USA > Kentucky > Biographical cyclopedia of the commonwealth of Kentucky > Part 29
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Mr. Sneed was born October 6, 1841, in Gran- ville County, North Carolina, under the roof of the ancestral mansion, "Montpelier," where his forefathers had lived since 1760. His father was Richard Sneed, a physician, respected by all and beloved by those with whom he was brought into professional contact. His mother was Lucy Hen- derson. Dr. Sneed and Miss Henderson had married in North Carolina, the native state of them both, and in 1851 removed to Kentucky, settling in the city of Henderson, where they re- sided until their death-Dr. Sneed in 1861 and Mrs. Sneed in 1868.
His paternal grandfather was Stephen Sneed, a captain under General Daniel Morgan, com- mander of the famous riflemen, and at Bemis'
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Heights and at the Cowpens Captain Sneed dcalt lusty blows for our independence.
His maternal grandfather was Leonard Hen- derson, an eminent lawyer and for many years chief justice of North Carolina, whose learning and ability were largely instrumental in formulat- ing the jurisprudence of that state. Chief Justice Henderson was the son of Colonel Richard Hen- derson. Few names have more impressed them- selves upon the history of Kentucky than that of Colonel Henderson. His ancestors were among the earliest settlers in Virginia, where he was born in 1735. Whilst a youth his parents emigrated to Granville County, North Carolina. He studied law and rose rapidly to wealth and distinction. The fertile wilderness lying between the Cumberland, Kentucky and Ohio rivers at- tracted his adventurous spirit. By the treaty of Wataga, made by him with the Cherokee nation of Indians, he, in consideration of ten thousand pounds sterling, acquired the whole of that terri- tory, comprising what is now about one-half of the state of Kentucky. He named his empire Transylvania, called to his aid a few associates, organized a form of government, became its president, and convened a parliament at Boones- borough, of which Daniel Boone was a member. But the Legislature of Virginia, which then em- braced Kentucky, becoming jealous of Colonel Henderson's growing power, declared void the treaty of Wataga, but by the same legislative act, in consideration of his services to the state, grant- ed to him and his associates a body of over two hundred thousand acres of land, embracing what is now a good part of the county and all of the city that bears his name. The rich county and the beautiful city of Henderson, with its refinement, culture and wealth, her splendid churches and schools, her prosperous manufactories, her broad streets and beautiful parks, are worthy monu- ments to the memory of their illustrious founder.
Young Sneed, in those early years of his life prior to the removal of his parents to Kentucky, received that instruction, parental and scholas- tic, always bestowed upon the scions of the best southern families. After establishing their home in Henderson the boy was sent to the academy of W. H. Delano, a successful instructor
as well as accomplished linguist and well- equipped lawyer. In his early maturity he read law for two years under the direction of Harvey Yeaman, an association which, notwithstanding the disparity of ages of tutor and pupil, grew into a deep friendship that lasted until Mr. Yeaman's death. Mr. Sneed never applied for admission to the bar, a profession he would have honored, and in which his subsequent career furnishes proof that he would have made his way to the first ranks.
His first actual business experience was in the drug stores, then conducted by Ira Delano and George Lyne, whence he was soon called to the position of bookkeeper, and afterwards teller of the Farmers' Bank. Upon the organization of the Henderson National Bank in 1865, though a young man for such a responsibility, he was made its cashier and for several years was also its vice- president. A biography of Mr. Sneed would be, during the period of its existence, a history of this bank, which very soon after its organization took, and has ever since maintained a position among the most successful financial institutions of the state. Although having a watchful care over every detail of its business, his administration of its affairs has not been confined to mere cent per cent routine. His large and comprehensive knowledge of all that pertains to finance has given the bank a success and history that is rarely at- tained by those out of metropolitan environments. In the annual councils of the Union, as well as of his own state, he has long been recognized as one of the leaders, often called to serve upon their most important committees, as well as to discuss intricate and grave questions of finance.
But, arduous as Mr. Sneed's duties to his bank have been, it is greatly to his credit, as well as to the advantage of his community, that it has not absorbed all his thought and care. Not only has he found time to indulge a strong love for the best literature, until his extensive and varied read- ing, added to a genial and courteous disposition, has made him a most interesting and popular member of cultured society; but no useful enter- prise or commendable charity of his city has ever appealed to him in vain, but has often met with the most substantial response. And with it all,
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though never seeking office, he always evinces an active interest in the affairs of the state and Union. During all his mature life, St. Paul's Episcopal Church has felt his helpful hand, and for many years as vestryman, at present junior warden, and not infrequently in the higher ec- clesiastical courts his counsel is sought.
On May 10, 1871, at "Benvenue," the old Soaper homestead near Henderson, where the bride had been reared amid ideal home surroundings, Mr. Sneed married Marianna, second daughter of William and Susan Henderson Soaper. The kind- est providence has smiled upon the union, but its chiefest blessing is the unbroken family circle --- father, mother and six children: Susan Hender- son, Lucy Henderson, Kate Soaper, Marianna Soaper, William Soaper and Stephen Kutesoff.
In 1881 the five sons and five daughters and many grandchildren of the father of Mrs. Sneed gathered around his couch. He died full of years and of that respect of neighbors and affection of kindred that constitutes the highest earthly honor. One among the largest fortunes ever accumulated in Kentucky by fair dealing was the result of his business life. The mother of Mrs. Sneed (who was a mother in Israel as well) did not long survive him, having died in 1890.
C APTAIN PHILLIP BURTON THOMP- SON, one of Kentucky's most able and dis- tinguished lawyers, of Harrodsburg, son of John B. and Nancy Porter (Robards) Thompson, was born in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, January 8, 1821.
Captain Thompson's descent is traceable on the mother's side to the Huguenot refugees (Porter and Dutois) from the troubles of St. Bartholo- mew, who came to America and settled, and a solitary pair of Welsh emigrants, George and Sally Hill, who about the same time came to this country.
Anne Porter (Captain Thompson's great-grand- mother) married Archibald Sampson, and of this marriage Archibald Sampson and Elizabeth Bar- bara Sampson were born. Their mother was left a young and handsome as well as a very wealthy widow. Her children had all the advantages of wealth given them in their education-Elizabeth in this country and Archibald in Cambridge,
England. The latter died within a few weeks after his return to this country, and his large es- tate was distributed equally between his own sis- ter, Barbara, and the children of his mother and Captain Lewis, her second husband. This Bar- bara was Captain Thompson's grandmother. She married George Robards, a descendant of George and Sally Hill of Wales, before mentioned on his mother's side of the house, and paternally of Wil- liam Robards of Virginia, the father of the Robards families of the south and west. This George Robards when very young, scarcely more than a lad, entered the ranks of the revolutionary soldiers. He was in many of the noted battles of those days and came out of the war wearing the title of captain. Of his and Barbara Sampson's marriage were born many children, one of whom, Nancy, was the mother of Captain Thompson.
Captain Thompson's paternal descent was of the Thompsons, a widely known family of En- glish descent. The first notable member was Roger Thompson, said to have been knighted on the battlefield by Charles II. of England. One of his descendants was sent out to Virginia on application of the governor for help to suppress Bacon's rebellion. It is said he espoused the cause of the Americans and resigned his com- mission. Be that as it may, he settled in this country. Later on one of his descendants of the same name, William Thompson, was a resident of Albemarle County, Virginia. He married a Miss Claiborne and to them were born several children, among them four sons: Roger, George, Leonard and John. Several, if not all of these, served in the Revolutionary war, and after it was over moved to Kentucky and settled upon large tracts of land, which land has been inherited by their children. John, the youngest of the four sons, married Miss Susan Burton, and of this marriage, one of several children, was born John Burton Thompson, the father of Captain Thomp- son. Both of Captain Thompson's grandfathers being old soldiers of the Revolution, and living on adjoining plantations, they were naturally thrown much together, and it is not surprising that they were eventually connected by marriage, as before stated. Col. John Thompson's son, John Burton Thompson, marrying Captain George Robards'
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daughter, Nancy Porter. Of this marriage eleven children were born, four sons and seven daugh- ters: Hon. John B. Thompson, one of Ken- tucky's most eminent statesmen, who served his party in places of trust, once as lieutenant-gover- nor, later for many years in both houses of Con- gress; Judge Henry Thompson, who married Miss Eliza Jane, daughter of Governor Allan Trimble of Ohio, and one of the ablest lawyers of that, the state of his adoption; Charles Thomp- son, a planter of Mississippi, later of Kentucky, a man of high standing and integrity. Of the daughters, Sallie, the eldest, married Joseph Johnson of Louisiana, who was at the time of his death president of the state senate; Patsey, who dicd in infancy; Maria, who married William Daveiss, a farmer of Mercer County, who for a while in politics served his party in the state senate; Elizabeth Barbara, who married Colonel Henry Phillips, politician and planter of the South; Anne Porter, wife of Dr. Carey A. Trim- ble, who at the time of his marriage was con- nected with the Cincinnati Medical College, after- ward a member of Congress; Susan Burton, wife of Henry Massie of Chillicothe, Ohio, son of General Massie, a successful lawyer and financier, and Katharine, wife of Walter A. Dun, a farmer of Madison County, Ohio.
Captain Phil B. Thompson, the youngest of the four brothers, was born January 8, 1821. He was educated at Centre College, Danville, Ken- tucky, and Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania. He acquired his profession-that of law-with and became the partner of his brother, John B. Thompson, being admitted to the bar in 1840. Before reaching his majority he married Miss Martha Montgomery of Mississippi, daughter of Davis Montgomery and Elizabeth (Harper) Davis Montgomery; was a kinsman of the eminent preacher, Samuel Davis, and be- longed to the Montgomery of military distinction.
Miss Montgomery was born August 22, 1823, and was not twenty years of age when she mar- ried Captain Thompson, and rarely, if ever, has a family received into its connection a bride of such rare patrician beauty as was hers-beauty that she wore to her death, with the regal grace befitting such a heritage, But far beyond her
beauty of face was that of character, so eminently hers. A faithful wife, devoted mother, extending this care to her children of the third generation, a sincere friend, of quick and tender sympathy, a loyal Christian, esteemed, beloved and honored. She was a member of the Christian Church for fifty years, and died April 15, 1895.
When Governor Owsley called for two regi- ments of soldiers to enter the ranks in the in- vasion of Mexico, Captain Thompson raised a company, of which he was chosen the chief officer. This company was incorporated with Colonel William R. McKee's command and pro- ceeded to join General Taylor's army of occupa- tion at Point Isabel.
After the war with Mexico was over, Captain Thompson returned to Harrodsburg, where he continued the practice of law until the Civil war, when he again enlisted, this time taking with him his sons, all three of whom were under eighteen years of age-Davis Montgomery, now Dr. Thompson; John and Phil Burton (twins). John is now one of the ablest lawyers in Kentucky, and Phil an ex-Congressman, now a practitioner of law in Washington City. John Thompson married Miss Martha Anderson, daughter of Rev. Henry T. Anderson of Virginia, a minister of the Chris- tian Church, and a distinguished linguist and translater. One child is the fruit of this marriage, Philip Burton, a young lawyer, educated at Har- vard University.
Philip B., Jr., married Miss Mary Garnett. Their children are Garnett and Mattie. Garnett married Miss Lizzie Young of Jessamine County, of which marriage there are two children, a daugh- ter, Mattie, and a son, Philip. Phil B. Thomp- son's daughter, Mattie, a celebrated belle and beauty, married William Leonard Davis, to whom has been born one son, Worthington Davis.
Captain Thompson has rarely shown any politi- cal aspirations, and only once served his party in the legislative hall. He has for many years been eminent in his profession, and ranks among the first, if indeed he is not the first criminal lawyer of the state. His first case was the celebrated Wilkinson-Redding case; he also defended James Arnold, who killed Robert Little, in which case he was associated with Governor W. O. Bradley
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and Senator Dan W. Voorhees. Another cele- brated case was that of Thomas Buford, who killed Judge Elliott of the Court of Appeals, in which he was associated with Evan E. Settle of Owenton, and Major W. R. Kinney of Louisville; and these are only a few of the many noted cases in which he has won a national reputation as one of the finest criminal lawyers in the country.
H ENRY CHARLES KEHOE, M. D., the popular homeopathic physician and drug- gist of Flemingsburg, son of James and Nora (Conroy) Kehoe, was born in Lewis County, Kentucky, August 6, 1857.
His father, James Kehoe, a native of Dublin, Ireland, came to America in the early 40's. He received a good education in Dublin, and was qualified for almost any profession he might have chosen, but he preferred the peaceful and inde- pendent life of a farmer. On his arrival in this country he first located in New York. Soon afterwards he removed to Lewis County, Ken- tucky, where he was engaged in farming until during the Civil War, when he enlisted in the Union army.
Nora Conroy Kehoe (mother) was born in Dublin, Queen's County, Ireland, November 26, 1819, and was married June 29, 1846. Her family was very prominent in the Irish rebellion of 1812, and her grandfather, who was a general, was asked to go into the "inclosure," and not knowing the penalty, he refused to do so, and they were fired upon by the soldiers and he and his entire com- mand were killed. Mrs. Kehoe was a relative of Reverend John O'Hanlon, who has written the best history of Ireland, and a second cousin of the poet, Thomas Moore, with whom she was in- timately acquainted. She was a woman of edu- cation and culture; endowed with strong will power and great force of character. Being left a widow at the close of the war, with the family treasury-like the government vaults at that time -somewhat depleted, she took courage, and, with Christian resignation and hopeful assurance, un- dertook the task of raising her children for the various avocations of life. How well she per- formed her arduous task is best shown by an extract from a letter which she received from
one of her sons just prior to her death, which occurred February 6, 1895: "You have been blessed with long years, and have seen your fam- ily well raised and, for the most part, prosperous. Your life has been a splendid and noble sacrifice in behalf of those whom you have loved so well and faithfully, and your every example has been one of elevating nobility and beautiful grace, of transcendent Christian devotion and unalloyed in- tegrity that will live among the stars and be for- ever a charm to those you leave behind. May God bless you and spare you long to enjoy your well- won battle of life."
James Kehoe and Nora Conroy were the par- ents of eight children, a brief sketch of each of whom follows:
(1.) Mary Kehoe, born in New York in 1847, wife of James J. Harrahan, general manager of the Illinois Central Railroad, with headquarters in Chicago, and one of the best known railroad men in America.
(2.) Thomas Kehoe, born in New York in 1849; is engaged in the monumental business in Knoxville, Tennessee; an expert workman and designer, who designed and executed the monu- ment to which was awarded the first prize at the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia in 1876, competing with some of the best sculptors in the United States and Canada. He was the young- est enlisted soldier in the Federal army in the late Civil war, having enlisted when he was six months past thirteen years of age; served two and a half years in Bierbower's Company, Forty-sixth Regi- ment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry; married a Miss Mattox of Owensboro.
(3.) William Kehoe, born in Cincinnati in 1851; educated in Maysville; learned printing and became owner and publisher of the Carlisle "Mer- cury," and later of the Cynthiana Democrat; dis- posed of his interest in the latter to accept the position of private secretary to Hon. John G. Carlisle; after serving in that position for eight years was appointed by the speaker chief sten- ographer of the House of Representatives, at a salary of about $5,000 a year; is a large stock- holder in the Mergenthaler type setting machine -now used by the principal daily newspapers throughout the country-and prospective presi-
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dent of the company; married Mattie Webster of Cynthiana.
(4.) J. Dexter Kehoe, born in Lewis County, Kentucky, in 1853; learned the printer's trade; became interested in politics and received the Democratic nomination for representative in Ma- son County before he was twenty-four years of age, but was defeated by two votes by Robert A. Cochran, now deceased; was again nominated, two years later, and was elected by a majority of seven hundred votes, defeating Honorable A. A. Wadsworth; was again elected to the legislature, being the first man re-elected from Mason Coun- ty in succession; was a candidate for the Demo- cratic nomination for Congress, and failed by only half a vote, Mr. Powers receiving the nomination; for many years he managed the public printer's office in Frankfort, resigning this to accept the position of chief of the Bureau of Printing, En- graving Department, in Washington, and is pro- nounced by "Round's Printer's Cabinet" the best printer in the United States; has filled other posi- tions of honor and trust, and at this writing is being strongly urged to make the race for Con- gress in the Ninth Kentucky District.
(5.) Mark F. Kehoe, born in Lewis County, Kentucky, in 1855, is a cigarmaker by trade; has served in the Maysville City Council for many years, and is a canvasser for the Cigarmakers' International Union-a position requiring fine business tact and ability-with headquarters in Chicago.
(6.) Henry Charles Kehoe, M. D., the prin- cipal subject of this sketch, was educated in Mays- ville; learned the printer's trade and was con- nected with the Carlisle Mercury before attending the Pulte Medical College at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in the class of 1884-5, and then went to Cynthiana and succeeded his broth- er as editor and publisher of the Democrat; sold the paper in 1887 and began the practice of medi- cine at Cynthiana, and, in 1892, located at Flem- ingsburg, where he is now engaged in the practice of homeopathy and is also interested in the drug house of H. C. Kehoe & Company. He has filled offices in the State Homeopathic Society and written largely for medical journals.
Dr. Kehoe was married October 8, 1880, to
Genevieve Loudenback, who is closely related to the family of the late Governor Thomas E. Bram- lette. Her mother is Martha Bramlette, who was a daughter of Henry Bramlette. Mrs. Kehoe is related on other lines of ancestry to some of the best families in the state. They have two chil- dren: Fannie Bruce, born in 1881, and Pannell Bramlette, born in 1883. Dr. Kehoe is a mem- ber of the Knights of Pythias, Odd Fellows, a Master Mason and a Knight Templar.
(7.) Jennie Kehoe was born in Maysville in 1859; educated in the Convent at Maysville; married Charles Reed, a farmer of Mason County.
(8.) James N. Kehoe, born in Mason County in 1862; educated in Maysville; read law under Judge Thomas F. Hargis at Louisville; was duly admitted to the bar and is a practicing attorney of Maysville; is master commissioner of Mason County; member of the State Democratic Exec- utive Committee and prominent in local and state politics; married Hannah Kain.
JOSEPH A. HODGE, an eminent physician of Henderson, was born in Livingston Coun- ty, Kentucky, February 2, 1829, and is the son of Edwin and Nancy S. (Hughes) Hodge. His father was also born in Livingston County in 1805, and was educated in the common schools. He became a representative farmer; married Nancy S. Hughes in 1828, and they had three children: Mary, Lavinia and Joseph A. Livings- ton County was divided in 1842, and Edwin Hodge lived in that part which is now Crittenden County, and died in 1837.
Robert Hodge (grandfather) was a native of North Carolina, who came to Kentucky about the beginning of the present century. He was three times married, his first wife being Miss Northern; his second wife Miss Armistead, and his third wife, name not known.
Henry Hodge (great-grandfather) was one of three brothers who came from England in col- onial days. One of the brothers went to Virginia, one to Maryland and Henry to North Carolina. One of these brothers, Anthony, for whom Dr. Joseph A. Hodge was named, always bore the name of "Hodges," as do his descendants to this day.
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After the death of Edwin Hodge, Nancy S. Evansville, Indiana, and has five children: Hodge, Hughes Hodge (mother) married Dr. J. S. Giliam, Eliza, Edwin, Ludson and Mary Lavinia. a Virginian by birth, but at that time a resident Eliza A. is the wife of Henry Berry, formerly of Memphis, Tenn., now a resident of Washing- ton, D. C., and has three children: Susan Hodge, Henry and Louisa. of Livingston (now Crittenden) County. He was in many respects a remarkable man, and proved a most kind and indulgent stepfather, and it was through his assistance and influence that Joseph A. Hodge became a physician.
Joseph Hughes (maternal grandfather) was born in North Carolina, and removed to Livings- ton County, Kentucky, where he was a farmer; was somewhat inclined to politics, being a "dyed in the wool" Democrat, and was at one time a member of the Kentucky Legislature. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.
Joseph A. Hodge was educated in the best schools of Crittenden County; studied medicine with Dr. J. S. Giliam, of Marion, and attended the Louisville University, graduating in 1850, when twenty-one years of age. He practiced medicine in Marion and vicinity from 1850 to 1863, when he removed to Henderson, arriving April 28, 1863, where he is still actively engaged in his work for the relief of suffering humanity. He is a member of the American Medical Asso- ciation, the Henderson County Medical Club, the Kentucky State Medical Society, of which he was president in 1875, the McDowell Medical Socie- ty, and was for a long time a member of the board of examiners of the Third Judicial District of Kentucky.
He was an old time Whig, but since the war has voted the Democratic ticket. He is a man of the highest moral character, and a member of the Presbyterian Church.
On the fourth day of December, 1851, Joseph A. Hodge and Susan A. Linthicum, daughter of Dr. Rufus Linthicum, of Muhlenberg County, were united in marriage, having become acquaint- ed four years previous to the date of their mar- riage, when she was a pupil in St. Vincent Acad- emy in Union County. She died May 1, 1891, leaving seven children: Edwin, Mary L., Eliza A., Emma, Antonia M., William A. and Nellie D. Hodge. Of these Edwin married Fannie Ditto, daughter of Thomas Ditto, of Brandenburg, and has two children: Thomas Ditto and Edwin.
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