The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-08-18
Mr.. Arvin, OF Lunenburg.

Hon. T.. j. Arvin, who represents the
Fourth District, is sixtytw years Of
age, and is a native of Lunenburg
county. He entered the Confederate
Army at the age of seventeen, enlisting
In the Fourth Squadron of the Ninth
Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Cen
eral w. Fl. +. Lee, who was then major,
and latterly by General Stith Boiling.
This squadron Of cavalry was the first
OF the sharpshooters organized by Gen
eral j. e. B. Stuart for that branch
Of service in Virginia, and was selected
by General Stuart, with the balance
OF the Ninth Cavalry, to make his ia
nous raid around McClellan's army
when threatening Richmond. Mr.. Ar
vim participated in many Of the hard
fought battles in which this noted
command was engaged. having had his
horse killed from under him near Gull
pepper Courthouse in the fall of 1863.
he was detailed as special courier for
General r. 2. Lee in the spring OF
1864, and served in that capacity dur
ing the memorable campaign of the
Wilderness.
MIR. Arvin has ever felt keen in
terest in the political welfare of his
county, and 1t would be safe to saw
chat no Democrat has ever devoted
moro time or spent a greater por-
ton OF his means for his party's sue
Cess than he. While he was county
chairman of his party. Lunenberg was
the trst county in what is known as
the black belt" to break away from
Republican rule. electing the Hon. 70.
Z. Venable to Congress from the Fourth
Congressional District. Mr.. Arvin de-
serVedly bears the distinction of being
largely instrumental In making this
district Democratic, after long siege
" republican rule. Mr.. Arvin has
necn uctuated by purely patriotic mo-
ives IN al OF his political career,
iiaVihs Always declined political pre-
| ferment.
lie Is successful and progressive
farmer and exerts much influence in the
AFFAIRS of his county.
MIR, Arvin was appointed unon ~.
board by Governor Swanson in Marnh
OF this year. He Is a member M tha
lest Farm Committees
| MIR. barker, Of Henry.
hon. ]. M. Bar-.er, of Henry county
IN me Fifth District. Is In every re-.
spect self-made man, having from
small beginning worked his wav IN
un.4 to-day ne Is one of the larges,
| soDASeo SfoWerS IN Virginia. There
Is perhaps no man in tho State WIN,
mas more thorough knowledge q
the growing of tobacco, or Is NOR,
expert In judging the quality of tn,
} Leaf. than Mr.. Barker He is an au
thority upon both. and members of III
board have seen him go into a to
bacco warehouse in Danville and tel
l. within q fraction of q cent what eacl
pile Of tobacco would bring when
was auctoned a few minutes later.
When the test farm at SAKE wa
$ secured by the board Mr.. Barker wa
made chairman OF the committee hay
I Ing the direction of this experimental
station. and he has continued eve
2 since In his position upon this com
@ lnittee. He has always taken great in
terest IN the test FARM and when
y substantial and, up-to~dute barn wa
II erected on the farm. Mr.. Barke
planned the structure and supervise
a its construction.
o Mr. Barker has held sovsral posi
l. ticns OF trust in his county. He ia
q been a member of the board of supe,
y Y!sors for sixteen years, and for te
- years has bean its chairman, Cove,
! Eot ISler appointed him a member {