Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/165

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1895, he was installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg, Vir- ginia, serving that congregation with great usefulness and acceptability for eight years. lie then accej)ted a call from the First Pres- byterian Church of Richmond, beginning his pastorate there December 3, 1903. \\ bile faithful and true to all the tenets of the Cal- vinistic faith, Dr. AlcFaden is less the doc- trinal theologian than the whole-souled, symjiathetic, broad-minded earnest preacher of the pure gospel of his Master. Rare tact, sound judgment, and a warm, genial manner are his distinguishing traits as a man, while as a pulpit and platform orator and ex- pounder of religious truth he has gained an enviable reputation. In church councils his influence is potent, and in 1914 he was the choice of his brethren to serve as moderator over the annual assembly of the Synod of \'irginia. He cherishes warm feeling and deep interest toward Hampden-Sidney Col- lege, his Alma Mater, serving her cause as secretary and member of the board of trus- tees. He also serves his theological Alma Mater, Union Theological Seminary, as trus- tee, and as member of the finance and execu- tive committees of the board. As a pastor he is greatly beloved, his genial manner, deep sympathy, and vmfailing consideration for the rights of others endearing him to all who come under his influence. Flis church is active and aggressive in its work for righteousness and under his capalile leader- ship is growing in membership and power.

Dr. McFaden is also prominent in the Ma- sonic order, belonging to lodge, chapter and commandery. He holds high rank in the order and in 1909 was grand eminent com- mander of the Virginia Grand Commandery of Knights Templar. He is deeply inter- ested in fraternal work and also holds mem- bership in the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum, having been supreme grand regent of the latter order. He is held in high regard by his fraternal brethren, who vie with his brethren of the church in mani- festations of esteem, love and respect. The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him in 1903 by Washington and Lee University.

Dr. McFaden married, April 10, 1890, Mary Minge Friend, born in Petersburg, Virginia, daughter of Charles and Mary (At- kin.son) Friend, both deceased, the latter connected with the prominent Harrison

family of Virginia. Charles Friend was a soldier of the Confederacy and the owner of 'AV'hitc Hill," a large estate near Peters- burg. Children: Mary, married Lawrence C. Caldwell, cjf Richmond, Virginia ; Natalie, a senior at liyrn Mawr College ; Frances, a student at Miss Elliott's school in P.ich- mond ; h>ank Talbot Jr., a student at Mc- Guire's School, Richmond.

Thomas Whitehead Murrell, M. D. Dr.

Murrell descends along both maternal and paternal lines from distinguished early Vir- ginia families, a paternal ancestor being Bishop Richard Channing Moore, a ma- ternal ancestor Colonel Samuel Meredith, whose wife was Jane Henry, sister of Pat- rick Henry, the elocjuent, patriotic Virginian of revolutionary days. Colonel Meredith was an officer of the Colonial army and ren- dered valued service.

Dr. Thomas Whitehead Murrell was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, October 2, 1880, son of John D. Murrell and paternal grandson of John W^illiam Murrell, born in 1823, died in 1891, and his wife. Mary Ann Hart, born in 1825, died in 1888. John D. Murrell was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, IMarch 24, 1854, and is now a resident of Richmond, \'irginia, a journalist. He married Mildred Whitehead, born in Amherst county, Vir- ginia, March 16, 1858, daughter of Thomas Whitehead, born in 1825, died in 1901 and his wife, Martha Henry Garland, born in 1832, died in 1903.

Dr. Murrell obtained his preparatory edu- cation in the graded and high schools of Richmond, as well as his professional train- ing, receiving his degree of Doctor of Medi- cine from the University College of Medi- cine with the class of 1900-1901, then went abroad and, after post-graduate courses in London, England, returned to Richmond, where he has since been in active practice. Dr. Murrell is devoted to his profession, it being his personal preference over all others when considering a career. He is a member of American Medical Association, South Side \^irginia ]\Iedical Society, Virginia State Medical Society, Tri-State Medical Association. Southern Aledical Association. Richmond Academy of Medicine and Sur- gery. He has contributed valuable articles that have appeared in the medical journals on various subjects, particularly on venereal disease and dermatology. His paper on