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Noted Wythe County People If you know of other people we should add to this page, please let us know. Stephen Fuller Austin - Born in Austinville, he moved to Texas where he became known as "The Father of Texas" and had a major town in Texas (Austin) named after him. Reverend Robert Sawyers Sheffey - (1820-1902) A well known minister who rode on horseback throughout Southwest Virginia, known for his strange ways and miracles. Edith Bolling Wilson - (1872-1961) Wife of President Woodrow Wilson, she is famous for the mysterious period in history when her husband, the President, was so ill that no one but she was allowed into his sick room to bring messages from him. It is rumored that during this time period, she was actually running the country. She was born on the second story of a building on Main Street in Wytheville (E.M. Umbergers today). Judge Edgar Sullins Vaught - US District Court Judge, Western District of Oklahoma, 1929-1959.. Best known case: Machine Gun Kelly Born: 7 Jan 1873, Speedwell, Wythe Co VA Died: 5 Dec 1959, Oklahoma City. Parents: Noah Trigg Vaught and Minerva Jane Atkins Andrew Lindsey Porter, Jr - He was the only Wythe Countian to be elected as President of the League of Virginia Counties, which was established to restore to prestige, power and influence of local governments. It was in 1955-56. There was a stroke of genius about him, yet a sense of humility. He cared deeply for his fellowman. He was elected to the Board of Supervisors for two terms. His name is on a marble plaque in the new Court House. Deeply religious, Mr. Porter taught Sunday School at the Speedwell Methodist Church for forty years and was lay speaker at other churches in the community.. An eloquent speaker, he was called on to dedicate new buildings in the Wythe County Community. Mr. Porter and nine other men established what later became First Virginia Banks now in other states also. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, he was named All-Southern fullback on the football team He was the grandson of Judge Sterling Fletcher Watts and wife Jane George of Tazewell. Flavius J. Fisher - (c. 1832-1905) Nationally known portrait artist. William Henry Huddle - (1847-1892) Portrait artist famous in Texas for his painting of "Surrender of Santa Anna," which still hangs in the state capitol. William Nuckles Doak - (1882-1933) Secretary of Labor under President Herbert Hoover. Bulah Ann Buchanan - (1899-1954) Commander, Nurses Corps, United States Navel Hospital. She personally guided President Roosevelt on his tour of the hospital during World War II. When she retired and came home to Rural Retreat, she was named Commander of the American Legion Post in 1954, quite an accomplishment for a woman at that time. William Gannaway Brownlow - (1805-1877) Born in Wythe County near Speedwell, he became Governor of Tennessee, resigning that post to become a US Senator in 1869. William Terry (1824-1888) A Brigadier General serving under Stonewall Jackson in the Civil War, he was a lawyer and also served in Congress. Frederick Bittle Kegley - (1877-1968) Noted author of "Kegley's Virginia Frontier" and other historical books and articles. E. Lee Trinkle - (1876-1939) Governor of Virginia from 1922 until 1926. Henry Carter Stuart - (1855-1933) Governor of Virginia from 1914 until 1918. Robert Craig Kent - (1828-1905) Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 1892. Daniel W. Bird, Jr. - Senator of Virginia from 1976 until 1990. Dr. Charles T. Pepper - Owner of a drug store in Rural Retreat. Stories vary on the exact facts, but it is generally acknowledged that the soft drink, Dr. Pepper, was named in his honor, if not invented by him. It was introduced to the general public on a regular basis in 1885 and was first bottled in 1886. Click here for a book on the history of the soft drink. John Jacob Repass - 1739-1807(?). Swiss pioneer who settled in Wythe County. Jim Archer - A professional baseball player with the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Athletics (1961). He spent three years in the major leagues. Charles Louis "Deacon" Phillippe - A native of Rural Retreat, he pitched in the first World Series in 1903. He played 12 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates and in 1969, was named the Pirates' all time best right-handed pitcher. William Gibson - Author of such novels as "Johnny Mnemonic" and "Mona Lisa Overdrive."
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