Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/573

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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(Street) Francis, and grandson of William (i) Francis. William (2) Francis was born in Norwich, England, and came to Vir- ginia, in 1801. He settled in Norfolk, was a commission merchant and a man of im- portance. He became a naturalized citizen of the United States, in 1812. but was not called upon to serve against his native land during the war of 1812. He was a member of Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, and aided in the erection of the first Christ Church in Norfolk. He married Martha Street.

John Taylor Francis was born in Nor- folk, Virginia. He prepared for college in the Norfolk Academy and then entered the University of Virginia, from which insti- tution he received the degrees of A. B. and A. M. He studied law, was admitted to the bar and practiced his profession in Norfolk in association with Tazewell Taylor. He was United States commissioner, and prior to his enlistment in the Confederate army went through some stirring and trying scenes in Norfolk. He was a member of the Norfolk Light Artillery Blues, and died on his way to Knoxville, in May, 1862, at the early age of thirty -six years, death ending a most promising career. Children of John Taylor and Lucretia (Nash) Francis: i. Luie Archer, born 1858, died December 16, 1914; she was a resident of Norfolk, Vir- ginia ; her remains were interred in Cedar Grove Cemetery. 2. John Taylor (2), born in 1859, in Norfolk; was educated in the public schools, Blacksburg College, and the medical department of the University of Virginia, obtaining his degree of M. D. from the latter institution, class of 1881 ; after a post-graduate course at the University of New York, he began private practice at Rocky Mount. \"irginia, continuing there four years ; he then located in Norfolk, Vir- ginia, associating in practice with his uncle, Herbert Milton Nash, M. D., continuing until his early death, January 8. 1893, from typhoid fever, aged thirty-three years ; he was a skillful surgeon and learned physician, was of brilliant mind and boundless ambi- tion, destined, had not death interferred, to have risen to the foremost rank in his pro- fession ; he was president of the Virginia State Medical Association, member of the American Medical Association, adjutant of the Lee Rifles, and a member of Christ Church, as were his father and grandfather ;

he married, in 1888, Mildred Lee, daughter of Carter and Lucy (Taylorj Lee, and a niece of General Robert E. Lee, the great commander of the Confederacy ; the only child of Dr. John 'J^aylor (2) and Mildred (Lee) Francis is Mildred Lee. born in 1889, married, April 26, 1904, ]\Iiles P. Refo, United States navy.

(VI) Dr. Herbert Milton Nash, eldest son of Thomas (5) and Lydia Adela (Her- bert) Nash, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, May 29. 1831. Ffe acquired his preparatory education in Lhe James D. Johnston Classi- cal School and Norfolk Military Academy, his instructor in mathematics being Colonel John B. Strange, later an olftcer of the Con- federate army, killed at the battle of Crampton's Gap. In September, 185 1, he entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Virginia, whence he was gradvi- ated M. D., in June, 1852. During the twelve months following, he attended clinics in New York City, and in 1853 began practice in Norfolk. He was in the thick of the yel- low fever epidemic in 1855, and was the last survivor of that noble band of medical he- roes who fought the dread disease day and night, without rest and scarcely a moment's sleep until help came from the outside. Again in 1861 his practice was interrupted by the war between the states, he at once volunteering for service in the Confederate army. He was assistant surgeon of Vir- ginia troops, attached to the post at Craney Island until May, 1862, when Norfolk was evacuated. He was then with the Army of Northern Virginia in the battles around Richmond and in the events following. He was then raised to the rank of surgeon, serving with Mahone's brigade at Freder- icksburg. Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Later he was attached to the artillery division of A. P. Hill's corps and was with the division at Mine Run, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and the siege of Petersburg. At Petersburg he was placed in charge of the medical department of the artillery of the Third Corps, as chief surgeon, and on the evening before the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia, at Appomat- tox, was disabled and captured in a cavalry charge made by the Federals upon the Con- federate Reserve Artillery. He made his escape a few days afterward and returned to Norfolk.

There he again began building up a