USA > Kentucky > Trigg County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 58
USA > Kentucky > Christian County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 58
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WARM SPRINGS, August 18, 1818.
The bearer, Mr. E. Bacon, has lived with me a number of years as manager of my farm at Monticello. He goes to Missouri to look out for lands to which he means to remove. He is an honest, correct man in his conduct and worthy of confidence in his engagements. Any information or instruction which any person may give him, will be
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worthily bestowed, and if he should apply particularly to Gov. Clark on his way, the Governor will especially oblige me by imparting to him his information and advice.
THOMAS JEFFERSON.
On his journey he passed through Louisville, then an insignificant set- tlement, also Vincennes, Ind., and arrived at St. Louis where he met Gov. Clark. The Governor wished him to settle there, but he was not very favorably impressed with the country. He therefore returned to Virginia, and again had charge of Mr. Jefferson's farm for a year or two, after which he again visited Missouri, but at last decided to settle in Kentucky, and accordingly bought 1,000 acres of land, at $2 per acre, in Trigg County, where he spent the remainder of his life. Here he gave almost his entire attention to stock-raising, and was recognized as one of the most successful stock-raisers in the country. He had but three sons : Thomas, Fielding and William, all of whom preceded him to the grave. He was kind, courteous and agreeable to everybody, was much beloved by his neighbors and would have attracted the attention of a strangeras a remarkable man and a specimen of a perfect gentleman. He died in February, 1866.
WILLIAM J. BACON, grandson of the above, and one of the heirs to his estate, was born September 16, 1832, in Christian County, Ky., and is a son of Fielding W. and Sicily (Radford) Bacon. He received his education in the schools of his native county ; he remained at home until attaining his majority ; he then began life for himself by engaging in the tobacco business and farming, which he continued until 1863, when he went to New York City and entered into the firm of Bacon, Clardy & Co., of which he was the senior member. At this time there were 116 firms engaged in the business (tobacco and cotton commission), and at the end of two years Bacon, Clardy & Co. stood first in the amount of the former article handled. At this time, during the busy season, their acceptances averaged $750,000 per month. In 1867, on account of the failure of Mr. Clardy's health, the firm dissolved partnership, and Mr. Bacon returned to Trigg County, where he has since been engaged in farming and stock-raising. He gives the greater part of his attention to breeding and training trotting and fancy road horses. He has been the owner of several that have attained national celebrity, such as Exchequer, Lucille, Rigolette and others. Mr. Bacon was married November 13, 1867, to Miss Delia, daughter of Col. Joseph L. Carrington, of Richmond,
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Va. Eight children have been born to them, three of whom-Carring- ton, William J. and Ada M. are living.
HENRY BLANE, M. D. Among the skilled members of the medical profession in Trigg County, we would mention the name at the head of this sketch. He was born September 27, 1837, in Halifax County, Va., and is a son of John and Sarah (Tilson) Blane, both of Scotch-Irish descent, and natives of Virginia. In 1838 they removed to Tennessee, where the former still lives. His wife died in December, 1881. Subject received his early education in the common schools. In 1859 he entered the Shelby Medical College, at Nashville, Tenn., from which he graduated, standing first in a large class. In May, 1861, he entered Company D, Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment, as Assistant Surgeon, with which regiment he served nine months. He then began the practice of his profession in Stewart County, Tenn., where he remained until 1866, since which time he has been in Trigg County, the past two years at Montgomery, where he has a large and increasing practice. Dr. Blane was married, October 15, 1863, to Alpha Griffin, of Stewart County, Tenn., who died December 25, 1868, leaving two children : Robert L. and Aurelius. The Doctor was next married, December 21, 1871, to Lucy B. Dyer, of Trigg County, and daughter of John Dyer. Three children have been born to them: Homer, Plomer and Verner, all of whom are living. Dr. Blane is a member of the Masonic order, and of the Knights of Honor. He has ever been a strong advocate of temperance principles, and holds a high place in the confidence of the people, both as a man and a physician.
JOHN E. RICKETTS, a native of Montgomery, Trigg Co., Ky., was born November 26, 1851. He is the only child of G. W. and Elvira (Lewis) Ricketts. The former was born in Maryland, September 27, 1822. When about one year old he came with his parents to Christian County, where he grew to manhood. He came to Trigg County in 1850. He was married January 28, 1850, and soon after bought a farm, a part of which our subject still owns. By untiring energy and close attention to business, he accumulated a large fortune, owning at the time of his death over 1,300 acres of as good land as there is in the State. He was a member of the Baptist Church and the Masonic order. John E. received his early education in the common schools and afterward took a
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classical course at Bethel College, which he entered in 1864. He also attended the Commercial College at Louisville, Ky .; he then kept books for a short time in that city. In 1882 he went to Cadiz and engaged in the grocery business, which at the death of his father he sold out and took charge of the farm, which business he still continues.
BETHESDA PRECINCT.
FRANCIS M. ATWOOD was born December 4, 1851, in Trigg County, Ky. John H. and Martha (Forguson) Atwood, are his parents. The father is a native of Tennessee ; he came to this county in boyhood and settled on a farm ; he served as private in the late war under Gen. Huel and others ; he is living on the farm with Francis and is fifty-five years of age ; he is a member of the United Baptist Church. The mother was a native of Kentucky. She died in 1871, aged thirty-five years. She was also a member of the Baptist Church. These parents had eight children, five brothers still living. Farming has always been the occu- pation of our subject, and he has been very successful in business. He now owns 250 acres of land, 125 of which are well improved. He raises principally corn, tobacco, wheat and potatoes. He deals moderately in stock, having at present thirty-five head of cattle, fifty head each of hogs and sheep, besides five mules and horses Altogether his outlook is encouraging. He was married December 16, 1874, to Miss Martha A. Jones, of this county. She is daughter of Pressly and Sallie (Mitchell) Jones. The latter's father and mother are still living. Martha A. Jones' great-grandmother, Sallie Mitchell, died the past August aged eighty-six years. This family is noted for its longevity. Henry P. Atwood, our subject's eldest son, has seen his mother, his grandmother, his great- grandmother, and his great-great-grandmother all at the same time. To Francis and Martha A. Atwood were born five children, viz .: Henry P., Julian L., Nora B., Naomi L. and Flora B. Both parents are members of the United Baptist Church.
JAMES B. HOLLOMAN was born October 2, 1827, in Obion County, Tenn. His parents are J. B. and Sarah Holloman, both natives of Kentucky. They went to Tennessee after marriage. The father was one of the most extensive farmers of the neighborhood. His death took place in 1865, on his sixty-fifth birthday. He was a devoted and life- long member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The mother is still living in Tennessee at the advanced age of eighty-two. These
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parents had seven children-four boys and three girls. Four of the chil- dren are yet living. Our subject was married November 6, 1849, to Ailcy M. Osborn, of Kentucky. After marriage he began farming for himself. He had but a small start in beginning, but by industry, econ- omy and good management he has secured a nice home of 100 acres, seventy-five of which are improved. He has been reasonably successful in business. His children were : Isam (deceased), Lucy A., Mary W. (deceased), Sarah (died the past February at the age of twenty-five years ; she was for twelve years a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South), William B. (living in Texas), Susan C., Robert L., James I. (deceased). Both parents are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church South.
SAMUEL LARKINS was born January 24, 1822, in Graves County, Ky. He is a son of William and Penelope (Hollowell) Larkins, both natives of North Carolina. The father came to this county from Caldwell County in 1841, and settled on 1,100 acres of land. He was married in Trigg County about the year 1819. These parents had eleven children, nine of whom are now living. The father died in 1866, at the age of seventy-seven years. The mother's death occurred at the age of sixty-eight. Both parents were for many years zealous and influential members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. They reared eleven children, who reached the years of maturity, and before the parents died, they had the pleasure of seeing their children all members of the church of their choice. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one years .. He has been quite successful in business. He was Magistrate of this county for fourteen years. He was a member of the State Legisla- ture from 1863 to 1865. He has held other county and precinct offices, quite to the satisfaction of his constituency. He was commissioned by Gov. Powell, Major of Kentucky Militia. He now owns 300 acres of land, about one-half of which is improved. The Hollowell marble monu- ment cost $2,500, is twenty-five feet high, and is upon Mr. Larkin's farm. His land is perhaps among the best in the precinct. He raises corn, wheat and tobacco, and can raise almost anything that can be grown in this latitude. He was married in 1853, to Josephine Brandon, of this county. Severn J., Mattie A., Mollie J., Robert S., Anna E. P. and Charles T., are their children. Miss Anna E. is a teacher of experience ;
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her services are in good demand in that calling. Both parents are prominent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Lar- kin was County Elector on the Fillmore and Donelson ticket in 1856, and for Bell and Everett in 1860, and canvassed the county for these officers. He was candidate for the Legislature several times, and once for the Sen- ate, and was defeated in the latter contest. He has left the political arena, prefering to engage in other business more congenial to his nature. Mr. Larkins is a practical surveyor and engineer, and has sawed and sold more plank and lumber than any man in the county.
HENRY LARKINS was born January 27, 1824, in Caldwell (now Lyon) County, Ky. His parents are William and Penelope Larkins. Subject had fair school advantages, and began for himself at the age of twenty-one years. He has been very successful in business, now owning 370 acres of land in Trigg and 254 acres in Caldwell County. He has 280 acres of well-improved land in the two counties. He raises stock and grain, changing from one to the other. He raises all the products grown in this part of the country. His farms are in a good state of cul- tivation. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Lucy A. Wilcox, of Caldwell County, Ky. Their children are: Charles C., Mary A., Susan F., Sarah E., L. Alice, Henry F., William S., Walter E., Laura E., Albert E. Mary is the wife of John R. Carney; Charles C. is married to Mary G. Hayden ; their children are Edna G. and Lucy M. The Misses Sallie and Alice are both teachers of several years' experience. They have had good success in teaching, and like the business very well. Their services have given general satisfaction to employers, parents, pupils and all concerned. Both Mr. and Mrs. Larkins, with six children, are members of Bethesda Methodist Episcopal Church South.
JOHN C. LARKINS, son of. William and Penelope Larkins, was born in Trigg County, in 1843. His parents were well and favorably known as among the best people of the county. Though dead many years, their good influence still lives. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one; farming and carpentering have engaged his attention. He, with his sisters, Martha and Eliza live at the home farm. The good influences and generous hospitality that characterized the parents still follow the children. The brother and sisters are members of the Bethesda Methodist Episcopal Church South. John has about seventy-five
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acres of land under cultivation. He is farming about twenty-two acres of corn, ten of tobacco and eight acres of wheat. His outlook is very encouraging.
BENJAMIN P. MITCHELL was born February 7, 1844, in Trigg County, Ky. He is a son of James and Celia (Pearl) Mitchell. The father was a native of North Carolina. He was a farmer, carpenter and wheel-wright; he came to this country in early childhood. He died in this county in 1873, aged sixty-nine years. These parents had seven children, five of whom are now living. The mother is still living with her son Benjamin. Her general health is very good, and her powers of mind and body well preserved. Benjamin began for himself on the farm at the age of nineteen years. He now owns about 175 acres, 120 of which are well improved. He has been quite successful, and is counted among the good business men of the precinct. The past year he raised 1,800 pounds of tobacco, 100 barrels of corn, 150 bushels of wheat, 210 bushels of oats, besides hay. He has been raising cattle the past year. His outlook is very encouraging. He was married, August, 1863, to Lindsey A. Smith, of this county. Her parents are James and Lucinda (Pitkins) Smith. Six children have blessed this union, viz. : Amos, Celia, Iceloan Mark, Cerona and Willa R. Celia is the wife of Elijah Ladd. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell are members of the Baptist Church.
CALEDONIA PRECINCT.
WALTER C. ANDERSON was born September 27, 1846, in Hanover County, Va. His parents are Dr. Monroe and Nancy E. (Har- ris) Anderson, elsewhere mentioned. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one years. He has been very successful in farming, and his farm of 182 acres is well improved. He raises generally about 30,000 pounds of tobacco, 250 barrels of corn, and an average of about 500 bushels of wheat. His farm is located on the Christian County line one mile southeast from Caledonia, and about due south from the road leading from Caledonia to Hopkinsville. His farm is among the best of its size of any in Trigg County. He is counted among the extensive farmers of the county. His present prospect for wheat is excellent, bet- ter than it has been since 1874. Few persons in the county have so flat- tering a prospect for wheat as Mr. Anderson. He was married November 16, 1868, to Miss Susan V. Baker, of Christian County. Her parents are Ellison C. and Betsie (Quisenberry) Baker. The father was a native of Kentucky, the mother of Illinois. The father died October 20, 1862, aged fifty years. The mother died January 12, 1867, aged fifty-four years. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were born seven children, viz .: Dovie, Daisey (deceased), Monroe, Ellison (deceased), Mattie, Nettie and Alex. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Christian Church.
E. I. ANDERSON, farmer, was born January 26, 1860, in Chris- tian County, Ky. His parents are Dr. Monroe and Nancy E. (Harris) Anderson, both natives of Virginia. The father was a farmer and trader in cotton. He practiced medicine for many years and was a most suc- cessful physician and surgeon. His death took place in St. Louis in 1863, aged forty-five years. The mother died in 1871, at the age of fifty-three years. These parents had eight children, seven of whom are now living. Monroe, the sixth child, came to his death by the accidental discharge of a pistol on Christmas day. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty years. Farming has been his business. He now owns 200 acres of land, besides horses, mules and sheep. He depends on
B19
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raising crops rather than stock. He raised 1,300 bushels of potatoes, 25,000 pounds of tobacco, 400 barrels of corn, and ten acres of oats the past year. His outlook is most encouraging. He was married January 7, 1880, to Miss Nannie Coffey, daughter of Acey and Sidney Coffey, natives of Kentucky. They were married here and settled in Washing- ton County, Ill. Later they moved to Christian County, Ky. To Mr. and Mrs. Anderson is born one child-Charles Rascoe. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Christian Church.
WILLIAM G. BLAIN, farmer, was born July 27, 1829, in Hali- fax County, Va. His parents are Ephriam and Keziah Blain, both natives of same county and State. The father was second cousin of Hon. James G. Blaine. He was a farmer and came to Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1838, and settled, in 1847, at Roaring Springs, Ky. He left and went to Graves County, Ky., in 1857, and there yet lives at the age of seventy-eight. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The mother died while in Tennessee, in 1844, aged thirty- two; she was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject began for himself at the age of nineteen, not having a dollar. He farmed two years, and procured money enough to attend school for sev- eral years. He then taught school for nine years with good success. Farming next engaged his attention, in which he has been attended with good success. He now owns a comfortable home and has reared a family of twelve children. He was married in 1856 to Mary E. Smith, of this county. They have had seventeen children, viz .: George W., Will- iam B., Joseph B. (deceased), Jefferson D. (deceased), Julia A. (de- ceased), John T., Mattie P. and Robert P. (twins), Adam C., Charles W. (twins, deceased), Lizzie O. Martha C. (deceased), (twins, un- named, deceased), Commie H., Mellie B. and Benjamin B. George W. is married to Fanny E. Averitt. Mina D. is their only child. Mr. and Mrs. Blain are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The former is also a member of the Masonic order. He has been Justice of the Peace twelve years. Mr. Blain is a prac- tical surveyor, and has followed that calling the past thirty years, in Trigg and surrounding counties. He has the best reputation as a sur- veyor of any man in this part of the State. He frequently has calls to Montgomery and Stewart Counties in Tennessee.
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CALEDONIA PRECINCT.
THOMAS J. HAMMOND, merchant and farmer, was born August 24, 1835. He is a son of Thomas W. and Margaret R. (Daniel) Hammond, natives respectively of Virginia and North Carolina. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and took part in the battle of New Orleans. He was a farmer and an early pioneer settler in the county. He studied law in early manhood and practiced successfully for some years. He took quite an interest in the affairs of the county. In politics he was a Clay Whig. He was Sheriff of this county in 1844- 1845. He served in the State Senate from 1862 to 1866. He possessed the happy faculty of being able to make a speech and talk to the point on almost any subject. It was generally conceded that his official career was one of brilliancy, usefulness and very satisfactory to his constituency. He and his wife were worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His death occurred in March, 1872, at the age of seventy-nine years. His wife died in May, 1871, at the age of seventy-one years. They had eight children, only two of whom are now living. Our sub- ject, on reaching his majority, began for himself on the farm. He has been in the mercantile business the past eighteen years. He now owns a store in Caledonia ; also one in Pee Dee. In the latter Mr. Wall is his partner. In Caledonia he keeps a stock of staple and fancy dry goods, notions, queensware, etc. In the Pee Dee store is kept the same with the addition of family groceries, farming implements, etc. In both stores he is doing a good and increasing business. Mr. Hammond also owns a nice farm of 250 acres where he lives, and his . business outlook is most encouraging. He is classed among the best men in the county. May 24, 1871, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Josephine Cunningham of this county. Three children have blessed this union, viz. : Willie R., Walter and Hugh. Mrs. Hammond is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Hammond is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South ; also of the I. O. O. F.
R. S. LEWIS was born in 1834, November 26, in Trigg County, Ky. His parents are Leonard Mary (Sims) Lewis, both natives of Vir- ginia. The father was a farmer, also a teacher. His mortality ended in 1879, at the age of eighty-three. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The mother died with the closing hours of 1834, aged thirty-two years. She was a member of the Presbyterian
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Church. These parents had nine children, four of whom are now living. Our subject was an orphan at an early age. He made his home with his grandparents-Richard and Margaret Sims. To these aged people he feels that he owes a debt of gratitude that would be difficult to pay. Richard Sims was a soldier in the war of 1812. He was strictly honest and a man of unflinching integrity. He was born July, 1776, being con- tempory with the Declaration of Independence. He died in June, 1857, his age, eighty-one years. His wife died in 1864, at the age of eighty- six years. Mr. Lewis' business has been teaching and farming. He has taught about ten years and in that profession has an enviable reputation, having in the main given general satisfaction. He owns 100 acres of some of the very best land in Trigg County. This competence he has accumulated largely by his own exertions. His outlook is very encourag- ing, and he has a host of good friends. His farm is located on the Sink- ing Fork of Little River. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South ; also of the Masonic order.
WILLIAM R. PEAL was born August 28, 1839, in Trigg County, Ky. His parents are Dennis and Eugene (Ramey) Peal, both natives of Caldwell, now Trigg County, Ky. The father was a farmer; his death occurred in 1870, aged fifty-eight years. He was a member of the Bap- tist Church, also of the Masonic order. The mother died in 1858, aged forty-two years ; she was a member of the Baptist Church. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one; he farmed for five years, was in the mercantile business two years, then clerked for E. B. Jones at Paducah, Ky., four years, then taught school in Trigg County for sev- eral years with good success. Not liking the business, he kept books and was salesman for D. Hillman & Sons five years, at Trigg Furnace. He was Deputy Sheriff under Capt. W. M. Campbell, of Trigg County, in 1875. During the year 1876 he drummed for G. Magee & Co., Evans- ville, Ind., then returned to Empire Furnace and kept books for one year. In 1878 he was candidate for Sheriff of Trigg County, and was elected by a large majority. He served in that capacity two years, and later kept books at the flouring-mill at Cadiz. Last year he leased the mill on Sink- ing Fork. He has bought property and will move to Caledonia soon, and open out cabinet business and cooper shop ; he has been quite successful in business. He was married, in 1863, to Miss Lucy A. Childress, a
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native of Trigg County, Ky. Three children have blessed this union, viz .: James E., George H. and Minnie O. Both parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Mr. Peal is a member of the Masonic order, also of the I. O. O. F. Their son, George Hilson, died of cholera in 1873, at Rock Castle, aged five years.
DAVID C. WOOTTON was born July 16, 1824, in Virginia. His parents are David C. and Frances (Brame) Wootton, both natives of Vir- ginia. The father was a farmer, and came to Christian County, Ky., in 1830. His death occurred in 1864, aged seventy-six years. He and wife were both devoted members of the Presbyterian Church. The mother died in 1868, aged about seventy-two years. Twelve children were born to these parents, only five of whom are now living. Our subject, the sixth child, began for himself at the age of eighteen years; he had a small start; he engaged in the mercantile business for a time, subsequently in the farming business. He has made farming a good success, but has lost money by paying security debts ; he now owns 500 acres of land, and is counted among the good men of the precinct. In December, 1849, he was married to Miss Mary F. Coleman, of this county. These parents had six children, viz .: James D., deceased; Thomas W .; Joseph I., deceased ; Jeff D., deceased ; Nannie C. and Fannie. James D., at the time of his death, was a practicing physician of much promise; he had previously married Miss Lydia Malone. Thomas is engaged in the drug business in Christian County. Nannie C. is the wife of Joseph Ledford, of this county ; Nellie is their only child. Miss Fannie is living with her parents, at home. Thomas married Miss Ozella Tuggle, of Trigg County; James and Thomas C. are their children.
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