Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-08-06

ner Of the elder-day statesman. He
was adored by lawyers and reverencec
by nearly all who had dealings with him
on the bench or in the bar" In short
correspondence with one of his Lam
caster relatives. this description of him
IS clearly evidenced by the tone of his
letters. Although this family has been
ably represented in our several states,
IN legislative halls, in the pulpit and as
physicians, yet the forum seems to be
their chosen field. We are yet to learn
OF a Bishop, although there are few
Of these in our country who can claim
on the maternal side one or more of this
family.
Many young men Of this numerous
family have entered upon life's drama.
conspicuous for their tenacity to duty,
not hiding their eight under bushel. -
whose lights have been quenched as
quickly as a meteor's sudden flash.
Such was DR.. Philip Gresham, of
King & Queen county, Va, a brother
of Ex-Congressman Walter Gresham.
of Galveston, Texas. He had been but
short time appointed as surgeon in
the U. S. Army, when death suddenly
ended his useful young life.
Two brilliant young lawyers, brothers.
Walter r. and George S., sons of Mai.
Saml. Gresham, of Lancaster, Va =,
quickly followed each other to the grave.
Hon. Thomas Gresham, Common
wealth's Attorney, who lived in Essex.
was the father of gifted progeny; of
one OF them, DR.. Henry Gresham, it was
said by one equally as scholarly: "The
doctor is the most courtly and polished
man have ever seen."
Hons. James w. and Samuel Gresh
am, each serving his State in the Vir-
ginia Legislature, the latter ending his
long life as Commonwealth Attorney
for Lancaster county, Va, were called
David and Jonathan" so devoted
were the two cousins to each other.
Pop Castle" the lovely home OF the
former. situated on the Rappahannock,
was once the scene of many festive
gatherings. The home of the latter.
old and dilapidated now, has been in
possession of the Gresham family for
more than hundred years. In prox-
unity to this antiquated home is the
long stretch of land, which formerly
belonged to the Gordon's, who, moving
away from the Northern Neck" set
tied many years ago in Spotsylvania,
thence to Georgia, of whom General
John b. Gordon of Confederate fame
was descendant.
The first wife of Major Saml. Gresh-
am was a descendant of the Lancas-
ter county Gordons. Her great-grand-
father was one of General Washington s
staff officers. The second wife of
Major Samuel Gresham was one of the
gifted Dunaways. OF their several
sons, Col. John Chowning Gresham
deserves more than a passing notice.
He belongs to the 18th Calvary, u. S.
A, and left Fort Ethan Allen, Vt, in
October. 1905, for Manila. as Inspector
general. The following extract from
the Providence, r. l.. Journal, publish
ed several years ago, when he was a
Il
Captain, alludes to his active army
life thus:-''He is an honor to his
profession in more ways than one.
Several times his name has appeared in
the official register with commenda-
ton for bravery. In 1877 he was COM
mended for gallantry in action with the
Nez Perces Indians. This was in the
engagement at Canon Creek, Mon
tana. Again he was commended for
gallantry in action with the Sioux In
dians at White Clay Creek, in the Pine
Ridge troubles in 1890. Then Congress-
took note of his services, and for dis
tinguished gallantry shown in volunta-
rily leading troops into ravine to dis
lodge Indians in the action at Wounded
Knee, he was presented gold medal. :"
Then follows a long account of this Off
GERS successful yet laborious campaign
in the trail of the savages, ending
thus: Sew people know that he is an
authority quoted by military writer's.
OF the better known of his papers is