Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/269

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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humane work of that excellent institution in every way possible. In religious faith a Methodist, Captain Roper has ever been a strong pillar of support to his church. By an upright life and walk he has done much to quicken the public conscience and ad- vance the best interests of Norfolk — church, charity, library and school. The cause of civic righteousness has profited by the com- ing of this big-hearted, enterprising man, whose fortune, honestly gained, is being wisely used.

Captain Roper married, in June, 1865, Lydia H. Bowen, of Philadelphia. Five of their six children are living, three sons, of whom further, and two daughters, Margaret B. and Virginia.

George W-. Roper, eldest son of Captain John Lonsdale Roper, was born December 29, 1867, in Norfolk. He was early educated under the direction of Robert Gatewood, entered Massachusetts Institute of Tech- nology, in Boston, in 1885, pursuing special courses in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering, under private instructors, re- maining two and a half years. He then became associated with the Roper Com- pany's lumber interests in North Carolina, and while there built and equipped the Albe- marle &' Partego Railroad, thirty miles in length. In 1891 he connected officially with the Norfolk & Southern Railroad, later be- coming manager of the lumber properties of the Roper Lumber Company. He is now president of the Norfolk Alarine Railway Company ; president of the North Carolina Timber Corporation ; president of the Nor- folk Veneer Works ; vice-president of the Norfolk Sand and Gravel Company ; vice- president of the Southern Supply Company ; director of the Virginia Marine Bank, and has 'other interests of lesser importance. He is an active member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and formerly superintendent of the Sunday school. In politics he is a Re- publican. His clubs are the Virginia, Nor- folk Yacht, Country and Borough. He is public-spirited and helpful in advancing the interests of his native city, aiding in the work of the Chamber of Commerce, as mem- ber of the traffic committee, and privately is most effective and helpful.

George W. Roper married, November 6, 1901, Isabella Place, daughter of Jedidiah Kilbourne and Emmeline (Place) Hay ward,

and a granddaughter of James K. Place, the magnate of the coffee trade.

William Bryhan Roper, second son of Captain John Lonsdale Roper, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, June 7, 1870. He was educated at Norfolk Academy, a graduate with the class of 1887, attended Pierce's Business College, Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, beginning business life as a clerk in the Roper Lumber Company. He was ad- vanced in rank to the secretary's desk in 1899, was elected secretary and treasurer of the company, continuing in this dual capac- ity until his resignation in 1910, to accept the same offices with the North Carolina Pine Association. He is also secretary of the Virginia Sand and Gravel Company ; vice-president of the Southern Supply Com- pany ; and otherwise interested in Norfolk enterprises. He is an energetic, public- spirited man of affairs, interested in the welfare of his native city and the cause of civic improvements, serving as a member of the city beautification committee. He is interested in young men and their welfare ; is president of the Norfolk Young Men's Christian Association, and is an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of all Masonic bodies of the York Rite, is past master of Atlantic Lodge, No. 19, Free and Accepted Masons ; com- panion of Norfolk Chapter ; a sir knight of Grice Commandery. and a noble of the Khe- dive Temple, Mystic Shrine.

William B. Roper married, April 5, 1894, Rose Adelia Bruce. Children : Elizabeth, born November 20, 1899; Lydia Bowen, December 29, 1904; \'irginia Bruce, Octo- ber I, 1906.

Albert Lonsdale Roper, youngest son of Captain John Lonsdale Roper, was born in Norfolk, May 16, 1879. He prepared at Norfolk Academy, taking an extra year in mathematics, Latin and Greek. He then entered Cornell University, but after one year there entered the University of Vir- ginia, class of 1901. He then read law under the direction of S. S. Lambert and Claggett B. Jones, being admitted to the bar of Vir- ginia in 1903. He began practice in Nor- folk as member of the law firm of Roper & Riddleburger, and so continues. He is counsel for several corporations and prac- tices in all state and Federal courts of the district. He is also vice-president of an