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HISTORY

OF

NORTH CAROLINA

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VOLUME IV NORTH CAROLINA BIOGRAPHY

BY SPECIAL STAFF OF WRITERS

ILLUSTRATED

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY

CHICAGO AND NEW YORK

1919

1

Copyright, 1919

BY

THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY

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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

Hon. Nathaniel Boyden. A concise summaiy of the life and distinguished services of Hon. Na- thaniel Boyden was given recently by Chief Justice Clark upon the acceptance of a portrait of the former justice. Said Judge Clark:

"He was a soldier in the War of 1812 and the son of a soldier of the Eevolution, and his son served the South with distinction in the War of of 1861-65. He came to this state in 1822 and was several times a member of the Legislature. In 1847 he was a member of Congress, and again in 1868. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in May, 1871, and served two and a half years tiU his death in November, 1873.

"Admitted to the bar in 1823, he served in his profession with great distinction for nearly half a century. During that time it was his custom to attend forty-eight courts each year, and he practiced regularly in twelve counties.

' ' When appointed to the Supreme Court Bench, Judge Boyden was in his 75th year, being the oldest man ever appointed to this bench. Judge Boyden brought to this court the accumulated learning and experience of nearly fifty years at the bar and the intesity of energy and love of labor which had gained him success and fortune in that forum, and commanded for him a well earned reputation here. ' '

Nathaniel Boyden was born at Conway, Mass- achusetts, August 16, 1796. The Boyden family was long established in England, where the name is found in records covering three centuries. It was from ancestors of wealth and distinction that Nathaniel Boyden derived many qualities that enabled him to adorn the positions he held in life.

The ancestor of all the earlier members of the famUy was Thomas Boyden, who left Ipswich, Suffolk County, England, in April, 1635, and on the ship Francis came to Massachusetts. There is an extended genealogical work entitled ' ' Thomas Boyden and his descendants. ' ' His son, Thomas Boyden, Jr., born at Watertown, Mass- achusetts, September 26, 1639, married Martha Holden, daughter of Richard Holden, who , c^me to America in the ship Francis in 1634. From Watertown they moved to Groton. Their son, Jonathan Boyden, was born September 27, 1675, lived and died in Groton. The family names ot neither of his wives have been preserved. His son, Josiah Boyden, bom at Groton September 21, 1701, moved to Deerfield about 1762, and in 1767 was one of those who sighed the petition asking for a division of the township. The answer to that petition was the Town of Conway. Josiah Boyden first married Eunice Parker.

Their son John Boyden, father of Judge Boyden, was born at Conway, Massachusetts, January 29, 1764, and was the first male child of European par-

ents born in that township. He died October 2, 1857, at the great age of ninety-three. As a soldier in the Revolution he stood on guard at one end of the cable stretched across the Hudson River to prevent the passing of the sloop of war Vulture when Benedict Arnold was plotting to betray West Point, and he often reverentially spoke of seeing Washington when he made his unex- pected visit to West Point after Arnold 's flight. John Boyden enlisted several times during the Revolution. His first enlistment was for three months at Ticouderoga. Aside from his military service he spent his life as a farmer at Conway.

Judge Boyden 's mother, Eunice Hayden, was the daughter of Dr. Moses Hayden, a learned phy- sician of Conway. Eunice Hayden was a sister of Hon. Moses Hayden, a member of Congress from New York. On this side of the family William Hayden came to America in 1630. The Haydens long held legal appointment in England from the king and Nathaniel Boyden probably derived his brilliant talents as a lawyer from his mother's family.

Nathaniel Boyden displayed the martial spirit of his ancestors and at the age of fifteen enlisted in the War of 1812. For his services he was granted a land warrant for 160 acres. He was liberally educated, preparing for college at Deer- field Academy, and attending in succession Wil- liams College, and Union College in New York, whence he wa9 graduated in July, 1821. He studied law while in college, and also under his uncle Hon. Moses Hayden.

In 1822 Nathaniel Boyden came south for the purpose of teaching school. In the fall of that year he and his companion, a clock-maker's agent, named Sidney Porter — grandfather of the late ' ' O. Henry ' ' — alighted from the stage coach near King's Crossroads in Guilford County, North Caro- lina; and after breakfast, having surveyed the scane, they determined on the spur of the moment to remain, rather than continue to their destination further south.

Nathaniel Boyden found a school to teach at King's Cross Roads and at the same time ac- quainted himself with the North Carolina Legal Code and Procedure. Later he taught school in Madison, Rockingham County, where he met Ruth, great-niece of Governor Alexander Martin. She became his wife January 20, 1825. In December, 1823, he was licensed to practice and settled near Germanton in Stokes County, where he resided until his removal to Surrey County in 1832. In 1842 he moved to Salisbury which was his home until his death, November 30, 1873.

Aside from these facts it is possible to obtain something approaching a better estimate and char- acti lization of Judge Boyden from the words of Dr. Archibald Henderson of the University of

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

Isorth Carolina, in his address on presenting the portrait of Judge Boydeu to the Supreme Court.

In appreciation of Nathaniel Boyden's powers as a lawyer, Dr. Henderson said: "Brought into competition, at the outset of his legal career with men of the stamp of Ruflin, Murphey, Nash, Settle, Yancey and the Moreheads, he met every eanergency tlirough the extraordinary gifts with which nature and study had endowed him — vigor- ous intellect, perception quick as light, and an ability in mental reasoning well-nigh phenomenal. A later contemporary thus characterizes him: 'He delighted in the practice of the noble profession which he so much adorned and in which he reached so high an eminence. The fine intellectual conflicts to which it gave rise had for him in- describable charms. They were meat and drink to his nature. Self reliance never forsook him for a moment. His moral courage was sublime. He never slirank from the performance of any duty nor hesitated to take any responsibility. His fidel- ity to his chiefs was never doubted. With all these high qualities, being well grounded in the law and thoroughly understanding its great cardi- nal principles, success was inevitable. '

' ' From his time of retirement from Congress until his elevation to the Bench he was actively engaged in the practice of his profession over a circuit of twelve counties. For more than thirty years he regularly attended the sessions of the Supreme Court of the State. Endowed with an eminently practical mind and extraordinary in- dustry, he attained to great repute and achieved a handsome competency. As Associate Justice of this Court during the two and a half years of his incumbency, Judge Boyden delivered opinions, which, for practical wisdom, broad knowledge, and cogency in reasoning may uniformly be cited with profit. The present distinguished head of this court has WTitten of Jodge Boyden : ' Wliile on the Bench he was said to have been especially use- ful on questions of practice. He possessed a strong and cultivated mind, and was endowed with an extraordinary memory. A fair specimen of his style and his practical turn of mind will be found in Horton v. Green, 66 N. C, 596, an action for deceit and false warranty. ' ' '

Of especial interest are his attitude and position in the political life and thought of his time as portraj-ed by Dr. Henderson. "In all the political changes, through periods of great stress and fer- ment, in state audt nation, Judge Boyden was allied with more than one political party. But as an old line Whig he stood consistently for the doctrines in which he had early learned "to believe. In the earlier years of his life he was a Madisonian republican, and when the old republican party dis- solved he joined the national republicans and sup- ported John Quincy Adams for the presidency in 1825 and 1829. Upon its formation he became a member of the whig party and stood steadfastly by its fortunes to the last. And when that party ceased to exist he continued to cling to the funda- mental doctrines which it had taught. * » * From the very beginning of the war between the States he never expected any other result than the final surrender of the Confederate forces to the Federal army. Yet, notwithstanding what he regarded as their great political errors, he mani- fested the profoundest sympathy with the Southern people, lamented the stern penalties of war, and lent his aid to the citizens of his adopted State. * * * Judge Boyden was identified with the South by family ties, by interest, and by all the

memories of his balmy days; and he was not, at heart, untrue to the South in opposing that which his sagacious mind considered baneful to her wel- fare, prosperity and peace. He looked upon seces- sion as disastrous to the South. But once the die was cast, he went with the State. One may read today in The Carolina Watchman of 24th of Aug- ust, 1861, the list of subscriptions to the Confeder- ate Loan — a list headed by the name of Nathaniel Boyden in tiie sum of $1,500, accompanied by the statement that his tobacco, as well, would be freely subscribed. He bore the sternest test of all — he gave his beloved voungest son, Archibald Hender- son, to fight for the cause of the Confederacy.

' ' One who knew him intimately has written that 'no man was more opposed to the plan of Con- gressional reconstruction than Judge Boyden, and none labored harder to prevent it. ' But at the same time none realized more clearly than he the exigency, as well as the intrinsic justice, of mak- ing some sort of concession in the form of political privileges to the negro race. Nathaniel Boyden was appointed by Governor Worth in 1866 on a Commission, the main function of which was to investigate the condition of affairs and mature a rational and humane policy. * * * The plan proposed, known as the 'North Carolina Plan,' in the formulation of which Judge Boyden had a large shaxe, had for its basis impartial suffrage and universal amnesty. * * * In all probability, the North Carolina Plan would have been accepted, liy the State Legislature but for the conviction that it would be only the prelude to the imposition of deeper humiliations. Foreseeing the direful consequences to North Carolina in case of its fail- ure, Mr. Boyden had its success deeply at heart. Upon learning of the failure of the plan, after all his arduous and sincerely patriotic efforts, the anguished man vented his deep grief in bitter tears. * * * It was related in writing by the late John A. Boyden, and is believed to be an historic fact, though never hitherto given to the pulilic, that President Lincoln had selected Nathajiiel Boyden for the post of Provisional Governor of North Carolina. The proclamation had been prepared by President Lincoln, who was assassinated on the night before it was to be published.

"In the Convention of 1865 he playe*! one of the leading roles and introduced the ordinance which declared that the ordinance of May 20, 1861, 'is now and has been at all times null and void. ' In the impeachment trial of Governor Holden he was one of the brilliant array of legal talent composing the Governor's counsel; and his speech on March 17, 1871, with its imposing mar- shalling of legal authorities, is memorable as an argument on the impossibility of holding the Gov- ernor responsible for his execution- of an imeon- stitutional law.

' ' Lastly Mr. Boyden was consistent with his own principles, long tenaciously maintained, in trans- ferring his allegiance in 1868, to the republican party. * * * Apart from the policy of the re- publican party in reference to reconstruction he had always held to some of its great cardinal principles."

The following tribute to Judge Boyden was writ- ten at the time of his death by Dr. Henderson's father. ' ' In all his intercourse with his f ellownien Judge Boyden was straightforward, honest, direct- He was a pattern of perfect sincerity in all that he said or did. He was manly in everything. Flat- tery he det^-sted. The arts of the demagogue he despised. No man ever lived who was farther

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

away from corruption. His integrity was never doubted iy any man who came near him. His manly ajid straightforward courage, aceorapauied by a certain brusqueness of manner, may have led some to suppose that he was deficient in some of the qualities of the heaxK If so, it was a great mistake. With as much of true manhood as be- longs to the greatest and most powerful characters, he yet possessed all the tenderness that character- izes the gentlest of the gentler sex. None who knew him well can deny that his was a character that deserves to be held long in remembrance, espe- cially as a bright example to the young men of the country. Let them take courage from that re- markalde example, and emulate his many virtues and noble qualities, and success in whatever they undertake is within their reach. ' '

Reference has already been made to his first marriage. This wife died August 20, 1844, leav- ing four childi-en, Nathaniel, John Augustus, Sarah Ann and Ruth. In November, 1845, he was mar- ried to Mrs. Jane (Henderson) Mitchell, widow of Dr. Lueco Mitchell, and niece of Chief Justice Leonard Henderson and daughter of Archibald Henderson. Of this union there was one son, Archibald H. Boyden, w-hose career is subject for a separate sketch on other pages.

Col. Aechib.ild Henderson Boyden. A broad- minded, public-spirited citizen of Salisbury, Rowan County, Col. Archibald H. Boyden, now serving as postmaster, has long been associated with the higher and better interests of city and county, advocating and working for those ideas and measures that will be of lasting good to the com- munity, being more especially interested in the mental, moral, and physical development of the children of this generation, in whom he sees the future guardians of the public welfare. Coming from honored New England ancestry, he was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, January 29, 1847, a sou of Hon. Nathaniel and Jane Mitchell (Hen- derson) Boyden, and maternal grandson of Hon. Archibald and Sarah (Alexander) Henderson, families of prominence and influence. The house in which his birth occurred, and which he now owns and occupies, was built by his grandfather, Hon. Archibald Henderson, in 1800. It is a large commodious, frame building, colonial in style, and sits back some' distance from the street, the lo- cation being ideal. It is surrounded by a beautiful lawn, ornamented with trees, plants and shrubs, rendering the place pleasant and attractive. On this lot stood the building occupied as a law oflSce by Andrew Jackson during the year he practiced law in Salisbury. In 1876 Mr. Boyden sold the building, which was taken first to Philadelphia, and later to Cliieago.

In 1863 Mr. Boyden left the preparatory school in which he was being fitted for college to enter the Confederate Army. Going to Virginia, he was detailed as a courier to Gen. Robert F. Hoke, and served in that capacity until the close of the con- flict. Returning home with health badly shattered by the many hardships and privations of life in camp and field. Colonel Boyden was for nearly five years incapacitated for work. Regaining his for- mer physical vigor, he engaged in the buying and selling of cotton, a substantial business with which he has since been actively identified, being presi- dent of Boyden, Oranan & Co. and vice president of Oranan & Co., wholesale dealers and jobbers, also interested in various other enterprises of a commercial or financial nature.

Taking a genuine interest in everything con- nected with the advancement of the public welfare, Colonel Boyden has served with credit to himseU', and to the honor and satisfaction of his constitu- ents in numerous offices of trust and responsibility. He was for tea years mayor of Salisbury. When he was first nominated to that position, he prom- ised, if elected, to give the city the much-needed sidewalks, good roads, and better schools, and under his efficient administration all of these prom- ises were fulfilled to the letter, sidewalks being built, streets being paved, and the schools placed among the best in the state. A new railroad sta- tion, which Salisbury had long needed, was erected through the colonel's influence with the railroad officials, it being the best station on the road be- tween Washington and Atlanta.

In 1911 Colonel Boyden was elected to the State Senate, and was renominated in 1913, but refused to accept the nomination. While a member of the Senate he secured the passage of a bill for the state iuspection of schools, but it was defeated in the House. He continued to advocate the measure, however, and the Legislature of 1916 enacteu such a law. For a full quarter of a century the colonel has served as a member of the school board, and for twelve years has been, postmaster.

Actively interested not only in the welfare of the children, but in that of the Confederate soldier, Colonel Boyden is serving as chairman of the board of managers of the Soldiers' Home at Ra- leigh, where the 175 inmates are well cared for, and is also chairman of the pension board of Rowan County. He is commander of the First Brigade, North Carolina Veterans. He is likewise chairman of the Salisbury Board of Charities; a member of the board of managers of the Thompson Episcopal Orphanage at Cliarlotte; and a director of the Children 's Home at Greensboro.

On July 7, 1880, Colonel Boyden was united in marriage witli May Wh*it, a daughter of Hon. Francis E. and May (Wheat) Shober, and grand- daughter of Rev. John Thomas Wheat, whose brother. Major Rob Wheat, commanded the Louisi- ana Tigers in the Civil War. Mrs. Boyden 's great- grandfather on the paternal side, Gottlieb Shober, was a leader in the Moravian Colony, located at Salem, Forsyth County. Her father was prominent in public affairs, serving as a representative to Congress, and later as secretary of the Senate. Colonel and Mrs. Boyden have two daughters, namely: May Wheat, who married Dr. Vance R. Brawley, and has two children, Robert V. Jr., and Boyden; and Jane Henderson, wife of Burton Craige, has three children, Burton, Jr., Jane Hen- derson and an infant. Colonel Boyden and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church, in which he has served as vestryman for several years.'

Hon. Archib.\ld Henderson, who was bom in Granville County, North Carolina, August 7, 1768, .and died at Salisbury October 21, 1822, had a career replete with the finest successes and dig- nities of the law, citizenship and manhood. All of this is perhaps best expressed in the inscription placed on his monument by the North Carolina bar, in these words:

"In Memory of Archibald Henderson, to whom his associates at the Bar have erected this Monn- ment to mark their vener.ation for the character of a. Lawyer who illustrated their profession by the extent of his learning, and the unblemished integ- rity of his life; of a Man who sustained and em- bellished all the relations of Social Life with rect-

4

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

itude and benevolence of a Citizen; wlio elevated by the native dignity of his mind above the atmos- phere of selfishness and party, pursued calmly, yet zealously, the true interest of his country. ' '

He was of Scotch ancestry. His grandfather, Samuel Henderson, came from Hanover County, Virginia, and settled in Grannlle County, North Carolina, about 1743, and subsequently served as sheriff of that county. Richard Henderson, father of the subject of this article, was born in Hanover County, Virginia, April 20, 1735. He read law with his cousin. Judge Williams, for twelve months. When he applied for a license to the chief justice of the colony, whose duty it was to examine ap- plicajits and on his certificate request that a li- cense be issued by the governor, young Henderson was asked how long he had read law and what books. When the limited time was stated with the number of books read, the judge remarked that it was useless to go into any examination as no liv- ing man, in so short a time, could have read and digested the works he had named. With great promptness and firmness young Henderson replied that it was his privilege to apply for a license and the judge's duty to examine him, and if he was not qualified to reject him. The judge, struck with his sensible and spirited reply, proceeded to a most searching examination. So well did the applicant sustain himself that not only was the cer- tificate granted but with it went encomiums on his industry, acquirements and talents.

The brilliant qualities of mind thus exemplified were sustained throughout his mature career. He soon rose to the highest rank in his profession, and honors and wealth followed. A vacancy oc- curring on the bench, he was appointed by the governor a judge of the Superior Court, the high- est court in the colony. He discharged the duties of this dignified position with fidelity and credit during an exciting and interesting period of North Carolina history. On oije occasion he was forced to leave HUlsboro by the disturbances of the regu- lators. In 1779 he headed the commission which extended westward the dividing line between Vir- ginia and North CaroUna.

His name has an interesting association with the progress of opening up the country west of thb Alleghenies. In 1774, on the adWce of Daniel Boone, who had carefully explored the country. Judge Henderson formed a company, comprising John WDliams and Leonard H. Bullock of Gran- ville, and others from Orange County, and bought from the Cherokee Indians for a fair considera- tion all their lands south of the Kentucky River beginning at the junction of that river with the Ohio River and thence south into Tennessee and including a large portion of the present states of Kentucky and Tennessee. The company, known to history as the Transylvania Company, took possession under their title April 20, 1775, and on May 25, Judge Henderson, as president of the Transylvania Company, convened the first Legisla- tive assembly ever held west of the Alleghenies. In 1780 Judge Henderson encouraged the settle- ment at the French Lick, now Nashville, ana opened an office there for the sale of the lands. Not long after his return to North Carolina Rich- ard Henderson died at his home in Granville, Jan- uary 30, 1785. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Keeling. He was survived by six children, Fanny, Richard, Archibald, Elizabeth, Leonard and John Lawson. The son, Leonard, afterward rose to distinction and became chief justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina.

Archibald Henderson studied law with Judge WUliams and was admitted to the bar, locating soon afterward at Salisbury. He soon became prominent in public life and from 1799 to 1803 represented his district in Congress. He also repre- sented Salisbury in the State Legislature in 1807, 1808, 1809, 1814, 1819 and 1820. About the year 1800 he built a commodious frame house in colonial style, located on South Church street, and it is now owned and occupied by his grandson. Colonel Archibald Henderson Boyden. It was in this dignified old home that Archibald Henderson died. He married Sarah Alexander, daughter ol Colonel Moses Alexander, and sister of William Lee Alex.ander and of Governor Nathaniel Alex- ander. They reared two children, Archibald ana Jane, the latter becoming the wife of Dr. Lueco Mitchell and later of Judge Nathaniel Boyden.

Joseph Gill Brown. A few of his old-time friends and associates have distinct recollections of Joseph Gill Brown in the capacity of bank clerk at Raleigh. Well informed people of the entire state and in fact the entire South hardly need to be reminded of his important relationships with the financial affairs of North Carolina and the nation at large. Joseph GUI Brown is without doubt one of the foremost bankers of the South, and his range of influence and activities has ex- tended to many other affairs.

He was born at Raleigh November 5, 1854, a son of Henry Jerome and Lydia (Lane) Brown. His people have always been fairly well to do and liighly respected families. Some of his ancestors were prominent. His great-grandfather on the maternal side was James Lane, a brother of Joel Lane, who was the original owner of the site of Raleigh. Mr. Brown 's mother was born on the farm on which Raleigh now stands. Mr. Lane 's house in Bloomsbury, now included in the city, was the place of meeting for the Revolutionary Legis- lature in 1781. Another ancestor of Mr. Brown was Col. Needham Bryan of Johnston County. Colonel Bryan was a representative in the Provin- cial Congress and was an active supporter of the Patriot cause during the Revolution.

Joseph G. Brown obtained his early education in private schools, in Lovejoy Academy, and com- pleted half of his sophomore year in Trinity Col- lege, which he left in 1872. Beginning as a clerk in the Citizens National Bank, in a little more than twenty years he had been promoted through the various grades of responsibility and since 1894 has been president of the Citizens National Bank and is also president of the Raleigh Savings Bank & Trust Company, whose combined resources now total more than $4,000,000.

He was for years president of the Raleigh Clear- ing House Association, was president of the Jeffer- son Standard Life Insurance Company, is vice president of the Atlantic Fire Insurance Company, a director in the Carolina Division of the Southern Railway and president of the Carolina & Tennessee Southern Railway.

Much of his experience and study of finance and business have been made available for others through his active associations with various public bodies. He was president of the North Carolina State Bankers Association in 1899-1900 and was a member of the executive committee of the Ameri- can Bankers Association for nine years and vice president for North Carolina of that association. Many times he has been called upon to make ad- dresses before the conventions of the American

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

Bankers Association and his words are always heard as authoritative utterances on such questions as the economic and financial life of the South. He delivered one notable address before this asso- ciation at New Orleans in 1902 and was again a speaker in 1904. He was chairman of the com- mittee in cliarge of the National Emergency Cur- rency and is now chairman of the Liberty Loan Committee in charge of the campaign for the sale of Liberty Bonds in North Carolina.

Mr. Brown has that breadth of mind and in- terest which his position as a leader in southern life would indicate. He is one of the most promi- nent Methodist laymen in the southern branch of the church. He was a member of the General Con- ference in 1898, 1902, 1906, 1910 and 1914, and was elected for the general conference of 1918 to convene in May of that year. For several years he was a member of the Epworth Board of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, was a delegate to the Missionary Ecumenical Conference at New York in 1900, and was appointed by the College of Bishops as delegate to the World's Ecumenical Conference at London in 1902. For several years he has been a steward at his home church in Raleigh, superintendent of the Sunday school, and is a trustee and treasurer of the Methodist Orphan- age. He is also a trustee of the Olivia Eaney Library, and was president of the Raleigh Asso- ciated Charities.

For twenty-five years he served as treasurer of the City of Raleigh, has been a member of the Board of Aldermen, is president of the Board of Trustees' of Trinity College, and president of the Board of Trustees of the State Hospitals for In- sane. He is a member of the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce- and is one of the prominent Odd Fel- lows of the state, having served as grand master of the Grand Lodge and as representative to the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the World.

November 10, 1881, Mr. Brown married Miss Alice Burkhead, of Raleigh, daughter of Rev. L. S. Burkhead, D. D., a minister of the Methodist Epis- copal Church South. They have four liring chil- dren: Josephine Lane, now Mrs. J. K. Doughton, of Richmond, Virginia, Robert Anderson, Bessie and Frank Burkhead Brown.

Edwin Mich.iel Holt. Repeated _ references have been made in these pages to Edwin M. Holt as the founder of the old Alamance Mill at Bur- lington, where the first colored cotton fabric in the South was woven, and which was, in effect, the beginning of the great cotton mill industry of North Carolina, an industry which in the eighty years following the founding of the Alamance Mill has not merely grown but multiplied, and its mul- tiplication has been carried forward and stimulated by no one family so much as that of Edwin M. Holt, his son, grandsons and all the connections comprehended in the Holt family. Apart from the general interest that would demand something like an adequate review of the history of this man, his part in industrial North Carolina makes his personal record an indispensable chapter. The story as told here of his life and achievements is largely as it has been told before in the words of his kinsman Martin H. Holt, and as published some years ago.

Edwin Miciiae! Holt was born January 14, 1807, in Orange, in what is now Alainance County, and died at his home at Locust Grove in Alamance County May 14, 1884, aged seventy-seven years

and four months. His grandfather was Capt Michael Holt of Little Alamance, a man of promi- nence in the Revolutionary period. His parents were Michael and Rachael (Rainey) Holt. Hia father was a farmer, mechanic and merchant, his home being one mile south of Great Alamance Creek on the Salisbury and Hillsboro Road, where Edwin M. was born. Rachael Rainey has been de- scribed as a woman of queenly beauty coupled with strong common sense. Her parents were Benjamin and Nancy Rainey and her grand- parents, William and Mary Rainey. Beniamia Rainey was a minister of the Christian Church.

Edwin M. Holt worked on the farm in the summer and attended district schools during the winter. From the routine of farm work and out- door life he developed robust health and the ability to work steadily at tasks, no matter how difficult, until they were finished. From the neighboring schools he obtained a fair English education, the ability to write a good hand and to keep books by the simple processes of that time. In addition to his farm work he spent much time in his father 's shops attached to the farm, developing his natu- rally fine mechanical talent, which had been char- acteristic of the Holts for several generations.

Much of his success in life was due to the gentle, patient, energetic and cultured woman who became his wife, and for that reason it is necessary to mention his marriage almost at the beginning. Her maiden name was Emily Farish, descended from the Farish and Banks families of Virginia and daughter of a prosperous farmer of Chatham County, North Carolina. They were married Sep- tember 30, 1828. After his marriage Mr. Holt began handling a small farm and store near his father's home, and that was his modest station in life until 1836.

He was endowed by nature as well as by train- ing in the qualities of a fine mind to become a pioneer in a new and broad industry. His biog- rapher stat<"s that while at the work of his store and farm he did not allow the happenings and movements of the outer world to pass unnoticed. He was a deep thinker, a logical reasoner, and had the ability to analyze and understand what he saw in the p>olitical and economic life of the country and nation. The fact that impressed him most was that the cotton mill owner of England and of New England, the merchant of London and of New York had grown rich through trade in a staple which was raised in abundance at his own door. This economic inconsistency of the pro- ducer not realizing to the full the advantages of his relation with the product has appealed to thousands of men both before and since the time of Edwin M. Holt, but the important fact with him is that his analysis and his power of action and resources enabled him to take steps to overcome this inconsistency and give to North Carolina cot- ton mills of its own that would rank not second to those of Fall River and Manchester. The story of this important industrial beginning is told in the words of one of his sons. Governor Thomas M. Holt:

"About the year 1836 there was in Greensboro, North Carolina, a Mr. Henry Humphries who was engaged in running a. small cotton mill at that place by steam. Following the natural inclination of his mind for mechanical pursuits, my father made it convenient to visit Greensboro often, and as often as he went there he always made it his business and pleasure to call on Mr. Humphries.

HISTOEY OF NORTH CAROLINA

The two soon became good friemls. Tlic more my father saw of the workings of Mr. Humpliries' mill, the more conTinced he became that his own ideas were correct. Some time about the .year 1836 he mentioned the matter to his father, Michael Holt, hoping that the latter would approve of his plans, as at that time he owned a grist mill on Great Alamance Creek aljout one mile from liis home, the water power of the creek being sufficient to run both the grist mill and a small cotton factory. He reasoned that if his father would join him in the enterprise and erect the factory on his own site on the Alamance, success would be assured. But his father, a very cautious and con- servative man, bitterly opposed the scheme and did all that he could to dissuade his son from embarking in the enterprise. Not discouraged by this disappointment, lie next proposed to his brother-in-law, William A. Carrigan, to .join him. The latter considered tlie matter a long time, not being able to make up his mind as to what he would do. Finally, without waiting for his brother-in-law's answer, he went to Paterson, New Jersey, and gave tlie order for tlie machinery, not then knowing where lie would locate his mill. On his return from Paterson he stopped at Phila- delphia, where he met the late Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin. Judge Euffin at tliat time owned a waterpower and grist mill on Haw River, the jjlace now being known as Swepsonvillc, and he asked my father where he exjiected to locate his mill. My father replied that he wanted to put it at his father's mill site on Alamance Creek, but that the old gentleman was so much opposed to it that he might not allow it. Thereupon Judge Euffin said that he did not wish to interfere in any way witli any arrangements between him and his father, but if the latter held out his opposition he would l)e glad to have him locate his mill at his site on Haw River, that he would be glad to form a partnersliiji with him if he wished a partner, and that if he did not wish a partner, but wanted to borrow mone.y he would lend him as much as he wanted. When my father returned home and told his father of the conversation with Judge Ruffin, a man in whom both had unbounded confidence, and he saw that my father was determined to build a cotton factory, he proposed to let him have Ms water power on Alamance Creek and to become his partner in the enterprise. The latter part of the proposition was declined on account of his having previousl.y told his father that he would not involve him for a cent. The conversa- tion witli .Judge Ruffin was then repeated to liis brotherin-law, William A. Carrigan, who con- sented to enter into the partnership and join in the undertaking. They bought the water power on Great Alamance Creek from my grandfather at a nominal price, put up the necessary buildings and started the factory during the panic of 18.37. The name of the firm was Holt & Carrigan, and they continued to do business successfully from the start under this name until 1851. About this time Mr. Carrigan 's wife died, leaving five sons. Two of them had just graduated from the Uni- versity of Nortli Carolina, and concluding to go to the State of Arkansas, their father decided to go with them ; so he sold his interest in the busi- ness to my father. In the year 1853 there came to the mill a Frenchman who was a dyer. He pro- liosed to teach father how to color cotton yarn for the sum of a hundred dollars and his board. Father accepted his proposition and immediately

set to work with such appliances as they could scrape up. There was an eighty-gallon copper boiler whicli my grandfather had used to boil pota- toes and turnips for his hogs, and a large cast- iron wash pot wliich happened to be in the store on sale at that time. With these implements was done the first dyeing south of the Potomac River for power looms. As speedily as possible a dye liouse was built and the necessary utensils for dyeing acquired. He then j>ut in some four-box looms and commenced the manufacture of the class of goods then and now known as 'Alamance Plaids.' I-'p to that time there had never been a yard of plaid or colored cotton goods woven on a power loom south of the Potomac River. When Holt & Carrigan started their factory they liegan with 528 spindles. A few years later sixteen looms were addeil. In 1861 such had been the growth of the business that there were in operation 1200 spindles and 96 looms, and to run these and the grist mill and saw mill exhausted all tlie power of the Great Alamance Creek on which they were located. My father trained all of his sons in the manufacturing business, and as we grew up we lirnnched out for ourselves and built other mills. But the plaid business of the Holt family and, I miglit add, of the South, had its l)eginning at this little mill on the banks of the Alamance with its little copper kettle and an ordinary wash pot. I am glad to be able to state tliat my grandfather, Michael Holt, who was so bitterly opposed to the inauguration of tlie enterprise and from whom my father never would borrow a cent or permit the endorsement of paper, lived to see and rejoice in the success of the enterprise. The mill ran twelve hours a day. I was only six years old when the mill started, and well do I remember sitting up with my mother waiting for my father to come home at night. In tlie winter time the mill would stop at seven o 'clock P. M. and thereafter my father would remain in the building for half an hour to see that all of the lamps were out and that the stoves were in such a condition that there would tie no danger of fire, and then he would ride one mile and a quarter to his home. In the morn- ing he would eat his breakfast by candle light and be at the mill at six-thirty o 'clock to start the machinery going. He kept this habit up for many years.

' ' I attribute the success which has crowned the efforts of his sons in the manufacturing of cotton goods to the earlj' training and business methods imparted to them in boyhood by their father, Edwin M. Holt."

Edwin M. Holt not only founded a business of much promise and importance, but his sagacity and genius guided it through the critical period, and he trained and encouraged his sons and left to them the responsibility of continuing the up- building and the maintenance of industries which are now second to none in importance in the state, and which have grown from several hundred spindles and a few looms in the little old Alamance Mill to hundreds of thousands of spindles and thousands of looms in the plants operated and con- ducted by the Holts alone. Much of the char- acter and the extent of the Holt interests in the cotton mill industry of North Carolina must be reserved for telling in various other articles de- voted to Edwin Holt's sons and grandsons.

Edwin M. Holt was not favorable to the seces- sion of North Carolina, and yet when the war be- came a fact he furnished three sons to the Con-

HISTORY OP NORTH CAROLINA

federate army. In 1866 he retired from the active management of tlie Alamance Mill and turned it over to his sons James H., William E., L. Banks, his son-in-law James N. Williamson, and reserved a fifth interest for his younger son, Lawrence S., xmtil his majority. He was always content to perform his service to the world as to liis family through his mills and his industry. The only politic-al ofSce he ever accepted was that of asso- ciate judge of the County Court. He was an en- thusiastic advocate of internal improvements. After the war, when the state treasury was ex- hausted, he contrihuted generously for the main- tenance of the North Carolina Railroad. At one time he loaned the road $70,000 without security in order to pay the mechanics in the shops. He was a director and large stockholder in the road. He was associated with his sons in establishing tlie Commercial National Bank of Charlotte. Edwin M. Holt was a type of the old fashioned com- mercial integrity. He was never a speculator, and his generous fortune grew from honest and legiti- mate effort and the practice of commercial virtues which are as valid today as they have been in all the centuries past. Like all successful men, he had some business principles which he expressed through maxims. One was ' ' You will have your good years and your bad years; stick to business." Another was: ''Put your profits into your busi- ness. ' '

While building up the cotton mill industry of North Carolina and engaged in a tremendous task and one worthy of his best interests and power, it is said that his chief inspiration for all his success was his love and devotion to his wife and children. He and his wife had ten children, their names being in order of birth: Alfred Augustus, Thomas Michael, James Henry, Alexander, Frances Ann, who married John L. Williamson, William Edwin, Lynn Banks, Mary Elizabeth, who married James N. Williamson, Emily Virginia, who mar- ried J. W. White, and Lawrence Shackleford.

For some of his ideals and for a summing up of his character the following direct quotations are made:

"His ideas were patriarchal. He thought fami- lies should hold together, build u]i mutual in- terests and be true to one another. Nor was this a Utopian dream of Edwin M. Holt. It was a con- viction Iporn of his experience and observation of human life. It was also an inheritance. It had been the idea of his father, Michael Holt, it was the idea of his grandfather. Captain Michael Holt. It was the idea of his maternal ancestry, the Eaineys. If he had not been strengthened by his •own experience and observation, tie would still have probably listened to the teaching of his fathers. He liad seen members of families going •out in divergent directions from the old home- stead, the title to estates disappear and the ties of affection weaken, family pride lost and mutual aid and influence impossible. He believed ' in union there is strength, ' hence it was his idea that his children should settle around him, and that they should do so in honor and in charge of successful business enterprises.

' ' Great as Edwin M. Holt 's life was as a pioneer in a branch of our state 's material de- velopment which is playing so important a part in its growth and prosperity today, he was greater as a man. Back of the power to plan and project successful enterprises, to build up his own fortunes and to make his name a household word in homes

where fathers recount the great deeds of great men in civic life, was Edwin M. Holt, the man. He was modest, unassiuning, silent, ofttimes to a remarkable degree, seeking success not for its ovni sake, but for his children's and for humanity's, turning a deaf ear to appeals from admiring friends and neighbors to allow his name to go before the people for public oflice. But there slumliered the irresistible power of resolute, moral manhood behind his quiet face; and he would have been at ease, aye, and welcome, in the society not only of the world's greatest men in busi- ness, but also in politics and religion. He was a lifedong friend of Governor John M. Morehead, Chief Justice Thomas Ruffin, Frank and Henry Fries, the Camerons, and others of the state 's greatest men in the various callings of life, and was easily the peer of any of them.

"Edwin M. Holt was * truly unselfish man. A beautiful loyalty and love for his older brother, William Rainey Holt, marked his entire life. Ac- cording to English customs, the "family pride set- tled ill the eldest son. William was sent to Chapel Hill, where he graduated with honor, then to Philadelphia, where he took his medical degree in the greatest school on the continent at that time. On his return to the state and upon his marriage, he was given some of the most choice and valuable property belonging to the estate. All this time Edwin was working on the farm faithfully, contentedy, and feeling an exaltation of spirit in his brother William "s success. This self- abnegation of spirit and loyalty to his brother lasted throughout his whole life, altered neither by distances nor circumstance. They often saw tilings differently; William was a great and bril- liant talker; Edwin was a great listener. William was an ardent democrat and . secessionist ; Edwin was equally as strong a whig and a Union man. But they never quarreled. Edwin only listened and smiled or his face gi-ew grave, and the hand clasp that followed was that of loving brothers.

' ' As he grew older benevolence and patience and tenderness for children and love of humanity de- veloped more and more in his heart and life and was reflected from his quiet face. Fortune had smiled on the struggles of his hand and head in his youth and manhood, and when age approached he accepted its infirmities with calm resignation."

James Henky Holt. Of that historic family of Holts that supplied much of the original genius, determination, power and enthusiasm to the up- building and maintenance of the cotton industries of North Carolina, one whose career was most fruitful in its individual achievements and also in carrying out the work begun by his honored father, Edwin M. Holt, founder of the historic Alamance Mills at Burlington, was James Henry Holt, third son of Edwin M. and Emily (Farish) Holt.

He was born at the old Holt home.stead in Alamance County April 4, 1833, and died at his home in Burlington February 13, 1897. Besides the advantages of the local schools he spent a year or so beginning in 1848 as a student in Dr. Alexander Wilson's famous preparatory school. In 1850, though only seventeen years of age, he entered business as a copartner with his oldest brother, Alfred Holt, and this firm of merchants built and occupied a house which is still standing on the northwest corner of the Court House Square at Graham.

In 1852, though still under age, James H. Holt was made cashier of the Bank of Alamance at

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

Graham. This position supplied him his chief duties until 1862, when he became cashier of a bank at ThomasviUe.

In the spring of 1864 Mr. Holt resigned his position in civil life to volunteer in the Confederate army. He was assigned to the Tenth North Carolina Artillery and stationed at Fort Fisher in the eastern part of the state. He was there until late in the year 1864, when Governor Vance commissioned him captain and ordered him to report at Fayetteville, to become commandant of the Military Academy there. It was the service of this commission which occupied him to the end of the war. While in the army he did his whole duty, regardless of his own personal preference in the matter. On being ordered to Fayetteville his colonel spoke of the fact that he was beiug taken from what promised soon to be scenes of excitement. To this Mr. Holt replied : ' ' Colonel, I regret to leave, but you know I have always obeyed orders. ' ' And to this the colonel replied : ' ' That is true, Holt, you have been one of the most dutiful and competent soldiers in my command."

With the close of the war James H. Holt, having returned to Alamance County, joined with his brothers and under the guidance of his honored father, Edwin M. Holt, became active in the management of the old Alamance Cotton Mills. James H. Holt was one whose initiative and energy did so much to expand and develop the interests of the Holt family as cotton manufacturers. It was largely his judgment and his influence with other members of the family that caused the Holts to purchase the site known as the Carolina Cotton Mills, where in 1867 the construction of a new plant was begun. At that time the science of mill construction as measured by modern attainments was almost unknown, and while Major J. W. Wilson made the survey for the water power, it was James H. Holt who gave his entire time and attention to supervising the construction and equipment of the plant. Later this became one of the most successful mills in the South and was one of the foundation stones of the Holt family pros- perity. Mr. Holt managed these mills until his death under the name J. H. and W. E. Holt & Company. The mill was operated without any architectural change whatever until 1904, showing that he not only "builded wisely but well."

Just above the Carolina Mills in 1879 Mr. Holt and his brother W. E. Holt bought the mill site and built the Glencoe Mills, and he continued active in their management for many years. It is said that he never forgot his early training and fondness for the banking business, and until the late years of his life he remained a director and chairman of the examining board of the Com- mercial National Bank of Cliarlotte, his life and services contributing much to the splendid success of the institution.

Even in such a brief outline it is possible to indicate the great material results that came from his genius as an industrial builder and manager, but there should be some effort to recall some of the dominant traits of his personal character, since it was character with him, as with all men, that stands Viehind and .above material achievement. One who knew him and had studied his career many years has said : ' ' Mr. Holt not only adopted honesty as a policy, but to him it was a very basic principle, never to be swerved from even by so much as a hair 's breadth. His life and its success in the business world is, as it should be, a sermon and an inspiration not only to his sons, but to all

young men, on honesty, clean living and right thinking. Whatever was for the building up and development of his state, section and county, that he was interested in and to that he lent his aid and gave counsel and support. He prospered, and with his o-svn he brought prosperity to others and developed the resources of his section. Mr. Holt had that charity which vaunteth not itself. One who has lived here as the writer has for many years, among the people with whom he worked, hears many times, from grateful recipients, of the charity dispensed by this good man that would ne\er have been known save for this telling by those who received. Mr. Holt himself never spoke of these acts, and so far as a sign from him was concerned, when they were done, they were for- gotten and no obligations were incurred. One of his chief outstanding characteristics was his uni- versal friendliness. It seemed that people, and particularly young men, instinctively saw in him a friend. He never failed them."

Mr. Holt became identified early in life with the Presbyterian Church at Graham. He served that church as an elder and later was an elder and an active leader in the Presbyterian Church at Burl- ington. Politically he was a democrat, did much to hold up the party cause, and only his personal preferences stood in the way of his selection for some of the higher offices of community and state.

On January 15, 18.56, Mr. Holt married Laura Cameron Moore, of Caswell County. They led an ideal married life and their home was all that a home should be. They reared the following chil- dren: Walter L. Holt, Edwin C. Holt, Samuel M. Holt, James H. Holt, Robert L. Holt, William I. Holt, Ernest A. Holt and Daisy L. Holt, who mar- ried Walter G. Green. Comment has been made upon the fact of Mr. Holt's wisdom and discretion in choosing to a large degree his own executors by setting up his sons in business while he lived to give them aid and counsel. Thus the son Walter L. became president of the Holt-Morgan, Holt- Williamson, and Lakewood Mills; E. C. Holt, of the Elmira and Delgado Mills; Samuel M. Holt was connected with the Lakeside Mills; James H., Jr., with the Windsor Mills; Robert L., with the Glencoe Mills; W. I. Holt, with the Lakeside Mills; and Ernest A., with the Elmira Mills.

Edwin Cameron Holt. No small share of the remarkable genius for industrial organization and building associated with the Holt family in gen- eral has been possessed and exemplified by Edwin Cameron Holt, who is a grandson of the pioneer cotton mill man, Edwin M. Holt, whose record of achievement is taken care of on other pages, and is the second son of James Henry and Laura (Cameron) Holt, a sketch elsewhere being given of his honored father.

Edwin Cameron Holt was born at Graham, North Carolina, May 11, 1861. He was educated in private schools, at the age of fourteen entered the Findley High School at Lenoir in Caldwell County, and in 1877 enrolled as a student in Da- vidson College. After completing his junior year he left college on account of ill health and soon afterward found practical employment under his father in the Carolina Cotton Mills near Graham. His father was a very forceful and practical business man and possessed imusual wisdom in dealing with his sons. One of his characteristics was exemplifying the principle that all work is honorable, and in accordance with this principle he set tasks for his sons at hard labor in the

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

9

garden and at the mill, and Edwin Holt spent many hours and days in occupations which some sons of wealthy men would have deemed menial and beneath them.

Having served his apprenticeship in the cotton mill industry, Edwin C. Holt in 1887, with his brother Walter L., built the Elmira Cotton Mills in Burlington. This was a successful institution from the beginning, and the brothers, acting npon advice from their father, reinvested the profits in extensive enlargements and additions. In 1893 these two brothers built the Lakeside Mills, near the Elmira Mills. In 189.5 they built the Holt- Morgan Mills at Fayetteville. The two brothers were very close partners in their various enter- prises and in the course of years built up indus- tries which represented working capital and surplus of over $1,000,000.

Until 1895 Edwin C. Holt had his home and his chief activities in his native county of Alamance. In the latter year, recognizing the gi'eat natural advantages at Wilmington in the matter of cheap raw material and advantageous freight rates, Edwin C. Holt built the Delgado Mills in that city. These were splendidly equipped and added a great deal to the industrial prosperity of the city. The imjiortant business interests of Mr. Holt's later years have been represented as presi- dent of the Delgado Mills at Wilmington, president of the Lakeside Mills, vice president and manager of the Elmira Mills, vice president of the Holt- Morgan Mills at Fayetteville, director of the People's S.avings Bank at Wilmington, director of the Commercial National Bank at Charlotte. At the death of his father he was made chainnan of the examining board of the Commercial National Bank of Charlotte.

One of the forces which have actuated and im- pelled him during much of his business and per- sonal career has been an ambition to l^e worthy of his father in integrity and manliness, and this ambition has been reflected and has brought results not only in many sturdy enterprises, but in a kindly humanitarian helpfulness and a looking out for the interests and welfare of the hundreds of individuals and families who get their living from the industries controlled and directed by him.

For three years Mr. Holt served as captain of the Burlington Lieht Infantry. He is a Royal Arch and Knight Templar Mason, and a member and deacon of the Presbyterian Church. Con- cerning his persona] character for trutlifulness and fidelity, a biographer once told the following story as an illustration: "The late Governor Thomas M. Holt on one occasion, while engaged in the consideration of a serious and embarrassing business problem, tried to find the truth of a cer- tain situation. Some one remarked that Ed Holt said that a certain fact was true; the governor spoke with an expression of evident relief: "That settles the question ; if Ed Holt says it is so, it is true. ' '

He has had a congenial home life. April 19, 189.'!, he married Dolores Delgado Stevens, daugh- ter of Bishop Peter Faysoux Stevens, of Charles- ton. South Carolina, and a granddaughter of Bishop William Capers, of South Carolina. They have one daughter, Dolores Stevens Holt.

James Henry Holt, of Burlington, is one of the grandsons of Edwin M. Holt, ami has been true to the traditions and the ideals of the family and has kept his own career closely identified with the gi-eat cotton mill industry.

He was born in Davidson County, North Caro- lina, October 27, 1864, a son of James Henry and Laura Cameron (Moore) Holt. His father was long distinguished as a cotton mill man and also a banker. The son was liberally educated, attend- ing high school at Lenoir, Lynch 's School at High Point, North Carolina, Horner's Military School, and the University of North Carolina. He served his apprenticeship as a cotton manufacturer at Glencoe Mills and is now vice-president of that industry, one of the largest comprised within the Holt interests. In 1890 he built the Windsor Cot- ton Mills at Burlington. For years he has been secretary and treasurer of the Elmira mills and is now vice president, is secretary and treasurer of the Lakeside mills, is president of the Alamance Loan and Trust Bank and has other business interests too numerous to mention.

Mr. Holt has always been deeply interested in military matters. His service was witli the Third Eegiment, North Carolina National Guard. He was lieutenant, later captain, of Company F, and during the Spanish-American war lie undertook to raise a company for one of the state volunteer regiments, but found the quota filled, and while he thus did not have the satisfaction of leading a company in that brief war, he gladly turned over his recruits to another reg^iment. During the administration of Governor Carr he served on the governor's staff as aid de camp with the rank of colonel. Mr. Holt is a vestryman of the Episcopal Church at Burlington. February 27, 1901, he married Olive Joyner, daughter of Charles G. and Sarah (Parish) Joyner, of Baltimore, Maryland. Her family is a prominent one of Balti- more and her father was a wholesale merchant there. Mr. and Mrs. Holt have one child, Mar- garet Elizabeth.

Robert Lacy Holt, of Burlington, hardly needs any identification as one of the prominent figures in the cotton mill industry of North Carolina, but it is appropriate to indicate his relationship to the family in general by saying that he is fourth son of the late James Henry Holt of Burlington, who in turn was one of the sons of Edwin M. Holt, founder of the historic Alamance Cotton Mills and one of the greatest figures in the industrial life of the South.

Robert Lacy Holt was born at Thomasville in Davidson County, North Carolina, January 7, 1867. He received his early advantages at Graham, at- tended Horner's School at Oxford, and from there entered the State University. At the end of two years his eagerness to enter the business world made him dissatisfied with the quiet routine of university life, and, returning home, was permitted by his father to enter the office of the Glencoe Cotton Mills, of which his father was then man- ager. His father was keenly interested in his developing talents and gave him every opportunity to assume larger responsibilities and he very soon put him in as general manager of the Carolina Cotton Mills, and with that institution he laid the basis of his wonderful success as a cotton man- ufacturer.

For many years he was closely associated with his brother J. H. Holt, Jr. In 1890 they built the Windsor Cotton Mills at Burlington, and for many years these were operated by R. L. and J. H. Holt, Jr. Robert L. Holt in the meantime gave much of his attention to the duties as active man- ager of the Glencoe Cotton Mills, and at the death of his father was put in active charge and had the

10

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

entire management of the Glencoe, Alamance, Caro- lina and Elmira Cotton Mills. AH of these mills prospered and improved, but in 1902, having ae- qxiired the majority of stock in the Glencoe Mills, he resigned his management of other mills to give all his time to the Glencoe property. Those mills have since more than doubled in size and capacity, and are recognized as one of the most complete and efficient cotton mills of the state.

The secret of his success as a cotton mill execu- tive is found in the words of a biographer, who says: "Mr. Holt is a good exemplification of the maxim, ' absolute accurate knowledge is power. ' He knows the cotton business, not with an un- certain, wavering kind of knowledge, but abso- lutely. He has made it a special study, and the writer has been frequently struck, when hearing the figures of cotton production, acreage, and the like under discussion, to see the absokite accuracy of Mr. Holt 's knowledge. With this accurate in- formation always at his command, and with the training that has come from his years in the cotton Ijusiness, it is no wonder he succeeds. It would be the wonder were it otherwise. ' '

While so much of his time in recent years has been given to the management of the Glencoe Cot- ton Mills, Mr. Holt has also been a director of the Alamance Loan and Trust Company, the largest bank in the county, in the Elmira and Lakeside Cotton Mills, and is president of the Home Insur- ance Company of Greensboro. Public ofBce has never been of his seeking, though he has reudered splendid service to the cause of the democratic party. Only once did he aijpear as a factor in practical politics, in 1904, when he went as a dele- gate from his district to the national convention. In a public way he has served as a director of the Western Hospital for the Insane at Morganton and chairman of the Highway Commission of Ala- mance County, but through the prosperous and wise management of large business interests has Tjeen contributing his biggest and best service to state and community.

Even his recreations represent a degree of pro- ductiveness which many men would regard as a successful independent business. Mr. Holt has for many years been one of the largest land owners in Alamance County, and the lands constituting his farm have been conducted on a scale that is at once business like and a source of example and encouragement to the general agricultural and stock husbandry interests of the state. His farms around Glencoe Mills have been stocked with blooded hogs, sheep and cattle, and he developed a Iierd of registered Devons probably unexcelled in the state. Mr. Holt 's country home, at which many of his friends have had delightful enter- tainment, is widely known as ' ' Fort Snug. ' ' He has always been a lover of fine horses, and has owned some animals that have made more than local records on the lace course. Of the dealings with his fellow men some one has said that, like 'his honorable father, he " is a man to whom others instinctively turn in a time of trouble, certain that they will find in him a friend. He does charity, but one must learn of it from the outspoken gratitude of the recipients, because in this, again like his father, he is secret, gaining his reward from his personal knowledge of the good done. ' '

Lynn Banks Holt is one of the oldest surviv- ing members of a family that might with eminent fitness be regarded as the cornerstone of Xorth

Carolina's greatness and prosperity as a cotton manufacturing state. He is sixth among the sons of Edwin M. Holt, founder of the old Alamance Cotton Mill at Burlington. The history of other memljers of the family is told elsewhere.

Lynn Banks Holt was born near Graham in Alamance County June 28, 1842. His life ahnost to the age of nineteen was spent without special incident and alternating between a home of solid comfort and the advantages of some of the best schools of North Carolina. He attended Prof. Alexander Wilson 's School at Hawfield and in 1859 entered the Military Academy near Hillsboro conducted by Col. C. C. Tew. While these institu- tions gave him a thorough discipline of mind he was getting the equivalent of what is in modern times known as vocational training by work under his father 's eye in the cotton mill. From the roaitine and studies of Hillsboro Miltary Academy he responded to the tocsin of war at the bombardment of Fort Sumter and enlisted as a private in the Orange Guards. His experi- ence in drill resulted in his appointment as drill master in a company of the Sixth Regiment com- manded by Colonel Fisher. He was with that regiment in Virginia until after the battle of Manassas. October 20, 1861, he was appointed second lieutenant in Company I, Eighth Regi- ment, North Carolina State Troops, commanded by Colonel Shaw. From that time forward lie was a member of Clingman 's famous brigade, and later was made first lieutenant of his company. He was in the battle of Roanoke Island, was stationed at Charleston during the spring and summer of 1863, and is one of the last survivors of that famous defense of Battery Wagner. Later he was with liis regiment in the capture of Plymouth, in the battle of Drury 's Bluff, which saved Richmond from the army of Butler, and was with Hoke at Cold Harbor. After Cold Harbor, when General Grant changed his plan of attack and launched his blow against Petersburg, Lieutenant Holt was one of the defenders wlio turned aside that blow, and in the battle of that day he was wounded in the face and has ever since carried the scar. On September 29, 1864, he again commanded his com- pany in the assault on Fort Harrison. The histor- ian of Clingman 's Brigade states that about a third of those in the charge were either killed or wounded. ' ' Among the wounded and captured were Capt. William H. S. Burgwyn and First Lieut. L. Banks Holt, commanding Company I, Eighth Regiment. Lieutenant Holt was shot through the thigh and the bone fractured, entail- ing a long and painful recovery. He was con- fined at Fort Delaware jirison until released in June, I860." It thus fell to his lot to lead his company in one of the most terrific assaults of the entire war, but that was only the crowning achievement of a record filled with constant hero- ism and fidelity to the cause which he loved and for which he sacrificed so much.

.June 16, 1865, on being released from Fort Delaware, he set out for home and undismayed by the general devastation that met his eyes and that presented a picture of almost complete economic overthrow throughout the South, he ac- cepted the inevitable and went to work in the old Alamance cotton mills under his father. More than half a century has passed since then and every one of those fifty years has its story of achievement, industrial advancement and new and large contributions to the fame of the Holt family and to the prosperity of tlie South in general.

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

11

Mr. L. Banks Holt has been one of the most prominent among the various Holts in the upbuild- ing of cotton mills and other industries of North Carolina. Individually he has been owner, director or stockholder in a number of cotton miUs, and is sole owner and proprietor of the Oneida Mills at Graham, one of the largest individual cotton mills in the South, is owner of the Bellemont Cotton Mills at Graham, the Carolina Cotton Mills and the Alamance Cotton Mills. All these mills are now incorporated under the name of L. Banks Holt Manufacturing Company. The ownership of the Alamance Mills involves a great sentimen- tal value, since it is in effect the parent of all the cotton mills of the Holt family and almost of the cotton mill industry of the state.

Among other important business interests that have taken his time and ability in recent years, Mr. Holt is president of the E. M. Holt Plaid Mills of Burlington ; a stockholder in the Mineola Cotton Mills at Giljsonrille, and the Morehead Cotton Mills, is a stockholder in the Commercial Bank of Cliarlotte and a stockhohler in the Bank of ^\Jamance in his home town. He is alsS) a stock- holder in the North Carolina Railway Company.

For years Mr. Holt has been an elder and a faithful member of the Presbyterian Cliurch at Graham. He is a sincere Cliristian and has ex- em|ilified his faith by practical devotion to the welfare of humanity and by a full sense of stew- ardship as the owner and proprietor of a large individual estate. Politically he is a democrat, but public life has had no attractions for him and he has done his part to the state and nation through the activities of the various industries which he has managed so fruitfully and well.

Mr. Holt was one of the prime movers in the graded schools at Graham, his home town, and started the library fund with a donation of $1,000 in conjunction with the school.

October 26, 186.5, soon after his return home from the war, Mr. Holt married Miss Mary C. Mebane. Her father was Hon. Giles Mebane of Caswell. To their marriage were born eight chil- dren, five of whom lived to middle age.

L.\WRENCE Sn.\CKLEFORD HoLT. With North Carolina the home of more cotton mills and in- dustries than any other state in the Union, there is every valid reason why a large number of the prominent business men mentioned in these pages are owners, managers, and department officials of this industry. In the case of Lawrence Shackle- ford Holt, of Burlington, it is not sufficient to refer to him indiscriminatingly as a highly suc- cessful cotton mill owner. His relation to this primary industry of North Carolina is a more im- portant one than as a director and operator of mills and all the resources and personnel that go with them.

Mr. Holt has apparently been guided by unusual- ly high ideals and a powerful and fundamental sense of stewardship, so that his attitude has not been strictly regulated in the rigid caste of the owner and employer. He has for years recognized the vital interest that the workers have in in- dustry and that the mill owner has higher inter- ests than merely to see that the processes of his industry are mechanically perfect and efficient, and that with the payment of standard wages the par- ticipation of the employer in the life and welfare of his employes ceases.

Por all his other varied interests and material achievements the distinction which means most

among the people at large and which will be long- est associated with Mr. Holt is that he was the first maniifacturer iu the South voluntarily to shorten the hours of labor. The first step he took in this direction was iu 1886, and the second in 1902. The particular facts in the matter are told in a sketch which was written of Mr. Holt several years ago, as follows : ' ' He was the first person in tlie South to pay the wages of his employes in cash. This system was inaugurated by him short- Iv after he started the Bellemont Mills and was soon after adopted by other mills, which had up to that time paid off in barter and store accounts. He was the first manufacturer in the South to ''orten tlie hours of labor from twelve to eleven hours a day, and this schedule, inaugurated at the Aurora Mills on September 6, 1886, was soon after adopted by other mills. In 1902 the Aurora Mills made a further reduction of from eleven to ten hours a day, and it was the first of the mills of the South to inaugurate this schedule. Thus it may be said that Mr. Holt was twice first in re- ducing the hours of labor of the thousands of cotton mill operatives in the South."

In his career he has justified an->old fashioned phrase of being the great son of a great father. The originator of so much that has been distinc- tive in the cotton mill industry of the South, and tlie founder of tlie famous old Alamance Mill at Burlington was his honored father, Edwin M. Holt, whose career and achievements are repre- sented elsewhere in these pages.

Lawrence Chackleford Holt was the youngest son of Edwin M. and Emily (Parish) Holt, and was born at the old homestead of his father at Locust Grove in Alamance County, May 17, 18.51. His early training and education was re- ceived in a celebrated school conducted by Alex- ander Wilson at Melville in Alamance County, and afterwards in the Horner Military School at Ox- ford under Professor J. H. Horner .and one year in Davidson College. It was the earnest wish of his father that he would complete a college career, but his eagerness to get into business life caused him to leave school in 1869 and go to Charlotte and take the management of a wholesale grocery busi- ness owned by his father. While at Charlotte, recognizing the needs of the city for increased banking facilities, he brought about in 1874, with the assistance of his father and brothers, the or- ."■nnization of the Commercial National Bank of Charlotte. The majority of the capital stock of this well known institution has always been held by the Holt family. It is a bank that has long stood first on the honor roll of national banks in Notth Carolina, with a capital stock of $.500,- 000 and a surplus of more than $2.50,000. Lawrence S. Holt was a director in this bank for many years, though his other interests finally made it necessary to resign any part or role as an active director.

In 1873 he received from his father a fifth in- terest in the Alamance and the Carolina Cotton mills, and from that time forward he was actively identified with the cotton mill industry. He assist- ed in managing and operating the Alamance aJid Carolina Cotton Mills until 1879. Then, with his brother, L. Banks Holt, he built the Bellemont Cotton Mills at Bellemont, located accessible to a water power on the Alamance River about two miles south of the old Alamance Mills. This was his first individual undertaking of importance in the cotton mill industry. He displayed at that

12

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

time much of the broad ability which has ever sinc-e characterized him, and was his own archi- tect, engineer and contractor at the erection of the mills, which was successful from the very start. He finally sold his interests to his brother L. Banks Holt.

In 188.S he organized and built the E. M. Holt Plaid Mills at Burlington, and cau.sed these mills to lie named in honor of his father. He was president of the company and had as active man- ager of the mills for many years his brother-in- law, William A. Erwin, who accjuired much of that training and ex]3prience which has since made him eminent in the cotton mill industry of the South while with the Holt Plaid Mills.

In 1884 Mr. Holt with his brother L. Banks Holt and his brother-in-law, John Q. Gant bought the Altamaliaw Cotton Mills on Haw River, about six miles north of Elon College. This small plant was greatly enlarged and for many years has been a highly efficient and profitable mill, now con- ducted ijy the Holt, Gant & Holt Cotton Manufac- turing Company. In 1885 Mr. Holt bought the Lafayette Cotton Mills at Burlington, then a bank- rupt institution, and he changed them to the Aurora Cotton Mills and put them in the front rank of cotton mills of the state, their special fame over the dry goods field being due to the cel- ebrated Aurora plaids.

On October 1, 189fi, Mr. Holt admitted to part- nership, with him his two oldest sons, Erwin Allen and Eugene, while on October 1, 190.5, his young- est son, Lawrence S., Jr., also became a partner. These sons were brought into the active manage- ment of Mr. Holt 's various cotton mill interests, and through them he was gradually able to retire from the heavier responsibilities of executive di- rection. The firm thus established was Lawrence S. Holt & Sons. In 1905 this company bought the Hiawatha Cotton Mills at Gibsonville, North Carolina, and after extensive changes and new ecpiinment in the plant the name was changed to the Gem Cotton Mills. Mr. Holt still remains as senior member of the Lawrence S. Holt & Son, but more and move in passing years has shifted the burden of active management of affairs to his sons and the leisure thus created has been used by him to attend to many private interests, in indulgence in philanthropy and especially in ex- tended travel. He and his family have been all over North America and have toured Europe and Oriental countries several times. Mr. Holt is one of the incorporators and a director of the Durham & Soutliern Railway Company, was for a number of years a director and active in financial atfairs of the North Carolina Railway Company, and is in- terested in a numlier of the leading indu.stries of the state besides those specifically mentioned.

A character portrait of Mr. Holt was drawn by a eomnetent biographer a few years ago in the following words:

"Lawrence S. Holt is a distinct personality. There is an impression given to the observer of mental and physical vigor and strength. He is a positive character, active, alert and progressive. His whole being is vibrant with dominant energy, sound judgment and splendid business acumen. He has a genius for doing well and promptly all that he undertakes, is exact, systematic and far- seeing, and every enterprise planned by him has without exception been successful. Like his father, he has a keen sense of humor and greatly enjoys a good anecdote. Painstaking and unsparing of

his strength and intellect, he exjiects from all others tlie same unswerving attention and devo- tion to duty which is present in him to such a great extent. While exacting, he is not a hard taskmaster, because he never believes in doing any- thing which is unnecessary. He has often said tliat 'the groans of creation are enough without adding t/i them. ' He has always abhorred waste, destruction, idleness and improvidence, and en- couraged and commended thrift, economy and good management. He believes in keeping everything up to the highest possible degree of efficiency and has accomplished this as much by his own example as by his splendid management, for per- sons associated with him who did not properly take advantage of their opportunities or realize their responsibilities were soon made to feel asliamed by the example set before them in their liead. He is an ideally devoted husband and father, never sparing himself fatigue or hardship that he might lavish on those he loves the best that life can atford. As a loyal and generous son of the church hg has given without ostentation or pub- iicity freely and cheerfully to the support of her various institutions. Any one really deserving could always rely upon him as a friend who would advise them wisely and without prejudice, and the number of persons to whom he has lent financial aid is legion. He has a profound reverence and respect for both of his parents, to whom he refers as the most wonderful couple he ever knew. ' '

Mr. Holt has always frankly given credit to the devotion, sympathy, help and good example of his wife as a source of constant help and inspira- tion to him at all times. Mrs. Holt before her marriage was Margaret Locke Erwin. They were married April 2, 1872. She is a daughter of Col. Joseph J. and Elvira (Holt) Erwin, of Belle- \'ue, near Morganton, North Carolina. After his marriage Mr. Holt became a member of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church, and was chiefly instru- mental in the erection and subsequent mainte- nance of St. Athanasins Church at Burlington, of which he was for years a vestryman.

Mr. and Mrs. Holt 's oldest daughter, Emily Farish, died in 1882, at the age of five and a half years. The six living children are Erwin Allen, Eugene, Margaret Erwin, Florence E. Lawrence S., Jr., and Bertha Harper. Concerning his sons and their successful positions in life more partic- ular reference is made on other pages.

Erwin Allen Holt, son of Lawrence and Mar- garet Locke Erwin Holt, was born near Morganton in Burke County, North Carolina, November 11, 187.3. He was educated in private schools and the Episcopal High School at Alexandria, Virginia, in the Franklin School at Washington, District of Columbia, and in the Raveneroft School of Ashe- ville. North Carolina. He grew up in the atmos- ]ihere of cotton mills and as member of a family with a particular mission in the cotton mill in- dustry of the South. He recognized his vocations and the opportunities presented him by his father, who as the sons came to majority prepared places for them in his business. He entered business September 12, 1892, in the office of the E. M. Holt Plaid Mill. Burlington, North Carolina. On Octo- ber 1, 189fi, Erwin A. Holt was admitted to part- nership in the firm of Lawrence S. Holt & Sons and had already gained considerable practical experi- ence in the family business in the Aurora Cotton Mills. As member of this firm he has had a part

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

13

in the management of its various interests, includ- ing the Gem Cotton Mills of Gibsonville, North Carolina, also interested in the Sevier Cotton Mills at Kings Mountain, the Holt, Gant & Holt Cotton Manufacturing Company at Altamahaw, and is a director in tliese various industries.

Mr. Holt is an Episcopalian and of the broadest type and has been a vestryman since 1S92 and senior warden since 1901. On June 16, 1903, he married Mary Warren Davis, of Ealeigh. Mr. Holt is an amateur student of history and has done much to encourage interest in some of those scenes and events which in North Carolina have not re- ceived the appreciation they deserve. He has been especially interested in what is called by some "the first battle of the Revolution," otherwise known as the battle of Alamance, fought near Bur- lington, North Carolina, May 16, 1771, between the Regulators or Carolina Patriots and an over- whelming force of British under the command of Governor Tryon.

Mr. Holt is an independent and state democrat, but always a stanch supporter of Roosevelt, and especially in 1912, and was a delegate to the National Convention in Chicago in 1916 which nominated Roosevelt. When Roosevelt declined Mr. Holt turned his support to Wilson.

Eugene Holt was born in Alamance County at the residence of his grandfather, Edwin M. Holt, on August 31, 187.5. He is the son of Lawrence S. and Margaret Locke (Erwin) Holt. He was educated under private tutors, in schools at Washington, D. C, Episcopal High School near Alexandria, Virginia,' and Ravencroft High School, Asheville, North Carolina.

On July 1, 1893, he went to work under his father and on October 1, 1896, was admitted to partnership in the firm of Lawrence S. Holt & Sons. He has been active in the management of this firm, who owns the Aurora Cotton Mills, Burlington, North Carolina, and Gem Cotton Mills, Gibsonville, North Carolina, He is also secretary and treasurer of the Sevier Cotton Mills Company, Kings Mountain, North Carolina.

Mr. Holt has been identified with the building up of Burlington, his home town, ami his county, having served as alderman, member of various commissions, and school board trustees. He is a member of the Episcopal Church.

On Qptober 25, 1895, he was married to Miss Edna Barnes, daughter of Lemuel Franklin and Annie (Ball) Barnes, of Richmond, Virginia. They have one child, Anne Erwin Holt.

Lawrence Schackleford Holt, Jr., youngest son of the eminent North Carolinian whose name he bears, was born at Burlington, North Carolina, November 19, 1883. Carefully reared and edu- cated, he attended public schools, Horner's Mili- tary Institute, and graduated from the University of North Carolina with the class of 1904. Turn- ing his mind to the serious work of life, he was employed as clerk in his father's cotton manufac- turing business, and on October 1, 1905, was ad- mitted to a partnership in the firm of Lawrence S. Holt & Sons, an organization in which he has since borne a share of executive responsibilities. He is a director of the Aurora Cotton Mills and the Gem Cotton Mills, is president of the Sevier Cotton Mills at Kings Mountain, vice president of the Holt. Gant & Holt Cotton Manufacturing Com- pany at Altamahaw, and is a director of the Erwin

Yarn Agency, Incorporated, at Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. From March, 1911, to December 1, 1913, Mr. Holt was a resident of Norfolk, Virginia, living in that city in order the better to attend to his duties as secretary and treasurer of the Union Cotton Bagging Corporation. Since 1913 he has resumed his residence at Burlington.

December 5, 1905, he married Elizabeth S. Bill, of Spencer, Virginia. She died March 4, 1909. On April 2, 1913, he married Elizabeth Lacy Chambers, of Charlotte, North Carolina.

James Nathaniel Williamson. A busy and fruitful life has been that of James Nathaniel Williamson, who when little more than a boy bore arms bravely and faithfully as a soldier and oflBcer in the Confederate army, after the war took up cotton manufacture, was associated with some of the most prominent cotton mill men in the state, and also combined therewith extensive interests as a mercliant and farmer. His home during the greater part of his mature years has been at Graham in Alamance County.

He was born at Locust Hill in Caswell County, North Carolina, March 6, 1842. His father, Thomas Williamson, owned several large planta- tions and conducted a store. He never held any public office beyond that of magistrate of his county, but by his business integrity and private virtues lie became a man widely known and well deserving of the admiration and veneration paid him by his famOy and friends. He was an in- timate friend of such eminent men as Chief Justice Ruffin, Hon. Calvin Graves and Hon. Bedford Brown. A source of inspiration to .lames Na- thaniel Williamson in his career was a desire to emulate his father, concerning whom he came to know largely through his mother and his father's friends, since he was a boy of only six when his father died.

His early career and edm'ation were largely directed by his mother, who possessed many at- tainments, both intellectually and spiritually. Her maiden name w'as Frances Panel Banks Farish. She was of Scotch-Irish descent, and related to the Banks and Farish families of Virginia. Her mother, Frances Banks, was a sister of Hon. Lynn Banks, who for five years was speaker of the House of Delegates in Virginia and then .served his state in Congress from 1838 until his death in 1842.

James Nathaniel Williamson owed more than he could ever calculate to the influence and teach- ing's of his mother. He found it a pleasure as well as a duty to assist her in the work of the home and farm. His father had expressly desired that his son should be thoroughly educated and that met exactly with the ambition and plans of the mother. James N. Williamson was ,a jnipil in the preparatory school conducted by Dr. Alex- ander Wilson in Alamance County. That was one of the best institutions in the state at the time. Doctor Wilson 's report of young Williamson was : ' ' He is among the best in his classes. ' ' From the preparatory school he entered Davidson College.

On May 13, 1861, at the age of nineteen, Mr. Williamson enlisted as a private in Company A of the Third Regiment, North Carolina Volunteers. This was the first company raised in Caswell County. The colonel of the regiment was W. D. Pender, whose bravery and efficiency as a soldier and officer brought him eventually to rank as a major general in the Confederate army. After a

14

HISTOKY OF XOKTH CAROLINA

time the Third Eegiment was assigned as the Thirteenth Begiment, and for a considerable part of its service was in Pender 's Brigade. James K. Williamson was a soldier four years, sharing all the hardships of his comrades in his company of this regiment. He participated in nearly all the great battles wliich made the names of Jackson and Lee famous in the annals of warfare. He was promoted to lieutenant in September, 1862, and at ChancellorsvUle was wounded on the second day. He was also wounded at Gettysburg and at the Wilderness, and at the conclusion of the latter battle was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. He was with Lee in the trenches about Petersburg, and was captain of his company when paroled at Appomattox.

The family fortunes had suffered grievously dur- ing the period of the war, and when the veteran soldier returned home there was no thought to be taken of further schooling and he courageously faced the necessity of strenuous work in rehabili- tating the old farm. This old plantation in Cas- well County represented little more than the bare land at the close of the war. For about two years after returning, home Captain Williamson employed himself with the greatest of zeal and industry to farming. In the meantime he married, and at the suggestion of his wife's father, E. M. Holt, Mr. Williamson became a partner with the five sons of Mr. Holt in conducting the Alamance Cotton Mills under the firm name of E. M. Holt 's Sons. Mr. Williamson had already considered the possibilities of a career as a manufacturer, and he readUy accepted what seemed and proved to be an excellent opportunity to become associated with men of experience and such high standing as the Holts.

In 1867 he removed to Alamance County, and while supervising his farming operations in Cas- well County took up his new duties as a partner in the firm. The Alamance Cotton Mills continued to grow and prosper and the business was after- wards extended by the construction of the Caro- lina Cotton Mills on the Haw Eiver near Graham. These mills when finished were put under the management of the Holt Brothers and Mr. Wil- liamson. For fifteen years these men shared the responsibilities of the management and conducted the mills under the name J. H. and W. E. Holt & Company. From the time the Carolina Cotton Mills were put in operation Mr. Williamson had his home at the Town of Graham.

Subsequently he built the Ossipee Cotton Mills in Alamance County, and managed and operated them under the firm name of James N. Williamson & Sons. Eventually his sons William H. and James K". assumed the burdens of active management of the institution. Soon after the construction of the Ossipee Mills, Mr. Williamson and his son William H., under the name James N. and Wil- liam H. Williamson erected the Pilot Cotton Mills at Ealeigh, and this son has had the active man- agement of the mills from the beginning.

Thus the name James N. Williamson has become widely known throughout the State of North Caro- lina among cotton mill owners and manufacturers, and he came to a notable position in an industrv which has employed the resources and abilities of many of the ablest men of the state and of a large part of the working population. It has been through the wise and efficient and careful adminis- tration of his affairs that he has rendered real service to the public and through his business he

has benefited the state and the community by much of that public spirit and earnestness which some other men devote to formal public affairs and public office. Mr. Williamson never eared to- hold public office.

On September 5, 1865, James X. Williamson married Mary E. Holt, daughter of Edwin M. Holt of Alamance County. They became the parents of the following children: William Holt, who married Sadie Tucker, daughter of Maj. R. S. Tucker of Ealeigh: Ada V., who died in 1898, the wife of O. H. Foster, of Ealeigh: James N., Jr., elsewhere referred to: and Mary Blaneli, wife- of J. Harrison Spencer, of Martinsville, Virginia.

James N. Williamson, Jr., son of James Na- thaniel Williamson, the old soldier and cotton manufacturer whose career has been reviewed on other pages, has successfully developed those pri- mary interests and opportunities which were afforded him by his father as a successful cotton mill man, and for years has been one of the busi- ness builders and upholders of prosperity in Ala- mance County.

He was born at Graham, Alamance County, Jan- uary 28, 1872. Other pages supply detailed in- formation concerning his family and ancestry. H& owed much both to inheritance and training ac- quired from his parents. Like many boys, he had a practical turn of mind and took naturally to the mechanics and the technical processes of cotton manufacture, his father 's cotton mills furnishing a splendid environment for the development of his intelligence and his intellectual curiosity. While reared in one of the substantial and even wealthy families, luxurious ease was no part of his youth- ful habits and practices. He found plenty to Aq and was constantly inspired Ijy his energy and talent and ambition to accomplish something worth while. Like his father, he was fond of outdoor sports and has always been a lover of and a good judge of horses.

His father and mother sought for him the very best of educational opportunities. When he was twelve years old he entered Pantops Academy near Charlottesville, Virginia, where he remained a stu- dent sevei'al years and made himself popular among his associates and teachers as well as mak- ing a good record for scholarship. One important source of his disciplined mind was the Bingham- Military School, then located at Mebane, where his formal literary studies were combined with military regulations and training. From the Bing- ham School he entered the L'niversity of North Carolina, but did not remain t-o graduate, coming out of university to take his work in the prac- tical industry of cotton manufacture.

In 1894 he went to work under his father at the Ossipee Mills. Three years later he was admitted to the firm of James N. Williamson & Sons. He soon became secretary and treasurer and general' manager of the Ossipee Mills. In all the processes surrounding cotton manufacturing, from the de- tailed technique of the mills to the larger prob- lems connected with industrial management. Mr. Williamson has for a mimber of years been a recognized master, authority and expert.

Soon after the PUot Mills were erected at Ealeigh he bought from his father a fourth in- terest in the mills and became vice president of them and also president of the Hopedale Mills at Burlington. A number of years he has also been director of the Alamance Loan and Trust Com-

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

15

paiiy at Burliugton and of the American Trust Company of Cliarlotte.

The career of such an active and public spirited business man as Mr. Williamson is a source of benefit and service to the public even though not an item could be recorded of participation in politics or the holding of a single office. He has done mucli to advance those matters in Alamance County Tvliieh bring tangible results of good and benefit to all classes of citizens. He has been especially identified with the good roads movement in his home county and throughout the state. In politics he is independent and non-partisan, and that is indicated in the fact that he regards as the greatest presidents of the la.st lialf century Grover Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt. The Williamsini family for generations have been ac- tive Presbyterians and Mr. Williamson himself was reared in that faith. But his wife was aji Epis- copalian, and in order that one faith might govern the household he united with that church and has given much time to church and its affairs and has served as a member of the vestry in the Bur- lington Church.

Business aside, Mr. Williamson's first and last thought is his home and f.amily. He lias enjoyed an ideal home life. November 9, 1898, he married Miss Mary Archer Saunders, daughter of a wealthy and influential citizen of Richmond, Virginia, the late E. A. Saunders. Mr. and Mrs.. Williamson have three children, James Saunders Williamson, Mary Archer WOliamson and Edwin Holt Wil- liamson.

Ce:asar Cone. When North Carolina erects its Pantheon of great men — and great women, too — somewhere among the founders of the com- monwealth, the warriors and statesmen, jurists and law makers, agriculturists, business men and manufacturers, a special place of dignity will be apportioned to the late Ceasar Cone, cotton mer- chant and manufacturer of national and inter- national fame.

When Ceasar Cone died on March 1, 1917, the importance of the man himself, his place in the business world, and his position in the affairs of the country were all so important that the Asso- ciated Press dispatches bore the news of his death to the great daily papers in all the cities of the United States, and the report quickly spread beyond the confines of this country. In a comparatively brief life he had established his name, his firm's name, the names of his mills, and the reputation of his product beyond all local limits or limitations.

It was because of this high national standing that the Wool and Cotton Reporter, the nation journal devoted to the textile industries of America, published a special issue containing an appreciation of Mr. Cone's career and character and a description of the monumental industries which he had built up in and axound Greens- boro. It is from the columns of this journal that most of the facts here noted are obtained.

There are many great names in cotton manu- facturing. These include family names that have become so firmly established in the textile trade that cities are similarly named. There has never been a family that has become more prominent in the production of cotton goods, the financing of cotton mills, and the distribution of the textile mill products than has that of Cone. Ceasar Cone's co-worker for a great many years was

his older brother, Moses Cone, and the names of these two brothers will always be linked together. Everyone with a knowledge of the industry im- mediately thinks ckf Ceasar Cone as equally great in finance, manufacture and merchandising, and because of his pre-eminence in these several branches he towered above or as the equal of any individual name that adorns the annals of cotton manufacturing.

Ceasar Cone was born April 22, 18.59, at .Jones- boro, Tennessee, and was not yet fifty-eight years of age when he died at his home in Greensboro. His father, Herman Cone, came from Bavaria, Germany, to America in 1845, at the age of eighteen. He began his life here with only fifty cents in capital. In 1870 he removed his family to Baltimore and estalilished a wholesale grocery business, which in 1878 became the firm of H. Cone & Sons. Herman Cone married Helen Gug- genhcimer, who was also from Bavaria. Many of her fine traits of character were inherited by Ceasar Cone.

Ceasar Cone attended the public schools of Bal- timore to the age of foi'rteen. That completed his education. He then went to work with a Balti- more firm of stationers. It is said that he never ileparted from the methods and precepts incul- cated during his tender years. The paternal les- son was rigid honesty, rigid economy, and rigid observance of every obligation. The life of Ceasar Cone was a complete exemplification of these principles. He represented a family of suc- cessful men and women. Besides his older brother, Moses, he was survived by four brothers at Greensboro, Sol, Julius W., Bernard M. and Clarence N., and by two other brothers at Balti- more, Dr. Sidney M. and Fred W. His three sisters were: Dr. Claribel Cone and Miss Etta Cone, of Baltimore, and Mrs. M. D. Long, of Ashe^•ille. North Carolina.

In 1890 the old and successful firm of H. Cone & Sons, wholesale grocers of Baltimore, was dissolved. Both Moses and Ceasar Cone had been members of the firm. Through its connections they had obtained an accurate knowledge of the conditions and resources of the South. Planning to develop these resources, they organized the Cone Export and Commission Company for the handling of cotton goods. This put them in close touch with the cotton mills, and finally brought them into the manufacturing field. As manu- facturers they began vrith a small mill of only a few looms. Removing to Greensboro, the Cone brothers acquired several hundred acres of land adjoining the corporate limits and there in 1895- 96 erected the mills of the Proximity Manufac- turing Company. The dominant ideal in the organization of the company was the manufac- ture of a class of goods not made in the South prior to 1896. Starting vrith 240 looms, in less than ten years the company enlarged its capital stock and built another mammoth plant known a' the Whit^ Oak Mill, which is the largest cot- ton mill in the South and the largest denim manufacturing plant in the world. The Proxim- ity and White Oak mills contain 3,600 looms and employ 2,500 people. Mr. Ceasar Cone was actively associated with his brother, Moses, in the establishment of the White Oak, Proximity and Revolution cotton mills. At the death of Moses Cone the business burdens of the Cone Export and Commission Company fell upon the shoulders of the younger brother, and when he

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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

in turn answered the call of death, the great Cone industries were left to the administrative skill and experience of his brothers, Bernard and Julius, and his oldest son, Herman Cone.

Estimating his place in southern cotton manu- facturing, a writer m the Wool and Cotton Be- porter said: " Ceasar Cone was the largest denim manufacturer in tJie world. It has been currently reported that one-third of all the denims of the world are manufactured in the Wliite Oak, Prox- imity and Revolution Mills at Greensboro. . . . Ceasar Cone was a salesman, a merchant. Per- haps his greatest work was not his manufactur- ing plants, extensive though they were, but his merchandising projects. The Cone Export and Commission Company has been of great value not only to southern mills but to the industry as a whole. A considerable number of cotton mills not owned and not controlled by the Cone family merchandise their goods through the Cone commission house. To a very large extent, the outside mills who sell through this commission house depended upon the Cone Export and Com- mission Company for many years, and upon Ceasar Cone himself to a very great extent, not only for the distribution of their products but for the financing of their mills, for the money with which raw materials were purchased, for the money that met the pay roll on every pay day. No commission house has ever attained a higher reputation than this one, not only in the trade and with its competitors but with the finan- cial authorities of downtown New York. And the policy of the Cone Commission House was the policy of Ceasar Cone. Its merchandising activities and ability, its fuianeial guidance, its ethics, all rested upon him. ' '

The late Ceasar Cone expressed the best ele- ments of his life and character in his devotion to his great mills at Greensboro and to the gen- eral civic welfare of that community. He served as president of the Greensboro Chamber of Com- merce, president of the American Cotton Manu- facturers Association, and he and his family were identified with practically every large wel- fare movement in the city. His brother, Moses Cone, gave a large portion of his estate to build a hospital at Greensboro. One of the last acts of Ceasar Cone was offering a large sum to be used for the proposed Guilford County Tubercu- losis Sanitarium.

Many writers have commented upon the exten- sive welfare program planned and carried out in the mill villages of the great Cone Mills. The proper point of view in regarding the material and social conditions prevaUing in these mill vil- lages is not how far they measure up to the most ideal theoretical standard, but how far they bring the inhabitants above the plane of exist- ence in moral and physical comforts which the people had enjoyed before they became factors in the mill communities. It has been pomtea out and is a well-known fact that most of th^ manufacturing centers of the South are recruited from the poor and backward hill sections, where the people representing an undiluted strain of Anglo-Saxon stock have lived for generations out of touch with modern schools, religious privileges, and most of those comforts and attractions which go to make up the wholesomeness of Amer- ican life.

A writer describing the welfare work of the Cone mill villages says: "The manufacturers

with whom C<?asar Cone was always a leader fur- nished the place to work and a fair profit in wages, furnished comfortable homes in which the operatives lived, supplied the schools in which the children are educated, saw to it that the school teachers were efficient, supplied the churches and preachers according to the religious trend of the mill workers, furnished the mill hos- pital so that the mill village doctors could sat- isfactorily take care of the health of the workers' families. In fact, these manufacturers have made it a part of their business to insure more than a living to the men and women who are working with them. The Cone mills at Greens- boro are not typical of the industry — they are larger and better and more profitable than the average. The mill villages and the advantages of mill village life at Greensboro are not typical of the textile manufacturing industry. The cot- tages are better than the average; so are the educational and health and living conditions. In the villages at the Proximity and White Oak and Eevolution cotton mills there are perhajis 8,000 or 9,000 people who are whoUy dependent upon the past and present and future work in these Cone mills for their livelihood, the education of their children, for the savings that will take care of them in their declining years — in fact, for all, their financial, social and religious advantages. ' '

One of Ceasar Cone 's last public appearances was as one of the principal speakers on the pro- gram of the St. Louis convention of the Na- tional Association of Garment Manufacturers in the fall of 1916. A more concise description of his high standing in the textile industries it would be difficult to imagine that the brief sentences the president of the convention used in introducing Mr. Cone. He said : " It is my privilege and great pleasure to introduce to you a gentleman known ■personally to many of you and by reputation to all of us. This gentleman stands so highly in his profession that he speaks with that authority that one who knows always commands. Long years of fair dealing and fair play have made this gentleman dear to many of us. I may say that all of us stand ready at all times to render unto Ceasar that which is Ceasar 's. It is with pleasure that I introduce Mr. Ceasar Cone of America. ' '

In 1894 Mr. Cone married Miss Jeanette Siegel, a lady of rare gifts and attainments, who survives him. They had three sons: Herman, Benjamin and Ceasar Cone.

Moses H. Cone. The career of the late Moses H. Cone was so intimately associated with that of his brother Ceasar Cone in the building and operation of the great mills around Greensboro that no special comment on his business achieve- ments is required to supplement what is said in the sketch of his brother published elsewhere. The following paragraph is a brief recital of the main facts of his personal history.

He was born at Jonesboro. Tennessee, son of Herman and Helen (Guggenheimer) Cone, both of whom were natives of Bavaria. He was one of thirteen children and acquired a fair education in his youth, and was identified with his father in the wholesale grocery business at Baltimore for a number of years. In 1890 he was the primary factor in organizing the Cone Export and Commis- sion Company, which made contracts with many of the largest cotton mills in the South to handle their products. In 1895 Moses Cone and his

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

17

brother Ceasar bought large tracts of land adja- cent to Greensboro and successively erected the Proximity, Revolution and White Oak Mills. He and Ms brother alsol put into operation the Southern Finishing MUl, the first institution of its kind in the South. Incidentally it may be stated that through the operations of these brothers Greensboro took a new lease of industrial pros- perity and from that time forward its strides as a southern industrial center have taken it to a foremost position among the cities of North Carolina.

Though never a resident of Greensboro, Moses Cone was well known in the city and his work and influence have been vital factors in the state as a whole. About 1900 he bought a large tract of land near Blowing Rock, and tliere built the palatial home which he loved so well and which was the scene of his last days. The Blowing Rock estate is a wonderfully interesting place and under his direction large areas of vineyard and orchard were developed. In that home Moses H. Cone died De- cember 8, 1908. He married Bertha Lindau, who survives him.

Thomas Henry Briggs. The character of the men of a community may be correctly gauged by the standing of its business houses whose growth has been stimulated by intelligent and progressive methods, or held back by lack of proper develop- ment. No city can attain its highest standard lacking the oo-operation of its citizens in all lines in giving honest service for value received. The real progressive and helpful men of a community may be counted upon to promulgate and support worthy measures looking toward the securing for their community of solid improvements; they are to be found actively engaged in church labors; they give a solidity to commercial organizations, and when the need arises contribute liberally toward charities. Judging from all these standards, the City of Raleigh is fortunate in the possession of such sterling citizens as Thomas Henry Briggs, who has been identified with the commercial life of the city since 1870, and who, during his long career, has labored faithfully in church move- ments, has maintained a high standard in his commercial relations, and has consistently and continuously worked in behalf of better education, better morality and better citizenship.

Mr. Briggs belongs to one of the oldest families of Raleigh, his grandparents, John Joyner and Elizabeth (Utley) Briggs. having been among the founders of the city in 1792. He was born Septem- ber 9, 1847, and is the eldest soit of Thomas Henry and Evelina (Norwood) Briggs, and secured good educational advantages in his youth, attending the celebrated school of Mrs. James P. Taylor, Love- .ioy Academy and Wake Forest College, from which he was graduated in 1870. In that year began his connection with the commercial life of Raleigh, an association that has continued throughout a period of more than forty-eight years. Mr. Briggs has been engaged in the wholesale and retail hardware business and interested in various other industrial, commercial and financial enterprises of the community, and at the jiresent time is a direc- tor in the Commercial National Bank, of which he was one of the organizers, and the Wake County Savings Bank.

As a supporter of the cause of education, Mr. Briggs has served as school committeeman for Raleigh Township as trustee for the Agricultural

and Mechanical College for the Colored Race, at Greensboro, North Carolina, during the adminis- tration of Governor Elias Carr, and for twenty- five years as treasurer of Wake Forest College. On his resignation from the last-named position he was elected a member of the board of trustees of that institution, and still holds that position. He is also president of the board of directors of the Raleigh Cemetery Association. John Joyner Briggs was one of the organizers of the First Bap- tist Church of Raleigh, hence Thomas Henry Briggs is the third generation of the family in this church, whose successive pastors have had no hesitancy in calling upon him for aid in forwara- ing the work of the organization. He is otherwise closely identified with the religious life of the city and with mission interests, both home and foreign, and is recognized as one of the state 's leading Sunday school workers, his efforts being directed particularly in the training of boys and youths. Mr. Briggs is known and honored in the commun- ity as a man above reproach, of integrity and of high Christian character.

On October 21, 1874, Mr. Briggs was married to Miss Sarah Grandy, daughter of Willis Sawyer and Elizabeth (Ferebee) Grandy, then living at Oxford, North Carolina.

Thomas Walter Bickett. In every state and country friends of enlightened progress in politics, those who are prayerfully and hopefully looking and struggling for the light while occasionally admitting doutjt and cynicism over ineptitude and selfishness, must find encouragement in what has been achieved so far during the administration of Thomas Walter Bickett as governor of North Caro- lina. While it is too soon to measure and estimate ultimate effects and results, it can be confidently asserted that as a rational program now in progress of fulfillment no state in the Union can present a record that is more completely an expression of political wisdom and practical idealism.

Since he became governor, Mr. Bickett has truly demonstrated leadership which leads. While at every point it has been democratic leadership. He has compelled attention and has gained support for his proposals through the cogency of clear and sincere presentation. It may be ventured that no public paper relating to the state of affairs in North Carolina has been more widely read and will be more frequently referred to in the years to come than the inaugural address of Governor Bickett. It is a wonderful appeal to the spirit of progress, to constructive co-operative endeavor and to that unselfishness which makes the interest of the many superior to the interest of the few. It would be no disparagement of those who loyally co-operated with Governor Bickett in carrying out his plans to assert that the clear and forceful man- ner in which he presented the different items of his program quickened and vitalized popular support all over the state, so that the results in formal legislation were almost inevitable. Someone has well said that Governor Bickett 's inaugural address delivered in January, 1917, was his platform, and that in January, 1918, though he had been in of- fice only a year the address had become his record.

Considered either as literary or as a political document the most notable feature of the inaugural address was the specific and direct language in which the various propositions were outlined, and the almost total absence of generalization and rhetoric. The address falls into two parts. The

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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

first is an outline of nine measures, all directed to the improvement of rural life: Assisting the tenant to become a landlord by eonstitutional amendment exempting taxation notes and mort- gages given for the purchase price of a home; the conserving of fertility and the regeneration of the soil; legislation to relieve the farmer of the evils of the crop lien; development of the water powers of the state ; establishment and extension of rural telephone systems; making the schoolhouse the so- cial as well as the educational center of rural com- munities; maintenance as well as construction of good highways; constitutional amendment requir- ing a fixed school term throughout the state; and incorporation of rural communities. Governor Biekett in addition to these nine measures urged a uniform system school administration both in counties and for the state at large. On the subject of manufacturing his proposals were three in number : A reasonable minimum requirement that manufacturers should provide for the convenience and comfort of mill operatives; permission to combination by manufacturers for advancement of trade; and industrial and technical education in manufacturing districts. Other proposals were for a commission to submit a comprehensive plan of taxation, for the enlargement of the scope of work and adequate appropriations for the state board of health; provision for absentee voting; limita- tion of state officers to two successive terms and of county officers to three successive terms; urging the wisdom of the short ballot; consolidation of boards of management for state hospitals; central- ized management of the state agricultural depart- ment and tlie College of Agriculture; and modi- fications and reforms of state prison management.

It will now be in order to notice briefly how Governor Biekett 's suggestions were enacted into law by General Assembly of 1917. A brief sum- mary of the specific acts is as follows:

The act submitting a eonstitutional amendment calling for a six months' instead of a four months' public school term. The act follows the declara- tion in the governor's inaugural address that "the childi-en are entitled to have the voter east a single ballot, whether he is or is not in favor of a larger opportunity for the child. ' '

The act submitting a constitutional amendment exempting from taxation, notes and mortgages given in good faith for the purchase price of a home. The purpose of this act is to bring the money in reach of every homesteader.

The crop lien act designed to give the small farmer a chance to ' ' break out of jail. ' '

The act providing for the teaching of the basic principles of good farming in every rural public school. The machinery of this act is well adapted to serve its purpose.

The act to encourage the instaUation of run- ning water, electric lights, telephones in country homes and communities by furnishing expert ad- vice and assistance free of cost.

The act to make the schoolhouse a social center and to jirovide for wholesome entertainment in country sehoolhouses that will be both constructive and relaxing.

The act providing for the medical inspection of all children who attend the public schools that physical defects may be discovered and corrected in their incipiency.

The act providing for the incorporation of rural communities to the end that thickly settled com- munities in the country may take such steps for

tlieir own betterment as they think wise and proper.

Tlie act forbidding the sale of the advertise- ment for sale of medicines purporting to cure incurable diseases and forbidding the sale of me- chanical device for the treatment of disease when the state board of health may declare such device to be without curative value.

The act providing for the improvement of high- ways by expenditure of automobile tax for this purpose under the direction of the state highway commission.

Tlie act that permits and regulates absentee voting.

The appointment of a state tax commission to investigate and report a comprehensive system of taxation to the next General Assembly.

The act consolidating the management of the three hospitals for the insane and establishing a purchasing agency for the seven state institutions.

The act limiting the time for which a convict may be sent to a chain gang to five years. The recommendation of the governor was for two years, but owing to the inadequacy of quarters at the state prison the time was made five years for the present.

The act authorizing the construction of modern sanitary quarters for the convicts on the state farm.

The Turner bill, whicli fulfills the recommenda- tion of the governor in that part of his inaugural address in which he says : "I am convinced that the only justification for tlie punishment of crime is the protection of the public and the reformation of the criminal. Anything that savors of vin- (lictiveness is indefensible in the administration of the law. When the state sends a citizen to prison he ought to be made to feel that his punish- ment is a just measure imposed for the purpose of preventing himself and others from committing further crimes, and that pending his imprisonment the State desires to afford him every opportunity to become a good citizen."

Governor Biekett has proved as fearless and progressive in his purely administrative and execu- tive functions as in promoting a liberal and well rounded legislative program. One example only can be considered here. It was a matter which attracted attention beyond the borders of the state, and was made the subject of an article by a writer in The Survey. It told how Governor Biekett exercised his executive clemency in writ- ing out pardons for six boys, whose average age was a little more than twelve years, who had each been convicted for some criminal offense and the sentences ranging from fifteen years to a life term in the penitentiary. In doing this he was acting upon the principles that he enunciated in his inaugural and at the same time was overturning ]irecedents and setting new ones, and was revers- ing the will and decision of the state courts. While Governor Biekett accepts and approved the partisan system of democratic government, is hirh- self a party man, it is true that he has as little partisanship in the narrow personal sense as any man who has ever been governor of "North Caro- lina. He is proud of what has been accomplished during his term, and yet the credit for all those varied achievements he generously assigns to the state administration as a whole in which he is merely the executive head. The spirit of this is well indicated in an article which he gave to the public press reviewing the work of the General

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

19

Assembly of 1917 and as his personal impression of the results wliieli have already been outlined it has its appropriate place in this article :

' ' The finest commentary on the General As- sembly of 1917, will be found in tlie simplest state- ment of its record. The outstanding feature of that record is that it deals entirely with industrial, social and educational problems. Only in a nega- tive way did the Assembly touch the domain of politics. The big, constructive measures were con- sidered in patriotic fashion, and it is due the members of the minority party to say that on these questions they refrained from playing politics and gave vote and voice to the support of what they conceived to be the highest good.

' ' The record discloses that the Assembly recog- nized two fundamental principles :

"1. That every citizen is entitled to a fair chance to make his bread.

"2. That a high grade citizenship cannot live by bread alone.

' ' The constitutional amendment exempting home- stead notes from taxation, the crop lien law regu- lating the penalty imposed on poverty for its in- ability to pay cash for supplies, the act providing for tlie teaching of the fundamentals of good farm- ing in every country school, the law providing for medical inspection of school children so as to discover physical defects in their incipieney, the act to protect the citizen from being defrauded by the sale of nostrums for incurable diseases, the establishment of the home and school for cripples, the state wide quarantine law, this law providing rural sanitation were all designed and are calcu- lated to aid the citizen in the world old battle for bread. They deal largely with the physical neces- sities of men, but in addition to their commercial value they are shot through with the spirit of humanitarianism.

"On the other hand the eoustitutioual amend- ment calling for a six instead of a four months' scliool, the act authorizing the incorporation of rural communities, tlie liberal appropriation for moonlight schools, the expansion of the work of rural libraries, the act providing for a system of state highways, the act to encourage the installa- tion of running water and electric lights and tele- phones in country homes, the appropriation to relieve the loneliness of country life by giving wholesome, instructive and entertaining exhibitions in country school houses, the establishment of the home for delinquent women, the creation of the State Board of general welfare and public char- ities, the special act for the building of a new home for the blind, the three million dollar bond issue to encourage the building of better school houses in the country, and to provide adequate quarters and equipment for our educational and cliaritable institutions, all recognize the truth that man cannot live by bread alone, but requires for liis jiroper devcloiiment the enrichment of his social and intellectual life.

' ' In addition to these measures that so vitally touch the life of the people, the administration of the State's affairs were placed upon a more in- telligent and humane basis by the prison reform bill, the consolidation of the three hospitals for the insane under a single management, the act to establish a new and modern system of accounting in the State departments and institutions, the law creating an educational commission to consider the entire school system of the state, the act providing for a State Board to examine teachers and conduct

educational institutes, the creation of a sub-com- mission to devise an equitable system of taxation, and the law eliminating unnecessary and cumber- some reports of State departments.

"I do not have before me any list of the acts of the General Assembly, and I may have omitted some important measures in this outline. But in the record above given there will be found twenty- one separate and distinct acts of dealing with new subjects or old subjects in a new way. And the fine thing about the record is that not one of the acts named was written in a spirit of hostility to jiersons or property, but every one of them rep- resents a proper conception of ]uiblic service. The General Assembly made scant use of the hatchet, but was very busy with the trowel, the hammer and the saw. In the early days of the session there was considerable lost motion and there were a few grave errors of omission, but the record in its entirety reveals the Legislator of 1917 as a 'workman tliat needeth not to be ashamed.' "

It now remains to review briefly the career of tliis honored public servant of North Carolina, whose earlier years well justified the record he has made in the office of governor. Thomas Walter Bickett was born in Monroe, North Carolina, Feb- ruary 28, 1869, a son of T. W. and Mary A. (Covington) Bickett. When he was thirteen years of age his father died, and as tlie oldest of four children he had heavy responsibilities and in pro- viding for tlieir support he acquired much of the self-reliance and the sturdy manhood which have always distinguished him. lie attended the Monroe Higli Seliool, and in 1886 entered Wake Forest College. He paid his way through school, and at the same time was one of the leaders in col- lege life, gaining honors as a debater, winning a wealth of school associations and lasting friend- ships, and graduating A. B. with the class of 1890. Then followed a period of teaching, principally in the graded scliools of Winston-Salem until 1892. He liad spent the vacations studying law in the office of his uncle, D. A. Covington, and in the fall of 1892 entered the University Law School. Receiving his license to practice in February, 1893, he spent 1% years at Danbury, and since .January, 1895, his home has lieen at Louisburg in Franklin County. In his practice there he was soon noted as a leader of the bar, a man of ade- quate scholarship, of splendid resourcefulness both in learning and in wit, and witli an integrity of character tliat caused his clients to trust implicitly in his judgment.

While during the years that followed he steadily liuilt up a reputation as a lawyer and became well known to the members of the state bar, he gave all his time to his profession and never consented to lie a figure in polities until 1907, when he was elected a member of the Legislature. He was elected by a majority of 17.50, and after taking his seat distinguished himself as an able advocate of some of the measures of special importance to the state. As chairman of the Committee on Insane Asylums he introduced and secured the passage of what is known as the Bickett Bill, ap- propriating a half million dollars for the purchase of land and construction of buildings to take care of the insane and other classes of the state's unfortunate. That was the largest appropriation voted by the General Assembly for a single pur- jiose in an entire decade. He also advocated a iiill to regulate lobbying, and worked for the establishment of the East Carolina Teachers

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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

Training School and the establishment of a school of t-eehnology in some cotton mill center.

As a delegate to the Charlotte Convention of 1908 Mr. Bickett iirst became a figure of state wide prominence. His nominating speech for Col. Ashley Home for governor made him so conspicuous that he in turn was nominated for the office of attorney general, and during the fol- lowing campaign he did much to draw together the various factions in his own party and con- tributed much to the success of the ticket. He was elected attorney general and began his of- ficial duties in January, 1909. In 1912 he was reelected, for the term expiring in 1916.

His record of service has been particularly scrutinized by the people of North Carolina dur- ing the last year or so, when his candidacy was urged on all sides for the office of governor to succeed Mr. Craig. His record as attorney general is one of special interest. Besides acting as adviser to every department of the state government, he argued upwards of 400 cases before the Supreme Court of North Carolina, and repre- sented the state before the Federal Court within the state, the Commerce Court and the Interstate Commerce Commission and the Supreme Court at Washington, and it is said that every ease argued by him before a federal tribunal was won for the state. A reference to his work as attorney general is found in an editorial of the Raleigh News and Observer of November 11, 191.5, which says : ' ' The record of Attorney General Thomas W. Bickett before the United States Supreme Court is one of which he can well be proud. Since coming into the high office which he holds he has had occasion to argue five different cases before the Supreme Court as the guardian of the state 's legal rights, and he has won every one of them. The Tennessee-North Carolina boundary ease, which was decided Monday in favor of North Carolina, being the latest one to claim public at- tention. Mr. Bickett besides being one of our most finished public speakers is also one of the state 's astute lawyers, capable of profound and patient study, with a keenly analytical mind and with the faculty of engaging and illuminating expression."

A gracefully expressed tribute such as few men can deserve was that which appeared in the annual publication for 1915 of Wake Forest College, and which is dedicated to Mr. Bickett as follows: "To Thomas Walter Bickett, Class 1890. On every level of a brilliant career, student, teacher, lawyer, attorney general, standing in the midst of a host of friends. ' '

Every successive st-age of his career has demon- strated him a man of proficiency, adequate for the duties and responsibilities of the time, and fitting himself for a new and larger life that was to succeed. Therefore when on November 5, 1916, the people of North Carolina were called upon to express their choice of a citizen to fill the office of governor, there was no question of fitness and only a generous outburst of confidence and trust in a man who had proved worthy at every test, Mr, Bickett was elected governor of North Carolina on the democratic ticket by over 48,000 majority. He was inaugurated governor on January 1, 1917,

Mr, Bickett is a member of the Masonic order and of the Episcopal Church, On November 29, 1898, he married Miss Fannie Yarborough, a woman of rare attainments and fine character, and

devoted to their home and to his advancement as a public leader. They have one child,

Pl.^tt DrcKiN-sON Walker, For thirteen Tears the learning and integrity of Piatt Dickinson Wal- ker has been read into the decisions of the North Carolina Supreme Court, He is one of North Carolina's most distinguished lawyers and jurists and a man who has succeeded in translating the high ideals of the profession into practical service for good in his community and state.

He was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, a son of Thomas D. and Mary Vance Dickinson Walker, and has lived in North Carolina practically all his life. He received his early education in George W. Jewett 's School at Wilmington and in James H. Horner's School at Oxford, North Caro- lina. He then entered the University of North Carolina, being a member of the class of 1869, but finished his collegiate course at the University of Virginia, where he had as preceptors in his legal studies the noted Prof. John B. Minor and Profes- sor Southall. Graduating LL. B. in 1869, he was admitted to practice in North Carolina by the Supreme Court at the June term of 1870*. In that year he located at Eockingham, and was in practice with the late Walter L. Steele, who after- wards represented a North Carolina District in Congress. While living there he represented T?ichmond County in the General Assembly in 1874-

In 1876 Judge Walker moved to Charlotte, and was associated in partnership with Hon. Clement Dowd, who was afterwards a congressman, and in November, 1880, became a jiartner with Hon. Armistead Burwell, who afterwards was honored with a seat on the Supreme Bench. In 1892 he formed a partnership with E. T. Cansler. From Mecklenburg County Judge Walker was called to Raleigh as associate justice of the Supreme Court, beginning his first terra January 1, 1903, and his second term January 1, 1911.

In 1899 Judge Walker served as the first presi- dent of the North Carolina Bar Association. He is a trustee of the University of North Carolina, which in 1908 honored him with the degree of LL. D., and he holds a similar degree from David- son College conferred in 190.3. Judge Walker is a member of the Episcopal Church. He has been twice married. June 5, 1878, at Reidsville, North Carolina he married Miss Henrietta Settle Coving- ton, On June 8, 1910, he married Miss Alma Locke Mordecai. Judge Walker still retains his residence at Charlotte. He is a member of the American Bar Association and now holds the office in that association of vice president for this state.

Hon. Locke Cr.\ig. Governor of North Caro- lina from 1913 to 1917, Locke Craig has long ranked as one of the state 's foremost orators, a man of commanding influence in public affairs, and until he took the governor 's chair had spent twenty years in the practice of law.

Governor Craig was born in Bertie County, North Carolina, August 16, 1860, a son of Andrew Murdoek and Clarissa Rebecca (Gillam") Craig. He "represents one of the old Colonial families, his paternal ancestor, William Craig, having come from his native Scotland, first to Ireland and then to America in 1749, This ancestor settled in Orange County, North Carolina,

It was the good fortune of Locke Craig to spend his early years on a farm. The leanings

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of bis ambitions and his talents brought him to a professional career. In 1880 he graduated with honor from the University of Nortli Carolina with the degree A. B., and in 1883 he concluded his preliminary work and was admitted to the Morth Carolina bar. He then located at Asheville, and applied himself industriously to accumulating a practice and reputation as a lawyer.

For years he has been recognized as a forceful leader of the people, and a man of unusual power as a public speaker. In 1892 he was presiden- tial elector for the then Ninth Congressional Dis- trict, and in 1896 was elector for the state at large. In the latter year he made a brilliant can- vass of North Carolina on behalf of William J. Bryan. In 1898 he was nominated for the Legis- lature from Buncombe County, and in that cam- paign proved his ability as a successful campaign- er by reversing the normal republican majority of 600 and went into office with a clear majority of 700. Observers of political affairs in North Carolina concede that the General Assembly of 1899 was one of the ablest bodies of men ever gathered together as political representatives of the people of the state. In that Legislature Governor Craig was one of the leaders. He was one of the foremost in proposing a state suffrage amend- ment to the constitution. In 1900 he was returned to the Legislature by an increased majority, and in the Legislature of 1903 was a prominent can- didate for the United States Senate, being beaten only after a protracted struggle.

In 1912 Jlr. Craig was elected governor of North Carolina and entered upon the duties of his office in January, 1913. The record of his administration is fresh in the minds of the peo- ple, and while Governor Craig was noted for the firmness of his decisions and the many construc- tive measures advocated by him and carried through to the benefit of the state, his popularity was as great when he left office at the close of 1916 as it had l)een when he was carried by the votes of the people into the governor's chair. Since the expiration of his term as governor Mr. Craig has resumed his residence at Asheville.

November 18, 1891, Governor Craig married Annie Burgin of McDowell County, North Caro- lina. They are the parents of four sons: Carlyle, a naval officer; George Winston, an officer in the National Army; Arthur, also a naval officer; and Locke, .Jr., who was born in the governor's mansion in November, 1914.

Henry Groves Connor, United States district judge of the Eastern District of North Carolina, son of David and Mary C. (Groves) Connor, was born at Wilmington, July 3, 18.52. He was reared and educated at Wilson, which is still his home. .Judge Connor was in active practice of the law from 1873 to 1885 and from 1893 to 1903. More than half of his active professional career has been spent on the bench. In 188.5 he represented his district in the State Senate; and in 1899 and 1901 he served in the House of Bepresentatives, of which he was speaker in 1899. He was appoint- ed judge of the Superior Court in 1885 and served until 1893, when he resigned to resume the practice of the law. In 1902 he was elected an associate justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. From that office, although a democrat, he was appointed by President AVilliam Howard Taft to the United States District Bench for the Eastern District on June 1, 1909. He is a democrat and

a member of the Episcopal Church. In 1908 the University of North Carolina conferred upon him the degree of LL. D. Judge Connor married Miss Kate Whitfield, of Wilson, North Carolina. They have had twelve children, of whom nine are living. George Whitfield Connor, eldest son of Henry Groves and Kate Whitfield Connor, was born at Wilson, October 24, 1873, was graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1892, and for five years was in educational work as principal of the Goldsboro High School and superintendent of the pubUe schools of Wilson. From 1897 to 1912 he was in business at Wilson as a merchant. From 1905 to 1908 he served as chairman of the Board of Education of Wilson County. In 1912 he was admitted to the bar and entered upon the practice of the law. He served as a member of the House of Representatives in 1909, 1911 and 1913, and was speaker of the House during his last term. In 1913 he was chosen a member of the Commission on Constitutional Amendments and in the same year was appointed judge of the Superior Courts of the Second District. He also served as a trustee of the University of North Car- olina from 1905 to 1909. Judge Connor is a democrat and a member of the Episcopal Church. May 30, 1894, he married Miss Bessie Hadley, daughter of J. C. Hadley of Wilson. They have liad four children, of whom two are living.

Frank H. Vogler. Much of the business his- tory of Winston-Salem might be written around the family name Vogler. Voglers have lived in this part of North Carolina from pioneer times. They were prominent in the community of old Salem, long before Winston came into existence or before the Twin City of Winston-Salem was dreamed of. Frank H. Vogler has been a promi- nent business man of Winston-Salem for over thirty years, and at one time served as mayor of Salem.

He was bom in the old Town of Salem. His father, Alexander C. Vogler, was also born at Salem, in 1832. The grandfather was Nathaniel Vogler, likewise a native of Salem. The great- grandfather was the founder of this branch of the family in North Carolina. The family history states that he was one of six brothers, natives of Germany, who, coming to America, located at Waldoboro in the State of Maine. One of the, brothers remained in Maine, and his descendants- are still to be found there. The other five broth- ers came south on a sailing vessel. The ship was wrecked off Cape Henry, and the brothers and other passengers were landed on an island. Sub- sequently they were picked up by another ship, which carried them to Wilmington. From Wilm- ington.the Vogler brothers made their way to the interior and located in that portion of the original Stokes County now Forsyth County, North Caro- lina. Whether all the five brothers had families is not known, but it is a fact that many descend- ants of the Vogler stock are still found in this part of North Carolina.

Grandfather Nathaniel Vogler learned the trade- of gunsmith. For many years he was enp-aged in the manufacture of fire arms at Salem. He was not only a master of his trade but also took pride- and pains with every piece of work that left his shop. The rifles he made were noted for their ser-vicea.hleness and accuracy, and they were sold not only over North Carolina but in Virginia..

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HISTORY OF NORTPI CAROLINA

Though Nathaniel Vogler owned a farm two miles south of Salem, he always kept his home in the town. He died at the age of seventy-two years. He married Mary Fishel. She was born at Frieds- liurg in Davidson County, North Carolina, where her parents were among the pioneers. She sur- vived her husband and passed away at the age of eighty-nine. There were nine children in tlieir family: Henry, Laura, wlio married William Beck, Julius, Martha, wlio married Edward Peterson, Alexander C, Mortimer N., Maria E., who for upwards of thirty years was a teacher in the Salem Academy, Regina A. and William F., both of whom are still living.

Alexander C. Vogler took up another trade than that of his father. He served an apprenticeship at cabinet making, and following his apprentice- ship he did .iourneyman work in Macon, Georgia, ami Milton, North Carolina. He finally returned to Salem and set up in business for himself. In earlier years he made many articles of furniture, and his shop was largely a custom shop, but he gradually introduced a general stock of furniture. His first shot) was 24 by 70 feet, a frame building, located close to the north line of Salem. At that time the present site of Winston was a wilderness. In 18.58 Alexander Vqgler made undertaking a branch of his furniture busi- ness, and he continued actively in those lines until his death in 1903. Alexander Vogler married Antoinette Hauser. She was born in Salem, a daughter of William and Susanna (Shultz) Hauser. She died in 1906, three years after her husband. There were only two children, Mary A. and Frank H. Mary A., now deceased, was the wife J. F. Grouse.

As his father was a substantial business man and highly respected citizen, Frank H. Vogler grew up in Salem and enjoyed a good home and liberal encouragement and advantages. He at- tended the Boys' School at Salem, and on leav- ing school became an apprentice at the cabinet- maker's trade. In 1888 he entered actively into the business with his father, and has thus earned on an establishment which is now one of the oldest if not the oldest under one continuous family own- ership in Winston-Salem. Mr. Frank Vogler is a graduate of the Cincinnati School of Embalming and also studied the science under E. B. Myers, of Springfield, Ohio, and under the noted Rewnard. His sons, who are now associated with him in the business, are graduates in embalming, the older having his diploma from the Rewnard School of Embalming of New York City. The firm is now Frank H. Vogler & Sons. The building in which their business was established nearly sixty years ago has since been removed to the back of the lot, and in front a commodious l>rick structure occupies the old site. There is no firm in North Carolina "which has a more complete equipment and facil- ities for rendering ex^pert and careful service than that of Frank H. Vogler & Sons.

In 188.5 Mr. Vogler married Miss Dora Morton. She was born in Alamance County, North Carolina, daughter of Jacob and Nannie Morton. Mr. and Mrs. Vogler are the parents of four children: Francis Eugene, William N., Louise and Ruth A.- The two sous, as has already been noted, are actively associated with tlieir father in business thus making the third successive generation to foUow this profession at Winston-Salem. Eugene married Edith Witt and has a son Francis Eugene,

.Tr. William N. married Camille Cliugman and has a daughter Virginia.

Mr. and Mrs. Vogler are active members of the Home Moravian Church. Tliey have reared tlieir family in the same faith. Mr. Vogler has served as a member of its board of elders for several years and has always been active in church affairs. In a public way he was a member of the Board of Aldermen of Salem and filled the oflSce of mayor for four years. He is afiiliated with Salem Lodge No. 36, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a charter member of Salem Lodge No. 56, Knights of Pythias. He is also widely known in his pro- fession, being a member of and secretary of the State EmVialmers Board. He is one of tlie three charter members still living of the North Carolina State Funeral Directors' Association.

Wksley Bethel Speas is one of the best known educators in Western North Carolina, and since 1903 continuously has been county superintendent of schools of Forsyth County. Mr. Speas is not only a competent school man from a technical standpoint, but knows, thoroughly the people among whom he works. He rejiresents one of the oldest families of Forsyth County. Five genera- tions of the family have lived in this section of North Carolina. The ancestry begins with John Speas, a native of Germany, who came to America a young man and after a brief residence in Penn- sylvania came to North Carolina to join 'the Ger- man Colony here. He located in what is now Old Richmond Township in Forsyth County, and in what has since been called the Reid Settlement. He was one of the early settlers there. His chil- dren were named Jonathan, John, Daniel, Solomon, Isaac, Henry, Romulus, Peter, Kate and Elizabeth.

The next generation was represented by Henry Speas, who spent his Ufe as a farmer" in Old Richmond Township. By his marriage to Annie Shore he had the following children: Levi, William Henry, Isaac, Samuel, Rebecca, Paulina, Betsy, Malinda, Mary P. and Julia. The last of this family was Mary, who died September 30, 1917. She was the widow of Wade H. Bynum of Winston-Salem.

William Henry Speas, grandfather of Professor Speas, was born in Yadkin County, North Carolina, in 1S18. On coming to manhood he boughc a farm in "\'ienna Township of Forsyth County and was Tni]iIoyed and interested in its management the rest of his life. Before the war he operated with slave labor. He married Sallie Hauser, a lineal descendant of Martin Hauser, one of the first set- tlers at Bethania. Both William H. Speas and his wife lived to a good old age. Their children were Wesley, Edwin, William, John Samuel, Junius, Mary, Ellen and Elizabeth. The four older sons were all Confederate soldiers, and Wesley and William were both wounded and died while in the army.

John S. Speas, father of Professor Speas, was bom in Old Richmond Township, April 11, 1847, and during the war was a member of the Junior Reserve, his service being in the last year of hostUities. He was educated in rural schools, and on a tract of land given him by his father he has worked out an independent career as a prosperous agriculturist in Vienna Township. His success enabled him to acquire other holdings, and he has built up a fine farm home. John S. Speas married

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Mary Frances Douh, who was born in Vienna Township in July, 1847. Her family is also one of the interesting ones in Western North Carolina. She is descended from Rev. John Doub, a native of Germany who in young manhood settled in Western North Carolina and became the founder of Method- ism :n Forsyth Cbuuty. By trade lie was a tanner, and his tannery in what is now Vienna Township wa-i one of the first institutions of the kind in the state. The first Methodist meetings in the vicinity were held in his log house, and he was a lo<'al preacher of that church. His son Henry Doub was born in Forsyth County, and that was also the place of nativity of Elijah Doub, father of Mrs. J. S. Speas. John Doub reared children named Michael, Joseph, Henry, William Peter, Mary and Lethia. Henry Doub' was a lifelong farmer in Vienna Township, and married Betsy Ward, their children being Elijah, Cannon, Wesley, William, Nancy, Margaret, ' Mary and Elizabeth. Elijah Doub was also a farmer throughout his active career in Vienna Township. He married Lucy Newsom who was born in Guilford County and vurvived her husband until more than ninety years of age. Their children were named Henry, Wil- liam, Elizabeth J., Margaret, Mary Frances, Newton, Martha, Edwin and Wiley. The son Henry was a Confederate soldier and was killed at Petersburg, Virginia.

John S. Speas and wife have reared four chil- dren named William Clarence, Louie Cornelia, Walter Henry and Wesley Bethel. The parents are members of the Methodist Protestant Church.

Wesley Bethel Speas was born on a farm in Vienna Township of Forsyth County, November 30, 1875. He made the best of his opportunities to secure a liberal education. After leaving the rural schools he prepared for college at Oak Hill Institute, and in 1897, he entered the University of North Carolina where he coinpleted the regular academic course in 1901. His first teaching was done in District No. 3 of Vienna. Township. The following year he taught in the Clemmons High School. He became known not only as a success- ful individual teacher but as an able administrator and a leader in educational affairs and those we^e the qualifications that caused the people of Forsyth County to choose him as county superintendent in 190.3, "an office hj has held by re-election to the present time. He is now president of the Forsyth County Teachers' Association and is a member of the North Carolina County Superintendents' Asso- ciation.

Mr. Speas was married in 1901 to Miss Louzana Long. She was born in Old Richmond Township, a daughter of Wiliam Henry and Martha Long. Two children have been born to their marriage, Margaret, ajid Martha Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Speas are members of the West End Methodist Episcopal Church at Winston-Salem, and fraternally he is afBliated with Salem Lodge No. 36, Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

John Bynum. M. D. For nearly two genera- tions the capable services of members of the Bynum family as physicians and surgeons have been given to the community of Winston and Winston-Salem. Dr. John Bynum has practiced there over a quarter of a century and his name is associated with the best attainments in the pro- fession and with the best of citizenship.

Doctor Bynum, member of an old and prominent family of North Carolina and Virginia, was born on a plantation about two miles from Germanton in Stokes County, North Carolina. His great- grandfather. Gray Bynum, was a native of Vir- ginia, where he married Margaret Hampton. She was a daughter of Anthony Hampton and a sister of the famous Revolutionary soldier General Wade Hampton. Doctor Bynum 's grandfather was Hampton Bynum, who married Mary Martin. She was a daughter of Col. John Martin, a native of Essex County, Virginia. Col. John Martin was twelve years of age when about 1768 his parents moved to North Carolina and settled in Stokes County. Of Col. John Martin much has been written in the early annals of North Carolina. He was one of the conspicuous leaders of the moun- taineers of Western Carolina in the Revolutionary war. Hampton Bynum became an extensive planter in Stokes County, and lived there long and prosperously.

Dr. Hampton Wade Bynum, father of Dr. John Bynum, was born on a plantation about two miles from the birthplace of his son John, in 1823. He was liberally educated and was trained for his profession in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia. After graduating from that institu- tution he began practice in Stokes County. When a young man he was given by his father a planta- tion about two miles from Germanton, and lived in that country district a number of years, acquir- ing in the meantime an extensive practice through- out Stokes and Forsyth counties. He was a typical pioneer physician and endured innumerable hardships in attending to his practice. He was almost constantly on horseback and rode through all kinds of weather to the homes of the sick. In 1869 he removed to Winston, where he was one of the first idiysicians to locate and was successfully engaged in practice there until his death in 1880. Dr. Hampton Wade Bynum married Mary Spease. She was born in Yadkin County April 1, 1828. Her grandfather, John Spease was a German and spoke only his native tongue in his own hovne and family circle. He was a farmer, owning and operating a place near the Yadkin River in what is now Vienna Township, Forsyth County. In that locality he spent his last years. Henry Spease, father of Mary Spease, was born in what is now Forsyth County, and on reaching his majority crossed the Yadkin River into Yadkin County and acquired an extensive plantation in that locality. He was one of the successful men of his time and was able to assist each of his twelve children to acquire a farm. Henry Spease married Anna Shore. This grandmother in the maternal line of Doctor Bynum was born in Vienna Township February 10, 1789, a daughter of Johan and Elizabeth (Beckel) Shore. Doctor Bynum 's sister has the baptismal certificate of this grandmother, Anna Shore. Her father was of German ancestry and a farmer in Vienna Township, where he and his wife spent their last years. Dr. John Bynum 's mother is still livin.g in Winston-Salem. She reared nine children: Wade, Hampton, Gray, Mary, Annie, John, Benjamin, Pamelia and William.

Dr. John Bynum was educated in the public schools of Winston and for his medical education went to New York, entering the University of New York, where he was graduated in the medical department in 1892. After this preparation he

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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

returned to Wmston-Salem and has been continu- ously engaged in the duties of a large professional practice to the present time.

Doctor Bynum married Miss Eva Hall, who was born at Wentwortli in Eoclcingham County, North Carolina, daughter of James and Martha Hall. Doctor Bynum and wife had two daughters, Mar- garet and Elizabeth. Doctor Bynum is an active member of the Forsyth County Medical Society and also the North Carolina State Society and the American Medical Association. In 1908 he was elected by the State Medical Society as examiner serving six years.

Herman Cummings Catiness had established himself in successful practice at Wilkesboro soon after his twenty-first birthday and in his case youth has proved no bar to rapid advancement and definite achievement in the legal profession. He is now one of the leaders of the Wilkes County bar. He was born at EUerbe Springs in Richmond County, North Carolina, January 27, 1887. The family was founded in America by his great-grand- father, who according to the best information was a native of England and came to this country a young man. He located in Virginia. The family tradition is that his name was spelled Cavendish. His son, the grandfather of the Wilkesboro lawyer, changed the name to Caviness because of some disagreement with otlier members of the family. It was Grandfather Caviness who came to North Carolina when a young man and located in Moore County. He bought land about twelve or fifteen miles north of the present site of Pinehurst, the noted resort, and there ran a plantation with the aid of slaves.

Dr. Isaac W. Caviness, father of Herman C, was born in Moore County, North Carolina, in 1855. For his higher education he attended the Vermont State University at Burlington. After graduating there he taught school and then took up the study of medicine and was graduated from Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia. During his brief career he practiced at Keyser in Moore County and was still busy in his work when deatli stayed his hand in December, 1887, when only thirty- two years of age. He married Mary Emma Cum- mings, who was born near Pomona in Guilford County, North Carolina, daughter of Enos and Mary (Bollinger) Cummings. Herman C. was their only child. The widowed mother married for her second husband Walter W. Mills of Greens- boro and had a son, Walter W., Jr.

Herman C. Caviness was graduated from Guil- ford College at the early age of seventeen. His work in college was characterized by a keeness of intellect and a resourcefulness that enabled him to keep up with young men much older. Wlien he graduated from college he was ready to undertake the serious responsibilities of life and in June, 1904, a few days after leaving the halls of col- lege he married Miss Gladys E. Benbow. Mrs. Caviness is a daughter of Lewis S. and Lula (Henderson) Benbow, who is lineally descended from Thomas and Mary (Carver) Benbow. Mr. and Mrs. Caviness have had a most happy mar- ried life and have a family of four children named Nellie, Lewis R., Merrill and Herman Cummings, Jr. Soon after his marriage Mr. Caviness took up the study of law and was graduated from the law department of the University of North Carolina in 1908. He immediately began practice at Wilkes- boro and his success and reputation are now as-

sured. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge and he and his wife are active in the Methodist Episco- pal Church, South.

Fassifern, a home school for girls, which recently closed its tenth successful year, has gained and holds a place as one of the distinctive preparatory scliools of the South. It represents a happy development of a plan for giving wholesome mental discipline and practical instruction in an environment of picturesque buildings, grounds and landscape charm calculated to make years spent here abundant in happy associations and produc- tive of the greatest good in real culture and character formation.

Fassifern was opened in October, 1907, at Lincolnton, North Carolina. In October, 1914,. the school was moved to HendersonviUe. At Lincolnton the number of boarding pupils was limited to fifteen and the total number had been enrolled within a month from tlie opening day. During the seven years in Lincolnton the number was increased to forty. When the seliool moved to Hendersonville it had sixty boarding pupils. The curriculum has been gradually enlarged, and since 1916 the school has maintained a full depart- ment in home economics. In the ten years of its existence Fassifern graduated twenty young, women in the full course besides various certifi- cate students. The first diploma was awarded in, 1913.

Fassifern is distinctly a standard preparatory school, furnishing the facilities of instruction and other training required to meet the require- ments and standards of such American women's, colleges as Smith and Wellesley. Fassifern is oii- the accredited list of the Association of Southern Colleges, of the University of North Carolina and of Smith and Wellesley and other similar schools. The departments for instruction include the usual literary and language departments, a business, course," and special departments in music, art and home economics. The school makes a specialty of individual work, all classes being small, and- the instructors and principals paying special atten- tion to the particular needs of each pupil.

The school home is a stately group of colonial buildings standing on an eminence from which some of the finest topograpliy in that section of North Carolina is surveyed. There is every oppor- tunity and encouragement for wholesome outdoor life and recreation. It is a school where every vital interest is carefully safeguarded, and where- the best ideals of home life are upheld and stimulated.

The principals of Fassifern are Miss Kate C. Sliipp and Mrs. Anna C. McBee, and assisting them are half a dozen specialists in tlieir particu- lar fields, in languages, music, art and domestic science. Miss Shipp, who has charge of the depart- ment of mathematics, is a woman of broad experience as an educator and as a school admin- istrator. She has a teacher's diploma from Cam- bridge University of England.

David N. Dalton, M. D. The career of the- true physician is a life of service, a devotion to the well being of his fellow men such as no other professions require of their practitioners. One of the oldest and best known members of the medical fraternity in Forsyth County is Dr. David N. Dalton, who has practiced continuously at Winston and over the surrounding country for over 35- years.

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The Dalton name has many associations with early history in Western North Carolina. As a family they have been soldiers, fighters for the integrity of their country in times of national danger, and effective workers in whatever field or vocation they have undertaken. Doctor Dalton is descended from a branch of the family which was establislied in this country by three brothers named Samuel, William, and Robert, who were natives of Ireland and came to America in early Colonial days. After a brief halt in New Jersey William and Eobert moved to Virginia, while Samuel became the ancestor of the family in North Carolina.

Doctor Dalton 's great-grandfather, Capt. David Dalton, was commander of a company in the Revolutionary War and was with the victorious armies under Washington which participated in the surrender of Cornwallis and his British troops at Yorktown. Captain David married Nancy Bostwick, whose father had served as a colonel in the same war. After the war Capt. David Dalton removed to North Carolina and bought land in what is now Stokes County.

Absalom B. Dalton, grandfather of Doctor Dal- ton, was probably a native of Virginia. He acquired an extensive estate as a planter in Stokes County, North Carolina, had a number of slaves to look after his fields and the other work of his farm, and became one of the first manufacturers of tobacco in Stokes County, which then included Forsyth County. Grandfather Dalton remained in Stokes County until his death when aljout eighty years of age. He married Nancy Poindexter, whose brother, General Poindexter, was a promi- nent pioneer lawyer. Absalom Dalton and wife reared eight children: David Nicholas, John F., George, William, Gabriel, Robert F., Christina and Susan.

David Nicholas Dalton was the father of Doctor Dalton. He was born in the locality known as Pine Hole in Stokes County, North Carolina, grew up on a farm, but in his mature manhood acquired many other interests and became one of the most prominent men of Forsyth County. After his marriage he bouglit a plantation near Walnut ' Cove in Forsyth County. After two years he removed to the Village of Dalton, where he bought property and became a mercliant. He also erected two floiir mills, one at Dalton and the other five miles below tlie town. Dalton was on the stage route extending from Kentucky and Tennessee to South Carolina and Georgia. It was a noted old thoroughfare, and before railroads became common was traversed by an immense volume of trafBc, which, because it made slow progress, afforded notable opportunity to inn keepers and others along the route. David N. Dalton kept a stage station on his place at Dalton, and also built up a large system of what would now be called stock- yards. Ho had accommodations for 2,000 or more cattle and also yards for hogs and turkeys. In those days all live stock, including turkeys, were driven over the highways to market. One of his flour mills also liad machinery for the manufacture of lumber, while the other had a shingle mill run in connection. Besides these various enterprises he bought large tracts of land, raised crops on a large scale, and was a dealer in live stock, includ- ing cattle, horses and mules. Necessarily he had to delegate much of his business to other parties, but he possessed that splendid faculty of being able to oversee and practically supervise personally

his entire range of interests. He continued to live in Dalton until his death in 1895.

David N. Dalton married Melissa Rives, who died in 1866. Her father, William Rives, was a plaviter in Chatham County, North Carolina, where so far as known he spent all his life. Mrs. David N. Dalton reared seven children: William, Robert, Rufus I., David N., Jr., Ernest L., Nancy and Margaret.

Dr. David N. Dalton was born at Dalton, North Carolina, and his father being a man of large estate and prosperous circumstances was able to give him the best of advantages. However, he mingled with his early studies a practical service to his father in the mills and on the farm. After making known his choice for a professional career he entered in 1877 the University of North Caro- lina, where he carried on his studies two years. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Thomas W. Harris of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Seeking the broader advantages and opportunities of New York City, he became a student in the medical de- partment of New York University where he was graduated in 1881.

For the first two years Doctor Dalton practiced at Walnut Cove, but since then has had his home in Winston-Salem and his services have been in constant demand over since. He began practice before telephones and automobiles came into a physician 's life, and in recent years most of his work has been done in consultetion in his own ofliee.

Doctor Dalton was married in 1887 to Louisa Wilson Bitting. Mrs. Dalton was born near Hunts- ville in Yadkin County, North Carolina, daughter of Joseph A. and Louisa (Wilson) Bitting. Her Grandfather Wilson was a prominent physician in his day.

Doctor and Mrs. Dalton have three children: Margaret, Joseph N. and Wilson B. Doctor Dalton has long had active membership in the Forsyth County and North Carolina Medical societies. He is a member of Damon Lodge, No. 41, Knights of Pythias, and is a Presbyterian, while Mrs. Dalton is of the Episcopal faith.

Cornelius M. McKaughan has for a number of years been officially identified with Forsyth County and is now serving as clerk of courts at Winston-Salem. He is one of the most popular men in the courthouse and has many times over justified the confidence of his fellow citizens in reposing in him the duties and responsibilities of public affairs.

Mr. McKaughan was born on a farm in Kerners- ville Township of Forsyth County November 5, 1873. He is a son of Isaac Harrison and Esther (Robertson) McKaughan, a grandson of Archibald and Mary (Welch) McKaughan, a great-grandson of Hugh and Phebe (Pope) McKaughan, all con- stituting well known names in the history of this part of the state. Mr. McKaughan 's mother was a daughter of William Haley and Mahala (Lonus) Robertson.

Cornelius M. McKaughan grew up at his father 'a home at Kernersville, attended the public schools there, and from the high school entered the Oak Ridge Institute for a commercial course. His education completed he accepted the position of deputy register of deeds at Winston, and gave faithful and conscientious work in that capacity for six years. His experience made him the logical candidate for chief in the oflSce and he was elected

26

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

and served one term. Followin? that for four years he was clerk in the sheriff 's office and in

1915 was appointed elerk of the courts to fill the unerpired term of R. J\. Transau, deceased. In

1916 Mr. McKaughan was regularly elected to the ofiBce.

He was married October 4, 1906, to Leota Reed. Mrs. McKaughan was born in Old Richmond Town- ship, daughter of Elijah L. and Perinelia M. (Spease) Reed. They have one son, Robert Steele.

Mr. McKaughan is affiliated with Fairview Coun- cil No. 19, Junior Order United American Mechanics and with Salem Lodge No. 36, Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows. He and his wife are members of the Calvary Moravian Church.

Me. Fred M. Pabrish, born in 1880, Goochland County, Virginia — father Fred M. Parrisli, mother Hattie Lacey Parrish. Educated at Fork Union Academy, William Mary College and University of North Carolina. Lawyer in Winston-Salem.

Jefpeeson Bostwick Couxcill. M. D. An ac- tive and prominent member of the medical fra- ternity of Rowan County, Jefferson B. Couneill, M. D., of Salisbury, has often been identified with important work in connection with his regular jjracticc, his wisdom and skill in dealing with difficult cases having gained for him the confidence of the entire community, and placed him among the leading jihysicians of the city. A son of Dr. William B. Couneill, he was born in Boone, Wa- tauga County, North Carolina, of English ancestry.

His grandfather, Jordan Couneill, was born in England, and came with his parents, and his two brothers, Benjamin and Jesse, to North Carolina, settling in Watauga County in pioneer days. He assisted his father in clearing a homestead, but did not care to continue life as a farmer. Soon after attaining his majority, he embarked in mer- cantile pursuits, an occupation much to his tastes, and for which he was well fitted. At that early day there were no railways in the Carolinas, and all of his goods had to be transported with teams from Charleston, South Carolina, to Watauga County. Very successful as a merchant, he ac- cumulated considerable wealth, acquiring large tracts of land and many slaves. He married Sally Elizabeth Bowers, who was born in Ashe County, North Carolina, where her parents were pioneers. They reared four children, namely: James W. ; William B.; and Elizabeth, who married Col. G. N. Folk, a prominent lawyer, who served as a colonel in the Confederate army; and George E.

Born in Watauga County, North Carolina, Feb- ruary 23, 1829, William B. Couneill acquired his elementary education in the schools of Caldwell County, and was subsequently graduated from the Charleston Medical College with the degree of M. D. He began the practice of medicine at Boone, but soon after the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Confederate army as a private; he won promotion from time to time through bravery and meritorious conduct until being made captain of his company. He was twice wounded, but escaped capture, and served until the close of the conflict. Resuming his practice in Boone, he re- mained there, an active and beloved physician until his death, at the age of seventy-two years. His wife, whose maiden name was Alice M. Bost- wiek, was born in the Sumter District, South Caro- lina, December 1, 1832. She is still living, and though upwards of four score years of age enjoys good health, and retains her interest in the topics

of the day. She is the mother of sis children, as follows : Jefferson Bostwick, of this sketch ; Wil- liam B., Jr., a prominent lawyer and judge in Hickory, North Carolina ; Margaret ; Emma ; Isaac Lenoir, who is engaged in the real estate and mining business at Waynesville, this state; and Virginia.

After his graduation from the Finley High School at Lenoir, Jefferson B. Couneill entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, where he was graduated with the class of 1884. Beginning the practice of his profession with his father in Boone, he remained there until 1888, gaining knowledge and experience of great value. Coming from there to Salisbury, Doctor Couneill has since built up an extensive and lucrative practice, and has won an assured posi- tion among the leading physicians of this section of the state.

Doctor Couneill married, in 1899, Bessie Brandt Krider, a native of Salisbury. Her father, Charles C. Krider, who lost a leg while serving in the Con- federate army, was for many years sheriff of ^ Rowan County, holding the position at the time of his death. Doctor and Mrs. Couneill are the parents of five children, namely: Margaret Eliza- betli, Charles Bower, Jefferson B., Jr., Catherine Stokes, and Alice Virginia.

The doctor is an active member of the Rowan County and the North Carolina State Medical so- cieties, and belongs to American Medical Associa- tion. Fraternally he is a member of Fulton Lodge No. 99, Ancient Free and Accepted Order of Ma- sons: and of Salisbury Chapter No. 20, Royal Arch Masons.

jAiiE.s Webb Matthews. In the expansion of important commercial concerns Rocky Mount, North Carolina, holds a foremost place in business development in Eastern Nortli Carolina, and a very creditable fact is that tliey have been founded and fostered by local capital and home enterprise. A commercial house here of solid standing, that has developed its business along quality lines, is tliat of Matthews, Weeks & Company, of which .James Webb Matthews, one of Rocky Mount 's represen- tative citizens, is the junior jiartner.

James Webb Matthews was born at Rocky Mount, February 15, 1878. His parents were Gideon Taylor and Mary E. Matthews. The father was engaged in a general mercantile business here for many years and was '^"" of the city's honorable and respected business men.

In the public schools and at Oak Ridge In- stitute James W. Matthews secured his general educational training and learned the principles of business while associated for a time with his father. Later he became connected with the firm of H. E. Brewer & Company, wholesale grocers, and thereby had training and experience which have proved exceedingly helpful since embarking in the same line for himself. In 1899 he found himself in a position to enter the wholesale trade and established the J. W. Matthews Wholesale Grocery and conducted a prosnerous business under "that caption until 1902, when, on account of the gi'owth of the same, more capital was needed to expand the enterprise advantageously and a partnership was formed, which combina- tion has continued until the present date. This is one of the largest houses in its line in this section and one of the most up-to-date. Its com- modities include both staple and fancy groceries,

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

27

.pure food laws are observed in the stock, and courtesy aud honorable l.iusiuess methods are rules of the "house. Mr. Matthews has additional busi- ness interests, the Eocicy Mount Woodworking Company being one of tliese, of wdiieli he is secre- tary.

Mr. Matthews was married April 27, 190-i, to Miss Estelle Weston, who was born in Mathews County, Virginia and is a daughter of Julius A. Weston who is a substantial farmer in that state. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have two children : Florence Estelle and James Webb the last named born December 12, 1912.

Mr. Matthews is a man of public spirit and much local pride and his main investments are at Rocky Mount. He is one of the directors of the National Bank of Becky Mount and is also on the directing board of the Rocky Mount Insurance & Realty Company. Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias. As a business man he is creilited with keen insight and sound judgment, and his everyday life with his fellow citizens proves neighborliness and good will and ensures him their respect and esteem.

Henry Theodore Bahnson, M. D. A life filled with untold services, beyond all human reckoning, and one that should prove a lasting inspiration to the living, was that of the late Dr. Henry Theodore Bahnson of Winston-Salem. North Carolina may well take pride in such a character, and there is •reason to recall and remember what he was and what he did even more than the careers of some men who had perhaps a wider newspaper publicity. The story of his career is effectively and beauti- fully told in a memoir recently read by Bishop Rondthaler, and with only a few changes and omis- sions the following is substantially Bishop Rond- thaler 's words.

Dr. Henry Theodore Bahnson was the son of Bishop George Frederick and Anna Gertrude Pauline (Conrad) Bahnson. He was a member of a large family, all of whom have now entered into rest with the exception of one surviving brother, the Rev. George Frederic Bahnson, pastor of the Moravian Church at Coopersburg, Penn- sylvania.

Doctor Bahnson was born at Lancaster, Penn- sylvania, on March 6, 1845, and was baptised in his infancy. When four years old his father was called to the pastorate of the Moravian congrega- tion at Salem, North Carolina, where in after years he became the bishop of his church, rendering memorable service in maintaining hope anil courage among his people during the terrible ordeal of the Civil War. His son was destined to become, like his father, an eminent citizen and servant of this community, which throughout his life he loved as his home.

As a boy he attended the old Salem Boys' School, from which he was transferred in 1858 to the well knowni Mora^'ian Institution of Nazareth Hall in Pennsylvania, whence he passed for his further education into the Moravian College and Theological Seminary at Bethlehem. One who remembers him from those early years recalls his alert, beautiful face, giving promise of a career which a long life has now worthily fulfilled.

The year 1862 brought with it for him as for the yoimg manhood of the country a momentous change. Early in the year he returned home and at once volunteered in the Confederate army.

Then came the stirring years of service under General Lee in the Army of Virginia. He was at first a private in Company G, Second North Caro- lina Battalion of Infantry. He was captured at Gettysburg and imprisoned in Baltimore City jail and Point Lookout, Maryland, for a period of six months — a brief time, it is true, but one which sowed the seed of intense suffering in many a subsequent year. In January, 1864, he was exchanged and in the course of the year was trans- ferred into Company B, First North Carolina Bat- talion of Sharpshooters, in which he became known for his fearless spirit in many a terrible encounter. He was with General Lee to the day of the sur- render at Appomattox, bright, active and unshaken to the very last hour before the coming of disaster. It was in this final struggle that he was appointed captain of the sharpshooters, but in the confusion of those days the commission could not be deliv- ered and he laid down his rifle as a private — a. fact to which in later years he often referred with pride.

Paroled at Appomattox, he walked the long way home, arriving weary, sick and hungry at his father's door, after being given up for dead, in April, 1865. Active and fearless as he had been on the great scenes of warfare and deeply inter- ested in all his life in the veterans of the conflict and in their memorial occasions, his sympathetic spirit shrank with a peculiar horror from what he had seen and endured, so that for years he could hardly be persuaded to refer to these events, and especially to his own part in them; and when at last the ic« was somewhat broken his occasional addresses and papers, written in beautiful and vivid style, breathe out a tone of sympathy for all who suffered whether with him or against him, wliich make them to be among the choicest pieces of our great war literature.

The war over, he began to prepare himself for the profession which he had chosen. In 1867 he graduated in the medical course of the University of Pennsylvania and received in addition his diploma in practical and surgical anatomy, the line in which he himself became especially eminent and in which he earned the lifelong friendship of the great specialist under whom he had been instructed. Dr. D. Hayes Agnew, of Philadelphia. Next he went abroad and studied at the Universities of Berlin, Prague and Utrecht, and finally returning home in 1869 entered upon his medical practice in Salem.

His long service is a part of the medical history of his community and of Western North Carolina. The writer was once with him on a distant pleasure journey, when a child was presented to the doctor with a pitiful, distorted, suffering face. We can never forget how, under his sympathetic and skill- ful touch, the signs of suffering were smoothed away. A quick stitch here and there or slight incision gave the little face a pleasing, human look once more. It was as if a wonder had been wrought before our very eyes.

So he went in and out, for nearly fifty years, among the sick and suffering. What he was for the needy, for the widows, for God 's ministering servants, probably no one will ever know or even guess at except perhaps some pastor whose work might lead him into the same homes and on similar occasions for service. Some thirty years ago he became the house physician of the Salem College and Academy. This appointment grew into a wide field for his particular gifts and capa-

28

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

bilities. He had a native genius for diagnosis, so perfected by long study and practice that he became a very precious help to those in charge by skillful advice, which either comforted parents at a distance or warned them of unexpected dangers in case of their children. He loved the institution and cherished its students. As a lover of flowers, his own rich stores were at the frequent disposal of the academy on its great occasions and of its pupils in times of illness. His last notable service was in the spring of 1916 when he led the com- pletely successful effort to ward off a threatening epidemic from the college, an effort so wisely planned and carried out as to cause the commenda- tion of federal and state inspectors and to deserve the lasting gratitude of the institution and of the community. Such a career naturally called for wide commendation, both at home and abroad.

He was at the time of his death surgeon of the Southern Eailway System and president of its Board of Surgeons and also chief surgeon of the Winston-Salem Southbound Eailway Company. He had been president of the North Carolina Medical Society, president of the State Board of Health, secretary of the State Board of Examiners, member of the Board of Directors of the State Hospital at Morganton, member of the American Public Health Association, of tlie Tri-State Medical Association, honorary member of the Virginia and other medical societies, and at the time of his departure his nomination lay before the National Board of United States Surgeons.

He was the first commander of Piedmont Com- mandery No. 6 on its organization, and held the office for a number of years. He was a Thirty- second Degree Mason and was elected to receive the thirty-third degree, but was prevented by cir- cumstances beyond his control from attending the meeting at which he was to receive the degree.

Of the many fine qualities of mind and heart that have already been alluded to the one that stands out as most characteristic is courage, both physical and moral. He was a man of strong con- victions, which he dared maintain with force and boldness. He was no trimmer. And his was more than the courage that flares up and shortly dies down — not alone the gallantry of the battle field that vpith cheerfulness faced death at the cannon's mouth, but also of the finer quality that for years bore with fortitude the suffering incident to a diseased elbow joint and for months the heart- rending agonies of the agina pectoris which caused his death.

He was married November 3, 1870, to Miss Adelaide de Schweinitz, daughter of Bishop de Schweinitz. The young wife was quickly called from his side on August 3, 1871. His second mar- riage, on April 14, 1874, was to Miss Emma C. Pries. Their union was blessed with six children. Two of them, Henry and Carrie, died in childhood. The four surviving are: Frederic P. and Agnew Bahnson, both mentioned on other pages; Mrs. Holt Haywood, of New York; and Miss Pauline Bahnson. It was a most affectionate family circle and one in which helpers and dependents were most kindly considered. And the end corresponded to the way in which they had journeyed together. Wife, daughters and sons were in constant attend- ance in and around the sufferer 's sick chamber.

Doctor Bahnson had been baptised in his infancy. He was confirmed in the First Church of Philadelphia on July 29, 1866. His religious

convictions had been deepened during the war. He had read the Greek New Testament through from cover to cover as he carried it in his knapsack through the weary marches of the long campaigns. These convictions abode with him for a lifetime. The reading of the scriptures and family devo- tions were steady and unfailing rules of his life, and his character and practice of his profession corresponded with his religious Cliristian views. He entered freely into religious interests and was one of the most faithful subscribers to the Young Men's Christian Association. He dearly loved the church of his father and mother; served in its various offices; liberally aided in its work; was a member of its college and seminary boards at the time of his departure.

For years he had been a sufferer, to whom occa- sional journeys and seasons of recreation afforded but partial relief, and to whom outdoor life, almost to the end, proved to be the main and blessed tonic of refreshment. Amid increasing physical burdens he resolutely continued his medi- cal work until on September 8, 1916, the weary frame had to cease from its lifelong toil. Then with fortitude, with faith, and with the promise of the grace given by his Saviour, he entered into rest January 16, 1917, aged seventy-one years, ten months, twelve days.

Frederic Fries Bahnson. A son of the late Dr. H. T. Bahnson, whose life work has been recorded on other ])ages, Frederic Pries Bahnson during his youth had an ambition to follow in his father's footstejis, but failing eyesiglit compelled him to give up his studies in medicine and he turned to a more active vocation and has gained successful prominence in the field of electrical and mechanical engineering, particularly in his chosen field of air conditioning.

He was born in Winston-Salem March 6, 1876, son of Dr. Henry T. and Emma Christina (Fries) Bahn.son. He prepared for college in the Salem Boys' School and entered the University of North Carolina vrith the class of 1S96. He was gradu- ated Ph. B., cum laude, and for the next few months diligently pursued his studies in medi- cine. On being obliged to discontinue this work he took up electrical engineering, and for seven years followed that work, most of the time away from his old home. On returning to Winston- Salem he was for five years associated with the P. & H. Fries Woolen Mills, then for two years with the Briggs Shaffner Company, mechanical engineers and machinists. Since then Mr. Bahnson has been head of the engineering department of the Normalair Company of Winston-Salem, de- voting his time to problems in air conditioning.

He was married in 1910 to Blecker Estelle Reid. Mrs. Bahnson was born in Charlotte, North Caro- lina, daughter of Edward S. and Naunie (Alex- ander) Reid. They have two sons, Frederic Fries Bahnson, Jr., and Edward Reid Bahnson. Mr. and Mrs. Bahnson are members of the Home Moravian Church. He served as secretary of the committee which drew up the present rules of the Moravian "Congregation of Salem and Its Vicinity," has served on boards of the congregation and in 1917, was made an elder in the Home Moravian Church. He has taken an active part in Masonry, being affiliated with Winston Lodge No. 167, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, is Past High Priest of Winston Chapter No. 24, Royal Arch Masons, and

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

Past Commander of Piedmont Commandery No. 6, Knights Templar. He is a member of the Ameri- can Society of Heating and Ventilating Engineers, and an associate member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Agnew Hunter Bahnson. One of the leading mill men and manufacturers of the Winston-Salem industrial community is Agnew Hunter Bahnson, who found his real work early in life and has devoted himself to it with a spirit, enthusiasm and energy that sufficiently well accounts for his rapid advancement and his secure position when only a little past his thirtieth birthday.

Mr. Bahnson was born at Salem March 10, 1S86, a son of the late Dr. Henry T. and Emma Christina (Fries) Bahnson. Of his father, one of the greatest physicians and kindliest men North Carolina ever had, an appropriate sketch appears on other pages of this publication.

The son was liberally educated and had the best of home training. He attended private school, the Salem Boys' School, and in 1906 graduated from the University of North Carolina. For the follow- ing year he traveled abroad, and then with all that a liberal education and a knowledge of the world could give him he entered upon an apprenticeship in the Mayo Mills at Mayodan in Rockingham County. As an apprentice he worked for 65 cents a day. He continued his apprenticeship in the Washington Mills at Fries, Virginia, and had not been there long when he was advanced to the duties of the loom fixer. After a few months he liecame superintendent of the Pomona Mills at Greensboro, but soon resigned to become agent of the Washington Mills at Fries, Virginia. While there he was not only agent but manager of the mills and store and also the town, a place of 1,800 inhabitants. It was a work that required great executive and administrative ability and he . performed his duties with utmost satisfaction for two years.

Resigning, he was engaged in the sale of cotton mill machinery until 1912, when he was elected secretary and treasurer of the Arista Mill Com- pany at Winston-Salem. He has been actively identified with that large local corporation ever since, and in 1915 was elected president and treas- urer. Tn tlie fall of 1915 he also organized the Normalair Company, and has been president of this biisiness. The company has its factory in Winston - Salem, and though in existence less than two years has developed a flourishing business. Its machin- ery products are shipped to all the states, to Canada, Mexico and Cuba, and to six other for- eign countries. The company maintains offices in New York, St. Louis and Charlotte.

Mr. Bahnson was married November 18, 1914, to Miss Elizabeth Moir Hill, who was born in Winston-Salem, daughter of William P. and Elizabeth (Ogburn) Hill. Mr. and Mrs. Bahnson have one son, Agnew Hunter, Jr. They are active members of the Home Moravian Church, with Mr. Bahnson as president of its board of trustees. He is also president of the Moravian Brotherhood of the Southern Province and a member of the Young Men's Christian Association Board of Directors. He is an officer of the North Carolina Cotton Manufacturers ' Association.

Douglas Alexander Nance has been enrolled among the successful members of the Winston- Salem bar since 1911. He is a lawyer of thorough

scholarship and mature accomplishments, and has already made a mark in the profession.

What he has attained has been due to the energy of his own nature and a determined ambition. He w.as born in a log cabin in Western Prong Tovvn- ship of Columbus County, North Carolina, and he gained his education largely through his own efforts. His great-grandfather Daniel Nance was a native of England and on coming to America set- tled in that part of Bladen County now included in Columbus County, North Carolina. David Nance, grandfather of the Winston-Salem lawyer, was born in Columbus County and was a farmer. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Shipman, died at the age of eighty-one years. Her ancestors were among the pioneers of Bladen County. The grandparents reared four children: Richard, M,arsha]l, Edward and Alexander. Of these Rich- ard was a Confederate soldier, died during the war, and was buried at Wilmington.

Alexander Nance, father of Douglas A., was horn in Columbus County, North Carolina, in September, 1854, and has made farming his regu- lar vocation. After his marriage he bought a tract of land in Western Prong Township and started his household and business on a small scale. Industry and good judgment enabled him to meet the critical times of his career successfully, and as a result of long and thorough experience he la now a farmer on an extensive scale. He married Virginia Douglas Bridgers, daughter of Eugene Bridgers, and they have reared ten children: Luther, Sallie. who died ,at the age of eighteen, Douglas A., Claude, Marshall, Henry, Richard, Alexander, Laura, and Mattie.

Douglas A. Nance was educated in the rural schools, in the High School of Lumberton, and prepared for college at Buiss Creek Academy. He took his law studies in Wake Forest College, and in 1911 was admitted to the bar. Since then Mr. Nance has practiced successfully at Winston and his achievements as a lawyer leave no doubt as to his thorough qualifications for the profession.

In his career, both at home and in his profes- sion, he has been ably assisted by his cultured wife. Mrs. Nance, whose maiden name was Stella Elizabeth Phelps, was born in a log cabin in Old- town Township of Forsyth County. They were married in 1904. Her father Melvin Phelps was born in McPherson County, North Carolina, January 16, 1845, and when only seventeen years of age he entered the Confederate Army and going to the front participated in many hard fought battles and was twice wounded. After the war he settled down to the peaceful occupation of farm- ing in Oldtown Township and besides cultivating his crops he worked at the carpenter's trade. His death in 1900 was due to an accident on the rail- road. Melvin Phelps married Nancy Paulina Grubb, who was born in Oldtown Township in 1857, daughter of John and Mary Ann <Aldridge) Grubb. Her father was a farmer, spent his life in Forsyth County, and her mother died there at the age of eighty-four. Mrs. Nance is one of three children, her two brothers being William Ells- worth and Roscoe Drake.

Mrs. Nance was liberally educated. She attended the Winston graded schools and in 1898 graduated in the commercial course from Salem Academy College and from the literary depart- ment in 1900. During the summer of 1916 she attended the law department of the University of North Carolina. She had also studied law in the

30

HISTORY OP NORTH CAROLINA

office of her husband, and in the summer of 1917 she passed the examination of the Supreme Court. She then took the oath in the Superior Court before Judge W. J. Adams, and was ac- corded the distinction of being the first woman to be sworn in as an attorney at Winston-Salem. She is now associated with her husband in prac- tice.

Mr. and Mrs. Nance are active members of the First Baptist Church. He is affiliated with Twin City Camp No. 27 Woodmen of the World, Salem Lodge No. 56, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Liberty Council No. .3, Junior Order of United American Mechanics and Winston Lodge No. 449, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Both he and his wife are members of Evangeline Rebekah Lodge No. 27.

Vestal Taylor has spent his life in Surry County, is a farmer by occupation, but for many years has been concerned with official duties. He is a former county siirveyor and register of deeds, and the people of that community have looked upon him for leadership in many matters of im- portance.

Mr. Taylor was liorn in Westfield Township of Surry County October 29, 1870. His grandfather, Thomas Taylor, was a native of Virginia, and on coming to North Carolina located in Westfield Township where he bought a farm and where he spent many years. He finally sold his position and with his wife and son, Newell, and daughter, Mary, moved west to Utah, where he and his wife spent their last years. Two of their sons, Martin and Henry, remained in North Carolina.

Martin Taylor, father of Vestal, was born ac- cording to the best information obtainable in Wcstlicld Township of Surry County. For his time he acquired a good education, and was a school teacher. He bought land in Westfield Town- ship and followed general farming for many years. During the war he was exempt from service on account of physical disability. He continued to live on his farm until his death in 1910 at the age of seventy-five. He married Mary Ann Sum- mers, who was born in Westfield Township, a daughter of .Jonas and Betsy (luman) Summers. Her death occurred when she was sixty-nine years of age. Her children were: Tizzie; Martha, who married .Tames Mclver; Vestal; Mickey, who mar- ried John T. Inman ; and Eliza, who married Job McGee.

Vestal Taylor during his childhood attended the district schools and also the Mount Airy High School. At the age of eighteen he taught his first term of school. It was his practice to teach a part of each year and the rest of the time was spent as a farmer. Mr. Taylor located on his jiresent farm in 1910. This is near the Village of White Plains. Besides general farming Mr. Tay- lor has deplt extensively in horses and other live- stock and has attained a substantial business posi- tion in the community.

In 1892 he married Nannie Nichols, who was born in Eldora Township of Surry County, a daugh ter of William A. and Martha (Marshall) Nichols, The family of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor comprise four children, Bertie P., Perry, Alma and Herbert R, The daughter, Bertie, is the wife of Maurice E Miller, and they have a son, Billy.

Mr. Taylor has for years lieen one of the lead ing and influential reiiublicans of Surry County. He cast his first presidential vote for Benjamin

Harrison. Various official dignities have been con- ferred upon him. When he was a very young man in 1893 he was elected county surveyor and by re-election was continued in that office for twelve years. He was then elected register of deeds and served four years, and in 1912 was a candidate for sheriff. Throughout his official and jirivate career Mr. Taylor has been a constant advocate of good roads, and at the present time is superintendent of roads in Mount Airy Township. He is also chairman of the Mount Airy Township School Board, and was one of the men chiefly in- strumental in establishing the high school at White Plains in 1916, in which year the high school build- ing was erected. Mr. Taylor is now serving as chairman of the executive committee of the re- ]iublican party of Surry County.

Tho.mas Meares Green, M. D. Many well earned distinctions have come to Doctor Green during his active career as a surgeon, and his reputation is by no means confined to his home City of Wilmington but has brought him prom- inently before the medical fraternity of the state at large.

Doctor Green was born at Wilmington March 28, 1879, a. son of William Henry and Frances Iredell (Meares) Green. His father was a drug- gist and the atmos|)here of that business no doubt had some influence over Doctor Green's choice of a permanent profession. He was well edu- cated in the public schools, under private tuition and in the Cape Fear Academy. He spent two years in the medical department of the University of North Carolina taking special work in chemistry at the same time. Later two years were spent in the University of Maryland, where he was gradu- ated in 1900. For three years after taking his degree he was employed as a surgeon in the hos- jiital of the Maryland University and St. Joseph's of Baltimore, Maryland. In 1903 Doctor Green located at Wilmington, and his work has been' almost exclusively in the field of surgery. He is a member of the surgical staff of the James Walker Memorial Hosjiital and is a surgeon of the Seaboard Air Line Railway Company.

Doctor Green has membership in the New Hanover County Medical Society, the Third Dis- trict, the North Carolina and the Tri-State Medi- cal societies, the Southern and the American Medical associations. He is a member of the Cape Fear Country Club, the Carolina Yacht Clul), is a Chapter Mason and Knight of Pythias, and be- longs to the college fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsi- Ion. November 16, 190.5, Doctor Green married Emma West, daughter of Henry P. and Rebecca (Love) West. They have two children, Emma West Green and Mary West Green.

Walter Reade Johnson, now a successful mem- ber of the Winston-Salem bar, has .spent his life in this section of North Carolina, and for a number of years was engaged in commercial lines, chiefly as a traveling salesman. He has succeeded in building up a very fine practice and is a man of the highest standing both in his profession and as a citizen.

He was born in Yadkin Township of Stokes County, North Carolina, October 14, 1884. He comes of old Virginia ancestry. His great-grand- father, William Johnson, was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, where he remained during his life, and bought upwards of 1,000 acres of

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA

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land in Yadkin Township of Stokes County. His extensive plantation he operated with slave labor and lived there until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Temperance Kiser. Both lived to a good old age.

William Wade Johnson, grandfather of Walter B., was born May 23, 1835, and inherited from his father a tract of land and subsequently bought more. He followed farming all his life, and at the time of his death owned about 300 acres. During the war he was a member of the Home Guard, physical disability having exempted from active service in the field. He married Susan Leake, who was born in the north part of Stokes County, daughter of Peter and Betsy Leake, pioneers in that section of the state. William Wade .Johnson died at the age of seventy-two, his wife living to the age of eighty-two.

James Thomas Johnson, father of the Winston- Salem lawyer, was born in Yadkin Township of Stokes County November 8, 1857, and has enjoyed a substantial position as a farmer. He bought a farm from his father a half mile from the old homestead, and is still managing it as a general farming proposition. He married Regina Edwards. She was horn in Yadkin Township of Stokes County May 23, 1863. Her grandfather, Nathan Edwards, was a native of Stokes County, where he spent his life. Her father, Solomon Edwards, was born in Stokes County in 1S40, gave his active life- time to farming and also served as coroner and sheriff of the county. Solomon Edwards married Amelia Ann Westmoreland, a native of Stokes County. Solomon