Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-04-01
Alexandria's Postmasters.

There were no formalltles. Last night
Mai. W. W. Herbert, who has acceptably
and efficiently held the position for the past
five years, turned the Office over to Mr.. Ag-
new after settling all the accounts and TAX
ing 1.-THE proper receipts. Mr.. Agnew, as
stated Yesterday, will make no changes in
the Office for the present. He will begin at
once familiarizing himself with the Office
and Its duties, and when he finds that the
business of the Office will not suffer by
change and the public will not be inconve
nienced thereby, ne may remove soma OF
the clerks employed there and appoint 9TH
ers In their places. Mr.. Thomas Burroughs,
who has served as assistant postmaster for
number of years, will be retained In bis old
position.
The change just made in the postofice in
this city Ia the fifteenth that has been made
since the postoffice here ceased to be under
the control of the British Crown. The mail
began TO pass this section ss early az 1870,
out there was no mail system until halt
century after that date. The following are
ali the postmasters that have served here
since 1776:
Robert McCfea, 1776 to 1898, was the sor
of one of the first settlers of the town, who
had been postal agent under the colonial
mail system. He died In 1898. He was a
merchant and carried.on business here be-
fore the opening of the present century
John McCrea, March 20, 1898. to 1901
He was the son of the last named and re.
ceived his appointment from President
Washington.
DR.. George W. Craik, January /, 1901 to
| 1909. was the son of Dr. James Craik, who
accom- panied Col. Washington to the disas.
trous defeat OF Braddock. He was the ply
stefan of Mount Vernon. being first sent for
| at the last illness OF Washington, and re-
naming to the end. DR.. @. W. Craik served
during the entire term of MIR. Jetferson's
administration.
Col. George Gilpin, January l, 1909, to
1914, was postmaster during the administra'
ton of President Madison. He had been an
honorary aide to Washington when be was
appointed commander in.chief for the war
with France. He was fer many years the
surveyor of the town.
Thomas P. Gipin, January l, 1914, to
June 10th, 1914, filled the vacancy short
time only.
Josiah Watson, Juae 16. 1914, to 1921
Mr.. Watson was appointed by Mr.. Madison
He was prominent citizen ofvenerable ap
pearance and many of his descendants are
now residents of Washington city.
Dantel Bryan was appointed by President
Monroe April l, 1921 and served till 1858
Mr.. Bryan began life az the teacher of s
school in the Valley of Virginia. He mar.
red daughter of Hon. Philip P. Barbour.
He was known here as quiet citizan, 8
gentleman of leisure, devoted to literature
He held the office duriog the administrations
of Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson
VanBurep, Harrison, Tyler, Polk, Taylor
and Fillmore.
Turner W. Ashby, March 1858, to 1861 :
Major Ashby was native of Fauquier, blu!
for many years was engaged in the dry
goods business In this city. he was chosen
| lieutenant of the Alexandria Company
| Capt M. D. Corset of Col. Hamtranck's
Virginia regiment in the Mexican war. In
1861 he resigned his position and lefa Alex
audria when it was occupied by the Federal
troops.
VIM. D. Massey, May %, 1861 to 1870, was
prominent as whig, and was afterwards q
leading member of the American" party.
He served in toe General Assembly of the
State, the City Council and as Mayor. AT
ter the secession of the State he adhered to
the Union and was appointed postmaster by
Mr. Lincoln. He died in 1870
Nicholas p Trist, July 8. 1870. until 1874
wis resident of New Jersey. He had been
Assistant Secretary of State, and bad negoti-
aled the treaty of Gaudaloupe Hidalgo, By
which New Mexico and California were
coded to the United States. He died here
in 1874
VIM. N. Berkeley March 3. 1874, to 1875
Mr.. Berkeley had been for many years dry
goods merchant, He was union man after
| oaoauojop op6 nos ohncap lIounr ohnrt IN %
close of the war and reelected after the mill
tary had left the city. defeating the conserv
| alive candidate. On the death of Mr. Trist
ne was selected by Gen. Grant to fill the po.
| siton of postmaster.
Lewis Mckenzie, 1878 to 1882, is a native
of Alexandria; born and bred here. He was
whig and adhered to the Union after the
State had seeded. He has been Council
man, Alderman, Chief Justice of the County
Court, Mayor, Brigadier General of Militia,
member of Congress and president of the
Washington & Ohio Railroad
David A. Windsor, 1882 to 1885. Mr.. Wind
sor is a successful business man, and for some
years past has been engaged in extensive building
operations in Washington, in connection with his
brick works, situated near that city. For mum.
Der of years past he has taken prominent part
in republican politics in this city and was an ar.
dent supporter of General Malone, throus Ii whose
influence he was appointed postmaster
w. w. Herbert, 1885 to 1890. Major Herbert
served in tho confederate service during the war
after which he returned to this city and engaged
in mercantile pursuits till he was appointed post
master. He served in the City Council and was
candidate for the Msyoralty in the democratic
primary which nominated Mr.. ]. T. Beckham.
Major Herbert has made faithful and efficient
po;tmaster, and during his term the free delivery
System was established in this city.
Park Agnew is native of Cumberland, Md,
but came to this city when child. He has been
actively engaged in business since he became
man, and has been foremost in many enterprises
that have been started to advance the prosperity
of tho city. He has bsen a member OF the Board
of Aldermen for the past two years and Was the re-
publican candidate for Congress from this district
at the last election.
The WEATHER For APRIL-The monthly re-
port of the Hydrog raphc Office is out. ] he
r r