A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 27

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 27

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Dr. Louis Marshall, youngest son of Col- onel Thomas Marshall and grandfather of Louis Marshall, of Versailles, Kentucky, was sent to Edinburgh, Scotland, to complete his literary and scientific studies and he then went to the city of Paris for instruction in medicine and surgery. At that climacteric period in French history he became an ardent republican

and with a number of fellow students he par- ticipated in the attack on the Bastile. He was present at the massacre of the Swiss guard, witnessed the murder of the Princess de Lamballe and at the time of the Reign of Terror he was arrested and condemned to death. He was confined in prison for a con- siderable period and was finally liberated through the intercession of his brother, John, the distinguished chief justice of the United States supreme court. Upon his return to America Dr. Marshall established his resi- dence upon the old homestead in Woodford county, Kentucky, and here he attained pres- tige as the most erudite and successful phy- sician and surgeon in the state. He was a man of the highest intellectual powers and manifested the inherent family talent and pro- pensity for teaching. His interest in educa- tional work was signally shown by his gather- ing at his country home the most promising young men of Kentucky, to whom he gave instruction in his well ordered private school. In 1838 he was chosen president of Washing- ton and Lee University, of Virginia, and in 1855 he was made president of Transylvania University, of Lexington, Kentucky. He at- tained to the patriarchal age of ninety-three years and his name merits an enduring place upon the roll of the distinguished men of the fine old commonwealth which represented his home during the major part of his long and useful life. Dr. Marshall married Miss Agatha Smith, who was born in 1782 and whose death occurred in May, 1844.

Hon. Edward Colston Marshall, son of Dr. Louis and Agatha (Smith) Marshall, was reared to maturity' on the old homestead of which so frequent mention has already been made, and besides the refining influences of a cultured home he was afforded the best of educational advantages, having attended in turn Washington College, in Virginia; Center College, at Danville, Kentucky ; and Transyl- vania University, at Lexington, this state. Through careful study he admirably prepared himself for the work of the legal profession and after his admission to the bar he engaged in the practice of law at Nicholasville, Jessa- mine county, Kentucky. Early in 1847 he en- listed for service in the Mexican war and in this connection he was commissioned first lieutenant in a regiment of United States In- fantry, later being promoted captain of his company. He served until May, 1848, when he received his honorable discharge. In the following year he joined the ever memorable exodus of gold seekers who were making their way across the plains to the new Eldorado in California, where he became prominent and in-

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fluential in public affairs in the pioneer days of that state. In 1851 he was elected the first representative of California in congress and in 1856 he returned to Kentucky, where he showed his affection for and appreciation of the gracious associations of the old Buck Pond homestead by purchasing the same from his father. He became associated with others in the founding of the Lexington Daily Press and in the same year he was an independent candidate for congress, but was defeated. After the election he returned to California and there he was elected attorney general of the state. He there passed the residue of his life and he died, in the city of San Francisco, in the year 1883. His wife, whose maiden name was Josephine Chalfont, was born and reared in Ohio and was a daughter of Robert Chalfont. She likewise passed the closing years of her life in California, where she died in 1893, and of the children the subject of this sketch in the only one now living. The parents were communicants of the Protestant Episcopal church and the father was a man who well maintained the traditions and honors of the family name.

Louis Marshall, the immediate subject of this review, gained his early educational dis- cipline in the schools of Kentucky and as a young man he accompanied his parents on their removal to California. In the city of San Francisco he became a successful stock- broker and there he held membership in the Stock Exchange. About 1896 he returned to Kentucky and established his home at Ver- sailles. He also, with signal consistency and appreciation, purchased the ancestral home- stead, upon which stands the fine old Colonial residence built by Colonel Thomas Marshall about the year 1780. This valuable property he still retains. Shortly after establishing his home in Versailles Mr. Marshall was elected cashier of the Woodford County Bank & Trust Company, of which position he is still incum- bent, and he is recognized as one of the able and discriminating financiers of his native state. He has never had aught of ambition for public office, though he is essentially pro- gressive and public-spirited in his attitude, and his political allegiance is given to the Democratic party.

At San Francisco, California, in the year 1883, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Marshall to Miss Susie Thorne, a daughter of Isaac and Susan (Bryant) Thorne the for- mer of whom was numbered among the ster- ling pioneers of California. Mr. and Mrs. Marshall have two children, Edith, who re- mains at the parental home, and Josephine, who is the wife of Laurance A. Raley, a

native of Kentucky, a scion of an old and influential family of this state and now a resi- dent of Atlanta, Georgia.

HARRY A. SCHOBERTH .- A native son of Woodford county, Kentucky, and a scion of a fine old German family, his grandfather be- ing a relative of the Emperor of Germany, Harry A. Schoberth is present city attorney for Versailles, is master commissioner of Woodford county and represents his district in the state legislature. He was born at Ver- sailles, Woodford county, Kentucky, on the Ist of June, 1882, and is a son of Anthony and Elizabeth (Vogler) Schoberth, the former of whom is a native of Germany and the latter of whom was born in Franklin county, Ken- tucky, of German parentage. Anthony Scho- berth is a son of George Schoberth, who still resides in Germany, at the advanced age of ninety-two years. Anthony Schoberth re- ceived excellent educational advantages in his youth and after completing the curriculum of the common schools he was matriculated in the Berlin University, at Berlin. While pur- suing his studies in this institution he was drafted to serve in the German army. In or- der to escape this arduous service he emigrat- ed to America, arriving at New Orleans, Lou- isiana, in 1874. Thence he proceeded to Lou- isville, Kentucky, and in 1877 he located at Versailles, this county, where he has since maintained his home. He has devoted the major portion of his active career to the stock business, being at the present time buyer and shipper for himself and live stock inspector for Woodford county, Kentucky, dealing prin- cipally in fancy saddle horses. In 1877 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Vogler, who was born and reared in Franklin county, this state. Mr. Vogler claimed the Empire of Germany as the place of his nativ- ity and Mrs. Vogler was a representative of a fine old Virginia family: Both were sum- moned to eternal rest when Mrs. Schoberth was a small child. Anthony and Elizabeth Schoberth became the parents of three chil- dren, namely-Harry A., the subject of this review; Raymond, who is in school at Ver- sailles, Kentucky; and Elma, who is the wife of John Wilkerson, of Newcastle, Kentucky.

Harry A. Schoberth, first in order of birth of the above children, received his prelimin- ary educational discipline in the public schools of Versailles and in Rose Hill Acad- emy, at Versailles. Later he attended Henry Academy and in 1900 he entered Central Uni- versity, at Richmond. In 1901 he was matric- ulated in the law department of the Univer- sity of Louisville and in this celebrated insti- tution he was graduated in 1902, with highest

Vol. III-9

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honors, being chosen valedictorian of his class. Abner C. Hunter is a scion of the third generation of the family in Kentucky. He was born on the old homestead farm in Wood- ford county, on the 7th of July, 1868, and is a son of Abner C. and Edith (Sanders) Hunt- er. Abner C. Hunter, Sr., was likewise a na- tive of Woodford county and he was a son of William Stuart Hunter, who was born and reared in Virginia, whence he emigrated to Kentucky and established his home in Wood- ford county in the pioneer days. Here he died in the year 1835 and his wife long sur- vived him, she having been summoned to eternal rest in 1878. Abner C. Hunter, Sr .. was reared to maturity on the farm which was the place if his nativity and his educa- tional advantages were those afforded in the common schools of Woodford county. Here he continued to be actively identified with agricultural pursuits until 1849, when he joined the historic hegira of gold-seekers who were making their way across the plains of California, where he remained for some time and where he met with measurable success in his quest for gold. He returned to Woodford county in 1866 and here purchased the old homestead farm from his mother. To the management of this well improved homestead Immediately after his graduation he located at Versailles, where he has built up a large and lucrative clientage, and where his prominence in legal and political circles amply contradicts the scriptural aphorism that "A prophet is not without honor save in his own country." He is recognized as one of the representative members of the bar of Woodford county and he has gained precedence as an able trial law- yer and as a learned and well fortified coun- selor. He has been closely identified with political affairs since early youth and is aligned as a staunch supporter of the prin- ciples and policies of the Democratic party. He was chairman of the county campaign committee before he had attained to his legal majority and he has frequently served in this capacity since that time. In 1907 he was giv- en distinctive mark of popular appreciation in that he was then elected to represent the Fif- ty-third district, comprising Woodford coun- ty, in the state legislature. In 1909 he was re-elected to this office without opposition from either party. In the session of 1908 he was the youngest member in the assembly and during that session he was chosen by the joint legislature to introduce William J. Bryan, who was to address the legislature. In 1910% he continued to devote his attention during he was leader for his party on the floor of the the remainder of his active career and there he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in 1883. He took a lively and intel- ligent interest in public affairs and was lib- eral and progressive as a citizen. He gave his allegiance to the Democratic party and he was long numbered among the prominent and influential citizens of Woodford county. In 1857 was solemnized his marriage to Miss Edith Sanders, who was born at Natchez, Mississippi, and who is a daughter of the late Louis and Margaret (Price) Sanders, who were natives of Kentucky but who were residents of Natchez, Mississippi, at the time of their daughter's marriage. Mrs. Hunter survives her honored husband and now re- sides at Versailles, Kentucky. house, being unanimously chosen for this po- sition. He is now (1910) candidate for speaker of the house of representatives. In 1910 he was appointed master commissioner of Woodford county by Judge R. L. Stout, of the circuit court, and he was recently chosen city attorney for Versailles. In all of his public offices he has served with utmost effi- ciency and satisfaction and he is rapidly gain- ing prestige as one of the leading lawyers of the younger generation in the entire state. He is an eloquent orator and his extensive reading and retentive memory make him a ready debator, his logical arguments and earn- est utterances never failing to carry convic- tion. In a fraternal way Mr. Schoberth is affiliated with Gray Lodge, No. 27, Knights of Pythias, in which he is past chancellor, and he is serving as grand vice-chancellor in the Grand Lodge of the state of Kentucky, be- ing the youngest grand vice-chancellor of the Knights of Pythias in the United States. His religious faith is that of the Catholic church.

ABNER C. HUNTER .- Prominently identi- fied with financial interests in his native coun- ty, Mr. Hunter is now incumbent of the re- sponsible office of cashier of the bank of J. Amsden & Company, at Versailles, this being one of the old and substantial monetary insti- tutions of Woodford county.

Abner C. Hunter, Jr., the immediate sub- ject of this review, was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm, of which men- tion has been made, and he was afforded the advantages of the excellent schools of Wood- ford county. He continued to be identified with the work and management of the home farm until 1885, when he assumed a clerical position in the bank of J. Amsden & Com- pany, of Versailles, and he continued to be employed in this institution until 1889, when he later secured the position of assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Merid- ian, Mississippi. In 1903 he resigned this po-

Lyman Marker

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HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS

sition to accept that of cashier of the Union Bank & Trust Company in the same city and of this responsible executive office he re- mained in tenure until 1906 when, after the death of James Amsden, he was appointed to succeed the latter as cashier of the bank of J. Amsden & Company, at Versailles, having returned to his native county for the purpose of assuming this position, of which he has since continued the efficient and popular in- cumbent. Mr. Hunter is prominently affil- iated with the time-honored Masonic frater- nity and is master of Landmark Lodge, No. 41, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, at the time of this writing, in 1910. He also holds membership in the Chapter and Commandery, of which latter body he is an officer. He is also identified with Grey Lodge, No. 27, Knights of Pythias, of which he is past chan- cellor. He is a communicant of the Protest- ant Episcopal church and Mrs. Hunter, of the Presbyterian church.

In the year 1891 was solemnized the mar- riage of Mr. Hunter to Miss Blanche Fergu- son, who was born and reared in Woodford and who is a daughter of Louis L. and Sally (Graddy) Ferguson. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter have three children-Sarah Graddy, Edith and Blanche.

LYMAN WALKER .~ Judging by past achieve- ment and prestige already attained, few of the young professional men of Covington have a more brilliant future before them than Ly- . man Walker, one of the city's leading archi- tects. He is by birth an Ohioan, Zanesville, that state, having been the scene of his nativ- ity and the date, April 22, 1880. He is the son of Richard B. and Lucretia (Morgan) Walker, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Zanesville, Ohio. Richard B. Walker is one of Covington's prominent busi- ness men, being engaged in the real estate and brokerage business. He and his wife are the parents of four children, of whom three sur- vive, Lyman Walker being the eldest.

Having attained only to his tenth year at the time of the family's removal from Zanes- ville Mr. Walker received the greater part of his common school education in Covington. He left his desk in the school room at an un- usually early age, being only fourteen when he entered the office of an architect. His very evident cleverness in this line secured his pro- motion and two years later he entered the em- ploy of Samuel Hannaford & Sons of Cin- cinnati, with whom he remained for three years, his services being of an eminently sat- isfactory character. In 1900, although scarce- ly having reached his majority, he entered the employ of the government as assistant super-

vising architect of the military occupation of Cuba and he remained upon the island for two years, or until military occupation ceased in 1902, in which year he returned to the United States. Being now well grounded and wide- ly experienced in his profession he felt justi- fied in going farther afield than Covington and for the ensuing two years was engaged in architectural work in Omaha, Nebraska. The charms of the Blue Grass state, nevertheless, remained undimmed in his memory and he returned to Covington and entered into busi- ness for himself. He has been eminently suc- cessful, and has made plans for many of the principal buildings in Kentucky and Ohio.

Politically Mr. Walker constitutes in himself a member of that large Democratic following which is sometimes termed the "Solid South." His fraternal relations extend to the Knights of Pythias at Covington, in which he is active and prominent, it having upon occasion been his distinction to represent the order at the Grand Lodge.

Mr. Walker was married July 14, 1904, to Miss Helen Bondesson, a native of Omaha and daughter of John Bondesson, a native of Sweden, a retired lumber merchant and one of .the old and well known citizens of that Ne- braska city. Mr. and Mrs. Walker are mem- bers of the Episcopal church.

CHARLES HENRY MENG .- The Meng fam- ily is of Teutonic origin. John Christopher Meng, the founder of this family in America, was born in Mannheim, Germany, in 1697, and married Dorathea Von Elsten on June 29, 1723. In 1728, with their two children, they came to this country and settled in German- town, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He brought with him testimonials of himself and "honorable housewife" from Samuel Michael Doughfs, a preacher of the reformation. On August 24, 1728, he took the oath of alle- giance. A large Bible, which they brought with them, and their letters and other records can be seen at the Historical Society, 130 Lo- cust Street, Philadelphia.

From this union we have eight children. The third, John Ulrich, born June II, 1731, married Sarah Calladay. We are uncertain as to the exact date of the birth of Chris- topher Meng, a son of this union and next in lineal descent.

Christopher Meng was a captain in the Revolutionary war. He served in the Sec- ond Batallion, Philadelphia Militia, was in the battle of Brandywine and records speak of him as having crossed in the boat with Gen- eral Washington. At the close of the war he settled in Winchester, Frederick county, Vir- ginia, and married Margaret Jones.

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In 1780 Charles Ulrich Meng, next in line, was born in Winchester, Virginia and he lived there till he was fifteen years of age, at which time he moved to Woodstock, Shenan- doah county, Virginia. He married Victoria Tebbs, daughter of Captain William and Vic- toria Haislip Tebbs. William Tebbs was a captain in the Revolutionary war in a com- pany of Westmoreland militia. (See record of service Old Military Acc't Book, page 776, in State Library. Richmond, Virginia.) Charles Ulrich Meng was a captain in the war of 1812, Scott's Regiment of Virginia Militia. "Present on duty at Norfolk." (See Record and Pension Office, Washington, D. C.) Charles Ulrich Meng inherited great wealth from his wife, Victoria Tebbs, and removed to Brentsville, Prince William county, Vir- ginia, the native home of his wife. There he practiced law and served as a Judge up to the time of his death, 1865. Nine children were the issue of this marriage, Evelina, Ellen, Charles H., James Madison, Sarah, Martha, William, Edmond and Catharine.

James Madison Meng, the father of Charles Henry Meng, was born February 22, 1812, at Brentsville, Prince William county, Virginia. He was educated in Virginia and. at the age of twenty-one years came to Bour- bon county, Kentucky, where he was en- gaged in teaching school for over twenty years in Bourbon and Nicholas counties. He was married in Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1842, to Malvina F. Hall, who was a na- tive of Bourbon county, born in 1822. She was the daughter of Henry and Fanny Tal- bott Hall. There were two sons from this marriage, Charles Henry and James August- us. Charles Henry was born April 25, 1843, and James Augustus, born in 1865, died Feb- ruary 3, 1885, at the age of nineteen years. Major James Madison Meng received his title of major from mustering home troops before the Civil war.

Charles Henry Meng attended the school taught by his father until the outbreak of the Civil war. He was then about eighteen years of age, too young to enlist in service without his parents' consent. It was owing to the ill- ness of his father that he was allowed to go in the latter's place. He served during the four years' conflict in Company C, Sixth Kentucky Cavalry, Morgan's command. On May 21, 1875, he was married to Sarah Kath- erine Calvert, daughter of Walter Stephen- son and Louise Evans Calvert, her father be- ing a direct descendant of Lord Baltimore, George Calvert, founder of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Meng have five children, namely : Calvert, Malvina, Charles McClelland, James

Madison and Walter Stephenson .. Malvina married Ellwood Garrett Harrison, of Xenia, Ohio, November 24, 1897. He died about a year later; no issue. Walter Stephenson was married to Sarah Amanda Jones, daughter of William S. and Emma Collins Jones, Octo- ber 5, 1910. .

Mr. and Mrs. Meng live at their beautiful country home, "Woodlawn," lying three quar- ters of a mile east of North Middletown, Bourbon county, Kentucky. Mr. Meng is ac- tively engaged in the business of farming and stock-raising, which has occupied him since the war. The Meng coat-of-arms is painted after the official designs of heraldic authori- ties of Germany, established by authoritative records as the true and only bearing of the Mengs of that part of Germany from which John Christopher Meng went to America in the year 1728. The emblazonment consists of a shield and helmet, a mantle, a crest, and a ribbon, and is very beautifully done in col- ors.

HON. RAISBEL C. HIEATT .- Most faithful and efficient in public service, public-spirited and ever the friend of those causes likely to result in the attainment of the greatest good for the greatest number, of proved personal generosity, Hon. Raisbel C. Hieatt, county judge of Franklin county, rightly enjoys a large measure of popularity. This gentleman was born in Franklin county, Kentucky, Jan- uary 5, 1855, and is the son of Louis Thomas and Susan (Rupe) Hieatt. His father was . likewise born in Kentucky and was the son of Louis Thomas Hieatt, a Virginian. On the maternal side Mr. Hieatt is bound by the strongest ties to the Blue Grass state, his grandfather, John Rupe, having been a Frank- lin county pioneer. His father was a farmer by occupation, and after residing for many years in Franklin county, removed to Shelby county, where he died in 1904, at the age of seventy-two years. The wife preceded him by many years, her demise occurring at the comparatively early age of thirty-six. Mr. Hieatt was one of a family of seven children.

Judge Hieatt received a common-school ed- ucation and followed in the paternal foot- steps in the matter of a calling. He experi- enced a good deal of success in his agricul- tural endeavors and continued in this line up to the time he entered public office. He be- gan upon his public career when he was ap- pointed county assessor by County Judge James H. Polsgrove to fill the office to which Mr. Ambrose Quarles had been elected, that gentleman having died before entering upon its duties. This was in the year 1902. Mr. Hieatt filled out the term and was then

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elected for an additional term of two years. While serving as county assessor he paid the widow of Mr. Quarles his salary, less actual expenses, out of respect to Mr. Quarles. His service was of such an efficient character that he was not allowed to go back to private life and in 1905 he was elected sheriff of Franklin county. After filling one term in this capacity he was elected county judge and has met with the most sanguine hopes of his many friends in the fulfillment of the duties of this office.

Ever since he became old enough to cast a ballot Judge Hieatt has given his loyal sup- port to the Democratic party. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a communicant of the Chris- tian church. On January 8, 1880, Judge Hie- att was united in marriage to Miss Katie Sar- gent of Franklin county.

JAMES H. HAZELRIGG .- Among that coterie of eminently distinguished men whose posses- sion serves to justify Frankfort in the pride she takes in her citizenship no one occupies a firmer position than Judge James H. Hazel- rigg, former chief justice and member of the court of appeals of Kentucky. The achieve- ments of this gentleman in his profession en- title him to be reckoned as one of the ablest lawyers and jurists of the state, and the in- fluence of his personality is as potent and fine as his deeds have been. Public spirited and altruistic, and like most men of real weight, unostentatious, plain and direct, he enjoys wide-spread popularity and his friendship is valued by those fortunate enough to possess it as a pearl of great price. By many ties Judge Hazelrigg is bound to the South, his ancestors for many generations having lived and died in Dixieland, while he, himself, shouldered a musket at the age of fifteen and fought through the last year of the Civil war with General John Morgan, of the Confederate army.

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A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 27

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