Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/412

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

John llord built a large double mansion, bringing it from England in sections. A spacious hall ten feet wide ran through the centre. ha\ing on each side rooms twenty feet square. The mansion, two stories high, built of massive timbers, resting on a brick foundation, is yet standing but much run down. There John Hord lived and died, the land and mansion continuing in the family name until 1821, when it was sold to Daniel Reynolds. John Hord married, in Virginia, and from his sons William, Mordecai, Thomas, John, Peter and James "every man in America bearing the name Hord is de- scended." Many of the name served in the American army during the revolution, and descendants of John Hord have gone out as pioneers to other states and wherever found they are men of intelligence, honor and high standing. There were soldiers of renown in the family but the list of distinguished I lords includes statesmen, lawyers, doctors and business men of eminence. In the war of 1861-65, the southern members of the family fought for the Confederacy, against many of their brethren from the North and West who entered the Union army.

L'.enjamin xAtwood Plord, M. D., of Rich- mond, \'irginia, is a descendant of John Hord, grandson of William Frederick Hord, and son of P>enjamin Harrison Hord, all of his progenitors being of Virginia birth since the founding of the family.

Pienjamin Harrison Hord died in Rich- mond, Virginia, Sej^tember 25, 1910, aged seventy-two years, having been a resident of Virginia his entire life. His father was a railroad contractor, and from the ending of his school years until 1861 the young man was engaged in the same business. WHien Virginia withdrew from the Union of states, lienjamin Harrison Hord enlisted in the Confederate army and served during the en- tire war. He fought in many battles of the war. was wounded at Gettysburg and less seriously in other battles. He was captured each time after being wounded and treated in Union hospitals, but when exchanged re- turned to his regiment. After the war he located in Richmond, where he engaged in business successfully. He married (third) M attic Jefferson Morecock, born in Charles City county. \'irginia, who survives him, residing at Fairmont avenue, Richmond. He had three wives, who bore him nineteen children, six bv the first two wives, thir-

teen by his third, eleven of whom are living, residents of Richmond. By his first wife there were four children, two of them now living. Walter J. and Alma, residents of New York City. Two children by the sec- ond wife are deceased. Children of 'third marriage, now living: Benjamin Atwood, of whom further; Bertha J., married Fitz Hugh Braver ; Oscar R. ; Grace, married Ernest L. Butler; Julian M., Roland L., Aileen, Forrest, Zephaniah, Herbert, Leroy.

Dr. Benjamin Atwood Hord was ^orn in Richmond, Virginia, July 25, 1877, eldest son and child of Benjamin Harrison Hord and his third wife, Mattie Jefferson (More- cock) Hord. His classical and professional education was obtained entirely in Rich- mond schools and institutions of learning, receiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine from the Aledical College of Virginia, class of 1898. He at once began the practice of medicine, opening offices at the corner of Twenty-fifth and Venable streets. He con- tinued in practice there for six years, win- ning his way to an honorable and lucrative practice. In 1904 he moved to his present location, 2300 East Broad street. Dr. Hord has not rested content with the knowledge gained in college years, but has persisted in study at home and in other cities where he has taken post-graduate courses, including a Polyclinic course in New York City. He is a member of the City and State Medical societies, including the Church Hill Medical Society, of which he is an ex-president. He is highly regarded professionally, has a large practice and has the personal regard of a large number of friends gained through the years of a life-long residence in the city. Dr. Fiord holds high position in the Masonic order, being a past master. Free and Accept- ed Masons ; a past high priest. Royal Arch Masons ; sir knight of Andrews Command- ery. Knights Templar ; a past patron of the order of the Eastern Star ; and a noble of Acca Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He is also an Elk and Odd Fellow, serving the latter order as a member of the board of directors. He is a member of the Union Station Methodist Episcopal Church, and in political faith is a Democrat.

Dr. llord married, in Baltimore, ]\lary- land, October 24, 1899. Naamali Cassard Kelly, born in Baltimore. February 18. 1881, daughter of Charles Oliver Kelly, who, born in the same city, died there July 4. 1898.