USA > Virginia > Virginia and Virginians; eminent Virginians, executives of the colony of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 19
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JAMES P. HARRISON
Is of descent from families frequently mentioned in preceding pages of Virginia and Virginians, as associated with great events in the history of the colony and the commonwealth of Virginia. He was bornat " The Wigwam," Amelia county, Virginia, on October 29, 1852. His father, William Henry Harrison, born at " The Oaks," Amelia county. May 10, 1810, died December 23, 1881, was the founder of the Amelia Academy, the first University School of Virginia. Edmund Harrison, of "The Oaks," father of Win. Henry, was the son of Nathaniel Harrison, who was born at Berkeley, Charles City county. Benjamin Harrison of Berkeley, who married Anne, eldest daughter of " King"
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Carter, was the paternal great, great grandfather of the subject of this sketch.
James P. was educated by his father until 1868, and then attended the Richmond College for one session. In 1870 he entered the Univer- sity of Virginia, and in 1874 took the degree of Master of Arts from that renowned institution. After teaching school for two sessions he returned to the University, and in 1876-7 took the law course. Ho began the practice of law in Danville on September 1st, 1877, in which he still continues, a member of the firm of Berkeley & Harrison. Ou February 13, 1879, at the University of Virginia, Rev. Dr. L. T. Hanckel officiating, Mr. Harrison married Mary Jane, daughter of Prof. John Staige Davis, and granddaughter of Prof. John A. G. Davis, both of the University. Her mother was Luey Landon Blackford. Mrs. Harrison died, leaving her husband one daughter, Lucy Landon Harrison, and one son, Donald Skipwirth Harrison. In the war between the States Mr. Harrison's immediate family was represented by Prof. Edmund Harrison of Richmond College and John Hartwell Harri- son of " The Wigwam," AAmelia county.
JOHN R. HUTCHINGS
Was born in Pittsylvania county, May 14, 1854, the son of Dr. John M. Hutchings, who was born in this county, and was an honored rosi- dent of Virginia through life, dying April 5, 1887, aged sixty-two years. Dr. Hutchings served in the late war as surgeon in Virginia Infantry. C. S. A. The mother of Mr. Hutchings was Celestia A. Carter, who died in 1856, aged twenty-two years. In Danville, May 5, 1880, Mr. Hutch- ings married Sue R. Doe, born in Danville, and they have two daughters : Lucy A. and Sue D. Mrs. Hutchings is the daughter of Thomas B. and Sarah A. (Ross) Doe. Her mother died on September 8, 1881. Her father, who was born in New Hampshire, died September 8, 1883. He was a brother of Judge Charles Doe, of the United States Supreme Court.
In early youth, John R. Hutchings attended school at Chatham, Vir- ginia, after which he took the academic course at Blacksburg, Virginia. He began his business career as clerk for Lee & Laytor, merchants of Lynchburg, with whom he remained three years; then was with Capt. William T. Clark of Danville one year. From 1876 to 1882 he was with the firm of Hutchings, Thomas & Co., warehouse business, Dan- ville: 1882-3 was in warehouse business at Durham, North Carolina. then returned to Danville. With his father, he established the firm of John M. Hutchings & Son, which was continued until the father's death. in 1887. The firm is now John R. Hutchings & Co .; proprietors of the
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"Star Warehouse," for the sale of leaf tobacco. Mr. Hutchings was captain of the Danville Greys, 1886-7, but resigned after a year's ser- vice.
JAMES RUFUS JOPLING
Was born in Bedford county, Virginia, on November 19, 1845. He is descended from families early settled in Virginia, the son of William W. Jopling, born October 27, 1815, still living, son of James Jopling, whose parents came to Virginia from England in colonial days. In 1841 William W. Jopling married Julia Ann, the daughter of Rufus Thomas, whose parents came to Virginia from Scotland. She was born in 1821, and died August 3, 1856. The subject of this sketch was raised on his father's estate, where he was born, north of Liberty, Bed- ford county, and educated in the country schools of the neighborhood. On November 10, 1863, nine days before attaining his eighteenth birth- day, he entered the Confederate States Army, joining Capt. R. B. Clay- tor's company, B, 10th Battalion artillery, then stationed on Marion Hill, at Battery No. 2, Richmond defences. During the winter of 1863-4 the command saw no active service in the field, but was detailed to guard Federal prisoners at Belle Isle, Libby, and Barracks No. 2 in Richmond. The next spring was assigned to the ordnance department of the battalion, and so served till the close of the war.
After the war Mr. Jopling remained on the home farm until Novem- ber 1, 1866, when he was appointed deputy sheriff under Col. John G. Casey, sheriff of Bedford county, in which capacity he served until September, 1868, when he resigned, and entered the wholesale and retail hardware house of Jones, Watts & Co., Lynchburg. He remained clerking for them until June, 1871, when a copartnership was formed with them under the style of Jones, Watts & Jopling, opening a hard- ware house at Salem, Virginia, Mr. Jopling managing partner. During his residence in Salem, Mr. Jopling served one term in the city council. In September, 1874, he moved to Danville, where he has since resided. In October, 1879, he bought ont the interest of Messrs. Jones, Watts & Co., and has since continned the wholesale and retail hardware busi- ness in his own name. He is vice-president of the largest bank in Dan- ville, the Merchants; is trustee and steward in the Mount Vernon M. E. Church of Danville, the present church edifice largely the result of his contributions and individual efforts; is a director in the Danville Methodist College; is a director in the Danville Street Car Company, with which he has been connected from its incorporation.
On October 4, 1871, in Lynchburg, Rev. W. E. Edwards officiating, he married Mollie, daughter of Sammel and Margaret Phelps of Lynch- burg. Mrs. Jopling was born in Nelson county, Virginia, on November
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24, 1849. Her father died in Lynchburg, where her mother still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Jopling have one daughter, Mary Julia.
NATHANIEL W. LUMPKIN,
Son of Henry H. Lumpkin, born in Georgia, now deceased, was born in Pittsylvania county, April 5, 1852. His mother, now living with him, was born in Pittsylvania county, her maiden name Isabella G. Wilson. Henry H. Lumpkin, elder brother of Nathaniel, was in the Confederate States service with John Morgan, and was made a pris- oner on that general's daring invasion of Northern States, and held eight months at Camp Chase and Johnson's Island. At Staunton, Virginia, September 30, 1873, N. W. Lumpkin married Alice Hawkins, who was born in Alabama, and their children are three sons and two daughters: George H., Nathaniel W., jr., Allen S., Bessie V. and Alice A. Mrs. Lumpkin is the daughter of Richard Hawkins, now deceased, and Elizabeth ( Black) Hawkins, now living at Staunton. Mr. Lump- kin is the proprietor of the Lumpkin's Transfer Line Livery Stable, at thecorner of Patton and Lynn streets, Danville, a business which, from its founding on a very small scale in 1879, has grown to cover practi- cally the entire transfer and livery business of Danville.
NATHANIEL HARDIN MASSIE.
In tracing the ancestry of present residents of Danville it is pleasant to come upon names as familiar to the Virginian, as the name of the loved Commonwealth itself. Nathaniel Hardin Massie was born at Charlottsville, Virginia, October 9. 1861. He is a son of N. H. Massie. lawyer and banker. eldest son of Nathaniel Massie of Albemarle county, born on the border of Albemarle and Nelson counties, in November, 1824, many years an honored resident of Charlottsville. and died there in October, 1880. His first ancestor in this country was Thomas Massie, who, in 1690, at the age of six years, came over with his father from Chester, England, where one branch of the family still resides. Thos. Massie died in 1790, at the advanced age of 106 years.
N. H. Massie was in the Confederate States service for a time, on the staff of General Beauregard, but was retired on account of defective eyesight. At the outbreak of the war, Nathaniel Massie had soven grown sons and two sons-in-law, who entered service. Both the latter were killed in service. One son, John L. Massie, captain in Rockbridge Battery, was killed on the field of battle; the rest, except the oldest. were disabled by wounds and exposure, and all but three died either during the war, or soon after, from diseases contracted in service.
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The mother of Mr. Massie was Eliza Kinloch Nelson, daughter of Thomas Nelson of Clarke county, Virginia, a lineal descendant of Thomas Nelson, jr., signer of the Declaration of Independence on behalf of Virginia, of whom a sketch is given elsewhere in this volume. She was also lineally descended from Gov. Spotswood (see Volume I, Virginia and Virginians).
Mr. Massie went to school from 1873 to 1875 to Major H. W. Jones, now of Hanover Academy; from 1875 to 1880 attended the Charlotts- ville high school; from 1880 to 1883 the University of Virginia : taught school from 1883 to 1885 at Brookville Academy, Maryland : came to Danville September 28, 1885, and entered on the practice of law, in which he still continues.
J. T. MILLER,
Son of John V. and Mary (Epps) Miller, was born in Farmville, Prince Edward county, Virginia, on September 22, 1839. His father, who was born near Richmond, Virginia, died April 27, 1876, aged sixty-four years. His mother still resides in Farmville. In June, 1861, he entered the Confederate States Army, as a private of Company E, 38th Virginia Infantry. In July, 1862, he was promoted second lieutenant. He was in every battle of his regiment except Seven Pines, and ending with Gettysburg. In that battle, when Pickett's Division was making its immortal charge up the heights, he fell, wounded through the right leg. He was made prisoner, and held for nine months, at Gettysburg, Bal- timore, Fort MeHenry and Point Lookout, and from effects of wound suffered amputation of leg.
After the war Mr. Miller was engaged in the saddlery and harness business in Farmville for eleven years. In 1876 he removed to Danville and engaged in business for other parties until 1885, in that year en- tered into the partnership in which he still continues, name and style of firm, New & Miller, buggies, wagons, harness, etc., wholesale and retail. The wife of Mr. Miller, whom he married at Farmville, March 22, 1867, is Pattie D. Holt, of Charlotte county, Virginia. Their children are: Lula A., John V., Henry M. (deceased ), Mary L. and Mattie B. Mrs. Millor is the daughter of Peter F. Holt, who died in November, 1877. Her mother, whose maiden name was Martha D. Wilborn, is also now deceased.
COL. JAMES M. NEAL.
In Colonel Neal is represented the fifth generation of his family in Dan- ville, all honorably identified with the best interests of the city. He was born in Danville, January 3, 1845, son of Thomas D. Neal, who was born in Pittsylvania county, October, 1812, was many years all
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active business man of Danville, founding the present warehouse system there in 1858, and who died in Richmond, on June 21, 1884. The mother of Colonel Neal, born in Halifax county. Virginia, in 1821, living now in Richmond, is L. F., daughter of Col. Samuel Carter of Halifax county. A lad sixteen years of age at the outbreak of thecivil war, Colonel Neal responded to the call of Virginia, entering service in Company B, 18th Virginia regiment. He was detailed on the staff of General Pickett, where he served with fidelity till the close of the war, sharing in all the immortal service of that gallant division. At the close of the war he went to New York City and entered a large tobacco establishment there, where he remained until his marriage.
He married in Danville. November 1, 1866, Rev. D. G. W. Dame officiat- ing, Rose P. Allen of Danville, daughter of Orin N. and Susan ( Free- man) Allen. Her father, born in New York in 1812, died June 20, 1875; her mother, born in Culpeper county, Virginia, is now living in Danville. Colonel and Mrs. Neal have one son. Orin Allen. and have buried a daughter, Percy Stokes, died at age of four years six months.
Making his home after marriage in Danville, Colonel Neal embarked in business there as a tobacco leaf dealer. one of the first to ship leaf tobacco from Danville in consignments. Since 1869 he has been pro- prietor of the Planters Warehouse founded by him. The warehouse building now occupied by him, 72x256 feet, he erected in 1869 to accommodate hisextended business. His best energies ha veever been at the service of his native city. The Odd Fellows Hall, on Main street, stands as a monument to his enterprise, its rection having been secured by his influence while he was Master of Bethesda Lodge, I. O. O. F. He was an active worker in the movement which resulted in the building of the new Episcopal elmirch building in Danville, one of the finest church edifices in Virginia. In 1886 he assisted in forming the organization from which has resulted the Danville Academy of Music, costing $30,000, and of this organization he is still the efficient chairman, the building remaining under its control. He was active, in 1887. in securing the improved water works sewerage, and other improvements, and it was he who made the first move toward holding in Danville the tobacco fair which was in its success so creditable to the city. He is president of the Chamber of Commerce, and holds other public offices of trust. Colonel Neal is yet in the prime of life, an energetic business man, a public spirited citizen, a true Virginian.
WILLIAM NELSON, M. D.
The youngest son of Philip and Jane (Crease) Nelson, and great grand- son of General Thomas Nelson, was born at Mont Air, Hanover county, Virginia, October 4th, 1854. He graduated at the Virginia Agricul-
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tural and Mechanical College, 1876, and the three subsequent years served as assistant teacher at the Episcopal High School, near Alex- andria. He was a student of medicine at the University of Virginia, the session of 1880-1, and in 1882 graduated in the Medical department of the University of Maryland, Baltimore. After leaving that institution, he located in Danville, Virginia, where he is actively engaged in the practice of his profession.
W. W. NEW.
Born in Henrico county, Virginia. near Richmond, is the son of R. P. and Mary A. ( Wilde) New, who were born in the same county, and were honored residents there through life. His father died February, 22, 1852, aged forty-three years, and his mother died in Richmond. October 8, 1862. Mr. New's school-days were passed in Richmond, and from school life he passed to the employment of the C. S. Government, serving in the department of Henrico, at Richmond, from October 8. 1861, to April 11, 1865. He had two brothers in service, F. A. and C. R. New, the latter killed in battle of Seven Pines, May 31, 1862. From 1865 to 1871, Mr. New clerked for L. Levy, Richmond, grocery and commission business. In July, 1871, he removed to Danville, and in September following went into business on his own account, dealing in junk. Later he handled sewing machines, then wagons. carriages, buggies and harness, also livery. He is now doing the largest car- riage, buggy, wagon and harness business in this section of the country, a member of the firm of New & Miller, carrying on both whole- sale and retail trade.
In Caswell county, North Carolina, November 12, 1873, Mr. New married Lucie Gunn, of that county. the daughter of James Gunn, who 'still lives in Caswell county, and Fannie ( Henderson) Gunn, who died in July, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. New have lost two children, Maggie, died June 19, 1885, aged sixteen months, and Charley, died July, 1886. at age of fifty days. They have one daughter. M. Fannie; and one son, Robert, born May 19, 1887. Mr. Now has always taken a warm inter- est in the affairs of Danville since making that his home, and is one of its most respected citizens. He is now serving as alderman, elected for a two years' term from July 1, 1888. He has been for many years a trustee of the Danville ( Methodist ) College for young ladies; is a member of the Order of Odd Fellows, and a Knight of Honor.
JOHN R. PACE
Was born in Henry county, Virginia, the son of Greenville T. Pace, who was born in that county, November 1, 1810, and who died on Sep- tember 20, 1878. The mother of John R., Nancy W. Hughes, was also
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born in Henry county, and died there, in 1844, at age of thirty-seven years. In 1860, in Bedford county, he married Sallie A .. daughter of Leven B. Hagerman, who died in 1841, and Charlotte C. Michell. who died May 30, 1888, aged eighty-five years. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Pace are six: William G., Lizzie, James R., Mary, Sallie and Lottie.
In his youth, Mr. Pace attended the schools of Henry county. He commenced the tobacco business in Danville in 1851, in his father's factory. In 1857 he was admitted in the business with his father under the style of G. T. Pace & Son. During the war he served the Confeder- ate States in the quartermaster's department. After the close of the war he began business again, in the manufacture of tobacco, under the firm name of John R. Pace & Co .; later on the firm name was changed to Pace, Talbott & Co. Some five years ago, he retired from manufac- turing and went into the leaf tobacco business in his own name. In 1886 he commenced business as a special partner with his eldest son, William G. Pace, and P. B. Gravely, in the manufacture of plug tobacco, under the firm name of P. B. Gravely & Co., which business is still so conducted, the firm manufacturing the old original and far-famed "Peyton Gravely" brand tobacco, that was established in the year 1831. Mr. Pace was a number of years a member of the city council of Danville, and is at this time president of the Citizens Bank of Danville.
JOHN H. PATTESON
Was born in Buckingham county, Virginia, on January 16, 1847. Ile attended the schools of his native county, and closed his academie studies with attendance for two sessions at Trinity College, North Carolina. In November, 1864, he entered the Confederate States Army, 37th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, in which he served until the close of the war. After the war he studied law with Capt. Camm Patteson, of Buckingham county, and in November, 1869, he 'entered into practice in that county. In 1870, ho removed to Lynchburg. Virginia, where he practiced law until 1873. In November, 1873, he joined the Virginia Methodist Conference, and was licensed to preach. which calling he followed for ten years. Since 1884 he has been prac- ticing law at Danville, office in Riverside Block. He is also the treasurer of city of North Danville.
Mr. Patterson's parents were born in Buckingham county. Robert Pattesou, his father, died Angust 3, 1864, aged sixty-five years, and his mother, who was Margaret P. Hocker, died in September, 1870. aged sixty-nine years. The first wife of Mr. Patteson was Georgietta B. Kinnear, who died June 24, 1873, leaving him one son, Andrew K.,
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now of Danville. Secondly he married Fannie Shepherd, of Cambridge, Maryland. Their marriage was solemnized in her native town, on January 28, 1880, and they have two children, Pearl and Paul.
ESTON RANDOLPH.
The name of " Randolph" is one every true Virginian hears with pride, remembering the many of the name who have added to the glory of Virginia. Both on the paternal and the maternal side Eston Ran- dolph is of this family. He is the son of Major Beverley Randolph, of "The Moorings," Clarke county, Virginia, and was born at his father's seat, on December 7, 1857. His father's father was William F. Randolph, a prominent lawyer of Virginia, and who was a grandson of Thomas Mann Randolph, governor of Virginia in 1819-1822, whose family and public record are given in Volume I of Virginia and Virginians. In the late war, Major Randolph served on the staff of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. His son Beverley, jr., brother of Eston, was killed at the age of sixteen years, three days after enlistment, at Greenwood Depot, Albemarle county, Virginia. The mother of Eston Randolph, Mary Conway Randolph, is the daughter of Philip Gymes Randolph, at one time acting secretary of war. Major Randolph and his wife still reside on his estate, " The Moorings."
Eston attended private school in Clarke county. then William and Mary College, Williamsburg. In 1876 he left college, and accepted an appointment in the United States Signal service, in which he remained three years. Later he studied law at the University of Virginia, and was admitted to the bar in 1883. In December of that year he came to Danville, where he has since been in practice. a member of the law firm of Randolph & Randolph. He has filled a number of local offices with credit, and is present superintendent of public schools for the city of Danville.
WILSON NICHOLAS RUFFIN
Was born at Edge Hill. Albemarle county, Virginia, on March 19, 1848. He is the son of Col. Frank G. Ruffin, who was born in Missis- sippi, and is now a resident of Virginia, second Auditor of the State. During the war, Colonel Ruffin was in the commissary department of the Confederate States Army, rank as given. He had two sons in active service, J. R. Ruffin, private in Rockbridge Battery, and W. Roane Ruffin, lieutenant in Chamberlayne's battery. The subject of this sketch was also in service for a time, although only seventeen years of age at close of war. The mother of W. Nicholas was Caryanne Nich- olas Ruffin. She died in 1857. His wife is Mary Winston, daughter of Dr.
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John Brockenborough Harvie, formerly of Powhatan county, Virginia, now deceased. Her mother, still living, was Miss Mary E. Blair. As the family names indicate, Mr. and Mrs. Ruffin are connected with many of the eminent Virginian families whose names and services for Virginia are given elsewhere in these records.
Mrs. Ruffin was born at Fighting Creek, Powhatan county, Virginia. June 13, 1848. and became the wife of Mr. Ruffin at the place of her birth, April 20, 1875, Rev. P. F. Berkeley uniting them. Their children are five: John Harvie. Ellen Harvie, Wilson Nicholas, jr., Lewis Ruth- erfoord and Cary Randolph.
Mr. Ruffin went to school in 1861-2 to Win. H. Harrison, at " The Wigwam," Amelia county : in 1862-3 to Rev. Wm. A. Campbell, of Pow- hatan county: in 1863-4 to the University of Virginia. After the war he farmed in Albemarle county until 1870, and in that year went to the western end of the Chesapeake & Ohio R. R., with Randolph & Co .. con- tractors, who built that portion of the road between Hawk's Nest and the Kanawha Falls, except one mile. In 1873 he engaged in business in Richmond, and in 1879 came to Danville, where he engaged in his pres- ent business, real estate, fire and life insurance.
THOMAS R. SCLATER
Was born in Elizabeth City county, Virginia, on March 16, 1845. the son of William S. Selater, who was born in York county, Virginia, and who died in 1866, aged fifty-two years. The mother of Thomas R., also a Virginian, Ann Lee her maiden name, was born in Norfolk, and died in 1874, aged sixty-two years. He married in Pittsylvania county, at Cascade, November 27, 1879, Blanche Venable of Pittsylvania county. She was born in this county August 5, 1859, and is now deceased. Her father was A. K. Venable, still of Pittsylvania county: her mother, Sarah (Sclater) Venable, died in 1876, aged sixty years.
Thomas R. Sclater attended school in Hampton until in 1858 he began business as assistant postmaster and drug elerk for Massenburg & Cary, of Hampton. He was then only thirteen years of age, and remained with them until he entered the army, one of Virginia's young- est sons in the field, serving from 1861 till the close of the war, in Company 1, 32d Virginia Infantry, C. S. A., and taking part in battles of Seven Pines, Savage's Station, Malvern Hill, Sharpsburg, Fred- ericksburg. Cold Harbor, Five Forks, Sailors' Creek and many others. After the war he went to Baltimore, Maryland, where he was clerk for N. H. Jennings three years; from 1870 to 1874 was drug clerk for Hunt, Rankin & Lamar; came to Danville in 1874, was four years clerk for P. R. JJones, druggist, then went into business for himself, in which he still continues, at 312 Main street.
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WILLIAM B. SHEPHERD.
The subject of this sketch was born in Chatham, Pittsylvania county, on August 22, 1857. At Clarksville, Virginia. November 9, 1882. the bride's father officiating, he married Mary H. Whaley. She was bornin Clarksville, Mecklenburg county, Virginia, on Angust 22, 1858, the daughter of Rev. F. N. Whaley and Bettie ( Hughes ) Whaley. Her parents are Virginians, her father born in Fairfax county, September 7, 1819, and her mother in Cumberland county, April 16, 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have two children: Fred. W., born January 26, 1884; Bessie G., born January 31, 1886. Mr. Shepherd is the present incumbent of the county court clerkship. Pittsylvania county, which position he bas ably filled since 1879; residence, Chatham.
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