USA > Kentucky > Biographical cyclopedia of the commonwealth of Kentucky > Part 93
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He taught for a number of years in Henry County, and becoming interested in politics and being a Democrat, was elected clerk of the Cir- cuit Court in 1887 and was re-elected in 1892. Mr. Douthitt was married in February, 1892, to Nannie Samuell, daughter of Richard P. Samuell and Annie (Smith) Samuell, who is a grand- daughter of Abram Owen. She was born in Henry County and educated in the Henry County Male and Female College. They have one child:
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Helen D., born August, 1892. They are men- bers of the Baptist Church.
Silas P. Douthitt (father) was born in Henry County, September, 1828, and educated in the schools of the day. He was a farmer and ex- tensive tobacco grower. He represented Henry County in the Kentucky legislature in 1875-6 and again in 1879 and 1880, having been elected as a Democrat.
He was married in 1850 to Lucy Clements, a native of Henry County, where she was edu- cated. Their children were: Erasmus D., Field- ing S., Rhelda, Stonewall J., Sidney T., Lula and Laura.
John Douthitt (grandfather), whose mother was a Helm, was born in Culpeper County, Vir- ginia, in 1785 and died in 1868. He came to Henry County, Kentucky, with his father when he was twelve years of age, passing through the bluegrass region so as to settle near the Ken- tucky river in order to have access to easy trans- portation. During the War of 1812 he was ap- pointed major of militia, but it was found un- necessary for him to engage actively. He mar- ried Theodosia Wilson, whose parents came from Virginia, and the children of this union were: James C., Thomas, Tapeley, Silas P., Harriet, Ann, Kate, Jane and Betsy.
Thomas Douthitt (great-grandfather) was a native of Virginia, and was in the War of the Revolution, coming to Kentucky after that time, as above stated.
John Clements (maternal grandfather) was born in Fleming County, Kentucky, about the year 1800; he was a member of the Baptist Church, a Democrat and a farmer; married Leti- tia Smoot.
Gustavus Adolphus Clements (maternal great- grandfather) was a native of South Carolina, who came to Kentucky in 1778 and was at Bryant's Station when Simon Girty raided that fort. He was one of the stanch-hearted old pioneers to whom those who came after and enjoy the fruits of their labor owe all honor and gratitude and kindly remembrance.
John Clements, a brother of Gustavus Adol- phus Clements, was killed by the Indians at Blue Lick Springs.
JUDGE GEORGE ROBERTSON was born November 18, 1790, in Mercer County, Ken- tucky. His father, Alexander Robertson, who was born in Augusta County, Virginia, about a mile from Staunton, November 22, 1748, was the son of James Robertson-who, with his own father of the same name, emigrated about 1737 to America from the neighborhood of Coleraine, in the north of Ireland. They were a portion of the colony that settled on Burden's grant, in the then Trans-Allegheny wilderness of Virginia. Alexander Robertson was a near relative of Wil- liam Robertson, the celebrated historian, whose nephew, John Henry, was the father of Patrick Henry.
On August 18, 1773, he was married to Mar- garet Robinson, at the residence of Col. John Howard (father of Gov. Benjamin Howard of Missouri) in Bedford County, Virginia. He was a man of strong mind, sterling moral qualities, and popular with his fellow citizens; was elected a member of the Virginia Federal Convention, at Richmond, June, 1788, and also elected a mem- ber of the Virginia legislature, the ensuing win- ter. With his family he emigrated to Kentucky, at Gordon's Station, December 24, 1779, during the hard winter. Near this spot, at Harlan's spring, the head of Cane Run, he built "the first fine house in Kentucky," and permanently lo- cated. In 1792, he was elected by the people the first sheriff of Mercer County. He died in 1802.
Margaret Robinson, the mother of George Robertson, was born April 13, 1755, on the Roan- oke River, in what was then Fincastle, afterwards Bottetourt, and now Montgomery County, Va. She died at the residence of her son-in-law, ex- Governor Robert P. Letcher, in Frankfort, June 13, 1846, in her ninety-second year.
George Robertson, after attaining a good ele- mentary education in the English branches, was sent, August, 1804, to Joshua Fry (then teaching on his farm five miles west of Danville, once owned and occupied by Colonel George Nicholas) to learn Latin, French and mathematics. From this he entered Transylvania, remaining until 1806; then spent four months in Rev. Samuel Fin- ley's classical school at Lancaster, Kentucky, for six months more, being his assistant in teaching.
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In the spring of 1808 he went to Frankfort to study law under General Martin D. Hardin, but was disappointed; returned to Lancaster, and, un- der the direction of his brother-in-law, Samuel McKee, then a member of Congress, studied law until September, 1809, when Judges Boyle and Wallace granted him license to practice.
In November, 1809, when only a few days over nineteen years of age, he married Eleanor Bain- bridge, who was less than sixteen, a daughter of Dr. Bainbridge, of Lancaster. The young couple set up for themselves in a small buckeye house with only two rooms, respecting which this re- markable coincidence of successive events is re- lated with pride; Judge John Boyle had begun housekeeping in the same house, and while occu- pying it was elected to Congress, 1803-09; Samuel McKee began housekeeping in the same house, and succeeded Boyle in Congress, 1809-17; George Robertson commenced housekeeping in the same house, and succeeded Mr. McKee in Congress, 1817-21; Robert P. Letcher com- menced housekeeping in the same house, and aft- ter an interval of two years succeeded Robertson in Congress, 1823-33. But for Robertson's resig- nation of the last term for which he was elected, 1821-23, there would have been no intermission. Thus, four young men in succession began house- keeping in this unpretentious buckeye log cot- tage, and represented that district in Congress for thirty years, with the single intermission of two years. In addition to this, two of them held the Chief Justiceship of Kentucky for over thirty-one years-Judge Boyle from March 20, 1810, to Jan- uary 5, 1827 (seventeen years), and Judge Rob- ertson from December 24, 1829, to April 7, 1843, and again from September, 1870, to September, 1871 (over fourteen years); and a third, Mr. Letcher, was Governor for four years, 1840-44. Nor were these all the honors most worthily con- ferred upon these four men.
After about two years, Mr. Robertson built up a fine practice, and in 1816, when only twenty-six, was elected to Congress against formidable op- position. He was twice re-elected without oppo- sition; but did not serve out his last term, hav- ing resigned his seat in 1821. He soon acquired distinction in Congress; was Chairman of the
Land Committee and a member of the Judiciary and Internal Improvement Commit- tees; and drew and introduced the bill to estab- lish a territorial government in Arkansas. To that bill John W. Taylor of New York offered an amendment interdicting slavery-which was elaborately discussed and produced great excite- ment. The restriction was carried by one vote; a re-consideration had, and the bill finally passed, divested of the restriction, by the casting vote of the speaker, Henry Clay.
In 1820, Mr. Robertson initiated-instead of the old system of disposing of the public lands on a credit, at a minimum of two dollars per acre -- the present system requiring payment without credit, and reducing the minimum price to one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and the quantity that might be purchased to eighty acres; whereby any poor man who could command one hundred dollars might obtain a home. He advo- cated its adoption, although in opposition to most of the Western members led by Mr. Clay; the bill passed by a large majority. This measure has contributed more to the advancement and prosperity of the West than any ever adopted. Mr. Robertson's speech advocating its passage is published in his "Scrap Book."
In 1816, George Madison was elected Gov- ernor and Gabriel Slaughter Lieutenant-Gov- ernor of Kentucky for four years. Governor Madison died a few weeks after the election, and before he was inaugurated, and the Lieutenant- Governor was inaugurated as Governor. At the next session of the Legislature, December, 1816, a resolution passed the House of Representatives for a new election of Governor. This led to a popular excitement which, for more than a year, agitated the state almost to revolution. Mr. Rob- ertson, in the summer of 1817, published, over the signature of "A Kentuckian," an argument against the "new election," in pamphlet form, which exercised a powerful influence in allaying excitement and settling the question against the new election.
He took an active part in the celebrated "re- lief" and "anti-relief," "Old Court" and "New Court" controversy in Kentucky. He was elected to the Legislature from Garrard County in 1822,
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and for several successive years, until that fearful contest was finally settled in 1826-7. He was elected Speaker of the House in 1823, but at the session of 1824 was beaten for Speaker by Rob- ert J. Ward of Scott County. It was at this ses- sion that the act was passed to repeal the act or- ganizing the Court of Appeals and to reorganize a Court of Appeals; it was hence known as the "reorganizing act." It was unconstitutional and revolutionary. After its passage, the anti-relief party was near disbanding. Mr. Robertson wrote, and by adroit management had entered upon the journal of the house, the protest against that act -which had the effect of uniting the "anti-relief" into an "Old Court" party. It was circulated far and wide, electrified the people, and became the text of the party. Through the influence of the principles enunciated and arguments promul- gated in that document, the Constitution was in the end triumphantly vindicated and maintained. Mr. Robertson was re-elected speaker in 1825, '26 and '27. He was the author of the "Manifesto" of the majority in 1826-27, and delivered many public addresses during that contest; his letters and writings were powerfully effective, but the letters over the signature of "Plebeian" and pub- lished in the "Spirit of '76," were peculiarly ef- ficient, and may yet be read with pleasure and in- struction as masterly specimens of political es- says.
Previous to the nomination, in 1828, of General Thomas Metcalfe, for Governor, the nomination was tendered to Mr. Robertson by a committee of the convention, but declined. Governor Met- calfe appointed him Secretary of State, the duties of which office he discharged for a short time. Judge Boyle having resigned his seat upon the appellate bench, and accepted the appointment of Judge of the United States District Court; Judges Owsley and Mills, after the termination of the contest in favor of the Old Court, resigned. George M. Bibb had been previously appointed Chief Justice. Judges Owsley and Mills were re- nominated by Governor Metcalfe, but rejected by the Senate. Mr. Robertson was nominated, De- cember 24, 1828, and his nomination confirmed. He accepted, with the understanding that he might resign at the end of the year; at which
time he was appointed Chief Justice. In 1843 he resigned this high trust, and returned to the bar and to a lucrative practice. In August, 1864, his name was placed upon the poll books as a candidate for Judge of the Appellate Court of the Second District. This was done only two or three days before the election, by friends who were alarmed at the open interference of the military, in threatening or ordering the arrest of candi- dates who were styled disloyal. In many parts of the district it was not known; yet he was elected by a large majority. An office tendered under such extraordinary circumstances could not be declined; and although then in his seventy- fifth year, he accepted it, discharging its onerous duties with diligence and ability until February 2, 1871, when he was stricken down, while ac- tually presiding as Chief Justice, with paralysis- the result of too continuously overtasking, through a life of great labor, his splendid consti- tution. Although disabled from active duty, the bar indulged the hope of his ultimate restoration, and was unwilling for him to resign, especially during the summer vacation. But at the con- vening of the court in September, Judge Robert- son, after, as Chief Justice of Kentucky, admin- istering the oath of office to Governor Preston H. Leslie, immediately resigned-an act entire- ly voluntary on his part and then wholly unex- pected. His short address at the time caused many in the large assembly attending the inaugu- ration to shed tears.
Judge Robertson's death occurred at his home in Lexington, May 16, 1874, in his eighty-fourth year. Although prostrated by disease, and phy- sically disabled, his mind was entirely unimpaired and his mental faculties wholly unobscured. He never sought office, but declined many that were tendered him. After his retirement from Con- gress, General Adair tendered him the offices, first of Attorney-General of Kentucky, and then of Judge of the Fayette Circuit; and as an induce- ment to his acceptance of the latter, the authori- ties tendered him a law professorship in Tran- sylvania University. President Monroe offered him the appointment of Governor of Arkansas territory. In July, 1824, Hon. Richard Clough Anderson, Jr., then minister to Bogota, having
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expressed a desire to return home if Mr. Rob- ertson would take his place, the mission to Co- lombia was tendered him, but declined, and Mr. Anderson determined to remain. In 1828, Presi- dent Adams tendered him the mission to Peru, which was also declined. He four times declined seats in the Federal cabinet, of different grades, and twice a seat on the bench of the United States Supreme Court.
In 1848, and again, 1851-53, he represented his adopted county, Fayette, in the lower branch of the Kentucky Legislature.
In his long public life he was industrious, dili- gent and constant, performing as much labor as any man who ever held office in the state. His law lectures and political essays, some of which have been published in his "Scrap Book," Lex- ington, 1855, and his legal opinions as contained in the Kentucky Reports speak for themselves- evincing at once depth of thought, laborious re- search, accurate discrimination, and sound philos- ophy.
G EORGE W. ADAIR, a descendant of Gov- I ernor Adair, a citizen of Maysville and the present county attorney of Mason County, was born in that county, and of which he has been a citizen all his life. For twenty years he has practiced law at the Maysville bar, which is one of the best in the state.
Isaac C. Adair (father) was a native of Vir- ginia, but emigrated to Kentucky early in the present century. He wedded Sarah B. Conway, a daughter of Miles Conway, who was at one time judge of the Mason County Court.
Isaac C. Adair, the son of John Adair, died when his son George W. was only seven years of age. The latter was thrown entirely upon his own resources, and had the battle of life to fight unassisted. Mr. Adair is a Republican, and is the first man of the Republican persuasion to hold the office of county attorney in Mason County.
JOHN GORDON BURNETT HALL, Coun- ty Judge of Hopkins County and resident of Madisonville, son of Dixon and Sallie (Henson) Hall, was born in Hopkins County, Kentucky,
September 23, 1857. His father, Dixon Hall, was born in Hopkins County, Kentucky, April 29, 1811, and during the greater portion of his life was a farmer and merchant. He served sev- eral terms as justice of the peace, one term as deputy sheriff, and in 1878 was elected county judge, holding this office until 1882. In 1883, with his two remaining daughters and his son, Robert M. Hall, and family, he removed to Win- dom, McPherson County, Kansas, and engaged in mercantile. business, but in 1892 he returned to Madisonville, where he remained with his son, John G. B., and his daughters until his death, September 29, 1894. He lived eighty-three years and three months. While he was modest and retiring in his disposition, his reputation for firm- ness and unyielding loyalty to his convictions was widely known and appreciated. This trait of his character was especially displayed while he was a county judge in his refusal to grant license for the sale of intoxicating liquors in any locality except upon proof of the necessity for such sale. This arrayed against him strong prejudices and continuous opposition of many, but drew to him friends equally as numerous and determined, cultivated a strong public senti- ment against the liquor traffic and led to the adoption by a vote of the people of a strong prohibitory law, which continued in force throughout said county for ten years, and now prevails in a large portion thereof. He was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church and a conspicuous figure in the religious work of that denomination at Flat Creek.
Caleb Hall (grandfather) was born in central Kentucky, came to Hopkins County at an early day, took a prominent part in the organization of the county in 1806, the locating and laying out of the county seat, Madisonville, in 1807, and was bondsman for the first sheriff of said county. He died near 1860 and was about seventy-five years of age. His father came from Virginia.
Sallie Henson Hall (mother) was born in North Carolina, July 4, 1815, and was brought to Hop- kins County, Kentucky, when quite a small babe by her father and family. They came in wagons over mountainous roads, and she was carried for great distances in the arms of her older sister,
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Pollie Henson, who was then a young girl, and who died in 1894 at the age of ninety-one years. Sallie Henson was married to Dixon Hall De- cember 19, 1832, and became the mother of ten children, the youngest of whom is the subject of this sketch. She was a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church, a kind and affec- tionate Christian lady, whom her friends loved and speak of in highest praise. She died Sep- tember 6, 1873.
John G. B. Hall was educated in the schools of Madisonville, except a term in 1877 and 1878 in the Cumberland University at Lincoln, Illi- nois. After leaving school he read law with Polk Laffoon and William L. Gordon, a prom- inent legal firm of Madisonville, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1879; has devoted his best energies to the practice of his profession until the present time, and has the confidence of his people as a safe, painstaking and conscien- tious attorney. In 1884 he and C. C. Givens established the Hopkins County Gleaner, a week- ly newspaper, which met with a phenomenal suc- cess, reaching a circulation of four thousand copies in fifteen months. He sold his interest to Mr. Givens, and in 1885 went to Kansas and located in Hugoton and assisted in the organi- zation of Stevens County. He was elected first county attorney of the new county in 1886 and was re-elected in 1888. During his first term the county was divided into two factions, which grew very bitter towards each other and engaged in frequent battles. In one of these, which hap- pened just over Stevens County line in "No Man's Land," south of Kansas, four of the Woodsdale faction were killed. The excitement and prejudice and desire for revenge were so great that the enforcement of law was impossible. Mr. Hall's friends were of the Hugoton faction, and although he tried to show favors to neither, his office was of such vital importance in the county seat contests and other county matters, a great effort was made to defeat him, but he was nom- inated on the first ballot over three opponents by the farmers' convention, there being no party lines, and was re-elected. In the following spring, 1889, after the Republicans had nom- inated their candidate for district judge of the
district composed of twelve counties, the people who were dissatisfied held a People's convention, in which Mr. Hall received on first ballot a tie vote with the leading candidate, and within a few votes of a nomination, but was defeated on second bal- lot. In July of the same year he resigned his office of county attorney and returned to his na- tive county in Kentucky, and resumed the prac- tice of law. In November, 1894, he was elected county judge of Hopkins County, and in that respect, as well as in his devotion to the best interests of the community, he is following in the footsteps of his honored father, a faithful and upright judge. In politics he is a Democrat; in religion, he is a member and officer of the Chris- tian Church.
N TEWTON C. SHOUSE of New Castle, sher- iff of Henry County, son of Dudley J. and Mary A. (Combs) Shouse, was born in Henry County, Kentucky, November 21, 1861.
His father was born in Woodford County, where he lived until 1840, when he removed to Henry County. For ten years of his early life he was engaged in teaching in the public schools of Woodford, Shelby and Henry Counties. For twenty-five years he was employed in the internal revenue department, performing duties in Henry and adjacent counties in the Fifth Collection District.
In 1890 he engaged in farming in Henry Coun- ty, near Sulphur, where he has his home at present. He has been a very enthusiastic Repub- lican since the war, and has taken an active and frequently a leading part in the affairs of his party in his bailiwick. He is a member of the Baptist Church and there is no truer, better man in Henry County than D. J. Shouse.
He was married April 22, 1845, to Mary A. Combs, and has eight children living: William T., Jennie V., James D., Nannie S., Thomas M., Ernest G., Sophronia and Newton C. Shouse. The father and mother of these children have entered upon the fifty-second year of married life.
Thomas Shouse (grandfather) was a native of Woodford County, Kentucky, where he was a farmer. He was a captain under General Wil-
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liam Henry Harrison and fought in the battle of Tippecanoe, in which engagement he received a very severe wound. He was a good and true citizen, and a member of the Regular Baptist Church.
William W. Combs (maternal grandfather) was born in Henry County in 1801, and was a prom- inent farmer in that county. His wife's name was Mary Sanford, who was born in Henry County, Kentucky, in 1817.
Newton C. Shouse was educated in the public schools of Henry County, and in 1881 attended a commercial college in Louisville, graduating from the business department. From 1882 to 1884 he had charge of the registry department in the Louisville postoffice, since which time he has been successfully engaged in the leaf tobacco
business in Louisville, and in Henry County. In 1894 he was elected sheriff of Henry County, being the first Republican ever elected to an office of that importance in that county. He has performed the duties of his office with fidelity and to the entire satisfaction of the citizens, by whom he is respected and trusted with implicit confidence.
Mr. Shouse is a member of the fraternities of Masons and Elks, and is a member of the Bap- tist Church, the church of his fathers.
He was married May 22, 1895, to Sallie C. Morris, daughter of David Morris, deceased, and Amanda (Ronner) Morris. Mrs. Shouse was educated at Fairmount College, Henry County.
D AVID CONGREVE LISLE, Postmaster of Winchester, Kentucky, son of Claiborne Lisle and Esther Hampton, was born in Clark County, six miles south of Winchester, June I, 1854. He was educated in the common schools of the county and afterwards was a teacher in his native county for several years. He was the publisher and proprietor of the Clark County Democrat from 1883 to 1887, and while in the newspaper work was an active politician, and the columns of his paper were used to strongly advo- cate the principles of the Democratic party. In recognition of his services to his party, his brotli- er, Congressman Lisle, secured for him the ap- pointment as postmaster of Winchester in 1893.
He is a thorough and highly efficient business man, conscientious in the performance of his duties, and honorable in his dealings; a devoted husband and father, and very popular socially. His management of the postoffice has demon- strated the wisdom of his appointment and is appreciated by the public.
Mr. Lisle is a member of the Christian Church, an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias. He was married April 26, 1886, to Mildred Winn, daughter of J. N. Winn and Mary Poston of Clark County. She was born December 17, 1865, and was educated in Daughter's College at Harrods- burg, Kentucky. They have three children liv- ing: Mary D., Nick Winn and Mildred.
Claiborne Lisle (father) was born in Clark County, July 22, 1820; was educated in the county schools, and was one of the original Dem- ocrats of the county. He is a prosperous farmer and a director and vice president of the Win- chester Bank. His farm on which he has his residence is situated about seven miles from Win- chester.
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