USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 71
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Our subject was raised a Catholic, but, several years ago, united with the Baptist Church. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, as he is also a member of the Iron Hall Insurance Benefit and the Grand Army of the Republic Societies. He is a member of the Henderson Fire Department, having, during his membership, filled all of the chairs, and performed upon numerous occasions, a noble duty, for which he is held in high esteem.
PETER CHARLES KYLE .- To write a full, complete, and de- serving detailed review of the incidents and interesting surroundings, associated with the ancestral family and individual life of the gentle- man whose name appears at the head of this article, would require a book of itself, but limit calls a halt in a work of this magnitude, and we must therefore ask pardon for the brevity exercised in his case ; nevertheless, we shall endeavor to give to those who follow after him, a sketch, full enough to leave them in no doubt as to his whereabouts from his birth up to this writing. Peter Charles Kyle is a native of Saarlouis of Rhenish, Prussia, four or five miles from the frontier of France, long in the possession of that country, and was fortified by Vauban in the reign of Louis XIV. The Congress of Vienna gave it to Prussia in 1815. The date of his birth was on the eleventh of Novem- ber, 1839. His father's name was Christian Kyle, his mother's maiden name Gertrude Herring. The father was born in Berlin in 1794, and served as Second Lieutenant on the guard of the King of Prussia, dur- ing the War of 1812. The mother was born at Saarlouis in the year 1796. In November, 1840, when our subject was only one year old,
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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
his father and mother and what children they had at that time, sailed for America in a sailing vessel and were ninety days on the ocean from Havre to New Orleans. They remained there some time, and then journeyed on up the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Madison, Indiana, where the old man engaged in the stone masonry business. In this he continued for four years, when an accidental fall produced conjestion of the lungs, and death ensued. The wife and widowed mother was thus left with five children to care for, the eldest ten years, the youngest, six weeks. The subject of this sketch was at that time only five years of age. The mother, by her own labor and the exercise of motherly economy, successfully cared for her little ones, until they arrived at an age that justified calling them to her assistance. The children were blessed with an intelligent energy that relieved the mother, and since 1870, she has found a welcome, comfortable home with her son, the subject of this sketch. On the 28th day of Decem- ber, 1886, Mrs. Kyle departed this life at the advanced age of ninety years, and it is comforting to know that in giving up a long, well spent life to take on one more full of sunshine, all was peace and fearless submission.
Mr. Kyle, the subject of this sketch, was educated at the Madison, Indiana, public schools, and, during his life in that city, learned the art of bricklaying. During the year 1857, he went South and settled in Bayou La Fourche Parish, Louisiana, and there followed his trade up to the twentieth of May, 1860, when he joined the Louisiana Army an 1 was made Lieutenant of the Assumption Blues. Soon after he was sent with his command to the mouth of Bayou La Fourche River and there built, or assisted in building, a fort. At the completion of this work he received a discharge from the State and immediately set to work recruiting a company for the Confederate Service. He was not long in doing this, and with his troops joined the Eighth Louisiana Reg- giment and was sent to Virginia. From Virginia he was permitted and directed to return to his home and recruit and reorganize a company of cavalry. This company was recruited to its full number in a short while, and under the command of Captain Albert Cage, was assigned to Gen. Wirt Adams' command. Subsequent to this, he was placed on detached duty in the Signal Service Corps and assigned to the commands of Generals Pemberton and Bowen, at Grand Gulf and Vicksburg, Mississippi.
He surrendered, with Pemberton's command, to General U. S. Grant on the fourth day of July, 1864, and in the following September was exchanged. He again re-entered active service and was assigned
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to the cavalry under General Wirt Adams. His daring disposition lead him, with two comrades, to make a night raid into Natchez, and, as a result, all three of them were taken prisoners, and sent to Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana, where they arrived Christmas day, 1864. Mr. Kyle was held a prisoner of war until May 14th, 1865, when he was set at liberty. The war having terminated, he left the prison walls and settled in Thorntown, Indiana, where he remained until February, 1867, when he removed to Henderson.
On August 5th, 1865, he married, at Thorntown, Miss Phoebe Ann Thompson, granddaughter of Captain Phil. Thompson, who fought with the Harrison Guards at the battle of Tippecanoe, and afterwards settled near Stockwell Indiana. By this marriage there were five children, four of whom are now living, John W , Louisa, Pe- ter C. and Edward. The eldest child, Jacob, met a tragic and most distressing death. He was quite a child, and while out driving on the road, the horses became frightened, ran away, and little Jake was killed. On the twenty-third day of October, 1873, Mrs. Kyle, whose life had been devoted to her husband and children, departed this life, and thus the bereaved husband was left with four children to care for and bring up in the world. Faithfully he performed this duty until the twentieth day of January, 1880, when he took unto himself a second wife, Miss Louise Thompson, sister of his first wite, who has performed the duties of maternal head of the family most satisfactorily from the date of her marriage up to this writing.
Mr. Kyle is a contractor of brick and stone work, doing a large business, and enjoys the confidence of the entire community. He served a term of years as Superintendent of the streets of the city, and it is said by knowing ones that the position was never before or since so well filled. He was at all times watchful, diligent and active, and all of his work was done with an eye to permanency and not slushed over as is so often the case. In politics he recognizes no party, but holds himself aloof to vote and think as his own conscience dictates. In religion, he was born a Catholic, but has never affiliated with the church-in fact, he is not much of a churchman in any sense of the word. Yet, he is liberal to a fault, open hearted, willing at all times to do unto others as he would be done by, loves his friends and has a host of them. He is a leading member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and of the Knights of Pythias, and has represented his lodges in the grand bodies of the State.
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GEORGE WASHINGTON MCCLURE .- The subject of this sketch was born in Union County, seven miles east of Morganfield, on the seventeenth day of April, 1833, and was the only child of Alex- ander McClure, of Rockbridge County, Virginia, a comer to Kentucky in 1812. His early education was obtained from the ordinary schools of his county, until at the age of fourteen years he was sent to New Albany, Indiana, and placed under the tutorage of Prof. John B. An- derson. He remained three years at New Albany, and then entered Centre College, Danville, where he completed his education. He then returned to Union County, and commenced farming upon a large and successful scale. At the age of twenty-six, and in January, 1859, Mr. McClure was married to Miss Mary H. Dixon, daughter of Cap- tain Henry Dixon, and granddaughter of Capt Hal Dixon. On Janu- ary 1st, 1870, he removed with his family to Henderson County, and on the first day of January, 1872, occupied his new and handsome residence in the town of Corydon, where he has since continued to reside.
Mr. McClure has served a number of terms as Trustee of the Public School of the town of Corydon, and twice or more times hon- ored in his appointment as Chairman. For five years or more he has been appointed by the County Court, Trustee of the Henderson High School. In every position of trust he has evinced marked ability and good, reliable judgment. Mr. McClure is a man of large means and is regarded one of the staunchest men of the county. His home is one of the happiest and handsomest. Mrs. McClure is a most excel- lent lady, of fine judgment, and to her, perhaps, a great share of credit is due her husband's success in life. They have three children. The eldest, Miss Anna, married several years since, Mr. L. E. Hearne, of Boyle County. Henry is a brilliant young man, and will eventually make his mark in the world. Within the last twelve months, Mr. Mc- Clure has built in Corydon a magnificent flouring mill of large capacity and capable of turning out the best brands of flour known to the trade.
JAMES NATHANIEL POWELL, M. D .- Dr. Powell, son of Nathaniel B. Powell and grandson of Col. James Powell, one of the early pioneers, was born in Henderson County, near Corydon, on the first day of June, 1837. He received his early training from the neighborhood schools until 1856, when he matriculated at Bethel College, Russellville, Ky., where he remained two years Subse- quently he studied medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. Dunham, of Uniontown, and Dr. John N. Dorsey, of Corydon. He attended the Louisville Medical University, receiving two courses of lectures
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during the terms of 1860, '61 and '62. He then returned to Corydon and commenced the practice of his profession.
On the fifth day of May, 1868, Dr. Powell married Miss Bettie, daughter of Dr. John N. Dorsey, and has several children. Dr. Powell is a physician of prominence in the profession, enjoys a large practice and has been remarkably successful in the treatment of diseases. He is a gentleman of excellent habits and deservedly popular. He has served as Trustee of the town of Corydon and of the Public School at that place.
HON. JOSEPH VALENTINE OWEN .- The subject of this sketch was born in Columbus, Kentucky, on the twenty-seventh day of July, 1851. When at the age of one year, his father removed to Paducah, and there remained up to his death, at which time young Joseph was fourteen years of age. He was then taken by his uncle, Dr. Owen, to Hopkins County, where he remained one year, when he concluded to locate in Corydon. To this end, therefore, he packed his wordly goods in a hand satchel and footed it overland. Mr. Owen inherited nothing save a strong mind and ample energy to back it. His education was limited, yet every spare moment was devoted to the improvement of his mind. Arriving at Corydon, he was soon given a situation with T. C. Hart, and, during this time, attended as best he could, a private school. He soon after went to King's Mills and taught school there ; then engaged in the mercantile busi- ness. In 1871 he returned to Corydon and entered into the dry goods business with H. A. Powell. In 1873 the firm changed to Thos. W. Powell and himself. During the summer of 1875, Mr. Owen sold out to Green W. Pritchett, and, at the earnest solicitation of friends, made the race for Representative, as an Independent, against Isham Cottingham, and was elected by a majority of 1.080 votes, He served during the term of 1875 and '76, and, during the time, introduced several important bills, among the number one regulating the election of constables, greatly simplifing matters and saving a large and un- necessary expense. In 1876, Mr. Owen was again a candidate, but was defeated by the Hon. M. Merritt. He then purchased the stock of H. A. Powell, May 6th, 1876 A year or two afterwards he built a large two-story business house, the second story, 35x60, being set apart for a town hall.
On the sixteenth day of October, 1877, Mr. Owen married Miss Tina Powell, daughter of H. A. Powell and granddaughter of James W. Gibson. They have had several children. On the tenth day of March, 1884, a fire swept Corydon, and Mr. Owen was one of the
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largest losers, his storehouse and hall being consumed. Nothing daunted, he rebuilt, providing himself with a larger and far better house. The second house was of brick and thought to be fireproof, but, on the ninth day of April, 1887, another and still larger fire swept Corydon, and Mr. Owen was again burned out, house, stock and all. For the third time he has builded again. There is no limit to his industry and enterprise.
The grandfather of Mr. Owen, Joseph Owen, was one of the first Magistrates in Union County, and, at one time, owned the Saline Salt Works in Illinois. His great uncle, Abraham Owen, was killed at the battle of Tippecanoe, and his name is inscribed upon the Soldiers' Monument at Frankfort. He was a Colonel, commanding a regiment of Kentucky troops.
Mr. Owen has served as Trustee of the town and Public School, and has been a liberal contributor to every public enterprise. He is an enterprising, thrifty merchant.
HON. HENRY FIELDING TURNER was born on the twenty-ninth day of April, 1829, in Fayette County, Kentucky. He was the fourth son of Judge Fielding Lewis Turner, who immigrated to Fayette County with his father, Lewis E. Turner, from Loudon County, Virginia, in the year 1786.
Henry F. Turner graduated in the Law Department of the Tran- sylvania University, Lexington, at the age of nineteen years, and was admitted to the bar in Lexington during the same year. On the twenty- eighth day of February, 1849, the Legislature passed an act relieving him of the disabilities of minority; and thus he was fully authorized to practice his chosen profession. This was, perhaps, the first special act of the kind ever passed in the State, the General Law requiring the applicant to be twenty-one years of age. Mr. Turner has been a close student of his profession from that day to the present time.
On the eighth day of May, 1850, he was married to Miss Lucinda, the only daughter of Doctor John Slavens, of Harrodsburg. They re- moved to Henderson County in the year 1852, and settled the place where they now reside. Having been born and raised upon a farm, Mr. Turner has always loved the pursuit of agriculture, which he now carries on to a considerable extent, in addition to the practice of law. He was a large owner of slaves, and took the world easy, having around him all of the old-time luxuries Kentucky gentlemen were so wont to have in ante bellum days. His hospitable house was a home indeed where every caller was made to feel that he or she were at a second home. Nor has any of the old-time hospitality departed from
W. W. SHELBY'S RESIDENCE.
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this place ; the latch string still hangs on the outside, and the same habits are indulged in living and manners, as were the custom in the good old times long passed away. Mrs Turner is a lady of model intelligence and domestic virtues, and has been a life partner worthy the love bestowed upon her by her devoted husband. They have raised a family of brilliant children, four of whom are now living : Mrs. Josie Allen, of Chicago; Fielding L., of Ballard County; Mrs.W.W. Shelby, and Miss Lucie, now living in Henderson. These ladies oc- cupy the highest social positions, and are eminently fitted to adorn any station in life. Mr. Turner came to Henderson at a time when its bar was one of the strongest in the State, but, by close application and watchfulness, he soon rose to the front, and has held that position to the present time. As a lawyer, he has been exceptionally success- ful, has made a fine record, and stands deservedly high at the bar. As a skillful and far-seeing business man, he has few equals in Hen- derson ; has refused, with one exception, all offers to engage in polit- ical turmoil, confining himself, with all his energy to his own business interests, and to a lively participation in the business and social pros- perity of his city and county. He has accumulated a handsome es- tate and enjoys life in the home of a happy and loving family. Mr. Turner has frequently served his city as Council advisor, and for a number of years has served as director of the Farmers Bank ; is a lib- eral contributor to every worthy public enterprise. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity, having attained to the sublime degree of Knights Templar.
WILLIAM W. SHELBY was born in the Point, opposite New- burgh, on the twenty-seventh day of August, 1836. His father being a man of more than ordinary means,and a well-to-do farmer, was enabled to give his son a liberal collegiate education. His early training was had in the private schools of Newburgh, Indiana, and from thence to Princeton College, Kentucky, where he remained three years. At the age of eighteen, he was sent to Hanover College, Indiana, where he remained two years. He then entered Georgetown, Kentucky, Col- lege, but, owing to the political complexion of the country, he became dissatisfied at the end of six weeks, and was granted an examination, and permitted to graduate. Mr. Shelby, then returned to his father's farm in the Point, and undertook a farmer's life. In 1856 his father removed to Owensboro, and young Shelby took control of the farm. He was a large grower of corn and tobacco up to 1866, and usually shipped his tobacco to European markets. In 1861 Mr. Shelby formed a partership with his uncle, John S. McCormick, and built a
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large tobacco stemmery at Scuffletown. In 1868, they built a large store room, and for many years, did a very large grocery, dry goods, and notion trade. In 1867, through the instrumentality of Mr. Shelby, the Post Office Department at Washington was induced to establish an office at Scuffletown, and John Folden was appointed Postmaster. Mr. Shelby really was Postmaster, as he alone attended to all postal matters up to 1881. Shelby & McCormick did an im- mense business, and with very gratifying results. In addition to their tobacco stemmery and store, they built and operated a grist mill and blacksmith shop. They put up in strips for the European market, as high as five hundred hogsheads and one hundred hogs. heads ofleaf. Their usual average was from three to four hundred hogsheads.
The mercantile interest averaged, in annual sales, thirty thousand dollars. Mr. Shelby was, during the partnership, the active partner, and gave his entire attention to its affairs. Prior to the time he con- menced buying tobacco ; there was not much of a crop grown in the Point, but in 1877, there was 1,100,000 lbs. grown, and he became the purchaser of nearly the entire crop. This was the largest crop ever grown in the Point Precinct. Mr Shelby was a heavy grower of corn and tobacco, his crops frequently averaging from ten to fifteen thous- and bushels of corn, and from fifty to one hundred thousand pounds of tobacco. During the early part of 1881, Mr. Shelby sold his store to Fulner & Allen, and in June came to Henderson to reside. On the twenty-fourth day of October, 1877, he married Miss Mary E. Turner, third daughter of Hon. H. F. Turner, a lady of high social character and very handsome. As a result of this union, two children have been born, Lucie and Georgia, two as bright jewels as are to be found in the entire human family. Prior to his coming to Henderson, Mr. Shelby, and his uncle, John S. McCormick, purchased the Dun- lop tobacco stemmery on lower Main Street in the City of Henderson. For several years the firm purchased tobacco, but in September, 1882, he became, by purchase, the sole owner of the entire property. On the first day of July, 1882, having leased the lower saw mill, and laid in a large supply of logs, Mr. Shelby commenced sawing lumber for the trade. He carried on a very large business, but owing to the in- completeness of the mill and the heavy running expense attaching on that account, he abandoned the lumber business. During the sum- mer of 1882, a copartnership, consisting of W. W. Shelby, Fielding B. Turner and William Soaper, was formed, and, in September, the building of a hominy mill was begun. This mill, a large, three-story
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frame, with roomy cribs, warerooms and other necessary appendages, was soon completed and fully equipped with the best and latest machines and machinery known to the manufacturing trade. On the first day of January, 1883, the machinery was started. Two years afterwards Messrs. Shelby and Soaper purchased Turner's interest, and, from that time, Mr. Shelby has had entire control, and a splendid success he has made of it.
In addition to the large business, demanding the almost exclusive attention of Mr. Shelby, in 1882,'83, he was a large buyer of wheat and walnut logs. In everything he has undertaken he has proven a success, until to-day he is justly regarded of superior business tact and far seeing judgment.
Mr. Shelby, having gone from the schoolroom to hard and end- less work, had so overtaxed himself that recreation was positively needed ; therefore, he visited Europe in 1875, and spent the greater part of the year traveling in that country. Returning home again, he took up the thread of his multiplied business and has devoted himself with an assiduity of purpose that has placed him among the foremost men of his State. As a citizen, Mr. Shelby is enterprising and public spirited, contributing freely of his time, means and ability. As a man, he is fearless, open, frank, sincere, not only sagacious, but prudent, methodical and indefatigable, broad in his plans, keenly alive to the details in their execution and faithful under all circumstances to his engagements.
In 1883,'84, Mr. Shelby built his present magnificent residence, certainly the handsomest in the city and much handsomer than very many metropolitan homes costing twice as much. From 1860 to 1875 Mr. Shelby served the people of the Point District as Magistrate, and it is a fact, was never elected but once. The confidence imposed in him was unlimited. He also served as Postmaster from 1867 to 1881. He has never attached himself to a church or lodge.
SAMUEL E KING .- This gentleman was born in Marion County, Kentucky, on the thirteenth day of October, 1827, and came with his father, George W. King, to Henderson County when at the age of one year and settled in what is now known as the Pooltown neighborhood, some fourteen or fifteen miles out on the Madisonville road. At eight years of age, his father removed with his family onto the Ohio River at a point opposite Evansville. In the spring of 1846, when young King was nineteen years of age, his father again changed locations, settling this time near where Samuel E. King now lives. He lived with his father up to the day of his death, which occurred on the eighth day of November, 1854.
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On the twenty-eighth of September, 1854, the subject of this sketch married Miss Elizabeth White, daughter of Larkin White, and, after his father's death, purchased lands and began life in search of a fortune for himself and family, and, from a small beginning has accu- mulated until now he is regarded as one of the monied men of his section of the country.
Mrs. King is the mother of eight children, and she and her faith- ful husband yet live in the full enjoyment of good health. Mr. King has led an active farmer's life, and, unlike most men, has given his undivided time, in a most modest and unpretentious way to his own affairs, leaving others to do likewise.
B. F. MARTIN, son of Stephen Martin, one of the first settlers of the Smith's Mills neighborhood, was born near Smith's Mills on the twenty-sixth day of July, 1829. In his youthful days, there were no regular schools, and the greater part of his education was gained from itinerant teachers. Near his father's house was Colonel Robert Smith's old sweep mill, the only one in the country around, and a part of work allotted to him, was the bolting of flour in an old fashioned hand bolter for the family use. This flour, when bolted, was, perhaps, as course as bran, yet it was so highly regarded as a luxury the little ones were only treated to cakes made of it once a week, on Sunday morning; another luxury to which he, with the other children was sometimes treated, was mush and milk for supper, supplied in a large bowl set before them, and each child permitted to dip for himself. Such a comfort or convenience as a pair of pants was not known until the boy had grown large enough to handle a plow. His usual dress consisted of a long coarse cotton garment, cool and airy-particularly in the winter time-with a button at the neck. All of the cloth, in- cluding cotton for the boys and linsey for the girls, was made at home on a hand loom. Thus the subject of this sketch grew up, and yet he lost no time in learning the ways of the world, and fitting himself for useful citizenship At the age of twenty-seven, on the twenty-third day of December, 1856, he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Col onel Robert Smith. They have two daughters living, one the wife of Dr. L. C. Royster, a promising young physician, the other yet un. married. Mr. Martin is the owner of a fine body of land, and is one of Henderson's most successful farmers. He is an influential man, and was the first constable of his district elected after the adoption of the new Constitution, in which office he served during the years 1851, '52, '53, '55, '56. He also served his district as Magistrate during the years 1857, '58, '59, and '60.
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