The high esteem accorded him by his fellow citizens, together with his position in social, professional and civic affairs of southwestern Virginia, is conclusive evidence of the splendid attainments of John Peter Saul, Jr., executive vice president and general counsel of the Shenandoah Life Insurance Company, of Roanoke.
Born February 1, 1890 at Cambria, Va., son of John Peter and Lula J. (Lemon) Saul and a grandson of William Robert Saul, a lifelong resident of Franklin county, Virginia, John Peter Saul, Jr., was brought to Salem, Va., by his parents to make their future home, when he was one year old. His education was acquired in the Salem public schools and Roanoke College. Later after studying law privately, and in the law office of H. C. Gilmer, of Pulaski, he was admitted to the bar in November, 1911.
At Roanoke College While attending Roanoke College, Mr. Saul won the Declaimer’s medal and in his junior year was awarded the Orator’s medal, and because of his ability as a speaker, he was selected by the Circuit Court to deliver the oration at the dedication of the present courthouse in Roanoke County. Upon leaving college, his first job was that of principal at Fairview High School, where he was located for two years, resigning to accept a position with the New River Power Company, remaining for a life period of time before taking up the legal profession.
In 1912, Mr. Saul became the junior member of the law firm of Jackson, Henson & Saul at Salem, with whom he was associated until 1923, when he began the work of his profession independently, handling a general civil practice in Salem through the succeeding seven years. In March, 1930, he was made vice president and general counsel for the Shenandoah Life Insurance Company of Roanoke, where he maintains his office, and since 1934 he has held the office of executive vice president. He is a member of the Life Counsel Association, The Roanoke Bar Association, the Virginia State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. Aside from his professional activities, he is vice president of the H. C. Baker Company, vice president of the Graham-White Sherwood Burial Park, Inc., and a director of the Liberty Trust Company and the Potomac Joint Stock Land Bank of Washington, D.C.
A Democrat Long an active supporter of the Democratic Party, Mr. Saul was a delegate to the national convention held in New York in 1924. He served as chairman of the Roanoke county Democratic Committee for about twelve years; was formerly secretary of the Sixth District Democratic Committee for about eight years. During the World War period, he acted as chairman of the Home Service of the Red Cross Chapter, Chiefman of the American Protective League for Southwestern Virginia, chairman of the Four-Minute Men, member of the legal advisory board, as well as serving in other capacities during all the Liberty Loan and War time activities.
Mr. Saul’s name is on the membership rolls of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and Sons of the Revolution, the New York Southern Society and the Shenandoah Club. he is both a York and Scottish Rite Mason, and a past potentate of Kazim Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Also he is a member and trustee of Salem Baptist Church and a trustee of the Baptist Orphanage of Virginia.
On June 5, 1912, Mr. Saul was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hufford, daughter of Dr. Robert Davidson and Augusta (Howe) Hufford, of Tazewell, Va. Mr. and Mrs. Saul have four children: Mary Louise, a graduate of Sweet Briar College, who is the wife of Keith K. Hunt, of Roanoke; John Peter (III), a graduate of Amherst College, who is now a law student at the University of Virginia; Augusta Elizabeth, a junior at Sweet Briar College; and Robert Davidson, who was born August 28, 1923. The Saul home is located at 340 Boulevard, Salem.
- Prepared by Lingjie Gu
