W. W. NEW,
Born in Henrico county, Virginia, near Richmond, is the son of R. P.
and Mary A. (Wilde) New, who were born in the same county, and
were honored residents there through life. His father died February,
22, 1852, aged forty-three years, and his mother died in Richmond,
October 8, 1862. Mr. New's school-days were passed in Richmond, and
from school life he passed to the employment of the C. S. Government,
serving in the department of Henrico, at Richmond, from October 8,
1861, to April 11, 1865. He had two brothers in service, F. A. and C.
R. New, the latter killed in battle of Seven Pines, May 31, 1862. From
1865 to 1871, Mr. New clerked for L. Levy, Richmond, grocery and
commission business. In July, 1871, he removed to Danville, and in
September following went into business on his own account, dealing
in junk. Later he handled sewing machines, then wagons, carriages,
buggies and harness, also livery. He is now doing the largest carriage,
buggy, wagon and harness business in this section of the
country, a member of the firm of New & Miller, carrying on both wholesale
and retail trade.
In Caswell county, North Carolina, November 12, 1873, Mr. New
married Lucie Gunn, of that county, the daughter of James Gunn, who
still lives in Caswell county, and Fannie (Henderson) Gunn, who died
in July, 1886. Mr. and Mrs. New have lost two children, Maggie, died
June 19, 1885, aged sixteen months, and Charley, died July, 1886, at
age of fifty days. They have one daughter, M. Fannie; and one son,
Robert, born May 19, 1887. Mr. New has always taken a warm interest
in the affairs of Danville since making that his home, and is one of
its most respected citizens. He is now serving as alderman, elected for
a two years' term from July 1, 1888. He has been for many years a
trustee of the Danville (Methodist) College for young ladies; is a
member of the Order of Odd Fellows, and a Knight of Honor.
