won, by long years of diligence and labor, a reputation of the highest order for modest merit, extensive learning, associated with a firm and steady administration of justice.
His moral character was spotless; he was a consistent member of the Episcopal church. His death occurred at Chapel Hill, March 14, 1879. He was married June 1, 1855, to Lucy, second daughter of the late Kemp Plummer, a distinguished lawyer of Warrenton; she died February 24, 1874, loved and appreciated by all who knew her, for her accomplishments and virtues. The children of this distinguished couple are Dr. Joel D. (deceased,) Susan C. (deceased,) Kemp Plummer, Dr. William Horn, who married Miss Lindsay; Richard Henry, married the daughter of Judge Thomas S. Ashe; Mary (deceased,) married to William Van Wyck, of New York; Junius, killed at South Mountain, 1862; Lewis, killed at Gettysburg, 1863.
Kemp Plummer Battle, the eldest living son of Judge William Horn Battle, was born near Louisburg, in Franklin County, December 19, 1831. He was educated at the best schools in the country, and graduated at the university in 1849, receiving the first distinction in all his studies. His companions in these honors were Peter M. Hale and T. J Robinson. Mr. Battle was made tutor of Latin and Greek immediately after graduating; and after serving in that capacity for one session, he was chosen tutor of mathematics. This position he held for four years, during the palmiest days of this ancient and renowned institution. He seems peculiarly fitted by nature and education for this occupation; his mind is clear and discriminating, cultivated to a high degree, apt to learn, and patient in imparting instruction, kind and generous in his temper, he had much success as a tutor. This is evinced by his training to usefulness such minds as those of W. L. DeRossett, DuBrutz Cutlar, Major A. W. Lawrence, (late one of the professors in the United States Observatory at Washington city,) Colonel W. L. Saunders, Colonel Junius B. Wheeler, (Professor of Engineering at West Point,) Alexander McIver, Hon. A. M. Waddell, Joseph A. Englehard, William and Robert Bingham, and many others. The classes of Mr. Battle were remarkable for their order, attention, and application. He resigned this post in 1854, and having already been licensed, opened a law office in Raleigh, and practiced with much success.
On the organization of the Bank of North Carolina, Mr. Battle, young as he was, was chosen one of the directors with such veteran financiers as George W. Mordecai, George E. Badger, John H. Bryan, and others. In 1860, he was candidate for the legislature, and failed of an election by three votes.
In the stirring and exciting scenes that followed, Mr. Battle was for the Union, and the President of the Union Club of Wake. But when Lincoln called for men to subjugate the south, he cast his fortunes with his state, and became a member of the convention of 1861, and with Mr. Badger and the other members, signed the ordinance of secession. He united with the conservative party in electing Governor Vance by a large majority, and during the whole war was the warm supporter of his measures.
In 1866, he became a candidate for treasurer of the state, at the request of Governor Worth, and was almost unanimously elected, His official reports are considered models of financial ability, conciseness and accuracy. He shared the fortunes of the conservative party with Governor Worth and other officials, and was deprived of his office in July, 1868, by the mandate of military power. This is the last post of political preferment which Mr. Battle held, nor was he sorry to quit the excitement and contests of such a life, since they were not germane to his tastes, although he discharged
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