USA > Kentucky > Trigg County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 53
USA > Kentucky > Christian County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 53
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MAJOR NOEL was born in this precinct on September 27, 1839, and is a son of Thomas and Nancy (Dew) Noel. The parents were natives of Virginia, and came to this county in about 1810. The father is still living ; the mother died in 1880. Subject was the eldest of three chil- dren. The commom schools of this precinct and Russellville College fur- nished his education. In 1858 he went to Marshall County, and clerked in a grocery store for about twelve months. He then went to Hickman County, and taught school, after which he returned to Trigg County and settled on his present farm. He now owns about 300 acres, 175 acres of which are in cultivation. He also pays some attention to stock-raising. Mr. Noel was married in 1859 to Miss Helen Cunningham, a daughter of James and Sallie (Wimberly) Cunningham, of this county. Mrs. Noel was born in this county, and is the mother of eight children-six sons and two daughters. Mrs. Noel is a member of the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.
EDMUND ROSS was born in Laura Furnace Precinct February 3,1839, and is a son of Jonathan and Narcissa (Stubblefield) Ross. The parents were natives of Henry County, Tenn., and came to this county in an early day. The mother died in 1862. The father afterward came to this precinct, and resided here until his death in February, 1884. Subject is the third of eight children, of whom four are now living. He assisted on the home farm until the age of twenty-one, and then began
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farming for himself in Laura Furnace Precinct. He remained in that precinct nine years, and then came to his present farm, where he now owns about 500 acres, with 200 acres in cultivation. In April, 1878, he began merchandising, and continued in business for five years. For the past ten years he has been extensively engaged in buying and rehandling tobacco. In 1877 he put up a saw and grist-mill, which is still in opera- tion. Was married in 1861 to Miss Tempie Feutrell, a daughter of Perry Feutrell. Fifteen children have blessed this union, of whom six are still living, all daughters.
PEYTON THOMAS was born in this precinct April 6, 1820, and is a son of Cullen and Elizabeth (Feutrell) Thomas. The father was born in Bertie County, N. C., in 1790, and came to this county with his father, James Thomas, in 1805. The grandfather settled on the farm now occupied by Peyton Thomas, where he died in September, 1832. The father grew to manhood here, and settled on a farm to the south of his father. He first inherited seventy-five acres, and by his own exertions finally increased it to 1,000 acres ; he was Magistrate of the county for a number of years under the old Constitution, and held the office of Sher- iff for two years by seniority. His death occurred June 8, 1862, the mother's in 1844. Subject was the second of six children, and is the only one now living; he worked on the home farm until twenty-one, and then came to his present farm ; he now owns about 400 acres, of which 100 acres are in cultivation. At the age of eighteen he began black - smithing, and worked at the trade himself for a number of years. After- ward hired hands and had the business carried on. In 1855 he sold goods for one year, and in 1858 he commenced merchandising again, engaging in it until 1862. In April, 1883, he opened his present store, and now carries a stock of about $1,500. In 1865 he began to keep the county poor, and with the exception of seven years he had charge of them up until December, 1883. Mr. Thomas was married December 2, 1841, to Miss Sallie Ethridge, a daughter of David T. Ethridge, of Davidson County, Tenn. Mrs. Thomas was born in the same county, and is the mother of ten children. Of this number nine are now living-four sons and five daughters. Subject and family are members of the Baptist Church, and he has held the office of Church Clerk for many years ; he was Magistrate of the county for twelve years. From 1858 to 1860 he was
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Postmaster at Donelson Postoffice; he is a member of Canton Lodge, No. 242, A. F. & A. M. Peyton Thomas had one married sister, who gave birth to two children and then died of consumption ; his mother died in 1844, and about a year later his father married Drusilla Carter, who bore him two children, who died within four years. James Thomas, brother of our subject, served through the Mexican war. He was subse- quently elected Major of the Kentucky State Militia, and then ranked as Colonel of Trigg County. He once ran for the Legislature on the Whig ticket, but was defeated through the machinations of the Sons of Tem- perance. An incident rather unusual occurred in the deaths of James Thomas (brother of subject) and his father, Cullen Thomas, which occurred respectively at ten minutes past 12 o'clock P. M., June 8, 1881, and June 8, 1882.
WILLIAM F. TURNER was born in Dixon County, Tenn., on September 19, 1819, and is a son of William and Nancy (Hyde) Turner. The father was born in Baltimore, Md., the mother near Nashville, Tenn. In 1833 the parents came to this county, and first settled in Canton Precinct, where they lived thirty years, and then moved to Bethesda Pre- cinct, where the father died in 1864. The mother died in 1865. Subject was the third of five children, of whom three are now living ; he com- menced life for himself when twenty-five years old, and settled in Canton Precinct. At the breaking out of the war he moved to Stewart County, Tenn., and there resided twelve years ; he then moved to Linton Precinct, this county, and in the fall of 1883 came to his present farm, where he now owns 162 acres. Mr. Turner was married in 1843 to Miss Elizabeth Carr, a daughter of John Carr. Mrs. Turner was born in this county, and is the mother of eleven children. Of this number four sons and three daughters are living.
QUINTUS M. TYLER was born in Caroline County, Va., August 6, 1816, and is a son of John D. and Harriet (Redd) Tyler. The par- ents were natives of Virginia, and were of English descent. In the fall of 1818 they came to Montgomery County, Tenn. There the father taught school most of his life-time, and his reputation as a teacher was very distinguished. He represented Montgomery County in both Houses of the 'Tennessee Legislature. He died May 20, 1860. " The mother died October 18, 1820. Subject was the second of three children, of whom
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two are living: Mary, widow of Henry H. Bryan, and Quintus. The latter's education was received under the tutorage of his father; he remained at home until twenty years of age and then commenced life as a salesman in a store at Port Royal. In 1839 he went to Dover, Stewart Co., Tenn., where he also clerked. On January 1, 1840, he returned to Montgomery County and assumed control of his father's business. Here he remained until 1846; he then commenced teaching school at the Spring Creek Church and taught three years. In January, 1849, he came to Cadiz, Trigg Co., and taught at this point with the exception of one session until June, 1860. Returning to Montgomery County, he acted as administrator of his father's estate and also taught school. In this county he remained four years and then spent one year in travel. In September, 1866, he went to Garrettsburg, Christian Co., and opening a school there taught until June, 1870. He then taught one session at Glendale, Logan Co. In 1871 he came to Canton, Ky., and entered the mercantile business with John D. Tyler. In this he was engaged five years. In March, 1878, he began teaching again, and has since followed that profession. Mr. Tyler has in his life-time been one of the most suc- cessful teachers in the State. He has taught over fifty different terms, and to him have gone about 670 young ladies and young gentlemen. He was married on January 12, 1843, to Miss Emily B. Waller, a daughter of Richard and Eliza Waller, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Tyler was born on December 19, 1816, and died on August 26, 1851. Mr. Tyler is an Episcopalian in principle; he is a member of Cadiz Lodge, No. 121, A. F. & A. M., Swigert Chapter, No. 40, Eddyville Council and Padu- cah Commandery, No. 11, Knights Templar; he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1845; has been representative to the Grand Lodge, and has served as Grand Marshal of the State.
FERGUSON SPRINGS PRECINCT.
WILLIAM M. GILLAHAN, farmer, was born in Trigg County, Ky., June 2, 1818, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Baker) Gillahan. Subject's grandparents came from North Carolina, and were among the first settlers in Trigg County. His father lived and died near what was the site of the old Empire Furnace ; his mother died in the fall of 1861 by the hand of one of her slaves (Easter Gillahan), whom she had reared from childhood. William M., our subject, has made farming his sole occu- pation. On Christmas, 1859, he settled on the farm which he now owns, and which is one of the best in Ferguson Springs Precinct. In 1843 he married Cecelia Ferguson, a native of Kentucky, by whom he had eight children ; two sons and one daughter are living. Mrs. Gillahan departed this life in March, 1861, and in November, 1862, Mr. G. married Mar- garet Choat ; to this union have been born eight children, seven of whom are living. Three of his children by his first wife and one by his last are married. K. P. was married to Nancy F. Choat March 27, 1863; they have two daughters. Robin was married May 9, 1880, to Martha B. Mc- Watters ; they have one son and one daughter. S. R. married Martha Lampkins March 8, 1883; Cecelia was married, December 21, 1882, to J. H. Smith ; they have one daughter. The children at home are: R., J. Margaret G., R. M., Christian L., Robert L. and Ellen T. Three grand- children-Lillie Gillahan, William P. and Florence, the last two, orphans of J. C. Gillahan, also make their home with our subject. Mr. Gillahan's aunt was the first white child born in Christian County. K. P. Gillahan's wife and his father's wife are sisters.
W. C. HOLLAND, worker in iron, was born in Trigg County, Ky., November 17, 1825, and is a son of A. W. and Jane (Rhodes) Holland ; the former was born in Kentucky and died in 1857, aged fifty-seven. His father (and grandfather of our subject) came to this locality about the year 1790, and settled where Cadiz now stands. Subject's maternal grandfather, Ephraim Rhodes, settled on the land now occupied by W. D.
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Grace, and here the mother of our subject was born in 1810 and died July 20, 1846. Subject was reared on his father's farm, and attended the schools of the neighborhood. At the age of nineteen he engaged in the saw-mill business for William H. Martin ; later he was employed by W. D. Grace for three or four years. In 1852 he went to Texas and remained until 1856, when he returned. Since that time he has been employed by D. Hillman, D. Hillman & Sons, and now by J. H. Hill- man, of Center Furnace, and also superintends his farming interests in Tennessee. Mr. Holland was married, May 16, 1858, to Maria Cle- ments, a daughter of W. C. Clements, of Huntsville, Ala. To them were born eight children, of whom seven are living. Mr. H. held the office of Justice of the Peace in Calloway County ; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., and a consistent member of the Baptist Church.
LAURA FURNACE PRECINCT.
C. C. FLORA was born February 28, 1837, in Granger County, Tenn ; he was a son of Daniel and Hannah (Blair) Flora. The father was born in Tennessee in 1818; he died November 6, 1871. The mother died in Granger County, Tenn., aged thirty-seven. In November, 1844, the family came to Trigg County, and settled in Golden Pond Precinct ; they bought 140 acres of land from George Grace, and engaged in farm- ing. The father was also Postmaster at this point, and held the office from 1853 to 1855. Our subject served as Deputy, and at the age of sixteen opened a grocery store. This business he continued two years, after which he moved to Canton and was clerk in the dry goods store of E. C. Spiceland one year. The business then changed hands; A. G. Cobb became proprietor. After continuing one year, subject and E. C. Spiceland bought out the business, and after various changes he moved to Roaring Springs Precinct and engaged in farming one year ; he then returned to Canton and again clerked for E. C. Spiceland one year. In 1861 he returned to Golden Pond, and was engaged in farming until 1863. In the spring of 1864 he opened a store on these premises, and soon after was robbed by guerrillas of both stock and cash. He soon opened a general store at Linton, which he continued until 1867; he then carried on business about two miles north of his late locality. In 1877 he moved to his farm, which consists of 200 acres. In 1881 he opened a general store on this farm, and was appointed Postmaster ; the office is known as Deason Postoffice. In August, 1878, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and was in his second term when he died, July 24, 1884. Mr. Flora was married on December 31, 1857, to Mary H., daughter of J. M. Darnell, of Roaring Springs. . Their union was blessed with eight children-four boys and four girls. Mrs. Flora has been a life-long member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and still resides with five of her children at the old home. Mr. Flora lived and died in the Methodist faith.
B15
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PHILIP REDD was born October 19, 1819, in Trigg County, Ky. He is the fourth child of a family of eight born to William and Frances (Hackett) Redd, who were reared in Caroline County, Va. The father immigrated to Christian, now Trigg County, in 1818 ; he engaged in farming. Our subject at the age of eighteen was employed as manager on his father's farm-a position he held for three years. In 1840 he went to Eddyville, Caldwell Co., and with his brother, George K., engaged in the tanning business. In 1844 they came to Mr. Redd's present location and purchased about 3,600 acres of land and at once commenced the erection of a tannery. This business they carried on with great success. His brother died in December, 1883, aged seventy-one. Mr. Redd then bought out the entire business, which consists of tannery, saw and grist-mill, a blacksmith-shop and shoe-shop, all of which are inclosed with a substantial board fence twelve feet high. He is also engaged in the cultivation of fish, having a pond for this purpose on his premises. His tanning business at times has been quite extensive, having sold as high as $23,000 worth of leather in a year; he is also largely engaged in farming, employing from twelve to fifteen hands. His resi- idence was built in 1852 at a cost of about $2,000. Mr. Redd is one of the earliest settlers of this locality.
LINTON PRECINCT.
J. S. McNICHOLS was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., on October 10, 1828, and is the son of Samuel and Mary (Dycus) McNichols. The father came from Scotland in 1799, and settled in Montgomery County. J. S. remained at home until his father's death, in March, 1846; he then attended school in Whitley County for one year and after- ward continued his studies in Montgomery County until 1853; he then went to Roaring Springs, Trigg County, where he merchandised until 1855; he next went to Lyonport, Tenn., where he remained until 1859. In October of that year he came to Canton and formed a partnership with Dr. J. C. Whitlock. The firm erected a warehouse and store. In 1882 Dr. Whitlock sold his interest to Frank Macrae, and the firm is now doing business under the name of McNichols, Macrae & Co. They now handle about $5,000 worth of merchandise per year, and also deal extensively in tobacco. Mr. McNichols was married at Cadiz, in Novem- ber, 1857, to Miss Cornelia Wilkinson, a daughter of Judge J. H. and Joyce (Tillotson) Wilkinson, natives of Virginia. Mrs. McNichols was born in Montgomery County in 1837. She and husband are members of the Linton Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. McNichols is a member of Linton Lodge, No. 575, A. F. & A. M .; he has served as School Trustee for the precinct. Mr. and Mrs. McNichols are parents of seven children-four sons and three daughters.
ELIAS A. NUNN was born in Smith County, Tenn., November 16, 1833, and is a son of Lindsey and Rachel (Coleman) Nunn, natives of Shenandoah County, Va. The father came to the county in 1848, and settled three miles west of Canton, where the mother died in 1852. In 1854 the father moved to Henry County, Tenn., where he died in 1881. Subject is the fourth of seven living children. He began life for himself when twenty years old, and settled at Linton. Here he engaged in the saw-milling business with Messrs. Gentry & Whitlock, 1865, under the title of Gentry, Nunn & Co. He remained in this business until
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1882. He came to his present farm in 1870, where he now owns about 1,800 acres ; has about 200 acres in cultivation. Mr. Nunn was married in 1865 to Miss Margaret Martin, a daughter of John Martin, of Trigg County. Mrs. Nunn is a native of this county, and is the mother of five children-two sons and three daughters. Subject is a member of Linton Lodge No. 575, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is an Independent.
E. C. SPICELAND was born in Stewart County, Tenn., June 1, 1826, and is a son of Sanford and M. (Copeland) Spiceland, natives of Northampton County, N. C. In 1845 our subject went to Canton, and kept the ferry for one year; the following year he ran a saloon. In 1847, he enlisted in the Mexican War and remained about three months ; served, while out, in the Quartermaster Department. On his return to Canton he clerked for W. D. Grace. In 1850 he moved to Cadiz and there clerked for William Sorey & Co. After remaining there one year, he returned to Canton, where he clerked in a warehouse. In 1854 he began merchan- dising for himself, and remained in business at that point until the break- ing out of the war. In 1862, he enlisted in Company L, of the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry. He went out as Lieutenant, and was afterward made Regimental Quartermaster. He returned to Canton in September, 1863, and in partnership with John D. Tyler ran a warehouse. On January 1, 1866, he came to Linton, and began merchandising. At this place he has since been engaged in business. In 1875 he took his son, S. I. Spiceland, into the business as partner. The firm now carry a stock of about $10,000. Soon after he came to Linton, he was appointed Post- master and held the office until about 1875. Since that time the position has been filled by his son. Mr. Spiceland was married in 1848 to Miss Martha Ross, a daughter of Kenneth Ross, of Tennessee. She was born in Stewart County, and died in April, 1866. She left three children- one son and two daughters. Mr. S. was next married in July, 1866, to Miss Mary Scudder, a daughter of P. P. Scudder. She died in 1871, and in 1872 Mr. Spiceland married Miss Martha Barte, a daughter of A. J. Barte; they have five children living-two sons and three daughters. Subject is a member of the Baptist Church ; has served as Magistrate of the county. In politics he is identified with the Republican party.
WILLIAM S. TINSLEY was born in Roaring Springs Precinct on March 10, 1824, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Scott) Tinsley.
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LINTON PRECINCT.
The father was a native of North Carolina, and came to Todd County in 1816. He soon after came to this county, where he died in 1868. The mother was born in Virginia, and died here in October, 1883. Subject was the third of eleven children. He remained at home until twenty one, when he went to Todd County and remained six years and then settled on Salina Creek, in Roaring Springs Precinct. He lived there until March, 1879, when he moved to McPherson County, Kas. He re- mained there only about sixteen months, and then returned to Kentucky, and settled in Graves County. There he resided until November, 1883, when he came to his present farm where he now owns 316 acres. Mr. Tinsley was married in 1855 to Miss Elizabeth J. Carr, a daughter of William and Ann (Rogers) Carr. The following children blessed the marriage : Alice A., James N., Ann, Leemina E., Martha E., Ophelia E. and William S. Mrs. Tinsley died August 10, 1878. Mr. Tinsley and family are members of the Baptist Church.
JOHN L. TURNER was born in this precinct and county, on April 9, 1846. He is the second child born to William and Elizabeth (Carr) Turner, who are still living in Canton Precinct. John L. remained at home until the age of nineteen, when he settled in Canton Precinct and began life for himself. In the fall of 1879 he came to his present farm where he has since resided. He now owns about 250 acres, about 80 of which are in cultivation. In 1883 he was appointed Overseer of the Poor and still holds that position. The farm now contains about twenty- five inmates. Mr. Turner was married in the fall of 1864, to Miss Faith Carr, a daughter of Jackson Carr. She is a native of Stewart County, Tenn., and is the mother of five children-three sons and two daughters. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are both members of the Baptist Church.
JOHN H. WOLFE was born in Livingston County, Ky., on June 7, 1836, and is a son of Henry and Julia (Harmon) Wolfe. The father was a native of Columbia, Penn., the mother of Livingston Co., Ky. Subject is the third of four children of whom three are now living. He remained at home until fourteen years of age, and then began life as an engineer on a steamboat. He followed this occupation for about twenty-six years, on boats plying between Nashville and New Orleans. During most of this time he held a license as a first-class engineer. Mr. Wolfe followed engineering until February, 1884, when he came to this county, and
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has since been giving his attention to farming. Subject is what might be called a self-made man. His first schooling was obtained at Louisa College when he was twenty-one years of age. He remained there seven months, and has since prosecuted his studies by himself. He was mar- ried on January 28, 1879, to Mrs. Molly B. Rogers (nee Watwood), daughter of J. F. and Mary A. (Yates) Watwood, natives of Tennessee. Mrs. Rogers is a native of Montgomery County, being born there in 1842. This marriage has resulted in one child : Nep B. Mrs. Wolfe is a mem- ber of the Oak Grove Baptist Church. Mr. Wolfe is a member of Liver- pool Lodge, No. 175, I. O. O. F.
ROARING SPRINGS PRECINCT.
CHARLES A. BACON was born in Charlotte County, Va., on February 15, 1807, and is a son of Lyddall and Margaret (Crenshaw) Bacon. The parents were also natives of Charlotte County, and were of English descent. In that county they resided until their death. The father was drafted into the war of 1812, but being a man of family, his place was taken by his brother William. Charles A. remained at home until about twenty-two, and then spent some fifteen months in traveling in the South. Returning to Virginia, he taught school for some five years, and in December, 1832, came to Tennessee. He settled in Mont- gomery County, on a farm which at that time contained the first block- house ever erected in that region. He remained there only one year, and then came to Christian County, Ky. He first settled near Lafayette, and lived there about two years. He next went to Garrettsburg just as the town was being laid out. He remained there until 1838, and then moved to Beverly, where he farmed until the fall of 1839. At that time he sold out his farm and came to Lafayette, where he merchandised until 1842. He then moved to Garrettsburg and sold goods there until 1846. In that year he came to Roaring Springs (this county), and put up the first store ever built here. He merchandised here until 1854, when he sold out his stock and turned his attention to farming. He had prior to this purchased about 100 acres adjoining the town, which he afterward increased to 295. Here he has since resided. Mr. Bacon was married in Halifax County, Va., on February 12, 1832, to Miss Susan Rowlett, a daughter of Matthew J. and Martha (Pleasants) Rowlett, natives of Lunenburg County, Va. Mrs. Bacon was born in Halifax County, Va., on February 15, 1808, and to her were born five children. Of this number three are now living, viz .: Dr. Thomas L. Bacon, in Cadiz ; Lyddall Bacon, a merchant in Memphis, and Dr. C. P. Bacon in Evans- ville. This lady died on October 11, 1841, and Mr. Bacon was next married on December 17, 1844, to Mrs. Margaret Gaines Ratcliff (nee
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Gibson), a daughter of Pitman and Susan Gibson. This lady was born in Christian County on June 7, 1823, and to her were born three chil- dren, all of whom are living: Malcolm M., John A. and Hillery (in Evansville). Mrs. Bacon died on November 13, 1880. The farm is at present carried on by John A. Bacon, who is also devoting some attention to stock-raising, making a specialty of fine Berkshire hogs. This gen- tleman was married on December 21, 1881, to Miss Lelia Sallee, a daughter of Henry and Bettie (Crenshaw) Sallee. Our subject has been identified with the Baptist Church since 1830. Is also a member of Roaring Springs Lodge, No. 221. In politics he has been a Whig since he cast his first vote, but has of late years been voting with the Demo- cratic party.
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