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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott
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History of North Carolina, Vol. IV
by Special Staff of Writers
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago & New York - 1919


         [pg 138-139]
         
         WILLIAM STEPHEN LINVILLE has for many years been actively
       identified with business affairs at Kernersville as a general
       merchant. With the aid of his two enterprising sons he has
       built up a large establishment, a completely stocked depart-
       ment store, and along with good business judgment he has dis-
       played much public spirit in the advancement of that commun-
       ity.
         MR. LINVILLE is of an old family in this section of North
       Carolina. He was himself born on a farm in Belews Creek Town-
       ship in Forsyth County. His LINVILLE ancestors are said to
       have come to America with the WILLIAM PENN Colony. His great-
       grandfather, from the best of information at hand, was a
       native of Pennsylvania and from there came to North Carolina
       and was a pioneer settler in Belews Creek Township. When he
       reached there he was on the outermost fringe of civilization,
       and the wilderness was filled with game, wild Indians and
       other obstacles to cultivation and settled life. He hewed
       a farm from out the woods and lived there quietly and pros-
       perously until his death.
         FUELL LINVILLE, grandfather of the Kernersville merchant,
       was born in Belews Creek Township and also took up the
       vocation of agriculture. He bought land in his native town-
       ship and spent his entire life in that community. He married
       ELIZABETH HALLBROAK, who was also probably a life-long resi-
       dent of that township. She and her husband were active mem-
       bers of the Missionary Baptist Church.
         MOSES LINVILLE, father of WILLIAM S., was born in Belews
       Creek Township in 1831. After he was grown he bought some
       land in the township, but after a few years sold it and
       secured a tract of land in the northern part of Kernersville
       Township. He possessed the industry and thrift required for
       a successful career as a farmer, and he lived in his commun-
       ity honored and respected until the age of eighty-four years.
       During the war between the states he served as an officer of
       the Home Guards. MOSES LINVILLE married ELIZABETH HESTER. 
       She was born in Belews Creek Township, daughter of STEPHEN
       and MARY (LINVILLE) HESTER. Her grandfather, JOHN HESTER,
       at one time had a home in Granville Township, where his 
       father had spent his entire life. MARY LINVILLE'S father
       was HENRY LINVILLE, a soldier in the War of 1812 under
       General Jackson, and he died while in the service at New
       Orleans. MRS. MOSES LINVILLE lived to be seventy-eight.
       She was the mother of only two sons, WILLIAM STEPHEN and
       NEWTON. NEWTON is now a resident in Walkertown.
         WILLIAM S. LINVILLE grew up in this section of North
       Carolina, which had been completely transformed since his
       great-grandfather settled there. His early environment was
       the farm, his first training came from the district schools,
       and afterward he attended Kernersville Academy. At the age
       of eighteen he was a teacher. amd for twenty years he fol-
       lowed teaching part of each annual season, while the rest
       of the year was spent as a farmer. Between these vocations
       he alternated with usefulness to himself and others until
       1891, when he removed to Kernersville and invested his
       modest capital in a stock of general merchandise. That
       business has grown and flourished, and he now has his sons,
       ADDISON N. and JAMES A., as his associates. They have a
       large store, and their stock includes all staple provisions,
       drugs, men's furnishings, dry goods and a large line of
       farm implements.
         MR. LINVILLE was married in 1871 to MARY VANCE, a native
       of Kernersville. Her parents were MARTIN and HEPSEY (SMITH)
       VANCE. Mr. and Mrs. LINVILLE have reared eight children,
       named ADDISON N., WILLIAM C., JAMES A., ELIZABETH, ED M.,
       MARY, WALTER and FRANNIE. WILLIAM C. studied medicine in
       the University of North Carolina and in the University
       of Maryland at Baltimore, where he was graduated, and is
       now a successful practitioner. ELIZABETH is the wife of
       GIDEON H. HASTINGS. MARY married CLYDE A. HOLT. FRANNIE
       is the wife of WILLIAM H. MORTON. Mr. and Mrs. LINVILLE
       are active members of the Methodist Protestant Church.
       He is affiliated with Kernersville Council of the Junior
       Order of United American Mechanics.
       
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