USA > Kentucky > Christian County > County of Christian, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 17
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William Otterson in 1842; he was a merchant, tobacconist and farmer, a man of great energy and enterprise, of strict integrity, and a member of the Baptist Church ; he was instrumental in the formation of the vil- lage of Bennettstown ; built many of the houses now standing; he died May 18, 1868, in his fifty-second year. Five of his children are now living, viz. : Mrs. Blair, Stephen H. Bennett, J. Bunyan Bennett, Drurey B. Bennett and Maria E. A. W. Bennett ; all of the five, and their mother are now living in Plano, Collin County, Tex. Mrs. Bennett was of English-Irish descent ; was born November 7, 1827. The wife of Samuel Blair was born in this county December 29, 1845; is the mother of two living children-John B. and Francis F. Blair, who were born December . 22, 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Blair are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Blair is a Democrat.
J. A. BOYD was born in Iredell County, N. C., on May 14, 1824, and is a son of H. W. and Matilda (Moore) Boyd. The father was of Irish descent, and came to this State in November, 1837. He settled in the western edge of Trigg County. In 1846 he moved to Ballard County, and thence to Paducah in January, 1849. Here he died on August 12th following. The mother was of English descent, and died in Ballard County, on January 17, 1849. Our subject was the eldest of nine chil- dren, three of whom are now living: J. A. (our subject), David L. (in Ballard County), and Mrs. Sarah King, in Clarksville, Tenn. J. A.'s education was received in the schools of his native State until 1819. He then learned the carpenter's trade, at Lafayette, and afterward followed. this business in different portions of the State. He also opened a cab- inet and furniture store in Lafayette in 1856. He remained there until January, 1867, and then came to Bennettstown. Here he worked at the carpenter's trade and also ran a furniture store. IIe remained in this business until 1877, when he was elected to the office of Constable, and has since served in this capacity. He also has a small place near Bennettstown, and has farming carried on. Mr. Boyd was married on January 25, 1849, to Miss Susan H. Brodie, a daughter of Alexander and Mary (Oldham) Brodie, of Montgomery County, Tenn. Mrs. Boyd was born in Montgomery County, Tenn., on August 7, 1829, and is the mother of three living children : Mrs. Rebecca Jobe (of Bennettstown), Hattie L. and Pearl S. Mr. and Mrs. Boyd are both members of the
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Presbyterian Church. Mr. Boyd is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M., and Mt. Olivet Chapter, No. 124. In politics he is identified with the Democratic party.
J. T. COLEMAN was born in this precinct on March 8, 1839, and is a son of J. W. and Mary J. (Rives) Coleman. The father was a native of Dinwiddie County, Va., and was of English descent. He came to this county in 1834, and on March 8, 1838, he married Miss Rives, (now Mrs. E. T. Stephens, whose sketch appears elsewhere). Mr. J. W. Coleman farmed in this precinct until his death, on March 18, 1862. J. T. Coleman is the eldest and the only one living of four children. His
education was received in the schools of this county. He remained at home until eighteen and then began life for himself. He came to his present farm, which was then owned by his father, but which he after- ward inherited. He now owns about 560 acres of which 350 is in culti- vation. Mr. Coleman was married on November 19, 1861, to Miss Jen- nie Pollard, a daughter of R. C. and Mildred N. (Hardgrove) Pollard, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Coleman was the mother of eight children, viz .: Cardan S., Mary N., James C., Lula, Earnest W., Alice E., Jennie B. and George P., and died on November 8, 1879. Mr. Coleman was next married on October 17, 1882, to Miss Mary Hugh Cooper, who was a daughter of Capt. H. C. and Elizabeth (Mckenzie) Cooper (deceased), and was born on January 27, 1861. In June, 1874, Mr. Coleman was elected Justice of the Peace of this precinct, and has since served in that capacity. He is a member of Church Hill Grange, No. 109, and is iden- tified with the Democratic party in politics.
A. M. COOPER -was born in this precinct and county on July 19, 1851, and is a son of H. C. and Bettie (Mckenzie) Cooper. The father was . also a native of this county, was born here on September 2, 1827, and was a son of John and Margaret (Harper) Cooper ; his parents were natives of IIarver's Ferry, S. C., and came to this county in a very early day, making one of the earliest settlements in the county. The grandfather of our subject died on July 3, 1851. The father was also a farmer, and resided here until his death on January 17, 1876. He was a soldier in the late war, having enlisted in 1861 in Company B of the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry. At the organization of the regiment he was elected Captain of his company ; he served in
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this capacity for about a year, when his regiment was consolidated with the Seventeenth Kentucky Infantry, when he resigned and came home; he was in his lifetime a staneh and consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The mother was also a native of this county, having been born here on May 15, 1831. She was a daughter of Squire W. W. Mckenzie, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. IIer death occurred on December 10, 1875. To her were born thirteen chil - dren, and of this number nine are now living, viz .: J. W., in Hopkins- ville ; A. M., our subjeet ; J. F., in Elmwood, Ill .; M. J., in Florida ; Minerva C., wife of W. E. Emery ; Bettie W., wife of A. J. Fuqua ; Mary II., wife of J. T. Coleman; Amanda B. and Ruth L. The schools of this county furnished our subjeet his education. In December, 1872, he was elected Constable, and served until December, 1873, and then . commeneed farming ; he now runs the home farm, which consists of 270 aeres ; he was married in this county on February 28, 1882, to Miss Carrie O. McDaniel, a daughter of R. T. and Sallie (Lakin) McDaniel, of Hopkinsville. Mrs. Cooper was born in this county on January 25, 1857, and to her has been born one child -- Katie May. On January 1, 1883, Mr. Cooper was appointed Deputy Tax Assessor of the county, which office he still holds. He is a member of the Cumberland Presby- terian Church, and in politics he gives his support to the Democratic party.
M. D. DAVIE was born in this county and precinet on August 16, 1827, and is a son of Maj. Ambrose and Elizabeth (Woodson) Davie. The father was born in Person County, N. C., on December 29, 1788. He was of English descent ; his great-grandfather, William Davie, came from England some time before the Revolution. This gentleman, as well as his son and grandson, were all soldiers in that war. Maj. Ambrose . Davie was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was appointed to the rank of Major by the Governor of North Carolina. In 1819 he came and settled in the south part of this county. He lived on that farm until the spring of 1823, and then came to the farm now owned by subject. In his time he was one of the largest planters in this county, and was uni- versally admired by his neighbors. His death occurred on February 22, 1863. He served as Sheriff of this county from 1832 to 1836. Subject is the younger of two living children ; he attended school in this county
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until sixteen, and then went to Yale College; he remained there only one year, however, and then went to Princeton College, where he grad- uated in the class of 1848. Returning to this State, he purchased some large flouring mills near Clarksville, Tenn .; he also, in connection with his brother, Winston J. Davie, embarked in the banking business. Both of these operations he carried on extensively until the breaking out of the war, when he lost an immense amount of capital. He was compelled to come to this county and give his attention to farming ; here he has since resided. Mr. Davie was married, on September 12, 1850, to Miss Cor- nelia Leavell, a daughter of Lewis Leavell, of Trenton, Todd County. Mrs. Davie was born on November 28, 1829. To this union were born eleven children, eight of whom are now living, viz .: Lewis L. (in Arkansas), Irving, Ambrose M. (in Florida), E. Sneed (in Florida), Winston J., Cornelia (wife of I. P. Davie), Eugenia and Maud. Mr. Davie is a member of the Clarksville Commandery, Knights Templar. In 1873 he was elected first Master of the State Grange of Kentucky, and held that office two terms. During that time he was instrumental in organizing Granges throughout the State. In 1855 he was elected a member of the Tennessee Legislature, and served in that capacity four years. Irving Davie, the second son of our subject, was born on October 5, 1852. His education was received in the schools of this county, in the University at Lexington and at the Evansville Business College. In 1877 he went West and spent two or three years in travel. He returned home in 1870, and has since had charge of the old homestead-a farm of some 500 acres.
MRS. EMILY DOWELL was born in Madison County, Va., on June 26, 1825, and is a daughter of Jeremiah and Sarah Jane (Major) Weaver. Both of the parents were natives of Virginia, and in 1827 they came to this county, settling in Longview Precinct ; there the father died in 1834. The mother afterward moved into this precinct, where she died in 1879. Mrs. Dowell is the eldest of four children ; her education was received in the schools of Hopkinsville. On August 10, 1841, in this county, she was married to John R. Dowell. This gentleman was born in Halifax County, Va., on July 3, 1814, and was a son of Richard and Mildred (Keen) Dowell. R. Dowell moved to Greene County, Ky., in an early day, where he died. The son came to this county in 1838, and turned
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his attention to farming. In 1855 he began merchandising at Beverly, this county. In this business he engaged until his death, which occurred on December 14, 1861. Mrs. Dowell, after her husband's death, came to this precinct, where she has since resided. Here she has turned her attention to farming. To her were born seven children, five of whom are now living : Mrs. Sarah Fleming, Mrs. Nancy Williamson (in Tennessee), Mrs. Mary J. Giles (of Garrettsburgh Precinct), Mittie and Anna at home. Mrs. Dowell and her family are members of the Baptist Church.
A. J. FUQUA was born in Robertson County, Tenn., on November 7, 1819, and is a son of Maj. James H. and Judith (Forbes) Fuqua. The parents were natives of Buckingham County, Va., and were descended from French Huguenots, who came to this country at an early date. The father was a soldier in the war of 1812, being stationed at Norfolk, Va., with the rank of Captain. He came to Tennessee about 1817; here he farmed and also carried on a mill; he was elected Major of the State militia, which was at that time organized in different parts of the State, and served as Justice of the Peace for years. In 1837 he came to Trigg County on his way to Missouri, but was taken sick, and after a long illness died on May 3, 1837. His widow settled down in that county, with her family, and resided there until her death, July, 1868. To her were born nine children, of whom our subject was the fifth, and of this number four are now living: A. J., T. J., W. L. (in Texas), and W. J. (in Trigg County). A. J. Fuqua commenced life by farming near Canton, Trigg County. In 1839 he came to the village of Lafayette, Christian County. At this point he turned his attention to merchandising, first in the grocery business, in which he engaged for about three years; he next embarked in the dry goods business, and has engaged in that line of merchandising almost ever since. In 1873 he asso- ciated with himself his nephew, A. A. Fuqua, and the firm has since been doing business under the title of A. A. Fuqua & Co. They now carry a stock of about $8,000, and are one of the most successful firms in the place. Mr. Fuqua was married in this county on October 4, 1843, to Miss Eliza Thacker, a daughter of Capt. Holt and Mahala (Hughes) Thaeker, natives of Virginia. She was a native of the same county, was the mother of four children (all deceased), and her death occurred on March 23, 1880. Ile was next married December 1, 1881, to Mrs. Jen-
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nie Landis (nee Wallace), a daughter of Jesse Wallace. This lady was a native of Cadiz, Trigg County, and died at home in Lafayette, Chris- tian County, June 23, 1882. Mr. Fuqua's third marriage took place in this county, on December 12, 1882, to Miss Bettie W. Cooper, a daughter of Capt. H. C. Cooper. Mr. Fuqua has served as Magistrate of this precinct for upward of fifteen years. IIe is at present acting as Police · Judge in the town of Lafayette. In his political affiliations he is a Dem- ocrat ; he is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Ben- · nettstown ; he is also member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M., and Mt. Olivet Chapter, No. 24.
THOMAS J. FUQUA was born in Robertson County, Tenn., Feb- ruary 22, 1822; he was the sixth child of James H. and Judith (Forbes) Fuqua. At the age of seventeen he began clerking at Cadiz; he remained there for about three years, and then came to this county in 1842; he settled at Lafayette, and merchandized here for about five years ; he then turned his attention to farming, and settled northwest of Lafayette. In 1862 he came to his present farin, where he has since resided ; he now owns about 300 acres, of which there are about 180 acres in cultivation ; he was married, in this county, January 15, 1345, to Miss Susan E. Randle, a daughter of IIenry L. and Elizabeth M. (Burke) Randle, natives of this State. Mrs. Fuqua was born January 1, 1829, and is the mother of thirteen children, of whom eleven are now living, viz .: James H., in San Juan, Col .; Samuel B., Alexander A., Thomas J., Willie W., Mal- com M., Price, Fulton F., all at Lafayette; Robert L., in Clarksville ; Eliza II. and Carrie. Mr. Fuqua is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, Mrs. Fuqua of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He served as Township Constable for about thirteen years; he is now acting as Notary Public ; he is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 151, and Mount Olivet Chapter, No. 24, A. F. & A. M. In politics he gives his support to the Democratic party.
F. M. GIRAND was born in this precinct on October 13, 1835, and is a son of Francis M., Sr., and Elizabeth L. (Mckenzie) Girand: Fran- cis M., Sr., was a native of Baltimore, Md., and his people were of French descent, his father having been a soldier in Napoleon's army. Francis M., Sr., came to this county in 1820, and in 1825 he married Miss Mckenzie, a daughter of Andrew Mckenzie, who came to this county from North
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Carolina in 1815. Andrew MeKenzie's father came from Ireland to this country at a very early day ; he came to this county with his son, and died here in 1820, being over one hundred years old at the time of his death. F. M. Cirand, Sr., settled down in Lafayette Precinet. IIere he resided until his death in July, 1835. The mother died December 1, 1875. Subject is the youngest of five children, of whom three are now living: Mrs. Amanda Barkley, in Graves County; F. W., in Young County, Texas; and F. M., our subject. He assisted his mother in running the home farm until 1855, when he went to Texas ; he remained in that State until December, 1866, when he returned to this preeinet; here he has since resided. Mr. Girand was married in this county on October 22, 1875, to Miss Sophia E. Mckenzie, a daughter of W. W. and Isabella (Ewing) MeKenzie. The parents were natives of North Carolina, and early set- tlers in the county. One child, James M., has blessed this union. Mr. and Mrs. Girand are members of the Bennettstown Presbyterian Church. Mr. Girand was a soldier in the late war; he enlisted in April, 1861, in Terry's Regiment, and at the end of a year he re-enlisted in Gibson's Battery, serving to the close of the war in this connection. The Dem- oeratie party receives his support.
DR. CLAUDIUS HALL (deceased) was born in Marshall County, Tenn., on January 20, 1820, and was a son of Thomas and Emma (Wal- lace) IIall. The father was a native of Scotland and came to this coun- try in an early day. The mother came from North Carolina. Dr. Hall was educated at Jackson College of Columbia, Tenn., from which he graduated in 1840. He next attended medical lectures at Louisville, Ky. He practiced in Marshall County, Tenn., for some years, and then came to this county in 1849. He settled in Lafayette and practiced there for some time, probably about twenty-five years. But finally, on account of his health, he was compelled to retire from active practice. He was appointed Postmaster at Lafayette for some years, and was a faithful officer. His death occurred in this county on June 7, 1874. He was married in Maury County, Tenn., on November 20, 1845, to Miss Selina Garland. This lady was a daughter of Edward and Nannie Garland. The mother was a native of Kentucky, the father of Virginia. Mrs. Hall was born on February 22, 1827, and was the mother of eight chil- dren. Of this number but three are now living: Lizzie ; Allan, now
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attorney at law, in Columbia, Tenn .; Charles, now at college at Culleoka, Tenn. Mrs. IIall is rearing her grandson, Redford HIall Lacy, who is now two years of age. Mrs. Hall and her family are members of the Old School Presbyterian Church.
G. W. McGEE is descended from one of the earliest pioneer families of this county. He was born in this precinct on August 9, 1828, and is- a son of William and Sarah (Franklin) McGee. The father was born in Sumner County, Tenn .; his father having come from Ireland in 1787, and settled in that county. In 1804 the latter came to this county, and settling in this precinct he entered 800 acres. He lived here until about 1825, and then moved back to Sumner County, Tenn., where he died about 1840. William continued to make his home in this county. In 1810 he was married to Miss Franklin, who was a daughter of Absalom Franklin, who came to this county in about 1800. Mr. McGee settled on the farm nów owned by subject, where he died on April 9, 1835. His wife (our subject's mother) was born in Franklin County, Ga., in August, 1789, and died in this county on January 22, 1871. To her were born ten children, of whom subject is the youngest. Of this number but twe are living-Mrs. Mary Ann Miles, in Johnson County, Ill .; and George W., our subject. The latter's education was but limited, and was received in this county. He'assisted on the home farm until he became of age, and then took charge of it himself. IIere he has since resided. Mr. McGee was married on January 15, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth Miles, a daughter of John HI. and Mary A. (Folks) Miles, natives of Montgomery County, Tenn. Eight children have blessed this union, of whom seven are now living, viz .: Tandy D., Samuel B., Stonewall J., Margaret J., James L., John B. and Joseph J. Mrs. McGee is a member of the Little River Baptist Church. Mr. McGee is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M.
DR. C. J. NORTHINGTON was born in Roaring Springs Precinct, Trigg Co., on March 11, 1828, and is a son of Samuel and Jane (Jouette) Northington. The father was a native of Pee Dee County, N. C. The mother was a daughter of Judge Charles Jouette, one of the early military Governors of Michigan Territory and also a General Indian Agent in this portion of the United States. The father was a farmer ; came to this county when our subject was but two years old, and settled in Union
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Schoolhouse Precinct ; he remained in this county until 1847, when he emigrated to California ; he lived in that State ten years and then moved to Wharton County, Tex. At that point he resided until his death in November, 1875. The mother died in this county in June, 1837, when our subject was but a boy, leaving a family of seven children. Of this number but three are now living, viz .: B. F., of Rawlins, Wyo. T .; Mrs. Jane Stark, of San Antonio, Tex., and C. J. (our subject). The latter in 1847 went to Cumberland College, in Princeton County ; he afterward taught school for five years, and then turned his attention to the study of medicine ; he read with Dr. W. W. Throckmorton, of Princeton, Ky., and remained with him two years and then attended lectures at medical colleges at Memphis, Tenn., and Macon, Ga., graduating from both insti- tutions ; he commenced practice at this point in 1855, and has since had an extensive and lucrative practice over this portion of the county. Dr. Northington was married in this county on November 12, 1857, to Miss Susan J. Hester, a daughter of Capt. W. and Henrietta (Rogers) Hester. The parents were natives of Prince Edward County, Va., and came to Montgomery County, Tenn., in 1816. They came to Christian County in 1846 and settled at Lafayette. Here the father merchandized and was also a very extensive farmer and tobacco-grower; he is now living a retired life at the advanced age of eighty-four. The mother died in May, 1874. Mrs. Northington was born in this county on February 5, 1853, and is the mother of two children : Mary Ella and Susan J. Dr. Northington and his family are members of the Christian Church of La- fayette; he is a member of Lafayette Lodge, No. 151, A. F. & A. M., and Mt. Olivet Chapter, No. 24 ; he has served as member of the Village Board, and in politics he is identified with the Democratic party.
D. B. OWSLEY was born in Lincoln County, Ky., on July 25, 1828, and is a son of H. P. and M. E. (Owsley) Owsley. The father of subject was also a native of this State, and was born on October 27, 1796. His father was a native of Virginia, and came to this State in 1782. H. P. Owsley moved to Shelby County in 1835, and in 1838 he came to this county. He settled on the farm now owned by subject, and there he resided until his death, on September 6, 1875. In his life-time he was a strong and devoted member of the Liberty Christian Church, and helped to a great extent in the ereetion of that house of worship, and
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also in the building of the South Kentucky College. The mother was also born in this State, on March 18, 1811, and her death occurred on May 4, 1880. Subject is the only living one of three children. His education was received in the common schools of this county, and in early life he assisted his father on the home farm. At the age of thirty he assumed control of the place, and at present owns about 1,800 acres, of which 600 acres are in cultivation. IIe also pays some attention to stock- raising. Mr. Owsley was married in this county on May 17, 1859, to Miss Susan A. Ford, a daughter of Robert and Jane W. Ford, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Owsley was born in Virginia on February 10, 1835, and was the mother of six children, of whom four are now living, viz. : Rob- ert, Bryan, Hans P., and John. This lady died on January 30, 1881. Mr. Owsley is a member of the Liberty Christian Church, and is identi- fied with the Republican party.
DR. E. C. ROBB (deceased) was born in Sumner County, Tenn., on December 11, 1820, and was a son of Joseph and Anna (Motheral) Robb. His education was received in the schools of his native county, and after- ward at the Nashville University, from which he graduated in 1841. IIe next read medicine for a short time, and then attended lectures at the Uni- versity of Medicine at Philadelphia. From this institution he graduated in the class of 1846. IIe commenced practicing in Sumner County, Tenn., and afterward came to Lexington, Ky. In 1852 he moved to Clarksville, Tenn., and at that point on December 19, 1854, be was married to Miss Evie Hester, a daughter of Robert and Minerva (Oldham) Hester. The father was a native of Virginia, the mother of Tennessee. Dr. Robb came to this county in 1861, and settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Robb. He was able to practice but little, as his health was poor. He consequently devoted most of his attention to farming. He resided here until his death on November 29, 1873. Mrs. Robb was born March 17, 1830, and is the mother of two children : Anna (wife of R. J. Carothers) and Eva. She is identified with the Christian Church.
P. E. SHERRILL was born in this county on May 3, 1820, and is a son of Jacob and Jane (Stephenson) Sherrill. The parents were natives of North Carolina, and came to this county in 1817. The father settled on Little River, where he eutcred about 250 acres ; he resided here until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1872. The mother
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· died when subject was quite young. The latter was the eighth of ten children, and of this number but four are now living: P. E. (our sub- ject), Mrs. Harriet Boyd (in Graves County), Mrs. Martha Stephenson (in Ballard County), and Mrs. Elenora Crews, of Brazoria County, Tex. The common schools of this county furnished our subject his education ; He assisted on the home farm until twenty-one, and then commenced life for himself; he first settled in Ballard County, but lived there only a short time; he next came to his present farm, where he has since resided. He now owns about 250 acres, of which 190 acres are in cultivation. Mr. Sherrill was married in this county on January 5, 1853, to Miss Mary W. Mckenzie, a daughter of Squire W. W. Mckenzie, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. She was the mother of two chil- dren-Munson B. and James B., both of whom are now in Texas -- and died in the fall of 1859. Mr. Sherrill was next married, on January 5, 1862, to Miss Sue Pierce, a daughter of John and Sarah (Allan) Pierce. This lady was a native of this county, and was the mother of four children, viz .: Mary P., Kempie, Jacob and Lou. Her death occurred on Octo- ber 25, 1874; and in Evansville, Ind., on May 15, 1878, our subject inarried Miss Rhoda Walker, a daughter of W. H. and Mary (Philips) Walker, of Evansville. The parents were natives of Washington County, Ill. Mrs. Sherrill is also a native of that county, having been born there on August 9, 1854. Mr. Sherrill is a member of the Old School Presby- terian Church, as was also his father before him. His wife is connected with the Methodist Church; he is identified with the Democratic party in politics, and is a member of Church Hill Grange.
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