USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III > Part 86
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120
launching out on the sea of life, admitting various ones to partnership and doing all in his power to help them to benefit by his own experiences. His last partner was a nephew, Laban T. Everett, who entered his office in 1887 and who still occupies that place of busi- ness, possessing his uncle's law books and con- trolling much of the latter's clientage.
One of the most marked characteristics of the late Colonel Moore was his loyal devotion to all interests tending to promote the public good. No man was more active and influential in the affairs of the county, state or nation. Originally a Whig in politics he advocated the most advanced ideas. His theory of govern- ment and pronounced opinions in favor of higher education cost him his seat in the state legislature for which his party presented his name in 1857. In 1859, however, he became the Whig candidate to represent the Eighth Congressional district of Kentucky in con- gress and he was elected with a gratifying ma- jority over a prominent adversary, Judge James W. Moore. His position in congress was decidedly unique. Fearless and undaunted in what he believed to be right, he separated himself from the congressmen of the South by voting for the Morrill tariff bill, a measure whereby a revenue could be secured sufficient to prepare for and carry on the war for the preservation of the Union. He was strongly opposed to secession and delivered in con- gress one of the most patriotic and loyal ad- dresses ever heard in that body, the same be- ing entitled "An Undivided Country." This speech received warm commendation from Roscoe Conkling and others. When congress adjourned Colonel Moore immediately re- turned home to exert his influence among his constituents in regard to the secession move- ment. He espoused the cause of the Union with the utmost zeal and fidelity and was most influential in turning the people of the moun- tains of northeastern Kentucky to support the National cause. He raised and enlisted the Fourteenth Kentucky Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected the first colonel. Subsequently he resigned from that position and removed from Louisa to Catletts- burg, where he resumed the practice of his profession, in which work he was successfully engaged until the time of his death.
After the close of the strenuous war period Colonel Moore affiliated with the Democratic party and in 1881 he was elected state senator, in which connection he served with ability. He was also elected a member of the constitu- tional convention of 1890-1 and is regarded as one of the leaders in the body which formed
Vol. III-27
1564
HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS
the present organic law of Kentucky. Colonel Moore was a man of broad and liberal views with nothing narrow or intolerant in his na- ture. He was enterprising and progressive in all the terms imply, lived in the present and, taking a pardonable 'pride in his community and state, had faith in their future and used his power and influence to make that faith re- alize the largest possibilities. Socially he was an affable gentleman, genial in manner, agree- able in conversation, courteous to all with whom he mingled, and he ever impressed those with whom he had business or other relations as possessing a power of mind and force of personality indicative of the natural leader in large and important undertakings.
On the 15th of January, 1850, was recorded the marriage of Colonel Moore to Miss Sarah Everett, a daughter of Colonel John Everett, a native of Albemarle county, Virginia, where he was born in 1788. Colonel Everett was married in the place of his birth to Miss Sarah Woodson and subsequently they moved to Guyandotte Valley, in Cabell county, Virginia, where he became one of the leading citizens and a man of prestige in community affairs. He was elected to the state legislature of Vir- ginia for seven consecutive terms, was justice of the peace for fifteen years and also filled the offices of sheriff and revenue commissioner, being a strong partisan of the Clay school. He died on the 14th of July, 1871. Colonel and Mrs. Moore became the parents of six daugh- ters, concerning whom the following brief data are here incorporated,-Felicia Ellis, born in Louisa, Kentucky, January 27, 1851, was matriculated in Vassar College in 1870, graduating therefrom in 1873, and she was summoned to eternal rest in October, 1878; Mary Frances and Lida Gartrell reside with their mother in the old home at Catlettsburg ; Minnie Ha Ha is the wife of James S. Pat- ton, who is a wholesale druggist at Catletts- burg; and Druzilla Nichols is now. the wife of E. J. Buffington, who is president of the Illinois Steel Company, of Chicago.
HON. WILLIAM PRYOR THORNE .- Standing pre-eminent among the noted and admirable citizens of Henry county is the Hon. Wil- liam Pryor Thorne, a lawyer by profession and a statesman by the choice of the people, in both of these capacities enjoying high pres- tige throughout the length and breadth of Kentucky. He was lieutenant governor at the time of the administration of Governor Beckham and served four terms in the lower house of the state legislature, in whose halls his effective eloquence was raised for many needed benefits and reforms, he being the au-
thor of more than one law and bill. He has served the county as circuit judge and for four years he occupied the office of common- wealth's attorney.
Mr. Thorne is native to this section of the state, his birth having occurred on a farm adjoining that which was the birthplace of Mr. Emmett Logan, associate editor of this volume, devoted to the deeds and achieve- ments of representative Kentuckians. The date of his first arrival in the Blue Grass state was March 5, 1845, and his parents were William Kimberlan and Mary Moody Thorne, the former a native of Shelby county and the lat- ter of Henry county. The farm upon which these worthy people were living at that time, and referred to above, was in the northern part of Shelby county, midway between Shel- byville and Eminence. William K. Thorne was the son of John and Elizabeth (Kimber- lan) Thorne, who were Scotch-Irish in stock, but came to this country from England. Their old home in the Mother country was situated on the road between Manchester and London, at Thornleigh. The attractive and hospitable home of the subject at Eminence has been called "Thornleigh" in honor of the . old ancestral place. Oakleigh Thorne, of New York, president of the Trust Company of America, is of the same family. Mr. Thorne's grandparents soon after their ar- rival on our shores came to Virginia, but eventually followed the tide of emigration to the newer state of Kentucky and settled in Shelby county shortly after the state's ad- mission to the Union, probably about the be- ginning of the nineteenth century. John Thorne assisted in the building of the fort, Lynch's Station, and secured land as close to it as possible, his holdings being located on Bullskin Creek in Shelby county. The old home he built in the long ago days is still standing with its hosts of romantic associa- tions and is the property of the Hon. Mr. Thorne. Those were wild days when life was continually in jeopardy and a man must ever be prepared for fight. Three of John Thorne's nephews and three nieces were killed by Indians (shot with arrows) in the vicinity of Clear Creek, upon whose fair banks they were buried. The place in the creek near which they met their deaths, now called "Thorne's Hole," has been used as the bap- tismal place of the Burkes Branch of the Bap- tist church for the past seventy-five years. It is not far from the old Colonel Todd home, one of the county's noted landmarks. John Thorne, the pioneer, lived to old age and was one of the prominent men of his day and
1565
HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS
generation. His burial-place is surrounded by a stone wall and is owned by the Hon. Mr. Thorne, who reserved it at the sale of the property. His first deed for land was signed by Patrick Henry, of Virginia. He reared two sons and five daughters. The former were William Kimberlan, father of the sub- ject, and Andrew Jackson, who went to Ter- re Haute, Indiana, to make his home. Of the five daughters only one remained in her na- tive state, she being Nancy, who became the wife of Wallace Morrison, a brother of "Horizontal Bill" Morrison, ex-member of congress from Illinois.
William Kimberlan Thorne remained in Henry county, settling one mile west of Emi- nence, where he spent his active years, his de- mise occurring in 1886. His wife died six years later, each being seventy-eight years of age when summoned to the Great Beyond. William K. was a leading farmer and reared a family of three sons, all of whom became good and useful citizens. The eldest, A. J. Thorne, died soon after reaching manhood, and after four years valiant service as a sol- dier in the Confederate army at the time of the Civil war, he having been with General Morgan. Shelby Todd resides on the old homestead, occupying the old residence built by the father seventy-five years ago. His farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres.
William Pryor Thorne remained under the home roof until his twentieth year, his school days echoing with the clamor incident to the Rebellion. His higher literary studies were pursued at Eminence College under W. S. Giltner and ere his years numbered a score a long gathering ambition to become a lawyer had reached the point of crystalization. He studied under the enlightened guidance of Judge W. S. Pryor, of whom more extended mention is made on other pages of this work, and also with Judge George C. Drane, a noted lawyer. He was admitted to the bar before the attainment of his majority. He began his career at Eminence and his success has been the result of his own unaided efforts, independence being one of his prevailing char- acteristics. He has been identified with all the principal litigation in this county and sev- eral others which has arisen since the begin- ning of his career. He has twice been prose- cuting attorney and although never elected to the office has several times served as circuit judge. His practice is in all courts. As pre- viously mentioned he served four terms in the lower house of the state legislature and is the author of the Thorne Tobacco Bill and the Thorne Whiskey Bill and also of the law
to force railroads to fence their tracks. He has since his earliest voting days given his allegiance to the Democratic party and in 1903, in unmistakable evidence of the strong hold he had obtained upon the confidence of the people, he was elected lieutenant governor of the state of Kentucky, serving for four years with Governor Beckham. This included two regular and two special sessions. During the time he presided over the senate there was never one appeal from a decision, the only instance in the history of the state legislature. He has ever kept in touch with national poli- tics and has been elector or assistant elector from his district at three national conventions. He served also as state delegate to notify William J. Bryan. He is a forceful and com- pelling stump speaker, has assisted in numer- ous campaigns and has ever been willing to do anything or go anywhere to promote the interests of the party to which he gives his fealty.
On the 27th day of March, 1866, Hon. W. P. Thorne was united in marriage, his chosen lady being Miss Anna Dickerson, only sister of ex-Congressman W. W. Dickerson. She is a native of Kenton county, Kentucky, and a daughter of R. A. Dickerson. Three children have been born to the subject and his wife. Agnes P. is the wife of Lindsay T. Crabb, of Louisville, superintendent of the Whiskey Trust, and they have five children. Bernice is the wife of James E. Waugh, of Christian county, Kentucky. William Pryor Thorne, Jr. is an attorney by profession. At one time he acted as buyer for the American Tobacco Company. He holds the office of corresponding secretary for the Poce Coal and Lumber Company, located at San Luis Obis- po, California.
Among his many important concerns Mr. Thorne is director and attorney of the Deposit Bank of Eminence. Fraternally he is a Ma- son and a member of the Benevolent and Pro- tective Order of Elks, and is extremely popu- lar in both orders.
THOMAS BROWN .- It is probable that no man is better known in Shelby county or is more familiar with this section of the state that he whose name introduces this record. He was born in Henry county, adjoining, and has spent all of his active and useful life, with the exception of six years spent upon a sugar plantation in Louisiana, in this part of the state. In the work of development and prog- ress he has not only been an active participant but he has been a leader in several movements which have been of indisputable benefit to the community. His three hundred acre farm is
1566
HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS
exceedingly well conducted and he is very loyal to the state to which he has paid the supreme compliment of almost life-long resi- dence.
Mr. Brown was born at Newcastle, Henry county, October 10, 1844. Newcastle was likewise the birthplace of his father, Robert Brown, whose eyes first opened to the light of day January 16, 1819. Glancing back another generation we find that the grandfather, Thomas Brown, was an Irishman, his birth having occurred in County Antrim, Ireland. The promise of American opportunity and freedom reached him across the bounding main and he heeded it. Upon his arrival in this country he found his way to Newcastle, Kentucky, where he was a pioneer, and he followed merchandising, enduring the peculiar hardships and enjoying the compensations of the pioneer. He lived to be seventy-eight years of age and he gave as a heritage to his descendants some of those excellent character- istics for which his race is famous. The father, Robert Brown, lived in Kentucky and in Louisiana, his demise occurring in the lat- ter state November 30, 1876. Mr. Brown's mother was Alpha Foree, whose birth occurred in Henry county on Christmas day of the year 1823. She was a daughter of Peter and Nancy (Toole) Foree, the father being a na- tive of North Carolina and the mother of Virginia. They both died in Henry county, and both at a great old age, his demise oc- curring when he was within two years of the unusual distinction of the centenarian, and she being summoned to the Great Beyond when her years were ninety-seven. This devoted pair had spent together an ideal companion- ship of over sixty years. To the parents of Mr. Brown were born a large family of chil- dren, only three of whom lived to maturity. Alice died in Henry county in 1905, when nearly sixty years of age. Edna, a resident with our subject, Thomas, the youngest, and the subject of this review.
The school days and youth of Mr. Brown were passed in Henry county and for a good many years after reaching manhood he farmed in that county. In fact his residence there continued until the year 1884, with the ex- ception of the six years before noted, when he assisted his father upon his sugar planta- tion in the Pelican State. In 1884 he became identified with Shelby county, removing to his present desirable farm, where he has ever since resided. He engages for the most part in general agriculture and has proved quite successful. His homestead is located in the
vicinity of Waddy and in the life of that centre he and his family play a happy part.
Mr. Brown was married November 6, 1883, the lady to become his wife being Miss Sarah Posey, who was born near Waddy, Decem- ber 16, 1859. Her father, Thomas B. Posey, was a native of Missouri and died in 1867, when sixty-five years of age. Her mother was Miss Lydia Foree prior to her marriage, her birth occurring near Newcastle, Henry county. She lived many years past the psalm- ist's allotment, being ninety-three years of age at the time of her death, in 1907. Thomas and Lydia Posey were the parents of two children-Thomas, who died in infancy; and Sarah, wife of the subject, who was reared in Shelby county. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have five children, as follows: Alpha Foree, born August 30, 1884; Beverley B., born December 5, 1885 ; Lydia P., born July 12, 1889; Lucille S., born in June 1891; and Will-Anna, born July 3, 1901.
In his political fealty Mr. Brown is Demo- cratic, and he and his wife are active members of the Baptist church of Waddy.
WILLIAM WORTHINGTON .- An active and esteemed member of the Kentucky bar, Wil- liam Worthington, of Lexington, is devoting his best thought to the duties of his profession and is meeting with good success in the gen- eral practice of law. A son of Colonel Wil- liam Jackson Worthington, he was born in Greenup county, Kentucky, and was there bred and educated. His paternal grandfather, John Worthington, was born in Maryland, of early Colonial stock. During his earlier life he spent several years in the state of Pennsyl- vania, from there moving with his family to Lawrence county, Ohio. During the closing years of his life he came to Kentucky, and here spent his last days. His wife, whose name before marriage was a Miss Luther, was born in Pennsylvania, and was, so saith tradi- tion, a collateral descendant of William Penn.
Colonel William Jackson Worthington was born near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, but spent his childhood days in Ohio. While yet in his teens he came with his parents to Kentucky, and when civil war was declared he raised a company of troops for service in the Union Army, it having been Company B, Twenty- second Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. He was first commissioned captain of the company, and was subsequently twice promoted, first to the rank of major and later to that of lieuten- ant colonel. The Colonel took an active part in many of the more important engagements of the war, being with General Grant at the
1567
HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS
siege of Vicksburg and at the Battle of Cum- berland Gap, and under the command of Gen- eral Burnside on the Red River expedition and at New Orleans. Returning to Greenup coun- ty at the close of the conflict, he purchased a furnace in the Hanging Rock Iron field, and was there actively engaged in the iron business for about fifteen years, his home in the mean- time being on his farm in Greenup county, where he still resides. His first wife, whose maiden name was Catherine Steele, was born in Washington county, Virginia, a daughter of Dr. Daniel Steele. She died in 1889, leav- ing five children, namely: Annie and Agnes, twins; Finley; John Thomas ; and William. He married for his second wife Lucy York, who was born in Kentucky, and they have two children, Sarah and Nancy. Colonel Worth- ington has been prominent and influential in public affairs. He served as county judge of Greenup county one term, and was elected state senator in about 1869. In 1895 he was elected lieutenant governor of the state, and in about 1900 had the honor of again being elected a member of the State Legislature.
Receiving his elementary education in the schools of Greenup county, William Worth- ington subsequently continued his studies at the State University of Kentucky, in Lexing- ton. Going then to Washington, D. C., he began the study of law at the Georgetown University, later adding to the knowledge there obtained in the law office of Breckin- ridge & Shelby. Admitted to the bar in 1897, Mr. Worthington has since been actively en- gaged in the practice of his profession in Lex- ington, in addition serving as law stenogra- pher, a position requiring a comprehensive knowledge of law, exactness of execution and a clear, active brain. At the present time Mr. Worthington is referee in bankruptcy and he has been acting county attorney since March 20, 1911. In politics he is identified with the Republican party, but has never aspired to official positions, his time and energies being devoted to his professional work.
Mr. Worthington married, in 1898, Adaline Norwood, a daughter of Edward M. and Pris- cilla (Downing) Norwood, and they are the parents of one child, William Norwood Worthington.
JOHN D. MOORE .- A man of ability, intelli- gence and enterprise, John D. Moore is ac- tively associated with the advancement of the business interests of Lexington, being at the head of the John D. Moore Tobacco Company, which he founded a few years ago. A son of David Moore, he was born November 17, 1873,
in Wyoming, Ontario, Canada, where he grew to manhood.
David Moore was born in County Cavan, Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, and was there bred and educated. At the age of twenty years he came with his parents to America, locating in Canada. Starting in life for himself as a farmer, he bought land in Wyoming, province of Ontaria, where he still resides, a bright and active man of eighty-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Ruth Blair, was born in County Down, Ireland, and came with her parents to America at the age of eighteen years. Of their union eight children were born and reared, all being trained to habits of industry and thrift.
John D. Moore was educated in the public schools of Wyoming, Ontario, and as a boy developed a remarkable aptitude for business. Ere attaining his majority he opened a mer- cantile establishment in his native town and conducted it about three years. Going then to Michigan, he was engaged in mercantile pur- suits at Saint Clair until 1896, when he be- came traveling salesman for a large tobacco firm. This business called Mr. Moore into the more important centers of trade in various states, and in 1908, when he decided to once more start in business for himself, he selected Lexington, Fayette county, as the most desir- able city in which to locate. Immediately after coming here he organized the John D. Moore Tobacco Company, manufacturers of tobacco, and has since devoted his time and attention to the affairs of this corporation which has been exceedingly prosperous from the start.
Mr. Moore married in 1900 Jessie Kimble, a native of Louisville, Kentucky. Her father, William Kimble, was born in Madison coun- ty. Kentucky, of English stock, and married Maria Van Sickle, who was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, of Holland ancestry. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have two children, Ruth Blair and John D., Jr. Both Mr. and Mrs. Moore are members of the Episcopal Church, and he is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Palmer Lodge, No. 20, at St. Clair, Michigan, of the Woodmen of the World, at Port Huron, Michigan, and of the U. C. T. in Indianapolis, Indiana.
CAPTAIN ARCHIBALD HENRY GOODLOE .- Kentucky has had many good, brave and able men in her day-in contemplating the pages of her history, one is inclined to believe almost more than her quota-and it will scarcely be gainsaid that among the most admirable of those who have claimed Kentucky as the
1568
HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS
mother state was Captain Archibald Henry Goodloe, deceased November 27, 1899, at Lex- ington, Kentucky. He was distinctively well- born, the scion of families which had pro- duced patriots, soldiers and statesmen, and he shared their high ideals and lived them. His fine courage and essential forgetfulness of self had come down to him through the genera- tions. His remotest ancestor fought under William the Conqueror at the battle of Hast- ings. Another ancestor was a trooper in Cromwell's Ironsides; while another carried arms under Charles I. All four of his great- grandfathers were officers in the Revolution- ary Army, one of them being present at the surrender of Burgoyne at Saratoga in 1777 and also at that of Cornwallis at Yorktown. This witness of the triumphant termination of the struggle of the colonies for independence was associated with the great Washington. In the War of 1812 Captain Goodloe's kindred com- manded Kentucky troops at New Orleans and in the war with Mexico they fought under Taylor and Scott.
Captain Goodloe was born in the capital city of the state of Kentucky October 18, 1842, where his parents were temporarily residing. His ancestral home was in Madison county, Kentucky, his grandparents having come here from Virginia in early pioneer days, when the redman was still lord of the forest. His father, William C. Goodloe, likewise a native of the county, achieved distinction as a mem- ber of the legal fraternity and became a cir- cuit judge of this district. Of him a more extended mention is made on other pages of the work. He married Almira Owsley, daugh- ter of Judge William Owsley, who was gov- ernor of Kentucky during the war with Mex- ico. His social position was high and he in- herited the advantages and honor of a family whose members had filled the highest stations in his native state and who were noted for ability and faithfulness in their civil and so- cial positions. He was reared on the farm of his father near Richmond, Kentucky, and received his preliminary education at the Madi- son Male Academy. Following this he went to Danville, Kentucky, where he matricu- lated at Center College. He was very ener- getic and active in his boyhood days, fond of out-of-door life, always a fine horseman and delighting himself with hunting and riding to the hounds. His father believed in training his boys to work, teaching them habits of in- dustry in physical labor as well as mind and heart culture.
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.