Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/516

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MRGIXIA BIOGRAPHY

organizer and jjresident of the Commercial r.ank of Suffolk from i^/2 to 1878, was editor of the "Suffolk Intelligencer," in 1849, establishing the first printing press in Suf- folk. Leading {position among his fellows was ever accorded him in recognition of his superior mental and executive power, and during his career in public life he established firmly a reputation for unswerving loyalty to principles of right. In 1861 he was elected a member of the convention as a Union can- didate, being an old line Whig and oj:)posed to secession. However, the members of that convention decided upon secession from the Union for the state of Virginia, and he, be- ing loyal to his state, ably and faithfully supported the cause of the Confederacy. He was a member of the general conterence of the Methodist Church South several times, and was one ot the founders of the Preach- ers" Relief Society of said church.

John Richardson Kilby married. Decem- ber 5. 1838, Martha Jane Louisa Smith, born December 5. 1816, died February 7, 1888, daughter of Arthur and Susan (Richardson) Smith. Mr. Smith was appointed postmaster of Suft'olk. N'irginia, by Thomas Jefferson and held that office for forty-two years. Mrs. Kill)y was a direct descendant of Colonel Willis Riddick. being a great-granddaughter on the maternal side. Colonel Riddick rep- resented Nansemond county in the house of burgesses of Virginia continuously from 1756 to 1769, in 1 77 1 and again in 1775. He was also a member of the conventions of 1775-76 which gave the new state its first constitution which was the first written constitution of a free state in history, and also put forth George Mason's bill of rights. He was also a member of the convention of 1788 which ratified the constitution of the United States, lie was colonel of the Nanse- mond county militia during the revolution- ary war. Children of John Richardson and Martha Jane Louisa (Smith) Kilby: i. Le Roy R.. born May 20. 1841 ; attended public schools and Kandolph-Macon College; at the beginning of the war between the states he enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment of Vir- ginia Infantry, General Mahone's brigade; he was promoted to the captain's rank, and at the Petersburg "Crater height" led his men to the capture of one of the enemy's colors, being breveted colonel on the field for his daring and brave leadership ; at the close of the war he and his brother, Wallace.

founded a mercantile business in Suffolk. N'irginia. and he afterward disposed of his Suft'olk interests and moved to Norfolk, be- coming a commission dealer in cotton and general merchandise, continuing in this line until his death, December 5, 1888; he mar- ried Kate Bottimore, and had three chil- dren : Floyd, deceased ; Lucille, married Hampton Wayte, of Staunton, Virginia ; and Belle L.. married Clarence Dennison, of Roanoke. 2. Wallace, of whom further. 3. Susan Smith, born May 2y, 1845 '' married, in 1870, Dr. William Wilkinson Murray, born in 1845, '^ii'^l '"i^s a daughter, Helen, born September 25, 1875, died in 1907, married, in 1 901, Charles Selden jjaldwin, of Knox- \ille. Tennessee. 4. Wilbur John, of whom furtlier. 5. Livingston Clay, of whom fur- ther. 6. Annette ^L. born December 27, 1853, deceased.

(I\') Wallace Kilby, son of John Rich- ardson and Martha Jane Louisa (Smith) Kilby, was born February 22, 1843, and died June 6, 1899, after a successful and profit- able business life as a merchant. He was educated in the private schools, Greenwood Institute, and Dinwiddle Academy, and at the outbreak of the war enlisted in the regi- ment of which his brother. Le Roy R., was a member, the Sixteenth Virginia Infantry. He fought through the conflict, being twice wounded, the first time in the battle of Cold Harbor, and when peace came entered into a partnership with Le Roy R. Kilby as mer- chants of Suffolk. The interest of Le Roy R. Kilby was subsequently purchased by his father-in-law, H. L. Tynes, and the busi- ness was from that time conducted under the name of Wallace Kilby, who was its active head until his death. Prosperity at- tended his operations and his establishment enjoyed a large and profitable patronage which gave him important position in the mercantile world of Suft'olk. Wallace Kilby was a member of the Confederate X^eterans, was a Democrat in political belief, and affili- ated with the ^lethodist Episcopal church. Other circles than business knew his worth and merit, and he was an esteemed citizen of Suffolk.

He married, January 14. 1868. Margaret Tynes. daughter of Henry Lexington Tynes and his wife. Caroline A. i Powell) Tynes. daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Pinden) Powell. Henry Lexington Tynes, son of Robert and Martha (Jordan) Tynes,