Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/519

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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Hopkins University, at liallimore, Mary- land, then entered the law department of the University of Virginia, which awarded him his LL. B. in 1902. Mr. Kilby was asso- ciated wath his father, who was examiner of the records of the Second Judicial District of \"irginia. until the death of Judge Kilby, since which time he has been engaged in general legal practice with uniform success.

In 1905 yir. Kilby was the successful Democratic candidate in the Suffolk mayor- alty election, and for two years served the city as chief executive. That Mr. Kilby was not inactive in his office is shown by the achievements that are credited to his ad- ministration, during which the corporation limits of Suffolk were extended, several miles of paving completed, and a new water system and works installed, and it was also during this period that the \"irginian Rail- road passed its line through Suffolk. To the progressive suggestions of his fellow offi- cials or fellow citizens ]\Ir. Kilby has ahvays turned an attentive ear. and general satis- faction resulted from his incumbency of the mayor's office.

At one time ]\Ir. Kil1)y was a member of the Suft'olk school board, to which he de- voted himself faithfully and energetically. He is now commissioner of accounts for the circuit court of the city of Suft'olk, also a commissioner in chancery of the Xanse- mond county circuit court. He is nighly regarded in his profession, and his legal record reflects in no other way than favor- ably upon the previous attainments of mem- bers of his family in the law. Mr. Kilby has always been a staunch Democrat, and is a communicant of the Protestant Episcopal church. While at college he was elected to memljership in the Phi Delta Theta frater- nity.

The original narrative of John Kilby, the revolutionary ancestor of the family, re- ferred to in previous pages, is now a part of the librar}- of the late Judge Wilbur John Kilby. An annotated copy, prepared by Mr. Bradford Kilby. with additional foot- notes by Augustus C. Buell, appeared in "Scribner's Magazine" for July, 1905.

(\') John Richardson (2) Kilby. son of Judge A\'ilbur John Kilby, and his first w'lie, Harriet Lanetta fP.rownley) Kilby, was born in Suft'olk. \'irginia. November 14, 1880. His early studies were pursued in private schools, and he completed his acad-

emic education in Randolph-Macon College, whence he was graduated A. B. in 1900. He began the study of law in his father's office, but after one year abandoned his intention of entering the profession in which his name already held such eminent position and be- came a student in liryant and Stratton's Business College, at Baltimore, Maryland. In this institution he studied stenography and general business law and procedure, in June, 1901. returning to his father's office for the purpose of securing experience in court stenography. Better opportunity, however, appeared to ojjen in the shape of a position with the Seaboard Air Line Railroad, with w^hich he became identified on October 14, 1901, and one month later he began his pres- ent connection with the Bank of Commerce., of Norfolk, Virginia, since renamed the National Bank of Commerce. The capacity in which he entered the service of this in- stitution w^as as clerk, and he so remained until January, 191 3, when his fidelity and ability w-ere rew^arded by his election as auditor of the bank, action taken by the di- rectors upon the recommendation of those of the officials wdth whom he had been con- nected during twelve years of service. ]\Ir. Kilby's only business connection is with the National Bank of Commerce, w'hose w'elfare and prosperity he has most sincerely at heart. In the list of the institution's officials there is none more highly qualified for the position he fills than Mr. Kilby, nor none who serves with greater diligence and abil- ity. I\Ir. Kilby is a Democrat in politics.

He married, April 20, 1904, Eloise Black- well Halsey. of Orange county, Virginia, daughter of Robert Ogden and Ella Rice (Walker) Halsey, her father a son of Joseph Jackson Halsey and his wnfe. Mildred Jack- son (Morton) Halsey. her mother a daugh- ter of Benjamin Walker and his wife. Fan- nie Rice Blackwell, a descendant of General Blackwell, of revolutionary fame. One daughter born to Air. and Mrs. John R. Kilby, Eloise Richardson Kilby, born Janu- ary 10. 1905.

Bittle Cornelius Keister, M. D. Advance- ment in the profession of medicine is usu- ally slow, and comes as the result of long and laborious continued eft'ort. The hun- dreds of representatives of all callings make competition close, and rapid progress is therefore due to the possession of very su-