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 73
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82
A. Hebard was born in Henderson County, Ky., Aug. 5, 1832, the son of Charles and Elizabeth (Durffee) Hebard. His father was a native of Connecticut, born Dec. 18, 1796, and came to Kentucky in 1819. IIis mother was a native of New York and came to Kentucky in 1820. There was a family of eight children, only four of whom grew to maturity-Harriet, Bathsheba (now Mrs. Conrad Helpler), Augustus and Leonard. His mother died March 30, 1840, and his father Oct. 9, 1861. April 10, 1835, his parents came to Daviess County, and settled on what was then known as the McFarland and Griffith land. Mr. Hebard worked on the farm till he was twenty years of age, and then went to learn the carpenter's trade. In 1859 he was overseer of the Stott farm, and in 1860 rented a farm. He then returned to his father's farm, where he remained till 1868, when he traded his interest in the homestead for the farm where he now lives. He was married April 15, 1859, to Eliza J. Neel. Five sons have been born to them, only two now living. Mr. Hebard joined the Masonic fraternity in 1878. He has been a member of the Baptist church since 1863.
Aaron Shelby Hiks, born March 27, 1839, in Henderson County, Ky., near Hebbardsville. His father, Benj. Lee Hiks, was born near Perryville, Mercer Co., Ky., July 8, 1798. He moved to Henderson County with his parents, in 1804, where he has always made it his home. He was married to Miss Sarah Griffin, a na- tive of Henderson County, by whom he had two children, only one
Digitized by Microsoft®
771
OAKFORD PRECINCT.
of whom is now living. T. H. Hiks is a resident of Daviess County, Curdsville Precinct. After the death of his wife, Benj. Hiks was married again to Miss Sarah C. Junior, in 1835. She died Oct. 20, 1871, at age of sixty-three years. She was the mother of thirteen children, of whom four are now living-Aaron S., Samuel A., Judith (wife of G. R. Negley, residing in Hender- son County), Sarah E. (wife of Peter Kasey, residing in Breckin- ridge County, Ky.). Mr. Hiks is still living in Henderson County, on the homestead farm, aged nearly eighty-five years. He was an old line Whig and a personal friend to Henry Clay. He voted for John Bell in 1860, and since the close of the war has been a member of the Republican party. Aaron Shelby Hiks was reared in Henderson County and made his father's house his home till the breaking out of the war. He enlisted in the Federal army, in Company K, Twenty-fifth Kentucky Infantry. He was mustered into service at Henderson, Ky., Sept. 27, 1861, and was mustered out of service at Louisville, Ky., Jan. 23, 1865. The first engagement was at Fort Donelson. He was afterward in the battles of Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Chickamanga, Resaca, New Hope Church, Peach-Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, and several smaller battles and skirmishes. April 13, 1862, the Twenty-fifth and Seventeenth Kentucky Infantries were consoli- dated, and afterward known as the Seventeenth Kentucky. In October, 1862, Mr. Hiks was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company K, and July 4, 1863, was promoted to First Lieutenant of Company D. After the war he came home and remained on the farm till October, 1869. He was appointed Storekeeper in revenue service, on Oct. 3, 1869, and stationed at different distill- eries in the second collectoral district of Kentucky. In March, 1877, he was appointed Storekeeper and Gauger, and remained on duty for two years and one month. In April, 1879, he was appointed Gauger, and continued in the capacity till Nov. 1, 1879, when he resigned his position and accepted that of Superintendent in the distillery of T. J. Monarch, at Grissom's Landing, Daviess County, and from this date has had entire management of the working of this large distillery. Mr. Hiks was married Nov. 15, 1877, to Miss Mary E. Ewing, a native of Daviess County, danghter of S. R. Ewing, Sr. They have had three children, only one of whom is now living-Bessie May, who was born March 7, 1882. The other two children died in infancy. In 1857, Mr. Hiks united
Digitized by Microsoft®
772
HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
with the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and holds his member- ship at Hebbardsville, Henderson Co., Ky.
William J. Krugar was born in Hamburg, Germany, March 1, 1820, and came to America in 1855. He landed in New York, May 7, and remained there fonr days; then went to what is now Hum- boldt City, Kan., on Mill Creek, and remained three months. In the fall of 1855 he moved to Cloverport, Ky., and remained two years, working at the bricklayer's trade. In 1857 he came to Da- viess County and bought a farm of 138 acres, in Oakford Precinct. He was married in Germany in 1845, to Mary Frimiller, who was born in 1823. They have seven children-Sophia, Mary, Hannalı, Frederica, Louisa, William and Louis. Mr. Krugar belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church, South. Politically he is a Democrat.
N. M. Newman was born Feb. 27, 1834, in Breckinridge County, Ky. His father, James H. Newman, son of Richard and Delia (Lane) Newman, was born in Prince William County, Va., in 1804, and came to Kentucky in 1828. He married Adline, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Maxey, of Hawesville, Hancock Co,, Ky. Mr. Maxey represented Breckinridge County in the State Leg- islature for several terms, when it embraced both Hancock and Breckinridge counties. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Newman had a family of seven children-Elizabeth, wife of C. W. R. Cobb, of Ohio County, Ky .; Richard L., who married Sallie, daughter of David C. Miller, of Hancock Connty; N. M., the subject of this sketch; George A., who was drowned near Memphis at the time of the burning of the steamer Rainbow, in 1855; Mary A., wife of A. G. Newman; William H., who married Kate, granddaughter of David Miller, and Obediah. Nathaniel M. was the third child. He lived with his parents till nineteen years of age, when, Sept. 22, 1853, he married Sarah F., danghter of John and Mary Haynes, and granddangliter of Henry Haynes, and settled on a farm joining his father's, where he lived till 1868, when he sold out and moved to Birk City, Daviess County, and taught school five months. May 20, 1868, his wife died, aged thirty three years. They had a family of six children, only three now living -John H., Albert and Belle. Mary A., born Sept. 12, 1855, died July 9, 1878; Enge- nia M., born March 11, 1863, died Oct. 7, 1880; William H., born May 14, 1868, died Aug. 28, 1870. From 1869 to 1875 he was engaged in buying tobacco. In 1875 he sold his property and moved on to the George Riley farm. Dec. 20, 1879, he moved to the Bradshaw farm, where he still lives. Feb. 16, 1869, he mar-
Digitized by Microsoft®
773
OAKFORD PRECINCT.
ried Mattie Haynes, sister of his first wife. She died Jan 7. 1876, leaving two children-Oscar H., born Dec. 26, 1870, and Virginia H., born April 7, 1874. July 16, 1878, Mr. Newman married Mrs. Kate L. Cheatham, widow of William Cheatham, and daugh- ter of W. A. Bradshaw. In August, 1862, Mr. Newman enlisted in Company H, Tenth Kentucky Confederate Cavalry, and was elected Second Lieutenant. He served six months, and on account of failing eye-sight and a spinal affection, he returned home. He was nearly blind for three years. He has been Jns- tice of the Peace since 1870, with the exception of three months. Politically he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Baptist church.
Peter E. O' Bryan was born in Marion County, Ky., July 14 1827. When twenty-two years of age he moved to Meade County, and ten years later moved back to Marion County. He came to Daviess County in the fall of 1869. In 1879 he bought a farm of sixty-nine acres seven miles west of Owensboro, where he still resides, of William Wilhite. He was married in 1847 to Susan Speak, a native of Meade Connty, Ky., born March 2, 1827. Eight children have been born to them, six now living-John W., Alonzo R., Mary M., Elizabeth A., Stephen F. and M. M. In October, 1861, Mr. O'Bryan enlisted in Company G, Tenth Ken- tucky Volunteer Infantry, and served as Orderly Sergeant one year, when he was discharged on account of a trouble with his eyes. During his service in the army he kept and still has a diary of each day's transactions. In 1852 Mr. O'Bryan was Assessor of Meade County. He was elected Major of a battalion of State militia while in Marion County. He is a member of the Catholic church.
Edmund C. Pendleton was born in Albemarle County, Va., April 26, 1815, a son of James G. and Mary E. Pendleton. When he was six years old his parents moved to Licking County, O. He attended school there till fourteen years of age when he was sent back to Virginia and entered the University at Charlottes- ville, Albemarle County. He being a weakly child his parents contemplated making a lawyer of him, and accordingly he took up that branch of study and graduated in law in 1833. He then entered the Florida war and served till he was wounded. As soon as he recovered sufficiently he was detailed by the Government to go to Cuba and Jamaica and buy bloodhounds for the purpose of trailing the Indians. Although very little has been recorded in
Digitized by Microsoft®
774
HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
history of this act it actually took place. After the war he re- turned to Virginia and attended several courses of lectures on phre- nology by Dr. Spersem. He then went to Scotland with Dr. Sper- sem and attended lectures there under him and Dr. Gall, who, with Dr. Spersem, originated phrenology. While in Scotland he at- tended two courses of lectures on law at the Glasgow University, graduating in 1835. In 1835 he went to Vienna and attended two courses in law at Gratt's University, graduating in the spring of 1836. He then returned to the United States and took up the study of civil engineering, at Cincinnati. While engaged in this business he contracted chronic rheumatism, which drew up his right leg at the knee and compelled him to use crutches. Not be- ing able to continue civil engineering he commenced teaching school, and taught in different places in Kentucky till 1848. His health failing on account of his sedentary life, his physician advised a more active business, and accordingly in the fall of 1848 he bought the farm where he now lives. Steadily his health improved until he was entirely recovered. He has 200 acres of fine land, which is now well cultivated. Mr. Pendleton was married in 1840, in Shelby County, Ky., to Martha Seay. She died Nov. 12, 1872, aged fifty-two years, leaving five children-George T., married Elizabeth Houseworth; Jamie G., married Belle Masters; Will J .. married Minnie Masters; Flora G., wife of Lonis Wahl, and John M. April 17, 1874, Mr. Pendleton married Mrs. Mary A. Kin- cheloe, widow of R. P. Kincheloe, a native of Breckinridge County, Ky., born June 28, 1817. Mr. Pendleton has been a member of the Baptist churchi since twelve years of age.
.C. R. Priest, born Jan. 6, 1832, is a son of John H. and Isa - bella (Grigsby) Priest, his father a native of North Carolina, born May 10, 1793, and his mother a native of Daviess County; born Dec. 12, 1800. In 1832 his parents moved to Henderson County, where his father died July 3, 1851. There was a family of eleven children, the following lived to maturity-Joseph M., Marcus A., Frances (Mrs. David Boswell), Decins, Sallie (Mrs. C. B. Duncan), Cortez R., Fernando, Epamanondus and John. C. R. remained with his mother two years after his father's death, when, Nov. 18, 1853, he married Margaret Jones, and went to live with his father-in-law, remaining there three years. At that time his father's estate was settled and lie moved on to his portion and lived till September, 1859. He then sold his land and moved back to his father-in-law's, where he remained till December, 1860.
Digitized by Microsoft®
775
OAKFORD PRECINCT.
In 1861 he was Deputy Sheriff of Henderson County. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Tenth Confederate Cavalry. His company was attached to Morgan's command. July 27, 1863, he was captured, and remained a prisoner till Jan. 6, 1864. Mrs. Priest died Aug. 20, 1859, leaving three sons-John T., Stephen W., and Charles A. Sept. 13, 1864, Mr. Priest married Mrs. Mel- vina Shroeder. They have one son-Edgar. In 1873 he bought the farm of 237 acres, which was settled by a Mr. Holt, where he now lives.
W. E. Purdy was born in Daviess County, Ky., Sept. 29, 1852. He received his early education in this county and attended St. Mary's College, Marion County, eighteen months. He owns fifty acres of good land half a mile southeast of Grissomn's Land- ing. He was elected Constable of Oakford Precinct in 1880, and is the present incumbent. He has his life insured for $2,000 in the National Insurance Company. He was married Nov. 5, 1878, to Ella Sheffer, a native of Union County, Ky., born Sept. 28, 1859. They have one child-William McFarland, born March 7, 1882. Mr. Purdy is a member of the Methodist church, and Mrs. Purdy of the Baptist.
Digitized by Microsoft®
CHAPTER XXV.
SORGHOTOWN PRECINCT.
The boundaries of this precinct are described in an order dated May 12, 1874, by Judge Triplett, worded as follows: "Upon the application of ten voters to be affected by the change hereinafter specified; and it appearing to the Court right and proper that said change should be made; and further that the requirements of the law as to notice before application has been complied with,-it is therefore ordered that an additional voting precinct be and the same is hereby established in Daviess County, in District No. 1, to be called and known as ' Sorghotown Voting Place,' with the fol- lowing boundary, viz .: Beginning at the mouth of the willow pond on Panther Creek, running thence north with Callens Tharp's east line, same course continued to Riley's east line, thence with said line to Jo. Carlin's west line, following same to the Henderson road; thence with John Carlin's west line to his northwest corner, thence on a straight line to the old Park farm on Roost road, thence with a line of District No. 9, known as Oakford, to Green River, thence up Green River to the line of District No. 7 (Curds- ville), thence with said line to Panther Creek, and up said creek as it meanders to the beginning."
This new precinct takes its name from a company which was or- ganized here a few years ago for the manufacture of sorghum sugar, an account of which is given on another page of this volume. They established a factory, around which a village sprang up. Drs. Stirman and Stewart were leaders in the enterprise.
ELECTIONS.
For the politics of the various parties, see Lower Town Precinct.
1875, Aug. 2: Governor-J. B. McCreary, 94; J. M. Harlan, 56. Representative to Legislature-W. J. Taylor, 83; J. G. Ford, 76; A. J. Philpot, 22. Surveyor-C. W. Gordon, 102. For license, 27; against, 75. For Constitutional Convention, 38; against, 82. 1876, Aug. 7: Circuit Judge-G. W. Ray, 58; J. A. Murray, 84.
(776)
Digitized by Microsoft®
777
SORGHOTOWN PRECINCT ..
Sheriff -- J. H. Gates, 135; R. R. Coomes, 43. For road law, 3; against, 173.
1878, Aug. 5: Appellate Judge-T. H. 'Hines, 144. County Judge-H. W. Scott, 153; G. W. Jolly, 81. County Attorney- J. McFarland, 181. County Clerk-M. S. Mattingly, 205. Sher- iff-E. C. Davis, 171; E. S. Worthington, 24. Assessor-Gideon Allgood, 164; C. W. Thomas, 5. Surveyor-C. W. Gordon, 157. Coroner- J. W. Funk, 156. Justices-W. H. Chatham, 87; J. N. Patterson, 194; Ben. Stout, 165; Isaac Bennett, 23. Constable -Henry Eaty, 111; W. R. Marshall, 92.
1878, Nov. 5: Congressman-J. A. Mckenzie, 53; J. W. Feighan, 18; Francis M. English, 3.
1879, Aug. 4: Governor-Luke P. Blackburn, 54; W. Evans, 36; C. W. Cook, 3. Representative to Legislature-R. W. Mc- Farland, 58; James Rudy, 63; E. S. Worthington, 9; E. O'Flyun. 4. Constable-J. P. Moore, 90.
1880, Aug. 2: Circuit Judge-James Stuart, 69; L. P. Little, 100. Commonwealth Attorney-Joe Noe, 101; Jo. Haycraft, 51. Circuit Clerk-F. F. Conway, 120. Sheriff-Ed. Daveiss, 117. Surveyor-E. Edwards, 114. Constable-Joe Crabtree, 118.
1880, Nov. 2: President-W. S. Hancock, 126; J. A. Garfield, 70; J. B. Weaver, 5. Representative to Legislature-J. A. Mc- Kenzie, 113; John Feland, 58; C. W. Cook, 7.
1881, Aug. 1: State Treasurer-J. W. Tate, 44. Senator-J. A. Munday, 54. Representative to Legislature-J. H. Rudy, 53; Geo. V. Triplett, 54. Sheriff-A. B. Miller, 47. Constable-J. N. Pierce, 43; Marvin Dent, 18. Coroner-G. W. Mathis, 2; P. W. Clark, 37; J. B. Whelan, 2.
1882, Aug. 7: Judge of Superior Court-J. H. Bowden, 53. Appellate Clerk-T. J. Henry, 45; R. T. Jacob, 37. County Judge-H. W. Scott; 57. County Attorney-Martin Yewell, 64. County Clerk-M. S. Mattingly, 77. Sheriff-A. B. Miller, 54; J. J. Christian, 24. Surveyor -- E. Edwards, 61. Coroner-Geo. M. Hayden, 61. Assessor-G. A. Allgood, 73. For school tax, 24; against, 56. Justices-J. N. Patterson, 72; J. K. Smith, 71; S. G. Ray, 9. Constable-M. N. Dent, 78.
1882, Nov. 7: Congressman-James F. Clay, 31; W. M. Fuqua, 34.
Magistrates' Courts: For one justice, the second Wednesday in March, June, September and December; for the other, the third Monday in those months.
Digitized by Microsoft®
778
HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
John W. Balee was born in Shelby County, Ky., Oct. 27, 1837, and came to Daviess County when twelve years old. He enlisted in the late war in Company D, Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, and served three years and three months. He was with Sherman all the way to Atlanta; was in the siege of Knoxville and Buzzard's Roost ; was discharged at Louisville. In 1869 he went to Kansas and the Indian Territory, returning to Kentucky in 1871. He was married Oct. 21, 1873, to Lillie Smith, a native of Henderson County, born May 30, 1848. They have two children-Fannie, born Aug. 30, 1876, and Miller, born July 3, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Balee arc members of the Baptist church. Mr. Balee is a member of Wm. M. Winstead Lodge, No. 466, A. F. & A. M. He owns ninety-six acres eight miles southwest of Owensboro.
Isaac Bennett was born in Breckinridge County, Ky., July 5, 1835. When seventeen years of age he went to Spencer County, Ind., and in 1856 came to Daviess County, where he worked at farming for different parties in 1858, when he moved to McLean County, and lived two years. He then came to Curdsville Pre- cinct, and went into the drug business, which he continued five years, and then sold out and opened a livery stable. Two years later he moved on the farm where he now resides, two miles south- east of Sorghotown. He has sixty acres of well-improved land. He was married May 27, 1858, to Ellen Ford, a native of Green County, Ky., born in October, 1834. She died Aug. 20, 1868, leaving three children-Stewart, Mary S., and Jessie. Dec. 30, 1868, Mr. Bennett married Mrs. Elizabeth Rafferty, who was born in Green County, Ky., in 1828. She was the sister of his first wife, and the widow of Elijah Rafferty, who died March 25, 1858, leaving one son-Walter A. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Bennett is a member of Wm. M. Winstead Lodge, No. 446, A. F. & A. M., Owensboro.
George L. Calhoon was born in Daviess County, Ky., April 9, 1819. He was reared and educated in this county, and has always resided here. His father was born in Henry County, Ky., in 1793, and came to Daviess County in 1811, where he died Jan. 22, 1878. He was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church over fifty years, and in all that time never made a contract for a dollar. His mother, Ann (Knight) Calhoon, was also a native of Henry
Digitized by Microsoft®
779
SORGHOTOWN PRECINCT.
County, and died in this county Nov. 22, 1839. There was a family of nine girls and two boys, George L. being the eldest. He was married Oct. 15, 1840, to Leah Glenn Calhoon, who was born in Daviess County, March 13, 1820, and died Aug. 22, 1879. They had ten children, seven now living-Samuel, Nancy, William, Mitchell, Elizabeth, Lonisa and George L., Jr. Mr. Calhoon owned 850 acres of land, but now has only 4031, having divided the rest with his children. He has never united with the church, but is in belief a Cumberland Presbyterian. He is a member of Wm. Winstead Lodge, No. 466, A. F. & A. M., Owensboro.
Mitchell Calhoon was born in Daviess County, Ky., Nov. 7, 1850. He was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools, attending school in the winter and working on the farm in the summer. Before the war his father had a number of slaves, but he believed in having his boys learn to work, and after the emancipation proclamation, when they were forced to perform their own labor, the task was not so hard as for those who were never taught to work. Mr. Calhoon has a well-improved farm of 150 acres, seventy-five of which was heavy timber seven years ago. He was married Oct. 9, 1875, to Bettie Glenn, a native of Daviess County, born May 29, 1856. They have one child-Avah, born Nov. 6, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Calhoon are members of the Cum- berland Presbyterian church. He and his father, George L. Cal- hoon, joined the church about the same time-twenty-two years ago. There were nine children in his father's family-Samuel, Nancy, William, Mitchell, Lucy, John, Bettie, Lonise and George. Mrs. Calhoon's parents, David and Mary Jane (Waltrip) Glenn, were natives of Daviess County. Her father died in 1865, and her mother was killed in 1868 by the floor over the cellar caving in and crushing her. Of a family of six children but two are living- William L. Glenn, born Oct. 30, 1853, and Mrs. Calhoon.
Rev. Samuel Calhoon, son of George Calhoon, was born in Henry County, Ky., Sept. 15, 1793; removed to Daviess County, Ky., in 1812, and settled in a dense forest six miles southwest of Owensboro, which was known at that time by the name of Yellow Banks, and consisted of three log cabins, with but a small amount of cleared land surrounding them. His arrival was two weeks after the last battle fought with the Indians across the Ohio River in Indiana, causing the Indians to retire from this country to the West. Though there were many traces of the Indians in the Green River Valley, in which Mr. Calhoon settled, yet it was
Digitized by Microsoft®
780
HISTORY OF DAVIESS COUNTY.
apparent, owing to the low, flat condition of the country, that the presence of the Indians was only transient. Hence the prevalence of wild animals in the valley. The new settlers in their log cabin, in their forest home, were entertained at night by the howling of the wolf, the bear and panther, and squalls of the wild-cat.
The family of children consisted of six boys and two girls. They soon began the work of clearing and cultivating the forest. George Calhoon, the father, being an excellent surveyor, did a great deal of surveying, as the country was gradually settled.
There were scarcely any opportunities for education, there not being enongh settlers to sustain a school. Abont the only oppor- tunity was to take some one who was too infirm for active business, and support them for their instruction. Books being scarce, the principal reading-book was the New Testament, and when a person was so fortunate as to attain to the rule of three inarit h metic, he was regarded as being well educated.
Samuel Calhoon, being a very delicate youth, it was supposed he would not live; consequently his mental culture was much neglected. The other boys received as much education as the circumstances wonld admit, and aided their father in the sheriff's business, which gave them some advantage. Four of the boys subsequently entered the profession of law. One is a farmer. Sam- nel remained with his parents, and obtained, altogether, abont three months' schooling. As he approached manhood his health improved and physical strength increased, until he finally became physically one of the ablest of the family.
He returned to Henry County and married Ann Knight at about the age of twenty-seven years, and settled in a humble home near his parents in Daviess County.
From his youth up he was morally inclined, and, having re- mained with his parents, he received much moral instruction. Though they were Presbyterians, he did not endorse their general doctrines. He believed in a general salvation upon the terms of repentance. He learned that Rev. David Lowry would preach in Owensboro at a given time (which was the first sermon ever preached in Owensboro). He inquired of what denomination he was, and was told that he was a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. He had never heard of a Cumberland Presbyterian, and inquired of their doctrines. Their views were given him by an aged elder from a distance, whom he chanced to meet. He remarked that those were just his views, and he would hear the man. The time
Digitized by Microsoft®
781
SORGHOTOWN PRECINCT.
arrived and he did hear the man of God preach the gospel, "not by man's wisdom, but with power and in demonstration of the Holy Ghost."
He became interested with regard to his own salvation, though he told no one of his condition. He began to seek Christ, but he had no one to instruct him. Mr. Lowry was a transient minister, and was gone; there was no other minister within forty miles of him; he did not endorse the doctrines of his own parents, and hence he had none to consult in his dark hour but his God and his Bible. Those he did consult in the true sense, and on the second Sabbath in April, 1821, while riding alone upon the road leading from Owensboro to Calhoon, as he entered the pass known as the Narrows of Panther Creek, light came to him. He thought he would say nothing about it, but as soon as he reached home his wife was conscious of the change, from his appearance and con- duct. It was no longer a secret, but soon became generally known.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.