USA > Kentucky > Memorial record of western Kentucky, Volume I > Part 17
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Mr. Darby belonged to the Masonic fraternity, and in politics was a Democrat. He served as chairman of the Democratic county com- mittee for a number of years, and took an active interest in the work of his party and in promoting good government. He was deeply inter- ested in educational work, having a full conception of its place in all that elevates mankind, and accordingly he contributed liberally to school and church work. He won the respect and confidence of all with whom he came in contact, and well deserves enrollment among the hon- ored lawyers of the state.
JOHN S. PETRIE, M. D.
When, after years of long and earnest labor in some honorable field of business, a man puts aside all cares to spend his remaining days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil, it is certainly a well deserved reward for his industry.
"How blest is he who crowns in shades like these A youth of labor with an age of case,"
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wrote the poet, and the world everywhere recognizes the justice of a season of rest following an active period of business life. Dr. Petrie is now living retired at his pleasant home in Bardwell, after long years of active connection with the medical profession, in which he has not only won success, but has also rendered valuable aid to his fellow-men.
Dr. Petrie is a native of Todd county, Kentucky, his natal day being January 30, 1833. The family is of Scotch descent and was founded in America by Peter Petrie, the grandfather of our subject, who in his youth came alone to the new world, crossing the Atlantic and eventually making his way to South Carolina. There he met and married a Miss Hardwick. By occupation Peter Petrie was a farmer, following that pursuit in order to provide for his family. At the time of the Revolutionary war he espoused the cause of the colonists, and valiantly aided in the struggle for independence. In pioneer times in the history of Kentucky he came to this state and settled in Todd county, where he spent his remaining days, bearing his part in the work of reclaiming the district for the purposes of civilization.
Hazel Petrie, the father of Dr. Petrie, was born in South Caro- lina, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Todd county, Kentucky; where he was united in marriage to Sarah Mobley, by whom he had twelve children. After her death he wedded Paulina Kennedy, and they became the parents of four children. All the children by each marriage grew to years of maturity. Hazel Petrie started in life a poor man, but he possessed resolution, keen business sagacity and unfaltering industry, and upon that sure foundation built the superstructure of his success. As the years passed he accumulated a good estate, and was accounted one of the substantial residents of the community in which he made his home. In public affairs he was likewise prominent, and
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represented his district in the general assembly of Kentucky for sev- eral terms. He left the impress of his individuality upon the legisla- tion enacted during his connection with the house, and his course was ever marked by unswerving patriotism and fidelity to the best interests of his constituents. He also served as magistrate under the old consti- tution of Kentucky. Well fitted for leadership, he aided in molding public thought and action, and long maintained a leading place among the honored men of his community. In religious faith he was a Meth- odist.
He also labored effectively for the moral development of his por- tion of the state, and in his home Peter Cartwright, the celebrated divine, preached many times. Mr. Petrie died in Todd county, Ken- tucky, at the age of eighty-three years, his birth having occurred on the 8th of July, 1785. His wife, who was born in Kentucky, was a daughter of Mike Kennedy, a native of Ireland. In pioneer times her father came to this state and spent his last days within its borders. Mrs. Petrie passed away in Todd county at the age of sixty-three years.
Dr. Petrie was reared in Todd county and was educated in Elk- ton Male Academy. When twenty-three years of age he began the study of medicine, with the determination to make its practice his life- work, and was graduated in the St. Louis Medical College on the 2d of March, 1858. He then located in Columbus, this state, where he practiced with success for four years. In 1861 he removed to a farm in Ballard county, about five miles from Blandville, and there he lived for about sixteen years, devoting his attention to agricultural pur- suits and to the practice of medicine. On the expiration of that period he removed to Hinkleville, Kentucky, where he resided for six years,
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and his next home was in Cairo, Illinois, where he spent six years. Returning then to Kentucky, he settled in Clinton, where he lived for twelve years, and in 1896 came to Bardwell.
While residing in Columbus, Kentucky, Dr. Petrie was united in marriage, in 1861, to Miss Lucy Ann Henderson, who was born in Ballard county, Kentucky, May 22, 1841, a daughter of Thomas Hen- derson, one of the pioneer settlers of Ballard county, to which place he removed from Virginia. To the Doctor and his wife have been born five children : Mattie Pauline, now the wife of Dr. William L. Mosby, of Bardwell; James Marvin, who died at the age of four years; Lucy Leonora, who is the wife of Walter Hutcherson, a merchant of Clin- ton, Kentucky; Laura Belle, who died at the age of twenty-two years, and Frank Summerfield, a popular druggisi of Bardwell, and who mar- ried Miss Olive Gardner, a daughter of Thomas T. Gardner, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work.
On coming to Bardwell, Dr. Petrie and his son, Frank, established a drug store under the firm style of J. S. Petrie & Son, and have since continued in the business. Through many years the Doctor continued in the active practice of his profession, and did much to alleviate human suffering in the various localities in which he lived. In early life he gave his political support to the Democracy, but for twenty-five years has been an ardent Prohibitionist, believing the temperance question one of the prominent issues before the people. He is a dimitted Mason, and he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, south, to which their children also belong. He has lived an exemplary life, and has done much good in the world, not only through the prac- tice of his profession, but by his influence and example. In private life he has always been sympathetic and generous, extending a helping hand
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to the poor and needy, and always ready to aid those less fortunate than himself. His career has ever been honorable, actuated by unselfish motives, prompted by patriotism and guided by truth and justice. He is one of the most highly respected citizens of southwestern Kentucky, and will long be remembered by the people because of his devotion to the welfare of the state, and by reason of his fidelity to his profession.
HUGHI THOMAS CROUCH, M. D.
From no professional man do we expect or exact so many of the cardinal virtues as from the physician. If the clergyman is austere, we imagine that his mind is absorbed with the contemplation of things beyond our ken; if our lawyer is brusque and crabbed, it is the mark of genius; but in the physician we expect not only a superior mentality and comprehensive knowledge, but also sympathy as wide as the uni- verse. Dr. Crouch, in large measure, meets all of these requirements, , and is regarded by many as an ideal physician. Certainly if patronage is any criterion of ability he ranks high among physicians and sur- geons of Carlisle county, where he is now enjoying a large and lucrative practice.
Hugh Thomas Crouch was born on his father's farm in Ballard county, Kentucky, September 10, 1856, and is a son of Richard J. and : Martha ( Massie) Crouch. His father was a native of Christian county, Kentucky, and was a member of one of the old and distinguished fami- lies of this state. The mother's birth occurred in either Logan or Todd county, Kentucky. After their marriage the parents settled in Bal- lard county, where the father died when the Doctor was about thir-
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teen years of age. The mother long survived him, spending her life in Ballard county, where she died in 1900 at the age of seventy-three years. She reared the following children, namely: Martha, Ellen, Hugh Thomas, Richard B., Mary E., Susan F. and William H., all of whom are still living, and with the exception of the last named all are married.
Dr. Crouch was reared upon the home farm and educated in the schools nearby. After acquiring a fair literary education he took up the study of medicine with Dr. D. P. Juett, of Blandville, Kentucky, as his preceptor. Later he entered the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, and on the completion of the prescribed course in that insti- tution was graduated in March, 1882. He then located in Cunning- ham, Kentucky, where he practiced until the fall of 1902, when he located in Bardwell. For a number of years he has been a member of the Carlisle County Medical Society, also of the Southwestern Ken- tucky Medical Society and the Kentucky State Medical Association. Hle likewise belongs to the American Medical Association, and thus keeps in touch with the advanced thought and progress of the profession, learning from his fellow practitioners of the best methods which they follow.
In 1884 Dr. Crouch was united in marriage to Miss Mollie U. Willingham, a daughter of G. W. Willingham, of Carlisle county, and they have four children: Rollie Burnett, Martha Esther, Bodine and Osler. The Doctor holds membership relations with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Christian church. He is a man of sterling traits of character, of upright life and manly principles, and wherever he goes he wins the respect and confidence of those with
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whom he is associated. He has been very successful in his practice, and by reason of his capability well merits the large patronage which is accorded him.
THOMAS T. GARDNER.
The people of Carlisle county are to be congratulated upon a char- acter of such elevation and strength of purpose, and such devotion to the highest and best interests of the state, as has been exhibited in the private and public life of Thomas Turk Gardner. No one was ever more respected in the county, and no one more fully enjoyed the confi- dence of the people or better deserved such respect and confidence. Mr. Gardner has served as county judge, and has three times represented his district in the legislature. His business interests have connected him with agricultural pursuits, and he is one of the leading and substan- tial farmers of this section of the state.
Thomas Turk Gardner was born in Henry county, Kentucky, on the 24th of August, 1845. His father, Elias Gardner, was born in Greenbrier county, West Virginia, but reared in Clark county, Ken- tucky, where the paternal grandfather of our subject, John Gardner, was born and reared in what is now West Virginia. After arriving at years of maturity the grandfather was married there to Nancy Nolan, a native of Virginia, and at an early day they removed to Clark county, Kentucky, where they reared their family. Elias Gardner spent his life in Clark county, and as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life chose Miss Susan Stamper, with whom he removed to Henry county, this state. By his first wife he had four children, but only one is now living, Jonathan, a resident of Henry county, Kentucky. For his second wife Mr. Gardner chose Mrs. Mary Stubbins, noe Mont-
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gomery, and they became the parents of two children, but both are now deceased. For his third wife Elias Gardner wedded Mrs. Eliza Thomas, nec Turk, a daughter of Robert Turk, of Henry county, Ken- tucky, formerly of Virginia, whence he removed to Kentucky when the mother of our subject was a little child. By her first husband she had five children, of whom only two are living. By her marriage to Mr. Gardner she became the mother of a son and daughter: Thomas T., and Cattie, who became the wife of Lewis Ellis, of Henry county, Kentucky, and died a few years later. Mr. and Mrs. Gardner con- tinued to make their home in Henry county until they were called to their final rest, and their remains were interred in a cemetery there. The father was a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit in order to provide for his family. In early life he was a Whig, and on the dissolution of the party joined the ranks of Democracy. His death occurred in 1862, when he was sixty-four years of age, and his wife passed away about 1884, at the advanced age of seventy-six years. Both were members of the Methodist church.
Judge Gardner was reared in Henry county, Kentucky, and was given a common school education. At the age of seventeen, upon the death of his father, he began farming for himself, and in 1869 came to what is now Carlisle county, where he has since resided, devoting his energies to agricultural pursuits. He has long been recognized as one of the leading and prosperous farmers of this portion of the state, and has controlled important farming interests.
In 1870 Judge Gardner was married to Mrs. Maggie Coaths, nee Jennings, a daughter of Howard and Nancy Jennings, of Carlisle county. They formerly resided in Owen county, Kentucky. Mrs. Gardner died in October, 1897, leaving eight children: Cattie, who is the wife of
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John W. Ray, an attorney of Frankfort, Kentucky ; Howard J., a dent- ist of Bardwell; Dora, who is the wife of Hugh Mabry, a merchant of Bardwell; Olive, the wife of Frank Petrie, a druggist of Bard- . well; Julia Blackburn, the wife of Walter B. Heaslet, a merchant of Spring Hill, Kentucky; Elias, Bonnie and Vera, all at home. In 1901 Mr. Gardner was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Alice Boulware, nec Turk, a daughter of Noah and Lucy ( Ford) Turk, of Carlisle county.
After Mr. Gardner's first marriage he settled upon an unimproved tract of land about one mile northeast of Bardwell, and here began the development of a farm which has since been his home, and has made it a splendid property. As his financial resources have increased he has extended its boundaries until his landed possessions now com- prise one hundred and seventy-six acres of very choice and valuable land. In all his farm work he has been extremely progressive, and upon his place are now seen modern improvements and all kinds of farm machinery that facilitate agricultural work.
Mr. Gardner is a stalwart Democrat, and has been one of the most active workers in the party in this locality. He has three times been elected a member of the state legislature. In 1879 he was called to that office, representing what was then Ballard county. In 1885 he was nominated as the division candidate upon a platform desiring the formation of Carlisle county by cutting off a portion of Ballard county. On this ticket he was elected, and was successful in securing legislation which divided the original county into the present counties of Ballard and Carlisle. This occurred during the session of 1885-'86, and Car- lisle county became a separate civic body in May of the latter year. In
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1889 Mr. Gardner was again elected to the house of representatives, and he left the impress of his individuality upon the legislation enacted during the various sessions in which he has been connected with the general assembly. He has given careful consideration to each question which has come up for settlement, and has had the good of the com- monwealth at heart, placing the welfare of the state before partisan- ship or personal aggrandizement. Since his return from the legislature he has served as master commissioner for Carlisle county, and in 1897 he was elected county judge, serving for four years. In that office, as in the others, he has ever proved a most capable official. ' In 1870 there occurred in this part of the state a movement among the farmers to elect a farmer to the state senate, and Mr. Gardner became their choice, but he declined the nomination, as he was not then thirty years of age, the constitutional age limit for a senator. That was really the beginning of his connection with politics, and since that time he has given a strong support to the party, and labored untiringly for its wel- fare and for the best interests of the state. When the Farmers' Alliance existed he was president of the organization for two years in the early nineties, and he has ever been active and helpful in promoting the interests of the agricultural community. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and has several times been master of the blue lodge. He became a Mason soon after he had attained his majority, and has been an exemplary representative of the craft. Hle is also a member of the Christian church, and his life has been a most upright, active and use- ful one. Fearless in conduct, and stainless in reputation, his has been a most honorable career, and no history of Carlisle county would be complete without mention of Judge Gardner.
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HOWARD J. GARDNER, D. D. S.
One of the leading representatives of professional circles in Bard- well is Dr. Howard Jennings Gardner, who is engaged in the practice of dentistry. He was born upon his father's farm in Carlisle county on the 12th of September, 1873, and is a son of Hon. Thomas T. Gardner, whose sketch appears above. Upon the home farm he was reared, and his literary education was obtained in the schools of Bard- well. He assisted in the labors of field and meadow through the period of his youth, and remained upon the farm until twenty-three years of age, when, determining to devote his life to the practice of dentistry, he entered the Louisville College of Dentistry, at Louisville, Kentucky. Therein he pursued a thorough and comprehensive course, and was graduated in the class of 1898. Returning to Bardwell, he then en- tered upon the practice of his profession in this town, and has gained a large patronage. He is a graduate of one of the best dental colleges of the country, and is thus well qualified for his chosen work. He also belongs to the Kentucky State Dental Society, and thus keeps in touch with the advancement that is continually being made by the profession. In politics he is a Democrat, and is a Knight Templar Mason, holding membership with the commandery at Paducah, Kentucky.
EDWIN FARLEY.
Edwin Farley, of Paducah, was born in Walworth county, Wis- consin, August 28, 1842, a son of Michael and Mary ( Dolan) Farley. His father was born in County Meath, Ireland, in 1809; was well educated and interested with his father in the manufacture of linens
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before he came to America in 1830. For the first six years after com- ing to this country he remained in New York, but in 1836 removed to Wisconsin, then still a territory, and there became a pioneer, and as a farmer became wealthy. In New York he married Mary Dolan, who was born in County Cavan, Ireland, in 1815. Both she and he were members of the Catholic church, and were strong abolitionists.
Edwin Farley was educated principally in the Elkhorn Academy, and when yet a youth enlisted, in August, 1861, in the Eighth Wis- consin Infantry, which became famous at the "Live Eagle Regiment," and was in the thickest of the fight in many of the vigorous campaigns in Mississippi, including the battles of Farmington, Corinth, Jackson (in two engagements), Vicksburg, Champion Hill, Yazoo City, Wood- ville and Franklin ( Mississippi) ; he was severely wounded at Iuka, Mississippi, in 1862, and was taken to Vicksburg, where he was paroled, returning to his regiment, January 1, 1863. Hle also took part in the charge upon Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, and was there during the siege. In October, 1863, he was commissioned first lieutenant in the Third Regiment, United States Cavalry, and was in this service till mustered out, January 26, 1866.
For two years after the close of his military services Mr. Farley was engaged as a cotton planter in Coahoma county, Mississippi, and in February, 1868, he went to Paducah, Kentucky, where for a short time he merchandized, but later engaged in the manufacture of staves for flour barrels. In 1871 he was appointed deputy collector and gauger of the second collection district of Kentucky, in which capacity he served the revenue department for five years. He resigned this posi- tion to engage in the wholesale grocery business in Paducah. Four years later President Arthur appointed him collector of internal reve-
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nue for the second collection district of Kentucky, with headquarters at Owensboro. He held this responsible position until Cleveland became president the first time.
In 1890 Mr. Farley was appointed postmaster of Paducah by Presi- dent Harrison, without having made application for the office. He served as postmaster till June, 1894. He is known by the title of cap- tain.
In 1884 Captain Farley was the Republican candidate for the legislature from his district in opposition to Meyer Weil, and should have been declared elected, for he had a majority of six votes on the first count, but a lost (?) sheet was found the next day which gave his Democratic competitor a majority of twenty eight votes and the honors and emoluments of the office. In 1888 he was the Republican candidate for Congress in the first district, and reduced the majority of the opposing party, in the "Democratic Gibraltar" of the state, 5,566 votes, the city of Paducah going Republican for the first time since the war. He was a candidate for the constitutional convention in 1890, but was defeated.
Captain Farley has long been active in politics, both local and national, and has been a trusted leader in his party. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a Knight Templar Mason.
In 1871 he married Ella M. Nunn, born in Paducah in 1852, and their children are William H., Marie, Edwin P., Maud, Rosela Ilda, Dora and Herbert Warren.
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GEORGE G. DAVIS.
George G. Davis, deceased, was born in Trenton, Virginia, in 1830. There he was reared and educated. He became an architect and build- ing contractor, and in 1849 first came to Paducah, the occasion of his coming being to superintend the construction of a marine hospital for the government at this point. This work finished, he decided to locate permanently in Paducah. Accordingly he remained here, and for years was the leading architect and building contractor of the city, following this vocation up to the time of his death, in 1892, his last work being the superintendency of the construction of the Palmer House. In his life work he met with unusual success. Many excellent buildings of Paducah and other cities stand as monuments of his architectural skill and construction work. Financially he was successful, and at death left a fair estate. He was a Knight Templar Mason, and was very fond of lodge work, and in fraternal circles was both prominent and popular.
In 1850 he married Miss Lucy Smedley, daughter of Captain John Smedley, an early resident and one of the founders of Paducah. Mrs. Davis, who survived her late husband, still resides in the old homestead in Paducah. She was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1832. She is one of the oldest members of the Baptist church of Paducah, having joined this church at a very early date. Her life has been that of an earnest and consistent Christian. Of her marriage with Mr. Davis were born the following children: Mary, widow of C. Kidd, resides in Paducah; George R .; Charles, deceased; Robert, deceased; Euclid, de- ceased; Rodney C .; and Lucy, deceased. Three of the children, two sons and a daughter, are living.
& Davis 4
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GEORGE R. DAVIS.
Among the leading citizens, business men and politicians of Pa- ducah, George R. Davis is one of the most widely and favorably known. He was born in this city February 28, 1857; received a fair literary education, and very early in life entered upon what has been an active and successful business career. In the year 1878 he established a sheet- iron and metal works in Paducah. The business prospered from the first, and in 1896 his brother, Rodney C. Davis, accepted a partnership with him, and since that date the style of firm has been George R. Davis & Brother. They have enjoyed a constantly increasing business in the manufacture of sheet iron, cornice and metal works for construction purposes, and as contractors in this line of business.
Mr. Davis married Miss Mary F. Clark, and they are numbered among Paducah's better circles of society. In politics he is a Democrat, and has held several official positions, among which has been that of city councilman and alderman. Mr. Davis is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Masonic order.
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