USA > Kentucky > Biographical cyclopedia of the commonwealth of Kentucky > Part 38
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
W. W. Blackwell joined the Knights of Pythias in 1873 and from the first evinced great interest in that order. He made a careful study of its laws and aims, and was soon known as one of the best informed members, and his opinion was relied upon in all matters concerning the order. His advancement was rapid; and, after presiding in his own (Ivy) lodge, he was made representative to the Grand Lodge which met in Covington in 1877, and at that meeting he was elected grand master of the exchequer; at Lexington, in 1878, he was made grand vice-chancellor; at Hender- son, in 1879, he was, when only thirty years of age, unanimously chosen grand chancellor of the state, being the youngest Knight ever elected to that office in Kentucky; at Louisville in 1880 the honorable rank of past grand chancellor was conferred on him; at Maysville in 1881 he was elected supreme representative for four years, to represent the Grand Lodge of Kentucky in the Supreme Lodge of the world, and his commission was extended, by unanimous vote, two terms thereafter, 1885 and 1889.
He represented Kentucky at the Supreme meet- ing held in Detroit in August, 1882, and there received the Supreme Lodge rank, the highest ritualistic rank in the order; attended the Su- preme meeting in New Orleans in 1884; in To- ronto in 1886; in Cincinnati in 1888; in Mil-
218
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
waukee in 1890, at which session he was elected supreme vice-chancellor by acclamation from the floor, a distinction never before accorded to any member of that august body; in Kansas City in 1892, where he was unanimously elected supreme chancellor of the world; in Washington, D. C., in 1894, where he presided over that distinguished fraternal legislative body, the Supreme Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and at the installation of his successor became a past supreme chancellor, an honor of the highest distinction in the order. During his representative service upon the floor, he was a member of the Supreme Lodge finance committee, composed of five members, whose duty it was to audit the books and look after the vast financial affairs, comprising millions of money, the successful management of which brought him within the pale of promotion; was appointed aid-de-camp with the rank of colonel on the staff of Major General James Carnahan, commander-in-chief of the Uniform Rank-the grandest body of disciplined soldiers in the world --- and served thereon eight years with satisfaction to his commander. He compiled and revised the constitutions of the Grand and subordinate lodges, a duty assigned to him by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, a work which was attended by a mul- titude of difficulties; but, notwithstanding these difficulties, his report was a masterly one, and was accepted by the Grand Lodge practically as written, by a unanimous vote, which was after- ward supplemented by a series of complimentary resolutions and a rising vote of thanks.
In every branch of the work in which Mr. Black- well has been engaged he has served his constitu- ents faithfully and well, as outspoken statements, of which he has many, fully attest.
The following tribute, written by a brother Knight, referring chiefly to his report as supreme chancellor to the Supreme Lodge, is but one of the many complimentary references that have been made to Mr. Blackwell and his work:
"W. W. Blackwell, Past Supreme Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of the World:
"There have been other supreme chancellors besides W. W. Blackwell that have rendered an administration of loyalty and devotion, but the present incumbent is certainly entitled to the dis-
tinction of having worked harder and devoted more actual time and labor than several of his predecessors put together. He has been in office a little less than two years, yet in that time has visited 46 Grand Lodges in regular session and traveled over 65,000 miles to do so. His voice has been heard by thousands of members while he earnestly advocated constancy and devotion to Pythian principles, and above all loyalty to the government under which we live, the enforced use of the English language on this continent, and cheerful obedience to the Supreme Lodge and the mandates of proper authority-in short, one lan- guage, one flag, one country, and the greatest fraternity on earth.
"Every supreme chancellor has made himself especially prominent in some particular line: Van Valkenburg as an author; Douglas, the 'little giant,' in securing a universal conformity in the Grand Lodge constitutions, and putting down re- bellion; Ward as a peacemaker; Shaw in execu- tive ability and brilliant rhetoric; but with Black- well it has been a constant labor in the field; making official visits to the Grand Lodges in ses- sion; urging the incorporation of valuable meas- ures looking to the order's welfare; and greater than all, the monumental task of harmonizing all jurisdictions in the 'strictly English ritual.' By his persistent labor, wise counsel and diplo- macy, he has smoothed the way to a harmonious session of the Supreme Lodge in 1894, by prac- tically settling beforehand what might have de- veloped into conflict long and serious.
"That Mr. Blackwell has the courage of his convictions will never be questioned by those who have met the man, heard him talk, or read his report; and when, as here, ability goes hand in hand with unflinching courage, there is no mistak -. ing the writer's views or misinterpreting between the lines.
"Were we not personally acquainted, to some degree, with the retiring supreme chancellor, we should not, any the more, fail to understand his views on any topic discussed by him in his re- port, nor would we need any interpreter to make plain his meaning; but when to this is added knowledge, though ever so slight, of the man, any doubt we may have had concerning his words
219
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
is displaced by certainty, and friendship broadens into admiration.
"The report is a bold, able document, writ- ten by one who is fearless of consequences, with- out any signs of that policy that usually renders the use of strong words by a sycophant imprudent, and is refreshing to the truth-seeker. Compre- hensive and clear in his conception of duty, never doubting the righteousness of his stand when once that stand is taken, and mailed in the armor of a conscience that pervades all his writings, he rains down upon the doomed head of wrong, wherever he finds it, giant blows, the force of which is born of unquestioned conviction.
"His words have in them a ring and power that carries conviction and dismay among the dissent- ing, and imparts courage and heart to the loyal. Thorough, practical, broad; severe, yet kind; ex- haustive, yet concise; plain-spoken, yet conserva- tive in due degree, the report is admirable in the vigor and manliness of its wording. Brother Blackwell assaults most mercilessly every battle- ment of the enemy, tears down their walls, and Samson-like, carries off the gates of their strong- holds, leaving them the choice of unconditional capitulation, or a lonely occupation of their deso- late and demoralized position.
"Mr. Blackwell while supreme chancellor trav- eled 65,000 miles in the United States and Can- ada, and during his administration he did more than any predecessor in the development of the question, 'Americanizing America,' claiming that it was un-American and detrimental to true patriotism to publish and use a ritual in any other language in a country leading in civilization through the English-our mother tongue. He had while in office perhaps more testimonials of regard than any other man holding the same posi- tion, many of which were costly and valuable. A P. S. C. jewel, valued at $1,000, was voted him by the Supreme Lodge, besides other tokens of regard and esteem from different Grand Lodg- es, and in addition to all this he was paid $3,000 more than his salary by the Supreme Lodge as an additional evidence of their appreciation of his efforts."
W. W. Blackwell and Marcia A. Stinson of Evansville, Indiana, were married October 5,
1869, and they have one son, Ernest, who is fol- lowing in the footsteps of his father and will make his mark in the world.
W. W. Blackwell is not only one of the most enthusiastic and distinguished Knights of Pythias in the world, but is also an Odd Fellow of high rank and a leading member of his lodge.
C HARLES M. F. STRIGER of Covington, son of Mason and Catherine F. (Blume) Striger, was born in Independence, Kenton Coun- ty, Kentucky, March 10, 1858. His father was born January 23, 1833, in the same place and in the same house, and was a resident of Inde- pendence at the time of his death, November 2, 1895. He was a farmer all the years of his active life.
John Striger (grandfather) was a native of Virginia and became one of the earlier settlers of Kentucky. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. While farming was his principal business, he was also a cooper, and worked industriously at that trade when not busy on the farm. He died at Independence about 1840. His ancestors were from Germany.
Catherine F. Blume Striger was born in Ken- ton County, Kentucky, December 27, 1838. Her father, Isaac Blume, was a native of Virginia, who came to Kentucky in the early settlement of the state; located in Kenton County, where he died in 1864.
Charles M. F. Striger was brought up a farmer boy, receiving a good education in the country schools. He afterwards received his diploma from Nelson's College in 1880. He taught school in his native place for two years and in 1882 was the Republican candidate for county as- sessor. He then read law in the office of McKee & Finnell in Covington, and was admitted to the bar in February, 1887. He remained in the of- fice of Judge McKee until 1889, since which time he has been successfully engaged in the practice of law without a partner. He is an active Repub- lican politician, and has been a delegate to every Republican district and county convention since 1882; was Republican presidential elector from the Sixth District in 1888, and made the first thorough canvass ever made by a Republican candidate in the district, when General Harrison
220
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
was elected. He was one of the thirteen men who received the highest Republican vote ever cast in the state up to that time. In 1893 he was a candidate for city judge of Covington, but was defeated. Mr. Striger is interested in politics for the principle of the thing, and has been willing to sacrifice himself for the purpose of keeping the organization together, even when an election was not probable; but he thinks the time has come when a nomination by the Republican party will not be merely an empty honor. It is but justice to a faithful party worker to say that Mr. Striger has done his part in bringing about this change in public sentiment.
He was nominated by one wing of the Repub- lican party for Congress in the Sixth District in 1892, when there was a notable contest between the two factions before the National Convention at Minneapolis as to which set of delegates should be seated. That convention decided against the faction led by Mr. Striger, and he then told his friends that he could not honorably and con- sistently remain a candidate, and, to the chagrin of many friends at the time, withdrew from the race.
Mr. Striger at present occupies the position of inspector of illuminating oils. His term will ex- pire August 16, 1899. He is unmarried and en- joys the acquaintance and friendship of all the leading Republicans of the state.
G EORGE WASHINGTON WILLIAMS, deceased, late of Owensboro, one of the leading lawyers of his time, was born in Hancock (then a part of Breckinridge) County, Kentucky, November 27, 1814. He was a son of Otho and Mildred (Anderson) Williams.
His father was a native of Louisa County, Vir- ginia, where he married Mildred Anderson, be- fore removing to Kentucky. The date of his coming to Kentucky is not recorded, but he was one of the pioneers, and a man of great strength of character and moral standing, who was able to encourage and help his neighbors at a time when good leadership was so much needed. He cleared away the forests and literally hewed him- self a home and farm out of the wilderness. He was an industrious farmer, laboring with untiring energy in the woods and fields during the week,
studying the Bible by the light of his winter fire at night, and preaching the gospel on the Sabbath day. Of course, this was possible only in the Methodist Church, in which the true spirit of religion was counted of more importance in the minister of the gospel than a classical education. But Rev. Otho Williams, farmer, not only preached the gospel on Sunday, but lived it during the week, an example of a godly man whose life was an argument in favor of the religion he preached. In naming his son George Washington, he indi- cated the patriotism and loyalty to his country which was one of his chief characteristics.
George W. Williams was brought up under the wholesome influence of pious parents, in a new and but partially settled country, and his educational opportunities were limited. The hard fortune that beset his youth, however, only made him the more determined to acquire an education, and ere long the doors of learning were unbarred and by persistent industry and study, he was enabled to drink deeply at the fountain of knowledge.
When twenty years of age, by the aid of his brothers, he was permitted to supplement the superficial schooling which he had received by a two years' course in Louisville, where he applied himself most assiduously; and after this he studied medicine, a profession that proved dis- tasteful to him and which he never practiced. In 1837 he went to Helena, Arkansas, and taught school for one year; and, returning to Louisville, he began the study of law in the office of Thomas- son & Boone. He was admitted to the bar in 1840 and opened an office in Hawesville, where he practiced law until 1872. In 1858 he pur- chased a farm near Hawesville, to which he re- moved with his family, employing an overseer, and continued his professional work in Hawes- ville; and, in 1866, he again removed his family to Hawesville, where he lived for six years. In 1872 he removed to Owensboro, where he was soon known as one of the leading lawyers of the city and of the Second Congressional district.
During the greater part of his professional career he was alone, but was at one time in part- nership with Eli H. Brown, and at another time, with Colonel J. D. Powers. His political career
221
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
was not remarkably successful, because he was not a politician, a fact which was by no means discreditable. In 1851-52 he was a member of the legislature, representing Hancock and Ohio Counties; in 1856 he was presidential elector for James Buchanan in the Second district; in 1857 he was the Democratic candidate for the state senate, but was defeated by John B. Bruner, the Know Nothing candidate; in 1867 he was elected circuit judge of the district, but resigned that office in 1870; became a candidate for judge of the Appellate Court in the same year, but with- drew before the day of election; in 1882 he was a candidate for judge of the Supreme Court, and was defeated by Judge Bowden of Russellville by a slight majority.
He completed his half century of professional labor, and during all that time he was conspicu- ously identified with the administration of justice in the courts of the Second district and in the Appellate Courts of Frankfort. He proved him- self not only a profound student of legal science, but his reading and investigations in other fields of knowledge were varied and extensive, and he was one of the best informed men of his day.
Upon the announcement of his death, Mon- day, September 9, 1890, the courts adjourned until Thursday, a very unusual mark of respect. The members of the bar met and paid tribute to his memory. The remarks made by the leading law- yers recalled the facts that Judge Williams was a man of extraordinary talent and spotless charac- ter, a lawyer of the highest attainments, a con- stant and tireless worker, a generous friend, a sympathizer with the poor and oppressed and an unostentatious, true-hearted gentleman. Resolu- tions of respect were adopted, from which the fol- lowing extracts are taken:
"In addition to other marks of our affection and reverence for our deceased associate, the late George W. Williams, we, on behalf of the Owens- boro bar and the officers of court, offer this fur- ther testimonial:
"Realizing that on like occasions formal ex- pressions are ordinarily regarded but the per- functory observance of customary respect for the dead, it is deemed proper to here protest that his brethren of this bar testify only to his character
and conduct as they have witnessed it, and speak the things that they do know.
"Their estimate and appreciation of the life and character of their late associate is not the sudden offspring of sorrow for his death, but is the declaration of matured opinions formed and cherished while he yet walked in and out in his ministrations at the high altar of justice and of law.
"As he appeared to the general public he was an absorbed man, and sometimes unjustly counted a cold one. He was often misunderstood and sometimes misconstrued, and it was only given to those who associated with him to thoroughly understand and appreciate the strength and mani- fold graces that supported and adorned his char- acter.
"In his professional career he at all times mani- fested, those solid and exalted virtues that assure success to the profession and honor to his calling. Endowed by nature with a keen perception and a logical mind, which long experience had polished and profound study had stored, to these he super- added the virtues of diligence, accuracy, patience, integrity and trustworthiness. For more than a generation in the forefront of legal conflict, he has ever been a sword and a shield for his clients, the exponent of exalted lawyership, and, withal, the pink of knightly courtesy.
"As a judge on the circuit bench, he brought to the discharge of his high and responsible duties extensive attainments, befitting dignity, absolute impartiality, the capacity for dispatching business and the correct solution and determination of legal problems.
"As a philosophic thinker his mind was ever open to the reception of truth from any and every quarter, and in dealing with all questions-social, scientific or political-he gave them candid, patient and earnest consideration, and whilst re- spectful to the opinions of others, thought for himself and came to his own conclusions, which were always logical, original and forcible.
"As a citizen he shirked no duty or responsi- bility, and while rarely concerned in the conduct of public affairs, he took a live interest in all that affected the common welfare. He was a friend alike of his people and his country, equally at-
222
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
tached to the rights of one and the glory of the other.
"As a man he was of strong will, industrious, honest, brave, magnanimous and true, faithful and confiding with his friends, unswerving in his attachments, fixed in his principles, a plcasing companion, and devoted and affectionate to those bound to him by natural ties. Simple in tastes, frugal in habits, dignified and decorous in man- ner, gracious in address, and at all times and in all companies, by his bearing and appearance, showing that 'His tribe was God Almighty's gen- tlemen.'
"Resolved, That in his death the community, the state, the bar and his kindred have sustained an irreparable loss. (Signcd.) W. N. Sweeney, W. T. Owen, G. W. Jolly, Wilfred Carrico, J. H. McHenry, Lucius P. Little, Committee.
"After the adoption of the resolutions, on mo- tion they were ordered to be spread upon the records of the court and published in the city papers and copies sent to the bereaved widow and the Western Kentucky Bar Association."
His mind was so concentrated on his business that he was frequently misjudged and was re- garded by some as cold and haughty, and, while he was not a good mixer, no one was ever more kind or sincerely anxious to help all striving young people to get a start in life, or more ready to aid in any good work for the advancement of others. His quiet demeanor and becoming dig- nity and his absorption in business militated against his popularity as a politician, and for this rcason he did not reach positions to which he sometimes aspired, and for which he was so emi- nently qualified.
He was married November 15, 1841, in Han- cock County, to Mary W. Hamilton, daughter of Sarah and Andrew Hamilton of Boone County, General John Davis, a minister, officiat- ing. Mrs. Williams was born March 31, 1815, and is now living with her devoted daughter, wife of Judge W. P. Baker, in Owensboro. Judge Williams rcarcd a large family, consisting of six sons and three daughters, of whom Hamilton W., Theophilus, James Russell, William, George and Mildred are deceased. The surviving son and daughters are: Ione, married to Judge W. P.
Baker of Owensboro; Ruth, wife of W. E. Crutcher of Beaver City, Nebraska; and Hugh Anderson, attorney-at-law of Owensboro.
The children entertain the greatest admiration for their father, whose devotion to his family was one of the most beautiful traits of his exalted character.
W ILLIAM W. FIELD, Judge of Bracken County and Attorney-at-Law of Brooks- ville, son of Charles Anderson Ficld and Nancy (Toleman) Field, was born Junc 23, 1844. His father was born in or near Germantown, Ken- tucky, August 8, 1815; was a farmer by occupa- tion, a member of the Methodist Church, and a Democrat in politics after the dissolution of the Whig party in the state; but while he was enthu- siastic in party affairs, he never sought office for himself. He died in November, 1880, and is buried at Mt. Zion graveyard near Augusta. Charles Field's father was William Field, a native Virginian, but who moved to Kentucky at an early day to that part of Mason which is now Bracken County. He was for several terms sher- iff of his county, then a much more important office than now. He was a large land owner and a prosperous business man.
The Field family, the first of whom was John Field, werc among the early settlers of Virginia. A brother of John Field scttlcd in New York, and from this branch Cyrus Field and others of the name in the East are descended.
Nancy Toleman, the mother of William W. Field, was born and educated in Bracken County. Her father was a native of Maryland, but camc to Kentucky when a young man, settling in Bracken County. Her mother was Mary Hev- ern, whose father was a soldier in the Revolu- tionary war.
William W. Field was educated at Augusta, Millersburg and Coal Springs; studicd law under Judge Doniphan, and afterwards at the Louisville Law School, graduating from that institution in 1871. He began the practice of law in partner- ship with J. B. Clarke in Brooksville in 1872. This partnership continued for ten years and un- til Mr. Field was elected county judge in 1882. The next office held by Judge Field was that of
223
KENTUCKY BIOGRAPHIES.
delegate from his county to the constitutional convention of 1890-91, which framed the present state constitution, and in the deliberations of that body Mr. Field took an active part. In 1894 Mr. Field was again elected county judge, which posi- tion he yet holds. His wife was Nannie E. Smarr, a daughter of John H. Smarr of Bracken County. They have four children: Mary Anderson, Lil- lian T., John Smarr and Millie W. Mr. Field has always been a Democrat in politics; is a member of the Masonic fraternity; while both Mr. and Mrs. Field are consistent members of the Meth- odist Church.
JOHN PARKER FULTS, JR., County Attor- ney of Jefferson County, was born in Louis- ville December 30, 1870.
His father, John P. Fults, was born near Madi- son, Jefferson County, Indiana, in 1842. He was a soldier in the Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, under Colonel W. W. McChesney, in the early days of the Civil war, but was discharged on account of physical disability. From 1864 to 1872 he was chief clerk and acting freight agent of the Jeffer- sonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroad Com- pany at Louisville; was inspector of customs under James P. Luse, and was subsequently freight cashier for the J. M. & I. Railroad Com- pany; was for seven years bookkeeper in the First National Bank of Louisville, which posi- tion he resigned in July, 1889, to accept the office of deputy collector and cashier of the Fifth Inter- nal Revenue District of Kentucky, a position which he held under Albert Scott, collector, dur- ing President Harrison's administration. He is a Mason, Knight Templar and Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree. His wife's name is Flor- ence (Parker) Fults, a native of Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Benjamin Franklin Fults (grandfather) was a native of Brighton, New Jersey, who was a soldier under General Winfield Scott. The ancestors of the Fults family were ban- ished from Holland and went to England first, and then came to this country at or about the time the Mayflower brought the pil- grims over, and settled at Plymouth. The name was originally spelled "Foltz," which was changed
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.