West Virginia Statewide Files WV-Footsteps Mailing List WV-FOOTSTEPS-D Digest Volume 99 : Issue 101 Today's Topics: #1 BIO: JOHN L. RHEA, JR., Braxton Co [Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19991108210226.00baf660@trellis.net> Subject: BIO: JOHN L. RHEA, JR., Braxton County, WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" *************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 288-289 Braxton JOHN L. RHEA, JR. The life of John L. Rhea has been passed at Flatwoods, where he was born, and for over twenty-one years he has been one of its most enterprising and successful merchants. His interests are all centered here, and he is proud of the place and his connection with it. His birth occurred January 7, 1875, and he is a son of Dr. John L. and Sallie B. (McLaughlin) Rhea. The latter was a daughter of Col. Addison McLaughlin, now deceased, who represented Braxton and Nicholas counties in the West Virginia State Assembly when the capital of the Con- federacy was at Richmond. For many years he was a prominent attorney. Dr. John L. Rhea was reared at West- minster, Maryland, was educated in the Baltimore School of Medicine, and after his graduation he engaged in the practice of his profession at Flatwoods. He was also a member and local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. His death occurred in 1883. Two of his five sons survive, namely: his namesake son and Stephen A., John L. Rhea, Jr., attended the common schools of Flat- woods, and from his youth has been a good business man. In addition to his large store he owns a farm adjacent to Flatwoods and a large amount of stock in an oil and gas well. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Frater- nally he belongs to Sutton Lodge No. 21, A. F. and A. M.; Sutton Chapter No. 29, B. A. M.; Sutton Commandery No. 16, K. T., and has been advanced in the Scottish Rite at Wheeling, West Virginia, and he also belongs to Osiris Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Wheeling. For a number of years he has been one of the leaders of the local democratic party, was elected several times on his party ticket as mayor of Flatwoods, in 1913 represented Braxton County in the State Assembly, and while in the Legislature par- ticipated in the securing of some very constructive legisla- tion. In 1902 Mr. Rhea married Rebecca E. Floyd, who was born in Doddridge County, West Virginia, but was brought to Flatwoods in her girlhood, and here attended the common schools. Mr. and Mrs. Rhea have three children, namely: Sallie A., who is the wife of H. C. Hiveley; and Clara E. and Howard W., both of whom are in school. ______________________________X-Message: #2 Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 21:05:42 -0500 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19991108210542.00bacec0@trellis.net> Subject: BIO: CARROLL LEWIS VICKERS, Boone Co. WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" *************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 290-291 Boone CARROLL LEWIS VICKERS. There is a class of men who, in their own communities, are naturally accorded leadership in public and private enterprises. This sovereignty is con- ferred by popular recognition of superlative ability. Varied talents adapt these few men to captain enterprises of a varied nature. In this class is found Carroll Lewis Vickers, a civil and mining engineer of Huntington, who has won a high place in his profession and has contributed to the success of various enterprises. Mr. Vickers was born at Madison, Boone County, West Virginia, December 3, 1882, and is a son of Lewis F. and Alice T. (Powell) Vickers. John Vickers, the grandfather of Carroll Lewis Vickers, was born in Virginia, and died in Boone County, Virginia (now West Virginia), in 1845. He came to the Kanawha Valley when he was still a young man, and later became a pioneer into Boone County, where he engaged in agricultural operations and became an extensive and prosperous agricul- turist. He married a Miss Cunningham, who was born in Virginia and died in what is now Boone County, this state. Lewis F. Vickers was born September 10, 1837, in Boone County, where he was reared, educated and married. As a young man he became one of the pioneer school teachers of the rural districts, and later was elected and served two terms in the capacity of county superintendent of schools. Continuing in this calling, he became one of the dis- tinguished educators of the state, and when he retired, in 1901, went to his pleasant home at Madison, West Virginia, where he now lives. Mr. Vickers is a stanch democrat, and during the early days served as deputy sheriff and deputy County Court clerk of Boone County. He is a veteran of the war between the states, in which he fought as a soldier of the Confederacy, serving through the entire struggle as a member of the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Virginia Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battle of Winchester, was at Fort Donelson, and took part in many lesser engagements and skirmishes. In the battle of Cloyd 's Mountain, Vir- ginia, he was wounded severely, being shot through the face and right arm. His commanding officers were General Mc- Causland, of West Virginia, and Gens. John C. Breckinridge and John B. Floyd. Mr. Vickers married Miss Alice T. Powell. who was born in 1854, at Madison, Virginia (now West Virginia), and died at Madison in 1905. They became the parents of the following children: A son who died in infancy; John, who met death in an accident when only five years of age; and Carroll Lewis. Carroll Lewis Vickers attended the public schools at Madison, West Virginia, but the greater part of his instruc- tion was given him by his father, under whom he received a splendid preparatory education. He left public school at the age of twenty years and pursued a business course at the Massey Business College, Richmond, Virginia, from which he was graduated in 1902. It was at that time that he took up engineering, subscribing to a course in civil en- gineering with the International Correspondence school of Scranton, Pennsylvania. He graduated in 1906, but in the meanwhile had started getting the practical experience as a rodman with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad in 1904, and continued with them until 1907. From 1907 to 1909 he was employed by the Jefferson Coal Company of Cleveland, Ohio, as an engineer, and was next with the United States Coal and Oil Company of Holden, West Virginia, from 1909 to 1911, in the capacity of assistant engineer. His next posi- tion was that of chief engineer for the Yawkey & Freeman Coal Company and the Big Creek Development Company, with headquarters at New York City. the metropolis being the scene of his activities until 1916, when he formed a partnership with G. K. Allman at Huntington, the firm style being Allman & Vickers, civil and mining engineers. This association was dissolved by Mr. Allman's death in May, 1921, at which time Mr. Vickers took over Mr. Allman's interests. He has continued to carry on the business on his own account, and has built up one of the largest and most substantial enterprises of its kind in the State of West Pritchard Building, Huntington. Mr. Vickers is secretary Virginia. His offices are situated at 1005-6-7 Robson and treasurer of the Goodby branch of the By-Products Coal Company of Huntington, with mines at Chapmanville, Logan County. In his political faith Mr. Vickers is a democrat, and his religious connection is with the Johnson Memorial Church, Methodist Episcopal, South, of Huntington. As a frater- nalist he holds membership in Smithfield Lodge No. 182, A. P. and A. M., Smithfield, Ohio; Huntington Lodge of Per- fection No. 4; Knights of Rose Croix Chapter No. 4, Hunt- ington; West Virginia Consistory No. 1, Wheeling, thirty- second degree; Beni-Kedem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., Charleston; the National Masonic Club, of Wheeling; Masonic Club, of Huntington; Huntington Chapter No. 8, O. E. S.; and Huntington Lodge No. 313, B. P. O. E. He is the owner of a modern and attractive residence at 809 Lincoln Place, Huntington, and a 200-acre farm in Boone County, this state. On September 25, 1903, at Madison, West Virginia, Mr. Vickers was united in marriage with Miss Hattie M. Hager, daughter of John B. and Mary (Cook) Hager, the latter of whom is now deceased. Mr. Hager is one of the prominent attorneys practicing at the Madison bar. Mrs. Vickers died in February, 1921, leaving three children: Clifford S., born July 21, 1905, a student at the Huntington High School; Paul C., born September 8, 1914, who is attending the graded school; and Ruth, born February 21, 1917. ______________________________X-Message: #3 Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 21:08:32 -0500 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19991108210832.00bc08b0@trellis.net> Subject: BIO: JOHN W. SMITH, M. D., Braxton County, WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" *************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 291 Braxton JOHN W. SMITH, M. D., is one of the honored and de- pendable members of the medical fraternity of Braxton County, and for some years he has been engaged in a gen- eral practice at Gassaway, although calls are made upon his skill from a large outside territory. He was born in Roane County, West Virginia, December 29, 1872, a son of W. R. T. and Catherine Jarvis Smith, who are now residents of Spencer, Virginia. And W. R. T. Smith was born in Barbour County, West Virginia, June 10, 1846, while his wife was born in Calhoun County, West Virginia, June 14, 1855. He was reared on a farm, and his educational training was confined to the instruction he received in the common schools, but for a time he was a teacher in the country schools. After their marriage he and his wife settled on a farm in Roane County, and lived on it until in 1913 they moved to Spencer, their present home. She is an Adventist. He is a republican. They are the parents of four children, namely: Doctor Smith, who is the eldest; Dora, who is the wife of C. C. Fruell; Lisette, who is the wife of S. E. Steele; and Waitman T., who is a physician and surgeon of Glenville, West Virginia. Doctor Smith attended the common schools, the West Vir- ginia State Normal School at Huntington, and the Barnes Medical College of St. Louis, Missouri, leaving the latter after two years and completing his medical studies in the medical department of the University of the South at Se- wanee, Tennessee, from which he was graduated with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Subsequently he took two post-graduate courses in New York City. Following his graduation Doctor Smith located at Rosedale, Braxton County, and practiced there for seventeen years, leaving it in 1918 to come to Gassaway. For a number of years he has maintained membership with the Braxton County Medical Society. He is a Mason and belongs to Gassaway Lodge No. 133, A. F. and A. M., and he also belongs to the Chapter and Commandery of his order. In politics he is a repub- lican. He is president of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Gassaway, and interested in a number of enterprises at Gassaway and Braxton County, including some very valu- able farm land. A man of energy and possessing natural and carefully trained abilities, he is one of the most active forces for advancement in this part of the county, and his efforts are always put forth for constructive measures. In 1900 Doctor Smith married Miss May Trout, of Roane County, West Virginia. She left him one child, Hallie, at her death in 1906. In 1909 Doctor Smith married Miss Gay Stalnaker, of Calhoun County, West Virginia, and to this union two children have been born, J. Wesley and Emma Lucile. ______________________________X-Message: #4 Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 21:09:15 -0500 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19991108210915.00bc08b0@trellis.net> Subject: BIO: WILLIAM H. LEE, Braxton Co. WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" *************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 291 Braxton WILLIAM H. LEE. All honorable success is based upon a definite aim in life and persistency of purpose in a given course. It is the man who does the work nearest at hand and whose industry leaves him no idle, wasteful moments who deserves the honor and respect of his fellow men. That men do not find the niche for which they consider them- selves fitted is largely due to their inability to fit them- selves for those places which they could occupy with profit and honor. Tracing the lives of prominent men in the business world, it is easy to see that progressive characters have never lacked opportunities, and that opportunities have not signified so much as the man. In the case of William H. Lee, a prominent and prosperous hardware dealer of Sutton, he has created his own opportunities and has worked his way along a definite channel to prosperity and position. Mr. Lee was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, October 21, 1860, a son of Hugh and Phoebe G. (Averill) Lee. His father was born in Washington County, Penn- sylvania, in 1816, and was reared in his native state, where he acquired a public school education. When still a youth he began to clerk in a general store at Cross Creek, Penn- sylvania, then entering the wool and oil business at Pitts- burgh, and finally embarking in the coal business, with which he continued to be identified until his death in 1885. He was a successful business man of large affairs, and a man who merited and possessed the full confidence of those associated with him in any venture or enterprise. He was a republican in his political sentiment and a man of influence in his party in Pennsylvania, and during the Civil war period served with the rank of colonel on the staff of Governor Curtain. He was a devout member of the Presby- terian Church, in which he served as an elder, and lived his faith. At Paris, Pennsylvania, in February, 1840, he he was united in marriage with Miss Phoebe G. Averill, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio; August 22, 1823, and they were the parents of one son, William H. William H. Lee was still a child when taken by his parents to Carnegie, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, where he received his early education in the graded and high schools, this being subsequently supplemented by attendance at the Western University of Pennsylvania. As a young man he secured employment with the Keystone Coal Com- pany as the traveling representative in Pennsylvania, with which he remained until June, 1880. In 1892 he came to Sutton, West Virginia, and embarked in business on his own account by purchasing the old Sutton Hardware Company. With the expansion of business under his capable manage- ment Mr. Lee realized the need for more extensive quarters to handle his trade, and he consequently bought a piece of property and built his present modern and commodious plant, in which he handles all kinds of hardware, wholesale and retail. He has made a great success of his venture and is rightly accounted one of the leading business citizens of Sutton, where he has built up an excellent reputation for sound ability and the highest integrity. Mr. Lee is also a director in the Sutton Electric and Water Works at Sut- ton, the officers of which are Patrick J. Berry, president and general manager; and Alf Watker, secretary and treasurer. This is likewise a going concern and one that has an im- portant part in the business life of the city. On January 13, 1887, Mr. Lee was united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Davis, who was born at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and educated in the public schools of that city. To this union there have been born three daughters: Genevieve, a graduate of Mary Baldwin Seminary at Staunton, Virginia, is the wife of A. C. Herold; Florence M., who attended the Belmont Female School at Nashville, Tennessee, is now the wife of H. P. Hersperger; and Mar- garet G., who attended the Mary Baldwin Seminary, is now the wife of Mayor James A. Gartlin, of Burkesville, Ken- tucky. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Lee is a republican in his political allegiance, and as a fraternalist is affiliated with Sutton Lodge No. 21, A. F. and A. M. ______________________________X-Message: #5 Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 21:09:48 -0500 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19991108210948.00bc0770@trellis.net> Subject: BIO: A. P. ARMSTRONG, Braxton Co. WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" *************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 291-292 Braxton A. P. ARMSTRONG. Without force of character no man can achieve to any eminence no matter what path he chooses in life. His aims may be high, his principles excellent and his ideas brilliant, but unless he possesses vim, energy and strength to make practical his plans his efforts will be vain. The county seat of Sutton has given Braxton County some of its most forcible men, and from them have been chosen the individuals who have acted capably in official capacities. Among these may be mentioned A. P. Arm- strong, justice of the peace at Sutton and a member of an old and honored West Virginia family. Mr. Armstrong, who is still a young man for so responsible a position, has possessed the force of character necessary to bring him advancement, and his career promises to be a highly suc- cessful one. A. P. Armstrong is a native son of Braxton County, hav- ing been born at Sutton, February 23, 1889, a son of C. and Elizabeth J. (Troxell) Armstrong. His father, a native of Glendon, West Virginia, was married there and as a young man was engaged in farming. Later, on coming to Sutton, he applied himself to the trade of blacksmith, a vocation which he had learned in his youth. He also served for some years as jail keeper and in other capacities, and was accounted a capable and reliable official. In politics he was a democrat. He died in 1910, in the faith of the Bap- tist Church, of which Mrs. Armstrong, who survives him as a resident of Sutton, is also a member. They were the par- ents of six children: W. L., a graduate of the law depart- ment of the University of West Virginia and now engaged in the practice of his profession at Sutton; Gideon, also a graduate of the State University, who is following a business career at Sutton; Mary, a graduate of the graded and high schools, who makes her home with her mother; Jessie, also a graduate of the graded and high schools and the wife of Patrick Murphy, an attorney of Charleston; Dr. R. T., who is engaged in the practice of dentistry at Gassa- way, West Virginia; and A. P., of this review. A. P. Armstrong is indebted to the public schools of Morgantown for his primary education, which was later supplemented by three years of study in the State Univer- sity. With this preparation he returned to his native place of Sutton and embarked on his business career in the ca- pacity of a public stenographer, a business in which he gained a wide acquaintance, made numerous friends and achieved some success. Urged by his friends, in the fall of 1920 he allowed his name to be used as a candidate for the office of justice of the peace, and in the November elec- tions of that year was chosen for the office. Mr. Armstrong has discharged the duties of his position in an entirely capable manner, exercising the powers of his office with dignity, impartiality and expedition. So thoroughly has he gained the confidence of his fellow-citizens that he is often called upon to decide disputes outside of court as an arbi- trator, in which capacity his quiet, unswerving strength has brought peace to disturbed conditions. Mr. Armstrong was united in marriage at Sutton with Miss Laura Bryson, of this city, a graduate of the public schools, and to this union there has come one child, Bettie Lee, born December 1, 1918. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong are faithful members of the Baptist Church and generous con- tributors to various worthy causes of an educational, religious or charitable nature. In his political allegiance. Mr. Armstrong is a democrat, but has never allowed his political leanings to affect his decisions. As a fraternalist he holds membership in the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias and is a York Rite Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. ______________________________X-Message: #6 Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1999 21:13:07 -0500 From: Valerie & Tommy Crook To: WV-FOOTSTEPS-L@rootsweb.com Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19991108211307.00bc0700@trellis.net> Subject: BIO: WALTER LEE TAYLOR, McDowell Co. WV Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" *************** The History of West Virginia, Old and New Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc., Chicago and New York, Volume III, pg. 292-293 McDowell WALTER LEE TAYLOR, one of the West Virginia leaders in the promulgation and development of corporation law, is one of the members of the profession who has always been identified with large affairs. His connection as counsel and official with a number of the largest companies of the state has brought to the realization of the public his masterly knowledge of the law, his deep penetration into its founda- tion principles, the broad and high qualities of his mind, and his ability to apply his knowledge to circumstances and affairs. A large part of Mr. Taylor's legal career of thirty- two years has been passed in McDowell County, but at present his offices are maintained at Huntington. Mr. Taylor was born in Giles County, Virginia, November 15, 1866, a son of Thomas Samuel and Nichatie Cherokee Tennessee Floyd (French) Taylor. The Taylor family was founded in America during Colonial days, when the first Taylor, emigrating from Scotland, located in Virginia. In Henry County of that state was born the grandfather of Walter Lee Taylor, Robert Taylor, who was a planter in Henry, Pulaski and Giles counties, Virginia, and died in the latter county prior to the birth of his grandson. He married Martha Minter, who was also born in Henry County, and died in Giles County. The French family originated in England, whence the first American ancestor immigrated to Virginia prior to the Revolutionary war, in which struggle the great-great-grandfather of Mr. Taylor, John Clay French, held the rank of colonel in the forces of General Greene. Thomas Samuel Taylor, father of Walter Lee Taylor, was born in Henry County, Virginia, November 21, 1838, and was nine years of age when taken by his parents to Pulaski County, that state, subsequently removing to Giles County, where he was married. At the outbreak of the war between the states he gave up his position as a teacher in the rural schools and enlisted in a Virginia infantry regiment in the Confederate service, which was attached to Picket's Divi- sion, Longstreet's Corps, with which he was connected throughout the war. Mr. Taylor participated in the memorable Pickett's charge at Gettysburg, through which he came safely, but three days before the surrender of General Lee, at Appomattox, he was captured at Sailor's Creek, near Petersburg, Virginia, and was a prisoner at Washington, D. C., on the night President Lincoln was assassinated. He was then sent to Johnson's Island and held there until July, 1865, when he was released. Mr. Taylor then returned to Giles County, where he resumed his school teaching and continued as an educator until 1876, when he became sheriff and deputy treasurer of Giles County. He served as sheriff for twelve years, during eight years of which he also acted in the deputy treasurer's capacity, and in 1900 was made deputy sheriff, a position in which he served eight years. He finally retired to his farm at Thessalia, and his death occurred at Lynchburg, January 22, 1914. Mr. Taylor was a democrat. He was a very active supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which he was a Sunday school superintendent for thirty years. In Masonry he attained the thirty-second degree, was district deputy lecturer for the State of Vir- ginia, and was considered one of the brightest and best informed Masons in the state, being called upon frequently to deliver the Masonic addresses at the laying of the corner- stones and other functions. Mr. Taylor married Miss Nichatie Cherokee Tennessee Floyd French, who was born April 16, 1845, in Giles County, Virginia, and died in that county in February, 1901. She was named by Governor John B. Floyd of Virginia for his sister. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor became the parents of the following children: Walter Lee, of this review; Albert Tyler Hicks, local attor- ney for the Norfolk & Western Railway Company and for several other large corporations and a well-known attorney of Giles County, where he died in 1897, at the age of twenty- eight years; Bertie A., who died at the age of twenty years; Mary A., the wife of Senator James A. Strother, a prom- inent attorney of Welch, West Virginia, and present repre- sentative to the State Legislature from McDowell County, this state; India P., the wife of Dr. Charles F. Shumate, of Lynchburg, Virginia, one of the leading osteopathic physi- cians of Virginia; Mattie N., who died at the age of two years; Marvin S., an attorney of Welch, West Virginia, and member of the firm of Taylor & Taylor, his partner being hia wife, formerly Miss Rosa Quisenberry; Bayard H., en- gaged in the insurance business at Welch, who during the World war was sent by the governor of Virginia as the representative of that state of the Young Men's Christian Association to France, where he spent eight months at the front and was on the firing line when the armistice was signed; and Vera, who died at Lynchburg, Virginia, in 1918, as the wife of Dr. Charles F. Dickens, a dental prac- titioner of that city. In 1905 Mr. Taylor married at Thacker, West Virginia, Laura J. Stafford, who was a sister of his first wife and lived happily with her until his death, and his widow departed this life at Huntington, West Virginia, in 1921. Walter Lee Taylor attended the rural schools of Giles County, Virginia, and at the early age of fifteen years be- gan teaching school. During the following eight years he continued to work as an educator, having various schools in Giles, Bland and Tazewell counties, Virginia, and Sullivan County, Tennessee, and in the meantime applied himself to the study of law, being finally admitted to the bar in 1890. He immediately began practice in McDowell County, where he made rapid advancement in his calling, and where he still has a large and lucrative clientele. Mr. Taylor has risen to be known as one of the leading corporation lawyers of his state. He is attorney for the R. E. Wood Lumber Company and Montvale Lumber Company, both of Balti- more, Maryland; the Atlantic Fuel and Steamship Company of Huntington, and several large coal companies in Mc- Dowell County. In June, 1921, he established an office at 309 Robson-Pritchard Building, Huntington. He belongs to the various organizations of his profession and occupies a place high in the esteem and regard of his fellow practitioners. In politics Mr. Taylor is a stanch democrat and was prom- inent in the ranks of his party during his residence in Mc- Dowell County, although his only public office was that of councilman of Welch, in which he served one year. He be- longs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and his fraternal affiliation is with McDowell Lodge No. 112, A. F. and A. M., of Welch, West Virginia. His business connec- tions are numerous and important, he being president of the Torchlight Coal Company of Torchlight, Kentucky; vice president of the Pan Coal Company of Welch, West Virginia; president of the Southeastern Grain and Live- stock Company of Jones County, North Carolina, owners of an 18,000-acre plantation; secretary of the Marvacar Min- ing Company, owning mines in Cherokee County, North Carolina; secretary of the New Garden Coal Land Company of Lockhaven, Pennsylvania; and a director in the R. E. Wood Lumber Company and the Montvale Lumber Company, both of Baltimore, Maryland. He owns the old Knabe homestead at Catonsville, Maryland, formerly the home of the well-known piano manufacturer of that name, and is interested also in farming land in Giles County, Virginia. On September 9, 1891, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage in Giles County, Virginia, with Miss Ada Cecil, daughter of Daniel R. and Sophia (Anderson) Cecil, both of whom are deceased. Mr. Cecil was a substantial agriculturist of Giles County, and Mrs. Taylor is a graduate of the Wesleyan Female Institute of Staunton, Virginia. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor. Nichatie Cecil, the elder, married Hon. Ryland G. Craft, of Gates City., Vir- ginia, one of the five republican members of the Virginia Legislature of the session of 1922. He is a well-known at- torney and agent for the Ford automobile in Scott county, Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Craft have one daughter, Ann Tay- lor, born November 24, 1921. Walter Lee Taylor, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, is a graduate of the Baltimore City College of Johns Hopkins University, degree of Bachelor of Arts, and was honor man in his senior class year. Dur- ing the recent war, at the age of nineteen years, he volun- teered for service, was accepted in the United States Navy, and attained the rank of ensign. During a part of his two years of service he was on the U. S. S. Saranac. He is now a student in the law department of the University of Baltimore, Maryland, but resides at Catonsville, Maryland, and is acting as private secretary to B. E. Wood, president of the R. E. Wood Lumber Company.