USA > Kentucky > Christian County > County of Christian, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 12
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Major, under Marion, and served till peace was established. Subject's mother, Elizabeth Scott, was born in North Carolina in 1803, and died in Illinois, in 1863. Her children were: Hilary, James M., Miles M., William A., subject, Eliza J. (Veach), Ezekiel C. and Ann E. Forgy. In 1849 subject was licensed as a minister of the Gospel, in the Mission- ary Baptist Church, in Butler County, Ky., ordained at Monticello in 1850, served as Pastor at Glasgow six years, severally at Trenton and Allensville, from 1858 to 1877, and became settled in charge of the con- gregation at Salein Church, in Christian County, his present field of labor, in 1880. Ile is, by those who know him best, accounted a worthy and faithful shepherd of his flock. He was married, January 24, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth F., daughter of Deacon George and Mary A. (Edgar) Crewdson, of Logan County, Ky., and from this union have sprung Will- iam H., February 27, 1851; Mary Lizzie, March 21, 1854 ; Luella, September 15, 1855; Katie, October 18, 1857; Lillie, December 20, 1858; Minnie, December 12, 1861; S. Walton, October 15, 1866; and Willard E., April 11, 1871. Owing to the orphanage of subject in early childhood, his educational advantages were limited; but by industry and studious habits, has accumulated a fine fund of general information, and especially in the department of Christian literature has he succeeded to an extent that should encourage others situated under like circumstances.
THE GARNETT FAMILY .- To mark the progress in the history of Christian County during the last three-quarters of a century, one need only compare the condition of the country at the present time, with its flourishing villages and growing cities ; its farms with their waving crops, their blooming orchards, groves and hedges, and substantial dwellings ; its system of schools ; its railroads and its net-work of telegraphic wires, to its condition over seventy-five years ago, when its soil was unbroken by the hand of husbandry, and the stillness of its forests was undisturbed, save by the noise of the hunter's tread, and the crack of the Indian's rifle. It was at this early day that James Garnett, a native of Virginia and of English parentage, a prominent farmer, and at the head of the Garnett family, in 1821 came to Kentucky and settled in Pembroke Pre- cinct, where, after passing through the different phases of a pioneer's life, he died, leaving a large family. Eldred Brockman Garnett, son of James Garnett, was born in Albemarle County, Va., on the 10th of May, 1813.
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Ile came to this county with his parents when he was eight years of age ; he spent his early life at home, assisting to till the farm, and receiving such an education as could be obtained from the subscription schools of the period. Arriving at his majority, he embarked on his career in life as a farmer, and became one of the most substantial agriculturists of the county. Of busy men, he became about the busiest, not for a greed of gain, but because he had an instinet of activity and a fondness for busi- ness. He was the owner of about 500 aeres of land in the county ; he died July 18, 1870; was a member of the Baptist Church and bore a name and reputation which is an honor to his descendants; he was married, September 23, 1834, to Miss Frances A., daughter of John and Fanny J. (Thompson) Pendleton, early settlers of Christian County. Mrs. Gar- nett is a native of Orange County, Va., born January 30, 1810; her early education was received under the preceptorship of her father, but, developing an early taste for reading, and having access to a good library, she acquired a good education. She has led a useful life, and though now over seventy years of age, she still retains a vigorous mind, and is as constant a reader as in her younger days. She is now residing with her son, W. W. Garnett, enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life. She is the mother of the following children : IJelen L., wife of Rev. R. W. More- bcad ; Virgil A., William W., John P., and James B. IIelen L. was born in Christian County, Ky., July 31, 1835. She attended first the common schools of the neighborhood, and was a favorite with the teachers on account of her easy and rapid progress. When about fifteen years of age she attended for one or more terms the high school at Hopkinsville, Ky. After this she attended the Female College at Clarksville, Tenn., where she completed her education. About this time she united with the Baptist Church at Bethel. She was fond of reading, and after complet- ing her education took a thorough course in general literature. She was married to Rev. R. W. Morehead February 5, 1863. This marriage was blessed with five children: Robert W., died in infancy ; Clarence G., born May 10, 1865; John P., died in infancy ; Charles S., horn June 16, 1869, and Fanny G., horn December 18, 1871. She now resides in Princeton, Caldwell Co., Ky., where her husband is the pastor of two churches-New Bethel and Harmony. Prof. Virgil A. Garnett was born in Christian County, Ky., February 10, 1837. His educational advan-
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tages were afforded by the private schools in the neighborhood ; under the instruction of Richard Durrett, a prominent teacher of the county (who taught in one place for over forty-five years), and Bethel College, Russellville, Ky. He entered this institution in 1854 and graduated June 17, 1858, with the degree of A. B., and afterward that of A. M. On the 8th of October, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, First Kentucky Cavalry, under command of Col. Ben Hardin Helm and Capt. H. C. Leavell; he was captured and held a prisoner of war at Louisville for three weeks ; he received an honorable discharge from the service in 1863; sinee the war he has spent a portion of his time in teaching school, and has been a teacher of the Pembroke schools since January, 1881. He has also been engaged in farming, and is the owner of the homestead farm of his father, which is located three miles south of Pembroke. He was married, October 8, 1872, to Miss Maggie, daughter of George O. Thomp- son, of Hopkinsville ; he became a member of the order A. F. & A. M., Gasper River Lodge, No. 391, in 1861, and of the Pembroke Lodge, No. 288, in 1865. Ile was a member of Royal Areh Chapter, No. 75, of Fairview, and of Clarksville Couneil, No. 4, and is now a member of the Moore Commandery, No. 6, Knights Templar of Hopkinsville. In religion he is a Baptist and in politics a Democrat. William Warfield Garnett, a prominent merchant, of the firm of W. W. & J. P. Garnett, Pembroke, Ky., was born in Christian County, Ky., November 9, 1838. He was educated in the common schools of the neighborhood, and at Bethel College, Russellville, Ky. At fourteen years of age he engaged as a clerk in a store for Faulkner & Slaughter, of Pembroke, and remained thus engaged, though for different firmns, until the spring of 1860, when he engaged in the mercantile business on his own account in the firm of W. HI. Pendleton & Co., which was successfully carried on until the war, when it met with heavy losses, and the firm was dissolved. In 1861 he enlisted in Company II, First Kentucky Cavalry, under command of Col. Helm, and was honorably discharged from the service in 1862. In 1866 he resumed business under the present name of the firm, and it has sinee eon- tinued to prosper, and is now one of the solid firms of the county and carries a large and complete stock of general merchandise. In connection with the mercantile business the partners own a farm of 200 acres in Pem- broke Preeinet, which they carry on. Mr. Garnett was married, May 3,
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1870, to Miss Sally Bailey, a native of Todd County and a daughter of Thomas G. and Amanda (Small) Bailey. This union has been blessed with one child : Fanny Bailey Garnett, born November 30, 1871. Mr. Garnett and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He was one of the original projectors, and assisted in the organization of the City Bank, Hopkinsville, Ky., in 1879; he was elected on the first Board of Direct- ors, and has been re-elected every year since that time .. John P. Gar- nett is a native of Christian County, Ky., and was born January 16, 1841. He spent bis early life at home on the farm, and received his edu- cation in the common schools, supplemented by a course at Bethel Col- lege; he remained at home engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1866, when he engaged in his present business in partnership with his brother. Ile was married, on the 29th of October, 1872, to Miss Rosa, daughter of Drurey and Elizabeth (Mosley) Lacey, a native of Christian County. They have three children : Mary A., Sally W. and Anna L. Mr. Gar- nett is a Democrat in politics, and with his wife unites with the Bethel Baptist Church ; he was Postmaster of Pembroke from 1866 until Jan- uary 1, 1884, when his increasing business in the store compelled him to resign; he is of a literary turn, and since the age of sixteen has been a regular contributor to many of the newspapers and magazines of the country, both in prose and verse. James B. Garnett, Commonwealth Attorney, Cadiz, Trigg Co., Ky., was born in Christian County, Ky., July 28, 1845 ; his early life was spent on the farm, and he there re- ceived the benefit of common sehools; he afterward attended the Cum- berland University at Lebanon, Tenn., and graduated from the law de- partment of that institution in 1867. He then located at Cadiz, Ky., and engaged in the practice of his profession, and has served the people in the following offices: County Attorney for one term ; County School Commissioner for two years; State Senator, representing the counties of Trigg, Calloway and Livingston, and in 1880 was elected Commonwealth Attorney of the Sixth Judicial District for a term of six years. IIe married Miss Virginia Hewett, a native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., who died with her child one year after her marriage.
BENJAMIN C. GARNETT (deceased), was a son of James and Frances (Chiles) Garnett, the former a native of Louisa County, Va., and the latter of Orange County, Va. They were the parents of the following
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children : Jane F., Benjamin C., Eldred B., James T., Susan A., Eliza C. and Mary E. Benjamin C. Garnett, the subject of this brief sketch, was born on the 12th of August, 1811; at the age of ten years he emi- grated with his parents to Kentucky, and settled in Todd County, and the following year came to Christian County, and located on the present site of Pembroke village. In early life he had the advantages of a good English education, and through a long and studious career he continued to improve his opportunities by reading standard works, as well as the current literature of the times. On the 12th of September, 1833, he married Miss Martha A., daughter of William C. Davis, and grand- daughter of James Davis, the first settler of Christian County. This union was blessed with the following children : Francis A., William D., Mary E., James L. and Gustavus E. Of these children William D. still survives, and is a prominent farmer of this county. In 1860 he married Miss Mollie A., daughter of James Jones, who has borne him two chil- dren, viz .: Benjamin J. and Gustavus. Jas L. Garnett and Annie L. Laey (a grandaughter of Leinuel Mosley) were married in December, 1870. This union was blessed with three children : Mattie A., Lizzie and William D. Lizzie died when two years old; the other children still survive. James L. Garnett died October 27, 1881, in Pueblo, Col., whither he had gone for his health Benjamin C. Garnett was a farmer by occupation, and was one of the most successful business men of the county. His death occurred at his residence on the 27th of February, 1884, after a brief illness. Ile was a man of large mental endowments, and possessed many admirable traits of character. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and affectionate brother, a kind neighbor and most excellent citizen. He was an earnest, zealous, Christian, and had been a member of the Bethel (Baptist) Church for fifty five years, of which time he was for forty years a Deacon. His memory will be cher- ished and his good deeds not forgotten.
ISAAC GARROTT was born in Christian County, Ky., June 8, 1847, and is still a resident. His father, Robert W. Garrott, was a native of Christian County, having been born November 2, 1823, and has always made this his home. Subject's mother was Sallie, the daugh- ter of Robert Y. Pendleton, Sr. ; was born in this county, June 21, 1828. and died in 1867. To her and husband were born: Leslie O., Isaac,
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Nannie (Rives) and Maggie E. By vocation subject is a farmer, pos- sessing 500 acres of good land, in an excellent state of cultivation. He . also owns a fine herd of short-horn cattle and Berkshire hogs, which have proved to be very profitable. He was formerly engaged in mercan- tile business. ' Subject was married December 5, 1871, to Miss Eddie E. Jameson, of Pembroke, and to them were born : Robert J., Nannie P., and Thomas L. Subject is a member of the Grange, and also of Pem- broke Lodge, No 288, A. F. & A. M., of which he is Master at the present time, and has four times previously represented his lodge in the Grand Lodge at Louisville. His education was procured in the schools of Christian County, and he is an extensive reader of books and newspapers. He is an active member of Salem Baptist Church, and politically is asso- ciated with the Democratic party.
TIIOMAS D. GRAY was born July 27, 1849, on the tract of land where he now resides, in Pembroke Precinet, Christian Co., Ky., and which has always been his home ; his father, Reason D. Gray, was born on this place in 1819, and also died here, in 1875. His grandfather, John Gray, was born in North Carolina and died here in about 1859, at the advanced age of ninety-three years. He was an early pioneer, and in the last century entered a large body of land in this section of Christian County. Indians were numerous and wild game abundant when he became the first settler in this region. Subject's mother, Mary E., daughter of Thomas Thomp- son, of Marengo County, Ga., died here in 1880, at the age of fifty-five years ; her children were : Margaret A. (Combs), John Y., Thomas D., William II., Deborah (Anderson), George B., Ellen W. (Rose), Mary E. and Reason D., Jr. Subject was married, in 1873, to Miss Martha J., daughter of William Anderson, of Hardin County, Ill. ; his literary advantages were good, and he was content with a good business education ; he is a farmer by profession, still owning as a patrimony 100 acres of the old family domain, which he successfully cultivates in the staple products of the country, at a fair profit; he is also a dealer in leaf tobacco, under the firm style of Gray & Brother, handling annually about 250 hogs- heads of tobacco, at a profit. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in polities is a Democrat.
STEPHEN HANNA. Stephen Hanna, Sr., the father of the gentle- man whose name heads this sketch, was a native of Pennsylvania, a soldier
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of the Revolutionary war, who died in Mercer County, Ky., in 1814, aged sixty years ; he was of Scotch-Irish descent; his wife, and mother of our subject, was Elizabeth (Forman) Hanna, a native of Virginia, who died in Todd County. Ky., in 1846. She was the mother of the following chil- dren : John, Elizabeth (Taylor), Nancy (Grooms), Stephen, Lucy T. .(Greenfield) and Forman. Stephen, our subject, was born in Mercer County, Ky., August 16, 1799, and was there reared and educated. When he was twenty years of age he removed to Logan County, where he resided four years, and then moved to Todd County, where he resided thirty years, and subsequently to Christian County. On the 11th of De- cember, 1841, he married Miss Sarah W., daughter of Thomas Hord, of Christian County. This union has been blessed with the following chil- dren : Thomas F., Henry G., John M. and Stephen D. Hanna. Mr. Hanna has always followed the occupation of farming, and is now the owner of 400 acres of land. Ile is an exemplary member of the Bethel Baptist Church, and has been a member for forty-two years.
REV. S. A. IIOLLAND was born in Warren County, Ky., on the 10th of December, in 1815. At the age of twenty-three he professed faith in Christ, and on the first Sabbath in August, 1838, was baptized by Rev. R. Rutherford, and received into the fellowship of the Salem Baptist Church, in Christian County, Ky., of which church he remained a member (with the exception of a short time) until his death. ITis early life was devoted to the farm, and without the advantages of a liberal edu- cation, entered upon the active duties of life under circumstances marked by no great promises of future success. But he found in Miss Almeda Brumfield one with whom he was willing to plight his fortune for the future, and after their marriage, on the 7th day of September, in the year of our Lord 1837, they set out on life's pilgrimage, and never more for- tunate was man in the choice of a companion than was our brother in the choice of that most faithful and devoted of wives. From that day, side by side did they press together up the doubtful hill of fortune to its sum- mit, reaching it but in time to see the sunlight of domestic union send its lengthening shadows aeross its sunny bower, giving only time to exchange the last geuial counsel, and hear the last adicu for time. In my first acquaintance with Brother Holland, in 1841, he had accumulated a suffi- cient amount of means to make a first payment of $800 on a tract of land
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which he had purchased for $2,400 ; this, with two little servants which his wife had received from her father's estate, with some stock and farming implements, constituted the estate of our dear brother. His success as a farmer was marked from that day forward; increasing with the years he grew in worldly goods. God blessed him in basket and in store, until he was not only regarded as a successful but as a prince of farmers. His . early religious impressions date back to his childhood, though his parents in his youth were not pious, nor were the advantages then such as they are now enjoyed by the youth in that favored part of our beloved com- munity ; but they were sufficient to bring before his mind, at times, his lost condition with great force. This state of things continued with its ebb and flow until the year 1838, when, under the exhibition of the gospel of the blessed God, he was not only brought to see himself a sinner lost, but to behold Jesus the friend of sinners by faith, and enjoy the peace of recon- ciliation through the Lamb that was slain, whom he ever after regarded as a living intercessor for him. From that time he became a devoted church member, willing to do his duty and bear his part in all the work of the church, to the honor and glory of Christ who had redeemed him. It may be as truly said of him as of any one of the present day, that like Paul he said, " Lord, what wilt thou have me to do ?" The church seeing in him a faithful Christian and church member, he was selected with one other to act as Deacon for the church ; they having been ordained by a council called by the church, consisting of Elders R. Ross (his pastor ); Samuel Baker, pastor of Hopkinsville Church; R. Y. Ander- son, of Locust Grove; R. W. Nixon, of Spring Creek Church. He entered upon his work with great diffidence. I remember about this time he attended the meeting of the Bethel Association at Russell- ville, and on his return he said to a friend, "I think I ought to resign as Deacon, for since I have seen and learned something of the work done by Brothers G. W. Norton and N. Long, I feel that I am unfit for the place." He was told that he should try and do his duty, and God would lend all needed aid; and those that were acquainted with him as Deacon, will testify to his fidelity to the trust imposed, though often by his straightforward course he was brought in contact with unfaithful members. But the church was not long in discovering that God had designed him for a different work ; and in November, 1845, the Salem
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Church licensed him and his fellow-deacon to exercise their gifts in exhorting and ministering the word in the community, that the brethren could be the better judges of their gifts in that department of Christian labor. IIe entered upon this work feeling its fearful responsibilities, and his imperfect qualification. Feeling that he had no right to refuse to do whatever the church thought his duty, and that he could not preach, he would often spend whole nights in weeping and praying in his anxiety and doubt about his duty. IIe and his fellow-laborer spent whole days together in prayer; often his mind would take on the most gloomy aspect of the future; but encouraged by the other, he pressed on under the con- viction that he should do all he could to save sinners, and in that light he exhorted at the prayer-meetings, and occasionally would take a text and explain by giving his views. ITis simplicity of manner and originality of thought, with his carnestness, soon convinced the brethren of the church that he was eminently endowed with gifts that if cultivated would be of inestimable value to the church. Consequently, on the 3rd day of Aug- ust, 1847, a presbytery consisting of Reuben Ross, Samuel Baker, Robert Williams, R. Y. Anderson, Elisha Vaughan, and R. W. Nixon, at the request of the Salem Baptist Church, in Christian County, Ky., ordained him and his fellow-laborer to the work of the gospel ministry, and George Kilabrew and William Pendleton as Deacons (I must stop here; the tears roll fast down my cheeks, and I alone am left to tell thee). From this time he entered upon the pastoral life, which was marked by great success ; first with Concord Church, Christian County, then at Graysville, and last with Mount Zion, Todd County, Ky., and South Union, Christian County, Ky. The estimation in which he was held by them as pastor may in part be learned from the records of affection and respect upon their several church books; but never fully until the deep, dark drapery of the heart shall be exchanged for the brighter apparel of the celestial guest that may attend the marriage supper of the Lamb, and the under-shepherd shall say, " These are Thine which Thou hast bought with Thine own blood." His efficiency was what distinguished him in every department in life. He was a man of great force of character, and whatever he put his hands to, he did with all his might. He was inflexible in purpose, tireless, uncon - querable, resolute and fearless, both of man, power and opinion, calm, self-reliant, and possessed mysterious contrel over others, a strong, cor-
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reet judgment, with rapidity of thought and sudden impulse. He decided quicker, yet better than other men ; his powers were all practical ; he thought better and could work better than others. His social life was so strongly marked by affection and cheerfulness that he gathered around him a large number of bosom friends, who felt that his presence was indispensable to complete their social circle. The testimony which they give him to-day-a monument more lasting than marble-is, that he was honest in business, faithful in friendship, generous toward society, respect- ful toward superiors, courteous toward inferiors, modest among equals, kind, benevolent and affable toward all. His beneficence was marked by its versatility and its consistency. It comprehended suffering humanity, whether considered temporally or spiritually. The key of his treasury hung upon a benevolent heart, and the cry of want found no bars to his store; he began and ended his religious life by using his substance for the glory of God; not his substance only, but himself. Said he, " IIere, Lord, take me." Much of his time was spent in gratuitons missionary work, and all the proceeds of his ministerial labor were contributed to the destitute or to the aid of the rising ministry. While his churches con- tributed to him as their pastor, he sent it forth to do its double work. The weak churches, the Home Mission, the Domestic Mission, the inter- ยท est of education, both literary and theological, as well as the mission abroad, all found in him a friend indeed ; he closed his life-work in giving his means to extend the knowledge of salvation to dying men, at home and abroad. But what shall I say more ? for like the friends of Dorcas, we stand beside his dying couch, weeping, showing all the things he did for us while he was with us. Before entering the sacred precincts of the home circle, I take my shoes from off my feet, feeling it is holy ground. I enter not to disturb the repose, nor re-open the fresh-made wounds on affectionate hearts, but to ask a remembrance of the consistency of that life which has so recently closed, and to ask you the privilege of uniting my feeble testimony with others, that a generous brother, a faithful and kind father, a constant and affectionate husband, has passed away in the death of S. A. Holland. I have come to stand with other loved ones around the dying couch of the child of God, and catch the last testimony he leaves to weeping loved ones, and ask you to let his last word, " glory," bring sweetest cheer to your troubled hearts, and to let bands of mourn-
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