Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/154

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

Southern Society of New York, and "The \'irginians" of New York City. In poHtics he is a Democrat, and in regard to creed is affiliated with the Methodist church. He married, November 25, 1908, Katherine, daughter of Patrick Walsh, born in 1884. Mr. Walsh was a descendant of the ancient family of Walshes, who acquired the large possessions now known as the Walsh moun- tains, in the barony of Iverk, adjoining the principality of ancient Ossory, Ireland. Dif- ferent branches of the family bore many titles and dignitaries, the heads being Lords of Ballynecully, and chiefs of Kilgobbin, Sir Edward Walsh and Sir Nicholas Walsh, lord chief justice of common pleas, being members of this family. The possessions of the family were confiscated during the Cromwellian period and in the reign of Wil- liam III., of England, were divided among a number of immigrant Englishmen. After the confiscation of their property several members of the elder branch of the family migrated to France and Austria, and took military service in those countries, being received by the sovereigns of these countries with much consideration, and being ac- corded positions in the countries commen- surate with their rank in the country of their birth. In France the title of "Count Serrant" is still extant, having been confer- red on the representative of the elder branch of the \Valsh family. Members of tlie cadet branch of the family emigrated in some cases to America, or remained at home, and became tillers of the soil, of which they were formerly the proprietors and the lords. To Mr. and Mrs. John Harry Harper have been born two children: Doro- thy Anna. New York City, October, 1909; and John Harry, Jr., New York City, Au- gust. 191 1.

Joseph Franklin Biggs. That there has been a decided increase in the desire to artistically adorn and beautify the modern home is true, not only in Virginia, but all through the South. While the modern home, generally speaking, is not as artis- tically furnished as in ante-bellum days, some of the better homes of the present days are more beautiful from an artistic standpoint. The efforts of architects and artistic furnishers are bearing fruit, and in the many beautiful homes of today an ar- tistic regard for style, period and harmony

of color prevails that is fast restoring the fame of the once noted southern mansion. In this revival of artistic interest in the home, Richmond leads the other cities of the South and there the revival has been led and encouraged by Joseph F. Biggs, proprietor of the "Art Store." He has preached and illustrated the gospel of an artistic home so forcefully that no other store caters so completely to that particular feature, home adornment, as his, or has a patronage so large.

The influence of the "Art Store" has been felt not only in raising the artistic stand- ard of home adornment in Richmond, but throughout the state, until the resources of Mr. Biggs and his establishment are taxed to the utmost to meet the demands of the newly awakened. He encourages the re- turn to many of the decorative features of the Colonial period, specializing in the re- ])roduction of the furniture of that period, and the designing or working out of period schemes of decoration, furnishing an entire home with the furniture, hangings and dec- orations of a given period. As every gospel must have its high priest, so in the revival of interest in the artistic home, Richmond is its head center, the "Art Store" its temple, and its gifted proprietor, the chief apostle.

Joseph Franklin Biggs is an only son of Alden Bishop and Mary (Garland) Biggs, and grandson of James Biggs. James Biggs, son of Joseph Biggs, of English descent, married Bettie Alden.

Joseph Franklin Biggs attended public schools and academy, beginning business life as clerk in a general store. He early became interested in house furnishing and decorations, and spent some years solely in the fitting up of private yachts, and kindred work. In 1891 he located in Richmond as president of the Biggs Antique Company, Incorporated. This company has five great stores in various cities of the South, and a large factory. The Richmond establishment, known as the "Art Store," is located at 318 East Franklin street. They have a large and prosperous business and one that has been of great benefit to the city and state, in creating, fostering and developing a desire to revive in an artistic modern home the glories of ante-bellum days. It is not alone in reproducing the furniture and decorations of the past that Mr. Biggs excels and leads,.