Robert Lee Lynn

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Genealogy of Robert Lee Lynn

This genealogical account was constructed from the family information contained in the biography below. No relationships or life facts have been added from outside sources.

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Robert Lee Lynn was born June 27, 1872, at Catharpin in Prince William County, Virginia. The biography does not identify his parents or earlier ancestry.

He married Ethel Rucker of Lynchburg. The account states that, by a former marriage, he had two children, Robert L. Lynn and a daughter identified only as Mrs. V. P. Moir. It does not name the former wife or give the daughter’s own given name. Robert L. Lynn later succeeded his father as president of the S. H. Heironimus Company.

Robert Lee Lynn died October 6, 1936, at Jefferson Hospital following a major operation.

Family outline

• Robert Lee Lynn, born June 27, 1872; died October 6, 1936
  • Former wife: not named
  • Children:
    1. Robert L. Lynn
    2. Daughter identified as Mrs. V. P. Moir
  • Wife: Ethel Rucker

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Source

This biography appeared in History of the Shenandoah Valley: Family and Personal Records, Volume III (Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc., 1952), pages 17-18.

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Verbatim biography

The following is a faithful transcription of the original biography. OCR errors have been corrected against the printed page images, but the original wording, spelling, grammar, punctuation, and factual claims have not been rewritten.

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ROBERT LEE LYNN—The remarkable career of Robert Lee Lynn, of Roanoke, was based upon the exceptional merchandising abilities by which he progressed from the position of clerk in the mercantile house of Heironimus and Brugh, to the presidency of its successor firm, the S. H. Heironimus Company, Inc. During the twenty years Mr. Lynn headed this firm, whose department store is known throughout the Shenandoah Valley, he progressed steadily in the respect of his fellow citizens and in their recognition of his powers; and many important offices, both commercial and civic, were ably discharged by him. He has left lasting impress upon the affairs of his city.

Mr. Lynn was born at Catharpin, Prince William County, on June 27, 1872. He received his education in the local schools, and at the age of nineteen began his career, coming from his Northern Virginia home to Roanoke and taking employment at the store of Heironimus and Brugh, which was located on Commerce Street across from where the Municipal Building now stands. He began work in the capacity of clerk, but immediately showed both his interest and aptitude for merchandising. On the retirement of one of the partners, Mr. Brugh, in 1902, Mr. Lynn had conserved sufficient of his resources to purchase an interest in the company; and he took the retiring man’s place in the company, assuming the office of vice-president and general manager.

A decade later, R. Lee Lynn and associates purchased from S. H. Heironimus a controlling interest in the firm, which was growing into one of the most significant merchandising centers of the Shenandoah Valley. For over a score of years, the store was located at Jefferson and Church Avenues, after which it removed into the enlarged and remodeled MacBain Building, at Campbell, Henry and Kirk Streets. Largely through Mr. Lynn’s efforts during those years, it assumed the place of leadership as a retail outlet which it occupies today. This aspect of his career has thus been reviewed editorially:

The large establishment of which he was for many years the director reflected the merchandizing ability as well as the genial personality of its head. Keeping abreast of the times, it has added departments, improved buying methods, enlarged its services and become to many busy housekeepers through a large part of the state an institution and a friend as well as a place of trade.

Mr. Lynn was past president of the Retail Merchants Association, and he was a director of the First National Exchange Bank. He took a vital interest in civic affairs to an extent that it was said that he was “constantly at the calling of his community.” He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and for a year its president, a year which is “still remembered for its progressive policies.” Many committees of the Chamber benefited by his advice and counsel. He also held membership on municipal committees. He was a Rotarian, an early president of the club in Roanoke, and placed the strength of his mind and personality squarely behind that worthwhile movement.

Mr. Lynn was also active in the work of his church, the Calvary Baptist. He served that congregation as a deacon, chairman of the music committee, and as Sunday school superintendent. His personal generosity, as well as his managerial ability, resulted in the complete payment of the debt on the church building and Sunday school.

Fraternally, Mr. Lynn was affiliated with the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and having advanced to the thirty-second degree, was a member of the Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was also a member of the Doakies, and of the Knights of Pythias.

Robert Lee Lynn was married to the former Ethel Rucker of Lynchburg. By a former marriage, he was the father of two children: 1. Robert L., whose record accompanies this sketch, and who, after the death of his father, assumed the presidency of the S. H. Heironimus Company. 2. Mrs. V. P. Moir, of Roanoke.

During Mr. Lynn’s presidency, his son, Robert L., was vice-president of the company. Other officials of the firm, at the time of his death, were H. D. Gray, secretary-treasurer, and T. J. King and Ralph K. Baker, directors.

Mr. Lynn died October 6, 1936, at the Jefferson Hospital, where shortly before he had undergone a major operation. His passing was viewed as a grievous loss to the entire city, among commercial and civic leaders alike, and to the host of friends attracted through the years by his memorable personality. The local press thus noted the effect of his passing:

In any history that may be written of Roanoke high place must be given to men like Lee Lynn, who in the formative years of the community stamped their character on its business and social and church life in an indelible way. Roanoke suffered a severe loss in his death. But it is immeasurably richer in that he has lived for so long among us.

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