Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/650

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

was re-appointed to this board by Governor Mann.

He was elected member of the Electoral College of Virginia that cast the vote of the state for \\'illiam J. Bryan in 1908; delegate to the Democratic National Convention held in St. Louis, which nominated Judge Alton B. Parker for president ; also to the Balti- m re National Democratic Convention that nominated Woodrow Wilson, and where he was selected as the Virginia representative on the National Notification Committee to convey to Mr. Wilson, at Sea Girt, official notice of his nomination.

Cinder his control as owner and editor, the editurial policy of the "Register" and the "Bee" has been unfalteringly fearless and independent, yet conservative and al- wavs reflecting his personal views, regard- less of consequences. At first the people of Danville lound it had to adjust themselves to such independent course, but soon learn- ed to respect and to admire the high stand- ard of the editorial columns, and the "Regis- ter" and the "Bee" enjoy in the community an influence and prestige seldom vouch- safed to local journals. The owner's chief aim through his newspapers has been to en- courage and cultivate sincere, cordial rela- tions, based on community of interests and fair dealings, between the people of the city and the surrounding country, and especially between the city and his native county of Pittsylvania, and the success attending his efforts has been deep and abiding. Mr. James is regarded by many as "the most in- fluential layman in Virginia," as it is prob- able that he is more intimately in touch with the leading public men of the common- wealth than any other non-official, and his advice and influence in local matters, party councils and state affairs, are of unusual weight and effectiveness.

Mr. James was married in Pittsylvania county, October 12. 1892, to Annie Alarshall, daughter of Colonel Robert A. Wilson and Ruth Hairston. his wife. Their children are : Robert Wilson, Rorer A., Jr., Annie Marshall, John Bruce.

Wyatt Sanford Beazley, M. D. Dr. Beaz- ley descends from the I'.eazleys of Greene county, \'irginia, and through the marriage of his grandfather. Captain James Beazlev, with Elizabeth (Betsey) Mills, from John Starke the elder, emigrant from Scotland,

who on May 25, 1735, married Ann Wyatt. The line of descent is through John (2) Starke, born in Hanover county, Virginia, April 27, 1742, who married Elizabeth Shep- herd, of the same county. Twelve children were born to John (2) and Elizabeth Starke, the eighth being a daughter, Sarah, who married Wyatt Mills, of Albemarle county, \ irginia. P.y this marriage there were sons and daughters, the second daughter being Elizabeth (Betsey) who married Captain James Beazley. These intermarriages con- nected many of the early Virginia families with the Beazleys. the Wyatts, Heads, San- fords. Wallers, Carters, Aliens, Spotswoods and others. The Wyatts of Virginia came from an English ancestor, who traced de- scent to a Norman knight who came to Eng- land with the "Conqueror."

Captain James Beazley, a wealthy farmer and man of high literary attainment, whose grandfather immigrated to this country from England, supposedly from the Isle of Wight, married, as stated above, Elizabeth Mills, and had issue: Judge Wyatt Starke, of whom further ; Edward, who married Emma \'aughan ; Dr. Robert Sanford. of whom further ; James, who married Eliza- beth Sheppard Head, of Randolph county, Missouri ; Elizabeth, who married James Stephens, of Greene county, Virginia.

Judge Wyatt Starke Beazley, son of Cap- tain James and Elizabeth (Mills) Beazley, was born in the beautiful Swift Run valley, near the Blue Ridge mountains, Greene county, Virginia, February i, 1819, and died in the same county, November 2, 1881. His father, a wealthy planter, gave him all the advantages of a classical education, send- ing him last to the University of Virginia, where he became a scholar of high attain- ment, graduating in Greek, Latin, Erench and German, with many other subjects, and later in law, afterwards becoming a lawyer of great force and ability. The results of these advantages placed him professionally and socially among the leading men of his district, and he was held in the highest es- teem by his fellow citizens who elevated him to prominent official positions in the county, first clerk, then commonwealth's at- torney, and for a period of thirteen years, until his death, he was judge of the judicial district, composed of the counties of Madi- son and Greene. He was a learned, just judge, dignified and courteous, chivalrous