Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography

[Pages 322-323]
James Ira Pritchett. A resident of Danville, Virginia, from his seventeenth year, Mr. Pritchett has risen from the ranks of the employed to the head of large commercial interests employing many men, and to the presidency of one of Danville's strong financial institutions, the First National Bank. This rise in the commercial world has not been lucky turns of fortune's wheel, nor through influence in high places, but each advance was won on merit and a business ability that brought success where others stood still, or were backward. A farmer boy until sixteen years of age, Mr. Pritchett brought to Danville the strong heart, quick brain and clean body of the ambition country lad, and in the battle for a foothold in the business world won his standing in open competition with those who seemingly possessed great advantages over him. He has fairly won the commanding position he now occupies, and there is no man in Danville held in higher esteem.
James Ira Pritchett was born at the Old Valley Hill homestead of the Pritchetts, in Halifax county, Virginia, November 10, 1856. He is the son of Ira A. Pritchett, born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, September 12, 1820, died on the same date, 1898, a farmer of Halifax county, and a Confederate veteran of four years' service. He married Caroline Ferrell, born in Halifax county, Virginia, who bore him two sons, James Ira, and Samuel M. Pritchett, a shoe merchant of New York City.
James Ira Pritchett remained at the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, and obtained his education in the local schools. He then became clerk in the general store of A. B. Fowlkes & Brother. W. J. Fowlkes, for whom Mr. Pritchett worked as a boy, is now assistant cashier of the bank of which Mr. Pritchett is president. He spent less than a year in this store, then located in Danville, Virginia, where he entered the employ of P. W. Ferrell, a tobacconist. He remained with Mr. Ferrell eight years, acquiring business experience and some capital, both of which he later employed in a business venture of his own. He was Twenty-fifth years of age when he established a grain and feed business in Danville, which he pushed to a successful issue, and which has been the foundation on which he erected his later larger and varied business enterprises. This business was later turned over to, and is now managed by the. founder's son, James Ira (2).
In the thirty-three years that have elapsed since he first started in business for himself, Mr. Pritchett has been identified with many business enterprises of Danville and vicinity, with many of these yet retaining active interest and control. He is a director of the Riverside and Dan River Mills; director of the Danville Traction and Power Company; director of the Danville and Western Railroad Company; director of the Crystal Ice and Power Company, and of the Morgan Iron and Pipe Company, of Lynchburg, Virginia. He is a member of the company, Pritchett & Son; president of the Dan Valley Mills since 1893; president of the Piedmont Mills at Lynchburg since 1903, and a member of Pritchett & Company, millers, of Lynchburg. His wise executive ability has safely guided the companies over which he presides to safe business havens, and as a director of the other companies, he has ever been a tower of strength. He has the progressive, yet conservative, spirit that blends so well in modern business life, where the temptation to unwisely expand has brought many an otherwise stout financial craft to wreck and disaster. In August, 1913, he was elected president of the First National Bank of Danville, an institution of solid financial standing, but with which he had not been officially identified hitherto. This bank, capitalized at $200,000, shows a unique condition, having a surplus fund equal to its capital stock. This record of thirty-three years of business activity merely outlines the more important connections, while the smaller but more numerous enterprises with which he has been prominent, and the many he has aided by capital and advice, cannot be given. He has been a public spirited promoter of Danville's best interests and an important factor in her development. His life has been one devoted to business, political life having had no attractions for him although as an Independent in political action he has neglected none of the duties of a good citizen. He is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Pritchett married, in Danville, June 12, 1881, Eleanor A. Hickson, born in Strathroy, Canada, but living in Virginia since childhood. Children: Richard H., born October 29, 1881, now a manufacturer of Baltimore, Maryland; James Ira (2), born September 7, 1883, manager of the grain and feed firm, Pritchett & Son.

[Pages 323-324]
Samuel Dawson Puller. Son of a planter and slave owner of Gloucester county, Virginia, Samuel Dawson Puller, after four years of military effort, accepted manfully the great change in conditions that resulted and with all the energy of his great nature, began the rebuilding of his fortune. How well he bore his part in the rebuilding of a new South and in retrieving his own fortunes in the quarter of a century of active life left him this brief story of his life will tell.
Samuel Dawson Puller was born in Gloucester county, Virginia, June 11, 1840, died August 12, 1892, in Norfolk, Virginia, son of Samuel Dawson and Mary (Hall) Puller, of Gloucester county, wealthy plantation owners, worked by slave labor. He was educated under private tutors and passed his minority in the usual manner of the young Virginian of his day. At the outbreak of the war between the states, he enlisted in the Fifth Regiment Virginia Cavalry, and fought for the Confederacy during four years of strife and bloodshed that followed the attack on Fort Sumner. He was wounded several times, received many promotions, was aide on the staff of General Thomas L. Rosser, and when the end came was ranking as colonel, although he had not been commissioned. He was a gallant officer and true soldier of Virginia, risking his life freely and promptly wherever and whenever duty called. After the war ended he returned to Gloucester county and, amid the wreck of home and fortune, began a new battle, less dangerous perhaps, but for years equally strenuous and full of privation. In time he regained his footing and opened a general store at Gloucester Court House and there conducted a successful mercantile establishment until 1880. In that year he disposed of his business interests at Gloucester and located in the city of Norfolk, where in association with his brother-in-law he established the brokerage firm, Puller & Duncan. After a few years as a broker he retired from the firm and organized the Old Dominion Creosote Company, of which he was general manager and the directing head. Here he displayed qualities of executive and business ability that brought forth successful results, the company advancing in strength and importance with each succeeding year. He passed twelve successful years in Norfolk, attaining high standing in the business world and holding high position in the civic life of his cty. Always a Democrat, he became prominent in party councils and as an earnest public spirited citizen, sought the best means of adding to the commercial and civic importance of Norfolk. He served in both common and select council for several terms, was police commissioner and ranked as a party leader. He did not employ his influence and popularity for personal profit or elevation, but for the cause of good government and had his career not been cut short by death would have risen to greater heights of usefulness in public life. He was interested in all phases of city life, was a member of the Business Men's Association, supporting or leading every movement of the association for the betterment of Norfolk's business interest. He was a member of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church and loyal to his obligations as a churchman. He was a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Botetourt Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Gloucester county, Virginia, and in all these was held in highest esteem, for there he was best known. So his useful life passed with no duty neglected, no opportunity allowed to pass by, years adding strength to his character and ripened judgment and supplanted youthful enthusiasm. He won all men to him by his manly life and attractive personality and died universally regretted.
Mr. Puller married, February 5, 1873, Helen (Ella) Pearson Duncan, daughter of James and Mary Francis (Franklin) Duncan, granddaughter of Thomas and Helen (Gilson) Duncan, and maternal granddaughter of George and Margaret Dale (Heuston) Franklin. Margaret Dale Heuston was a daughter of Robert Heuston and granddaughter of Sir Robert Dale, of Westmoreland, England. James Duncan was born in Perth, Scotland, in 1821, died 1895. He was a son of Thomas Duncan, of Lundie, architect to Lord Dunmore, his son James being born in Lord Dunmore's castle, at the time Thomas was there engaged. Thomas Duncan, an elder brother of James Duncan, was chief engineer of the city water works of Liverpool, England. He married, February 22, 1848, Mary Frances Franklin, born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1823, died in 1888, at Elmington, Gloucester county, Virginia, daughter of Joshua Franklin, who was a son of Rev. George Franklin and Mary de Lacy Evans, sister of Sir de lacy Evans. In 1849 James Duncan and his bride came to the United States, he engaging in mercantile business in New York City. There his finely educated mind, clear brain and wonderful foresight carried him to the front rank among the men of his day. In 1851 he located in St. Louis, Missouri, and continued his business there until 1870. He was the owner of a plantation of one thousand acres in Virginia, called "Elmington." This plantation he sold for a very large sum. He was a member of the Episcopal church and a man of noble character. Child of Samuel Dawson and Helen Pearson (Duncan) Puller: James Duncan, born December 1, 1873, married February 3, 1904, Minnie Bolling Dismukes, of St. Augustine, Florida; children: Elizabeth Dismukes, born November 17, 1906; James Duncan Jr., May 18, 1908; Samuel Dawson, April 6, 1910. Mrs. Helen Pearson (Duncan) Puller survives her husband, residing at 246 West Freemason street, Norfolk.

[Pages 324-326]
Winston Parrish. His father an eminent physician, his grandfather a prominent lawyer, Mr. Parrish comes rightly by the professional instinct, which caused him to qualify as a classical instructor and as an attorney-at-law. He is a great-grandson of Barlett Parrish and a grandson of James R. Parrish, a noted attorney-at-law, who died in Helena, Arkansas. James R. Parrish's first wife, Sarah (Ferguson) Parrish, bore him an only child, by his second wife he had two daughters.
James Parrish, only child of James R. and Sarah (Ferguson) Parrish, was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, September 30, 1839, died there January 25, 1894, an eminent physician and surgeon. He prepared at Professor Webster's Academy, then pursued a course of professional study at the University of Virginia, whence he was graduated M. D. Later he took post-graduate courses at the University of Railroad, also received the degree of Doctor of Medicine from that institution. He remained in Railroad until the outbreak of the war between the states, and served on the house staff of Bellevue and Brooklyn hospitals. In 1861 he returned to Virginia and enlisted as a private in the Confederate army. He was soon commissioned surgeon, and was later made brigade-surgeon of Chambliss' brigade. He served four years in the army and when the war was over returned to Portsmouth and there, until his death in 1894, was successfully engaged in honorable medical practice. He was learned and skillful in his profession and for several years was a member of the state board of medical examiners. HE belonged to the local, State and American Medicine societies, kept in close touch with all advancement in medical knowledge and was highly regarded both professionally and socially. He ever had a warm regard for his old comrades in arms, fraternizing with them as a member of Stonewall Camp, United Confederate Veterans. In politics he was a Democrat, but his profession was his mistress and he never deserted her for public office.
He married, in 1865, Alice Toomer, who bore him nine children: 1. Charles T., born in 1867, now a practicing physician of Portsmouth; he was educated at Norfolk Academy, McCabe's University School, University of Virginia and the medical department of Columbia University, New York, class of 1890; he was interene at Mt. Sinai Hospital and Manhattan State Hospital for some time, and finally returned to Portsmouth, where he is now in successful general practice; he is a member of the County, Virginia State and American Medicine societies, belongs to the Masonic order and affiliates with the Democratic party; he married, in 1894, Octavia Reed, and has a daughter Octavia, born in 1910. 2. James S., born in 1870, and is now engaged in the lumber business; unmarried. 3. Hugh F., born in 1872; a practicing physician in Portsmouth. 4. George Ross, born in 1874; was educated at Pantops' Academy and the University of Virginia, attending the latter institution during the year 1891-92; he then engaged in the insurance business in Portsmouth until 1897, then entered the employ of the Merchants' and Farmers' Bank, where he is now teller; he married, November 20, 1901, Ola Coleman; children: James and Mary Coleman. 5. Winston, mentioned further. 6. Edward J., born in 1878; is in the employ of the Seaboard Air Line, stationed at Charlotte, North Carolina; he married Georgia Lowe, and has three children: Edna, Edward J., Jr., and Isaac Lowe. 7. Wortley, born in 1789, died at the age of four years. 8. Frederick, born in 1881, died in 1909. 9. Alice Toomer, the youngest child and only daughter, was born in 1884; married Edward C. Oldfield, an employee of the United States government.
Winston Parrish was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, July 7, 1876. He obtained his preparatory education in Norfolk and after graduation from Norfolk Academy in 1892, entered the University of Virginia whence he was graduated in 1896 with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts. He was for a time after graduation in the employ of the Seaboard Air Line, then taught school in North Carolina, later was assistant principal of Portsmouth high school and later taught in Norfolk. He abandoned teaching as a profession in 1901 and entered the law department of the University of Virginia, whence he was graduated Bachelor of Laws and admitted to the Virginia bar in 1903. He began practice in the latter year, locating in his native city, Portsmouth, conducting practice at first along general lines, but soon confining his business as far as possible to the law of real estate and chancery court practice. He is a member of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association, and also of the Fredericksburg State Bar Association; fraternizes with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and in politics is a Democrat.
Mr. Parrish married, April 28, 1910, Lue Cecil Browne, daughter of William B. and Charlotte (Reid) Browne, of Norfolk. Child, Charlotte Reid, born November 1, 1912.

[Pages 326-327]
Daniel Dodson Willcox, M. D. Professional circles of Petersburg, Virginia, have had as member for the past decade Dr. Daniel Dodson Willcox, who came to special practice in that city from Richmond, where his career as a practitioner was begun. After obtaining his M. D. from the University College of Medicine and after completing a term of service as interne in a New York institution, Dr. Willcox chose specialized practice in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and in those lines has been active since 1904.
Dr. Willcox was born at the old Willcox homestead, Flower de Hundred, on the James river, Prince George county, Virginia, where his ancestors have lived for more than two hundred years, beginning with the occupation of Littleberry Willcox and his wife. Dr. Willcox is a grandson of John Poythress and Mary (McGowan) Willcox, his grandfather passing his entire life on the old estate, where he died in 1856, aged fifty years, the father of John, William, Eliza, Susie and Robert Bolling. Eliza, who married John G. Dunn, is the only survivor of these children.
Robert Bolling Willcox, father of Dr. Willcox, and son of John Poythress and Mary (McGowan) Willcox, was born at Flower de Hundred, Prince George county, Virginia, October 6, 1847, and died November 9, 1914, his life of sixty-seven years filled with much of professional activity and honorable public service. He was educated for the legal profession, graduating in the law course of the University of Virginia, and for a short time after gaining admission to the bar followed his profession in Paducah, McCracken county, Kentucky. From the end of this period until his death he resided on the family estate, his life ending where it began. The need of the Confederate States government for men at the front caused him to enlist in the army, and shortly after entering the service he was captured by the enemy and confined for a lengthy period in a military prison at Elmira, New York. upon his return to the life of a civilian he caught up the broken ends of his professional practice, and started anew. From extensive service in offices of a local nature in Prince George county, including those of commonwealth attorney and justice of the peace, he was called to the broader opportunities and increased responsibility of state senator, and for two terms occupied a seat in the upper house of the legislature. His professional record was of the fairest, a deep knowledge of the law, keen perception, and ready speech winning him respectful consideration as an opponent at the bar. In the legislative halls of the state he spoke and voted for measures of whose worth he was convinced, allied always with right and justice; and he was no less faithful in the discharge of minor offices entrusted to his competent care.
Robert Bolling Willcox married Dora Dodson, born in Petersburg, Virginia, February 14, 1851, who survives him, living at Flower de Hundred with a daughter, Elizabeth. She is a daughter of Daniel Dodson and his wife, Elizabeth (Mason) Dodson, both natives of Petersburg, Virginia, Daniel Dodson for many years a banker of that place, where he died in 1879, aged fifty-five years. Daniel and Elizabeth (Mason) Dodson were the parents of eight children, of whom the survivors are: 1. Laura, resides in Petersburg, unmarried. 2. Dora, of previous mention, married Robert Bolling Willcox. 3. Margaret, married George W. Pegram, deceased. 4. Victoria, lives in Petersburg, unmarried. 5. Marian, married A. S. Weisiger, of Petersburg, Virginia. Children of Robert Bolling and Dora (Dodson) Willcox: 1. William, died aged twenty years. 2. John P., a salesman, died February 27, 1914. 3. Elizabeth, lives at the old home with her mother. 4. Dr. Daniel D., of whom further. 5. Robert B., a lawyer of Petersburg. 6. Lalor R., a civil engineer of Fredericksburg, Virginia. 7. Dennis H., a lawyer of Petersburg.
Dr. Daniel Dodson Willcox, son of Robert Bolling and Dora (Dodson) Willcox, was born at Flower de Hundred, Prince George county, Virginia, and spent his boyhood on the estate that has for so long been a family possession. Until he was nine years of age he attended the schools of the county, then began his studies in Woodbury Forest School, after which he enrolled at the Episcopal Male Academy at Houston, Virginia. He completed his preparatory courses at this institution, subsequently matriculating at the University College of Medicine, whence he was graduated Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1901. For one year he was interene in the Bellevue Hospital, New York City, at the end of that time returning South and for two years was connected with the Eye and Ear Infirmary at Richmond. Since 1904 Dr. Willcox has practiced in Petersburg, and in that city is known as a specialist and authority upon the eye, ear, throat and nose. He is popular among his fellows of the medical fraternity, enjoys an excellent practice, and holds worthy position among those of his professional brethren who devote themselves to those departments in which he has labored and achieved. Dr. Willcox is a communicant of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church, and holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Dr. Willcox married, in Richmond, Virginia, January 23, 1907, Blanche Morris Smith, born in Richmond, daughter of George A. and may (Morris) Smith. Her father was a partner in the Smith Courtney Hardware Company, and died in 1999, her mother having died soon after her birth.

[Pages 327-328]
Egbert Giles Leigh, Jr. There is no class of citizens more worthy of the respect and esteem of their fellows than those who labor earnestly to build up commerce and manufactures, who give employment and labor to, and consequently add to the population of the community, and whose efforts have been instrumental in the upbuilding of the commercial prosperity of Virginia and the entire south, and a prominent figure in this class is Egbert Giles Leigh, Jr., who was born at "The Glebe," Amelia county, Virginia, September 14, 1851, but has spent most of his life in the city of Richmond.
On all sides he descends from well known old Virginia families, and is closely related by blood to many others. The Leighs emigrated from England in the seventeenth century, but the destruction of the records of King William county, where the earlier generations lived, and of the valuable records, held by the family in Mississippi, prevents more explicit information. John Leigh lived in Prince Edward county, and a commission to him, dated 1759, issued as usual by the governor in the name of the reigning king (then George II.) is still preserved. The Claibornes trace to Colonel William Claiborne, secretary of state, member of council and commander in Indian wars, while the Eppes family goes back to Colonel Francis Eppes, who was a member of the assembly in 1625, and was appointed to the council in 1637. He had large grants of land in 1635, on a portion of which some of his Eppes descendants have lived to the present time. Another ancestral line was that of Isham, which traces to a long English pedigree. Other emigrant ancestors were Colonel Robert Bolling, member of the house of burgesses; Major John Smith, also a burgess; and John Wayles, a prominent lawyer, large landowner, and the father-in-law of Thomas Jefferson. Of the members of these ancestral families, a number rendered important service to the colony. Colonel William Claiborne was one of the best known in the Colonial period, and his son William was a colonel in Bacon's rebellion, but not on the popular side. As has been stated, Francis Eppes was a member of council, and his son, Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Eppes, was mortally wounded in 1678, while defending the frontier against the Indians. All the later members of the family were in the house of burgesses, and were officers in the militia. John Stith took such an active part in the troubles which led to Bacon's rebellion that he was disfranchised by Bacon's assembly.
Egbert Giles Leigh, Jr., was compelled by the loss of his father's property to leave Richmond College and to secure work as a clerk in a wholesale house at the age of sixteen years. Subsequently he became a manufacturer and coffee importer on his own account, and for a number of years past has been one of the most successful and prominent business men of Richmond. He was president of the Southern Manufacturing Company from 1891 to 1906; was a director of the First National Bank of Richmond; director and a member of the executive committee of the Richmond Trust and Safe Deposit Company, and director of the Bank of Richmond. He retired from the boards of national banks and declined invitations to serve on similar boards because, to use his own words, he found it physically impossible for any director to perform all the duties required of him by the national bank act, which he was sworn to perform, referring to the act of 1863, "which with all its crudities," survived until 1914, when the present currency law was enacted by Congress.
Mr. Leigh has ever been active in advancing and protecting the business interests of the state of Virginia and of the entire South Land, and through his personal efforts, as president of the Southern Merchants' Association, and his connection with numerous other commercial bodies, was an active factor in defeating the legislation which tended to discrimination and injustice to Virginia and southern ports, his personal efforts causing the withdrawal or defeat of bills in the national legislature which were unfair to the South, namely, the endeavor to eliminate Newport News as a coffee importing port, this port being able to reach all the South and Mississippi Valley States at less cost of transpiration. In this work he appeared before and addressed the Senate committees and expended large amounts of both time and personal means in order to obtain the desired end.
The high esteem in which Mr. Leigh is held by his fellow business men is shown by his election for three successive terms to the presidency of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce (of which he was frequently a board member), his appointment to the directorate of the National Waterways Association, and his election for five successive terms (1894-99) as president of the Southern Merchants' Association, composed of members from thirteen states. Mr. Leigh has also been vice-president of the Commonwealth Club, declined the presidency, and is now a member of the club, the Westmoreland Club, and the Country Club of Virginia. His interest in history is evidenced by membership in the American Historical Association and the Virginia Historical Society. He has once only voted against the candidates of the Democratic party, in 1908, when he voted against William J. Bryan and for William Taft for the presidency. From its inception in the seventies of the last century, under the leadership of Bland to the present day, he has been "utterly and unalterably opposed to free silver as a moral no less than an economic sin." Mr. Leigh is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church.
Mr. Leigh married (first) February 1, 1882, Lelia Virginia, daughter of Colonel William H. and Elizabeth (Amis) Palmer, and granddaughter of William and Elizabeth (Enders) Palmer. He married (second) July 16, 1902, Norvell Caskie, daughter of Philip B. Jones, of Orange county, Virginia, and Betty (Morris) Jones, of Charlottesville, and granddaughter of Philip B. and Elizabeth Taylor Armistead (Sutton) Jones. There were two sons, one by each marriage: The elder, William H. Palmer Leigh, of Richmond, a banker and broker, also member of the Sons of the Revolution, deriving his title from his great-great-grandfather Leigh. The younger, Egbert Giles Leigh (3), now (1915) a minor of eleven years.

[Pages 328-329]
Edwin Sidney Reid, succeeded his honored father, Edwin Sidney Reid, Sr., as president of the Bank of Chatham, Chatham, Virginia, upon the death of the latter and under his guidance the prosperity of that solid, conservative and financial institution has continued.
Edwin Sidney Reid, Sr., was born in Rustburg, Campbell county, Virginia, May 13, 1910. He was educated and lived in Campbell county until attaining his majority, then located in Chatham, ever afterward his home. He was commissioner of Chauncey, president of the Bank of Chatham, and intimately concerned in the important industries of the county and town. His was a strong, upright and manly character and in the upbuilding of Chatham he bore a conspicuous prat. He was a Democrat in politics, taking active part in public affairs, and as chairman of the county committee wielded a strong influence. He was also for many years member of Chatham town council. He married Sarah Tunstall Scruggs, of Pittsylvania, who survives him, a resident of Chatham; children: Langhorn, now of Kansas City, Missouri, connected with the Parker-Gordon Cigar Company; Edwin Sidney (2), of whom further; Belle, residing in Chatham; Leverett, died aged four years; Elizabeth, residing in Chatham; Leslie Bennet, died in 1908, aged eighteen years; Nancy Whitehead, residing in Chatham; Richard Jones, with T. D. Martin, engaged in the tobacco business in Chatham; Beverly Mumford and Maury, at school.
Edwin Sidney Leigh, Jr., was born in Chatham, Virginia, March 11, 1883. He was educated in the public schools and Eastman's Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York, and began business life in the Bank of Chatham, becoming assistant cashier, January 1, 1905, an in May, 1910, succeeding to the presidency on the death of his father who had held that position many years. This bank, capitalized to $25,000, has a surplus and undivided profit fund of $100,000 and ranks fifth among the two hundred and seventy-five state banks of Virginia. In 1905 the bank building was destroyed by fire, and in 1906 was reopened in new quarters erected near the old site, the finest business block in Chatham, the bank department being specially designed and modernly equipped. President Reid has other important business associations in Chatham, and is interested in the Riverside and Dan River Cotton Mills, of Danville, and a director of the Big Axe Coal and Coke Company, of that city. He is a Democrat in politics, a member of the executive committee of the state committee and since 1910 has been a member of Chatham town council. He is a vestryman of Emanuel Protestant Episcopal Church, and vice-president of Chatham Episcopal Institute taking deep and active interest in the welfare of church and school. He is a prominent member of the Masonic order, belonging to Pittsylvania Lodge, No. 24, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons; Chatham Chapter, No. 56, Royal Arch Masons; Danville Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templar; and Accacia Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also a member of Danville Lodge, No. 227, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
Mr. Reid married, October 26, 1910, at Fort Mills, South Carolina, Frances Harriet, born there, daughter of Dr. James Henley Thornwell, a Presbyterian divine and chaplain in the Confederate army, now deceased as is his wife, the mother of his ten children. Children of Edwin S. and Frances H. Reid: Frances, born February 18, 1912; Edwin Sidney (3), October 7, 1913.

[Pages 329-331]
Whitmell Pugh Tunstall. From 17 until 1836 Pittsylvania county, Virginia, had three clerks of court, whose aggregate term of service was eighty-five years. Their terms were continuous, beginning in 1767 with William Tunstall, who served forty-five years, until 1836, then retired in favor of his son, William H. Tunstall, who served sixteen years, until 1852, then resigned because of removal to the state of Mississippi. All accounts agree that the Tunstalls were admirable clerks, respected and beloved by the people.
William Tunstall, the first of the noted trio of clerks, above mentioned, was a son of Richard and Ann (Hill) Tunstall, and when Pittsylvania was created from Halifax county in 1767, was chosen its first clerk, serving for twenty-four years. He married Elizabeth Barker, daughter of Colonel Thomas Barker, of Edenton, North Carolina. Among their children were Ann Eliza, mentioned below, and William, mentioned below.
Ann Eliza Tunstall, eldest child of William and Elizabeth (Barker) Tunstall, son of Edmund and Ruth (Vickory) Tunstall. Edmund Savage Tunstall and his eldest brother, William, were educated in a school at Danville; while on their way to school one morning, they met with a Continental army recruiting officer, and both boys volunteered for service in the army, sending the negro home with the carriage. They expected to be together, but that same evening William was assigned to the Southern army, and the brothers never saw each other again until the close of the war; Edmund Savage was at the battle of Lundy's Lane, in Guilford Court House, and he was also in other engagements, being with General Washington at Yorktown when General Cornwallis surrendered. Children of Edmund Savage and Ann Eliza Tunstall: 1. William Vickory, born December 19, 1785; he learned the printing business under his uncle, Thomas Todd, in Nashville, Tennessee; he married Dorothy Hall Vaughn, who bore him eleven children, the third of whom was Thomas Barker, born in Petersburg, Indiana, April 6, 1820, at the present time (1914) a resident of Crockett, Texas, who has been blind for the past fifteen years. 2. Thomas Barker, who was a lawyer by profession and served an apprenticeship in the office of his uncle, William Tunstall; he was always called "Uncle Buck;" he served as secretary of the state of Alabama, for a number of years; he died in 1842, at the home of his brother Dr. Peyton Tunstall, in Baldwin county, Alabama, and was laid to rest in Montpelier cemetery. 3. Elizabeth Kearney, who married (first) John Hilliard, by whom she had several children, the oldest of whom was Dr. Robert Hilliard, who married Mary Walker. After the death of John Hilliard, Elizabeth Kearney Hilliard married (second) Dr. Joseph Arrington, by whom she had three children, one son and two daughters; her son was named Edmund Tunstall Arrington. 4. George Brooks, who with his brother, William B., learned the printing business in the office of their uncle, Thomas Todd, in Nashville; George Brooks went to Pensacola, Florida, an there he met the wealthy heiress, Louise Tate, married her and became the father of Thomas Tate Tunstall, born August 8, 1823, who was United States consul to Cadiz, Spain, when the civil war began and who now lives in Mobile, Alabama; George Brooks died in 1842 and was laid to rest by the side of his brother, Thomas Barker. 5. Dr. Peyton Randolph, married Anne Arrington, who became the mother of Virginia Clay Clopton, who now lives in Huntsville, Alabama, authoress of "A Belle of the Fifties," which is an account of life in Washington prior to the civil war and when her husband, clement C. Clay, was senator from Alabama; her mother died a few days after her birth, and her father left her with her people and joined the army, where he served as surgeon until his death of yellow fever in Pensacola, Florida, in 1857. 6. Dr. Edmund Savage, who at the age of sixteen was with General Jackson in the battle of New Orleans; he died in 1841 and was laid to rest in Montpelier Cemetery. 7. Ruth Vickory, married John Mitchell, who was killed; she was the mother of five children; the last heard of the family they were living in Morgan county, Alabama.
William (2) Tunstall, son of William (1) and Elizabeth (Barker) Tunstall, succeeded his father as clerk of the county court and circuit superior court of law and chancery. He was a model of fidelity and accuracy in his official as well as in his private business, and no man of his day commanded more respect or confidence. He was of medium size, with a benignant, intelligent face, unpretending in manner, always calm and remarkable for his neatness and good taste in dress. Although the burden of the work of the offices in the latter years fell upon his deputy, who was also his son and successor, William H. Tunstall, he personally and faithfully superintended the business of the offices until 1836, having served forty-five years. He died two years later, in 1838. He married Sarah Pugh, daughter of William and Winifred (Hill) Pugh. They had two sons and four daughters: 1. William H., who succeeded his father in both offices, removing to Mississippi in 1852. 2. Thomas George, married Sarah Sullivan. 3. Whitmell Pugh, of whom further. 4. Winifred Hill, became thwe wife of Colonel Nathaniel Wilson. 5. Elizabeth Barker, became the wife of Colonel George Townes, one of whose daughters, Emily, became the wife of Colonel A. P. Buford, who was the president of the Richmond & Danville railroad. 6. Ann, became the wife of Samuel Tunstall. 7. Sallie Pugh, who became the wife of Dr. Anderson, and removed to Texas.
Whitmell Pugh Tunstall, son of William (2) and Sarah (Pugh) Tunstall, was born in April, 1810, in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, died February 19, 1854, a life of fulfillment but of great promise cut short in its prime. He was a member of the Virginia house of delegates and as patron of the bill to charter the Richmond & Danville railroad should ever hold the grateful love of his state. This bill introduced by Mr. Tunstall in April, 1838, and supported by him in a wonderful speech, prophetic in its vision, strong in its reasoning and most eloquent in its phrasing, was brought to successful issue nine years later, March 8, 1847. In a letter to his brother-in-law, Colonel George Townes, written one hour after the passage of the bill by the senate, without amendment, he said: "'Tis the proudest day of my life and I think I may now say I have not lived in vain. It is regarded under all the circumstances as the greatest achievement ever made in the Legislature. * * * We have had to fight singlehanded and alone and against our own country. * * * 'Tis great indeed and shows what one man can do. I think I may say that I have made Pittsylvania, Henry, Franklin, Patrick, Charlotte, Nottaway and Prince Edward go in and go for and demand this imrovement, but I have carried it through the House by a vine vote. * * * I have been very particular in the bill and it is the most favorable ever granted by the Legislature." Mr. Tunstall was elected the first vice-president of the road he so strongly championed, but did not live long enough thereafter to witness its value to the state, nor to see the fulfillment of his prophecies as set forth in his speech.
Mr. Tunstall married (first) a Miss Donaghe; (second) September 29, 1840, Mary Liggat, by whom he had three children: 1. John L., born November 4, 1845, died March 24, 1877. 2. Alexander Augustus, of whom further. 3. Nannie Whitmell, born July 9, 1853, died in November, 1892.
Alexander A. Tunstall, youngest son of Whitmell Pugh and Mary (Liggat) Tunstall, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1850. He obtained his elementary and academic education in the schools of his native place and in Bellevue Academy. Deciding upon the legal profession he entered the law school of the University of Virginia in 1869 and was graduated Bachelor of Laws, class of 1871. He began practice in the city of Richmond, later moved to Lynchburg, Virginia, there continuing until 1888. He then located in Washington, D. C., where he was in active practice until his retirement several years ago. His residence in Washington is No. 1706 Nineteenth street, N. W. He married, October 24, 1876, Ida Gray, born October 12, 1851. Children: 1. Benjamin Gray, born November 13, 1877; treasurer of the city of Norfolk; married, October 30, 1908, Mary Franklin Duncan, and has a daughter, Lucy Dabney, born December 7, 1910.2. Sue Reid, born April 18, 1879; married, June 15, 1904, Barry MacNutt, and has a son, Alexander Tunstall, born September 21, 1909. 3. Whitmell Pugh, of whom further. 4. Alexander Liggat, born September 30, 1883; married, February 15, 1912, Maude M. Davis, and has a daughter, Lorrine Davis, born November 1, 1914.
Whitmell Pugh (2) Tunstall, second son of Alexander A. and Ida (Gray) Tunstall, was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, November 10, 1880. His early life was spent in Washington, D. C., where he passed through high school. He then entered Lehigh University whence he was graduated Civil Engineer, class of 1903. His first professional engagement was with the Baltimore & Ohio railroad as engineer, located in the state of Ohio. In 1905 he was engaged on the construction of the famed Union Station in Washington, D. C., and from 1906 to 1908 as assistant to the chief engineer of the Capital Traction Company. From 1908 to 1911 he was affiliated with the board of supervising engineers, Chicago traction rehabilitation, and in 1912 located in Norfolk, Virginia, where he is in business as a contracting and consulting engineer. He is master of his profession along the lines he has chosen, and, with agreeable personality, is highly regarded socially. He is a member of numerous professional and fraternal organizations.

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J. Fuller Robinson, D. D. S. J. Fuller Robinson, D. D. S., of Roanoke, Virginia, ranks among the most reliable, energetic and progressive professional men of his section of the country, an his skillful treatment of his numerous patients has gained for him an enviable reputation. He is a son of John Christopher Robinson, a prominent farmer and stock raiser of Middlesex county, Virginia.
Dr. Robinson was born at Homney, Middlesex county, Virginia, August 1, 1885. His earlier education was acquired in the public schools of his native town, where he was graduated from the high school. this education was supplemented by attendance at the West Point (Virginia) Academy, and after his graduation from this institution in 1904, he entered the dental department of the Baltimore Medical College, at Baltimore, Maryland, and was graduated in the class of 1907 with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. While a student at this college, Dr. Robinson was a member of numerous organizations connected with it, and his influence in these activities was largely and beneficially felt. He served as vice-president of the Psi Phi fraternity, still retains his membership in this body and his active interest in it. He is also still a member of the Dental College Alumni Association. After his graduation, Dr. Robinson opened offices for the practice of his chosen profession in Homney, but after a short time removed to Lynchburg, Virginia, and at the expiration of one year, established offices in Roanoke, where he is now in the enjoyment of a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of numerous organizations, of varied character, among them being the ones here mentioned: Roanoke Association, Southwestern Virginia Dental Society, and Virginia State Dental Association.
Dr. Robinson commands the esteem of all with whom he is brought into contact. He has not only won the admiration of his numerous patients, but he has their confidence as well, and his services are in demand at great distances from his home. He takes a public-spirited interest in whatever concerns the welfare of the community, and in political matters affiliates with the Democratic party. His fraternal membership is with Osceola Lodge, No. 47, Knights of Pythias. His office is furnished in the most modern and up-to-date manner, and everything that dental science knows is taken into consideration by Dr. Robinson where the comfort of his patients is concerned. Dr. Robinson is unmarried.