Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/660

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

acter in early youth. He had many diffi- culties to overcome in the acquirement of his education, but surmounted them all and successfully fitted himself for the prac- tice of law, his chosen profession. He began his practice at Danville, Virginia, and in this town he remained fourteen years before he removed to Richmond, where he continues his profession with offices in the Travelers' Building. But Mr. Throckmorton has not confined his activities to his professional life. He is vitally interested in politics and the affairs of the community. Like his an- cestors before him. he is a staunch Demo- crat and throughout his career has never had reason to alter his allegiance. He has served as a delegate from Henrico county to the state house of delegates from 1906 to the present time. He was also a delegate to the national Democratic convention of 1908, and was a member of Governor Swanson's staff. Since he has been in the house of delegates he has taken a prominent part in the pro- ceedings of that body, and was the origi- nator of the bill giving state aid to the pub- lic roads, as well as of several laws in aid of the farming interests. Mr. Throckmor- ton is prominent in fraternity circles. He is a member of the Masonic order, the Knights Templar and Scottish Rite, and is past master in the Lewis Ginter Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of Gin- ter Park, Henrico county, Virginia. He is also a member of and a past grand in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Be- sides these fraternal associations, he is a member of the Business Men's Club of Rich- mond, the Country Club of Virginia, of the Sons of the Revolution, and the Sons of the War of 1812.

Mr. Throckmorton married. May 12, 1886, Mary Ann Wright, a daughter of Luther and Susan (Coleman) Wright, and a granddaugh- ter of Wesley and Mary Ann Wright, and of Samuel and Alary ( De Jarnette ) Coleman. To them have been born six children, as follows :

I. Luther Wright, born August 27, 1887; graduated from Richmond College with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, then went for two years to the Naval Academy, resigning finally on account of distaste for the serv- ice ; later had two years at the University of Virginia in law, being admitted to the bar in 1912. 2. Lucy Temple, born March

II, 1889; attended Sweet Briar College. Vir- ginia, and the Fairmount Seminary, Wash-

ington. D. C. 3. Robert James, born De- cember 7. 1891 ; graduated from the Virginia Alilitary Institute, June, 1912, and is now an electrical engineer. 4. Charles Withers, born November 17, 1893; now a student in Richmond College and expects to take his Bachelor of Arts in 1914. 5. Samuel Cole- man, born September 26, 1903. 6. Mary Katherine, born April 4. 1906, the last two children being in primary school.

Mr. Throckmorton and his family are members of the Church of the Disciples of Christ. He has deeply religious convictions and is an ardent believer in the teachings. These, he believes, form the basis for all true success and these he recommends to the youth of this time and country to base their lives upon. He is a wide reader and claims to have been most influenced by the Bible, the study of history and poetry. For his recreation he turns to chess, horseback riding and hunting.

Frank Nelson. Frank Nelson is a mem- ber of one of the old Virginian houses, the life of which is so closely bound up with the early history and traditions of their native state, and is, through intermarriages, con- nected with many of the proudest names in Virginia. Perhaps in no other state in the Union are the associations of the great past so dear to the hearts of the present genera- tion as in Virginia, nor elsewhere do they form so potent and instant an influence in the formation of character to-day, a fact which may be easily noted in the preserva- tion there of many amenites and graces, not to say virtues, of a more generous and hos- pitable age now past.

The great-grandfather of the present Nel- son family was General Thomas Nelson, a noted soldier in his time whose fame has come down to us. and who figures promi- nently on the Washington monument at Richmond. Virginia. One of his children, Frank Nelson, the paternal grandfather of the Frank Nelson of this sketch, was born on the old Nelson homestead, known as Mont Air. Here he spent his entire life, and died there full of years and honor. His wife, Lucy (Page) Nelson, was the daughter of Hon. John Page, of Virginia, and Jane (Byrd) Page, daughter of Colonel William Byrd. of Westover. On the Mont Air estate they became the parents of a family of fourteen children, all of whom reached their majority,