USA > Virginia > Virginia and Virginians; eminent Virginians, executives of the colony of Virginia, Vol. II > Part 30
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Mr. Davis was a lawyer by profession, engaged in practice many years. He was several years constable. During the war he acted as Receiver for the District where he lived, resuming practice at the close of the war, his death ensuing in the same year.
Mrs. Davis is a daughter of Abraham Fulkerson, an honored resident of Washington county through life, who served in the war of 1812, with rank of captain, and was a colonel of Virginia militia. He was a son of James Fulkerson, who came from Pennsylvania to make his home in Washington county. The mother of Mrs. Davis was Margaret, danghter of Samuel Vance. Samuel Vance came to Washington county in 1773. from. Frederick county, Virginia. In those early days he had many bouts with hostile Indians. In 1780 he joined Colonel Campbell's regi- ment, Continental army, and took part in the battle of Kings Mountain. He was a man of scholarly attainments, particularly well informed in ancient and modern history. He died in the eighty-ninth year of his age, at his home near Abingdon, where he had lived for sixty-five years. A brother of Abraham Fulkerson, Jacob, was killed by the Indians, in 1791.
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DAVID E. DEBUSK
Merchant of Glade Spring, was born in Washington county, eight miles south of the Springs, June 12, 1836. His father, Jacob- Debusk, and his grandfather, Elijah Debusk, were both born in Washington county, and were lifelong residents here, wheelwrights and farmers. The father of Elijah came to Washington county from Shenandoah county. The mother of Daniel E. Debusk was a Gentry of Johnson county, Tennessee, and related to Abraham Lincoln.
Near Glade Spring, October 25, 1866, David E. Debusk married Harriet Widener, who was born near her husband's birthplace, August 19, 1841. She died at Glade Spring, June 12, 1887, and her remains were laid to rest in the grounds of the Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member. She was the daughter of Reuben Widener, whose father settled in this county shortly after the war of 1776, and came of old Revolutionary stock, one of the name and family with Washington at the surrender of Cornwallis.
Mr. Debusk entered the Confederate service on July 25, 1861, Com- pany H, 37th Virginia regiment. At Kernstown, March 23, 1862, he was wounded by a musket ball in shoulder; at Chancellorsville he was wounded by grapeshot and again in same battle by bursting of a shell; at Gettysburg he received musket ball wounds in arm and leg; and his service in the field ended at Spotsylvania C. H., May, 1864, where he was captured, and after that held thirteen months at Fort Delaware.
DR. WILLIAM L. DUNN
Was born near Glade Spring, Washington county, on September 15, 1844. He is a son of Dr. Samuel Dunn, of Glade Spring, now eighty- three years of age, for sixty-one of these years an honored practitioner of medicine. The father of Dr. Samuel Dunn was Lieutenant William Dunn, of Old " Mad Anthony" Wayne's brigade, who came from Ireland at the age of sixteen years, entered the war of the Revolution with the battle of Bunker Hill, and fought in every battle of his brigade except Germantown, up to the surrender at Yorktown. Dr. W. L. Dunn is a greatgrandson of Major William Edmondson, who was second in com- mand at the battle of Kings Mountain, and whose wife was a sister of Gen. Zebulon Montgomery of Revolutionary fame.
With such ancestral blood, it is natural that the subject of this sketch should have made an honorable record in the late war. Enter- ing service in 1861, before he was seventeen years of age, he served one year as a private in the 1st Virginia Cavalry, then one year on medical staff at Richmond, and from that time to the close of the war as assist-
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ant surgeon 43d Virginia Cavalry, better known in the annals of the war as Col. John Mosby's Battalion of Partisan Rangers. Dr. Dunn had one brother in service a year, in Col. Peters regiment. Gen. Wm. E. Jones, killed at Piedmont, was his brother-in-law."
Near Glade Spring, October 12, 1868, Dr. William L. Dunn married Fannie Beattie. She is a daughter of Absolom Beattie, who married Eliza Davis, and was born near Glade Spring. Her father is a son of Captain William Beattie, who fought at Kings Mountain, and was the last survivor of that memorable battle.
ADAM DUTTON.
About the close of the last century, Adam Dutton, for whom the sub- ject of this sketch is named. came from Germany to America, located in Wythe county, married there, and reared a large family of children. One of these was a son, George Dutton, who married Sarah. daughter of Freidrich Copenhaver, also from Germany, and settled in Smyth county. George Dutton made his home in Smyth county after marriage, and his son Adam, subject of this sketch, was born in that county, near Chilhowie, on December 26, 1832. He married in Smyth county, at the residence and birthplace of his bride, March 18, 1858, Maria E. Robinson, born in August, 1838. The farm where they now reside was her birth- place, near Loves Mills, and she was a daughter of John Robinson, who cleared and improved the farm, and was a son of Geamsey Robinson. who died at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother of Mrs. Dutton also died on this homestead, at the age of seventy-seven years. Her maiden name was Sarah Allen.
Mr. Dutton was in service during the war, from June, 1861, to the close, in Company D, 4th Virginia Infantry, a regiment in constant and severe service, in the original "Stonewall" brigade, under General Lee in the Army of Northern Virginia. He was slightly wounded a number of times, receiving three of the wounds at Gettysburg. He had two brothers in service, William R., who died from exposure, in Kentucky, shortly after the battle of Fort Donelson, and James, severely wounded in the neck in Chancellorsville battle.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Dutton are seven living, two deceased : Sarah JJane C., John Franklin (deceased ), Mary N. R. F., George Lee. William, Cordelia, James Rufus, Mertie May (deceased), Charles Clai- borne.
WILLIAM W. EDWARDS: ESQ.
Born in Smyth county, Virginia, on the Edwards homestead where he now resides, September 9, 1836, has always lived in Smyth county,
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where he has filled with honor the office of magistrate for sixteen years, serving before, during and since the war.
He married, near Chilhowie, December 27, 1865, Rachel Maria Bonham, who was born on the 8th of November, 1839. Mrs. Edwards is a daughter of Joseph P. Bonham, an early magistrate and high sheriff of Smyth county, born in that county, the son of Hezekiah Bonham. Her mother was Mary, daughter of Robert Gollohon, also of Sinyth county.
Mr. Edwards' father was John Edwards, who came to Smyth county from Stokes county, North Carolina, where he was born, the son of Isaae Edwards. John Edwards served in the war of 1812, and his father had seven brothers in the Revolutionary war, who were in the battle of Guilford C. H., North Carolina. The mother of William W. was Elizabeth M., daughter of John N. Yanders, who came from Ger- many to Pennsylvania, then to Southwestern Virginia, settling first in Wythe county, then removing to Smyth county.
Many near friends and immediate relatives of Mr. Edwards were in the army of the South during the late war, among them a brother-in- law who served in King's Battery.
ABEL J. FLEENOR,
Born at Benham, Washington county, Virginia, September 15, 1847, is living in his native county, engaged in farming. He married near Benham, November 28, 1872, at the bride's residence and birthplace, Mary Louisiana Sproles, who was born February 7, 1855. Their children are four: Hugh James, Stephen D., Charles Somers and Mattio Catharine.
Elisha Fleenor, farmer, born and raised in Washington county, is the father of Abel J. His grandfather, Henry Fleenor, and his great grand- father, Nicholas Fleenor, were pioneer settlers of the county, coming from Pennsylvania. His mother is Rhoda C., daughter of George Lore, who came to Catawba county, North Carolina, from Germany. Mrs. Fleenor's father is a farmer near Benham, Thomas Sproles, son of James Sproles, whose father, Samuel Sproles, was an early settler in Washington county. Her mother was Elizabeth JJ., daughter of Charles Mann, who came to this county from Eastern Virginia.
In September, 1864, at the age of seventeen years, Abel JJ. Fleenor was conscripted into the Confederate Army, serving until the close of the war, Company C, 6th Virginia Infantry. He was slightly wounded by shell, in shoulder, in battle at Salt ville, October 2, 1864. His father served three months in the same company; was captured by Stone- man's men in February, 1865, but escaped.
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COL. J. H. FLEENOR.
Henry Fleenor, of German extraction, was one of the earlier settlers in Rich Valley, Washington county. His son James was born in Scott county, and in early manhood served in Virginia militia, rank of cap- tain. Later he became a minister, in the Lutheran faith ; he is still liv- ing, aged now eighty-two years. He married Catharine, daughter of Anthony Horn, who was a soldier of the war of 1812, an early settler in Washington county, and who died in 1863, aged eighty-two years. J. H., son of Rev. James Fleenor and his wife Catharine, was born in Scott county, Virginia, on the north folk of the Holston river, July 30, 1832.
He married in Scott county, December 2, 1852, Sarah A. Smith, who was born in Washington county, and raised in Scott county. Their children are eight living, Martin L., John H., Rachel C., Samuel M., Louisa V., Jas., R. E. Lee, Joel H. J. and Sarah A., and three now deceased : William Jas., Mary Angeline, Simon P. Mrs. Fleenor is a daughter of Samuel Smith, who was born in Rich Valley, and became a leading farmer and stockman of Washington county. Her mother was Rachel Stinson, raised near the Salt Works.
Col. Fleenor's business is farming, which he followed for many years in Scott county before making his home in Washington county. In Scott county he also filled various public offices : constable nine years; deputy sheriff two years; township clerk and treasurer one year; magis- trate six years, captain and lientenant colonel of militia five years. I Washington county he has been magistrate for five years, also.
He was one of four brothers in the army in thelate war, two of whom gave their life in service. He entered the army in August, 1862, and was soon commissioned captain of Company D, 7th Virginia battalion, Col. C. J. Prentiss commanding, and served until the close of the war. His brother Amos, quartermaster of the 48th Virginia regiment, was twice wounded in battle, captured April 6, 1865, held at Johnsons Island, in Lake Erie, returned home in August, 1865. Simon Peter, another brother, was killed at Frederick City, Maryland, during Lee's invasion of that State. He also served in the 48th regiment, as did the fourth 'brother, William HI., who was captured, and died in the Northern military prison at Elmira, New York, in 1863.
Colonel Fleenor is an A. F. & A. M .; member of Lodge No. 174 at Mendota, and Hon. member of Lodge No. 216, at Cove creek, Scott county, Virginia. Past Master of both Lodges and member of the Grand Lodge: also member of K. of H., Goodson Lodge, No. 2909, at Bristol, Tennessee.
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HON. ISAAC C. FOWLER,
Of Abingdon, Virginia, and clerk of the United States Circuit and Dis- triet Courts for the Western District of Virginia (at Abingdon), one of the three proprietors of the Great Natural Bridge and Tunnel in Scott county, Virginia, and since August, 1868, el tos an I proprietor of the Bristol News, Bristol, Virginia and Tennessee, was born at Jeff rio :- ville, Tazewell county, Virginia, September 2, 1331. During the list two years of the civil war, he served in the comm's ary department. Breckenridge's division. He was five years mayor of Goodson, 187)-5, was three times elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from Wash- ington county, in 1875, 1877 and 1881, and was Speaker of the House during his last term, 1881-1882.
His father was Dr. Thomas Fowler, of Co ke corn'y, Tennessa .. Tazewell county, Virginia and Monroe county, (row) West Virginia. His grandfather was Dr. Thomas Fowler of Parrott sville, Tennessee. His greatgrandfather was Thomas Fowler of Virgin a. So ith Carolina and Tennessee, whose father came from Englen I. The mother of Isa : C. was Priscilla Breckenridge Chapman, daughter of Ista: Chapman of Giles county, Virginia, who was a son of George Chapman, who carne to Giles county from Culpeper county, Virginia. She was born in Peas- isburg, Virginia, and died in December, 1881.
Isaac C. Fowler was married at Jeffersonville, Virginia, December 4, 1854, Rev. George W. G. Browner officiating clergymaa, to K za M :- Donald Chapman. She was a daughter of William Chapmm of G les county, who was a son of Issac Chapman, before me tio zed, and her mother was Nancy, daughter of Edward MeDona'd of Wyomingcoanty, Virginia, where he removed from Botetour coan'y, Virginia. Th. record of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Fowler is: Thoma . C., de. cas ! : Nannie Belle, now the wife of Stuart F. Lindsey of Harrisonburg, Vir- ginia, and has one daughter, Dawn Fowler Lindsey: Doa Willian, de- ceased : Beirne, dereased ; Mary Louise and Cilli Chop nin, living.
Mr. Fowler had two brothers in service through the late war: Alla Fowler, lieutenant of Lowry Battery, Army of Northern Virginia, severely wounded at Fishers Hill; Elbert Fov'es, seved in cavalas, captured at Moorefield, Virginia, September, 1361, imp ional it Ca no Chase, Ohio, nine months, until after the surren br. The former 'snov a practicing physician of Salt Lake City. The la ter viskl . las !la- ton, West Virginia, March, 1884, leaving a widow and tro soas, Bailey and Elbert, at Griffin, Georgia.
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C. E. FUQUA.
The subject of this sketch, one of the farming residents of Washing- ton county, was born in Bedford county, Virginia; on July 25, 1835. He married, at Big Spring, Virginia, June 22, 1858, Lucy Gordon, who was born near Salem, Roanoke county, Virginia, December 27, 1835. The record of their children is: Mary F., married Charles B. Stone, of Abingdon, on January 18, 1881, and died December 4, 1883; Frank M., died November 11, 1861, aged ten months; Eolia S. and Gordon C., living at home.
The father of Mr. Fuqua was Hezekiah Fuqua, of Bedford county, son of Joseph Fuqua, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and in battles of Brandywine and Cowpens. His mother was Sarah, daughter of Simon Noel, formerly of Bedford county. A number of the Noel family served in the war of 1812. The Fuquas were Huguenots, emi- grating from France under religious persecution, settling first in South Carolina. Mrs. C. E. Fuqua is a daughter of John Gordon, of Roanoke county, whose father was Isaac Gordon, of Manchester, Virginia. The Gordons of Virginia trace their ancestral line to a Gordon of Scotland, made a Peer by King Malcolm for bravery, serving after as a trusted guard of honor, near the person of the King. One branch of the Gor- don family emigrating from Scotland in colonial days, settled in Man- chester, another branch founded Gordonsville, Virginia. The mother of Mrs. Fuqua was Eleanor, daughter of John Zircle, of Roanoke county, the family coming from the Shenandoah valley.
C. E. Fuqua was six months in service in light artillery, C. S. A., in 1862, then discharged for disability, after that served as railroad super- visor. His brother C. T. Fuqua was killed in battle of Seven Pinos: another brother was killed in the seven days fighting around Richmond : still another was captured in 1865, and sent North as prisoner of war.
REV. THOMAS E. GARDNER
Was born, reared and married in Washington county, which has always been his home. His birth occurred near old Glade Spring, on July 7, 1827, and he was married near Seven-mile Ford, May 20, 1856, Rev. W. P. Bishop officiating clergyman, and Ellen E. Landsdowne his bride. The children of the union are: Maggie, deceased; William Preston, deceased; Anna Thomas; Edwin L .: Hattie J., now Mrs. Dickerson ; Virginia S., Mary Emma, Thomas E., George M., and Graham Lands- downe.
Mr. Gardner is a son of Jeremiah C. Gardner, who was born at. Geneva, New York, and was the son of George Gardner, who came from
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England, settled at Long Island, removed thence to Geneva, and later to Saltville, Virginia. The mother of Thomas E. was Margaret, daugh- ter of Major Thomas Edmondson, who served with that rank in the war of 1812, stationed for a time at Norfolk, Virginia. Major Edmond- son's father and two brothers were in the Continental Army, Revolu- tionary war, and in battle of Kings Mountain, North Carolina. Mr. Gardner's maternal grandmother was a Buchanan, descended from the Buchanan identified with the first settlements in Washington county.
His wife was born in Marion, Smyth county, Virginia, on Christmas day, 1835, the daughter of George T. Landsdowne of Pittsylvania county, Virginia, who is of the noble English family of that name, the house of which the Earl of Landsdowne is the head. Her mother was Anna Thomas, whose ancestors came to Virginia from Premboshire, South Wales.
The subject of this sketch entered the Confederate States service in 1863, in King's Battery of Virginia Artillery, with which he served till the close of the war. He had two brothers in the same service, in Texas regiments, and most of his relatives were in service, many killed, others wounded or otherwise injured. He is engaged in farming, and is also a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
His homestead is within one mile of Keywood, where Bishop Asbury held the first M. E. Conference West of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in May, 1788, the centennial of which event was celebrated May 13, 1888, at Ma-ha-naim, near the old conference grounds, and near Mr. Gard- ner's home.
CAPT. JACOB J. GIESLER.
The Geisler family is, as the name indicates, of German descent, and the founder of the family in America settled in Pennsylvania. From that State Adam Geisler, father of Jacob J., went to Sullivan county, Tennessee, with his father, abont 1810. In Tennesseee he married Mary M. Devault, whose father went from Pennsylvania to Tennessee about 1810, also. Jacob J., their son, was born near Piney Flats, Sullivan county, Tennessee, February 19, 1833. He has been many years a resi- dent of Washington county, Virginia, engaged in farming and milling, living at Meadow View. Since 1871 he has held the office of school trustee. At the residence of the bride's parents, where she was born, near Morrells Mills, this county, he married, December 10, 1856, Catha- rine D. Morrell. Their children are two sons, JJacob M., William H., and two daughters, Mary R., Nora E.
Mrs. Geisler is a daughter of Jacob Morrell, who was a native of Augusta county, Virginia, and whose father came from France to Vir- ginia at an early date. In 1827 Jacob Morrell married Mary A. Droke,
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of Sull'van county, Tennessee, bringing her to the Morrell home in Washington county.
From April, 1862, to April, 1865, Capt. Geisler was-in the Confederate States Ar ny, commanding Company F, 59th Tennessee Infantry. He was undes Pemtesto i at Vicksburg and Lee at Appomattox, and in much gall ant fi Id servi e received several ball and sabre wounds. His tvir brother. Hen'y D., was major of the same regiment, and killed near Abingdon, Dece mbe:, 1864, while resisting the advance of Stoneman's cavalry, in their raid on the salt works.
WYNDHAM R. GILMER
Was born at Hansonville, Russell county, Virginia, May 6, 1843, and is no v one of the farming residents of Washington county. He is a son of the late Hon. Charles H. Gilmer, who represented Russell county in the Virginia legislature, in 1854, 1859, and 1861. He was a zeal- oJs States Right; min, and supported the Ordinance of Secession, passed d tring h's list term in the Lower House. He also served a long time in Russell county as commissioner of revenue and as magistrate. His father was the Rev. Wm. Gilmer, of the M. E. Church, an extensive Jind aal slive o vner, who at his death freed his slaves, and requested that n me of his childreni should ever own any. The father of Rev. Wm. Gilmer came to America from Ireland, settling first in Pennsylvania. then it Ru sell county, Virginia. The mother of Wyndham R. Gilmer was Frances, di igator of George Gose, of Russell county, an early set- 11. r the o. IL g a idmother was captured by Indians in that county.
The firs' wie of Wyn lham R. Gilmer was Ellen, daughter of T. P. Capa, of Abing In. Sie w is born in 1842, they were married Febru- ary.25, 1360, and she died March 18, 1873. Two children were born of thi : union : Lou W. an 1 Earl H., the latter now deceased.
In Pulaski comty, Virginia, December 19, 1877, Mr. Gilmer married Magge Cel, who was boa in that county, October 18, 1857. Their chill 'en we e bern in the order named : HowardC., Bessie May, Maggie P., Robert C., John Baker, Fred. Garland, the latter now deceased.
T. K. Cecil, of Pulaski county, is the father of Mrs. Gilmer. He is a son of Roy. John Cecil, of the M. E. Church, Holston conference. Her mother is Priscilla, daughter of Rev. Richard Buckingham, of the M. E. Church, Botetourt, in which church three of his sons are ministers. also.
Mr. Gihner entered the Confederate Army in the fall of 1862. Compa- ny G. 29th Virginia regiment, serving mostly in Virginia, wounded at. Five Forks. April 7, 1865, at that time sergeant-major of the regiment. . A brother, John W., served in the Confederate States Artillery, under Con. Joe Johnston, and another brother, Arnold P., was captain in the
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Virginia Reserve forces. John W. wasaccidentally killed while hunt- ing, near home, in December, 1866.
JOHN G. GOBBLE, -
Farmer and carpenter, of Washington county, Virginia, was born in this county, on November 1, 1818. His father, who now lives with him, is William Gobble, born in Washington county April 12, 1792; he was a member of the Light Horse Cavalry, but not called into action, in the war of 1812. His mother was Elizabeth, daughter of Christo- pher Gobble of Maryland, who served under Washington in the Revolu- tionary war, and who was a half-brother of Frederick Gobble, who is buried on the north fork of the Holston river. The paternal grand- mother of John G. Gobble, Jemima Linder, lived to be 102 years old, died and was buried at Moccasin Gap. Her mother was a sister of Isaac Newland, whose wife and children were captured by Indians on the north fork of the Holston.
At Moccasin Gap, September 16, 1840, John G. Gobble married Sarah Phelps, who was born there, November 17, 1824. Their children are ten : Elizabeth, Martha J., M. P., Mary C., William C., Julia A .. Robert I., Sarah C., Eglantine T., George W. Mrs. Gobble is the daughter of .Martin Phelps, of Moccasin Gap, whose father was Samuel Phelps of Russell county, Virginia. Her mother is Eda, daughter of Henry Countis of Washington county, formerly of Eastern Virginia.
Mr. Gobble has held public office one term as magistrate, two years constable. In 1863 he was conscripted, reported, and being over mili- tary age was assigned to the enrolling officer's guard, where he served eight months, then was discharged.
GARDNER GRANT.
Gardner Grant, born in Washington county, near the present site of Osceola, April 27, 1813, was a son of James Grant, who came to the county from North Carolina, in 1796, and whose father, also named James, was the son of the founder of the family in America, who came from the Highlands of Scotland. The mother of Gardner was Jeanette, daughter of Archibald MeGinnis, who was born in Ireland, married Mary Scott, in that country, and with her came to America.
In Franklin county, Virginia, October 6, 1836, Gardner Grant married Mary Holland, who was born in that county, September 24, 1816. Their children were born in the order named : Peter Holland, Virginia Frances, James Taliaferro, Sarah Lettie, Lucinda Jeanette (deceased), Mary Ann, Robert G. Olayadell, Laicy Elizabeth, Mattic (deceased). The parents of
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Mrs. Grant were both of Franklin county, Peter D. Holland and Farmy (Hancock) Holland. She died July 15, 1888, and was buried in Bethel Cemetery, near her old home.
Through the years that Virginia formed a part of the Confederate States government, Mr. Grant was postmaster at Osceola. In 1878 he was appointed to the same office, and is still so serving. His second son, James Taliaferro, was seventeen months in service, Company H, 37th Virginia Infantry, C. S. A., then in the 6th North Carolina cavalry till the close of the war. Mr. Grant's nephew was captain of Company H, 37th Virginia regiment, then in the 1st Virginia cavalry.
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