Historical Rosters Database

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John Echols

Roster ID 132
This is a summary. Contact the Archives for additional biographical information.
First Name:John
Middle Name:
Last Name:Echols
Suffix:
Affiliation:Class of 1843
Biography & Genealogy:Genealogy: Born- March 20, 1823 in Lynchburg, Va. Father- Joseph Echols; Mother- Eliza Frances Lambeth. Mat. Grandfather- Meredith Lambeth No other information on grandparents. Married- 1st- Mary Jane Caperton, daughter of Hugh Caperton and Jane Erskine; 2nd- Mary Cochrane Reid, widow of Mr. [first name unknown] Reid. Children- 1- Harriet Echols; 2- John Percy Echols; 3- James Alexander Echols; 4- Sarah Ann Echols; 5- Mary Caperton Echols; 6- Edward Echols (All six children from 1st marriage) VMI Record: Entered VMI- Aug. 15, 1840; Resigned Aug. 14, 1841; Made Honorary Graduate of the Class of 1843 July 2, 1870. Civil War Service: Appointed Lt. Col. Of 27th Virginia Infantry Regiment, May 30, 1861; Promoted to Col. Oct. 14, 1861; Wounded in the shoulder at the first Battle of Kernstown; Promoted to Brig. Gen. Apr. 18, 1862; Commanded 1st Brigade of VMI Cadets at the Battle of New Market May 15, 1864. Careers: Lawyer; Banker; Rep. of Augusta Co. in Va. House of Delegates 1877-79 and of Staunton 1879-80; Trustee of Washington College (now Washington & Lee University) 1869-96; In charge of Chesapeake, Ohio & Southwestern Railroad late 1880's- early 1890's. Died- May 24, 1896 in Staunton, Va. Buried in Thornrose Cemetery.
Additional Online Resources:VMI Civil War Generals

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About the Database

The database currently includes the names of all enrolled students (both graduates and non-graduates) from VMI's opening in 1839 through the World War II era. In addition, you will find biographical and genealogical information, including a summary of military service during the Civil War, for many individuals who attended in the 19th century. The database also includes some historical Faculty and Board of Visitors members, as well as U. S. Army students sent to VMI for training during World Wars I and II. The latter groups were not VMI cadets. For further information about an ancestor listed in the database, please contact the VMI Archives. We can check the complete record, let you know if other information available, and provide copies of original documents. This database is for historical research. We do not release information about living individuals.

VMI Archives
Virginia Military Institute
Lexington, VA 24450
archives@vmi.edu
540-464-7516