University of Virginia Library

MAJOR WILLIAM T. SUTHERLIN.

The Sutherlin family have long been among the honored residents of
Pittsylvania county. George S. Sutherlin, now deceased, the father of
Major Sutherlin, was born near Danville, Virginia. His mother, Polly
S. Norman, was born in Henry county, Virginia. He was born on his
father's estate, near Danville, on April 7, 1822. At Greensboro, North
Carolina, October 18, 1849, he married Jane E. Patrick, who was born
in North Carolina, Sept. 11, 1829. Two daughters were born to them,
Janie Lindsay and Martha Ella. Both are now deceased, the latter
dying in infancy. Mrs. Sutherlin is the daughter of William and
Martha W. (Dict) Patrick, formerly of North Carolina, now deceased.
Janie Lindsay, their eldest daughter, grew up into a beautiful and accomplished
woman, whose lovely character endeared her to all who
knew her. She was born January 24, 1851, and died in Danville, Virginia,
August 24, 1876, and a beautiful monument marks the spot in
Greenwood cemetery, where she is buried. She was the mother of three
children, two died in infancy, and one, Janie Sutherlin Smith, whose
home has been with her grandparents in Danville since the death of her
mother, is now a school-girl, and promises to make an accomplished
and useful woman. November 22, 1871, she married Col. Francis L.
Smith, of Alexandria, Virginia, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute.
He went with the corps of cadets into the late war, and
received in his first battle a severe wound in the neck. Besides filling
other important positions, he has been a member of the State Senate,
and is now one of the leading lawyers in the State.

Major Sutherlin's earliest education was received in a home school,
after which he went to the male academy in Danville three years, then
to the private school of Joseph Godfrey, in Franklin county, Virginia.
Until twenty-one years of age he remained on his father's estate, then
he entered into trade as a dealer in tobacco. From 1846 to the opening
of the war, he was a manufacturer of tobacco in Danville, and one
of the most successful managers of business of that day. He was
mayor of Danville from 1855 to 1861, and was a delegate to the Virginia
Convention which adopted the Ordinance of Secession. He at
once entered the Confederate States Army, but, owing to impaired
health, was unable for field duty, and received appointment as commandant
of the post at Danville. Later he was also made chief quartermaster
for the said post, and he served till near the close of the war,
when his increasing ill health necessitated his giving up all official
duties. The winter after the close of the war he went to Cuba for his
health, and was greatly improved, when he returned to Danville where
he has ever since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, and the development

of his State and section, living at his beautiful home, which
is accounted the most pleasant residence location in Danville, if not in
the State.

Major Sutherlin was elected early in the war a member of the Board
of Public Works. He served two years in the legislature since the war.
Was a prominent director in the Richmond & Danville Railroad for
near fifteen years. He has built two railroads, the Milton & Sutherlin
and the Danville & New River, and it is generally conceded that neither
would have been built but for his energy and ability. He has been
prominent in building up most of the enterprises in Danville for the
past forty years, and contributed liberally of his time and means to
secure them. It was mainly through his sagacity and efforts that
Roman Eagle Lodge of Masons now owns its large and elegant building,
and is one of the wealthiest lodges in the State. It was through
him that the first agricultural society and fair was held in the South
after the war, in Danville, which was successfully kept up for several
years. When the Virginia State Agricultural Society was reorganized
after the war, he was unanimously elected its president and held the
office for two years, and it was chiefly through his untiring efforts that
the Society was placed upon a basis of success.

He secured a charter and established the Danville Bank, and its capital
at the breaking out of the war was three hundred thousand dollars.
He was a very large stockholder and the only president the bank ever
had. It was chiefly through his efforts that the Border Grange Bank at
Danville was established, and he was its first president.

He has been a liberal contributor to the establishment and maintenance
of his church (Methodist) in all her enterprises. He is a trustee of
Randolph-Macon College, and has contributed liberally to its support.
He was a large contributor to the college for young ladies in Danville,
and was the first President of the Board of Directors. His
generous liberality has been continuous all through life, never
withholding his support from any worthy enterprise either in church
or State.

He has often been prominently spoken of for Governor of the State,
and member of Congress from his district, but belonging to that class
of politicians who think the office should seek the man, and not the
man the office, he has been content to serve his party, and not push his
own claims for office.

Major Sutherlin is a clear and forcible writer, and has written many
valuable and interesting papers which have found a large circulation
through the press of the country. As a public speaker he is forcible,
practical and strong, especially in debate, generally getting the best of
his opponent. As an enterprising, practical business man, there is no

one in Virginia who stands higher in the estimation of the people generally
throughout the State than Major Sutherlin.