Biographical cyclopedia of the commonwealth of Kentucky, Part 2

Author: Gresham, John M., Co., Pub
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, Philadelphia, J. M. Gresham company
Number of Pages: 726

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He went to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he taught school for four years, but this occupation was too confining for him, and rather tame for a man of his active temperament, and he took a position as clerk on an Ohio River passenger steamer, and was on the river for about five years, occupying every position on the steamer, from clerk to captain, and had a license as pilot from the Government, a document which he still prizes as a reminiscence of his younger days.

There came a time when he must seek a broad- er and more promising field where his energies and natural talents would be more likely to bring deserved reward, and in 1868 he gave up his pleasant life on the river to accept a position in Cincinnati as Secretary and Treasurer of the Planters Tobacco Warehouse Company, where he soon gave evidence of his superior ability as

a business man. By his energy, business tact and sound judgment he began to accomplish great things for his employers. The value of his services was recognized by them, and at the cern. He remained with the Planters until 1872, end of one year he became a partner in the con- when he disposed of his interest and determined to establish a new house, and formed a partner- ship with William Waterfield and opened the "Globe Tobacco Warehouse.". In this Mr. Brooks showed his ability in the conduct of con- mercial affairs to such an extent that in 1883 the business had increased so immensely that they were compelled to enlarge their warerooms. They accordingly purchased the adjoining build- ing and erected the largest tobacco warehouse in the world. At this time also the firm was re- organized under the name of "The Brooks, Waterfield Company," Mr. Brooks becoming President of the concern with the result of an ever increasing and successful business. Mr. Waterfield died in 1888, but his share in the busi- ness was retained as a good investment by his estate.

In 1892 all of the tobacco warehouses of Cin- cinnati were consolidated and Mr. Brooks was elected Vice-President of the Company and Man- ager of the Globe Warehouse. In this respon- sible position he has helped to conduct the com- bined business of seven large warehouses in a manner that has been highly satisfactory to the members of the colossal enterprise, and in this has achieved the crowning success of a remark- able business career, now at its zenith.

His early experience on the river was exceed- ingly pleasant and fascinating, and in leaving the active pursuits of the steamboatman he retained his love for the charming life upon the water, and still holds stock in the various steamboat con- panies. He is the friend of the river men, and they are great admirers of their former associ- ate, as is evinced by the fact that one of the finest passenger steamers bears the name of "Lee H. Brooks."

He is President of the company which owns Coney Island, the famous resort for Cincinnati people; is director in the Ohio Valley National Bank; President of the Pettibone Manufactur-

KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.

ing Company, the large establishment in which all kinds of paraphernalia for lodges, societies, schools, etc., are manufactured, and in which four hundred and fifty people are constantly em- ployed; President of the Smith-Kasson Com- pany, the largest retail shoe house in Cincinnati; and besides these, holds leading positions in other business enterprises.

Although a resident of Covington, Mr. Brooks is fully identified with the interests of Cincinnati, which is abundantly proven by the fact of his having been President of the Cincinnati Cham- ber of Commerce, the most influential commer- cial body in the city. Such an election is regarded as the greatest honor that can be bestowed upon any one in the commercial world, an honor which is due only to the most able and influential busi- ness man. He filled this position with perfect satisfaction to all until October, 1890.

Mr. Brooks, with his varied career, his indom- itable will and energy, surmounting any and all difficulties and rising to his present high posi- tion in the business world, is a perfect type of the American citizen, an example which may serve many an ambitious youth, showing what may be done even with limited resources and few oppor- tunities. Solely by his own efforts and native tal- ents, beginning withont aid or influence, he has steadily risen until he is among the most honored business men of Cincinnati, and in his special line holds the most influential and leading posi- tion in the world.

He also occupies a noteworthy position in the social world and in the highest benevolent orders, of which he is a valued and helpful member. He first entered a Masonic lodge in 1864 and has taken all of the degrees of the York and Scottish Rites and takes a great pride in being called a "Shiner." He is perhaps more devoted to Masonry than the Elks or Knights of Pythias, of which he is an honored member.

Politics have no attractions for Mr. Brooks, and he would hardly accept an office if it were tendered him without the usual bitter strife which office-seekers have to pass through on the way to victory or defeat.

Mr. Brooks owns many residences in Cincin- nati and Covington, including his elegant home in Covington, in which he has lived for eighteen

years. He was married in 1866 to Laura A.Tone of Locust Corner, Clermont County, Ohio, and is blessed with an interesting family of four chil- dren: Charles G., George A., Ada and Rosella. His eldest daughter, a graduate of Wesleyan Col- lege, is the wife of Henry Kasson of the Smith- Kasson (shoe) Company. Mr. Brooks is a great lover of his family, which is surrounded by the comforts and luxuries of an ideal home; enjoys meeting his friends, entertains them royally; is fond of music and choice literature; has a fine library; and is well informed, not only in the affairs of the active business life which he leads, but also in the current events. It is in the social aspect of his nature that he appears to the best advantage in the estimation of those who enjoy his genial and intellectual companionship.

Mr. Brooks' father, Cyrus S. Brooks, was born in Vermont in 1812. He was a farmer there for many years, and in 1848 he removed to Orleans County, New York, and engaged in the shoe business at Shelby Centre, where he was recog- nized as a prominent citizen. He afterwards re- moved to Wheelersburg, Scioto County, Ohio, but, preferring his former home, returned to Shelby, New York, in about two years, and there resumed his former occupation. His death, in 1860, resulted from a kick from a horse. His wife was Sophia Hazleton, who was born in Ver- mont in 1816, and is now living with her son, the subject of this sketch, in Covington.

Mr. Brooks comes of an old New England family, his ancestor, John Brooks, having immi- grated to this country from England about one hundred and fifty years ago. He settled in the State of New York, where his three sons were born. It was one of these brothers who settled in Vermont one hundred and twenty-five years ago and surveyed a large tract of land in Addison County, reclaiming it from a wilderness and living there all his life. This has been handed down from father to son and is still in the possession of the family.

One of the sons of this early pioneer was Mr. Brooks' grandfather, so he is purely American by birth and descent. On his mother's side he is related to the noted Colonel Hawkins, who was an officer on General Washington's staff during the whole time of the Revolutionary war.

KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.

C YRUS B. GRAHAM, M. D., an industrious and capable young physician of Henderson, is a descendant of an old Scotch Covenanter fam- ily whose history is traced back nearly two hun- dred years.

In the early part of the Eighteenth Century, in what is now Sterlingshire, Scotland, in Clan Grahame, 'neath the shadows of Ben Leith and near the shores of beautiful Loch Katrine, was born Hugh Methven Grahame. He was closely related to the Grahames of Glasgow and was a man of "plodding industry and sober worth." He was one of the Scotch Covenanters, with all of the sturdy independence of that class. Regard- less of the persecution of the minions of Charles II, he would meet those of his religious belief among the hills, "In some deep dell by rocks o'er canopied," and worship God according to the dic- tates of their own conscience, unawed by the fear of Church or State. Hoping to enjoy greater free- dom of thought, Hugh Graham with his family emigrated to near Belfast, Ireland, where his bones lie buried. Here, in 1772, Richard Graham (grandfather) was born. The family then emi- grated to America, settling in South Carolina. Richard Graham married Hannah Bishop of North Carolina, and with several other families started on the long journey through the wilder- ness to Kentucky. Many interesting stories of that journey have been told by an old slave woman, "Aunt Sylvia," who was a litle girl at that time, and accompanied the party. The men of the company walked along beside their wagons, which were drawn by slow-moving oxen, the wagons containing women, children and household goods. It was a land of sunshine and shadow-the shadow of the many inroads of the savage tribes still hung over it, while the sunshine of the future in the homes to be built was with them. Richard Graham was in that day considered a man of some means, and old Aunt Sylvia often recounted with pride the fact that "Marse Dick had three slaves, his wagon and oxen, one cow and a fine mare."

Richard Graham located in what is now Hop- kins County, and acquired a large body of land, and was principally engaged in agricultural pur- suits and also operated a tannery, the only one

in that section. He had a brother who was a soldier in the war of 1812, and who was wounded in the battle of New Orleans.

Richard Graham had three sons and six daugh- ters; his eldest son, Harvey, served in the Mexican war and also in the Union army in the war of the rebellion. The other sons, LeRoy and Cyrus (twins), were born in 1814 on the Graham plantation in Hopkins County. LeRoy was tall and straight as an arrow, with deep blue eyes and black curly hair; quick to take offense, yet ever ready to forgive; fond of his dog and gun, and more devoted still to the deep, majestic forest, where he would spend days and nights with no companion save his faithful dog and trusty weapon. He was known as a dead shot with the rifle and kept that community supplied with game. Passionately fond of music, on re- turning from his hunting expeditions, it would not be long until he would have his violin, fife or clarionet in his hand and repair to the "quar- ters," where he would get the darkies together for a dance. At the corn-huskings and other frolics he was a welcome guest and an active par- ticipant. He was also very fond of horses, and took pride in owning the fastest horses in the neighborhood. In fact, his staid Presbyterian kinsfolk were shocked and often shook their heads at LeRoy's sporting proclivities.

With all his love for fun, which he inherited from his Irish mother, he had enough of the canny Scot blood of his father to make him a close trader, and in the matter of business he was shrewd and successful. He bought produce with which he loaded a flat-boat in Tradewater River and floated it into the Ohio, thence down the Father of Waters to New Orleans, where he dis- posed of his boat and cargo at a profit, and, as was the custom then, he returned through the country on foot.

LeRoy Graham was married three times. His first wife was Alice Parker; his second a Miss Slaton and his third a Miss King. He was mar- ried to Alice Parker in 1852. She was a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Howard Jennings Parker of Hopkins County, who were married January 5, 1826. Benjamin Parker was a Virginian and a son of Sir Peter Parker, a British Admiral, who

KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.

bombarded Charleston, S. C., in the Revolution- ary war, and a man of considerable wealth. Mary Howard Jennings Parker was a daughter of Col- onel William Jennings and Marian Smith Jennings. Colonel Jennings was Deputy Gov- ernor of Virginia and also Superintendent of Indian Affairs in Colonial Virginia. He was the youngest son of Thomas Jennings, who was the second son of William Jennings, Bart., England.

After his marriage LeRoy Graham located in Nebo, Hopkins County, and engaged in dealing in tobacco and in general merchandising and was for years postmaster of the place. He was in business there for probably thirty-five years, and was widely known by his uprightness and hon- orable dealing. He became a staid and quiet citizen and an exemplary member of the Metho- dist Church. During the war he was a Union man. He belonged to neither of the great politi- cal parties, but was independent in his political views.

The result of his union with Alice Parker was three daughters and two sons: Jennie Graham, Frances Graham, Olive Graham, Cyrus B. Graham (subject of this sketch), and Edwin R. Graham, who died in 1888.

Cyrus B. Graham, whose long lines of ances- try are thus briefly sketched, was born in Nebo, Hopkins County, Kentucky, in 1862. His mother, Alice (Parker) Graham, died when he was a babe. As soon as he learned to read he became an omnivorous reader of history and stories of travel, these being the principal literature at hand. At the age of fourteen he had read Rollins' Ancient History, Gibbon's Rome and several works on Anatomy and Physiology and Gudlow on Medical Examination. He spent a greater portion of his time at his grandmother Parker's home, where he found an excellent library, and while there read everything he could get his hands on. His aunts used to say, "Thank the Lord, Cyrus has something to read, because when he is reading we are all safe; when he is not he is sure to be in mischief."

At the age of fourteen his father sent him to the farm to bring the horses. When he arrived at the farm, two miles from town, the sun was just peeping over the treetops. He hung the

bridles on the fence corner and kept on down the road until he reached his grandmother's, eight miles away. He was received with open arms, but with some misgivings as to the future of the runaway boy. He returned to Nebo the next fall and worked in a tobacco factory and store until spring, reading at night until late hours. The next two years were spent in the factory, store or on the farm. He rented land, helped to clear it, sold the timber and the rails which he made, and in this way obtained money with which to buy books; drove a team, plowed or did any kind of work for a little pay; he helped to dig a well one winter when he could find nothing else to do, receiving twenty-five cents a day. The next three years he spent in traveling in the west and south, and what money he made he spent for books, which he would read and then give away. His valise generally contained more books than clothing. He worked at the carpenter trade for two years and would often work till near mid- night to make extra money with which to buy books, and having access to good libraries he lost no time in getting all he could out of them.

He borrowed money and attended the Green River Academy at Madisonville for five months, and at the end of the term received a certificate, and taught school for six months. He then went to Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tennessee; was "elected" with three others to wash dishes, and for this was allowed a small reduction in his board bill. He remained in college three years, teaching school occasionally and selling books during vacation to procure money to defray his expenses. He traveled extensively over the south, visiting the colleges as a general agent, and did some newspaper work.

He took a short course in the Mobile College of Medicine; studied and practiced under Dr. James P. Bone of Arlington, Tennessee; entered the medical department of Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Tennessee, and was graduated in the class of 1891. He traveled for a wholesale drug house during vacations and thus made money to pay his way through school.

After receiving his license as a physician he located first at St. Charles, Kentucky, and prac- ticed for two years; removed thence to near

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KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.

Nashville, Tennessee; and a few months later, October 4, 1893, was married to Frances Duncan, daughter of Marion and Juliet (Mullins) Duncan of Henderson, Kentucky, and located in that city.

Dr. Graham is a popular young physician; a member of the Henderson County Medical Asso- ciation and a member of the Board of Health. He has every promise of the bright future which a man of his energy and industry deserves.

P ETER B. MUIR, one of the senior members of the Louisville bar, having been prominent as judge and attorney for half a century, was born in Nelson County, Kentucky, October 19, 1822; and at the age of about ten years was left an orphan, his father having died in 1830 and his mother in 1833. His father, Jasper Muir, was a native of Maryland, who came to Nelson County with his parents when a child about the begin- ning of the present century. After attaining his majority he married Isabella Brown, daughter of Peter Brown, and engaged in farming in Nelson County, but died at an early age in 1830.

Dr. William Muir (grandfather) was a native of Scotland and a graduate of Edinborough Col- lege, who came to America and located in Mary- land, where he resided a few years before remov- ing to Nelson County, Kentucky, where he continued the practice of medicine until the time of his death in 1838, having reached the good old age of eighty-four years. He was a fine scholar and a very successful and popular physician.

Judge Muir's mother, Isabella Brown, was a native of Maryland, as was her father, Peter Brown, who came with his family to Nelson County very early in the century, where he was engaged in farming on quite a large scale. He died at the age of eighty-four years. His daugh- ter, Isabella Muir, died in 1833, when still a young woman.

Left an orphan without fortune when a mere child, the outlook for the lad was not encourag- ing. But he secured a good education, chiefly in the country schools, under the direction of his learned grandfather, and at Hanover College, where he spent two years before commencing the study of law. He was licensed to practice law in 1845, some months after his marriage to

Sophronia Rizer, a lady of great beauty and love- liness. His success was assured from the time he opened his office in Bardstown in January, 1846. He was elected County Attorney and served three years, when he formed a partnership with Honor- able Thomas W. Riley, and this firm did a leading practice. In January, 1852, they removed their office to Louisville, where they were equally suc- cessful.

Mr. Muir, while yet a comparative stranger, was elected a member of the City Council, and served for a term of two years, and in 1856, four years after coming to Louisville, was elected to the legislature. In 1857 he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court for the unexpired term of Judge Bullock, and the partnership of Riley & Muir was dissolved. He was again elected for a full term without opposition, but resigned about the mid- dle of the term and became the first Judge of the Jefferson Court of Common Pleas. That office he held for four years, when he resigned and returned to the bar in partnership with the late Martin Bijur. The firm of Muir & Bijur con- tinued about three years, during which time they were among the leading practitioners of the Louisville bar. George M. Davie was then ad- mitted to the firm, which for several years was known throughout the state as one of the lead- ing law firms in Kentucky. In 1877 that firm was dissolved and Judge Muir continued his work without a partner until he was joined by D. I. Heyman. The firm of Muir & Heyman con- tinued for several years with marked success. In 1890 his son, Upton W. Muir, was admitted to the firm, which was known as Muir, Heyman & Muir. After a successful practice of four and a half years that firm was dissolved, Mr. Heyman retiring and the business continued by father and son under the present firm name of P. B. & Upton W. Muir. The Judge and his son are hard work- ers and no law firm in Kentucky stands higher. In the meantime Judge Muir has from time to time occupied an important chair in the law de- partment of the University of Louisville, in which capacity he has rendered valuable service in the training of hundreds of young men, who remem- ber him as the able teacher and the friend of the young men of the bar.

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KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.

In the capacity of Judge he was regarded as one of the best judges on the bench, and was greatly endeared to the hearts of the people. His relation to the bar was of an intimate and almost affectionate nature, and the practitioners in his court had the highest regard for him personally while they acknowledged his superiority in legal attainments. His resignation was purely volun- tary on his part, for he could have retained his place on the bench indefinitely; but the work was severe and the compensation was inadequate to satisfy the ambition of a man of his scholarly and legal attainments, besides he preferred the position of advocate to that of the judge, and so he gave up the ermine for the greater liberty of the practitioner.

As a lawyer Judge Muir has always com- manded the profound respect of his brethren at the bar. His indomitable energy, his accurate and complete knowledge of the Civil Code and Statute laws, his fair and strictly legitimate man- ner of conducting his cases, his effort to secure sound and honest legal action, thoroughly equipped in every way for his high calling, cour- teous and deferential toward his opponent, faithful and persevering in behalf of his client, he com- mands the respect and confidence of judge and jury, and whatever may be the issue, he leaves no doubt in the mind of his client as to the wise and careful management of his case. His ripe experience, sound judgment and elegant, scholar- ly bearing entitle him to the honored position which he holds as the Nestor of the Louisville bar.

He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his religious convictions govern every prin- ciple of action in professional life as well as in his daily walk and conversation.

His son and associate in business is forging ahead, and is well up in the front ranks of the legal profession, for which he possesses the natu- ral qualifications and has been prepared by a thorough course of study, as well as by several years of practical experience as a practicing attor- ney. He graduated from the University of Vir- ginia in the class of 1886, taking the degree of Master of Arts and the debater's prize, a fifty dol- lar gold medal. He afterwards entered the law

department of the same institution, and there graduated in 1887. During the past eight years he has been associated with his venerable father, taking an active interest in all the cases which come to the firm. He represents the younger ele- ment in the profession; and with a clear legal mind, a thorough knowledge of law, industrious, persevering and attentive to the interests of his clients he is an able assistant, to whom his father gives a liberal share of credit for his success.

Judge Muir's wife died in 1885, leaving seven children: Belle, wife of Harry Weisinger, the to- bacco manufacturer of Louisville; Thomas R., Sydney S., Upton W., Lilian, wife of A. L. Semple of Louisville; Nellie, wife of A. H. Smith of Springfield, Illinois, and Sophronia.

Upton W. Muir was married in 1888 to Miss Hebe Harrison, daughter of Julian Harrison of the famous Virginia family of that name.

JOHN HARDIN MCHENRY, deceased, late postmaster of Owensboro, son of John Hardin and Hannah (Davis) McHenry, was born in Hart- ford, Ohio County, Kentucky, February 21, 1832. His father was born in Washington County, October 13, 1797, and died in Owens- boro, November 1, 1871. He received his edu- cation, principally, from his father, and studied law under his uncle Martin D. Hardin, a distin- guished lawyer of Frankfort, and was admitted to the bar in 1819. He began the practice of law at Leitchfield, where he was postmaster; and November 22, 1820, Governor Adair appointed him Major of the Eighty-seventh Regiment State Militia; and in 1821 Commonwealth attorney for the new judicial district, embracing Daviess, Henderson, Breckenridge, Ohio and Muhlenberg Counties. He removed to Hartford and entered upon the duties of this office, which he held until 1839, when he resigned. In 1840 lie was elected to the legislature; January 26, 1843, was appoint- ed by Governor Robert P. Letcher-on the advice of the Senate-a member of the Board of Overseers of Transylvania University. In 1845 he was elected to Congress from the Second Dis- trict by the Whig party, to which he belonged. In 1849 he was a member of the State Constitu-

KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.

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Biographical cyclopedia of the commonwealth of Kentucky, Part 2

Author: Gresham, John M., Co., Pub Publication date: 1896 Publisher: Chicago, Philadelphia, J. M. Gresham company Number of Pages: 726

Author: Gresham, John M., Co., Pub
Publication date: 1896
Publisher: Chicago, Philadelphia, J. M. Gresham company
Number of Pages: 726