The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-01
SKETCHES OF THEIR LIVES.
virginia IL Proud of Such Records of Her
Sons whom She Honors.

Following are brief sketches OF the lives Of
the new Governor, Lieutenant Governor and
Attorney General:
Philip Watkins Mckinney was born at
New Store. Buckingham county, May |,
1882. his father being MIR. Charles Mckin-
ney. Young Mckinney graduated at
Hampden-sidney College, in the class OF
1851. and received the medal Of his society,
the Philanthropic, as its best DICTATOR. This
was the first time the honor had been given
in the history Of the college or Of the society,
and never has il been more wOrthily given
since. He weat from IIampden-Sidney 10
Washington College, now Washington and
Lee University, and prepared himself for
the practice Of the law under the
guidance Of that grand old gentle
man and accomplished jurist, Judge
BrOckenbrOugh. Having been furnished for
the fight, he returned TO the home field and
at once gained the confidence OF his and has
fathers friends, and was, finally, estab-
lished in n lucrative law business. At that
time he was an earnest Wing. and when
some one was needed TO cross lances with
W. Il. Shepherd, an aspiring young Demo
cratic lawyer. and 10 contest with him for
a seat in the Legislature, all eyes
turned 10 Mckinney, and the banner
was given him 10 bear. Those who re-
member the fight spoke in glowing terms
Of his gallantrv and courage ana
his ability. During the canvass he
was often pitted against the Hon. L. W.
HUBBARD, the father Of the present senator
from that county, who was then mature
and very able man and strong and attrac-
tive public speaker. The contest was notify
waged. and though the county was close
one. Shepherd having represented in the
session previous, Mckinney was elected by
decided majority. In the Legislature, as in
college and in his county, he was soon re-
cognized as man of mark, and stood in
line with such men as James Barbour
James l.. kemper and other worthless Of
that day.
When Virginia severed her connection
with the Union her son went with her, not
that he loved the Union less, but his mother
state more. AS captain Of troop of cav
airy raised in bis native county, and chiefly
through his own eXertiOns. he did splendid
service in the field until disabling wound.
received in the forefront of battle, rendered
him unft-for 1lsFtfrr- duty there, and he
was. after that and until the close OF the
struggle, doing all that his crippled condi-
ton would permit Of 10 promote the success
of cause which was very near TO nm.
At the close Of the war he made Farmyllle
his home. and soon gained front rank at the
bar and enyiable place in the confidence
and love of all who knew him.
His practice grew rapidly, and soon be-,
came an absorbing one. lie was connected
with well nigh every case of Importance IN
this and adjoining counties, and II was not
long before his reputation as advocate
reached other States. and he was frequently
sent for to take leading part in prominent
causes there as well as at home. Since 1863
until now he has been an active participant,
an earnest worker, an effective canyasser
i'm every campaign which has been waged.
Once only has he worked for himself, while
working for his party, and then when he ran
on the ticket with Major John W. Daniel.
and received more than one thousand more
votes than even that gifted and popular son
Of the Commonwealth.
Accomplished as scholar able as adyO-
cate, giant in forensic contests, he stands
without "A peer in the social world. 1t is
literally true of him, ''nOne know him but
10 love-" Captain Mckinney married in
early life Miss Christian, from Tidewater
Virginia. and from the union there was
born one child, son, now matured man,
doing good service and winning enviable
reputation in the geological service OF the
country. Mrs. Mckinney lived but a few
years after marriage, and the subject Of
this sketch remained a widOwer until few
wears since, when he married Miss Anna
Lyle, the only daughter of the late DR..
James Lyle who spent long and hOnOred
life in the town Of Farmyille, and was re-
cOgnized as the leading physician of south
side Virginia. Captain and Mrs. Mckin-
ney have as their home a charming cottage
in Farmyille, rendered attractive to them
by 'al creature comforts" and desirable
luXuries. the pretty presence and the pratt
tie of frankie, q charmingmiss OF two sum
mers, and to others by the generous hcspi-
tally, the cordial welcome, the cultivated
seciety of most delightful host and
| hostess.
LIEUTENANT-GOYERNO TYLER.
james Hoge Tyler was born August II.
1916, i'm Caroline county. His father is the
Hon. George Tyler, former representative
of Caroline county, his mother being the
only daughter of General James Hoge, of
| Pulaski. In 1868, when only seventeen
gears old, he left the schOol-rOOm for the
ranks of the Confederate army, where be-
was always, as ever, at the post Of duty.
Returning TO his home after the surrender,
he found his farm devastated. worn, and
encountered 10y debt; but a boy in years, he
| proved himself man in energy and bust
/ ness capacity, and soon he had his farm
well stocked and was on the road to pros
perity. Acquiescng in the results Of the
war, he accepted the consequences with
good grace and cheerful spirit. lie
believed that the old masters owed it
TO their State and former slaves to
make of the latter as good citizens as
possible, and he divided with his SER
wants every cents worth Of property
left on his farm, issuing TO each one
supplies until a crop was made. He did not
stop at providing for their bodily wants. but
erected ON his place the first church built for
colored people in the south, and he secured
q competent teacher for them several years
before the public schools were organized.
His old servants are with him yet. In 1871
be was elected 10 the State Senate, where
he proved himself Jealous supporter of all
the interests of the people. lie was a lead
ing and earnest advocate Of the reirench-
ment measures of that session and won
honorable distinction. being the author and
| faithful advocate of the bill making a hOri-
zOntal reduction in the expenses of the
State Of twenty per cent. He has all his life
been prominently identified with all mea-
sures for the promotion of the agricultural
lists. Major Tyler has labored i'm
every canvass, State and national
since be arrived at maturity. lie
has been rector Of the Virginia Agricul-
tural and Mechanical College, at Blacks
burg, and did much hard work for its I'M
proyement and reorganization. lie is a