BIOGRAPHY, Rockbridge County, VA- "W" ********************************************************************** 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. ********************************************************************** ZECHARIAH JOHNSTON WALKER, M. D. - born on walkers creek, in Rockbridge county, January 19, 1834, is a son of Joseph and Sallie (Johnston) Walker. He entered the service of Virginia in the internecine strife as a member of Company H, 14th Virginia Cavalry, and was later promoted to surgeon of McCausland's Brigade. His brother John F. was in the service, was made prisoner of war, and sent to Elmira, New York, where he died October 7, 1864. Another brother, William Thomas, was teaching in Georgia at the commencement of the was, and joined an infantry company from that State. He was promoted to captain, and was wounded in the side. After the war he studied medicine with Dr. Z. J. Walker, graduated at the University of Virginia, and practiced in New York City till his death, in 1875. Two brothers of Mrs. Walker, John D. and J. A. Brooks, were in the service; the former, from inability to perform duty, was taken from the ranks and made quartermaster, which office he efficiently filled until the close of the struggle. The latter was in a cavalry company. He was taken with typhoid fever, was in the hospital in Richmond, and after his recovery again went out. Near Barter Brook, Augusta county, Virginia, November 8, 1859, Dr. Walker was joined in marriage with Bettie B. Brooks. She was a daughter of John and Susan Henderson (McComb) Brooks, and was born near Barter Brook, September 29, 1833. Dr. Walker has been long esablished in the practice of medicine in Rockbridge county, with residence and postoffice address at Brownsburg, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** HORACE HOLMAN WALLACE - was born in Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, November 6, 1840. He was a son of James and Mary B. (Parks) Wallace, natives of Rockbridge county. His father has been some years dead, his mother is living in Lexington. Horace H. and William Wallace, his brother, were soldiers of the Confederacy. The former enlisted April 17, 1861, in the "Rockbridge Riffles", and served in the famous "Stonewall Brigade", and was a participant in the first battle on Virginia soil - Falling Waters - the first Manassas, and others. William was killed in the battle of Chancellorsville, May, 1863, preferring death to captivity. Joshua Parks, uncle of Horace H. Wallace, was killed in the service at Honeywood Mills in the fall of 1861, and it was through the efforts of his bosom friend, the brave "Stonewall" Jackson, that his body was returned to the Lexington Cemetery for interment. In Rockbridge county, September 24, 1867, Horace H. Wallace was united in marriage with Mary Elizabeth Johnston. The bride was a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Lawson) Johnston, of Rockbridge county. She was born in this county in 1847; her mother was born here, and her father is a native of Ireland. In 1879 H. H. Wallace moved to Staunton, Augusta county, where he purchased a comfortable home and entered into the business of brickmason. His postoffice address is Staunton, Augusta county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** WALLACE-- William A. Wallace, known in American history as "Big Foot" Wallace, was born one mile south of Lexington, April 12, 1816. In the fall of 1837 he heard of the death of a brother at the hands of the Mexicans in the Fannin massacre. Leaving his plow and team in the field, he started at once for Texas on a mission of vengeance. He was accompanied by James Paxton and J. Frank Shields, the former dying in Texas. In the Texan army, Wallace was a lieutenant of rangers. He accompanied the Mier expedition and was captured, but by good fortune he drew a white bean, and thus escaped military execution. His captors called him the "Big Foot Gringo," and he was made to work a long while on the streets of the City of Mexico. Some time after his release he killed "Big Foot," a Lipan warrior, in single combat. Wallace made his home near San Antonio, but at length the region became too thickly settled to please him, and he went farther west. He visited Rockbridge in 1850 and again about 1872. He never married, and he died in Texas, January 8, 1899. Big Foot Wallace did not really have feet of unusual size, considering his stature, yet was conspicuous for immense shoulders and a very large head. He was a grandson of Colonel Samuel Wallace of the Revolutionary period. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** THOMAS D. WATTS - born on Christmas Day, 1846, in Amherst county, Virginia, is a son of Edwin L. and Mary Frances Watts, who made their home in Rockbridge ounty about 1862. He served about twelve months in the civil war, and was severely wounded in the battle near Staunton, Augusta county. In Rockbridge county, Thomas D. Watts and Jennie Chaffin were united in marriage, and in the home their marriage consecrated are four children, born: Mittie F., October, 1874; James O., October, 1877; Edward Thomas, November 1880; Mary D., February, 1883. The parents of Mrs.Watts are Edward J. and Mary J. (Oney) Chaffin of Bedford county, Virginia, and she was born in that county. Thomas D. Wattd is a farmer of Buffalo District, with postoffice address at Green Forest, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** ISAAC WHISMAN - is a native of Augusta county, Virginia, born June 27, 1836, a son of Henry and Elizabeth S. (Powers) Whisman. His marriage was consummated in the county of his birth, where Lucy J. Gardener became his wife in 1875. Their children are: Elizabeth, Charles, Julia A., Laura, Eliza, Ellie, and Ira. The wife of Mr. Whisman was born in Augusta county, October 6, 1858, and her parents were Ira and Julia A. (Marshal) Gardener. In the war between the States, Isaac Whisman was a soldier of Company F, 5th Virginia Infantry. Since his residence in Rockbridge county he has followed the business of wagon making, and his postoffice address is Denmark, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** ARTHUR WHITE - took up his residence in Rockbridge county, Virginia, in 1874, and is the owner of 275 acres of farming land near South river, and six miles east of Lexington. He was born in Amherst county, Virginia, August 31, 1824, and there he married Mary E. Sandige, who was born in Amherst county in September, 1827. They have five children: mary Jane, born August 1, 1854; Daniel W., July 18, 1855; Andrew J., September 23, 1857; Eliza Rose, January 15, 1860; John Willie, October 3, 1863 - the four first-named have homes in Rockbridge county, and the youngest is with his parents. Willis and Tabitha (Sandige) White of Amherst county, and now deceased, were the parents of Arthur White. His father died in January, 1873, aged seventy-four years. Lindsay and Clara (Higginbotham) Sandige, of Amherst county, are the parents of Mary E., wife of Mr. White Arthur White enlisted in April, 1862, in Company E, 2d Virginia Cavalry, and was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, second Manassas, and with Lee's command through all the fighting of his campaigns till the end at Appomattox. Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia, is Arthur White's postoffice address. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** DANIEL W. WHITE - is a native of Amherst county, Virginia, where he was born July 18, 1855. In 1873 he accompanied his parents to Rockbridge county, they making their home in this county in that year. He is a son of Arthur and Mary E, (Sandige) White, his father a veteran of the war between the States, having been a soldier o fthe Southern army for four years. In Rockbridge county, March 23, 1876, Mildred A. Davis became the wife od Daniel W. White, and their home was brightened by the presence of four children, born to them: Ira D., January 8, 1877; Robert M., January 8, 1879; Margarte L., September 14, 1880; William A., December 16, 1882. Mildred A., daughter of Lewis P. and Minerva J. (Karens) Davis, was born in Rockbridge county, on the 12th of October, 1857. Daniel W. White is a farmer of Walkers Creek district, with his postoffice address at Brownsburg, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** MATTHEW WHITE - deceased - was born in Ireland, of the distinguished Irish family of that name, and came seeking his fortune in the New World at the age of eighteen years. By energy and ability he became one of the leading merchants in Lexington, and the largest tax-payer in the county. In Lexington he married Mary C. McChesney, who was born in Rockbridge county in 1801, a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Johnston) McChesney, natives of this county, and long honored residents here. Mrs. White was in her eighty-fourth year at the time of her death, having long outlived her companion and two of the children of their union, but up to the time of her death was interested in the welfare of Virginia, and the affairs of her native county. The children of Mr,. and Mrs. White were six daughters and one son: Martha, Anna, Susan, Elizabeth, Mary Louisa, Helen, and Mathew H. The only son was a soldier of the South, holding commission of captain, and was killed on Hunter's raid. The daughter Susan is deceased. The six daughters all married Virginians, who at the call of their native State took up arms in her defense, and were commissioned officers in her army; Gen. Frank Paxton, killed with "Stonewall" Jackson at Chancellorsville; Colonel Lady, who has been a member of the legislature by six consecutive elections, was wounded in 1862, and died from the effects of the wound in 1883; Major Dohnan; Major Paxton (who was killed later on a railroad); Major Williams, and Lieutenant Newman. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** WHITE-- Robert White was born in Ireland in 1775, and came to Lexington in 1800, going into the mercantile business. He was a lieutenant in the war of 1812, a justice and sheriff, and in politics was a Whig. In 1802 he was married to Margaret, daughter of Zachariah Johnston. His sons were Zachariah J. and Robert L. Mr. White died in 1851. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** SAMUEL WHITE - born in Rockbridge county, November 29, 1825, in this county on the 9th of January, 1855, was united in marriage with Magdaline Withers. She was born in Rockbridge county, March 10, 1832, and their children were born: William E., August 2, 1857; George A., August 15, 1859; Sarah M., January 15, 1861; Ellie M., December 22, 1862; John A., March 23, 1865; Charles A., July 22, 1867; Anna N., March 15, 1869; Arthur Lee, July 18, 1873. William E. lives in Anderson county, Missouri, George A. died in April, 1860, and the others are at home. George and Margaret Withers were the parents of Mrs. White, and Levi and Martha (Grant) White are the parents of Samuel White. He lost three brothers in the war between the States: George, who fell in the battle of Gettysburg; John who died at home from the effects of exposure; and James M., who died a prisoner in Baltimore. Samuel White is a farmer by occupation, and has his postoffice address at Lexington, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** JOHN J. WHITMORE - is a son of Peter and Mary (Rubush) Whitmore, who about 1827, made their home in Rockbridge county, and he was born in this county, February 5, 1840. In Augusta county, Virginia, February 22, 1844, was born Amanda V. Miller, who became the wife of John H. Whitmore in the county of herbirth, November 20, 1866. Their children are six, all at home, born: James Martin, October 4, 1867; Lelia G., July 28, 1869; William W., April 28, 1872; Don J., May 20, 1874; Lovie H., January 21, 1878; Oscar B., October 9, 1880. Martin and Susan (Bright) Miller were the parents of Mrs. Whitmore, both natives of Augusta county, her mother born in 1809, and died December 6, 1883. Her father died April 30, 1877. john H. Whitmore enlisted in April, 1861, in the 14th Virginia Cavalry, and serve till the close of the war. He was duty sergeant the first two years of the war, and commissary sergeant the last two years. Among the battles in which he was a participant were Martinsburg, Gettysburg, Opequan Creek, Brandy Station, Boonsboro, Monocacy, and the remainder of the engagements of his regiment. He is now an extensive farmer and stock-raiser on Irish creek, a tributary of South River, making a specialty of fine cattle. His postoffice address is Midvale, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** CHARLES L. WITZELL - son of Jermiah and Susan Elizabeth (Witzell) Witzell, was born in Rockbridge county, on the 10th of August, 1861. His father was two years a soldier of the war between the States. His parents were born in Rockbridge county, and are still residents here. They have their home seven miles northeast of Lexington, and Charles L. is still living with them, engaged withhis father in carrying on their farm. His postoffice address is Timber Ridge, Rockbridge county, Virginia. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** WILLIAM T. WOMELDORF - born in Augusta county, Virginia, August 27, 1833, came to Rockbridge county in 1857, and in this county, on the 23d of December, 1858, he married Catharine H. Shaner. She was born in Augusta county, February 12, 1839, and their children were born in Rockbridge county, as follows: Daniel T., October 4, 1859; George W., March 23, 1861; Annie V., February 27, 1863; Carlyle, August 11, 1864; Mary E., February 17, 1866; Joseph S., November 1, 1867; John A., December 15, 1869; Nannie L., October 29, 1871; Viola and Ada, October 28, 1875; Hubert, September 11, 1877; Cora B., October 24, 1879 - these children are all at home. Daniel and Elizabeth (Bell) Womeldorf were the parents of William T., and his father died November 15, 1861, aged sixty-five years; his mother came to Rockbridge county in 1861, and died here September 11, 1883, aged seventy-six years. The wife of Mr. Womeldorf was a daughter of George B. and Annie (Harner) Shaner. Her mother died in 1845, and her father died in December, 1864, aged sixty-one years. William T. Womeldorf was one of four brothers who served the cause of the Confederacy. His brother Jacob was a member of the 58th Virginia Infantry; his brother John enlisted in 1862, and served through the war, wounded at Gettysburg; his brother Daniel enlisted in 1861, 27th Virginia Infantry, Jackson's Brigade, and lost his life in the battle of Port Republic. William T. Womeldorf is a farmer of Rockbridge county, owning 700 acres of fine land on the old Valley Pike, five miles northest of Lexington. He makes a successful specialty of fruit raising. 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. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" ********************************************************************** WOODS-- Richard Woods settled on Woods Creek in 1738 and gave it its name. It is thought that he was a son of Michael Woods, of Albemarle, who came to America with nine boys, three brothers and their families, and a widowed sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Wallace. Richard Woods was a sheriff and other wise very prominent settler. He seems to have had a brother, Charles, who died in 1761, and three sisters, of whom Martha married Peter Wallace, and Sarah married Joseph Lapsley. Magdalena was successively the wife of Captain John McDowell, Benjamin Borden, Jr., and General John Bowyer. The name Woods was represented in Rockbridge until after the opening of the nineteenth century. Source: A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton, published in 1920. Transcribed and submitted by: "Marilyn B. Headley" , 1997 ************************************************************************************** LEANDER WRIGHT - son of Nathan and Susan (Hudson) Wright, was born in New York State, January 22, 1829. He was first married to Margaret G., daughter of Martin L. and Annie (Beggs) Kearney, and their children were born: Joseph W., September 30, 1855; Anna I., October 27, 1857; Cora Belle, June 12, 1861; Maggie B., January 23, 1864, died July 15, 1864. In Augusta county, Virginia, March 26, 1867, Leander Wright and Fannie M. Laughlin were united in marriage, and their children were six, of whom death has taken two: Nannie Lorena was born February 8, 1869, and died July 11, 1875; Mary Maggie, born August 29, 1873, died June 19, 1875; the living children were born: Laura, born March 2, 1871; Hugh Rodgers, August 15, 1875; Maude, December 13, 1877; Mary, February 14, 1883. Hugh and Nancy (Wright) Laughlin are the parents of Fannie M., wife of Mr. Wright, and she was born in Lexington, August 20, 1846. Leander Wright was born in New York, raised in Canada, and came to Virginia in 1850. In 1869 he made his home in Rockbridge county, and in Lexington he has a first-class livery and feed stable. Source: Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopedia (NY, Richmond, and Toledo: H. H. Hardesty and Company Publishers, 1884). p. 411-412. Transcribed and submitted by Valerie F. Crook" **********************************************************************