USA > Kentucky > A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III > Part 88
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The maiden name of the wife of Mr. Nicol was Susanna Keith. She was born in Lexing- ton, a daughter of Dr. and Susanna ( Ball) Keith, both of whom were born in South Carolina, of Scotch ancestors. Mr. and Mrs. Nicol have two children, namely: William Todd, a student in the State University ; and Margaret Elizabeth, a student in the Lexing- ton High School. True to the religious faith in which they were reared, Mr. and Mrs. Nicol belong to the Presbyterian church, but the
son and the daughter are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
SAMUEL M. SMITH .- A man of ability and worth, Samuel M. Smith, late of New York city, was a native-born Kentuckian, proud of his birth and of the pioneer stock from which he was descended. He was born in March, 1844, in Harrison county, Kentucky, on the farm and in the same house in which his father and his paternal grandfather were born.
Mr. Smith's paternal great-grandfather mi- grated at an early day from Virginia to Ken- tucky, settling as a pioneer in Bourbon and Harrison counties. He bought a tract of land lying about eight miles north of Paris, and in the house which he there erected, a part of which is even now standing, his children, some of his grandchildren and a few of his great-grandchildren, including the subject of this sketch, first drew the breath of life. Mr. Smith's paternal grandfather, who married a sister of Colonel Richard Chinn, inherited the old homestead and there spent his entire life. Mr. Smith's father, Frank C. Smith. suc- ceeded in turn to the ownership of the ancestral acres, and was there actively engaged in farm- ing and stock raising until his death. His wife, whose maiden name was Agnes Ball Chinn, was also a life-long resident of Bour- bon county. Samuel M. Smith was a third cousin on his mother's side to General George Washington. His great-grandmother, Agnes Ball, was a sister of Mary Ball, the mother of Washington.
Receiving a practical education in the schools of his native county, Samuel M. Smith remained with his parents until eighteen years of age. Going then to New York city, he was in the employ of his cousin, William T. Coleman, a commission merchant. for about three years. Subsequently engaging in the brokerage business on his own account, Mr. Smith met with great success from the start and continued it until his death, in 1893, while yet in manhood's prime.
Mr. Smith married, in 1872, Jennie Withers, who was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, a daughter of William Allen and Eliza ( Perrin) Withers, and a sister of General William T. Withers, of whom a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. After the death of her hus- band. Mrs. Smith returned to Kentucky and has since resided in Lexington, in the beautiful home which she purchased. She likewise bought the old Smith homestead in Bourbon county and is still its owner.
THEODORE LEWIS .- Prominent among the many able and influential men who are fa miliar with the public affairs of Fayette county is Theodore Lewis, of Lexington, who has
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served many terms as county clerk, a posi- tion which he is now filling in a most credit- able and acceptable manner. He was born March 16, 1848, in Fayette county, which was the place of birth of his father, Samuel Lewis, and the pioneer home of his grandfather, Jesse Lewis.
According to a history of the Lewis family, compiled by Benjamin F. Van Meter, Mr. Lewis is a lineal descendant of one John Lewis, who was born in County Donegal, Ire- land, in 1678, a son of John and Mary (Cal- houn) Lewis, and the descendant of a French Huguenot family. In 1720 this John Lewis emigrated to the United States, and for a number of years was a resident of Pennsyl- vania. In 1732, again seized by the wander- lust, he migrated to Virginia, locating near the present site of the city of Staunton, being one of the first of the brave men that crossed the Blue Ridge mountains, penetrating the wilderness hitherto inhabited only by Indians. Securing title to two thousand and seventy- one acres of land, he built a substantial stone house, which was standing in a good state of preservation as late as the year 1900. Im- proving a farm, he there spent his remaining years. He was a stanch Presbyterian in re- ligion and was one of the founders of the Tinkling Spring church. Passing to the life beyond in 1762, his body was buried in Belle- font. His wife, whose maiden name was Mar- garet Lynn, was a native of Scotland. The next in line of descendant was their son Sam- uel, who married a daughter of Colonel White- ley, and were, as far as known, life-long resi- dents of Virginia.
The line was continued through Jesse Lewis, grandfather of Mr. Lewis. Born and brought up in Virginia, he sought new fields of labor as a young man, coming with the early colo- nists to Kentucky and becoming one of the first settlers of Fayette county, although the exact date of his arrival here is not known. He bought a large tract of land near the present site of the city of Lexington, and was there a resident until his death, in 1813. He was twice married, his second wife being Miss Jane Logan, a daughter of an early pioneer of Fayette county, Archibald Logan, and to them several children were born.
Samuel H. Lewis was born on the home farm in Fayette county, Kentucky, and as a boy and youth took advantage of every offered opportunity for securing an education. He in- herited a portion of the parental acres, and for many years carried on farming with slave labor. Very successful in his undertakings, he added from time to time to his estate until he had six hundred acres of valuable land,
situated about two miles from the Lexington Court House. There he lived and enjoyed the pleasures and comforts of rural life until his death, in 1870. He married Margaret Cassell, who was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, a daughter of Abraham Cassell and grand- daughter of David Cassell, a descendant, it is said, of Henrich Cassell, who came to America with William Penn. David Cassell was a life- long resident of Maryland, but Abraham Cas- sell migrated from Maryland to Kentucky in 1795, following the footsteps of the illus- trious Daniel Boone. Locating in Jessamine county, he bought one hundred and twenty acres of land, for which he paid two hundred and fifty pounds in Kentucky currency. With the help of his slaves, he cleared and improved a farm, on which he spent his remaining days. He married Sarah Rice. Of the union Samuel and Margaret (Cassell) Lewis, seven children were born, namely: William R., Margaret, Samuel L., Katherine, Annie, Theodore and Mary
William R. Lewis, the oldest child, joined the Confederate service during the Civil war, and, having assisted in raising Company B. Eighth Kentucky Cavalry, was commissioned as its captain, and had command of the com- pany in all of its campaigns and battles until captured by the enemy in Ohio. He died as a prisoner of war on Johnson's Island when but thirty years of age.
Samuel L. Lewis, the second son, was grad- uated from the medical department of the Uni- versity of Louisville about the time of the breaking out of the war, in 1861. He entered the Confederate service as a private in the Ninth Mississippi Regiment, and at the end of two years was made post surgeon at Merid- ian, Mississippi. He was subsequently trans- ferred to the Tenth Kentucky Cavalry, and served as assistant surgeon under General For- rest until the close of the conflict. Settling then on land in Perry county, Alabama, he was there actively engaged in business as a farmer and a physician until his death, in 1868. He married Margaret Reese, a daugh- ter of Carlos Reese. She, too, died in 1868, surviving her husband but two months, at her death leaving an infant daughter, Maggie S. Lewis, who is now the wife of Rev. Dr. L. O. Davison, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
After leaving the public schools, Theodore Lewis continued his studies in the private school of Professor James K. Patterson in Lexington, Kentucky. Taking pleasure in the rural occupation to which he was reared. he continued in agricultural pursuits until 1883, when he was elected county clerk. Per- forming the duties devolving upon him in this
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position most satisfactorily, Mr. Lewis was re-elected to the same office in 1887 and in 1891. In 1905 he was again chosen clerk of Fayette county, and having been re-elected in IC29, is serving the people with characteristic fide. ty and ability.
Mr. Lewis married, January 18, 1870, Kate Reese, who was born near Marion, Perry county, Alabama, a daughter of Carlos and Mary C. (Crenshaw) Reese, natives of South Carolina. Mr: and Mrs. Lewis are the parents of three children, namely: Mary, who died in infancy; Samuel Higgins Lewis, who mar- ried Lillian Pettit, and Annie Reese Lewis. Politically, Mr. Lewis cast his first presiden- tial vote for Horace Greeley, and has since been a consistent member of the Democratic party. Fraternally, he belongs to Merrick Lodge, No. 31, I. O. O. F.
FRANCIS S. GRAVES .- As magistrate of the Third district, Fayette county, Kentucky, Francis S. Graves, of Lexington, is well and widely known, while his long record of up- wards of fifteen years in this capacity is con- clusive evidence of his popularity and genuine worth as a public official. He was born April 10, 1860, in Lafayette county, Missouri, but his father, Colonel John R. Graves, and his grandfather, George W. C. Graves, were both natives of Fayette county, Kentucky.
Thomas Graves, his great-grandfather, was born and bred in Virginia, where his father, a native of England, located on coming to this country. He was one of a family of seventeen children, sixteen sons and one daughter, and, it is claimed, that all of the sons served in the Revolutionary war. Thomas was present at the siege of Yorktown, and his house was at one time the headquarters of Marquis de la Fayette, who presented a pocket knife to his host's son, John. When in 1825 the Marquis revisited Lexington, he met this son Jolin and asked him what he had done with the knife. In 1784 Thomas Graves followed the trail of the emigrant to Kentucky, and became one of the very first permanent settlers of Fayette county. Settling on the present site of San- dersville, Fayette county, he bought seven hun- dred acres of land, and was there engaged in tilling the soil during the remainder of his life, dying in 1801.
George W. C. Graves became a farmer from choice, living near Lexington, where for many years he owned and occupied the Harkness farm, which he operated with slave labor. Late in life he disposed of his estate and lived retired in Lexington until his death, at the venerable age of eighty-seven years. His wife, whose maiden name was Sidney Doherty, died a few years before he did. They reared
a fine family of children, consisting of eight sons and two daughters.
John R. Graves was born on the home farm in Fayette county, Kentucky, April 8, 1832, and was fitted for the legal profession at Transylvania University, being graduated from its law department. Removing then to La- fayette county, Missouri, he was there engaged in the practice of law when, in 1861, the tocsin of war resounded throughout the land. Laying aside his personal ambitions, he raised a regi- ment for service in the Confederate army, and, having been commissioned its colonel, joined the command of General Sterling Price and took an active part in the Missouri campaign, participating in the engagements at Carthage, Springfield, Pea Ridge, Cane Hill, Helena and Red River. In 1864, at a skirmish near Cross Hollows, he was captured and afterward con- fined as a prisoner of war at Saint Louis until the cessation of hostilities. Returning then to his old Kentucky home, Colonel Graves was a teacher in the public schools of Lexington until 1874, when, on account of ill health, lie was forced to relinquish his position. The following three years, in association with Col- onel Miller, he was editor and publisher of the "Tri-Weekly Dispatch." Subsequently re- suming his professional labors, Colonel Graves continued as a teacher during the remainder of his life, at his death, March 17, 1908, hav- ing been principal of the Lexington High School. The Colonel was prominent in the administration of public affairs, filling various offices, having served as a member of the City Council, as a member of the County Board of Examiners, and as a director of the Lex- ington Public Library.
Colonel John R. Graves married Mary E. Tarlton. She was born in Missouri, a daugh- ter of Scott and Mary (Rogers) Tarlton, and died in Lexington, Kentucky, September 30. 1908. Both she and her husband were valued members of the Baptist church. They reared children as follows: Eugene, Ed. Tarlton, Francis S., C. Scott, George W., Viola, Robert Lee and Claude Rogers.
Leaving the public schools while in his early "teens," Francis S. Graves began to learn type- setting in a local printing office, and worked in various capacities until master of the art of printing. He continued as a printer until 1895, when he was elected magistrate of the Third district of Fayette county. To this position he has since been re-elected at each election, and is now serving his seventeenth consecutive year in this office.
In May, 1903, Mr. Graves was united in marriage with Caroline E. Hartman, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, a daughter of
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A. S. and Elizabeth Hartman. Two children have brightened the union of Mr. and Mrs. Graves: Francis S. and Katherine Elizabeth. Fraternally, Mr. Graves is a member of Cov- ington Lodge, No. 22, I. O. O. F., and of Phoe- nix Lodge, No 25, K. of P. Religiously, both he and his wife are members of the Baptist church.
JAMES EDWARD PEPPER .- Among the active, keen-sighted and progressive business men who contributed their full share in the advancement of the industrial and financial prosperity of Kentucky, the name of the late James Edwards Pepper is eminently deserving of an honored position. His magnificent estate, "Meadow- thorpe," located near Lexington, Fayette county, was established as a stock farm and is conceded to be one of the finest in the Blue Grass state. He was not only identified with the agricultural interests of the state, but hav- ing succeeded to the ownership of the Pepper Distillery, which was established in Woodford county, Kentucky, by his grandfather, Elijah Pepper, and subsequently conducted a number of years by his father, Oscar Pepper, he built up a business that became well known through- out our own country and across the sea. He was born in Woodford county, Kentucky, May 18, 1850, and was of honored Virginia an- cestry, having been a direct descendant of Lord Culpeper, who served as governor of Virginia in 1681.
Elijah Pepper, born in Culpeper county, Virginia, there grew to a vigorous manhood. Enterprising and ambitious, he sought new fields of endeavor, and soon after his mar- riage with a Miss O'Bannon, came to Ken- tucky, settling as a pioneer in Woodford county, where he spent his remaining days. He bought land that was in its original wild- ness, and on the farm that he cleared erected a distillery, which was said to have been the first in Kentucky.
Oscar Pepper was born and reared on the parental farm in Woodford county, and in due course of time succeeded to the ownership of the parental acres. He there carried on farm- ing and stock raising successfully throughout his active life, and likewise conducted the dis- tillery in an able manner, realizing consider- able profit in the business. He married Ann Edwards, who was born in Woodford county, a daughter of James Edwards, and they be- came the parents of six children, namely : Ada, James Edwards, Oscar N., Thomas E., Mary Belle, and Dixie.
Gleaning his early knowledge of books in the public schools of his native county, James Edwards Pepper completed his studies at Frankfort, Kentucky, obtaining a fine educa-
tion. Subsequently, under the instruction of his father, he gained a thorough knowledge of the details connected with the distilling business, and having, after the death of his father, become owner of the Pepper Distillery, he conducted it with marked success. Largely increasing its products, he found markets for its distilled spirits in all parts of the United States and also in every section of the civilized world, the productions of his plant becoming famous at home and abroad, his name becom- ing a household word in many climes.
Mr. Pepper had the honor of being one of the one hundred contributors, leaders in com- merce, finance and manufactures, to a work entitled "One Hundred Years of American Commerce," edited by the Hon. Chauncey M. Depew. His article on the manufacture of dis- tilled spirits was very exhaustive in its details regarding the manufacture and sale of spirit- uous liquors, commencing as far back as any- thing was known on the subject and continuing its history up to the time the article was writ- ten, the paper showing the profound knowledge he possessed of the business from its inception. Prior to Mr. Pepper's succession to the owner- ship of the Pepper Distillery it had been well managed, but he, with his associates, enlarged and extended its operations, taking advantage of all opportunities for entering new territo- ries, making its productions known the world over. Mr. Pepper had a great love for horses, and took great pleasure in the improvement of "Meadowthorpe," one of his purchases, it being beautifully located about two miles from Lexington and being famous for its valuable horses.
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In 1890 Mr. Pepper married Ella Offut, of Shelby county, Kentucky, a daughter of James Offut and granddaughter of Henry Offut, a pioneer of Scott county. Mrs. Pepper has a beautiful residence in Lexington, but spends a part of each year at "Meadowthorpe," which she now owns. Mr. Pepper died December. 24, 1906, at the Waldorf-Astoria, New York city, from injuries received in an automobile acci- dent, his death depriving Kentucky of one of her most active and best-known citizens.
JOHN S. SHANNON .- For many years the leading furnishing undertaker and furniture dealer of Shelbyville, John S. Shannon was a prominent factor in the business life of Shel- byville, Kentucky, where he is now living, re- tired from active business. He was born December 3, 1836, four miles south of Shelby- ville, on the Taylorsville Pike, a son of Samuel Shannon, Jr. His grandfather, Samuel Shan- non. Sr., an early settler of Shelby county, married Sarah Bracken, who came from Pennsylvania to Kentucky with her parents
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when she was a girl. His brother, William Shannon, a prominent pioneer of Shelbyville, was a man of wealth and donated from his land four squares that are now included with- in the city limits, one of the squares being now occupied by the Court House. He was one of the foremost citizens of the county.
A native of Shelby county, Samuel Shan- non, Jr., was born on a farm south of Shelby- ville July 19, 1797, and continued in agricul- tural pursuits during his entire life, his death occurring July 14, 1856. He married Debo- rah Younger, who was born, lived and died in the same vicinity, south of Shelbyville, her birth occurring October 24, 1799, and her death, December 5, 1865. They became the parents of six children, one son and five daughters. The son, John S., is the subject of this sketch; only two of the daughters are living, their homes being in Texas.
At the age of twenty years, on the death of his father, John S. Shannon became head of the parental household, assuming charge of the family and the management of the farm. In 1863 he left the farm, but returned four years later, and was there engaged in farm- ing until 1873, when he removed to Shelby- ville, where he has since resided. Embarking in that year in business as an undertaker and furniture dealer, he built up an extensive patronage, and for thirty-five consecutive years was one of the leading men in his line of industry. Prompt in his services, attentive to the needs of his customers, accommodating and ever courteous, he won the confidence and esteem of the entire community. He is now enjoying a well-earned leisure in his pleasant and attractive residence on East Main street, Shelbyville, Kentucky.
On September 2, 1862, Mr. Shannon was united in marriage with Catherine Robinson Sharp, a daughter of Dr. David Newton and Paulina (Glass) Sharp. Dr. Sharp was en- gaged in the practice of medicine in Shelby county, Kentucky, a part of the time in Shel- byville and a part in the country, for many years living about five miles from Shelbyville during the latter part of his life. In 1856 he moved with his family to Shelbyville, but did not live very long after, his death occurring in 1857, when sixty years of age. He was a skillful physician, and had a large practice, extending far and wide, riding on horseback, as it was before the day of good roads suit- able for vehicles, to see his many patients.
Mr. and Mrs. Shannon are the parents of six children, namely: Samuel, Jr., a cabinet maker, resides in Harrodsburg; Newton S., a grain dealer in Kansas City, Missouri; Katie G., wife of Joseph D. Hall, a lumber
and coal dealer in Shelbyville; Mildred Reid, wife of Arthur Harbison, one of the leading florists of Harrodsburg, Kentucky; Deborah, wife of T. P. Nicholas, of Shelbyville, a capi- talist ; and Mary Martha, living at home with her parents.
A steadfast supporter of the principles of the Democratic party, Mr. Shannon sympathized with the South during the Civil war, and has since served as constable. Fraternally he is a Mason, and for twelve years was steward of his lodge, Solomon's Lodge, No. 5, of Ken- tucky. Both he and his wife are trustworthy and consistent members of the Presbyterian church, with which he united thirty-five years ago, while Mrs. Shannon joined it forty-nine years ago.
JOHN T. HENDERSON .- It is a distinction well worth striving for to hold the super- lative position in regard to any achievement, and Jolin T. Henderson, one of Shelby county's most prosperous and prominent citi- zens, is generally conceded to raise some of the finest mules in the United States, and he has won as many prizes in this field as anyone else throughout the length and breadth of the country: And it must be added that the blue ribbons and other honors which he has ac- quired have not been limited to mules, for he has received the largest number of prizes on record for White Boone county corn. This unusual excellence has by no means been the result of accident, but has come as the result of untiring perseverance and investigation and operations of the most scientific and en- lightened character. Mr. Henderson's motto has never been to "let well enough alone" and his labors have been crowned with success, re- nown and prosperity. In the work of raising mules, Mr. Henderson is assisted by his five sons, a quintet of fine young men, all of whom remain at home and all of whom share their father's ambitions for superiority and the up- holding of the prestige of the Blue Grass State in regard to her peerless live-stock.
Mr. Henderson was born on the 10th day of August, 1840, in Bourbon county, and came with his father, Samuel G. Henderson, to Shelby county when a boy, having ever since resided here. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Henderson, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, but came to Kentucky as a young man and located in Bourbon county, where he spent his remaining years, dying at an advanced age. He proved an able citi- zen of his adopted town and served its inter- ests in various ways. Among the older mem- bers of a large family of children, Samuel G. Henderson was born in Bourbon county, Ken- tucky, on a farm. In 1851 he came with his
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family to Shelby county, and in this state re- mained engaged in the tilling of the soil un- til his death, which occurred June 15. 1880. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Henderson, was born in Bourbon county, Ken- tucky, and there spent her entire life. She died in June, 1844, leaving two children, namely: James W., of Champaign, Illinois, and John T., the special subject of this bio- graphical sketch. The father had previously been married to Jane Smith, who bore him four children, two of whom died in infancy and the others being Samuel Smith Hender- son and Sarah Ellen Henderson, who live in this county.
Eleven years of age when he came with his father to Shelby county, John T. Henderson completed his early education in the district schools, and as early as practicable was ini- tiated into the mysteries of farming. He proved an intelligent and faithful student and having adopted the occupation to which he was reared has been exceedingly prosperous. He now owns one hundred and eighty-one acres of rich and productive land, the scene of the wonderfully successful operations in mule and corn raising before alluded to.
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