Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/247

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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Mr. Catoii has devoted much time to the public ser\ice. has been associated promi- nently with much legislation of importance and has rendered valuable assistance in other ways. He was appointed and served one of the six commissioners to revise the laws of Virginia and bring them into con- formity with the provisions of the new Vir- ginia constitution. In 1900 he was elected member of the Virginia legislature, serving as representative from the city of Alex- andria by repeated reelections until 1910. He served on many important committees and commissions and was one of the untir- ing workers of the house. During his term one of his important acts was service on the committee appointed to revise the corpora- tion laws of the state. He served on the Alexandria city council one year, was assist- ant city treasurer, and in many ways has contributed to the progress of his city.

He is a member of various legal societies of Virginia, is prominent in the Masonic order, belonging to lodge, chapter and com- mandery of the York Rite, and holds the thirty-second degree in the Ancient Ac- cepted Scottish Rite, also is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In political faith a Democrat, he has ever been a worker and is listened to with respect in party councils.

George B. Barrow, M. D. Dr. George B. Barrow, of X'irginia birth, ancestry and edu- cation, now a practicing physician of Clarks- ville. \'irginia. descends maternally through the Guerrant and Roulet families, from French Huguenot ancestors who early set- tled in Virginia.

Dr. Barrow's grandfather. Benjamin Bar- row, of Henry county, X'irginia. married .Susan Watkins. and had issue : Peter Thomas, of future mention ; Orin. a captain in the Confederate army, fought at Manas- sas ( EUill Run) and at the battle of the Seven Pines, was three times wounded be- fore he left the field : Robert, a surgeon in the Confederate army, killed at the battle of Winchester: John A., a private in the Confederate army; Watson A., a private of the Confederate army. As Peter Thomas Barrow w^as also a soldier of the Confed- eracv. the record made by the five sons of Benjamin Barrow is a proud one.

Peter Thomas Barrow, son of Benjamin and Susan (Watkins) Barrow, was born in

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Henry county. Viigmia. m 1^543, died in 1910. a manufacturer of furniture. Together with his four brothers he offered his life in defence of his native state and enlisted in the Confederate army, rising to the rank of lieutenant. He escaped the perils of war and spent his after life engaged in business. He married Augusta Dora Guerrant, born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, who yet sur- vives him, a resident of Danville, Virginia. .She is a daughter of Peter D. and Elvira (Roulet) Guerrant and descends from French Huguenot ancestry.

Dr. George Bruce Barrow, son of Peter Thomas and Augusta Dora (Guerrant) Bar- row, was born in Danville, Virginia, No- vember I, 1884. His early and classical edu- cation was obtained in the city public schools and Danville Military Institute, entering the latter institution in 1900 and graduating in 1903. He decided upon the medical profession and later entered the Medical College of Virginia at Richmond, from whence he was graduated Doctor of Medicine. He spent a year as interne, then began private practice in Halifax county, \irginia, but after one year removed to Clarksville, Mecklenburg county. \^irginia, beginning practice there in 1911. He is a member of the Virginia Medical and Pied- mont Medical societies, keeping thereby in close touch with the world outside his own sphere. For one year he was connected with the medical corps of the Second Regiment Virginia National Guard as surgeon, rank- ing as captain. He is a Presbyterian in re- ligion, and a member of the Junior Order of American Mechanics.

Charles L. Melton, A. M. After a com- prehensive classical course of college study. Professor Melton began his work as an edu- cator at Randolph-Macon Academy, an in- stitution of which he is now the honored head. The year of his entrance to the edu- cational field, 1892, was also the year of the foundation of Randolph-Macon Academy at Front Royal. Virginia. Professor Melton being the first headmaster of the school. His service has not been continuous; cover- ing the first four years of the life of the acad- emy, it was then interrupted for one year, but since 1897 as assistant to the principal. Dr. W. W. Smith, and as principal, he has continuously been in the service of the acad- emy to which he came, a young college