A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 110

Author: Johnson, E. Polk, 1844-; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 860

USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III > Part 110

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RICHARD T. ANDERSON .- A man of dis- tinctive and forceful individuality, earnest in his convictions and firm in his opinions, Rich- ard T. Anderson occupies an assured position among the progressive business men of Lex- ington, which is his native city, his birth hav- ing occurred here September 7, 1870. John E. Anderson, his father, was born in this city February 10, 1845, being a son of John An- derson, for many years engaged in mercantile pursuits.

John Anderson was for many years an act- ive business man of Lexington. He was suc- cessfully engaged in the coal and lumber trade, having an extensive and remunerative patron- age in this part of Fayette county, continuing his operations until his death. He married Mildred Duerson, who survived him many years, passing away in February, 1878. To them three children were born and reared, as follows: Sarah, who married Noah McClel- lan, and died a year later, leaving an infant daughter, who survived her but three years;

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Richard T., for many years a prominent fac- tor in financial circles, being interested in banking and other enterprises, died, unmar- ried, in Lexington January 12, 1911; and John E., father of the subject of this sketch.

John E. Anderson grew to manhood in Lexington, acquiring an excellent education in the public schools, and as a young man was much interested in agricultural affairs. Sub- sequently forming a partnership with George McCann, he became senior member of the mercantile firm of Anderson & McCann, deal- ers in queensware. Active and ever on the alert for business opportunities, he afterward became identified with various enterprises, continuing his residence here until his death, November 26, 1908. He married Jennie Gathright, who was born in Louisville, Ken- tucky, a daughter of John and Zerelda (Ba- ker) Gathright. She passed to the higher life May 22, 1890, leaving two children, Mildred B., of Lexington, and Richard T.

Richard T. Anderson received his prelimi- nary education in private schools and later completed his studies at the State University. Entering then the Fayette National Bank, he was a clerk in that institution until 1902, when he embarked in mercantile pursuits, for a few years carrying on a prosperous business. At the present time he finds himself fully occu- pied in the management of his private affairs, which demand his entire attention.

Mr. Anderson married, in 1900, Lutie Res- pess, who was born in Mason county, Ken- tucky, a daughter of A. C. and Nannie (Bald- win) Respess. Fraternally Mr. Anderson be- longs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is not identified with any church organization, although his sister, Miss Mil- dred Anderson, is a member of the Presbyte- rian church.

ABRAHAM BARTON LANCASTER .- A man of undoubted business capacity and judgment, Abraham Barton Lancaster is numbered among the men who have been active in the promotion of the higher interests of the city of Lexington, where the greater part of his life has been spent. A son of the late Merritt Proctor Lancaster, he was born July 30, 1842, at Keene, Jessamine county, Kentucky, of old Virginia stock. His paternal grandfather, John A. Lancaster, was born of English an- cestry in Frederick county, Virginia, and about 1806, came as a young man to Ken- tucky, locating near Keene, Jessamine county, where he bought land and began to clear a homestead. Subsequently selling at an ad- vantage, he moved with his family to Mercer county, and having bought a farm near Burgin resided there until left a widower. Later he

returned to Keene, and there spent the re- mainder of his long life. He married Lucy Proctor, who was born in Jessamine county, where her parents were pioneer settlers, and they became the parents of six children, as follows: Merritt Proctor, Erskine, Lewis C., Johnson, Richard and James.

Born and brought up in Jessamine county, Kentucky, Merritt Proctor Lancaster obtained a practical education and began life for him- self as a merchant, opening a store of general merchandise in Keene. He labored under dif- ficulties not thought of in these days. There were then no railways in the county, and all of his goods, which he purchased in Philadel- phia, came from Pittsburg, via the Ohio river, to Maysville, Kentucky, from there be- ing transported by teams to Keene. Coming to Lexington in 1852, he formed a partnership with his father-in-law, Abraham Skillman, with whom he was associated in the boot and shoe business for about five years. Becoming then sole proprietor of the business, he con- ducted it successfully until his death, at the age of four score years. His wife, whose maiden name was Ann Skillman, was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and was a descendant, in the seventh generation, of Captain Thomas Skillman, the founder of the American fam- ily of Skillmans, the line of descent being as follows: Captain Thomas Skillman ; Thomas Skillman; Isaac Skillman; Thomas Skillman; Thomas Skillman; Abraham Skillman; and Ann Elizabeth Skillman.

Captain Thomas Skillman, an officer in the English army, came to America in 1664, with the Duke of York's expedition, under com- mand of Nicolls. In 1668 he was honorably discharged from the service and soon after- ward married Sarah Pettit, a daughter of John and Sarah (Scofield) Pettit, her father, with his brothers Thomas, Nathaniel and Mo- ses, having been early settlers of Newtown, Long Island. Four children were born of their union. The Captain died in 1696, and his widow afterward became the wife of Cor- nelius Breese. Their only son, Thomas Skill- man, spent his entire life on Long Island and became an extensive landholder, his death oc- curring in 1740. He married Annetge Aten, a daughter of Adrian Hendrickse Aten and grand-daughter of Hendrickse and Greitje (Warnarts) Aten, who, according to the Hol- land Society Records, settled in New Amster- dam May 24. 1662. They had Isaac Skillman, born in 1706, who inherited a tract of land at Raritan, about a mile from Rocky Hill, New Jersey, and there lived and died, leaving to his son, Thomas Skillman, born in 1727, the parental homestead. Thomas Skillman spent

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his entire life on this farm near Rocky Hill, and passed away in 1809, aged eighty-two years. He married in October, 1751, Mary Beekman, who survived him, dying in 1819, at the venerable age of eighty-six years. Their son, Thomas Skillman, born February 10, 1756, was a life-long resident of New Jersey, and a thriving farmer. He married Elizabeth Stryker May 7, 1778, and had Abraham Skill- man, born in 1788, near Rocky Hill, New Jer- sey, and there educated in the district schools, being given an excellent agricultural training. In 1822 Abraham came with his wife and children to Lexington, Kentucky, and opened a book and stationery store, which he con- ducted successfully for some years. Subse- quently, as an inducement to his son-in-law to take up his residence in Lexington, he again embarked in business, and continued about five years, when he once more retired, and spent his remaining years quietly, enjoying a well deserved leisure until his death, October 31, 1858, at the age of three score and ten years. He married in New Jersey Magdalen Davis, who was born in 1800, and they became the parents of five children, namely: William Davis; Henry; John; Mary D .; and Anna Elizabeth, born September 8, 1829, who be- came the wife of Merritt Proctor Lancaster. She died and he married for his second wife Elizabeth Robb, who bore him two children, Julia Davis and Elizabeth. Merritt Proctor and Ann Elizabeth (Skillman) Lancaster reared two children, namely: Abraham Bar- ton, with whom this sketch is chiefly con- cerned; and Magdalen Davis, who married J. H. Davidson.

As a boy and youth Abraham Barton Lan- caster received good educational advantages, attending the public schools of Lexington, after which he assisted for a time as a clerk in his father's store. Enlisting in 1862 in Company D, Duke's Second Kentucky Regi- ment, C. S. A., he served under General John Morgan, taking an active part in his numerous campaigns until September, 1863, when he was captured at Island No. 10, and taken to Camp Chase, in Ohio, where he was first con- fined as a prisoner, later being transferred with other prisoners to Camp Douglas, in Chi- cago, Illinois. In the winter of 1863 and 1864, Mr. Lancaster made his escape from prison and remained in exile in Canada until the fol- lowing summer, when he returned to Lexing- ton and resumed his former employment, re- maining as a clerk in the store until the death of his father, when he succeeded to the entire business. After managing it successfully un- til 1901, he sold out his interests in the store

and devoted his entire time and energies to his private affairs for a number of years.

Mr. Lancaster has been twice married, first, in 1876, to Susan Ann Harris, who was born in Virginia, a daughter of Albert T. and Mary (Woolfolk) Harris. She died in 1896, leaving three children, namely: Merritt Proc- tor, Joseph Woolfolk, and Mary Fraser. Mr. Lancaster married, second, in 1897, Elizabeth Hill, who was born in Ohio county, Kentucky, a daughter of Samuel E. and Naomi (Bar- nett) Hill. Mr. Lancaster and his family are members of the Episcopal church.

CHARLES J. HAGGAN .- Worthy of especial note among Lexington's esteemed and valued citizens is Charles J. Haggan, now serving as magistrate of his district and devoting his time and energies to the wise performance of his official duties. A native of the city, he was born May 23, 1865, a son of Michael Hag- gan. His grandfather, James Haggan, was born, reared and married in county Derry, Ireland, where he received a good education and became an expert accountant. Immigrat- ing with his family to the United States, he lived in Rock county, Wisconsin, until 1853, when he came to Lexington, Kentucky, where he lived retired until his death. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Kelley, seven children were born, as follows: John, Michael, Charles, Catherine, Mary, Bridget, and one other.

A native of the Emerald Isle, Michael Hag- gan spent his earlier years in county Derry. Brought to this country by his parents when young, he was reared to habits of industry and thrift in his Wisconsin home, and until after his marriage was employed at various occupations, always keeping busy. Turning his attention then to agricultural pursuits, he located on a farm about six miles from Lex- ington, Kentucky, and was there prosperously engaged as a tiller of the soil and a stock- raiser until his death, in 1896. He married Margaret Harrity, who was born at Brandy- wine, Delaware, a daughter of James Harrity, a native of Ireland. She died in 1871, leav- ing five children, namely: Sarah, James, Charles J., John and Mary.

Obtaining his rudimentary education in Saint Paul's Parochial School, Charles J. Haggan was subsequently graduated from Smith's Business College. Afterward learn- ing the trades of a blacksmith and horse shoer, he followed his chosen occupation in different places, and in the shoeing of race horses be- came a noted expert. In following his trade Mr. Haggan was ere long thoroughly ac- quainted with many of the noted race horses

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of the state and their drivers, and became so interested in racing that he followed the races several years. In 1909 he was elected magis- trate for the Second magisterial district, and has since filled the position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constit- uents.

Mr. Haggan has been twice married. He married first, in September, 1900, Lucy Wal- ton. She was born in Mason county, Ken- tucky, a daughter of Johnson and Zerelda Walton. She died in January, 1904, leaving two children, Mary Esther and Charles M. Judge Haggan married second, February I, 1910, Mrs. Arvilla Downing, who was born in Walworth county, Wisconsin, a daughter of Cyrus and Mary Hagaman. She married for her first husband Truman Downing, who at his death left one child, Maude, now Mrs. Hammond. Mr. and Mrs. Haggan are both consistent members of Saint Paul's Roman Catholic church. Fraternally Mr. Haggan is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees.

ROBERT LEE BAYNE, whose fine landed es- tate of two hundred acres is situated in imme- diate proximity to the city of Shelbyville, is now numbered among the able representatives of the agricultural and live-stock industries in his native county and his splendid homestead is known as Kleinwood Stock Farm. He has been prominently identified with business in- terests in Shelby county and is a scion of one of the old and honored families of this sec- tion of the state, where he has well upheld the prestige of the name which he bears and where he is held in high esteem by all who know him.

Robert L. Bayne was born on a farm in the northeastern part of Shelby county, on the 12th of April, 1859, and is a son of James G. and Mary (Baskett) Bayne, the former of whom was born in Shelby county and the lat- ter in Fluvanna county, Virginia, the Baskett family, of English origin, having been founded in the historic Old Dominion in the Colonial era. Mrs. Mary Baskett Bayne was a daugh- ter of James Baskett, and the maiden name of her mother was Shepherd. She was fourteen years of age at the time of the family removal from Virginia to Kentucky and was reared to maturity in Shelby county, where her father became a prosperous farmer. Here he passed the residue of his life and was about eighty years of age at the time of his death.

James G. Bayne was a son of Thomas Bayne, who was of staunch Scottish lineage and who was one of the honored pioneers of Shelby county, Kentucky, where he continued to reside until his death. James G. Bayne was reared and educated in this county and

here became prominently identified with agri- cultural pursuits as well as with other lines of enterprise. He was reared to manhood on the old homestead farm of his father near Simp- sonville, and was afforded the advantages of the common schools of the locality and period. He resided on his farm for many years and on this homestead reared his children. He finally established his home in the village of Bagdad, Shelby county, after having previ- cusly conducted a general store at Christian- burg. In Bagdad he engaged in the same line of enterprise, and during the later years of his life he was associated with his sons in the ownership and operation of a grist mill. . In 1884 was erected in this village the firm's orig- inal mill, which had a daily capacity for the output of fifty barrels of flour and the facili- ties were later expanded to permit the manu- facturing of one hundred barrels a day. The father sold his interest in the business about 1890 and thereafter lived retired, at Bagdad, until his death, on the 3Ist of December, 1897, at the venerable age of eighty years, his cher- ished and devoted wife having preceded him to eternal rest by fully twenty years and both having been zealous members of the Baptist church. Though not a politician Mr. Bayne was a loyal and public-spirited, and he served as a magistrate for a number of years, his political affiliation being with the Demo- cratic party. He was a man of impregnable integrity, was sincere, generous and kindly in his intercourse with his fellow men, and he was accorded the most unequivocal esteem in the county that represented his home during the entire course of his long and useful life. Concerning his children the following brief record is entered : William J., who was a val- iant soldier of the Confederacy during the entire period of the Civil war, went to Kansas City, Missouri, soon after the close of this great conflict and by there making judicious investments in real estate in the early days he has gained an appreciable fortune, and he still resides in Kansas City; James C., identified with agricultural interests in Shelby county, was formerly associated with his brothers in the milling business and is now cashier of the People's Bank at Bagdad; Samuel Baskett Bayne owns and operates a fine farm and is also a stockholder in the People's Bank at Bagdad; Robert Lee, youngest of the sons, is the immediate subject of this review; Sally is the wife of Daniel W. Owens, of Shelbyville ; Martha, who became the wife of Thomas T. Moore, died in 1897; Lucy became the wife of William Barnett, of Kansas City, Missouri.

Robert Lee Bayne was Feared under the in- vigorating influences of the farm and gained

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his early educational training in the public schools. As a young man he became associ- ated with his brother Samuel B. in independ- ent farming operations, and in 1884 he be- came associated with his father and his elder brothers, James C. and Samuel B., in the erec- tion and equipping of a flouring mill at Bag- dad, this being one of the first roller process mills in the county. The three brothers con- tinued to conduct the business in partnership for twenty-three years, and their alliance was marked by the most perfect harmony and ef- fective co-operation, the while their efforts were attended by gratifying success, both in connection with the operation of the mill and in general farming and stock growing, with which lines of enterprise all three of the brothers have continued to be concerned to a greater or less extent from the time of their youth. At the expiration of the period noted Robert L. disposed of his interest in the mill- ing business and purchased his present mag- nificent old homestead, lying contiguous to Shelbyville and on the line of the electric in- terurban railway. The residence is one of the fine old homes of the county and its excellent preservation clearly indicates that it was built according to the careful standards of the old times. It was formerly the home of Judge McHenry, by whom it was erected about the year 1876. The building is of brick and the walls stand intact, without a crack or sag. The interior is finished in black walnut and all this work was done by hand. The house contains ten rooms, spacious and admirably arranged, and here Mr. Bayne and his wife find the best of facilities and unqualified sat- isfaction in extending the gracious hospitality that gave celebrity to the fine old Southern regime. Judge McHenry, the builder of this splendid mansion, moved to Iowa, where he passed the residue of his life. The surround- ings are of most attractive order, with an ef- fective scheme of landscape gardening, in- cluding fine trees and beautiful shrubbery. The landed estate purchased by Mr. Bayne in connection with this homestead comprises two hundred acres, and the improvements on the place are of the best order, indicating good management and consequent thrift and pros- perity. In connection with diversified agricul- ture Mr. Bayne makes a specialty of raising and dealing in high grade cattle and hogs, and his homestead is known as the Kleinwood Stock Farm, as has already been noted in this context. He is one of the extensive and suc- cessful stock-growers of his native county and takes great pride in his fine farm, which is one of the valuable places of this favored section of the state.

In his civic attitude Mr. Bayne is essen- tially liberal and progressive and is ever ready to lend his aid and influence in support of measures tending to advance the general wel- fare of the community. Though he is aligned as a loyal supporter of the cause of the Demo- cratic party he has never had aught of desire to enter the arena of practical politics and lias invariably refused to become a candidate for public office. Mrs. Bayne is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and is a popular factor in the leading social activ- ities of the community.

On the 21st of November, 1888, Mr. Bayne was united in marriage to Miss Sue Bailey. who was born and reared in Shelby county, and who is a daughter of Benjamin K. and Mary Catherine (Smith) Bailey, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. Bailey was the owner of a fine estate of five hundred acres and was long the leading stock-breeder of Shelby county, where he was born and reared and where he passed his entire life, a member of one of the old and honored fam- ilies of Shelby county. He died in September, 1879, and his wife survived him by a number. of years. He was a son of Alfred and Ellen (Cowherd) Bailey, and both families were founded in Shelby county in the pioneer days. Mr. and Mrs. Bayne have but one child, Cath- erine Bailey, who is the wife of John L. Cow- herd, who is associated with his father, Col- onel J. Theodore Cowherd, in the real-estate and insurance business at Shelbyville.

GEORGE H. WHITNEY .- It is to such men as George H. Whitney that Kentucky owes that fine reputation for fine horses and live stock which has given her fame in every country of the world. He is, in fact, one of the most important and successful of Blue Grass horse breeders, and Melrose stud has produced many celebrated horses which have redounded both to his glory and to that of the state. The Whitney place, Woodlawn, is one of Fayette county's finest estates, the residence, upon its ideal site, being surrounded by great natural trees and being renowned for its beauty over a wide area Mr. Whitney's family is one of the longest established in America, the first Whitney having arrived on American soil only fifteen years after the landing of the famous little colony on Plymouth Rock.

Mr. Whitney is a native of the state, his birth having occurred in Bourbon county March 20, 1858. He is a son of Dr. George H. and Hannah (Moore) Whitney, the former a native of Boston, Massachusetts, in which city his birth occurred in the year 1812. He was of the eighth generation in America and was a descendant of John Whitney, the immi-

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grant ancestor above mentioned. This John Whitney landed at Watertown, Massachu- setts, in 1635, in company with his wife, and their son Joshua, born in July, 1635, was the first of the family to be born in this country. Dr. Whitney, father of the subject, was born May 28, 1812; passed his boyhood on a farm and received his education in the common schools and Franklin seminary. His mother died and on account of certain unpleasant family conditions he left the home roof and at the age of twenty-one years came to Ken- tucky, locating at Oxford, Scott county, and teaching school to earn money to attend col- lege. He received his professional training in the old Lexington & Transylvania College, lo- cated at Centerville, Bourbon county, where he remained until the year 1860. He then re- moved to Fayette county, where he purchased a farm and practiced medicine until a short time previous to his demise, which occurred May 28, 1875. He was a thorough student and one of the most prominent physicians of his day. Politically he was a Whig, and upon the formation of the Republican party he subscribed to its articles of faith. However, he was never active in public affairs and at no time was afflicted with a desire for office. He was a member of the time-honored Masonic order and was a true exemplifier of the prin- ciples of moral and social justice and brotherly love.

Dr. Whitney's wife was a native of Fayette county, and her maiden name was Hannah Moore. Her parents, William and Zalinda (Field) Moore, were natives of the Old Do- minion and came to Kentucky at an early day. Mrs. Whitney survived her husband, dying at the age of seventy-five years. She was a de- vout member of the Christian church and she and her husband were the parents of two chil- dren, another son, John William, dying at the age of two years.

George H. Whitney, of this review, spent his boyhood days upon the farm and received his early education at a select school and from private tutors, with whom he studied for sev- eral years. He then matriculated at Lee Uni- versity, at Lexington, Virginia, and after study- ing within its walls for two years he married and took charge of the farm of his father. He made a specialty of the raising of cattle and became one of the largest cattle feeders in the country. In 1899 he sold his farm, con- sisting of about twelve hundred acres, and bought a home in Lexington, where he re- moved to educate his children. In the year 1908 he purchased his present home of about three hundred acres.

On April 16, 1879, Mr. Whitney laid the

foundation of a happy household by his mar- riage to Miss America Innes, a native of this county and a daughter of John P. and Colum- bia (Davis) Innes, representatives of two of the old Kentucky families. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, who are as follows: Georgia I., a graduate of Sayr Institute, whose education was finished in Boston and who is at home at the present time; Estelle, the wife of Maury Kemper, a Lexington attorney ; George H., Jr., generally known as Harold, who is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and of Harvard Medical School of the class of 1911, and Co- lumbia and Mary Lovell, both of whom are at home.

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A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 110

Author: Johnson, E. Polk, 1844-; Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 860

Author: Johnson, E. Polk, 1844-; Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 860