Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/376

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

of Irby Turnbull, was for many years clerk of Brunswick county, Virginia, and passed much of his life in close relation with public affairs. He was a member of the Virginia Constitutional Convention, and for two terms held place in the Virginia state senate He married Elizabeth Harrison, and had children : Robert, of whom further ; Nathan- iel Harrison, died aged twenty-one years ; Edward Randolph, a physician of Lawrence- ville, Virginia ; and four daughters, Alary, Frances. Sarah and Annie, the latter de- ceased.

Robert Turnbull, son of Edward Ran- dolph and Elizabeth (Harrison) Turnbull, was born in Brunswick county, Virginia, January ii, 1850. After preparatory in- struction under private teachers in that locality he entered the University of Vir- ginia, whence he was graduated LL. B. in the class of 1 871. He at once began practice in Lawrenceville. Virginia, from his estab- lishment in his profession meeting with a favorable reception, and from 1885 to 1893 was clerk of Brunswick county, a position his father had previously held. Aside from his professional activity he took a part in financial and political affairs, in 1896 becom- ing president of the Bank of Lawrenceville. and in that year and in 1904 being elected a delegate to the Democratic National Con- vention. In 1901-02 he was a member of the \'irginia Constitutional Convention, from 1894 to 1898 having occupied a seat in the Virginia state senate, and on March 8, 1910, was elected to the Sixty-first Congress of the United States to fill out the unexpired term of Francis Rives Lassiter. He as- sumed his place in Congress on March 16, 1910. and was re-elected to the following Congress without opposition, having in that time held membership on the committees on the election of the president, vice-presi- dent, and representatives in Congress, on industrial arts and ex])Ositions. and on naval affairs. Mr. Turnbull's career as a legislator lias been filled with busy employment, his \ alue as a public servant resting in his strict devotion to duty and the excellent direction he gives his many talents. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is identified with tlu' Protestant Episcopal church. He is {'resident of the board of trustees of the State I'^emale Normal School, located at Farmville. Prince Edward county, Virginia. He married Marv Louise Harrison, born

in Brunswick county. Virginia, in 1856, daughter of Colonel Harrison, and has chil- dren : I. Edward Randolph, educated in the Danville Military Academy and the law de- partment of the University of Virginia ; mar- ried Mary Martin, of Chicago. Illinois. 2. Robert. Jr., educated at the Danville Mili- tary Academy and at the Virginia Polytech- nic Institute. 3. George H., educated at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, engaged in a Kentucky mining enterprise. 4. Walter, at- tended the Virginia Military Institute and the New Bedford (Massachusetts) Textile Institute; married Matilda Powell. 5. Nathaniel, took law course at the Univer- sity of Virginia, a practitioner of Lawrence- ville, Virginia, in partnership with his brother, Edward R. Turnbull ; married Mar- guerite Massie. 6. Charles D.. a farmer. 7. Benjamin Harrison, deputy clerk of cor- poration court at Norfolk. Virginia ; married Madge Bucher. 8. William Burrell, died in infancy. 9. Irby. of whom further.

Irby Turnbull. son of Robert and Mary Louise (Harrison) Turnbull, was born in Lawrenceville. Brunswick county, Virginia. December 14. 1887. He attended the public schools in his youth, completing the high school course in 1903. In that year he be- came deputy clerk of Brunswick county and for four years was the incumbent of that office, in the fall of 1907 entering the law de- partment of the University of Virginia, whence he was graduated in June, two years later, with the degree LL. B. He success- fully passed the examinations of the Vir- ginia State Board of Legal Examiners in the year of his graduation, and was admitted to the Virginia bar. beginning active work in his profession in Boydton, Virginia. Here he has since remained, he and his father forming the firm of R. Turnbull & Son. Greater good fortune could not have befallen Mr. Turnbull than the opportunity of making his entry into professional life under the preceptorship of his father, re- ceiving the benefit of the latter's years of experience in the law and the valuable ad- vice he is able to give. The firm of R. Turnbull & Son enjoys a wide patronage, and is held in universal high reputation. Mr. Turnbull is a member of the council of Boydton, and is a member of the State Bar Association, and of Boydton Lodge. No. 189, h>ee and Accepted Masons. Politically he is a loyal supporter of Democratic principles.