Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/748

 548

VIRGINIA BIOGRAPldY

of Richmond. Having left school at so early an age, Mr. Evans felt that he required much additional study to supplement his education and he became a wide reader, covering thus a large field of human know- ledge. Very particularly, however, has he devoted his time and attention to works on accountancy, perfecting his knowledge in this line until in 1901 he began the practice of the profession of public accountancy in Richmond, and still continues it today. He is among the fortunate who may say that they have been actuated by personal choice and preference and not by the force of cir- cumstances in the selection of a professional career. J\Ir. Evans was a member of the Virginia State Board of Accountancy, being appointed, June 14, 1910. secretary and treasurer of the board for the three year term. He has since declined further ser- vice. Mr. Evans is a Democrat in politics. He is not afBliated with any church or re- ligious body. He is a member of several clubs and organizations among which is the Masonic fraternity, in which he has held several offices, being a past eminent com- mander of Knights Templar. He is also a member of the Commonwealth Club, the Business Men's Club and the Chamber of Commerce, and a fellow of the American Association of Public Accountants, and a Certified Public Accountant under the laws of Virginia, and a fellow of the Virginia So- ciety of Public Accountants. He finds pleas- ure and recreation in his military associa- tions, in horseback riding and, as he him- self expresses it, in "anything out doors." Mr. Evans married, January 12, 188 1, Leila Pizzini, a daughter of Juan and Ce- leste (Del Campo) Pizzini, and granddaugh- ter of Juan Pizzini and Alfonzo Del Campo. Their union has been blessed with eight children, as follows: William Arthur, now office manager of Stern & Company ; An- drew William, connected with the manu- facturers of Chamberlain's Metal Weather- strip : Clare Oliver, connected with the manufacturers of Higgin's screens ; Lulu C. ; M. Elinor, now Mrs. Charles Shackel- ford ; Leila Rosalie, now Mrs. J. H. Grubl^s ; Ethel C. ; Louisa P.

William Lannes Foy. During the first half of the seventeenth century, when to in- sure life and property in Erance, one's re- ligion must conform to that of the state,

r^renchmen gave up all they held dear, con- tent to find asylum in far-off countries even at such a sacrifice. Among these devoted Huguenots who sought safety in America was John Eoy, a Frenchman, who settled in the South, and founded the Foy family of North Carolina.

His son, James Foy, joined the forces of liberty and was engaged in the battles of Cowpens. Kings Mountain, Guilford Court House, Moore's Creek Bridge and many skirmishes and running fights the Ameri- cans fought with the British. In the last- named battle he was severely wounded in the arm. From John Foy, the Huguenot and patriot, springs William Lannes Foy, the well-known banker of Ashland, Vir- ginia, that favorite resort for the people of Richmond and the seat of Randolph-^Nlacon College. The line of descent from John Foy is through James, son of John ; Enoch, son of James ; Charles H., son of Enoch ; James Oliver, son of Charles H. ; \\'illiam Lannes. son of James Oliver Foy.

Charles H. Foy, grandfather of William Lannes Foy, was a prominent planter of Jones county, North Carolina, was a colonel in the state militia and raised a regiment to go into the Mexican war, was a leading member of the Whig party and died while canvassing as a nominee of his party for a seat in the house of representatives, and a consistent member of Lee's Chapel Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South.

James Oliver Foy, son of Charles H. Foy, born in Jones county, North Carolina, in 1854, has been for years one of the leading newspaper editors and publishers of that state. He married Caroline Perry, born r.ear Newbern in 1856, and died in 1005. Children : William Lannes, Sarah Eliza- beth, Saint Helena, Maud Inez.

\Villiam Lannes Foy, only son of James Oliver and Caroline (Perry) Foy, was born in Jones county, North Carolina, October 12, 1875. He obtained his education in the pri- mary and intermediate public schools, Win- ston-Salem high schools, advanced courses being pursued at the University of North Carolina. He left college to engage in news- ])aper work, a field of endeavor familiar to liim through the connection his honored father had long held with journalism in the South. Enoch Foy, her father, served four- teen terms in the North Carolina legisla- ture in the house of representatives, and