Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/231

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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John E. Edwards, a clergyman of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, who was born in North Carolina, died in Lynchburg, Vir- ginia, in 1891. at which time he was pastor of the Court Street Church. Dr. Landon B. Edwards, son of the Rev. John E. Edwards and father of Dr. Charles M. Edwards, was born in Prince Edward county, Virginia, September 20, 1845, and died in Richmond, Virginia, November 27, 1910. The places of his early education changed with his father's varying charges, and after a course in Ran- dolph-Macon Academy he matriculated at the Medical College of Virginia, subsequent- ly pursuing medical studies at the Univer- sity of the City of New York. From this last named institution he was graduated in 1867, leading his class in general average, and he at once began professional work in the city of Lynchburg, where he practiced until 1870. In this year he moved to Rich- mond, and was there active in medical circles until his death, founding, in 1874, the Vir- ginia Medical Monthly, of which he was for many years managing editor, later under the name of the X'irginia Medical Semi-Monthly. He married Nannie Pettyjohn Rucker, born September 24, 1849. in Lynchburg, Virginia, and had issue : Katharine Rucker, born in 1872. resides in Richmond. Virginia, unmar- ried ; Dr. Charles M.. of whom further; Agnes v., lives in Richmond, unmarried; Landon B., Jr., born in 1887, employed in the ofifice of the city auditor of Richmond, Vir- ginia.

Dr. Charles Mundy Edwards, son of Dr. Landon B. and Nannie Pettyjohn (Rucker) Edwards, was born in Richmond, Virgmia, July 30, 1875. There he attended the public schools, afterward becoming a student in Randolph-IVLicon Academy, and after com- plete academic preparation entered the Med- ical College of Virginia. This institution awarded him his ^L D. in 1896, and for one year thereafter he served as interne in the Virginia Hospital. Dr. Edwards was asso- ciated in practice with his father until the death of the elder Edwards in 1910, and un- der his guidance and direction made his first strides toward professional prominence. No preceptor could have been better qualified to instruct and to advise in professional pro- cedure, and the g-ratification of the father over the aims and ambitions of his son, as- pirations that lay so nearly parallel to his own. was a source of greatest pleasure.

Since 1910 Dr. Edwards has practiced his

profession alone, and continues a connec- tion with the Virginia Medical Semi-Month- ly, with which he became associated during his father's editorship. He is at this time managing editor of the journal, having iden- tified with him as associate editors a number of the foremost physicians of the state. From 1901 to 1907 Dr. Edwards was sur- geon of the "Richmond Blues," a battalion of light infantry, and at this time serves the Norfolk & Western Railroad in that capa- city. He is a Democrat in political belief, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.

He married, in New York City, October 29, 1902, Leila Le Moine Gahagan. born at Coushatta, Red River parish, Louisiana, De- cember 3, 1877, and has one son, Charles Mundy, Jr., born November 2, 1903.

John Penn Lee. This family name is of a cc'mmon origin with Lea, Leigh, Lye, Lygh, Lega, Lehe, Leyra, Leighe, Lyhe, Lygh all derived from the Saxon Laey or Leah, mean- ing the "pasture or place." County Cheshire was the cradle of the Lees and a long inter- esting roll bearing the name may be found in the county histories of England.

The family Lee is one of the most ancient founded in the English records. In the eleventh century the name of Launcelot Lee is associated with William the Conqueror and in the division of estates by William, a fine estate in Essex was bestowed upon him. Lionel Lee raised a company of gentlemen cavaliers at the head of whom he accom- panied Richard "Couer de Lion" in the third crusade, 1192. For gallant conduct at the siege of Acre, he was made Earl of Litch- field and another estate was given to the family, which later was called "Ditchly." They were devoted followers of the Stuarts and for their loyalty and valor received var- ious honors and distinctions. In Virginia the name dates from 1641 and is one of the most distinguished in the state and as asso- ciated with General Robert Edward Lee, the great soldier of the Confederacy, one almost reverenced, especially by the soldiers and officers who served under him. Richard Henry Lee. the revolutionary statesman and patriot, "Light Horse Harry" Lee, are names high on the roll of honor, while in the last century to record the names of Lees who have rendered distinguished service in the civil and military life would require a volume.