Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 4.djvu/516

organizer and president of the Commercial Bank of Suffolk from 1872 to 1878, was editor of the "Suffolk Intelligencer," in 1849, establishing the first printing press in Suffolk. Leading position among his fellows was ever accorded him in recognition of his superior mental and executive power, and during his career in public life he established firmly a reputation for unswerving loyalty to principles of right. In 1861 he was elected a member of the convention as a Union candidate, being an old line Whig and opposed to secession. However, the members of that convention decided upon secession from the Union for the state of Virginia, and he, being loyal to his state, ably and faithfully supported the cause of the Confederacy. He was a member of the general conterence of the Methodist Church South several times, and was one of the founders of the Preachers' Relief Society of said church. John Richardson Kilby married, December 5, 1838, Martha Jane Louisa Smith, born December 5, 1816, died February 7, 1888, daughter of Arthur and Susan (Richardson) Smith. Mr. Smith was appointed postmaster of Suffolk, Virginia, by Thomas Jefferson and held that office for forty-two years. Mrs. Kilby was a direct descendant of Colonel Willis Riddick, being a great-granddaughter on the maternal side. Colonel Riddick represented Nansemond county in the house of burgesses of Virginia continuously from 1756 to 1769, in 1771 and again in 1775. He was also a member of the conventions of 1775-76 which gave the new state its first constitution which was the first written constitution of a free state in history, and also put forth George Mason's bill of rights. He was also a member of the convention of 1788 which ratified the constitution of the United States. He was colonel of the Nansemond county militia during the revolutionary war. Children of John Richardson and Martha Jane Louisa (Smith) Kilby: 1. Le Roy R., born May 20, 1841; attended public schools and Randolph-Macon College; at the beginning of the war between the states he enlisted in the Sixteenth Regiment of Virginia Infantry, General Mahone's brigade; he was promoted to the captain's rank, and at the Petersburg "Crater Fight" led his men to the capture of one of the enemy's colors, being breveted colonel on the field for his daring and brave leadership; at the close of the war he and his brother, Wallace. founded a mercantile business in Suffolk, Virginia, and he afterward disposed of his Suffolk interests and moved to Norfolk, becoming a commission dealer in cotton and general merchandise, continuing in this line until his death, December 5, 1888; he married Kate Bottimore, and had three children: Floyd, deceased; Lucille, married Hampton Wayte, of Staunton, Virginia; and Belle L., married Clarence Dennison, of Roanoke. 2. Wallace, of whom further. 3. Susan Smith, born May 27, 1845; married, in 1870, Dr. William Wilkinson Murray, born in 1845. and has a daughter. Helen, born September 25, 1875, died in 1907, married, in 1901, Charles Selden Baldwin, of Knoxville, Tennessee. 4. Wilbur John, of whom further. 5. Livingston Clay, of whom further. 6. Annette M., born December 27, 1853, deceased.

(IV) Wallace Kilby, son of John Richardson and Martha Jane Louisa (Smith) Kilby, was born February 22, 1843, and died June 6, 1899, after a successful and profitable business life as a merchant. He was educated in the private schools, Greenwood Institute, and Dinwiddie Academy, and at the outbreak of the war enlisted in the regiment of which his brother. Le Roy R., was a member, the Sixteenth Virginia Infantry. He fought through the conflict, being twice wounded, the first time in the battle of Cold Harbor, and when peace came entered into a partnership with Le Roy R. Kilby as merchants of Suffolk. The interest of Le Roy R. Kilby was subsequently purchased by his father-in-law, H. L. Tynes, and the business was from that time conducted under the name of Wallace Kilby, who was its active head until his death. Prosperity attended his operations and his establishment enjoyed a large and profitable patronage which gave him important position in the mercantile world of Suffolk. Wallace Kilby was a member of the Confederate Veterans, was a Democrat in political belief, and affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. Other circles than business knew his worth and merit, and he was an esteemed citizen of Suffolk.

He married, January 14. 1868, Margaret Tynes, daughter of Henry Lexington Tynes and his wife, Caroline A. (Powell) Tynes, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth (Pinden) Powell. Henry Lexington Tynes, son of Robert and Martha (Jordan) Tynes,