Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/739

 VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

1069

Edward C. Gay, and has Edward Compton and Ashton : Percy Ryland ; G. Ashton, of whom further.

G. Ashton Harris, son of John Thomas and Mary (Richardson) Harris, was born in Isle of Wight county, Virginia, in 1878. He was a student in private and public schools as a youth, ^^'hen a young man of twenty years he formed a business partner- ship with a Mr. Smith, and in 1898 estab- lished in wood and coal dealings in New- port News, Virginia, trading under the firm name of Smith & Harris. He was so en- gaged for but two years, at the end of that time accepting a positibn with the. Metro- politan Life Insurance Company, with that company serving in the capacity of man- ager of the Virginia district until 1910. In this year he was appointed deputy clerk of the circuit court of Nansemond county, and discharged the duties of his position until 1913, when he was made clerk of the cir- cuit court, in the same year becoming clerk of the city of Suffolk. Mr. Harris is popular w-ith his colleagues in the public service, his able and conscientious performance of the tasks that come within his province lend- ing efficiency to the municipal and countv administrations. Mr. Harris is associated with the Nelms-Harris Shoe Company as president, and is secretary of a building and loan association. His fraternal associations are with the Junior Order of United Amer- ican Mechanics, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Masonic Order, in the latter society belonging to Suffolk Lodge, No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons, and Suffolk Chapter, No. 20, Royal Arch Masons. His church is the Oxford Aletho- dist Episcopal, and his political affiliations are strongly Democratic. He is a man of many friends, identified with the best forces in civil life, and is favorably regarded where- ever known. His business and political careers are alike without a blemish, and he stands for progressiveness and honor in all of his relations with his fellow-men.

Mr. Harris married, in 1899, Nannie C. Pond, born in 1874 died in 1914, and is the father of one daughter, Mildred Lewis, born in 1913.

William Leroy Stephens. As clerk of the police court of Norfolk, Virginia, Mr. Steph- ens, by reason of his wonderful faculty of lemembcring names and faces is an invalu-

able aid to the officials of that court, in ad- dition to the clerical ability the position de- mands. He has spent the greater part of his life in the police service of Norfolk, follow- ing in the footsteps of his honored father, \\ ho rose from harbor watchman to captain of police and head of the detective bureau of the city.

William L. Stephens is a grandson of An- drew and Henrietta Stephens, of Norfolk, where their three children were born : An- drew J., of further mention, Charles and P'mma. the latter wife of Peter Dickson and the mother of Jennie, Walter, Peter (2) and Rosa Dickson, the two daughters both mar- ried.

Andrew J. Stephens was born in 1847, died in 1903. He was educated in Norfolk, and from youthful manhood was connected with the police department of his native city. His first assignment was to harbor duty, then was promoted to the regular force, winning promotion through meritor- ious service, through the various grades, un- til reaching the rank of first captain. He later became head of the detective force and in that capacity was responsible for the cap- ture of several noted criminals. His record in every grade of service was a proud and honorable one and brought him deserved recognition. He married, in 1894, Mary Susan Davies, who bore him five children : William Leroy, of further mention ; Charles B., married Minnie Butt and has a daugh- ter, Helen ; Amelia, married Marshall Wal- ker and has Edward, Alary, Albert : Emma Holmes, married, September 19, 1896, Wil- lard Timothy Traylor, born November 23, 1872, children: Willard S., Emily Virginia, William Leroy, Ernest S.

William Leroy Stephens, eldest child of Andrew J. and Mary Susan (Davies) Steph- ens, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1873, and until eleven years of age attended pub- lic school. He then obtained a boy's posi- tion in a Norfolk store, continuing until 188^. He then entered the employ of W. A. Young, remaining until June, 1894, leav- ing to become caretaker of the United States custom house. Four years later he was ap- pointed a member of the sanitary police squad, and in 1899 was appointed warrant officer for the police court. He served in that rank until 1902, when a change in the city administration, resulting in the dis- charge of fifty-six policemen. Mr. Stephens