USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III > Part 68
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Reverting to Archibald Scott, it should be stated that he was ever foremost in promoting projects tending to conserve social and ma- terial advancement. He was prominently iden- tified with the securing of railroad facilities in Shelby county, by the construction of the line between Shelbyville and Louisville, and he devoted time and money to bringing about this improvement, for which he worked a num- ber of years before his ambitious plans were materialized by the completion of the road.
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He had the distinction of being the first to in- troduce the cultivation of blue grass in Shelby county, and this one enterprising work on his part has proved of inestimable value to this favored section of the state. While attending school in Lexington he had noticed the fine blue grass of that section of the state, and upon attaining to his legal majority and se- curing control of his farm, all of which was still covered with timber, he went to Lexing- ton and secured blue grass seed, which he brought back to his home on horseback. He girdled the fine timber on a portion of his land, in order to destroy the same and make way for the cultivation of the grass which has given Kentucky so wide a reputation. His ac- tion was viewed askance and his own mother feared that his mental faculties were becoming impaired, her solicitude being such that she at one time considered seriously the proposition of his being sent to some asylum for treat- ment, the belief being that he was wantonly destroying his own property. She also contem- plated taking his land from him, on the score that he was despoiling the same. Fortunately she lived to see the wisdom of her son's ac- tion and to commend his prescience and deter- mination. The original pasture which Archi- bald Scott thus sowed to blue grass is still in excellent condition, with large annual yields, though the original seed was sown fully eighty- five years ago. Mr. Scott also introduced in Shelby county the first hook for the harvest- ing of hemp, and the same device is still util- ized for this purpose. He was also the owner of the first corn-planter and the first grain reaper in the county. He was an advocate of the construction and improvement of public highways, and he early predicted that Shelby county would become the dairy for the city of Louisville, owing to its splendid soil for blue grass propagation, with incidental feed- ing facilities of the best order. His statements in this connection likewise met with general ridicule, but time has effectually shown his judgment and foresight, for Shelby county now stands at the head in the dairying industry in the state. Mr. Scott's only daughter was the first to ship cream out of the county, and the same was consigned to the Galt House, long the leading hotel of Louisville. The enter- prise of Mr. Scott was further manifested by his erection of a saw mill at the locks and dams in the city of Frankfort. Engineers said at the time that it would be impossible to construct a building that would stand on such uncertain foundation, but he did not fear to make the initial venture, which was the erec- tion of a three-story mill. Notwithstanding the predictions thus made by technical author-
ities, this building is still standing, after a lapse of approximately seventy years. Mr. Scott operated this mill for many years and in the same he utilized upright steel saws, about fifteen inches wide. One of these saws was finally broken and he used the same in the production of a steel plow-share. He took the saw to Thomas Brindley, a blacksmith, and this capable artisan transformed the same into a plowshare-undoubtedly the first ever made of steel, though steel points had been in use for some time prior to this. No record can be found concerning the manufacturing of a steel plow prior to the turning out of this somewhat primitive implement, which was made about sixty-five years ago. Mr. Scott wore out this plow in connection with the cul- tivation of his farm, and Thomas Brindley then constructed a mould with which to shape the steel plowshares. He eventually built up a great industrial enterprise in the manufac- turing of such plows at Louisville, and through this medium became a very wealthy man. Wil- liam L. Scott of this review, kept the original plow for many years but it was finally lost. Mr. Brindley had offered him five hundred dollars if he would produce and sell to him this first product of its kind. The first corn- planter operated by the use of a horse was in- troduced into Shelby county by Archibald Scott, who brought the implement from Ill- inois, and he was also the first to bring into the county a grain reaper-the old New York harvester. William L. Scott well recalls that he himself drove the horses on each of these machines when he was a young man.
In politics Archibald Scott was an old-line Whig-a staunch supporter of the policies ad- vocated by Kentucky's great statesman, Henry Clay. At the time of the Civil war he claimed to be a Union man, but it was noticed that a furtive smile would animate his face whenever he learned of a defeat of the Federal forces. Both he and his wife were strict and zealous members of the Pres- byterian church, closely observing its some- what stern doctrines, and he held the office of elder in the church for many years. His religious faith was as inflexible as was his personal integrity, and he was one of the leaders in the work of his church. He was a man who stood "four-square to every wind that blows," and his name merits an enduring place on the roster of the honored pioneers of Shelby county.
William L. Scott, who has well upheld the prestige of the honored name which he bears, was reared to maturity under the benignant influences of the old homestead farm, a con- siderable portion of which he still owns. He
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was afforded the advantages of the common schools of the locality and period and also those of excellent institutions in the north and in Virginia. He continued to be identi- fied with the work and management of the home farm until 1856, when he went to Illi- nois, where he operated a prairie farm for a period of about two years. He then returned to the old homestead in Shelby county and became associated with his father in the man- agement of the property, besides which he also acquired the farm that had been the home of his paternal grandfather. He continued in the ownership of the properties after the death of his father, but about 1893 he sold one hundred and fifty acres to his only sister and her husband, this property being that on which is located the old family residence of which mention has already been made. He still retains a finely improved landed estate of four hundred and fifty acres, as he has made judicious investments in adjoining tracts from time to time, and this splendid property, "Locust Lane" farm, is one of the model places of this beautiful section of the Blue Grass commonwealth. In the work and management of the farm Mr. Scott has an effective coadjutor in the person of his only son, William, and the business is conducted under the firm name of W. L. Scott & Son. A specialty is made of dairying, and in this connection are utilized the best grades of Jersey cattle, which are bred on the farm from fine original stock that was imported direct from the island of Jersey by Mr. Scott. He has for a score of years been numbered among the leading breeders of this type of cattle, and incidentally he has made two trips to the beautiful island of Jersey, in the Eng- lish Channel. His son also has recently made the voyage to the same island, for the pur- pose of securing new breeding stock. On the farm are also bred Holstein cattle and the best grades of sheep and swine, and in all these lines Mr. Scott has been a direct importer.
It may naturally be inferred from the fore- going statements that Mr. Scott has done much to raise the standard of live stock in his native state, and he has shown the same progressive spirit that was so characteristic of his honored father. Everything about the "Locust Lane" farm gives evidence of thrift and prosperity, and it is interesting to note in this connection that the farm is well fenced throughout, the posts utilized for this purpose having been secured from locust trees planted by Mr. Scott himself in his boy- hood days. All of these black-locust posts are from trees grown on the place itself, Mr. Scott's father planted osage hedges about the
farm and took much pride in the same, but he eventually consented, though reluctantly, to utilize the wire fences. Archibald Scott was most ambitious to turn the first sod in initiating the construction of the railroad previously mentioned, and he had his negro workmen dig out a tree for this purpose, under the supervision of his son William L., of this review. Mention of this was made in newspapers throughout the state and all would have been well had it not been that this initial work turned out to be not even on the right of way of the projected road, much to the discomfiture of the sterling pioneer citizen, Archibald Scott. His son fre- quently bantered him concerning this abortive enterprise and also concerning his opposition to any other than the old-time hedge fences. The attractive residence of William L. Scott was originally built as a parsonage or manse for the local Presbyterian church and was purchased by him after the abandonment of the church organization. He has made var- ious improvements on the building and it is one of the spacious and beautiful homes of Shelby county, as well as a center of gracious hospitality of the good old Southern order.
Mr. Scott is insistently independent in thought and action, and he never lacks the courage of his convictions. He has person- ally stated that in politics he "has been every- thing," and this implies that he has given his support to men and measures meeting the ap- proval of his judgment, irrespective of part- isan lines. He has also said, with apprecia- tive humor, that if the Salvation Army had a ticket in the field he would probably give the same his support. Mr. Scott. was reared in the faith of the Presbyterian church, in which he was formally made a member, but while he has a reverence for spiritual verities he recognizes the limitations of human in- terpretation of the infinite and thus mani- fests certain tendencies toward agnosticism. As a loyal and public-spirited citizen he has done all in his power to further wise legisla- tion and good government, as well as to sup- port those enterprises that makes for gen- eral prosperity along both material and social lines. He has boldly and zealously fought against vicious legislation, and in his attitude has shown neither fear nor favor. He has been specially prominent and influential in promoting the dairying industry in his native state and is an authority in regard to stock and methods in this field of enterprise.
In the year 1861 Mr. Scott was united in marriage to Miss Mary Munford, of Glas- gow. Barren county, in which county she was born and reared. She was a daughter of the
John M. Monohan
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late Colonel William E. Munford, who was one of the representative agriculturists and stock-growers of Barren county at the time of his death. Mrs. Scott proved a devoted wife and helpmeet during a married life of more than forty years, and the gracious mar- ital relations were severed when she was called to eternal rest on the 3d of January, 1903, at the age of sixty-one years. Mr. and Mrs. Scott became the parents of three children, William M., the only son, is associated with his father in the affairs of the home farm, as already noted. He had prepared himself for the legal profession, his withdrawal from which was caused by impaired health. He married Miss Annie Harbison and they re- side in the home with his father. Ermine, who became the wife of Dudley Guthrie, died at the age of thirty-nine years and is sur- vived by one son, Embry. Julia is the wife of Benjamin Clayton, who is engaged in business in the city of Oklahoma, in the state of the same name, and they have one son, William, named in honor of his maternal grandfather.
Mr. Scott is well known throughout his native county and in other sections of the state, and his genial personality and sterling character have gained to him secure vantage ground in popular confidence and esteem. He has made his life count for good in all its relations and in a personal as well as an an- cestral way he is eminently entitled to rep- resentation in this History of Kentucky and Kentuckians.
JOHN M. MONOHAN .- In mentioning the names of the illustrious living a full amount of space should be devoted to the noble dead whose works still live through their deeds, their examples, their teachings, their benefac- tions and in fact their lives. John M. Mono- han, the subject of this memoir, was a man signally leal and loyal in all relations of life. and his integrity and honor were such as to render a brief tribute to his memory as most appropriate in this publication.
John M. Monohan was for many years one of the foremost citizens of Louisville and closely identified with the growth and develop- ment of the commercial and banking interests of that city. He was in every way a self- made man, and his success in life and the place he made in the business world fully dem- onstrate what can be accomplished by one willing to make the best use of the talents be- stowed him by nature and to take advantage of every opportunity for self-improvement.
Mr. Monohan was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, on September 10, 1804, the son of Captain Timothy and Frances (McKiernan)
Monohan, both natives of Ireland, who emi- grated from their native land in the latter part of the eighteenth century. When John M. was two years old his father died and the care of the young family devolved entirely upon the mother, so it became necessary for the children to become self supporting as soon as possible. As soon as he was old enough young John M. was sent to a private school, which he attended until he was thirteen, mak- ing such progress that at that young age he was offered and accepted a position in a store at Funkstown, a neighboring village to Ha- gerstown, Maryland. The store did a large business among Germans, and in a few months time John M. was able to speak that language fluently, thus enhancing his value as an em- ploye and showing of what material he was made. After four years of service in the country store he became an apprentice to the cabinet-making trade, serving his full time of four years of apprenticeship and becoming a skilled workman in that time. His success in all his undertakings were so marked that his methods are of interest to the commercial world. He based his business principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern industry, economy and strict and unswerving integrity. By constant exertion, associated with good judgment, he raised him- self to the prominent position he held in after years, having the friendship of many and the respect of all.
After Mr. Monohan had finished his ap- · prenticeship he next spent seven years work- ing at his trade in western cities, finally locat- ing in Louisville in 1832, where he became first the foreman of Charles King's cabinet factory and in six months bought out the business, which he conducted successfully for over thirty years. In 1864, after having ac- quired more than a competency, Mr. Mono- han retired from active business. For a num- ber of years he was a director of the Bank of Louisville, later he became a director and the president of the Commercial Bank, and was in many other ways identified with the business interests of the city. He lived long enough in the community to become identified with its welfare and prove the value of his citizenship by advocating and supporting every measure for the improvement of conditions and the good of society.
In 1834 he married Margaret, the daughter of Jacob and Lucy Fine, of Louisville, who died nine months after marriage. None other took her place, but to the end of his life he re- mained a widower, true to the memory of his only love and mate. It was not wonderful that in the life of this large-souled, unswerv-
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ing. conscientious man all the generous and philanthropic affections should grow and flourish.
Mr. Monohan was a Catholic, his fore- fathers having been strict adherents to that faith for centuries. He believed in the best and thought no evil. He died peacefully and well prepared on December 10, 1881. Quiet, dignified, strong in himself, he reposed un- faltering trust in a Higher Power.
ROBERT H. HERNDON, M. D .- Established in the successful practice of his profession in Ludlow, Dr. Herndon is recognized as one of the essentially representative physicians and surgeons of Kenton county, which has been his home from the time of his nativity and his standing in the community is such as to ren- der him specially eligible for consideration in this publication dedicated to Kentucky and Kentuckians.
Robert Hughes Herndon was born in Ken- ton county, Kentucky, on the 27th of January, 1872, and is a son of Columbus W. and Mary Esther (Willson) Herndon, the former of whom was likewise born in Kenton county and the latter in the adjoining county of Boone. Benjamin H. Herndon, great-grandfather of the doctor, was the founder of the family in Kenton county, where he established his home in the early pioneer days. He was a native of the historic old state of Virginia, where he was reared and educated and soon after his mar- riage he came in company with his bride, on horseback from Fredericksburg, Virginia, to the section of Kentucky that is now included' in Kenton county. He comes from one of the oldest families of the mother state and one of his relations, Alice Herndon, was the wife of ex-President Chester A. Arthur. Benjamin H. Herndon secured a tract of land near Bank Lick Station and here developed one of the fine farms of this section of the state. He and his wife lived to see both their children and grandchildren married and well established in life in this county and they passed to their reward in the fullness of years and secure in the high regard of all who knew them.
Waller S. Herndon, grandfather of Dr. Herndon, was born on the old homestead es- tate and passed his entire life in Kenton county, where he was known as a prosperous agriculturist and as a citizen of sterling in- tegrity of character. When quite young he was wedded to Rachel Hughes of an adjoining county, she being a descendant of the Hughes family of Virginia, originally from Scotland and Wales. He died on his old homestead, at the venerable age of seventy-two years. Columbus Waller Herndon, father of the doc-
tor, was reared to maturity under the gracious influences of the home farm and his entire ac- tive career was one of close identification with the great basic industry of agriculture. He died on his farm, near Bank Lick Station, at the early age of thirty-six years, his death hav- ing been the result of an attack of pneumonia. He was county assessor at the time and ex- posure endured in severe weather while in dis- charge of his official duties brought about the attack which caused his death. His cherished and devoted wife survived him by a period of fourteen years and died in 1886 at the age of forty-three years. Of the seven children four are now living and the subject of this re- view was the second in order of birth and the oldest son.
Dr. Herndon was reared to adult age on the old homestead and was nine years of age at the time of his father's death, so that even as a boy large responsibilities fell upon him as he was the eldest son. After duly availing him- self of the advantages of the public schools he completed a commercial course in Nelson's Business College, in the city of Cincinnati. He passed four years in the west and south and then returned to his native state; where he initiated the work of preparing himself for the medical profession. He finally was ma- triculated in Miami Medical College, in which institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1902, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He immediately established his home in Ludlow, where he has since been en- gaged in the general practice of his profession and where his success has been on a parity with his recognized ability as a physician and surgeon. The Doctor is one of the broad minded and progressive citizens of his native county and is ever ready to give his encourage- ment and support to measures and enterprises tending to advance the general welfare of the community. He is a member of Kenton- Campbell County Medical Society, the Ken- tucky State Medical Society and the Ameri- can Medical Association. In politics he is aligned as a supporter of the cause of the Democratic party, though he has had naught of ambition for the emoluments or honors of public office. Dr. Herndon is a member of the directorate of the First National Bank of Ludlow and has other local interests. He is a bachelor.
He has one brother, Waller S. Herndon, D. D. S., of Lexington, Kentucky; Sara R. Herndon who resides with him at Ludlow, is his only living sister, Mrs. Carrie Herndon Adams and Mrs. Anna Herndon Tomlin, the other two, died recently.
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KENNETH McDONALD .- The name of Mc- Donald is one which throughout the world carries with it an abundance of honor, but however much those members of the family in Kentucky may find prestige from their an- cient and romantic history, it is upon their individual merit and achievement that the consideration they enjoy is most securely founded. This branch of the McDonalds has long been founded in America and the gallant record of the family upon their native heath has here been paralleled, for among its sons are to be found many patriot soldiers and loyal citizens. One of the best known of the McDonalds in Kentucky is Kenneth McDonald, a leading architect of Louisville and the state.
Kenneth McDonald was born in Romney, Virginia, (now West Virginia), on the 18th day of July, 1852, the son of Angus W. and Cornelia (Peake) McDonald. Angus Mc- Donald was a native son of the Old Dominion and served as a soldier in two wars,-the Sem- inole and the Civil. By all the arguments of environment and innate conviction he was in sympathy with the cause of the Confederacy and he took with him into the service six brave sons, all characterized by the famous Mc- Donald fire and patriotism. Angus W. Mc- Donald was a graduate of West Point Military Academy and thus familiar from youth with matters military, and in the Civil war he held the rank of colonel. He was captured dur- ing the last year of the Civil war by General Hunter and died from the effects of brutal treatment received as a prisoner of war. He was interred with all honor in Holly Wood cemetery at Richmond, Virginia, and recently, in 1908, there was laid by his side the admir- able woman who was his wife and who sur- vived him for so many years, her age being eighty-six years at the time of her demise. She was the daughter of Humphrey Peake of Alexandria, Virginia, and the second wife of Angus W. McDonald, five sons having been the issue of his first union. In the des- olate days following the war she found her- self in serious plight,-a widow with seven children to rear and only meagre means, the great conflict having created havoc with theirs, as with many other Southern fortunes. She scorned the suggestion to place her children in other hands, but kept the little band to- gether, by keeping boarders and by rigid econ- omies, and much of their subsequent success in life has been due to the example of her strong character, fine principles and never- failing courage. She was of French and English lineage, and a most devout Episcopa- lian. In 1873 the family removed from Lex-
ington, Virginia, to Louisville, Kentucky, where Mrs. McDonald resided for thirty years. She was prominent as a worker in church and charitable effort and was generally beloved and admired for many good gifts of mind and heart.
Glancing back over the history of the Mc- Donald family in America we find that the founder of the family on these shores bore the name which has so often been given to his descendants,-Angus McDonald. His for- tunes in his native land suffered after the de- cisive battle of Culloden in 1746, when the party of the young pretender, Charles Ed- ward, whom his house championed, was de- feated by the Royalists, under the Duke of Cumberland. After crossing the Atlantic Angus McDonald located in Virginia and there built a house, which he called Glen Garry, which was afterward destroyed by fire and in it papers proving that he was of the imme- diate family of the chief of the Glen Garry Clan and that the pedigree of the family ran back to Summerled, Lord of the Isles. His son, also Angus, was an officer in the Revolu- tion and his commission, signed by General Washington, is still extant. This Colonist, shortly after joining his command, died from exposure at Buffalo, New York. His son, Angus III, also a Revolutionary soldier, was another of the martyrs of the cause of free- dom, dying while on a campaign. The latter's son, Angus, was the brave soldier mentioned in preceding paragraphs, the father of Ken- neth McDonald, the immediate subject of this review.
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