USA > Kentucky > Henderson County > History of Henderson County, Kentucky > Part 79
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
804
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
by whom he had two children, Alexander and Virginia. Alexander married in London, England, Miss Emma Allen Chunnock, and some years afterward died. His widow and children are now residents of Washington City; Virginia is the wife of Major Theodore K. Gibbs, son of Ex-Governor Gibbs, of Rhode Island, and resides in the City of New York. Mr. Barret's second wife was Miss Black, of Dublin, Ireland, who died several years since, without issue.
DAVID REDMAN BURBANK was born March 4th, 1806, in Belgrade, Maine. His mother's father was killed at the head of his company, at the battle of Bunker Hill, and his father and paternal grandfather were officers under General Washington, and served throughout the Revolution. His mother was Mary Bracket, a woman of superior qualities of mind and heart. His parents, being highly re- fined and intelligent themselves, placed great value on the education of their children. David R. Burbank was educated at Waterbury College, in his native State. He was a constant student and took every opportunity throughout his long business career to increase his knowledge, therefore, was one of the most thoroughly informed men of the country. He came to Kentucky in the fall of 1828, at a time when the river was extraordinary low. The steamer upon which he was.a passenger, grounded at Scuffletown bar, and, from thence to his destination, the young man footed it through the wild woods. He commenced his business career clerking for Atkinson & Co., but sub- sequently turned his attention to tobacco, and became, in the course of time, one of the heaviest Western buyers, which resulted in his amassing a very large fortune. He was a remarkably successful bus- iness man, yet he did not permit one branch of business to absorb all of his energies. He opened the first coal shaft ; built the first distil- lery, one of the largest and most complete in the State ; undertook the manufacture of salt-in fact, he strove earnestly to develop the resources of the region where he lived, encouraged every worthy bus- iness undertaking, liberally aided all schemes for the common com- mercial advancement, studied the condition of the mineral wealth of the State and led in its practical development. He appreciated and sought the society of cultivated men, and, but for the multitude of his business cares, would have given himself largely to literary pursuits. He made several trips to Europe, and, in 1867, in company with Gen- eral John C. Breckenridge, made an extended tour through Egypt, Syria and the Holy Land, viewing the wreck and ruin of famous cit- ies of antiquity. Of all the qualities that endeared Mr. Burbank to his associates, the one for which he will be the longest and most grate-
805
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
fully remembered, was his benevolence. No charitable cause, at home or abroad, ever sought his aid in vain. While on an inspection tour over his Union County plantation, he was taken sick, and died Octo- ber 31st, 1872. His remains were brought to Henderson and interred in Fernwood Cemetery, and a very handsome and imposing marble shaft erected to his memory. Mr. Burbank was twice married. His first wife was Ann Isabella Terry, daughter of Major Robert Terry. She died not quite two years after her marriage, leaving one son, Robert T., who, at the age of sixteen, left college and joined General Walker, at Nicaragua, where he died. He was a talented, adventur- ous boy, and aspired to military fame, but fell gallantly at the outset of his career. He was aid-de-camp to General Henningsen, who complimented him highly for gallant deportment on the field. In 1851 Mr. Burbank married Miss Mary Frances Taylor, the only daughter of Colonel Charles Mynn Thruston Taylor. Unto them were born six children, four of whom are now living, Annie, Charles M., Mary Taylor, and Breckenridge. David, the eldest son, now dead, married Miss Kate J., only daughter of Governor and Mrs. Archibald Dixon.
HON. JACOB HELD was born in Betzenger, County of Rentlingen, District of Black Forest, Kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, and was educated at the common schools of that country. On the first day of September, 1834, he sailed for America, and ar- rived at New York on the fourth day of November, of the same year. From New York he removed to Philadelphia, and served an appren- ticeship as baker, up to April, 1838, when he removed to Evansville, where he remained until April, 1839, at which time he removed to Henderson. On the twentieth day of May, 1839, he married, in Evansville, Miss Louise Lohmeyer, and, as a result of that union, twelve children have been born, seven sons and five daughters. Of that number two sons and two daughters have died. After coming to Henderson, Mr. Held carried on a bakery store and was the first to establish a daily delivery of breads, etc., to families in the town. In 1852 he built the three-story brick storehouse, corner Water and Second Streets, and, for a number of years, carried on a large business therein. He was mostly instrumental in building the Henderson & Evansville Telegraph Line, and was its first President. He served as Councilman of his ward, and, in 1874, was elected Mayor and served one term with credit to himself and city. He is one of the oldest Odd Fellows living in the city, and served his lodge as Noble Grand in 1844 and 1857. In religion he is a Lutheran ; in politics a Republican. He is the owner of Held's Park, including six and a
806
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
half acres, a beautiful spot and favorite resort. His residence is at the park, and there, too, he carries on a nice grocery trade. When Mr. Held came to Henderson, it was only a village with one dilapidated church-the old Union Church-that stood on the Square and in which Rev. Thomas Evans preached ; one dray and one delivery wagon-James Rouse was the owner of the dray, Nathaniel Terry owned the wagon and furnished the village with its winter's supply of wood. Mr. Held, all of his life, has been extremely liberal with his friends and patrons, and has contributed largely to the building up and improvement of the city. His wife has been a hard working, self-denying, faithful helpmate, and, in their old age, the two enjoy life with a loving confidence that has never been diminished.
GEORGE A. MAYER .- The old gentleman of whom this is but an imperfect sketch, was born in the City of Mosbach, Germany, Jan- uary 1st, 1797. He received what may be termed a liberal educa- tion in his native country, and, on the twenty-ninth day of February, 1824, married Miss Margaretta Strohauer, unto whom there were born nine children, only three of whom attained to their majority, Louisa, Jacob F. and Virginius M., the latter being born on the high sea during his mother's coming to this country. Mr. Mayer, before leaving Germany, became a member of the Milhausen Immigration Society, whose agent in this country was John Roebling, the great Mas- ter Engineer, who was latterly chief in charge of the building of the Brooklyn bridge, the grandest iron and steel structure known to inventive genius. Mr. Roebling, by accident lost his life before the completion of the work, and was succeeded by his son.
Mr. Mayer arrived at New York in August, 1832, and settled at . Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained until the early part of 1834, when he removed to Evansville, Indiana. He had learned the trade of gunsmithing in the old country, and, from this, determined to earn his livelihood in this new land. He remained in Evansville but a short time, but while there, built, on the corner of Main and Second Streets, the first two-story frame building, and the first build- ing erected in Lomasco by a German in that town. While he resided in Evansville, there were only four or five hundred inhabitants, and not exceeding eighty houses, all told. In February, 1835, he removed . to Henderson, and was among the first occupants of the present resi- dence of F. W. Reutlinger, corner of Fourth and Elm Streets. He immediately embarked in gunsmithing in an old frame shanty situated on the northeast side of Mill or Second Street, between Main and Water. He continued in this building for several years, when he re-
G. A. MAYER.
807
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
moved to the old Fulwiler brick on Main Street, now adjoining C. H. Johnson's book store. By close attention to business, honest work, and reasonable compensation, Mr. Mayer held the entire gunsmithing trade of the country for several counties, and his prudence led him to lay aside enough to increase his business and make himself financially comfortable. His trade continued to increase until he found it neces- sary to have a more roomy store house, and, to that end, he purchased and built the present house, now occupied by his son, Jacob F. Mayer. In this house he continued to do business in partnership with his sons, Jacob F. and Virginius M., whom he had educated most excellent business men and mechanics, until old age bade him desist from further labor and spend the remainder of his days in rest and quiet. Of his three children, Louisa married French Gobin, an influ- ential and esteemed citizen, and they had two children, one of whom is now living, Maggie J., who married Joseph B. Johnston, and they have had six children, four of whom are now living, Eugenia, an ac- complished young lady, just grown; Joseph Russell, Robert Evans, and Gilbert Ludson. Mrs. Gobin died March 18th, 1874.
Jacob F. Mayer has been twice married, first to Miss Lucie Bond, of Iowa, by whom he has three living children, Fred. V., Walter and Harry. Fred. married Miss Elsie Wymond, of Evansville, and has one child, a daughter. Mr Mayer married, secondly, Miss Mattie Wood- ruff, of New Jersey, a highly cultured and devoted Christian lady, by whom he has had four children, three of whom are living, Frank, Herbert and Maurice. Virginius M. Mayer married Miss Lottie Lotze, of Cincinnati, a lady of high, social and domestic character, and unto them have been born three children, Amanda, a charming young lady just budding into womanhood, and George Adolphus and Virgin- ius, both very promising. Mr. Mayer removed several years since from Henderson and is now handsomely domiciled in Cincinnati. Like their father, both Jacob F. and Virginius M. have accumulated each a handsome estate. The first wife of the subject of this sketch died in Henderson, on the twentieth day of January, 1853. On the twentieth day of December, 1854, he married Elizabeth Worsham widow of Philip Ludson Johnston. She died June 4th, 1875.
Mr. Mayer was scrupulous in all his dealings, and has always, through his business life, aimed to give perfect satisfaction, and to oblige, to the fullest extent, his patrons. He has throughout his en- tire life, shown himself a man of marked energy and sound judgment. It is not astonishing, therefore, that, in his career and character are to be found elements composing a man very useful as a citizen and
808
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY,
very successful in business affairs. During his life in Germany, he was a member of the Army Reserve Force; his brother David was in Napoleon's Russian Campaign, was present at the burning of Mos- cow, and was one of the number who perished in Napoleon's memor -; able retreat. For seven or eight months in 1848, Mr. Mayer was totally blind, cataracts having formed over his eyes, but he subse- quently recovered, and now, at his old age, enjoys a good eyesight. He is a great reader, loves his smoke and glass of wine, and awaits the coming of his Maker with a spirit becoming a philosopher.
AMON RATHBONE JENKINS, physician and surgeon, and son of Thomas Morris Jenkins and Mary Ann King, was born in the City of Henderson on the twelfth day of September, 1860. His early education was obtained from schools taught by Professors Rousseau, Kirby and Posey. His paternal grandfather was born in England, and came to this country in 1810, settling in the City of Columbus, Ohio. His paternal grandmother was a native of Maryland. His maternal grandfather was John Boyle King, born in 1876, on Boyle farm, County Cork, Ireland ; came to America at an early age, and was a distinguished soldier in the War of 1812. His maternal grand- mother, Madeline Hager King, of the family of Ormdorffs, Hagers and Boharques, early colonist, was born in Maryland.
The subject of this sketch early conceived a taste for medicine and began its study, even before he had finished his High School education. He entered the office of Dr. Arch Dixon, and there prepared himself to enter upon a regular collegiate course. In 1878 he matriculated at the Louisville Medical University, and attended its winter course. Returning home he was employed in the active study of his profession, and many experiments were made by him upon liv- ing animals to tell the physiological action of remedies and to prove or disprove the accepted theories in regard to them. He returned to college in the autumn of 1879, and could have graduated with honor the following spring, but, being under age, was compelled to attend a third course, graduating in 1881. Dr. Jenkins then returned to Hen-
derson, and immediately began an active practice, turning his attention particularly to surgery. In 1883 he went abroad, spending a year in Berlin, Prussia, where he was enrolled as a regular student in Fred- erick Wilhelm Koeniglicher Universitaet in Berlin, under the tutelage of such masters as Virchen, Von Langenbeck, Van Bergman, Koch, Schroedin and Prof. Esmarch, in Kiel. He returned to Henderson in 1884, and again practiced his profession with zeal and energy until 1885, when he again returned to Berlin, where he perfected himself
809
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
in the art of surgery, witnessing and assisting in all of the capital operations in the entire domain of surgical attainment. At the pres- ent time he is in active practice in this, his native city, and has achieved a reputation far greater than that of many who have devoted a lifetime. Unless misfortune should overtake him, his name will be written high up on the roll of fame, along with the brightest and best in the annals of American Surgery. At the meeting of the Mississippi Valley Medical Association, held at Crab Orchard Springs, Kentucky, in July, 1887, he was elected its Vice President. The Doctor is a reg- ular correspondent to the principal medical and surgical journals of this country, England and Germany.
JENKS WATTERMAN WILLIAMS was born in Henderson County, on the tenth day of August, 1826, and was educated from the common schools of the county. His paternal great-grandfather was one of the Transylvania Company, and the first signer of the ordinance establishing the Town of Henderson. Subsequently, he led the com- pany to Henderson, and, on his return to North Carolina, was taken sick and died, at Frankfort, of cramp colic. The father of Jenks W. Williams was John Williams, born in Granville County, North Caro- lina, March 28th, 1785. The exact time of his coming to Henderson is not known, but thought to have been between 1800 and 1807. On the fifth day of November, 1807, he married in this county, Susanna Starks. Susanna Starks Williams, the mother of Jenks W., was born June 9th, 1790, in Granville County, North Carolina. There were ten children born unto Mr. and Mrs. Williams, Jenks W. being the youngest son. The father of our subject settled a farm near Grave Creek Church, and cultivated it up to the time of his death. On Fri- day, July 10th, 1812, he was baptised, and, on the following Sunday, received into Grave Creek Baptist Church. Subsequent to that time he was authorized to preach the Gospel. Although not educated in medicine, he was, for a number of years, the principal and only physi- cian of the entire country surrounding his home, and, through his unheard of philanthrophy, declined to charge anyone who needed or asked his services. He was known oftentimes to ride miles, doing good without asking a reward of any character whatever. His mission was to do good, and for that he is now reaping his reward in a better life. This good man departed this life July 21st, 1840, leaving a large family of children and a loving Christian wife. Twenty years subse- quent, to-wit : June 11th, 1860, after a life of toil and self-sacrifice, Mrs. Williams died. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Samuel Farrel Williams, born in North Carolina, and immigrated to Henderson
810
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
in 1793. He fought at the battle of New Orleans, and died in Hen- derson County in 1838. His paternal grandmother was Rebecca Stevens Dudley, of English descent. She immigrated to Henderson from North Carolina at an early age, and died in 1833.
Jenks W. Williams, on the sixteenth day of January, 1855, mar- ried Miss Miry Weaver, daughter of Littleberry Weaver, a beautiful woman, and one who has shown marked motherly talent in raising her children. She is a woman full of energy in the face of adversity or prosperity, and has performed life's duties nobly and as becoming a good, true wife. She was born in the City of Louisville on the tenth day of April, 1839, and came to Henderson when only three years of age. By her marriage, seven children have been born, five living, Lillian Jas- per, Eliza, Mary, Jenks and Sallie. Lillian married Joseph Bennett and has two children, Jenks W. and Lida ; Sallie married John P. Moore, of New York, and has one son, John. The mother of Mrs. Williams was a daughter of Colonel Robert Smith. She died in 1883 at the home of her son Albert.
Jenks W. Williams, from early life, has made the town his home, and has proven himself a useful citizen. He has held several offices, and in every instance has proven himself worthy of the trust. During the year 1866, '67, '68 and '69, he served as Jailer of Henderson County ; in 1857 and '58 as Constable ; in 1886 as City Councilman. For ten years he was engaged in the tobacco business with Joseph Adams, and subsequently in the same capacity with other tobacco- nists. In 1869, while Jailer of the county, the Ku-Klux attempted to mob a prisoner confined in the jail. Mr. Williams was found at his post, and, mainly through his influence, be that what it may, the mob dispersed, leaving the prisoner still in the jail. For several years Mr. Williams was proprietor ot the Commercial Hotel on Third Street, and then of the Hord House, until 1884, when he rented his present house, on Main, near First Street. This house he fitted up in handsome style. It contains twenty furnished rooms, and a dining room of eating capacity for sixty-two persons. The hotel is a credit to his energy and taste, and is largely patronized. Mr. Williams is very much like a well regulated clock-never idle.
PHILIP LUDSON JOHNSTON, of Pennsylvania, cuime to Hen- derson in 1830 or '40, and, being a practical distiller, engaged in that business in the Horse Shoe Bend with two of his brothers. This was the first sweet mash distillery built in the county. On the twenty- fifth day of February. 1841, he married Miss Eliza Worsham, and, only a short time afterwards, returned to his native State, Town of Easton,
811
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
where his first child, a son, Eugene Ludson, was born on the eigh- teenth day of February, 1842. A short time after the birth of his first child, Mr. Johnston removed to Ilinois, and settled at Russellville, on the Wabash. There he purchased a tract of land, and, again with his brothers, commenced distilling. On the twenty-sixth day of Septem- ber, 1845, his second son, Joseph B. Johnston, was born, and a very short time thereafter Mr. Johnston again removed to Henderson and engaged with his brother-in-law, Elijah W. Worsham, in sawing lum- ber and grinding grain for the town and surrounding country. Their mill was run by steam, and was situated on the river front, above the present mill of Joseph Clore. Mr. Johnston confined himself closely to his work, and his unrestrained energy and constant exposure of himself brought on pneumonia, from which he died in 1850. His wife and two sons survived him. Mrs. Johnston, on the twentieth day of De- cember, 1854, married George A. Mayer, and lived to the fourth day of June, 1875, at which time she died. Fugene L. Johnston, the eldest son, was educated in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, and, when yet quite young, entered the Banner office in Henderson to learn the art of type setting. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, he espoused the cause of the South, and on the fifth day of August, 1861, in Henderson, enlisted as a private in Captain James Ingram's Com- pany, and marched overland away to " Dixie." He was shortly after- wards appointed Orderly Sergeant, and his company was attached to the Fourth Kentucky Regiment. On the fourth day of December, 1861, his company was detached from the regiment and assigned to the Light Artillery Service under the command of Captain Rice Graves. He fought at Fort Donelson, and on the sixteenth day of February, 1862, was taken prisoner and sent to Indianapolis. A few days prior to the battle, his commanding officer desired to send him South on a recruiting expedition, but the honor was declined, owing to his anxiety to participate in the coming deadly conflict. On Sunday night, May 18th, 1862, he effected his escape, and walked to Madison, where he procured a skiff and worked his way to Louisville. From there he passed on down through Owensboro and Henderson to Uniontown, where he procured a horse and rode again into " Dixie," halting at Chattanooga, where the Confederate Army was stationed. He soon after joined the Third Grand Division, General Wood com- manding, and was appointed Acting Ordinance Sergeant, under Major T. R. Hotchkiss. During the months of July, August, September, October, November and December, his command was mostly upon the march, going from place to place, watching the enemy. Tuesday,
812
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
December 30th, the great battle of Stone River was begun by heavy skirmishing. Wednesday there was a heavy artillery engagement, beginning in the morning and lasting most of the day. There was also heavy fighting between the infantry and artillery during the day, and the slaughter on both sides was terrible. Thursday there was again heavy fighting. Friday, January 2d, Eugene L. Johnston was killed. When he enlisted and left his home he carried with him a neat fold- ing memorandum book, in which he kept a correct diary account of the doings of his command. Not a day escaped him, and his minutes were liberal and well written. He gives an interesting description of the battle of Stone River up to Thursday night before his death, and closed by heading the next page Friday, January 2d. 1863. Poor boy ! that was the last line ever written by him. Twenty years after, the finder of young Johnston's book, by some means discovered the resi- dence of his brother, Joseph B. Johnston, and mailed him the book with the following written on the inside of the cover :
" Found on the battle field of Stone River, near Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Friday evening, January 2d, 1863, by the subscriber and forwarded to J. B. Johnston July 26th, 1883, after a period of over twenty years between dates.
"R. C. LANE, Capt. Co. H. 40th, Ind. Vet. Vol. Infantry. Paris, Illinois."
When Captain Lane discovered the body lying upon the battle- field, it was after nightfall, and the book found open in his hand. Mr. Johnston prizes the little book as only a brother can, and will ever hold Captain Lane in kindly remembrance. Joseph B. Johnston, second son, followed the footsteps of his brother Eugene, and he, too, learned the art of type-setting, but this work was too monotonous for his active spirit. His first venture was in partnership with R. P. Evans, in the drug business. A short time after he went West, and clerked, during 1864 and '65, in St. Louis and St. Joe, Missouri. Returning home he again entered the drug business in partnership with H. S. Park. In 1867 he sold his interest to Cabell & Towles, and accepted a clerkship with G. A. Mayer's Sons, where he remained for three years. He then built the brick storehouse on the northeast side of Second, between Main and Water Streets, and opened a build- ers' emporium, where he continued seven years, or up to 1880. He then joined the firm of French Mayer & Co., and established the spoke and handle factory, corner Fourth and Green Streets. Several months after, he sold his interest to Edwin Robards. Then, in part- nership with his uncle, E. W, Worsham, he built the Peerless Distillery,
813
HISTORY OF HENDERSON COUNTY, KY.
and made two crops of whisky, when he was elected City Clerk and gave up distilling. He is now serving his fourth term, and it is due to him to say, that he has, by systematic improvement in books and forms, so simplified the work that it is now a pleasure where it used to be irkesome. Mr. Johnston's strict attention and intelligent capacity, will, no doubt, secure him the clerkship so long as he may choose to accept it.
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.