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 47
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W. B. Tyler, deceased, was born in Prince William County, Va., Jan. 1, 1819. His father died when he was three years old. His mother then moved to Meade County, Ky., where he lived until 1847, when he came to Daviess County, Ky., and engaged in the mercantile trade, continuing in that business until 1860. He then became Cashier of the Deposit Bank, continuing as such until his death, which occurred Nov. 23, 1877. He obtained an educa- tion in what was called in that day " Old field schools," and fin- ished his education with old " Bob Smith " (as he was called), in Jefferson County, Ky., not many miles from Louisville. He mar- ried Miss Eliza N. Hawes, a native of Hancock County, and the danghter of Hon. Edwin Hawes, Senator of Daviess County, in 1850. Mr. Tyler was a man of the strietest honor and integrity, firm in his business character, but a mild and liberal man in his intercourse with his fellow men; ever ready to help anyone in trouble, and fully alive in matters relative to the prosperity of the community in which he resided. For many years previous to his death he was an active and consistent member of the Baptist church, and his death caused a void in the church and in our community very difficult to be filled. He and wife had a family of five sons and six daughters, four sons and five daughters living-Edwin H., now a practicing physician at San Antonio, Texas; Carrie A., wife of S. L. McAdams, a tobacco merchant at Hawesville, Ky .; Charles R., a graduate of West Point and a Lieutenant in the U. S. army; Heartly M., wife of Edwin H. Clarke, tobacco merchant of Owens- boro; Cecelia C., residing at home with her mother; Gustavus B., tobacco merchant of Owensboro: Clara H., Margaret H., and George T. reside at home with their mother, on the corner of Fourth and St. Ann streets, Owensboro.
S. V. Walden, born in Halifax County, Va., May 28, 1845, was a son of Samuel B. and Ann ( Mccutcheon) Walden, natives of Vir- ginia and Tennessee. His father died June 4, 1859, and his mother July 2, 1864. S. V. Walden was reared in Virginia; partly edu- cated there and partly in La Fayette, Christian Co., Ky. In Febru- ary, 1862, he entered the Confederate service under General Joe E. Johnston, in Parris's battery, Manley's battalion, Hokes' division, Hardee's corps. He surrendered April 26, 1863, under Johnston to Major-General W. T. Sherman; the following May returned home. In January, 1866, he came to Christian County, Ky., and lived with his brother two years. In 1868 he went to Louisville, and was employed as manager and superintendent of the tobacco house
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of Robert Dunlop, Jr .; remained there till February, 1871, when he came to Owensboro, being still in Mr. Dunlop's employment; re- mained with him till January, 1878. He then took the manage- ment of the tobacco house of A. G. Harris, Jr., which position he still retains. He was married in Owensboro, Dec. 22, 1874, to Maggie D. Moorland, daughter of Jesse P. Moorland. They have two children, a son and daughter.
John Wandling, son of Peter and Sarah Jane (Creveland) Wandling, was born in Washington, Warren Co., N. J., July 10, 1836. His great-grandfather was of German birth. The family name was formerly spelled Vendling. He was the second of eight children. He received his education in the common schools and academy of his native county. When sixteen years of age he was employed as clerk in the mercantile house of A. W. Creveling. He remained there some time, when he went into business with his father, the firm name being P. Wandling & Son. In 1857 he started for the West, intending to go to Kansas. At Philadelphia he met J. F. Hunter, a resident of Owensboro, who induced him to buy his ticket via Louisville. While stopping at the old Messmore House he was taken sick. During his convalescence he was invited to teach the Hampton District school. He taught a successful three months' term, and then taught in the Forks of Panther Creek District. March 9, 1859, he married P. J. Evins, daughter of Will- iam and Susan Marshall (Hall) Evins. The same year he went back to New Jersey, and worked for his old employer, A. W. Creveling, four years. At the death of Mr. Evins, in 1864, he rc- turned with his wife to Owensboro, and after a visit to New Jersey to settle up his business, he made this city his home. During the first two years of his residence here he was employed as clerk for Wing & Peters. He then entered into partnership with H. M. C. Simmons, buying out B. Bransford. This partnership continned five years, when Mr. Wandling established himself in the carpet business-the first store of the kind in the city. Abont the same time lie was asked by Mr. Tyler to accept a clerkship in the De- posit Bank, and a short time after was elected Assistant-Cashier. At the death of Mr. Tyler he was elected Cashier, which position he still retains. He is also in the general insurance business, the firm being Wandling, Buckner & Co., Jacob C. Wandling being the third partner. Mr. and Mrs. Wandling have seven children-Jo- sephine, born July 15, 1860; Luella, May 4, 1862; George Bryan, Sept. 23, 1864; Charles Melvin, Jan. 3, 1867; Edna, February,
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1869; Roberta, April 3, 1871; John Ware, Feb. 11, 1878. Mr. Wandling is Elder, Trustee and Treasurer of the Fourth Street Presbyterian Church. His wife is a member of the First Baptist Church. He is also a leading member of the Masouic order, and is a Knight Templar.
Phil. Thompson Watkins, son of Thomas W. and Susan B. (Thompson) Watkins, was born in Owensboro, June 4, 1846. His father was a native of Maryland and came to this county with a brother and two sisters in 1842. His mother was a native of Owensboro, and a daughter of Philip Thompson. They were mar- ried in May, 1845. His mother died Dec. 26, 1852, aged thirty and his father July 29, 1855, aged thirty-seven. After his father's death, he and his two sisters went to live with their uncle, Major Thompson. In 1859-'60 he was employed in the Circuit Clerk's office, his unele being Circuit Clerk of the county. When the war broke out his uncle raised a company for the Southern army and was appointed Major. During the greater part of the year 1863 Mr. Watkins was Deputy in the Circuit Clerk's office at Hender- son. From 1866-'70 he was Deputy Circuit Clerk, after which he was appointed Master Commissioner of Daviess County Circuit Court. He resigned his office to accept the position of Cashier in the Planters' Bank of Kentucky, now First National Bank of Owens- boro. He has been Secretary and Treasurer of the Owensboro Gas Light Company since 1871. He has been a Mason since 1868 and has served as Treasurer of the chapter and commandery for several years. He was married Jan. 1, 1868, to Anna C., daugh- ter of Dr. W. C. Woolford. They have lost one daughter and have two sons and five daughters living.
Martin H. Weber, upholsterer and foreman of Phillips Bros. & McAtee's carpet department, Owensboro, was born in Owensboro, Nov. 26, 1852. His father, John Weber, was born in Hesse-Darm- stadt, Germany, in 1806. When fourteen years of age he came alone to the United States; landed in New York City, where he was a tailor's apprentice six years; then went to Louisville, Ky., and worked there and at Jerseyville until 1845, when he came to Owensboro and engaged in the clothing trade and merchant tailor- ing. He died in October, 1881. He was a member of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church. He was married to Dorothea Ilager, at Jeffersonville, Ky. She was born in Bavaria, Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Weber had four sons and two daughters, two sons and one daughter living-William S., a merchant tailor and cutter, of
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Owensboro; Mary E., residing in Owensboro, and Martin H., sub- ject of this sketch, who was the third son and child. He attended the private schools of Owensboro until sixteeen when he began to learn the trade of upholsterer; worked in Owensboro eighteen months; then went to Louisville, Ky .; remained there four and a half years then returned to Owensboro and worked at his trade, and October, 1881, accepted his present position with Phillips Bros. & McAtee. Mr. Weber married Joeletsy Long, March 3, 1877. She was born in Owensboro, the danghter of John G. and Marietta (Newbolt) Long. Mr. and Mrs. Weber are members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church. Mr. Weber is a member of Star Lodge, No. 19, K. of P., Owensboro. In politics he is a Democrat.
Ernest Weill, son of Leon and Matilda (Herman) Weill, was born March 26, 1848, in Rosieres aux Salines, Dept. of Meurthe, France. He attended school in his native country, and finished his education by a three years' term of school in London. From this latter place he emigrated to America, in 1868, locating in Owensboro, where he has since lived. His father died in 1862, and he left his mother in the old country. On arriving in Owens- boro he engaged in clerking over a year, and then, in partnership with Mr. Hirsch, opened a clothing store and continued five years. The partnership was then dissolved, and in 1876 Mr. Weill took a trip across the water to visit his native land. When he returned, he resumed business at the corner of Main and Allen streets, the present site of the savings bank. From there he removed to his present location on Main street, between Frederica and St. Ann. He has a large clothing establishment, and does a good manufact- uring business. He was married in 1878 to Henrietta Neicam, a native of Daviess County. They have three children-Leon L., Joseph and Henry. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., and I. O. O. F. Postoffice, Owensboro.
John G. Weir, son of James Weir, was born in Owensboro, Ky., Jan. 13, 1849. He was educated at Princeton, N. J., and gradu- ated from the college there in June, 1871. He immediately began reading law in his father's office, and in the spring of 1872 was admitted to the bar, and commenced practicing with his father un- der the firm name of James Weir & Son. In February, 1880, C. J. Walker was admitted, and the present law firm of Weir, Weir & Walker established. April 30, 1874, Mr. Weir married Eliza- beth S., daughter of Clinton Griffith, of this city. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. Politically Mr. Weir is a Democrat.
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James M. Whitehead, born March 8, 1833, in La Rue County, Ky., is a son of Stout and Catharine (Stout) Whitehead, natives of Virginia, who came to Kentucky when young. His mother died in March, 1843, aged forty-three, and his father in 1864, aged sixty-six. They had a family of five children -- James M., Susan A., John S., William A. (deceased), and Martha E. James M. received his education in the country schools of his neighborhood. He lived on a farm, and his time for attending school was limited. Jan. 8, 1861, he married Eliza E., daughter of John Elliott, of Nelson County, Ky., and went to housekeeping on the homestead. When he was nineteen he learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it at times till after his father's death. In 1861 he enlisted in the Federal army in the Third Kentucky Cavalry, commanded by Colonel J. S. Jackson. He served about a year, and was dis- charged in September, 1862, on account of physical disability, when he returned home and resumed farming. After the death of his father the family was broken up, and he and his brother John went to Posey County, Ind., and remained till the close of the war. In 1865 he came to Owensboro, where he has since resided, work- ing at his trade and contracting, having built, some of the finest buildings in the city and county. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and a regular attendant at its meetings. He has been a member of the First Baptist Church since coming to Owensboro. He has a family of three children-James S., John W. and Nannah Bell.
Sol. Wile & Sons .- Solomon Wile, born June 11, 1829, in Baden, Germany, was a son of Baruch and Fannie (Heilbron) Wile. His father died in Germany, in 1854, and his mother in Owensboro, in- 1868. Solomon Wile was educated in Germany, and when twenty six years old came to the United States ; landed in New York in July, 1855, and located in Breckinridge County, Ky. He, not having any great means, began business by peddling in Breck n- ridge and Ohio counties, with good success ; after three years he opened a store in Ohio County, on the Hartford road, about seven miles from Hartford. He continued in business there four years, and when the war broke out, came to Owensboro, and located on Main street, in the east end, where he remained three years. In 1865 he built his present business block, on Main street. He bought the lot for $800, and put up a brick block on it, thirty-four- foot store-room, with partitions through it, living in the rear of the store and on the second floor. His business increasing all the
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time, he was compelled to take out one partition after another, build additions in the rear, and move his family into a private res- idence. Having laid the foundation of a large trade, which was increasing all the time, Mr. Wile, in June, 1881, tore down the old building and put up entirely new his present block, at a cost of between $6,000 and $7,000. He opened in the new store Sept. 26, 1881, with a new stock of goods. He has the finest and largest stock of clothing, gents' furnishing goods, etc., in the city. His residence on Fourth street was finished in 1878, at a cost of $10,- 000. As a merchant, Mr. Wile has been successful in life, and by honest and fair dealings has increased his business to its present dimensions. He was married Aug. 13, 1855, to Carolina Rothchild, a daughter of Simon Rotlichild. They have a family of seven children-Benjamin, Joseph, Henry, Jennie, Leon, Minnie, and Cora. Mr. Wile's sons are with him in the store, and greatly as- sist in the management and control of its business.
P. O. Willkie, Road and Bridge-Master for the O. & N. Ry., was born on the Catawba River, in Catawba County, N. C., Jan. 10, 1848, and is a son of George J. and Anna (Whitener) Willkie, natives of North Carolina and South Carolina respectively. They had a family of thirteen children, P. O. being the youngest son. He remained on the farm until nearly sixteen, when he en- listed in Company H, Sixteenth North Carolina Confederate Car- alry, and remained in the service until close of the war. At the close of the war returned home, remained a short time, and was on the W., N. & C. Ry. three months; then went to York, Fairfield Co., S. C., and served an apprenticeship as carpenter to Jolin Pope two years. He then worked at his tradein various places until 1868, when he went to Atlanta, Ga., and built bridges on the Western & Atlantic Railway for A. L. Maxwell; worked for him on different roads until 1872, when he began to work for the Nashville, Chat- tanooga & St. Louis Railway, and worked for them until 1878; then came to Owensboro, Ky., and accepted his present position for the O. & N. Ry. Mr. Willkie was married Feb. 13, 1878, to Ellen Brennan, at McEwen's Station, Tenn. She was born in Nash- ville, Tenn., and was a daughter of M. Brennan. They had one daughter, Anna, born Dec. 25, 1878. She died in February, 1879. Mr. Willkie is a member of the Knights of Honor, Lodge No. 2,525, Owensboro. In politics he is a Democrat.
Aaron Wolf, son of Lippman and Yetta (Strans) Wolf, was born Oct. 24, 1851, in Braunsbach, Germany. He was educated in his
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native country. In 1869, in company with his sister, he emigrated to America, and located first in Louisville, remaining there two years in business with an uncle. He then removed to Owensboro and engaged in the produce business a little over two years, with L. Leser. Then went to Henderson and clerked for Hermann & Co., clothiers and dry-goods merchants. Returned and formed a part- nership with Sol Wile & Sons, under the firm name of Wile, Wolf & Co., dealer in clothing, hats, caps, etc. This partner- ship was dissolved in 1875, and Mr. Wolf started a business for himself, locating first on Main and Allan streets; he has since re- moved to Main, between Frederica and St. Ann. He carries a stock of dry-goods, boots and shoes, and millinery and notions. He was married Jan. 2, 1877, to Fanny Rieser, of Evansville, Ind. They have two children-Clementine and Joseph. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wolf are active members of the Jewish church. Politically he is a Democrat. P. O., Owensboro.
Joel F. Yager was born in Jefferson, near the line of Oldham County, Ky., Dec. 28, 1832. His father, Joel Yager, was a native of Louisa County, Va., and when a young man settled in Jefferson Connty, Ky. He married Polly Yewell, who was reared on Bull- skin Creek, Ky. They had a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters. Mr. Yager, Sr., died in 1844, and his wife;in 1880. Joel F. was reared in Jefferson County. In 1859 he moved to Henderson County and remained there ten years, being engaged the greater part of the time in the livery business. He then went to Evansville, Ind., and remained about a year, coming to Owens- boro in the latter part of 1870. He lived here three years, specu- lating in horses, and June 24, 1873, went to Hartford, Ohio County, and again engaged in the livery business. April 15, 1880, he returned to Owensboro and opened the livery stable where he is still engaged. He was married in 1856 to Rebecca Close, a native of Oldham County, and a dangliter of Joseph Close. They have seven children, five sons and two daughters.
Philip Yeiser, born in Murray Precinct, Daviess County, Nov. 1, 1856, was a son of Thomas and Irene (Johnson) Yeiser, both natives of Daviess County. There was a family of six children, five living-Philip, James, John, Nannie and Catherine. His mother died July 3, 1873. When twenty years of age Mr. Yeiser went to McLean County and worked on a farm a year; soon after went to Texas and remained four months; returned to Kentucky and attended the Muhlenburg College till 1881; then returned to
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Owensboro and carried on a saw-mill two years. He then formed his present partnership with Mr. Lea in a livery stable. Jan. 25, 1882, Mr. Yeiser married Lula Stout, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Lea) Stout. They have one daughter-Irena. Mrs. Yeiser is a member of the Baptist church. Politically, Mr. Yeiser is a Democrat.
Philip R. Zulauf, City Clerk, and the leading watch-maker and jeweler of Owensboro, is a native of Germany, and was born Aug. 19, 1844; son of Conrad and Hannatte (Schneider) Zulauf. Philip was the fourth child of six sons and one daughter. When seven years of age he came with his parents to the United States, land- ing at New Orleans, and locating in Louisville, Ky. The father was a large manufacturer of boots and shoes, and was compelled to leave Germany on account of his political views as a Republican. He died in April, 1876. His wife died June 27, 1882. Philip learned his trade in the city of New Albany, Floyd Co., Ind. In April, 1863, he came to Owensboro. He worked for Albert Still- man until 1864, when he opened a jewelry and watch-making estab- lishment of his own, remaining in business until 1871; then asso- ciated himself with J. H. Taylor; remained with him until 1877, when Mr. Buckner bought out Mr. Taylor; J. A. Steman suc- ceeded in 1879, and Thomas P. Scott succeeded Mr. Steman in 1880. Mr. Zulauf has been with this house since 1871, and is known as the best workman in the city. He has been elected City Clerk of Owensboro, and is the present incumbent. He is a Ma- son, and member of Owensboro Lodge, No. 130. He is a member of I. O. O. F., Brother's Lodge, No. 132, and charter member of Star Lodge, No. 19, K. of P., and present Grand Prelate of the State; also member of the K. of H., Yost Lodge, No. 2,525. In politics he is a decided Democrat, and cast his first vote for George B. McClellan for President of the United States. Mr. Zulauf mar- ried Eliza Taylor at Lexington, Fayette Co., Ky., Oct. 17, 1866. She was born in Fleming County, Ky., a daughter of George H. and Harriet (Fleming) Taylor. Mrs. Zulauf is a member of the Third Street Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. Zulauf have had nine children, five living-Philip A., Hattie T., George T., Nettie and Tyler. Mr. Zulauf resides on Louis street, near Fifth.
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CHAPTER XVIII. BOSTON PRECINCT.
This precinct by law is thus bounded: Beginning at Knottsville Precinct at corner on Ohio County line, thence down North Panther Creek to bridge on Litchfield road, thence with the State road to the Miller's Mill road, thence with Miller's Mill road to South Panther Creek, thence with said Creek, Deserter's Fork and Ohio County line to the beginning.
A large portion of the land in this precinct was surveyed and sold by Robert Triplett. The farm lines are generally straight, but are at an angle of ten degrees from the cardinal points of the compass.
The land in this precinct will average about second and third rate in quality. Very little of it is subject to overflow. It is generally undulating, some of it hilly, and there are some very high hills, in which there is considerable coal and fine building stone. There is also a large quantity of lithographic stone in this part of Daviess County, but at present it is rather inaccessible.
In the spring of 1882 a petition was drawn up by James F. Hite and was signed by the citizens in this community and sent to Hon. H. W. Scott, County Judge, who changed the voting precinct, which was formerly held at Boston, to Whitesville, where the polls are now held; therefore it is generally known as Whitesville Pre- cinct, though the official name is still Boston Precinct, as recorded in the poll books at the County Clerk's office in Owensboro.
About the first settler in Boston Precinct was Bassett Burton, father of Horace Burton. He came from Adams' Fork, near Har- rodsburg, Ky., about 1810, bringing help with him to raise a log cabin. The nearest settlement was five or six miles distant. Other early settlers were Elisha Burton, Cornelius Westerfield, William Haynes, John Ward and Jolin Cooper. The two latter came in the fall of 1811, and settled near Mr. Burton. George Jackson settled where James Milton now lives, in the southwestern part of the precinct. Mr. Karn (whose given name may have been Josiah) settled in the western part. William Holmark settled where Mrs. Hinton now lives, William Sinnett where George Mattingly now
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lives, Joseph Hale on a place now owned by Thomas J. Monarch, James Mathies where Joe Haynes now lives, and Jabe Luallen where Thomas Ware now lives. A man named French settled here at an early date. When the first settlements were made, others came in and took up the land, and cleared the forests, and began improvements. William P. Ellis, from Shelby County, came and settled in 1829, in the extreme eastern part of the precinct.
The first physician who settled in the precinct was Dr. Rich- ard Lockhart, who lived here five or six years, and then movedinto Knottsville Precinct, although doing a large practice in this part of the country for a number of years.
Bassett Burton was the first Magistrate who served in the neigh- borhood, which was before it was organized as a precinct. After Mr. Burton's death, his son, Creed Burton, was chosen to fill the office. One of the first sheriffs who served was Simpson Stout. Under the new constitution in 1851, the first Magistrates were Benjamin F. Ramsey and John B. Hinton. The Sheriff was Thos. Landrum, and the Constable, W. W. Church.
The oldest man now living in the precinct is Robert Ragsdale, at the age of eighty-nine years, a native of Nelson County, Ky. Nancy Williams, widow of Alexander Williams, is about of the same age.
The first school-house erected was in 1825, on the farm of Bassett Burton; and the first school-teacher was an Irishman named Will- iam Maxwell, a well-educated man. The next one was James Jones.
In 1822 Bassett Burton built a horse-mill on his farm, for the purpose of grinding corn and wheat. People from a distance of fifteen miles came here to have their grain ground. The mill was run by the family after Mr. Burton's death, and by Horace Burton after he came in possession of the farm, till the beginning of the war. With four horses hitched to the mill it would convert a bushel of corn into the finest meal within six minutes.
A postoffice was kept at Boston until about 1859 or'60, and was then removed to Whitesville. During the war, owing to the sup- posed disloyalty of the postmaster, it was again established at Bos- ton, but remained only a short time, when it was returned to Whitesville.
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