Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography

[Pages 129-131]
Blair Banister, a New York insurance broker, was born at Huntsville, Alabama, July 24, 1866. He is the son of John Monro and Mary Louisa (Brodnax) Banister, daughter of General William Brodnax, of "Kingston," Virginia, whose wife was Ann (Withers) Brodnax, also of Virginia. His father, John Monro Banister, was born at "Battersea," Petersburg, Dinwiddie county, Virginia, March 14, 1818, died March 25, 1907. He was an Episcopal clergyman, and was graduated from Princeton University with the degree of A. B. in 1840. He received the degree of LL. D. from the Fredericksburg Law School in 1842, and was later a graduate of the Virginia Theological Seminary. He became a Doctor of Divinity of William and Mary College in 1869, and from 1868 to 1907 was a trustee of the University of the South, at Sewanee, Tennessee.
The Banister family is English in origin, and the name has been variously written Banester, Banaster and Banister. The name in the form of Banaster occurs in Holinshed's Roll of Battle Abbey. Camden derives it from Balneator, the keeper of a bath. It also resembles a term used in the parish accounts of Chudleigh, county Devon, and supposed to mean a traveler in distress.
Distinguished among the ancestors of Blair Banister was John Banister, botanist and naturalist, who was born in England, and died in Virginia in 1692. He was an English clergyman who, after spending some years in the West Indies, emigrated to America, and settled near Williamsburg, Virginia. Later, he patented seventeen hundred and thirty acres of land on the south side of the Appomattox river, at Hatcher's Run, where he established his home. Here he devoted himself almost exclusively to botanical pursuits, and wrote a natural history of Virginia. He was killed by a fall from a bluff near the falls of the Roanoke river while on a botanical expedition. To the second volume of Ray's "History of Plants" he contributed a catalogue of plants discovered by him in Virginia. Among his other publications are: "Observations on the Natural Productions of Jamaica," "The Insects of Virginia" (published 1700), "Curiosities of Virginia," "Observations on the Musca lupus," "On Several Sorts of Snails," and "A Description of the Snakeroot, Pistolachia, or Serpentaria Virginiania." Copies of many of his articles were made for Congress, and are in the Congressional Library. As a naturalist John Banister was esteemed the equal of Bertram. At his death (according to Allibone's "Dictionary of Authors") he left his large collection of manuscripts and curios to his friend, Sir Hans Sloane, celebrated naturalist, of Chelsea, London. It is a matter of record that when Sir Hans Sloan died his wonderful collection of manuscripts, curiosities and objects of natural history became, by his will, the nucleus of what is now the British Museum. Thus the final disposition of John Banister's collection has been authentically accounted for.
The first John Banister had a son, also named John Banister, who was born and died in Virginia, and who is several times spoken of in Bristol parish register as Captain John Banister He was a vestryman of Bristol parish, 1735-40, and of Bath parish, 1742. He married and had a daughter, Martha, born 1732, and a son, John (3), born 1734.
This son, John Banister (3), built and lived at "Battersea," at Petersburg, Virginia, where he died in 1787. He received a classical education in England, studying law also at Temple Bar, London. Before the breaking out of the revolutionary war he was a member of the Virginia house of burgesses. Early in the revolution he was a member of the state assembly, and of the Continental Congress, from March 16, 1778, to September 24, 1779, in both New York and Philadelphia; ans was also one of the framers of the Articles of Confederation in 1781.As a lieutenant-colonel of Virginia cavalry, under General Lawson, he took an active part in repelling the British from his state. It is said that on one occasion he supplied a regiment of soldiers with blankets at his own expense. Several of his letters are preserved in the Bland papers, Petersburg, Virginia, 1840. In his later years he was the proprietor of a large estate.
He married Ann Blair, daughter of John Blair, president of the Virginia council (who was a son of Dr. Archibald Blair, and nephew of James Blair, D. D., founder of William and Mary College) and Mary Monro, daughter of Rev. John Monro, of Williamsburg, Virginia. By this union there was a son, John Monro Banister, who married Mary Burton Augusta Bolling, daughter of colonel Robert Bolling (IV), of "Centre Hill," Petersburg, Virginia, and nad several children of whom John Monro Banister, D. D., of Huntsville, Alabama, father of Blair Banister, was one. A descendant of John Banister, was William C. Banister, who was killed at the battle before Petersburg, Virginia, June 9, 1864, in the "Old Men's Brigade," which went out to defend the city against the Union army.
Blair Banister, the present Virginia representative of the family, was educated at private schools at Huntsville, Alabama, and at the University School at Petersburg, Virginia. He was an insurance agent at Lynchburg, Virginia, for several years, afterwards traveling extensively in the insurance business. He went to New York in 1911, and engaged in business there as an insurance broker. His brothers and sisters are as follows: Robert Bolling Banister, born at Greensboro, Alabama, August 17, 1854, died in 1889; Dr. John Monro Banister Jr., a graduate of Washington and Lee University with the degree of A. B. in 1874, and of the University of Virginia with the degree of M. D. in 1879, colonel in the United States army, member of the Army and Navy Club of New York, and hereditary member of the Cincinnati; Lieutenant-Colonel William Brodnax Banister, of the United States army; Reginal Heber Banister, of Birmingham, Alabama; Anne Withers Banister, residing at Lynchburg, Virginia; Mary Louisa Banister, who married Sterling Sidney Lanier, of Birmingham, Alabama; Augusta Bolling Banister, who married Robert Slaughter, of Lynchburg, Virginia; Ellen Gordon Banister, who married Gustav Stalling, also of Lynchburg.
Blair Banister is a member of the Empire State Society, Sons of the American Revolution. He is also a member of the "Virginians" of New York, and of the "New York Southern Society." In politics he is an independent Democrat, and in religion he is affiliated with the Presbyterian Episcopal church. He married, March 2, 1893, Marion Langhorne. daughter of Major Robert Henry Glass, of Lynchburg, Virginia, and Meta (Sandford) Glass, of Fayetteville, North Carolina. There has been one daughter of the marriage, Margaret Sandford Banister, born at Lynchburg, Virginia, June 19, 1894.

[Pages 131-132]
George Gordon Battle, a New York lawyer, is a representative of the Battle family of North Carolina, and one of the most distinguished and numerous families of the state.
(I) The American ancestor and founder of the family in this country was John Battle, of Pasquotank county, North Carolina, who was a planter on the Pasquotank river as early as 1663. Very little is known regarding the events of his career, or regarding his origin. He was probably from Ireland.
(II) William Battle, son of John Battle, was born in Pasquotank county, North Carolina, in 1682, early left an orphan and reared by his guardian in Nansemond county, Virginia, and resided there for the greater part of his life, esteemed and honored in the community. By his marriage to Sarah Hunter he was the father of a number of children, among whom was Elisha, of whom further.
(III) Elisha Battle, son of William Battle, was born in Nansemond county, Virginia, January 9, 1724, died in Edgecombe county, North Carolina, March 6, 1799. He resided for the greater part of his life in Edgecombe county, North Carolina, removing to Tar river in 1748. He was active and prominent in the public affairs of North Carolina, representing his county in the legislature for twenty consecutive years; was state senator during the revolutionary war, and afterwards, until 1787, with the exception of two years, was a member of the provincial congress which met at Halifax, and which formed the state convention at Hillsboro, in 1788, which met to deliberate on the ratification of the constitution of the United States, and was often chairman of the committee of the whole; was an active factor in drawing up the constitution of North Carolina, and for a number of years served in the capacity of justice of the peace and also as chairman of the court of common pleas and quarter sessions. About the year 1764 he joined the Baptist church and continued a consistent and zealous member of this organization until his death, serving for twenty-eight years as deacon. He married, in 1742, Elizabeth Sumner, granddaughter of William Sumner, a planter in Virginia, whose grandson, Jethro Sumner, was a brigadier-general in the continental army under General Washington. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Battle: 1. Sarah, married (first) Jacob Hilliard, (second) Henry Horn Jr.; had a daughter Elizabeth, who married William Fort. 2. John, died in 1796; married Frances Davis. 3. Elizabeth, married Josiah Crudup, third son Josiah Crudup, was a member of congress from 1821 to 1823. 4. Elisha, born in 1749; married Sarah, daughter of Benjamin Bunn. 5. William, born November 8, 1751, died in 1781; married, about 1774, Charity Horn. 6. Jacob, of whom further. 7. Jethro, born 1756, died in 1813; married Martha Lane. 8. Dempsey, born 1758, died 1815; married, in 1784, Jane Andrews.
(IV) Jacob Battle, son of Elisha Battle, was born in Maryland, April 22, 1754, died April 1, 1814. He married, July 21, 1785, Mrs. Penelope Edwards, nee Langley. Children: James Smith, of whom further. Lucy; Marmaduke; Thomas; Elizabeth, married, in 1814, Dr. Cullen Battle.
(V) James Smith Battle, son of Jacob Battle, was born June 25, 1786, died July 18, 1854. He married (first) January, 1812. Mrs. Temperance Fort, daughter of Jethro Battle (Tempy Battle), and (second) December 3, 1812, Sally Harriet Westray, daughter of Samuel Westray. Children: Marmaduke; William S., married Elizabeth Dancy; Turner Westray, of whom further; Cornelia, married John S. Dancy; Mary Eliza, married (first) William F. Dancy, (second) Dr. N. J. Pittmann; Martha, married Kemp P. Battle; Penelope, married W. R. Cox.
(VI) Turner Westray Battle, son of James Smith Battle, was born in Nashville, North Carolina, February 6, 1827. He was the owner of "Cool Spring Plantation," Edgecombe county, North Carolina, and was a man of prominence and influence in the community. He married, May 1, 1850, Lavina Bassett Daniel, daughter of Judge Joseph J. Daniel, who was for sixteen years judge of the superior court of North Carolina, and later, for the same period, was a judge of the supreme court of that state. He was a distinguished jurist, and was held in high esteem throughout the state. He was a member of the Daniel family of North Carolina and Virginia, representatives of which have been noted in the professions and in commerce, and have filled many important offices in the nation and state. Among the children of Mr. and Mrs. Battle was George Gordon, of whom further.
(VII) George Gordon Battle, son of Turner Westray and Lavinia Bassett (Daniel) Battle, was born at the home of his parents, "Cool Spring Plantation," Edgecombe county, North Carolina, October 26, 1868. He received his education at Hanover Academy, in Virginia; at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, and Columbia University, New York City. He was graduated at the University of Virginia in 1889 with the degree of Master of Arts. While at the University of Virginia, Mr. Battle served as the editor of the "College Magazine." In January, 1890, he began his course of study in law at the Columbia University Law School, acting at the same time as law clerk, and in 1891 was admitted to the bar. On the recommendation of the faculty of Columbia University Law School, he was appointed as an assistant district attorney by De Lancy Nicoll, then district attorney of the county of New York, in 1892, and he served in that capacity until 1897. His work consisted in the presentation of cases to the grand jury, the drawing of indictments, the trial of cases and the preparation and argument of appeals. He participated in the Carlisle Harris case and other notable prosecutions. No indictment drawn by him was ever successfully attacked on demurrer. After the termination of the term of Mr. Nicoll, he was reappointed by Colonel John R. Fellows, and on the death of Colonel Fellows the latter was succeeded by Hon. William M. K. Olcott, and Mr. Battle resigned, although Mr. Olcott requested him to continue in office.
He formed a partnership with his associate, Hon. Bartow S. Weeks, also an assistant district attorney and afterwards a justice of the supreme court of New York, under the name of Weeks & Battle. Mr. H. Snowden Marshall, afterwards United States district attorney, soon became a member of the firm, which continued in practice for some years under the name of Weeks, Battle & Marshall, and among the notable cases conducted by this firm was the case of Roland B. Molineaux, who was on trial for alleged murder. Judge Weeks withdrew from the firm, which continued as Battle & Marshall until 1911, when United States Senator James A. O'Gorman, upon his retirement from the bench of the supreme court and election to the United States senate, became a member of the firm. The firm continued as O'Gorman, Battle & Marshall until Mr. Marshall became United States district attorney and withdrew. Mr. Almuth C. Vandiver then became a partner, and the firm still continues as O'Gorman, Battle & Vandiver, at No. 37 Wall street, New York City, where it is engaged in the general practice of law.
Mr. Battle has been active in pollitics having been a consistent Democrat, and was the candidate of that party for district attorney of the county of New York in 1909, his successful opponent being Hon. Charles S. Whitman. He was chairman of the committee on speakers of Tammany Hall. He has also been interested in and identified with military affairs, serving for five years as a member of the Seventh Regiment, National Guard of New York, retiring in 1896.
Mr. Battle attends the Episcopal church, and is a vestryman of the Church of the Ascension in New York. He is a member of the Bar Association of the City of New York; of the New York State Bar Association; of the New York County Lawyers' Association; of the Southern Society, of which he has been president for two terms; and "The Virginians," of which he has been governor during the year 1912-13. He is president of Parks and Playgrounds Association of the City of New York, as well as a member of many other civic societies. His clubs are the Metropolitan, Calumet, St. Nicholas, National Democratic, The Lawyers, Stock Exchange Luncheon and the Oakland Golf.
Mr. Battle married, in Richmond, Virginia, April 12, 1898, Martha Bagby, daughter of Dr. George W. and Lucy Parke (Chamberlayne) Bagby. Mr. and Mrs. Battle reside at No. 152 East Thirty-fifth street, New York City, and have a summer home at "The Campbell Field," near Rapidan, Orange county, Virginia.

[Pages 132-134]
Rev. Russell Cecil, D. D. The year 1900 witnessed the beginning of the present connection between Dr. Russell Cecil and the Second Presbyterian Church of Richmond. Dr. Cecil, a scion of an old Pulaski county, Virginia, family, but a native of Kentucky, obtained both his classical and theological training at Princeton, the former in the university, the latter in the seminary, and from the time of his ordination into the ministry of the Presbyterian church until 1900 Kentucky and Alabama were his fields of endeavor. The past fifteen years he has passed as pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church of Richmond, and here his ministry has been rewarded with abundant fruits. A fine and willing spirit exists in the congregation, their co-operation with the plans and labors of Dr. Cecil is all that could be desired, and under his capable and enthusiastic leadership the church has become a powerful instrument for good in the city, its activities finding outlet through its numerous internal organizations.
(I) Dr. Cecil is a grandson of Zachariah W. Cecil, born and died in Pulaski county, Virginia, where he passed all his active years in farming. He married Julia, daughter of Major Daniel Howe, a prominent citizen of Pulaski county, sister of the mother of Governor Hoge Tyler, and had children, all deceased: Russell Howe, of whom further, Giles, Zachariah, Daniel R., Julia.
(II) Russell Howe Cecil, son of Zachariah W. and Julia (Howe) Cecil, was born in Pulaski county, Virginia, October 27, 1815, and died at Harrodsburg, Mercer county, Kentucky, April 27, 1890. In his early life he was a merchant, later retiring to a fam in Kentucky. He married Lucy Ann Phillips, of Monticello, Kentucky, and had seven children, of whom four are living at this time: Micajah Howe; Russell, of whom further; John Giles, a prominent and noted physician of Louisville, Kentucky, died in that place; Julia, married Dr. J. M. Dalton, deceased, of Harrodsburg, Kentucky; Sue Ellen, married R. S. Bohon, of Decatur, Illinois; and two who died in infancy.
(III) Dr. Russell Cecil, on of Russell Howe and Lucy Ann (Phillips) Cecil, was born in Monticello, Wayne county, Kentucky, October 1, 1853, and when he was five years of age his parents moved to Mercer county, Kentucky, where from the age of five to seventeen years he attended school. After thorough preparatory study he matriculated at Princeton University and was graduated in 1874, teaching school for one year before returning to Princeton to take up theological studies in the seminary. These he completed in 1878, and his first charge after his ordination was at Nicholasville, Kentucky, where he remained for six years, afterward serving the Central Presbyterian Church at Maysville, Kentucky, for three and one-half years. In 1889 he was elected pastor of the Presbyterian church at Selma, Alabama, which he served for eleven and one-half years, then accepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church, of Richmond, where he has since been pastor. The relation is of the pleasantest and both pastor and people recall vividly and with pleasure the close communion and the mutual inspiration of the past fifteen years. Dr. Cecil holds a place in the hearts of his congregation that will never be granted to another, and together they will never be granted to another, and together they have labored with result for the extension of the Kingdom. Dr. Cecil has been honored with several positions of importance by his church. Before coming to Virginia, he was president of the board of directors of the Columbia Theological Seminary, of South Carolina, 1898-1900. During the years 1911-1912 he was moderator of the East Hanover Presbytery, of the synod of Virginia, and of the general assembly of the Presbyterian church in the United States, holding all three offices at the same time, a unique experience in the history of the Presbyterian church. At the present time (1915) he is a member of the council of the Reformed churches in America holding the Presbyterian system; and also a member of the executive committee of the council of federation of Protestant churches in America. He will also represent the Presbyterian church of the United States in the world conference on faith and order. The degree of D. D. has been conferred upon him by his alma mater, Princeton University, and also Southwestern Presbyterian University, of Clarksville, Tennessee.
Dr. Russell Cecil married, in New York City, January 19, 1881, Alma Miller, born in Richmond, Kentucky, September 2, 1858, daughter of Dr. Lafayette and Carrie (Embry) Miller, both deceased. Dr. Lafayette Miller died during the war between the states while serving in the medical corps of the Confederate army. Children of Dr. Russell and Alma (Miller) Cecil: Russell Lafayette, born Mo 13, 1881, a prominent physician of New York City, connected with Columbia University and the Presbyterian Hospital; John Howe, born May 2, 1881, a wholesale paint dealer of Richmond; Alma Miller, born December 28, 1886, married Lucius Falkland Cary; James McCosh, born June 2, 1891, editor of "Richmond," the official journal of the city of Richmond, married Alston Drake, of Richmond; Elizabeth Barnett, born March 6, 1900, lives at home; Mary Campbell, died in infancy.

[Pages 134-134]
Julius Joseph Hulcher, M. D. The family of which Dr. Hulcher, of Richmond, Virginia, is a member, was founded in Virginia by Joseph H. Hulcher, who came hither from his home in his native land, Tyrol, Austria-Hungary. Dr. Hulcher is a member of the third American generation of his family, grandson of the immigrant, Joseph H. Hulcher. Joseph H. Hulcher married Mary A. Beckampfer, and had five sons, William, Joseph Henry, of whom further, Thomas, Lewis and Frank, of whom the first and last are deceased, the remainder residing in Richmond, Virginia.
Joseph Henry Hulcher, son of Joseph H. and Mary A. (Beckamper) Hulcher, was born in Virginia, March 19, 1852, the city of Richmond his birthplace, and here he resides at the present time. After completing his education he learned the machinist's trade which he successfully followed. In 1886 he became a member of the Richmond police force, and now serves as a guardian of the peace in his native city. Joseph Henry Hulcher married Victoria Pohl, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, now residing in Richmond with her husband, daughter of Tobias and Anna (Reymeier) Pohl. Joseph Henry and Victoria (Pohl) Hulcher have had six children, one of whom died in infancy; Frank, a journalist of Norfolk, Virginia; Joseph, an engineer, resides in Richmond; Dr. Julius Joseph, of whom further; Annie, twin of Dr. Hulcher, resides in Richmond, unmarried; Clara, married S. J. Cunningham, of Richmond, Virginia.
Dr. Julius Joseph Hulcher, son of Joseph Henry and Victoria (Pohl) Hulcher, was born in Richmond, Virginia, September 23, 1887. His academic education was obtained in the John Marshall High School and Richmond College, and he afterward entered the University College of Medicine, whence he was graduated M. D. in the class of 1911. For one year and a half he was connected with the City Hospital, one year as interne, six months as surgeon, and at the end of that time he established in general practice in Richmond. Dr. Hulcher's office is at No. 2001 Main street, and to this place he has already attracted a desirable clientele, and is well on the high road to professional prominence. He affiliates with the various medical societies, and in political action is a Democrat. Dr. Julius Joseph Hulcher married, in Washington, District of Columbia, October 14, 1913, Clara L. Herzog, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of Charles and Katherine (Glanker) Herzog, both of Cincinnati.

[Pages 134-135]
Harold Solomon Bloomberg. Two generations of lawyers, father and son, have made the name Bloomberg an honored one in the court and public annals of Richmond, Virginia, the son holding the distinctive honor of being the object of a special act of the legislature of Virginia authorizing him to practice law prior to attaining the required age of twenty-one years.
Solomon L. Bloomberg, the father, was born in Yorkville, South Carolina, in 1859. He obtained his classical education in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the family moving to that city while he was still a boy. Later he located in Richmond, where he studied law at the University of Virginia. After his admission to the Virginia bar, he entered into partnership with Major John Johns and practiced for some time as Johns & Bloomberg. After the association was dissolved, he practiced alone until after the admission of his son, Harold S., to the bar, practicing with him until 1905 when he retired. He was for many years an active, influential member of the Democratic party, was a member of Richmond common council for a number of years, and when he retired from that body was its honored president. He rose to high honors in the Masonic order, and at the present time is past master of Fraternal Lodge, No. 53, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; past high priest of Chapters Nos. 3 and 32, Royal Arch Masons; past high priest of the Grand Chapter of the State of Virginia, Royal Arch Masons; and is held in high esteem among his Masonic brethren. He is connected with various fraternal orders, in all of which he has held high official position, including the Royal Arcanum, being past grand regent of the Grand Council of Virginia, and past regent of a local lodge, and an ex-member of the Supreme Council. He is an ex-president of the Jefferson Club of Richmond, and a leading, official member of the Jewish Congregation of Beth Ahabah of Richmond. He has been a member of the board of managers for many years and the treasurer of the congregation.
Mr. Bloomberg Sr. married, in 1880, Alice Ezekiel, born in Richmond, Virginia, in 1860, daughter of Naphthali Ezekiel, of New York, and his wife, Rebecca (Levy) Ezekiel, of Richmond, Virginia, daughter of Jacob and Martha (Ezekiel) Levy. The original heads of both the Ezekiel and Levy families in this country came from Portugal via Holland, leaving Portugal at the time of the Inquisition, and from Holland coming to America. Children of Solomon L. and Alice (Ezekiel) Bloomberg: Harold S., of further mention; Edna, married A. B. Lichtenstein, of Tarboro, North Carolina; Amy, married Edwin N. Ezekiel; Clarence S., Alma and Louis S.
Harold S. Bloomberg was born in Richmond, Virginia, May 21, 1881. He passed through the various grades of the Richmond public school, and was graduated from the high school, class of 1897, winning a scholarship in Richmond College for the highest standing among the male students. At that college in his junior year, he competed with the seniors for the Edward Thompson prize, and won the contest, being the only junior to enter. His thesis was "Effect of infancy as a defence to an action on the case for misrepresentation," and was considered by the judges as worthy of the prize, a set of American and English Encyclopedia of Law, valued at $250. He was graduated from Richmond College, B. L., class of 1900, and the following year (July, 1901) was admitted to the bar, although but twenty years of age. He was admitted, however, through a special act of the legislature, authorizing him to practice law before reaching the age of twenty-one years, subject to an examination by the judges of the court of appeals. This examination he successfully passed, and at once began practice with his learned and honored father, continuing until the latter's retirement. In 1910 he formed a partnership with Alvin B. Hutzler, and is now engaged in lucrative practice as senior member of the law firm, Bloomberg & Hutzler. He is local attorney for the Virginia Railway and Power Company, counsel for the Central National Bank, and assistant counsel for the Richmond branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, secretary for the Mutual Savings and Security Corporation, and has been admitted to practice in state and federal courts of the district.
Mr. Bloomberg served for a number of years in Company B, First Regiment of Virginia Infantry, Walker Light Guard. He is a member of the congregation of Beth Ahabah in religion, and a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Independent Order of B'nai Brith; past president of Rimmon Lodge, Richmond, and second vice-president of the District Grand Lodge, No. 5, embracing the states from Maryland to Georgia; member of the Neighborhood Home Association, also of its board of managers, Jefferson and Business Men's clubs of Richmond, and lawyer member of the Richmond Rotary Club, of which he is also a member of the board of managers.
Mr. Bloomberg married, in 1900, Claire H. Kahn, born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, daughter of Joseph and Fannie (Hutzler) Kahn. Joseph Kahn, a member, has other children: Sarah, who married Howard Liveright, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; and Solomon H. Mr. Bloomberg's residence is at No. 701 Noble avenue, Ginter Park, a popular suburb just outside the city of Richmond.

[Pages 135-136]
Harry A. Brinkley. Nansemond county was the early Virginia seat of the Brinkley family, now represented in Portsmouth by Harry A. Brinkley, of the Virginia bar. He descends from William Brinkley, whose commission as captain of the Third Company of a North Carolina regiment in the revolution bears date of April, 1776.
(II) Jacob Brinkley, son of Captain William Brinkley, was a planter of Nansemond county, Virginia. He married Sally Cunakan.
(III) Admiral Brinkley, son of Jacob and Sally (Cunakan) Brinkley, was born in Nansemond county, Virginia, and there died in 1849, a planter, slave owner, man of wealth, influence and education. He married Abeele Griffin.
(IV) Admiral (2) Brinkley, son of Admiral (1) and Abeele (Griffin) Brinkley was born in Nansemond county, Virginia, in 1850. The famly fortune and estate being sadly impaired by the war of 1861-65, he was compelled to seek his own path in life and after obtaining a good education, in the home schools, he located in Portsmouth. He chose a mercantile life, beginning as clerk, but after becoming thoroughly familiar with business methods and detail, interested a partner and became junior partner of the wholesale grocery firm, Riddick Brinkley, in Norfolk, Virginia. After several years of successful business, this firm was reorganized as a corporation. A. Brinkley & Company, of which Mr. Brinkley is the capable president. He married, in 1876, Laura, daughter of Bassett B. and Elizabeth Jane (Grimes) Warren.
(V) Harry A. Brinkley, only child of Admiral (2) and Laura (Warren) Brinkley, was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, April 25, 1877, obtained his early education in Portsmouth schools, then attended Norfolk Academy. Later he entered Virginia Military Institute, leaving there to enter the law school of the University of Virginia. There he pursued a full course of legal study and was graduated LL. B., class of 1899. After graduation he chose Spokane, Washington, as the scene of his first essay in practice, but the attraction of his Virginia home prevailed and after a short but successful stay in Spokane, he returned home and began practice in Portsmouth. He has won his way at this, one of the strong bars of his native state, and has a most satisfactory practice in all state and federal courts of the district. He is a member of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association and is highly regarded among his professional brethren. He is a director and attorney of the First National Bank of Portsmouth, and the Industrial Loan Corporation.
Through the patriotic service of his revolutionary sire, Captain William Brinkley, he has gained membership in the Sons of the American Revolution; is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, is a Mason, and in political faith is a Democrat. In 1907 he was elected captain of the historic "Grimes Battery" of Portsmouth, now known as "Battery C," First Field Artillery, Virginia National Guard. This rank he yet holds, having been a member of the battery since 1907.
Mr. Brinkley married, October 23, 1901, Mary Thompson, of Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of John and Emma (Williar) Thompson; she is a direct descendant of Elizabeth Chew and of the Bruces and Bowies, of Maryland.

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William Dabney Duke. The Duke family came originally from England, and is typical of the best character of that strong and dominant race, which formed the foundation upon which has since been constructed the composite citizenship of the United States, in safety, thanks to its sterling strength, and has filled our history with most of those great names, associated with the birth and development of the nation.
(I) John Duke, the paternal great-grandfather of William Dabney Duke, the subject of this sketch, was the first of the name to come from the "Mother Country" to America. He settled in Frederick county, Virginia, in the seventeenth century. One branch later moved to Hanover county, in the same State, and there founded the home which remained for many years that of his descendants.
(II) Thomas Taylor Duke, a son of John Duke, was born in Hanover county, Virginia, and followed the occupation of farming. He married Mary Netherland, and by her had ten children, all of whom are now deceased.
(III) Francis Johnson Duke, eldest son of Thomas Taylor and Mary (Netherland) Duke, was born in Hanover county, Virginia, in 1842. In his youth he became connected with a railroad, and continued in that business for the remainder of his life. At the age of twenty-five years he removed to Richmond, Virginia, and there made his home until his death in December, 1905. Mr. Duke was connected with the telegraph service of the Confederate aremy, in which he served during the civil war, and was taken prisoner and confined at Point Lookout until the close of hostilities in 1865. He became associated with the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac railroad, in 1868, and later rose to the position of treasurer, Francis Johnson Duke married Lucy Burton Williamson, who was also a native of Hanover county, Virginia. Mrs. Duke was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (De Jarnette) Williamson, of that county. Mr. Williamson was a farmer all his life and the father of six children, of whom Dabney Williamson, now a resident of Richmond, and Lucy Burton (Williamson) Duke are the only survivors. Mrs. Duke is now a resident of Richmond. To Mr. and Mrs. Francis Johnson Duke were born eight children, five of whom are living, as follows: Frank W., of Richmond, now the superintendent of the Mechanics' Institute of that city; William Dabney, of this sketch; Thomas Taylor, a lieutenant in the United States army; Cora De Jarnette, now Mrs. Thomas A. Lewis, of Granville, Ohio, Mr. Lewis occupying the position of professor in the Denison University; Lucy Williamson, who lives unmarried with her mother.
(IV) William Dabney Duke, third child of Francis Johnson and Lucy Burton (Williamson) Duke, was born December 11, 1872, in Richmond, Virginia. He was educated in the local public schools, which he attended through the high school in preparation for a college course. He then matriculated at Richmond College in Richmond, and graduated therefrom with the class of 1894, with the degree of Bachelor of Science. His father's life-long experience in railroad matters naturally turned his thoughts and inclinations in that direction, but prior to attending college he occupied a clerical position with the Richmond Locomotive and Machine Works, of Richmond, from 1888 to 1891. In 1894, after his graduation, he became associated with the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac railroad, with which his father had been for so many years, first taking a position as stenographer under Major Myers, the president of the company. He continued in this work for six years with Major Myers, and then, in 1901, was given the position of general manager of the system. Mr. Duke was only twenty-eight years of age when he was thus put in charge of a railroad, a mos t conspicuous tribute to his capacity and skill, to say nothing of industry, which he had displayed from the outset. The competent manner in which he filled the post of general manager is evidence by the fact that five years later he was promoted to the position which he holds to-day, that of assistant to the president.
The Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac railroad and the Washington Southern railway, as the complete system is called, is the direct line between the capital of Virginia and the National Capital. It forms thus one of the most important links in the great chain of railroads which binds the south into an industrial unit. Besides this material importance, it also possesses for the people of the United States a sentimental significance surpassed by no railroad in the country, in virtue of the many points of historic and romantic interest along its line, cities, towns, hamlets, associated with the dearest and most stirring episodes and traditions of the American people. From Washington the line runs along the Potomac river, passing the home of General Lee at Arlington, passing Alexandria, where is located historic Christ Church, where the unaltered pew of George Washington still stands, near Mount Vernon, through Fredericksburg and so on to Richmond, with its glorious and tragic associations. It is upon the official staff of this railroad that Mr. Duke holds his important post.
Mr. Duke has not, however, confined himself to the interests of his business, a policy which has narrowed so many of the great figures in the financial and industrial world. On the contrary, he has given generously of both time and energy to the affairs of the member. Always keenly interested in public affairs, of both national and local significance, he has entered the latter with his characteristic enthusiasm, and made himself a force in local matters. Possessing a great and well deserved popularity, he was elected to the office of mayor of Ginter Park, which office he held when that charming suburb was annexed to Richmond in November, 1914.
William Dabney Duke married, September 21, 1904, at Wake Forest, North Carolina, Jane E. Taylor, a native of that place, where she was born in 1883. Mrs. Duke is the daughter of Charles E. and Mary H. Taylor. Mr. Taylor is a distinguished scholar, was president and is now a member of the faculty of Wake Forest College. Mrs. Taylor is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Duke are the parents of three children, as follows: Francis Johnson, born March 6, 1906; Mary Hinton, born September 28, 1908; William, born May 2, 1914. Mr. and Mrs. Duke are members of the Baptist church, and are active in the work of the congregation.

[Pages 138-140]
Hancock Lee Bragg, a prominent business man of New York City, was born at Petersburg, Virginia, February 23, 1874. His father was William Albert Bragg, who was born at Petersburg, Virginia. In 1844, and his mother was Elizabeth Madison (Lee) Bragg, daughter of John Hancock and Fanny Madison (Willis) Lee, of Orange county, Virginia. William Albert Bragg was a tobacconist at Richmond, Virginia, a great part of his life, and served as a lieutenant in a Virginia regiment of the Confederate army during the civil war. On his mother's side Mr. Bragg is a scion of the distinguished Lee family of Virginia, and is connected with other families whose names occur frequently in the history of that state.
On the maternal side Mr. Bragg is descended from Richard Lee, usually described as "the Colonel," the American founder of the Lee family, who settled in Virginia in the early part of the seventeenth century, and died there probably early in 1664, certainly before 20, 1664. He made several voyages to England bringing back settlers whom he settled on land improved at his own expense, finally making his home in Northumberland county, Virginia. He married one Anna, who after his death married (second) Edmund Lister. Among the children of Richard and Anna Lee was Hancock, ancestor of what has been called the "Ditchley" branch of the family to which Mr. Bragg through his mother belongs.
Hancock Lee, son of Richard and Anna Lee, was born in 1653, probably at Dividing Creeks, in Northumberland county, and died May 25, 1709, being buried at "Ditchley," where his tombstone can still be seen with its inscription perfectly legible. This burying ground was used by this branch of the family for several generations, probably until the estate was sold in 1789 to Colonel James Ball Jr., whose descendants own it to-day. Hancock Lee is supposed to have settled in Northampton at the time of his first marriage in 1675, and to have returned to Northumberland county about 1686. The record of the public positions held by him, perhaps only partial, seems to agree with this supposition. He was justice for Northampton county, in 1677, and held a similar position in Northumberland in 1687 and 1699, and was also a burgess for Northumberland county in 1688. A list of civil offices, dated June 3, 1699, names him as the "Naval Officer and Collector of Virginia Dutys in Northumberland County;" another list of the date of 1702 mentions him as a justice, showing him to have been in commission at the time of his death. The Northern Neck land records show that Hancock Lee patented land in Richmond county, on both sides of Rappahannock Horsepen Run and adjoining his own land, on the north side of Occoquan, in Stafford county, at the heads of the branches of Chapowamsie, in Stafford, and adjoining the land of Captain Thomas Harrison.
It has usually been stated that Hancock Lee built the old Ditchley mansion about 1687, but there is no evidence to substantiate this tradition. It is not eve positively known whether the immigrant lived at "Ditchley" or "Cobb's Hall." Hancock Lee's will was made December 31, 1706, and was probated at Northumberland Court House, July 20, 1709. Of Hancock Lee, Bishop Meade wrote: "That He was a patron of the Church is shown by the fact that he presented a communion cup to the parish in 1729. In honor either of himself or father, or the whole family, the parish was called Lee parish, as may be seen by the inscription on the cup. It was often called Wycomico. After the downfall of the parish Mr. Joseph Ball placed this and other pieces into my hands for preservation, in the hope that the day might come when the old Lee and more modern Wycomico parish might call for it again." The cup is now in use in the old Wycomico church. He married (first) in 1675, Mary, the only daughter of Colonel William Kendall; and (second) Sarah, daughter of Colonel Isaac Allerton, of Westmoreland. Children: William, born prior to 1682, died young and without issue before 1706; Anna, prior to January 5, 1682, and was living as late as October, 1754, married (first) William Armistead, and (second) William Eustace; Richard, born August 18, 1691; (by the second marriage); Isaac, 1707, died in England in 1727; John, born probably in 1709, died August 11, 1789; Hancock, mentioned below; Elizabeth, born 1711, married Zachary Taylor.
Hancock (2) Lee, son of Hancock (1) and Sarah (Allerton) Lee, was born in 1709, and died near Warrenton, in Fauquier county, sometime prior to August, 1789. He lived during the later years of his life at Warrenton, in Fauquier county, but when he settled there is not known. In 1729 a Hancock Lee patented three hundred and ninety-three acres in King William county, and sold four hundred in 1751 for one hundred and fifteen pounds sterling. One of the name was justice for King George county, in 1745. He married, in 1733, Mary, daughter of Colonel Henry Willis of Fredericksburg. Children: Willis, who went to Kentucky, in 1774; Hancock (3), mentioned below; John; Henry; Richard, died unmarried; Sarah Alexander, who married Colonel John Gillison; Mary Willis, died March, 1798, who married Captain Ambrose Madison.
Hancock (3) Lee, son of Hancock (2) and Mary (Willis) Lee, was born in 1736, and died in 1815. He was to all appearances a civil engineer by profession. He accompanied his elder brother, Willis Lee, and his cousin, Hancock Taylor, to Kentucky in 1771. By the latter's will he inherited lands in that state. He was also employed by the Ohio Company to survey their lands. George Mason, of Gunston, wrote: "Captain Hancock Lee and one Mr. Lee are returned from surveying the Ohio Company's two hundred thousand acres of land, and are now here making out their returns and settling their accounts, in assisting which I am closely engaged, as I wish to have everything as clear and as regular as possible." Captain Hancock Lee married Winifred, daughter of John Beale, of Westmoreland. Children: Arthur; Pamela; Mary Frances; Anne; Willis, mentioned below; Hancock; Thomas; Emeline, who married a Mr. Richards, and died without issue; Elizabeth, who married Captain Sangster of Fauquier county and also died without leaving any issue.
Willis Lee, son of Hancock (3) and Winifred (Beale) Lee, married Mary Richards. Their children were: John Hancock, mentioned below; Mary Willis, who married Thomas Scott Ashton, who was born in 1803 and died in 1873, the sixth and youngest son of Major Lawrence Ashton and Elizabeth (Scott) Ashton, his wife, residing in Fauquier county.
John Hancock Lee, son of Willis and Mary (Richards) Lee, was born in 1805, and died in October, 1873, being buried at Montpelier, in Orange county. Though born in Fauquier county, Mr. Lee spent the greater part of his life in Orange county, which county he represented for many years in the Virginia assembly. He was educated at Princeton, and later studied law at the University of Virginia. Being in attendance at the latter institution when Lafayette made his visit there he was chosen to welcome the distinguished Frenchman on the part of the students. He married (first) Mary, daughter of Dr. John and Nellie Conway (Madison) Willis; (second) Fannie, daughter of Lewis and Lucy (Madison) Willis; and (third) Mary, daughter of Sydney Jones, of Petersburg. Children: 1. Letitia, married Dr. Robert Madison and had Letitia and Mary, who died young. 2. Nellie Conway, born in 1826, and died in 1875. 3. Lewis Herman, born March 7, 1849, died July, 1849, died July 30, 1878; married, October 12, 1876, Georgia Garland, daughter of the Rev. J. S. Hansborough, and had one daughter, Mary Madison, born March, 1878. 4. Elizabeth, or Lizzie Madison, married William Albert Bragg of Richmond; children: Hancock Lee, mentioned below; Elise Calvin; Fannie Madison.
Hancock Lee Bragg, son of William Albert and Elizabeth Madison (Lee) Bragg, was educated in public and private schools of Richmond, Virginia, where he prepared for college. When he was old enough he entered Richmond College, and remained in that institution for a period of two years. At the end of that time he entered into business life and became connected with the Richmond Tobacco Company, subsequently leaving that firm to join the firm of Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company of Richmond. He left that company to go into the tobacco leaf business with his father, having by that time also travelled as representative of T. C. Williams & Company, manufacturing tobacconists. Afterwards he was general bookkeeper for the Merchant's National Bank, Richmond, Virginia, filling that pot for a period of four years. He then became connected with the Sterling Varnish Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, becoming also one of its board of directors, an office filled by him during a space of seven years, at the end of which time, in 1905, he came to New York City. There he formed a connection with the firm of Emil Cralman Company, dealers in varnishes and japan being now manager of the insulating department. Mr. Bragg is a member of the Southern Society of New York City, the Railroad Club, and the Phi Delta Theta. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religion belongs to the Protestant Episcopal church. Mr. Bragg's sister, Fannie Madison, married George Small, of York, Pennsylvania, their children being: Elizabeth Lee, Katherine, and Anna. Mr. Hancock Lee Brag is himself unmarried.