Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/297

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

A Republican in politics, he entered the political field in 1885 as a candidate for the state legislature, was elected and served in the house of delegates. 1885-89. In 1886 he was the nominee of his party for congress from the third \'irginia district, but was de- feated. In 1888 he was again a candidate for the same office from the same district and was elected. He served in the fifty-first congress, 1889-91, then returned to the prac- tice of his profession. In March, 1898, he was appointed United States judge for the eastern \'irginia district, and still holds that important judicial office, ha^•ing been re- appointed.

Judge \\'addill married, December 19, 187S, .Alma C. Mitchell, of Hanover county, \'irginia. His residence is Richmond. Vir- ginia.

Thomas Edgar Frank. All of his life con- nected with printing and journalistic work of some nature, Thomas Edgar Frank has attained worthy success in that line, the "b'auquier Democrat," published weekly at ^^'arrenton. Virginia, being an institution of his founding. He is a descendant of a \'irginia family of Essex county, his grand- father having served in the commissary de- jjartment of the Confederate army during the war of 1861-65, and many others of the name performing service in the ranks of the Confederacy. He is a son of James Edgar and Georgia (French) Frank, his father born in Essex county, \'irginia, in 185 1, died in 1 881. his mother surviving her husband, her death occurring January 5,1915. Georgia was a daughter of Daniel I. French, that being a name that appears frequently in designation of soldiers of the Confederate army.

Thomas Edgar Frank, son of James Ed- gar and Georgia (French) Frank, was born in Essex county, Virginia, March 18, 1875. In his youth he attended the public schools of Manassas and Warrenton, having come from Essex to Prince William county with his parents in 1880 and thence to Fauquier county four years later. Becoming an ap- prentice in the printing office of the "Manas- sas Gazette," he was so employed for four years, and from 1888 until 1907 was a printer on the "True Index," published in Warrenton, \'irginia, having in 1905 been employed in the department of printing of the United States government at Washington, District of Columbia. In 191 1 Mr. Frank was ap-

pointed to the position of clerk in the house of representatives at Washington, in the fall of 1913 becoming assistant to the chief clerk of that body, an office he holds to the present time. Despite his duties at the capitol he finds time to edit the "Fauquier Democrat," a weekly journal that he established in War- renton. \'irginia, in 1905, of which he is sole owner and proprietor.

Compelled by the early death of his father to assume weighty responsibilities at a youthful age. Air. Frank has overcome the handicap with which he started life, and has achieved substantial ends from his tireless and energetic labors, being held in high and universal regard by a wide circle of friends. He is a member of the Press Club, of Wash- ington, fraternizes with the Knights of the Maccabees, is of Democratic political con- victions, and holds membership in the Prot- estant Episcopal church. He married Sarah Mattie, born in Fauquier county, Virgmia, in 1875, daughter of Charles R. and Sarah (Sallie^) (Bartlett) Mcintosh. One child, Thomas Mcintosh, who died in infancy.

Joseph Hartwell Cabell. Joseph Plartwell Cabell bears in his veins the blood of many of the pioneer families of Virginia, and is descended from a very conspicuous early resident of that state. Dr. William Cabell, born March 9, 1699, in W'arminster, near Bristol, England, son of Nicholas and Rachel Cabell. He graduated from the Royal Col- lege of Medicine and Surgery in London, and engaged in practice there. Entering the British navy as a surgeon, the vessel on which he sailed landed at Norfolk, Virginia, and was detitined there some days, during which time he made an excursion into the interior of the state. Being very much pleased with the countrv, he decided to set- tle there, returned to England, resigned his position in the navy, and came to \^irginia about 1723. For some time he resided in St. James' Parish, of Henrico count}-, where he is found of record as early as 1726. and where he served as deputy sheriff. He re- moved to Licking Hole Creek in the upper part of the present Goochland county, and in 1728-29 was justice of the county court, member of the grand jury in 1728, and coro- ner in 1729. It is interesting to note that nearly all financial transactions in that day were reckoned in pounds of tobacco. He was the first Englishman to remove west of the mouth of Rockfish river, where he