USA > Kentucky > Biographical cyclopedia of the commonwealth of Kentucky > Part 105
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
from Culpeper County, Virginia. The original name in England was Bickerstaff, but those who came to America changed their name to Bigger- staff. Dr. Biggerstaff dropped the "ger" and wrote the name simply Bigstaff. The name Bickerstaff was discovered by chance. Mr. Big- staff's father received an importation of cattle a few years ago from Bickerstaff Place, England. This name was traced and found to be the origin- al name of this family. The coat-of-arms that was found consisted of a unicorn rampant. It is a tradition that one of the earliest ancestors was Jacob Staffe, who had several sons, one named Long, another Bicker, hence the name Longstaffe and Bickerstaffe.
Thomas T. Jones (maternal grandfather) was a native of Bath County and a farmer; was ap- pointed colonel of the State Militia; married Elizabeth Boyd of Bath County, Kentucky, and their children were: James William, John Spen- cer and Mary Elizabeth.
John Jones (maternal great-grandfather) was a farmer owning several thousand acres of land in Bath County and as many hundred slaves. He was a turfman and was married three times. He was a very energetic and prosperous man.
P HILIP SLAUGHTER CAMPBELL, Fire Insurance Adjuster, of Louisville, Ken- tucky, son of Samuel and Martha Frances (Thompson) Campbell, was born in Middleburg, Loudoun County, Virginia, June 19, 1844, and removed with his father's family to Louisville in May, 1851, and here has since resided.
His father, Samuel Campbell, was the son of Patrick Campbell, who, with his brother Robert, came to this country from Scotland and, after they had served throughout the war in the Ameri- can army during the Revolution, they settled-it is supposed-at Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where Samuel was born. When he was quite young both of his parents died, and he was raised by his uncle and aunt, and at about the age of twelve years, was taken to Winchester, Clark County, Virginia, where he grew to manhood. He died in Louisville, April 19, 1884, in his eighty-seventh year.
His mother, Martha Frances Campbell, was a
P. S. CAMPBELL.
6II
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
daughter of William Mills Thompson and Cath- arine Wigginton (Boradus) Thompson of Cul- peper County, Virginia, where both had been raised, as had their parents before them. She died in Louisville, June 21, 1869, in her fifty- seventh year. (Rev. John A. Boradus, deceased, of Louisville was a nephew of Catharine Wig- ginton Boradus Thompson above referred to.)
Philip S. Campbell-who was named for Rev. Philip Slaughter of Culpeper County, Virginia- received his education in the schools of Louis- ville. At the age of eighteen he began his busi- ness career in a retail drug store, and after two years changed to wholesale dry goods, which he followed for eight years, finally taking up fire in- surance, March I, 1871, by buying an interest in the business of W. H. Slaughter, the firm name being Slaughter & Campbell. This firm was af- terwards changed to Lyman, Moore & Camp- bell, and then to Lyman & Campbell.
During his connection with the local fire insur- ance business, his firms represented some of the most prominent American and foreign companies and did a large and successful business for them. He engaged with Barbee & Castleman, managers Southern Department of the Royal Insurance Company, and London and Lancashire Fire Insur- ance Company, January I, 1877, and traveled for them as special agent and adjuster for five years, afterwards being with J. H. M. Morris, manager of the Queen Insurance Company, for the same territory, and in 1891 he settled down to adjust fire losses in Louisville and vicinity only, in which undertaking he has been eminently suc- cessful. He is active, energetic and industrious, and has all of the qualities which combine to make what is known as a hustler. Popular, gen- ial, polite and courteous in his dealings, he com- mands the respect of all with whom he is asso- ciated. Thoroughly posted in the laws and rules governing insurance, experienced in the peculiar complications which often arise in cases requiring proper adjustment of fire losses, he has estab- lished himself in the confidence of the prominent fire insurance companies of the country, who want fair dealings, prompt attention and intelli- gent handling of their business.
Philip S. Campbell was married October 4,
1870, to Elizabeth Milton, daughter of John Mil- ton, deceased. Her father was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, and her mother, Louisa Ann Taylor, deceased, was born in Clark County, Virginia. John Milton was one of the most prominent business men in Louisville in his day, and at his death was cashier of the old Northern Bank of Kentucky, in that city, and both he and his wife were life-long prominent members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Campbell's parents were Episcopalians, his father having been an officer in that church for fifty years, although he was a Presbyterian before his marriage. His inother was an active worker in the church from early womanhood. P. S. Campbell and his wife are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Louisville. They have one son living, Philip S. Campbell, Jr., who is employed as clerk in the insurance office of Barbee & Castleman. Their only daughter, Louise Milton Campbell, died July 17, 1894, in her twenty-third year. She had from early childhood been deeply interested in church work, and at the time of her death was teacher of a class of young ladies in the Sunday School of St. Paul's Church.
Mr. Campbell can trace his ancestry for several generations; on his mother's paternal side for about 300 years and on her maternal side about 200 years, to England and Scotland. On his father's side he cannot, with certainty, go beyond his grandfather, who was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war. Col. Richard W. Thompson of Terre Haute, Indiana, is the only uncle Mr. Campbell has now living, and he is in his eighty-seventh year.
C HARLES WEEDEN WILSON, a brother of John R. and son of Samuel L. and Sarah (Ashby) Wilson, was born near Corydon, in Hen- derson County, Kentucky, February 12, 1848. He attended the district school in his neighbor- hood as opportunity offered and was a pupil in the State University at Lexington, when he was called home on account of his father's illness and took full charge of the farm and tobacco business as a partner of his father. After the death of the latter in 1876 Charles remained on the farm and took care of his mother until her
612
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
death, after which he removed to Henderson, where he has continued successfully in the to- bacco business and is one of the best known business men of Henderson.
His father, Samuel Long Wilson, was born in North Carolina in 1802, and came to Kentucky when thirteen years of age, and when he reached his manhood became a farmer in Henderson County. He was also extensively engaged in the handling of tobacco and built a large factory on his farm. His wife was Sallie Weeden Ashby, who was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, in 1813. They had ten children, seven of whom reached maturity. Mr. Wilson's father was a farmer and a tanner in North Carolina, who came to Kentucky in 1815 and was a farmer in Hen- derson County until the time of his death.
Robert Ashby (maternal grandfather), a native of Virginia, belonged to the renowned Ashby fam- ily in that state, who took such an active part in the late Civil war, and was closely related to the generals, Dick, Turner and John Ashby. Rob- ert Ashby removed to Kentucky in the early days of the state, or possibly prior to its admission to the Union, having previously married Nancy Walton of Maryland, who was the daughter of a famous seafaring captain.
R AWLEIGH D. ARMSTRONG, Sheriff of Franklin County, was born in Bridgeport, Franklin County, Kentucky, November 29, 1849, and was reared on the farm on which he now resides and owns, receiving his education in the high school of Frankfort. After leaving school in 1877, he was appointed deputy sheriff under William Chinn and held that position for two years, when he engaged in farming and trad- ing in live stock, in which business he has continued ever since. He has built up an exten- sive trade, and is now one of the representative farmers and traders of Franklin County. He has always been an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and in 1892 he was elected sheriff of the county for a term of two years, at the expiration of which term (1894) he was re- elected without opposition, under the new con- stitution, for a term of three years. Mr. Arn- strong was married (first) to Mary E. Hodges,
daughter of Thomas Hodges of Franklin County. She died, leaving one son, who died in May, 1882, in the twenty-first year of his age. Mr. Arm- strong's second wife was Mary Towles, daugh- ter of Diamond Towles of Missouri, and she is the mother of two daughters and one son, who are now living: Mabel, Ruby and Rawleigh L. Armstrong.
Abel Armstrong, father of R. D. Armstrong, is a native of Woodford County, Kentucky, who removed to Franklin County with his parents when he was a small boy. He was reared on a farm and has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In politics he is a straight-out Demo- crat and has always taken a lively interest in the success of his party. He is still living on his farm near Frankfort, having passed his ninetieth year.
William Armstrong (grandfather) was a native of Culpeper County, Virginia, who came to Ken- tucky about the first year of the present century, and after living in Woodford County for some years, came to Franklin County, where he was en- gaged in farming until the time of his death, hav- ing reached a very old age. He married Sallie Wilson of Woodford County. R. D. Armstrong's great-grandfather, William Armstrong's father, was a native of Scotland and was of Scotch-Irish origin. He came to Virginia during the latter years of the eighteenth century.
Matilda Towles Armstrong (mother) was born in what is known as Clover Bottom, in 1832, and died in 1879 in the forty-second year of her age. She was a daughter of Rawleigh D. Towles, who was born in Culpeper County, Virginia. He came with his father to Woodford County, where he was engaged in general farming. The Towles family originally came from England, where they were highly connected.
C OLONEL RICHARD M. JOHNSON, the third son of Colonel Robert Johnson of Scott County, was born in Kentucky in the au- tumn of 1781. The literary institutions of Ken- tucky were then in their infancy, and the facilities for thorough education exceedingly limited. Richard remained with his father until the age of fifteen, receiving only such instruction as the
613
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
nature of circumstances would allow. At this age he left his father's house, intent upon advan- tages superior to those afforded in that vicinity, and entered a country school, where he acquired a knowledge of grammar, and the rudiments of the Latin language. Afterwards he entered Transylvania University, where, by unremitted industry, he made rapid progress in the acquisi- tion of classic and scientific knowledge.
Upon quitting the university, he entered upon the study of law, under the guidance and instruc- tion of that celebrated jurist and statesman, Col- onel George Nicholas. On the decease of this gentleman, which took place a few weeks after his young student had entered his office, the sub- ject of this biography placed himself under the instruction of Hon. James Brown, late a senator in Congress from Louisiana, and subsequently a minister from the United States to the court of France, but then a distinguished member of the Kentucky bar. With this eminent citizen he fin- ished his preparatory studies, and at the early age of nineteen entered upon the arduous duties of his profession.
As a lawyer, he was eminently successful, and displayed the same active energy of mind and benevolence of heart which have since so emi- nently distinguished him in higher and more re- sponsible stations. He despised injustice and op- pression, and never omitted an occasion to ren- der his services, without prospect of reward, where honest poverty or injured innocence was found struggling against the oppressions of wealth. The inability of a client to pay a fee never deterred him from attending seduously to his cause, no matter how intricate and laborious were the services. By these means, even at so early an age, he secured to himself the just re- ward of his virtues, and the approbation and es- teem of the public.
Scarcely had he been installed in the duties of his profession, before an opportunity was af- forded for the development of that high and chivalrous patriotism which has since identified him with some of the noblest feats of American valor, and given his name to immortality. In 1802 the port of New Orleans, in violation of an existing treaty, was closed against the United
States by the Spanish intendant. The occurrence gave rise to immense excitement throughout America, especially in the vallies of the Ohio and Mississippi, and a rupture between Spain and the United States, likely to end in war, was the consequence. Richard M. Johnson, then only in his twentieth year, with many other young men of his neighborhood, promptly volunteered his services to pass down the western waters and make a descent on New Orleans, in the event of war. In a few days, chiefly through his exer- tions, a large company was enrolled, and he was chosen to the command. The speedy adjustment of the dispute. with Spain deprived him and the brave youths under his command of the oppor- tunity of signalizing themselves and the state upon the field of battle.
Before he had reached the age of twenty-one, at which period the constitution of Kentucky fixes the eligibility of the citizen to a seat in the legislature, the citizens of Scott County elected him, by acclamation, to a seat in that body. As a member of the legislature, he acquitted himself with great credit, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Having served two years in that station, at the age of twenty-four he was elected a representative in the Congress of the United States; and in October, 1807, being then just twenty-five, took his seat in that body.
He entered upon the theater of national poli- tics at a period when party excitement ran high, and attached himself to the Republican party, more from a uniform and fixed devotion to the principles of democracy than from any purely selfish policy. He was immediately placed upon some of the most important committees, and at the second session of the term for which he was elected was appointed chairman of the commit- tee of claims, at that time among the most im- portant of the house committee.
In 1811 our relations with Great Britain were such as, in the opinion of many, to render an ap- peal to arms inevitable. Richard M. Johnson was among those who were convinced that no other alternative remained to the people of the United States; and accordingly, after supporting with great energy all the preparatory measures which the crisis demanded, in June, 1812, gave
614
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
his vote for the declaration of war. This impor- tant measure was shortly afterward followed by an adjournment of Congress, when he hastened home, raised the standard of his country, and called around him many of the best citizens of his neighborhood, some of whom, schooled in the stormy period of the early settlement of the state, were veteran warriors, well suited for the service for which they were intended. With this bat- talion, composed of three companies, he hastened to the frontier, and when arrived at St. Mary's on the 13th of September, his force, by general order, was augmented by a battalion of mounted volunteers, and he elected to the command of the regiment thus formed. A portion of the regi- ment only, during that season, had any opportu- nity of an engagement; and this was a party of the mounted battalion, under Major Suggett, which, in communicating with Fort Wayne, be- sieged by a superior force, encountered an equal number of the enemy, whom it routed, killing an Indian chief of some distinction. After an active campaign of about ten months, Colonel Johnson returned home for the purpose of proceeding to Washington to re-enter Congress, having added to his reputation as a statesman that of an ener- getic and patriotic soldier.
In October, 1813, the decisive crisis in the operations of the Northwestern army arrived- the battle of the Thames, which led to a termina- tion of hostilities in that quarter, was fought and won. The distinguished services of Colonel Johnson and his brave regiment in that san- guinary engagement have scarcely a parallel in the heroic annals of our country. The British and Indians, the former under the command of General Proctor, and the latter under that of Tecumseh, the celebrated Indian warrior, had taken an advantageous position, the British in line between the river Thames and a narrow swamp, and the Indians in ambush on their right, and west of the swamp, ready to fall upon the rear of Colonel Johnson, should he force a re- treat of the British. Colonel Johnson, under the orders of the commander in chief, divided his regi- ment into two battalions, one under the com- mand of his gallant brother James, and the other to be led by himself. Colonel Johnson with his
battalion passed the swamp and attacked the In- dians at the same moment that his brother James fell upon and routed the British regulars. The contest for a while between Colonel Johnson's battalion and the Indians was obstinate and bloody, the slaughter great, but success complete. The gallant colonel was in the very midst and thickest of the fight, inspiring by his presence and courage the utmost confidence of his brave followers, and though perforated with balls, his bridle arm shattered, and bleeding profusely, he continued to fight until he encountered and slew an Indian chief who formed the rallying point of the savages. This chief was supposed to be the famous Tecumseh himself, upon whose fall the Indians raised a yell and retreated. The heroic colonel, covered with wounds, twenty-five balls having been shot into him, his clothes and his horse, was borne from the battle ground, faint from exertion and loss of blood, and almost lifeless. Never was victory so complete or its achievement so glorious. Fifteen hundred In- dians were engaged against the battalion of Col- onel Johnson, and eight hundred British reg- ulars against that of his brother. Both forces were completely routed, and an effectual end put to the war upon the northern frontier, dis- tinguished as it had been by so many murderous cruelties upon the part of the savage allies of the British.
The war in that quarter now being ended, in a short time the army took up its march home- ward; but Colonel Johnson being unable to con- tinte with his regiment, was carried to Detroit, from whence after a short confinement he de- parted for home. After a distressing journey, during which he endured the most painful suffer- ing, he reached his home in Kentucky early in November. In February, 1814, still unable to walk, he reached Washington city, and resumed his seat in Congress. Everywhere upon the route, and at the metropolis, he was met with the most enthusiastic and cordial greetings of a grateful people. Even his political opponents, dceply sensible of his sincerity, his patriotism and his valor, cordially united in doing honor to the man who had at so much sacrifice rendered such glorious service to the country. Congress, by
615
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
joint resolution, made appropriate acknowledg- ment of his gallant deeds, and directed him to be presented with a suitable testimonial of his ser- vices.
He continued to serve his constituents in Con- gress until the year 1819, when he voluntarily re- tired, carrying with him the esteem of the whole nation. But his native state, of which he was justly the idol, would not suffer him to remain in retirement. The people of Scott County imme- diately returned him to the state legislature, and that body elected him to the United States Sen- ate. An honor so exalted from a source so hon- ored he could not resist; and accordingly, in De- cember, 1819, he took his seat in the United States Senate, and after serving his term was unanimously re-elected, a circumstance which serves to show how well he preserved the confi- dence of the people of his native state, and how deeply he was enshrined in their affections.
His career as a legislator was scarcely less bril- liant and useful than that in which he distin- guished himself as a warrior. His speeches and reports are monuments of his wisdom and lib- erality as a statesman. The whole nation will bear evidence to his zeal and industry in support of all measures calculated to promote the end of free government-the happiness of the people. No man labored more indefatigably in behalf of private claimants than did Colonel Johnson; and so scrupulously faithful was he in the discharge of his duty towards all who applied for his ser- vices that he never failed while in Congress to attend to a single application that was made to him. The old soldiers of the Revolution, the invalids of the last war, and thousands of other persons all over the Union who had claims to urge upon the government had no truer friend in Congress than Colonel Johnson, as many of them now enjoying the bounty of the government through his instrumentality can bear most grate- ful testimony.
In 1836 he was made Vice President of the United States, and presided over the Senate with great dignity for the term of four years, at the expiration of which he retired to his farm in Scott County, Kentucky. The remainder of his life, with the exception of two terms in the state
legislature, was assiduously devoted to improv- ing his private fortunes, somewhat impaired by a too liberal hospitality and constant attention to public affairs. He was a member of the legis- lature at the time of his death, which occurred in Frankfort in 1850.
JOHN M. UNTHANK. After leaving school
was a teacher of the common schools of this and Harland counties for eight or ten years, and was admitted to the bar in 1873, and has been en- gaged in the active practice of law here ever since. He represented Bell, Harland, Leslie and Perry counties in the Legislature in sessions of 1883 and 1884, and has served as special Circuit Judge of his circuit. Mr. Unthank was married February 4, 1859, to Miss Josephine, daughter of Alex- ander and Mary Moore of Bell County.
Mr. Unthank championed the first bill which became a law that prohibits the sale of whisky in his district and the law has never been repealed.
A' LOYSIUS J. SPECKERT, one of the most successful young lawyers of Louisville, son of Col. Frank Speckert, was born in Aurora in 1867. His father, now prominent among the wealthy German citizens of Louisville, was born in Rhenish Bavaria, December 29, 1843, and came to this country, a poor orphan boy, in April, 1861; enlisted as a drummer boy at Aurora, Indiana, August 22, 1861, in the Thirty-second Indiana Volunteers, under Col. August Willich, and served with that fidelity and faithfulness which so distinguished the loyal German element in the war for the suppression of the Rebellion; re- turned to Aurora in 1865 and remained there until 1868, when he removed to Louisville and engaged in the retail grocery trade, and soon accumulated a handsome fortune. He was a member of the common council for ten years, in which he served the city faithfully. He has been a leader in a number of benevolent societies, serving as an officer in many of them; was cap- tain of St. Martin's Commandery, Catholic Knights, for fifteen years, and was then elected lieutenant-colonel and later on was placed in com- mand of the battalion, with the rank of colonel. Mr. Speckert was thrown upon his own resources
616
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
at a very tender age, and has distinguished him- self as a man of remarkable pluck and shrewd business tact.
A. J. Speckert was educated in the Louisville schools, and after reading law with Kohn & Barker, attended the University of Virginia; was admitted to the bar and again entered the office of his preceptors. Mr. Barker was elected city attorney, and that firm being dissolved, Mr. Aaron Kohn, David Baird and A. J. Speckert formed a law partnership in 1890, which was known as Kohn, Baird & Speckert. In 1893 he withdrew from that firm and was associated with Charles G. Richie, present judge of the County Court, owing to whose election in 1894 the firm of Speckert & Richie was dissolved, and Mr. Speck- ert became the head of the firm of Speckert, Kreiger & Bolderick.
Although still quite young, he has had large experience and has met with wonderful success as a lawyer; has managed his cases carefully, and is popular with the bar and the people. He is an eloquent speaker, and has made some pow- erful arguments in cases of the highest impor- tance.
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.