Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/32

 \ JKC.IXIA niOGRAPIlY

Mr. Staples became a member of its house of representatives ; he was re-elected in 1863, and served until the end of the war. He then resumed the practice of his profession in Montgomery county. In February, 1S70, he was elected a judge of the supreme court of aj>peals, receiving the largest vote given any candidate except the Hon. K. C. L. Moncure. In 1882 the Readjuster party tame into control of the state, and Judge Staples and his associates on the bench were not re-elected. In 1884, Judge Staples was a member of the committee chosen to revise the civil and criminal laws of the state, a work which occupied three years, and being embodied in what is known as the code of Virginia of 1887. Judge Staples was twice a Democratic presidential elector. During his term on the supreme bench, he could have received the nomination for governor on two occasions, and also that for attorney- general ; but he was steadfastly reluctant to being a candidate for any political office. He was counsel for the Richmond tS: Dan- \ille Railroad Company, but resigned the position. He was a member of the law firm of Staples & Munford, acknowledged leaders at the bar.

Anderson, Francis T., born at Walnut Hill. Botetourt county, Virginia, December T 1. 1808, son of William Anderson and Anne I'homas) Anderson, his wife; the latter a daughter of Col. Francis Thomas, of Fred- erick county, Maryland. He received his early instruction from his mother; then at the school of Curtis Alderson ; for one ses- sion in a school at Ben Salem, Rockbridge county, and then for some years at the Fin- castle Classical School. He subsequently entered Washington College, from which he

v.as graduated with distinction at the age of nineteen. He read law under the direction of Fleming B. Miller and Chancellor Creed 'laylor, and came to the bar just when he attained his majority. In his early profes- sional life he for some years had a small class of young law students, but his prac- tice demanded so much of his time that he dismissed them. In 1855 his health de- manded a change, and he removed to Rock- bridge county, and settled at Glenwood, where he lived until 1866, devoting himself - chiefly to his farm and iron interests. In 1S60 he was an elector on the Constitu- tional Union party ticket, was elected, chos- en president of the electoral college which cast the vote of Virginia for Bell and Ever- ett — the first occasion in the history of the state when her vote was cast against the nominees of the Democratic party. He was a i)ronounced Unionist until war was pre- cipitated, when he gave his firm adherence to the southern cause. In May, 1861, he was elected to the house of delegates, and in that body was distinguished for the zeal and ability with which he aided in providing fcir the troops in the field, and for security ai home. Owing to impaired health he de- clined a re-election in 1863. In 1865 he was again elected, but, on account of war con- ditions, he was unable to take his seat. In

1869 he resumed the practice of law. In

1870 he was made, by the general assembly, one of the original five members of the .'•uprenic court of appeals, which i)osition he Ik 1(1 until January i, 1883, when he retired Jind gave himself to the care of his private business. From the first, he took rank as an able and fearless judge. He was a de- \oted friend of education. In 1853 he was elected a trustee of Washington College. He