History of Henderson County, Kentucky, Part 73

Author: Starling, Edmund Lyne, 1864- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Henderson, Ky.
Number of Pages: 892

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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.

"A," Lieutenant Charles T. Starling commanding, left Henderson late in the afternoon, marching over rough roads through a heavy sleet and rain, arriving at the lock about ten o'clock in the night. Here the command remained until October 5th, 1861, when it was relieved by a detachment of Federal troops sent up from Evansville. Captain Holloway returned to Henderson and commenced recruiting a company for the Federal service. On the fifteenth day of October, he established Camp Holloway, on the grounds of the Henderson Fair Company, where General James M. Shackelford and General Ben. H. Bristow were engaged recruiting the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Infantry Regiment. On November the twenty-fifth, 1861, Captain Holloway and company were regularly mustered into the United States service at Ashbysburg, on Green River. The company was mustered into the Twenty-fifth Regiment, and was lettered " K." Shortly after this the Twenty-fifth Regiment was assigned to General Thomas L. Crittenden's division, then organizing at Calhoon, on Green River, and brigaded under the command of Colonel Charles Cruft, of the Thirty-first Indiana Regiment, acting Brigadier General.

On the second of December, 1861, the Twenty-fifth Regiment was attached to General Thomas L. Crittenden's Division, then at Calhoun, on Green River, and assigned to General Charles Cruft's Brigade. On the ninth day of February, 1862, General Cruft, under orders, embarked his division on board a fleet of transports and proceeded down Green and the Ohio Rivers to Paducah, where he received orders to proceed to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee River. Arriving there, it was soon found that the fort had surrendered to General Grant. General Cruft was then directed to return to Paducah, which he immediately did, and there received orders to proceed to Fort Don- nelson and reinforce Grant. The brigade was hurried up Cumberland River and disembarked a few miles below the fort and assigned to General Lew Wallace's Division. Captain Holloway and his company fought nobly at the battle of Donelson and, to his credit, be it said, made the regimental report of the part taken by the regiment to his Brigade Commander. He was then sent to Fort Henry, and from thence to Shiloh, where he was taken ill with typhoid fever, and re- turned home under sick furlough. During his illness, the great battle of Shiloh was fought, and after the fight his regiment was consoli- dated with the Seventeenth Kentucky, Colonel John H. McHenry, commanding. Captain Holloway, although offered promotion, de- clined and tendered his resignation, which was accepted. At Donel- son, Cyrus Steele, a brother of Captain O. B. Steele, of the Confed-

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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY,

erate Army, and who was engaged in the same fight, was mortally wounded. Lieutenant John G. Holloway was also severely wounded -in fact, his company and regiment were literally cut to pieces. On the twenty-sixth day of July, 1862, Captain Holloway received a commission as First Major of the Eighth Kentucky Cavalry, then organizing at Henderson by Colonel James M Shackelford and Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin H. Bristow. Twenty days afterwards, Major Holloway had in camp nine hundred men, when he received orders to recruit no more, and to consolidate his men into companies of one hundred and four men each. During this time he was con. stantly engaged in scouting the country and was engaged a number of times with the rebels. It was upon one of his raids into Union County that Owen Glass, a Confederate and native of Henderson, was killed. He frequently met, in combat, his old friend and school mate, Colonel Adam Johnson ; his old friend and one time commander, Colonel Ed. G. Hall, and Bob Martin, whose name was a terror . throughout the country. On November 4th, 1862, he was ordered with his command, to Bowling Green. This trip he made overland, and, at Summer's store, in McLean County, was attacked by Captain Fowler's company, of Johnson's Command. Fowler was repulsed by . Lieutenant Peter P. Brown, now of Cairo, and Fowler killed.

Major Holloway was then actively engaged in scouring the country from Russellville to the Cumberland River, where he removed an immense pile of rock from the channel of the river that had been placed there by the Confederates. He was, for a long time, engaged in gathering and forwarding supplies to Rosencranz's Army, at Nash- ville. On the first day of May, 1863, Major Holloway was mustered in as Lieutenant Colonel of the Eighth Kentucky, to date from Janu- ary 1st, 1863. June 27th he was ordered forward to Burksville, to intercept General John H Morgan, who was at that time moving into Kentucky. Morgan had crossed the river ahead of him, and then it was a whip and spur race to the Ohio at Brandenburg, where Morgan crossed into Indiana. Major Holloway was along in all of that terrible chase. At Buffington's Island he overtook and charged a portion of Morgan's men, capturing three hundred and ninety seven prisoners. After several days spent in the locality of Buffington Island, his regiment was ordered back to Russellville, via Louisville.

The chase after Morgan was a terrible one, the soldiers remain- ing in their saddles most of the time from June 27th to July 22d. September 23d, Colonel Holloway's term of enlistment having expired, he was mustered out of the service, and, although tendered a regiment,

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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.

respectfully declined the offer. After being mustered out, he remained with his cousin, Lieutenant John G. Holloway, who was suffering from an aggravated attack of typhoid fever, and from which he died on the twenty-seventh day of September, 1863.

April 19th, 1864, Colonel Holloway married, in Fayette County, Miss Mollie E. Williams, the accomplished daughter of General John S. Williams, of the Confederate Army, and who, in the War with Mexico, earned the sobriquet of "Cerro Gordo," for distinguished services, in storming and capturing the Mexican heights bearing that name. General Williams served as United States Senator from Ken- tucky.

Mrs. Holloway was born in Clark County, July 24th, 1843, and is the mother of five children, Mary Ann Holloway, born in Hender son ; Pattie Harrison, Lizzie Hillyer, John Williams and James Hillyer Holloway, born in Clark County. Here the Colonel has followed farming, raising Shorthorn and high grade cattle, horses, mules, and other stock, besides cultivating all of the cereals and hemp until January, 1878, when he removed to Winchester, the county seat, and engaged in the general grocery and hardware business, and has so continued up to the present time. He has frequently been importuned to offer for political office, but has steadfastly declined, preferring the peace and comforts of the home circle to the turbulent uncertainties and vexations of official political life. Since 1868 he has held the honorable position of Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He is also, at this time, President of the Clark & Bourbon Turnpike Road Company ; a member of the Winchester City Council ; a director of the Grange Mutual Benefit Insurance Company, Georgetown, Kentucky. The Colonel is greatly esteemed by all who know him, and he enjoys life with his charming wife and family to its fullest latitude.

CAPTAIN CHARLES G. PERKINS, the subject of this sketch, was born in the City of Zenia, Green County, Ohio, on the sixteenth day of March, 1837. His education was obtained from the Public and High Schools of Cincinnati, Ohio. During his boyhood days he entered a hardware store as clerk, and continued in this line of busi- ness for perhaps two years. This life was not exciting enough for him -his quick, active mind needed more lattitude, something more stim- ulating, more comprehensive, more outstretching, therefore, the re- mainder of his life to the beginning of the Rebellion, was devoted to railroading and steamboating. During the year 1861, having gained an experience in river navigation that entitled him to a first position

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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.

among men of marine life, he enlisted in the U. S. Navy, and was soon after appointed Acting Volunteer Lieutenant Commander, with the rank of Captain, in the army, and placed in command of the U. S. Gunboat " Brilliant." The "Brilliant " wa's actively engaged in the service of the government up to April, 1865, patrolling the Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee and Mississippi Rivers. She was frequently anchored in front of Henderson, and, no doubt was the means of saving the town from the incursions of prowling bands of thieves and plundering combinations of irresponsible men. Cap- tain Perkins held frequent interviews with the better people of Henderson, and, so' conservative was he in the construc- tion of Naval orders and official duties, he soon won the con- fidence of the people, who were glad to have his protection at all times, and were equally chagrined when he was removed to other fields of service. His effort was to respect and protect, not to suspect and destroy. He was mainly instrumental in capturing and returning many runaway slaves, and by this conservative, honest course, he made a friend of every man in the town. Much of Captain Perkin's war history will be found elsewhere in this volume.

On the seventeenth day of November, 1863, at the family resi- dence, in the Town of Henderson, Captain Perkins was married to Miss Annie Terry, daughter of Nathaniel D. and Sarah Terry, and granddaughter of Captain Robert Terry, a noted pioneer of this county. The fruits of this union have been seven children, J. Roy, Sarah, Lizzie, Ella, Charlie, Mamie and Eddie, all of whom are now living except the eldest son J. Roy, who was lost in the explosion and sinking of the steamer " La Mascott " in the Mississippi River, below St. Louis, October 5th, 1886. This young man, one of the most prom- ising known to the business and social circles of home, had just at- tained to his majority, and but a few weeks prior to his loss, had ac- cepted the first clerkship of the ill-fated steamer. His death came like a cyclone, crushing hearts with a relentless fury that knows no limit. Father, mother, sisters, relatives and friends stood aghast at the dreadful reality. He was the idol of the household, the first born, and his taking away was like the tearing asunder of every affectionate chord that makes love doubly pure and sweet. He fought manfully for his life, but to no purpose, the cold, cruel waters claimed him as its victim, and thus perished a noble, brave, accomplished young man entering the zenith of his life. In 1866, Captain Perkins purchased the Steamer "News Boy," and ran her in the Henderson and Evansville Packet trade for a year or more, when he sold her and

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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.

purchased the " Mollie Norton." In 1868 he formed a partnership with Captain A. O. Durland, of Evansville, under the firm name of Durland & Perkins, and a short time afterwards entered into contract with the St. Louis & South Eastern Railway Company, for transferring their cars between Henderson and Evansville. In 1869, they sold the " Mollie Norton " and purchased the towboat " Le Clare " No. 2, and two railway barges. During the winter of 1869, the "Le Clare " was lost in the ice, and they then purchased the " Belmont." In August, 1884, this boat was caught in a hurricane at the head of Henderson' Island and capsized. An account of this terrible disaster will be found elsewhere. They purchased the " Maggie Smith," and she was lost in the ice. They then purchased the " Jennie Campbell " and " Iron Cliff." The " Cliff " was sold, the "Campbell " is still running. The firm built the "La Mascott " for the St. Louis and Cape Girardeau trade, and she was lost October 5th, 1886. They then built the "New South," a large, handsome and fast boat for the St. Louis & Ohio River trade. She is now running between St. Louis and Paducah, having made her first trip July 4th, 1887. The firm is also the owner of the Steamer " Frank Stein," running between Evansville and Cannelton, Indiana. Captain Perkins, in addition to what has been enumerated, is largely interested in several large and paying enterprises, notably, a whole- sale drug house in Grand Rapids, Michigan; Withers, Dade & Co., Ten Barrel Sour Mash Distillery, and the Henderson Buggy Co., of which he is President. In 1883 he built his magnificent residence on Green street. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has served as Eminent Commander of his Commandery. He is a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church. Captain Perkins is a staunch advo- cate of morality, a man of fine morals, open-handed benovelence and great breadth of charity. He is in the prime of life and the friend and patron of every worthy social and business movement ; a man of fine physique, commanding respect everywhere, and is one of the few- est number of men brainy enough to deport himself in wealth as he did in indegent circumstances. Captain Perkins enjoys his wealth, honestly gained, in a home surrounded by a happy, loving, bright, in- telligent family.

LUCAS WILLIAM TRAFTON was born in Evansville, April 9th, 1837, and here his childhood was spent. He was the only son of Dr. William Trafton, a noted physician of that early time. Dr. Trafton was born near the village of Lewiston, Maine, in the year 1792, and received the title of M. D. from the Dartmouth Medical College, New Hampshire, in 1819. The same year he immigrated to

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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.

Evansville, Indiana, and commenced the practice of medicine. Here he continued to practice until his death, in 1847. Dr. Trafton was twice married. His last wife was Miss America Butler, of Hender- son County, a sister of Harbison Butler, a most affectionate wife, mother, and neighbor. By this marriage there was but one child, Lucas William, the subject of this sketch. Dr. Trafton died when his son was only ten years of age, leaving him and his mother with limited means.

As a child, young Trafton was impressed with the necessity of fitting himself for the business of life, and, in boyhood, chose law as a profession. At the age of fourteen he was sent to Wabash College, Indiana, where he remained two years. His father, prior to his death, having determined to have his son learn the German language, sent him, when quite young, to a German school, and thus began his knowledge of that language and his friendship for that race. At the age of sixteen, being at home from college and on a visit to relatives in Kentucky, he met with an accident that caused the loss of his left arm. He was hunting, and, in raising his gun from the ground to his horse, it was accidentally exploded, shattering his left arm near the shoulder. The courageous young man seized the bridle reins in his teeth, and, holding his wounded arm with his right hand, galloped for several miles to his aunt's, Mrs. Annie McClain, where his mother was visiting. He was taken from his horse in a fainting condition, and Dr. P. Thompson, then a young physician in Henderson, speedily summoned. Dr. Thompson amputated the arm. At one time his life was despaired of, but he recovered in due course of time. He then left school and came to Henderson, where he entered the Clerk's office, under William D. Allison, with whom he remained for nearly ten years, at the same time applying himself diligently to the study of law. He was one of the very best of clerks, and, as a draughtsman, knew no superior. Although deprived of the use of one arm, he was nevertheless as expert in handling books and papers as most men possessed of both limbs. At the age of twenty-one he commenced the practice of law, and, at the age of twenty-two, was elected County Judge.

During the summer of 1862, he joined the Confederate Army, and was with General Morgan at his capture, near Buffington Island, Ohio, in 1863. He was sent on a prisoner, and, after fourteen months' prison life, was exchanged from Fort Delaware. After his exchange he received a shot which confined him to his bed for several weeks, but such kindly nursing as he received from Mrs. Mary Spald

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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.

ing, one of the kindest hearted and most cultured ladies of Georgia, he recovered and again entered the army and remained to the sur- render. Returning home, he again commenced the practice of law.

On the twenty-third day of November, 1865, he married Miss Helen Gibbs. a cultured little lady, who proved her love by her devotion to him during his life. Unto them was born one son, whom he named for his friend, Mrs. Spalding, of Georgia. Spalding is now a clerk in the Farmers' Bank.

In 1869 Mr. Trafton made the race for the Legislature, opposed by Hon. R. T. Glass. The canvass was a terribly heated one, owing to the action of both gentlemen in the matter of a public school charter before the Kentucky Legislature. Mr. Glass was elected by a small majority. In 1871 Mr. Trafton was again a candidate and was elected without opposition. While a member of that body, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on County Courts, and also one of seventeen to revise the Statutes. He died August 6th, 1877, leaving a widow and one son.

Judge Trafton, for a number of years, was associated as partner with Hon. H. F. Turner, and it is not flattery to say it was one of the strongest and largest patronized firms at the bar. Judge Trafton himself was an exceptionable fine lawyer, and man of sound judgment. Ever from his boyhood days he was an impressive speaker, command- ing attention, not so much on account of his oratory as for his sound logic. In social life, he was a favorite, a fine talker and full of humor.

ROBERT SCROGGIN EASTIN, Master Commissioner of the Henderson Circuit Court, is a son of Edward Franklin Eastin and Amanda Collins Scroggin. His father was born August 25th, 1806, in Bourbon County, Ky., lived in that county until his marriage in June, 1833, and soon thereafter removed to Missouri, where he re- mained one year. He then returned to Kentucky, and resided in Bourbon, Woodford and Harrison Counties, where he engaged in the manufacture of bagging and rope till his coming to Henderson County in 1846, where he died in 1869. Mrs. Eastin was born in Bourbon County January 12th, 1808, and is still living in. Henderson, aged seventy-nine years. Our subject's paternal , grandfather was Rev. Augustin Eastin, a Baptist preacher in Virginia during the latter part of the colonial period, and during the Revolutionary War. He married the first couple north of the Kentucky River. He was one of the preachers who was confined in jail for preaching to the British soldiers during the Revolution. He removed to Kentucky in 1784,

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HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.

and during the great religious excitement of 1804, became a Univer- salist, dying in that faith in 1833, in Bourbon County. The paternal grandfather was General Zachariah Eastin, born in Virginia in 1777, January 11th. He was a Colonel in the War of 1812; was at the bat- tle of Tippecanoe and River Raisin, and was promoted to Brigadier General, which position he held until 1824, when he resigned. The following named, who died in Henderson County, were soldiers with General Eastin : Captains Bowen, Cox, Negley and John Baskett; they all lived near Hebardsville. General Eastin removed to Hen- derson County in 1844, and died here in 1852. He was the father of Henry J., Robert, Thomas and William A. Eastin, all civil en- gineers, Henry J. being one of the first engineers in the employ of the State auring the days of Internal Improvements. Henry, Thomas and William A. located at Spottsville, and erected in 1840, a saw and grist water mill, using the water power occasioned by the dam, across Green River at that point. Our subject's grandmother was Nancy Durbin, a native of Maryland. She married General Eastin in 1799, and died in Henderson in 1852. Our subject's maternal great- grandfather Scroggin, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; was a native of Delaware, but removed after the war to Maryland. The maternal grandfather, Robert Scroggin, was a native of Maryland, married in Virginia, Marcissa Mills, and came to Kentucky at an early · date. He was a Lieutenant in Colonel Richard Johnson's celebrated regiment of mounted men, that took such a conspicuous part at the battle of the Thames, in the War of 1812. He with four men pur- sued the British General Proctor, so closely, that the General aban. doned his carriage, unloosed one of the horses and escaped on horse- back. Lieutenant Scroggin captured the other horse, the General's field glass, papers and baggage. Lieutenant Scroggin died in Bour- bon County in 1836. Robert Scroggin Eastin, subject of this sketch, taught school for a number of years, and has served as County Sur- veyor for a number of terms. He is now Master in Chancery of the Henderson Circuit Court, and, by the exercise of fine judgment, is making an exceptionally good officer.

PIRANT P. JOHNSON, son of Archibald and Henrietta Wal- don Johnson, was born in Botetourt County, Virginia, on the twelfth . day of December, 1842. His paternal and maternal ancestors were Virginians. His parents came to Kentucky in 1854, and settled in Henry County. The mother of Mr. Johnson is living in Louisville, and is now eighty-one years of age. Our subject was educated almost entirely at private schools during his residence in Kentucky. In 1862,

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at the age of twenty years, he came to Henderson and engaged in carpentering, and has continued that profession to the present time. By industry and close application he has accumulated a handsome little estate. On the thirtieth day of April, 1865, Mr. Johnson mar- ried Miss Annie Fowler, and unto them have been born five children, four of whom are living, Joseph, James, Stewart and Margaret. Harry died October 19th, 1875. His children are all bright and promising. Mr. Johnson is serving his third term of two years each, as Councilman of the city, and during his entire official life has been guided by an honest effort to do his duty, with credit to himself and profit to the trust imposed. He is a member of the Methodist Church and Masonic and Knights of Pythias fraternities.

HON. JACOB PETER was born at Wachenheim, Palatinate, on the River Rhine, May 22d, 1842. In 1854, at the age of twelve years, he immigrated to America with his parents and settled in this city. His education was limited, yet his quick, discerning mind eagerly grasped every opportunity to learn, and, as a result, he left school bet- ter up in his studies perhaps than very many of those who had super- ior advantages afforded them. He learned the English language rapidly and soon became as ready in conversation as any of the native born. Mr. Peter was of an imperious temperament, more of a leader than otherwise, and this, coupled with his most excellent judgment and sound information upon all matters of moment, gave to his opin- ions an attention worthy of the man and subject. On the seventeenth day of November, 1866, he married Miss Louisa Held, eldest daughter of Hon. Jacob Held, and unto them were born five sons, William J., Carl H., George, Harry D. and Edward W. The two eldest sons, William J. and Carl H., are young men of much promise and great as- sistance to their widowed mother. The other children the writer is not acquainted with, but is informed that they too are quite promising. In early life Mr. Peter learned the jeweler's trade with his brother-in- law, Jacob Reutlinger, and subsequently became, by purchase, the sole owner He built the handsome brick on Main street, and up to the day of his death conducted the jewelry business on a large scale. For a short time he was enlisted in the Federal service during the war, but was never regularly mustered in. Mr. Peter was a devoted Mason, and rose to the sublime degree of Knight Templar. He served the Blue Lodge and Chapter as presiding officer and in several subordi- nate capacities. He served as Councilman in 1873, '74, and as Trustee of the Public and High School during the years 1875, '76, '77, '78, '79 and '83. He was elected Mayor in 1881, and served one term of

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two years, and could have been re-elected, but declined the honor. Mr. Peter was elected Mayor to succeed Hon. F. M. English, whose reign had about paralyzed the city. The race was an exciting one and bitterly fought from end to end. Upon his inauguration Mayor Peter delivered an address to the Council worthy of the man. It was full of wise, conservative counsel, and, before his term of office expired, a very marked change in affairs was peculiarly noticeable. The city had regained its former activity, and confidence was fully restored. The delinquent list became smaller, and, in fact, every department was bright and cheerful. Mr. Peter left the office, having accomplished much good and received the plaudits of the people. His health hav- ing become impaired, he started to the Arkansas Hot Springs, hoping to be benefited, but died enroute, suddenly, on the twenty-ninth day of April, 1884. His remains were brought to Henderson and interred in Fernwood. Mrs. Peter, a lady of excellent judgment and business capacity, still carries on the jewelry business at the old stand on Main street, assisted by her two eldest sons.

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History of Henderson County, Kentucky, Part 73

Author: Starling, Edmund Lyne, 1864- [from old catalog] Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Henderson, Ky. Number of Pages: 892

Author: Starling, Edmund Lyne, 1864- [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Henderson, Ky.
Number of Pages: 892