Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/526

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

cumbent of this office he was pursuing pro- fessional studies in the medical department of the University of Virginia, and in 1884 received his M. D. from that institution. He took several post-graduate courses in the Pohxlinic Hospital, in New York City, and after securing a license to practice medicine in the state of Virginia, in 1886 established in active work at Lawrenceville, where he has since continued. He is a member of the X'irginia Medical Society, and of his prac- tice in Lawrenceville and vicinity it can be but stated that he has added to his familiar acquaintance with the lore of his ]jrofes- sion an intense human sympathy and under- standing and a personality kindly attractive, which have bound him firmly to the hearts of those he has served, while his strict pro- fessional integrity has gained him the re- spect of his community.

Dr. Turnbull is the owner of a large farm in the vicinity of Lawrenceville, finding in the attention which this demands an agree- able change and relaxation from the ex- actions of his practice. It is a valuable prop- erty, fertile and kept in a high state of cul- tivation, and Dr. Turnbull's pride in its ex- cellent appearance and beauty are easily understandable to the lover of nature. He is a Mason, and is past worshipful master of Brunswick Lodge, No. 52, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, which lodge has given to the state two grand masters. Dr. Turnbull is secretary of the board of health of Bruns- wick county, and is a strong Democratic sympathizer. He is a. communicant of St. Andrew's Protestant Episcopal Church, a member of the vestry of that organization.

He married (first) Daisy Barnes, of South Carolina, who died in 1892 ; (second) Nannie Beaton, born in Boykins, Southamp- ton county, Virginia, August i, 1875, daugh- ter of Edgar Baxter and Elizabeth (Thomas) Beaton. The mother of his sec- ond wife had a brother. David Thomas, who was a soldier in the Confederate State army; while three of her paternal uncles were of^cers in V^irginia regiments in the same army. Captain George, Captain John, and Lieutenant Frank Thomas. Dr. Turnbull is the father of: Elizabeth, born in Law- renceville. Virginia, November 7, 1901 ; Randolj)h Beaton, born in Lawrenceville, Virginia. November 12. 1905.

Hiram Oscar Kerns, r.oth the paternal and maternal forbears of Mr. Kerns were of

Pennsylvania birth, although his parents lived a greater part of their lives in Glou- cester county, Virginia. His own birth also occurred in Pennsylvania, his mother being at her old home on a visit, although then living in Gloucester county. On the mater- nal side, Lefevre descent is traced to Wil- liam Lefevre, a contemporary of William Penn in Pennsylvania, and through Hannah Vernon, grandmother of Hiram Oscar Kerns to W^illiam Vernon, a younger brother of Lord Vernon of England, who came with his brother George to Pennsylvania with William Penn. The Vernons trace their descent in England to the days of William the Conqueror, a Vernon coming with Wil- liam from Normandy.

Hiram Oscar Kerns was born in Lancas- ter county, Pennsylvania, December 14. 1852, son of Maris Vernon and Emma Jane (Lefevre) Kerns, both of Pennsylvania birth. Maris V. Kerns was a contractor of mill construction, and built mills of various kinds in eleven states of the Union, having become well known as a reliable, capable builder of milling plants. Most of his life w^as spent in Virginia, \vhere he died in Gloucester county, aged sixty-three years. His w^ife, Emma Jane (Lefevre) Kerns, bore him eight children, five of whom are now living, all residents of the state of Virginia. Maris V. Kerns was a soldier of the Con- federacy, serving in the Fifth Virginia Regi- ment from Gloucester county, and for a time he was regimental bugler. He was captured by the Federals, and for nine months confined at Point Lookout prison.

Hiram O. Kerns attended local schools and Gloucester Academy until he attained youthful manhood, and began business life about 1874 as a miller. Later he was collector of taxes in Gloucester county, removing to King and Queen county, Mrginia, in 1878, where he was engaged in milling until 1880. He then moved to Halifax county, where he continued in the milling business, becom- ing prominent as miller, foundryman and banker. He also is intimately connected with the handling of the tobacco crop of \'irginia and North Carolina, started the first movement to pool tobacco, and w^as president of the Bright Tobacco Growers' Protective Association of Virginia and North Carolina, and as such fought and w'on a notable conflict with the buyers. He is owner of the Sutherlin Roller Mills at Sutherlin. Virginia; was formerly president