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Floyd County
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A. A. Basham

... cashier of the Citizens National Bank of Somerset, (KY) is a native of Virginia and acquired his early knowledge of banking in that state, but has been identified with the bank of Somerset from its opening.
> He was born in Floyd County, Virginia, February 26, 1882. He is of English ancestry. His grandfather, H.H. Basham, was born at Bedford, Ohio, in 1827, and was a child when his parents moved to Floyd County, Virginia, where he lived the life of a farmer and died in July, 1910. He married Sarah Ridinger, who was born in 1813 and died in 1915, spending all her life in Floyd County. James H. Basham, father of the Somerset banker, was born in Floyd County in 1856, and is still living on his farm there. He is a republican in politics. He married Laura E. Lawrence, who was born in Floyd County in 1856, and died there April 24, 1920.
> A. A. Basham is the oldest of four children and the only one in Kentucky. He was educated in rural schools, attended the Floyd Normal School, graduated from the Piedmont Business College at Lynchburg, Virginia, and beginning in 1900 was a teacher in the rural districts of his native county for three years. During 1904-05 he taught in the Piedmont Business College and then for a year was employed as a bookkeeper by a wholesale lumber company at Lynchburg, spent one year as bookkeeper for the First National Bank of Abingdon, Virginia, and for ten years was cashier of the Peoples Bank of Cleveland, Virginia. For a year before coming to Somerset he was cashier of the First National Bank of Sarasota, Florida. In February 1920, he took the post of cashier when the Citizens National Bank of Somerset was opened for business.
> Mr. Basham is independent in politics. In April, 1918, in Bedford County, Virginia, he married Miss Marion Lucile Newman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas G. Newman. Mrs Basham is a graduate of Rawling's Institute of Charlottesville, Virginia.
(Source: "History of Kentucky", Volume 3; By William Elsey Connelley, Ellis Merton Coulter)


Caperton, Allen Taylor, congressman, United States senator, was born Nov. 21, 1810. in Union, Va. He served in the state legislature of Virginia a number of years; in 1861 was a member of the state convention to consider the impending trouble and took the side of the union; but when the state went out of the union he sided with the south. In 1863 he was elected to the confederate senate; and was pardoned by President Johnson after the civil war. In 1875-77 he was United States senator from West Virginia. He died July 25, 1876, in Washington, D.C.
[Herringshaw’s National Library of American Biography: Contains Thirty-five Thousand Biographies of the Acknowledged Leaders of Life and Thought of the United States, by William Herringshaw, 1909 – Transcribed by Therman Kellar]


Reed W. Dodd
one of the oldest settlers of Taylor Township, Appanoose County, was born near Jacksonville, in what was then Montgomery County, now Floyd County, Virginia, the date of his birth being April 6, 1807. His parents, John P. and Sarah (Dickerson) Dodd, were born, reared and married in the State of Virginia, the father being a native of Franklin County. Their family consisted of four sons and three daughters, our subject being the eldest child, and of this family Reed W. and three daughters are now living. Our subject's maternal grandfather, Elijah Dickerson, was born in Halifax County, Virginia, and was of English descent. Reed W. Dodd passed his youth on a farm, for a short time attending a private school, living with his parents till reaching maturity. At the age of twenty-two years he married Irene Montgomery, of Grayson County, Virginia, the fourth daughter of William and Martha (Hiatt) Montgomery.
Of the ten children born to this union eight are living — Eli; Sarah, wife of William Thrift; Lydia J.; Russel, of Lucas County; Clementina, wife of Seaton Taylor; Martha E. married E. Burnett, of Clarke County; Leah Moore, of Creston, Iowa, and Frank M. Mr. Dodd has thirty-eight grandchildren, and twenty-four great-grandchildren. In the spring of 1831 Mr. Dodd removed with his family to Hendricks County, Indiana, settling among the timber, where he cleared a farm on which he lived till the fall of 1850. He then came with his family to Appanoose County, Iowa, locating on his present farm, entering 200 acres of unbroken prairie land from the Government. Here he built a small log cabin, and commenced the improvement of his farm the following season. He has devoted considerable attention to the raising of stock, principally cattle and horses, for many years, and still makes a specialty of horses. His farm now contains 204 acres of choice land under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Dodd have lived together for fifty-six years, and bid fair to live for years, both being hale and hearty.
They have been members of the regular Baptist church for many years. Politically Mr. Dodd was formerly an old line Whig, casting his first vote for General Jackson, but has voted the Republican ticket since the organization of that party.
[Source: "Biographical and historical record of Wayne and Appanoose Counties, Iowa..." by H Tannehill; Chicago: Inter-State Pub. Co., 1886]


Isaac Eldridge Huff, M. D. Isaac Eldridge Huff, a distinguished physician and citizen of Roanoke, Virginia, is a member of a Virginian family, and was born May 26, 1866, in Floyd County in that state. He is the son of Isaac and Addie E. (Kitterman) Huff, and a grandson of Isaac Huff, of Floyd County. To Isaac Huff, the father of Isaac E. Huff, and Mrs. Huff, were born six children besides our subject, as follows: G. B., a farmer; Thomas B., a traveling salesman; P. K., a farmer; Elizabeth, residing at the old Huff homestead with her mother; Julia A., now Mrs. Hurt, of Roanoke; Sallie, now Mrs. Knowland, also of that city.
     Isaac Eldridge Huff obtained his education, first at the Oxford Academy, Virginia, under the tutelage of Dr. J. K. Harris, and later at the Glade Spring, Virginia, Academy. Having completed his general education at these two institutions, he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, from which he graduated with the class of 1892, taking the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Thereupon, after passing the examination of the state medical board, he returned to his native county and established himself there in the practice of his profession, continuing the same for eleven years, and for a major portion of that time served on the county board of health. In the years 1901 and 1902 he sojourned in the north, while he took a course of post-graduate work at the New York City Polyclinic Hospital School, and in the latter year returned south and located in Roanoke, where he has since carried on a large and lucrative practice. He is a member of the staff of the Roanoke City Hospital. He is the president of the Roanoke Academy of Medicine, which numbers the most prominent members of the profession in the city on its staff. Besides these offices directly connected with his practice, Dr. Huff is affiliated with a number of professional organizations, being a member of the Southwest Virginia Medical Society, and the Virginia State and American Medical associations. He is a very conscientious student and practitioner and stands well in the front rank of his profession, as well as in the social world of Roanoke. His prominence is not. however, confined to the medical circles of the city, and he has some very important financial interests there, being a member of the board of directors of the Roanoke Bank of Commerce, and of the board of trustees of the Central Business College. He is a member of the Baptist church.
     Dr. Huff married, November 15, 1893, Flora Mclver Francis, a daughter of the late Captain William H. and Eliza E. (Shelor) Francis, of Franklin, Virginia. To Dr. and Mrs. Huff have been born three children, two boys and a girl, as follows: William Banks, born December 6, 1894, now a student in his second year at Roanoke College; Dorris D., born September 27, 1896, graduated with the class of 1914 from the Roanoke high school; Francis Eldridge, born April 4. 1899, now a student in the city grammar school. Mrs. Huff is a member of the William Watts Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. She is a member of, and very active, in the First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke.
[Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Under the Editorial Supervision of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, 1916- Transcribed by AFOFG]



John Floyd
John Floyd, born in Jefferson County, now in West Virginia, April 24, 1783. Governor from March, 1830, to March, 1834. Was surgeon in the army during the second war with great Britain, 1812 to 1815. Was a member of United States Senate before his election as Governor. During his term as Governor occurred what is known as the "Nat Turner Insurrection," of slaves, which terminated after the killing of a few of the whites. Died in Montgomery County, Virginia, Aug. 15, 1837. Floyd County, Virginia, named in his honor.
"Life in old Virginia : a description of Virginia more particularly the Tidewater section, narrating many incidents relating to the manners and customs of old Virginia so fast disappearing as a result of the War between the States, together with many humorous stories" by by James J. McDonald; Norfolk, Va.: Old Virginia Pub. Co., 1907


James S. Gill
born in Hendricks county, Ind., December 4, 1880. Son of John T. and Mary Weddle Gill. Moved to Burt county (Nebraska) with his parents October 2, 1885 and has resided here since. Married Dora Heath of Clarence, Ia., March 8, 1904. They have three sons, Clarence H., Glenn F. and James J., and two daughters, Virginia Bryl and Annabelle. Began farm operations for himself at the age of 20 years. He now owns 400 acres of land northwest of Tekamah. He is the largest sheep feeder in Burt county. Also a breeder of Shorthorn cattle and Poland China hogs. He is a progressive and wide-awake farmer who regards farming as a highly specialized business and seeks to keep abreast with the times in up-to-date methods.
[Source: A history of Burt County, Nebraska : from 1803 to 1929; Wahoo, Neb.: Ludi Print. Co., 1929]


John T Gill
born in Floyd county, Virginia, April 16, 1865, Son of James and Jane Elizabeth Williams Gill. Lived in Virginia until 13 years of age, then moved to Hendricks county, Indiana, and resided there until October 2, 1885, at which time he removed to Burt county (Nebraska) and has resided here since then. He has lived in the neighborhood where he now resides for 44 years. Owns a farm of 355 acres in Silvercreek Township. Married Mary I. Weddle of Floyd county, Virginia, January 29, 1880, who died September 26, 1927. They had four sons, James S., Charles E., John H. and Earl I., and one daughter, Laura Edna. He is one of the fine, sturdy pioneers who have built up Burt county.
[Source: A history of Burt County, Nebraska : from 1803 to 1929; Wahoo, Neb.: Ludi Print. Co., 1929]


William I. Gill
The record of William I. Gill, who is one of the leading citizens and progressive men of North Salem, Hendricks county, (Indiana) is that of a man who, from a modest beginning, has, without the aid of anyone, made a comfortable living, secured valuable property and laid by a competency for his old age, and at the same time won the undivided respect of all who know him as a result of his clean living and evident desire to promote the community in which he resides. William I. Gill, the son of James and Jane E. (Williams) Gill, was born in Floyd county, Virginia, on July 21, 1847. James Gill was a brick layer by trade and in 1867, when William I. was twenty-one years of age, the family came to Indiana, settling in Eel River township, this county, where James Gill engaged in farming and also followed his trade of brick laying as opportunity presented itself, and here he lived the remainder of his life, his death occurring in 1876. His wife survived him several years dying in 1887.
James Gill was a member of the Masonic order and both he and his wife were earnest and consistent members of the Christian church. They were the parents of seven children who grew to maturity and three who died in childhood. Those who lived were William I., Amanda, John T., Eli, Emma, James, Alfred and Mary. William I. Gill was educated in the common schools of his native state, and early in life learned the brick-laying trade with his father and continued to assist his father until the latters death in 1876. He then operated a brick yard of his own for about fifteen years at North Salem and in the meantime engaged in contracting and building. In 1891 he erected the town hall and opera house building in North Salem. Later he built the bank building, which contains the Masonic hall in the upper stories, and since then has built most of the business houses of North Salem. He has also built all of the brick school houses in Eel River township except two, and a large number of concrete bridges over Hendricks county. At the present time he manages the opera house and also owns and operates a cement tile factory at North Salem. As a contractor he is recognized as one of the most efficient and trustworthy artisans in the county, and his various buildings are a tribute to his skill as a workman. Mr. Gill was married in 1877 to Lydia M. Henry, who was a native of Putnam county, Indiana, and a daughter of John B. and Elizabeth (LaFollette) Henry, her father being a farmer of that county. To Mr. Gill and his first wife were born nine children: Ora, who is a bricklayer, lives at Indianapolis, and is the secretary of the bricklayers' union of that city; Mary, who became the wife of Ollie Graves, of Marion township, this county; Beryl, the wife of Otha Williams, of Brownsburg, who is engaged in the retail meat business in that place, and they are the parents of three children, Martha, Kenneth and Louise; Malta and Brewer are still under the parental roof, Malta being the telephone operator in the local exchange; Vesta is employed in the North Salem postoffice.
The mother of these children died in March, 1897, and in 1903 Mr. Gill married Sarah Elizabeth Bunten, a native of Marion township, this county. She was the daughter of Henry Harvey and Frances (Robbins) Bunten. Henry H. Bunten was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, in 1818, and came to Hendricks county, Indiana, in 1833, with his parents, William and Leanna Bunten. They entered government land near New Winchester and lived there the remainder of their lives. Frances Robbins was a native of North Carolina, the daughter of William and Leah Robbins, and came here in 1834 with her parents, who located in the northern part of Marion township, where her father entered government land. Henry Bunten was a life-long farmer and was county commissioner and also held other public offices of trust. He spent his entire life here near North Salem, his death occurring in 1899, his wife surviving him until 1902. Mrs. Gill lived at home with her parents until their death. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are both earnest and consistent members of the Christian church and he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, both of them also belonging to the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Gill is a man of unusual business abilities and has been one of the most important factors in the upbuilding of his home town. He is a quiet, friendly man, always progressive and has always thrown his influence in favor of all worthy enterprises.
The family history of the LaFollettes, to which Mr. Gill's first wife belonged, is very interesting. The family originally came to the United States from France, during the time when the Huguenots were being persecuted, and first settled in New Jersey. The one male representative of the family who first came to America is the ancestor of a large and influential family, among whom are to be found Senator Robert M. LaFollette, of Wisconsin. Many of the LaFollettes have been prominent in the history of this state and nation and the Lafollettes of Putnam county have long been one of the prominent families of the county.

(Source: "History of Hendricks County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions" by J M Gregg; Henry G Todd; Indianapolis, Ind.: B.F. Bowen & Co., 1914)


Solomon Harman
Solomon Harman had a little corn mill, at the old homestead in Floyd County, Virginia, known as the "Harman Mill". His son John put in Burrs in 1872. The mill was later run by John's son-in-law, C. W. Harman, who installed a roller mill in 1912. It is now run by A. T. Harman, thus being in possession of the Harman family for four generations. Solomon Harman (Mathias, Christopher), born Oct. 24, 1779; died in 1842; married Elizabeth Slusher (d. of Solomon and Eva Slusher) of Floyd Co., Va.; March 7, 1810. Their children: Jacob S., John, Margaret, Benjamin, V., Mary "Polly", Stephen, born Jan. 1, 1824; Peter S., David, and Mathias, who died in infancy.
(Source: Harman genealogy (southern branch) : with biographical sketches, 1700-1924, by John Newton Harman, Richmond, Va.: W.C. Hill Print. Co., 1925)


Andrew Jackson Howell
Andrew Jackson Howell was born in Floyd County, Virginia, December 22d, 1858. He is a son of Isaac and Nancy Howell, of Floyd County, and when a boy attended the country schools. His paternal grandfather was Davy Howell, one of the first settlers of Floyd. He served in the war of 1812. Two of his younger brothers, Dill and Worth Howell, and two brothers-in-law, Clark Pugh and Jack Earles, were all soldiers In the Civil War, and not a single one lived to return to their homes. It is not known where they were killed. These brave Confederates fill unknown graves.
>His maternal grand-parents were Jacob and Susie Wade, long since deceased. On August 18th, 1877, he married Hannah A. Dewese, of Floyd County. To this union the following children were born: Charles A. Howell, who married Amanda A. Wimmer, of Floyd County, and resides In Roanoke City; Anna Howell, who married William Weaver, and resides at Roanoke, Virginia; Harvey I. Howell, who married Flora Bowman and resides on Bent Mountain; Blanche Howell, who married Robert Wirt, of Salem, and resides in Roanoke City; Robert Howell, unmarried and who resides at Roanoke, Virginia, being in the service of the Roanoke Railway and Electric Company; Flora Howell, unmarried and resides with her parents. Mr. Howell has resided on Bent Mountain for thirteen years where he is well known and highly respected. He has a good home and one of the best small orchards in the county, the trees being largly of the Johnson's Winter variety. His son Robert Howell, of Roanoke, is largely interested in the ownership of the Howell home on Bent Mountain. He is trustworthy and is regarded as one of the most valuable men in the employ of the Roanoke Railway aud Electric Company. He has been in the employ of this enterprise for six years.

(Source: "History of Roanoke County, Roanoke, Va.: Stone, 1912 - by George S. Jack)


John Shelburn Keaton
John Shelburn Keaton, a prominent Bent Mountain merchant and Floyd County farmer, is a son of Hiram Lee and Sarah (Purdy) Keaton. He was born in Floyd County, Virginia, July 27th, 1868, and as a boy attended the public schools of his native county and lived on the farm with his parents until he was eighteen years of age, when he began teaching in the Floyd County schools, which profession he followed for a period of nine years. During vacation months he worked on the farm.
> He engaged in the mercantile business at Check, Floyd County, for four years, after which he moved to Roanoke, Virginia, and bought an interest in the Peoples Furniture Company, and for about one year was its President and Business Manager. He afterwards sold his interest in this enterprise and returned to Floyd County, where he purchased a fine farm. About a year ago he bought out the mercantile business and other property of H. W. Gearheart, in the extreme southern end of Roanoke County, where he is now operating under the firm name of John S. Keaton & Son, Morgan M. Keaton, a student at Roanoke College, being a partner in the business. He expects to graduate at Roanoke College preparatory to studying law as a profession.
> On October 3d, 1889, John Shelburn Keaton married Melissa Ann Furrow, daughter of James M. and Abagail (Vest) Furrow, of Floyd County. To this union eleven children have been born, as follows: Morgan M., Melissa M., Jessie J., Royal Z., Lewis B., Nora A., Ella G., Eunice E., Daisy L, Inez and Harry.
Mr. Keaton is progressive, a shrewd trader, and a most worthy citizen, who is doing much in the way of advancing the business interests of Bent Mountain.
(Source: "History of Roanoke County", By George S. Jack, Edward Boyle Jacobs, 1912)


Thomas Lee Moore
The gentleman whose name captions this article belongs to that type of self made man whose example in life is well worthy of emulation by the youths of our land. Thomas Lee Moore was born in Floyd County, Virginia, February 10th, 1865, and is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Moore. His father died when he was a mere infant and his early life was spent on a farm. He determined to secure an education and with that end in view, burned the midnight oil and was licensed to teach school when quite a young man. He taught for three years and, acting on the advice of Judge Waller R. Staples, deceased, took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar at Christiansburg, Virginia, in 1888. It did not take Mr. Moore long to gather around him a most desirable clientele and for the past two decades, has been actively engaged in the practice of his chosen profession.
In 1886 he was married to Edmonia E. Hines, a daughter of Dr. and Mrs. B. W. Hines, of Montgomery County; and a niece of Rear Admiral Robley D. Evans, deceased, of the United States Navy. They have six children as follows: Annie E., Jackson Evans, Norris Gray, Esther, Robertine, Harry Edmundson, and Robley Taylor Moore.
In 1895 Mr. Moore was elected Commonwealth's Attorney of Montgomery County, and served a term of two years. He was a member of the 1901-02, Virginia Constitutional Convention, which framed the present Constitution of Virginia and in 1902 was appointed United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and served in that capacity for more than eight years. Mr. Moore was special counsel for the United States Government in several cases in Kentucky, and recently has served as special counsel for the United States, in what was known as the Internal Revenue Fraud Cases in Florida.
He came to Roanoke in 1906 and resides on Fifteenth Avenue.
As a lawyer, he ranks among the best in Southwest Virginia, and he enjoys a commanding practice in all the State and Federal Courts, and is a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.
In politics Mr. Moore is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Mason and religiously a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.
(Source: "History of Roanoke County", By George S. Jack, Edward Boyle Jacobs, 1912)


Madison Tice
farmer and stock and stock dealer, Sec. 5; P. O. Pella; owns a farm of 415 acres; was born in Floyd county, Virginia,in 1827; came to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1847, and to this county in 1851; he married Miss Nancy Mays, September 5th, 1853; they have three sons and six daughters, Theopholis, Manella, Mary, Louisa, Minnie, C. G., Cora, Hattie, and Daniel; was justice two years.
(Source: "The History of Mahaska County, Iowa..." by Joseph Bailey; Des Moines: Union Historical Co., 1878)



C. B. Wysong
C. B. Wysong, living on section 22, Clayton township (Taylor County, Iowa) is one of the thrifty and prosperous farmers and stock raisers of Clayton township. His home is situated about four and a half miles east of Bedford and his energies are concentrated upon the cultivation and development of a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres. Few residents of the county can claim a longer connection with its interests, for Mr. Wysong arrived here in 1855. He had previously lived in Monroe county, Iowa, for two years, having been brought by his parents to this state in 1853, when but two years old. His birth occurred in Coles county, Illinois, January 4, 1851, his parents being William and Eliza (Webb) Wysong, natives of Floyd county, Virginia, and of Kentucky, respectively. The father was reared in the place of his nativity and then removed westward to Putnam county, Indiana, where he married Miss Webb. He afterward took up his abode in Coles county, Illinois, where he engaged in farming for four years, and on his arrival in Iowa in 1853 he established his home in Monroe county, where he lived until 1855, when he came to Taylor county. Here he preempted land—a tract of virgin prairie—on which he turned the first furrow. After the breaking plow came the planting and in due course of time harvests were gathered. Year by year he carefully tilled the fields until his property was transformed into a valuable and productive farm. Upon this place he reared his family and spent his last years, making the farm his home for forty years and two days, or until the time of his death, which occurred in September. 1895. He survived his wife for two years, her death occurring in December, 1893.

C. B. Wysong was brought to Taylor county by his parents when in his fifth year and was here reared, remaining with his father until he attained the age of twenty-two. He then completed his arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage on the 1st of January, 1873 to Miss Amy J. Marshall, who was born in Fulton county. Illinois, and there spent her girlhood days. After their marriage they took up their abode on a farm in Benton township, Mr. Wysong renting land for two years, during which time he carefully saved his earnings so that he was then enabled to purchase eighty acres of the farm upon which he now makes his home. He broke the land, planted his crops, built a house and has caried on the work of general improvement to the present time, the excellent results of his labors being manifested in the attractive apearance of the place. He has also made other investments in property and now has one hundred and sixty acres in the home farm. In the midst of well tilled fields stands an attractive residence and large barn, while an orchard yields its fruits in season and shade and ornamental trees add to the attractive appearance of the place. In addition to this property Mr. Wysong also has an adjoining tract of land of forty acres. He annually gathers good crops which he rotates that the soil may be kept in rich condition, and in addition he raises the cereals adapted to soil and climate and likewise raises high grade short horned cattle and good horses and hogs, annually fattening a large number of hogs for the market. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wysong have been born two children: Frank E., who is married and resides in Bedford; and Harry Elmer, who met death by accident July 24, 1905, when twenty-six years of age. He left a son, Charles Glen Wysong, who is now living with his grandparents. In his political views Mr. Wysong is a republican but though he always supports the party at the polls he has never sought nor desired office for himself. He was reared in the faith of the Christian church and his wife is a member of that denomination. He belongs to the Odd Fellows lodge at Bedford, in which he has filled all of the chairs and is a past grand. He has also attended the grand lodge of the state and both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah Lodge. Mr. Wysong is also a member of the encampment and a patriach and is in thorough sympathy with the beneficent spirit of the order. He is well known in Bedford and Taylor county as a prosperous farmer and good business man and merits and enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellowmen. He has lived to see remarkable changes in the county where he has now made his home for more than a half century. With the family he shared in the hardships and privations of pioneer life, assisted in the arduous task of developing new farms and as the years have gone by has done splendid work in business lines, attaining success which placed him with the substantial agriculturists of the county.
(Source: "History of Taylor County, Iowa : from the earliest historic times to 1910" by Frank E. Crosson; Chicago: S.J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1910)



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