VIRGINIA BIOGRAPHY
249
erly) Brown. She was born in May, 1855, at
Fredericksburg, Virginia, and is descended
from an old Virginia family. Her father,
lohn Twiggs Brown, was a merchant at
Fredericksburg, at the beginning of the
. civil war ; he enlisted in the Ninth Virginia
Cavalry, Confederate States army, in 1861 ;
later was transferred to the medical depart-
ment of the Confederate States army, under
Surgeon General Samuel P. Aloore, and
was charged with securing medical supplies
for the army by "running the blockade."
Mr. Brown was captured near Ashland,
Virginia, in 1864, and confined in Fort Dela-
ware prison for a few months when he was
exchanged, and assigned to duty at How-
ard's Grove Confederate Hospital, Rich-
mond. Virginia, with the rank of captain,
in which capacity he continued to the end
of the war.
Issue of Belle B. Brown and Lang- don Taylor Christian: i. Josephine Bever- ley Christian, born March 22, 1884, at Richmond, Virginia ; graduated from the Women's College at Richmond; married Clarence Watkins Hendley, of North Caro- lina, who later became cashier of the Heard National Bank, at Jacksonville, Florida. 2. Langdon Tavlor Christian Ir., born August 28, 1893.
Thomas Christian. Whether the elements of success in life are innate attributes of the individual, or whetlfer they are quick- ened by a process of circumstantial devel- opment, it is impossible to clearly deter- mine, yet the study of a successful life is none the less interesting and profitable by reason of the existence of the same uncer- tainty. A man who measured up to the modern requirements was the late Thomas Christian, in whose death the community lost one of its best known and most highly esteemed citizens, who gave much time and thought to the advancement of the city of Richmond during his younger years.
Thomas Christian was born in Richmond county, August 3, 1845, eldest child of the late William H. and Emeline (Dudley) Christian, wdio were the parents of these other children: Lizzie; Mary; William H., died September 22, 1905 ; Charles, died in infancy; Emma, wife of George L. Chris- tian ; all those living reside in Richmond, Virginia.
Thomas Christian was educated in private
schools of Richmond and at Williams Col-
lege, Massachusetts, which thoroughly qual-
ified him for the activities of life. For many
years he was identified wdth the commer-
cial and public life of Richmond, and after
1 871 he was also engaged in business as a
wholesale manufacturer. Scientific pursuits
possessed a strong fascination for him, and
in the pursuit of several branches of research
he w^on wide distinction both here and
abroad. His experiments in the field of
photography as well as with the microscope
attracted the attention of two continents.
An ardent philatelist, he secured a notable
collection of stamps, and his collection of
Indian implements and relics gathered by
himself, was also noteworthy. An outdoor
life always appealed to him, a'nd he was
well known among the sportsmen and fisher-
men of the city, who estimated him at his
true worth. Mr. Christian was for many
years active in the work of the Chamber
of Commerce, serving on the James River
Improvement Committee never being absent
from a meeting, and for a portion of his
term of service acted as auditor of the com-
mittee. He was also a member of the State
Commission of the New Orleans Exposi-
tion, and an active factor in the old state
fair organization. His interests in life were
broad, his work widely extended, and the
influence he exerted will be felt for many
years, although he has passed to the Great
Beyond. He married, October 10, 1878, Ida
Kate James, of Detroit, born April 9, 1856.
daughter of Captain \Villiam V. and Amy
U. (Harris) James, who survives him, as
does also a daughter, Mrs. Charles (j. Tay-
lor Jr., of Ginter Park.
Mr. Christian died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Charles G. Taylor, after a long illness, aged sixty-eight years. Inter- ment was in Hollywood Cemetery, Rich- mond. The demise of Mr. Christian, who was a man of the highest character and standing, a man of unselfish disposition, hospitable, charitable, wath a ready sym- pathy for those in af^iction or need, w^as a great shock to his hosts of friends, who were to be found in all walks of life. Scrup- ulously honorable in all his dealings with mankind, he bore a reputation for public and private integrity second to none, and he left to posterity that priceless heritage, an honored name.
