Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/602

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

Franklin county, and then studied mechan- ical engineering for a period of two years. After two years spent in this branch of engineering, for which he had inherited a natural aptitude from his father, he deter- mined to make a study of optometry, and accordingly became a student at the Phila- delphia Optical College, and com])leted the post-graduate course at this institution in August, 1907. He established himself in the practice of this profession in Roanoke, and at once organized the J. Harry Martin Inc.. of which he has been the only presi- dent, and which is in a flourishing condi- tion. The company is engaged in the manu- facture of all kinds of optical glasses, optical supplies, etc. They also manufacture a scientific optical testing machine, of which Dr. Martin is the inventor and owner of the patent rights. He is also the inventor of a ten-key adding machine, known as the Mar- tin adding machine, but he shares the patent rights of this with others. He is constantly at work with experiments for several other machines, the ideas for which have not been divulged as yet. He is chair- man of the fraternal legislative committee of Roanoke, and is a member of numerous organizations, among them being: Alumni Society of the Philadelphia Optical College ; State Optical Association ; American Op- tical Society ; Junior Order of American Mechanics, also State Order of American Mechanics, and has passed all chairs ; Patri- otic Order Sons of America; Improved Order of Red Men ; Roanoke Lodge. Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows ; Daughters of Liberty, all chairs ; Independent Order of Owls ; one of the state organizers of Roanoke Lodge, Order of Bur Hur.

Mr. Martin married, June 23, 1896, Adelle Lewis (iriffin, who has been chairman of the board of appeals of the Stafe Lodge of Po- cahontas for the past three years ; state dele- gate for 1912-13 to the national convention of that order ; she is active in the Daugh- ters of Liberty, and Rebekah Lodge of the Odd Fellows' order; is president of the Epworth League of the Methodist church. South, and superintendent of the Sunday School of that institution. The career of Dr. Martin demonstrates that if he met with difficulties, his resolve to overcome them was greater, and victory was his reward. He is now the director of an immense enter- prise of wide scope and intricate detail, and

his ability and resource have been equal to every emergency and have enabled him to make the most of crowding opportunities.

Jefferson Davis Reed. Among the busi- ness firms of the city of Portsmouth. \'ir- ginia of a quarter of a century ago. that of Peters & Reed, stave exporters, was promi- nent and highly rated, and its successor, Reed Brothers & Company, followed it not only in business but in reputation and stand- ing. The founder of the former firm was Washington Reed, father of Jefferson Davis Reed, one of the present day members of his family, resident of Portsmouth. Since its founding in Virginia by James Reed, grand- father of Jefferson Davis Reed and a native of Xew England, the family has been promi- nently connected with the cit}' of Ports- mouth, chiefly through the careers of Wash- ington Reed and Jefferson Davis Reed, both having been members of the council of the city, the latter mayor of Portsmouth from May. 1905, to September, 1912. Jefferson Davis Reed is now a member of the Vir- ginia house of delegates, and bears an hon- ored reputation as a successful and promi- nent business man and a public servant of ability and integrity.

James Reed, founder of the family in \"ir- ginia, married Esther Branhan, a native of Portsmouth. \"irginia. and had issue. He was a member of Trinity Protestant Epis- copal Church, in which his descendants have worshipped, his son, Washington, and grandson. Jefferson Davis, vestrymen of that church. Children of James and Esther (Branhan) Reed: Eleanor Ann Willington, married Isaac Bagley. of Massachusetts; Lillie Ann, married Thomas Lee, of Nor- folk. \'irginia ; Mary Ann. married William 11. Peters, of Portsmouth; \"irginia Caro- line ; Washington, of whom further.

Washington Reed, son of James and Esther (Branhan) Reed, was born in Ports- mouth. Virginia, was there educated and passed his active years. In mature years he conducted a commission lousiness in cot- ton, and as a member of the firm of Peters & Reed, engaged in stave exporting. Suc- cess and prosperity attended his business dealings, and he rose to an important posi- tion in public life, contracting many inti- mate relations with the life of his city. A Democrat in politics, it was as such that he was elected to the common council of Ports-