USA > Kentucky > Memorial record of western Kentucky, Volume I > Part 14
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The early death of the father made the youth of Henry C. Shelton a very hard one, as he was thrown upon his own resources very early in life, and in consequence thereof received a limited education. At first he worked upon the farm in his youth, but later learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked a number of years. After settling in Graves county he farmed for three years, and then, on account of his health, quit the farm and engaged in the grocery business. After a time, how- ever, he returned to the farm. He began life as a poor man, but his life has by no means been a failure, for he has usually in his various undertakings met with fair success.
February 11, 1864, he married, in Montgomery county, Tennessee, Mary E. Harris, born in Todd county, Kentucky, and brought by her parents to Montgomery county, Tennessee, when twelve or fourteen years old. The children born to. Mr. and Mrs. Shelton are as follows : John H., a successful physician of Jordan Springs, Tennessee ; William E., a carriage and vehicle dealer, of Mayfield, Kentucky, and a prominent man in business circles; Ida, who died at the age of eighteen years; Hervey G., a railroad employe of Louisville, Kentucky; James M., a farmer; Robert T., a liveryman of Mayfield; Minnie May and Rubie, both at home. In politics Mr. Shelton was a Democrat, and is now a strong Prohibitionist. He served six years as constable and four years as magistrate in Tennessee, and for four years he has served as a magis- trate in Graves county. For nine years he has been representing the
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Home Fire Insurance Company, of New York. He and his wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which they take an active part. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, and is past master of his lodge. Mr. Shelton has a pleasant home near the city of May- field, and is numbered among the representative men of his county.
THOMAS M. CLARK.
Thomas M. Clark, one of the prosperous residents of Graves county, Kentucky, was born in this county, January 28, 1863. He is a son of Andrew and Martha (Vaughn) Clark, both born in Trigg county, Kentucky. The father was a farmer, and moved to Graves county, Kentucky, in 1861, becoming very successful and now owning a very. fine farm three miles east of Mayfield, on the Wadesborough road. Andrew Clark is a son of William Clark, who was also a prosperous and highly respected man. In politics Andrew Clark is a Democrat, while religiously he is a member of the Christian church.
The maternal grandfather of our subject was Willis Vaughn, and the mother died March 16, 1902, aged sixty years, but the father is living, aged sixty-five years, in most excellent health. The children born to these parents were : William W. ; Susan J. ; Thomas M .; Lucy B .; John D. ; Phoebe A., who died at the age of thirty-one years; Mary E .; and George W.
Thomas M. Clark was reared on the farm and educated in Graves county, and has succeeded in his life work of farming, now owning a fine farm on the Columbus road, about three miles west of Mayfield, In politics he, like his father, is a Democrat.
Mr. Clark was married in Graves county, January 21, 1891, to
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Miss Carrie Coreno Overbey, who was born in this county January 20, 1873, a daughter of John O. and Mattie O. (Carter) Overbey. To this union children as follows were born: Thomas D., born April 1, 1894; Novvie Isabelle, born February 15, 1897; Earl O., born April 12, 1899; Lester, born August 8, 1901 ; and Willie May, born September 15, 1903. The family all reside in their pleasant home, where all friends are always cordially welcomed. Mr. Clark is a man who is very highily esteemed in the neighborhood for his many excellent traits of character.
ANDY RODGERS.
Andy Rodgers, one of the successful residents of Graves county, Kentucky, and a man highly esteemed by all who know him, was born in Calloway county, Kentucky, June 9, 1854, and is a son of Latt and Rebecca (Bowlen) Rodgers, both born in eastern Tennessee. The pa- ternal grandfather was Zacariah Rodgers, while the maternal grand- father was Robert Bowlen.
Latt Rodgers was a farmer and resided in Kentucky, being in politics an old-time Democrat, and a member of the Baptist church for forty years. Although eighty two years of age he still holds to his opinions with regard to politics and religion, and is a very energetic and pleasant old gentleman. His wife died about fifteen years ago, when she was seventy-two years of age. Ten children were born to this worthy couple, namely : Samuel W., Reuben, Martha, Devina, John W., and Fereby, deceased ; William R. ; Andrew ; Sarah C., deceased ; and Mary A.
Andy Rodgers was born and reared in Calloway county, and never had the advantages of an education, but did learn how to conduct a farm, so that he has been able to become quite successful, and now owns
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a good farm, which is well improved. As all of his family, he is a Democrat and a member of the Baptist church.
On March 4, 1879, he married Miss Nancy Wyatt, who was born in Calloway county, December 20, 1860. Eight children have been born to this family, namely: John W., James H., deceased, Sarah E., Thomas H., Jefferson, Osie L., Mary J., deceased, and Samuel W.
Having been forced to labor against many disadvantages, the suc- cess which has come to Mr. Rodgers is all the more welcome, and his many excellent qualities are all the more appreciated by those who know him and understand how hard a fight he has made.
THADDEUS W. FARRELL.
Thaddeus W. Farrell, a prominent and representative agriculturist of Graves county, is a native of the Old Dominion, his birth having occurred in Mecklenburg county, Virginia, on the 26th of October, 1844. He is a son of Drewey A. and Mary B. (Keton) Farrell, also natives of that commonwealth, the former having been born in Charlotte county and the latter in Mecklenburg county. A sister of the latter named Katharine Keton married Dick Colley, in Mecklenburg county, and they reared fourteen children to years of maturity, a remarkable fact being that in this large family a physician was never employed or a prescription filled. Four of these children, Maggie, Sophia, Isabelle and Luther, now reside on the old homestead of two hundred and sixteeen acres. Drewey A. Farrell, the father of our subject, followed the tilling of the soil as a life occupation, and in 1858 took up his abode in Chris- tian county, Kentucky, while three years later, in 1861, he removed to Graves county, this state. He gave his political support to the Democratic
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party, and religiously was a member of the Baptist church, passing away in the faith of that denomination in 1863, but his wife survived until 1880, when she joined him in the home beyond. Five children came to brighten and bless the home of this worthy couple, as follows: Addi- son, whose death occurred in 1859; Ella G., also deceased, her death oc- curring in 1884: Salute E., who was born in 1837; Thaddeus W .; and Levenia, who was born in 1848.
Thaddeus W. Farrell accompanied his parents on their removal to this county, and here he was reared to years of maturity and received his early educational training. Choosing the vocation of farming, he has made this his life work, and as one of its devotees has met with a very high degree of success. His excellent business ability was demon- strated in early life, when his father gave him an old horse and instructed him to give it to an aged negro who lived on the farm. On the way, however, he met a traveler and with him traded horses, our subject later selling his for a fair price. To-day he is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists of Graves county, and he owns considerable real estate on the Columbus road, one mile from Mayfield. He, too, gives his political support to the principles of Democracy, and, although he has never sought of desired the honors of public office, he was appointed as superintendent of the Graves county almshouse, which position he con- tinued to fill with ability for ten years, but he now gives his entire at- tention to his own personal property.
The marriage of Mr. Farrell was celebrated in December, 1870, when Miss Jennie Northington became his wife. She is a native daughter of the old Blue Grass state, her birth having occurred in Christian county. Six children have blessed this union: William M., Mary B., Leonora, Allen M., Roy, and Donnie.
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KING S. SANDERSON.
King S. Sanderson, one of the prosperous residents of Graves county, Kentucky, was born in this county, December 5, 1858. He is a son of James and Malinda (Sullivan) Sanderson, the former was born in Tennessee, and his father, Jacob, and his wife's father, John Sullivan, were both of Irish descent, born in Tennessee. James Sanderson was a farmer, and made his home in Graves county. In politics he was an ardent Democrat, while in his religious affiliations he was a prominent Primitive Baptist in belief. His death occurred in Graves county in 1902, when he was eighty-three years of age. The mother, who was born in Tennessee, is still living, aged seventy-two years. To these good people were born children as follows: Sarah; John W .; Robert, de- ceased ; Jane, deceased ; Frank ; King S .; Ada; Martha and Mary, twins, deceased in infancy ; Malinda, deceased ; and Mela.
King S. Sanderson was reared and educated in Graves county, attending the public schools. His first life work consisted in farming and trading stock, and he has continued along these lines, meeting with marked success. His farm is an excellent one, all in a good state of cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat, while he early joined with the Primitive Baptist church, towards which he gives liberally.
In 1880 he was married to Miss Emily A. Rodgers, who was born in Graves county, September 2, 1862, and ten children have been born to them, namely: Elbert C., deceased; Dona A., born July 7, 1884; Beva Ethel, April 30, 1886; Orbin T., March 7, 1888; Prentiss R., February 18, 1890; Roscoe, January 19, 1892; Osig, September 12, 1893; Edna E., September 22, 1895; Dallia V., who died at the age of
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two; Genevia G., January 2, 1901. Mr. Sanderson is one of the pros- perous young farmers of the county, and very highly respected by all who know him.
JOHN GRANT BROOKS, M. D.
John Grant Brooks, M. D., of Paducah, Kentucky, one of the leading physicians of McCracken county, was born in Montgomery county, Tennessee, on a farm, on a portion of which the present city of Guthrie is now located. The date of his birth was October 5, 1840, and he is a son of James Cary and Narcisis ( Brown) Brooks, both natives of Tennessee and descendants of old Virginia stock. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1851 removed from Tennessee, settling in Ballard county, Kentucky. There he resided nearly twenty years, when he moved to MeCracken county and settled near Paducah. His life was devoted to farming, and he lived to be nearly eighty years of age, his death occurring in 1894, in the private sanitarium of our sub- ject, who tenderly cared for him in the declining days of his exemplary life. Ile was an ardent Democrat and also a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, but his wife was a member of the Baptist church; she preceded him in death several years. They had nine chil- dren, of whom Dr. Brooks and two sisters are now living.
Dr. J. G. Brooks was given in youth the advantages of the common schools, but in July, 1861, when not yet twenty-one years of age, he enlisted as a private in Company D, Third Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, Confederate army, and was in the war until its close. The last three years he served as orderly sergeant, participating in the battles of Shiloh, Baker's Creek, Harrisburg, siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jackson, and in all of General Forrest's campaigns. At the close of the war Dr.
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G.G. Brooks Mal.
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Brooks returned home and found his father financially ruined. He at once began his endeavors to restore prosperity, and engaged in farming. In the winter of 1865-66 he attended Eureka College (Eureka, Illinois), and at the end of his term returned home and took up the study of medicine. He entered the University of Tennessee, at Nashville, in the medical department in the fall of 1866. In 1868 he was graduated from Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, and immediately began his professional career at Paducah, where he con- tinued in practice until August, 1872. At that time he went to Sand- wich Islands, and for two years was associated with Dr. J. B. Sanders, who had preceded him to the islands. In 1874 Dr. Brooks returned to the United States and resumed his practice at Paducah, in which city he has continued to reside. He rose very rapidly in his profession and soon took rank among the ablest and most prominent physicians and surgeons of the state. In 1883 Dr. Brooks established a private sanitarium in Paducah, which he maintained and continued with pleas- ing success for some ten or twelve years, and then discontinued it be- cause of the tiresome duties relative thereto. In this work Dr. Brooks was a pioneer in Kentucky, and his success has been an encouragement to others. While his practice has been general, he has done much surgical work, displaying unusual skill as a surgeon.
Dr. Brooks was an orginator of the Paducah Medical and Surgical Society, of which he has continued a prominent member and served as president. In addition he is also a member of the Southwestern Ken- tucky Medical Society, of the Kentucky State Medical Association, of which he has been president, of the Mississippi Valley Medical Society, of the American Medical Association and of the International Medical Congress. For four years he was city physician for Paducah; for four
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years he was a member of the city council and for a like period member of city board of education. He is now a member of the city council and has always taken a profound interest in the growth and develop- ment of Paducah. In fraternal relations he is a Master Mason, politi- cally a Democrat, and of the Christian church has long been a promi- nent member.
In 1865 Dr. Brooks married Miss Mary King, a daughter of the late Hon. John Q. A. King, who served as governor of Kentucky. Five children were born to this marriage, namely: King, a prominent dentist of Paducah; James, an electrician of Jackson, Tennessee; Overton was a cadet at the Naval Academy, Annapolis, and is now in the United States navy service ; John, a druggist; and Miss Ethel. Mrs. Brooks is also a member of the Christian church, and is a very accomplished lady. In 1892 Dr. Brooks erected a beautiful home in Paducah, one of the finest in the city, and there his wife and family dispense a gener- ous hospitality. Dr. Brooks has always been a student and manifested progressive spirit. He possesses a fine literary and scientific library, his medical collection being one of the most complete in the state. In his bearing toward his fellow men he is both genial and considerate, and his friends are legion. Of sound convictions, and possessing a free, frank disposition, he is not reserved in matters of principle nor in his position on public questions, but openly gives his support to people and measures of which he approves. His fidelity and friendship and nobility of purposes have won for him the universal respect of all who know him.
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LEMUEL HARRISON JAMES.
Lemuel H. James, one of the ablest lawyers and best known men of Kentucky, now practicing at the bar of Marion, where his marked capability has gained him distinction, was born in Smith county, Ten- nessee, on the 9th of January, 1844. His parents were Bartley Anderson and Mary Elizabeth (Tucker) James, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Tennessee. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom Lemuel H. was the youngest save one. All are de- ceased save our subject and William D. James.
He was twelve years of age when the family came to Crittenden county, and in the schools near his home he continued his education until his mother died. He was then, at the age of fourteen years, thrown upon his own resources, and whatever success he has since achieved is the result of his own efforts. He worked on the farm during the seasons when crops were to be harvested, and in the winter months attended short terms of school, thus acquiring his education at his own expense and under unfavorable circumstances. The schools were then of somewhat inferior order, and his opportunities were meager, but by coming in contact with intellectual people, and through his own continuous and carnest study and investigation he has made himself a well informed man of scholarly attainments.
In June, 1863, when nineteen years of age, Mr. James volunteered for military service, and enlisted in Company E, Forty-eighth Kentucky Infantry, Federal army. His company was mounted, and he did service for almost two years, although the term of his enlistment was for twelve months. Returning from the field of battle, Mr. James took up again the quiet pursuits of peace, giving his attention to farming, which
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he followed with a fair measure of success until 1874. In 1867 he had served as justice of the peace, and on entering the office he took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1869. In 1874 he was elected to the position of prosecuting attorney for Crittenden county, and in the same year established his home in Marion, where he has since continued to reside. He discharged the duties of his office so acceptably that in 1878 he was re-elected, and when he left the office four years later, he still retained the confidence and regard which he had enjoyed on entering the public service. For years he has been actively and suc- cessfully engaged in the practice of law, and now has a distinctively representative clientage, connecting him with most of the important litigation tried in the courts of his district. He is very thorough and careful in the preparation of his cases, is sound in argument, forcible in the presentation of his cause, and his arguments follow in logical sequence, showing the correctness of his deductions and his line of reasoning.
On the 26th of April, 1862, Mr. James wedded Miss Elizabeth J. Brailey, and to them have been born the following named: Mary E., William IL., deceased ; Flora, deceased; Edgar 11., Ollie M., Rubie and Rodney H., but the last named is now deceased.
Mr. James has steadily advanced to the goal of success, and he deserves much credit for what he has achieved, as he started out in life a poor boy, having to provide his own education and to depend upon his own resources and capability, but eventually these have won him rank among the foremost lawyers and business men of the state: He has always been a stanch Democrat in his political views. Since 1870 he has been a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, is also mem-
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ber of Knights of Honor. A leading and influential citizen of Critten- den county, the force of his character, his strong determination and laudable ambition furnish an example well worthy of emulation.
HON. OLLIE M. JAMES.
Hon. Ollie M. James, a member of Congress from the first district of Kentucky, was born in Crittenden county, this state, July 27, 1871, his birthplace being his father's farm. He is a son of the Hon. L. H. James, whose sketch appears above. When he was only two years of age the family home was established in Marion, where he was reared and acquired a good academic education. He then studied law under the direction of his father, and in 1890, when not twenty years of age, he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession in association with his father.
Mr. James has been an active Democrat from an early age, doing much campaign work as a political speaker and in other ways. In 1896 he was a delegate to the Democratic national convention at Chicago, and was then chairman of the Kentucky delegation, being. the youngest man to hold a position of that character. In tooo he was chairman of the Kentucky state convention of the Democratic party, held in Louisville, and in 1902 he was invited by Colonel William Jennings Bryan and other Nebraska Democrats to address the Nebraska Democratic state convention at Grand Island, which invitation he accepted, delivering an address of power and force which was enthusiastically received. In 1902 he became the nominee of his party as its candidate for Congress, and at the fall election of that year was chosen by popular suffrage for the office. On the 4th of March, 1903, he qualified as a member of
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Congress. He is a man of large stature and commanding appearance, and speaks with the eloquence and wisdom of one of years of public service, experience and research rather than as one of the youngest mem- bers to be found in the national chambers of the nation. True to principle, conviction and his constituency, and possessed of rare fitness for con- gressional duties, the uniform prediction of his many friends is that his congressional career will be brilliant and that he will fully live up to the expectations of those who have honored him by electing him to this responsible office.
GREEN W. BENNETT.
Green W. Bennett, who is engaged in the grocery business at Maxon Mill, McCracken county, Kentucky, is a well known citizen and energetic. factor in his locality. A brief review of his life is as follows :
Green W. Bennett was born in the neighboring state of Tennessee, his birth occurring in Benton county, in 1860. He is a son of William and Winnie L. (Cunningham) Bennett, the former a native of Alabama and the latter of Tennessee. William Bennett went to Tennessee in early life, married in that state and lived there until 1865, when he removed with his family to Kentucky and settled on a farm in MeCracken county, where he passed the rest of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits, and where he died in the year 1900, at the age of seventy-four. He left four sons and one daughter, namely : Green W., Charlie, Jesse, Fayette and Mattie. Mattie is the wife of Bud Dale, of Denton, Texas. Formerly Mr. and Mrs. Dale were residents of Paducah, where they were pro- prictors of the New Richmond Hotel from 1895 to 1898, and did a prosperous business.
At the time the Bennett family removed from Tennessee to Ken-
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tucky and settled in McCracken county, Green W. was a lad of five years, and in this county he was reared and received his schooling. On reach- ing maturity he engaged in the grocery business in what is now known as Maxon Mill. The right kind of methods and close attention to busi- ness, together with the genial personality of Mr. Bennett, have brought him success. He is well known throughout the county, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.
Mr. Bennett was married in 1887 to Miss Daisy Maxon, and their union has been blessed in the birth of seven children, four of whom are living and being educated in Paducah: Francesca Jessie, Kimsworth, Porter Lowrey, and Atchison.
THOMAS K. NEWMAN.
Thomas K. Newman, one of the prosperous residents of Graves county, Kentucky, was born in Webster county, this state, August 14. 1872. Ile is a son of Wiloughby P. and Sallie J. ( Handcock) Newman, the former of whom was born in Henderson county, Kentucky, and is a son of Thomas K. Newman. The latter was a North Carolinian, while the maternal grandfather was Ezma Handcock, who was born in Henderson county, Kentucky.
The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation, and moved to Graves county in 1887. In politics he was a Democrat, and a con- sistent member of the Christian church. His death occurred in 1894, aged sixty-one. His wife survives at the age of sixty-five years. She takes part in the services of the Christian church, of which she is a men- ber. Four children were born to these parents: Ezma B., unmarried,
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a partner in the farm, and was born June 9, 1864; Nannie B., born Feb- ruary 7, 1867; Grace T., who died in infancy ; and Thomas K.
Thomas K. Newman was reared upon the farm and educated in Union county, Kentucky. He and his brother own and operate the home farm, which they have brought into a good state of cultivation, and they are regarded as being among the leading young farmers of their locality. In politics he is a Democrat, and, like his family, a member of the Christian church.
In Graves county he was married in 1893 to Miss Minnie Wilson, who was born in Mayfield, Kentucky, May 5, 1871. Two children have been born to them, namely : Mabel, born January 10, 1895; and Perry, born April 18, 1898. Mr. and Mrs. Newman are very highly regarded in the county, as are all the members of the family, and their prosperity is well merited.
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