Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-01
A VIRGINIA FAMILY
Four Brothers Members of the
Same Congress.
VIM. &. Claiborne, OF Louisiana. John
+. IL. Claiborne, of Mis,is.ippi,
Thomas IL. C.niboruc, of Tennrs-
see, nnd Nashanioi II. Claiborne,
Of Virginia.

Among the recent visitors to the City
by the Sea was Judge Thomas B. Clai-
borne. formerly of Franklin County
Court now of Roanoke. the Magic
City Of the Southwest" He spent three
days in Norfolk. having at prcvious
periods of his siNty-sevcn years OF life
visited every other city of Importance
in the United States. He came here to
see our city its navy-yard, naval and
nearby seaside resorts. Fortress Mon
roe. etc. bat says that. although he re-
maincd here three days, he never sue
cceded in getting away from Main
street. Nc will enter upon n sixly days
vacation shortly and expects to return
and complete his inspection of our town
which. he declares. is destined to be the
future metropolis OF the south Atlantic
staten.
Judge Claiborne is n somewhat unique
character In politics n is Il Republi
can. having canvassed the ,southwost
section Of the State for David y. Wells,
| Robert w. Hughes ANA other Republi-
9can candidates for Cubcrnatorial hon
1rs. He has represented Franklin his
native county. in the General Assembly,
served his county as Judge ard is IL
member OF one of the most distinguish
cd families of Virginia. now reduced TO
very Few members.
\ BIT OF HISTORY.
The history-of the Claiborne family
IS interesting and il parallel by only
one either family in the history of ih..
United States. if at ali ludgn Ciai-
bo:ne'S father represented what is now
known as the Fifth Congressional Dis
trict in the House of Representa,iv
for fourteen wears and during his in.
cumbency had the honor OF serving in
Congress with three of his brothers,
namely. Hon. VIM. &. G.. Claib rne tho
first Governor Of Louisiana after its ad-
mission to the Union rs "A state. and
its .rst United States Senator: Hon.
John +. II. Claiborne of Mississippi.
ana Colonel Thomas II. Claibornc. Of
Tennessee. the two last mentioned in
the House of Representatives.
John i. II. Claiborne. of Mississippi.
beat the celebrated Sargent S. Prentis
Tor Congress, and the speech of the lat
ter in defense of his claim to n seat
in the House, is said to have rarely
been cqualed for it's logic. wit ana
cloQrence.
Ii memory serves this writer cor.
rectly four OF the Washburn brothers
were in Congress together
GENERAL EARLY'S PRECEPToR.
Judge Claibornc's father Hon. Nath-
aniel ii. Claiborne. had Jubal A. Early.
who in after years became famous as
confederate general, app inted n
cadet N West Point, and aided him in
various ways. In after years Early
studied law in Mr. Claiborne's Office
aud boarded. or rather lived. with tba
family as n member. In sin latcr
years. IN fact during the Malone re-
Eiinc in Virginia politics. Thomas H.
CHllDprnc became Il candidate be for..
/ the legislature for the Judgoshp Il
| Franklin county. and Early preferred
! the charge of dishonesty at the card
table. Claiborne admitted his predelic-
non Tor cards. oxtolled Early's bravery
in two wars and, in Il eoeoch. that is
/ wen remembered by those who heard
/ ~ related what his father had d no
| Tor harly, then poor. comparatively
! irlendlcss youth OF Franklin. and d.
cared mat Of all men he Glarly) was
me last who ought To attcinni to stab
a child OF Nat. Claiborne. Early has
been gathered to his fathers. and Judc..
| Claiborne, in speaking of this circuIn-
| stance. pays high tribute to the var
fior bravery and devotion to Virginia
| and the Southland
NAT. CLAIBORNE'S CHILDREN.
Hon Nathaniel Claiborne left n largo
FAMILY. including several daughters.
! VINO were rcigning bellies in their day
married happily and. with one or two
exceptions. have passed away, leaving
chlidren in whose memory they live.
Of the boys. Nathaniel RI. and James;
r.. removed 10 st. Louis. The first
mentioned died two years; ago, after
ht,aining prominence in the practice OF
law, jim" an serving the city
torney. was maa3 Judge Of the he { Court Mr
OF Criminal Correction, which position
ne now holds. He came within three
votes OF defeating Governor Francis for
me nomination and. it is understood
wIlI De n candidate before the next
Democratic Guberna torial convsnti,n