USA > Kentucky > Memorial record of western Kentucky, Volume I > Part 23
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Spanish-American war, he again tendered his services to his country, enlisting April 8, as a member of Company E, Third Kentucky Infantry, of which he was made corporal. He was in this service eighteen months. The war over, he received an honorable discharge at Columbus, Georgia, and returned to his home in Hopkinsville.
At the close of the Civil war, young Breathitt became a clerk in a dry-goods store in his native town, and was thus occupied for two years, at the end of which time he turned his attention to general farm- ing and continued the same until 1876. That year he was appointed deputy sheriff, a position he filled eight years. He served a number of years as deputy in the county clerk's office, in the office of county judge and also in the postoffice, and was two years in government employ, as storekeeper. He is now deputy postmaster under his father, biographical mention of whom will be found on another page of this work.
Mr. Breathitt is a Knight of Pythias, having membership in Lodge No. 38, Hopkinsville, and he is identified with the Grand AArmy of the Republic and the Baptist church.
ELDER KENDRICK MONROE MYATT.
Elder Kendrick Monroe Myatt, one of the most favorably known residents of Hickman county, Kentucky, was born in Dickson county, Tennessee, December 29, 1838. He is a son of Andrew J. and Per- melia E. (O'Kelly) Myatt. His father was of Scotch-Irish descent and his mother of Irish descent. His paternal grandfather was Kendrick Myatt, a son of John Myatt, a Revolutionary soldier, and a participant in the battle of Bunker Hill. John Myatt emigrated to America from Scotland, when a youth. Our subject's maternal grandfather was
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James O'Kelly, a son of James P. O'Kelly, who had the distinction of being the founder of the Protestant Methodist church of America.
Andrew J. Myatt was a farmer by occupation, and moved from North Carolina, his birthplace, to Tennessee, when a young man. In politics he was first a Whig, and subsequently a Democrat. In religious belief he was a Primitive Baptist. Fraternally he was a Master Mason. He departed this life at the age of sixty-four years, in the state of Tennessee. His wife survived him some seven or eight years, dying at the age of sixty-eight. There were seven children in the family, as fol- lows: Kndrick Monroe; James F .; Bettie; John O .; Rebecca P .; Mary C., deceased; Sarah J., deceased.
Elder Kendrick Monroe Myatt was reared and educated in Tennes- see, attending first the public schools and later Charlotte Academy. In politics he is a Democrat, but has never sought office. His religious training and belief have rendered him a Primitive Baptist. For more than twenty-five years Elder Myatt has preached the gospel.
During the Civil war he was in active service in the Confederate army, enlisting in September, 1861, and he took part in the battle at Fort Donelson. He served until the close of the war and then returned to civil duties in life. Fraternally he is a Master Mason, and is a de- vout and earnest Christian.
On November 3, 1858, he was married, in Tennessee, to Eliza J. Slayton, who was born in Tennessee, December 1, 1840. To this mar- riage seven children have been born, namely : Jackson E., who died at the age of thirty-nine years; James M., aged forty-one years; Josephine, who died at the age of three years; Emma C., now Mrs. T. C. Samuel; Ada E., who died at the age of eighteen months; Love P., now Mrs. Robert Samuel; John T., who died at the age of ten months.
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Mr. Myatt is very deeply beloved by his people and has brought countless numbers into the Kingdom of God through his eloquence as a preacher of the gospel and by reason of his righteous life. Although well advanced in years, he is a very powerful speaker, and sways his audience to a conviction of the sinfulness of man and the mercy of God. Much effective work has he done for the Master. His has been a useful life, and his record is spotless. His acquaintance is extensive, and his friends are co-extensive with his acquaintances.
WILLIAM MARBLE.
William Marble was born in Marion, Crittenden county, Kentucky, September 8, 18448. During his early childhood he accompanied his parents to Chicago and attended its public schools from 1858 to 1864. He was also instructed by Mr. Ballentine, a private tutor. He read law in the office of his father from October, 1865 until May, 1868, at which time he obtained a license to practice, having secured by special act of the legislature permission to be examined for the bar, as he was not then twenty years of age. Upon his admission he entered into partner- ship with his father, a relation which was maintained up to the time of the latter's death. When only twenty-one years of age he served as city judge, and for eight years he has filled the office of county attorney. He appears in most of the important cases in the county and in many of those of the fourth judicial circuit. He formerly resided at Princeton, but is now in Paducah, where he engaged in both civil and criminal law practice with William D. Greer,
On the 18th of February, 1885, Mr. Marble was married to Miss Anna Henry, a daughter of C. B. and Angeline ( Peters) Henry. Her
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mother was descended from one of the old Pennsylvania families of Quaker stock and was a sister of B. J. Peters, chief justice, for many years on the court of appeals of Kentucky. Mr. Marble is a Democrat, but takes no active part in political affairs.
JOHN EWIN KANE.
John Ewin Kane, attorney-at-law at Bardwell, Kentucky, was born at Bowling Green, Warren county, Kentucky, March 28, 1858. son of James and Elizabeth (Kirby ) Kane. The father was born in Ireland, but after he reached manhood came to America and located in Warren county, Kentucky, married Elizabeth Kirby, who was born near Bowling Green. Hle engaged in farming and was fairly successful. Tepl children were born to these parents, nine of whom are living. The father was a stanch Democrat.
John E. Kane was reared on the farm, and educated in the county schools until he was twenty-one. Hle then taught school one term and attended Clinton College, from which he was graduated in 1885. Mr. Kane was then appointed sergeant-at-arms of the superior court of Kentucky, and held the position five years, and during that time studied law, being admitted to the bar in Carlisle county in 1886, although he did not begin practice until 1890, since which date he has made his home in Bardwell. In the same year he was elected county attorney and served four years and a few months. He is a Democrat and very active in his party. In November, 1897, he formed a partnership with M. T. Shelbourne under the firm name of Shelbourne & Kane, which firm is regarded as one of the strongest law firms in western Kentucky.
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IGNATIUS A. SPALDING.
Ignatius A. Spalding, of Morganfield, has been a member of this place for a long period and has been identified with the interests of the city from his infancy, for his entire life has here been passed. Hle was born on the 3rd of December, 1833, a son of Ignatius A. and Ann (Huston) Spalding. His father was born in St. Mary's county, Mary- land, in 1790, and his business career was devoted to agricultural pur- suits and merchandising. He came to Kentucky with his parents at the age of three years, the family first locating in Washington county. llis wife was the daughter of William Huston, a lieutenant of Cap- tain Barnett's company of Colonel Washington's battalion, which was attached to the commands of Generals Greene and Morgan, in the war of the Revolution.
Mr. Spalding, of this review, was educated in the schools of Union county and at St. Joseph's College, of Bardstown, Kentucky. He was admitted to practice in 1860, and almost from the beginning has held marked precedence among the members of the bar of Union county, re- taining a clientele of so representative a character as alone to stand in evidence of his professional ability and personal popularity. His prac- tice has been general, embracing every department of the law, and he has been retained as counsel in nearly every case of importance that has been heard in the courts of this section of the state. In one particular his record is probably unparalleled : Throughout his long career he has al- ways succeeded in averting extreme penalties by his defense in criminal suits, life imprisonment or the death sentence never being inflicted upon one of his clients. He is an earnest and eloquent speaker, whose fervid utterances have the ring of truth and honest convictions, swaying the
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minds of the hearers, as with pathos, humor or logic he plays upon their emotions.
Whatever else may be said of the legal fraternity, it cannot be denied that members of the bar have been more prominent actors in pub- lic affairs than any other class of the community. This is but the natural result of causes which are manifest and require no explanation. The ability and training which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects for that which lies outside the strict path of his pro- fession, and which touch the general interests of society. Mr. Spald- ing has been an active factor in the political and public life of the county and has largely aided in shaping the policy of the state. He has been called to many offices of honor and trust, served as a member of the board of commissioners that erected the beautiful and substantial. court house of Union county and was the sole commissioner authorized to plan and erect the county jail, which is a model structure, combining the greatest security with humane provisions for the inmates. Mr. Spald- ing was also the author of the road law which was adopted and put into working force in Union county, and has since been incorporated in the general statute law of Kentucky and other southern states, to the great advantage of those sections where it is in use. He has been named by his county as its choice for congressional honors and has represented his district in both houses of the state legislature. He was the author of the constitutional provision providing for a board of rail- road commissioners of Kentucky, and has served on the board for five years prior thereto, while from 1888 until 1892 he filled the office of its chairman. He was once delegate at large from Kentucky to a Demo- cratic national convention, and was an active and influential member of the constitutional convention of 1890, which framed the present organic
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law of the state. He is most conscientious and faithful in the discharge of every trust committed to his care, his loyalty to the best interests of the state is above question and his name is closely identified with measures which have proved of great benefit to the commonwealth. Ilis address is pleasant, free from all affectation, with voice and gesture well in accord with the thought which ever dominates his utterances, unobscured by the adornments of rhetorical effect or elocutionary power, which, however, he can use with telling effect when occasion demands.
Mr. Spalding was married in 1855 to Miss Susan A. Johnson, of McLean county, Kentucky, a daughter of John and Lucy ( Huston) Johnson. They have one son, J. J. Spalding, now a practicing lawyer of Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Spalding wields a strong influence in the councils of the Democratic party, is esteemed by his neighbors, valued as a friend and accorded a leading place at the Union county bar.
JOHN WILLIAM BLUE.
John William Blue, attorney-at-law of Marion, Kentucky, was born in Crittenden county, this state, March 29, 1861, a son of John William and Frances M. (Baldwin) Blue, the former of whom was born in Union county, Kentucky, in 1828, and died in Marion in 1878, while the mother was born in Lyon county, Kentucky, and died in Marion in 1893. The father was a son of Solomon and Mahala ( Kearney) Blue, both natives of Kentucky.
John W. Blue was reared and educated in Marion and studied law in his father's office, being admitted to the bar in 1885, since which time he has practiced his profession in Marion. Ile was associated with his father and then with Senator Deboe, until 1897, and is now the
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partner of C. S. Nunn. From 1890 to 1895 he was county attorney, and is now mayor of Marion, serving his second term in that position. He has been a trustee of the graded schools since 1895 and president of Marion bank since 1899, and prior to that was vice-president of this bank. He and his partner, Mr. Nunn, opened a zinc mine in Crittenden county, and shipped their first carload of ore in 1901. In politics he is a Democrat; fraternally is a Knight Templar Mason and a Knight of Pythias.
In 1891 he married Mary Wilson, a daughter of W. F. Wilson, deceased. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and acted as a delegate to the general assembly of his denomination in 1897.
STEPHEN POLIVICK.
Stephen Polivick is one of the self-made and successful farmers and business men of Carlisle county. He was born in Graves county, Ken- tucky, on the Ioth of March, 1863. His parents were George and Nancy (Crabtree) Polivick. The father was a native of Savonia, Ger- many, and when only nine years of age went to sea. Not long after- ward he came to the United States, and from New Orleans made his way northward to Paducah, Kentucky. There he became a grocer, fol- lowing the business for several years, and it was there that he was united in marriage to Miss Crabtree, whose birth occurred in Tennes- see. They afterward took up their abode in Graves county, Ken- tucky, and subsequently came to Carlisle county, where Mr. Polivick died at the age of seventy-two years. He was a most energetic and enterprising man, possessed of marked force of character, strong indi- viduality and unfaltering purpose. He carried forward to successful
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completion whatever he undertook, if his aim could be accomplished through honorable effort. His wife died when about fifty-eight years of age, surviving her husband only a short time. They were the parents of the following children: Less and Jim, who are now deceased; Noah E., a resident farmer of Carlisle county ; Rosa, who is the wife of J. B. Tankersley, of Carlisle county ; Stephen; Henry L., who follows farm- ing in Carlisle county ; and John L. and George, who are also engaged in agricultural pursuits.
In the usual manner of farmer lads, Stephen Polivick was reared, and. gained a common school education, fitting himself for life's practical duties. On attaining his majority he started out on his own account, and has since been dependent upon his own resources for a living. He began at railroad construction work and was afterward engaged in the operation of a sawmill for three years, but during the greater part of his life lie has followed farming. Recently he has been very actively en- gaged in railroad construction work, as a contractor, meeting with grat- ifying success. His marked energy has been the salient feature in his career, and his success proves what can be accomplished when one has the will to dare and to do.
In 18944 occurred the marriage of Mr. Polivick and Miss Pattie Young, daughter of W. Il. Young, of Carlisle county, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Polivick are the parents of three children : George Young, Robert Hinkle and Gladys. Mr. Polivick votes with the Democracy and gives to it his earnest support, believing firmly in its principles. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The success which he has achieved is the merited reward of his own labor, and his life history is another evidence of the fact that in this land where opportunity is unhampered by caste or class the ambitious young
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man can work his way upward, gaining success that wins for him the admiration and respect of his fellow men.
IVY WALKER SPICER.
Ivy Walker Spicer, one of the prominent representatives of the farming interests of Hickman county, Kentucky, was born in this county, August 24, 1860, and is the son of James and Fannie ( Luton) Spicer. The father was born in South Carolina, and was a son of Thomas Spicer, also born in South Carolina.
James Spicer was a Methodist minister and became a pioneer of Hickman county, where he wrought much good, and became highly respected for his many excellent qualities of both heart and mind. In politics he was a Democrat, but never sought office. He was a good citizen, a consistent Christian, a devoted husband and father, and made the world better for having lived in it. His death occurred when he was sixty-five years of age. His wife died at the age of sixty-three years, about a year before her husband. Eleven children were born to this worthy couple, namely : Henry T., Nancy J., deceased, King S., James C., George W., Joseph, Elbert W., Adam C., William L., Ferrell and Ivy Walker.
Ivy Walker Spicer is the youngest of the above named children, and was reared in Hickman county, and educated in its public schools. At the age of twenty-one years, with very little capital, he began the battle of life for himself as a farmer and stock trader, and so successful has he been that he now owns a fine two hundred-acre farm, and is one of the leading citizens of Hickman county. In politics he is an ardent Democrat. In religious affiliations he could scarcely be other
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than a Methodist, because of the example of his revered father before him.
On August 16, 1894, he was married to Miss Nettie Ward, born in fickman county, May 22, 1872, and a daughter of Wiley and Elizabeth (Meacham) Ward. Two children have been born to them, namely : Ethel, born April 2, 1897, and Frances E., born March 19, 1901.
KING S. SPICER.
King S. Spicer, a prosperous farmer and well-known resident of Hickman county, Kentucky, was born December 16, 1843, and is a son of James and Fannie (Luton) Spicer. The father was born in South Carolina, and was a son of Thomas Spicer, who was born in North Carolina.
The father of our subject was a Methodist minister and became an early settler in Hickman county. While a Democrat in politics, he never sought office. He possessed excellent traits of character, and lived an exemplary Christian life. At the time of his death he was sixty-five years of age. His wife died at the age of sixty-three years. She was a loving and devoted mother, and bore her husband the follow- ing children, namely: Henry T .; Nancy J., deceased; King S .; James C .; George W .; Joseph; Elbert W .; Adam C .; William L .; Ferrell; and Ivy Walker.
King S. Spicer was reared and educated in Hickman county, at- tending the country schools. Starting out in life at the age of twenty years with very little capital, he engaged in farming and stock-dealing. Success attended his efforts and he soon became a prosperous man. He is now the owner of a fine and well-improved farm of one hundred and
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six acres, and is numbered among the most prominent farmers of Hick- man county. In politics he is a Democrat ; is a Methodist in religious views, and has been a Master Mason for thirty-six years.
Mr. Spicer participated in the Civil war, having enlisted in 1863, in the Confederate army. He served under General Forrest, with Chea- tom as brigadier-general and participated in the battles of Harrisburg and Crossroads, as well as in numerous skirmishes, and proved himself a brave and gallant soldier.
In 1861 he was married to Miss Sallie Frazer, who died in March, 1863, leaving one son, Robert, who died at the age of eight months. On December 28, 1865, he married Miss Adaline E. Meacham, who was born in Todd county, Kentucky, in September, 1846. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Spicer, namely : Fannie, born October 12, 1867; Fred M., born November 29, 1872; and Edgar T., born Sep- tember 12, 1876.
WILLIAM LEE VIA.
William Lee Via, a well-known and prosperous farmer of Hick- man county, Kentucky, was born in this county, March 25, 1849, a son of David C. and Harriet E. ( Bone) Via. His paternal grandfather was Roland Via, while his maternal grandfather was Samuel Bone.
David C. Via was a. farmer by occupation. He came to Ken- tucky when a young man. In politics he was a Democrat, and re- ligiously was a member of the Methodist church. His death occurred in 1882, when he was sixty-six years of age. His wife died at the age of fifty-five years. Ten children were born to them, namely: Mary A .; William L .; Harriett Allice; James J., deceased; David T .; Samuel
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B., deceased; Martha D., deceased; and three others that died in in- fancy.
The early life of William Lee Via was spent upon his father's farm, and he was educated in the public schools of his native county. Like his father he is a Democrat in political faith. In religious affilia- tions he is a member of the Christian church, and has been for twenty- two years. Beginning with a small capital, he began life as a farmer, and has been very successful, now owning ninety acres of excellent land, nearly all under a good state of cultivation.
. On October 17, 1872, he married Mary E. Wray, born in Hick- man county, September 28, 1855. Five children have been born of this marriage, namely : Bernice, born April 22, 1874, died aged seven- teen months; Lela, born June 9. 1875, died aged three years; Fannie E., born May 13, 1877; James D., born September 1, 1879; and Mary A., born April 11, 1888, died aged four years. Mr. Via is justly regarded as one of the representative farmers of the community, and the suc- cess he has attained comes through his own unaided efforts.
JOHN V. FOWLER.
John V. Fowler, one of the representative men of Hickman county, Kentucky, was born in Humphreys county, Tennessee, Sep- tember 17, 1846, and is a son of Thomas J. and Louisa ( Vanhook) Fowler, both born in Tennessee. The paternal grandfather was William Fowler, who was born in North Carolina, and the maternal grandfather, Robert Vanhook, was of German descent.
Thomas J. Fowler was a farmer by occupation and made his home in Tennessee. In politics he was a Democrat, and religiously was a
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member of the Methodist church, dying in that faith, in 1857, aged seventy years. His wife survived him three years, dying in 1860, at the age of forty years. She was his third wife. By his first wife he had seven children, as follows: William, Agnes, Minerva, Samuel, George, James and Sterling; by his second wife he had three children, namely : Lucy, Allen S. and Thomas J. The third wife bore him four children, namely : John V .; Robert V., who died at the age of six years; Will- iam V., who died at the age of two years; and Eliza V., still living.
John V. Fowler was reared in Tennessee, and had no educational advantages. In politics he is a Democrat, and fraternally is a Master Mason. In 1864 he enlisted in the Confederate army, and served four months or until the close of the war. Five brothers were in the Con- federate army, namely: George; James, killed in the battle of Chicka- mauga; Sterling, who died on his way home; Allen, who was dis- charged at Gainsville; and Thomas, who served two years.
Mr. Fowler began the battle of life for himself with limited means, but by hard work he has become a prosperous farmer, owning one hundred and sixteen acres of excellent land. While residing in Hum- phreys county, Tennessee, he was married to Mary Balthrop, August 17, 1865. She was born in Dickson county, Tennessee, July 7, 1844. Eleven children have been born of this union, namely: James H .; George M., who died in infancy; Asilla, who died in infancy; Bettie J. and Mary E., twins; Emma B., deceased; William D .; Thomas; Anna A .; John W .; and Nora Lee. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler are very highly respected throughout the community in which they reside, and they have a wide circle of personal friends.
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THOMAS WASHINGTON MOORE.
Thomas Washington Moore, one of the most prosperous farmers of Hickman county, Kentucky, was born in this county February 6, 1800, a son of William J. and Mary .A. (Hayden) Moore. The paternal grandfather was Ira Moore, of Irish descent, while the ma- ternal grandfather was James Hayden, and was of German descent.
William J. Moore was born in Hickman county, and by occupa- tion was a farmer, making his home in his native county. In politics he was a Democrat. He died October 27, 1900, aged nearly eighty- one years, firm in the faith of the Missionary Baptist church, after a membership of sixty-one years. The mother is still living, aged seventy years. Eleven children were born to them, namely: Sarah E ... James S., Emily F., Thomas W., Henry B., Ada, deceased, Christopher F., Ella M., Lillian .J., Robert and Luther B.
Thomas W. Moore was reared and educated in Hickman county, and attended the public schools and Clinton College. He began farm- ing and stock-dealing quite early in life, and has continued in these lines ever since. Commencing without a dollar, he is now the owner of a farm of one hundred and forty-six acres, and is a member of the stock firm of Spicer Brothers and Moore. Like his father, he is a Democrat in politics. He is a deacon in the Springhill Baptist church.
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