BIOGRAPHY, Rockbridge County, VA- "S" ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** SALLING-- A mist of romance attaches itself to the name of John Peter Salling. That individual lived in the heroic age of American history, and therefore it is not strange that some embellishment has crept into the narrative contained in the columns written on border history. It is represented that Salling explored the Valley of Virginia as early as 1726, had a long and most eventful captivity among the red men, and after his restoration was the pathfinder who drew the attention of John Lewis and others to the "New Virginia" beyond the Blue Ridge. Accepting the family tradition as being more trustworthy than the rhetorical tales we have alluded to, we arrive at the following as the most probable statement of the whole matter. John Peter Salling was a weaver by trade, and was one of the few Germans who settled in Tuckahoe. Hearing of the new country beyond the mountains. and being of a venturesome turn, Salling went on a journey of exploration. He was so well pleased with the beautiful bottom just above Balcony Falls that he did not think it worth his while to go further. He returned to his home at or near Williamsburg and took steps to secure a morsel of this choice land. This was probably in 1741. It could scarcely have antedated the coming of the McDowells, since it would have been imprudent to make a solitary settlement forty miles from other people. Salling's earliest patent was not issued till 1746. A transfer of a portion of his land names 1741 as the date of patent, but no such deed appears to be on record. It would seem that the year of settlement rather than the year of patent is the one mentioned in the conveyance. We know that Salling was living here at the time of the McDowell battle in December, 1742. And since this incidental mention indicates that he was then at home, it would not seem that he was captured earlier than the following spring. While Salling and a companion were prospecting on the Roanoke, the former was taken by the Cherokees and remained a prisoner until 1745. He was being sent to France as a spy, the struggle know in America as King George's was not yet having come to a conclusion. The French vessel was captured by a British cruiser, and Salling was put ashore at Charleston, South Carolina. He now made his way back to Virginia, perfected his title to his land, went to live on it, and was not again disturbed. Traditions agree that during his captivity, Salling was carried as far as the Mississippi and in some way fell into the hands of the French. The more florid account adds that a squaw of Kaskaskia adopted him as a son; that he several times journeyed down the Father of Waters, and was purchased by the Spaniards as an interpreter; that he was taken to Canada, redeemed by the French governor, and turned over to the Hollanders, of New York. Henry Ruffner states that John Salling had a brother, Peter Adam Salling. This may have been the case, but Doctor Ruffner is incorrect in saying John was a single man. He had a wife named Ann, and at least five children. If there were two Sallings, it was the other who was a bachelor. John Salling, the only pioneer named in the records, had business dealings with the McDowells. That he was a man of force and consequence is manifest from his being commissioned an officer of militia. His will is dated Christmas day, 1754, and his death occurred shortly afterward, while he was still in the prime of life. He appears to have had no near neighbor of his own nationality. He spoke broken English, and his two daughters married Henry Fuller and Richard Burton. His sons, John and George Adam, had removed to North Carolina by 1760, probably because of the new Indian war, and only the third son, Henry, remained at Balcony Falls. The will, however, mentions an infant grandson of the name of John Salling. It also speaks of one Peter Crotingale as a tenant on one of his farms. The personality was appraised at $194.64, and it included four houses, four sheep, and twenty-two hogs. The last of the Sallings in Rockbridge was Peter A., who died without issue in 1856. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** SAVILLE-- Abraham and Robert, sons of Samuel Saville, an immigrant from England, came to this country about 1770. The latter went with his family to Ohio. The former, who settled on the South Fork of Buffalo, is the ancestor of the Savilles of Rockbridge, although several of his own sons went to Ohio. The resident connection have generally been farmers or millwrights. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** JOSEPH F. SHANER - was born in Augusta county, Virginia, May 16, 1841. His mother, Annie (Harner) Shaner, died when he was about four years old, and his father, George Bear Shaner, died December 21, 1864, aged sixty-two years. Joseph F. Shaner served through the war between the States, and was a participant in the battles of Kernstown, Hancock, Cross Keys, Port Republic, the seven days fight near Richmond, Cedar Mountain, second Manassas, Harpers Ferry, Antietam, Winchester, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, North Anne River, the fighting around Richmond, and with General Lee at Appomattox. In Rockbridge county, December 10, 1867, Joseph F. Shaner married Virginia A. Zollman, and their children are five: William Jackson, born September 1868; Ann E. Lee, January 31, 1872; George Fitzhugh, -----------,--------; Mabel, --------,----; Quinora, April 25, 1883. Henry and Elvira (Shaver) Zollman, natives of Rockbridge county, are the parents of Virginia A., wife of Mr. Shaner, and she was born in this county, December 16, 1846. Joseph F. Shaner lives about one and a half miles from Lexington, on the Staunton road, where he has fifty acres of valuable land devoted to vegetable gandening; he carried on a grocery business at the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets, an is also engaged in the ice business. He has lived in this county since he was ten years old, and his postoffice address is Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** CAMPBELL A. SHAW - born in Rockbridge county, September 1, 1829, and Melissa Agner, born in this county, October 1, 1840, were here united in marriage on the 28th of January, 1858. Their children are recorded: Victoria E., born November 4, 1858, died in April, 1863; Charley P., born March 31, 1863, died November 14, 1874; Henry H., born June 23, 1866; Virginia B., June 12, 1869; James P., May 27, 1871; Samuel T., deceased; John W., born December 29, 1876; Lula M., March 16, 1879 - the living children all at home. William and Celia (Davis) Shaw are the parents of Campbell A., and his wife is a daughter of Alexander and Jennie (Wyett) Agner. The occupation of Campbell A. Shaw is shoemaking, and he has held several positions of public trust. He was seven years postmaster at Cedar Grove, two years commissioner of revenue for Rockbridge county, and mail contractor four years. He was a member of the 1st RockbridgeBattery, and a participant in the fights of Cedar Mountain, the Wilderness, and all subsequent engagements around Richmond that closed with the surrender at Appomattox C. H. His postoffice address is Rockbridge Baths, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** ARTHUR E. SHERWOOD - is a native of England, born in Manchester, and son of William and Sarah Sherwood. At the residence of the late Captain Edward Echols, the bride's father, December 31, 1879, the Rev. D. W. Shanks officiating clergyman, Arthur E. Sherwood was united in marriage with Allie E. Echols. Her father and her mother, Susan Hobson (Burks) Echols, were natives of this county. Mr. Sherwood is engaged in a mercantile business with his brother-in-law, J. R. Echols, near Balcony Falls; also at Glenwood Depot, on the S.V.R.R. He is further engaged in mining iron ore from a valuable mine near his residence. The postoffice at Sherwood derived its name from the subject of this sketch. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** DAVID H. SHOULDER - owns and farms thirty acres of rich land at Cedar Grove, Rockbridge county. He is a native of this county, born on the 26th of March, 1848, and is a son of Frederick W. and Sarah (Morter) Shoulder. He had one brother, named Jacob, in the Confederate army in the war between the States, serving in the Riockbridge Battery. Rockbridge Baths, Rockbridge county, Virignia, is the postoffice address of David H. Shoulder. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** JAMES M. SLOUGH - born in Rockbridge county, August 22, 1824, was a son of John and Mary (Smith) Slough. Martha Elizabeth Montgomery, born in this county, September 21, 1834, was a daughter of Samuel and Sallie (Aris) Montgomery. In the county of their birth, February 19, 1853, were recorded the marriage vows of James M. Slough and Martha E. Montgomery, and the birth record of their children is: Samuel M., born May 1, 1854, deceased; John A., October 20, 1855; Thomas, July 22, 1857, deceased; William H., April 19, 1861; Sarah J., February 11, 1864, deceased; Lula B., July 22, 1865; Robert M., October 14, 1868; Martha V., June 22, 1870, deceased; James W., November 14, 1872; Mary E., November 7, 1973; Ida P., November 10, 1874, deceased; infant daughter, deceased. The living children are at home, except John A., who lives in Lexington. James M. Slough served in the last year of the civil war as a member of Company H, 27th Virginia Infantry, and was a participant in the battles of Hatchers Run and Petersburg, and many minor engagements. He is engaged in the business of a tanner, and his postoffice address is Kerrs Creek, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** SMITH-- General Francis H. Smith was born at Norfolk, October 18, 1812, and was graduated with distinction from West Point in 1833. He was then placed in the artillery service, but soon resigned to accept the chair of mathematics in Hampton=Sydney College. The position was congenial and it was with some reluctance that he accepted a unanimous call to the superintendency of the newly organized Virginia Military Institute. His subsequent career is a part of the history of the institution over which he presided the extraordinarily long period of fifty years. The school was in the nature of an experiment when he became its head. He lived to witness an almost continuous growth, and to see it develop into the most famous military school in the United States with the single exception of West Point. General Smith died March 21, 1890, only three months after his retirement. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** JOHN DAVID SNIDER - son of David and Elizabeth (Reed) Snider was bornin Rockbridge coutny, on Walkers creek, April 27, 1847. His services were given the cause of the South in the internecine war, as a member of Company C, 14th Virginia Cavalry, McCausland's Brigade. He was made prisoner November 18, 1864, at Cedar Creek battle, and held at Point Lookout for seven months. He is now one of the prosperous farmers of Rockbridge county, owning 442 5/8 acres of land on Walkers creek. Near Lexington, in this county, February 9, 1871, he married Mary Emma Montgomery, of this county. She was born at Colierstown, February 19, 1847, a daughter of James H. and Julia Eliza (Hull) Montgomery. Minnie Lillian, first child of Mr. and Mrs. Snider, was born December 7, 1871, and died December 18, 1878. They have three children; Senia Etta, born July 20, 1873; Willie Osten, November 18, 1876; Nora Lee, December 8, 1879. The postoffice address of John D. Snider is Brownsburg, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** JAMES MADISON STATON - was born in Amherst county, Virginia, May 25, 1825, and in that county, January 13, 1946, he married Louisa Hartless, born there in January, 1820. The birth and death record of their children is: Mary F., born January 14, 1848; James E., born April 14, 1849, lives in this county; Sarah E., born June 10, 1850, died November 12, 1862; Annie Bell, born January 27, 1853, is at home; Rosella S., born August 1, 1854, died August 1, 1855; John A., born August 5, 1855, lives in Augusta county, Virginia; Caledonia V., born May 8, 1858, died November 14, 1862; Martha Ella, born born June 16, 1860, lives in this county. The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Staton were born in Amherst county. He was a son of John A. and Sarah T. A. (Birtch) Staton, and her parents John and Mary A. (Stoops) Hartless. His mother died October 12, 1875, and his father died January 15, 1876, aged respectfully eighty-three and eighty-four. Her father died on the 13th of April, 1858, aged seventy years, and her mother died September 15, 1861, aged seventy-four. James M. Staton was soldier of Company F, 58th Virginia Infantry, enlisting May 15, 1862, receiving discharge March 16, 1865, and taking part in the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg. His brother, John A., was captured at Cold Harbor, and imprisoned at Elmira, New York, where he died in 1864. James M. Staton's occupation is farming, and his address is Riverside, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** STUART-- Archibald Stuart left Ulster in 1731, and came to the Borden Tract in 1738, an amnesty having permitted him to send for his family. His Tract in 1738, an amnesty having permitted him to send for his family. His wife, Janet, was a sister to the Reverend John Brown. Two sons were Thomas and Alexander, the latter born in 1735. Alexander was very tall and strong. and wielded a ponderous broadsword in the battle of Guilford, where he was wounded and taken prisoner. His son Archibald, who died in 1831 at the age of seventy-four, removed to Staunton in 1785. He was the father of Alexander H. H. Stuart, Secretary of the Interior in the Cabinet of President Fillmore. Robert Stuart of Rockbridge and Judge Alexander Stuart of Missouri were brothers to Archibald, a grandson of whom was the dashing Confederate cavalry leader, General J. E. B. Stuart. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** JOHN HOPKINS STUART - born in Rockbridge county, September 15, 1811, and Jane E. McCown, born in this county, September 15, 1822, were here united in marriage on the 13th of March, 1845. He was a son of Walker and Polly (mcClure) Stuart, and his wife's parents were John and Polly (Culton) McCown. Joy and sorrow have visited the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart, seven children have been born to them and death has taken four away. This birth and death record is: Mary E., born March 11, 1846; E. E., born March 27, 1848, died September 29, 1879; John A., born June 17, 1850, died June 4, 1862; Robert W., born December 24, 1852; Margaret J., born November 11, 1856, died June 6, 1862; Frances E., born August 29, 1860; Charley, born December 23, 1864, died September 24, 1865. The occupation of John H. Stuart is farming, and his postoffice address is Rockbridge Baths, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** WILLIAM WALKER STUART - son of Walker and Mary (McClure) Stuart, was born on Walkers creek, January 15, 1821, and is the owner of 204 acres of fine farming land on its waters, to the cultivation of which he gives his attention. Through the civil war he was a member of the Rockbridge Guards, under Captain Walker, but he was detailed as farmer, and was never in active service. His marriage was solemnized in Augusta county, Virginia, February 11, 1864, and he married Elizabeth G. Kerr, born in Augusta county, daughter of Samuel X. and Eliza J. (Wallace) Kerr. Their children are six, born: Mary E., January 21, 1865; Maggie Wallace, January 8, 1868; Fannie S., August 3, 1870; Nancy G., March 6, 1872; William Oscar, March 4, 1875; Katie P., June 17, 1879; all are at home. W. W. Stuart occupies the house in which he was born, and also his father. It is not known by whom it was built, but it has existed since pioneer times, having been used as a fort. It is built of black walnut planks four inches thick sawed with a whipsaw. The dimensions of the building are thirty feet long by twenty wide. In the possession of the family are three steel spears of a peculiar pattern used to repel the red invader, and large numbers of Indian arrow-heads have been found in the vicinity, showing it to have been a battleground. William W. Stuart's postoffice address is Rockbridge Baths, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** DANIEL SWISHER - deceased - born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, September 12, 1838, was married in this county, January 31, 1861, to Nancy M. Gold. She is a daughter of William and Sarah (Potter) Gold, and was born in Brownsburg, Rockbridge county, February 17, 1842. The parents of Mr. Swisher settled in Rockbridge county about three years previous to his birth, Jacob Swisher, born 29, 1781, and Catharine (Fauver) Swisher, born October 1, 1811. On the 17th of April, 1884, Daniel Swisher was fatally injured by being run over with a heavily loaded wagon, living only about six hours afterward. The subject of this sketch was in the Confederate service three years and seven months, a member of Company H., 14th Virginia Cavalry, 2d Dragoons. His marriage was blessed with nine children, the oldest now in a home of her own in this county, and the others at home. These children were born: Virginia C., December 23, 1861; James H., June 6, 1866; John D., July 23, 1868; Mary M., January 7, 1871; Daniel B., October 11, 1873; Sallie W., May 22, 1877; Emma G., December 23, 1879; William M., -------next line unreadable------tember 18, 1882. The family owns and cultivates 171 acres of land lying on Walkers creek, near Kennedy chapel, in Rockbridge county, and have their postoffice address at Moffitts Creek, Augusta county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** DANIEL T. SWISHER - was born in Rockbridge county, July 29, 1847, a son of Henry and Julia A. (Daughtery) Swisher. His father was born in Rockbridge county, September 17, 1817, and his mother in Augusta county in 1819, and they are still living in Rockbridge county. Daniel T. joined Company I, Rockbridge Reserve Artillery, at the age of seventeen years, in 1864, and served till the close of the war. He was in action at Piedmont and Waynesboro. His brother William was in the infantry service, and made prisoner in 1864, sent to Camp Chase (Ohio), and held there till the close of the war. In Rockbridge county, March 20, 1873, Daniel T. Swisher and Mary J. Dice were wedded, and to them five children have been given: Bettie Walker, born January 8, 1874; Alice Olivia, February 11, 1875; Henry Dice, October 20, 1879; Minnie Lelia, October 10, 1881; Robert Elmer, January 13, 1883. The wife of Mr. Swisher was born in Rockbridge county, January 5, 1850, adaughter of Jacob and Sarah (Creek) Dice, both of whom lived until their decease in Rockbridge county. She had four brothers who were Confederate State soldiers: William, who was in the infantry, was twice wounded, was taken prisoner at Gettysburg, and held at Fort Delaware; and George, Davy and John, in the cavalry service. The great grandfather of Mr. Swisher, who spelled his name "Sweetzer", came from Germany to America, settling in Maryland. His son Jacob, grandfather of Daniel T., settled in Rockbridge county, and had a brother, Henry, who settled in Loudon county, and was high sheriff of the county. The maternal grandfather of Daniel T. was Hugh Daughtery, from Ireland, who made his home in Augusta county, and served there as deputy sheriff. Since 1878 Daniel T. Swisher has lived in Amherst county, farming in Pedlar district, and he has filled the office of surveyor of roads in Amherst county since 1882. His postoffice address is Pedlar Mills, Amherst county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411. Transcribed and submitted by: "Valerie F. Crook" **********************************************************************