Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-02-09
SURVIVING ALUMNI
OF THE old v. N. |.
Twelve Living Members of First
Eight Classes
VENERABLE, HISTORIC RECORD
More Than Six Thousand Graduates
and EleveS

and Eleves
The following communication
from Mr.. Joseph r. Anderson of
Goochland county, who is president
of the V. M. l. Alumni Association
and editor of THE V. NJ. l. Biog-
rapby," appeared in a recent issue
Of the Norfolk Landmark:
To the Editor of the Landmark, Nor
folk, Virginia:
Sir-In the sketch of the late Rev.
Robert Gatewood which appeared
recently in your paper land others),
it was said that he was the ''ol lest
living alumnus" of the Virginia
Military Institute, at the time of his
lamented death.
This statement is erroneous. There
are eleven older graduates, besides
several other alumni.
Mr.. Gatewood's class was gradu-
ated in 1S49. OF the class of 1912
(the first class graduated), DIR. o.
NJ. Knight is still living at his old
home near Oliveville, in Nottoway
county. Virginia, having nearly
reached his ninetieth year.
When the war began he was es-
tablished in a large practice in his
native county. This he relinquish-
ed at the first call of his beloved
Virginia and raised a company of
artillery which he commanded with
great gallantry. After the war he
resumed his profession Gas well as
his occupation of farming) which he
pursued unremittingly until a few
years ago.
OF the class of 1914, Colonel
George A. Porterfeld is still living
at his old home, Charles Town.
West Virginia, and is wonderfully
vigorous, both physically and men,
tally.
He was brave officer in both the
Mexican and Confederate wars.
OF the class of 1915, Major J. B.
Sherrard is living with his son.
Colonel D. G. Sherrard(also a grad
uate of the V. M. ~ at Barnett
Texas. Major Sherrard is a native
of Hampshire county, West Virgin
ia, but has never allowed himself to
be called West Virginian. The
Southern Confederacy had no more
devoted champion than this brave
old major Of the 18th Virginia In
fantry.
OF the class of 1916. DR.. G. W.
Bruce, formerly of Winchester,
Virginia,) is living at Moundsville,
W. Va. His neighbours write me
there was never a better citizen or
a more beloved physician than ne.
He has lived at Moundsville ever
since his graduation.
OF the class of 1847, there are two
survivors, namely. John Y. Page,
Esq, of Berryville, Virginia, law
yer and scholar; and Hon. John G.
Moncure, Confederate colonel, and
afterwards Treasurer of the State
of Louisiana. and later Judge of her
Supreme Court; he lives at Shreve-
port, and only few months ago
visited his old home in Virginia.
Judge MOncure is worthy son of
his sire, the learned and beloved
president of Virginia's highest
court for so many years.
Of the class of 1S4S, there are five
survivors, namely, Professor Step
hen T. Pendleton of Richmond,
Virginia, famous for half a century
as teacher in Richmond.
Colonel William H. Pryor, now of
Charlottesville, Virginia, a distin-
guished civil engineer and Confede-
rate fighter (now on a visit to his
daughter in your city,
Colonel Norborne Berkeley OF
Waterfall, Prince William county,
Virginia, member of convention of
1861. and the famous commander Of
the Eight Virginia Infantry G. S..
(the Berkeley Regiment. Tin which
the four senior officers we're broth
ers.)
Colonel Nat. Tyler. now of Wash
ington, D. c., the veteran ante abel