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 68
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The first grist and saw mill combined was Henry Haley's, built about 1868. It was destroyed by the explosion of the boiler in 1877. The present mill is owned by J. H. Wilhite and Aaron Leet, as the firm of Wilhite & Leet.
The earliest physicians were Dr. H. O. Ayer and Dr. E. A. Lackland, who remained here several years. Ayer has been dead a few years. Lackland, now an old man, is living in McLean County, and still practices in this locality. The present physicians are Dr. G. A. Hardwick, C. T. Thomas and W. E. Holmes.
A postoffice was established soon after the railroad was built. The first Postmaster was Uriah Mckay, who served about four years; the next was Joseph Birkhead, who also served about four
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years. He was succeeded by A. J. McAtee, who is the present incumbent.
Lewis Station has a population of between seventy and seventy- nine.
NEWVILLE.
This little village is situated abont one half in Daviess County and one half in Ohio and McLean counties. It was laid out in 1867 by James Robison and his son Gordon, who put up the. first log house, which was used as a store, a dwelling-house, ocen- pied by J. S. H. Kigel, and a house and shoe shop, occupied by William Hunter, who was the first shoemaker in Newville. The first wood workman was Riley Sumner. The first blacksmith was. Joseph Brown, who erected the first shop; the present blacksmiths are William Smith and John Ferrel. The first school-house was built by J. H. Shackleford, who tried to establish a permanent school. He taught about a year, and then sold ont and left. He was a Baptist minister. The first physician was J. B. Cox, who. came here in 1875, and is one of the leading physicians in this part of the country. The other physician is William Barnhill, who is located in that part of the village lying in Ohio County. He came in 1882.
An attempt was made in 1877 to incorporate the village. The prime movers were B. F. Riley, J. H. Shackleford and J. P., Cox. The last two gentlemen drew up the charter; but as the village was situated in three counties, the charter was not properly drawn and the attempt failed.
The mercantile honse of J. H. Davis was first organized in 1867 by Robison & Son, who built the store and conducted business until 1874, when the stock was purchased by J. S. H. Kigel, who carried on the business till 1876. It was then purchased by W. V. Crow & Bro., who remained about two years and then sepa- rated their stock, Jesse Crow remaining in the house. He after- ward sold out to A. G. Holbrook, who, a few months after, took in as partner David Russell. In the spring of 1880 J. W. Robi- son bought out Russell, and Holbrook & Robison carried on the business about eighteen months. In November, 1881, the stock. was purchased by J. H. Davis, the present proprietor.
The mercantile house of W. V. Crow was established in August, 1876, under the firm name of Crow & Son; in £878 it was changed. to W. V. Crow.
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PLEASANT RIDGE
is located on a ridge running through the precinct from which it. derives its name.
The first house (a storehouse) was built by Elijah Hatfield. From that other settlers came in, among them Ben Kelley, who bought out Hatfield.
The first blacksmith was a German named Seymour. The first carpenter was Wiley Ryan, who was also a blacksmith.
The first physician was Dr. Roselle; the next Dr. H. Clements. The present physician is Dr. Amos Davis. A tobacco house was erected in 1869 by Ben Briggs, who occupied it a year. Coffee & Dawson occupied it two years, and Turpin & Cox a year. It was then unused till 1878, when it was purchased by D. Ford. The house is 30 x 80, with a capacity of 25,000 pounds of tobacco.
CHURCHES.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 18.71; size, 35 x 50; cost, $1,200. The building committee was A. A. Davis, G. B. Mahan and James Corts. No man was more instrumental in raising subscriptions than A. A. Davis. Many citizens not mem- bers of the congregation contributed liberally to the building of the church. The first pastor was Rev. Brown. The dedication ser- mon was preached by Presiding Elder Lawson. The church has had five different pastors Robert Bennett is the present pastor. The congregation numbers seventy-five members.
Cumberland Presbyterian Church .- In 1848 Nicholas G. Bosley and Joseph Carlin and their families met George Scarborough, of Owensboro, in a little log school-house of the Pleasant Ridge neighborhood, for the purpose of organizing a Sunday-school. The school increased in numbers till 1850, when a protracted meeting was held by Rev. Samuel Calhoon and Rev. Joseph Weaver, at the residence of the latter, the result of which was the organization of the Pleasant Ridge church, with the following members: Samuel Calhoon and Joseph Weaver, ministers; Charles Gates, Edward S. Worthington, Edward Bosley, Edward Barber, Ruling Elders; Elizabeth Calhoon, Letsey Weaver, Elizabeth Bosley, Zarilda Bosley, Emeline Bosley, Sarah Crabtree, Emily Calhoon and Mary Gates. They immediately went to work and built a house of wor- ship. Rev. Samuel Calhoon took the pastorate of the church, preaching the fourth Sabbath of each month, Rev. Joseph Weaver
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preaching the third Sabbath. Mr. Weaver died in 1863, and Charles Gates then occupied the pulpit the second Sunday of the month, till his death, in 1878. Rev. Samuel Calhoon had the pastoral charge of the church till 1875, when, owing to his advanced age and declining health, he was not able to fill his appointments promptly, and Rev. Mr. Casky, of Greenville, Ky., was called to officiate in his absence. On his retirement Rev. Willis Smith, of Muhlenburg County, was called to the assistant pastorate. After the death of Mr. Calhoon Mr. Smith was called to the pastorate, and preached two Sabbaths in each month, till October, 1882, when he resigned his charge. The church was then without a pastor six months, but are now (March, 1883) arranging for reg- ular service again.
ELECTIONS.
For the politics of the various parties, see Lower Town Precinct.
Thomasson's Voting Place.
1852, Ang. 2: Sheriff-Landrum, 132; Veech, 91. For railroad tax, 26; against, 192.
1854, Aug. 7: Appellate Judge-John H. McHenry, 175; H. J. Stites, 31. County Judge-A. G. Botts, 59; George D. Yeaman, 170. Commonwealth Attorney-Mitchell Calhoon, 14; Wm. Swe- ney, 225. County Clerk-Graham Hughes, 165; James B. Wat- kins, 81. Sheriff-Robert P. Sharpe, 146; Joseph Harrison, 96. Assessor-Thomas Gore, 63; James Stillman, 46; George L. Hey- wood, 50; James Lashbrook, 19; A. Johnson, 35. Surveyor- Samuel Shepherd, 102. Coroner-Wm. Johnson, 138; Harrison Manzy, 137.
1852, Aug. 2: Sheriff-Landrum, 141; Veech, 17. For railroad tax, 11; against, 160.
1854, Aug. 7: Appellate Judge John H. McHenry, 70; H. J. Stites, 65. County Judge-A. G. Botts, 47; George D. Yeaman, 95. Commonwealth Attorney-Mitchell Calhoon, 19; William Sweney, 119. County Clerk-Graham Hughes, 73; James B. Watkins, 64. Sheriff-Robert P. Sharpe, 91; Joseph Harrison, 48. Assessor-Thomas Gore, 4; James Stillman, 19; George L. Hey- wood, 18; James Lashbrook, 32; A. Johnson, 63. Surveyor- Samuel Shepherd, 103. Coroner-William Johnson, 80; Harrison Manzy, 18.
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1855, May 5: Justices-J. Hedges, 24; C. J. Wood, 67; J. H. Haley, 45. Constable-H. Wood, 69.
1857, Aug. 3: State Treasurer-T. L. Jones, 69; J. H. Garrard, 65. Congressman-J. L. Johnson, 78; S. O. Peyton, 79. Senator -W. B. Wall, 81; A. D. Cosby, 68. Representative to Legislat- ure-F. J. McLean, 80; F. M. Daily, 72. Constable-N. M. Russell, 99.
1858, Aug. 2: Appellate Clerk-R. R. Revill, 49; G. R. McKee, 70. Commonwealth Attorney-Jesse Taylor, 45; C. C. Maxwell, 85. County Judge-L. D. Shepherd, 25; A. G. Botts, 98. Connty Clerk-S. McClarty, 78; J. B. Watkins, 61. Sheriff Jo. Veech, 53; John Locke, 94. County Attorney-J. McHenry, 61; H. E. Smith, 53. Assessor-J. W. Onan, 111. Surveyor-H. Scott, 86. Coroner-W. C. Norris, 70. For additional tax, 22; against, 108.
1859, Ang. 1: Governor-Beriah Magoffin, 89; J. F. Bell, 82. Congressman-S. O. Peyton, 93; James Jackson, 81. Represen- tative to Legislature-G. McFarland, 94; Thos. Landrum, 76.
1859, May 7: Justices-O. J. Wood, 48: P. M. Rupell, 67; G. F. Lashbrook, 18. Constable-D. Hansford, 72; Moses Benton, 53.
1860, Ang. 6: Clinton McClarty, 42; Leslie Combs, 57; R. R. Bolling, 22 .- H. W. Scott, 59; John Locke, 85. County Attor- ney-J. R. Claybrook, 57; J. H. McHenry, 40. Colonel-R. L. Boyd, 41. Lieutenant-Colonel-J. P. Thompson. Constable -- Riley, 66; Sutherland, 64.
1861, June 20: Congressman-J. T. Bunch, 26; J. L. Jackson, 107.
1861, Ang. 5: State Treasurer-G. Terry, 31; J. H. Garrard, 101. Senator-J. B. Vance, 47; Wm. Anthony, 133. Represen- tative to Legislature-C. T. Noel, 46; G. H. Yeaman, 137.
1862, Aug. 4: Appellate Judge-R. A. Williams, 97. Circuit Judge- James Stuart, 10; H. B. Wall, 95. Presiding Judge-T. L. Beers, 23; A. G. Botts, 77. Commonwealth Attorney-John Chapeze, 6; J. J. Harrison, 89. County Attorney-H. S. McFar- land, 105. Sheriff-J. G. Harrison, 104. Assessor-J. W. Onan, 4; J. J. Talbott, 63; V. L. Moseley, 35. Surveyor-N. W. Scott, 34. Coroner-R. Richardson, 2; J. W. Rosa, 60. Constable-C. J. Wood, 42; Geo. Tolbert, 59. Circuit Clerk-J. Thomas, 107. County Clerk-John O'Brien, 103.
1862, Oct. 27: Congressman-G. H. Yeaman, 54; E. R. Weir, 4.
46
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1862, Dec. 8: Representative to Legislature-J. S. McFar- land, 48.
1863, Aug. 3: Governor-T. E. Bramlette, 90; C. A. Wickliff, 9. Congressman-G. H. Yeaman, 94; J. H. McHenry, 10. Rep- resentative to Legislature -- J. S. McFarland, 93; A. J. McAtee, 8. 1864, Aug. 1: Sheriff-A. J. McAtee, 11; J. G. Harrison, 47. Assessor-J. W. Onan, 26.
1864, Nov. 8: President-Geo. B. McClellan, 59; A. Lincoln, 2. 1865, May 6: Constable-J. W. Sutherland, 5.
1865, Aug. 7: Congressman-Geo. H. Yeaman, 51; B. C. Ritter, 43. State Treasurer-W. S. Neale, 7; J. H. Garrard, 14. Senator-A. D. Cosby, 25. Representative to Legislature-A. Veech, 36; T. Maddux, 41.
1866, Ang. 6: Appellate Clerk-E. H. Hobson, 72; A. Duval, 106. County Judge-E. C. Berry, 83; J. S. McFarland, 88. County Clerk-John O'Brien, 62; J. M. Hughes, 84; B. Duncan, 9; T. C. Jones, 15. Sheriff-W. H. Perkins, 70; E. A. Hatha- way, 58. County Attorney-A. R. Taylor, 70; Thomas Cruther, 35. Coroner-H. O'Brien, 32. Assessor-J. W. Onan, 54; J. J. Talbott, 70, J. F. Moseley, 4; Sam. Jewell, 4. Surveyor-A. W. Scott, 127. For railroad tax, 55; against, 118. Justices-W. C. Tanner, 77; J. H. Haley, 76.
1867, April 15: For county stock of $250,000 in the Owens- boro & Russellville Railroad, 19; against, 140.
1867, May 4: Congressman-J. Y. Brown, 95; B. C. Ritter, 3: S. E. Smith, 11. Justices-Henry Haley, 41; James Small, 67; W. C. Tanner, 93; Henry Bennett, 32. Constable-W. C. Howell, 107.
1867, Ang. 5: Governor-Jolin L. Helm, 91; W. B. Kinkead, 3. Circuit Judge, G. W. Williams, 36; J. L. Johnson, 70. Com- mon Pleas Judge-C. G. Wintersmith, 87; L. P. Little, 2. Rep- resentative to Legislature-J. Vecch, 55; J. W. Moseley, 57; H. C. McPherson, 4. Constable- - Ruby, 12; T. Murrey, 58; Samuel Davis, 12.
1868, Aug. 3: Governor-J. W. Stevenson, 159. Circuit Judge-G. W. Williams, 153. Circuit Clerk-J. P. Thompson, 88; M. S. Ogden, 90. Commonwealth Attorney-Baker Boyd, 78; R. Y. Bush, 16; G. W. Swoope, 69. Sheriff-H. W. Scott, 107. Surveyor-J. W. Sutherland, 126; Wilfred Carico, 35. Justices-A. J. Ruby, 57; S. McCormick, 106. Constable-B. H. Davis, 73; R. M. Talbott, 78; Allen Johnson, 17.
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1868, Nov. 3: President -- H. Seymour, 141; U. S. Grant, 19. Congressman-W. N. Sweeney, 136; Samuel Langley, 13.
1869, Aug. 2: State Treasurer-J. W. Tate, 55; E. R. Wing, 15. Senator-Ed. Hawes, 64. Representative to Legislature -- C Griffith, 60; J. W. Gabbert, 1. County Attorney-V. T. Craw- ford, 58. For school tax, 30; against, 63. Constable-B. H. Davis, 72.
1870, Aug. 1: Appellate Judge-Wm. Lindsay, 104; R. K. Williams, 5. Circuit Judge-M. F. Cofer, 105. County Judge -- G. W. Triplett, 111; A. G. Botts, 70. County Clerk-T. Jones, 107; J. K. P. Moore, 80. County Attorney-W. T. Ellis, 108. Sheriff-W. H. Scott, 114; T. Maddux, 75. Surveyor -- J. W. Sutherland, 117; A. M. Mayo, 75. Assessor -- J. W. Onan, 108; R. J. Wootten, 75. Coroner-A. J. McAtee, 114; W. J. Littell, 77. 1870, Nov. 8 : Congressman, H. D. McHenry, 77; M. J. Rork, 70.
1871, May 6: Justices-J. A. Small, 83; B. S. McCormick, 84; Richard Lanham, 10. Constables-J. R. Ruby, 14; B. H. Davis, 63; C. H. Gordon, 8.
1871, Aug. 7: Governor-P. H. Leslie, 157; John M. Harlan, 88. Representative to Legislature-C. Griffith, 128; S. H. Jesse, 29; F. H. Roberts, 88.
1872, Ang. 5: County Clerk-Jo. Thomas, 45; J. G. McFarland, 190. Sheriff-W. H. Perkins, 201; David Webb, 5.
1872, Nov. 5: President-H. Greeley, 86; U. S. Grant, 125; C. O'Conor, 3. Congressman-John Y. Brown, 121.
1873, May 3: Constable-James E. Crow, 89; James A. Boyd, 83.
1873, Ang. 4: State Treasurer-J. W. Tate, 107. Senator-E. Hawes, 70; G. W. Swoope, 85; G. W. Jolly, 82. Representative to Legislature-Ben. Stout, 90; R. W. McFarland, 39; H. Megill 14; H. T. Aud, 92.
1874, Ang. 3: Appellate Clerk-T. C. Jones, 147; J. B. Cochrane, 51. Circuit Judge-L. P. Little, 38; James Montgomery, 57; James Stuart, 201. Commonwealthı Attorney-E. H. Brown, 104; Jo. Haycraft, 47. Circuit Clerk-F. F. Conway, 175. County Judge- G. W. Triplett, 106 ; G. W. Jolly, 211. County Attorney-W. T. Ellis, 219. County Clerk-M. S. Mattingly, 180. Sheriff-H. W. Scott, 193. Coroner-G. W. Mathis, 93. Surveyor-Robert Frey, 162. Assessor-W. T. Anll, 195.
1874, Nov. 3: Congressman-J. Y. Brown, 52; George Smith, 51.
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1875, May 1: Justices-Ward Payne, 32; G. L. Williamson, 134; E. O'Flyun, 166; B. S. McCormick, 128; N. W. Salmons, 94. Constable-Beattie Jewell, 61; James Montgomery, 81; James A. Boyd, 130.
1875, Aug. 2: Governor-J. B. McCreery, 150; J. M. Harlan, 115. Representative to Legislature-W. J. Taylor, 158; J. G. Ford, 106; A. J. Philpot 87. Surveyor-C. W. Gordon, 147.
1876, Aug. 7: Circuit Judge-G. W. Ray, 144; J. A. Murray, 91. Sheriff-J. H. Gates, 154; R. R. Coomes, 86. For road law, 27; against, 275. Constable -- B. Jewell, 118; A. G. Holbrook, 112; W. W. Salmon, 24.
1876, Nov. 2: President-S. J. Tilden, 196; R. B. Hayes, 165; G. C. Smith, pu., 42. Congressman-J. A. Mckenzie, 296; J. Z. Moore, 74.
1877, Aug. 6: State Treasurer-J. W. Tate, 89; I H. Trabue, 38. Senator-C. Griffith, 73; V. P. Stateler, 107. Representative to Legislature-C. R. Thorp, 105; A. Craycroft, 80; J. A. Shackle- ford, 88.
1878, Aug. 5: Appellate Judge-T. W. Hinds, 153. County Judge-H. W. Scott, 142; Geo. W. Jolly, 267. County Attorney -- J. L. McFarland, 258. County Clerk-M. S. Mattingly, 233. Sheriff -- E. C. Davis, 193; E. S. Worthington, 39. Assessor-G. Allgood, 149; C. W. Thomas, 167. Surveyor-C. W. Gordon, 210. Coroner-J. W. Funk, 159. Justices-E. O'Flynn, 279. J. S. Coots, 148; H. L. Reynolds, 181; W. H. Sosh, 88. Constable; -H. D. McDaniel, 119; J. J. Christian, 134; James Ruby, 9; Wm. Hedges, 97.
1878, Nov. 5: Congressman-J. A. Mckenzie, 40; J. W. Feighan, 2; F. M. English, 5.
1879, Ang. 4: Governor-L. P. Blackburn, 94; Walter Evans, 22; C. W. Cook, 75. Representative to Legislature-R. W. McFarland, 88; James Rudy, 89; E. S. Worthington, 68; Eugene O'Flynn, 119. For Constitutional Convention, 19; against, 58.
1880, Aug. 2: Circuit Judge -- James Stuart, 144; S. P. Little, 65. Commonwealth Attorney-Joe: Noe, 162; Jo. Haycraft, 175. Circuit Clerk-F. F. Conway, 218. Sheriff-E. C. Davis, 220. Surveyor-E. Edwards, 226. Constable-Wm. Hedges, 171; J. J. Christian, 126.
1880, Nov. 2: President-W. S. Hancock, 243; J. A. Garfield, 91; J. B. Weaver, 37. Representative to Legislature-J. A. Mckenzie, 225; C. W. Cook, 65; John Feland, 59.
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1881, Aug. 1: State Treasurer-J. W. Tate, 115. Senator-J. A. Munday, 126. Representative to Legislature-J. H. Rudy, 117; G. V. Triplett, 112. Constable-J. J. Christian, 92: Sheriff -A. B. Miller, 99; B. E. W. Stont, 13. Coroner-G. W. Mathis, 67; P. W. Clark, 16; J. B. Whalen, 19.
1882, Aug. 7: Judge of Superior Court-J. H. Bowden, 147. Appellate Clerk-Thos. J. Henry, 136; R. T. Jacob, 33. County Judge-H. W. Scott, 151. County Attorney-Martin Yewell, 175. County Clerk-M. S. Mattingly, 163. Sheriff-A. B. Mil- ler, 137; J. J. Christian, 108. Surveyor-E. Edwards, 162. Coroner-Geo. M. Hayden, 156. Assessor, G. A. Allgood, 171. For school tax, 84; against, 309. Justices-J. H. Bennett, 185; H. L. Reynolds, 43; A. J. McAtee, 98; Eugene O'Flynn, 169. Constable-N. W. Salmon, 112; E. Bennett, 153.
1882, Nov. 7: Congressman- J. F. Clay, 65; W. M. Fuqua, 35. Magistrates' Conrts: For one justice, the third Tuesday in March, June, September and December; for the other, the fourth Friday in these months.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
George W. Bailey, born in Shelby County, Ky., May 19, 1838, was a son of Alfred and Elizabeth (Moore) Bailey, both natives of Shelby County. His father was twice married. By his first mar- riage there were two children, only one living till maturity. By the second marriage there were seven children, six sons and one daughter, six now living. George W. was next to the youngest child. When he was eleven years old his parents moved to Jack son County, Mo., where they both died in 1853. In February, 1862, George W. enlisted in the Confederate service and served till the close of the war. He was in several light engagements, the most severe one being Prairie Grove, Ark., Dec. 7, 1862. After the war he came to Daviess County and clerked for his brother, James G. Bailey, in tlre grocery business in Owensboro, ten months. He then engaged in farming about five years, and after- ward returned to Owensboro and remained eighteen months. He then lived a short time on a farm above town and then moved to the forks of Panther Creek, where he lived six years. In June, 1879, he bought the farm of 131 acres where he now resides, in Murray Precinct, on the Green River road. He was married Jan. 1, 1867, to Rosa Williams, danghter of James H. H. Williams, and a native of Daviess County. They have four children, three
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sons and one daughter. Mr. Bailey is a member of the Baptist church and his wife of the Methodist.
James .H. Bennett, born Sept. 25, 1837, in Ohio (now Mc- Lean) County, Ky., is a son of Amos Bennett, a native of Ohio County, born Sept. 27, 1807. The Bennett family originally came from Maryland. John Bennett, the father of Amos, was an old settler of Kentucky, and died in Ohio County, past seventy years of age. Amos Bennett was the fourth of a family of seven chil- dren, four sons and three daughters. He was reared in Ohio County and lived with his parents till he was eighteen years old. He then went to work for Elijah Crow, who had a mill and dis- tillery in Ohio County, on Barnett's Creek. He remained there abont four years, and from there went to C. D. Jackson's, in Da- viess County, and remained with him making whisky for a time. He was married in 1831 to Judith Loyd, who was born in 1812 in Middle Tennessee, and whose parents were originally from North Carolina. She moved to Daviess County, Ky., with her parents when she was about fourteen years of age. After his marriage Mr. Ben- nett went to farming in Daviess County, and raised his first crop on the farm now owned by P. P. Ryon. The next year he moved on No Creek, Ohio County, where he farmed for two years, and in 1834 bonght a farm in Ohio County (now McLean), where he lived till his death, May 19, 1880. His widow is still living on the same place, abont seventy-one years of age. They reared nine children, of whom seven are living, four sons and three daughters. James Henry Bennett is the eldest, now living. He lived with his father till he was about twenty-two years old. He was married Oct. 25, 1860, to Susan C. Riley, who was born in Daviess County, June 22, 1843. He then went to teaching school, and at different intervals has taught four sessions, making sixteen months. With this exception he has been farming. In 1863 he bought his present farm, moving on to it the last day of February of that year. When he was about eighteen years old he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, South, at Pleasant Hill, McLean County, and now belongs to the New Bethel Church, Ohio County, and is one of the Stewards of that church. Mr. Bennett has never taken any active part in political matters, but has associated himself with the Democratic party. In Angust, 1882, he was elected to the Mag- istracy of Daviess County, for Murray Precinct, term of office tak- ing effect in June, 1883. With the exception of two or three years he has been School Trustee ever since he has been in the county.
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Mr. and Mrs. Bennett have ten children-John C., Louisa, Ruth, Amos F., Timothy R., Edward E., Virgie, Gertrude, James L. and William W.
Samuel Wilson Bennett, son of Amos and Judith (Loyd) Ben- nett, was born in Ohio County, Ky., Oct. 16, 1841. His grandfather, John Bennett, was a native of Maryland, and was one of the earli- est settlers of Ohio County. In 1857 Mc Lean County was taken off from Ohio, which transferred the Bennetts to Mc Lean Connty. Mr. Bennett's father died May 19, 1880, aged seventy-three years. His mother is still living on the old homestead, near Livermore, Mc Lean County. There was a family of fourteen children, only seven now living. All are married and have families but one. Mr. Bennett's father was a strong, healthy man, and had seen many of the hardships peculiar to life in a new country. His aver- age weight was 250 pounds. S. W. Russell was reared on the farm in Ohio County, Oct. 14, 1861; he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-sixth Kentucky Infantry, U. S. A., and served under Gen- erals Buell, Rosecrans, Thomas and Scofield. He was mustered out July 28, 1865, and returned to his father's farm. Jan. 8, 1867, he married Mrs. Elizabeth (Wilhite) Patterson and settled on his farm in Daviess County, which he had previously purchased. Mrs. Bennett is a native of Ohio County and a daughter of Thos. R. Wilhite. They have had nine children-Georgie, Nancy Judith (deceased), Ella E., Lovick R., Robert M., Elmer K., Edmund L., Frederick D. and Mary E. Mrs. Bennett also has a daughter by her former marriage-Alice T. Patterson. Mr. Bennett is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church. He has a fine farm of 133 acres well improved.
James M. Blandford was born in Spencer County, Ky., Dec. 19, 1851, and came to Daviess County with his parents in 1855, where he was reared and educated. His father, William Blandford, was born in Norfolk, Va., in 1820. He was married in 1851, to Mary M. Gough, a native of Spencer County, Ky., born in 1833. They had three children-Francis, born Aug. 3, 1852; Thomas Sidney, July 7, 1856, and James M., Dec. 19, 1857. Mr. Blandford was on the Owensboro police force seven years and was City Marshal two years. He died July 5, 1882. Mrs. Blandford has 240 acres of fine land in Murray Precinct, which James M. and his brother, Thomas S., are farming.
Orville O. Brown, born June 10, 1817, in Bullitt County, Ky., was a son of Swepston and Jane (Whittledge) Brown, natives of
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
Prince William County, Va., who settled in Bullitt County at an early date, where they were married in 1803. His mother died when he was young; his father died in 1843, at the house of his son, Orville, where he was living at that time. There was a family of ten children, five now living. When seventeen years of age Orville went to learn the tanner's trade, serving an apprenticeship of four years and three months. He then went to Louisville and worked at his trade three years, when he returned to Bullitt County and went to work at the carpenter's trade. In 1853 he came to Daviess County and located in Murray Precinct. That fall he bought a farm, consisting of forty-one acres, where he still resides, though he now owns but five acres, having sold the rest. He has worked at the carpenter's trade a portion of the time for twenty years and has built some of the best houses in this neighborhood. In December, 1873, he opened a general store at his place, where he is still doing a good business. He has acted in the interests of the people of this precinct in connection with the O. & N. Ry. since the road was built, and since October, 1882, has been the local agent of the road. He has been a member of the Christian church six- teen years. He was married in 1841 to Clarissa Trunnell, of Bul- litt County, who died March 24, 1856, leaving four children, the youngest six weeks old. Previous to her death Mr. Brown had been sick two years and had spent the inost of his property. Oct. 22, 1873, Mr. Brown married Mrs. Mary J. Gentry, of Hardin County, Ky., a daughter of Amos Hicks.
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