Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1908-01-02
City'S Oldest Inhabitants.


City'S Oldest Inhabitants.
Under the above heading the Char
lotte Observer of yesterday contains
the following tribute to native Wayne
county man, long a respected resident
of Charlotte, the late venerable 1ather
of Nj rs. w. R. Holfowe1 of this city:
''After lingering illness extending
over several years, Capt. T. l.. Vail
died last night at 10 o'clock at his
home on Louise avenue, Piedmont
Park. The funeral services will be con-
Quoted this morning at IL o'clock, the
procession starting from the home at 9
o'clock for Providence church, where
the services will be conducted and the
inter nent made. Captain Vail was
one of the most influential and wealth.
lest citizens of the community, a man
of in tegrity, uprightness and charac-
ter.
'"rhomas Lodwink Vail was born in
Way ne county September goth, 1927.
His father was Burners Whedbee Vail,
~
her marriage was Miss Mary Sue AL
ford. daughter Of Lodwink Afford
and Mary Hall. Captain Wallis people
were from New England and of English
extraction. He himself was 16 years
of age when his father died, leaving
him the only support Of his mother
and sisters. These cares took him
from school before his education was
com lsleted. Professor Cowan, an Irish
scholar of high standing. was his princi-
pal instructor.
SIN May, 1850, Captain Vail married
Miss S. J. Person, of Greene county.
He then moved to Columbus county,
where he engaged in the turpentine
business, lin which he was very success
full. In 1859 he returned to Greene
county. While resident of Columbus
he was elected clerk of the Superior
Court.
''This office he held from August,
1853, to January, 1859. He received
the Democratic nomination for Con-
gress in this district, but declined on
account OF pressure of business. At
the beginning of the civil war Captain
Vail enlisted at once and was made
first lieutenant of Company II, First
North Carolina Cavalry. He was in
active service, his first engagement be-
ing at the battle of Dranesville. He
took part in the fight around Richmond
and was with Stewart in his famous
march around McClelland. Owing to
ill health he resigned his commission.
It was rheumatism with which he
suffered.
''In January, 1868, Captain Vail Wis
ted Meek enburg county, where he
purchased tract Of land from Mr.. Mac
Matthews. He made his home until
1872 in the country, when he moved to
Charlotte and was made cashier of the
Farmers Savings Bank. This institu-
ton merged into the Traders National
Bank, with Mr.. Vail as cashier. In
1883 it went into liquidation, Mr.. Vail
settling up the business.
''In 1868 Captain Vail was elected
and commissioned by Camby's military
government as county com missioner
for Mecklenburg county. During his
long service, extending over nearly 80
years with one intermission, he was
chairman of the Board OF County Com
.missioners. Captain Vail was appoint
ed by the governor to represent the
State at a number of road congresses
While he was chairman of the Board of
County Commissioners.
Captain Wallis family consists of his
wife, four daughters and son. For
nearly fifty years he has been COM
municant of the Baptist church and he
was man of influence in the affairs of
his church while active in life. Until
few years ago Captain Vail lived on
East avenue and then he removed to a
large plantation in the rear of Elizabeth
College, where he has received the
kindness and consideration in his de-
clining years from his faithful family.
In his decease this county loses one of
it's most progressive citizens, one who
devoted years of his life to its unbuild-
ing"
GA - To7IA.
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