USA > Kentucky > Memorial record of western Kentucky, Volume I > Part 11
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In February, 1870, Mr. Betlishares was united in marriage with Felicia A. Hand, daughter of Henry Hand, of Paducah, Kentucky. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bethshares are highly respected by all who know them, and are living in the enjoyment of good health, surrounded by the
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comforts of life, provided by the ability and enterprise of Mr. Beth- shares.
JAMES H. THARP.
Judge James Howard Tharp, who served for two terms as county judge of Ballard county, and is now practicing law in Wickliffe, was born on a farm in this county on the 17th day of May, 1846. His parents were Frelin and Nancy ( Hawes ) Tharp, the former a native of North Carolina, while the latter was born near Hawesville, Kentucky. The paternal grandfather of our subject was Esais Tharp, who with his family left North Carolina and took up his abode in Ballard county, Ken- tucky, but only made a temporary location here. Soon he continued on his way to Missouri, and died after a brief residence in that state.
Frelin Tharp was about sixteen years of age when his father's death occurred, and was the eldest of several sons, whom the mother bound out to learn trades. Not liking the idea of being bound to a master, Frelin objected, and then ran away from home. Soon after- ward, however, he returned to Kentucky, and for some time worked on keel boats on the Tennessee river, while later he was employed on steamboats making trips to New Orleans. ile ran on the river for some ten or eleven years, and in this way managed to acquire some capital. In 1833, having secured a quarter-section of land in what is now Car- lisle county, Kentucky, he located thereon, but soon traded it for a tract of land in the northern part of Ballard county, along the Ohio river. Ile was married in Ballard county, in 1835, and took his bride to his farin. Later he exchanged his second place for a farm just west of Barlow City, upon which he spent his remaining days. This farm is now the property of Judge Tharp. Frelin Tharp was a prosperous
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agriculturist, and in connection with farming also acted as pilot on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers to a greater or less extent, making many trips to New Orleans after locating in Ballard county. He also raised considerable stock and developed good farming property, which increased greatly in value, owing to the many improvements he made upon it. In his political views he was a stalwart Democrat. His death occurred in 1867, when he was sixty-three years of age, and his wife passed away the previous year, when fifty-one years of age. They were the parents of seven children : Miletus HI. and Minus A., both deceased; James II .; Oscar T., also deceased; Sarah E., who resides in Barlow City, Kentucky ; and two who died in infancy.
James HI. Tharp was reared and educated in Ballard county, spend- ing his boyhood days upon the home farm, where he remained until" after the death of his parents. When they had passed away he took charge of the old homestead and continued to make his home thereon until he was elected county judge of Ballard county, in 1890. He filled the position acceptably for a term of four years and was then re-elected, so that he continued in the office for two terms. After his retirement from the county bench he served as city judge of Wickliffe for two years. In the meantime he had taken up the study of law, and in 1901 was admitted to the bar. He then opened an office in Wickliffe, where he has since engaged in practice and is now enjoying a good clientage. He was elected to his different positions on the Democratic ticket. In connection with his law practice he still engages in farming, owning the old homestead, to the operation of which he gives his personal super- vision.
In 1868 Mr. Tharp was united in marriage to Miss Joan Wag- goner, who died in 1886, leaving him ten children, of whom nine are
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now living. In 1890 he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Matie (or Matilda) Tanner, nec Metcalfe, by whom he has three living children. The Judge is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Methodist, Episcopal church, and throughout the years of his resi- dence in Ballard county he has so lived as to win the regard of his fellow- men, gaining high reputation by reason of his public-spirited citizen- ship, his fidelity and promptness in office and his faithfulness in friend- ship.
WILLIAM KEEL HALL.
William Keel Hall, one of the successful business men of Ful- ton, Fulton county, Kentucky, was born in Columbus, Kentucky, April 28, 1857. He is a son of William Keel Hall, who was born in Tren- ton, Tennessee. For thirteen years he was postmaster at Columbus, Kentucky, or until his death, which took place in 1877, when he was fifty-seven years of age. He had removed from Tennessee to Columbus, Kentucky, about 1862. In politics he was a Republican, and served as state senator from Tennessee, and also held minor offices in his county. He received his postoffice appointment under President Grant. The maiden name of his wife was Martha A. Winn, and she was born four miles from Columbus, Kentucky, and is now residing at Hickman with her daughter. The education of the father was obtained in the Tren- ton public schools, while his wife was educated in Louisville, Kentucky. The paternal grandfather was Jonathan Hall, and he came from middle Tennessee. In politics he was a Whig, and was a successful farmer. The maternal grandfather was Thomas Winn, a native of Virginia, coming of English and French ancestors. His death occurred at Colum- bus, Kentucky, about 1860.
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William K. Hall was reared in Columbus, Kentucky, and received his education in that town until he was eighteen years of age, at which time he went into the railroad mail service, in which he remained ten years. He settled in Fulton in 1880, and embarked in a grocery business, but in 1882 went to Florida for his health, there remaining until 1886, when he returned to Fulton and became a bookkeeper for Wade Brothers Lumber Company. He continued in this connection until he purchased the lumber business of Jacob Wise & Company, in 1893, and continued it under the name of the Fulton Lumber & Manufacturing Company. In 1898 he changed the style to that of W. K. Hall Lumber Company, which is the present name. In politics he is a Republican and is much interested in local affairs. His religious connections are with the Chris- tian church. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Honor and the Woodmen of the World.
On September 15, 1880, he married Anna McCall, of Fulton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. W. McCall, of Fulton. Mr. Hall is super- intendent of the Sunday-school of the Christian church, and is one of the most prominent members of that denomination. He and his wife are worthy, good people, and are highly esteemed by all who know them.
SOLOMON D. FUTRELL.
The father of this patriarch among the farmers of Graves county, Kentucky, was John Futrell, who was born in North Carolina in 1780. He came to Trigg county, Kentucky, in 1797, and became a successful farmer and tobacco-raiser. He lived to be ninety-three years old, and died in 1873. Ilis wife was Lizzie Deloach, who was born in North Carolina in 1783, and died when our subject was a small boy. Their
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children were: Francis Futrell, who died in 1846; Cullen, who was a farmer of Trigg county, Kentucky, and also died in 1846; Charlotte died in 1850; Perry was a farmer in Trigg county and died in 1902, when eighty-six years old; Sarah Anna, the wife of Maliciah Cooper, a carpenter of Trigg county, died in 1888 at the age of seventy-five ; Thomas, deceased, was a farmer of Trigg county.
Solomon D. Futrell was born to these parents in Trigg county, Kentucky, June 4, 1820. After receiving his educational training, he devoted himself to farming, and for many years successfully carried on that calling in Trigg county, but in 1892 moved to Graves county and bought a farm four miles south of Mayfield, where he now resides, enjoying to the utmost the respect of his neighbors, and passing the re- maining days of his life in peace and contentment.
In 1846 Mr. Futrell married Miss Clarisa Futrell, and a large family was born of the union. The son, Cullen HI., is a farmer of Graves county ; Annie married Zachariah Hayden, a farmer of Graves county ; Rufus, who was a farmer in Trigg county, was drowned in the Cum- berland river in 1880; Joseph S. is the proprietor of a hotel at Canton, Kentucky ; Eliza Mildred is the wife of Horney Frizzell; Sarah Alice died in 1887 at the age of twenty one; Albert I. lives at Paducah, Kentucky ; Alfred D. is a farmer in Graves county ; and Sarah . Allie died in 1879. Mr. Futrell has, by these children, thirty-five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren, so that he is honored as the head of four genera- tions of worthy citizens of the old Bluegrass state. Ilis wife died in 1888, aged fifty-eight.
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GEORGE GRANT WITTY.
George Grant Witty, who is now capably serving as postmaster of Bardwell and is numbered among the leading representatives of the Republican party in Carlisle county, was born on a farm in Christian county, Kentucky, near Hopkinsville, January 23, 1862, his parents being George W. and Agness ( Anderson) Witty. The Witty family is of Irish lineage, and was founded in America by William Witty, the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born on the Emerald isle, and, crossing the Atlantic in one of the old-time sailing vessels, became a resident of Georgia. His son, James Witty, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Georgia, was there reared, and after arriving at years of maturity married Miss. Lucinda Coon, a native of Kentucky. Among their children was George W. Witty, whose birth occurred in Christian county, Kentucky, in 1838, which was also the birthplace of his wife, whose natal year was 1837. Both were reared in Christian county, and there they were married. Mrs. Agness Witty was a daughter of James and Mary (Boyd) Anderson, both natives of Virginia. In 1860 Mr. and Mrs. George W. Witty came to what is now Carlisle county and settled on a farm near Milburn, where they resided for many years, after which they established their home in the village, Mr. Witty devoting his time and energies to carpentering. In 1897 he was ap- pointed postmaster of Milburn, and has since served in that office in a most acceptable manner. He has always been a stanch Republican, and he and his wife are devoted members of the Missionary Baptist church, taking an active part in its work and doing all in their power to ad- vance the cause of Christianity. They were the parents of three chil- dren, but the eldest died in infancy. The others are George G. and
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Albert Calvin, the latter a traveling salesman with headquarters at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
George G. Witty was reared upon the home farm and educated in the public schools, attending both the country schools and the Milburn Academy of Milburn, Kentucky. When twenty years of age he started out upon an independent business career as a teacher, and, with the exception of about three years spent in the revenue service, he taught continuously and successfully until 1809, when he engaged in farming, which he followed for two years. In July, 1901, he was made post- master at Bardwell, so that two members of the family are acting as postmaster at the present time. In the administration of the affairs of the office in Bardwell Mr. Witty is prompt, reliable and trustworthy, and his course has won uniform commendation. He has always been a stanch Republican, faithful to the principles in which he believes. He was a delegate from the First Congressional district of Kentucky to the Republican national convention in 1888, and from its organization to 1900 he was secretary of the Carlisle county Republican central com- mittee, and was an unsuccessful candidate for register of the land office on the Republican state ticket in 1805.
In the year 1885 Mr. Witty was united in marriage to Miss Allie Cook, a daughter of Joseph A. Cook, of Carlisle county, and three chil- dren were born to them, of whom two are now living: Walter and Charles. Mr. Witty is a Master Mason and a worthy follower of the craft which is based upon the brotherhood of mankind and inculcates principles of helpfulness and charity among men. He is also identified with the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and he and his wife are devoted members of the Missionary Baptist church. As an educator he did much
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to advance the intellectual standard of the districts in which he was em- ployed, and at all times his aid and influence have been given in behalf of material, social, intellectual and moral progress and improvement.
WILLIAM L. ELLISTON.
William Luther Elliston, although one of the younger representa- tives of business circles in Bardwell, is recognized as a most active, ener- getic and progressive man, and one whose work has been felt as a mov- ing force in advancing industrial and manufacturing interests here. He is now general manager of the Cherry Malt Company, and under his capable control this enterprise has already become profitable and is en- joying a rapidly increasing patronage, which is making it a successful business concern of the city.
Mr. Elliston is one of Carlisle county's native sons, his birth having occurred on the zist of October, 1877, on a farm about three miles northeast of Bardwell. His parents are Joseph and Fannie M. (Pew) Elliston, the former born in Milburn, Carlisle county, Kentucky, in 1844, while the latter was born near Mount Easton, Kentucky. Their children are as follows: Inez, deceased; Lizzie; Maud; William L .; and Arthur R. Throughout his entire life the father has followed agri- cultural pursuits, making his home in Carlisle county, and has met with a fair degree of success in his undertakings. His political support is given unfalteringly to the Republican party, and at the time of the Civil war he joined the Union army and fought for three years in defense of the stars and stripes. He and his wife hold membership in the Mission- ary Baptist church and are people whose upright lives have gained for them uniform confidence and regard.
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Upon the home farm William L. Elliston was reared, and in the schools of Bardwell pursued his education, although he greatly added to his knowledge by study at home. He is a young man who could never be content to stand still in any way, intellectually or otherwise, and reading, observation and experience have greatly broadened his mind. He worked upon his father's farm until twenty-one years of age, at which time he secured a teacher's certificate, and for four years thereafter suc- cessfully engaged in teaching in the schools of this county. In 1902 he purchased an interest in the Bardwell Brick & Tile Company, and also in the ice business, and has since been identified with the manufacturing enterprise of the city. In 1903 he secured stock in the Cherry Malt Company, which manufactures and bottles cherry malt, a very highly flavored temperance drink, of excellent quality. It has already been re- ceived with favor on the market, and the enterprise bids fair to be a very successful one. Mr. Elliston is general manager of the concern, and his business ability and enterprise are very noticeable in his control of the business.
Mr. Elliston exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and he is connected through fra- ternal relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He also belongs to the Missionary Baptist church, and has taken a helpful inter- est in matters pertaining to the welfare of the city along many lines.
In his business career he has made his own way unaided, receiving no assistance save that his father gave him a horse when he was twenty- one years of age. His rise to his creditable position in business circles in Bardwell is due to his own labors, laudable ambition and resolution, and he is finding that success is ambition's answer.
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GEORGE R. CREEDLE.
George R. Creedle, of Fulton, Fulton county, Kentucky, was born on a farm in the southern part of Graves county, Kentucky, June 9. 1870, and is a son of Alexander Poole and Jane ( Howard) Creedle. The father was born in Mecklenburg county, Virginia, and the mother was born in Graves county, Kentucky. They were married in Graves county, and there the father farmed until 1870, when he removed to Fulton and embarked in the grocery business, and also engaged in the grain business, becoming the third merchant of Fulton. There he re- mained in active business until his death, which occurred in 1900, when he was seventy-two years of age. He was eminently successful. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religious affiliations was a member of the Baptist church. He was a self-made man. He succeeded in life in consequence of energy and close attention to business. He was honest in all his dealings and died respected by'all who knew him. He and his wife had six children, two of whom are deceased. Our subject is the youngest but one, having a sister still younger than he.
George R. Creedle was but an infant when his parents established their residence in Fulton. Here he grew to manhood, and received a fair education. As soon as he was old enough, he clerked in his father's store, and thus gained his first business experience. In 1891 he em- barked in the transfer business in Fulton, and is still engaged in that line of business. Later he also engaged in the handling of wood and coal, and in 1903 he erected a cold storage house, which he now oper- ates, together with a meat market, in conjunction with his other enter- prises. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. Religiously he is a Baptist,
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and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias order and also the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
On May 7, 1890, he was married to Jennie Van Burton. Mr. and Mrs. Creedle have three children, namely : Claudis Lala, Cleo Poole, Frederick Washington. Mr. Creedle is justly numbered among the leading business men of Fulton, and the prosperity he now enjoys has been attained through his own efforts and good business management.
SOLOMON DREYFUSS.
In introducing to the reader the gentleman whose name forms the caption of this biography, the writer presents one of Paducah's most successful, enterprising and thorough-going business men. Mr. Dreyfuss was born March 12, 1856, in the province of Alsace-Loraine, Germany. His parents were Isaac and Hannah ( Deutch ) Dreyfuss, both natives of Saarburg, Germany. His paternal grandfather was Samuel Dreyfuss, and his maternal grandfather Judah Deutch, the former a native of Aschaffenburg and the latter of Kaiserslautern, Germany.
Isaac Dreyfuss was a dry-goods merchant, both wholesale and retail. As a merchant he was very successful, and during the year 1870 contracted with the French government to furnish the French army with dry-goods, mattresses and blankets, and' in consequence thereof realized large profits. The children born to himself and wife were the following: Jacob, Michael, Nathan, Joseph, Solomon, Julia, wife of Alfred Caen, of Nantes, France, Clementine, wife of Victor Caen, of Saaralben, Germany.
Of these Solomon is the only one now in the United States. He
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came to this country in 1871. when a youth of fifteen years. He had secured a fair education, having been taught the German, French and Hebrew languages. He secured a clerical position in New York city with Scheeuer Brothers, manufacturers of pocket books, valises and similar goods. He continued in this employ till 1876, and after spending a few months at Philadelphia, during the Centenial fair there, Mr. Dreyfuss went to Louisville, Kentucky, and accepted a clerkship with Bamberger, Bloom & Company, wholesale dry-goods and notion mer- chants, in whose employ he remained till 1879.
Having saved his earnings as a clerk, Mr. Dreyfuss was now financially able to embark in business on his own account, however, on limited capital. He accordingly engaged in the retail dry-goods busi- ness under the firm name of S. Dreyfuss & Company, in Louisville. The business was attended with fair success, but after a period of two years he and his brother-in-law, Mr. E. llesse, con- solidated the business of Mr. Dreyfuss and that of his father- in-law, I. Hesse, who had for years conducted a retail dry-goods business in Louisville. The father-in-law withdrew. The consoli- dated business was conducted under the firm name of Hesse & Dreyfuss until 1886, when Mr. Dreyfuss soll his interest. and became a traveling salesman for the wholesale dry goods firm of Louis Stix & Company, of Cincinnati, and for whom he traveled until 1888, when he came to Paducah, where, in partnership with the late Herman Weil. he embarked in the wholesale liquor business, under the firm name of Dreyfuss & Weil. Shortly after the death of Mr. Weil in 1896, Mr. W. H. Bowman was admitted to the firm, the style of which then be- came Dreyfuss, Weil & Company, which style is still retained. As observed above the business was established in 1888. The business
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was begun ou a small capital, Mr. Dreyfuss and Mr. Weil traveling and remaining in the office alternately. By means of energy, enterprise and fair dealing the firm soon gained both a good business and a desirable standing as a business concern. The business has constantly increased, and to-day the firm has some ten or, twelve traveling salesmen on the road, carry an excellent line of goods, conducts a well systematized busi- ness and ranks among the leading business concerns of the kind in Kentucky. Dreyfuss, Weil & Company, distillers and wholesale liquor dealers, are sole owners of the following well known and leading brands: Peter Cooper Rye, Eclipse ( Nelson county). S. H. Rollins, Old Cold Spring, and Old Dixie.
January 27, 1880, Mr. Dreyfuss married Miss Tillie Hesse. daughter of 1. Hesse, of Louisville, Kentucky. Two children, Samuel H. and Aimee, have blessed the marriage and brightened the home of Mr. and Mrs. Dreyfuss. The family are important factors in the social life of Paducah, and are members of the congregation of Temple Israel, of which congregation Mr. Dreyfuss has been a trustee for fifteen years and is now vice president. Often in the absence of the Rabbi he officiates in his stead. Mr. Dreyfuss being able to read and speak the Hebrew language, and thus is well qualified for performing these re- ligious services. For twenty-five years he has been an active and promi- nent member of the Hebrew Order, Buai Brith. He is also an influen- tial member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. In his deportment toward his fellow men Mr. Dreyfuss is kind and con- siderate, and esteemed for his fair-mindedness, congeniality, and gener- osity.
As has already been observed he came to this country when a youth. Possessed of a fair education, noble ambition and indefatigable
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determination, he began his business career. By means of applied energy, enterprise and sapient business qualification he has risen in the field of business from a poor youth to a prosperous and busy man, gaining an enviable reputation, and thus becoming the architect of his own fortune and good name.
JOHN HENRY ELSEY, M. D.
The success which is founded upon untiring industry, careful prepa- ration and landable ambition has come to Dr. John Henry Elsey, of Bard- well, who is to-day successfully practicing his profession, and is one of the most progressive and proficient representatives of the medical frater- nity in Carlisle county. He was born upon a farm where now stands the town of Arlington, Carlisle county, on September 27, 1840. His parents were John Montagne and Virinda ( McDaniel) Elsey. The father's birth occurred in Owen county, Kentucky, in 1812, and the grandfather, John Elsey, was a native of Virginia, whence he came to Kentucky at an early day. He was married in Owen county, this state, and there reared his family. In his later years, however, he removed to southern Indiana and died in Austin, that state, at the advanced age of seventy- eight years. The Doctor's father was born, reared and married in Owen county, and his wife was also a native of that county, while her father, Henry McDaniel, was a native of Virginia. By occupation John M. Elsey was a farmer, and carefully prosecuted his business affairs until he gained a fair measure of success. His political support was given to the Democracy, and both he and his wife were devoted members of the Methodist church, living earnest Christian lives. About 1837 they removed to what is now Carlisle county, but was then a part of Hickman
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