Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-05-12


From Frank Lesi;s'S (N. ~ Chint,,cu Corner.
HON. LEWIS hcEENZIE,
lLeading Merchant Of Alcxandra, Virginia. !
Lewis Mckenzie was born in Alexandria,
Va, October, lSl0-ths son of Scotch High
lander who emigratca 70 America sh orty after
the Revolutionary war, and settled in Virginia.
This scion Of tic Mackenzie clan became
ruamoured OF one Of those sweet, pcachy faced
girls SO numerous in the Old Dominion. But
the parents Of the young lady forbade the bans
They couldn't get married in Virginia or Mary
land. No smiling and inviting Grctna Green
was in Wow. What was to he done?
Being shipmaster, Captain Mckenzie
readily conceived plan to remove all obstacles :;
and that was to get married on neutral
ground, or rather. waters. 1t was arranged
that clergyman should be on board and the
young lady, being previously notified, 90.
aboard, and Immediately the ship weighed
anchor" When the Lexington (owncd and
commanded by Captain Mckenzie) was mid
Putomar River, opposite Alexandria, the lovers
l7o7, under the flag Of the Union The min
istcr was sent ashore in Il boat, and the young
couple went sailing over the seas Or the hap.
py but brief union, the boy Lewis was one of
the children.
The war of 1872 breaking out between the
States and the mother country, Captain Nc
kepzic like many othcrs) lost his ail--scvcral
sailing vessels lie shortly attcrward died
This Wa, terrible blow and stroke OF mis-
fortune to the then only boy OF thirteen, with
meagrc English education He had made
up his mind what to do SO, Que fine morn
ing, he sailed forth in quest Of employment
His many earnest and anxious inquiries were
met with but poor encouragement. But
atumbling into the counting room Of Fowe T.
Go--who NAV be regarded as one Of the old
land marks, OF AIexandria-hc Was more
l,rtuna,c. Being iavorabIy impressed with
desiring to encourage him III the iaudablc
enicavcr to aid his family, they gave him
employment and they found willing, ready
hands to do it, The youth served his en-
rloycrS faithfully; winning the confidence, Lot
only Of the firm, but commanding the respect
of all who had business transactions with li
His struggles against poverty and want were
gradually overcome by the frugal iorethought
OF saving all his loose CHANGE which count
cd up wonderfully, in the long run.
Young Mckenzie entered the counting
room OF Messrs. Fowlc 4 Co.. Alexandria,
Va, in the year S:13, and remained in their
=,
as Ctfice and crrand boy next, as clerk and
lastly, as book keeper and cashier.
The boy became an experienced man OF bps-
ness, and Ire now thought it time to venture
out into the busy marts OF trade tor himself.
lie left his old employers in 1928, and went
regularly into the commission business, the
style of the concern being Lambert 4 Mcken-
zic. Fer twenty years the firm continued iii
business, prospcrcd and grew, as did the CITY OF
Alexandria, only somewhat faster. The copart-
nership dissolved in 1852, Mr.. Mckenzie SUE
ccedng Tie trm on his own account, and has
been ever since actively engaged IL -dding to
his well-carncd fortune, OF WhCh he Is the sole
architect
In all the walks of lie he has been true
man-truc to himself, and true to others ana
his fellow, men have given him repeated and
unmistakahc evidence Of their respect aud con-
idencc. lie succcssivcy represented the r'ty
Of Alexandria in the General Assembly OF Elr.
ginil, for several years.
He is the friend and strong advocate OF all
internal improvements in the State the oll2l'
nator ard author of the tree banking system III
Virginia the prime mover and author OF thc
rctraccssion OF Alexandria to the State OF Flr-
pinia. lie now fills four important Offices OF
trust. lie has been presiding magistrate OF
Alexandria Tor the past eight years For sew
cral years Mr. Mckenzie has bScn annually re-
elected President OF the Alexandria, L1udoun
and Hampshire railroad, and under his judi.
,ious management the company has been Ell
abed to extend its operations and usefulness,
by constructing branch road. lie is also Pres
idcnt ct the First National Bank OF Alexandria,
and the financial success Of that institution has
demonstrated the wisdom OF Ills selection to
The responsible position. lie is also member
nt tho (itv Council OF Alexandria.
Last summer, his fellow cltlzcnS gave hun an,
other substantial token ut their regard and
confidence, by running him as an independent
Republican for Congress, in opposition to the
regular nominee. and he was elected by an over
wbclming majority. He is now one OF the
working members of Compress, being IN the
committee rooms by nine o'cloc>: IN the morn
ing, ready Ior business.
Though sixty years OF aye, Mr. Mackcrzic !:
rs active and as brisk rs 4 man OF 'orty. llt
is aiways in hurry about some business OF nj:
own. or somebody else 's-morc likely the latter
ard no man with the asthma can keep up witt
him, walking, while about i. Being blessed
with q GOOD constitution, temperate hatlts, arc
q goca digestion, an arli@hlc IIjpo3lt.on and
sxubcrant low OF spirits, he Is man TO o'
cnvied as we'll as commended.
lie is one of tho most charitable OF men ht
has nod and smi!c Tor every one nc meets
and kind word of announcement ior all WIG
come to him for advice.
sSOn SALE LUW-A desirable MAkh FL
/ FARM in Alexandria Co., II mules IRON
Washington city, on good road icaoins u