Devoted himself to business in early manhood. He was remarkable for energy and perseverance, honesty and integ rity, and made nearly all of a large fortune through his own efforts, by a long course of industry and economy, getting nothing from his father's estate till he did not need it. His father bequeathed to him the estate on the north side of James River, just above Buffalo station, known as "Struman." He also acquired, in the course of time, a large part of his father's estate by purchase from the other heirs, — "Green Hill," with all the lands attached thereto, including the farm below, now known as " Elm Cottage," with Hughes' (now Norwood) Island, opposite, from his brothers; and after the death of his sister, Paulina, he bought the " Fork field " estate, in the fork of Tye and James rivers, from her executors.

Source: Cabell's and Their Kin