USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 61
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WILLIAM J. MARSHALL, the subject of this sketch, was born on the twenty-sixth day of December, 1827, on the farm, settled by his grandfather, Colonel William Marshall, five miles south of Henderson, on the Madisonville road.
Col. Wm. Marshall was a soldier in the War of the Revolution from Virginia. In the year 1810 he removed from Mecklenburg County, Virginia, to this county, and located the farm as above stated. He died, two years after, leaving his farm to his widow and youngest child, William J, Marshall, then a youth sixteen years of age. The son grew to a manhood of high standing in the community for busi- ness capacity and social character. For a long time he was engaged in merchandising in the town of Henderson, but returned to his farm, and soon thereafter married Sarah Lyne Holloway, youngest daughter of Col. John Holloway. In the year 1834 Mr. Marshall died, leav- ing four children, John H., William J., (subject of this sketch), James B. and Lucie Ann., in after years, wife of Col. Leonard H. Lyne.
At an early age our subject was sent to the Henderson Seminary and placed under the educational guidance of Mr. George Gayle, a teacher of rare attainments. Under the tutorage of this preceptor, Mr. Marshall gained a fine primary education, and, at the age of twelve years became a student under the teaching of Rev. John Mccullough. In three years after, he had fitted himself to enter a school possessed of more extended advantages ; therefore, at the age of fifteen years, he matriculated at Kenyon College, Ohio, one of the most noted institutions of learning then in the West. After remain-
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ing at Gambier one year, he entered " Centre College," Danville, Ky., where he remained one year. Returning to Henderson, he accepted a clerkship with his uncle, Samuel Stites, at that time one of the lead- ing dry goods merchants of the town. The agreement between the two was limited, yet, at the expiration of the time, both parties were well enough pleased to enter into a new contract, which continued up to the time Mr. Stites sold out to Evans & Holloway. He remained a short time with the new firm, but his health failing him, in 1850, he went to Virginia, in the hope of reinstating his physical condition. In this, however, he was disappointed, and returning to Henderson, resigned his clerkship and located upon the farm upon which he was born. On the twenty-second day of February, 1853, Mr. Marshall married Miss Lucie Frances Posey, daughter of William T. Posey and great-granddaughter of General Thomas Posey, an officer of the Revo- lution, who served upon the staff of General Washington. Mrs. Marshall is a most estimable woman, possessed of a peculiar charm of manner, and very much beloved. During the year 1858, Mr. Marshall, by an unfortunate accident, suffered the loss of his right hand, yet by constant practice, soon acquired the art of writing with his left hand, and has lost no time in keeping up his large correspond- ence. At the close of the War of the Rebellion, having lost some · twenty-five valuable slaves, he determined to take up his residence in the town. The handsome residence where he now resides was built during the summer of 1864, and he, together with his family, occupied it during the spring of 1865. He soon opened a commission and insurance office and was not long in finding himself doing a lucrative business. In the fall of 1865 he organized the banking house of Green, Marshall & Co., composed of Hon. Grant Green, now Cashier of the Farmers' Bank at Frankfort, Ky., himself and Ed- ward Atkinson. In the fall of 1866, in order to enlarge the com- mission business, he organized the firm of W. J. Marshall & Co., consisting of Green, Marshall & Co., and Paul J. Marrs. They pur- chased a large and commodious wharfboat, and in conjunction occu- pied as a storage house the old Green River warehouse, at that time situated on a point of land out on the line of Third street, between Water street and the river. In 1868 the firm built the large brick warehouse, now standing on Third street, between Main and Water streets. Upon the election of Hon. Grant Green, to the Cashiership of the Farmers' Bank, the banking affairs of Green, Marshall & Co. were closed up, and the accounts turned over to the Henderson Branch of the Farmers' Bank. In August, 1869, Mr. Marshall was
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
elected a Director of the Farmers' Bank. For several years he was a member of the Henderson and Nashville R. R. Directory, representing the City of Henderson. By the will of his uncle, John G. Holloway, one of the most intelligent and successful business men of the age, Mr. Marshall was made one of the executors of his large and varied estate. Being solicited, he, in connection with Dr. Thomas Taylor, brother of Mrs. Burbank, qualified as administrator of that large estate. In both instances he has evinced marked ability in the management of the trusts. Mr. Marshall has never been an office-seeker, but fre- quently office has sought him. He has served his county and city in several capacities. For a long time he served as a member of the Board of Public School Trustees, and for a number of years has held, by ap- pointment, the position of Water Works Commissioner. In 1872 he was appointed a Director of the South Ky. R. R., and entrusted sole- ly with the only appropriation of money ever made, looking to the building of the road. In June, 1842, at the age of fifteen years, under the preaching of Rev. Dr. Nathan Hall, of Lexington, Ky., Mr. Mar- shall united himself with the Presbyterian Church, and has continued an earnest worker in the cause to this day. In 1851 he was elected Superintendent of the Sunday School, and held that position to the year 1853. In the year 1852, in connection with others, he was instru- mental in the building of a house of worship, near by, known as Posey Chapel, in which a Presbyterian Church was organized in the spring of 1853. He was elected an elder and Superintendent of the Sunday School, and served up to 1865, when he removed to town. In Septem - ber, 1865, he was again elected Superintendent of the Presbyterian Sunday School in the city. During the same year he was elected an elder, both of which offices he yet holds, with signal gratification to the church congregation. In addition to a considerable city estate, he is the owner of large farming interests, extensively engaged in the tobacco trade, being the leading partner in the large sales tobacco warehouse in the city, the stemmery at Boxville, Union County, and one of the largest growers of the staple in this county. In the year 1878, combining business with pleasure, Mr. Marshall visited Europe and traveled extensively, both in England and on the Continent. During his visit, he was a regular contributor to the columns of the Henderson Reporter. His letters were gracefully written, and out of the usual routine of such correspondence-they were breezy, newsy and highly entertaining, looked for regularly and devoured with a keenly relish by all the readers of the paper, and by all who could procure a copy. Mr. Marshall is the father of eight children, three
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
daughters and five sons-Posey, William J., Starling L., Stuart Oxley, Len Lyne, Lila, who married Fielding L Turner, Annie, who married George B. Hughes, and Virgie, unmarried. All of the children are living, and no shepherd has ever had greater cause to rejoice over his flock. Mr. Marshall has but little time to devote to literary pursuits, although he is inclined that way, being an occasional contributor to the newspapers. In closing this sketch, it cannot be more appropri- ately done, than in reproducing the following lines, written by him on the anniversary of his fifty-second birthday, and a few verses written on the death of Richard Stites.
REVERIES ON MY FIFTY-SECOND BIRTHDAY,
Another birthday come, another milestone passed, In the journey which leads from the cradle to the grave ; Oh. how the line seems lengthening out, and as I gaze Backward over the long array, unto the dim vista, Vista of my childhood days, I seem to see The first one resting upon a Sainted Mother's knee. Further on they seem to mark an aimless orphaned youth, With no kind father's voice, or hand, to guide my feet, And then they tell of years of labor, toil and care, With days of unalloyed happiness, of blessings Rich and full, ot chastisements and sorrows sore. A da of reckoning this. Oh, come my soul, thy Ballance sheet prepare : How stands the account Betwixt thee and thy God ? what hast thou rendered Unto him, for all his goodness shown to thee ? What loving service wrought for Him who did So much for thee ? What self denial ; what Sacrifice of wealth or ease, for sake of Him Who tho' he was rich, for your sake became poor? What cans't thou show of opportunities given thee of Talents multiplied ? what deeds of kindness done to Suffering fellow men; what burdens lifted from The mourning widows heart ; what orphans tears, so Kindly, gently wiped away ; what erring one reclaimed? Oh. come my soul the balance strike as in the sight Of Him who knowest thy every deed, whose eye discerns The inmost thoughts and purposes of thy heart. Oh. loving Father, who dos't look with pitying eye On thy frail children here, accept my humble service, Which. tho' feeble and faltering, yet from honest heart proceeds ; Oh. give me wisdom, grace and strength, that when My birthday's here are ended, it may appear That I've not lived in vain.
HENDERSON, KY., December 26th, 1879,
-
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TRIBUTE TO RICHARD STITES.
One by one the Autumn leaves have fallen, Leaving the boughs so bare and seer ; One by one our friends are taken,
Leaving our hearts so sad and drear.
Oh, what if ne'er the springtime breezes Should wake again the leaves and flowers ,
Oh, what if ne'er the voice of Jesus, Should make again these friends of ours.
How dark this world, if leaf and flowers Should slumber e'er 'neath winter's finger;
How dark the grave, if in its power Our sleeping friends should ever linger.
But, soon again the breath of summer Shall clothe the earth in verdure vernal,
And soon again our friends who slumber, Shall wake in Christ to life eternal.
December, 1883.
EDMUND LYNE STARLING .- In treating of the life of the one whose name heads this brief sketch, one must feel that the diffi- culties he has to encounter, are equally great with those of the photographer when he attempts to reproduce on prepared paper, the exact features of a picture that presents aspects of a marked character. From his earliest childhood he possessed a mind remark- able for its strength and clearness. His chief aim seemed to be to earn an honorable name through the practice of those civic virtues which, while they adorn their possessor, are the strongest supports of both society and government. At an early age he began to exhibit those of character, which, in their fuller development, caused him to be beloved and respected wherever he was known.
In his domestic life, his home stood with hospitable gates ajar, welcoming the stranger, the friend, the wayfarer and the distressed. No cloistral quiet there, with grave and irksome duties, where life was treated as a great sorrow to be borne in peace ; nay, but a genial homelike pleasantness, rife with joyous sounds and echoing with con- tagious laughter, from its open windows and light, inviting chambers. Little children loved and came to him, their intuitions, wiser than our skill, recognized his kindly, generous nature, and they climbed about his knees, roguishly and confidingly. He ever could sympathize with the child over its broken doll, as well as he could with a man borne down to earth with his sad and sorrowful bereavements. The young
COL. E. L. STARLING.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
maiden, strange with the new love springing in her innocent heart, and wandering over the prize, found in this plain and good man, the tenderest advisor and friend, a confidant more true than her old schoolmate, to whom she planned a future in the soft brilliance of their moonlit chamber. This enlarged good feeling for charity as God made the world, and not narrowly, as man uses it, was one of the qualities and attributes of Col. Edmund L. Starling. All those who knew him and felt his kindly influence, know that it is no more possible to resist a kindly nature shining from a noble heart, than it is for the earth to turn ungrateful to the sun and refuse its plants and flowers its generous kiss.
Col. Edmund L. Starling was born in Mecklenburg County, Vir- ginia, on the ninth day of May, 1795. Sir William Starling, of Stop- plesy Hall, of Bedfordshire, England, his paternal ancestor, was knighted in 1661, and Lord Mayor of London in 1670. The cele- brated William Penn, it is said, was arraigned before Lord Mayor Starling for non-conformity of his religious opinions to the accepted creed of the Government. William Starling, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was the first man of the name who came to America, coming as an assistant or merchant's clerk, with his uncle, Benjamin Hubbard. He settled in King William County, Virginia, about 1740. William Starling, his son, and father of our subject, was born in King William County on the fourth day of September, 1756. He married Susanna Lyne, daughter of Col. William Lyne, of the same county, in 1774. They had eleven children, our subject being the youngest. Anne Starling, the second child, married Major John Holloway, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and soon afterwards removed to Kentucky, settling in this county. William Starling, soon after his marriage, removed to Mecklenburg County, Virginia, where he lived for many years, following the occupation of merchant and also serving as High Sheriff of the county. During his term of office he won considerable reputation for coolness and courage by the arrest of a notorious and dangerous character, who had long been the dread and annoyance of the whole country, and who, upon the occasion referred to, had ridden into the courtyard heavily armed, and, with insolent bravado, defied the officers and dared them arrest him.
In 1794, William Starling removed to Kentucky and settled on a farm near Harrodsburgh, in Mercer County. He had purchased lands before coming there, but lost them through the conflicting and uncertain titles that were characteristic of those days, and which, for many years thereafter, were the source of much trouble and litigation,
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY KY.
until the Legislature, by a few general and sweeping acts, quieted the titles and confirmed the possession to the fortunate holders. Mr. Starling, in addition to his large landed interest, was the owner of a great many slaves. and engaged in mercantile pursuits at Harrods- burgh on an extensive scale, having branches of his house in Hender- son and Frankfort. He died December 25th, 1826 ; his wife, Susanna Lyne, died September 7th, 1802. Colonel Starling, as he was called, derived his title from the fact that he was selected Colonel of a temporary regiment, called out when Virginia was threatened with invasion by Benedict Arnold and his command, after his treason, and when he had joined the British army. He represented Mercer County in the Kentucky Legislature, and, according to the document under the seal of the State, was appointed Assistant Judge for his district December 18th, 1806.
Col. Edmund Lyne Starling, the subject of this sketch, October 2d, 1817, at Frankfort, married Ann Maria Todd. She was born March 30th, 1801, and was the third child of Judge Thomas Todd. Judge Todd was born in King and Queen County, Virginia ; was a soldier in the revolution and, in civic life, one of the most eminent men in the nation. He first married Miss Harris, of Pennsylvania, by whom he had three children. She died, and he then married a widow of a nephew of General Washington, who was born Lucy Payne, a beautiful, highly intellectual and imperious woman, sister of Mrs. President Madison They had two" sons. Judge Todd immi- grated to Kentucky when about twenty years of age. He chose the profession of the law and devoted himself so earnestly to its duties that he soon became known as one of the ablest lawyers in the West- ern country. The honors of his profession came thick and fast upon him. He rose to the position of Chief Justice, the highest judicial office of the State. No one achieved a greater reputation in the adjustment of perplexing difficulties arising out of the defective land laws of Virginia than Judge Todd. His success was such that Presi- dent Jefferson, in 1807, called him to a seat on the Supreme Federal Bench, a position he held until his death. Justice Story pronounced a beautiful tribute to his memory. A brother of Mrs. Edmund L Starling was Col. Charles Stewart Todd, who was on the staff of General Harrison and served with distinction in the War of 1812, was United States Minister to the court of Russia in the Harrison- Tyler administration, and was afterwards charge d'affaires to South America. He married a daughter of the great Governor Shelby, Kentucky's first and fighting Governor.
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
Col. Edmund L. Starling, in his younger days, indeed, through- out his whole life, was of a gay and easy disposition, more disposed to enjoy the pleasures of life than settle down to business. For a number of years he resided in Frankfort. Later on he removed to Logan County and settled on a farm not far from his brother William, where he lived for several years. About the year 1830, he removed to Henderson County and located upon the farm now owned by Mrs. W. S. Elam. Fifteen years after he settled the farm known as the "Smith Farm," near the People's Coal Mines, on the Knoblick road, and built the frame residence yet to be found standing there. Col. John Rudy, of this county, was the contractor, and the building is a credit to his honesty and mechanical skill, being, as it is, one of the best frames in the county.
Col. Starling was never an office seeker, but, by appointment, served this county, under the old Constitution, as Magistrate from 1835 to 1850, both years inclusive. He would have been the next Sheriff under the old Constitution rule. He served in many public trusts, such as guardian, administrator, and vestryman of his church.
In November, 1854, Mr. Starling sold his farm to Chas. T. Star- ling, and having, on the twenty-first of March, 1851, purchased property in the town from Dr. W. B. Read, gave up farming and removed with his family into the town. In early times the country bordering along creeks was exceedingly unhealthy, and about all that a farmer could make, he was required to pay to doctors and for calomel, quinine and such medicines ; for this reason, therefore, it is most likely Mr. Starling removed into the town. His country home was one of the happiest and most cheerful. There was hardly a time that it was without visiting company, gay young persons from the town and from far off places.
It is seldom so many lovable traits of character are to be found embodied in one personage as were possessed in such an eminent · degree by Mrs. Starling. She was a most lovable woman, full of heart, truth, justice, charity ; in fact, all those attributes that go to make a pure, noble, perfect woman. She was the light of the household, the anchor to which the family clung, the brightest star in the constellation surrounding her, and a highly cultivated and inost intelligent lady.
Unto Colonel and Mrs. E. L. Starling there were born eleven children, to-wit : Lyne, Thomas Todd, Sarah Carneal, Jane Davison, Elizabeth Todd, William, Charles Todd, Susanna, Ann Maria, Lucy Bell and Edmund Lyne, all of whom, with the exception of Charles
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Todd, preceded their parents in death. Truly a sad harvest of death in one family. Mrs. Starling died December 15th, 1862, and was followed by her husband August 30th, 1869. They were both mem- bers of the church, Mr. Starling of the Protestant Episcopal, his wife of the Presbyterian. Only three of the children married, to-wit : Lyne, Sarah Carneal and Charles Todd. Lyne Starling, the eldest son, was born in Logan County on the twenty-third day of August, 1818. He died at the age of thirty-three years, having been married three times-first to Miriam P. Dillon, of Franklin County, a lady of the brightest mind and highest order of intellectual accom- plishments. As an artist, she ranked among the most noted amateurs. As a poetess and writer, she knew but few equals, and, as a lady calculated to adorn society, she was pre-eminently recognized and beloved. She died January 20th, 1841, one year and seven months after her marriage, leaving one son, Edmund Lyne Starling, born May 9th, 1840.
Lyne Starling married, secondly, Anna Belle Walker, on the thirtieth day of June, 1843. She was a beautiful woman and very much beloved. She died November 13th, 1844, leaving no issue. Five years before his death, April 29th, 1846, Lyne married, for his third wife, Mary F. Allison, eldest daughter of William D. Allison, for many years clerk of the Circuit and County Courts of Henderson County. She is still living and is justly known as one of the most estimable of her sex, and a devoted true friend and Christian woman. Lyne Starling, for a number of years, was engaged in the mercantile trade, and enjoyed a large and extensive patronage. He was a noble, high-spirited man, but never enjoyed good health. He died November 25th, 1851. By his last marriage, one child, Ann Maria, was born on the twenty-sixth day of January, 1849. She was as pure as a dew drop and as lovable as it is possible in human nature. She died November 22d, 1865.
Sarah Carneal Starling, the eldest daughter, a most amiable and affectionate woman, fulfilling every promise of her bright youth, was married on the second day of January, 1849, to Henry Lyne, eldest son of George Lyne, and grandson of Gen'l Sam'l Hopkins, agent for Richard Henderson & Co., who located the town of Henderson. By that marriage, four children were born-George, William Starling, Susanna Starling, and James. George was born Sept. 20th, 1849, in Henderson. He married, has one child, Susanna, and is teaching school in Vanderburg County, Indiana, and farming on a small scale in Henderson County. William Starling Lyne was born January
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7th, 1853 ; married Miss Mary Meyer, daughter of Dr. J. M. Meyer, a leading physician of Boyle County, and, a few years after, purchased land in that county, built him a handsome home and located with his family, where he yet resides, engaged in farming and raising fine Jersey cattle. His wife is a very handsome woman, thoroughly domestic and very popular. They have had five children, to-wit : Charles Star- ling, Meyer, Oscar, Mary and William Starling, all fine looking, intelligent children. Susanna Starling Lyne married Jacob Swigert, of Frankfort, a gentleman of high order of intelligence, a thoroughly honest and reliable business man, much respected by all who know him, and in all a most estimable man. Mr. and Mrs. Swigert reside upon a fine blue grass farm, near Spring Station, Woodford County. They have had two children, Mary Hendricks and Starling, both bright and intelligent. Mrs. Swigert is a thorough Christian woman, devoted to her husband, children, relatives and friends, and is a most lovable person.
CHARLES TODD STARLING, fourth son of Col. Edmund L. Starling, was born in Logan County on the twenty-second day of September, 1829. He, as in the case of the other children, was raised upon a farm, but was given the best educational advantages to be had in those early times, his father employing the best private teachers when his children were young, in order that they might be prepared to enter the higher grades. At the age of twelve years, young Charles was sent to Gambier College, Ohio, where he remained from three to four years. Subsequent to that time, he received educational training from Rev. John McCullagh and others, until he had possessed himself of a liberal education. He then, for a short time, served in the Circuit and County Clerks' offices as deputy under William D. Allison." On the twenty-seventh day of February, 1851, he married in Louisville, Miss Maria J. Tunstall, eldest daughter of Henry J. Tunstall, who, for many years, held positions of important trust in that city and afterwards served as Councilman of Henderson for many years, with credit to himself and the city. Mrs. Starling was, and is yet, a very handsome woman, though for many years a great sufferer from ills the flesh is heir to. Charles T. Starling is one of the noblest of men, honest beyond peradventure and liberal to a fault. He is a devoted husband, relative and churchman. For many years during his manhood, he evinced but little interest in religious matters, but for the last twenty years or more, has been an active, earnest worker in the church and Sunday school. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and, a few years since, was made an Elder.
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