Buncombe-Nash County NcArchives Biographies.....Battle, Samuel Westray 18
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Author: Leonard Wilson (1916)Dr. Samuel Westray Battle, the subject of this sketch, now on the retired list of the Medical Corps of the Navy, was the fifth son of William Smith Battle and Mary Elizabeth Dancy Battle. He was born in Nash county, North Carolina, August 4, 1854. Samuel Westray Battle had the good fortune to spend his boyhood
days in the country. It was an ideal life, too, that of the Southern boy in a home with cultivated parents and elegant surroundings. It gave him the development needed, physically, mentally and morally, and it is small wonder that the son of these gifted parents is a man four-square to all the world.
When quite a lad he entered the Horner School at Oxford, North Carolina, one of the finest preparatory schools in the State. From there he went to Bellevne High School, in Bedford county, Virginia. Dr. Battle next entered the University of Virginia. After devoting some time to the classics he matriculated in the medical department. He left the University of Virginia in 1874. In 1875 he graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College, now a part of the University of New York, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In October, 1875, he entered the United States Naval service as assistant surgeon, at the age of twenty-one. The United States Naval service examination was rigid. There were many failures, but this young man, going alone, without the encouragement of friends, received his commission, which was a high tribute to his thorough preparation. Dr. Battle served with distinction in the Navy for nearly ten years.
In 1878 he was attached to the United States Ship "Marion," sailing in company with the United States Ship "Vandalia," the two ships that were detailed to take General Grant around the world. After war broke out between Russia and Turkey, early in 1878, these ships were at Smyrna preparing to go down the coast and through the Suez Canal to the East. They remained, however, on the coast of Asia Minor as long as needed, then joined the Mediterranean squadron. His first sea trip was in connection with the demonstration made by the United States following the "Virginius" affair. Those familiar with this occurrence will remember that the American Steamer "Virginius," cruising in Cuban waters, was captured by the Spanish cruiser "Tornado," and afterwards taken into Santiago as a pirate. The crew comprised Captain Joseph Fry and one hundred and twenty men, half of whom, including Captain Fry, were executed, their bodies trampled on by horses, and their heads placed on pikes. The British warship "Niboe," under Sir
Lampton Lorraine, hurried from Kingston, Jamaica, to Santiago, and threatened to bombard the city unless the atrocious outrages were instantly stopped. The "Virginius" was finally surrendered by Spain, but it was an affair of long-drawn-out duration, and our ships were kept in Southern waters a number of years. At this time Dr. Battle was serving on the United States Ship "New Hampshire," under command of Commodore Clitz. Following this he served on the "Monitor," "Ajax," "Lehigh," "Catskill," "Manhattan," "Mahopac" and "Saugus."
Owing to injuries received in this line of duty, while cruising at sea, Dr. Battle was placed on the retired list of the Medical Corps of the United States Navy, 1884.
The city of Asheville, North Carolina, in the section familiarly known as the "Land of the Sky," was fortunate, in 1885, to have Dr. Battle make it his abiding place. And it was he who was among the first to recognize the advantages of this belt known to us at the present as the Asheville plateau. As Dr. Battle had made a study of the meteorological reports of the United States Government, he recognized that the Asheville plateau was the dryest atmospheric territory east of the Mississippi River. He saw, too, that the elevation of Asheville made it peculiarly suitable for all throat and pulmonary troubles. He did not keep this information to himself, but speedily conveyed to the medical profession at large his belief concerning the climate of Asheville. Through his able contributions to medical journals and periodicals, city of Asheville was, in a short time, well advertised.
A pleasant associate who contributed his share towards the making of the fame of this town in the "Land of the Sky" was Bill Nye. He was a close friend of Dr. Battle, and his witty stories helped on the cause. Those who read the accounts given of Asheville as a health resort came and tarried. The majority of
them became patients of Dr. Battle, so much so that lie had to secure the services of two assistants. But not only as a physician was Dr. Battle a blessing to the town. He was interested in every movement for the betterment of civic conditions.
When the Sprague system of street railways had been successfully installed in Richmond, it was Dr. Battle who went to confer with Mr. E. D. Davidson, of New York, concerning the possibility of a system of street cars for Asheville. It was found practicable and a company was formed, which secured for the owners a charter for a general system of street car service. He was elected Vice-President of the company, subscribed largely to its stocks and bonds, and with the assistance of others, secured for Asheville a splendid street car service.
In various other undertakings along forward-looking lines Dr. Battle was an active participant. He exhibited a spirit of service, and his example was an encouragement to othersnever counting the cost to himself, but always willing to put his shoulder to the wheel of progress.
In 1884 Dr. Battle was happily married to Alice Maud, daughter of Admiral George E. Belknap, United States Navy, distinguished as an officer of the service, a splendid sailor, and a man of literary and scientific achievements. Of this marriage there were born the following children: Madelon, S. Westray,
Jr., Maud Dancy and Belknap. Of these children Madelon, the wife of Major Mortimer Hancock, of the Royal Fusiliers, and Belknap are now living. Major Mortimer Hancock is at present fighting in the trenches on the Gallipoli Peninsula; he has received serious wounds, but is again on the firing line.
Dr. Battle, having recently visited his son-in-law, Major Hancock, was able to make an inspection of the trenches in Flanders. This recent visit to England increases his usefulness and broadens his outlook concerning present conditions in the European War. As Dr. Battle is a traveled man, of cultivated and
cosmopolitan tastes, he is peculiarly adapted for the work he undertook, that of bringing people from the four quarters of the earth to the Highlands of Carolina. Then, too, his choice in his helpmate caused him to be claimed by both Northern and Southern friends. Added to Dr. Battle's habits of industry and talent for organization were his social attributes. Everyone is familiar with the success of the undertaking, even though they are not aware of Dr. Battle's services in the making of Asheville.
After a careful consideration of Dr. Battle's talents, a friend. who knows him well, declares that it is as a physician that he ranks highest. His charming personality, which has won for him so many friends, is a great asset, coupled with the vast store of human sympathy which he possesses. For the sufferings of
his patients are, in truth, his own.
Of some of the posts of honor held by Dr. Battle the following may be mentioned: He is Medical Director of the Clarence Barker Memorial Hospital and Dispensary at Biltmore, North Carolina; Colonel and Surgeon-General, North Carolina State Guard; member American Medical Association, Mississippi Valley
Medical Society, Tri-State Medical (Virginia and the Carolinas), North Carolina Medical Society, and Buncombe County Medical Society.
He is a Fellow of the Rhinological, Otological and Laryngological Society, member of the American Climatological Association, American Public Health Association, Association of Military Surgeons, State Board of Health and Medical Corps of the United States Navy, on the retired list.
He is a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, Sons of the American Revolution, Naval Order of the United States, and of the Army and Navy Clubs of the cities of New York and Washington; Metropolitan Club, of Washington; Swannanoa Country Club, at Asheville; Asheville Club; President of the Catawba Game Association; Vice-President of the Asheville Gun Club, and member of the Mottfield Club, Georgetown, South Carolina.
The Derrick
May 26, 1965Strattanville - Harlan Elton Gross, 67, of Strattanville, employed as a drag line operator, died at 10:55 a.m. Monday in a hospital at Long Island, N.Y. Mr. Gross was born in Oil City, October 20, 1897, a son of Harlan A. and Eliza Atkinson Gross.
He was married in 1921 to Frances Zoe Reardon. She died in 1948. He later married the former Fern Whitley, who survives.
Mr. Gross was a member of the Stratanville Methodist Church. He was a member of the Strattanville Post of the American Legion an a World War I. veteran.
Surviving, in addition to his widow who lives at her home in Corsica, are four daughters, Mrs. Frances Merryman of Long Island, N.Y., Mrs. Marjorie McElhattan of Oil City, Mrs. Jacqueline Theiss Of Elna and Mrs. Virginia Rhoades of Strattanville RD 1; three sons, Dale R. Gross of Summerville RD 2, Harlan E. Gross Jr. of Valencia RD 2, and Richard Gross with the U. S. Army in Germany. Surviving also are two brothers, Alfred and Donald Gross of Clarion RD 1, and 28 grandchildren.
Oil City Derrick
May 13, 1948Mrs. Frances Zoe Reardon Gross of Strattanville died at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday in her home. She was born Oct. 10, 1893 in Clarington, Jefferso county, the daughter of Andrew J. and Suzanna Reardon. She was a member of the Strattanville Methodist Church.
Surviving are the following children: Mrs. Frances Merryman of Buffalo N. Y.; Mrs. Marjorie McElhatten, Oil City; Dale Robert, Jacqueline Mae, Virginia Ann, Harlan Elton Jr., and Richard at home. Also surviving are the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. L. A. Grady, Mrs. E. E. Clark, Mrs. Blake B. Reed, Mrs. Sarah Caster, Ralph N., Claude L., and Donald C. Reardon. Two grandchidren also survive.
The Derrick
November 3, 2000Clara O. Gross, 92, of Ederline Road, Clarion, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, in Beverly Healthcare, Clarion.
Born Oct. 10, 1908, in Rimersburg, she was a daughter of William and Annetta LUGHER CHANDLER.
She was a homemaker.
Mrs. Gross was married July 26, 1932, to Donald Elwood Gross, who died Jan. 6, 1992.
Surviving are three sons, Noble Gross of Rimersburg, Warren Gross of Clarion and Arthur Gross of Limestone; two daughters, Mrs. Keith (Ruby) HETRICK of Gasport, N.Y., and Mrs. Bob (Dorothy) COURSON of Chesapeake, Va.; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and two
great-great-grandchildren.In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Gross was preceded in deathby one son, George Gross; one granddaughter, Kim Hetrick; three brothers, George Chandler, James Chandler and an infant; and three sisters, Eliza GROSNICKEL, Hanna SNYDER and Nellie SNYDER.
Warren Daily Mirror
August 19, 1911Word has been recieved of the death of Mrs. S. F. Elder, of Buffalo, N.Y., Mrs. Elder was formerly Miss Lola E. Maynard, of this city. She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband and infant daughter, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. O. Maynard, her brother, Keith, besides many friends.