Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 5.djvu/754

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VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY

Edgar, March i6, 1864; Clement Coote, May 24, 1866; Henry Waugh, March 18, 1868; Mary Douglass, March 19, 1870 ; Ernest Kinzer, mentioned below ; Marion, Septem- ber 28, 1874; Alpheus, March 4, 1877; Edna, November 6, 1879; Eben Childs, September II, 1882. Ellen Douglass Norris was a daughter of George W. and Mary D. (Wright) Norris, a descendant of William Norris, whose son, Samuel Norris, married Kitty, daughter of George Carter, and they were the parents of George W. Norris. Mary D. Wright was a daughter of Dr. Wil- liam B. Wright and Penelope Manley, granddaughter of John and Sarah Manley, daughter of Harrison Manley and his wife, Margaret Barry, who was a daughter of Ed- ward and Mary (Stone) Barry.

Ernest Kinzer Speiden was born April 13, 1872, in Alarshall, Virginia, and attended the public schools of that place in early life. After leaving school he was employed for two years in a general store at Marshall, and in 1889 he went to New York City, where he obtained a position with the Inter- national Mercantile Marine Company, with which he continued for twenty-six years. From an hinnble position, Mr. Speiden rapidly rose to places of importance, and was some sixteen years in charge of the freight department of this great shipping establishment. He resigned this position. July 31, 1915, and is now assistant treasurer of Innis, Speiden & Company, importers and manufacturers of chemicals and dye stuffs, of New York. Mr. Speiden is a a member of the New York Traffic Club, the Merchants' Association, and the South- ern Society of New York City. In matters of national policy he acts with the Demo- cratic party, and is independent of organized influence in local concerns. He is a man of sound judgment, prompt action and settled conviction, and is amply qualified to fulfill the responsibilities that rest upon him. He married, in New York City, December 26, i8g8, Annie E. Summers, born in Montgom- ery county. Pennsylvania, daughter of John and Cecilia (Bilheimer) Summers.

John George Fleck. This 1)ranch of the Fleck family in Virginia was founded by George Michael Fleck, who died in Rich- mond in 1913. He was born in Witten- berg, Germany, in 1833, and when a boy of seventeen vears of age came to the United

States, remaining for a time in Philadelphia. Later he came to Virginia, locating in Rich- mond, where he engaged in manufacturing. He was also interested in agricultural oper- ations and was for several years United States collector of internal revenue. He was a supporter of the Confederate cause and during the war was one of the contrac- tcrs employed by the Confederate govern- ment, and also served as private in a Vir- ginia regiment. He married Sophia Chris- tina, daughter of Stephen Holtz, of Dats- bruck, Germany. From Virginia the sons of this marriage located in Philadelphia, where as Fleck Brothers they occupy a prominent position in the business world, a branch of their business being located in their native state.

John George Fleck, son of George Michael and Sophia Christina (Hotz) Fleck, was born in Richmond, Virginia, January 26, 1868. His early education was obtained in private schools in Richmond and Philadel- phia, his preparation having in view a col- lege course. He choose engineering as his profession and later entered Lehigh Univer- sity, whence he was graduated civil engi- neer, class of 1890. He devoted himself to his profession until 1895, then, in associa- tion with his brother, founded the firm of Fleck Brothers, wholesale dealers in plum- bers' materials. This business has been a most successful one and has spread far be- yond the original conception of its found- ers. Manufacturing has been added to their activities and large concerns in Reading, Baltimore and Norfolk are the outgrowth of the original Philadelphia house. J. G. Fleck is president of the Reading Foundry Company, a prosperous manufacturing cor- I)oration of Reading, Pennsylvania, vice- president of the Southern Supply Company, ot Baltimore, Maryland, and director of the Seaboard Company, of Norfolk, Virginia. He is thoroughly equipped technically for the position he fills, also possessing business and executive ability of high order. He is also a director of the Girard Avenue Title and Trust Company, of Philadelphia, and head of Fleck Brothers, No. 44-50 North F'ifth street, Philadeliihia. He is a member of several manufacturers' and business mens' associations, and is highly regarded by his associates. His clubs are the Lehigh and Cynwyd. In political thought he is strictly independent.