Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/282

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

the topography, resources and agricultural possibilities of Norfolk county, information largely gained by travel thereover with chain and transit. Church, school, and home interests complete the activity of Mr. Portiock, a highly regarded citizen of South Norfolk, Noriolk county, descendant of an honored line.

Frank Livingston Portiock was born in Norfolk county, Virginia, September 6, 1859. As a boy he attended the public schools, and after hnishing his studies in these institu- tions became a teacher, at the same time continuing his advanced studies, and was thus engaged for nine years. Upon appoint- ment to a four years' term as road commis- sioner of Norfolk county, Mr. Portiock re- signed his position as teacher, and served through three successive reappointments, being in 1906 reappointed for the lourth con- secutive term. \\ hile serving under this last commission the law was changed which abolished the office and created the position of road engineer. Under the new law Mr. Portiock received the appointment as road engineer, holding that office until 1913. In this year he was appointed to his present position of agent of the farmers' cooperative work. The work consists of taking to the farmer, on his own farm, the improved meth- ods and explaining to him the right applica- tion of the fundamental principles in agri- culture. This work which Mr. Portiock is doing is an arrangement whereby the Fed- eral government cooperates with the state and local governments in his service to the farmer.

While road commissioner of Norfolk coun- t_v, Mr. Portiock, to increase his efficiency in his position, took up the study of surveying and civil engineering, and was thus enabled to give his personal supervision to much of the work coming under his department that it would have been otherwise necessary to delegate to subordinates. Under his ad- ministration the condition of the roads of the county v^'as vastly improved and miles of new highway were constructed, Mr. Port- lock directing their building in all parts of the county. He could usually be found, when especially important work was in operation, or when difficulties were en- countered. Such was the service he rendered to his native county, ceaselessly active. He is a dealer in real estate upon a wide scale, and has been particularly successful in the

conversion of suburban farms into resi- dential districts, choosing well his locations in regard to accessibility and attractiveness, and he has founded several popular home centers. He was instrumental in having the Berkley Street railway extended to Money Point, a manufacturing suburb of the city of Norfolk. He had the roads widened by procuring the land for the right of way. The extension of this railway has resulted in building up home sites and greatly en- hancing the values of all properties along its line. Mr. Portiock is himself the owner of a large farm, cultivated under his direction, in addition to the property he holds as in- vestments. Mr. Portiock is president of the Mutual Benefit Fire Insurance Association, insuring country property only on the as- sessment plan. The association comprises the territory of Norfolk, Princess Anne and Nansemond counties. He is a notary pub- lic, and was for several years a member of the Norfolk County Board of Education. He was for twenty years secretary of the Providence Christian Church, his devotion to which he inherits from his honored father. He formerly affiliated with Hickory Ground Lodge, No. 180, Free and Accepted Masons, of which he was master, but is now a mem- ber of Berkley Lodge, No. 167.

The work in which Mr. Portiock is en- gaged in cooperation with the agricultural department is one fully worthy of his talent and ability, for it is one that has as its aim the universal adoption of modern scientific methods in best conserving the natural wealth of the soil while at the same time ex- tracting therefrom its richest yield. Agri- culture as practiced by our fathers has passed to join other practices and institu- tions which have outlived their usefulness, and in the establishment of a new era in Norfolk county. "Virginia, Mr. Portiock is playing an important part. His wide ac- quaintance and universal popularity facili- tate accomplishment in this line, and he has devoted himself thereto with the energetic faithfulness that has unfailingly character- ized his public service.

He married, November 2, 1898, Marion West, born in 1876. daughter of Leroy M. and Marion Lee (Hunter) West, of Nor- folk county. Virginia, and has children: Marion Hunter, born May 30, 1900; Eugenia Herbert, born February 4. 1906 ; Frank Liv- ingston, Jr.. born July 18, 1908.