Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/659

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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of courageous sacrifice, of noble patrio-ism, of undying glory, were told at home through his letters, and the intimate anecdotes of each conflict, telling how some obscure sol- dier came into his own through a hero's death, relieved the horror of the awful '^ar- nage and the sickening slavighter.

When the fighting had stopped and peace had been declared Mr. Rell returned to Lynchburg and resumed his former business relations, adding to his interests a printing establishment. His enterprises entered upon a period of growth and expansion that soon made him the head of one of the largest busi- nesses of its kind in Virginia, and for a time he published a weekly journal, whose popu- larity gained it a wide circulation. So vast were the dimensions of his business that his responsibilities became too weighty and extensive for his years, and he was com- pelled to j^-lace the burdens of his of^ce upon younger shoulders, at the same time dispos- ing of the greater share of his interest in the business, although he retained the presi- dency until he was called to eternal rest. In the developments that marked the ad- vance of his city he played an important part, and promoted the establishment of the first electric car line in Lynchburg, for a number of years holding stock in the cor- poration controlling the line. He was also vice-president and a director of the Lynch- burg National Bank, although for some time prior to his death he took no part in its administration. He held membership in ^Marshall Lodge. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and was the first president of the Home and Retreat, the hospital maintained by that organization. Although on numerous occasions he had converted his literary and journalistic ability into capital, Mr. Bell de- rived an enjoyment from study, reading, and writing far beyond the value of any pecuni- ary advantage he may have realized there- from, and he was a cultured and discrimi- nating scholar, with a taste refined by long companionship with the best of English lit- erature. His ancestors were members of the Society of Friends and it was once his pleasure to write and publish a work having as its subject the history and customs of the Quakers in Virginia, entitled "Our Quaker Friends of Ye Olden Time." a book embracing a period extending far back into the eighteenth century, and which is held as an authority upon the life of that sect in

the state. Mr. Bell occasionally contributed articles to the local periodicals, among his best letters being a series he wrote from Cuba fr)r the "Lynchburg News."

He was twice married, his first wife, Susie Slagle, of Lynchburg, dying in May, 1882; his second wife, Annie Pope Adams, being a member of a well known Fredericksburg family. His children are all of his first mar- riage : Sallie. married Lewis G. Bell; Rosa, married C. E. Busey ; Robert Othe, of Rich- mond, Virginia; Mary S.. a resident of Lynchburg.

Charles Woodson Throckmorton. Charles Woodson Throckmorton is one of theThrock- mortons of Henrico county. Virginia, who date their arrival in "The Old Dominion" from but a few years after the first settlers sailed into Jamestown harbor. He is descend- ed either from John Throckmorton, an immi- grant in 1619. or from Robert Throckmorton, who came from England in 1639. As far back as can be traced, the family has resided in Henrico county. Virginia, with the tradi- tions and history of which region they are closely associated. The latter fact is not less true of his mother's family, whose an- cestry was also of English derivation. Mr. Throckmorton's father was Robert J. Throckmorton, a son of James and Margaret (Hampton) Throckmorton, of Henrico county. Robert J. Throckmorton was born April 15. 1834. and lived his life in his native region where he was a successful farmer. He was a man especially notable for the sterling qualities of integrity, industry and punctuality. He married Clamenza A. Ford, a daughter of Woodson and Lucy (Ford) Ford, of Henrico county, where she was born July 7. 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Throck- morton had three children. Charles Wood- son, of whom further ; Lucy Belle, and a child who died in infancy. Mr. Throck- morton died October 22,, 1895. and his wife. July 3. 191 1.

Charles \\ oodson Throckmorton was born in Richmond. \Trginia, February i, 1861. He obtained his education at McGuire's School in that city, and later studied law at Richmond College, from which he grad- uated with his class in 1882. During his boyhood he worked regularly on his father's farm while not at school, and to this day maintains that there is no place which can equal the farm as a developer of char-