USA > Virginia > Virginia and Virginians; eminent Virginians, executives of the colony of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 21
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COL. JOHN PATERSON FITZGERALD.
The subject of this sketch was born at Nottoway C. H., Virginia, on May 15, 1837, the son of George and Catherine (Campbell) Fitzgerald. His father died in 1863, and his mother died in 1839. Both were born in Nottoway county, and were of families honorably identified with its annals. Francis Fitzgerald, father of George, and for fifty years clerk of Nottoway county, was the son of Captain William Fitzgerald, who served with that rank in the Revolutionary war, and took part in the battle of Guilford C. H. Catherine, mother of Colonel Fitzgerald, was the daughter of Dr. A. A. Campbell, who was a surgeon in the war of 1812, and who represented Nottoway county many years in the legisla- ture and senate of Virginia. The wife of Colonel Fitzgerald, whom he married in Prince Edward county, December 23, 1863, Rev. R. L. Dab- ney, D. D., uniting them, is also of eminent Virginian families. She was born in Prince Edward county, Florida Frances, daughter of William Cabell Flourney. Her father, born in 1812, died in 1861, was the grandson of William Cabell of Nelson county. Her mother is Martha M. Venable, born in 1816, living now at Farmville.
Colonel Fitzgerald was educated at Hampden-Sidney college, and was graduated there in June, 1857; studied law at the University of Virginia, 1857-8, and was licensed to practice law on July 30, 1858. He located in Prince Edward county in October, 1858, and was in practice there when war was inaugurated. He entered service as first lieutenant of Company I, 23d Virginia Infantry; was promoted captain July 25, 1861 ; major, Jume 10, 1863 ; lieutenant-colonel, same regiment, November 27, 1863. His service was from May, 1861, to the surrender, and under Gens. Garnett and H. R. Jackson in Northwest
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Virginia, "Stonewall" Jackson in the Valley. He was wounded at Sharpsburg, and captured at Spottsylvania C. H. Taken a prisoner to Fort Delaware, he was one of the fifty field officers sent thence to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1864, to be put under fire of the Confed- erate guns; was exchanged at Charleston.
After the war, Colonel Fitzgerald resumed his practice in Prince Edward county. Since October, 1885, he has been treasurer of the Union Theological Seminary at Farmville and of Hampden-Sidney college. He takes great interest in secret societies ; is a Mason, Knight of Honor, and Royal Arcanum. In 1883-4 was representative of Vir- ginia Grand Lodge K. of H. to Supreme Lodge; and since then has been a member of the committee of Appeals and Grievances of the Supreme Lodge, and chairman of committee for the last three years.
HON. PHILIP W. MCKINNEY
Was born in Buckingham county, Va., on March 17. 1832. His parents were Virginians, Charles MeKinney, born in Charlotte county, died in August, 1862, and Martha Guarrant. also now deceased. On May 12, 1856, he married Nannie Christian, who died, leaving him one son, Robert C. He married secondly, at Farmville, Virginia, December 23, 1884, Annie Lyle, and they have one child, Frankie Irving. The early school days of Mr. MeKinney were passed in Buckingham county, followed by the course at Hampden-Sidney college, whence he wasgradu- ated with honors. He pursued his law studies, at Washington and Lee University, and then entered on the practice of law in Prince Edward and adjoining counties.
In April, 1861, he entered the Confederate States Army, captain of Company K, 4th Virginia Cavalry, and was with that regiment in all its gallant service until incapacitated for the field by wound received in 1863 at Brandy Station. After that he performed local duty at Dan- ville for a year. In 1864 he was relieved from military duty by Col. George C. Cabell, and took his seat as a member of the General Assem- bly of Virginia, to which position he had been elected from Buckingham county in 1858, and where he served till the close of the war.
Since that time he has been one of the most eminent members of the Bar in Virginia, with his home at Farmville, his practice mainly in Prince Edward county. He has filled the office of prosecuting attorney several terms, has been three times Presidential elector on the Demo- eratie ticket for the Fourth District: was elector at large in 1884; in 1881 was the Democratie nominee for attorney-general, and in 1885 was a candidate for nomination for Governor of Virginia, receiving, among the several candidates, the next highest vote to that by which Governor Lee was nominated.
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JOHN W. NASH, M. D.,"
Is the son of Judge John W. Nash of Powhatan county, Virginia, who died in 1860. His mother, also now deceased, was Elizabeth Hatcher. Dr. Nash was born in Amelia county, Virginia, on August 29, 1826. His early school days were passed in Powhatan county, after which he attended the Boonville Academy, Missouri. He then took the medical course of Jefferson College, whence he was graduated in the spring of 1848. He practiced at Cumberland C. H., then at Cartersville, Virginia, and in 1874 came to Farmville, where he has been in practice ever since. At Richmond, Virginia, on May 20, 1852, he married Lydia, daughter of Francis and Sarah (Cowles) Smith, formerly of Richmond, both now deceased. The record of the children of Dr. and Mrs. Nash is: William, now deceased; Frank, now a surgeon, U. S. N .; Jolin, now deceased; Sarah E., now the wife of Dr. Irving of Farmville.
HENRY C. PAULETT
Was born in Appomattox county, Virginia, on March 9, 1849, the son of Richard S. Paulett, who was born in Prince Edward county, and is living now in Farmville. His mother, who was Harriet P. Clark, died on May 14, 1884. At Manson, North Carolina, December 23, 1873, he married Emily F. Twitty, of Warren county, North Carolina. Their children are three daughters, one son, Essie D., Hattie W., May T. and R. Landon. Mrs. Paulett is the daughter of Thomas T. and Evylin (Fitts) Twitty, both born in Warren county, North Carolina, and now deceased. Her father died on April 4, 1888. Mr. Paulett was too young for regular field service during the late war, but served on local duty, laving one brother, S. W. Paulett, in regular service. He attended Southside Institute and other schools at Farmville until about 1863. From that time until 1869, with slight intervals, was merchandising at Farmville. In 1869 went to Randolph-Macon College and was gradu- ated in several of the schools of that institution. In 1873 he entered the Virginia Conference, and in 1878 located in Farmville, where he has ever since been engaged in the business of commission merchant, which he still continues.
SAMUEL W. PAULETT,
Son of R. S. and H. P. (Clark) Paulett, was born at Farmville, on October 24, 1846. His school days were spent at Farmville, and in the Eastman Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. He entered the Confederate States Army in July, 1861, in Company F, 18th Virginia Infantry, regimental marker. He was three times wounded in service,
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at Second Bull Run, in Pickett's charge at Gettysburg, and at Sailors Creek, April 6, 1865. He was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, also, and was held six months, at Fort Delaware and at Point Lookout. From the latter prison he escaped, and rejoined his regiment, serving with it until the close of the war. Among the battles in which he took part are: Williamsburg, the seven days fighting around Richmond, second Bull Run, Boonsboro, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chester Station (May 16th), Hamilton Crossing, second Gaines Mills, Chester again (June 16th), Hatchers Run, Sailors Creek.
After the war, Mr. Paulett went into the tobacco business, in which he continued six years, was then four years engaged in merchandising, then returned to the tobacco business having an insurance business connected with it, in which he still continues. He is connected with his father in the tobacco business, junior member of the firm of R. S. Paulett &Son. He was elected captain of the Farmville Guards, April 23, 1880, and has been in command of the company, except for a short time, ever since. For seven years he has been one of the councilmen of Farmville, and he is also chief of the fire department. Mr. Paulett has been twice married, his first wife Augusta E. Wiltse, who died December 1, 1875, leaving him one son, Samuel W., jr. He married secondly, on August 10, 1879, Jennie B. Gray, of Prince Edward county. They have three sons, Lewis, Vernon and Gordon, and have buried one, their first-born, Perey C.
JUDGE ASA D. WATKINS.
The Watkins family, of French-English descent, was founded in Vir- ginia by Thomas Watkins, of Chickahominy, one of two brothers who came to America in colonial days, one settling in Virginia, the other in Alabama. From Thomas Watkins descended Frank Watkins, of Prince Edward county, long clerk of its courts, great grandfather of Asa D. His grandfather was Captain H. E. Watkins, of Prince Edward county, who commanded its troops in the war of 1812. Hisfather was the late Judge F. N. Watkins, born in Prince Edward county, judge of its courts for fourteen years, member of the legislature for Prince Edward and Appomattox counties, sessions of 1866-7-8-9-70, died at age of seventy-three years. The mother of Asa D., still living in Farmville, was Martha A. Scott before marriage.
Asa D. was born in Prince Edward county, on June 5, 1856. His earliest studies were received at home, then he attended school in Farm- ville a time, then was sent to Hampden-Sidney college. He studied law with his father and attended law lectures at the University of Vir- ginia, under Professor Minor. In 1883 he began practice in Prince Edward and adjoining counties. Since February, 1886, he has been
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judge of county court. In October, 1885, he was made secretary and treasurer of the State Female Normal School of Virginia, located at Farmville, which offices he still worthily fills.
Judge Watkins married at Farmville, September 2, 1886, Nannie E. Forbes, of Buckingham county, Virginia. Their son, Willie F., was born on June 17, 1887. Mrs. Watkins is the daughter of W. W. Forbes, who was born in Buckingham county, still an honored resident there, now seventy-four years of age. Her mother, who was Amonette Cobb, died at the age of twenty-five years.
NOTTOWAY COUNTY.
GEORGE CAMPBELL,
Who made Virginia the home of his adoption in 1855, is a native of Scotland, born July 4, 1836, the son of Benjamin and Anne ( McDonald) Campbell. His father died in 1858, aged forty-eight years; his mother's home is in Edinburg, Scotland. His first marriage was with Jane Cameron, who died in August, 1870. Their children were: Alexander, William, George P., Thomas D., Jane M., Annie E. George died in 1864, aged four years. In New York, August 28, 1873, Mr. Campbell married Rosalie Higginbotham, of Virginia. They have two sons, Edward and Robert W. H., and have buried one son, Douglas, died in 1879, aged three years.
Mr. Campbell came from Scotland to the United States in March, 1855, and at Petersburg, Virginia, engaged in a hardware business, which he carried on until the war. From the close of the war until 1882 he was in the tobacco business. In 1882 he entered on his present business, manufacturer of sumac and bark. He is probably the largest dealer in the United States in this business, making heavy shipments to Europe every year, and being a thorough business man, understanding how to handle his immense trade. He has much the largest mill in Virginia at Burkeville, where he resides, and also has mills at Richmond and Alexandria, Virginia.
HON. WILLIAM EMBRE GAINES.
The subject of this sketch is a Virginian, born in Charlotte county on August 30, 1844. He is the second son of C. J. Gaines, Esq., who was born, lived and died in Charlotte county. But few men lived a more
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useful and honored life than did the senior Mr. Gaines, for thirty-three consecutive years he held the position of magistrate; died on the 16th day of March, 1885, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.
At Smithfield, Isle of Wight county, Virginia, on October 10, 1866, the subject of this sketch married Miss Loulie J. Langhorne, the daughter of the Rev. Maurice J. Langhorne. This most estimable lady died at her husband's residence at Burkeville, Virginia, on October 2, 1885, in the forty-first year of her age, leaving four children : Loulie L., Bessie D., Willie E. and Melissa V.
In his boyhood Mr. Gaines attended the schools of his native county ; in 1861 commenced an academic course in the county of Halifax, Vir- ginia. Hostilities commencing between the States at this period, he enlisted in April, 1861, a member of the Charlotte Rifles, 18th Virginia Regiment, afterwards a part of the famous Pickett's Division of the Confederate States Army. He was engaged in nearly all of the battles fought by the Army of Northern Virginia, commencing with the first battle of Manassas; receiving promotion to adjutant of Manly's Bat- talion of field Artillery ; surrendering with the C. S. Army in May, 1865. Immediately after the close of war Mr. Gaines engaged in mercantile pursuits and has been successful in the business of dealer in leaf tobacco in which business he is now engaged.
Mr. Gaines owns a beautiful home in the town of Burkeville, Nottoway county, Virginia. He has served his people four years as mayor, and is now president of the only bank in his town; was elected a member of the Virginia Senate in 1883; in 1885 was the nominee of his party for president of that body; was elected in 1886 by a majority of 8475 to a seat in the 50th Congress of the United States, in which body he now represents the 4th district of Virginia.
HERMAN JACKSON,
Born at Nottoway C. H., on August 28,1847, is the son of B. B. Jack- son, born in Amelia county, Virginia, died in August, 1876, aged sixty-seven years, and Louisa (Dyson) Jackson, born in Nottoway county, died in 1867. The Jackson family of which he is the representative was founded in America by three brothers who came from England to the Virginia colony at an early day. Lyndhurst . Jackson, elder brother of Herman, was a soldier of the 3d Va. Cav. under Fitz Hugh Lee in the late war, serving from the beginning until captured the day before the surrender. He was taken a prisoner to Point Lookout, and died there, from the effects of measles. Herman Jackson has always lived in the county of his birth, receiving the usual education of the schools of the county, and also attending the Nottoway
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Academy. His home was with his father until the death of the latter. He married, at Nottoway C. H., September 1, 1880, Lizzie Massenburg Dillard, of Sussex county, Virginia. They have one son, Herman Massenburg, and one daughter, Lizzie Dillard. Mrs. JJackson's father was R. F. Dillard, born in Sussex county, Virginia, died in 1876. Her mother, whose maiden name was Martha Virginia Massenburg, is now living in Nottoway county. Since June 2, 1879, Herman Jackson has been filling the office of clerk of courts of Nottoway county. Residence : Nottoway C. H.
JUDGE WILLIAM HODGES MANN.
John Mann, born in Chesterfield county, Virginia, died in Angust, 1843, and Mary Hunter Bowers, still living, are the parents of the sub- ject of this sketch. He was born at Williamsburg, Virginia, on July 31, 1843, and the first five or six years of his school life he attended school in Williamsburg. Afterward he attended school in Brownsburg, Virginia, then studied law without any assistance and obtained license to practice. He entered the Confederate States Army in June, 1861, a private in Company E, 12th regiment Virginia Volunteers, the regiment serving in Mahone's division. In 1863 he was taken prisoner and escaped, and in the same year he was discharged to take charge of the clerk's office in Nottoway, as deputy clerk. In 1864 he was elected clerk of the circuit court of Dinwiddie county; in 1865 was Commonwealth attorney in Nottoway county; in 1872 was elected judge of same county, which office he is still ably filling. His father was clerk of James City county for a number of years, with office at Williamsburg. The first wife of Judge Mann was Sallie Fitzgerald, who died on November 2, 1882. He married secondly at Petersburg, Etta, daughter of Hon. Alexander and Anna (Wilson) Donnan, of Petersburg. They have one son, Stuart Donnan. Residence, Nottoway C. H.
JOHN M. MORTON,
Son of Charles A. Morton, was born at Charlotte C. H .. Virginia, on March 3, 1846. His father was born in Farmville, Virginia, and lives now near Farmville. His mother, Paulina L. Morton, died on Septem- ber 7, 1883, aged sixty-three years. At Wilson C. H., North Carolina, February 21, 1868, he married Emma, daughter of Henry T. and Sarah F. (Laube) Pairo. Her father, born in Washington, D. C., living now in Baltimore, Maryland, was a resident of Richmond, Virginia, at the time of her birth. Her mother died on July 5, 1872, aged sixty years. Mr. and Mrs. Morton have six children living, two deceased. The first-
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born were twin daughters, Emma P. and Lena C. Lena died on June 6, 1872. A son, Thomas E., died on November 3, 1882. The other children are: Robert L., Josie K., John M., jr., Sadie A., and Helen P. Mr. Morton attended school in Farmville, Virginia, and the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington. where he graduated. At the age of eighteen years, in March, 1864, he entered the Confederate States Army, in Martin's Battery, in which he served until the surrender at Appomat- tox C. H.
He studied law under Prof. Stephen O. Sonthall, and has been in prac- tice in Prince Edward and Nottoway counties. . He was mayor of Burkeville 1881-3, was elected Commonwealth attorney in May, 1883, and again in 1887, and is still serving. Residence, Burkeville.
CHARLES EVERETT WILSON.
The Wilson family were early seated in Nottoway county, Charles Wilson, great grandfather of Charles Everett, having been among the earliest settlers in this section of Virginia. His son John Wilson, born in Nottoway county, was the father of Charles R. Wilson, also born in this county, and now living here aged sixty-eight years, the father of Charles Everett, who was born at Wellville, on March 11, 1853. The wife of Charles R. Wilson was Annie L. Jones, who died in 1858. Charles Everett Wilson married, at Petoskey, Michigan, on January 24, 1884, Mary Helen Rice, who was born in Lewis county, New York. She is the danghter of B. Blair Rice and Isabella Livingston Rice, formerly of New York, now living at Petoskey, Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have one son, Richard Blair, born December 20, 1885.
Mr. Wilson attended school near Wellville for five years, and lived with his father until twenty years of age, when he went into the service of Norfolk & Western Railroad Company, as station agent. In this service he continued for six years, or until 1879. In 1877 he opened a mercantile business at Nottoway, which he successfully conducted until 1887. He was elected treasurer of Nottoway county in 1883, and re-elected in 1887, and is still serving. He is a stock-holder and director in the Burkeville Savings Bank. In 1883 was postmaster at Notto- way, which position he resigned to accept the county treasuryship. Residence, Nottoway C. H.
DINWIDDIE COUNTY.
R. T. ARRINGTON.
Dr. JJohn Arrington, born in North Carolina in 1800, died in April, 1878, and Martha, his wife, nee Westray, born in North Carolina in 1805, died in January, 1847, were the parents of the subject of this
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sketch. He was born in North Carolina, January 3, 1833, and was married at Warrenton, that State, Bettie J. Plummer becoming his wife on November 2, 1853. She was born in North Carolina, the daughter of Dr. Henry L. Plummer, who was born in that State on January 1, 1798, and died in February, 1864. Her mother was Sallie Falkner, born in North Carolina, died in 1845, aged forty years. Mr. and Mrs. Arrington have buried five children : Sallie F., John, Henry L., Austin P. and Alfred W. Their living children are named: Martha S., William P., Richard T., jr., Kemp P., Samuel W., Herbert, Ivy L.
Mr. Arrington's earliest schooling was received in Franklin county, North Carolina, and he was graduated at the University of North Carolina, in 1853. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits which he followed until 1862. In February, 1864, he entered Company E, 1st North Carolina Cavalry, C. S. A. He received promotion to quarter- master sergeant, and served till the close of the war. After the war he resumed business in Warrenton, North Carolina, but in July, 1867, removed to Petersburg, where he has since been a member of the firm of John Arrington & Sons, grocers and commission merchants; specialties; cotton, tobacco, and peanuts. The Richmond House of this firm is well and favorably known: Arringtons & Scott.
WILLIAM E. BEASLEY
Was born in Petersburg on June 4, 1842. He went to school at the Petersburg institute, and in 1859 engaged with his father in the tobacco business. He entered the Confederate Army in April, 1861, lieutenant Company D, 12th Virginia Infantry. In 1862 he resigned and later again enlisted, this time in the cavalry service, Company B, 13th Vir- ginia regiment. After the war he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and was in the tobacco business there for a year, then returned to Peters- burg, where he has continued in the same business to the present time.
His father, William H. Beasley, was born in Petersburg, and died in July, 1874, aged sixty-three years. His mother, whose maiden name was Ann J. Bragg, is still living in Petersburg. His wife, whom he mar- ried March 25, 1864, is Mary J. Hill, born in Dinwiddie county, the daughter of Green Hill, who died in 1865, aged sixty years. Her mother, also now deceased, was Mary Eldredge, a descendant of Pocahontas. Mr. and Mrs. Beasley have three sons: Edwin H., Perey and Hill, and one daughter, Mary E.
JUDGE DAVID MEADE BERNARD.
Judge Bernard was born in Petersburg, on May 11, 1840. His parents, both now deceased, were Virginians, his father, David Meade Bernard, born in King George county, and his mother, Sallie A. Feild,
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born in Brunswick county. His marriage was solemnized in Brunswick county, on December 21, 1870, by Revs. J. H. Morrison and O. A. Glazebrook, and his wife is Lutie B., daughter of Dr. Edward A. Mor- rison. She was born in Brunswick county, August 2, 1854. Dr. Mor- rison, her father, was born in Lunenberg county, Virginia, and is now deceased. Her mother, whose maiden name was Lucia B. Hackley. has been dead some years. The children of Judge and Mrs. Bernard are: Lutie M., Sallie F., Mary M., Willie M. (deceased), David M. and Rich- ard F.
Judge Bernard went to school in Petersburg until 1857, and then was sent to Hampden-Sidney College, where he was graduated in 1860. He entered the Confederate States Army in May, 1851, private in Company E, 12th Virginia Infantry, was transferred to 10th Virginia Cavalry in 1864, and served through the war; was wounded on March 31, 1865, near Dinwiddie C. H., and captured at Richmond, at the time of the evacuation. After the war he returned to his home in Orange, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in Brunswick county in May, 1866. He practiced in that and adjoining counties until 1881, when he removed to Petersburg, where he was in practice until January, 1886, when he entered upon the duties of Judge of the Hustings Court of Petersburg, which position he is still filling.
GEORGE S. BERNARD.
The subject of this sketch was born August 27, 1837, in the county of Culpeper, Virginia, his father being David M. Bernard, for many years the clerk of the corporation court of Petersburg, and his mother Elizabeth M. Bernard, a daughter of Wm. Ashby of Culpeper county. The families of both parents are of English origin and have resided in Virginia for many generations.
In 1855 Mr. Bernard entered the University of Virginia, and was a student there for two years. Leaving college in 1857. he taught school in the county of Essex, Virginia, for nine months. In 1859 he was admitted to the Bar in the city of Petersburg. Upon the breaking ont of the late war he entered the military service and served as a member of the 12th Virginia Infantry, C. S. A. At the battle of Crampton Gap, Maryland, September 14, 1862, he was severely wounded and captured, and at the battle of Hatcher's Run, February 6, 1865, he was slightly wounded.
For several months immediately after the close of the war, Mr. Bernard was connected with the Petersburg Daily Express as a reporter. This position, however, in December, 1865, he gave up and devoted himself exclusively to his profession, which he has sinceactively pursued.
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During the last few years he has worthily filled several positions of public trust. Between 1870 and 1879 he was for several years a member of the city school board of Petersburg. From 1877 to 1879 he was one of the delegates representing the city of Petersburg in the legislature. Whilst a member of the General Assembly he took a prominent part in its proceedings, originating and successfully carrying through several important acts of legislation, among them the law requiring insurance companies to print the restrictive provisions in their policies in large type. For his services in this matter he was complimented by a caricature in an insurance journal, no mean tribute to the merits of thelaw, which, though popular with the policy holders, was at that time very objectionable to the insurance companies.
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