Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/740

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

among the number. In 1903 he entered the employ of the Old Dominion Steamship Company, and in 1904 transferred his ser- vice to the Northern and Southern Railway Company. He was placed in charge of the electrical department under M. K. King and later was in charge of the entire Virginia and Northern car division. In 1910 he re- signed to accept the position of clerk of the police court in Norfolk, an office he now holds and most efficiently fills. His first ap- pointment was made July I, 1910, by Mayor John F. Duncan, and four years later he was reappointed for four years by Mayor J. S. Barron. Mr. Stephens is a member of the Benevolent and I'rotective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men and of the Knights of Pythias, serving as dis- trict deputy of the latter order. In politics he is a Democrat, and in religious affiliation belongs to Christ Episcopal Church. He married, in 1894, Lucy Lee Godfrey. Chil- dren: Andrew D., born June 11, 1895; Lu- cille, born December 23, 1901.

Josiah Thomas Nichols Josiah Thomas Nichols, a pojjular citizen of Portsmouth, was a grandson of Josiah and Elizabeth (Smith) Nichols, of Norfolk county, Vir- ginia. Josiah Nichols was a farmer, promi- i.ent in his community, and an active mem- ber of the Methodist church. His son, Samuel J. Nichols, born in Norfolk county, was educated in the public schools, and set- tled upon a portion of the paternal planta- tion, where he was very successful as an ag- riculturist. He was active in the councils of the Democratic party, and highly esteemed by his contemporaries. He married Alartha V. Booth, and had children: Sarah Eliza- beth, who died at the age of thirty years ; Josiah Thomas, of further mention below : George Washington, and Lawrence. The eldest son was the only one who grew to manhood.

Josiah Thomas Nichols was born Septem- ber 17. 1871, in Norfolk county, Virginia, where he grew up, receiving his education in private schools. In 1890 he went to Ports- mouth, where he found employment in the general store of Rudolph Bohlkins, and was subsequently employed by Charles Friedlin. He was industrious and attentive to busi- ness, so that he was able to save from his earnings the means with which to engage ill business on his own account. In part-

rership with Mr. John F. Hodges, he en- gaged in mercantile business under the firm name of Nichols & Hodges, in which he con- tinued with success until his death which occurred April i, 1906. He was promi- nently identified with the social life of the city, thorough going and efficient, and very much esteemed wherever known. Believing in the broad fraternal principles of the Masonic order, he became early affiliated with it, and rose through its grades until he had attained the thirty-second degree in Acca Temple, Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, which he joined De- cember 6, 1903. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Improved Order of Red Men, and Woodmen of the World. In religious faith he adhered to the Methodist church, and in matters of public policy acted steadfastly with the Democratic party. He married, March 26, 1896, Mary Eliza Hodges, born March 26, 1873, in Portsmouth, daughter of John K. and Martha Love (Hanbury) Hodges. They were the parents of two daughters: Mary Elizabeth, born August 7. 1899; Gladys Williams, October 31, 1901. The Hodges family is found quite early in Cheraws, South Carolina, in Kent, Mary- land, and in Virginia, where it was especial- ly identified with the Protestant Episcopal church. John Hodges and his wife Nancy had children : Fletcher, Ann, Claude. Eu- genia, Matilda, Andrew and John K. The last named married Martha Love Hanbury, and had the following children: i. Alice William Hodges, married William Taylor, and was the mother of Eunice Marie Taylor, who married John Ballance, and was the mother of Hugh and Helen Ballance. 2. John Frank Hodges, married Mamie Smith, Marion Estelle, and John Frank (2). 3. Lewis Fletcher Hodges, born July 26, 1870 ; married Winnie Hodges, and they were the ^ parents of: Grace, Delia, Elton, Lewis, jH Elsie and Dwight. 4. Mary Eliza Hodges, H wife of Josiah T. Nichols, as above noted. 5. Child, died soon after birth. 6. Indianna Hodges, born July 16, 1875 • married, June 23, 1897, Samuel Waterman Hanbury, and v.-as the mother of: Joseph Samuel, born May 16, 1898; Maud Lee, May 26, 1901 ; John Durwood, August 23, 1903 ; Hodges K., July 6, 1912.
 * md had children: John Stanley, Mary Alice,