THOS. MIDDLETON SEMMES,
Born at Port Royal, Caroline county, Virginia, on September 4, 1840,
is now a resident of Lexington, Virginia, professor in the Virginia Military
Institute. He was educated at Richmond College, and at the Virginia
Military Institute, graduating from the last named on July 4,
1860, and receiving appointment as assistant professor in same the following
day. During the war he was adjutant of the 3d Arkansas
Infantry, C. S. A., then ordnance officer, staff of Gen. H. R. Jackson.
After the war, returning to the Institute with which he is still connected,
he was instructor in French until 1867, since then has held
his present position, professor of Modern Languages and Rhetoric.
Himself and wife are members of the Episcopal church. He married in
Lexington on November 16, 1863, Louisa G. Brockenbrough, who was
born in Lexington. The issue of the union is five children: Bernard B.,
Mary B., Elise V., Louisa R., Thomas M.
The father of Mr. Semmes was Thomas Semmes, lawyer, of Alexandria,
Virginia, who died in 1842, and he the son of Dr. Thomas
Semmes, also of Alexandria. His mother, born in King George county,
Virginia, on September 22, 1815, living now with him, is Eliza F.,
daughter of William and Sarah B. Bernard, of King George county.
His wife is a daughter of Judge John W. Brockenbrough, Federal Judge
of Western District of Virginia, born December 23, 1805, died February
20, 1877, his parents Judge William B. Brockenbrough, president
of Court of Appeals of Virginia, and Judith White, of Hanover county,
his wife. Her mother, living now with Mr. and Mrs. Semmes is Mary
C., daughter of Capt. John Bowyer, of Rockbridge county, Virginia, who
married Elizabeth Hubard, of Williamsburg, Virginia. She was born
in Rockbridge county on March 13, 1807.
