Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/276

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

Virginia, September i, 1884, son of Ashton and Ella Louise (Tucker) File. He pursued a full course of preparatory study in Buck- ingham county public schools and Rich- mond Academy, then began in 1904 a course of professional study in University College of Medicine at Richmond, Virginia, continu- ing until 1906. In the latter year he entered Baltimore College of Medicine (Baltimore, Maryland), whence he was graduated M. D., class of 1908. He continued medical study during the year 1910-11, taking a post- graduate course at Johns Hopkins Univer- sity, Baltimore, Post-Graduate College and Pellevue College Hospital, New York City, then fully ecjuipped, began practice at Stone- wall. Appomattox county, Virginia. He re- mained there but a short time, locating at Covington, Virginia, in January, 191 2, and ys there gaining high reputation as a thor- oughly capable and skillful physician. Hie many years of preparation and hospital ex- perience is being supplemented by the de- mands of a large and growing private prac- tice, and the reward of his faithful prepara- tion is found in his ready ability to diagnose, treat and heal. Dr. File is a member of Reedy Spring Lodge, No. 203, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, Campbell county, Virginia ; Covington Chapter, Royal Arch Masons ; is a trustee of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in political faith is a Demo- crat.

Franklin Portlock. The family name Portlock is of English extraction and has been prominent in the Norfolk section of Virginia since Colonial times. The earliest representative in America of the Portlock family came from England in 1634 and lo- cated near what is well known as "Port- lock Estate,' in the vicinity of the city of Norfolk.

(I) William Portlock, the first of the line here under consideration of whom we have definite information, was a planter and slave owner of Norfolk county, Virginia, in which locality his ancestors were prominent prop- erty owners and planters, holding title to a large tract of land between Berkley and Great Bridge. Among his children was Na- thaniel, of whom further.

(II) Nathaniel Portlock. son of William Portlock, was born in Norfolk county, Vir- ginia, succeeded to the ownership of the homestead, his birthplace, and there passed his entire life. Wealth, slaves and property

gave him leading position in the locality, and he was a justice of the peace, active in public affairs, and a vestryman of the Pro- testant Episcopal church. He married (first) Barbara Carson, and (second) Nancy Stokes. Children of first marriage : Mary Ann, Tapley, Nathaniel. Children of sec- ond marriage: Barbara, Franklin, of whom further.

(Ill) Franklin Portlock, son of Nathaniel and Nancy (Stokes) Portlock, was born in Norfolk county, Virginia, January 18, 1826, died there, April 6, 1896. He received his education in the best private schools, and as a young man began the management of the homestead plantation, widening the scope of the agricultural operations conducted there- on, and prospering. Prior to the civil war he employed slave labor in his farming, and later became a manufacturer of bricks in Portsmouth, Virginia, a line of endeavor in which he was likewise successful. For many years he had been a public official, holding the position of school trustee at the time of his death ; he was one of the first members of the school board, serving many years, and during his regime the public schools of Norfolk county became noted among the best in the state. Mr. Portlock was a gentle- man of refinement, sterling integrity, marked individuality, and of a very social nature. He was exceedingly loyal to his friends, and a citizen who stood high in the estimation of his associates. He joined the Christian church at Providence, in August, i860, and was a trustee of the same. He was seldom absent from the sanctuary and contributed liberally and freely in time and money towards the support of the gospel.

Mr. Portlock married, April 7, 1853, Eu- genia Herbert Tatem, born in 1832, daughter of Dr. William and Ann (Herbert) Tatem, of Norfolk county, Virginia. Children: i. William Nathaniel, a sketch of whom fol- lows. 2. Emily Argyle, born December 23, 1856. 3. Eugenia Tatem, born February 25, 1858: married, in 1890, Thomas Webb liutt. and has one son, William Portlock, born P'ebruary 16, 1893. 4. Frank Livingston, a sketch of whom follows. 5. Betty Beaure- gard, born September 2, 1861, died in 1864. 6 P'anny B.. born July 21, 1867: married. November 17. 1897, Charles Louis Young, and has children : Eugenia Catherine, born January 21, 1899, ^nd Frances May, born September 22. 1900.

The large gathering of friends at the