Volume 14 , Issue 24

Highland, Virginia - Biographic Paragraphs of Highland Men

This week we learn from reading Chapter XXIII, of the "History of Highland County" something about the biographical details of particular Highland men of more or less prominence. We ran across our HULL (HOHL) ancestors. I have found those names and the following names: Hiner, Sitlington, Stephenson and Keister lineage. There is also mention of the Ruckman lineage.

John Bradshaw, son of the pioneer, was county surveyor eighteen years and was also a veteran teacher, 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. Bradshaw, had a promising career cut short by his death at Fort Republic.

Thomas Brown (Tomaso Bruno in Italian) merits mention as Virginia only pioneer of that nationality. He was 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, legislative father of Highland county, served 12 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 was one of Highland's best. His sons, Clifton E. Adam M., and H. Houston, were graduates of the University of Virginia, and all were in professional life, the last named being the Commonwealth's Attorney of Bath. The father and paternal grandfather of the pioneer Campbell were Presbytarian 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., 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 had cultivated his strong mathematical gift. He was 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, was 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 surfy friend to the cause of education. He as recognized as an honest, upright, and intelligent citizen.

Captain David Gwin (my 4th great grandfather) was a wealthy landowner of Jackson's River. Captain Gwin was a steadfast soldier in the wars with the Indians and British. He was one of the men who went tot he relief of the Wilson family, and his military career continued until the close of the Revolution.

Jacob Hevener, Jr., was a wealthy and prosperous stock grower of Crabbottom, as had been his sons.

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 was a very active attorney.

The Hull (Hohl) family was very prominent in the early annals. The pioneer himself was a man of large means for his day. Peter (another of my ancestors), the oldest son, increased the estate, zoning a large portion of the Crabbottom, his possessions in 1818 including 16 slaves, 19 horses, 43 cows, and 60 sheep. Peter was an officer in the Revolution, a colonel of militia subsequent thereto, and a legislator also. Peter 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 was locally extinct in the male line. The late Joseph, a well-to-do farmer and upright citizen, was kindly remembered by his associates.

The Jones connection had included quite a share of names of ability, education, and financial competence. Thomas, son of the pioneer Henry, was a prominent public man of Pendleton. Charles P., a grandson, took his LL. B. degree from the University of Virginia and had been in active practice since 1868 in Highland and adjoining counties. He had been leading counsel in numerous important civil and criminal cases. He had served in both branches of the State Legislature, and had been the only STate Senator form Highland. From 1898 until 1906 he was Rector of the State University. He was President of the Citizens' Bank of Monterey. Since 1900, his son, Edwin B., Commonwealth's Attorney, had been associated with him in legal practice. Dr. Harrison H., senior physician of Highland, had been a practitioner since 1867, and had given all his children a liberal education. He was well known as a Sunday school worker. His brother, Jared A., a popular, influential, and well-to-do citizen was County treasurer from 1879 until his death in 1910. Clarence A., son of Jared A., was a physician of Staunton, and Andrew L., another son, was an attorney of Monterey.

William H. Keister was the very popular and efficient Superintendent of the Harrisonburg schools.

Joseph Layne was a well-informed person, and very useful in public life, especially during the war period.

The sons of Samuel Life were of superior attainments and three were college graduates. William and George M. took theological courses at Princeton and became Presbyterian divines in New York and Iowa. The former was likewise an educator. He founded a seminary at Rye, NY, and remained connected with it until his death. Abraham had an inventive gift and constructed several useful appliances.

Paul Lightner took the Master's degree from Dickenson College and practiced law in Illinois. Returning he represented Bath and Highland in the House of Delegates and was considered one of the best educated men in Virginia.

Captain Jacob C. Matheny, twice wounded in the Confederate service, was County Clerk 44 years. The office had since been held by his sons.

Daniel G. McClung was a merchant more than 40 years, conducted a mercantile house at Richmond during the war and supplied the Confederate Army with uniforms. The latter part of his life was spent at Franklin, West Virginia, where he organized hand was President of the Farmers' Bank.

John S. McNulty was Supervisor and the holder of other local offices. He had seen more public service than any other living citizen.

Samuel Ruckman was a prominent and useful man, and had much to do with the organizing of Highland. His son, John H., invented a sewing machine.

The Rev. William J. Ryder was remembered as a man of high character and sterling qualities. Stewart Ryder was also a preacher.

Charles L. Siron, a graduate of Washington and Lee, spent two years in the Philippines as a teacher. He collected a large number of the folklore tales of the native, and it was his design to prepare these for publication.

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.

Washington Stephenson succeeded tot he ownership of the Wilson farm at Bolar Run, held the office of Sheriff longer than anyone else.

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.

Samuel W. Sterrett was educated at Washington and Lee University. He taught in Crabbottom, and was ruling elder in the church at New Hampden. He served his adopted county as chairman of its Board of Supervisors, and represented it for three terms in the House of Delegates. He was there a member of the Finance Committee and drafted several important laws. His son, Robert S., was a graduate of the same institution, and principal of the Monterey High school.

J. R. Sitlington Sterrett, reared at McDowell, received a very thorough education at the University of Virginia and at several German universities, taking the degree of PhD. at Munich, in 1880. He also studied at Athens, Greece. For several years he was engaged in a archaeological work in Asia Minor, Assyria and Babylonia. Since 1886 he had been professor of Greek in Miami University, University of texas, Amherst College, and Cornell University. he received the degree of LL. D. front he Uninersity of Aberdeen, Scotland, was a member of the Board of Managers of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, and also was a member of several learned societies. As an author he was elsewhere mentioned.

Amos Thorp was an eccentric and versatile bachelor hermit of the Bullpasture. Though entirely without school education he made himself well informed and even scholarly. He acquired a practical knowledge of surveying, constructing his own instruments. He labored some time on a Dictionary of the Bible, the manuscript of which he burned.

William S. Thompson was another of those versatile men who were useful in a community. He surveyed land, taught school, and wrote numerous legal papers.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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