A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 94

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 94

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John Atchison, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Headley, was born in Fayette county, and was educated at Transylvania University. After his graduation from that institution, he followed farming in his native county for a number of seasons, after which he removed to Warren county, purchased a farm near Bowl- ing Green and there continued his agricultural labors until his death. He married Nancy Ayers, a daughter of Thomas Ayers, of Vir- ginia, and to them seven children were born, as follows: Juliet G., Samuel Ayers, Zuriah, Hamilton Cadwallader. John Atchison, Kittie A., and Thomas A. The union of Harry and Juliet ( Atchison) Pettit was brightened by. the birth of five children, namely: Sarah, Nancy, now Mrs. Headley ; William, Nathan- iel, and Florence Rebecca, widow of James F. Scott, of whom a brief personal record may be found on another page of this work.

Mrs. Headley has three children, one son, Hal Pettit, and two daughters, Alice and Flor- ence Lillian. Hal P. Headley has been twice married. He married first, Alice Price, who died in early life, leaving three children, George, Alma and Hal Price. George Head- ley, the oldest son, married Louise Adams, and they have two sons, George W. and Duval. Hal Price married Martha Withers, and they have one daughter, Martha Pettit. Mrs. Headley and her daughters occupy their pleasant home on North Broadway, Lexing- ton, the greater part of the year, although they spend a part of each summer on the farm. They are members of the Presbyterian church.

Mrs. Headley's cousin, David Rice Atchi- son, a son of William, was a United States senator from Missouri a great many years, and acted as president. Dr. Thomas Atchison, Mrs. Headley's uncle, was a prominent phy- sician in Nashville and professor in Vander- bilt University, also an able writer on medical subjects.

JOHN W. KEISER .- An extensive and well- to-do agriculturist of Fayette county. John W. Keiser is prosperously engaged in his in- dependent vocation on one of the most highly

I. E. Steely

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improved and best appointed farms in his H. Cromwell, who was born in Fayette county, neighborhood, it being finely located on the Newtown Pike, about six miles from Lexing- ton. Its fertile land is under an excellent state of cultivation, and, with its substantial buildings, invariably attracts the attention of the passer-by and indicates to what good pur- pose the owner has employed his time and means. He was born in Fayette county, which was, likewise, the birthplace of his father, Christopher M. Keiser.

Adam Keiser, his grandfather, a native of Maryland, was a pioneer settler of Fayette County. His first purchase of land was in what is now the city of Lexington and in- cluded the present site of the Eastern Ken- tucky Insane Asylum. It was then heavily timbered and inhabited by Indians and wild beasts of all kinds. With true pioneer courage and pluck, he redeemed a farm from the wilderness, and here both he and his wife, whose maiden name was Walker, lived to a ripe old age.

Christopher M. Keiser was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits during his active career. He bought land on the Newtown Pike, in Fayette county, and until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-three years, was engaged in gen- eral farming, making a specialty of raising fine stock. He married Nancy Randolph, who was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, and here spent her life of seventy-seven years. Her father, Moses Randolph, came from Mary- land, his native state, to Kentucky in pioneer days, and having bought and improved a farm on the Iron Works Pike, in Fayette county, there spent his remaining years. He married Sally Cromwell, who was born in Maryland, and died in Fayette county, Kentucky. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Chris- topher M. Keiser, as follows : John W., Will- iam J., David, and James A.

John W. Keiser obtained a good education in his youthful days, and as a young man taught school one or more terms each year for a couple of years. Intelligent and capable, he subsequently served in public office for some time, having been constable two years, deputy sheriff one year and assessor eight years. In 1866 Mr. Keiser assumed possession of the farm he now owns and occupies, on the Newtown Pike, six miles from Lexing- ton. It contains ninety-two acres of "blue grass" land, and in addition he owns another "blue grass" farm of one hundred acres on Iron Works Pike. As a farmer and stock raiser, he has been very successful, and as a man and a citizen he is held in high esteem.

An important step in the career of Mr. Keiser was his marriage, in 1865, to Susan

a daughter of Oliver Cromwell, who was born in the same neighborhood in 1799. Her grandfather, Vincent Cromwell, a lineal de- scendant, it is claimed, of Oliver Cromwell, the Protector, was born, reared and married in Maryland. Coming to Kentucky with his wife in the latter part of the eighteenth cen- tury, he became one of the early settlers of Fayette county. Buying land on what is now the Georgetown Pike, he built a log cabin in the wilderness, and on the farm which he im- proved he and his wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Miller, spent their remaining years. Oliver Cromwell, Mrs. Keiser's father, was reared to agricultural pursuits, and after the death of his parents, purchased, with his brother, the old home estate. He subsequently bought out his brother's interest in the place, becoming its sole proprietor. He replaced the log cabin with a substantial brick house, and having made other improvements of value, was there employed in general farming until his death, in 1858. The maiden name of his second wife, the mother of Mrs. Keiser, was Betsey Maguire. She was born in Fayette county, where her father, Edward Maguire, settled on coming to this country from Ire- land, his native land. She lived to a good old age, passing away in 1892. She, too, had been previously married, by her first union having had five children, while by her marriage with Mr. Cromwell she had six children, as follows : Robert B., Eliza, Thomas W., Susan H, now Mrs. Keiser, and Jennie.

Mr. and Mrs. Keiser have one child, Chrissie Keiser. He married Mattie Gorham, and they have two children. Nettie Barnes and James Douglas.

HON. JAMES E. NEELY, M. D .- A prosper- ous and popular physician and surgeon of Lexington, Fayette county, Honorable James E. Neely, M. D., has gained marked prestige in his profession, and is widely known and esteemed as a progressive and public spirited citizen. A son of Dr. Charles Neely, he was born November 12, 1838, and bred in Simpson county, Kentucky.

Edward Neely, his grandfather, a native of Orange county, New York, came with his family to Kentucky in 1804, making the re- moval with teams, the only means of trans- portation in pioneer days. Locating in Simp- son county, he bought land and was there en- gaged in agricultural pursuits during the re- mainder of his life. He was active and enter- prising, and in addition to farming, owned and operated a grist mill. In 1819, when the county was organized, he was made its first sheriff, and served in that capacity most ably.

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His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Morrison, was also a native of Orange county, New York.

Born in Orange county, New York, in 1801, Charles Neely was a mere child when brought by his parents to Kentucky. Receiving his early education in the subscription schools of Simpson county, Kentucky, he subsequently began the study of medicine while in his teens, and from 1822 until 1827, attended the Tran- sylvania University, being graduated from its medical department. He began practice in Franklin, Kentucky, and there built up a lucrative patronage. He died in 1875, aged seventy-three years. He married Frances Wilkins, a native of North Carolina. Her parents, Richard and Polly Wilkins, migrated from that state to Kentucky, becoming early settlers of Simpson county, where their re- maining years were spent. Mr. Wilkins was a skilful farmer, operating his land with slave labor, and was one of the very first to raise fine cattle and fast horses in Kentucky. Mrs. Charles Neely died at the early age of forty- nine years, leaving six children, namely : Eliza- beth, wife of R. A. Rutherford, of Texas; Richard, a farmer in Simpson county; John Neely, M. D., a physician and farmer in Simp- son county ; Mary, wife of Harvey Wade, of Franklin; Fanny, wife of Thomas Barlow, of Barren county, and James E.

A bright and apt pupil while in the public schools, James E. Neely decided while yet a boy to enter a profession, and began when young to study medicine with his father. He was afterwards graduated from the medical department of the New York University, in New York City, and from that time until 1896, was busily employed in the active prac- tice of his profession in Simpson county. Coming in that year to Lexington, Dr. Neely soon gained the confidence and esteem of the community, and has here won a wide and highly remunerative patronage.

Dr. Neely married, in 1889, Nannie Laugh- lin, who was born in Montgomery county, Kentucky, a daughter of Taulton and Anna Laughlin, and they have had two children; Jessie married J. B. Murrello, and died when about twenty-five years of age and left one child. Jesse, who lives with the grandparents, Dr. J. E. Neely and Mrs. Neely. One of the leading members of the Democratic party, the Doctor takes an intelligent interest in public affairs, and in 1889 and 1890 represented Simpson county in the State Legislature. Since coming to Lexington he has served as Medical School Inspector and as a member of the Police and Fire Commission. He is a member of the Fayette County Medical So-

ciety, and of the State Medical Society, and belongs to one fraternal organization, Phantom Lodge, K. of P.

ROBERT BURNS WADDY, M. D .- Well-known among the skilful and successful physicians of Fayette county is Robert Burns Waddy, M. D., of Lexington, who familiarized himself with the rudiments of medicine and surgery when young and has continually added to his store of knowledge by observation, close study, and experience, gaining a fine reputation for ability by sheer merit. A native of Virginia, he was born on the banks of the North Anna river, in Spottsylvania county, of substantial English ancestry.

The Doctor is a direct descendant in the sixth generation from the emigrant, Anthony Waddy, the line being continued as follows: John, William, William, John Anthony and Robert Burns.

Anthony Waddy, a native of England, em- igrated to America in Colonial days, settling in Virginia, where he spent his remaining days. John Waddy, who was born and lived and died in Virginia, married Rebecca Nelson, also a life-long resident of that state. William Waddy was born in Hanover county, Virginia, but later removed to Louisa county, where he · and his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Thompson, reared their children. William Waddy, a native of Louisa county, Virginia, became an extensive planter in that section, his estate being known as "Dunlora." He at one time owned one hundred and twenty-five slaves, with their assistance managing his large plantation. He was cultured and in his younger days taught school. He was promi- nent in public affairs, for twenty-eight years serving as magistrate. He attained the age of seventy-seven years, dying, as he had lived, honored and respected by all. To him and his wife, whose maiden name was Patsy Harris, several children were born. Two of their sons, John and Nelson, served in the Confederate army during the Civil war.

John Anthony Waddy was born and bred in Louisa county, Virginia, and while young attended a preparatory school taught by Judge William Nelson, a kinsman and a noted educator in his day. Subsequently, instead of adopting a profession, he turned his atten- tion to agricultural pursuits, and for a few years after his marriage lived in Spottsyl- vania county. He afterward bought his fath- er's homestead (Dunlora) and there for many years was profitably and pleasantly engaged in general farming and stock raising. Now, re- tired from the activities of life, he makes his home with a daughter in Long Creek, in the same Virginia county.

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The maiden name of the wife of John An- thony Waddy was Jemima B. Harris. She was born at Buck Hill, Louisa county, Vir- ginia, September 17, 1832, a daughter of Ab- ner Nelson Harris, whose birth occurred on the same homestead. Her paternal grand- father, Nelson Harris, was born in Hanover county, Virginia, being a son of Overton Harris and a grandson of the emigrant ancestor, Rob- ert Harris, who came to America from Eng- land between 1650 and 1660 and settled in Hanover county, Virginia, where he mar- ried Mrs. Rice, nee Claiborne. Nelson Harris moved as a young man from his native place to Louisa county. Purchasing, with his patrimony and land grants for services in the Revolutionary war, land on Buck Hill, on the South Anna river. he cleared and improved a good farm and there passed his remaining years, a happy and contented farmer. Abner Nelson Harris, who served as a soldier in the War of 1812, inherited a portion of the pa- rental acres on Buck Hill, and engaged in farming as a life occupation. Successful in his undertakings, he added to his landed property by purchasing "Meadow Wood," an estate be- longing to relatives of his wife, and likewise bought the former home of Colonel Overton, "Woodstock." residing at "Meadow Wood," where his death occurred at the age of sixty- three years.

Abner Nelson Harris married Lucy Tolman Overton, a daughter of Captain John Overton. She was a descendant of William and Mary Overton, who emigrated from England to the United States about the middle of the seven- teenth century and settled in Hanover county, Virginia. The next in line of descent were James and Elizabeth Overton, whose son. Wil- liam, the succeeding ancestor, married Jemima Harris. Their son, Captain John Overton, was the father of Lucy Tolman Overton. En- listing as a private in the spring of 1775, in the company commanded by Patrick Henry, he marched to the headquarters of Dunmore to demand the return of the powder which, under his direction, had been removed from the magazine at Williamsburg. In the organi- zation of the Virginia forces John Overton was commissioned lieutenant in one of the reg- iments, and served continuously in the conti- nental army during the war. He took an ac- tive part in the engagements at Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth, for gallant con- duct being promoted to the rank of captain. He was twice married, the maiden name of his second wife, mother of his daughter Lucy, having been Anna Bacon. Of the union of John Anthony and Jemima B. (Harris) Waddy two children were born, namely: Lucy

Overton, now wife of John O. Cosby, of Louisa county, Virginia, and Robert Burns Waddy, M. D .:

Having completed his early studies in the common schools of his native district, Robert Burns Waddy went South at the age of seven- teen years and for some time was employed in the construction of railways in Kentucky, Ten- nessee and West Virginia, in this way earning money to advance his education. Having pre- viously read medicine, he then entered the medical department of the University of Vir- ginia, from which he was graduated with the degree of M. D. in 1888. Accepting a posi- tion as contract surgeon on railroad construc- tion in Kentucky, Tennessee and West Vir- ginia, Dr. Waddy was thus employed until 1891, when he located in Lexington, Ken- tucky, where he has since been actively and successfully engaged in the general practice of his profession. He has here won a large patronage, his knowledge, skill and ability in- spiring his patients with confidence in him and his methods.

Dr. Waddy married, in 1891, Annie Thomp- son, who was born in Lexington, a daughter of Butler Thompson and P. E. (Appleton) Thompson, well-known residents of that city. The Doctor and Mrs. Waddy have one child, a daughter named Elizabeth. Public-spirited and progressive, the Doctor has never shirked the responsibilities and cares of office, but has served as a member of the Board of Aldermen, and for two months, when his predecessor, on being elected state senator, resigned, was mayor of the city, filling the chair with grace and dignity.

CLIFTON FERGUSON ESTILL .- The substan- tial and progressive citizens of Fayette county have no better representative than Clifton Ferguson Estill, who for many years was actively identified with the development and advancement of the agricultural interests of this part of the state as one of its most able and skilful farmers, and is now living retired from farm work, having a pleasant home not far from Lexington. A native of this county, he was born February 3, 1842. Thomas Estill, the emigrant ancestor from which Mr. Estill is descended, was one of three brothers who came to America in 1664, and settled in New Jersey, where his son, through whom the line of descent was continued, was born, as was also his grandson, Wallace Estill, the first, the next in line of descent.

Wallace Estill, the first, was born, reared and married in New Jersey, but subsequently moved to Virginia. locating in that part of Orange county that later became Augusta county. He was twice married, the maiden

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name of his second wife having been Mary Boode, who was the mother of Captain James Estill, the succeeding ancestor. A native of what is now Augusta county, Virginia, Captain james Estill began life for himself in Green- brier county, Virginia, living there until after the birth of his third child. Migrating then with his family to that part of the Virginia colony now included in Madison county, Ken- tucky, he was one of the original settlers of that section of the state. He there built a fort which was known as Estill's Station, and became a leader among the people. who placed implicit confidence in his judgment. In 1781, when Lincoln county was organized, he was commissioned justice of the peace by the governor of Virginia. During the same year Captain Estill was wounded in an en- gagement with the Indians, and in 1782, while in command of a body of soldiers, he was killed at the battle of Little Mountain, which, according to Collins's history, was, consider- ing the number of men on both sides, one of the most bloody battles on record. His wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Wright, sur- vived him and married a second time.

Wallace Estill, the second, grandfather of Mr. Estill, was born in Madison county, Ken- tucky, and when a child was left fatherless. He inherited a part of the land granted to his father, and subsequently bought other land on the Big Hill road, about four miles from Richmond, and on the farm which he improved spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of four-score years. He married Eliza- beth Rodes, whose parents were Virginians and early pioneers of Madison county, where she spent her life of seventy-five years. They reared six children : William, John, Robert, Jonathan, Clifton and Mary.

William R. Estill, the oldest son, father of Mr. Estill, was born on the home farm in Madison county, and as a boy became familiar with all branches of agriculture. After mar- riage he bought a farm on the Winchester Pike, in Fayette county, and in its management employed slave labor. He was very successful as a general farmer, and carried on an exten- sive business in the raising of cattle and mules. He died in May, 1875, at the age of sixty-three years. The maiden name of his wife was Amanda Ferguson Frye. She was born in Clark county, Kentucky, a daughter of Chris- topher and Eliza (Didlake) Frye, pioneer set- tlers of that place. She died in 1868, at about forty-nine years of age, leaving three children, namely : Clifton Ferguson, William Wallace, and Robert C.

Clifton F. Estill was educated in the district schools, which he attended quite regularly dur-

ing his youth. Soon after the breaking out of the Civil war, his father sent him North to look after cattle that were being shipped to Buffalo and Albany. In 1862 he started for home, but on reaching Cincinnati was not allowed to cross the river. Going therefore to Chillicothe, he made his way from there to Maysville, Kentucky, by river, from there pro- ceeding by rail to Lexington, Fayette county. Immediately enlisting in the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry for service in the Confederate army, he joined his regiment, which was already in the field, at Knoxville, Tennessee. Under the command of General John Morgan, he took part in various raids, remaining with him un- til captured in Ohio in 1863, after which he was confined as a prisoner of war until the close of the conflict, first at Camp Chase, and later at Camp Douglas. Returning to his home in Fayette county, Mr. Estill engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, in addition to carrying on general farming on an extensive scale making a specialty of raising cattle and mules, an in- dustry which proved highly satisfactory and quite remunerative. In 1910 Mr. Estill re- moved to his present home, near Lexington, and since March of that year has served ac- ceptably as superintendent of pikes for Fay -. ette county.

Mr. Estill married, September 5, 1865, Mary E. Carr, who was born in Fayette county, a daughter of David and Roann (Childs) Carr. Mr. and Mrs. Estill have reared nine children, namely: David Carr, a merchant at Gran- bury, Texas; William R., who married a Miss Kinkead, and they have two sons, Wallace and Thomas; R. Merrell; Clinton F., Jr., who died at the age of twenty-five years ; Amanda F., who married Charles Darnaby and has two children, Rosa and James L. W .; Roann, wife of F. F. Wilson ; Ella, who married Harry L. Spence, and they have four children, Estill, Roann, Harry L and Clifton ; Sallie married A. M. Brooks and has three children, Kennedy, Jane Pettit and Margaret ; and Pauline. Mr. Estill has not acquired the habit of joining fraternal organizations, but he is a valued member of the John C. Breckinridge Camp, Confederate Veteran Association of Kentucky.

DAVID T. AMBROSE .- Possessing good busi- ness acumen and tact, David T. Ambrose, of Lexington, Fayette county, is well known through his successful operations as a real estate dealer and is held in high regard throughout the community. He was born No- vember 10, 1843, in Lewis county, Kentucky, about twelve miles from the city of Maysville, on the farm of his father, James Ambrose. Ilis grandfather, William Ambrose, was born in Bracken county, Kentucky, where his father,

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who lived to the venerable age of one hundred and five years, was a pioneer farmer.

Born and reared in Bracken county, William Ambrose cleared and improved a homestead from the wilderness, and was there engaged in agricultural pursuits during his entire life. The maiden name of his wife was Isabelle Harrison. She was born in Virginia, a daugh- ter of Samuel and Sarah (Thomas) Harrison and a niece of William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States. Her mother, Sarah Thomas, had five brothers that served as soldiers in the Continental army dur- ing the Revolutionary war. During that time a British officer called on her mother and asked if she had any sons in the Rebel army. She answered, "I will not lie to save my life ; I have five sons in the Rebel army." The offi- cer said, "We will not hurt you, madam. Please give us some milk, and we will pass on."

Born on the home farm in Bracken county, Kentucky, in 1804, James Ambrose became fa- miliar with pioneer farming as a boy, and on attaining his majority purchased land in Lewis county, Kentucky, and there followed farming and stock raising until his death, at the ad- vanced age of eighty-one years. His wife, whose maiden name was Harriet Kuuk, was born near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Her father, Colonel Kuuk, was born in Rotenburg, Ger- many, and on emigrating to this country lo- cated first in Kentucky. He later removed to Louisiana, and having bought a plantation near Baton Rouge, there spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1814. He was a large-hearted, public-spirited man, loyal to the country of his adoption, and served as a soldier in the War of 1812. Colonel Kuuk married Nancy Waters, a native of Mason county, Kentucky. After the Colonel's death she returned to Kentucky and spent her last days in Mason county. Mrs. James Ambrose died at the age of three-score years, leaving children as follows: Sarah Ann Ambrose Filch, Eliza A. Ambrose Stevenson, William H. Ambrose, David L. Ambrose, H. Clay Am- brose and Marcus L. Ambrose.

Leaving the parental roof-tree at the age of sixteen years, David T. Ambrose went to New Elizabeth, Indiana, where he found employ- ment as clerk in a dry goods store. Becoming familiar with the details connected with mer- cantile pursuits, he subsequently returned to Kentucky, and in partnership with his brother William opened two stores in Dover, Mason county, one for the sale of groceries and the other a dry goods establishment. Selling out at the end of a year. Mr. Ambrose came to Fayette county and engaged in farming on the

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A history of Kentucky and Kentuckians; the leaders and representative men in commerce, industry and modern activities, Volume III, Part 94

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