Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-08-03
WALTER GRAY DUNNINGTON.
PROMINENT TOBACCONIST DIES


iSn"cia, TO The Times D!spatchl
fARMNILLE. VA. Aug after
an illness "f several months. Walter
Cray DUnnington passed away last
n!sht ~ his home. Popular Hill."
near Farmvllle. all Of his family be-
irg with him. except one son. Dr. ].
II bennington. az Sew York city.
Nj. Huntington was for many years
ono Of the most promincn, tobaccon-
iS's In the entire South { He was
born IN Farmv!lla. February IL, 1894.
He was tho son OF James W. Dun
n!nEton and Sal!!c \. Madison. The
home In which h. was born has long
since been removed. but was situated
on a lot adjoining that now occupied
by the residence OF Mrs. Kate Wall
in this town.
Mr. Huntington was married Oc-
tohcr 70. 1876. to India W. Knight
daughter Of Captain John II Knight
a ea!!an; soldier OF the Confederate
army.
Takes Lead In Tobncco Busincas.
The Duuu!uEions were originally
Maryland people. on both sides OF
IN" house Mr.. Dunnington comes OF
English ancestry. the same having
originally come from the County OF
HerkS hire. In England. Soon after
growing mp ne went West and for
some time lived in the vicinity OF
Kansas City. Mo. After about two
Years. n" returned 10 his old home in
farmvillc and went into the tobacco
bus mess. which had been his fathers
business before him. While buying
tobacco for foreign markets. which
was his principal business. he also
was engaged AZ one time in The man
ufacturc "i fertilizer. being associated
With Walter IL. Robertson. now OF
Va.
For many years he has had the
Ita!!an Reggie contract. and up 10 a
few years before the World War. the
Austrian contract. His operations In
tobacco were Of such magnitude that
II" carried on business also In Nor
way and sweden, Germany, France.
England aud Holland While he CON
Quoted his business chiefly from
Farmvlllc. his home. he had very
largo interests in Louisville. Ky. and
spent good deal OF his time there
The same Is true OF I.ynChburg. Dam
Vile. Richmond and other Virginia
markets. lie also conducted many OF
his operations in New York City.
Mr.. Huntington never held politl-
cal position of any kind. having had
no inclination In that direction.
though he was wont. lauGhingly. to
remark at times. that at one pcr!od
he had been member of the Town
Council Of Farmville. For many
years he had been a member OF
Hamp Sidney College. at when
institution his three sons were edu-
Gated. He was a man OF simple
tastes. modest and unassuming. hut
at the same time aggressive and full
of energy with remarkable business
acumen. ever alert I'm speech and
bearing. No one could long be In his
company without being impressed by
the fact that he was a man of UNI
usual forccfulncss and capacity. He
mad the faculty of rapid decision
direct in speech, going straight 10 the
root OF any matter which he had in
contemplation.
In "A day of corporations and assoc
cations of business men. he elected
to carry on his business as an indi-
Vidual and in the tremendous COM
petition of the last quarter of CEN
fury In the tobacco business met all
competitors on grounds of their own
choosing and. always. more than held
his own, and I'm many instances won
business. he was one of the big men
of the State and, for that matter, of
the nation itself.
Performed Many Kind Deeds.
lie was devoted to his family ana n
most loyal friend. and while ne
shrank from publicity. his deeds OF
kindness to those In distress were
He was the means OF
FarmvilIe one of the leading
export tobacco markets OF the Sra,c,
ana tho farmers OF this section al
ways had in Mr.. Huntington
'taunch and true friend. lie always
maintained that the farmer was en-
ltlcd TO fair profit OF his tobacco,
ana saw to II when he was on rnc
warehouse floor as a buyer that ne,
'ciicr shonld go away dissatisfied
with the price which his tobacco had
brought. Mr.. Huntington was asso-
lated with leading business men OF
ne county and was held in the high
,st regard by them. numbering among
mem many warm friends. II
among the many strcllng character
stiles which he posscsscd, there was
one that stood out more PROMINENT