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 52
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George W. Rhodes (deceased) was born April 27, 1813, in Marion County, Ky., where he lived till he was eighteen years old. In 1832 his parents moved to Daviess County and settled in Knottsville Precinct, where they remained till their death. His father died a short time after he came here, and before George was twenty-one he began to take care of himself. He made a trip to New Orleans on a flat-boat, and soon after began working with timber, using what is called a whip saw to cut the timber into the required shape for building purposes, furnishing a number of the neighbors with material to build their homes. He followed this business for three or four years with gook success. He was mar- ried in January, 1836, to Lucy Jane Dawson, and shortly after went to farmning. He bought ninety acres of land east of Whites- ville. In 1840 he sold his property and moved to Clarke County,
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Mo., where he remained nearly four years. In 1844 he returned to Daviess County, Ky., and bought the old place back again, where he made it liis home till his death. In November, 1860, his wife died, at the age of forty-two years, leaving seven children -Elizabeth, wife of Henry Head; Nancy, wife of Felix Willis; Jaines Lindsey; Valentine; Mary Frances, wife of Nathaniel Mc- Carty; George S .; Rebecca W., wife of Demetrius Brooks. May 14, 1861, Mr. Rhodes was married to Mrs. Elizabeth (Phillips) Ly- on-, who had been married twice before. Mrs. Rhodes was born in Ohio County, Oct. 26, 1818. Mr. Rhodes died Aug. 20, 1882. He was a member of the Baptist church at Whitesville. Mr. Rhodes was a good business man and accumulated considerable property, having at his death about 450 acres in the homestead. He was a member`of high standing in the Masonic order. He was a citizen of the county who was highly respected by every one.
Geo. S. Rhodes, born Oct. 14, 1851, in Daviess County, Ky., is a son of Geo. W. and Lucy Jane (Dawson) Rhodes. He was reared in Daviess County and was married Sept. 7, 1871, to Margaret E. I. Stinnett, dangliter of Joel Stinnett, an early settler of Daviess County. After his marriage he lived in Henderson County on a farm for a year; then returned to Daviess County. In November, 1876, he moved to his farm east of Whitesville, where he is now residing. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes have had five children, three sons and two daughters, one son deceased.
George Stephens, born in Nelson County, Ky., Oct. 11, 1807, was a son of Thomas and Polly (Cooper) Stephens. His father died in 1808 leaving two children-Beed and George, and his mother afterward married Caleb Hazel. They had five children -- Samnel, Mathew, Ellen, Julia and Nancy. His mother died in 1873. Soon after his father's death George went to live with his Grandmother Cooper. He was married in 1829 to Nancy Winsatt, daughter of Felix Winsatt, and rented a farm, where he lived till 1845. He then came to Daviess County and bought the farm where he now lives, four miles southwest of Whitesville. He has 236 acres of good land which he has brought from an almost wild state to a well-cultivated condition. He has thirteen children- Mary Eliza, now Mrs. Athel Smith; Julia Ann, wife of James Ward; Sallie, wife of Joseph F. Rummage; William Henry, mar- ried Margaret Hardesty; Elizabeth, wife of James Rummage; Diel- len, wife of M. W. Hamilton; Albin, married. Margaret Howard; Melissa Jane, wife of James Shively; Harriet, wife of John Rum-
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mage; Letitia, wife of William French; George, married Fannie Mayfield; Nancy and Cicely, all living in Daviess County. Mrs. Stephens died Nov. 8, 1873, aged fifty-six years. Mr. Stephens and his family are members of the St. Mary's Catholic Church, Whitesville.
James L. Stinnett, born Sept. 1, 1837, in Daviess County, Ky., is a son of Joel Stinnett, a native of Green County, Ky., born in 1810, who came to Daviess County when ten years of age, with his father, and settled on the farm where he still lives. He mar- ried Lutitia Nelson, who died May 4, 1872, aged sixty-five years. They had fourteen children, seven living to be married. James L. is the eldest now living. In 1859 he married Martha J., daugh- ter of Lewis Earley. After his marriage he bought fifty acres in Ohio County, and went to farming. In three years he sold his farm and bought a larger one of 116 acres, where he lived five years. In 1868 he moved back to Daviess County, and went into the hotel business at Whitesville. March 12, 1871, his wife died, leaving two children-Virginia D., wife of John Kittinger, of South Carrolton, and Joel L. July 25, 1871, Mr. Stinnett married Martha R., daughter of Isaac May, and a native of Ohio County. In 1872 Mr. Stinnett went into the general merchandising busi- ness, and in 1878 sold out, and is now in the tobacco business, handling about 200,000 pounds per year. Mr. and Mrs. Stinnett have three children-William A., Lou A. and Lawrence M. Mr. Stinnett is a member of the Baptist church.
Joseph F. Stockton, born Dec. 8, 1847, in Mississippi County, Miss., is a son of William S. and Mahalia (Wallace) Stockton, natives of Virginia and South Carolina. When he was six months old his father died, and his mother afterward married Charles Colyer. Joseph F. lived at home till fifteen years of age, and then started out to seek his own livelihood, first going about twelve miles from home, where he lived with a man named R. S. Crinshaw a year. He then came to Daviess County, arriving here $6.00 in debt for his coat, besides his passage on the boat. He was assisted by C. D. Temple, with whom he lived four years, working for him on the farm. He also dealt quite extensively in horses during this time, an occupation lie has engaged in more or less since that time. He then went to Hancock County, and lived with Thomas II. Estes two years; then returned to Daviess County and lived with J. H. Bell. While living here he attended a school taught by J. F. Hite, during the fall and winter, which
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was the only schooling he ever had. Nov. 7, 1870, he started on a visit to his mother and grandparents, who were living in Arkan- sas, and returned July 2, 1871, making the entire trip on horse- back. April 27, 1876, he married Marena E., daughter of L. B. M. Wells, who was born in Boone County, Ky., July 13, 1853, and came to Daviess County when nine years of age. After his marriage he moved onto a farm. Feb. 23, 1880, he moved to Whitesville, though he carried on his farm till 1881. In August, 1881, he was elected Marshal of Whitesville, and re-elected in 1882. Mr. Stockton is an energetic man, and it is to his own untiring efforts that he owes his success thus far in life. He has never been under the influence of liquor, though his official duties bave constantly brought him in contact with those addicted to its use. Mr. and Mrs. Stockton have one child-Phyllis, born Aug. 20, 1881.
William A. Stone was born in Owensboro, Daviess County, Ky., Oct. 4, 1831. His parents were Joseph S. and Anna (Atkins) Stone, natives of Kentucky. They had a family of four children, all born in Daviess County. The parents were married in Daviess County. William M. was their eldest son and their second child. He remained on the farm with his father until twenty-one, and then worked for different parties until the late war, when he enlisted in Captain Taylor's company, Twelfth and Eighth Kentucky Confed- erate Cavalry, Cypress Regiment, remaining in the service until the close of the war, and then returned to Daviess County. He married Cleopatra J. A. Howard, June 26, 1878, daughter of Thomas J. and Persis (Barnhill) Howard. After his marriage Mr. Stone settled on his present farm in Boston Precinct, where he owns fifty-five acres. On his farm there is a part of the cele- brated wolf hill where there is one of the finest veins of coal in the State. This is some of the best coal west of the Pennsylvania coal mines. It has less than two per cent. ashes. Mr. Stone is now mining it. It is fine blacksmith's coal. Mrs. Stone is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Walter Ward, son of John and Mary (Mckinney) Ward, was born in Jessamine County, Ky., March 9, 1810, and when eighteen months old his parents came to Daviess County, and settled on the present Ward farm. There was a family of twelve children, all of whom grew to maturity, but only two now living. His father was born Jan. 20, 1757, and died Oct. 10, 1847. His mother was born Sept. 13, 1768, and died Sept. 1, 1857. April 16, 1839, Walter
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Ward married Rachel Ann Porter Helm, daughter of John Helm, who was born in Shelby County, Jan. 23, 1817, and came to Daviess County in 1838. They have no children. Mr. Ward has 4024 acres of land in Daviess County.
Isham Wells, born Jan. 19, 1844, in Davies County, Ky., is a son of J. P. and L. (Morgan) Wells, natives of Shelby and Clark counties respectively. Mr. Wells came to Daviess County at an early day, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, Isham, at that time an unbroken tract. He died in January, 1852. Mrs. Wells is still living, aged seventy-two years. Isham Wells was educated in the distriet schools, and being reared a farmer, has always fol. lowed that occupation. His father dying when he was but eight years old, left the whole care of the farm to his mother, which he assumed as soon as he was old enough. He has 140 acres of land, all under a good state of cultivation. Since the fall of 1861 he has been a member of the Christian church.
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CHAPTER XIX.
CURDSVILLE PRECINCT.
This precinct was thus bounded in 1867: Beginning at corner of Daviess and McLean counties on Green River, thence with Mc- Lean County line to Mrs. Tanner's old place, thence to Adam Young's, thence to Lyddan's bridge, thence down Panther Creek to Glenn's bridge, thence with Glenn's bridge and Owensboro road to the north end of the Pearce farm, including same, thence a line to Green River, excluding I. Hazlewood and the Windsor farm, thence up said river to the beginning. Sorghotown Precinct has since been cut off.
In 1872 West Louisville voting place was established for voters within the following boundaries: Beginning in the Curdsville and Calhoon road where the county line between Daviess and McLean crosses said road, thence along the middle of said road toward Curdsville to where the Owensboro and Delaware road crosses the Curdsville and Calhoon road, thence along the middle of the Owensboro and Delaware road toward Owensboro to East Knob Lick Creek at Hardesty's bridge, thence down said creek to Pan- ther Creek, then up Panther Creek to Lyddan's bridge, thence with the line between Vanover and Curdsville precincts to the place of beginning.
Curdsville was named after H. T. Curd, of the firm of H. T. Curd & Co., Louisville, who gave A. Spray a barrel of rectified whisky to call the precinct by that name in honor of himself. It is situated in the extreme southwest portion of the county, and lies mostly south of Panther Creek, but a portion extends north of that stream. The soil is very productive; generally undulating and hilly; some hills are high. Some places along the water-courses are occasionally overflowed and in consequence have not been set. tled very rapidly. There are not less than 3,000 or 4,000 acres of coal in this precinct. This coal is of excellent quality, and four to four and one third feet thick.
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Curdsville Precinct was first settled by William Glenn, of Nel- son County, in 1797, on the north side of Panther Creek, and three miles above its mouth, by a large spring of fresh water. This spring furnishes sufficient water, if utilized, to turn a mill. It flows as freely and as strong as it did eighty-five years ago when Mr. Glenn first settled there; at present, the honse of Chapman Boswell stands within 200 yards of it. Mr. Glenn raised a fam- ily of nine children, five girls and four boys, most of whom settled around him. Two of his sons, Duke and James, afterward went to Texas. Mr. Glenn was a celebrated Indian fighter and had many very narrow escapes; but he always carried off his prize, which was the scalp of the red skin. His son William was Colo- nel of militia, a Representative in the Legislature, and Sheriff of this county. Mr. Glenn died in 1820 on the old homestead.
John Galloway, William Faith and Mr. Travis came very soon after Mr. Glenn. Mr. Galloway settled on the farm now occupied by the Traverse family, one and a half miles south of the Catholic church. He raised a large family, and lived to a good old age. Mr. Faith settled near Mr. Galloway, and also lived to be very old, and died in this precinct, leaving five children. Mr. Travis died many years ago. Some of his grandchildren still live here.
Next came Adam Jorden and Rev. Joseph Hobbs; the latter was a Baptist minister, and settled near Mr. Faith. Mr. Jorden killed fifty-two buffalo the first year after his coming. The last bear he killed was on a black-oak tree then standing on the edge of the Calhoon road.
Thomas Downs was the first man who lived in the vicinity of Alphonsus' Catholic Church. He built a house on the hill half a mile south of the church and directly opposite the place subse- quently occupied by Dr. Blincoe.
JOHN WRIGHT.
As this gentleman is the oldest living resident of Curdsville Pre- cinct, he deserves more extended notice. He was born in Green (now Taylor) County, Ky., April 8, 1804. His father, William Wright, was born near Culpeper Court-House, Va., June 10, 1776. His mother, Betsey (Brents) Wright, was born in Nelson County, Ky. Her father, Captain John Brents, joined General George Rogers Clark at Louisville when Governor Dinwiddie sent the
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latter out to take possession of Ohio Valley. Captain Brents helped build the first fort, and made the first settlement where Louisville now stands; he was drowned at Ohio Falls while passing over the rapids in a boat with his company, the boat having foun- dered on a rock, and capsized. John Wright was brought to McLean (then Ohio) County by his parents in 1807, who settled at Beech Grove. There were then only three families in the neighborhood. There were eleven children in his father's family, John being the second. {He has one sister living-Elizabeth, who married a man named Joseph Wright, but not a relative. John settled where he now resides in 1841. When twenty-one years of age he com- menced running flat-boats on the river to New Orleans, and kept it up for nearly twenty years. Mr. Wright says that in pioneer days a quart of whisky would roll logs for a man all day, but now it takes two gallons. He used to pack salt on a horse from Saline, near Shawneetown, Ill., a distance of sixty miles, for which he paid one dollar a bushel, and could get only three bushes for each family. He remembers when John Dicken, a Methodist preacher, killed Lem. White, about 1810 or 1815. White was trying to get into Dicken's house to kill him; Dicken, having no bullets, broke the handle from a pewter spoon, rammed it down his gun, and shot White through a crack in the wall. He immediately gave himself up, but was acquitted.
Mr. Wright was Deputy Sheriff of this county thirteen years, when a portion of it was McLean County.
The early settlers were very hospitable. There were very few pistols carried, fighting being usually done with the fist. Some- times two men would fight, then drink, and become friends before the blood ceased to flow from their wounds.
CHURCHES.
Pleasant Hill (Knob Lick) Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized by C. C. Boswell in the fall of 1840, at the house of Stephen S. Winstead, on north side of Panther Creek. Most of their people lived on the south side of the creek, and for a time services were held, alternately, on both sides, in private houses. For a few years they occupied the Knob Lick school-house, on Knob Lick Creek, from which it was nicknamed. In 1846 they built a log house, 26 x 20 feet, near where the present church stands, on two acres of land donated by a gentleman from Indiana. The present structure was built in 1865. It is a frame building, 56 x 40
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feet. The present membership is 111. Services every alternate Sunday by Elder Willis Smith, of Owensboro. Rev. C. C. Bos- well, the first pastor, lives near Mattingly's bridge, north of Panther Creek. The Baptists also hold services in this church; services the first Sunday in each month by Rev. Benjamin Bracket, of McLean County.
St. Raphael's Catholic Church, situated three miles east of West Louisville, was established in 1832 by Father Derbin, of Union Connty, Ky. There were only six families in the congregation, and they worshiped in private houses until 1842, when they erected a hewed log house of worship under the direction of Father Schacht, the communicants performing the labor. Esquire J. T. Blanford and Urbin Hayden sawed all the lumber with a whip saw. The size of the building was 24x40 feet. In 1850 this church was burned, and the congregation united with the St. Al- phonsus congregation in building the present church where the latter worship. In 1864 they rebuilt at the old place. This build. ing was of hewed logs, 50 x 40 feet, with the addition of a sacrista 20 x 16 feet; since the erection of the present edifice, it has been used as a tobacco house. The magnificent structure where they now worship, was built in 1879 by Father G. A. Vantroostenburg, pastor. It is built of brick, is 90 x 42 feet, withi a steeple 96 feet high, containing an 800-pound bell. The entire cost of the building was $5,500, exclusive of the pews, which will cost nearly $1,000. One hundred families worship here.
St. Alphonsus' Catholic Church was built in 1854 by Rev. Wal- ter Coombs, on land donated by John Rodman. Mr. Coombs was a very zealous clergyman, and at that time the only priest in the county. Mass was first offered up by Rev. John Boyle, who was stationed at St. Raphael's Church, and served at St. Alplionsus' Church once a month for two years. After he left Rev. Eugene O'Callaghan officiated. He was a good and zealous man, never failing to fill his appointments. He served this church once a month for four years, being at that time stationed at Owensboro. In 1861 the Rev. Ivo Schacht was sent to St. Alphonsus' by Rev. Martin Spalding as the first resident pastor. He enlarged the old church building, which ;had become too small, and purchased a lot from James Glenn and built St. Joseph's Female Academy, which was occupied by the Sisters of Loretto, of Marion County, Ky. It was a frame building, and was accidentally burned in 1870. Mr. Schacht was succeeded by Rev. Charles Eggermont, and during his admin-
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istration the old frame church was burned. Heimmediately made arrangements to build the present brick church, but before its com- pletion he was called to fill a professorship at St. Joseph's College, at Bardstown, Kentucky. Rev. Paul Volk, the present pastor, took his place. He finished the church building, and rebuilt St. Joseph's Academy, which is now occupied by the Ursuline nuns. The church is 84 x 45 feet, and has a graceful spire. It is situated fifteen miles southwest of Owensboro, and there is a membership of abont 1,200. A beautiful cemetery adjoins the church. This part of Daviess County is settled almost entirely by Catholics, and it is a remarkable fact that during a period of more than twelve years not a murder has been committed by a member of this church.
The following is a list of all the priests that have served this church : Revs. E. J. Durbin, from 1825 to 1831 ; John Wathen, 1831 to 1837; Walter Coombs, 1837 to 1846; Athanasius Aud, 1846 to 1848 ; John Boyle, 1848 to 1850 ; Eugene Callaghan, 1850 to 1861; Ivo Schacht, 1861 to 1864; Charles Eggermont, 1864 to 1870; Paul Volk, 1870 to the present time; Rev. Michael Coghlan, of Ireland, 1848 to 1871. From 1846 to the present time there have been from two to seven priests within the county.
The members belonging to St. Alphousus' Church are all Amer- icans, coming chiefly from Marion, Nelson and Washington conn- ties, whose ancestors came from Maryland. The baptismal registers show that from 1861 to 1881, 900 infants have been baptized in this congregation. Children all receive a good Christian education in the district school.
MOUNT ST. JOSEPH'S ACADEMY.
This institution is in charge of the Ursuline nuns, from Louis- ville, Ky., and was founded in 1862 by the late Rev. Ivo Schacht. The building was formerly occupied by the Loretto sisters, of Marion County, but was burned down. It was rebuilt by the Ur- suline nuns, and is beautifully situated on a hill adjoining St. Alphonsus' Church. The building is a four-story brick, 78 x 35 feet. In 1882 a convent building was added, which is also of brick, and is three stories high. It is seventy-two feet long by twenty-five wide, with a fine exhibition hall on the ground floor. The third story is used for a chapel, and the second story is occupied by the nuns. The institution was chartered Feb. 19, 1880, with power to confer academic honors, diplomas, etc. There is a full corps of teachers; the school is designed for the education of young ladies.
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HORSE-MILLS.
There was a horse-mill erected some years ago, about a mile south of West Louisville, on the land now belonging to J. E. Clark. It is still used for grinding corn.
One was also erected over twenty-five years ago by the late John Crabtree; it still stands on the farm by the old homestead, but has not been used for several years.
OURDSVILLE FERRY.
This ferry was established across Green River in 1855, by Mad- ison Priest, of Henderson County, Ky., and was first run by Wood- son Owen, who leased it two years, then one Mr. Husk ran it two years. In 1859 it was sold to Oldham and Hallmark; but the title proved to be poor, and Hallmark went into bankruptcy. Oldham secured a good title for the Henderson County side in 1869, and has retained possession ever since. He secured a title to the Da- viess County side in 1879. It has cost Mr. Oldham over $2,000 besides the first purchase, which was $1,400.
THE PIONEER SCHOOL-HOUSE.
This ancient relic of great antiquity still stands in Curdsville Precinct, just as it was used in 1820. The chimney is in the cen- ter of the room instead of one end. There is a puncheon floor and a clapboard roof. A log is out for a window, almost the entire length of the building. The window has a single sash, with sixty panes of glass in it. It is the oldest school-house in Daviess County.
CURDSVILLE.
This thriving little village is situated on Green River, immedi- ately above the mouth of Panther Creek, and about fourteen miles southwest of Owensboro. The first settler was George Husk, who came in 1818, and built a small cabin where H. Webb now lives. Jolin Eads came in 1822, and cleared four acres of land. His wife died soon after, and Mr. Eads broke up house-keeping. John Traverse bought the place, and died there in 1833.
Aquilla Spray settled here in 1842, and built a log cabin. He kept a dram shop several years; also kept the first store in Curds- ville. Brown & Allen built a house under the hill in 1852, and kept the second store; they became bankrupt about 1858. Calvin Bennett built a blacksmith shop in 1852.
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Curdsville postoffice was first established about twenty years ago, and Aquilla Spray was the first Postmaster. Prior to 1871 mail was carried by private individuals, and nothing was paid to the postmaster.
Curdsville now contains one general store, one grocery, glass, queen's-ware and hardware store, one drug store, two whisky shops, one blacksmith shop, two livery stables, three tobacco factories, one mill, one physician, one shoe shop, one lawyer, one undertaker, one police judge, one town marshal, five trustees and a calaboose.
CHURCHES.
Curdsville Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1865, by Rev. H. J. Ramey. Worship was first held in the house built as a union house, but was purchased by this society soon after the organization. Services every third Saturday and Sunday of each month, by Rev. E. A. Davis. The trustees are T. P. Bethel, Alfred McCain, and James T. Cummings. There are now eleven mem- bers.
Methodist Episcopal Church, South was organized in 1859, by Rev. Mr. Reed; Rev. Mr. Seeley was Presiding Elder. Soon after the organization, the society commenced to build a house of worship; but the war breaking out about that time, the work was suspended. The building was afterward completed by the people, for a nnion house, but has since been purchased by the Meth- odist Episcopal church. The "South " church continue to occupy it, however. The Pastors that have served this church are, Revs. Harwell, Widney, Campbell, G. W. Lyon, Wilson Williams, Thomas Fallon, L. B. Davidson, Brandon, and Thurman, the present pastor. Services every fourth Saturday and Sunday of each month.
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