USA > Kentucky > Jessamine County > A history of Jessamine County, Kentucky, from its earliest settlement to 1898 > Part 17
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John B. Cook.
In 1810 Dawson Cook, who was a native of King and Queen county, Virginia, removed to Nicholasville, bringing with him his son, John B. Cook, then four years of age. Early in life Mr. Cook entered business in Nicholasville, became a member of the Meth- odist church, and in all the relations of life acted well his part. He was kind, generous, thoughtful and courteous to his friends and neighbors. One characteristic of his life was his devotion to his church. For fifty-two years he was an earnest supporter of the Nicholasville Methodist church, and was rarely, if ever, ab- sent from his seat in the sanctuary. He died in 1886, in the sev- enty-third year of his age.
One of his sons, Rev. T. B. Cook, was adjutant of the Fifth Kentucky Confederate infantry, and later a distinguished Meth-
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odist divine. His sons, John, Edward, and Bush L. Cook, the latter proprietor of the Hotel Nicholas, and one daughter survive him. His piety and his patriotism combined with his kind and genial manners render him one of the best remembered citizens of Jessamine county.
Capt John Wallace
Was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 18, 1748. His father had come from Ireland in 1737. Captain Wallace served in the Revolutionary armies under General Washington. He had three brothers in his company. He was with Washington when he crossed the Delaware, and fought the battle of Trenton. Colonel Rahl, the commander of the Hessians, in that battle, was killed by one of the sharpshooters in Captain Wallace's com- pany. There Captain Wallace took from one of the Hessia.1 officers a sword, which was kept in the family for eighty years, and was taken by Federal soldiers from the house of the Rev. Joseph Wallace, in Independence, Missouri, during the late war. After his marriage to Jane Finley, in 1777, he removed to Virginia, but shortly after came to Fayette county, Ky., accompanied by sev- eral members of his family. His son, Joseph Wallace, married Sarah Barr, January 24, 1829, and shortly after this Captain Wal- lace settled in Jessamine county, where the East Fork and main Jessamine Creek unite, and carried on for more than forty years an extensive tannery. He was a most efficient business man, kindly and considerate in all the relations of life, and was one of the best citizens that ever lived in Jessamine. He died at his place, a few miles south of Nicholasville, Dec. 19, 1855. in the 76th year of his age. Mrs. T. J. Brown was one of his daughters. Scattered throughout Kentucky and Missouri are his descend- ants. They carry with them as their inheritance the manly, pa- triotic, intelligent and Christian instincts which marked their an- cestors.
A Romantic Story.
On the first day of January. 1841, a young man about thirty years of age, made his appearance in Nicholasville, which then had a population of only 550 inhabitants. His name was Ross
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Hughes, and he was a stage driver, a native of Ireland and a man of pluck and energy. He obtained employment, and rented an old house then belonging to Albert Young. He and his wife con- stituted the family. He drove the stage from Nicholasville to Harrodsburg, over rough roads in winter. After he quit driving the stage, he one day told his wife that he must visit Louisville and New Orleans. He remained away from home for a long time and the gossips of the town made the young wife unhappy by their disagreeable insinuations. After an absence of four months the husband returned, but within a week he received a budget of letters, and told his wife that he must go at once to St. Louis, and in a few hours, he took his departure for the last time from Nich- olasville, and gossip again turned its hateful tongue to the dis- turbance of the life and heart of the young wife. The public felt that she was deserted. Shortly after she became a mother, and for eighteen months lived on in silence, hoping and trusting. At the end of this time she received a letter from her husband di- recting her to come at once with her child, which she did, after disposing of her little household effects. Upon reaching St. Louis she found that her husband was the owner of a splendidly furnished house with every convenience for her comfort, and with colored servants ready to obey her wishes. In due time the little girl born in the little log house on the 27th of January, 1841, became a lady in fashionable society in St. Louis, and later the wife of an English Lord, and the mistress of a superb man- sion in London society. She died Lady Stirling, on the 6th day of September. 1889, in London. Her first husband was a distinguished Major General, in the Federal army. The old log house in which Lady Stirling was born is still standing, and is the property of Mr. Corrington. It has been altered and weatherboarded anew, and is still one of the most comfortable residences in the town. It was erected in 1804, and is on the corner lot in the rear of Joseph Lear's livery stable.
Prolific of Statesmen.
In one corner of Jessamine county there were six neighbor- hood boys, living almost in sight of each other, all of whom played together and attended the same school. Four of these-George
History of Jessamine County Kentucky. 225
S. Shanklin, Otho R. Singleton, Sam'l H. Woodson and A. G. Tal- bott-became members of Congress ; the fifth-Jos. B. Crockett- became one of the most distinguished state judges in America, and was for many years Chief Justice of California ; while the sixth- Richard K. Call-was elected to Congress from Florida, in 1823. He was Governor of Florida from 1836 to 1839, and again from 1841 to 1844. Such a record of distinguished services from one neighborhood is certainly rare in this or any other county.
George S. Shanklin.
Hon. G. S. Shanklin was the youngest son of John Shanklin, who was one of the early pioneers, emigrating from Pennsylvania
to Kentucky. He settled in Jessamine county in 1785. He early attended the celebrated school of Joshua Fry. He was not a 15
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politician or time-server. He was a man of a high sense of in- tegrity, modesty, courtesy and of retiring disposition. He was an able and successful practitioner of law, a man of most incor- ruptible honor. He was elected to Congress in 1865, and repre- sented Jessamine county in the lower house in 1838, and was Presidential Elector in 1864. The latter years of his life were spent upon his farm, about three miles from Nicholasville, on the Versailles turnpike. He died April 1st, 1883, seventy-five years of age.
Otho R. Singleton.
One of the distinguished sons of Jessamine was Otho R. Singleton. He was born near Keene, in 1816. In 1842 he settled in the state of Mississippi. He was a gifted man, of superb presence, fine courage and attractive address, and in his adopted state became very prominent. He was the son of Lewis Single- ton, and nephew of Elijah Singleton. He attended Bardstown College in his early life, and immediately after going to Missis- sippi was elected and served two years in the legislature. He afterwards served six years in the Mississippi State Senate, and in 1852 was the presidental elector from Mississippi. He was chosen as a member of the 33d, 35th and 36th Congresses. He entered the Civil War with a Mississippi regiment, and acquitted himself with great gallantry. At the battle of Leesburg a Federal officer from Boston-a Captain Watson-demanded his surrender. At that time Mr. Singleton was a captain in the Second Mississippi regiment. His response to the Federal officer was a shot which killed him instantly. After the war Mr. Singleton was elected a member of the 44th Congress, and served in 1875 as a member of that body. His father was an extensive hemp manufacturer, and maintained his factory near Keene. He died a few years since at Jackson, Miss.
Rev. John T. Hendricks, D. D.
Mr. Hendricks was one of the most useful and also one of the most distinguished men educated in Jessamine. Having united with the Nicholasville Presbyterian church, the officers of the
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congregation discovered that he was a man of fine mind and deep religious convictions. The church undertook his education for the ministry, and amply did he repay it for the services rendered by it to him in his youth.
He was born in Barren county in 1810. His father came front Virginia and settled in Kentucky in 1805, and died in Jessamine county in 1839, two miles east of Nicholasville. His wife who was Mary Tilman, died at the same place in February, 1838. His ancestors were staunch Protestants and served under William, Prince of Orange, in the war waged by Philip II. of Spain against the. Protestants of Holland, about the middle of the Six- teenth century.
While preparing for the ministry, he undertook the work of colporteur in Jessamine county, and his report of his labors is still in existence. He distributed 31 Bibles free, sold 15, do- nated 25 Testaments, and sold 5. His report closes with these words : "I have been engaged five days, finding my own horse, "at one dollar per day, which I have received.
"March 6, 1830."
He visited in all 148 families in the territory bounded as fol- lows: From Nicholasville with the Shaker road to Jessamine creek, with the same to the river, up the river to the Paint Lick road, to the beginning.
Dr. Hendricks died only a few months ago in the 88th year of his age. His services at Clarksville, Paducah and other portions of the Presbyterian church in the Southern states, have given him wide distinction as a man of great earnestness, and great faithfulness in his Master's cause.
John Corman.
John Corman, a member of Captain Price's company, was a native of Wayne county, Pa. He was born in 1792. He removed . to Kentucky in very early life, and when the call was made for vol- unteers, in 1812, he promptly offered his services. He was the first man in Captain Price's command to fire a gun in the battle of Raisin. He killed an Indian and a British soldier early in the morning.
He long lived in the western part of Jessamine county as one
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of its best and worthiest citizens and died in 1876, in his eighty- second year. He was brave, honest and patriotic.
Capt. Thomas T. Cogar.
Nature was generous to Capt. Thos. T. Cogar, and gave him as his portion in life, fourscore-and-six years.
His father, Michael Cogar, settled in Jessamine in 1790 at the head of Jessamine creek, and there his son Thomas was born in 1796.
Captain Cogar was a man of strong mind and the kindest im- pulses. His devotion to friends knew no limitations. He mar- ried Miss Ruth Ewing in 1822, and in 1847 removed to the Ken- tucky river, at Cogar's Landing, sometimes called Brooklyn. Here he carried on a large trade and managed the shipping busi- ness on the Kentucky river, from that point.
He became a distinguished Mason, and commanded, for many years, one of the crack military companies of the county. He managed to secure a large pork-packing establishment at his landing and by his energy and popularity built up a remunerative trade for such a locality.
He represented Jessamine county for two terms, in the legis- lature of 1867-71, and died in Nicholasville in 1882. He was an honorable man, a patriotic citizen, a loyal friend, and an intelli- gent and faithful legislator.
John Barkley.
In the earlier history of Jessamine county that portion of it lying in the general neighborhood of Keene produced an unusual number of very enterprising as well as very gifted men. Among these was John Barkley, who held large landed interests in Jes- samine county prior to 1834. At that time Mr. Barkley removed to Boyle county, and established the first hemp 'manufactory south of the Kentucky river. He was largely engaged in mer- chandise and was also one of the leading men in the develop- ment of the state. He was born in Jessamine county in 1809.
He was the first President of the proposed railroad from Lex- ington to Danville from the South. Railroad building at that
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period presented almost insurmountable difficulties. Mr. Bark- ley went to New York and engaged a civil engineer to examine the prospects for the construction of the road. The mighty chasis of the Kentucky river stood in the way. Cantilever and suspension bridges for railways had not then been used or even invented, The construction of a railway was practically impos- sible without a bridge which would span the Kentucky river. Mr. Adams, the engineer, surveying the road from Lexington to Danville, proposed to span the Kentucky at the point where the Cincinnati Southern now crosses.
The engineering and financial difficulties would have defeated most men, but they only aroused Mr. Barkley to higher effort. He was a man of great pluck, high order of talent, sparkling wit and a fine conversationalist. He had received the best educational advantages and had followed these with wide reading, especially in English literature.
He represented Boyle county in the legislature in 1845, and was a leader in all movements for the prosperity and development of the county.
Prior to his death he had purchased one of the finest farms in Boyle county, near Danville, and was residing there at the time he undertook the construction of the Lexington & Danville Rail- road. While on his way from Danville to Nicholasville, in com- pany with Mr. Adams, the engineer, to arrange some matters in connection with the enterprise, the horse, which he was driving, became frightened on the cliffs of the Kentucky river, and ran away, striking the vehicle against a rock on the side of the road. He was thrown out and instantly killed. This occurred on the 21st day of January, 1853.
Few men at that time would have been a greater loss to Ken- tucky. Mr. Barkley was one of the master spirits of enter- prise in that period when Kentucky, above all others, needed men to lead, promote and advance internal improvements.
He left the work which he had inaugurated for others to com- plete, but the boldness of his plans and the wisdom of his designs have been vindicated in later years and that great thoroughfare. the Cincinnati Southern Railway, is the consummation of that which Mr. Barkley had devised at a time when other men would
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have dismissed such a project from their minds as utterly im- possible.
Joseph B. Crockett.
In 1808, Joseph B. Crockett was born at Union Mills, on Hickman creek, A short while after, his father removed to Lo- gan county, and there the son attended a classical school. In 1827 he entered the University of Tennessee, at Nashville, but in consequence of the straitened pecuniary condition of his father, he was compelled to leave the University after one year. He studied law at Hopkinsville with Governor Morehead. In 1830 he formed a partnership with Gustavus A. Henry, which, after two years, was dissolved. In 1833, he was elected to the legislature, where, at once, his talents and his industry gave him a high stand. He was again elected to the legislature in 1836, to fill a vacancy, and shortly after this he was appointed Common- wealth's Attorney by Governor Clark. His career as a prosecu- tor was brilliant and able, but the duties of the office were uncon- genial ; his talents led him to prefer the defense rather than the prosecution, and he soon established a reputation for being one of the ablest criminal lawyers ever known in Kentucky.
In 1840, he removed to St. Louis, Mo., where a most brilliant success crowned his career, but, his health giving way, in 1852 he settled in California, and in a little while found himself in the very front rank of the bar in that state.
His kindness of heart and his generous courtesy secured for him the highest popularity. Upon the death of Judge Shapter, of the Supreme Court of California, Mir. Crockett was appointed to fill the unexpired term. He held the place of Chief Justice for twelve years and retired in 1880-the result of infirmity produced by advanced years. He was regarded by the people of California as one of the most brilliant, able and distinguished judges who ever sat on the bench of the Supreme Court.
David Bowman.
One of the unique characters in the early history of Jessamine county was David Bowman. He was born in Bucks county, Pa., in 1784, and settled in Jessamine county, on Jessamine creek, in
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1800. His forefathers in Pennsylvania were members of the Church of the United Brethren. Mr. Bowman united with the Presbyterian church in Nicholasville in 1825, and was for more than sixty-five years a faithful and devoted attendant. At the time of his death in 1879, he was the oldest member of the church and was the last of the old men born in the eighteenth century.
When a young man he became addicted to the use of liquor ; resolving to rid himself of this habit, he went to Lexington and after a three days' walk in the mud, reached that city. There he received the help of a gentleman, who aided him to go to New Orleans on a flatboat, and there he took service on a ship, which plied between New Orleans and Havana, and followed the sea for twelve years, and accumulated quite a fortune. He returned to Jessamine county, married, and on twelve acres of land always had corn and wheat, and money to spare.
For many years he attended church in Nicholasville, coming on horseback, with his wife behind him. He insisted to the time of his death upon wearing a blue, spade-tail coat.
John Butler.
John Butler was the son of Thomas Butler, one of the old sheriffs of Jessamine county, under the Constitution of 1779. He was born in Jefferson county, Va., in July, 1813, and was only six years old when his father settled in Jessamine county. He was a kind, honest and upright man, and commanded the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. He was deputy sheriff two terms, and died March 1. 1870. He was one of the substantial and enterprising men of Jessamine county.
James R. Davis.
James R. Davis was born near Nicholasville in 1809. He was the third son of James Davis, and nephew of William Davis, two brothers, who came from Culpeper Court House, Va, and set- tled in Jessamine county in 1798. James Davis was the son of Henry Davis, of Culpeper county, Va., who served in the Rev- olutionary War, under General Washington, and General Wayne. He died in Fayette county in 1794.
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James R. Davis lived in the Sulphur Wells neighborhood for fifty years. He was a good and worthy man, noted for his hospi- tality. He died in 1886.
Samuel Woodson Price.
Samuel Woodson Price, son of Maj. D. B. Price and Eliza Crockett. was born on the 5th of August. 1828. in Nicholasville, Ky. He early exhibited a marvelous talent for drawing. and he
could draw the capital letters before he knew his alphabet. All his holidays and Saturdays were spent in sketching on paper and modeling in clay. When quite a boy he was sitting in the court house at a famous trial. Thomas F. Marshall was addressing the jury for the prisoner. During this speech the attention of the young artist was drawn to an old and prominent farmer who
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was listening, with eager attention to the eloquent words which were being uttered. His head was resting on his hands, his fingers along the side of his face, while his mouth was wide open. In a little while the sketch was completed. He handed it to the sheriff, who laughed aloud and in turn handed it to the judge, who also was not able to suppress his mirth. It was passed from neighbor to neighbor, and everybody laughed, and the speaker was compelled to pause for a few minutes.
After attending the Nicholasville Academy he was sent to the Kentucky Institute to complete his education. This was in the fall of 1846. He was at once made Professor of Drawing, with the rank of First Lieutenant. In 1847 the University suspended and he went at once to Lexington to pursue his studies with the renowned painter, Oliver Frazier. There he attained splendid success. His painting, "Old King Solomon," is one of the most noted ever produced in Kentucky. His portrait of Chief Justice George Robertson, and the painting of Dr. J. J. Bullock and his family, rank among the masterpieces of the state. The Govern- ment purchased from him a portrait of Major-General Thomas, which is now in the National Gallery, at Washington.
At the beginning of the war he commanded an independent company at Lexington, known as the Old Infantry. Most of this company entered the Federal service. He was afterwards appointed Colonel of the Twenty-first Kentucky Infantry. He brought this regiment to a high state of efficiency, and the service it afterward performed in the Civil war, from '61 to '65, was in considerable measure induced by his splendid training. At the battle of Stone River he made a heroic stand and was op- posed to the Kentucky Confederate troops under Breckinridge.
General Price was badly wounded at Kenesaw Mountain and taken from the field. This incapacitated him for further active service. He was appointed commandant of the post at Lexington, and was such at the close of the war. He was brev- eted Brigadier-General for his gallant conduct at Kennesaw, and afterwards was Postmaster at Lexington, which place he held for two terms. He moved to Louisville after his retirement from the position of Postmaster, to pursue his profession, portrait paint- ing, but the loss of his eyesight prevented him from further work, and he is now totally blind. He is a writer of vigor and a mem-
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ber of the Filson Club, for which he frequently prepares sketches, which are greatly appreciated and highly valued. Several of his paintings take high rank, and one, "Caught Napping," is a masterpiece of its kind. The closing of his professional life by the destruction of his sight, was a great loss, not only to Ken- tricky but to all lovers of art.
William T. Willis.
Captain Willis was born on the 10th of June, 1794, in Cul- peper county, Va .. and was killed at the battle of Buena Vista, February 23rd, 1847. He married first Hetty E. Howe, daugh- ter of a Presbyterian minister. He had been educated at a semi- mary taught by his father-in-law. He was elected to represent Green county in the Legislature several times, and also repre- sented Green and Hart in the Senate in 1833 and 1838. He made the race for Congress in that district in 1839, with a majority of 2,000 against him, which he reduced to 200. At that time he was believed to be on his death-bed, and this seriously affected his vote. After his marriage he began merchandising, and shipped large quantities of tobacco by flat-boat, and drove horses through the country to New Orleans. The partner, who he sent on one of these expeditions, was taken sick after selling the horses and tobacco, and died, and before Captain Willis could reach the place of his demise, the proceeds of the sale had disappeared. Being involved, he returned at once, sold out his stock, and commenced studying law and practiced in Green and adjoining counties. Not- withstanding that he had a large debt and a family of eight chil- dren, and at that time was compelled to meet such men as Samuel Brent, Ben Hardin, Judge Underwood and Judge Buckner, he succeeded admirably in his profession. In 1840 he removed to Harrodsburg, remained there three years, and then came to Jes- samine county. He was a man of singular energy and great abil- ity. He had built up a large practice, and was regarded through- out Kentucky as one of its most promising statesmen. Although fifty years of age at the breaking out of the Mexican war, he at once organized a company for service and his ardent patriotism is best attested by the fact that with him, three of his sons volun-
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teered as privates; the youngest of whom was barely fifteen years of age.
The following is a list of his men :
Roll of Company "F," Second Regiment, Kentucky Foot Volunteers-Mexican War :
Wm. T. Willis, Ist captain, killed at Buena Vista.
Captain-James O. Hervy. First Lieutenant-William R. Keene. Second Lieutenant-Thos. J. Proctor. Second Lieu- tenant-Wm. C. Lowry. Sergeants-William L. Smith Ist, An- drew J. Nave, 2d, Jno. C. Winter 3d, William Cox 4th ; Corpo- rals-Edward P. Green Ist, Dudley Portwood 2d, John A. Willis 3d, Chas. C. Hagan 4th. Drummer-Cortney L. Burch.
Privates-Allen, Jno. H. ; Brown, Geo. W .: Burchell, Daniel ; Burton, Theodric ; Bruner, Thos. J .; Beymer, Saml. ; Castle, Au- gustus B. : Crane, Asa C. : Crane, Jno. P. : Collins, William ; Dan- iel, Wm. H .: Dickerson, Woodson ; Day, Wm .: Duman, James ; Easby, Andrew L. : Easby, Josiah ; England, Jas. S .; Fain, John ; Ford, Joshua G .; Ford, Edward D .; Garison, John A .; Graves, Living: Gibony, William; Grant, Geo. W .; Howard, Robt. S .; Hamilton, William; Hunter, John; Hayden, Isah P .; Hill, Greensbury ; Harvey, Trotter; Hawkins, James ; Jackman, Jos .; Masters, Irvine; Marvin, Wmn. F .; Masters, Jackson ; Marks, Geo. I .; Martin, Robert ; Moore, Andrew B .; McCampbell, Jno. G .; McConnel, Jas. A .; McMurtry, John ; Nooe, Albert K .; O'Brien, William; Overstreet, Saml. R .; Page, Thos. C .; Patter- son, Wm .; Roberson, Jacob C .: Roberts, Andrew J. ; Rash, John ; Saunders, Jno. A. ; Saunders, Geo. W .: Sacre, John; Sharp, Eze- kiel K .: Sweitzer, John ; Tutt, Wm .; Thompson, Jno. T .: White, Jas. N. ; Wilson, John : Willis, Edmond C .; Willis, Jas. H.
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