USA > Kentucky > Memorial record of western Kentucky, Volume II > Part 19
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Joab Payne was born in Christian county, Kentucky, September 25, 1848, and owing to his father's death was early obliged to make a living for himself and mother, whom he, with praiseworthy filial af- fection and duty, continued to support till her death. At the age of twelve years he was taken by his mother to Trigg county, Kentucky, and the family settled in Graves county in 1876. He began working as
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a farm hand, and for four years received but fifteen dollars and board. He was never able to go to school a day in his life, but like many who have been reared under such circumstances, his close observation and native intelligence have supplied him with the needed knowledge so that he has always carried on his business affairs with acumen and ability even without the aid of extensive book learning .. Ile has had to progress gradually, " make haste slowly," as the proverb goes, but has likewise surely arrived at a considerable degree of prosperity, and is at present owner of a good farm of fifty-three acres two miles from Mayfield, on the Columbus road, and he is making a success of his tobacco-raising.
In politics Mr. Payne is a Democrat, and he has been a consistent member of the Baptist church since he was twenty years of age. In 1869 Mr. Payne married Miss Lucy Spencer, who died in 1885, having been the mother of three children: Ella, born October 12, 1870, who married John Clark, a farmer of Graves county; John, born January 7, 1873; and Iva, born November 11, 1881, who married Orvil McCleni- han. Mr. Payne afterward married Miss Josie Arnet, of Trigg county, Kentucky, and their two children were Camnia, born October .6, 1892, and Josie, born May 5, 1896. Mrs. Payne died in 1896, and in 1899 Mr. Payne married Mrs. Ella Willis, nee Blackburn, who was born in Obion county, Tennessee, and by her marriage to Joseph Willis had three children, as follows; James, born September 19, 1885, and died May 25, 1892; Erie, born December 11, 1889, and died November II, 1891; and Effie, born October 27, 1887, and married Bruce Mc- Clanahan in 1902.
James Blackburn, the father of Mrs. Payne, was born April 25, 1824, in North Carolina, and was killed by a train in June, 1903, being
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at that time over seventy-nine years of age. He married Martha Ward, who was also born in North Carolina, February 2, 1826, and she was twelve and he was fourteen when they were brought by their respective parents to Gibson county, Tennessee, where they grew up on neighbor- ing farms and in 1844 were married. They removed to Obion county, Tennessee, whence a number of years later they went to Weakley county, in the same state, and there Martha Blackburn died October 18, 1895, aged seventy years. Their nine children were as follows: Andrew, de- ceased, Frank, Emma, Preston, James, Robert, Henry, deceased, Ella and Katie. Mr. Blackburn was a Republican, and he was a Presby- terian, while his wife was a Methodist.
MAJOR JOHN GROOM.
Major John Groom, who is engaged in the abstract and real estate business in Princeton, is a well known and highly respected citizen of Caldwell county. This is his native county, his birth having occurred on a farm here on the 7th of October, 1853. He is a son of James B. and Elizabeth (Snelling) Groom. It has long been understood that the founder of the Groom family in America was a Manxman, who, on leaving the Isle of Man, crossed the Atlantic to the new world and set- tled in Virginia. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Major and Christiana ( Bibb) Groom, both of whom were natives of Virginia, whence they came to Kentucky, settling in the south part of Caldwell county about the year 1818. They spent their remaining days there, and Major Groom was active in the development and progress of the locality, contributing in large measure to its upbuilding. He was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and lived for many years to enjoy
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the freedom which was purchased at the price of a long and bitter struggle, but which resulted in founding the greatest republic on the face of the globe. The subject of this biography now has in his pos- session the gun which his grandfather carried in that war. He and his wife were the parents of the following named children that grew to mature years and left families: Patsy, Sallie, John, Benjamin, Rich- ard, William, James B. and Julia, all of whom are now deceased.
James B. Groom, the father of Major John Groom, was born in Virginia, and was brought by his parents to Kentucky when only a few years old. He was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, and on entering upon his business career he continued to engage in farming, making it his life work. He wedded Miss Elizabeth Snelling, a native of Caldwell county, Kentucky, to which section of the state her parents had come in a very early day in its development. Taking his bride to his farm, he thereon reared his family and continued to cultivate his land in order to provide for their needs. He died in the year 1895, when about seventy-nine years of age, his birth having occurred in 1816. His wife passed away in 1862, when about forty years of age. Their union was blessed with nine children, eight of whom are now living.
Major John Groom obtained a fair education in the public schools and was reared under the parental roof amid the refining influences of a good home. He was carly trained to habits of industry, enter- prise and integrity, and was actively engaged in farming until 1889, when he became deputy sheriff. He then removed to Princeton, where he has since resided, although he has always retained farming interests. He served as deputy sheriff for four years, and was then elected sheriff
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on the Democratic ticket in 1892. After filling the position in an accept- able manner for two years he was re-elected, and served altogether as sheriff for five years, proving a most capable officer, fearless and faith- ful in the performance of his duties. He left the office as he had entered it, with the confidence and good will of all concerned. Since his retire- ment from the office he has been engaged in the abstract and real estate business in Princeton, and has obtained a good clientage in this. line. Ile also has farming interests and derives therefrom a fair in- come.
An important event in the life of Major Groom occurred in 1893, when was celebrated his marriage to Miss Willie Evans, a native of Logan county, Kentucky. They now have one son, to whom they gave the name of Lorenzo Evans, and who is now eight years of age. The parents hold membership in the Baptist church, and are widely and favorably known in the community which has always been their place of residence. Self-reliance, conscientiousness, energy and honesty, these are the traits of character that insure the highest emoluments and great- est success in life, and they are salient features in the life record of Major Groom.
HON. JAMES H. LEECH.
One of the most successful business men ever connected with the interests of Caldwell county, and one of the most distinguished and honored citizens that has ever resided within its borders, no history of this section of the state would be complete without definite and extended mention of the Hon. James Harvey Leech. He was born in Livingston county, Kentucky, on the 15th of October, 1824, and died
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while serving in the house of representatives of the state legislature, April 3, 1884. His parents were James C. and Malinda (Glenn) Leech. His father was a native of Rockridge county, Virginia, and was of Scotch lineage, while the mother's birth occurred in Lyon county, Ken- tucky. Her parents were of an old North Carolina family, who became carly settlers of the west portion of this state. James C. Leech was a pioneer resident of Livingston county, Kentucky, prominent and influen- tial in public affairs, and for many years he efficiently served as high sheriff of the county. By occupation he was a farmer, and gained an enviable reputation as an honorable business man. He possessed strong force of character, was active in church work, and from an early date in the history of the Cumberland Presbyterian church until his deathi was one of its faithful, consistent and helpful members. His home in pioneer days was often the scene of church meetings, and was always the place of entertainment for the ministers of the denomination. His death occurred at Smithland, and subsequently his estimable wife followed him to the great beyond, pasing away in the city of Paducah.
Such worthy and esteemed people were the parents of James Har- vey Leech, and thus he was reared in a good Christian home, amid refin- ing influences, and was trained not only in religious faith, but also was taught lessons of energy, perseverance and integrity. Although he began life for himself under discouraging financial circumstances, his home training and the imate force of his character and the excel- lent qualities of his heart and mind made possible the successful career which he entered upon. His first business venture was in steamboat- ing, and this proved a failure, but fate was kinder to him in later life, and his marked ability enabled him to gain a prominent position in financial circles. He was married on the 15th of October, 1850, to
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Miss Elizabeth Glenn, who still survives her husband, and is now in her seventy-fifth year, making her home with her only son, James D. Leech. She was born and reared in Caldwell county, Kentucky, and has spent the greater part of her life here.
It was in 1852 that Mr. Leech left his native county and established his home upon a farm in Caldwell county, about six or seven miles from the county seat, there entering upon a prosperous career as an agri- culturist. He ever afterward continued to reside upon the homestead farm, and as he prospered his business affairs multiplied, and his excel- lent management inspired his fellow-citizens with confidence in his ability and worth. They frequently sought his advice and his aid in business affairs, and, recognizing his ability for leadership, also called him to public office. For years he was public administrator for his county and commissioner of the poor, and the excellent manner in which he conducted the vast amount of busines that claimed his attention as administrator of hundreds of estates and as guardian of scores of children is attested by the fact that he was never engaged in litigation in any court for a single matter of business that came to him in this way. He was always prompt, accurate and willing to give an account of the matter which he held in trust, and no one was ever defrauded of a single dollar through any act of his.
In 1881, in accordance with the express desire of his fellow-citizens, he became a candidate for. the seat in the lower house of the state legis- lature, and, winning the nomination of the Democratic party, was elected to that office, where he served so acceptably that in two years he was re-elected without opposition, either in his party or in the Repub- lican party. In accepting this office he merely obeyed the call of his fellow-citizens, who recognized in him a man of worth and one well
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qualified to discharge the duties that devolve upon the legislators. In the general assembly his influence, as in other walks of life, was strongly felt, and he left a deep impress upon the laws of the state enacted dur- ing that period. All who knew him recognized in him a man of excel- lent business ability, a citizen of unquestioned loyalty and a friend who was ever faithful. While he was serving his second term in the legisla- ture death claimed him. Many were the marks of respect showed to . his memory by his fellow legislators upon the occasion of his death and burial, a large number of both branches of the legislature accom- panying his remains to the place of burial in Caldwell county, and fitting resolutions were passed and eulogies of praise to his memory were re- corded.
The home life of Mr. and Mrs. Leech was ideal, a most congenial relationship ever existing between husband and wife. They were long members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, with which Mrs. Leech is still identified. Mr. Leech made a profession of religion and joined the Bethlehem Cumberland Presbyterian church in the year 1852. In 1854 he was ordained as a ruling elder, and was elected clerk of the session in 1859. He loved his church and the cause of Christ, and was ever devoted to its welfare and promotion. He possessed a cool and reflective mind rather than an imeptuous disposition, and was a man of : the strictest integrity and lived an exemplary and upright life. Whether in public or private life, he discharged every duty as became a loyal fol- lower of the church. He was also true to the teachings of the Masonic fraternity. His memory is enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him, while his influence remains as a blessed benediction to those who were closely associated with him in the active affairs of life.
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HON. JAMES D. LEECH.
The name of Leech has long figured conspicuously in connection with business interests and public affairs in Caldwell county, and the career of James D. Leech has added to it new lustre. He was born upon his father's farm in this county, June 27, 1854, and is a son of the late James Harvey Leech. His boyhood days were passed in the Fredonia valley, and he remained under the parental roof until he was twenty- two years of age, when he made preparations for having a home of his own by his marriage to Miss Alice Mande Shelby, a native of Lyon county, Kentucky. About that time Mr. Leech purchased a farm ad- joining his father's land in Fredonia valley, and resided thereon until September, 1885, when he purchased the old Cumberland College site, just outside the corporation limits of the city of Princeton. Locating thereon, it has since been his home, and his residence and environments are very attractive, constituting one of the beautiful homes of the county and one of the pleasing features of the landscape.
Mr. Leech has largely followed in the business footsteps of his father. He has always owned farm lands and directed farming inter- ests, raising fine stock and producing excellent crops in his fields. Upon the death of his father in 1884 he took up his unfinished tasks and busi- ness, and has since carried on the work. Like his father, he has admin- istered numerous estates, and in all his business relations has mani- fested energy, sagacity and integrity, qualities that have placed him among the men prominent in business affairs in Caldwell county. For five years after the organization of the Citizens' Bank, in 1890, Mr. Leech served as its president. He was then vice president of the First National Bank until the Farmers' Bank was organized, in 1898, when
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he was chosen president of the last named institution, and has since acted in that capacity. His capable control, his keen foresight and his sound business judgment have been important elements in the success of this institution, and have made it one of the leading financial con- cerns in this part of the state.
In 1891 Mr. Leech was called upon to mourn the loss of the lady whom he wedded in his youth. Her culture, refinement and kindly spirit had endeared her to many friends, and she was beloved by all who knew her. She left two children, Helen L. and James Harvey. The daughter is the wife of F. L. Wilson, of Auburn, Kentucky. In 1892 Mr. Leech was again married, his second union being with Miss Lena Wessen, a native of Mississippi, who has since presided over his household with grace and dignity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Leech are well known in social circles, and the hospitality of their own home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
In politics Mr. Leech has ever been a stanch Democrat, and in the year 1887 he was elected to the state legislature, serving for one term with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents, but his busi- ness relations have since demanded his entire time and attention, and he has never again consented to become a candidate for office, although always manifesting a deep interest in political measures and public affairs. From his youth he has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, and in 1885 he was elected an elder of the Bethle- hem organization. To his church and all its work he has ever been a generous contributor, taking a deep interest in all that has pertained to the line of moral development. Socially he is a Royal Arch Mason, and has been a very active and helpful member of the fraternity. The soul of geniality, he has a kind and cheering word for all with whom
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he comes in contact, regardless of their position or station in life, and he is to-day one of the most popular and respected citizens of Caldwell county.
MILFORD WINSLOW ROZZELL, M. D.
Milford W. Rozzell was born on a farm one mile from Pryorsburg, Graves county, Kentucky, March 13, 1857, a son of Miles Washington and Melissa (Williams) Rozell. The father was born in North Caro- lina January 8, 1821, and is one of the oldest residents of Graves county, where he was brought by his parents when twelve years of age. His father, Thomas Rozzell, was numbered among the pioneer settlers of the county and was a farmer by occupation, which pursuit has also claimed the attention of his son, Miles W. The mother of our subject . was born in Graves county, and her death occurred here in 1902, when seventy-seven years of age. In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, only four of whom grew to mature years and three are now living.
Milford Winslow Rozzell spent the period of his boyhood and youth on a farm, receiving his elementary education in the common schools of the neighborhood, which was later supplemented by attendance at the schools of Mayfield and Milburn. For a brief period thereafter he was engaged in teaching school, and then entered Bethel College, of Tennessee. At Pryorsburg he began the study of medicine, also teach- ing during a part of the time, and he then entered the University of Louisville, while later, in 1889, he graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, and then took a post-graduate course at Bellevue Hospital Medical College. From that time until 1898 Dr.
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Rozzell followed a general practice of medicine at Pryorsburg, after which he took two courses at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College, at Chicago, locating thereafter at Mayfield, where he has since given special attention to the treatment of those organs. The medical profession in Graves county numbers him among its most valued members, and he is considered an authority in many departments of medical research and practice.
In 1880 Dr. Rozzell was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Pearl Noblin, who died in 1902, after becoming the mother of three children : Mabel C., Albany M. and Noblin. The Doctor is a member of the American Medical Association, the Southwestern Kentucky Medical So- ciety, of the order of Elks and is a Royal Arch Mason. His religious views connect him with the Cumberland Presbyterian church, of which he is a worthy and consistent member.
JOSEPHUS EWING ROBBINS.
Josephus Ewing Robbins, ex-judge of the circuit court of the first judicial district, was born in Graves county, Kentucky, August 4, 1854, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth J. (Shelton) Robbins. The former, who was a son of John Robbins, was born in Humphreys county, Tennessee, in 1811, and in 1830 came to Graves county, where he learned the trade of iron moulding and blacksmithing. His death oc- curred in Calloway county, Kentucky, in 1873, where the greater part of his life had been devoted to agricultural pursuits. In an early day he was a Whig in his political affiliations, but later gave his support to the Democracy. Mr. Robbins was twice married, his second wife being Elizabeth J. Shelton, the mother of our subject, and she, too, had
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been previously married. She was born in Warren county, Kentucky, and was a daughter of Jeremiah Shelton, a primitive Baptist minister of Graves county. He was also a native of Warren county, but came to this county in 1820. His death occurred just across the county line in Tennessee in about 1850, and he was a man of sterling worth, both as a minister of the gospel and as a farmer. Mrs. Robbins was but six months old when brought by her parents to this county, and her death occurred in 1900, when eighty years of age.
Josephus Ewing Robbins spent the early years of his life on a farm and also worked in his father's blacksmith shop and clerked in a dry goods store. His early educational training was received in the public schools, and at Benton, New Concord and other places, and when nineteen years of age he began teaching, following that occupation for four terms, in the meantime beginning the study of law. By alternately attending and teaching school, he was thus able to pay his own ex- penses. In 1876 he began the study of law under the preceptorship of WV. M. Smith, of Mayfield, and on the 11th of October, 1877, was ad- mitted to the bar. He entered upon the practice of his chosen profes- sion one year later, and Mayfield has ever since continued to be his home. In 1878 Mr. Robbins was elected to the position of surveyor of Graves county, which position he filled for four years, during which time he also practiced law, and in 1884 was made the city attorney of Mayfield. Two years later, in 1886, he was elected judge of Graves county, his incumbency therein covering four years. In 1895 he was nominated by acclamation by the Democratic party and afterward elected to represent his district in the state legislature, serving in the sessions of 1896-7. In November, 1897, Mr. Robbins was elected judge of the circuit court, first judicial district, but resigned that office on the Ist
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of December, 1902, one year before the expiration of his term of service, and is now engaged in the practice of law with Gus Thomas, under the firm name of Robbins & Thomas. In 1891 the Graves County Bank- ing & Trust Company was organized, and Mr. Robbins was elected its first president, which position he held until January 1, 1898, when he resigned to go on the bench.
On the 9th of October, 1879, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Robbins and Miss Eva Chowning, she being a native of Owen county, Kentucky, and they have had five children, two of whom are living,- Robert Guy and Josephus Gayle. In his fraternal affiliations Mr. Rob- bins is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the order of Elks, while his religious views connect him with the Christian church.
EDWARD IRVIN BULLOCK.
Edward Irvin Bullock, deceased, was born in Culpeper county, Vir- ginia. At the age of nineteen years he left his native state and came to Kentucky, locating in Cumberland county, where he married Maria Emmerson, a native of Cumberland county, born near the town of Berksville. Her parents were John M. and Sallie Emmerson, natives of Kentucky.
Edward I. Bullock received his education in William and Mary College, of Virginia, in which he graduated, and after his marriage he located at Berksville, Kentucky. Being a civil engineer, he was elected surveyor of his county, and later was admitted to the bar and began practice. He was later made state's attorney, being appointed by Gov- ernor Clark, and was serving in that office at the time of the celebrated murder case of the State vs. Judge Wilkerson, Mrs. Wilkerson and
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Murdough for the murder of John Rothwell and Alexander II. Meeks, in March, 1839, one of the most celebrated cases in Kentucky jurispru- dence, and the full history of which may be found in " Carlton on Homicide." Subsequently Mr. Bullock removed to what is now Hick- man, Kentucky, and was the first county attorney of Fulton county, also representing that county in the legislature. His next location was at Clinton, to which place he removed in 1854, and from there removed in 1857 to his country home two and a half miles east of Columbus, where he remained until his death, February 13, 1883. He continued in the practice of law until his death, served as circuit judge by ap- pointment and was one of the codifiers of the general statute of Kentucky in the year 1873, which was adopted by the general assembly. In his political affiliations he was first a Whig and later a Democrat, in his fraternal relations was a Master Mason and was a member of the Epis- copal church. He was an able attorney, advocate and jurist and was a splendid trial lawyer.
Five of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bullock died in infancy, and the remainder are: John, who died in 1857 and was an able lawyer of Hickman; Harriet, the widow of R. W. Walker; Hettie, a widow now living at Arlington, Kentucky; Edward Thomas; Pinkie, the widow of John G. Samuels and a resident of Clinton; and Mary, widow of C. T. Rudd, of Stocksville, Mississippi. Mrs. Bullock died in 1880, aged about sixty-five years.
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