USA > Kentucky > Memorial record of western Kentucky, Volume II > Part 15
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JAMES M. BELL.
James M. Bell, deceased, was born in Muhlenberg county, Ken- tucky, July 2, 1815, and died in McCracken county, Kentucky, October 8, 1889. He was a son of William and Sarah (Knight) Bell, who were from North Carolina. The children of these worthy people were as fol- lows : Samuel, William Jesse, James, Wiley, Liza, Betsie and Polly.
James M. Bell was reared in his native county, and in 1845 he mar- ried Mary E. Hall, born in Todd county, Kentucky, December 13, 1825. She was taken when a child by her parents to Logan county, where she was reared. She was a daughter of Micagie and Harriet (Duval) Hall, the former of whom was born in North Carolina, and the latter in Maryland. They had the following children : John, Mary E., Aman- da, Eliza, Susan, Jane, William, Marian, Rebecca and Taylor.
After his marriage Mr. Bell resided one year in Muhlenberg county, and then came to MeCracken county, Kentucky, and there lived the re-
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mainder of his days. To himself and wife were born the following chil- dren : Wiley, Jessie, Anna, Susan, John William (known as Dick), Frank, deceased, Ellen, Lizzie, deceased, and Malla. Mr. Bell was a very estimable man, a good neighbor and friend and one who never refused to assist a person less fortunate than himself. His demise was mourned not only by his family, but by a large circle of warm personal friends.
W. JESSE BELL.
W. Jesse Bell, one of the successful business men of Paducah, Ken- tucky, was born in McCracken county, Kentucky, February 24, 1847, and is a son of James M. and Mary E. (Hall) Bell. His father was born in Muhlenberg county, Kentucky, and his mother was born in Logan county, Kentucky. His father became an early settler of Mc- Cracken county, and was a farmer by occupation, becoming very suc- cessful in his undertakings. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. Dur- ing a long and useful life he was honorable and charitable and was a most highly esteemed gentleman.
Mr. Bell was reared upon a farm, and on account of the war re- ceived but limited educational advantages. During his business career he has engaged in farming, and was a bridge and road contractor for a number of years.
In 1881 he was married to Miss Lizzie Aker, who was born in Mississippi. The children born to this happy union were as follows : Clarence K., Mamie, Ray H., Jesse, Lulu and Herman. In politics Mr. Bell is a Democrat, but has never desired office.
In addition to carrying on general farming Mr. Bell is a very suc- cessful dairy farmer and owns one hundred and sixty acres of excellent
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farming land. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the
Baptist church. Fraternally he is a Master Mason. The whole family are held in highest esteem throughout the entire neighborhood.
JAMES BUCHANAN RAY.
James Buchanan Ray, a successful attorney-at-law and a prominent citizen of Paducah, Kentucky, was born at Blandville, Ballard county, Kentucky, February 25, 1876. He is a son of William C. and Fannie E. (Hall) Ray, natives of Hardin county and Ballard county, respective- ly. William C. Ray is now a leading lawyer of Bardwell. Kentucky, and a very highly respected citizen of that place.
James Buchanan Ray was about seven years of age when his parents moved from Blandville to Bardwell, and in the latter city he attended high school and later entered the Northern Indiana Normal School, at Valparaiso, Indiana. Later he was sent to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he completed the course prescribed and was commissioned second lieutenant of the United States Infantry, but shortly afterwards resigned to engage in the study of law in the Uni- versity of New York. In the summer of 1900 Mr. Ray was admitted to the Kentucky bar, and first began his professional career at Bardwell, Kentucky, but January 1, 1901, he located at Paducah for the purpose of continuing his law practice, believing that city offered excellent opportunities in this direction. Here he rapidly rose both professionally and politically, and in January, 1903, was made private secretary to Judge J. T. Munn, of the Kentucky court of appeal at Frankfort, Ken- tucky. Earlier in life Mr. Ray taught for a brief period in the country schools, and later was professor of mathematics in Peekskill Military
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University, a branch of the State University of New York. Mr. Ray is an active worker in the Democratic ranks and prominent in fraternal circles, being a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and also of the Order of Red- men. He is a member of the Baptist church and gives liberally towards its support.
WILLIAM WESLEY RICHMOND, M. D.
A prominent factor in the affairs of Clinton, Kentucky, is the gentleman whose name graces this sketch, Dr. William Wesley Rich- mond. Dr. Richmond was born on a farm in Hickman county, Ken- tucky, April 7, 1846, son of William and Harriet T. ( Woods) Rich- mond, both natives of Tennessee, the former born near Nashville and the latter at Pulaski. The Doctor's paternal grandfather, Joseph Rich- mond, was born near Richmond, Virginia, and in Tennessee became a wealthy planter and the owner of a large number of slaves. Grand- father Woods, also, was a Virginian by birth. From Virginia he went first to Tennessee and subsequently to Kentucky. In Hickman county, Kentucky, the Doctor's parents were married, and his father was en- gaged in farming here at the time of his death, which occurred at the age of thirty years. He left two children: Mrs. Annie E. Alsop, a widow, now residing in Clinton, Kentucky; and William Wesley. The mother subsequently became the wife of Rev. Willis White, a Baptist minister, by whom she had three children. She died at the age of fifty-six years.
In his native county Dr. Richmond grew to manhood, his education being received in Clinton Seminary. Previous to his taking up the study of medicine he farmed a few years, and for one year taught school.
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In the office of the late Dr. George Beeler, of Clinton, he prepared himself for entering a medical college, and in March, 1874, he grad- uated in the medical department of the University of Louisville. In July following his graduation, he began the practice of his profession. at Crutchfield, Kentucky, where he remained eight and a half years, and from there came to Clinton. Here he has since resided. In addition to his medical course at Louisville, he took a post-graduate course at Chicago in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, in 1893. Dr. Richmond has a well equipped office, is a constant student, and is up-to- date in everything respecting his profession.
HIe is a member of the Southwestern Kentucky Medical Society, of which he was president in 1886; Hickman County Medical Society ; Kentucky State Medical Association, of which he was elected first vice president in 1898, and president in May, 1902; and Amerian Medical Association. In 1890 Dr. Richmond read a valuable paper on "Progress of Surgery" before the Southwestern Kentucky Medical Society; in 1894 he read a paper on "Remittent Fever" before the Kentucky State Medical Association, and he is also the author of numerous other valu- able articles on medical subjects, one being "Advancement of Materia Medica." He served one term as a member of the medical examining board of the first district of Kentucky, to which office he was elected in 1886. At this writing he is chairman of the Hickman county board of health, and referee to the state board of health for the county. While Dr. Richmond is enthusiastically devoted to his profession, he is broad-minded and public-spirited, and has not confined his influence and activities to it. He was one of the founders of the Clinton Bank, and is one of its directors; and since 1882 he has been a trustee of Clinton College. He is a worshiper at the Baptist church, of which he is a
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consistent member, and he maintains fraternal relations with the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias.
Dr. Richmond was married in 1879 to Miss Lucy E., daughter of Judge Charles S. Marshall, of Paducah, Kentucky ; and they have had three children, namely : Fannie Dudley, Hallie Ezell and William Mar- shall. ' The last named is deceased. Mrs. Richmond is also a member of the Baptist church.
CLARENCE M. MARTIN.
Clarence M. Martin, a prosperous tobacconist of Paducah, Ken- tucky, was born in Muhlenberg county, Kentucky, July 19, 1878. He is a son of Joseph R. Martin, of Paducah, and also a well known tobacco- nist of Greenville and Louisville. Joseph Martin is a native of the same county and state as his son, and is a very prominent business man in Paducah as well as the other cities mentioned. The Martin family orig- inated the celebrated "Greenville Tobacco," and has long been associated with the best tobacco interests of the state. The mother of our sub- ject bore the maiden name of Mary K. Dennis, and was also born in Ken- tucky.
Mr. C. M. Martin was reared in his native county, and was educated at Greenville. For his first business venture he acted as cashier of the First National Bank of Greenville, but in 1899 he located in Paducah, and since then has very successfully conducted a tobacco business, being a heavy exporter of tobacco.
In 1900 he was united in marriage with Louise S. Bordine, of Hen- derson county, Kentucky. In religious faith both Mr. and Mrs. Martin are Methodists. Politically he is a stanch Democrat and stands high in
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the councils of his party. The success which has attended Mr. Martin from the first has been justly obtained through earnest endeavor and the exercise of natural business ability.
LAZARUS W. POWELL.
Lazarus W. Powell, of Henderson, jurist, United States senator and governor of Kentucky, was born in Henderson county, October 6, 1812, and died in the city of Henderson, July 3, 1867. He was the contemporary of Henry Clay, Robert Wickliffe and others who have made the bar of the state famous, and on the roll of Kentucky's emi- nent lawyers his name is also deeply engraved. His father was Cap- tain Lazarus Powell, who located on a large tract of land in Henderson county in 1800. His mother, Mrs. Ann Powell, was a daughter of Captain James McMahon, of Henderson county, a soldier of the war of 1812, who served with Kentucky's volunteers.
Lazarus W. Powell early exhibited those traits of character which in his later life caused him to be so loved and honored wherever he was known. He availed himself assiduously of the meager privileges for education afforded in the early days, attending the primary school taught by MeEwell Wilson in the village of Henderson, later becoming a pupil of George Gayle, a gentleman of rare talent and ability as a teacher. Mr. Powell acquired a fair academic education and determined upon the practice of law as a life work. To this end he sought to enter upon legal studies at the age of eighteen, but was dissuaded from so doing and advised to first secure the advantages of a college education. With the assistance of Hon. Philip Thompson, of Owensboro, a distinguished lawyer of that day, and of Hon. John Rowan, of Bardstown, he visited
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St. Joseph's College in September, 1830, and arranged for the comple- tion of his literary education in that institution. Stimulated by the de- sire of speedily entering on his chosen profession, he finished the course in three years, 1830-3, and was graduated with honor. He then en- tered the office of Hon. John Rowan to study law, and brought to his pursuit the same eagerness, application and industry which had distin- guished his work in college. He was fortunate in having for his pre- ceptor one of the master minds of the day, for Judge Rowan was not only a well-read lawyer, but a profound scholar of rare intellect. His diction was always elegant and his speech without seeming effort. At Bardstown, Mr. Powell was in the courts where such men as Hon. Ben Hardin, Hon. Charles A. Wickliffe and Benjamin Chapeze were in active practice, and there he learned to contrast their powers, note their great strength and subject their arguments to the test of his own reason and thus to distinguish between logic and sophistry. He learned, too, under the inspiration of their impassioned eloquence, how to touch the hearts of the people, how to win their confidence and respect.
The deep interest manifested by his preceptor and those with whom he associated in the political issues of the day naturally awakened Mr. Powell's interest in the same questions and eventually led him to take part in the business of legislation. He remained with Judge Rowan until the winter of 1834-5, when he entered the law department of Transylvania University, where he received instruction from Hon. George Robertson and Hon. Daniel Mayes, the former regarded as the most profound legal theorist of the state and his reputation being as wide as the country. At Lexington Mr. Powell diligently prosecuted his studies and familiarized himself with the practical part of his pro- fession by attendance upon the proceedings of the courts of that city,
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where he became acquainted with the methods of such eminent jurists as Henry Clay, Robert Wickliffe, Judge Thomas W. Hickey, A. K. Wooley, Charlton Hunt, James Cowan and M. C. Johnson, active prac- titioners at the bar. In 1835 he returned to Henderson county and be- gan the practice of the law, entering upon a successful career. A few months later he became associated with Archibald Dixon, later United States senator, which relationship was continued until 1839. Mr. Powell's high reputation as a lawyer was built upon his careful analysis of causes. He invariably prepared his cases with thoroughness and entered the court room ready to meet every possible objection that might be raised by the opposing counsel, whether it concerned the law bearing on the case or previous judicial decisions. His address, either to the court .or jury, was always forcible and often eloquent.
His political career was alike able and honorable. In July, 1836," on the earnest solicitation of his friends, he became the nominee of the Democratic party for state representative, and although Henderson county was considered a stronghold of the Whig party, he made a thorough canvass and was elected, much to the surprise of his opponent. He gave careful attention to his legislative duties and labored earnestly for the best interests of the state. In 1838 he was renominated, but failed of election. In 1844 he was nominated "district elector" and canvassed his own and adjoining districts in support of James K. Polk for president of the United States. This canvass brought him promi- nently before the people of western Kentucky, and laid the foundation of that personal popularity which enabled him later to serve his party in more important positions. In the spring of 1848 he was nominated by the Democracy for governor, his opponent being the distinguished J. J. Crittenden, then United States senator from Kentucky. The Demo-
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cratic political creed was made known and defined; the constitution, the great charter of the people's liberties, was the text upon which he and his associates in the canvass based their right to a hearing and their appeal to the reason of those whom they addressed. The canvass was a substantial triumph, though it ended in the defeat of the constitutional party.
In 1851 Mr. Powell was again made the standard-bearer of the Democracy, and his opponent for gubernatorial honors was Hon. Archi- bald Dixon, a resident of Henderson, and a life-long friend of Mr. Powell,-at one time, indeed, his law partner. They made a joint can- vass of the state, traveled together, stopping at the same hotels and eat- ing at the same table and speaking from the same platform. They ex- hibited toward each other a cordiality of demeanor and friendly spirit rarely witnessed between political antagonists. Mr. Powell was elected by a small majority, while Hon. Robert HI. Wickliffe, the candidate for lieutenant-governor on the same ticket, was defeated by the Hon. John P. Thompson by several thousand votes. He was inaugurated gov- ernor of Kentucky, September 5, 1851, and although the legislature was largely composed of Whigs he so conducted the affairs of his great office-his course being characterized by the most sincere fidelity to the interests of the commonwealth- that the most exacting of his political opponents acknowledged that his entire policy was conceived and car- ried out with reference to the vast responsibilities that rested upon him as the chief executive of the state.
In 1858 he was appointed by the president of the United States, James Buchanan, one of two commissioners to proceed to Utah and arrange for a peaceful submission of the people of that territory to gov- ernmental authority, which work was successfully accomplished. In
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1859 he was elected to the United States senate for the full term of six years, and served throughout the period of the war, closing his official career in 1865. He entered the senate at a time of great political ex- citement. In both houses congress was largely ruled by fanaticism or passion; the seeds of suspicion and hatred were sown broadcast over the whole land, and few men could calmly view the situation or discuss with fairness the questions of the time. Mr. Powell was peculiarly situated. He was a strict interpreter of the constitution, a strong supporter of the Union, but was opposed to coercion. His was a unique position throughout his term in the United States senate. Believing strongly in the supremacy of the national government, he was at the same time able to judge of affairs at the south with greater fairness and exactness than northern statesmen, who knew little of the situation in the disputed territory save from exaggerated reports which swept over the land. In. July, 1861, Mr. Powell delivered a very strong address against the sus- pension of the writ of habeas corpus, and in January, 1862, spoke on the "resolutions of inquiry" in regard to the arrest and detention of certain citizens of Delaware, denouncing such arrests as a subversion of all con- stitutional rights. In February, 1862, he was called upon to defend himself on the floor of the senate against a resolution charging him with disloyalty, which was prepared by his colleague in the senate, Gar- rett Davis, but presented by the senator from Minnesota. In a speech, the most elaborate, logical and eloquent of his life, he conclusively es- tablished the loyalty of his public acts, the consistency and constitutional- ity of his opposition to the war, and overwhelmed his enemies with de- feat. This address gained him a national reputation and endeared him to the friends of liberty all over the land. On the 5th of January, 1863, Senator Powell introduced into the senate a resolution in reference to 37
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General Grant's manifesto issued on the 17th of December, 1862, by which Jews as a class were expelled from the department of the Tennes- see and made an appeal for constitutional liberty and human privileges, and in the same speech arraigned the government for its interference, through the military forces, with the free exercise of the right of fran- chise in Kentucky. In 1864 he opposed the constitutional amendment looking to the freeing of slaves. He withdrew from the contest for re-election to the senate in a letter 'to the public that breathed a spirit of true patriotism. His political integrity was without blemish and his public career one of singular unity and consistency.
On the 8th of November, 1837, Mr. Powell married Miss Harriett Ann Jennings, daughter of Captain Charles Jennings. Her death oc- curred July 30, 1846, and her husband afterward devoted himself to his children with untiring care and attention. Three sons survived him at his death-James Henry, Charles Jennings and Richard.
Lazarus W. Powell was a most genial gentleman, always true to his principles and his friends, ever ready to forgive those who had done him injury, such was his magnanimous spirit. He was very sympathetic in the presence of human misery and bereavement and to the poor he was a liberal benefactor. He was of fine personal ap- pearance, above medium height, was well proportioned, with a broad, noble forehead that gave evidence of the exalted ideas which guided him in all his actions. Although he never allied himself with any church he was a believer in the Bible and familiar with the contents of the sacred volume. His life was pure, true and upright in all things, and when death came he departed from the scene of his earthly activity as one who
"Wraps the drapery of his couch
About him and lies down to pleasant dreams."
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HENRY FIELDING TURNER.
Henry Fielding Turner, who has been a most important factor in the development of Henderson, is numbered among the valued citizens of that place and ranks among the able representatives of the legal fraternity in Kentucky.
Hle was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, April 29, 1829, and is connected with some of the oldest and best known families in Virginia, Kentucky and the south generally. His grandfather, Lewis Elzey Turner, married Theodosiz Payne, daughter of Colonel Edward Payne, in Virginia, and in 1782 removed with the Lewis and Payne families (between whom there was a relationship) to Kentucky, locating in Fayette county in its pioneer days. His son, Fielding Lewis Turner, the father of Henry Fielding Turner, was born in Loudoun county,. Virginia, but was reared in Fayette county on his father's farm. Hc studied law and at an early age removed to Natchez, Mississippi, where he acquired a large practice, which he turned over to his youngest brother, Edward Turner, who afterward became chief justice of Mis- sissippi. From Natchez Fielding Lewis Turner removed to New Or- leans, where he practiced law and became judge of the criminal court of Louisiana. There his fearless and just enforcement of the law brought order out of chaos and established a sense of safety where one of fear and distrust had existed. On the 21st of September, 1817, he married Caroline Augusta Sargent, daughter of Governor Winthrop Sargent of Louisiana. Later he returned to the old Kentucky home- stead in Fayette county, where he practically lived a retired life, devot- ing his time to agriculture and literary pursuits. He died in October, 1843, survived by four children.
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The eldest son, Oscar Turner, was born February 5, 1825, in New Orleans, but was reared and educated in Kentucky, graduating in the law department of Transylvania University in 1846. He lived upon his farm in Ballard county, Kentucky, and was a successful lawyer in the first judicial district, representing the commonwealth as its attorney under the constitution of 1850. He also represented his district in congress for three successive terms, being each time elected as an inde- pendent Democrat. He died in Louisville, Kentucky, in January, 1896.
Henry Fielding Turner, like his brother, was graduated in the law department of Transylvania University, at Lexington, in 1849. He was by special act of the legislature permitted to practice before his majority, and entered upon the prosecution of his profession in the year of his graduation. He was for three years a member of the bar of Lexington, and in 1852 removed to Henderson, where he has since made his home. He is thoroughly informed in the science of legal jurisprudence, has a keen, analytical mind that has gained him marked prestige in his profession, has been very successful in his chosen work, and retained as counsel in the most important litigation in the courts of his county and state. The records of the court of appeals show his name in connection with many important cases, settling "new points" of law. His stern sense of justice is such that when he be- lieves a client is in error he will have nothing to do with his case.
Mr. Turner has never coveted office, yet he has been the retained counsel in many of the most important enterprises of his city and county by their officials. He was the counselor of the city of Hen- derson for many years, and in 1867 drafted its "new city charter," in- corporating new provisions which have since proved of great benefit. The city school charter was drafted by him and carried into successful
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operation in the face of great opposition. The school system is now one of the best in the state and the pride of Henderson.
Ilis life has been devoted to his profession and farming; he has never sought political preferment, yet in 1804, without his solicitation, he was unanimously called by the People's party to become their candi- date for congress. He made a vigorous canvass in the interests of the reform principles, especially on national finance, but with no hope of election. At the state convention of the People's party in 1896 he was appointed a delegate for the state at large to the national conven- tion afterward held at St. Louis, Missouri, which nominated Bryan and Watson for president and vice-president.
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