Content Description Madison was born in Staunton, VA, on Feb. 17, 1867. He was the son of Robert Lewis and Helen Banister Madison. In 1885, he graduated from the University of Chattanooga. In 1888, Madison moved to Sylva, NC. In 1891, he married Ella V. Richards of Elizabeth, NJ. They had six children: Robert Edward, James Ambrose, Annie Louise, Monro Bolling, William Haight, and John Banister. Robert Lee Madison founded Cullowhee High School, forerunner of Western Carolina University, in 1889. ...