History of Alexandria, (Alexandria (city) County) Virginia United States of America

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Biographies:

James Craik, clergyman, was born in Alexandria, Va., Aug. 31, 1806; son of George Washington and Maria Dorcas (Tucker) Craik; and grandson of Dr. James and Mariamne (Ewell) Craik. He began to study medicine at Transylvania university, Lexington, Ky., but during his, course he was persuaded by President Holley of the university to study law, and he was licensed to practice in Kanawha county, Va., in November, 1828. He practised successfully until he was ordained a deacon in the Protestant Episcopal church by Bishop Meade, Dec. 4, 1839. He was advanced to the priesthood, May 23, 1841, and was rector at Charlestown, Va., until 1844. In that year he was called to Christ church, Louisville, Ky., and continued as its rector until his death, when he was succeeded by his youngest son, Charles Ewell Craik, formerly rector of the American Episcopal church in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1899 the son was dean of Christ church cathedral, the parish having been under charge of father and son for fifty-five years. Dr. Craik was president of the standing committee and deputy to the diocesan convention of Kentucky, and in 1862 was elected president of the House of clerical and lay deputies of the General convention of the P.E. church, the highest office held by a priest in the American church, to which position he was four times re-elected. During the civil war he was an outspoken Union man and did much toward preventing the secession of Kentucky, and after the war in reuniting the church, north and south. Under his influence the Orphanage of the Good Shepherd and the Church home and infirmary were established. He was married in 1829 to Juliet, daughter of Samuel Shrewsbury of Kanawha county, Va., and they had eleven children: James, Mary, Nannie, Samuel, Maria, William, Joel, Juliet, Hewitt, Faunie and Charles Ewell. He received the degree of S.T.D. from St. Paul's college, in 1856, and from Hobart in 1857, and that of LL.D. from William and Mary. Several of his writings were adopted as textbooks in church schools. His works include Old and New (1850); Search of Truth (1855); and the Divine Life and New Birth (1865; 8d ed., 1876); besides numerous pamphlets and sermons. He died in Louisville, Ky., June 9, 1882.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Timothy Brosnahan, educator, was born in Alexandria, Va., Jan. 8, 1856. He was brought to Washington, D.C., by his parents in 1862, and, after studying in private preparatory schools, and in Gonzaga college, entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus, at Frederick, Md., in 1872. He made his first vows in 1874; for the next three years studied philosophy, mathematics and the sciences at the Jesuits' house of studies, Woodstock, Md., taught literature and mathematics for the five years following?four years in Boston college and one year at George town; returned to Woodstock for his theological course, and was there ordained to the priest hood in 1887. After ordination he taught literature again for a short time at Boston college, and returned to Frederick for "the last probation." In 1890 he was sent to Woodstock as professor of philosophy. Here he made his final vows. After two years' service, was assigned to the same professorship at Boston college, and appointed president (rector) of that institution in 1894. Father Brosnahan contributed to the Messenger of the Sacred Heart, and edited for a year the "Woodstock Letters," a record of the work of the Society of Jesus, in detail for the United States, and summarized for foreign countries.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

John Thomas Newton, naval officer, was born in Alexandria, Va., May 20, 1793. He was appointed to the U.S. navy as a midshipman, Jan. 16, 1809, and served as acting lieutenant of the Hornet in the engagement with the Peacock, Feb. 24, 1813. He was promoted lieutenant, July 24, 1813, and first lieutenant of the Hornier during her action with the Penguin, March 23, 1815. He was promoted commander, March 3, 1827; captain, Feb. 9, 1837, and commanded the steamers Fulton and Missouri and the navy yard at Pensacola, Fla., 1848-52. He was flag-officer of the home squadron, 1852-55, which gave him the title of commodore, and commanded the navy yard at Portsmouth, N.H., 1855-57. He died in Washington, D.C., July 28, 1857.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Edwin James Houston, electrical engineer, was born at Alexandria, Va., July 9, 1844; son of John Mason and Mary (Larmour) Houston, and grandson of James and Ann (Watkins) Houston. His grandfather Houston was a fellow of Trinity college, Dublin. Edwin James Houston received his education at the Central High school of Philadelphia, and afterward studied for a short time at Heidelberg and Berlin. He became professor and professor emeritus of physical geography and natural philosophy at the Central High school, Philadelphia, Pa., and in 1879 professor of physics at the Franklin Institute. He engaged in electrical engineering; was chief electrician of the International Electrical exhibition in 1884, and president of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, 1893-95. He became known as an electrical expert and was consulting electrical engineer of the firm of Houston & Kennelly, and one of the inventors of the Thomson-Houston system of arc lighting. He was elected a member of the American Philosophical society, Jan. 19, 1872. He received the degree of Ph.D. from the College of New Jersey, Princeton, in 1894. He is the author of: Elements of Physical Geography; Dictionary of Electrical Words, Terms and Phrases; Elements of Physics; Easy Lessons in Natural Philosophy; Intermediate Lessons in Natural Philosophy; The Elements of Chemistry; A Short Course in Chemistry; Outlines of Forestry; and, in connection with his partner. Dr. Kennelly: Electro-Dynamic Machinery; Electrical Engineering Leaflets, in three grades; Algebra Made Easy; The Interpretation of Mathematical Formulce; Electricity Made Easy; Recent Types of Dynamo-Electric Mechinery. He was unmarried, residing in 1901 in Philadelphia Pa.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor