The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 117

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

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issued his famous "Emancipation Proclamation," sub- mitting his action to the judgment of mankind and the favor of Almighty God. In 1864, he was re-elected to the Presideney, and was inaugurated, March 4, 1865, when the clouds of war were beginning to clear from the long-darkened sky, and the end of the rebellion was at hand. His inaugural speech was without a parallel, and the circumstances under which it was delivered were among the most interesting in the nation's history. " With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, let us finish the work we are in- to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who hath borne the battle, and for his widow and his or- phans; to do all which may achieve a just and lasting peace among ourselves and among all nations," were his inaugural sentiments, foreshadowing his policy toward the vanquished, and portraying no concern for his own dangers and sufferings. The surrender had come; the nation was full of rejoicing; and Mr. Lincoln was re- volving plans of reconciliation, of healing for the sec- tions, and for obliterating the scars of strife. On the night of the 14th of April, he visited Ford's Theater, radiant with happiness, and feeling confident that the nation's wounds could be speedily healed, and fraternity re-established between all parts of the country. At half- past ten o'clock, the crack of a pistol was heard, and a creature, by the name of John Wilkes Booth, jumped from the President's box, exclaiming, "Sic semper ty- rannis! the South is avenged !" He had shot and mor- tally wounded the President. This was the last act in the great rebellion, and to-day an undivided nation holds in detestation the dastardly deed, and mourns the untimely and sad end of the great-hearted Lincoln. Unconscious from the first, Mr. Lincoln died a few minutes past seven o'clock, on the morning of the 15th of April, 1865. A nation wept, and horror and grief filled the hearts of the people. No pen can adequately describe the condition of the country, or the respect and reverence shown his remains at Washington, and on their way to their final resting-place at Springfield, Illinois. Mr. Lincoln was married, in 1842, to Miss Mary Todd, daughter of Hon. Robert S. Todd, of Kentucky. They had four children-Robert, Edward, William, and Thomas. Robert and Thomas, with Mrs. Lincoln, still survive. In person, Mr. Lincoln was spare, six feet four inches in height, athletic, possessed of great strength, had long arms and legs, stooped slightly forward in walking, and was awkward and un- attractive in his gait and general appearance; his fore- head was high and broad, hair black and coarse; was a fine type of the man produced in the North-west, or in Kentucky and Tennessee; was cordial, familiar, and exceedingly agreeable in manners; was frank, open, and sincere; had a mind of great analytical power; discovered truth with remarkable quickness; was exact

and accurate; got at the gist of every cause ; reasoned with mathematical precision; had a remarkable mem- ory; was no scholar; was the most effective public speaker of his day, without any oratorical display ; his writings and speeches will be an endless source of sup- ply for generations, and his composition placed among the purest in the English language; his Gettysburg speech was, within a few weeks after its delivery, adopted as a model of pure English in two American colleges, and one college in England, and, shortly afterwards, trans- lated into the Greek, on account of its purity. In his language and life, he stamped himself more indelibly upon the nation than any other man; and parts of his Douglas debates, his inaugurals, his letters to the Illinois State Convention, to Horace Greeley, to Albert G. Hodges, of Kentucky, will ever be specimens of the highest Chris- tian statesmanship. Touching the subject of slavery, he wrote Mr. Greeley: "My paramount object is to save the Union, and not either to save or destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that." He was unselfish, tender-hearted, and magnanimous; was naturally a gentleman ; was firm and unalterable in his convictions when once cer- tainly formed ; was the most democratic of all the Presi- dents, having great faith in the people; loved God as the Great Father, and man as his brother; and his place in history will be more exalted than his place in life. One of his acts was the greatest event, probably, of the nineteenth century, no matter how men may differ now as to it. Statesmen, all men, will read his record, and learn lessons of true greatness and goodness in pub- lic and private character. The future will deal more with his life and deeds than with those of any of the great sons of Kentucky.

ERRY, LEWIS ALLEN, Farmer and Banker, son of Benjamin Berry and his wife, Mary Allen, both Virginians. His father's family were of English origin, and were among the early settlers of Virginia. His father removed to Kentucky, in 1779, settling first at the fort at Harrodsburg, and afterwards at the present homestead, in Woodford County, near Versailles, where his son, Lewis Allen, was born, June 17, 1800, and where he still lives. He remained at home till his fifteenth year, attending the best schools of Woodford County, then entered a dry-goods store in Versailles, remaining there five years, when, his health failing, he engaged in farm- ing for several years. He then rode as sheriff for a few years, and afterwards resumed farming, at which he con-

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tinued until recently, when he divided his estate among his children, and has mainly retired from business. He has always taken an active part in politics; and, in 1847, was elected to the Legislature; was many times Com- missioner for the Collection of Taxes; and, has been in many ways prominent in the history and growth of Ver- sailles. In 1872, he was appointed President of the Bank of Woodford County, which was originally a branch of the Commercial Bank of Paducah, was afterwards changed to Commercial Bank of Woodford, and only recently to its present name, and of which he had been a director for-twenty years. He was married, in 1827, to Miss Martha A. Redd; has raised a large and in- teresting family, by whom he is greatly loved and re- spectcd. Six of their children are married : Mary E. is the wife of A. C. Higbee, of Lexington; John T. mar- ried Miss Wheatley, of Mason County; Sallie C. mar- ried Joseph Bailey, of Versailles; Robert Y. married Miss Ware, of Bourbon County; Lewis A. married Miss Stevenson, of Versailles; and Fanny M. is the wife of James Saffell, of Frankfort. Mr. Berry is one of the oldest natives of Woodford County; is a man of great integrity and honor, kind-hearted and benevolent, a sin- cere and earnest member of the Christian or Disciples' Church; and, when his earthly career is done, will leave behind him many warm friends, and no enemies.

ENTRY, REUBEN, Farmer, was born Septem- . ber 16, 1816, in Howard County, Missouri, in the locality known as the " Boone's Lick Coun- try." His father, R. Gentry, was one of the 0 early pioneers of the State of Missouri, having emigrated to that State from Kentucky, in 18II; and took an active part in the Indian troubles of the times. Owing to the very scanty facilities for ob- taining an education in the new country, Reuben Gentry received, when young, but a very meagre ac- quaintance with books. He attended what were called the " Old Fields Schools," until the age of eleven years, when his father removed to what is now Pettis County, Missouri. He remained working on his father's farm until the age of eighteen years, when he resolved to leave the farm for the more active employment of a mercantile life. He went to Columbia, Missouri, and soon found employment with a merchant of that town, remaining with him for five years. About this time, the discovery of gold in California was made known to the world; and immediately a vast tide of emigration set in towards the new El Dorado. A large portion of this travel from the Eastern States was by way of what was called the " overland route," across the plains. The emigrants were compelled to supply themselves with provisions in Missouri before beginning the long jour-

ney; and this led to the establishment of a large and profitable trade for merchants. He was engaged in the overland trade with Mexico and across the plains for a period of ten years, meeting with fair success. In 1848, he married Miss N. B. Gentry, of Lincoln County, Ken- tucky; and a short time afterwards removed to Lexing- ton, Missouri, where he was soon engaged in an extensive and profitable business as a merchant. Two years sub- sequently he removed to Kentucky and engaged in farming. At the establishment of the agricultural order known as the "Granger,," he became at once an active supporter of the movement in his State; and, in 1877, was chosen to the position of Manager and Treasurer of the Boyle County Co-operative Association (Patrons of Husbandry, No. 152), which position he holds at the present time. He was one of the incorporators of the Central National Bank of Danville, Kentucky, and is a member of the Board of Directors of that institution. He is a prominent member and elder of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Danville. He has two sons, named, respectively, William H. and Reuben; the elder, aged twenty-three years, has charge of his father's farm; and the younger, aged eleven years, is receiving his education under private instruction at home. Mr. Gentry has a very pleasing disposition, being of a genial nature and affable manners; he has never sought promi- nence, preferring his farm and friends to the uncertainty of public life ; and is held in high esteem by all who are favored with his acquaintance.

VANS, WILLIAM RICHARDS, M. D., was born September 11, 1826, in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. His father, Ludwell Evans, was an intelligent and highly respected farmer of that county; and, with his family, emigrated from Virginia, to take up his residence in Nicho- las County, Kentucky, in 1826. He remained in Nich- olas County for a short period, when he removed to Mercer County, where he continued to reside until his death, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. William received a very liberal education. He passed through the primary schools of his neighborhood, and then entered Bacon College, where he continued his studies for several years. Leaving college, at about the age of twenty, he chose for his profession that of medi- cine, as being best suited to his tastes and inclinations, and at once entered upon a course of study to acquaint himself with the principles of that science. He first studied medicine at the office of Scales & McBrayer, of Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and left this place to become a student at the University of Louisville. After passing through a rigorous course of study and discipline at this institution, he was granted his diploma as M. D., in

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1850. In the following year, he was appointed Assist- ant Demonstrator of Anatomy in his Alma Mater, in which capacity he served, with slight intermissions, un- til the Spring of 1855; acting, also, as private assistant to the Professor of Surgery, and Prosector to the Pro- fessor of Anatomy. About this time, Dr. Richardson, Demonstrator of Anatomy of the University, to whom Dr. Evans had acted so long and faithfully as assistant, contemplated resigning his position; and the Doctor was requested, by members of the Faculty, to hold himself in readiness to assume the duties of a position for which he was so well qualified. In the following year, Dr. Richardson resigned the Demonstratorship to accept the Chair of Professor of Anatomy in the Pennsylvania Medical College, at Philadelphia, whereupon Dr. Evans was promptly written to by Dr. Gross, informing him of the vacancy, and asking if he wished to become a can- didate for the place. But the Doctor, being in a remote part of the State, did not receive the communication in time to allow his name to go before the Faculty, by which he was deprived of all prospects of a position which he so eminently deserved. After this, he com- menced practice in the interior of the State, where he met with almost unexampled success as a practitioner of medicine and country surgeon. In the Winter of 1862, he made a visit to Philadelphia, where he spent the season with much profit, in the further prosecution of his professional studies, under the kind attentions of his friend, Prof. Samuel D. Gross, by whose advice he was, on his return home, persuaded to locate at Louisville, Kentucky. After a short residence here, his health be- coming delicate, he decided to leave the city, to take up his residence in the country with a view of restoring his health. He accordingly left Louisville, and purchased a farm in the vicinity of Danville, Kentucky, where he contrived to blend his practice as a physician with the more healthful pursuits of farming. He remained here until 1876, when, desiring a location where his children could enjoy better educational facilities than his present one afforded, he removed to Danville, Kentucky, his res- idence at the present time, where his position is agreea- ble, and his professional prospects good. He was mar- ried, in 1855, to Miss Mary Lee Forsythe, daughter of Andrew Forsythe, a worthy citizen, and a man of con- siderable influence in his neighborhood. They have four children-two sons and two daughters-named, respect- ively, Jennie Lee, William Ludwell, Mary Richards, and Andrew Forsythe Evans. He is a member of the Christian or Reform Church, and takes a deep interest in its affairs. His family, being one of culture and refine- ment, occupy a highly respectable position in the culti- vated society of his town. Dr. Evans is a gentleman of ability, skilled and conscientious in the pursuits of his profession, and deserving of the highest regard and es- tcem of his townsmen.

ILSON, CAPT. SAMUEL SIDNEY, Mechan- ical Engineer, is a native of Baltimore, Mary- land, where he was born March 28, 1815, his father being a cotton manufacturer of that city. He received his early education in the common- schools, and, from his sixteenth to twentieth years, was apprenticed to the carpenter trade, and imme- diately afterwards entered the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road shops, where he spent three years in learning pattern-making; then embraced a good opportunity which was offered him, and started a business of his own, relying chiefly upon his skill and the energy which has characterized him through his whole life; applied for, and was awarded, the contract for building and superintending the Laurel Cotton Mills, the largest then in the State; managed this undertaking successfully, thereby obtaining an experience which enabled him to accept with confidence a position with Gen. M. C. Meigs as first assistant in the construction of Wash- ington Aqueduct, which position he held until the completion of that immensc work. This led to his being engaged by Captain Talcut to take charge of the reconstruction of the dome of the Capitol at Wash- ington, District of Columbia; which work he accom- plished with so much ability, that he received many encomiums upon its excellence from his associates. The election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, and difference of political opinions, deprived him of his situation; but, at the beginning of the war, his friend, Col. Andrew J. Talcut, required his services in fortify- ing Richmond against the Federal forces. This was the beginning of a career filled with remarkable incidents, and his unvarying success secured to him a wide field for the exercise of his ready and inventive ability, and constantly elicited approbation and thanks from his superior officers. He afterwards received the appoint- ment of Inspector and Superintendent of the famous Cobinjohn bridge over the creek of the same name, in Maryland, and the Rock Creek iron-pipe bridge, between Washington and Georgetown. He is now advanced in years, but in intellect remains clear and active, his last work of importance being the erection of the Round- house of the Short Line Railroad, at Louisville, from designs by Albert Fink, of the Louisville and Nashville Road, a work calculated to reflect lasting credit upon his ability. It is not beyond reasonable expectations that his career of usefulness is not yet over, and that other enterprises may yet crown the close of his un- usually interesting and useful life. In social relations he is highly estcemed, and has many warm admirers; docs not belong to any Church organization, but is actively benevolent, and closely identified with the numerous charitable enterprises connected with the I. O. O. F., of which he is a member, in Louisville, Ken- tucky, where he has resided for many years. He was

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married, in 1836, to Miss Anna Smith, daughter of Captain Smith, of New York, and has four living children.

OOD, HUNTER, Lawyer, was born November 2, 1845, in Albemarle County, Virginia. The family is of English ancestry, and came to this country at an early period. His father, Dr. Alfred C. Wood, was an eminent physician of Virginia. Hunter Wood was favored with a liberal education; and became thoroughly proficient in the old classical as well as the modern branches of learning. After completing his primary studies, he en- tered the Virginia Military Institute, at Lexington. He was attending this school when the war was in pro- gress, and, while a cadet, served eight months in the army. He graduated in 1865, and, having chosen the law as his profession, he at once began its study. He became a student at the Law School of the Charlottesville (Virginia ) University; and, after receiving his license, removed to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where he com- menced practice. His brilliant talents were soon recog- nized, and he rapidly rose to position, as one of the most successful advocates at the bar of his district. In 1868, he received the appointment of Master Commis- sioner in Chancery, of the Christian Circuit Court, and held the position for two terms, of four years' duration. In 1870, he was chosen County Attorney of Christian County, and occupied the office for four years. He was elected Commonwealth's Attorney, in 1874, of the Sec- ond District of Kentucky, the term of service being six years. He has gained considerable prominence as a politician, and is a zealous adherent of the Democratic party. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Rosalie N. Green, daughter of the late John R. Green, of Chris- tian County. He is a'member of the Protestant Episco- pal Church, and holds the office of senior warden. Mr. Wood possesses great legal ability, and, although yet a young man, has attained considerable distinction in his profession. He is earnest, energetic, and deter- mined, and his labors are well worthy of the highest esteem in which they are held.

ALTON, HON. CLAIBORNE J., M. D., Physi- cian and Surgeon, was born June 30, 1823, in Barren County, Kentucky. His parents were of English descent. His father, John L. Walton, was a native of Virginia, and followed the occupations of a farmer and blacksmith. Clai- borne J. Walton obtained his early education under the numerous disadvantages and difficulties that were to be encountered by a student in the early settlements of

Kentucky. But, being ambitious and persevering, he overcame every obstruction, and became a good scholar. At the age of twenty years, becoming dependent upon his own efforts for maintenance, he resolved to teach school, an employment for which his acquisitions of knowledge well fitted him. He taught school in Barren County, Kentucky, for three sessions, and then attended one of the high-schools of Glasgow, Kentucky, where he was enabled to add materially to his learning and business qualifications. After leaving this institution, he resumed the occupation of teaching, at the same time devoting much of his leisure moments to the study of Latin. He taught for five more sessions, and, in the mean time, having decided to enter the profession of medicine, he commenced its study in 1846, and entcred the University of Louisville, Kentucky, in the Fall of 1847, when he enjoyed the advantages of a full course of lectures in that institution. In the Spring of 1848, he commenced the practice of medicine, in Woodson- ville, Hart County, Kentucky, under very embarrassing circumstances, and, for want of mcans, was obliged to return to teaching, for two successive Winters, to carry himself through his troubles. He was offered tempting inducements to continue as a teacher, hut, having formed the determination of adhering to his chosen profession, he passed them by, and devoted himself more energetically to its pursuits. In 1851, as an evi- dence of the high estimation in which his abilities were held by his fellow-citizens, he was called upon to be- come a candidate for the lower branch of the Legis- lature, and was elected by a handsome majority, and served honorably for one term. He graduated, in the University of Louisville, Kentucky, with the first honors of the class, in 1853. In 1855, the year of the Know- Nothing excitement in the country, he offered himself for the State Senate, and was elected by an overwhelm- ing majority. He proved such an able and faithful public servant, that, upon the expiration of his first term of four years, he was re-elected without opposition. During the dark days of 1861, when Kentucky became so conspicuous by her wavering course, in the time of the nation's peril, he was one of the few who firmly stood by the cause of the Union, and vehemently opposed its enemies. When the war broke out, he was among the first to volunteer for the cause he held dear, and entered the Union army, joining the Twenty-first Kentucky In- fantry, as a private soldier. Soon after his enlistment, he was advised hy Gen. Ward not to serve as a private, as his presence was desired in the State Senate, and that he was at liberty to accept an appointment as Regiment Surgeon of the Twenty-first Regiment Kentucky Volun- teer Infantry. After some hesitation as to the course to pursue, he was examined for surgeon, and received the appointment. He was also placed upon the corps of examining surgeons for discharging disabled soldiers.

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He served with the Army of the Cumberland, and per- formed the arduous duties of his station with fidelity. He often had in his charge some of the wounded Con- federate soldiers, and always treated them with the ut- most kindness; and their meeting in more peaceful times was marked by the most cordial friendship. After his long and laborious service, for a period of over three years, as surgeon with his regiment, at the close of the conflict he returned to enjoy the quiet and repose of a peaceful life. But, after he had resumed the pursuits of the tranquil and law-abiding citizen, he found that his labors were not yet completed; for his neighborhood was . infested with a savage horde of guerrillas, who seemed bent on wreaking his destruction. After suffering from their depredations for a time, he set about organizing a force for their subjugation, and followed them up with such vigor and spirit as to effectually rid the community of their presence. In 1873, he was again elected State Senator. He was candidate for Presidential Elector of his district, in 1876, for the Republicans. He takes an active part in politics, and is a forcible public speaker. He is a prominent member of the Methodist Church, having taken a leading part in its affairs for a period of over thirty years. Dr. Walton was married, in Decem- ber, 1857, to Miss Nannie E. Maxey, daughter of David Maxey, of Hart County, Kentucky; and four children grace this union. He has been practicing his profession for about thirty years, and is to-day as active, energetic, and ambitious as at any period of his life. He ranks high as a surgeon, having performed successfully many of the most difficult and important surgical operations, both in military and civil life. He has made it a point to go wherever his professional duty calls lim, regardless of his own comfort or compensation.

HITE, HON. DANIEL P., M. D., was born in 1813, in Greene County, Kentucky. His father, William P. White, was a native of Virginia, and moved to Kentucky while a youth, his family settling in Greene County about 1790. He was married to Judith Taylor, and had three daughters and one son, Dr. D. P. White, who received a liberal education, mainly at Centre Col- lege, under Dr. Young. In 1827, he graduated in med- icine at Transylvania University, under Dudlcy, Yan- dell, Caldwell, and Cooke, having prepared for college by a thorough course of study, under his uncle, Dr. R. A. Taylor, of Greensburg. He at once entered on the practice of his profession at Greensburg, Kentucky ; soon established a large and lucrative practice, which he continued for twelve years, and took a leading posi- tion in his profession in Southern Kentucky, when he abandoned the profession to engage in agricultural and

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 117

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