USA > Kentucky > Christian County > County of Christian, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 27
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RALEIGH M. JACKSON was born October 26, 1823, in Ruther- ford County, Tenn., where he grew to manhood, after which he removed to Christian County, Ky., in 1851, and settled on the site of his present residence. HIc is the son of Thomas Jackson, of Virginia, who died here in 1866, at the age of sixty-six years. Thomas married Ruth, daughter of Thomas Hendrix, of Overton County, Tenn., who died in 1872, at the age of eighty-three years. Their children are : Francis II., Mary (Potts), Elizabeth (Ray), Nancy (Arnold), Newton C., Jennetta (Hendrix), Raleigh M., Evergreen A. (Winset) and Thomas H. Raleigh M. was married October 5, 1848, to Miss Zada, daughter of Hiram and Rebecca (Harrison) Putman, of Williamson County, Tenn., and to them have been born : Mary J., James B., Elva (Sisk) and Charles S. Hiram Putman's children are: Zada, Jesse M., Martha L., Elvira J. (Fox), Ann M. (Green), William R., Rebecca A. (Manahan), Nancy C. (Williams), Mary T. (Green), Monroe and Sarah M. Mrs. Jackson is an acceptable mem- ber of the Baptist Church. Mr. Jackson is engaged in the profession of farming, owning over 500 acres of good land, well improved, and in a high state of cultivation. He is also engaged in the manufacture of lum- ber, to which he devotes great energy. In politics he is independent.
DR. J. W. LONG was born in Christian County, Ky., December 24, 1835. He is the son of William and Ilester (Armstrong) Long. The former came with his parents from South Carolina to this county in infancy, and here he died in 1836. The latter was born here, and died in 1858. Their children are: Allen, John S., Alfred, Leander W., Richard M. and our subject, who was married December 12, 1872, to Miss Mellissa B., daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Brown) Brasher, of Christian County, and to them have been born : Eula D., born March
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23, 1875; Richard W. and Elbridge L. (twins), born February 12, 1877. Dr. Long's early educational advantages were limited. In 1856 he com- menced the study of medicine with Dr. T. A. Yarrell at Bainbridge, Ky. After studying two years he attended one course of lectures in the Eclec- tic Instituto, Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he practiced in Cedar County, Mo., two years, and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in 1861. He then returned to Christian County, Ky., and engaged in the practice of his profession at Petersburg, where he has remained from that time to this, with the exception of five years (from 1872 until 1877), when he was located at Earlington, Hopkins Co., Ky., and was employed by the St. Bernard Coal Company to do the practice for the miners and laborers in the employment of said company. Dr. Long has been a successful practitioner, stands high in his profession, and has accumulated considerable property. He owns 350 acres of farming land, the cultivation of which he superintends, raising chiefly corn, wheat, hay and stock. He is an intelligent gentleman, and of great value to the community in which he lives.
SQUIRE GEORGE H. MYERS was born on the place where he now resides, September 16, 1831. IIe is the son of George Myers, who was born in Pennsylvania, and at the age of eighteen years came to this place, where he died in 1859, aged sixty-five years. George made wagons, stocked plows, and was the first as well as the champion cradle-stocker of Chris- tian County, the latter coming into use after 1820. He was the son of Henry Myers, who died about 1835. George's wife was Nancy, daugh- ter of Henry Boysal, of Simpson County, Ky., and their children are : Catherine (Bobbitt), Nancy C. (Faughender), John II., David D., Susan H. (Withers), Elizabeth, Benjamin J., Sarah A. (Harkins), Anna P. (Eaton), Lucy B. (Brown), and subject, who was married September 3, 1857, to Miss Salena F., daughter of Presley N. O. and Mary J. (Clark) Thompson of Christian County, and to them have been born : Mary V. (married to Joab Clark), Nannie M., Benjamin T. (deceased), and Eddie C. Mr. Myers has been called upon to fill responsible positions, having been for the past five years a Magistrate in his precinct, and formerly acting as Deputy Sheriff. IIe is a worthy member of the Masonic fra- ternity, having acted as Master of the lodge. In religion he is a Univer- salist and in politics is independent. In the vocation of farming he is
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successful, owning 420 acres of fair land, a portion of which he cultivates in wheat, tobacco and corn.
JOHN P. PROUSE was born in Muhlenberg County, Ky., Decem- ber 29, 1844, and there grew to manhood; he came to Christian County in 1873, and here engaged in merchandising and dealing in tobacco, at which he has been very successful. IIe is the son of George O. and Polly (Wells) Prouse, the former of North Carolina, who died in Kentucky in 1862; his widow died in 1881, at the age of seventy-two years. Their children are : George O., Elizabeth (Atkinson), Sarah (Beacham), Jane (Atkinson), John P., Frank, Hop., Nancy O., Lewis, Mark L., Isaac and Laurana (Cary). John P. was married, January 13, 1870, to Miss Theodosia, daughter of Samuel C. and Theodosia (Bailey) Atkinson, of Henderson County, Ky., and to them have been born : Frank, Charlie and Nonie. Mr. Prouse is supplied with a library of many excellent and valuable books, and, with his excellent and intelligent lady, is well versed in the literature of the day. The family are members of the Reformer's Church, and in politics Mr. Prouse is a stanch Republican.
MRS. SARAH E. TANDY, daughter of Amos and Nancy (Ridge- dale) Atkinson, was born in Christian County, Ky., April 3, 1822, and was married December 19, 1872, to Mr. Nathaniel Tandy, who was born in 1812 and died in 1881. Her father was born in North Carolina in 1792, and died in this county in 1860. Her mother was born in South Carolina and died here in 1851, aged about sixty-two years. Their chil- dren are Samuel C., Sarah E., Pembroke S., Francis M., Elisha F. and Albina A. Mrs. Tandy is a well educated lady, with a fine mental cast, having accumulated a large fund of general information by studious habits and industry. Formerly she was engaged in teaching school, and in the aggregate taught seven years. She now occupies her farm of 200 acres, the careful cultivation of which she successfully superintends, and with the addition of a fine orchard, secures a competency. She is an active member of the Baptist Church. Her grandfather, Elisha Atkinson, was an efficient soldier in the Revolutionary war, from beginning to end, and died in 1844 at the age of ninety-four years.
BYRON D. WILLIAMS was born in Hopkins County, Ky., August 23, 1859. His father, Samuel H. Williams, was born in 1828, on the place of his present residence, which has always been his home ;
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his wife is Elizabeth M., daughter of George W. Parish, of Bedford County, Tenn. Their children are: George W., Byron D., Laura B. (wife of William F. Gabard) and Samuel H. Jr. Byron D. assisted his father as clerk in the mercantile business for about six years, then was employed on the railroad for three years, and then about two and one- half years ago, in connection with Mr. Gabard, commenced merchandising at Williams Station, beginning, in fact, at the bottom round of fortune's ladder, which he by industry and close attention to business has ascended with commendable success, and has attained a comfortable competency, and good standing in commercial circles. Samuel Williams, the elder, was born in Edgefield County, or District, in South Carolina, February 29, 1783. He came to Christian County, Ky., in or about the year 1808, accom- panied by his brother, William Williams, who was ten or twelve years his senior. William settled twelve or thirteen miles north of Hopkinsville, on the Hopkinsville and Madisonville road. Samuel lived with him two years, then married Elizabeth, the daughter of Williamn Teague, and set- tled March, 1815, five miles north, near the Christian and Hopkins County line, upon which the Clifton Coal Company is now operating. Ile (Samuel) died at this place July 17, 1857. Williams Postoffice was the first office ever established in the north part of the county, and took its name from William, who was appointed Postmaster. The place is known to the old settlers as Williams Hill. At that time the mail was carried in a leather mail-sack on horseback ; there were only one or two mails per week. The office was thence moved to Old Petersburg, as now called. At that time the mail was carried by a stage coach. After the railroad was built through here, the office was moved to New Petersburg, one mile north. B. D. Williams is the present Postmaster, and was appointed by Timothy O. Howe, Postmaster-General. The country near Crofton and Kelley's Station, in the year 1815, was mostly prairie, it being a difficult matter to even get a riding switch, there being only one post oak standing anywhere near. It was about one-half mile south of Kelley's Station, and is known to this day as the Lonesome Oak. The section of country south of Hopkinsville was barren or prairie, almost destitute of timber.
WILSON PRECINCT.
GEORGE N. JOHNSON, was born in Christian County, Ky., Sep- tember 14, 1831, and is one of r family of eight children-the subject, Samuel, Elizabeth (Garnett), William, John, Lucy Robinson and W. P .- born to Robinson and Lucy (Nash) Johnson, both natives of North Car- olina. The former was born in 1804, and his wife a year later. Our subject was married to Miss Frances E., daughter of James Taylor, of Rutherford County, Tenn .; seven children : Joab, Charlie, Sanda, Sidney, James R., Columbus and Ida E. have been born to them. Mr. Johnson is one of the largest and most successful farmers in the north part of the county, owning nearly 700 acres of land in a high state of cultivation. He is a member of the Universalist Church, and of the Masonic order. He has his life insured in the Masonic Insurance Company. In politics he is a Greenbacker. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace for four terms, and has filled various other civil offices.
ROBINSON JOHNSON, JR., was born October 28, 1845, in Chris- tian County, Ky., where he grew to manhood, and has always had his resi- dence. His father, Robinson Johnson, Sr., was born in North Carolina, about 1804, and died in Christian County, Ky., in 1850. He was the son of Samuel Johnson, of North Carolina, who died in this county in 1846. Subject's mother, Lucy (Nash) Johnson, died here in 1845. Robinson Sr's. children are: George N., Samuel, Lizzie (Garnett), Will- iam D., John, Lucy, Robinson, Jr., (subject), and Winfield P. Robin- son, Jr., was married December 28, 1865, to Rebecca J., daughter of Jack - son and Mary (Ilight) Lile, of Christian County, and to them were born : Joseph N., John R., Edward W., Nancy J., Alexander, Delia A. and Azariah A. The family are readers of books and the current literature of the day. Mr. Johnson is by profession a farmer, possessing 500 acres of fair land, upon which he raises pork, corn, wheat and tobacco. In politics he is a Democrat.
PRESLEY O. MARTIN was born September 22, 1816, in Indiana, and removed with his mother to Christian County, Ky., in infancy, where
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he grew to manhood and has remained to the present time. He is the . son of William Martin, who was born in North Carolina, and died in . Indiana in 1816. William's wife was Cassandra Bramlett, of White County, Ill. Their children are: Leanner (Andrews) and our subject, who was married in 1835, to Miss Elizabeth O'Daniel, and to them were born : William W., Elizabeth (Shelton) and Mary J. (Powel). He was next married January 5, 1864, to Mrs. Minerva, widow of William B. Harrison, and daughter of Benjamin and Ruth (Steel) Lacy, of Chris- tian County, Ky., and from this union have sprung : Sandford O., Susan M., Eliza A. and John J. W. D. Subject is a farmer, owning eighty- eight acres of fair land, and is also a distiller of apple and peach brandies. Ilis early education was limited, but he is a considerable reader, a mem- ber of the Baptist Church and a Democrat. His father was a cousin of Jefferson Davis. The Lacy family came from North Carolina to Chris- tian County, in 1796. Benjamin died in 1862, leaving the following children : Elizabeth (Powel), Nancy (Edwards), Benjamin II., James R., Edmond M., Susan (Stinett), Minerva A. and David M.
CALVIN W. MEACHAM was born October 15, 1836, in Christian County, Ky., where he has resided to the present time. His father, Edmond Meacham, was born about 1811, and is still living. His mother, Iva, daughter of James Williams, of Christian County, was born about 1813, and is also living. Their children are : Nancy P. (Fritz), Marion D., Calvin W., Henry C., Louisa E. (Meacham), Leander Q., John M. and Albern W. Calvin W. was married in 1866, to Miss Catherine A., daughter of Dr. J. C. Lesher, of Mt. Carmel, Ill., and to them have been born: Sarah E., Joseph W., Jesse F. and Edward B. Mr. Meacham is by profession a farmer, owning about 160 acres of medium land. In religion he is a Baptist, and in politics a Republican. He served as a soldier in the late war in the Seventeenth Kentucky Infantry.
JOIIN MILTON MEACIIAM was born March 16, 1848, in Chris- tian County, Ky., where he grew to manhood and still has his residence ; his father, Edmond, the son of Edmond, Sr., the son of Joseph Meacham, died in this county. The family came originally from South Carolina. Subject's mother, Iva, daughter of James Williams, of Christian County, is still living. John Milton Meacham was first married, in 1867, to Miss Josephine Clark, of this county, and to them were
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born Volney M. and Dudley A. Mr. Meacham was next married, in 1878, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Matthew Robinson, of Christian County, and the result of this union has been the birth of one child-Milford A. Subject is a farmer by profession, owning 133 acres of fair land, the cul- tivation of which occupies his care and attention. In religion Mr. Meacham is a Universalist, and in politics is identified with the Repub- lican party.
STEPHEN D. PEPPER was born June 22, 1827, in Todd County, Ky., and removed with his parents to Christian County, in 1847, where he has since made his home. His father, Thomas Pepper, was born in Virginia, in 1794; was a soldier in the war of 1812, and died in 1858. Ile was the son of Richard Pepper, who was born in Virginia and died in Tennessee. Thomas married Pamelia, daughter of Austin Moor. She was born in 1801, and died in Christian County, Ky., in 1871. Their children are : Anstin M., Benjamin F., subject, Francis M., Nocl and Mary J. (Robinson). Subject was married November 1, 1855, to Miss Margaret M., daughter of John and Melinda (Cooper) McFadden, of this county, and to them have been born : John T., Isadora, William F., Alfred L., Charles L., Bob W., Mary B., James M. and Eddie II. Mr. Pepper is a successful farmer, having 300 acres of good land in a fine state of cultivation. Though his own early educational advantages were limited, he takes an interest in the advancement of his children, procur- ing the better class of literature for their instruction. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; is connected with the Christian Church, and in politics is a Democrat.
MRS. ELIZA J. ROBINSON, the daughter of James and Eliza- beth (Bell) Taggart, was born in 1825, in Muhlenburg Connty, Ky., where she was reared, and in 1850 was married to Addison HI., son of Abner and Nancy (Duty) Robinson, of Christian County, Ky., and from this union sprang one daughter-Willie C. Addison H. Robinson was born February 12, 1807, and died in 1876. James Taggart was born in 1796, and died in 1876; Elizabeth Taggart was born, 1792, died in 1863. Her children are: John L., William B., subject, Elmira A. (Welborn), James M., Thomas R., Jesse B. and Elizabeth (Dockens). Mr. Addison II. was first married about 1830, to Elizabeth Meacham, and to them were born : Lucy A. (Pepper), and Abner O. He was
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married the second time, about 1843, to Elizabeth Grant, to whom was born Presley B. Mrs. Robinson is engaged in farming, having ninety acres of good land. She is a member of the Baptist Church.
ELBERT M. ROBINSON was born at the place of his present resi- dence, November 6, 1826. He is the son of Matthew Robinson, who was born in North Carolina about 1796, and died in Christian County, Ky., in 1856, leaving his wife, Susana, daughter of David and Jane (Pyle) Lacy, who was born in this county, and died here in 1881, at the age of seventy-eight years, and his children-Elbert M., David W., John G., William N., Henry H., Eliza A. (Meacham), and Octavia E. (Barnes). Elbert M. was married, February 12, 1879, to Miss Elizabeth II., daughter of Alfred and Harriet (Clark) Younglove, of Christian County, Ky. Her father was born in 1805, and died in 1878. Her mother was born in 1810, and died in this county in 1873. Mr. Robinson is by profession a farmer, having 192 acres of good land, which he is successfully cultivating. He is a member of the Baptist Church, also of the Masonic fraternity, and is identified with the Democratic party.
GUSTAVUS A. H. ROBINSON was born on the place where he now resides, June 19, 1833. His father, Wiley Robinson, was born March 27, 1800, and was the second white child born in Christian County. Wiley Robinson's father, Abner Robinson, was born in Duplin County, N. C., and in 1796 came to Christian County and here died in 1841. Abner's father, James Robinson, also a Carolinian, was a Revolutionary soldier, and came to Kentucky in 1787; he stopped at the older settle- ments of Boonesboro and Harrodsburg until 1788, then came to the Blue Lick Ford of the Pond River, erected a cabin in a cane brake, remained two years; then went to Carolina for his family, returned in 1796, and then went to Port Royal, Tenn., where he died in 1799. Gustavus Robinson's mother, Sally (Lacy) Robinson, was born near the Pilot Rock, Christian County, in 1803, and died in 1863. To her the following children were born: Mary J., Nancy E. (Graddy), Gus- tavus A. H., Sarah A. (Tedder), Bob B. and Martha E. Gustavus A. II. was married, May 7, 1861, to Miss Mary E., daughter of Joseph W. and Mary (Gohsler) Scates, of this county, and from this union sprang Minnie L., Walter B., Mattie A., Wiley L., Mary Lou, William J., Otho and Maud O. Mrs. Robinson was born in Hopkins-
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ville, May 20, 1838, and is a nicce of Hon. Walter B. Seates, late of the Supreme Court of Illinois ; her mother was born in France; her grand- father was a soldier under Napoleon, and fled his country after the defeat at Waterloo. Our subject's early educational advantages were rather limited, still he is a student and great reader, and takes pride in furnish- ing his family with choice literature. He is a carpenter and builder, and also owns 355 acres of medium land, on which he has his residence. In the war of 1812, five of his uncles took part, among them Col. James Robinson.
JAMES K. WEST was born June 24, 1833, on the place where he now resides, in Christian County, Ky .; his father, Jesse West, was born here in 1798, and also died on this place in 1843. IIe was the son of Charles West, who was born in South Carolina, and died in Christian County. Subject's mother, Martha, daughter of Jacob Pruitt, was born in 1803, in Illinois, and died here in 1880. The children of the family consist of Henson R., John M., Amos S., William E., Susan C., Sally R. (Cooper), Charles P., Eliza S., Francis M. and James K. (twins), Jesse W., Harmon N. and Henry H. James K. West has never married; he is a farmer, owning 245 acres of land of a fair quality, on which he cultivates wheat, corn, tobacco and clover. The place on which he resides was one among the earliest settled in the county. Mr. West is a mem- ber of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and a member of the Christian Church.
JOHN W. WICKS was born in Christian County, June 26, 1848, and after he grew to manhood entered the service of his country as a sol- dier in the Fifty-second Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and was honorably discharged. His grandfather, William Wicks, was born in North Car- olina in 1782, and died in 1850. Jolin W. Wicks was married, January 10, 1866, to Miss Martha J., daughter of William A. Hord, of Christian County, and to them have been born: Eddie H., James HI., Emma, Evie E., Eulalie, William R., John M. and Harry B. Mr. Wicks was favored with a good education, and engaged in school-teaching for a period of eight years. In 1881 he engaged in merchandising, at which he has won success, always maintaining a good credit and a reputation for prompt payment. He commenced at the bottom, and gradually secured a comfortable competency. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party.
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CAPT. JAMES M. WILSON was born in Christian County, Ky., January 13, 1821, and here he has always made his home. He is the son of Matthew Wilson, who was born and partly reared in North Carolina, but who removed to and for some time resided in South Carolina, and then with his mother came to Kentucky about the year 1794, and settled in what was then Logan County, in that portion from which Christian County was afterward formed ; here Matthew Wilson resided until his death in 1853, at the age of eighty-three years. His wife was Mary, daughter of James Campbell, of Christian County, died in 1843, aged about sixty-five years, and was mother of the following children : William, Lemuel C., Nareissa M. (Carman), Louisa, Ann E. (Blackford), John B. C., Matthew H., Catherine (who first married Murphy and afterward Lambert), James M. (our subjeet) and Hester E. (Withers). Matthew Wilson was for many years a surveyor ; for a long time he was a mem- ber of County Court, was Sheriff of this county two terms (or four years), and also for several years represented Christian County both in the Lower House and the Senate of Kentucky. Our subject, James M. Wilson, was for twelve years Justice of the Peace in this county, in a large district, which, after his terms had expired, was divided into three districts, one of which was named in his honor. In 1861 he enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Infantry, was promoted from the ranks to Second Lieutenant of Company E, and participated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shi- loh or Pittsburg Landing. His Captain was wounded at the commence- ment of the latter action, the First Lieutenant was absent, and conse- quently the command of the company devolved npon Mr. Wilson. Shortly after the fight at Shiloh the regiment was consolidated with the Seven- teenth Kentucky, and our subject, being in ill health, resigned and returned to his home; in 1863 having recovered his strength he recruited a company for the Forty-eighth Kentucky, of which he was commissioned Captain, and served as such until mustered out at the end of his term. In 1876 Capt. Wilson married Elizabeth, daughter of Alexander Wood- burn, of Muhlenburg County, Ky., and to this union have been born : Stephen A. D., Narcissa L., Lorenzo D., James B. W. and Mary J. Capt. Wilson is a Free Mason, and is a member of the Christian Church. In politics he is independent, and at present is engaged in farming.
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FRANCIS M. WITHERS was born September 8, 1831, at the place of his present residence-the home of his ancestors. His father, Samuel Withers, a native of Virginia, came to Christian County, Ky., at an early date ; served at New Orleans in the war in 1815, and died at his home in 1852, aged sixty-five years. He was the son of Thomas Withers, a Vir- ginian, who died in this county. Samuel's wife was Amelia, daughter of Abner Robinson, of Christian County. She was born in 1801, and is still living. IIer children are: James II., Abner B. and subject, who was married February 24, 1854, to Miss Hester E., daughter of Matthew and Mary (Campbell) Wilson, of this county, and to them were born : Elvisa M. (Wilson), John S., Lucy E., Abner B., James F., Narcissa E., Louisa J., Mary A. and Leonard H. Subject is a farmer, possessing 180 acres of good land in a fine state of cultivation, upon which he raises good crops of wheat, corn and tobacco. In religion Mr. Withers is a member of the Christian Church, and in politics a Democrat.
MEMORANDA
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BIOGRAPHICAL EVENTS
OCCURRING SUBSEQUENT TO THE PUBLICATION OF THIS WORK.
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INDEX.
CHAPTER I.
PAGE.
GEOLOGY, CLIMATOLOGY, INDIANS, ETC .. 19
Climatology
Coal ...
Dark and Bloody Ground, The.
Geology in General.
19
Rezin Davidge. 85
Jetterson Davis. 116
James 1. Dozier 100
Joseph Duncan. 115
Ninian Edwards .. 83
James W. Ewing. 100
Young Ewing .. 106
W. W. Fry .... 49
Niniau E. Grey.
Daniel S. Llays. 93
Gustavus A. Henry
Robert P. Heury
Robert Mckee ..
101 99
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