USA > Kentucky > Daviess County > History of Daviess County, Kentucky, together with sketches of its cities, villages, and townships, educational religious, civil military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, biographies of representative citizens, and an outline history of Kentucky > Part 13
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rather under than over middle height, with dark hair and eyes, and marked features. He expressed himself freely in conversation, his broad Scotch dialect not being always readily understood. He was always a pious man, being established in his religions opinions be- yond all shadow of turning. He had a clear mind and acute obser- vation. Perhaps he was obstinate, equally in the right or wrong. To express a kindly feeling for Great Britain after the Revolution and during the collisions that culminated in the war of 1812, was not only unpopular, but was defying a very general and heated public sentiment. But to the last the old soldier maintained that under the fostering care of the British Government the American people would have best secured their prosperity and happiness. In the light of all that has followed, who knows? This meager and imperfect sketch (doing poor justice to its subject) may serve to remind this generation that the seeds of virtue were brought hither by the pioneers, and that it is the fault of their descendants if there be no fruitage.
The pioneers led simple lives and were mostly unlettered, but they realized in large measure all the better and nobler character- istics of true manhood.
Martin S. Mattingly, son of George and Catharine (Miles) Mat- tingly, was born in Nelson County, Ky., Sept. 27, 1843. His father was born in Marion County, Ky., in 1793, and died in Daviess County in 1859. His mother was born in Nelson County, Ky., in 1803, and died in Daviess County in 1874. Martin S. re- sided at home the greater part of his minority, working for neigh- bors and attending the district or subscription school. In his nineteenth year he attended St. Mary's College, Marion County, fitting himself for examination by studying evenings. He then taught school for two years in different parts of the county, after which he clerked for Bard & Price, of Sorghotown; he was Post master there two years. He worked for J. M. Mattingly & Son of Grissom's Landing, about a year, and was then elected County Clerk of Daviess County, August, 1874, where he is now serving his fourth term. In 1879 he married Belle, daughter of Jesse and Mary (Adams) Moreland. They have two children-Jesse, born Jan. 27, 1880; and Arthur F., born June 17, 1882.
Hawes McCreery, only son of Colonel T. C. McCreery, was ad- mitted to the bar here in 1880, practiced here until November, 1882, when he moved to Chicago.
Hon. Thomas C. McCreery, formerly United States Senator, was
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born in Kentucky in 1517; attended Center College, at Danville; stndied law, but turned his attention to agricultural pursuits; was a candidate for Presidential elector in 1852, and defeated; but in 1860 he was elected, and voted for Breckenridge and Lane; was elected United States Senator in February, 1868, as a Democrat, vice James Guthrie, resigned, and served until March 4, 1871. He was elected by 110 votes, against nine for Sidney M. Barnes, Union, and five for Aaron Harding, third party. In the caucus his chief competitors were Jesse D. Bright and Richard H. Stanton. Mr. McCrecry was again elected United States Senator, Dec. 19, 1871, by 112 votes, against twenty for Jolmn M. Harlan, Republi- can, and served from March 4, 1873, to March 4, 1879. Mr. Mc- Creery, before he suffered partial paralysis, was one of the most popular orators of the day; and he has the highest respect of all parties for the faithfulness with which he served the interests of his State. His very large and valuable library was entirely consumed by fire some years ago. Residence in the southern suburbs of Owensboro, on Frederica street.
John G. Mc Farland was Senator 1851-'3, Representative to the Legislature 1859-'61, and Circuit Clerk 1872-'4.
John H. McFarland, Representative to the Legislature in 1848, is the oldest living resident of Daviess Connty. See Chapter I .- "Early Settlement."
John L. McFarland has been admitted to the bar, but is now Deputy Circuit Clerk.
John S. McFarland, deceased, was County Clerk in 1831, Cir- enit Clerk 1832-'45, Representative 1850 '1 and 1862-'5, and Senator 1853-'7.
Robert W. McFarland, son of John H., and his eighteenth child, is a member of the bar in Owensboro. He was a Representa- tive to the Legislature 1879-'81.
W. S. McFarland, formerly County Attorney, is also a son of Jolin H. McFarland. IIe practiced law here some years before the war, and probably a little while after its outbreak. He is a Republican, and is now a United States gauger at Mt. Washing- ton, Bullitt County.
John Hardin McHenry, Sr., came to Owensboro in 1853, and died Nov. 1, 1871, at his residence in the same city. He was porn in Washington County, Ky., Oct. 13, 1797, the son of Rev. Barnabas McHenry. In 1821 he was appointed Commonwealth's Attorney for this district, which position he resigned in 1839. In
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1840 he was elected to the Legislature, as a Whig, and in 1850 a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention. At his death he left seven children-Hon. Henry D., Colonel John II., William H., W. Estill, Lemuel S., Mrs. Dr. IIale and Mrs. Robert Craig. Mr. McHenry was regarded as one of the best lawyers in the State, and as a high-toned statesman and Christian gentleman.
Colonel John Hardin McHenry, a prominent member of the Daviess County bar, and particularly known throughout the coun- try for his Union sentiments, was born in Hartford, Ohio Co., Ky., Feb. 21, 1832. His father was an own cous'n of the celebrated Colonel John J. Hardin, of Illinois, who took so prominent a part in the Mexican war. He received a fine literary educa- tion, spending three years in West Point Military Academy. In 1857 he graduated in law at the University of Lonisville, and prac- ticed his profession in Owensboro until the war, when he raised the Seventeenth Kentucky Infantry, and Oct. 1, 1861, had the first engagement with Confederates fought on Kentucky soil. His regiment also participated in the severe fight at Fort Donelson, under General Grant, and in the field of Shiloh; and subsequently it was consolidated with the Fifth Kentucky, under his command. In 1862, when President Lincoln issued his first proclamation on the subject of emancipation, he took issue with the Government, and published an order to his regiment not to aid slaves in their flight from their owners, which order resulted in his dismissal from the service. In this transaction the people of Kentucky stood by him. Even the Legislature took up his defense. In 1863 he made a race for Congress against George HI. Yeaman, but was defeated, his friends being " bayoneted away" from the polls. Since then he has followed his profession in Owensboro.
The Colonel was one of ten Captains selected by lot, April 9, 1858. by Governor Morehead to serve with their companies in Utah; but before Mellenry's company was ordered forward the troubles in Utah were ended by the presence of Generals A. S. Johnston and R. E. Lee, with their forces.
In 1881-'2. the Colonel, seeing that the State Legislature and Government of Kentneky placed in responsible positions scarcely any but ex-Confederate officers and soldiers, concluded that it was time to make a movement in favor of having the Union party of Kentucky represented. He accordingly headed a campaign, known as the "Union Democratic Movement," publishing speeches and letters, organizing a party and nominating a ticket. Richard T.
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Jacob, their nominee for Governor, received 75,000 votes in the State. In 1868, Colonel McHenry married Miss Josie Phillips, of Louisville, a niece of Judge Bland Ballard. In his law practice he has just formed a partnership with Captain Samnel E. Hill, from Hartford, Ky.
Henry McHenry practiced law here during the year 1882, in partnership with his uncle, Colonel J. H. McHenry. In Jan- uary, 1883, he returned to Hartford, Ky., whence he had come.
A. B. Miller, Sheriff of Daviess County, was born in Mason- ville Precinct, Jan. 13, 1832, and is a son of Fleming and Sallie (Crawford) Miller. His father was a native of Henrico County, Va .; was born in 1791 and came to Kentucky in 1815, settling in Shelby County. In 1823 he came to Daviess County, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, J. C. Miller, in Masonville Precinct. He died in 1860. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Sallie C. Crawford was his third wife. A. B. was the second of their five children. IIe remained on the old homestead farm in Masonville until his marriage, when he bought a farm where he re- sided until 1875. He then rented his farm and moved to Owens- boro. He was appointed Deputy Sheriff in 1874, and held that office until 1878. In 1881 was elected Sheriff of Daviess County. Mr. Miller married Miss Mary A. Simpson Nov. 18, 1856. She was born in Todd County, Ky., in 1839, and was a daughter of Payton and Caroline (Foster) Simpson, natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had seven children, six living-W. P., Deputy Sheriff; Carrie V., wife of T. B. Demaree, of Louisville, Ky .; Sallie B .; James E., learning the machinist's trade in Louisville; Charles B., clerking in the Y. M. C. A. rooms at Owensboro, and Tilla E. The mother died Sept. 7, 1877. She was a member of the Baptist church. Oct. 15, 1878, Mr. Miller married Mrs. Alice Murphy, widow of Geo. W. Murphy and daughter of James Tal- bott. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the First Baptist Church. Mr. Miller is a Knight Templar Mason and member of Chapter 15, Blue Lodge No. 130, a member of the Knights of Pythias and a member of the Knights of Honor, Lodges Nos. 2,525 and 910. In politics he is a Democrat and has always been a supporter of that party. He is of German and English descent.
James Zacharie Moore, attorney at law, was the tenth of four- teen children, and the son of Dr. John R. and Mary (Van Pradel- les) Moore, the former a native of Mercer (now Boyle) County, Ky.,
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and the latter of Baltimore, Md. He was born in 1845, in Jeffer. son County, Ky. While a boy he showed a strong disposition to enter the army, through West Point, but his father and family, "blue-stocking Presbyterians," were too strongly opposed to it. In 1856 the family removed to Missouri, settling on a farm. Here young Moore followed agriculture during the summer and attended school winters. In February, 1861, he volunteered for the State militia, but was withdrawn by his father. After the battle of Booneville, however, he could confine his zeal no longer, and with only a $5 bill and the clothes lie wore, he left home, in company with another boy, amid a rainy season, swam creeks and rivers and endured many hardships, until, after traveling about 300 miles, they reached Price's army. Mr. Moore was the youngest in the brigade. His term of enlistment expired in February, 1862, and, after a faithful service during all that time, he quit the army, without having received a cent of pay.
He afterward pursued a collegiate course of study two years, and entered the sophomore class at Danville, Ky .; but limited means prevented him from completing the course. After securing a little fund as salesman in Evansville, he entered the junior class at Miami University, Oxford, O., and graduated in 1867, taking the classical honor. Here he established a chapter of the Phi Delta Tlieta Society, which flourished for many years; and he founded and partly edited a college paper called the Miami Student. Mr. Moore was considered thestrongest member of that graduating class. Next he taught school in Daviess County and pursued a course of reading preparatory to the study of law. He attended the law department of Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., commenc- ing with only $57. He kept " bach," lived economically every way, and made his little fund go as far as it would. His forensic efforts made him many staunch friends.
In 1868 he became a member of the Daviess County bar, where he has since practiced, earning from the first the highest esteem ot the judges and of the bar. In 1874 he was appointed Register in Bankruptcy. In 1876, as a Republican nominee for Congress, he received the highest vote ever given a Republican candidate. In 1878 he threw his influence in favor of his former opponent, Hon. J. A. Mckenzie. In 1880 he visited California.
In 1871 Mr. Moore was married to Miss Anna Kintner, of Har- rison County, Ind., and, saving the loss of a number of their
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children, his domestic relations have been happy. His physique is excellent, his appearance prepossessing, his manner dignified, and his mind broad and liberal. In law practice he interposes no quibbles, but uses the telescope rather than the microscope. He is a friend of popular education, has high hopes of the upward prog- ress of humanity, reads and studies a great deal, has an immense library, consisting of the very best works, and his motto is, "The better thought prevails."
Priest Moorman was admitted to the bar here, and was City Attorney for Owensboro in 1877-'8. In 1879 he went to Calhoon.
Charles N. Morse had an office as a lawyer in 1868, in Rudd's building.
James A. Munday, present State Senator, is an attorney and counselor at law, and was formerly editor of the Messenger.
Eli H. Murray, son of David Murray and brother of J. A. Murray, of Cloverport, was born in Breckenridge County, bre- vetted Major-General in the Confederate service; moved here directly after the war and commenced the practice of law in part- nership with Jas. L. Johnson; in 1870 he left this county, and has since been married. In 1868 he was appointed U. S. Marshal for the State of Kentucky, and is now Governor of Utah Territory, where he was appointed by President Hayes.
Joseph Noe is a member of the Daviess County bar, and is at present the County Attorney.
M. L. Ogden was born in Caldwell County, Ky., near Princeton, Aug. 23, 1835. Two years afterward the family moved to Owens- boro, since which time the subject of this sketch has been an honored resident of this city. Forty-four years he lived on a lot now vacant, just north of the Hill block. A year ago he was completely burned out. Ever since he was sixteen years of age he has had a rheumatism which resulted in making him a permanent cripple, and for twenty years he lias had to use a wheel chair, for moving about indoors. From 1851-'6 he was Deputy Postmaster, while his father was Postmaster; from August, 1859, to Septem- ber, 1862, he was County Clerk, and from April to September, 1868, Circuit Clerk. In 1859 he commenced also assistant clerk at the mill, and from 1862 to the present time he has been con- tinuously the clerk. In Angust, 1866, he was married, and he has two children.
Wm. T. Owen, of the firm of Owen & Ellis, attorneys at law, was born in Kentucky in 1833. He came to Owensboro in December, 1851. After clerking in a store and at the court-house
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for a time, he studied law with Judge Devereux, and after re- ceiving license to practice he opened an office in Callioon, remain- ing there fourteen years. He formed his present partnership in 1872.
Wm. H. Perkins has held the office of Sheriff three terms. He is a native of Warren County, Ky., and was born June 29, 1832. His grandparents on his father's side came from Virginia abont 1810, and settled near Bowling Green. His father, Joseph, was born in Warren County; he married, in 1831, Rebecca Talbott, of Butler County. W. H. Perkins was five years old when he came to Daviess County. He was educated at Bon Harbor and Owens- boro; he led the life of a farmer until he was twenty-one years of age, when he was appointed Constable and afterward Deputy Sheriff. Most of his life has been spent in business connected with public offices. In 1866 he was elected Sheriff. May 6, 1862, hic married Miss Mildred Duke, of Ohio County. They have three children. Mr. Perkins was politically a Whig, but afterward became a Democrat. He has carried on a farm since he was eighteen years old, and was also for two years engaged in the grocery business in Owensboro, with John Thixton. He has been one of the popular officials of this county.
John Piles, Sheriff 1823-'5, was one of the renowned wags or madcaps of the county; and many stories, even at this late day, are related of his amnsing pranks and eccentricities.
Major John Pope, one of the most successful members of the bar, came from Springfield, Ky., located on a farm below town, and became wealthy .. He served in the Southern army, and after the war he moved into town and practiced law with Wm. N. Sweeney. Ile died Oct. 29, 1866, a devont Christian, esteemed by all who knew him.
J. D. Powers, born Oct. 17. 1844, in Ilawesville, Hancock Co., Ky., is a son of Stephen and Emily N. (Shrader) Powers. His father was a native of Ohio, and his mother of Hancock County, Ky. Mr. Powers was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1873, at Hawesville, and began to practice there. Ile located at Owensboro, Dec. 27, 1877, and practiced nearly a year alone, then formed the copartnership with Judge G. W. Williams, which still continues. Politically he is a Democrat: was Assistant Elector in State At large in 1876, on Tilden and Hendricks' ticket: was a member of the Legislature of Kentucky, representing Hancock County in 1873-'4. He was elected Vice-President of First National Bank
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in the spring of 1882. Oct. 19, 1875, he married Clara Hawes, youngest daughter of Hon. Albert Gallatin Hawes, and a native of Owensboro. They have six sons and one danghter.
Geo. W. Ray, attorney, was born May 24, 1819, in Washington County, Ky .; was married July 18, 1848, to Margaret J. Harris, of the same county. In 1851 he graduated at the University of Louisville, and in the fall of 1859 he came to Owensboro, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law.
G. L. Reinhard, a lawyer in Owensboro some years ago, is now a Circuit Judge, residing at Rockport, Ind.
Camden Riley, Sr., is an old member of the Daviess County bar. He is a native of this county, and moved into Owensboro in 1865.
Camden Riley, Jr., nephew of the preceding, was admitted to the bar in 1878, but is now mainly engaged in the manufacture of whisky, at Yelvington.
H. W. Scott was born in Nelson County in 1814. At the age of eighteen he entered St. Mary's College, where he remained three years, then went to Spencer County and engaged in school-teaching. Nov. 23, 1828, he married Catharine Beard, and continued to teach school for a year longer, then commenced farming in Spencer County. In October, 1852, be moved to Daviess County, where he has since resided. He taught school a while, then bonght a farm on the Litchfield road, with intention of devoting himself to agricultural pursuits. He had early in life made himself familiar with the science of surveying, and in this respect his services were so highly valued that at the election of 1858 he was chosen County Surveyor of Daviess County. He retained this position ten suc- cessive years, and in 1868 was chosen Sheriff of the county. He held the position two terms, and in 1874 was again elected to the same office. Few men have served more faithfully.
J. D. Shortell, lawyer; office over the First National Bank, was born in Ireland, in 1843, the son of James and Mary Shortell. They came to this country in 1849, and soon after arriving settled in Owensboro, where the subject of this sketch has since principally made it his home. His father followed the gro- cery business in this city, and died in 1860. Soon after the war broke out James D. and his mother visited their native land, and in the fall of 1864 returned to their adopted home in America. Mr. S. was educated at the Daviess County Academy in Owens-
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boro, and St. Mary's College at Lebanon, Ky. On his return from Ireland in 1864, he was employed in the Provost Marshal's office, and in the Internal Revenue Department, Fourth District of Ken- tucky, from 1865 to 1874,-offices at Lebanon, Shelbyville and Greensburg. In 1876 he returned to Owensboro with the view of practicing law, where he had been admitted to the bar the previous year. Until 1882 he was bookkeeper and cashier for R. Monarch & Co., in the whisky trade, and then he was employed by M. P. Mattingly in a similar capacity. Up to 1881 he acted as attorney for the distillers here, representing their interests at Washington. Mr. Shortell is a lawyer of superior talent, and is a keen witted, thorough going gentleman.
Robert W. Slack was born in Bardstown, Ky., in 1848; was educated in the schools of that place and at Cecilian College; studied law with James Montgomery at Elizabethtown, and was admitted to the bar at that place in 1870. In 1873 he came to Owensboro; in 1876 he formed a partnership with Judge L. P. Little, which was dissolved in 1880 by the latter being elected Judge, and since May, 1882, he has been in partnership with Jo Hayeraft. He was City Attorney 1873-'5.
M. G. Stirman, attorney, was born in Owensboro, April 28, 1858. His parents, Dr. W. D. and R. A. (Wall) Stirman, are residents of this city. M. G. was the second of four song. He first attended the private school of II. P. Hart, and at the age of eleven or twelve entered the common schools, graduating at the high school in 1874; he completed his education at the. State University of Indiana in 1879. He was admitted to the Kentneky bar in March, 1882, and has since followed his profession. In 1882 he was elected County Superintendent, and still retains that office.
James Stuart, born March 22, 1820, within three miles of the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, in Hardin, now La Rue, County, Ky., was a son of Alcxander L. and Jane Allen (McLure) Stuart. Ilis mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in 1783 in Logan's Station, and died in 1875, within two days of ninety-two years of age. His father was a son of Alexander L. Stuart, whose parents were fugitives from Scotland. His father died on ship- board, and his mother a few months after reaching Virginia. Alex- ander was reared in the family of Colonel MeKee, and when sixteen years of age entered the Revolutionary war and served till its elose. He then came to Kentucky, and after serving in all the campaigns against the Indians located in Warren County, being
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among its first settlers. He had a family of three sons and five daughters, the most of whom died in early life of consumption. His son, Alexander L., raised a company when nineteen years of age and served in the war of 1812. He was twice married and had three children, a daughter and two sons. He died at the age of thirty-four, and his youngest son at the age of thirty. James Stuart is, therefore, probably the only remaining male member of the original Stuart family. His early education was obtained in what was called the old field schools. His professional education was commenced in the office of the noted Jo Alleu. He was licensed to practice when nineteen years of age, Judge McLean be- ing the first and Judge Churchill the second to sign the license. Soon after receiving his license he was married to Mary C. Fair- leigh, daughter of the clerk of Meade County, and located in Brandenburg. In 1849 he was elected to represent Meade County in the Legislature. The Constitutional Convention was provided for at that session of the Legislature. He was a candidate for Circuit Judge in 1850 but was defeated. In 1856 he was elected to that office, and re-elected in 1862. Having removed to Owens- boro in 1867, he resigned his office and became a partner of Hon. W. N. Sweeney in the practice of law. In 1874 he was again elected Circuit Judge. He was a candidate for re-election in 1880 but was defeated. He is now practicing in Owensboro. He is probably the oldest lawyer in the Green River country.
As a lawyer Mr. Stuart has been retained in several of what the lawyers denominate "Casus celebres." Of these we mention the following prosecution for murder: The first in order of time was perhaps the Commonwealth vs. Thos. Florence, indicted for the murder of a Mrs. Green, in the Hardin Circuit Court. The case at- tracted such attention that not a juror resident in the county could be had to sit in the trials. It was twice mooted before juries brought from other counties but in each instance the result was bung juries,- six for acquitting and six for conviction,-and, sin- gularly enough, the juries stood in the same form, for in each those who would convict were four for manslaughter and ten years penal service, and two for murder and the penalty of death.
The next was the prosecution in the name of the Commonwealth vs. James, George and David Smith, charged with the murder of Dr. Hughes in Hardin County, at Glendale. They were indicted in Hardin County but the venne being changed to Grayson, they were acquitted amid the plaudits of those who witnessed the trial.
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