Hon. Bland Massie, farmer, orchardist and former member of the State Senate, has his personal career conferred additional honor and prestige upon a name that is one of the oldest and best known in Nelson Co.. The MASSIE family was Est. in Va. by Alexander Massie, who came in 1635. The founder of the family in Nelson Co. was Major Thomas Massie, who represented the 5th generation of the family in Va., and was the grandfather of Bland Massie. Major Thomas Massie was born in 1747, was commissioned a Capt. in the sixth Virginia Regiment in 1775, and was one of the most trusted officers and soldiers in Washington's patriot army. He had a long record of service, until the final surrender of Cornwwallis n 1781. Major Massie in 1803 moved his family to Nelson Co. and acquired an estate of more than nine thousand acres. His home was known as "Level Green," and he died there in 1834.
Bland Massie was born at Pharsalia in Nelson Co., November 10, 1854, son of William and Maria C. (Effinger) Massie. He was reared at the old homestead of his fathers, was educated at Stauton and at Norwood, and for many years has been busy with the thirteen hundred acres, devoted to fruit growing and
general crops. Mr. Massie was first elected a member of the House of Delegates in 1893. In 1894 he was appointed and served two years in the revenue department. He was a member of the Senate 12 years, and was also appointed a member of the State Fisheries Commission. His last service in the Senate was rendered as a result of the election in 1912 and he served until 1916.
On November 19, 1876, Senator Massie married Elizabeth Royster Sneed. She finished her education at Staunton. Fifteen children were born to their marriage, thirteen children are now living (that is at the time when this book was written) Josephine wife of Dr. W.V. Dunlop; Mariah wife of O.W. Gardines; Henrietta; a trained nurse, Florence T. wife of John T. Morton, Robert Lee who is married and has 2 children, Margaret, wife of Adrian Nalle; Henry S., who lives in Nelson Co., Frank S., Mary M., wife of Carl Adams, William W.,Charles A., Bland B., and Thomas Massie. The family are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Massie is a past grand of the Independant Order of Odd Fellows.
