Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/244

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

verdict, "Well done, good and faithful servant," may come to the ears of a good man, adding strength and confidence in his faith in man and God. I rejoice to think that the University can now claim you and trust that you will see your way clear to stand by her until she is well launched on her new career. — Pkopessor Thomas Fitzhugh.

Among Judge Wallace's published works are: "America by Cotnparison," "A Good Man is a Good Citizen," "Life and Char- acter of Lord Brougham" (delivered before the Virginia Bar Association), "History and Philosophy of Marriage and Divorce."

Ever a Democrat in politics. Judge Wal- lace served in the Virginia house of assem- bly, 1875-1877, declining reelection. He was a delegate to the national Democratic con- vention of 1876 that nominated Samuel J. Tilden for President and that which placed in nomination General Winfield Scott Han- cock for that high office. He is senior warden of St. George's Protestant Episcopal Church, representing his church for many years in the Virginia diocesan council and in 1904 was delegate to the general conven- tion held in Boston, Massachusetts. He has been for many years a member of the Vir- ginia State and American Bar associations and is wherever known held in highest esteem. In 1904 he was elected president of the National Bank of Fredericksburg, fol- lowing his two brothers and a nephew in the presidency of that institution which was founded on the original Farmers' Bank of Fredericksburg, founded in 1830, of which his honored father. Dr. John "H. Wallace, was the first president, and of which a Wal- lace has been president from organization. Now aged seventy-one years, Judge Wal- lace is hale and hearty, indulges in his fav- orite recreation, walking, every day, and at his home indulges in his equal passion for good literature. Honored and respected at home and abroad he can review his long and useful career with satisfaction and even look forward to years of honored usefulness.

In April, 1883, Judge Wallace married Victoria, daughter of Captain Charles K. Stevens, of Philadelphia.

James Randall Caton. The Catons of Virginia trace an English ancestry to the year iioo, and in Virginia to John Caton, who came early in the seventeenth century, settling in Henrico county at Richmond. An ancestor of James Randall Caton, of Alex- andria, Virginia. Richard Caton. of Mary- land, married Mary Carroll, daughter of

Charles Carroll, of "Carrollton," a member of the Continental Congress and signer of the Declaration of Independence. Through the Carroll line descent is traced from Rob- ert II., King of Scotland, through nine gen- erations of Scotch and Irish noble families to Charles O'Carroll, son of Ely O'Carroll, created in 1552 lord baron of Ely, a descend- ant of Olioll Olum, King of Munster.

Charles O'Carroll came to America in 1687, locating in Maryland, where he was a magistrate register of the land office, agent and receiver-general of rent. He married Dorothy Blake, who bore him Daniel O'Car- roll, of "The Hall," Maryland, and Charles O'Carroll, of Droughorgan manor, ]\Iary- land. born 1702, died 1782, attorney-general of Maryland. He married Elizabeth Brook, and his son, Charles Carroll (the O being dropped in that generation), is known in history as of "Carrollton," the father of Mary Carroll, wife of Richard Caton.

James Randall Caton, of Alexandria, Vir- ginia, is a great-grandson of Moses Caton (a descendant of John Caton, the founder), grandson of John Randall (i) Caton, died 1869, and Sarah B. Ferguson, his wife, and son of Samuel Francis Caton, born Decem- ber 10, 1832, died April 11, 191 1. Samuel Francis Caton was a prosperous farmer, of Fairfax county, Virginia. He married Eliza .^nn 15rett, daughter of John Brett, of Vir- ginia.

James Randall Caton was born in Fair- fax county, Virginia, February 6, 185 1. He attended private school in Alexandria until the outbreak of the war, 1861, and afterward coiripleted his classical course in various pri- \ate schools and institutions. He decided upon the profession of law and pursued ex- tended courses of study under different law- yers, but he had many obstacles to over- come, and on July 16, 1880, he was admitted to practice at the Virginia bar. He then established in Alexandria, and from that date has been one of the prominent figures in the legal and political life of that city. His introduction to the law was as deputy clerk of courts, a position he held from thir- teen years of age until twenty-four, and dur- ing this period determined upon his profes- sion. He has given closest attention to the law of corporations, his practice now being largely along that line. He is a recognized authority and numbers among his clients many of the important corporations of the state.