USA > Kentucky > Christian County > County of Christian, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 1
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Gc 976.901 C46pe v.2 1691939
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
V
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01713 6075
COUNTY
OF
CHRISTIAN.
KENTUCKY.
HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL.
EDITED BY WILLIAM HENRY PERRIN.
ILLUSTRATED.
F. A. BATTEY PUBLISHING CO., CHICAGO AND LOUISVILLE.
1884.
F 88316 .67
HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT.
HIENRY G. ABERNATIIY was born April 30, 1825, in Bruns- wick County, Va. He is the third.of four children born to Raleigh II. and Martha T. Abernathy (nee Avery). Amanda, the eldest, is the widow of Col. Thomas Rowlett, of Petersburg, Va .; John E. died in Ballard County, Ky., and William A. is still a resident of the same county. Their parents died many years past in Virginia, and in 1842 Henry G. re- moved to Tennessee, locating in Montgomery County, near the State line, where for four years he engaged in farming. In 1846 he again removed, this time settling further north, in the southern portion of Christian County, Ky. Here he devoted himself chiefly to agricultural pursuits, with which he combined mercantile business for some time, as well as en- gaging for several years in teaching school, in which profession he mani- fested especial fitness. He came to Hopkinsville in 1869, and that year erected the first tobacco warehouse built in that city. Since that date he has been the pronounced leader in the local tobacco market, and is still actively engaged in the tobacco trade. Mr. Abernathy was married in Christian County to Miss Ophelia F., danghter of Benjamin and Eliza- beth Leavell. Mrs. Abernathy is a native of Christian County, de- scending from one of the oldest as well as most honorable families of Kentucky. They have but one child-a son, named Henry H. Aber- nathy, junior member of the firm of H. G. Abernathy & Son. Both Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy are members of the Baptist Church of Hop- kinsville. A portrait of Mr. Abernathy will be found in a group else- whore in this volume. 1691939
LAWRENCE G. ALEXANDER, M. D., was born April 28, 1844, in the city of Augusta, Ga., to L. G. Alexander and Martha L. (Stecle) Alexander. When he was six years old his father settled in Calhoun, McLean Co., Ky., and there engaged in the milling business. ITis fath- er was born in Prince William County, Va., in February, 1815, and died in 1869. Ilis mother was born in the city of Louisville, Ky., in 1818,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
and died in 1864. They had but two children, viz., Dr. L. G. Alexan- der and Annie A., wife of S. J. Boyd, of Hopkinsville, Ky. The subject of these lines began the study of medicine in 1863, and in the early part of 1867 graduated in the medical department of the Louisville Universi- ty. lle began practice at Calhoun, Ky., where in 1873 he married Lizzie Loving, of Warren County, Ky., who died in 1877, leaving one son-Norbern Alexander. From Calhonn he removed to the city of Atlanta, Ga., where for a time he engaged in the practice of his profes- sion, and in editing a medical journal. In 1879 he located in Hopkins- ville, Ky., and on the 5th of May, 1880, was married to Miss Bell Lea- vell, daughter of Livingston L. Leavell and Mary Ann Leavell. To them have been born two children-L. G. Alexander, Jr., and Mary Ann Alexander. Dr. Alexander is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Baptist Church. He is President of the Christian County Medi- cal Society, Secretary of the County Board of Health, has a large and lucrative practice, and enjoys the confidence of an extensive circle of friends. Though but comparatively a young man, he has already achieved success in his chosen profession, and enjoys a reputation second to none in Ilopkinsville .*
ROBERT M. ANDERSON'S father, John Anderson, now of Hop- kinsville, Ky., was born in 1820, in Christian County, and is a son of Josiah Anderson, of whom mention is made in the history of Hamby Precinct. In 1840 he was married to Miss Pernecia Coon, by whom he had two children-Mrs. M. D. Meacham and Robert M. Anderson. Mrs. John Anderson died in this county in 1881. Robert M. was born November 23, 1848. He learned the trade of carpenter, which he fol- lowed until 1873, with the exception of a short interval of time, during which he served as Assistant Postmaster at Hopkinsville. Ile was married in Shelby County, Ky., in 1866, to Miss Melissa A., daughter of J. M. Woods. She was born in Shelby County, December 30, 1842. Since 1873 Mr. Anderson has been merchandising, and is now conduct- ing a flourishing grocery business on Court Street, between Virginia and Main Streets. He is a member of the Masonic Order ; Knights of Honor; Knights of Pythias ; Odd Fellows, and is Grand Patriarch of the Grand Encampment of the I. O. O. F., State of Kentucky. Mr.
*Since the preparation of thissketch, and on the 19th day of March, 1884, Dr. Alexander died at his residence in Hopkinsville. His portrait appears elsewhere in this work.
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HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT.
Anderson sustained a severe loss in the conflagration of October, 1882, and in 1883 rebuilt a substantial business house on the site of the for- mer, at a cost of 83,700. Of his four children, the eldest, Ada, is de- ceased ; those living are Florence, Daisey and May Anderson.
CLARENCE ANDERSON, one of the first photographic artists in the State of Kentucky, is the second of three children born to the Rev. Henry T. Anderson and Jane (Buckner) Anderson. [For sketch of Rev. Henry Anderson, see the history of the Hopkinsville Christian Church.] HIc was born in Caroline County, Va., in 1835. He received a fair edu- cation largely under the care and teaching of his father. IIc began in early life as a druggist's clerk, and in this capacity worked for some years in the cities of Louisville and Chicago. In 1860 he established himself in the drug business in Harrodsburg, Ky., where he continued to conduct that line of merchandise until closing out some time after his removal to Hopkinsville, in 1877. Notwithstanding the fact that he has devoted twenty years to the drug trade, he has taken rank with the best photog- raphers in the State, and is now devoting his attention to that business, with marked ability. He was married in 1862, in Harrodsburg, Ky., to Miss Mary, daughter of Dr. C. H. Spilman, of that place. She was born in Jessamine County, Ky., in 1842. Both are honored members of the church and highly esteemed by a large circle of friends. Their children, six in number, are Charles H., Clarence, Jr., Alyett B., Genevieve, Trabue and Mary Stilman Anderson.
ALEXANDER II. ANDERSON, a native of this county, and son of Joseph F. Anderson, was born July 11, 1846. His father, Joseph F., was a son of Josiah Anderson, who came to Christian Connty from Logan County, Ky. He settled in the northern part of the county, where Joseph F. was born, June 20, 1818. Joseph was reared to the pursuit of farming, and early in life learned the trade of carpenter. He was for some time Superintendent of the Christian County poor-farm. Hle married Mary Coon, a native of this county, and a daughter of Ben- jamin and Polly Coon. This wife died in Christian County, October 10, 1843, leaving one son, William H., who has since died. Joseph F. next married Sarah A. Coon, a sister of his former wife, who still survives him and who bore him eight children, Alexander HI. being the eldest. Joseph F. Anderson became a member of the Third Kentucky Regiment,
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHIES.
in which he served as a soldier through the late war. IIe was present and took part in the battles of Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Lookout Mountain, and was in the entire Atlanta campaign; he died October 19, 1869. Alexander II. was reared and educated in Hopkinsville, and in early life learned the trade of house and sign painting, which he followed for about seven years. In 1871 he became a partner with J. H. Tunks, in the grocery business, which association terminated three years later. Ile is now connected in the same business with John B. Cheaney, and located on Virginia Street, between Court and Russellville Streets. Mr. Ander- son was elected to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1881, to fill an un- expired term, and was re-elected to the full term in August, 1882. He is an honored member of the I. O. O. F. Ile was married in Hopkinsville, Ky., February 28, 1866, to Miss Laura Blythe, daughter of Harvey and Caroline Blythe (nee Clemens.) Mrs. Anderson was born in 1846, and is a native of Christian County. Their children, two in number, are Otho and Robbie Anderson.
HENRY CLAY BALLARD was born November 15, 1840, in Princeton, Ky., where he remained until seventeen years old, and then came to Ilopkinsville, where he engaged to learn the trade of tinner, and where he has since made his home. He followed his trade here until the break- ing out of the Civil war, and on the 16th of December, 1861, joined the Third Kentucky Cavalry, Company A, under Capt. J. W. Breathitt. Two weeks after enlistment, while engaged in battle at Sacramento, Ky., he received two severe wounds, and was taken prisoner by the Confeder- ate forces. Six months later, having been exchanged, he rejoined his command, with which he continued until discharged, in December, 1865, having participated in the warfare incident to Sherman's famous march to the sea. In 1866 he opened a mercantile business in Hopkinsville, which he is still pursuing. In Hopkinsville he married Miss Mary L., daughter of David J. Hooser. She was born in Christian County. The children born to their union were named Jennie, James, William and Al- bert G., the latter of whom is deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ballard are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he of the I. O. O. F.
REV. JAMES F. BARROW was born in Logan County, Ky., on the 19th of August, 1839, and is the ninth of a family of eleven children, born to Charles M. and Prudence F. Barrow. Ile grew to manhood
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HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT.
,
and was educated in his native county, and when about twenty- two years old became connected with the Baptist Church. IIe was ordained to the ministry in June, 1864, since which time he has been constantly and faithfully engaged in the service of the Master. He pos- sesses many rare traits, which characterize him as an able and efficient minister. He is concise and pointed in his delineations, forcible as a pulpit orator, and in ordinary conversation impresses all with whom he comes in contact, that he is not only a genial gentleman, but that he possesses a cultivated mind. The fidelity of Mr. Barrow to his church is better understood when it is remembered that on two occasions he has been by convention placed in nomination to represent the county in the General Assembly, but has each time declined that honor to devote him- self to his church. His father, who was born about 1800, in Casey County, Ky., removed in early manhood to Logan County, where he married Miss Prudence F., daughter of Lewis and Dorcas Dunn, who emigrated to Logan County from North Carolina, where their daughter, Mrs. Barrow, was born in February, 1805. She is still a resident of Logan County ; her husband, Charles M., died there in January, 1873. James F. Barrow, the subject of this sketch, was married in Christian County, Ky., on October 7, 1867, to Miss Mary E., daughter of James and Minerva Robinson. She was born August 20, 1840. They have two daughters, viz .: Lelia Barrow, born February 15, 1872, and Bertha Barrow, born February 14, 1874. In addition to pastoral work, Rev. James F. Barrow has labored successfully as missionary of Clear Fork and Bethel associations.
DAVID R. BEARD, whose portrait appears in this work, was born October 11, 1814, in Harrisonburgh, Rockingham Co., Va. John M. and Hettic (Rolston) Beard, the parents of David R., came to Christian County, Ky., about 1820, and settled in the northeast part of the county, where they engaged in agricultural pursuits, and where in 1827 Mrs. Hettie Beard died. In 1832 John M. Beard returned to Virginia to visit the scenes of his boyhood, and there died. He had served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and had a family of five children, as follows : Charles Beard, who died in Hopkinsville, in 1863; David R. Beard; Sarah, deceased wife of Joseph M. Cheancy ; Jolin M. Beard, who died in this county about 1849, and Hettie, deceased wife of Andrew
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Briscoe. David R. Beard was reared on the farm, and when seventeen . years old came to Hopkinsville, where he adopted the trade of saddler, serving his apprenticeship with S. A. Means, with whom he became associated in the business in 1847, which connection was terminated in 1855. From that time until 1880 he was a partner with E. H. Crutch- field in the same line. Since retiring from business in 1880, he has been superintending the interests of his farm, which lies a short distance south 'of Hopkinsville, and consists of 242 acres. Mr. Beard has for the past twenty years wielded an extensive influence in the city government, in which he has held official position ; he has also been a director in the Bank of Hopkinsville since January, 1866. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1858 he was mar- ried to Mrs. Malinda Beard (nee Holland). She was born in Fluvanna County, Va., January 28, 1818. They have one child, Johnnie Beard. Mrs. Beard is a member of the Baptist Church.
SILVANUS J. BOYD was born in Muhlenburg County, Ky., August 11, 1833, and is a son of Rev. Adlai Boyd who, with his par- ents, moved from the State of North Carolina about 1814 to Christian County, Ky., and two years afterward removed to Stewart County, Tenn., where in 1817 he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in 1822 entered upon the duties of a Minister of the Gospel in Christian County, Ky. He married Johanna Cessna of Muhlenburg County, Ky., and she died January 3, 1863. He was actively engaged as a minister for over fifty-nine years and until his death, which occurred on the last day of 1881, having preached his last sermon in Greenville, Ky., six days prior to his death. S. J. Boyd was educated in Greenville, Ky., where he studied law and was admitted to practice in said place in 1859, and removed to Calhoun, McLean Co., Ky., in 1866, and in 1876 removed to Hopkinsville, Ky. While living in Calhoun, and on the 19th day of December, 1872, he married Miss Annie A. Alexander of that place. She is now the only surviving child of L. G. and Martha L. Alexander (deceased), and was born in Jefferson County, Ky., on the 6th of September, 1848. Her father was born in Prince William County, Va., and died in Calhoun, McLean Co., Ky., on the 29th day of December, 1869. He descended from the old Sterling branch of the old Alexander family of Scotland, and his wife was a daughter of Rich-
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HOPKINSVILLE CITY AND PRECINCT.
ard Steele of Louisville, Ky., in which place she was born. Gen. Neville was her maternal grandfather, and she was a great-granddaughter of Gen. Daniel Morgan, who commanded the American forces at the battle of the Cowpens. She died February 11, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are blessed with three children, namely : Ashton A. Boyd, Nina Steele Boyd and Genevia Boyd.
. JOHN W. BREATHITT is a native of the county, and descends from one of the old and noted families of Kentucky. He is the only · living son of Hon. James Breathitt, and a nephew of Gov. John Breathitt, of Kentucky, after whom Breathitt County was named. James Breathitt, the father of John W., was born in Virginia. He came to Christian County from Logan County about 1814. He was here married to Miss Elizabeth S. Short, by whom he had three chil- dren-a daughter that died in infancy and two sons, Peyton S. and John W. Breathitt. The mother died in Hopkinsville about 1826, and during the infancy of John W., who was born January 9, 1825, Pey- ton S., the elder brother, grew to manhood and became a physician ; after graduating from the Louisville Medical College he practiced in Louisville until loss of health compelled him to abandon the practice, soon after which he died in Florida. James Breathitt, in 1830, married Gabriella A. Harvie, daughter of John Harvie, of Frankfort, Ky. Harvie W. Breathitt was the only child born to them ; he was drowned in the Illinois River after attaining manhood. The father died near Rus- sellville, Logan County, in 1839, and his widow survived him until August 26, 1883, when she died in Frankfort, Ky. Until 1839 John W. received the benefits of the Hopkinsville public schools. After the death of his father he went to North Bend, Ohio, to live with his unele, John C. Short. Here he attended Cary's Academy, from which he entered the preparatory department of the Kenyon College, where he completed his studies. Ile afterward studied law, but was never admitted to the bar. For a time he followed farming, later engaged in merchan- dising. September 1, 1861, he entered the Federal Army as Captain of Company A, Third Kentucky Cavalry. On the 27th of May, 1863, he was promoted to Major of the First Battalion, which position he held until mustered out at Savannah, Ga., at the close of the war. Ile took active part in many engagements, among which were Pittsburg Land-
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ing, Stone River, Lookout Mountain and the fighting incident to the Atlanta campaign and Sherman's march to the sea. In 1874 he was elected to the office of County Clerk of Christian County, which he has held continuously since, assisted by his sons Augustine and Harvie W. Breathitt. . He is a Royal Arch Mason and member of the Baptist Church. On the 12th of November, 1847, he married Catherine A. . Webber, daughter of Dr. A. Webber, of whom mention is made else- where. Their family consists of Peyton S., Augustine. Harvie W., James, John W. Jr., Elizabeth S., Mary C. and Catherine A. Breathitt.
HON. JAMES BREATHITT is a son of John W. Breathitt, and was born in Christian County September 4, 1852. His carly education was obtained in the Hopkinsville schools. In 1877 he entered the Cum- berland University of Lebanon, Tenn., from which he graduated in June, 1878. In the same year he began the practice of law in Hopkinsville, associated with John W. Payne, under the firm name of Breathitt & Payne, which partnership terminated in 1881, and during which he was three times elected to the office of City Attorney of Hopkinsville. In 1881 he was elected to represent his county in General Assembly, and was again a candidate in 1883, but was defeated by L. T. Brasher on a local. issne. He is now associated in practice with Henry J. Stites. He is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias as well as of the Bap- tist Church.
JAMES BRONAUGII'S grandfather was William Bronaugh, of French descent, a native of Virginia who married Miss Mary Grant, a relative of Gen. Grant, ex-President of the United States. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. In 1795 he, with his wife and chil- dren, except David, his eldest son, emigrated to Kentucky by flat-boat from Wheeling, and landed near Washington, the old county seat of Mason County, where the parents died. His death occurred in 1815. Capt. David Bronaugh, who commanded a company in 1805-1806, was the eldest son of William and the father of our subject, was a native of Virginia, where he was reared and educated, and on the 13th of Decem- ber, 1787, married Anna Sandidge in Spottsylvania County. They died in Virginia-he May 1, 1853, and she June 24, 1853. Of the ten chil- dren born to them James was the eighth child, and is now the only sur- viving descendant of the family. He was born in Spottsylvania County,
·
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Va., October 18, 1804, and there spent his early life. In 1831 he came to Christian County and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by Walter Warfield in Casky Precinct. He afterward moved to a farm on the Nashville road four miles southeast of Hopkinsville, where he how owns 260 acres. He now resides in Hopkinsville. In Virginia he married Miss Isabel Hart, a native of Virginia, born December 29, 1804, and died in Christian County, Ky., February 9, 1880. Her father, Malcolm Hart, was a native of Scotland, born in about 1750, and · emigrated to the United States previous to the Revolutionary war. IIe was the owner of the celebrated horse " Hart's Medley," which he im- ported from England in about 1783 or 1784. He had served as Magis- trate and High Sheriff. Mr. Bronaugh's marriage was blessed with the following .children : Martha M., who married Dr. Shelton, moved to Texas and there died, leaving four children; Malcolm H. died, leaving a wife and one child; David B. died, leaving a wife and three children ; James B., now a resident of Hopkinsville; William T., of Hopkinsville ; Judith Ann, deceased, and Jane M. Bronaugh.
ENOCH A. BROWN (deceased) was born in the year 1805 in Georgia, whence in childhood he removed with his parents to Rowan County, N. C. There the father died, and the mother, Rachel Brown, with her three children, Enoch A., Jolin W. and Margaret Brown, came to Christian County, Ky., in 1812. At that time the family were in very humble circumstances, and the subject of these lines being the eldest of the three children was compelled to render assistance in procuring sus- tenance for the family. He was thereby largely deprived of the advan- tages of schooling, being only permitted to attend school a short time each year during the winter months. Being possessed, however, of an indom - itable will, coupled with great energy, he determined to secure an educa- tion, which he accomplished under extreme difficulties, keeping his book before him while he sat upon his shoe-bench, and thus, while shaping the vamps of the rude pioneer's shoe he was also storing his young mind with knowledge, the influence of which was destined to be felt by the future generations of Christian County. IIe soon became competent to fill the position of teacher, which for some years engaged a portion of his time, and often after the duties of the schoolroom were ended for the day he worked until late in the night preparing the forest land for the plow. He
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united with the Christian Church about 1827, and to his honor it is said that he preached more than fifty years in the same house, during which time he administered the ordinance of baptism and performed the mar- riage ceremony for more persons than any other man in the county, hav- ing frequently married father and son. He was the choice of the people of his county in 1863 to represent them in the State Legislature, where he served with credit one term. He was also a candidate for delegate to the State Constitutional Convention of 1849, but sustained a defeat in con- sequence of his advocacy of a clause providing for the liberation of slaves. He was married in Christian County, Ky., in 1830, to Sarah Brasher, who was born in 1809 in South Carolina, and who still survives him. He died in June, 1882, but the imprint of his molding hand will long remain to evidence the fact that he lived for a high aim and acted well his part. His venerable mother, Rachel Long, who was married twice, and whose maiden name was Rachel Phillips, died in Christian County in 1880 at the age of one hundred and one years. Of ten children born to Enoch A. and Sarah Brown five are still living, four of whom are residents of this county. The eldest of these is Omar S. Brown, who was born Jan- uary 13, 1832, and was educated in the common school and at the Transyl- vania College at Lexington, Ky., and for a time taught school ; he is a very successful farmer and present Deputy Sheriff of the county ; he also served the county three years as Commissioner of Tax. Ile is at present a mem- ber of the Board of Trustees for the Hopkinsville Public School as well as of the South Kentucky College. He was married in 1866 to Kate Davis, daughter of Benjamin and Rochie Davis. They have one child, Lizzie A. Brown. Cyrus M. Brown, present Sheriff of the county, is the ninth of the family of Enoch A. Brown, and was born February 26, 1848. He obtained a practical education, and for ten years was a prominent teacher of the county, in which he was eminently successful, and during which time he developed a literary talent of no mean order. In 1880 he was elected to the office of Sheriff, and the ability with which he filled that position was shown in his re-election in 1882. He is a Republican and a member of the A. F. & A. M.
THOMAS F. BROWN. Among the old and numerous families of Christian County, Ky., is that of Thomas and Rebecca Brown, the former of whom was born in Rockingham County, Va., where at an ear-
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ly age he was left an orphan. He learned the trade of blacksmith, at which he engaged the most of his life. He was in the war of 1812, after . which he came to Kentucky, and settled in Christian County, nine miles east of Hopkinsville, on the Russellville road. He married Rebecca Stuart, daughter of Gravner and Jane (Fields) Stuart, who came in an early day from North Carolina, settling in Christian County. To Thomas Brown at his home east of Hopkinsville were born fifteen chil- dren ; later the family removed further west, in Casky Precinet, where Thomas died in 1855, and Rebecca in 1869. Their children were : An- drew J., Nancy S. (widow of Jeremiah Allcox), Absalom, Gravner S., Augustus W., Robert S., William, John A. F., Thomas F., Samuel M., Sarah S:, Jane, Milton D., James Henry Brown, and an infant which died unnamed. James H. and Jane died in childhood, and the other mem- bers lived to be grown, and in 1859 in the fair grounds, of Christian County were seen ten of these bearded-faced sons mounted upon white steeds, arraycd in similar dress, and presenting a scene so rare as to cause extensive newspaper comment. Thomas F. is the ninth of this family, and was born October 8, 1828. In early life he devoted several years in school-teaching, but in 1855 began the mercantile business in Hopkins- . ville, where he soon after sustained a loss of his business from fire. In 1858, however, he again opened a grocery business, which he prosecuted for some years with success, associated in the meantime with his brother J. A. F. Brown, under the firm name of J. A. F. Brown & Bro. He was married in Christian County, March 12, 1868, to Emma Davidge, daughter of Judge R. and Martha (Dallam) Davidge. She was born in 1838. They have but one child, named Robert Henry Brown, born February 1, 1869. Mr. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and his wife is a member of the Southern Presbyterian Church. His portrait appears in this volume.
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