J. ROBERT SWITZER. One of the outstanding figures in the political life of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, as well as a lawyer of proven ability, J. Robert Switzer is rendering a much appreciated service as county clerk after having already held the office of deputy county clerk. He was born on a farm in Rockingham County, December 25, 1883, a son of John A. and Carrie S. (Roller) Switzer, the latter of whom was born in Rockingham County, but the former was born in Hardy County, Virginia, now in West Virginia. Both are deceased, passing away after years of usefulness, he having served for twelve years as sheriff of Rockingham County, and without doubt could have been reelected had he cared to come before the public a fourth time. For a long period he was engaged in farming, and he was a man very well liked and highly respected. Of the four children born to him and his wife two survive, namely: Mrs. N. Wilson Davis, who resides in Harrisonburg, where her husband is engaged in the practice of civil engineering; and J. Robert Switzer. The parents were consistent members of the Reformed Church, and he was one of its elders. The Democratic party had in him a strong supporter. During the war between the states he served under General Mosby, and was a gallant soldier. The paternal grandfather of J. Robert Switzer was Valentine Switzer, a native of Hardy County, and a miller of that region. The maternal grandfather was Col. Peter Roller, of Mount Crawford, Virginia, who received the title of colonel during the war between the states for his services in training soldiers for the Confederacy. By occupation he was a farmer.
J. Robert Switzer attended the public schools of Mount Crawford and Harrisonburg, and then had two years of work in Randolph-Macon Academy at Front Royal. His degree of Bachelor of Laws was taken from Washington and Lee University in 1906, and that same year he entered upon the practice of his profession in Harrisonburg, in which he continued with gratifying success until he was appointed deputy county clerk in 1920. In November, 1927, he was elected county clerk, which office he is still filling with dignified capability.
In December, 1911, Mr. Switzer married Miss Virginia Armentrout, born in Middletown, Virginia, a daughter of G. W. and Cora (Willey) Armentrout. Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have two children: John Robert and Virginia Anne. Reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, Mr. Switzer has made it his own, and he is an elder of the local church, to which his wife also belongs.
He is a York Rite and Shriner Mason, and is a past high priest of the Chapter and a past eminent commander of the Commandery. For sixteen years he has been secretary of the local order of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past chancellor commander of the former. For years he has been very active in the local Democratic party, has served as chairman of the county committee and been a delegate to various state conventions. In his duties, to which he now gives all of his attention, Mr. Switzer finds his knowledge of the law a very valuable asset, and the people of Rockingham County may rest assured that while he is in office everything under his jurisdiction will be done in accordance with the strict letter as well as the spirit of the law.
From History of Virginia, Volume IV, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1928, pages 90-91.
J. Robert Switzer attended the public schools of Mount Crawford and Harrisonburg, and then had two years of work in Randolph-Macon Academy at Front Royal. His degree of Bachelor of Laws was taken from Washington and Lee University in 1906, and that same year he entered upon the practice of his profession in Harrisonburg, in which he continued with gratifying success until he was appointed deputy county clerk in 1920. In November, 1927, he was elected county clerk, which office he is still filling with dignified capability.
In December, 1911, Mr. Switzer married Miss Virginia Armentrout, born in Middletown, Virginia, a daughter of G. W. and Cora (Willey) Armentrout. Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have two children: John Robert and Virginia Anne. Reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, Mr. Switzer has made it his own, and he is an elder of the local church, to which his wife also belongs.
He is a York Rite and Shriner Mason, and is a past high priest of the Chapter and a past eminent commander of the Commandery. For sixteen years he has been secretary of the local order of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past chancellor commander of the former. For years he has been very active in the local Democratic party, has served as chairman of the county committee and been a delegate to various state conventions. In his duties, to which he now gives all of his attention, Mr. Switzer finds his knowledge of the law a very valuable asset, and the people of Rockingham County may rest assured that while he is in office everything under his jurisdiction will be done in accordance with the strict letter as well as the spirit of the law.
From History of Virginia, Volume IV, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1928, pages 90-91.
J. ROBERT SWITZER. One of the outstanding figures in the political life of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, as well as a lawyer of proven ability, J. Robert Switzer is rendering a much appreciated service as county clerk after having already held the office of deputy county clerk. He was born on a farm in Rockingham County, December 25, 1883, a son of John A. and Carrie S. (Roller) Switzer, the latter of whom was born in Rockingham County, but the former was born in Hardy County, Virginia, now in West Virginia. Both are deceased, passing away after years of usefulness, he having served for twelve years as sheriff of Rockingham County, and without doubt could have been reelected had he cared to come before the public a fourth time. For a long period he was engaged in farming, and he was a man very well liked and highly respected. Of the four children born to him and his wife two survive, namely: Mrs. N. Wilson Davis, who resides in Harrisonburg, where her husband is engaged in the practice of civil engineering; and J. Robert Switzer. The parents were consistent members of the Reformed Church, and he was one of its elders. The Democratic party had in him a strong supporter. During the war between the states he served under General Mosby, and was a gallant soldier. The paternal grandfather of J. Robert Switzer was Valentine Switzer, a native of Hardy County, and a miller of that region. The maternal grandfather was Col. Peter Roller, of Mount Crawford, Virginia, who received the title of colonel during the war between the states for his services in training soldiers for the Confederacy. By occupation he was a farmer.
J. Robert Switzer attended the public schools of Mount Crawford and Harrisonburg, and then had two years of work in Randolph-Macon Academy at Front Royal. His degree of Bachelor of Laws was taken from Washington and Lee University in 1906, and that same year he entered upon the practice of his profession in Harrisonburg, in which he continued with gratifying success until he was appointed deputy county clerk in 1920. In November, 1927, he was elected county clerk, which office he is still filling with dignified capability.
In December, 1911, Mr. Switzer married Miss Virginia Armentrout, born in Middletown, Virginia, a daughter of G. W. and Cora (Willey) Armentrout. Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have two children: John Robert and Virginia Anne. Reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, Mr. Switzer has made it his own, and he is an elder of the local church, to which his wife also belongs.
He is a York Rite and Shriner Mason, and is a past high priest of the Chapter and a past eminent commander of the Commandery. For sixteen years he has been secretary of the local order of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past chancellor commander of the former. For years he has been very active in the local Democratic party, has served as chairman of the county committee and been a delegate to various state conventions. In his duties, to which he now gives all of his attention, Mr. Switzer finds his knowledge of the law a very valuable asset, and the people of Rockingham County may rest assured that while he is in office everything under his jurisdiction will be done in accordance with the strict letter as well as the spirit of the law.
From History of Virginia, Volume IV, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1928, pages 90-91.
J. Robert Switzer attended the public schools of Mount Crawford and Harrisonburg, and then had two years of work in Randolph-Macon Academy at Front Royal. His degree of Bachelor of Laws was taken from Washington and Lee University in 1906, and that same year he entered upon the practice of his profession in Harrisonburg, in which he continued with gratifying success until he was appointed deputy county clerk in 1920. In November, 1927, he was elected county clerk, which office he is still filling with dignified capability.
In December, 1911, Mr. Switzer married Miss Virginia Armentrout, born in Middletown, Virginia, a daughter of G. W. and Cora (Willey) Armentrout. Mr. and Mrs. Switzer have two children: John Robert and Virginia Anne. Reared in the faith of the Reformed Church, Mr. Switzer has made it his own, and he is an elder of the local church, to which his wife also belongs.
He is a York Rite and Shriner Mason, and is a past high priest of the Chapter and a past eminent commander of the Commandery. For sixteen years he has been secretary of the local order of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a past chancellor commander of the former. For years he has been very active in the local Democratic party, has served as chairman of the county committee and been a delegate to various state conventions. In his duties, to which he now gives all of his attention, Mr. Switzer finds his knowledge of the law a very valuable asset, and the people of Rockingham County may rest assured that while he is in office everything under his jurisdiction will be done in accordance with the strict letter as well as the spirit of the law.
From History of Virginia, Volume IV, Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago and New York, 1928, pages 90-91.
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