A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 71

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 71

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

John Reid acquired his elementary educa- tion in the private schools of Mason county, after which he was graduated from the Law Department of the Transylvania University. Returning to the parental roof-tree, he suc- ceeded to the ownership of his father's farm, which he managed successfully a few years. Three years after his father's death, he dis- posed of the homestead property, and moved to Missouri. Purchasing a large plantation situated one and one-half miles from Welling- ton, eight miles from Lexington, Lafayette county, he operated his many acres with slave labor until the breaking out of the Civil war. Selling his plantation in 1869, Mr. Reid re- moved to the city of Lexington, Mo., and was there actively and prosperously engaged in the banking business until his death, which oc- curred July 12, 1890. A man of strict in- tegrity, upright in his dealings, he was justly esteemed as a man and a citizen, his more prominent characteristics having been indus- try, enterprise, sound common sense, and that kind of moral courage that is designated as decision of character.

Mr. Reid married, in Lexington, Kentucky, Katherine Grosh Hunt, a daughter of Hon. Charlton and Rebecca Tilton (Warfield) Hunt, in whose sketch, which appears elsewhere in this work, further parental and ancestral his- tory may be found. Returning to her native city in 1893, Mrs. Reid purchased the spacious mansion built by her paternal grandfather, John Wesley Hunt, and has since lived here surrounded by loving relatives and friends. Mr. Reid was reared in the Campbellite church, while Mrs. Reid has remained true to the Episcopalian faith in which she was brought up, and is a consistent member of the Episco- pal church.

DAVID F. FRAZEE .- Endowed by nature with a fine moral and mental constitution, David F. Frazee, late of Lexington, Kentucky, built for himself a true and noble character, and during his comparatively brief earthly career made his influence felt in business, ed- ucational and social circles, gaining the esteem and respect of his fellow-men. He was born, November 8, 1845, on a farm, in Mason

1490

HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS

county, Kentucky, where his paternal grand- parents were pioneer settlers, and where his father, Samuel Frazee, was born and reared. From Collins's History of Kentucky we learn that one Samuel Frazee supposed to be the grandfather of David F. Frazee was with Captain William Harrod's Company at the station near the Falls, in Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1780, and that he located, in 1790, in Mason county, one and one-half miles northeast of Germantown.

An agriculturist by occupation, Samuel Frazee carried on a substantial business as a farmer and tobacco raiser, spending his entire life in Mason county. He married Judith Harget, of Mason county, and they reared four children, as follows: Bettie Rogers, Ju- dith Osborne, Samuel, and David F.

Completing the course of instruction in the public schools of his native district, David F. Frazee continued his studies at Harrodsburg, and was afterwards graduated from Transyl- vania University. Returning then to his early home, he was associated for a number of years with his father in farming and tobacco dealing, building up an eminently successful business. Moving with his family to Lexing- ton in 1889, Mr. Frazee at once became a dominant factor in business affairs, purchas- ing three farms in this vicinity, and buying unimproved city property. Active and pro- gressive, he was instrumental in developing Walton Avenue and Fayette Park, and was in other ways identified with the improvement of the city. He took an intelligent interest in educational matters, serving many years as president of the Lexington Board of Educa- tion, and was also a member of the Board of Control of the State University. He com- manded the confidence of his fellow men, and at the time of his death was connected with one of the leading financial institutions of Fayette county, having for many years been president of the Phoenix Bank.

David F. Frazee wooed and won for his wife, one of his early schoolmates, Miss Tucie Robertson. She was born in Mason county, Kentucky, a daughter of Dr. W. H. Robert- son, who was a native of the same county, as was his father, John Robertson. John Robert- son, the son of a pioneer, was a life-long resi- dent of Mason county, where he owned a good farm. He married Elizabeth Walton, who was born, lived, and died in the same county.

W. H. Robertson, Mrs. Frazee's father, was given excellent. school advantages when young, and early turned his attention to the study of medicine. Receiving the degree of M. D., he began the practice of his profession im- mediately, and was in active practice in Mason

and adjoining counties until his death, at the age of fifty-five years. Dr. Robertson married Eliza Runyan, who was born in Mason county, Kentucky, a daughter of Daniel and Ruth (Robinson) Runyan, pioneer settlers of that part of the state. She survived the doctor, passing away at a good old age, leaving nine children.

Mr. Frazee was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and both he and Mrs. Frazee united with the Christian church when young, and were faithful members of that organization, to which Mrs. Frazee still belongs.

HARRISON P. THOMSON .- The strength of Clark county is largely founded upon its agri- cultural interests, and one of the most promi- nent representatives of the great basic in- dustry is Harrison P. Thomson, who owns and operates a splendid tract of seven hundred acres. He has ever been alert and enter- prising, advancing to the extent of his ability everything likely to prove of benefit to the whole community, and he was at one time the largest tobacco dealer in this state. He intro- duced the culture of Burley tobacco in 1880 in the county.

Mr. Thomson was born in the very home in which he now lives, May 8, 1845, the son of Harrison and Joicy (Quisenberry) Thomson. Both of his parents were Clark county natives. The father was born September 8, 1811, and died at the age of sixty-two years and the mother's birthdate was December 15, 1810, she being called to the life eternal at the age of eighty-seven years. The latter was a daughter of Joel Quisenberry, who came from Virginia and located in Boonesburgh with Daniel Boone. The subject's grandfather, Matthew Thomson, was a native of the Old Dominion and a son of Moses Thomson, who emigrated to Virginia from Scotland early in 1700. His father, Moses the elder, died when he was a small boy.

When Matthew Thomson was a lad he was apprenticed to learn a trade which was not to his liking and he ran away and came to Ken- tucky. He wandered around for a time, en- gaging in stock and land trading and at one time he owned the land on which the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, is situated. Unfortunately for his heirs, at least, he traded it off for twelve head of cattle. He played a potent part in the development of Clark and adjoin- ing counties, surveying them and assisting in the founding of many pioneer institutions. One hundred and twenty acres of the land owned by Harrison Thomson were a part of Matthew's estate and to this day is known as the "Thomson settlement." Harrison con- tinually increased his holdings and when he

1491

HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS

died was the possessor of twelve hundred acres.

Matthew Thomson was one of Clark county's early sheriffs and took great interest in political issues. He took as his wife a Miss Haney, whose father was well-known in the community. Matthew Thomson was a strong and virile character, noted for his common sense, his fairness and above all, his unfail- ing integrity, being of that type of public man which is far too infrequently represented at the present day. Harrison Thomson, his son, was also one of the political leaders. He was acquainted with many of the prominent men of the day, and they valued his opinion highly. He was the great friend and warm admirer of Henry Clay. The great orator was frequently a guest at his house and he often acted in the capacity of Mr. Thomson's attorney and legal advisor. Garrett Davis, United States senator from Kentucky, was also a particular friend of Harrison Thomson and the latter helped to send that gentleman to the senate, Harrison being at that time a member of the state legis- lature. Matthew had the distinction to build the first brick house within the borders of the county, this substantial structure is still stand- ing in good order.

Harrison Thomson, father of the subject, was reared upon his father's farm and within the circle of his elevating influence. He inher- ited a great many of his father's traits and stepped into his place when the father went on to the Undiscovered Country. He was a slave owner and at one time owned eighty thousand dollars worth of slaves. He was great enough to believe in gradual emancipation, even though it might be to his personal disadvantage and when the great question pressed for solu- tion and the Nation went down into the dread Valley of Decision, he stood for the Union cause, and being at that time in the state legislature, cast a decisive vote to keep Ken- tucky in the Union. He presented General George B. McClelland with a beautiful horse upon which he led his troops in the seven day battle around Richmond. Harrison Thomson served four years in the state senate, for the Twenty-eighth Senatorial district of Ken- tucky, his services extending from 1865 to 1869. He was for many years one of the man- agers of the Kentucky State Fair, which in those days was known far and wide, the wonderful display of live stock being superior in every way to anything of the kind in the United States. He raised and dealt exten- sively in stock and was very successful in rais- ing fine animals for show rings. At his death, in fact, he had accumulated over one hundred

valuable premiums. He bought and drove hogs to South Carolina and cattle to New York City before the day of the railroads.

The early years of Harrison P. Thomson, the immediate subject of this review, were spent upon the farm he now owns and oper- ates and after attending the common schools he matriculated in Bethany College of West Virginia. In 1866, when he became of age, he went into business with his father and was ac- tive in running the farm. In 1887 he made a change of residence by removing to Winches- ter where he remained for five years, or until 1892, when the charms of the old homestead, with its fair acres and stately abode, drew him back and he resumed the agricultural endeav- ors which have resulted so successfully, he being one who believes in keeping in touch with the latest scientific discoveries in his particular field. He has left his mark on Win- chester, for he platted a tract of land into lots, opened it up, and sold it. This desirable ad- junct to the city is known as "the Thomson Addition."

Standing for all that is progressive, he was instrumental in organizing the Electric Light & Street Railway Company and the water works system of Winchester, and it was but natural that the departure of one who had worked so effectually for the public should have been a matter of general regret. While in the city he was a valued member of the council.

In the days when Mr. Thomson dealt in to- bacco and devoted a great part of his time and attention to the product, he handled on an average of two and one half million pounds of "the weed" per year. He has always been an ardent advocate of the men and measures promulgated by the Democratic party and was for ten years the indefatigable chairman of the Democratic county committee, while for ten years he was a member of the Democratic Central Committee of the state of Kentucky.

Mr. Thomson's ideal married life was inau- gurated January 9, 1877, when Miss Fannie Speck became his bride. Mrs. Thomson is a native of St. Louis and a daughter of Judge Charles Speck, who for years was a St. Louis presiding judge. They have two daughters, Anna S. and Laura E., both of whom are at home. They are typical Kentucky citizens, scions of fine Southern families, whose an- cestors were of the stanchest of the pioneers; their hospitality is gracious and their standing of the highest.

Like his father Mr. Thomson has always been interested in live stock. He was for a long time an extensive Short Horn breeder and

1492

HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS

upon one occasion at a public sale, sold forty heads of Short Horns for $40,000, an average of $1,000 apiece.

JOHN H. WIEHL .- Among the energetic, prosperous and progressive citizens of Lex- ington is John H. Wiehl, who, as a furniture dealer and undertaker is carrying on a substan- tial business. A son of the late Hyacinthe Wiehl, he was born, July 3, 1830, at Zelienople, Butler county, Pennsylvania.

His great-grandfather Wiehl was a native of France. As a young man he served in the French Army, and for gallant service rendered was awarded, in 1711, a silver medal by the emperor. Subsequently going to Germany, he there married a young German girl, and con- tinned a resident of the Fatherland the re- mainder of his life.

Hyacinthe Wiehl was born in Baden-Baden, Germany, and was there educated. Complet- ing his school life, he served an apprentice- ship at the cabinet maker's trade, after which. as is the custom in Germany, worked at his trade in different places, including Vienna. At the time he went to Vienna Napoleon was en- route for that city with his army, and the em- peror of Austria offered all journeymen work- ers an opportunity to engage in business if they would enlist and assist in driving the in- vading army from the country. Enlisting, therefore, as a soldier, Hyacinthe Wiehl, a short time later, was captured by the French. Setting his wits to work, he soon made his es- cape, hazarding his life in the attempt, as he, unable to swim, was forced to cross the river by clinging to a log which he rolled into the water. Making his way in safety, however, to the opposite bank, he returned to his early home, where he soon persuaded a brother to start with him for America. At Havre the brother repented, and turned back. Hyacinthe took passage on a small sailing vessel, and af- ter battling with the wild waves three weary months landed in Philadelphia, arriving in that city in 1817. He made his way via canal and stage to Pittsburg, then a village, from there pushing onward to Zelienople, Butler county. At once engaging in the manufacture and sale of furniture, he was there a resident until his death, at the advanced age of ninety-one years.

The maiden name of the wife of Hyacinthe Wiehl was Hannah Firestone. She was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, and died at her home in Pennsylvania, aged eighty-eight years. Her father, Matthias Firestone, was born in Maryland, of German ancestry. He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, afterwards moving to Ohio, and becoming a pioneer set- tler of Columbiana county, where he spent his remaining days. Nine children were born to

Mr. and Mrs. Hyacinthe Wiehl, namely : Mary Louise, Daniel, William, Sarah, Joseph, John H., Sidney, Henry, and Fred.

At the age of seventeen years, having ac- quired a practical education in the public schools of his native village, John H. Wiehl went to Pittsburg, where he served an appren- ticeship at the cabinet maker's trade. Coming to Lexington, Kentucky, in 1851, he worked here as a journeyman three years, after which he was in business in Danville, Boyle county, eight years. Returning then to Lexington, Mr. Wiehl has since been actively engaged in business as a furniture dealer and undertaker, having by his honest, upright dealings, won an extensive patronage, and gained in a marked measure the esteem and respect of his fellow- men.

Mr. Wiehl married, in 1854, Jane H. Ryer- son, who was born in Paterson, N. J., a daugh- ter of John and Hannah (Van Geison) Ryer- son. Mr. and Mrs. Wiehl are the parents of two children, namely : Fred, associated in busi- ness with his father, married Catherine -

-; and Luella, wife of Thomas H. Cook. Mr. and Mrs. Wiehl are sincere, earnest Christians, and faithful members of the Pres- byterian church. Mr. Wiehl has been a Demo- crat all his life though he never aspired to political office.

WICKLIFFE PRESTON .- A man of culture, accomplishments and high mental attainments, Wickliffe Preston was for many years identi- fied with one of the foremost industries of Fayette county, having been extensively en- gaged in the breeding and raising of thorough- bred horses on his magnificent stock farm, "Ellerslie," in Lexington. He is now living in Lexington, the city of his birth, but is retired from active business, his private affairs requir- ing his entire attention. He comes of distin- guished stock, his father having been General William Preston, who was a son of Major General William Preston, one of the most prominent men of his day.

Major William Preston was born in Bote- tourt county, Virginia, where his emigrant an- cestor, John Preston, settled on coming from Ireland to America, in early colonial times. The descendants of this ancestor are very numerous, and are to be found in every state of the Union. While yet a young man his son Major William Preston served in the Rev- olutionary war, and was afterwards a member of Congress. Receiving a grant of land in Jefferson county, Kentucky, he soon after as- sumed its possession, and until his death was there engaged in agricultural pursuits, oper- ating his large plantation with slave labor. He married Caroline Hancock, who was born in

-----

1493

HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS

Botetourt county, Virginia, a daughter of George Hancock, and died in Jefferson county, Kentucky.

Born and reared in Jefferson county, Gen- eral William Preston was educated at St. Jo- seph's College, in Georgetown, and at Yale College, where he completed the literary course, after which he was graduated from the Law Department of Harvard College. He began the practice of law in Louisville, where his ability and talent soon attracted the at- tention of the public. Being commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Fourth Kentucky In- fantry in 1846, he proceeded to Mexico, where he fought valiantly under General Scott. Re- turning to Louisville at the close of the Mexi- can war, he was elected, in 1849, one of the three delegates to the Constitutional Conven- tion, in which he took an active part, more es- pecially in the debates against the anti-Catholic and American views of the other members of that body.

In 1850 the General represented his county in the State Legislature ; in 1851 and 1852 he was State Senator; and in 1852 was elector for the state at large. In 1853 he was elected to Congress to fill a vacancy, and served so acceptably that he was twice re-elected to the same high position. In 1858 General Pres- ton was appointed minister plenipotentiary to Spain by President Buchanan, and served in that capacity until 1861, when he was recalled at his own request. He entered an energetic protest against Spain for seizing, in violation of the Monroe Doctrine, the Bay of Samana with a view of re-establishing her monarchy over San Domingo. For this, and for his fidelity to his duties, he received the thanks of William H. Seward, secretary of state.

Returning to the United States in August, 1861, General Preston at once joined forces with the Confederacy, and, in company with Gen. John C. Breckinridge, left Lexington on horseback to joint the Confederate Army. He was assigned to the staff of Gen. Albert Sid- ney Johnston, who subsequently fell in bat- tle, and expired in his arms. He was then transferred to the staff of General Beauregard, and commissioned brigadier general. He took an active part in the Battle of Corinth, and aided in the defense of Vicksburg. At Mur- freesboro, General Preston had command of General Breckinridge's division on the right, and at the charge across Stone river had the misfortune of losing one-fourth of his men. The General commanded a division at Chick- amauga, leading the charge that gained the whole of Missionary Ridge, from which he drove the opposing forces. In speaking of that battle, the correspondent of the London

Times said that Preston's bearing in that charge would rank in history with that of Desaix de Veygoux at Marengo, or with any other noted deeds-of-arms ever witnessed on earth. While Captain Chesney, professor of Military History at Staff College, near London, said that the charge of Preston's division was as gallant as any ever seen in war, carrying the line held by Steadman, and forcing back the right, held by Thomas. Major Generals Buckner and Longstreet both recommended the gallant Preston's promotion to the rank of major general.

In the winter of 1863 and 1864, President Jefferson Davis appointed General Preston minister plenipotentiary to Mexico, the only minister of that grade ever commissioned by the Confederate Government. In the execu- tion of his ministerial duties, he proceeded to Europe, but found the condition of Mexico such that nothing could be accomplished, and he requested recall. Returning to Kentucky via Mexico, the General joined E. Kirby Smith in Texas, and by him was commissioned major general. At the close of the war, General Pres- ton located in Lexington, Fayette county, hav- ing seventeen hundred acres of land in that vicinity, the greater part of which was oper- ated by tenants. He subsequently devoted his energies to the care of his private interests, continuing his residence in Lexington until his death in September, 1887.

General William Preston married, in 1840, Margaret Preston Wickliffe, who was born in Lexington, Kentucky, a daughter of Robert Wickliffe. Her grandparents, Charles and Lydia (Hardin) Wickliffe, born in Virginia, of English ancestry, were enroute from Prince William county, Virginia, to Kentucky, when, at Redstone Fort, in Pennsylvania, on January 16, 1775, their son Robert was born. Continu- ing their journey to Kentucky, they lived for a short time in Nelson county, from there mov- ing to Washington county, where they took possession of the log cabin in which their son, Charles A., later a governor of Kentucky, was born and reared.

Robert Wickliffe read law with George Nichols, and having been admitted to the bar settled in Lexington, where he gained emi- nence in his profession. He was equally skill- ful as a farmer, and was a resident of the city until his death, in 1859, in the meantime ac- cumulating a fortune. He was influential in public affairs, belonging to what was known as the Old Court party, and served his county as a Representative to the State Legislature in 1819, 1823, and in 1825, while from 1825 until 1833 he was State Senator. Of lofty stature, and courteous manners. he was a true

1494

HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS

type of the old-time Southern gentleman. He lived to the age of eighty-five years, passing away September 1, 1859.

Robert Wickliffe was twice married. He married first Margaret Preston Howard, who was the mother of all his children, including Margaret, who became the wife of General Preston. John Howard, the father of Mr. Wickliffe's first wife, was born in Virginia, and followed the tide of emigration to Ken- tucky in 1775. He lived for a time in Boones- boro, and then settled in Fayette county. A soldier in the Revolutionary war, he was wounded five times at the Battle at Guilford, three of the wounds being pronounced by the attending surgeon fatal. He recovered, how- ever, and lived to the remarkable age of one hundred and three years, his last days being spent in Lexington. Robert Wickliffe married second Mrs. Mary O. Russell. Of the union of General William and Margaret (Wickliffe) Preston, children were born as follows : Mary Owen, who married Col. John Mason Brown, died March, 1898; Caroline Hannah, married Robert A. Thornton, a resident of Lexington ; Margaret is the wife of George M. Davie : Robert Wickliffe; Susan C., widow of Gen. William F. Draper, of Hopedale, Massa- chusetts; Tessie Fremont, wife of George A. Draper. of Hopedale, Massachusetts; and Wickliffe.

Wickliffe Preston early developed the schol- arly tastes that marked his more immediate ancestors, and after an attendance at the Wash- ington and Lee College, and at the Virginia State University, studied law at Harvard Uni- versity. He inherited a love for horses and engaged in the raising of fine thoroughbred stock, at his large farm, Ellerslie. His estate, one of the largest in Lexington, is now owned by the city, several hundred acres being used as a reservoir, while a part of it is included in Mentello Park. Mr. Preston and his family occupy one of the old-time mansions of Lex- ington, on Market street, facing Gratz Park, where he now lives retired.

Mr. Preston married, in 1883, Sarah Brant McDowell. She was born in Abingdon, Vir- ginia, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Lovejoy (Brant) McDowell, and they are the parents of two children, Margaret and William.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 71

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