Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/521

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

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William Patrick, the younger brother of Charles M. Patrick, was before his death in June. 1909. a prominent man in the com- munity. His youth was spent on his father's farm, where in order to establish the physi- cal health and vigor of a constitution origi- nally somewhat delicate, he did the ordinary work of a farm hand. His education was obtained at a boys' classical school in Waynesboro which was presided over by the Rev. W. T. Richardson and C. H. With- row, and later at the Washington and Lee University, at Lexington, \'irginia. from which he graduated with the class of 1873, taking the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Upon the completion of his studies, he established himself in the practice of his profession at Staunton. Virginia, where he remained throughout his life. His law practice was highly successful, both before the lower courts and the supreme court and the Federal courts in the state and his clientage included many of the important corporations in his region. He entered into partnership, under the firm name of Patrick & Gordon, with Armistead Churchill Gordon, the eminent Virginian author, editor and lawyer. He held in his earlier j-ears the office of commissioner in chancery and was president and director of the Augusta National r>ank of Staunton. He ■was a wide reader, particularly in the litera- ture of finance, and in this connection it may be remarked that despite his membership in the Democratic party he voted for McKinley as against Bryan for president on the money question. He married, February 14, 1883, Annie Alontgomery Hendren, a daughter of Judge John N. Hendren, of Augusta county, Avho was treasurer of the Confederate States and for many years judge of the county •court of Augusta. To Mr. and Mrs. William Patrick was born one daughter, Annie Hen- dren F'atrick.

Patrick Henry Boisseau. The Boisseau family of which I'atrick Henry Boisseau. of Danville, \'irginia, is a representative, has long been seated in Virginia. Of French -ancestry, the emigrant Boisseau brought to his new home the healthy habits of his race, and here prospered, founding a family of importance.

Patrick Henry Boisseau is a grandson of David Boisseau, born in Petersburg. \'ir- ginia. who was a tobacco warehouseman,

and died there at the age of sixty years. He married Tabitha Hatcher, born in Chester- field county, Virginia. Their children were : \\'illiam E., Annie, Mary E., Adeline, Pat- rick, Henry, Benjamin Hatcher, mentioned further.

Benjamin Hatcher Boisseau, son of David and Tabitha (Hatcher) Boisseau, was born at Petersburg. Virginia, October 10, 1818. He was a farmer of the old homestead his entire life, and died there February 26, 1881. He married Matilda Ann Gregg, born in Dinwiddle county. Virginia, May 10, 1820, died December 31, 1861. She was a daugh- ter of Edmund Gregg, and second cousin of General Gregg, of Sheridan's Cavalry divis- ion of the United States army. Edmund Gregg was born in Dinwiddle county, was a farmer and a miller, and died at the age of seventy years. His wife, Mary E. ( Gregory ) Gregg, of Gates county. North Carolina, bore him seven children: Baker, Thomas, Franklin, Mary, Elizabeth, Martha, Matilda Ann, the latter the wife of Benja- min Hatcher Boisseau. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Boisseau : Patrick Henry, of further mention : Thomas Franklin, a farmer and speculator of Dinwiddle county, Virginia; William Edward ; Benjamin Hatcher (2) ; David Gregory ; Mary E., married E. H. I'abbitt. of North Carolina; Richard Alonzo and Rosa Matilda ; all are deceased except Patrick Henry and Thomas Franklin.

Patrick Henry Boisseau, son of Benjamin Hatcher and Matilda Ann (Gregg) Bois- seau. was born at the old Boisseau home- stead in Dinvviddie county, Virginia, Octo- ber 17, 1850. He was educated in the public schools and Wingfield Academy, finishing his studies under the teaching of General W. Gordon McCabe, and at the University School for Boys at Petersburg. Virginia. After leaving school he was chief clerk in the store of which Colonel John Price, of Sussex county, Virginia, was the proprietor, and while there made his home with his em- ployer. On July I. 1870. he began his resi- dence in Danville. Virginia, becoming deputy sergeant under his brother. William E. Boisseau. and continuing in that position until 1888. In the latter year he was elected sergeant of the city of Danville and has held that office continuously through successive re-elections, his present term expiring in January. 1918. He is a member of Roman Eagle Lodge. No. 122, Ancient Free and