USA > Kentucky > Memorial record of western Kentucky, Volume II > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27
Subsequently Mr. Leonard, discontinuing his efforts in the interest of his brother, built for himself and others a rolling mill at Covington, Kentucky, but this did not prove a profitable venture, and he later went to Nashville, Tennessee, where for other parties he built another roll- ing mill, which was under his management for several years, and which lie subsequently, in 1842, removed to a point on the Cumberland river about ten miles above Eddyville. He continued to manage and superin- tend the mill for its owners until his death, which occurred in 1854. The mill proved a financial success, and in it was manufactured the famous Hillman boiler iron, a superior of which had not been known, and which was a source of enormous wealth to its producers. The mill was operated at this point on the Cumberland river for years, and after
712
MEMORIAL RECORD OF
passing to other ownership was removed to the city of Louisville, where railroad facilities for shipping might be secured.
It has been observed that Mr. Leonard was of a scientific turn of mind, and he always continued his scientific researches, investigations and experiments. While operating the rolling mill on the banks of the Cumberland he experimented much in the manufacture of iron. Steel was then manufactured by a process that rendered it too expensive for use other than for edged tools. Mr. L.conard, however, discovered a process of manufacturing steel which is identical with the process known as the Bessemer. Having demonstrated to his own satisfaction that his process was practical and that it would revolutionize the iron indus- try throughout the world, and, being anxious to accomplish the good which he knew would follow the use of his discovery, he did not with- hold from others the results of his investigations. If patenting his process occurred to him, he was too unselfish to have secured letters patent. In his youth he and Henry Bessemer were schoolmates and friends in his native land, and to Mr. Bessemer he wrote a detailed account of his discovery and accompanied his letter with drafts and plans which gave to Mr. Bessemer such information as to enable him to give the process a practical test. Having demonstrated the excellence of the process, Mr. Bessemer at once took out letters patent in Great Britain and filed a caveat in the United States, thereby not only depriv- ing Mr. Leonard of securing a patent, if he so desired, but also depriving him of the honor of being the originator of the process which has given to the world the now famous Bessemer steel.
To Mr. Kelly, of Eddyville, Kentucky, also an iron manufacturer, Mr. Leonard also communicated detailed information about his discov- ery, and Mr. Kelly at once made effort to secure a patent of the process,
713
IVESTERN KENTUCKY.
but found that Mr. Bessemer was in advance of him. To the genius of Mr. Leonard, however, was rightfully due the credit of discovering the process for manufacturing a steel that has revolutionized the iron industry. It is apparent that to accomplish this was his sole ambition. He died not long after making his discovery, not living even to enjoy witnessing the great results which followed his work.
At Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Leonard had married Miss Frances Knott, a native of North Carolina and a descendant of Huguenot stock. She survived him about nine years, her death occurring in 1863. He had five children by that marriage and three children by a former mar- riage.
SIMEON NORVEL LEONARD, JR.
Simeon Norvel Leonard, a son of Simeon N. and Frances (Knott) Leonard, was born in the city of Nashville, Tennessee, August 4, 1843. He was reared there, and in the schools of that city and in Columbia, Tennessee, acquired a good education. He studied both medicine and law, but with no definite purpose of following either profession. In his early manhood he possessed a liking for literary work, and when an opportunity offered he entered the field of journalism. Eventually he became editor of the Herald, published at Paducah, Kentucky, a leading Democratic paper of this state. He rose to high rank as an editor, and but for failing health would undoubtedly have gained prominence in journalism.
In February, 1871, Mr. Leonard was married to Miss Ida Cresap Braswell, of Eddyville, Kentucky, and on account of ill health he gave up newspaper work the following fall and established his residence
714
MEMORIAL RECORD OF
in the town of Eddyville, where he has since resided. Finally he fully recovered his health and became associated in business affairs with his father-in-law, the late N. T. Braswell, with whom he was connected until the latter's death.
Mrs. Leonard died in 1889, leaving five children. In 1892 Mr. Leonard was married to Grace I. Long, a daughter of William H. Long, a retired merchant of Eddyville.
In 1894 Mr. Leonard organized the Farmers' Bank of Eddyville, and has since been its president. He has also been the first vice- president of the Kentucky Bankers' Association, and the Kentucky vice- president of the American Bankers' Association, while for three years he has been a member of the executive committee of the Kentucky Bankers' Association. In addition to his banking interests Mr. Leonard is the president of the Suwanee Spoke and Lumber Company, of Kut- . tawa, Kentucky; is the senior member of the Leonard & James Manu- facturing Company, of Evansville, Indiana; the president of the Cum- berland Towing Company, and is a large owner of farm and mineral lands in this state. He is much interested in the development of the resources of Lyon county and western Kentucky, and his labors have been of great public benefit.
For more than thirty years Mr. Leonard has been actively identified with the Democratic party, but has never sought political preferment. He is a Royal Arch Mason, and has been active in the fraternity and. loyal to its teachings. In business affairs he is widely known, and his contemporaries recognize in him one of Kentucky's most sapient and successful business men.
١
715
.
WESTERN KENTUCKY.
NICHOLAS T. BRASWELL.
Nicholas Tilford Braswell, deceased, was a native of Smith county, Tennessee, born in 1822, and died in Eddyville, Kentucky, in 1893. He came to this place about 1844, and for nearly a half century was conspicuous among men of affairs in western Kentucky. When he arrived in Eddyville he engaged in the manufacture of furniture, and later became a general trader and trafficker, while subsequently he was owner of a wharfboat at Eddyville and proprietor of the old Braswell Hotel which still stands in Eddyville, on the bank of the Cumberland, one of the old landmarks of the town. He entered into general mer- chandising, and for many years did a flourishing business, accumulat- ing a large estate and establishing a high mercantile credit and rating, being known for many years as "the merchant prince of western Ken- tucky." His sagacity in business affairs was remarkable, his judgment sound and his integrity above question.
Mr. Braswell married Miss Annapola Cresap, a lady of superior accomplishments, who was indeed a worthy helpmate and companion to him. In Mr. Braswell his fellow townsmen imposed implicit confi- dence. His life was a career of usefulness, and he will long be held in affectionate remembrance by those who knew him. With limited means he began his business career, yet he applied himself diligently to his work, and his energy and enterprise were unsurpassed, while his generosity, his integrity and prudence, winning him success in life, should serve as a source of inspiration and encouragement to others.
42
١
MICHEITE
716
MEMORIAL RECORD OF
WILLIAM H. ELLIOTT.
William HI. Elliott, one of the prosperous residents of Graves county, Kentucky, was born in Hickman county, Kentucky, December 13, 1856, a son of William A. and Lucinda C. (Ingraham) Elliott, na- tives of Washington county, Kentucky. The paternal grandfather was James Elliott, while the maternal grandfather was William Ingraham, and all were of Irish descent.
William A. Elliott was a farmer and lived in Hickman county, being a strong Democrat, and a consistent member of the Catholic church, dying firm in that faith August 11, 1871. His wife is living at the age of seventy-five years, in excellent health. Seven children were born to them, namely : Nancy J., William H1., Adolph L., James, Laura B., Lucinda F. and Nannie F. .
William 11. Elliott, better known as Bud Elliott, was reared in ' Graves county, and attended the public schools of that locality. He began his battle with life as a farmer, and has been so successful that he has made it and stock trading his occupation. At present he owns two hundred and twenty-four acres of fine land under an excellent state of cultivation and is a breeder of high-grade stock. He has one of the best horses in the county, of the Black John stock. Mr. Elliott also owns three of the best Jacks in Graves county, of the Richmond stock. Like his father, he is both a Democrat and Catholic.
In 1878 he was married in Graves county to Miss Anna Carrico, who died two years later. In 1883 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Skinner, whose maiden name was Haden. She had four children by her first husband, namely: Mary E., James IL., George E. and William E. Skinner. To Mr. and Mrs. Elliott the following family was born :
1
717
WESTERN KENTUCKY.
Clarence; Amy C., deceased; Ada O., deceased; Annie L .; Ada G .; and Dazie E. Both Mr. and Mrs. Elliott are very highly esteemed in the neighborhood, and have a host of friends who make their home a pleasant gathering place.
:
EDMUND CURD.
Edmund Curd was born in Calloway county, Kentucky, August 7, 1848, and now resides near Mayfield, Graves county, Kentucky. He is a son of William H. and Emily ( Bailey) Curd, born in Calloway county and Todd county, Kentucky, respectively. The paternal grand- father was Edmund Curd, and he was born in Logan county, Kentucky, and came of Scotch-Irish descent. By profession he was a surveyor and sectionized the Jackson Purchase, with: Nathan Bowman as assist- ant. The latter was the grandfather of Mrs. Edmund Curd. The ma- ternal grandfather was Armstrong Bailey, who came of Irish parents.
William H. Curd was a successful farmer and made his home in Calloway county. In 1861, when the war broke out, he owned a quar- ter section of land and numerous slaves. In politics he was a stanch Democrat, and in religion was a member of the Christian church. Al- though he did not enter the army, he sent two sons into the Confed- erate army. He died aged seventy-four years, a most excellent man, noted for his piety and kindness of heart. His wife survived him a few years, and then died aged sixty years. They had ten children : John L. enlisted in the Confederate army in 1862, and remained until the close; Thomas G. was also a Confederate soldier; Fannie J .; Ed- mund; William; Orlando F .; Lewis; Flavius J .; James E .; and Paron A,
.
718
MEMORIAL RECORD OF
Edmund Curd was reared and educated in his native county, and attended the Murray high school. His first experience in business life was as a merchant, and he also learned the trade of a carpenter, but after ten or twelve years settled down to farming and the handling of tobacco, and has so continued. He is a Democrat in politics and be- longs to the Christian church.
Mr. Curd married, in Todd county. Kentucky, Miss Lizzie Ruther- ford, and she died within two years. In 1883 he was married to Miss Gertie Bowman, and three children have been born to them, namely : Betsey B., born February 23, 1885; Lillian M., born September 23, 1891; and Creed P., born November 25, 1892. Mr. Curd has been very successful in his work, and stands high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. Both he and Mrs. Curd have a host of friends whom . they welcome at their pleasant home with lavish hospitality.
MARSHALL HOBSON.
Marshall Hobson, now one of the prosperous farmers near Sedalia, Graves county, Kentucky, has been a life-long resident of the state, and his energetic efforts have brought him an unusual degree of success. He started out in life almost in poverty, but during the succeeding years has reaped a fair reward for his diligence and perseverance.
Mr. Hobson comes of a well-known Virginia family, and his grand- father, Benjamin Hobson, and both of his parents were born in that state, being of English descent on both the paternal and the maternal sides. Henry Richardson, the maternal grandfather of Marshall Hob- son, was also a native of Virginia. Benjamin and Susan ( Richardson)
719
WESTERN KENTUCKY.
ITobson, the parents of Marshall Hobson, were early settlers in the state of Kentucky, where the former was a farmer and tobacco dealer the greater part of his life. He lived for some time in Trigg county, but in 1835 had taught the first school in Graves county. In politics he was a Democrat, and was a member of the Missionary Baptist church. He was thoroughly respected in his community for his integrity and force of character, and lived to the age of seventy-seven years, his death oc- curring in 1879, while his wife died in 1885, at the age of eighty-five. They were the parents of six children: Josiah B., who died in 1863 ; Marshall; Benjamin, Jr. ; Sarah, now Mrs. W. S. Hunt; Mollie, Mrs. William Bingham; Hubbard, circuit clerk of McCracken county.
Marshall Hobson was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, May 12, 1844, and lived in that county until he was fifteen years old, attending the public school near his father's home. In 1859 he came to Graves county, which has been his permanent residence ever since. In addition to his public school education he was a student in Asbury (now De Pauw ) University at Greencastle, Indiana. He then took up farming as his occupation and has followed it ever since. For the last twenty years he has also engaged in tobacco growing, and the successful prose- cution of these two industries has placed him in prosperous circum- stances. He has a well improved farm of one hundred and sixty acres on the Sedalia road and near the little town of Sedalia and in its careful cultivation and business-like management it will compare favorably with any other farm in the vicinity.
Mr. Hobson follows the footsteps of his father in matters of religion and politics, and is a Democrat and a Missionary Baptist. He married, in 1867, Miss Mary Hunt, who was born and reared near Cottage, Ten- nessee. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hobson, as
1
720
MEMORIAL RECORD OF
follows : Samuel P .; John B .; Ora, now Mrs. McNeeley; Emma, the wife of William O'Connor; Mary, who died at the age of four years; Marshall, who died in 1902; Thomas; and Floy K.
SAMUEL P. MORGAN.
Samuel P. Morgan is one of the prominent farmers near Mayfield and has been engaged in that pursuit in Graves county for a number of years. He began life as a poor man, and has made his present pros- perity by his good management and constant industry. At the same time he has gained the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens, who feel entire confidence in his integrity and his worth in the home and in business dealings.
Mr. Morgan has little authentic knowledge of his ancestry except that an uncle of his grandfather was a soldier in the Revolution. His parents were Hugh and Judith (Baker) Morgan, who were both born in Virginia. The former was a farmer in his native state until about 1856, when he moved to Christian county, Kentucky, where he lived for a number of years, and about 1867 came to Graves county, where he made his home till his death. He affiliated with the Democratic party, and was a member of the Methodist church. His death occurred in 1889, when he was seventy-eight years of age. His first wife died in Virginia in 1852, having been the mother of the following children : Robert A., deceased; Mary A., deceased; Lucretia; William J., de- ceased; and Samuel P. His second wife was Mrs. Mary Baker, nec Hill, whose death occurred before his, and who bore him the following children: One that died in infancy; Judith A., deceased; John H .; Hugh R .; and Sallie, deceased.
السنة
721
WESTERN KENTUCKY.
Samuel P. Morgan was born in Halifax county, Virginia, Septem- ber 8, 1849, and at the age of seven came to Christian county, Kentucky, where he was reared and received his education in the common schools. He began his career as a farmer in Graves county, and now has one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Mayfield. His politics are Democratic, and he and his wife are consistent members of the Chris- tian church.
Mr. Morgan married, in 1879, Miss Bettie Bennett, who was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, a daughter of Eriah and Lucy Ann ( Mills) Bennett, who moved to Graves county when Mrs. Morgan was a child, and she gained her education in the public schools of this county, and still resides within a mile of her okl home. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Morgan: Judith M., Ira E., Annie M., Cleveland M., Hugh W. and Robert H. The entire family are held in high esteem throughout their home community and are popular in social circles.
JOSEPH H. WILLIAMS.
Joseph H. Williams, deceased, was for a number of years an hon- ored citizen of Pembroke, Kentucky. He was born in Todd county, this state, on the 13th of May, 1857, a son of Jolm and Elizabeth Williams, the former of whom was numbered among the leading farmers and early settlers of Todd county. Joseph HI., the youngest of their chil- dren, was reared in the county of his nativity, and in 1881 came to Christian county, where he followed agricultural pursuits. He re- ceived his education under the instruction of Professor James Faqua, at Armstrong, Kentucky, and after taking up his abode in Pembroke Mr. Williams engaged in farming and in other lines of trade. He was
١
722
MEMORIAL RECORD OF
a prominent member of the Baptist church, in which he long served as a deacon, was a member of the Masonic order and was an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party. His death occurred on the 2d of December, 1902.
For his wife Mr. Williams chose Lizzie Holland, who was born in Christian county, Kentucky. Her father, the Rev. S. A. Holland, was a native of Warren county, this state, and for many years served as a minister in the Baptist church. His death occurred in 1872. His wife bore the maiden name of Almeda Brumfield, and her birth occurred in Tennessee. Mrs. Williams, the youngest of their six children, was reared in her native county, and by her marriage, which occurred in 1881, has become the mother of three children-John Holland, Ethel Virginia and Francis Ann. Mrs. Williams is the owner of a large tract. of land which she operates with the assistance of her son.
JAMES MARTIN.
James Martin, an old and prominent resident of Graves county, Kentucky, and the owner of a fine farm near Farmington, is a Ken- tuckian by birth and of a family which has long been resident of the state. Ile is one of the survivors of the boys in gray, but after arms of civil strife were laid aside he took up the peaceful pursuit of farming, and has been one of the successful agriculturists of the western end of the state for many years.
Mr. Martin's family is of English descent on both sides. Joseph Martin, his grandfather, was born in North Carolina, and John and Elizabeth (Bridges) Martin, his parents, were both born in Trigg
-
723
İVESTERN KENTUCKY.
county, Kentucky, the latter a daughter of William Bridges. John Martin was a life-long farmer in Trigg county, and was a public-spir- ited citizen and a forceful character in his community. He was a Democrat, and was of the Methodist faith but not a member of any church. He died in 1901, when eighty-four years old, but his wife died when her son James was about five years old. There were five children in their family: James, Margaret, Peachia, Mary and Felix G.
James Martin, the oldest child of his parents, was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, August 27, 1844, and passed his boyhood days, in - that county, with such educational advantages as the schools afforded. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, Woodward's regiment, and fought for the Confederate cause until the close of the war. He came to Graves county, and has been one of the substantial and progressive farmers of this fine county ever since. He owns one hundred and sixty acres on the Boydsville road near the town of Farmington, and its well improved acres make a beautiful homestead and a profitable estate.
Mr. Martin is a Democrat, and his family are attendants of the Christian church. He married, in 1869, Miss Maggie E. Casey, who was born in Christian county, Kentucky, and died in 1879. She was the mother of two children, Flora and Thomas, both now deceased. In 1881 Mr. Martin married Miss Lizzie Williams, of Graves county. She died in 1882, having been the mother of one child, Lizzie, deceased. In 1883 he married Miss Ida Hudspeth, of Graves county, and the fol- lowing children were born of this union: John T., Emma L., James T., Vascoe, Homer and Jessie K.
724
MEMORIAL RECORD OF
JOHN P. GARNETT.
John P. Garnett is one of the best known residents of Pembroke, Christian county, Kentucky, of which county he is a native and where he has spent the best years of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits, by which he has made a worthy success and become prosperous and in- fluential among his fellow-citizens.
He was born three miles from Pembroke on January 16, 1841, a son of Eldred Brockman Garnett, who was born in Albemarle county, Virginia, May 10, 1813. His grandfather, James Garnett, was also a native of Albemarle county, Virginia, and in 1821 came to Christian county, Kentucky, being one of the first settlers, when the country around was an expanse of virgin forest. He died on the old homestead farm in March, 1844, and was buried on the part of the farm which is now known as Rosedale cemetery. He was a prominent man in the com- munity. He was a member of the old Baptist church of Bethel, which was built in 1816 and is still standing. He was a Whig in politics, but had been an acquaintance of Thomas Jefferson.
Eldred B. Garnett was but eight years old when he came to Chris- tian county, and was reared to manhood on the farm. He was a member of the Baptist church, and a Whig adherent until the war. He married Frances A. Pendleton, a member of the distinguished Pendleton family of Virginia. She was born in Spottsylvania county, Virginia, the native county of George Washington, and died May 12, 1903, at the great age of ninety-three years, two months and twelve days. She and her husband reared a family of five children : Mrs. Dr. R. W. More- head, of Princeton, Kentucky; Professor Virgil A. Garnett, who died November 16, 1899; William W., a prominent banker of Pembroke;
£
725
WESTERN KENTUCKY.
John P .; and Hon. James B., of Cadiz, Trigg county, who was state senator for four years and commonwealth's attorney for eighteen con- secutive years.
John P. Garnett, the fourth child and third son in his father's fam- ily, was reared on the farm on which he was born. He received his ad- vanced education in the college in Russellville, Kentucky. He left the farm in 1866 and engaged in the mercantile business, which he con- tinued until 1890, after which he returned to his farm of one hundred and twenty acres, part of which lies in the corporation of Pembroke. He spends most of his time now in tending to his flowers and perform- ing the lighter duties of farm life.
Mr. Garnett was married to Miss Rosa L. Lacey, who was born in Christian county, June 4, 1852, a daughter of D. and Elizabeth ( Mos- ley ) Lacey. She died June 8, 1890, having been the mother of three children : Mary A., the wife of Eugene Kelley, of Pembroke; Sarah W .; and Annie R. March 4, 1891, Mr. Garnett was married to Miss Sue M. Trimble, who was born in Trigg county, Kentucky, June 1, 1860, a daughter of S. Y. and Mary E. ( Moorehead) Trimble.
Mr. Garnett is a deacon in the Pembroke Baptist church, and as one of the prominent members takes an active part in religious work. He is a Cleveland Democrat, and was postmaster of Pembroke for eigh- teen years, until he resigned. He is a stockholder and director in the Pembroke and Hopkinsville banks. He is a well informed man, and keeps himself posted on general matters by constant reading. When a young man he was in the habit of writing some clever and good verses, and was a contributor to the papers in Louisville and in his county.
The first Confederate general to fall in the Civil war was General Robert Selden Garnett, a relative of Mr. Garnett. Dr. A. Y. S. Gar-
726
MEMORIAL RECORD OF
nett, another connection, was one of the chief surgeons of the Con- federate army, and General Richard B. Garnett was killed at Gettys- burg while in command of his brigade. Muscoe R. Garnett was a mem- ber of congress from Virginia and a member of the first Confederate congress. The Garnetts came originally from England, and Virginia was their principal seat in this country, where many others besides those mentioned were high in political, social and business life.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.