Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/650

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

many years ago in Chambersburg Lodge, No. 179, but is now a member of Liberty Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, of Bed- ford City, his home. He has been secre- tary and junior warden of the latter body and is also a companion of Bedford City Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious belief broad-minded and independent, attached to no church or creed, but a believer and sup- porter of all good causes.

Mr. Huddleston married, March 17, 1875, Susan Hardy Thaxton, born in Bedford county, Virginia, in 1857, daughter of Wil- liam 11. and Sophia (Rucker) Thaxton. Children, all born in Bedford county: i. Harry Lee, born in December, 1876; a farmer and now deputy sheriff of Bedford ; married Edie Stiff and has children : Sher- wood, John Peter and Woodrow. 2. Dr. John W., born in February, 1878, deceased; he was a graduate of the medical depart- ment of the University of Virginia, prac- ticing his profession in the southwestern part of the state until his death. 3. Lally Loraine, born in 1880; married Thomas O. Magann; children: Jean and Mary P. 4. Zuliema, born in 1882 ; married Thomas W. Zink, and resides at Blue Fields, West Vir- ginia; children: William and Mary. 5. Car- lotta I., born in 1884; married Dr. G. W. Parker. 6. Mary Winifred, born in 1886; married M. C. Johnson.

Robert R. Roberts. Natural ability, energy and a fixed determination to succeed, in the long run will overcome obstacles, however numerous, especially when these qualities are aided by industry and perseverance that are exceptional. That this is the case was shown in a most masterly manner by the late Robert R. Roberts, of Richmond, Vir- ginia, who was president of the Roberts & Hoge Shoe Company, of that city. Many of his sterling qualities were inherited from a long line of honored ancestry, who bore their share nobly in every relation of life. The name of Roberts is one of the class known as patronymics, names which for- merly designated a person as the son of another person, after the manner common to a great many nations. The ancient Greeks practiced this fashion, although the Romans had family names. In the British Isles such patronymics often became surnames, as these came more and more into use. Robert, being a common Christian name, found

among persons of distinction, Norman and Scotch, Roberts, and its equivalent Robert- son, were common patronymics, and became common surnames.

Alexander Roberts (Robartes) was cre- ated Earl of Truro by Queen Elizabeth upon his marriage to a near cousin of the Queen. John Roberts, a direct descendant of Alex- ander Roberts, was created Earl of Radnor by Charles II. Christian names of common occurrence in the earlier generations were. John, Jonathan, Charles and Frances, and many of this family were active participants in the revolutionary war, thus entitling their descendants to membership in the Colonial Dames, Daughters and Sons of the Revo- lution, etc. Matthew Roberts, one of the early settlers in the colonies, was in Colonel Byrd's First Virginia Regiment. Morris Roberts was in Colonel Fox's company. Francis Roberts was in the French and In- dian war. John Roberts was in Lord Dunne's war and Hugh Roberts was a member of the first county militia. Coat-of-arms : First and fourth, azure on a chief or, three es- toiles ; second and third, argent, a lion ram- pant or. Crest : Demi-lion rampant holding a flaming sword erect ppr., pommel and hilt of the first. Supporters on either side a goat, ducally gorged and charged with an estoile azure. Motto — Quae supra,

George I. Roberts, son of Francis and Virginia (Flerndon) Roberts, and father of Robert R. Roberts of this sketch, was born April 12, 1803, and died July 24, 1851. He was a farmer during the active years of his life, and was prominent in the public affairs of Charlotte county, Virginia, being honored with election to the office of sheriff' of the county, the duties of which he discharged with ability, and with benefit to the com- munity. He also served in the legislature of Virginia. He was noted for his business acumen and for his open handed hospitality. He married Martha Smith, also of Char- lotte county.

Robert R. Roberts was born near Ran- dolph, Charlotte county, Virginia, April 26, 1843. died at his home. No. 1626 Monument avenue, Richmond, Virginia, March 13. 1909, after an illness of about one and a half years. He was about eight years of age at the time of the death of his father, and while he received a good, practical education, it was interrupted by the outbreak of the civil war. It had been the intention of Mr. Roberts to lit himself for the medical profession, but