Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/509

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

90s

fever broke out in Norfolk and she refused to leave her faithful servants, some of whom were ill. She fell a victim to the scourge, and the homestead by her will became the property of the Sisters of Charity for a hos- pital, with ample income for its support. John Edward Doyle married Mary J. Fitz Gerald, daughter of Purser Edward Fitz- Gerald. of the United States navy.

Walter Herron Doyle, son of John Ed- ward and Mary J. (Fitz Gerald) Doyle, was born July 20. 1845. died February 29, 1904. He obtained his earh' and preparatory edu- cation in Norfolk Academy and in George Sheffield's private school, completing his studies at Calvert College, ^Maryland. In 1861. at the age of sixteen years, he enlisted in Norfolk Artillery Blues and from that year until Lee's surrender, four years later, was a soldier of the Confederacy, enduring all the trials, perils and hardships of that distressing period of our nations' history. Returning from the war a veteran in experi- ence, but a minor in years, he entered busi- ness life as a clerk for the firm of Koder, Briggs & Company, remaining with them until 1867. In that year he became book- keeper in the Citizen's Bank, of Norfolk, and for thirty-seven years thereafter was identi- fied with that institution to its everlasting good. Beginning as clerk and bookkeeper in 1867, he was appointed assistant cashier in 1877, cashier in 1879, ^"d in 1881 was elected president, an office he held for twen- ty-three years until his death in 1904. He developed wonderful ability as a financier, placed the bank upon a solid foundation and gave it a name and fame among the leading banks of the South. He was a tower of strength to the bank whose destinies he guided, held the unqualified esteem of the banking public, and was the warm friend and confidential adviser of many who relied implicity upon his counsel. Outside the world of business he was well known as one whose purse was always open to relieve dis- tress or to aid in any worthy cause. He was particularly warm in his regard for his old comrades and aided many of them to secure solid financial footing. He was devoted to his home and family, his only outside inter- est, besides his business, being Picket Bu- chanan Post. United Confederate Veterans. His sons were all given the benefit of that great school, Virginia Military Institute, all being graduates of that famous institution.

the West Point of the South. His useful life was cut short in his fifty-ninth year, the four years of privation and exposure when a "boy in gray" no doubt shortening his days.

Air. Doyle married, December 9, 1880, \'irginia Barron Camp, daughter of George Washington and Elizabeth Barron (Armi- stead) Camp, granddaughter of George Washington and Frances (Willoughby) Camp, and great-granddaughter of William Camp. These were all old X'irginia families of prominence in colonial and revolutionary days, and through her sires, Mrs. Doyle, who survives her husband, gained admission to the Colonial Dames of America and to the Patriotic Order Daughters of the Amer- ican Revolution. Children : Elizabeth Armi- stead. married Joseph \''irginius Bidgood; Edward Fitz Gerald, now a partner of Doyle, Gillam & Company ; Walter Herron, a civil engineer in the service of the city of Norfolk : John Edward, connected with the United States Tire Company.

Mrs. Doyle is descended from Samuel Barron, of Bristol, England, who came to \^irginia about 1609 with his wife and sev- eral children. He commanded Fort George, now Fortress Monroe. Virginia. One of his descendants. James Barron, was in com- mand of vessels in the Virginia navy dur- ing the revolution. His commission was signed by Thomas JeiTerson, afterward president of the United States. A photo- graphic copy of this commission is preserved by Mrs. Boyle. She also has portraits of \\'alter Herron, Sir Thomas Doyle, of coun- ty Wexford. Ireland, John Edward Doyle, Purser Edward Fitz Gerald, and his wife and sons, also a portrait of Major Edward Fitz Gerald, and a sword presented to him by the citizens of Norfolk for gallant con- duct during the war with Mexico. She also has miniature portraits of the immigrant, Samuel Barron, and his descendant, James Barron, as well as of General George W. Camp, her grandfather. She also has the coats-of-arms of the Barron and Willoughby families. Her grandmother. Frances Camp, was a daughter of Thomas Willoughby. who was a son of John Willoughby, the original patentee of Willoughby Point, now known as Willoughby Beach. He was a son of Thomas Willotighby. who came to Virginia in the ship "Prosperous" in 1610, being then forty years old. and became a merchant in