USA > Kentucky > Trigg County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 43
USA > Kentucky > Christian County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 43
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The first blacksmithing in the town was carried on by Mr. James Wallis, whose shop was situated where the dwelling house of Mr. M. S. Thompson now stands, and the first cabinet shop was that of Pursley & Cofer, situated on the lot on which the residence of John C. Dabney has been recently erected.
Early Business Men .- As already stated, the first merchants who offered goods for sale in Cadiz were W. P. M. Scott and Robert Baker, the latter of whom was identified with the business interests of the town for a period of about five or six years. The third merchant was one John Hill, who opened a store in a little house where the Cadiz House now stands, and sold goods for about five years, when he disposed of his stock to Hiram Thompson, who continued merchandising some years later. James E. Thompson was another early merchant, as was also Wayman Crow, who conducted a successful business in a house which stood on Main Street. Mr. Crow was one of the most successful business men ever identified with Cadiz, and acquired during the period of his residence here a handsome fortune, and is now one of the leading wholesale merchants of St. Louis. Another prominent merchant was Josiah Miller, who also became wealthy during the early days of the town. Among the trades- men of the town deserving special notice may be mentioned, John Roach, now in Evansville ; Josiah Gardner, F. H. Ragon, Q. Miller, Robert D. Baker, Jr., and E. G. Ragon, all of whom were successful business men and added character to the village. The oldest merchants at the present time are John L. Street and J. W. Chappell.
The second hotel was kept by Robert Baker. Alexander Baker opened a public house for the entertainment of the traveling public in an early day also, and followed the occupation of " mine host" for a period of about twenty-five years. His house was a frame structure and stood on the corner where the new Cadiz Hotel now stands. James O. Cooper succeeded Baker, and was in turn succeeded by L. Barnes. The present hotel was built in the year 1880 by Thomas H. Grinter, and is one of the largest and most commodious structures of the kind in southern Ken- tucky. The present proprietor is Abe Quick, Jr., who has achieved an enviable reputation as a successful hotel man.
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
Physicians and Lawyers .- The first doctors, and they were all gen- tlemen of a considerable degree of eminence. were W. B. Dozier, Abram Venable, Thomas B. Jefferson, Isaac Burnett and W. C. Russell. The first resident members of the bar were Major M. Mays, Judge C. D. Bradley and Esq. T. W. Hammond.
Tobacco Interest .- A very heavy tobacco trade was always done here and at an early day the great bulk of the crop of the county was shipped from this place. Mr. Robert Baker had a rudely constructed warehouse which he kept for storing tobacco, and himself and brother and Silas Alexander usually shipped the entire lot in flat-boats up to about 1837 to 1841, their principal market being New Orleans. About this time the tobacco business attracted the attention of gentlemen possessed of means, better credit and a more comprehensive business capacity, and the old shipping system was compelled to give way to the buyers and professional tobacconists.
The first legitimate operators in this branch of business were the firms of Messrs. Joseph McAlister & Sons, Messrs. Kinson & Street and Mr. Barrett of Henderson, whose business was conducted through his agent Mr. George Robertson, and at his death continued by his son Ed- mund. Various other firms followed who did for a time a very heavy and successful business. The Dupuys, Wesley Gunn, J. S. and J. P. Thomp- son were of Louisville and Cincinnati. But the gentlemen of the long- est continuation in the business and by far the most successful are the Messrs. White, the present operators. Few men have ever been so suc- cessful in any branch of hazardous operation as these gentlemen. They have paid the highest prices, outlived every formidable opposition, gone contrary to the advice of all other well-informed men in the business, and have never met with a reverse.
The first pretentious business houses that were ever erected in the place were : the old house built for the dry goods business that is still standing on the old Poston corner, the one room of which is now used for a shoe store, and the other for a butcher shop ; and the others the dry goods and grocery houses built by Messrs. Terry & Wilkinson, and which have been so completely surpassed by those of more recent construction, and which for the last three or four years they have not been able to find an occupant for either.
During the last ten years most of the old business houses of the town have been torn away, and in their stead have been erected fine brick blocks which will compare favorably with the buildings of any other town in southern Kentucky.
Business Register .- The present business of Cadiz is represented by the following men and firms : John L. Street & Son, dry goods ; J. W.
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CADIZ PRECINCT.
Chappell & Son, dry goods and general merchandise; J. J. Garton, dry goods ; M. S. Thompson, dry goods ; Wilford and Jagoe, dry goods ; G. Willis Lindsay, groceries ; G. T. McClain, groceries ; P. S. Jefferson, groceries ; Hancock & Bro., groceries ; H. M. Garton & Son, hardware ; W. F. Hamilton, hardware and saddlery ; - Wallace, confectionery ; Newton, confectionery ; Mrs. Rawlins, millinery; W. L. Hillman, boots and shoes ; Theobald & Son, boot and shoe manufacturers ; J. S. Malone & Son, carriage makers and blacksmiths; T. K. Torian, livery stable ; Walter Gray, livery stable; Abe Quick, proprietor of the Cadiz House.
Methodist Episcopal Church South of Cadiz *.- In making up the history of this church we meet with difficulties hard to surmount, yet by patient inquiry and diligent research we have reached something near the requisite information, as to details not what we desired, but as to general facts sufficient for all ordinary purposes.
The territory including the present site of Cadiz was originally em- braced in Christian Circuit. As early as 1811 we note the appointment of Peter Cartwright, Presiding Elder of the above circuit, which at that time was included in the Nashville District of the Western Conference. But there is no indication of the formation of a class at Cadiz as early as that date. Indeed, Cadiz was not then in existence, nor have we any au- thentic account of the organization of a society at or near the present site of the town for several years afterward.
In 1812, the notable Peter Cartwright was returned as Presiding Elder, with Jacob Turner as Preacher in charge.
Peter Cartwright served until 1816, the Preachers during that time being S. H. Thompson, John Johnson and Claiborne Duval. In 1816 James Axley was Presiding Elder, and Peter Cartwright Preacher in charge. Axley served the following year, with Benjamin Malone and John Davar, Preachers.
Marcus Lindsey was Presiding Elder from 1818 to 1820 inclusive, the preachers being John Cragg for the former year, Peter Cartwright and Martin Flint for 1819, and Cartwright and William McReynolds for 1820.
This was about the time of the organization of Trigg County, and the location of its seat of justice at Cadiz. The place was visited soon after- ward by circuit riders who held public worship in the little log court house. Tracing the succession of preachers we find from the records the district was regularly supplied as follows: 1821, Charles Holliday was appointed Presiding Elder, and served until the year 1825; T. A. Morris and Philip Kenesly were the Preachers for 1821. In 1822, Morris and
* By Rev. E. E. Pate.
87
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
Major Stanfield were Preachers in charge ; the following year George McNelly and A. Long had charge of the circuit. Revs. McNelly and N. G. Berryman were the Preachers during 1824. In 1825, T. A. Mor- ris was Presiding Elder, William Peter and B. Ogden Preachers in charge ; T. A. Morris served as Presiding Elder in 1826 also, with William Peter and D. Tunnell, Preachers. G. McNelly was appointed Presiding Elder in 1827, B. C. Wood and Samuel Kenyon serving as Preachers during that year; 1828, G. McNelly, Presiding Elder, John Sinclair and T. Warren, Preachers ; 1829, McNelly, Presiding Elder,. G. W. Robbins and William Philips, Preachers in charge; 1830, McNelly, Presiding Elder, I. Denham and C. L. Clifton, Preachers; 1831, John Johnson, Presiding Elder, John Redman and W. S. Evans, Preachers ; 1832, Johnson, Pre- siding Elder, N. G. Berryman and John Redman, Preachers; 1833, Isaac Callard, Presiding Elder, W. S. McMurray and B. Faris, Preachers ; 1834, I. Callard, Presiding Elder, L. Campbell and A. Kelly, Preachers; 1835, I. Callard, Presiding Elder, L. Campbell and R. W. Landrum, Preachers ; 1836, at this time Cadiz was embraced in the Lafayette Circuit, Isaac Callard being the Presiding Elder, and E. Sutton, Preacher in charge; R. Corwin was Presiding Elder in 1837, and R. F. Turner, Preacher. About this time the class at Cadiz took permanent form, and a house of worship was built on the ground occupied by the present brick edifice, the title to the property not being secured until some two years later. The Rev. R. F. Turner is still living, and is a local Elder residing near Ce- rulean Springs in Christian County. Coming on down we have the fol- lowing line of succession : 1838 and 1839, R. Carmine, Presiding Elder, and A. Long, Preacher; 1840, R. Carmine, Presiding Elder, and J. J. Ferree, Preacher; 1841, E. Stevenson, Presiding Elder, A. Long and J. J. Ferree, Preachers ; 1842, E. Stevenson, Presiding Elder, and J. E. Nix, Preacher ; Stevenson served as Presiding Elder in 1843, with Z. M. Tay- lor, Preacher. In 1844 the name of the circuit was changed to Cadiz, E. Stevenson still serving as Presiding Elder, with J. H. Bristow, Preacher in charge; N. B. Lewis was appointed Presiding Elder in 1845, and served until 1847, the Preachers in the meantime being R. Fisk and J. W. Rhodes. In 1847 T. Bottomly was appointed Presiding Elder ; he served until 1850, with the following preachers, to wit: J. W. Rhodes, J. H. Bristow and W. H. Morris; 1851, N. H. Lee was appointed Pre- siding Elder this year, and served until 1854, the Preacher in charge dur- ing that time being A. Quick, who is still living in Trigg County within two miles of Cadiz on the Hopkinsville turnpike. In 1853 the circuit was known as Lafayette and Cadiz. Circuit, the preachers during that year being William Neikirk and J. C. Petree ; 1854, Z. M. Taylor, Pre- siding Elder, William Neikirk and C. G. Boggess, Preachers; 1855, Will-
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CADIZ PRECINCT.
iam Randolph, Preacher; 1856, John Randolph; 1857, William Ran- dolph ; 1858, A. Aikin, Presiding Elder, A. Quick, Preacher; R. C. Alexander was Preacher from 1859 to 1861; J. C. Petree served from 1861-62 till 1864; W. H. Morrison succeeded Aiken as Presiding Elder in 1862, and served. until 1867; J. F. Redford and H. C. Settle were Preachers in charge from 1864 to 1867; T. C. Frogge was appointed Presiding Elder the latter year, and L. B. Davison, Preacher in 1867-68; F. C. Peters preached for the circuit. The following list comprises the Presiding Elders from the years 1869-70 to 1883-84, the names being in the order they served: L. B. Davison, H. M. Ford, J. A. Lewis, T. G. Bosley, R. C. Alexander and E. M. Crowe. The preachers during that time were T. C. Peters, P. T. Hardison, T. J. Randolph, J. A. Lewis, J. W. Shelton, J. M. Crowe and E. Pate, the last named being Pastor in charge at the present time.
As before stated, the first house of worship was built where the pres- ent one stands, on Washington between Montgomery and Franklin Streets, the ground being deeded to Robert Baker, W. C. Russell, A. H. Poston, Thomas B. Jefferson and J. E. Thompson, Trustees. The church con- tinued to worship in this house until the year 1870, when the present edifice was erected at a cost of $4,500. It is a neat brick structure, 40x 60 feet in size, and will comfortably seat 350 or 400 persons. A parson- age was built in 1855 and used five years, at the end of which time it was sold, and other property lying on Little River purchased. The latter house was used until 1872, when it was exchanged for the present par- sonage by the payment of $800 difference.
The number of members belonging to the church at the present time is 130, among whom are many of the leading citizens of the town and surrounding country. From 1813 to 182], inclusive, this section was embraced in the Tennessee Conference and Green River District. In 1822 it was changed to the Kentucky Conference in which it has re- mained ever since.
Cadiz Christian Church .*- The Church of Christ in Cadiz was organ- ized between the years 1838 and 1840, and was composed of a few scat- tered members in the town and vicinity. Spotswood Wilkinson, a resi- dent merchant and tobacconist of the town, being an earnest, devout and cultivated Christian, gathered these scattered members in the court house, and taught and exhorted them from Lord's day to Lord's day. Elders George P. Street and other transient preachers occasionally visited and preached to this congregation in the court house from its organization until 1842, when Elder Henry T. Anderson was employed as pastor for some years. He being a man of decided ability and culture, and more
*By Judge J. C. Dabney.
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
recently the author of " Anderson's New Testament" (a translation from the original Greek) with the aid of Elder G. P. Street, largely built up and increased the membership of the church. The membership during this period and more recent years was composed in part of the following persons :
Spotswood Wilkinson and wife, Margaret N. Moore, Mary E. Moore, Maj. M. Mayes and wife and family, James Q. Miller and wife, Dr. Isaac Burnett and wife, Albert S. Dabney, John L. Street, Thomas C. Dabney, Dr. R. A. Amastead and wife, Sydney Hopson and wife, Alexander Baker and wife, Dr. Lunsford Lindsay and wife and family, John S. Fisher and wife, Judge J. J. Harrison, John Cameron and wife, S.W. Van Culin (now of Philadelphia), William Redd and wife and family, Peterfield Jefferson, Al- bert Jefferson, John Mabry (the old surveyor), Henry C. Burnett, Robert A. Burnett, Capt. R. L. Nance and wife, John H. Boyd, Mrs. Linn Boyd, George L. Torian and wife, and many others. Of these original mem- bers many have died, and many have moved away.
The first church edifice was erected in the fall of 1844, on a lot now owned by Moses Thompson, and donated to the church by M. Mayes, in which this congregation continued to meet and worship until the comple- tion of their present brick edifice in the rear of the court house in the fall of 1854.
The Pastors of this congregation have been Henry T. Anderson, G. P. Street, W. E. Mobley, W. C. Rogers, R. M. Giddons, Bela Metcalf, R. B. Tremble, J. W. Higbee, Prof. B. C. Deweese, H. C. Waddell, and from time to time they have enjoyed the visits and protracted meetings held by many distinguished preachers, such as John T. Johnson, the Fergusons, George W. Elley, Jacob Croath, Brown, Howard, John J. Rogers, G. E. Flower, Prof. R. C. Cave, Prof. T. A. Crenshaw, J. T. Hawkins, W. L. Butler, Lipscomb, etc. The Local Elders of the congre- gation at this time are T. C. Dabney, J. L. Street and J. W. Crenshaw. The Deacons are Robert Crenshaw, Henry C. Wilkinson and J. J. Garton.
From the organization of the church to the present time, with excep- tions of short intervals before and during the war, the church has kept up in addition to its regular Lord's day meeting for worship, a Bible Class or Sunday-school, and prayer-meeting. Dr. J. W. Crenshaw is the pres- ent Superintendent of the Sunday-school, numbering some forty pupils and six teachers. Various members of the congregation have given much of their time and means in promoting domestic and foreign missions, and the spread of the Gospel of Christ.
Baptist Church .*- April 15, 1842, the members of the Baptist de- nomination living in the town and vicinity of Cadiz, according to previous
*By H. B. Wayland.
.
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CADIZ PRECINCT.
appointment, met at the house of brother C. A. Jackson, when, in accord- ance with their request, they were examined by a presbytery composed of Elders William Morrison, John Hubbard, R. W. Nixon and T. G. Keen, who believed them to be orthodox, and were upon their adopting a declara- tion of faith and church covenant constituted into a church under the name of the Cadiz United Baptist Church. Elder Morrison acted as Moder- ator.
Church Covenant .- Having been, as we trust, brought by Divine Grace to embrace the Lord Jesus Christ, and to give up ourselves wholly to Him, we do now solemnly and joyfully covenant with each other to walk together in Him with brotherly love to His glory as our common Lord. We do, therefore, in His strength engage,
That we will exercise a mutual care, as members one of another, to promote the growth of the whole body in Christian knowledge, holiness and comfort ; to the end that we may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
To promote and secure this object we will uphold the public worship of God and the ordinances of His house, and hold constant communion with each other therein ; that we will cheerfully contribute of our prop- erty to the support of the poor, and for the maintenance of a faithful min- istry of the Gospel among us.
That we will not omit closet and family religion at home, nor allow ourselves in the too-common neglect of the great duty of religiously train- ing up our children and those under our care, with a view to the service of Christ and the enjoyment of heaven.
That we will endeavor to walk circumspectly in the world, that we may win their souls, remembering that God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind ; that we are the light of the world and the salt of the earth, and that a city set on a hill cannot be hid.
That we will frequently exhort, and if occasion shall require, admon- ish one another according to Matt., 18th, in the spirit of meekness; con- sidering ourselves lest we be also tempted, and that as in baptism we have been buried with Christ and raised again, so there is on us a special ob- ligation thenceforth to walk in newness of life.
And may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work, to do His will ; working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The following brethren having adopted the articles of faith and cove- nant were enrolled as members of this church, viz .: John Jackson, John
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
W. Jackson, Charles A. Jackson, Daniel M. Ragon, George L. Torian, Mrs. Elmira Gilfoy, Catharine Baker, Mary Jackson, Susan E. Jackson, Misses Eliza Jane Kelly, Ann Eliza Thompson, Martha J. Jackson and Nancy Perry. C. A. Jackson was chosen Clerk and John W. Jackson was recognized as Deacon, having previously held that office. In June, the church resolved to apply for admission into Little River Association. D. M. Ragon was appointed Treasurer. At present the total member- ship of the church is thirty-one communicants.
Cadiz Methodist Episcopal Church (colored) was organized in the year 1873 by Rev. Christopher Humphries, assisted by Rev. D. Bagby. At the first meeting seventy names were enrolled as members and the fol- lowing officers elected : Handy Wilford, Class Leader ; Jones Mayze, Eli Early and Harvey Young, Stewards ; and Jacob Young, Handy Wil- ford, Jones Mayze, Henry Carloss and Nelson Morgan, Trustees. Chris- topher Humphries was the first Pastor. He was succeeded by D. A. Bagby, after whom came in regular order the following ministers, viz .: Green Bibb, B. C. Tolbert, Mr. Spurlin, A. Samples, G. W. Landers and D. A. Radliff, the present incumbent. A neat, frame house of worship was built in 1874 at a cost of $900. At the present time there are 126 members belonging to the society, which is reputed in flourishing condi- tion. The present officers of the church are the following, to wit : Jones Mayze, Handy Wilford, Joseph Poston, Nathan Martin and Jacob Young, Trustees ; Henry Redd, Andrew Stubble, William Wilford and R. Ragon, Stewards; Handy Wilford, Henry Redd and Joseph Poston, Class- leaders. A fine Sunday-school is maintained under the efficient super- intendency of R. Ragon.
Second Baptist Church (colored) .- This church was organized in the year 1871 by Rev. Mr. Morehead, with a constitutional membership of about twenty persons, a number which has since increased to 230, being one of the strongest religious societies in the county at the present time. A frame house of worship was built shortly after the organization and used jointly by the Methodists and Baptists for a couple of years, at the end of which time the latter denomination disposed of their interest in the building and erected their present edifice, a good frame structure costing the sum of $400. The pastors of the church have been Elders More- head, Waddell, Skinner and Ridley, the last named being the present in- cumbent. The officers of the church are Robert Slaughter, R. Crump and A. Alexander, Deacons ; D. M. Brown, Clerk.
Second Methodist Episcopal Church (colored) was established by Revs. Christopher Humphries and D. Bogy in the year 1873. At the first meeting the names of seventy persons were enrolled as members and the following officers elected : Handy Wilford, Jacob Young, Jones Mayze,
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CADIZ PRECINCT.
Henry Carloss and Nelson Morgan, Trustees ; Harvey Young, Jones Mayze and Eli Early, Stewards; Handy Wilford, Class Leader. The fol- lowing pastors have had charge of the church since its organization, to wit: Christopher Humphries, D. A. Bogy, Green Bibb, B. C. Tolbert, - Spurlin, A. Samples and G. W. Landers. Present Pastor is Rev. D. A. Radliff. The house of worship in which the society meets was built in 1874, and cost the sum of $900.
The church officials at the present time are as follows : Jones Mayze, Nathan Martin, Handy Wilford, Jacob Young and Joseph Poston, Trust- ees ; Henry Redd, Andrew Stubbles, William Wilford and R. Ragon, Stewards ; Handy Wilford, Henry Redd and Joseph Poston, Class Lead- ers. Present membership 126.
Schools .*- About the year 1840 a Mr. Curlin by will left an estate consisting of land and negroes "for the benefit of a Seminary." Five Trustees were elected every four years by the legal voters of the county. Property was purchased and the school located in Cadiz, consisting of a male and female department, but in separate buildings. The land was leased for ninety-nine years. The negroes were freed by President Lin- coln's proclamation. From 1860 to 1865 the annual income from this source-$300-was divided pro rata amongst the pupils who came to the school, by which the subscription was reduced to that extent. The tuition in full of two female pupils was paid two years after 1860 from the Cur- lin fund. The last of this fund went in part payment for the present High School building. Some of the earlier teachers were Messrs. Ander- son and Rumsey, also Miss Norris, and then her sister.
J. Q. A. Tyler taught eleven years in the Male Seminary, ending with the spring term, 1860. H. B. Wayland and his wife, J. S. Way- land, took charge of the Female Seminary in September, 1860, Mrs. Wayland teaching music. In the spring of 1862 they resigned in con- sequence of disturbances resulting from the war. Rev. Petre taught one session. In September they took charge of the Seminary and taught until 1869, when they resigned. During 1863 and 1864 the music class numbered twenty-seven; number in school about eighty, and at one time there were about forty boarders in the town. Miss Leonora Prescott and Mrs. L. E. Cook were Assistants.
During the war board having been raised to $5 a week, and difficult to obtain, H. B. Wayland and wife. purchased land at the cost of nearly $3,000, and put on it improvements at a cost of $8,000. H. B. Way- land took charge of the Male Seminary one year in 1871. He then opened a private school on his premises, and taught until June, 1873. Mrs. Wayland was teacher of music. Her health failed and October 30,
* By H. B. Wayland.
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HISTORY OF TRIGG COUNTY.
1873, she departed this life, and the Cadiz Institute closed. The assist- ants in the Cadiz Institute were Misses Willia Faulkner, Laura Gary, Nannie Duncan and Mary E. Guthrie. Miss Willie Elliot taught in the Female Seminary nine years, beginning with September, 1869. She was succeeded by John C. Dabney, B. C. Dewees and - Wyatt. Other teachers since 1860 : Gentlemen-Randolph, Harwood, Jefferson, Boggs, Jones, Pomroy, Harvey, Hancock, Woodson, Watson. Ladies-Mrs. Dabney, Mrs. Pettis, Misses Poston, Faxon, Pursley, Terry, Pursley, Wilkinson. The present public school building, standing on the principal street of the town, is one of the most commodious and convenient school buildings in southwestern Kentucky. It is a substantial brick edifice and well adapted to school purposes. Excellent schools are taught in it each year and for the usual period by competent teachers.
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