Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/668

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

conversant with the characteristics of to- bacco of all localities, an unerring- judge of quality and values, he is peculiarly fitted for the management of the large business transacted by his house.

A Democrat in politics, Mr. Cousins served in 1911-12 as member of the city council, but otherwise has declined public office. He is a member, of the Mount Ver- non Methodist Episcopal Church, has been a steward of the church for fifteen years and since 1912 a trustee.

Mr. Cousins married in Chesterfield coun- ty, November 16, 1880, Ella Virginia Graves, born in that county, in June, 1857, daughter of Gillespie Enfield Graves, a miller and farmer, now residing in Bedford county. He served in the Confederate army, 1861-1865, in active service during the entire period, save during a period of confinement in a Federal prison. He married Rebecca Ivey, born in Chesterfield county in 1836, died 1896. Their children: Bessie, now widow of W. II. Mardgrove; Ella Virginia, wife of William T. Cousins; William E., of Lynchburg, Virginia; Harvey, of Lynch- burg; Mollie E., married Alexander Mitch- ell, of Bedford county, Virginia. Children of William T. and Ella V. Cousins: Berk- ley, died in 1886, aged five years ; William D., born June, 1888, now a real estate dealer of Roanoke, X'irginia; Irene Virginia, re- siding with her father ; Edward Enfiield, died in infancy; Clyde Gillespie, died in infancy; Ivey Watkins, born December 25, 1898, now employed in W. T. Cousins & Company office and factory, absorbing the details of business under the direction of his father.

Marcellus Alexander Johnson. The man wlu) achieves wealth and distinction in busi- ness affairs need not necessarily be made of sterner stuff then his fellowmen, but he must be possessed of certain indispensable characteristics, and among these are enter- prise, energy, the ability to recognize and improve opportunities, and a fixed determi- nation to succeed. The possession of these (jualities is undoubted in the person of Mar- cellus .Alexander Johnson, of Roanoke, Vir- ginia. He has demonstrated his ability on numerous occasions, and the success which has attended his efforts is a distinct proof of the methodical and systematic manner in which his business enterprises have been carried on. lie is the youngest son of John

Wesley and Mary Elizabeth (Haynes) John- son, and a nephew of the late Dr. John W. Haynes, of Franklin county, Virginia.

Mr. Johnson was but three years of age at the time of the death of his father, and his early life was a most uneventful one. It was spent on the family farm, where, when he had become old enough to do so, he assisted his mother and brothers in culti- vating the same. He attended school dur- ing the winter months, and being of an am- bitious nature, acquired a fairly good edu- cation, although his opportunities were not of the best. He was still very young when he accepted a position as clerk in a country store, and after mastering the business he came to Roanoke. Virginia, with whose business life he has since that time been identified. This was in 1887, and he opened a general merchandise store, and at the pres- ent time, in point of uninterrupted business, is the oldest general merchant in Roanoke. He is also president of the Johnson Grocery Company, Incorporated. From the time he made his home in Roanoke he identified him- self in an active and beneficial manner with the public affairs of the town, and he has served the city a number of times as overseer of the poor, and in a number of other offices. His influence has, however, been felt in the greatest measure in connection with church work and the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation. For many years he has been a trustee, and chairman of the board of stew- ards, of the Grace Methodist Church, and he has served as lay delegate to numerous dis- trict conferences. His fraternal affiliations are with Lodge No. 49, Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; the Modern Woodmen of America ; and the American Council, of which he has been past commander.

Mr. Johnson married, January 29, 1889, Kate L., a daughter of Hon. James L. and America (Brown) Arthur, of Bedford coun- ty, Virginia. The Hon. James Lewis Arthur was born in Bedford county, Virginia, Janu- ary 2, 1838, and died March 14, 1903. He was a son of Lewis Crawford and Nancy Arthur, and upon the completion of his edu- cation, w^hich was a liberal one, became deputy county clerk, under his brother, A. A. Arthur. .Xt the outbreak of the civil war Mr. Arthur enlisted as a private, but was soon advanced to a lieutenancy in Com- pany A, Fifty-eighth Regiment Virginia In- fantry, of Early's Original Brigade. In