G. Wallace Spooner

Gustavus Wallace Spooner (December 6,1831 – September 6, 1904) In the early 1880's he established the architectural and construction company of G. W. Spooner & Son, associating with him his eldest son, Morris Manning Spooner (d. March 12, 1894). This firm designed and constructed a number of public and private buildings in the city. In 1894, G. W. Spooner was elected to representing the Third Ward as a member of the first city council. He served one two-year term and was succeeded by J. E. Gleason. Spooner also served as city engineer.

Bio

Gustavus Wallace Spooner was born on December 6th, 1827 at "Montebello the old home place adjoining the grounds of the University of Virginia." Son of George Wilson Spooner (1800 – 1865) and Elizabeth W. Perry Spooner (Born abt. 1803).

His maternal grandfather, John M. Perry was instrumentally involved in the construction of the University of Virginia.

His father, George Wilson Spooner (d. 1865), carpenter and architect, was a native of Fredericksburg. He arrived in Charlottesville in 1819 to work on the construction of the University of Virginia after having labored under John Neilson at Upper Bremo. Spooner remained involved with the university long after the initial building phase, serving as acting proctor, 1845–46, and supervising an addition to the Rotunda in 1853. He built a new entrance to the Albemarle County Courthouse in 1859 and designed or constructed several churches and other buildings in Charlottesville.

Brother of John (1834 – December 10, 1916; died in Staunton, Va.), Jane, Susan and William.

Civil War

Spooner entered the Confederate army in May, 1861, as sergeant in Company B, 19th Virginia Infantry, and served two years. His brother, John Spooner, enlisted in the Confederate army as a corporal in Carrington's Battery of Artillery, and was afterwards promoted to sergeant. John was captured at Spottsylvania Court House on the 12th of May and remained a prisoner to the close of the war.

Civil career

Spooner was a member of the town council (1889-1890), and at one time city engineer.

SKETCHES OF THE DEAD

GUSTVUS WALLACE SPOONER, BY REV. GEORGE H. SPOONER (1920).

The subject of this sketch was born at "Montebello" the old home place adjoining the grounds of the University of Virginia, December 6th, 1827.

On January 25, 1852, he was married to Miss Dorothy Durrette of North Garden, they had five surviving children. He was educated at the University of Virginia. Spooner entered the Confederate army in May, 1861, as sergeant in Company B, 19th Virginia Infantry, and served two years. "He was a faithful soldier".

Shortly after the war he began his business career in the city of Charlottesville as an associate with J. M. Lobbin in the hardware business. Later he was the senior member of the firm of Spooner & Norris; and still later, of the firm of Spooner & Keller. In the early eighties he established the architectural and construction company of G. W. Spooner & Son, associating with him his eldest son, M. M. Spooner. This firm designed and constructed a number of public and private buildings in the city. He was a steward in the Methodist Church, a member of the city council, and at one time city engineer.

He died September 6th, 1904, "leaving the legacy of an honorable record, a lofty character and a respected name in places of duty and service".

Notable works

• Albemarle County Jail, located in Court Square, was built by Spooner's company in 1876.
• Wollen Mills

Burial

Oakwood Cemetery

Family members

George Wilson Spooner (d. 1865), carpenter and architect, was a native of Fredericksburg. He arrived in Charlottesville in 1819 to work on the construction of the University of Virginia after having labored under John Neilson at Upper Bremo. Spooner remained involved with the university long after the initial building phase, serving as acting proctor, 1845–46, and supervising an addition to the Rotunda in 1853. He built a new entrance to the Albemarle County Courthouse in 1859 and designed or constructed several churches and other buildings in Charlottesville. Spooner married the eldest daughter of John M. Perry and lived at his estate, Montebello.