Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/369

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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capacity he traveled considerably over the United States and Europe. Part of this time he was correspondent and political writer for two of the leading London daily papers. He has traveled extensively in India and Africa, and on the latter conti- nent he made a trip from the Cape of Good Hope to Cairo, and also has made a trip around the world. In addition to his regular newspaper work. Mr. Seal has written a number of articles for magazines and the Syndicate Press, among which were "A Trip to the Polar Regions" and "A Visit to Molskai," during the years 1890 and 1900. Many of his European, East Indian and African writings have been published in newspapers and magazines in this country and in Europe. His contributions to the knowledge of remote sections of the world have been extended and highly valued.

Mr. Seal married Kate W. Burress, of Richmond, Virginia, May 12, 1903, after which he took up the study and rating of corporations, combinations of capital, their development, influence and protection. He established the Publicity Bureau of Rich- mond, in Richmond, Virginia, in December, 1909. Two years later, December, 191 1, he established the Publicity Bureau of America in New York City, and is engaged in hand- ling publicity, matters of public interest, for and concerning corporations and associa- tions.

Alonzo Wilbur Traylor. A resident of Danville, Virginia, since 1875, ^^^- Traylor as manufacturer, merchant and capitalist is one of the well-known "men of affairs" in his adopted city. He is a son of Archer William Traylor, of Chesterfield county, and a grandson of Rev. Boswell Traylor, who was born in Brunswick county, died in Campbell county, Virginia, at the great age of ninety years. He was a minister of the Baptist church, a man of piety and great force of character. He was twice married, his first wife the mother of five children including a son. Archer William, of further mention. By his second wife he had three daughters who died in girlhood.

Captain Thomas Traylor, maternal grand- father of Alonzo W. Traylor, was born in Chesterfield county, Virginia, a relative of Boswell Traylor, the paternal grandfather. Captain Thomas Traylor was an officer, serving with United States troops in the

war with Mexico, and a farmer, living and dying in the county of his birth, aged seven- ty-eight years ; was married and left issue including a daughter, Elizabeth Frances.

Archer William Traylor, son of Rev. Boswell Traylor, was born in Chesterfield county, Virginia, in October, 1810, and died in 1888. He was detailed for duty at Lynch- burg, Virginia, during the war 1861-1865, but on account of age took no part in active field service, his sympathies, however, with the Confederate cause prompting him to render all possible service. He was a farmer by occupation. He married Elizabeth Frances Traylor, born in Chesterfield county, Virginia, in 1818, died aged fifty- eight years, daughter of Captain Thomas Traylor. Children: i. Marcellus J., a public school teacher in Bedford county, Virginia, for thirty years, a veteran Confederate sol- dier, now living in Campbell county, Vir- ginia. 2. Ida Archer, deceased ; married James A. W'^ood. 3. John W., a Confederate veteran cavalryman, serving under Stuart, twice wounded in battle, now a farmer of Campbell county, Virginia. 4. Mary Thomas, married Lafayette Thomas, a farmer, now residing at Morton. W^est Vir- ginia. 5. Betty Merriwether, married a Mr. Bondurant and resides near Lynchburg. 6. Alonzo W'ilbur, of further mention. 7. James Terrell, cattle foreman for the Nor- folk & W'estern Railroad at Roanoke, and a farmer of Campbell county. 8. Susan J., married John J. McCarthy, of Lynchburg, Virginia.

Alonzo Wilbur Traylor, son of Archer William and Elizabeth Frances (Traylor) Traylor, was born in Bedford county, \'^ir- ginia, June 15, 1851, at the paternal farm. He was taken to near Lynchburg by his parents when eight years of age, that point being the family home until after the war, when they moved into the city of Lynch- burg which was the home of Alonzo W. until, attaining his twentieth year, he located in Danville. He began working there with R. Chambers Sc Company, car- riage manufacturers, continuing until 1887 when he engaged in business for himself as a carriage and wagon builder. He oper- ated as A. W. Traylor & Company, his part- ner being T. B. Fitzgerald. He continued manufacturing vehicles very successfully for ten years, then entered the hardware business^ and in 1899 organized the Peid-