Lancaster County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Biographies.....James, Wilbert Theodore 1874 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/vafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.rootsweb.com/~archreg/vols/00001.html#0000031 March 2, 2008, 5:18 pm Author: Leonard Wilson (1916) WILBERT THEODORE JAMES WILBERT THEODORE JAMES, who has been prominently identified with banking and other important business interests in Lancaster County, Virginia, for the past fifteen years, is descended from an ancient English family long settled in County Cumberland, England. The family estate, known as Burnville Lodge, near Tavistock, was established early in the reign of Edward VI, and the Coat of Arms borne by the James family was granted at that time. It is described in heraldic terms as: "Azure, a dolphin embowed proper. "Crest: A buffalo passant proper. "Motto: Vincit amor Patriae." The Virginia branch to which this sketch relates settled in eastern Virginia about the middle of the eighteenth century, and for four generations has been established in Lancaster County, beginning with David H. James, born in 1799. Wilbert Theodore James was born at Whitestone, Lancaster County, Virginia, October 2, 1874, a son of David R. James, merchant at Whitestone, born in 1841, and his wife, Alice Brooks, born in Matthews County, Virginia, in 1857. W. T. James attended the public schools of his native town, and the Chesapeake Academy. His commercial training was acquired at Bryant and Stratton's Business College, Baltimore, Maryland. At the age of eighteen years he began business life by accepting a clerkship in a general store, where he remained seven years. In 1S99 he formed a co-partnership with Dr. B. H. B. Hubbard as representatives of the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland. About this time he was elected cashier of L. E. Mumford's Bank at Kilmarnock, Virginia. In 1909 this bank was succeeded by the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and Mr. James was elected Cashier and a member of the Board of Directors of the new institution, a position he has since occupied. In September, 1910, Mr. James was elected President of the Rappahannock State Bank at Sharps, Virginia, and in 1911 was chosen Secretary of the Taft Fish Company, Inc., a concern capitalized at $182,000, and situated at Taft, Virginia. He is a Director of the Norris-Cralle Land Company, Lively, Virginia, and a member of the firm of Hubbard and James Company, Ottoman, Virginia. In fraternal circles Mr. James is identified with Lancaster and Union Lodge, No. 88, A. F. and A. M., of Kilmarnock, Virginia. His political relations through life have been with the Democratic party. He belongs to that element of the party which does not hesitate to cast an independent vote when in its judgment such a course is necessary. In religious matters he is identified with the Baptist Church. Mr. James was united in marriage December 19, 1901, at Whitestone, Virginia, to Miss Elizabeth Hathaway, daughter of L. O. and Eleanor Hathaway. Their home has been brightened by a son, Wilbert T. Jr., born October 13, 1903, and a daughter, Margaret Sangster James, born October 21, 1915. Mr. James says of his recreations that they are "Such as interest my wife and children." He has found most helpful and interesting the writings of Plutarch, Shakespeare and Dickens. His business career is the embodiment of industry, energy and an uncommon tenacity of purpose. As a working code in life lie says: "Give me the man that holds on when all others give up." He believes there should be greater individual effort, and less agitation on the part of the public in the upbuilding of State and Nation. He knows of no better advice to the young man starting in life than to invest his savings at a low rate of interest, which insures safety, rather than to reach after big returns in speculative ventures. That Mr. James has prospered in his undertakings is but the just reward of his labors, and this measure of prosperity has been honestly won and is a source of gratification to all those who have in any way come into personal contact with him. Additional Comments: Extracted from: MAKERS OF AMERICA BIOGRAPHIES OF LEADING MEN OF THOUGHT AND ACTION THE MEN WHO CONSTITUTE THE BONE AND SINEW OF AMERICAN PROSPERITY AND LIFE VOLUME II By LEONARD WILSON, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ASSISTED BY PROMINENT HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL WRITERS Illustrated with many full page engravings B. F. JOHNSON, INC. CITY OF WASHINGTON, U. S. A. 1916 Copyright, 1916 by B. F. Johnson, Inc. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/va/lancaster/photos/bios/james88gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/lancaster/bios/james88gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/vafiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb