The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 108

Author: Armstrong, J. M., & company, pub
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Cincinnati, J. M. Armstrong
Number of Pages: 946

USA > Kentucky > The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century > Part 108

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).

ATTS, DAVID ALLISON, M. D., was born in Meade County, Kentucky, in 1835. His father, Josiah Watts, of Scotch descent, and a carpen- ter by pursuit, was a native of this State. The early education of Dr. Watts was obtained in schools of that county, and in his twenty-third year he entered Jefferson Medical College, at Philadel- phia, attending one course of lectures; after close, un- ceasing study, he returned the next year, and graduated in 1860. From 1860 to 1865, he engaged in general prac- tice in Graves County, in this State, when he went to the University of Louisville, making his third course of lectures in the schools of medicine. He was quite suc-

613

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

cessful after his return to his old practice; but finally removed to McCracken County, and, after practicing nearly two years in the country, located at his present residence, Paducah, Kentucky. As a physician, he has met with several remarkable cases, worthy, perhaps, of the most minute detail; especially a case of abscess of the liver, originating by the swallowing of a needle, the patient being a woman of fifty-seven; upon opening the abscess, the discharge was continuous for six months, and a serious drain upon the patient ; finally, a tingling sensation began running along the arm, accompanied by a red streak and a well defined swelling between the elbow and shoulder, from which a number-seven needle was extracted. He has been fortunate to thrice en- counter cases of that rare disease known to the profes- sion as exophthalmic goitre, and whose pathology is but slightly understood; and of these three cases, one he fully restored to health, another but partially, and the third died. Dr. Watts has a fine reputation and an ex- tensive practice as a specialist upon diseases of the chest. In his fifteenth year, he joined the Baptist Church, the Rev. T. J. Fisher receiving him into the membership. In 1861, he married Ellen De Faunt, daughter of Joseph De Faunt Le Roy, a well-known farmer of Christian County, Kentucky; by this marriage he has three chil- dren, his wife being now deceased.

RYOR, GEORGE R., Lawyer, was born June 12, 1840, in Garrard County, Kentucky. He was the only child of James B. and Martha (Foster) Pryor, the former a native of Amherst County, Virginia, and the latter of Jessamine County, Kentucky. His father came to Gar- rard County many years ago; engaged in agricultural pursuits chiefly, and died there in 1849. He was a man of good sense, sterling integrity, and generous impulses. He was the son of David Pryor, a Virginian, a farmer, a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and a member of an extensive family descended from Nicholas Pryor, who emigrated from Scotland, and settled on the James river about the year 1700. His mother, Martha (Foster) Pryor, was the daughter of Thomas Foster, a soldier in the war of 1812, who emigrated from Delaware, in 1801, and settled in Jessamine County. She died in the month of August, 1841. In early girlhood she was remarkable for strong religious convictions, and through life sus- tained a consistent Christian character, and, in all re- spects, was a most exemplary lady. George R. Pryor was raised on the farm, and received his education chiefly at Bethel Academy, in Nicholasville, and at Centre College, Danville. He graduated at the latter named institution, in 1866, and turned his attention to teaching school while preparing himself for the law.

He had previously taught at Bethel Academy, and other places, to prepare himself for college. In the Winter of 1866, he entered on a systematic course of law read- ing, at Nicholasville, under R. M. Messick, now a cler- gyman in Missouri. In 1868, he was admitted to the bar, and began the practice of his profession at Nicholas- ville. He is a successful lawyer. In 1867, he was ap- pointed School Commissioner for Jessamine County; was elected to the office in the following year; was re-elected in 1870, and again in 1872; in 1871, was elected to fill a vacancy in the office of County Attorney, and held the position during the remainder of the term-three years. Mr. Pryor was married, March 2, 1875, to Julia Deering, a native of Scott County, Kentucky, and a daughter of Rev. S. S. Deering, a minister of high stand- ing in the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In poli- tics, Mr. Pryor is a Democrat. He is a man of fine per- sonal and business habits, of unimpeachable character, of fine standing at the bar, and a valuable citizen.

ENRY, HON. ROBERT P., Lawyer, was born November 24, 1788, in Scott County, Ken- tucky. He graduated in letters at Transyl- vania University ; studied law with Henry Clay ; was admitted to the bar in 1809; in the same year, was Commonwealth's Attorney for his district; served in the war of 1812, as aid to his father, Gen. William Henry; subsequently settled in Christian County, where he engaged in the practice of his profession, and became Prosecuting Attorney for that circuit; was a director in the Princeton branch of the Bank of the Commonwealth; was a Representative in Congress from 1823 to 1827; as a member of the Committee on Roads and Canals, obtained the first appropriation ever granted for the improvement of the Mississippi river ; and, while in Congress, was appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeals, but declined. Before the expiration of his Congressional term, he took sick and died, August 25, 1826.

ELMAN, FLOYD C., was born in Jefferson County, Kentucky, June 23, 1820. His father was Jeremiah Welman, a native of North Caro- lina, who removed to Kentucky at an early age, and settled in Madison County, where he married a lady of Fayette County, in the same State; was a farmer by occupation, moving, subsequently, to Oldham County, where Floyd received his educa- tion, attending the common-schools until he reached the age of eighteen years. Ile remained on the farm and worked for his father until his twenty-first year,

614

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

when he became a school-teacher, following that avoca- tion for eight years. Removing, in 1850, to Louisville, he entered the grocery and produce business, on Mar- ket Street, pursuing it successfully for eighteen years. During the years of 1849-50, when the Sons of Temper- ance were in the zenith of their power, he was a zealous member, and filled the chair of Worthy Patriarch. He is an ardent Democrat, and, in 1859, entercd the politi- cal arena, taking a very active part in the local elections; serving in the City Council of Louisville during the years of 1859, '60, and '61 ; and, as a Trustee of the Public-schools, during 1866 and '67. In August, 1868, he was elected Marshal of the Louisville Chancery Court, holding the office for six consecutive years; and, after the expiration of this limitation, was appointed deputy marshal under F. P. Helm, for one year. He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the Past Master's degree, and presided over Harry Hudson Lodge for fifteen years, as its first Master. For fifteen years, he has been the Steward of the Broad- way Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of which de- nomination he has for thirty years been a consistent member. Of a kind disposition and confiding nature; frank, and of sterling integrity ; seeking the esteem and regard of his fellow-citizens, but making no sacrifice of principle to obtain his desires, he commands the respect of the community; a good citizen, a kind father, and a devoted follower of Christ. In November, 1853, Mr. Welman married Miss Mary W. Duerson, daughter of Col. W. Duerson, which marriage has been blessed with three children.

OURTS, RICHARD WINN, Merchant, was born March 16, 1804, in Barren County, Ken- tucky. His father was a native of Culpepper County, Virginia, and moved to Kentucky at an early date. The family is of English origin. His school education was limited, owing to the meagre facilities of that time, but, with the energy and perseverance which afterwards characterized him as a business man, he entered upon a course of study which fully fitted him for the active duties of life. He began his business experience as clerk with Adam Wood, a merchant of Russellville, Kentucky, with whom he re- mained ten years, when, having become sufficiently familiar with the business, and accumulated some means, he opened a store in the same line of merchandise. In this he was very successful, and by his close applica- tion to business, and attention to the fluctuations of the market, he eventually established himself as a lead- ing merchant of Russellville. His power of mastering details, and his ability as accountant, won for him the confidence of his fellow-citizens, and he was appointed Commissioner of Courts, in which office he had the ad-

justment of cases relating to settlements with executors, and others having property in trust. He conducted the affairs of the office for several years, with such ability and efficiency, that, even after his retirement from official duties, he was constantly appealed to in cases requiring arbitration. He was also a Director of the Southern Bank of Kentucky, and, in many ways, was one of the most valued and useful men in the community. He re- tired from active life in 1850, but, up to the time of his death, took a lively interest in public affairs, and was well posted in all questions of finance. His religion was exemplified in his daily life, which was full of good deeds and charitable works, and, though not subscribing to any particular creed, his natural kindliness of disposi- tion and benevolence of heart recognized all mankind as brothers, for whom he considered it his duty to do all possible good. The rule by which his life was guided, is inscribed on his tomb: " Deal justly, love mercy, walk uprightly." He was married, in 1822, to Miss Emily A. Wilcox, and was the father of eight children, five of whom are yet living; the eldest son being con- nected with the Memphis and Little Rock Railroad, and the youngest son filling the position of teller and book- keeper in the Bank of Russellville.

EST, RICHARD, Farmer and Stock-raiser, was born February 26, 1819, in Scott County, Ken- tucky. His father, Samuel West, was a native of Maryland, being a farmer in Montgomery County of that State. He was married to Miss Eleanor Middleton, a native of Virginia; and came to Kentucky about the year 1815, resuming his former occupation as a farmer. Richard was the fourth child in a family of seven, of which but two members now survive. He received a very good education, at- tending the common-schools of his home until the age of fourteen years, when he was admitted to Georgetown College, where he completed his studies. After gradu- ating at college, he returned to the farm; and having, at an early age, taken a fancy to the rearing of choice stock, in which he displayed rare judgment for his years, he concluded to enter more extensively into this busi- ness. He was very successful in this undertaking; and, in 1868, decided to devote his attention more exclu- sively to the improvement of trotting stock. With this object in view, he purchased the celebrated trotting horse called " Almont," well known among stock-breed- ers as a very fine animal, and sire of " Allie West" and "Piedmont," and other famous racers; the former hav- ing a record, as a "four-year-old," of 2.29, and, as a "five-year-old," of 2.25, which is considered, by turf- men, as very good time. He has acquired a national reputation as a stock-raiser, and is widely known among

615

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

turf-men as having brought out some of the most re- nowned racers in the country. His trotters always com- mand the highest price in the market; and among those, remarkable for their speed, that have been bred and trained on his place, the Edgehill Trotting Farm, may be mentioned the following : "Blackwood," " Rosa- lind," " Lula," "May Queen," "Mollie Long," "Bill Thunder," "General Garfield,' "Kentucky Prince," and others, whose fame on the turf sustains his high reputation as a connoisseur in the equine science. He takes a deep interest in all matters relating to the turf and farm ; and has for many years been connected with different agricultural societies in his district ; and has often been solicited to accept the presidency of the Trotting Horse Breeders' Association, of Lexington, Kentucky, a position to which he would bring great influence, and a vast knowledge of the science which that association is designed to promote. But, as he has always shown a great aversion to having his name brought prominently before the public, he has uniformly declined all steps leading to notoriety. In politics, his unassuming and quiet disposition has always kept him from taking an active part; but he is a man whose influence is eagerly sought in every contest. He was married, in 1851, to Miss Edmonia Sammell, by whom he had three children, of whom but two survive: Clark A., who has taken up the profession of medicine, and is engaged in practice at Georgetown, Kentucky ; and Miss Monie West, an accomplished young lady who graces his household. He lost his first wife, and was again married, in 1861, to Mrs. Agnes Gray Barbour, daughter of Colonel Benjamin P. Gray, of Woodford County. The issue of this union is a son, named Rich- ard, who is at present attending college. Mr. West is a gentleman of great firmness of character; cultured, and of fine sensibilities; modest and unassuming, he has always avoided prominence. Devoted to his chosen occupation, he stands at its head, with a national repu- tation ; and, as a citizen, he is regarded with veneration by all with whom he is associated.

ENNEDY, SAMUEL WILLIAM, Lawyer, was born December 22, 1823, in Todd County, Kcn- tucky. His ancestors, on his father's side, came from Ireland, and, on his mother's, from Scot- land. His father, when quite a young man, was Deputy Sheriff of Todd County; but sub- sequently engaged in farming and merchandising, and also for some time carried on a wool factory. He died at the age of forty-one. His mother is still living, hav- ing reached her seventy-fourth year. S. W. Kennedy received a fair education in the country schools, and, in 1843 and 1844, studied law with Hon. F. M. Bristow,

at Elkton, in his native county; was admitted to the bar, and, for twenty-nine years, has engaged successfully in the practice of his profession at Elkton. He was County Attorney for Todd County under the old Con- stitution, and served four years in that capacity under the present Constitution. He has never been a candi- date for any political office, but has devoted his time and energy to the interests of his profession, and has taken rank among the most energetic, painstaking, and able lawyers in Southern Kentucky. He is a man of great independence of thought, controlling his actions and life by his own sense of right; possesses a high de- gree of moral rectitude; is distinguished for his just dealings ; and, although not connected with any Church organization, has a genuine and high regard for the Christian religion. Mr. Kennedy was married, Decem- ber 18, 1855, to Miss Nannie G. Greenfield, at Elkton, Kentucky. They have six living children, all daughters.

EYTON, ALFRED H., Lawyer, was born October 9, 1843, in Breckinridge County, Kentucky. His father, Francis Peyton, was a lawyer of high standing; and died at Har- dinsburg, in 1852; and his mother was the daughter of Joseph Allen, Clerk of the Breck- inridge Circuit and County Courts for over fifty-eight years. Alfred H. Peyton received a good literary edu- cation in his native county, and graduated in the law school of Louisville, in 1861 ; and at once commenced the practice of his profession in Breckinridge County. In the same year, he entered the Confederate army, under Gen. Buckner, and served until 1863, participat- ing in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicksburg, Baton Rogue, and Jackson; was then promoted Captain of Company H, Twenty-eighth Tennessee Regiment, and, with it, was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, Chicka- mauga, in front of Chattanooga, Ringgold, Dalton, Re- saca, the different engagements about Atlanta, and the battle of Peach Tree Creek. He subsequently com- manded a post in Georgia; was, at his own request, transferred to Forrest's Cavalry ; was appointed Chief of Ordnance on his staff; subsequently recruited three companies for the Seventh Battalion of Cavalry; accom- panied them on Lyon's expedition into Kentucky ; and, by the aid of Cobb's battery, on the Tennessee river, captured the steamers "Thomas E. Tutt," "Ben South," and "Echo," with which the entire command was con- veyed across the river. During an expedition shortly afterwards, he was captured in an engagement near Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and, after a short imprison- ment with his men at Louisville, was sent to Camp Chase, and was exchanged at Richmond, two or three months subsequent ; in the Spring of 1865, joined his

616

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

command at Selma, Alabama. At the close of the war, he resumed the practice of his profession in Breckin- ridge County ; in 1869, moved to Louisville, forming a partnership with Col. S. S. English, continuing in that connection until 1876. In 1872, he was appointed to make settlements with fiduciaries in Jefferson County Court, and, in 1876, was reappointed. He is connected prominently with quite a number of social organiza- tions; has already attained a considerable prominence in his profession, and is regarded as a safe, earnest, skillful, and reliable lawyer. Mr. Peyton was married, in 1866, to Miss Sue H. Geoghegan, of Jefferson County.

NNEAR, JOSEPH F., Manufacturer, was born January 17, 1844, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His

father, Dr. John Annear, was of French de- scent, and was a native of New England, but went West at an early day, establishing himself in Cincinnati, where he followed his profession, and became one of the most successful physicians of the city. Joseph F. Annear received his early education in the excellent public-schools of his native city. He was energetic and persevering. Compelled to leave school at the early age of fourteen years, he soon proved abundantly able to sustain himself, and gave evidence of the possession of qualities that insured for him suc- cess in his future undertakings. Upon leaving his studies, he took a situation as apprentice in the steam- boat tinning business, with Stewart and Van Duzen, of Cincinnati. After working at the trade for a short time, the war broke out, and he was among the first who responded to the call of the country. He en- listed in the Sixth Ohio Regiment, and served gallantly through a large number of the prominent battles of the war, including Stone River, Chickamauga, and numer- ous minor engagements. At the close of the war, he resumed his former avocation, and, after working for a short time, removed to Dayton, Ohio. There he de- voted himself to gaining a thorough knowledge of a business at that time in an early stage of its existence, but which was destined to become a flourishing in- dustry, and work a revolution in an important branch of modern architecture. This business was the man- ufacture of galvanized iron cornices; which, by rea- son of their great cheapness, durability, and the infinite variety of design of which they admit, have, in a large measure, supplanted the old, defective, wooden cornice. He remained in Dayton for three years; and, after be- coming thoroughly acquainted with every branch of the trade, went to Toledo, Ohio, where he took charge of the cornice works of Stevens & Co., and continued there for some time. He left Toledo, and, after re- maining in Cincinnati for a time, was called to take

charge of the extensive works of Bourlier & Bro., at Louisville, Kentucky. In 1873, he had accumulated sufficient means to commence in the business upon his own account; and, forming a partnership with Charles Helm, of Louisville, they opened a shop in the central portion of the city. The undertaking proved successful. Their first large contract was to furnish the Alms-house with cornice work; and this was executed with such taste and skill as to give the firm a fine reputation. Among the large number of buildings finished by this house may be mentioned the following: Shurman, Wilks, Reiling's & Reamer's Blocks, the Thomas estate, Capertons & Caldwell's buildings, and others, all of which reflect the greatest credit upon the ability and skill of the house. The business of this firm soon reached such dimensions as to require additional facili- ties for carrying on its operations; and, in order to accommodate this increase of trade, they removed to more commodious quarters, on Third Street, between Main and Market. This establishment is not only well known in Louisville, but its reputation has spread throughout the South and West. Mr. Annear was mar- ried to, Miss Mary A. Johnson, daughter of William Johnson, a well-known journalist of Louisville; and a granddaughter of George Gretsinger, one of the oldest inhabitants of the city, and, for a long time, a "falls pilot." He owes his success in life to a firm will and an untiring energy. His course has been marked by a firm adherence to right in all his dealings; and, as a citizen, he is upright and conscientious, and well worthy of the high esteem in which he is held.

ONG, SPENCER CURD, Merchant, son of Nimrod Long, a banker and prominent citizen of Russellville, Kentucky, was born in that place, March 3, 1835. His grandfather, John S. Long, was one of the first settlers of Logan County. (See sketch of Nimrod Long.) His great-grandfather, Major Gabriel Long, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and distinguished himself under Washington. Spencer C. Long's opportunities for edu- cation were very good; were so industriously improved, that, in his fifteenth year, he entered college, at George- town, Kentucky; and, after four years of assiduous ap- plication, graduated, with honors, in 1854. He was engaged, for a short time, on the management of his farm; but, not finding there sufficient scope for his busi- ness energy, sold his farm, and entered into commercial life in Louisville; first, as a partner in the firm of Hall & Long, provision dealers, remaining in this business six years, then withdrew, in 1866, and embarked in the tobacco trade, in which he has been quite successful, being now one of the leading and most extensive buy-

Eng 15 Pedby HimFit UCONY

gov. aug. Williams

619

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

ers and tobacco dealers of Louisville. He is a leading member of the Baptist Church, and his devotion to the cause of religion is evinced by liberal donations in money, and by sympathetic enconragement of all move- ments of moral and social advancement. He has been an officer in his Church, on Broadway, since its organi- zation. He was married, in 1856, to Miss Cornelia Gano, daughter of Dr. S. F. Gano, one of the leading physicians of Georgetown, Kentucky. They have had six children, three boys and three girls.

ILLIAMS, PROF. JOHN AUGUSTUS, A. M., LL. D., President of Daughters' College, was born September 21, 1824, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. His father, Dr. Charles E. Will- iams, is a native of Montgomery County ; long resided in Bourbon County; is a physician of high standing ; a man of scholarly attainments, and one of the most widely known and valuable men in Cen- tral Kentucky; and is the son of Raleigh Williams, of Welsh origin, one of the early Virginian pioneers of Kentucky. His mother was Arabella Dodge, daughter of David Dodge, one of the early merchants and manu- facturers of Lexington, Kentucky. Prof. Williams at- tended the best schools of Paris during his boyhood, and, at the age of fourteen, entered Bacon College, then situated at Georgetown, under the presidency of Dr. D. S. Burnet, and, while a student there, the col- lege was removed to Harrodsburg, and was subsequently changed to the Kentucky University, where he gradua- ted, in 1843, under the presidency of Dr. James Shan- non. He received the degree of A. M. from his Alma Mater, and, subsequently, had conferred on him the degree of LL. D., at the Masonic University at La Grange, Kentucky. After leaving college, he read law, with the view to entering upon its practice, which, how- ever, he was prevented from doing by the development of very decided tastes for teaching, and the discovery of serious wants in the educational system in the State. In 1848, he took charge of what was called Prospect Hill Seminary, a boarding-school for young ladies and gen- tlemen, near Mt. Sterling, an institution which became very prosperous under his management, and in which he obtained considerable distinction, from his original methods and superior talents as a teacher. His success was so flattering that he was induced to establish a fe- male college at North Middleton, in Bourbon County, and his birthplace, known as the Bourbon Institute, in which he aimed to carry into full effect his advanced plans of cducation. But, in 1851, he was pressingly and successfully urged to establish his female institution of learning at Columbia, Missouri, the seat of Missouri

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.

The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 108

Author: Armstrong, J. M., & company, pub Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Cincinnati, J. M. Armstrong Number of Pages: 946

Author: Armstrong, J. M., & company, pub
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Cincinnati, J. M. Armstrong
Number of Pages: 946