Volume 11 , Issue 45

MORE ? History of Highland County Virginia

Biographic paragraphs taken from the book, A History of Highland County Virginia, Chapter XXIII, page 223, gives us some insight into the families and particular mention of the Highland Men of more or less prominence.

Such as?

John Bradshaw, son of the pioneer, was county surveyor eighteen years and was also a veteran teacher, a number of persons of some prominence being his pupils. He wrote the will of John Graham, which, through no fault of his, led to a noted lawsuit. Eighteen hours of rigid cross-examination failed to bring out any flaw in his testimony. His son, Captain Robert H., had a promising career cut short by his death at Port Republic.

Thomas Brown?Tomaso Bruno in Italian?merits mention as our only pioneer of that nationality. He is said to have been a sea captain in the War of 1812, about which time he came to America. He lived a while near the city of Washington.

Andrew H. Byrd, the legislative father of Highland County, served twelve years in the House of Delegates. His son, John T., was in the legislature one term, but declined a renomination. In the great war, he served with much ability as a leader of Confederate cavalry. Prior thereto he was a major of militia. As a farmer, he is one of Highland's best. His sons, Clifton E., Adam M., and H. Houston, are graduates of the University of Virginia, and all are in professional life, the last named being the present Commonwealth's Attorney of Bath.

The father and paternal grandfather of the pioneer Campbell were Presbyterian divines. His son Thomas possessed fine mathematical ability and was the first surveyor of Highland. Austin W. was one of its best read citizens and perhaps the first one to join the Masonic Order. Walter P., now engaged in the real estate business at Roanoke, was Commissioner of the Revenue for 21 years. Still other members of the connection have held positions of honor and trust.

Cornelius Colaw was a justice of the war period. His son, John M., received the Master's degree from Dickinson College in 1892, and after taking his Bachelor's degree from the same college studied law at the University of Virginia. For three years he was principal of the Monterey High School. Though an active attorney, Mr. Colaw has cultivated his strong mathematical gift. He is a member of the American Mathematical Society, a frequent contributor to mathematical journals, and the author of mathematical textbooks.

Collingwood A. Dickson, a well-read merchant of Trimble, is a son of General Sir Collingwood Dickson of the British Army.

William W. Fleming, a native of Nova Scotia, came to Highland shortly before the formation of the county. He was a man of strong intellect cultivated by constant reading. His personality was felt in every phase of public enterprise, and in particular he was a sturdy friend to the cause of education. He was recognized as an honest, upright, and intelligent citizen.

NOW ? This Highland County Gentleman is of particular interest to this NW Okie, because ? This is the same Captain David Gwin that my grandmother Constance Warwick McGill did her research on for her DAR certificate. Captain David Gwin, a wealthy landowner of Jackson's River, was a steadfast soldier in the wars with the Indians and British. He was one of the men who went to the relief of the Wilson family, and his military career continued until the close of the Revolution.

Jacob Hevener, Jr., was a wealthy and prosperous stockgrower of Crabbottom, as have been his sons also. Benjamin H. Hiner graduated in law in 1892, but even before his admission to the bar he was nominated as Prosecuting Attorney of Pendleton, holding that office eight years. In 1908 he was a candidate for Congress, and though defeated he ran ahead of his ticket by 1,500 votes. Mr. Hiner is a very active attorney.

The Hull family, particularly, Peter Hull/Hohl, is another ancestor of NW Okie that finds its way into the Gwin and Warwick families around "Crab bottom." The Hull family was very prominent in our early annals. The pioneer himself was a man of large means for his day. Peter, his oldest son, increased the estate, owning a large portion of the Crab bottom, his possessions in 1818 including 16 slaves, 19 horses, 43 cows, and 60 sheep. He was an officer in the Revolution, a colonel of militia subsequent thereto, and a legislator also. He was very influential, but also domineering. Major Peter Hull, his son, lived at McDowell, where he was a heavy landholder. He also sat in the Legislature and held various local offices. This branch of the Hull family is locally extinct in the male line. The late Joseph, a well-to-do farmer and upright citizen, is kindly remembered by his associates.

John Sitlington, son-in-law to Colonel Peter Hull, was a large landowner and cattleman, first in Crabbottom and afterward at McDowell. He was also in local public life.

Lucius H. Stephenson took up the study of law at Lexington in 1859, and practiced his profession at Monterey until his death in 1911. He was Commonwealth's Attorney 26 consecutive years, a Visitor of the Virginia Military Institute, and a Director of the National Valley Bank of Staunton. He was also an incorporator and promoter of the Citizens' Bank of Highland. Mr. Stephenson was not only an energetic, painstaking, and successful attorney, but a prosperous man of business. He acquired large possessions and during his long and active life he wielded a great influence among his fellow citizens. In matters of local history he was exceptionally well informed. -- For more on A History of Highland county Virginia Click this link.
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