Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-07-25
Death of Gen. williams C. Wiekham.

The announcement of the death of Cen
eral Williams Carter Wickham was receiv-
ed in this city on the afternoon of the 23rd
instant, few minutes after its occurrence,
which was suddenly in his office in Rich
mond at 30 P. NJ, in the Goth year of his
age.
General Wickham was the son of the
late of William F. Wickham, of Hanover,
and grandson of John Wickham. distin-
guished member of the legal profession,
and one of the counsel for Aaron Burr
He was graduated from the University of
Va, and prepared himself for the practice
of law, from which he early withdrew to
| assume the care of extensive farms in Han
over and King William counties He was
an ardent Wing, and zealously espoused
the principles of that party, and was one of
its foremost champions on the Hastings and
among the people generally, with whom he
was very popular. His first candidacy was
for the Senate in 1859. The district was
composed of Hanover and Henrico coun-
ties, and was represented the previous term
by Chastain White, a popular and influen-
t1al democrat. Wickham was returned by
large majority. Serving in the Senate at
that time were Stuart Alex. Rives, Neeson,
Brannon, johnson, Armstrong, Joseph
Christian, and many other distinguished
men with whom he at once took rank in
the deliberations of that body.
When the call was made for convention
to take into consideration the affairs of the
State, growing out of the condition of the
country in 1S60-'61, he was elected men,
Der from Henrico county, though he resided
in Hanover, over DR.. Jno. R. Garnett, a
distinguished citizen of Hanover, and, like
Mr.. Stuart the Senator from Augusta, was
a member Of both bodies, the legislature
and the Convention, which dissolved the
relations of the State to the Federal Union.
In that body he was conservative in his
views, aud opposed secession as long as there
was any hope for a settlement of the
TROUBLES sweeping over the country.
I During 1860, the Hanover Troop was or
ganized and he was its first commanding
officer, winning his first military distinction,
as such, shortly after hostilities commenc.
ed. He rose rapidly to the rank of colonel
of the fourth Virginia Cavalry and to the
command of Brigade in FItz Lees divis-
ion. He was once or oftener severely
wounded. For bravery and leadership in
the army no officer of his rank stood higher.
He was elected to the Confederate Congress
in 1864, but did not relinquish his commits
sion or service at the head of his brigade in
the field.
1t was not long after the people had an
opportunity to return to the pursuits OF
peace before he was called to the chief
management of the Chesapeake il Ohio
railway then the Virginia Central railroad,
where he has continued with an occasional
variance of service till death closed his life,
and at the same time serving as a member
of the State Senate from the district of
Caroline and Hanover, to which position he
was twice called by the action of the entire
Democratic party in the district as we'll as
large number Of Republicans with whom
he conceded more than with Democrats in
Federal politics. Able, honest, brave and
true, he was born leader of men and in
all things he ever sought the good of his
State and the prosperity and happiness of
his people. ~ the Virginia Legislature,
in the affairs of the Chesapeake s. Ohio
railway, over which he was So constant in
watchfulness, and in kindness to its hun
dreds of employees to whom his death is a
sore affection, to Richmond, his State, and
all her interests, his loss creates great
void.
The public loss is great indeed, but the
affection which deprives family and
friends Of such head and counsellor is
beyond comprehension.
The body of the deceased was embalmed
and conveyed in the afternoon to bis late
residence in Hanover. There we've large
gatherings of the people at the depot in
Richmond, along che route, and at the
point where the remains were taken from
the train, all manifesting the deepest sor-
row.
All the depots on the extended line Of
railway are draped in mourning, and in
this city the employees express the sad
feelings which pervade the line from the
sea coast to it's western extremity.
General Wickham married the daughter
of John Taylor, of Caroline, an eminent
writer in his day On agricultural and politi
cal economy. Mrs. Wickham and three
children, Henry t., prominent lawyer,
William f., and Mrs. Annie Renshaw, sur
vive him. The Richmond papers of yester-
day did not contain the announcement OF
the time for the obsequies.
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