of age. Her father was Major Oliver Towles, son of Colonel Oliver Towles, a lieutenant- colonel of Continental infantry in the Revolutionary war. Her mother was Agatha Lewis, daughter of William Lewis, who commanded a company in the Virginia Contingent at Braddock's defeat, and who was a brother of General Andrew Lewis, who commanded at Point Pleasant.
Chiswell Dabney was born in Campbell county, at Vancluse, on July 25, 1844, and was married at Beaver Dam, Hanover county, Virginia, April 3, 1873, by the Rev. W. A. Alrich of the Episcopal Church, to Lucy D. Fontaine, who was born at Beaver Dam, on May 29, 1845. Their children are six in number, viz: John C., born July 11, 1874; Chiswell, jr., July 15, 1876; Louisa D., August 20, 1879: Lucy Fon- taine, October 31, 1881; Edmund F., February 28, 1884; Elizabeth Towles, February 4, 1887. Mrs. Dabney is lineally descended from Jacques de la Fontaine, an officer in the artillery of Francis I. of France. He was born in 1500, and became a Huguenot. Herfather was
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Colonel Edmund Fontaine of Hanover, for many years president of the Virginia Central Railroad, and his descent from Jacques de la Fontaine is preserved in book form in the family from 1500 until now. Her mother was Louisa Shackelford, of a family honorably identified with Virginia's annals. Her parents are no longer living.
Mr. Dabney was in the Confederate States Army from October, 1861. till the close of the war. He was commissioned first lieutenant and A. D. C. to General J. E. B. Stuart, on December 20, 1861, and held that position until, in the fall of 1863 when he was promoted captain of cav- alry and A. A. and I. G. and assigned to duty by the secretary of war with Gordon's North Carolina Cavalry Brigade, afterwards Barring- ton's brigade; and served with it until April, 1865. His brother, John Dabney, was a private in the 28th regiment of Virginia Infantry, and another brother, Charles E., was first lieutenant of cavalry, in the com- pany which entered service from Pittsylvania county. Chiswell Dabney is an attorney-at-law, has been justice of the peace since 1885, and com- missioner in chancery of the circuit court of Pittsylvania county since 1871, and is still worthily filling these offices.
MELFORD EUGENE DOUGLASS, M. D.
Dr. Douglass, as the name sufficiently indicates, is by the paternal line of Scotch descent. His mother's ancestors came to America from Ireland. He was born at Liberty, Maine, on August 15, 1847, a son of Samuel A. and Mary A. ( Hamilton) Douglass, now living in Hudson, Massachusetts. His father was born in Belfast, Maine, May 21. 1824. and his mother was born at Albion, Maine, May 21, 1823. His pater- nal grandfather and great grandfather. both born in Maine, were killed at the same time by a fall from the roof of a barn, the one at the age of seventy-six years, the other fifty-one years of age. This great grand- father was the son of Robert Douglass, of Scotland, who, for taking up the cause of King Charles, had his property confiscated and was ban- ished from the country. The mother of Dr. Douglass was the daughter of Cyrus Hamilton, who was born in New Hampshire, and who, with two sons, was drowned. Her father's father was Patrick Hamilton, who came to New England from Ireland.
Dr. Douglass attended the common schools of Liberty, Maine, and later taught school and pursued other avocations until September. 1878, when he entered the Medical School at Cleveland, Ohio. After a year's course there, he went to the Homeopathie Medical College, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, whence he was graduated second in his class, on March 10, 1880. The day following hisgraduation he arrived in Danville, where he has ever since been in practice with good success.
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Since October, 1886, he has been State Medical Examiner; he is vice- president of the Hahnemann Medical Society of Virginia, is a Mason, Odd Fellow, and Chief Templar of the Lodge of Good Templars. Dr. Douglass married Ora Harriman, of Montville, Maine, daughter of Riley and Nancy ( French) Harriman. Her father died in 1869, aged fifty-seven ; her mother died in 1872, aged forty-six years. This mar- riage was solemnized at Liberty, Maine, by Rev. Ebenezer Knowlton, on September 30, 1871. Dr. and Mrs. Douglass have one son, Frank E. A daughter, born May 22, 1884, named Ethel May, died March 20, 1886.
RICHARD LOUIS DIBRELL
Was born in Richmond, Virginia, on September 19, 1855. He is the son of R. H. and Mary Lee (Jones) Dibrell, still honored residents of Richmond. His father was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and his mother was born at New Store, Buckingham county, Virginia. At Boonville, Missouri, June 17, 1884 he married Ida Nelson, the marriage ceremony performed by Rev. William M. Rush, D.D., the step-father of the bride, since deceased. She was born in Boonville, the daughter of Dr. George W. and Pauline Nelson, her father a Virginian, born in Culpeper county. Her mother's home is still in Boonville. Mr. and Mrs. Dibrell have one son, whom they have named Louis Nelson. Mr. Dibrell is associated in business with an elder brother, Alfonso Dibrell, under the firm name and style of Dibrell Brothers, leaf tobacco brokers. They established themselves in business in Danville in 1873, bringing to the business practical knowledge, their father having been for many years one of the most active promoters of the Virginia tobacco interests. They have a large, well conducted and profitable business in this, their main house, are also partners in the firm of Dibrell Bros. & Co., Durham, North Carolina, and represent many manufacturers and exporters.
COL. HUGHES DILLARD.
The father of Hughes Dillard was Gen. John Dillard, of Henry county, Virginia. His mother was Matilda Hughes. Both are now deceased. His paternal grandfather was Col. John Dillard of Revolu- tionary fame, who was wounded in the battle of Guilford Court-House, and who was a son, or a grandson, of James Dillard, who came from England to the colony of Virginia at a very early date, and located first in the tide-water country. The tradition preserved in the family assigns to this James Dillard the profession of barrister. He or one of his sons located lands in Nelson, Albemarle and Amherst counties, upou grant from George III. Several of his sons served with distinc-
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tion in the Continental Army, war of the Revolution, and all were wounded.
Hughes Dillard was born in Henry county, Virginia, on March 17, 1817. In that county, December 17, 1840, he married Martha A. Dillard, who was born in Rockingham county, North Carolina, in 1822. Her father was Col. Peter H. Dillard, of Henry county, Virginia. and a brother of Gen. John Dillard. Her mother was a daughter of the late Major John Rudd, who was a Revolutionary soldier. The record of the children of Hughes Dillard is: i. John L. Dillard, in the late war in service with the Lexington cadets, followed the profession of law, was prosecuting attorney for Henry county, and elected judge of Henry county court at age of twenty-three years; died in Florida, at age of 27 years. ii. Peter H. Dillard, attorney-at-law, now prose- cuting attorney for the Commonwealth, Franklin county, Virginia. iii. Bettie, now the wife of Daniel Arrington, of Danville, Virginia. iv. Mattie H., now the wife of William W. Chamberlain, of Norfolk, Vir- ginia. v. Patty R., now the wife of William Penn, of Botetourt county, Virginia. vi. Lucie D., now the wife of I. F. Wingfield, of Bedford county, Virginia. vii. Hughes Dillard, jr., attorney-at-law, Chatham. Mr. Dillard lost several near relatives in the late war, some of whom were killed; others died in service. For many years he fol- lowed the profession of law, and will ever be remembered as one of the prominent men of his day. He was for a time a member of the legisla- ture of Virginia, and was also an elector on the Pierce-Butler and Buchanan-Breckenridge tickets.
PETER W. FERRELL.
The subject of this sketch was born May 31, 1832, in Halifax county, Virginia, where his father and mother were born, and where they were honored residents through life. His father, Bird L. Ferrell, born in 1798, died in 1871. His mother, Ann D. Reeves, born in 1797, died in 1872. His brother, Edwin R., who was a soldier in the Confederate States Army, died in 1885. Peter W. attended schools in Halifax coun- ty, and finished his studies at Richmond College. In 1856 and 1857 he taught school in Halifax county; in 1858 removed to Danville, and began business as a tobacco manufacturer, firm of Sutherlin & Ferrell. In 1865 this firm dissolved, and Mr. Ferrell continued business alone, as a leaf tobacco dealer, until 1878 when he entered into a partnership business again, firm of Ferrell & Flinn. In the fall of 1885 he again began business for himself, leaf tobacco broker, place of business corner of Craghead and Loyal streets. For eight years, 1871-9, Mr. Ferrell was president of the Danville Tobacco Association. In Danville, March
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24, 1862, Rev. C. C. Chaplin officiating, he married Lucy C. Neal, of Danville. They have three children : Lena M., Thomas N. and Rosa A., and have buried two daughters : Nannie R. and Loula F. Mrs. Ferrell is the daughter of Thomas D. and Louisa F. (Carter) Neal. Her father, born in Pittsylvania county, died in 1884, aged seventy-two years; her mother, born in Halifax county, is now living in Richmond, Virginia.
THOMAS BENTON FITZGERALD.
Thomas Benton, son of A. B. and Theodosia (Lipscomb) Fitzgerald, was born in Halifax county, Virginia, on April 23, 1840. His father was born in Pittsylvania county, and died in March, 1882, aged seventy-four years. His mother died on April 14, 1846, aged thirty- two years. At Swansonville, Pittsylvania county, February 12, 1867, Mr. Fitzgerald married Martha J., daughter of B. J. and Lucy J. (Anderson) Hall, of Pittsylvania county. Her father died in 1879, aged fifty-six years; her mother died in 1886. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Fitzgerald were born in the order named: Theo. L., Thomas J., Harry R., Lizzie A., Lucy Lee (deceased), Fannie, Katie, Alfred B., Archie P. (deceased), Emma L. (deceased). Mr. Fitzgerald entered the Confederate States Army in April, 1861, and served in Company A. 38th Virginia Infantry. In 1865 he made his home in Danville, where he has since resided, and began business as contractor and builder, in which he continued until 1887. He has been president of the Riverside Cotton Mills at Danville since they went into operation, June 1, 1882, and is still a large owner in the same. Under his efficient management, this enterprise has proved a financial success and the goods produced are now shipped to all important points in the United States. Mr. Fitzgerald has served as town councilman.
FRANK B. GRAVELY.
The subject of this sketch is a native of Henry county, Virginia, born April 29, 1840. His parents were born in the same county, Lewis Gravely, born 1794, died 1884, and Martha ( Dyer) Gravely, born 1800, died 1878. At Martinsville, Henry county, April 6, 1866, he married Sallie H., daughter of Overton R. and Sallie C. (Martin) Dillard, both now deceased. She was born in Henry county, April 9, 1845, and died at her husband's home in Danville on December 3, 1883. The children of Mr. Gravely are six : Sallie M., Martha D., Frank, Annie D., James B. and Lewis O. Ile has buried one son and one daughter, both of whom died in infancy. Mr. Gravely entered the Confederate States Army in April, 1861, serving in the "Danville Greys," which became
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Company B, 18th Virginia regiment. He participated in the battle of first Manassas, and was in the battle of Gaines Mills, June 27, 1862, where he received a severe gimshot wound through the left hip, disabling him for field service. As soon as able for light duty thereafter he was made enrolling officer, and so served till close of the war. After that he clerked for a time for Wm. Robinson, Danville, and in 1872 went into business for himself in which he has since continued. The present name and style of firm is: Frank B. Gravely & Co., dealers in groceries, hay, fertilizers, etc., 223 Main street, Danville. Mr. Gravely was ten years. 1872-1882, a member of the city council, and for the past four years he has been chairman of trustees of the public schools of Danville.
CAPT. PEYTON B. GRAVELY
Eldest son of Willis Gravely, sr., formerly of Henry county, Virginia, now deceased, was born in that county on May 15, 1835. His father died in August, 1886, aged eighty-six years. His mother, whose maiden name was Ann M. Barrow, died in December, 1886, aged seventy-four years. He married at Danville, October 24, 1871, Mary F., daughter of Alexander Walters, formerly of Pittsylvania county, now deceased. They had five children: Kate W .. Peyton, James G., Nannie D. and Mary V. Captain Peyton entered service for the late war on April 9, 1861, sergeant in the Danville Artillery. At the reor- ganization of the company, in December, 1862, he was elected captain, the company becoming Company F, 42d Virginia Infantry, C. S. A. He served through the entire war, under General " Stonewall" Jackson, till that loved leader fell, and under the generals who succeeded him until the surrender at Appomattox C. H. He was four times wounded in service: At Greenbriar River in 1861; at Fishers Hill; at Gettysburg. and at the Wilderness, the last-named a severe wound through the right shoulder. His home had been in Henry county until he took the field, and he had been magistrate at Leatherwood, Henry county, before the war. Returning there, he engaged in the tobacco business, in which his father had wide reputation as manufacturer of the original "Gravely" brand, which he established in 1831. He continued in business there until 1870, when he removed to Danville, where he has since continued the same business, under the firm name and style of "P. B. Gravely & Co." The tobacco used by this firm is the Henry County fluo cured, and their brands command a wide market, the " Peyton Gravely," "Honey Dew," "J. G. Gravely Fine pounds," and "Kate Gravely Fine 9 inch" being some of their leading brands,
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COL. GEORGE K. GRIGGS.
Wesley Griggs, father of George K., was born in Henry county, Virginia, in 1808, and is still an honored resident of the county, living near Dyers Store. His wife, mother of George K., was Susan W. King, born in Henry county in 1824, died at their home in 1879. The subject of this sketch was born in Henry county, September 12, 1839. At Cascade, Pittsylvania county, Virginia, in April, 1861, he married Sallie B. Boyd, and their children are: W. E., Albert B., J. Henry, A. W., Anna B., Ernest L. and Lizzie, all living now in Danville. The parents of Mrs. Griggs were Virginians, born in Halifax county. died in Pittsylvania county, near Cascade. Her father. H. A. Boyd, was born in 1807, and died in 1886; her mother, Amanda Hannings, born in 1808, died in 1888.
Colonel Griggs attended school in Henry county in youth, and the Virginia Military Institute, in 1857-8. He entered the Confederate States Army in 1861, on the organization of the 38th Virginia Infantry regiment, commissioned captain of Company K, that regiment. Except when incapacitated by wounds, he was in continuous service till the close of the war, promoted successively major, lieutenant-colonel, colonel. From May, 1864, he was in command of the regiment, and at the surrender, Appomattox C. H., was in command of the brigade. He was twice severely wounded, at Gettysburg and at Drurys Bluff, and took part in many battles, including Seven Pines. Since making his residence in Pittsylvania county, Colonel Griggs has held a number of county and township offices. In 1878 he removed to Danville, and engaged in the warehouse business. In 1881 he was appointed seere- tary and treasurer of the Danville & New River Railroad Company, and in 1885 was made secretary, treasurer and superintendent of the company, offices he is still ably filling.
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