USA > Kentucky > Memorial record of western Kentucky, Volume I > Part 18
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RODNEY C. DAVIS.
Rodney C. Davis, the junior member of the firm of George R. Davis & Brother, was born in the city of Paducah, September 21, 1866. In the public schools he was educated, and when eighteen years of age became a clerk in the Paducah postoffice, remaining such until 1886, when he became a traveling salesman, first for J. Weil & Company, wholesale grocers of Paducah, in whose employ he remained till 1890, in which year he accepted a position with the Wenneker, Morris Candy
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Company of St. Louis, Missouri, for whom he traveled till 1896, since when he has been associated with his brother as a member of the firm of George R. Davis & Brother, manufacturers of and contractors for sheet iron and metal works.
Mr. Davis possesses more than ordinary business ability, and by those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance he is held in highest esteem. Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
JAMES DAVID LANDRUM.
There is no physician and surgeon of the Jackson Purchase more widely or favorably known than Dr. James David Landrum, of May- field, Kentucky. The Doctor is a native of Barren county, Kentucky, . and was born October 1, 1822. His parents were James and Nancy (Walden) Landrum. His father was born, reared and educated in Amherst county, Virginia. Ile removed from his native state to Ken- tucky and settled in Barren county in the year 1809; subsequently re- moved to Christian county, Kentucky, and died there in 1841. He was a farmer by occupation, and in church faith a Primitive Baptist. He was a son of Thomas Landrum, who died at Amherst Court House, Virginia, at the age of ninety-six years. Ile was a soldier of the Revolution, and his son, James, was a soldier of the war of 1812. The Landrums are of Scotch-Irish lineage.
Nancy (Walden) Landrum, the mother of our subject, was born in King William county, Virginia, and died in Graves county, Ken- tucky, at the age of sixty-two years. She married James Landrum in 1814. Her father, William Walden, was born in England, and moved to King William county, Virginia, and subsequently to Kentucky. He
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married Nancy Ann Rhodes, of the famous aristocratic Rhodes family of Virginia. He was a farmer by occupation, and in disposition a stern and determined character. Being displeased with his daughter's marriage, he disinherited her.
Dr. James David Landrum was educated in Christian county ; studied medicine under Drs. Shelton, Mckinney and Lindsay; also at Physio-Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, entering there in 1848 and graduating in 1853. His first partner in the practice of medicine was Dr. L. D. Shelton, at Lafayette, Christian county, Kentucky; later in Mayfield, from 1877 to 1892, he was associated with Dr. John L. Dismukes. In 1859 he was admitted to membership in the American Medical Association, and he is also a member of both the Graves County and the Southwestern Kentucky Medical societies. He has practiced medicine over a half century, and has kept abreast of the progress of the profession.
He has been twice married. He was married first, in 1850, to Catherine Robbins, who bore him the following named children: Wil- liam L., Thomas J. and John W. The Doctor's second marriage was to Mrs. Mary Virginia Anderson, nee Fisher.
In 1850 Dr. Landrum became a Mason. In 1864 he was grand master of the grand lodge of Kentucky. In 1895 he took the thirty- second degree, and to-day is one of the oldest Masons of the state and nation. In 1839 he joined the Christian church. Since 1871 he has been an elder of the church, and all his life he has been an active worker in the church. During the Civil war he was contract surgeon with General Grant from March to September, 1862, and then resigned. He was elected to the state senate in 1863 as a Union man, and served in the senate till 1867. Since then he has neither held nor sought office,
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yet he has ever espoused the principles of the Republican party. ' Never- theless he has for many years been an ardent temperance worker. He shares the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens, who recognize in him the highest type of American manhood and citizenship.
QUINTUS QUINCY QUIGLEY.
Quintus Quincy Quigley, of Paducah, Kentucky, was born in Paris, Tennessee, July 17, 1828. His father, James B. Quigley, a native of Pennsylvania and of Irish lineage, removed to Tennessee in 1820 and located in Paris. In 1829 he went to Clinton, Hickman county, Ken- tucky, and later to Milburn. He was prominently identified with the commercial interests of that section of the state as a merchant, manu- facturer and tanner, accumulating a considerable fortune. His death occurred November 5, 1861. His wife. Mrs. Martha Quigley, was a daughter of Mathew Ogburn, a Virginian, who, on moving to Tennes- see, located near Clarksville. He was of English descent and was one of the earliest settlers of Montgomery county, Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Quigley left five sons and a daughter. Four of the sons became lawyers. Lafayette, who was born in Clinton, Kentucky, in 1830, died in Paducah in 1858. He was educated in Cumberland College, at Princeton, Kentucky. He was a gifted orator, possessed a ready wit and captivating manner, and his adaptability enabled him to meet with wonderful tact either the humble or the great. A brilliant and suc- cessful career seemed opening for him when death came. Henry, who was born in Clinton, Kentucky, April 1, 1834, and died in 1872, studied law under the guidance of his brother, Q. Q. Quigley, and practiced his profession in Troy and St. Joseph, Missouri. His sterling charac-
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ter, his analytical mind, his fine attainments and high purposes made him an ornament to the Missouri bar. John G. was born September 16, 1838, and died in 1881. He entered the profession and practiced with great success in Arkansas and Texas.
Q. Q. Quigley was educated in his own home by private tutors, and when prepared for a collegiate course entered Cumberland College, at . Princeton, Kentucky, completing the entire classical course, with the exception of Greek. In October, 1848, he entered the law office of John W. Crockett, of Paducah, Kentucky, and was admitted to the bar in 1850, since which time he has been in active practice. He has devoted his time and talents to the law business entrusted to his care, eschewing politics and all other interests which would detract from his success as an attorney. The only exception that he has made to this rule was his acceptance of the office of trustee of the village of Padů- cah, and his service as city attorney at a later date. He drew up the original charter for the incorporation of Paducah, in 1856, and four years later he served as presidential elector of his district, supporting Bell and Everett. The high character of his law practice demonstrates his ability. Of broad culture and strong mentality, he is fully equipped for the profession which requires as profound, comprehensive and gen- eral knowledge as any to which man can devote his talents. He has been retained as counsel on some of the most important cases litigated in the Paducah district, and was the representative of the Prussian gov- ernment in the case of the extradition of Dessling-an attempt being made to arrest and extradite Dessling for fraudulent appropriation of money in Prussia. The case was hotly contested, and the prisoner was finally discharged on a writ of habeas corpus.
In February, 1853, Mr. Quigley wedded Miss Mary E. Husbands,
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daughter of J. B. Husbands. During the period of the war he re- moved to his father's farm, where he remained three years. They have five children : Bruce, Isaac M., Quintus St. C., John II. and Mary Quintina, now Mrs. Langstaff. Mr. Quigley is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity. He also holds membership in the Grace Episcopal church, served as vestryman for many years, and for fifteen years was superintendent of the Sunday-school.
WILLIAM SUTTON BISHOP.
William Sutton Bishop, deceased, judge of the second judicial circuit, and a resident of Paducah, was born in Trigg county, near Cadiz, on the 18th of July, 1839, a son of Joseph and Elizabethi ( How- ard) Bishop. The family removed from Trigg to Ballard county about 1845, and there Judge Bishop was reared to manhood on the home farm, learning from his outdoor life many valuable lessons, while sup- plementing the same by instruction in school. At the age of seven- teen he entered Transylvania University at Lexington, and later en- gaged in teaching school, following this profession from 1855 to 1860, inclusive.
The following year the country became engaged in Civil war, and with a loyal devotion to the south and the institutions amid which he was reared, he entered the service of the Confederate states as a inem- ber of the Seventh Kentucky Infantry, under the command of Colonel Crosslands. He continued at the front until the struggle was ended, and participated in a number of the most important battles of the war.
Upon his return home Mr. Bishop again taught school, and in January, 1867, was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Hart, daugh-
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ter of Samuel Hart, of McCracken county, Kentucky. He had read law under the preceptorship of Oscar Turner, member of congress from the first district of Kentucky, and in 1861 had been admitted to the bar, before entering the army. After his marriage he located in Bland- ville, and entered upon the pursuit of his chosen profession with Z. L. Bugg, under the firm name of Bugg & Bishop, which partnership was continued until 1879. Afterward, from 1890 to 1892, he was in part- nership with W. D. Greer, of Paducah. In 1879 he was elected to the office of judge of the common pleas court, in which he served for six years, when he was re-elected for a second term. When the common pleas courts were abrogated, and the first election occurred under the constitution of 1890, Mr. Bishop was elected judge of the second judi- cial district, comprising MeCracken and Marshall counties. This was in 1892, and his term covered a period of five years. He was a can- · didate before the convention of the Democratic party for a position on the bench of the court of appeals in 1896, but was defeated for the nomination after a spirited contest between himself, Malcolm Yeaman and. James D. White.
On the bench Judge Bishop was able, decided and carnest. He was thoroughly informed in the science of jurisprudence, his familiarity with all authorities having been extensive and accurate. He was espe- cially free from judicial bias, and his decisions were rendered with a fairness that appeals to. all. Many important suits came up for hear- ing before him, and but few cases were carried to the court of appeals, while very few, indeed, of his decisions were ever reversed. He had a strong legal mind, and reasoned on a legal proposition with rapidity and clearness, drawing his conclusions from his own analysis rather than from precedent.
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Judge Bishop had three children: Henry, William R. and Joseph. He attended the Methodist Episcopal church, and in early life affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His political support was given to the Democracy, but he was never a politician, preferring to devote his time and talents to the law.
JOHN LAWSON.
John Lawson, deceased, was familiarly known as Captain Jack Lawson. He was an honored citizen of Paducah. He lived to be more than four-score and ten years of age, and his career was as full of adventure, excitement and interest as it was full of years.
Captain Lawson was an Englishman by birth. He was born in Liverpool, August 18, 1805. He was a son of James and Sarah (Travis) Lawson, both natives of Liverpool, where they reared and educated their son and placed him to learn the trade of machinist, and as a machinist he built the first steam locomotive that was ever suc- cessfully operated in the world, and as engineer ran it between Liver- pool and Manchester. Later he built in the shops of the Stephenson Manufacturing Company, Liverpool, an engine for the little railroad from Baltimore to Green Springs, and was sent to this country by the manufacturers in charge of the engine, which he set up and engineered until his successor had learned how to run it. This was the first rail- way constructed in America, and the first locomotive engine operated in this country. The time and event was full of interest and attracted world-wide attention. Three separate delegations were sent by the managers of the World's Fair to induce Captain Lawson to go to Chicago as their guest, but he declined the honor. He was twenty-
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one years of age when he brought this locomotive to Baltimore; and thereafter he remained in Baltimore about three years, and then went to Philadelphia and assisted in the construction of the first locomotive built in the now celebrated Baldwin Locomotive Works, and rode in it on its first trip to Germantown. He was next employed as cugineer on the Petersburg & Roanoke River Railroad. Not long thereafter he went to Alabama, and remained there for three years, and was married to Emily Speed.
Captain Lawson now becomes interested in the great avenues of commerce on the western rivers, and embarks in the business of steam- boating. For over fifty years he traversed the waters of the Missis- sippi from New Orleans to the head of navigation, as well as all of the important tributaries of the "Father of Waters." He began his ca- reer on the river as an engineer, but he soon left the engine-room to take command of the vessel, and afterward was the builder and owner of many fine boats. When the Civil war came on he tendered to the authorities his boats for the use of the Confederacy. Seven of his boats, lying in the Yazoo river, before the siege of Vicksburg, were in danger of being captured by the Union army, and he burned the boats to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. He also built and fitted out the gunboat General Polk, which met a similar fate. He then enlisted in the Third Kentucky Regiment, and served as a private in the Confederate army until the close of the war.
About 1840 he came to Paducah, which place was thereafter the place of his residence. When the first railroad was built, connecting Paducah with the outside world, Captain Jack Lawson's experience as a locomotive engineer was again called into requisition, and for a time he was an engineer on the new road. However, he returned to the
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river, for at that time river transportation had not been superseded by the railway.
The Civil war closed, he returned to steamboating, and thereafter his operations were mainly confined to the Cumberland river. To some extent he recuperated his fortune, but he never fully recovered his heavy losses incident to the war.
The only office ever held by Captain Lawson was that of engineer of the government building in Paducah, to which position he was ap- pointed by President Cleveland during his first administration. IIe cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson, and his adherence to the principles of "Old Hickory" was never questioned. And he was just as steadfast in his religious faith, being for years a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. He was also a Knight Templar Mason.
October 16, 1891. his wife passed away in death. She was his companion for over sixty years. Their three children preceded her to the "great beyond" years ago. In the passing away of Captain Jack Lawson, Paducah, the state and the nation lost a worthy and notable character, and with pleasure we hand down to the rising generation a brief account of his career.
JOHN LEROY HALE, M. D.
For twenty years Dr. John Leroy Hale has engaged in the practice of medicine in Wickliffe, and for forty-seven years has been a repre- sentative of the medical fraternity. He was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, November 5, 1836, and is a son of Jesse and Mary (Stagg) Hale. He comes of an old Virginian family, his paternal grandparents,
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S. L. Hale
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Jesse and Nancy ( Huff) Hale, being natives of the Old Dominion. Removing westward they became pioneer settlers of Mercer county, Kentucky, where they lived for many years. It was in that county that Jesse Hale, the father of the doctor, was born, the year of his nativity being 1800. When he had arrived at adult age he wedded Miss Mary Stagg, who was born in Pennsylvania and was a daughter of Daniel and Mary (Conover) Stagg, who were natives of the Keystone state. James Stagg, her grandfather, was a captain of the colonial army in the Revolutionary war. Daniel Stagg removed from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, establishing his home in Mercer county, where he and his wife spent their remaining days. In Mercer county the parents of our subject were married, and there they lived for many years, afterward, however, removing to Hancock county, Kentucky, where both died. The father there followed various business pursuits, including farming and the practice of medicine, while other interests also claimed his time and attention. He died in 1875, and his wife passed away in 1881. They were the parents of six children, of whom five are yet living.
On the home farm Dr. Hale spent the days of his boyhood and yonth, and while he devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits in the summer months he spent the winter seasons in attending the public schools. When a youth of eighteen he began the study of medicine under the direction of his father, and at the age of twenty years entered upon his professional career as a physician of Mercer county, Kentucky. Desiring to become more proficient in his work he pursued a course in the medical department of the University of Louisville, and through- out his professional career he has read broadly, thus keeping in touch with the advance thought of the fraternity. In 1860 he left Mercer county, Kentucky, removing to Mississippi county, Missouri. He set-
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tled on Rush's Ridge about five miles from Birds Point, and there prac- ticed with success until 1883, when on account of high waters he left that locality and moved to Wickliffe, where for twenty years he has followed his chosen calling with marked success. He is a member of the Ballard County Medical Society.
In 1863 occurred the marriage of Dr. Hale and Miss Margaret Harvey, who died in 1873, leaving three children, but only one is now living, Albert H. Hale, insurance and land agent of Wickliffe. In 1875 the doctor wedded Mary Alice Watwood, who died in 1883, leaving one child, Olive, wife of Ernest Buchanan, a farmer of Ballard county. In 1884 he married his present wife, who was then Mrs. Addie Elliott, and whose maiden name was Addie Bizzell. Dr. Hale belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Missionary Baptist church. He is a broad-minded man whose development has never been so abnormal in one direction that he has become a genius, but whose work and interests along many lines have produced a well rounded character. In matters of citizenship he is public-spirited, and every thing pertaining to the material, social, intellectual and moral welfare of his community elicits his interests and often finds him a co-operant factor.
LUCIUS J. BRYANT.
Lucius Jones Bryant, who is cashier of the Bardwell Deposit Bank, and is widely and favorably known in financial circles in Bardwell and Carlisle county, was born in Weakley county, Tennessee, on the 19th of January, 1870, his parents being William Roland and Frances C. (Snodgrass) Bryant. The father was a native of North Carolina, and both he and his wife died when our subject was but ten years of age.
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Mr. Bryant was three times married, and Lucius J. was the youngest child of the third marriage.
During his early childhood Mr. Bryant had accompanied his parents to Texas, and it was in that state, in 1879, that both the father and mother departed this life. Lucius then returned to western Tennessee, and lived with his brothers and sisters until about seventeen or eighteen years of age. He then started out in life for himself. Entering the services of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, he learned telegraphy, and was in the employ of that company in the various capacities of operator and agent for some time, being stationed at a number of points along the line of the road. For four years he was agent at Bardwell, and after eleven years' connection with the company he resigned his posi- tion, to the regret of those whom he served, for his record was an un- tarnished one, characterized by fidelity to duty in every relation. On leaving the road he accepted the position of bookkeeper and assistant cashier in the Bardwell Deposit Bank, his connection with the institution dating from the latter part of 1900. In January, 1902, he was pro- moted to the position of cashier, and has since acted in this capacity. He is a popular official, and has gained favor with the public by rea- son of his unfaltering courtesy and obliging manner, while with the bank officials he has won the highest respect and confidence by reason of his marked faithfulness and the readiness with which he has mastered the business in its various departments.
In 1895 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Bryant and Miss Beulah Scott, a daughter of A. E. Scott, of Martin, Tennessee. Their children are Breto, Mary and Cynthia. In his political affiliations Mr. Bryant is a Democrat, and is a member of the Missionary Baptist church. Hle is superintendent of the Sunday-school, and takes a very active part
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in church work in all of its branches. In his fraternal relations he is a Master Mason and is now serving as secretary of the lodge. Mr. Bryant is a typical American citizen, enterprising, alert and progressive, and his business career demonstrates his force of character, his strong determination and his laudable ambition. Starting out in life on his own account, at an early age, he has since been dependent upon his own resources, and his advancement to his present excellent position has come in recognition of his capability and fidelity.
LINDSAY R. SUBLETT.
Lindsay R. Sublett, one of the prosperous farmers of Hickman county, Kentucky, was born in this county, August 30, 1869, and is a son of John C. and Anna M. (Ringo) Sublett. His paternal grand- father, James Sublett, was of French descent, while the maternal grandfather was James Ringo, who also came of French descent. John C. Sublett was a farmer and trader, and made his home in Hickman county. He was a Methodist, and politically a stanch Democrat. Fraternally he was a Mason, and was a highly respected citizen. He died at the age of sixty-five years. The mother of our subject is still living, aged sixty-five years, residing in Hickman county, Kentucky. Ten children were born to the parents, namely : William E .; James L., deceased; Luther, deceased; Susan A .; Joshua; Lindsay R .; Fairy, deceased; Cora; John; and Harry.
Lindsay R. Sublett was reared in Hickman county, and in the public schools and Clinton College was educated. His first undertaking in life was farming, and he has continued in this honorable pursuit, meeting with success, now owning one hundred acres of well improved
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land, which yields him good crops under his toil and management. In politics, like his father before him, he is a stanch Democrat but does not aspire to office. His religious affiliations are with the Baptist church. Mr. Sublett was married in 1901 to Florence Barton, who was born in Hickman county, December 15, 1876. She is well educated and has taught school with success. Mr. and Mrs. Sublett are numbered among the popular young people of their community and have many friends.
JAMES BRYSON- HUSBANDS.
James Bryson Husbands, of Paducah, was born in 1805, and died in 1885, after a long and honored connection with the bar of the state. Ilis parents were Harmon and Sarah ( Renshaw) Husbands. The former was born in 1776, and in 1805 removed with his family from Rowan county, North Carolina, to Christian county, Kentucky, where he followed his chosen pursuits of farming and surveying. He be- longed to a family long identified with the history of the south. His uncle, Harmon Husbands, was among those actively opposed to the royal authority in North Carolina, and so earnest were his labors in that direction that those in the service of the crown offered a reward for his apprehension. Ilis loyalty to the right and to the cause of liberty was strong within him. When he found that he could not remain safely in his native state he made his escape to the wilds of western Pennsylvania, where for a time he was engaged in fighting the Indians. After American independence was established he returned to North Carolina, and later participated in Bacon's rebellion, during which his life was saved by the intervention of Dr. Ben Franklin, a distant relative. The Husbands family is of English origin, and was
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