A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 92

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 92

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William Higginbotham was reared to agri- cultural pursuits, and as a young man became an extensive dealer in stock, driving his cattle and hogs to the South Carolina markets, the journey there and back taking several weeks to perform. He bought land near the parental homestead in Garrard county, and was there successfully engaged in cultivating the soil during the remainder of his career, his death occurring at the age of seventy-five years. The maiden name of his wife was Ellen Rob- erts. She was born at Crab Orchard, Lincoln county. Kentucky, a daughter of James and -( Mitchell) Roberts, the former of whom was born in Kentucky, while Miss Mitchell was a native of Tennessee. She died at the age of seventy-three years. Six sons and four daughters blessed their union, as follows: John M., a soldier in the Confederate army, served under General John H. Morgan; Jo- seph, also a soldier in the Confederate army, served under General Forrest, and was killed

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at the battle of Montro Valley, Alabama; Wil- liam S., James M., George T., the special sub- ject of this brief biographical review; Alzira G., Bettie M,, Ella M., Tillie and Eliza.

Completing the course of study in the dis- trict schools of his native county, George T. Higginbotham further advanced his education by an attendance at Transylvania College and at the State University. Subsequently renting land, he began his career as an independent farmer, and by putting into use the habits of industry which were a part of his early train- ing he met with assured success from the start. Subsequently buying land in Garrard county, he was there engaged in tilling the soil until 1908, when he sold out and came to Fayette county. Mr. Higginbotham located on the Newtown Pike, two miles from the Lexington Court House, buying the finely-improved farm on which he is now living, it being one of the most valuable pieecs of property in the vi- cinity, and in its care and management he is meeting with characteristic prosperity.

Mr. Higginbotham married, in 1874, Ann Elizabeth Cochran, who was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, a daughter of William and Sally Ann ( Newland) Cochran. Six children have brightened the union of Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham, namely: William W., Joseph E., John J. (died at seventeen years), Ella and Sarah, twins, and Anna E. William W. married Ottie McGarvey. Ella, wife of T. B. Floyd, has one daughter, Elizabeth Floyd. Sarah married, first, George H. Perkins, and married, second, B. W. Chappelear, of Dela- plane, Virginia, by whom she has one son, George H. Anna E., wife of James P. Smith, of Richmond, Virginia, has one daughter, Elizabeth Smith. Mr. and Mrs. Higginbotham are faithful members of the Christian church and have reared their children in the same religious belief.

HON. CHARLES BOYD NICHOLS .- A man of tried and true integrity, possessing good busi- ness ability and judgment, Hon. Charles B. Nichols has won for himself an honored posi- tion among the useful and valued citizens of Fayette county, and is numbered among the leading agriculturists of this part of the state. his home farm being located on Newtown Pike, four miles from Lexington. A son of Charles Nicholas, he was born February 21, 1848, in Georgetown, Scott county, Kentucky.

His grandfather, Moses Nichols, was born in New Jersey, and the family has records showing that his brothers, Isaac and Samuel, served in the Revolutionary war. He subse- quently built a house in Newark, New Jersey but a few years after his marriage sold that

and removed to New York state, where he spent the remainder of his life.

Born and brought up in Newburgh, Orange county, New York, Charles Nichols there ac- quired his early education. On leaving school he went to Newark, New Jersey, where he served an apprenticeship at the carriage- maker's trade. In 1838 he came to Kentucky, going first to Pittsburg, from there coming down the Ohio river to his point of destina- tion. Settling in Georgetown, he and his brother Robert established a carriage factory, which they conducted successfully a few years. Selling his interest in that business, he opened a blacksmith's shop, which he operated with slave labor until his death, in 1862, when but forty-five years of age. He married Nancy Boyd Eckles, who was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, a daughter of Charles and Nancy (Boyd) Eckles, who were both of Scotch an- cestry and natives, respectively, of Kentucky and Pennsylvania. She survived him, pass- ing away at the age of sixty-eight years, in 1889. Eight children were born to them, as follows : Moses; Mary, who died at the age of twenty-one years; Charles Boyd, the special subject of this brief personal record; James, Susan and Samuel, all of whom died in child- hood; Martha, who married A. V. Cleveland and died at the age of fifty-three years; and Daniel, of Latonia, Kentucky.

On the death of his father, Charles Boyd Nichols, who was then a student in the George- town college, was forced to relinquish his studies and assist in the support of the family. He was subsequently employed at various kinds of labor until his marriage, when he be- gan farming on rented land, living one year in Scott county and for twelve years renting land in Fayette county. Industrious, eter- prising and a good manager, he met with un- doubted success in his operations and subse- quently purchased the farm which he now owns and occupies. Located four miles from Lexington, on the Newtown Pike, it contains one hundred and twenty-three and one-half acres of rich Blue Grass land, and, under his excellent management, yields abundant har- vests each year.

Mr. Nichols married, in 1871, Ella M. Tarl- ton, who was born on the farm where she now lives. a daughter of Caleb Tarlton, Jr., and granddaughter of Caleb Tarlton, Sr., the original owner of the estate. Caleb Tarlton, Sr., a pioneer settler of Scott county, Ken- tucky, bought land near Georgetown and lived there until 1825. Coming with his family to Fayette county in that year, he purchased the farm now owned by Mr. Nichols, and here

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spent his remaining days. Born July 27, 1804, in Scott county, Kentucky, in 1825, Caleb Tarl- ton, Jr., came to Fayette county and here spent his remaining days. Succeeding to the owner- ship of the parental acres, he carried on gen- eral farming and stock raising, laboring in- dustriously and successfully. He was twice married, the maiden name of his second wife, the mother of Mrs. Nichols, having been Mary Ann Crenshaw. She was born in Scott county, Kentucky, a daughter of Joel and Millicent (Sutton) Crenshaw. Mattie Tarlton Nichols, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, mar- ried Horace C. Dale. of Eminence, Kentucky, and has one daughter, Mary Ellen Dale. Re- ligiously, Mr. Nichols belongs to the Presby- terian church, while Mrs. Nichols is a con- sistent member of the Christian church.

Mr. Nichols is interested in educational and financial matters, and during the past twenty years has devoted a large part of his time to the settling up of estates. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Univer- sity, having first been appointed by Governor Beckham and reappointed by Governor Will- son. He is also chairman of the executive committee of the Board of Trustees of the State University of Kentucky, and is one of the directors of the Second National Bank of Lexington. He is a Democrat in politics.

BENJAMIN COLEMAN CRENSHAW .- Num- bered among the active and prosperous agri- culturists of Fayette county is Benjamin Cole- man Crenshaw, who owns and occupies a large, well-appointed and well-managed farm on Spurr Pike. A son of Benjamin Bluford Crenshaw, he was born March 13, 1850, in Georgetown, Scott county, Kentucky, of Vir- ginia ancestry.

Joel Crenshaw, Mr. Crenshaw's grand- father, was born and bred in Virginia, and came from there to Kentucky in the very early part of the nineteenth century, settling as a pioneer in Scott county, which was then in its pristine wildness. Buying a tract of land on the Lexington and George- town Pike, he improved a homestead and there engaged in tilling the soil until his death. He married Millicent Sutton, a sister of Dr. Wil- liam L. Sutton, a prominent physician of that day. and she survived him many years, dying at the home of a daughter. Nine children were born of their union, namely: Benjamin B., Elymas, Joel, John, William, Mary, Mar- tha, Elizabeth and Nancy.

Benjamin Bluford Crenshaw was born in Scott county, Kentucky, near Georgetown, July 31, 1807, where he grew to manhood. Following in the footsteps of his ancestors, he became a tiller of the soil from choice, and

was engaged in agricultural pursuits during his entire life. In 1853 he located on land extending from the Leestown to Spurr Pike, in Fayette county, buying a farm of four hun- dred and twenty acres of rich and fertile land, and there resided until his death, February 25, 1874. He was twice married, the maiden name of his first wife, Mr. Crenshaw's mother, having been Priscilla Patrick.

Priscilla Patrick was born in Fayette coun- ty, Kentucky, a daughter of Charles Patrick. Jr. Her grandfather, Charles Patrick, Sr., the son of a Presbyterian clergyman, was born in County Down, Ireland, where he grew up and was educated. In 1745, bidding fare- well to his parents and friends, he came to America, settling in Albemarle county, Vir- ginia, where his two sons, John and Charles, were born, and where the elder son spent his entire life. Charles Patrick, Jr., the younger son, migrated in 1801 to Kentucky. Being pleased with the country roundabout Fayette. county, he bought land near Bethel church, paying ten dollars an acre for the tract, and on the farm which he improved spent his re- maining days, passing away in 1852. He married Dorcas Black, who was born in Vir- ginia, a daughter of Rev. Samuel Black, a native of Ireland. Her father was a Pres- byterian minister. She preceded him to the better world, dying July 27, 1849. Their chil- dren were as follows: Samuel; George M .; Mary; Charles; John; Catherine; Priscilla; Dorcas: William; Benjamin Coleman, with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned ; Eliza J., and James P. Catherine, the oldest daughter, now the widow of William H. Greene, has two children, Mary and George. Eliza J., the youngest daughter, married Levi Prewitt, and reared six children, Margaret, Benjamin, Mary, Gaines, Lida and Fanny. George and William both served in the Confederate Army. George was killed at Atlanta, Georgia, and William died while in the service. Benjamin B. Crenshaw married second, May 17, 1855, Mary Squires, who died at the age of ninety- two years, leaving one son, John Crenshaw.

Benjamin Coleman Crenshaw was educated in the rural schools of his community, and as a boy was initiated into the duties incidental to agricultural life, becoming familiar with the various branches of farming. After the death of his father, Mr. Crenshaw settled on that part of the home estate lying on Spurr Pike, and has since here carried on general farming with satisfactory pecuniary results, evidences of his industry and wise manage- ment being everywhere visible.

In 1885, Mr. Crenshaw, who had previous- ly kept bachelor's hall, was united in marriage

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with Elizabeth Thornton Maury, who was born in Bath county, Kentucky, March 27, 1867, and died on the home farm September 8, 1893. Her father, Dr. Joseph Maury, for many years a prominent physician in Bath county, married Elizabeth Graves, and both spent their remaining years in that county.

Mr. Crenshaw has living with him a nephew and a niece, James Gaines Prewitt and Mrs. Frances Patrick (Prewitt) Taylor, daugliter of his sister Eliza, who married Levi Prewitt. The niece, who presides gracefully over the household, is the wife of Henry C. Taylor, a well-known carpenter, and has two children, Benjamin Crenshaw and Louisa Clay. Mr. Crenshaw is a member of Berea church. He is a Democrat and was a magistrate for twelve years.

COLONEL CICERO COLEMAN .- One of the oldest native-born citizens of Fayette county, Colonel Cicero Coleman is an honored rep- resentative of the early pioneers of this sec- tion of the Blue Grass state, and a true type of the hardy and energetic men who have ren- dered material assistance in the development of this fertile and productive agricultural re- gion. A son of Horace Coleman, he was born on the farm and in the house which he now owns and occupies October 7, 1833. He comes of thrifty Virginian stock, his paternal grandfather, William Coleman, having been a life-long resident of the Old Dominion.

Horace Coleman was born and educated in Spottsylvania county, Virginia. Ere attain- ing his majority he came to Kentucky, bring- ing with him several slaves, all of whom had learned the bricklayer's trade and which his father had given him. Very enterprising and active, he began taking contracts for building brick houses and made a great success in his work. He subsequently invested his surplus money in land, buying a farm on the Win- chester Pike, nine miles from Lexington, and was there subsequently engaged in cultivating the soil until his death, in 1846, at the age of fifty-six years. He married Mrs. Anna B. (Ellis) Thompson, a daughter of Captain William and Elizabeth (Shipp) Ellis and widow of John Thompson.

A native of Virginia, Captain William Ellis, the maternal grandfather of Colonel Coleman, visited Kentucky at an early day, and in look- ing about perceived some of its future possi- bilities. Returning to Virginia, he organized the "Traveling Church," an organization con- taining about five hundred people, all of the Baptist persuasion, and with them settled in Garrard county, Kentucky. A short time later Captain Ellis secured a tract of wild land on Winchester Pike, Fayette county, at the

head of Boone Creek. Indians were then plentiful and troublesome, making frequent raids throughout this part of the state: The Captain was very active in the many skir- mishes that occurred between the whites and the redskins, leading the garrison from Boone Station to Bryan Station when that was at- tacked and being one of the few survivors of the bloody tragedy at Blue Lick Springs. His brave services were much appreciated and his name now adorns a tablet in the wall sur- rounding the spring at Bryan Station. He died in 1802, his wife surviving him a few years. Mrs. Horace Coleman survived her second husband, dying at the advanced age of eighty-five years. By her marriage with Mr. Thompson she had three children, Pike M., William E. and John, none of whom are now living. By her union with Mr. Coleman three children, also, were born, namely: Louisa, who married Hezekiah Ellis, died at the early age of seventeen years; Mark, de- ceased ; and Cicero, the special subject of this brief biographical sketch.

Educated in the rural schools, Cicero Cole- man succeeded to the ownership of the paren- tal homestead and has spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. Enlisting in the Con- federate service in 1862, he was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry and served under General John H. Morgan, both in Indiana and in Ohio. In August, 1863, he was captured and held as a prisoner of war in the Ohio Penitentiary until the earlier months of 1865, when he was taken to Fort Delaware. There released at the close of the war, Colonel Coleman returned to his home and has since been here pleasantly and profitably engaged in general farming and stock raising, his estate on Winchester Pike being one of the most desirable in the neigh- borhood.

Colonel Coleman married, in 1867, Eveline Moore Field, who was born in Boone county, Missouri, March 27. 1842, a daughter of John Harding Field. Her grandfather, Curtis Field, and her great-grandfather, John Field, were both native Virginians. John Field came from Virginia to Kentucky in early pioneer days and settled in Bourbon county, on a tract of land that had been granted to his father, Henry Field. He began the im- provement of a farm, and there spent his re- maining years. Curtis Field was born in Cul- peper county, Virginia, but was brought up on the homestead in Bourbon county, Ken- tucky. Soon after attaining his majority he removed to Madison county, Kentucky, and for a number of years was engaged in mer- cantile business at Richmond. He was prom-

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inent in financial circles of that city and was one of the directors of the Northern Bank, an institution of much importance. He died in 1864, aged four score and four years. The maiden name of Curtis Field's wife was Ro- sanna Hardin. She was born in Washington county, Kentucky, where her father, Colonel John Hardin, located when coming from Vir- ginia, his native state, to Kentucky. He fought valiantly in many engagements with the sav- ages and was killed in Ohio by a treacherous Indian guide while carrying a flag of truce. Colonel Hardin married Jane Davis, who sur- vived him and married for her second hus- band Christopher Irvine, of Madison county.

John Hardin Field, Mrs. Coleman's father, was born in Richmond, Kentucky, and as a young man was there engaged in business as a general merchant. Migrating, about 1834. to Boone county, Missouri, he bought land and for several seasons carried on general farming to some extent. He subsequently re- sumed business as a merchant, having at first a general store in Boone county, Missouri, but later removing to Audrain county, Mis- souri, where he spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1869. His first wife, whose maiden name was Martha Ann Hock- aday, was born in Clark county, Kentucky. A daughter of Isaac and Amelia (Irvine) Hock- aday, natives of Virginia. She died in 1847. His second wife, whose maiden name was Frances Provines, survived him. Of his two marriages thirteen children were born, seven by the first union and six by the second.

Colonel and Mrs. Coleman reared but one child, Horace Coleman. He married Lizzie Goodman and died in March, 1910, leaving two children, Frances Field and Eveline Good- man. The Colonel and Mrs. Coleman are sin- cere Christians and worthy members of the Baptist church. Colonel Coleman is a Demo- crat in politics.

JAMES FLETCHER SCOTT .- A man of ster- ling worth and character, energetic and pro- gressive, the late James Fletcher Scott was for many years prominently identified with the business interests of Lexington, and con- tributed much towards the promotion of its material prosperity. He was born in Lex- ington, and here spent his entire life of fifty- seven years, his birth occurring August I, 1840, and his death, November 18, 1897.

Mr. Scott's father, Persickless Scott, was a native of Virginia, where the name of Scott has been known and honored since Colonial days. Reared and educated in the Old Do- minion state. he left home on attaining his majority, coming to Kentucky, where for some time he was employed as a clerk in the

Posthlewaite Hotel, which was for many years the leading hostelry of central Kentucky. Con- tinuing his residence in Lexington after leav- ing the hotel, he became one of the leading - - manufacturers of hemp goods and carried on a substantial business during the remainder of his active career. Having accumulated a fair share of this world's goods, he spent his clos- ing days in retirement, passing away at the age of four score years. The maiden name of his wife was Mary Hamilton. She was born in Lexington, a daughter of James and Jane (Cooper) Hamilton, pioneer settlers of this city. She died at the age of forty years, leav- ing six children.

James Fletcher Scott was brought up and educated in Lexington. Having completed his studies, he became associated with his father as a manufacturer and eventually suc- ceeded to the entire business, which he con- ducted with marked success until 1897, when, in the midst of life's useful and honorable activities, he was summoned from the scene of his earthly endeavors, his death occurring as above stated.

Mr. Scott married Florence Rebecca Pettit, who was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, coming on both sides of the house of pioneer ancestry. She is a daughter of Harry Pettit, whose father was Nathaniel Pettit, a son of Hezekiah Pettit, the emigrant ancestor of the Pettit family in America. Emigrating to the United States in Colonial times, Hezekiah Pettit lived for a while in Pennsylvania, but spent his last years in Virginia. His son, Nathaniel Pettit, was reared and educated in Virginia, and as a young man came to Ken- tucky and was one of the earlier school teach- ers of Fayette county. He subsequently turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, and having purchased land on the Nicholas- ville Pike was there engaged in farming until his death, while yet in the prime of life. His wife, whose maiden name was Rebecca Owens, survived him, dying at a good old age. To them six children were born and reared, as follows: Nancy, Polly, Nathaniel. John, Harry and Rebecca. Harry Pettit, Mrs. Scott's father, spent his seventy-seven years of earthly life in Fayette county, during his active career being successfully employed in agricultural pursuits. He married Juliet G. Atchison, who was born in Lexington, Ken- tucky, a daughter of John Atchison and granddaughter of Alexander Atchison. Alexander Atchison, who was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry, married Lady Mary Hamilton. Prior to the Revolu- tionary war lie came to America, and two years later sent for his wife and two children,

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and his brother Arthur, who joined him in Virginia. The brother enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, and after leaving for the war was never again heard from by his relatives. Alexander Atchison subse- quently migrated from Virginia to Kentucky, bought land on what is now Tates Creek Pike, in Fayette county, and on the farm which he improved he and his wife spent their remain- ing days. They were the parents of five chil- dren, Hamilton, John, Kitty, James and Wil- liam.

John Atchison, a native of Fayette county, was educated at Transylvania University, but instead of adopting a profession turned his at- tention to agricultural pursuits, for about fifty years carrying on general farming in Fayette county. Removing then to Warren county, he bought land near Bowling Green, and was there a resident the remainder of his days. He married Nancy Ayers, who was born in Virginia, a daughter of Thomas Ayers, who spent his entire life in Virginia. She came to Fayette county on a visit, and while here Mr. Atchison, who wooed her success- fully, won her for his bride. Seven children were born of their union, as follows: Juliet G., Samuel Ayers, Zuriah, Hamilton, Cad- wallader, John Atchison, Kittie A. and Thomas A. Mr. and Mrs. Harry Pettit, the parents of Mrs. Scott, reared five children, namely : Sarah, who married Daniel B. Bryan, grandson of Daniel Boone; Nancy, widow of George W. Headley, of whom a brief bio- graphical sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; William; Nathaniel; and Florence Rebecca, now Mrs. Scott. Mrs. Scott and her daughter Paulina, her only child, live on West Third street, Lexington, occupying the pleasant home built by Mr. Scott. Mrs. Scott was reared in the Presbyterian faith and at- tends this church, to which Mr. Scott also belonged.

ISAAC SANDUSKY .- A native of Kentucky, Isaac Sandusky was a life-long resident of Jessamine county, his birth occurring July 2, 1854. and his death, March 10, 1897. Trained from his early youth to habits of honesty and industry, he succeeded to the occupation of his immediate ancestors and as a tiller of the soil met with satisfactory success. His father, John Evans Sandusky, was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, August 29, 1817. being a son of Ephraim Sodowsky, grandson of Jacob Sodowsky, and great-grandson of Jacob So- dowsky, Sr., the emigrant ancestor.

Jacob Sodowsky, as the name was originally spelled, was born and bred in Poland. Com- ing to the United States as a young man, about 1730, he located in Virginia, becoming over-

seer on the plantation of Esquire Insheep, whose daughter, Hannalı Insheep, he subse- quently married. He and his wife spent their remaining days in Virginia. They reared a large family of children, several of whom came to Kentucky in pioneer times, among them being their sons Jacob, Jr., and James, one the paternal great-grandfather of Mr. Sandusky and the other his maternal great-grandfather. These brothers came to this state in 1773 to assist in making surveys, and were among the first white men to explore this section of the country. They were with Captain Harrodd at Harrodsburg in 1774, the year in which the town was platted and when the first crop of corn was planted. The In- dians becoming troublesome during that sum- mer, the company of white men abandoned the town, the Sodowsky brothers making their way to the Cumberland river. and securing a dugout, in which they went down the Cum- berland, Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans, where they shipped to Baltimore, thence to their old home in Virginia. They afterward participated in the Revolutionary war and, it is said, were present at the sur- render of Cornwallis.

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A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 92

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