History of the Frankfort cemetery, Part 4

Author: Johnson, L. F. (Lewis Franklin), 1859-1931
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Frankfort, Ky., Roberts printing co.
Number of Pages: 88


USA > Kentucky > Franklin County > Frankfort > History of the Frankfort cemetery > Part 4


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her memory a beautiful monument of Italian marble. He had the work done by the noted sculptor, R. E. Launitz.


Mr. Charles Eugene Hoge, 1845-1919. Contractor for rail- roads and public works. President of Mason & Ford Company, later, Hoge-Montgomery Company, shoe manufacturers. Presi- dent of State National Bank. President of Frankfort & Cin- cinnati Railroad Company. President Home Realty Company. Director Kentucky Theological Seminary, Center College, Capi- tal Trust Company, Central Kentucky Traction & Terminal Company and Commonwealth Life Insurance Company. Mem- ber College Board of Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., and Elder First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort, Kentucky.


Mr. Horatio Pleasant Mason, builder of railroads and pub- lic works contractor. President of Mason & Hoge Company. President of Mason & Hanger Company. He built railroads and canals in different parts of the United States. Vice-Presi- dent of State National Bank.


Senator Thomas H. Paynter (1852-1921). Was elected County Attorney of Greenup County in 1872. Represented the Ninth Congressional District in the Fifty-first, Fifty-second and Fifty-third Congress. He was judge of the Court of Appeals in 1894; was Chief Justice in 1906. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1906 and served one term.


Dr. Urban Valentine Williams (1833-1920). Was Com- missioner of Public Schools for Franklin County: President of the School Board of the City of Frankfort for sixteen years; was member of the Faculty of the Kentucky Military Institute for several years. Was President of the Franklin County Medical Association from the time of its organization until his death, and was also President of the Kentucky Midland As- sociation for many years. Represented the State of Kentucky in the National Medical Society at Atlanta, Georgia, by ap- pointment of Governor J. C. W. Beckham. He was an eminent physician who practiced his profession for more than sixty years.


Bishop Benjamin Bosworth Smith. Was Bishop of the Episcopal Church. In 1830 he was called to Christ Church, Lexington. Kentucky. He was chosen Bishop of Kentucky in


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1832, and was the first Superintendent of Public Instruction. In 1868 he became the presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States. He died in New York City on May 31st, 1884. He loved Kentucky and he requested that his remains should be brought back to rest in her soil. His request was complied with and after a funeral in New York his remains were brought to Kentucky and placed in the State Cemetery at Frankfort and marked by a monument of New England granite, erected to his merory by the Diocese. Ilis funeral at Frankfort was one of the most imposing religious services ever held in the city ; three Bishops and about thirty Clergymen took part in the services.


John J. Marshall (1785-1816). Reporter of Kentucky Court of Appeals: Circuit Judge : eminent lawyer.


Martin D. Hardin (1780-1823). In 1812 was Major in Colonel AAllen's regiment of riflemen. Was Secretary of State under Governor Shelby (1812-16) : was United States Senator by appointment of Governor Slaughter in 1816.


Col. John J. Hardin. member of Congress from Illinois, who was killed at the battle of Buena Vista in 1847, and whose name was inscribed on the State monument by special act of the Kentucky Legislature, was the son of Martin D. Hardin.


Dr. W. B. Rodman, son of General John Rodman. was one of the prominent physicians of America. His first work of note was as a lecturer at the Jefferson Medical College. He had good address, a good voice and in a short time he became one of the noted physicians of this country. In practice he was especially successful as a surgeon : he was a pioneer in sev- eral successful operations, such as connecting the stomach and bowels, and in the removal of tumors. He was at the head of his profession in Philadelphia. He also wrote the biography of Dr. Samuel D. Gross, which was a work of considerable merit. At the time of his death he was President of the Ameri- can Medical Association.


Dr. William Rodman, son of Dr. Hugh Rodman, was the father of the State Board of Health, and was one of its first members.


1. W. Overton. For several years was cashier of the Farm-


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ers Bank, Frankfort, Kentucky. In the year 1864 he was a cadet at the Virginia Military Institute and was called to the service of the Confederate States in the valley of Virginia and on the lines around Richmond. On the 15th of May. 1864, at New Market, he, with the other cadets of V. M. I., were ordered to take a certain Federal battery which had been particularly annoying to the Confederate Army. As the cadet corps passed, preparing for the charge, some of the veterans derided and made fun of the "infants" as they were called. The charge was gallantly made. As the ranks were thinned by shot and shell. the lines were more closely drawn, without a waver or a faltering footstep these boys, many of whom were not as long as the guns they carried. made the charge and captured the battery. Out of the two hundred and fifty boys, more than fifty of them fell. As the corps made its return the veterans who had derided the "infants" took off their hats and gave them cheer after cheer in appreciation of their gallant conduct.


Col. John Rodman, U. S. A. Born February 24th, 1787. Died July 11th, 1833.


Mrs. Margaretta Brown (1772-1838). Was the wife of United States Senator John Brown. She was eminent for talents, learning, charity, piety and all the virtues which adorn female character. She organized the first Sunday School in the Mississippi valley.


Lieutenant Anthony Crockett (1758-1838). Was Lieu- tenant in the Revolutionary War. When LaFayette was severely wounded at the battle of Brandywine. Lieutenant Crockett carried him from the battlefield to a place of safety. He was a member of Virginia Legislature from Kentucky ; was later a representative from Franklin County to Kentucky Legislature : for thirty years he was Sergeant-at-Arms of Ken- tucky Senate: was a soldier in the War of 1812; was buried in the Benson church yard. In 1916 his remains were removed to the Revolutionary soldier lot in Frankfort Cemetery.


Mrs. Elizabeth Love, born February 4th, 1762; died January 17th. 1846. She was one of the strong characters of pioneer days. Her husband was a Major in the Revolutionary War. He came to Frankfort with General Wilkinson and


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helped to lay off and establish the City of Frankfort. Mrs. Love was remarkable for her personal beauty, social and Christian virtues. The Love Hotel, of which she was proprietor, was the most noted hotel in the western country. She entertained Aaron Burr and many other noted men. She assisted Mrs. Margaretta Brown in organizing the first Sunday School in the Mississippi valley.


Isham Talbot (1773-1837). Was elected to the State Senate in 1812. In 1815 he was elected to the United States Senate, and in 1820 he was re-elected.


Judge Thomas B. Monroe (1791-1865). Represented Barren County in the Kentucky Legislature in 1816; was Sec- retary of State in 1823 under Governor Adair; was Reporter of the Court of Appeals in 1825. In 1834 he was appointed Judge of the United States District Court by President Jackson, and held that office twenty-seven years.


General George Bibb Crittenden, son of John J. Crit- tenden, served as officer in war between Texas and Mexico; was Brigadier-General C. S. A. ; was elected State Librarian in 1867.


Near the Boone monument is a stone marked "Elison Wil- liamson. The friend and companion of Daniel Boone; born April 19th. 1766, in North Carolina: died August 11th, 1850, in Kenton County. Kentucky."


William O'Connell Bradley ( 1847-1919.) A special act of the Kentucky Legislature granted him the right to practice law when he was eighteen years of age. He was elected prose- enting attorney in 1870; was elected Governor of Kentucky in 1895, and to the United States Senate in 1908.


Hon. Joseph C. S. Blackburn (1838-1918). In 1861 he was aide-de-camp to General William Preston. C. S. A. In 1864 he had an independent command in Mississippi until the close of the war. In 1871 he represented Woodford County in the State Legislature. In 1874 he was elected to Congress in the AAshland District. In 1898 he was elected United States Senator from Kentucky. In 1900 he was appointed Governor of Panama. Mrs. Terese Graham, wife of Senator Blackburn, is buried near her distinguished husband. On the marker of


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his grave is inscribed : He passed through life the friend of all.


Hon. James Blackburn. brother of Hon. J. C. S. Black- burn, was State Senator and a Major in the Confederate Army. Major Blackburn was highly recommended for the position of United States Marshal. President Cleveland indicated that he would give him the appointment. About that time a letter which the Major had written while he was Lieutenant in the Confederate Army, and which had been intercepted by federal authorities some forty years prior thereto, was published. This letter told about the great Confederate victory at Shiloh, and it further said that he hoped the time would come when he could ride through Yankee blood up to his saddle skirts. This idle, boastful wish of the young Lieutenant prevented the ap- pointment of the Confederate veteran to the important position of Marshal.


Dr. Luke P. Blackburn ( 1816-1887). brother of J. C. S. and James Blackburn, was located in Lexington in 1835. When cholera broke out at Versailles he was the only doctor in the State who answered the call for help, all the physicians having fled from Versailles or died. Dr. Blackburn located there. In 1843 he was elected to the Kentucky Legislature from Woodford County. In 1848 when yellow fever appeared in New Orleans he again answered the call for help, and he built a hospital at that place at his own expense. In 1861 he berame attached as surgeon to the personal staff of General Sterling Price. C. S. A. When the yellow fever visited Memphis he volunteered his aid and rendered great service to that city. He volunteered in more epidemics of cholera and yellow fever than any other man has ever done.


He was elected Governor of Kentucky in 1879. The monument erected to his memory by the Commonwealth of Kentucky was unveiled on May 27th, 1891. The Masons con- . ducted the ceremony, and addresses were made by Hon. Wil- liam M. Beckner and Gen. Basil W. Duke.


Hon. Robert P. Letcher (1788-1861) was a soldier in the War of 1812: represented Garrard County in the Kentucky Legislature several times. In 1822 he was elected to Congress,


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serving in that capacity for twelve years; was Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1838; was Federal Judge: was elected Governor of Kentucky in 1840. In 1849 he was ap- pointed Minister to Mexico. He died January 24th, 1861. "Sagacity, integrity, social wit and benignity crowned his life with untarnished honor and rare popularity. His name is his best epitaph."


Hon. Charles S. Morehead (1802-1868) represented Nelson County in the State Legislature in 1827, and moved to Frank- fort; was appointed Attorney General in 1832. In 1838 he was elected to Legislature from Franklin County ; was Speaker of the House in 1841 and 1844. He was elected to Congress in 1847. In 1853 he was again elected to represent Franklin County. In 1855 he was elected Governor. He was a civil prisoner. sympathized with the South during Civil War and lost a great part of his property. In 1861 he served in Border State Convention and as Peace Commissioner at Washington.


Gen. James Harlan (1800-1863) was appointed Common- wealth's Attorney in 1829: was elected to the Lower House of Congress in 1837. Was Secretary of State under Governor Letehier 1840-1844. In the year 1845 he was elected to the House of Representatives in the Kentucky Legislature. In 1850 he was appointed Attorney General of Kentucky. Later he wa- appointed United States District Attorney. Judge John M. Harlan, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. was a son of General James Harlan.


Judge George Robertson McKee (1810-1889) was Circuit Judge in Covington District: was an able judge and a strong advocate. He was a nephew of Chief Justice George Robert- son.


James G. Dana wa- publisher of The Commentator and Re- porter of the Kentucky Court of Appeals.


John H. Hanna was Clerk of the United States District Court and a prominent banker and business man of Frank- fort. Kentucky.


Captain Ed Porter Thompson. C. S. A .. was Superintend- ent of Public Instruction and Historian : resigned as State Librarian in 1890. He published his "Young People's History


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of Kentucky" in 1897. Prior to that time he issued his excel- lent "History of The First Kentucky Brigade" C. S. A.


Judge AAlvin Duvall (1813-1891) represented Scott County in Kentucky Legislature; was Circuit Judge and Judge of the Court of Appeals. He was afterwards Clerk of the Court of Ap- peals ; he was also Reporter of the Court for several years.


Almost in front of the chapel is found a small marker with the simple inscription : "Henry T. Stanton, June 30th, 1834; May 8th, 1898."


Major Stanton was known as the "Poet Laureate of Ken- tucky." He wrote numerous short poems, which were collected and published in two books: "The Moneyless Man and Other Poems," and "Jacob Brown and Other Poems;" his most noted work was "The Moneyless Man." These poems gained for him a national reputation as a man of letters. Major Stanton was associated with Colonel J. Stoddard Johnson in writing the His- tory of Louisville.


The first verse of his "Moneyless Man" is as follows:


"Is there no place on the face of the earth Where charity dwelleth and virtue hath birth ; Where bosoms in mercy and kindness will heave, Where the poor and the wretched shall ask and receive? Is there no place at all where a knock from the poor Will send a kind angel to open the door? Nay, search this wide world wherever you can, There is no open door for a moneyless man."


The fact that only a small marker notes the grave of Major Stanton, and that so many great men have not even a marker to designate their last resting place, the liberty is now taken to add to this poem the following lines:


Go to the cemetery where the wealth of the mart Has erected great columns of beauty and art, Where shaft after shaft in the glittering sun Tell the brave deeds our heroes have done; Where soldiers and statesmen and men of renown,


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After life'- weary struggle, can always be found; (io search for a monument and find if you can One which was erected to a moneyless man.


Major Stanton's "Jacob Brown" is a pleasing little imagi- native story based upon the uncharitable view which some peo- ple take of women, illustrating how impossible it is "to stop the lady's tongue."


Hi- "Culex In Carmine" gives a history of ".A Mosquito, lean and thin." looking for "Carmine." what he found and what became of him.


Ilis "Parson Giles" was severely criticised by Dr. II. A. M. Henderson. This criticism was the beginning of a sharp con- troversy between Major Stanton in the Courier-Journal and Dr. Henderson in the Kentucky Freemason.


His "Self-sacrifice" is a satire which was well received and greatly enjoyed at the time of its first publication.


CHAPTER IV.


THE NAMES AND LOCATION OF SOME OF THE NOTED PEOPLE BURIED AT FRANKFORT, GIVING THE OFFICES HELD BY


THEM, OR OTHER INCIDENTS WORTHY OF NOTE.


Hon. John Brown (1757-1837) was elected to the Vir- ginia Legislature from Kentucky, and was sent to the Old Con- gre-> from Kentucky before it was admitted as a state. He was also the first Senator from Kentucky to the Federal Senate. He served three terms in the United States Senate. He is buried on the first terrace overlooking the city. a few yards south of the Boone monument.


Judge Mason Brown is also in the same locality.


In the southwestern portion of the grounds can be found Captain Benjamin J. Monroe, C. S. A. Born at Frankfort, Kentucky. and died at Marshall City, Mississippi, of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh in 1862; and near him is Major Thomas B. Monroe, C. S. A .. born at Frankfort, Kentucky. July 3rd, 1833: was Secretary of State in 1850: killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 7th, 1862.


Captain John M. Sharp of the United States Navy. was drowned in the Gulf of Mexico, May 28th, 1863. His body was never recovered. but a nice monument was erected to his memory. Near this monument is one inscribed: "William S. Harris, U. S. N .. born in Kentucky in 1800; entered the Navy in 1815: drowned on the Tauxpan Bar in Mexico. May, 1848. He was a brave, skilful and gallant officer, and when in com- mand of the Iris. with self-sacrificing heroism. lost his own life in a desperate attempt to save that of Commander II. Pickney and others. His life was without reproach. His death was a becoming illustration of his principles and his profession. His body was recovered from the sea and is buried here." In that same locality is found "Joseph Belt. Sr. A Revolutionary sol- dier. Born November 30th. 1751. Died September 12th. 1850."


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In that section can be found the last resting place of Dr. John McClusky Blayney (1841-1909) ; he was a broad minded, patriotic Christian gentleman, who deserves special mention because of his services on behalf of Frankfort in the fight for retaining the capitol. He was in charge of the Presbyterian Church at Frankfort, Kentucky, for many years.


The'grave of Professor B. B. Sayre is found in the extreme southwest corner of the grounds. He was one of the most celebrated teachers in Kentucky: his influence has been felt throughout the State and Nation. He educated. at least in part, General George B. Crittenden, General Thomas L. Crit- tenden, Governor T. T. Crittenden, of Missouri. Federal Sena- tor George Vest, Senator J. C. S. Blackburn, General D. W. Lindsey, Judge P. U. Major. Colonel S. I. M. Major, and many other men who have been important factors in the government of both state and nation. Professor W. O. Crockett, who sue- ceeded Prof. B. B. Sayre, taught a private male school for many vears. A large number of the business and professional men in Frankfort at the beginning of the present century were edu- cated by him.


Some of the other prominent teachers who are buried in these grounds are Professor S. P. Browder. Superintendent of the Frankfort Public Schools for many years; Captain John Thomas Gaines, C. S. 1., who was Superintendent of the pub- lic schools in Louisville, and Major Martin S. Harmon (1821- 1848) of Ohio who taught French and German at the Ken- tucky Military Institute.


Near the Sayre lot is the shaft of Congressman John White (1802-1845), who was Speaker of the National House of Rep- resentatives ; also Judge Harry Innes, Judge of the United States District Court and of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, and Judge Van B. Young was Judge of the Superior Court of Kentucky.


Congressman A. Y. Fitzpatrick is buried in Colonel South's lot: his grave is not marked. Isham Talbot. a native of Virginia and a pioneer of Kentucky: "A statesman distin- guished in law and oratory : called to the United States Senate.


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Died September the 5th, 1837, bequeathing his virtues and worth."


Chief Justice Caswell Bennett died in 1894; no stone marks his grave. He is buried in the State lot near Governors Scott and James T. Morehead.


General Scott Brown, Adjutant General under Governor Magoffin, is buried in front of the chapel; his grave is not marked. He possessed considerable wealth at the time of his death.


General Humphrey Marshall. C. S. A., has a small marker. about twelve by eighteen inches. His grave is located in the extreme eastern part of the grounds near the eastern driveway.


Judge B. Mills, legislator, lawyer and judge, and his wife. Cornelia, who was a daughter of Rev. Eli Smith, are buried east of the State monument; they were the parents of Evangelist B. Fay Mills.


Richard Knott, and Ann Mary Roberts, his wife, are located just east of the western driveway. They were the par- ents of Colonel Richard Knott, editor of the Louisville Post, who has recently died.


John J. Vest and his wife, Harriett, were the parents of Federal Senator George Graham Vest of Missouri. Their graves can be found east of the State monument near those of Nicholas Smith and wife, Kiziah Johnson, who were the par- ents of Col. Nicholas Smith, one of the editors of the New York Tribune, and of whom it was said, "He is the handsomest man in America." Col. Smith married the daughter of Horace Greeley.


The Frankfort Chapter of the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution has recently secured a lot located in the ex- treme southwestern part of the grounds, for the purpose of collecting from all parts of the State the remains of the Revo- lutionary soldiers, and eventually to erect a monument to their memory. In this lot has been collected the remains of James Russell, Alexander Wilson, Sr., Colonel Anthony Crockett, Rev. William Hickman and wife, and the Rev. John Gano and wife. The Rev. William Hickman was justly recognized as the first Baptist preacher in Kentucky. He preached at Har-


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rodsburg in 1776, and he preached in different parts of Ken- tucky for forty years. For many years during that period he was located at Buck Run church near the Woodford County line.


The Rev. John Gano was the first to be buried in the D. . 1. R lot. He was perhaps the greatest Baptist preacher who ever lived in Kentucky. He was educated at Princeton College. and was recognized as being the most learned and eloquent preacher in the western country. He was the first chaplain of the Kentucky Legislature, and there is a well foundel tradi- tion that he preached the first sermon ever preached in Frank- fort. Rev. Gano was a chaplain in the Revolutionary War and so frequently was he found in the van in time of danger. and so seldom in the rear, that he became known as "the fight- ing chaplain of the army."


The grave of Rev. Silas M. Noel. D.D., is located a short distance south of the D. A. R. lot, near Governor Letcher. Ile was educated for the law and was appointed Associate Circuit Judge under the Old Constitution. He was a member of the Frankfort Bar, and practiced his profession with success. After a few years he returned to the ministry, where he became one of the strongest and most successful preachers the Baptist Church ever had in the State.


When the great Reformer, Alexander Campbell, with his new doctrine, divided almost every Baptist congregation in the western country, Dr. Noel was thought to be the only man who could hold the Frankfort congregation together and refute the arguments of Mr. Campbell.


Another strong Baptist preacher buried in these grounds was Dr. John L. Waller; for many years he was editor of "Bap- tist Banner," "Western Recorder." "Western Baptist Review" and "Christian Reporter." He was the first president of the "Bible Revision Association."


At least three other preachers of national reputation are found here, to-wit: Bishop B. B. Smith. Dr. Il. A. M. Hender- son and Rev. Philip S. Fall, and there are others of almost equal note, such às Rev. George Darsie. Dr. Benjamin Mills, Rev. Thomas N. Arnold, Rev. Thomas S. Major and Rev. H. I. Kavanaugh.


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About twenty-five preachers, forty-one doctors of medi- cine and over eighty lawyers are buried in this cemetery. Many of these men had national reputation.


The biography of John J. Crittenden makes two large volumes. If a like biography of all the great men and women who are buried here, and who are worthy of such a history should be given, they would fill many volumes, and it would make the greatest history of Kentucky that was ever written.


On the brow of the hill just north of the chapel can be found the graves of Thomas C. Jones, Clerk of the Court of Appeals and Minister of the United States to Madeira (grave not marked). By his side is Judge William Lindsay, judge, statesman and perhaps the greatest lawyer Kentucky has ever produced. His grave is also unmarked. Near them is Grant Green, Auditor of State and Secretary of State from 1860 to 1865. and across the driveway is R. R. McKee. congressman, legislator and lawyer.


The S. F. J. Trabue lot is the largest of any private owner, and it is the only one on which there is a vault. This vault was the work of the celebrated R. E. Launitz. who built the State monument. The angels that guard the entrance to this vault are the products of his skill.


The only mausoleum in the grounds is that of Frank Heeney, recently constructed at a cost of about four thousand dollars. It is of granite and marble, and has the appearance of being a permanent structure. It is located in the eastern part of the Catholic ground.




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