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76.9 51 .2 939917
M.
REYNOLDS RETORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01713 4609
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/memorialrecordof02lewi 0
563
MEMORIAL RECORD
OF
WESTERN KENTUCKY
V.2
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME II.
Public Library JUL 2 5 1962 Dallas, Texas
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
1904
МОЛОДАЯ ДЛЯОМЛИ.
ОГОИТИЯХ КЛАТЕЛИ
1939917
Come Debar
"Freezer
1
MEMORIAL RECORD
OF
WESTERN KENTUCKY.
HON. WILLIAM J. DEBOE.
The name of the Hon. William Joseph Deboe is indelibly inscribed on the pages of county, state and national history, for his prominence in public affairs has been of such a character that public progress and , improvement have been conserved and recognition of his worth has been accorded. As a representative of two of the most important professions to which man can devote his energies, medicine and the law, he has gained success, and as a defender of principles bearing upon the welfare of his country he has become known for his sturdy adherence to what he believes to be right. He is, moreover, entitled to distinction because of the fact that he started out in life empty-handed and amid unfavorable circumstances, having few of the advantages which ordinarily prepare the youth of our land for the responsibilities of life.
Mr. Deboe is a native of Crittenden county, having being born upon a farm within its borders, on the 30th of June, 1849. His parents were Abram and Mary J. (Smith ) Deboe. The father was born in Spottsyl- vania county, Virginia, January 17, 1817, and was a representative of one of the old families of that state, descended from French Huguenot 103
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF
ancestry. The grandfather, Abram Deboe, was also a native of the Old Dominion, and was a son of a soldier of the colonial army in the war of the Revolution. Abram Deboe removed to Kentucky about 1830, settling in Caldwell county, about three miles east of the present village of Fredonia, where he lived and died.
Abram Deboe, the father of Senator Deboe, came to Kentucky with his parents when about thirteen years of age, and was here reared to manhood. Later he wedded Mary J. Smith, who was born and reared in this state, while her parents were natives of Virginia. He followed farming as a means of livelihood, although he devoted the greater part of his time and energy to the work of the ministry as a preacher in the Missionary Baptist church. Throughout all western Kentucky he preached and labored for the Master, and in his day no other local preacher was better or more favorably known than he, or did more good for his fel- lowmen and the cause of Christ. In politics he was an old-line Whig, and when the Civil war was inaugurated he espoused the cause of the Union and his voice was often heard in public addresses in ardent ad- vocacy of the maintenance of an unbroken bond between the states. He later identified himself with the Republican party, and, being a man of strong convictions and unfaltering courage, he ever maintained a firm stand on matters political, religious and otherwise. In 1863 the wife of his early manhood passed away in death. He always resided upon a farm, and there reared his family. His death occurred in Caldwell county, in 1889.
Like the other children of the household, Hon. William J. Deboe was reared on the old home farm, and began his education in the country schools. Later he taught and attended school alternately, thus defraying the expenses of his own education by means of revenue obtained by in-
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structing others. At Ewing College in Illinois, he completed a liberal literary education, and then took up the study of law. Shortly thereafter he was influenced by a former instructor to take up the study of medicine. und in 1880, on the completion of the regular course, he was graduated Hold the Modell Univers of Louisville, Kentucky Opening an office m Manonthe logan the practice of mediane here, and soon gained a large a lucrative patronage For nearly seven years he was an extremely low man das professional duties making demands upon his time almost astudy, night and day Much of his practice was in the country, mondatunk trips on horseback through all kinds of weather and causing him to undergo many personal hardships in order to relieve the sick and muttering, so that at the end of seven years his own health became greatly
wat nad him to make a change in his work. Accordingly ndonc the medical profession and resumed the study of law, which he had not altogether suspended during the time he practiced medicine. In 18SS he was admitted to the bar.
Forming a partnership with the Hon. J. W. Blue, Mr. Deboe and his assiette som gained a large chentage that connected them with much of the important litigation in the courts of the district. From early Tie Mr Delme has taken an active interest in politics and has acceptably served on load, state and national committees of his party. The first office held by him was that of superintendent of county schools, and splendid results of his services in this office obtain to this day ; one being the excellent public school building of Marion. In 1892 he made the race for congressman from his district as the Republican nominee, but was not successful in overcoming the large Democratic majority of the dis- trict. The following year, however, he was elected state senator from the fourth senatorial district, overcoming a goodly majority the Demo-
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF
cratic party had previously long maintained in the district. In 1895 he was a prominent candidate for the United States senate, at which time many other candidates of popularity were also contestants for the office. Such was the division of votes in the general assembly that the election of any candidate seemed improbable, and for the sake of harmony and the good of his party Mr. Deboe withdrew from the race, in favor of the Hon. W. G. Hunter, who also at last failed of election. At the called session of 1897, Mr. Deboe again became a candidate and was elected. lle served one term with distinction in the United States senate, and then retired from office with the respect and esteem of his colleagues of both political parties. In both state and national politics Senator Deboe is a conspicuous character, and has borne a commendable part. In the councils of his party his advice has been sought, and no member of the party wields a greater influence in Kentucky than he.
Senator Deboe was married in 1886 to Miss Victoria Larkin, of Mount Vernon, Indiana, and to them has been born a daughter, Mary Larkin Deboe. The Senator has long been a member of the Presbyterian church and of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He has always taken active interest in local affairs, especially along lines of permanent im- provement and progress. When Marion was without railroad facilities he was among the first to encourage railway construction, and was influ- ential in securing the building of .a railroad to this city. He has also aided in the promotion of other enterprises, thus manifesting a spirit of progress and of devotion to the general good. By his neighbors he is held in the highest esteem; by his professional brethren he is regarded as having been a physician of skill and broad knowledge, and as being a lawyer possessed of unusual talent, while in politics and statesmanship he ranks among the foremost of the nation. From a farm lad and
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WESTERN KENTUCKY.
through unfavorable circumstances he has made his way to success, and along the rough and rugged way has maintained an untarnished name and a character above reproach.
JOHN B DAY.
Klm | Da, formerly a fumer, now residing in the town of Clin- 111 Hat county. He was born September Alphons I and Nancy ( Woodley) Day. His father was born in Mecklenburg county, Virginia, and his mother in Bafford, Tennessee His paternal grandfather was John Day, also a native of Mecklenburg county, Virginia, and of English lineage. His maternal grandfather, James Woodley, was a native of Tennessee, of German descent.
Our subject's father settled in Graves county, Kentucky, about 1837, and lived there till about 1St, at which time he removed to Hickman county, settling about three and a half miles southeast of Clinton, Here John B. Day was reared, and was given only a com- mon school education In 1880 he married Miss Hettie Elliott, and on the ium on which Mr. Day was born and reared and still owns, he settled down in life, taking up the pursuit of farming, which he best understood. Here he continued to reside till in the spring of 1903, when he removed his family to the town of Clinton that his children might have better educational advantages than the country schools af- forded them.
Mrs. Day, like her husband, is a native of Hickman county. Her parents were James and Margaret (Bard) Elliott, both natives of Ken-
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF
tucky, and are now deceased. They were the parents of eight children, of whom Mrs. Day is the youngest but one.
To Mr. and Mrs. Day have been born four children, namely : Lula, born October 24, 1887; Nancy A., born December 28, 1892; James, born July 21, 1897; and Taylor B., born November 7, 1901. Both Mr. and Mrs. Day are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. He is a Democrat in politics, and is numbered among the lead- ing citizens of his county.
EDWARD MORRIN JOHNSON.
Edward Morrin Johnson, who is serving as clerk of the circuit court of Caldwell county and makes his home in the city of Princeton, was born here on the 12th of October, 1857, his parents being Thomas Jefferson and Ann Eliza (Barnard) Johnson. The father was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and was there reared. In his early youth he was left an orphan and came to Caldwell county, Kentucky, where he grew to manhood. After arriving at years of maturity he was here married to Miss Aun Eliza Barnard, a native of this state, whose parents came from Massachusetts to Kentucky. Thomas J. Johnson began life a poor man. He learned the tinner's trade, which he followed for sev- eral years, and when his unfaltering labor and capable management had brought to him some capital he embarked in business on his own 1 account in Princeton as a dealer in hardware and groceries. Later he became proprietor of a hotel in this city and was owner of the stage line, making the trip between Hopkinsville and Smithland. When the Civil war was inaugurated he was enjoying a good and prosperous business and had a fair estate, but because of conditions brought on
WESTERN KENTUCKY. 411-OK
by the war he lost heavily and became much discouraged. He died in the year 1888 at the age of seventy-four years, and his wife passed away about 1891, she, too, being seventy-four years at the time of her de- mise. Both were devoted members of the Christian church, and in his political affiliations Mr. Johnson was a Democrat. To him and his wife were born the following children: Nora, the deceased wife of Samuel Ware; The.das Jefferson, who is living in Princeton; Charles, who has departed this life; David, a resident of Logan county, Ken- tucky; Annie, deceased; Frank, who is living in Clarksville, Tennessee ; Edward M .; and three who died in infancy.
Edward Morrin Johnson was reared in Princeton and obtained his education in the public schools there. When eighteen years of age he started out in life for himself, working first as a farm hand, but while thus engaged he suffered a sunstroke and was unable longer to : continue in agricultural pursuits. He then became connected with a furniture business for a short time, and later accepted a position of deputy county clerk, in which capacity he served for ten years. He was elected clerk of the circuit court in 1892 for a term of six years. He proved a most capable officer in that position, and his promptness and fidelity caused his re-election in 1898, so that he is now serving for a second term of six years, and his incumbency will continue until 1904, when he will have filled the office for twelve years. He was elected upon the Democratic ticket, and has always been a strong supporter of that party.
In 1886 Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Kennie Simpson, who was born in Tennessee, and they now have two children : Beulah and Ruth. The parents hold membership in the Christian church, and Mr. Johnson is a Knight Templar Mason, active in the
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF
fraternity. Having spent his entire life here, he is widely known, and the fact that many of his stanch friends are numbered among those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time is an indi- cation that his career has ever been worthy of respect and confidence.
JOHN DAVIS.
John Davis, of the firm of John Davis & Son, marble and granite dealers, Princeton, Kentucky, is an Englishman by birth, but has been a resident of America from early boyhood. He was born about seventy- five miles from London, England, in 1839, and came to America with his parents in 1848, locating with them at Evansville, Indiana, where his father, Moses Davis, was engaged in railroading. The elder Davis died at Evansville at about the age of forty-seven years. The mother .
bore the maiden name of Carrie Lowe. She died at New Orleans, where the family landed on coming to this country, dying of cholera. Our subject is the oldest of four living children, namely: John, Thomas, Mary Ann and Betsie.
When a young man John Davis served an apprenticeship of three years to the marble and stone cutter's trade, with M. A. Lawrence, at Evansville, after which he worked at his trade four years as a journey- man. Then he engaged in business for himself at a little town called South Carrollton, Kentucky, where he remained for a period of eighteen years. At the end of that time he came to Princeton. That was in the spring of 1881, and here for twenty-two years he has conducted a marble and granite business, now having his son as partner, and doing business under the firm name of John Davis & Son. The firm does all forms of monumental work, and the workmanship is of the highest
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WESTERN KENTUCKY.
class. Their business is not simply local, but extends over many counties. In many cemeteries of western Kentucky can be found many excellent monuments created by John Davis & Son. The firm is constantly busy and enjoys a steadily increasing business, all being due to excellent workmanship, stock and fair dealing.
Mr Davis was married, at Evansville, Indiana, in 1800, to Miss Annabel Young, who, like himself, is of English birth and was brought to this country when a duld. Mrs. Davis is a daughter of Thomas and Martha Young, natives of England. The children of this union Ate tive in number, namely : Came, wife of S. B. Mott, of Princeton, Kentucky: Wilham, his father's partner, and who married Cora George, daughter of Garrett George, and has three daughters and one son, Ethel, Louise, Annabel and John G. ; Lillie, wife of Albert George, of Tulare, California ; Mattie, wife of John Fairchild, of Evansville, Indiana; and Ruth, at home.
Politically Mr. Davis is a Republican, and while he has never been a politician, he has always taken a commendable interest in public affairs, and was at one time a member of the city council of Princeton. He has membership in Center Lodge No. 82, F. & A. M., and is identi- fied with the Methodist Episcopal church.
DR. JOHN ALLISON AKIN.
For more than three decades Dr. John Allison Akin has been identified with Princeton, Kentucky, not only as a practicing dentist but also as a leading representative citizen. Dr. Akin traces his an- cestry back to Scotch origin. The first Akins to land in this country came here as refugees from Scotland on account of the persecution of
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF
the Huguenots, and made settlement in South Carolina. Robert H. Akin, Dr. Akin's grandfather, was born in South Carolina. He moved to Tennessee, and in Maury county, that state, his son Allison, the Doctor's father, was born. Allison Akin was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. His work took him to various points, and from 1855 to 1866 his home was in Lyon county, Kentucky. In the last named year he moved to Caldwell county, Kentucky, and located in the Rock Spring neighborhood, where he died in 1871, at the age of fifty-eight years. His widow survived him until 1890, when she died at the age of sixty-seven years. Her maiden name was Mary P. M. Tayloc; she was a native of Stewart county, Tennessee, and a daughter of John Taylor, a native of North Carolina, of English descent. Allison and Mary P. M. Akin were the parents of seven children, five sons and two daughters, of which number one died at the age of two years and one at the age of seven, the others living to adult years.
Dr. J. A. Akin is the eldest of the above family. He was born in Montgomery county, Tennessee, January 4, 1849, and was a small boy at the time his parents moved, in 1855, to Lyon county, Kentucky, where he lived until he reached the age of seventeen. The years 1869 and 1870 he spent in the study of dentistry. In 1871 he began the prac- tice of his profession at Princeton, where he soon built up and has main- tained an excellent business, his professional career here extending over a period of thirty-two years. From time to time Dr. Akin has made profitable investments in farming lands, and as the result of his years of labor and good management has gained a fair competency.
Dr. Akin married, in 1882, Miss Nannie King, daughter of Dr. J. A. King, of Princeton. Mrs. Akin was born in Caldwell county, Kentucky, and educated at the Princeton College. They are the parents
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of two children, namely: Allison, named in honor of his grandfather, is a student in the Kentucky State College at Lexington; and Melville, at home.
For many years Dr. Akin has been a member of the Tennessee State Dental Association; he has been a life-long Democrat, and since he was nine years old has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South. In church and Sunday-school work he has always taken an active part, filling various official positions in the same, and at this writing he is a steward of the church and superintendent of the Sunday- school.
JOHN W. CARTER.
John W. Carter, who has a profitable and highly cultivated farm near Mayfield, is a native son of Graves county, where his life of nearly fifty years has been spent in a useful occupation and in the capable performance of such duties as have fallen to him as a citizen and member of the community, so that he now enjoys a happy and comfortable home and the hugh regard of many friends and neighbors.
Mr. Carter is the son of Callis N. J. and Rhoda (Sullivan) Carter, the former of Irish descent and a son of William Carter, and the latter a daughter of John Sullivan, of Tennessee. Callis Carter was a native of Tennessee, but made his home during most of his life in Graves county, where he was a successful farmer. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion was a member of the Primitive Baptist church, in which faith he died when about sixty-seven years old. His wife is still living at the age of seventy. Ten children were born to these parents, as follows: George W., deceased; Cynthia E .; Jasper, deceased; John W .; Mar-
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF
garet ; James W., deceased; Joseph; Mollie, deceased; Tabitha; and Lillie.
John W. Carter was born in Graves county, May 22, 1855, and was reared and educated there. By living on his father's farm during his minority he gained thorough experience in the art of agriculture, and he early began farming and dealing in stock on his own account. He is . now the owner of a fine farm on the Blandville road, three miles from Mayfield. He is progressive and methodical in his work, and enjoys good profits from his labor.
Mr. Carter follows the lead of his father in matters of political choice and has always voted the Democratic ticket. In 1878 he mar- ried Miss Ada Sanderson, who was born in Graves county, October 13, 1861, and has become the mother of the following children: Minnie M., James L., Mollie, Daisy, Thomas, Nettie M., Ula, Sylvester, Della and Tray. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have many friends in the county where they have passed their entire lives, and their hospitality is generous and open-handed.
THOMAS J. ROBB.
Thomas Jefferson Robb, one of the highly respected and enter- prising young men of Graves county, Kentucky, was born April 19, 1868, in Union county, this state. He is a son of William A. and Martha D. (Wathen) Robb, both of whom were born in Union county. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Jefferson Robb, was also born there, but came of Irish ancestry ; at one time he held the office of sheriff of his county. The grandfather on the maternal side was Thomas Wathen, born in Kentucky, a physician by calling.
William A. Robb was a farmer and made his home in Union
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county, Kentucky. In politics he was a Democrat, while his religious faith was that of the Catholic church. In 1862 he enlisted in the Con- federate army and remained until the close of the war. His death oc- curred when he was thirty-three years of age. His wife survives, aged now about fifty-eight years, and lives in Graves county. To them were born three children, namely: Thomas J., John W. and William A.
Thomas J. Robb was reared and educated in Union county, and he has spent his entire life farming and stock trading, with the exception of a few years when he was in a mercantile business at Fancy Farm. He now owns a fine farm in excellent condition. Like his father, he is a Democrat and Catholic.
On October 29, 1894, he was married in Graves county to Nannie B. Carrico, who was born in Graves county in September, 1870, and to this union one child has come, Anna V., born June 11, 1896. In . their pleasant home Mr. and Mrs. Robb are to be found always glad to welcome a guest and extend to him the hospitalities of the establish- ment.
JAMES WILLIAMS CLAY.
Jamies Williams Clay was born in Henderson, November 28, 1874, and is a son of James Franklin Clay. He is the only member of his father's family who has embraced the legal profession, and the firm of Clay & Clay is now one of the best known and most thoroughly reliable legal combinations in the city. He was educated in the schools of Hen- derson under the careful supervision of his father and was graduated in the law department of Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee, in the class of 1892. He finished his course with honor and won the degree LL. B. He next entered upon the practice of his chosen pro-
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MEMORIAL RECORD OF
fession in connection with his father, and has evinced an aptitude for the law and an ability to successfully meet the problems connected therewith rare in young men. He is a close student, faithful in the discharge of his duties and the interests confided to him. Building upon the sure foundation of thorough and comprehensive preparation, with the ex- perience which comes with years, he will undoubtedly have a brilliant and successful career at the bar. His association with his distinguished father is most fortunate and happy, and one so rare as to command wide attention and respect. He assists in all the important litigation of the firm and has appeared with credit in argument in the court of appeals, winning the approval of the entire court on the conclusion of his initial address. He is a member of the Knights of the Ancient Essenic Order and enjoys the respect and confidence of the entire bar.
JAMES L. CARTER.
James L. Carter, one of the prosperous residents at Clinton, is the son of Lloyd and Annie (Wallace) Carter, and was born in Hickman county, Kentucky, August 28, 1849. His father was born in Tennessee and his mother in Graves county. The paternal grandfather was John Carter, who came of English descent. The maternal grandfather was Nathan Wallace and was born in North Carolina.
James L. Carter was reared and educated in Hickman county. His first work in life was on a farm, and he succeeded so well that he has since continued in this work, and also followed the trade of a carpenter. At present he is the owner of four hundred acres of fine land, all in one tract. Starting out in life without capital, through energy, industry and good management he has accumulated considerable of this world's
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goods, and gained the respect and esteem of all who know him. In politics he is a Democrat. In his religions connections he is a Methodist and gives liberally towards its support.
In 1870 he was married to Miss Lucy Howell, who was born in Fulton county, Kentucky, a daughter of Gresham and Emeline ( Baker) Howell. Mr. Howell was born in Tennessee and his wife in Kentucky. The paternal grandfather, Ransom Howell, was of Irish descent, but of the maternal grandfather, William Baker's, lineage we have no definite knowledge. Her father was a Democrat in politics and a Methodist in religion. Both parents of Mrs. Carter are living, residing on the old homestead, aged seventy-seven and seventy-three years, respectively, and they have been married fifty- four years. Their children are as follows: Mary E., James W., Millie J. and Allie, all deceased; Lucy, Mrs. Carter ; Julia, Mrs. John Carter; Helen, Mrs. Bloomer Nichols. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Carter: Fannie, Mrs. John Craig; Wesley; Edwin; Wilkerson; Allie, Mrs. Thomas Fowler; an unnamed infant, Clarence ; two unnamed infants; James 1 .. ; George B., deceased ; an unmanned infant ; Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Carter are well und isoldy known in their community, and make their friends wel- come at their pleasant home non ( linton.
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