The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-12-28
Death of L. D. Crenshaw.

beaCn OF, Ia, -. CTGuSndW.
LkwIs D. CnRssHAw. Esq, one of the best
known and most en,erprising Men in Rich.
mond, died at bis residence, in this city, yes
serd.y afternoon, after a long period of de.
Ginning health. In the ffty.Dinth year Of bis
agc. For nearly forty years he had been
first merchant, aud then a manufacturer, In
tie city of Richmond. He was the eldest
son of the late SPoTswooD D. CREN-
SHAW, one Of the most remarkable
men of his day; noted for his ga
gaeily, industry, and good nature. he en-
b.rked in business life in this city In the
early part of this century as keeper OF the
Columbian Hotel, which had a great popu-
larity in a wide section of country amongst
gentlemen who in those times came to the
city on horseback, there being neither
riilways nor steamboats,, and stages
oply upon very few routes. MIR.
CREssnAw's large, manly hand was cor
daily grasped and as cordially given
to, his many friends, whom be enter
tanned with sort of home-like hospitality
that WIS most agreeable in those days. He
ulti mately became the proprietor Of the CO.
Ia mbian Hotel, and retired to private life, bis
m cans being ample. He raised four sons
who became enterprising businessmen, and
Of these, as said above. Dir. LEWIS u. CREN'
SHAW vas the eldest. The venerable father
died, at ripe age, without AN enemy.
The subject of this notice embarked ~
bust NESS when Richmond took rapid start
in prosperity from the completion OF the
canal TO Lynchburg, and be soon became the
aiding merchant in the lucrative business
with Southwestern Virginia. His euterpris.
ing disposition afterwards led him into mat
uiac'urirg.
10 1853 be built The Clenshaw flour mills,
and commenced the manufacture OF hour.
! His brand soon won an excellent reputation
| il foreign markets. The mills were located
on the canal Just above the Tredegar Works.
Mr.. GEORGE d. FISHER was member Of the
| firm o; GRESHAM & Fisher, conducting these
mills
In 1858 Mr.. GRESHAM became partner in
t he HaXall mills, and under the arrangement
py which he entered that establishment OF
" orlG-wid reputation the Crenshaw mills
di sconinued the manufacture Of -four, and
the building was converted into woolen
mill, where large amount OF Confederate
gray was manufactured. /; was noted for
making cloth of unsurpassed excellence.
I pat valuable mandatory was burned in
| SG3, and BIZ. CRLNSHAw afterwards confined
hi nsclr TO the business Of the HaXail mills,
in which he was Il valued partner.
Dir. GRESHAM was one of the enterpris.
Ing owners of the line Of vessels from Rich.
III end 10 Rio, which just before the war was
of immense advantage to Richmond in en-
lar2ing and enriching her foreign trade.
TOis grand enterprise for Richmond was de-
st royed by the war, and but IL partial fort
a vet has bees made to revive it. In 1860
Mr. CRENsHAw built the SpotSWood Hotel,
which had a aourishing career. 1t was
bl rLed on the Oath of December, 1870, and
eight persons persisted in the flames.
lie Ell barked in business at a very early age
when he bad barely reached his majority
and commanded degree of confidence and
nsidcration amongst merchants quite
in advance of his time of life.
lie maintained apparently very good
health during his prolonged career Of
&C. ivity in business, and only showed signs
0! impaired health some eighteen months
Slice. From that time he rallied only par.
TALLY during part of the last summer, and,
relapsug afterwards, be declined rapidly and
decidedly, so that bis family and friends were
p r, pal ed for bis death.
lie psrstvercd in bis pursuits with I'M
varying industry and promptness, maintain
ing ever reputation for business probity
and honor altogether above reprosch. His
man ncr was gentle and his disposition kind.
He was held in the highest esteem both as q
merchant and a neigbbor, and Richmond
sus lains serious loss in bis death.
His private relations as husband and
father We're of the most exemplary nature,
and be goes to the grave with an unblem-
ished character.