The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 12

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 12

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

friends, and gentlemanly in his deportment, his personal popularity is very great, as attested by his repeated elec- tion to positions of trust and honor. In 1848, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Cheatham, step-daughter of Prof. W. K. Bolling, of Nashville, Tennessee, now President of the American Medical Association of the United States. Five children have blessed this marriage, of whom but one survives, and is being educated at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee.

ELSON, GEN. WILLIAM, Soldier, was born in 1825, in Mason County, Kentucky. At the age of fifteen, he received an appointment of a cadetship, to the Military Academy, at Annap- olis; graduated, and entered the navy, as mid- shipman ; served on the sloop-of-war "York- town ;" in 1846, was past midshipman on the frigate "Raritan;" acted as master of the war steamer " Mis- sissippi," in conveying Louis Kossuth to this country, in 1851; in 1854, was promoted master of the frigate " Independence," and was, subsequently, master of the "Niagara;" was placed in command of the gunboat fleet, on the Ohio river, at the commencement of the rebellion ; was sent to Kentucky, and, in 1861, estab- lished Camp Dick Robinson, a place of rendezvous for Union soldiers, in Garrard County, Kentucky; the same year, became Brigadier-General; on November 8, of that year, fought the battle of Ivy Mountain; led the ad- vance of Gen. Buell's army, in 1862, for the re-enforce- ment of Gen. Grant, at Shiloh ; was promoted Major- General, in July of that year; was senior officer, in command of the troops, at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, August 30, 1862, when the Federal troops were defeated by Gen. E. Kirby Smith; and, after that engagement, which was brought on contrary to his orders, he retreated to Louisville, where he was killed, at the Galt House, September 29, 1862, by General Jef- ferson C. Davis, of Indiana. Gen. Nelson was, un- doubtedly, a brave, skillful soldier; and, although long, rigid military life had made him rough, exacting, and somewhat pompous, yet he was kind and greatly devoted to his soldiers, and was a man of real culture, great strength of character, and many endurable traits.

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TEPHENS, NAPOLEON B., was born August 25, 1814, in Campbell, now Kenton County, Kentucky, and is the son of Hon. Leonard Stephens and his wife, Catherine Sanford. His father was one of the most worthy and in- fluential of the old pioneers ; figured extensively in the early affairs of Kenton County, and was, to a

great extent, identified with the early history of North- ern Kentucky. He represented Campbell County in the Lower House of the Legislature, in 1824, and was re- elected to the same branch of the Legislature, and, from 1829 to 1833, was a member of the State Senate. N. B. Stephens received a common English education, which he completed at Burlington Academy, Boone County. He commenced merchandising in a general store, in 1828, at Florence, and continued actively en- gaged in that business until 1841. In that year, he bc- came Clerk of the County and Circuit Court; was also appointed Clerk of the United States District Court, and held the position until 1862. He was elected mem- ber of the Legislature in 1839, and, at the expiration of his term, was re-elected. For a number of years he has resided in Covington, and, in January, 1877, was elected President of the City Council. He has accumu- lated a considerable estate; has reared a worthy and honorable family; has, throughout his life, taken a prominent part in all public affairs, always laboring for the best interests of the community ; is a man of great integrity of character; stands deservedly high for his business ability and sound executive skill; has been, from early manhood, a member of the Presbyterian Church, and, for more than twenty years, an elder; and is one of the most substantial, valuable, and widely known citizens of his part of the State. Mr. Stephens was married, October 18, 1848, to Rebecca P. Hughes, of Boone County, Kentucky, and has four living chil- dren. His oldest daughter is the wife of Hon. Robert A. Athey, Mayor of Covington. His second daughter is the wife of D. D. Bayless, merchant, of Cincinnati ; and his son, John L. Stephens, married Mary C. Coch- ran, of Lexington, Kentucky.

AINES, SAMUEL MORTON, Editor, was born June 18, 1843, in Charlotte County, Virginia. His father, Richard I. Gaines, was a much re- spected farmer of that county, where he resided for many years. Samuel M. Gaines received his early education in the best schools of his native town, and in the County Academy. Before en- tering upon his studies in the University of Virginia, the ordinance of secession was passed by his native Statc ; and being of an impulsive nature, and as brave as im- pulsive, he enlisted, although but seventeen years of age, in the First Regiment of Virginia Cavalry. Hav- ing served in this regiment for some time, he was trans- ferred to the Fourteenth, of which he was in command at the surrender at Appomattox. Hc was in nearly all the battles of the war, from the commencement until its final termination, having been in continuous service, with the exception of six months spent as a prisoner of

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war; and was twice promoted, on the field of battle, for bravery. Returning home after the surrender of Gen- eral Lee, he, in October, 1865, resumed his studies, for two years attending the University of Virginia, going through a general literary course, including the study of law. At the expiration of that time he graduated, and in October, 1867, was admitted to the bar, in his native county, where he commenced the practice of law, con- tinuing until January, 1870. At this date he removed to Hopkinsville, Kentucky, giving his undivided atten- tion to his profession until April, 1873, at which time he entered the field of journalism, upon the "New Era," published at Hopkinsville. In January, 1876, he abandoned the practice of law, and devoted himself ex- clusively to the editorial management of the paper. As an editor, he has been successful to a marked degree, the "New Era," since his connection with it, having been pronounced one of the leading papers of the State. In politics, he is an ardent and outspoken Democrat ; fearless in speech as in the columns of his paper. En- dowed with a large fund of natural talent, he is a born leader, brave, impulsive, and generous to a fault ; destined, if life and health are spared, to achieve dis- tinction, and "fill a page in the history of the future;" fond of literature, the drama, and fine arts, and yet, withal, a close student of the political issues of the times. In December, 1867, he married Ada S. Leake, daughter of Shelton F. Leake, a prominent gentleman of Virginia, who represented his State in Congress for several years.

PEARS, NOAH, Banker, Merchant, and Farmer, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, on the 7th of March, 1829. He is the son of Solo- mon Spears, for many years a farmer in that county, a native of Kentucky, descendant of Viginians. His mother, Margaret Kerfoot, was a native of the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, and the mother of six children, of whom he was the youngest. He received his early education in the Bourbon County schools, and finished his literary course at Bethany Col- lege, Virginia, where he graduated in 1848. He then embarked in mercantile pursuits at Paris, Kentucky, before he had attained his majority; after four years he retired from business, and engaged in farming, in Bour- bon County, which he continued for several years, when, in 1853, he again established himself in business, opening a store in Georgetown, for the sale of dry goods, boots and shoes, etc., which he carried on suc- cessfully for some time. In 1860, he was appointed clerk in the Farmers' Bank, at Georgetown, and, in 1868, he was elected cashier; which position he still fills. During the war he felt that it was his duty to support the Union, but, nevertheless, his sympathies were

strongly Southern. Being unable to resist the natural current of events, however, he took no active part in the struggle, but was afterward arrested, owing to an overstrained interpretation of a Federal order, and lodged in prison; but, after a short time, was released upon the interference and solicitations of friends, who were both numerous and warm. Mr. Spears is a mem- ber of the Christian Church, and takes a strong and active interest in all religious matters, doing much by his efforts and sympathies toward the spread of the Gospel. He was married to Fannie C. Gano, of Bour- bon County, in 1849, who died soon after, leaving him a childless widower; in 1851, he married his second wife, in the person of Georgia A. Crockett, of George- town, and became the father of two children; and, in 1864, he was again united in marriage, this time to Mary C. Steffee, also of Georgetown, which union was blessed with two children. His four children are still living. Mr. Spears is a man of many fine traits of character, and is of a genial nature; of commanding height and proportions, fine appearance; has an integ- rity that is unquestioned; fond of innocent amusements, obliging and courteous in his manners, and domestic in habits.

ENNYPACKER, GEN. GALUSHA, Soldier, was born at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, on the Ist of June, 1843, and is of French and Ger- man extraction. His father, Joseph J. Penny- packer, was an agriculturist, being also devoted to journalism. The General received his edu- cation at the academy, in Philadelphia, whither the family moved when he was but two years of age, which he attended until he had attained the age of eighteen years. This was in 1861, and the occurrences of that year, shaped the course of his after life. Enlisting un- der the first call, as a private, in the Ninth Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers, he was soon promoted, and served as a non-commissioned staff officer, and Acting Regimental Quartermaster of his regiment. After the expiration of the three months' term of service, he was, on August 22, 1861, commissioned Captain in the For- ty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers. On the 7th of the following October, he was promoted to Major of the Ninety-seventh Regiment, succeeding, on June 7, 1864, to the Lieutenant-Colonelcy, and, on August 15, of the same year, to the Colonelcy ; on January 15, 1865, he received the brevet of Brigadier-General of Volunteers, and, on the first of the following month, the appoint- ment of Brigadier-General of Volunteers. On the 13th of the next month, the brevet of Major-General of Vol- unteers was added to his rank. After the close of the war, he was assigned to duty as Colonel of the Thirty- fourth Regular Infantry, United States Army, on July

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28, 1866; he was brevetted Brigadier-General of Regu- lars on March 7, 1867, and, shortly afterward, was made Brevet Major-General. On the reduction and consoli- dation of the army, he was, on the 12th of April, 1869, relieved from the command of the Thirty-fourth, and assigned to that of the Sixteenth Infantry, with which he is now serving. During the war, he was engaged in Florida and Charleston Harbor, and was wounded at Drury's Bluff, Virginia; was occupied on the James river, and in front of Petersburg, until September, 1864; commanded a brigade in the Tenth Corps, and was wounded at Fort Harrison, Virginia, and also in the action of Darbytown Road, Virginia; commanded Second Brigade, Second Division of the Twenty-fourth Corps, and was severely wounded at the capture of Fort Fisher. His record is one of unusual brilliancy, and his reputation hard earned, all of his promotions being for gallant and meritorious service. Gen. Pennypacker is a Mason and a Knight Templar; an elegant gentle- man and brave soldier; prepossessing in appearance; he is devoted to his profession, and following it assidu- ously, though possessed of sufficient wealth to enable him to retire. He has numerous friends at the various posts at which he has been stationed.

MITH, GEN. GUSTAVUS WOODSON, Sol- dier, was born January 1, 1822, in Georgetown, Kentucky. He graduated at West Point Mil- itary Academy, in 1842, and was appointed lieutenant of engineers; in 1846, was ordered to the army in Mexico; was soon after left in command of his company, by the death of its captain, and took an important part in the siege of Vera Cruz, at Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubusco, Chepultepec, and the City of Mexico; from 1849 to 1854, was Pro- fessor of Civil and Military Engineering at West Point; resigned his commission in the army, and located at New Orleans; in 1856, entered business in New York City ; from 1858 to 1861, held the office of Street Commis- sioner of New York-an important position, which he filled with ability; in the Fall of 1861, joined the Con- federacy ; was made Major-General, and took command of the Second Corps of the Army of the Potomac; was one of the three generals who held a conference with the President of the Confederacy, and recommended a war, policy, which was not accepted ; became second of- ficer in rank in Gen. Johnson's army in Virginia; com- manded the reserve at Yorktown, and the rear-guard in the retreat to Richmond; took command of the army at the battle of Seven Pines; was shortly after placed in command of the capital and the departments of Vir- ginia and North Carolina; in 1863, had a difference with Jefferson Davis, which was never healcd ; soon after

resigned his commission in the army, and volunteered his assistance in the defense of Charleston; engaged in the manufacture of iron for the armies; in 1864, his works at Etowa, Georgia, were destroyed by Gen. Sherman's army; was soon afterwards chosen to the command of a large body of Georgia State militia; re- luctantly accepted the position, continuing at the head of the militia until the close of the war; actively en- gaged in business, in Tennessee and Georgia, until 1870, when he was appointed, by Gov. Stevenson, Commis- sioner of Insurance, and removed to Frankfort, Ken- tucky.

OGAN, JUDGE WILLIAM, was born Decem- ber 8, 1776, at Harrodsburg, Kentucky, and was the eldest son of Gen. Ben. Logan, and was said to be the first white child born in Kentucky. He was a member of the Constitu- tional Convention of 1799. He studied law, and gained considerable eminence in his profession ; was many times elected to the Legislature ; on several occa- sions, was Speaker of the House; was twice appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeals; in 1820, was elected to the United States Senate; resigned in the same year, to make the racc for Governor of the State, but was defeated. He took an active part in all the political questions of the day; was an active partisan of the "Old Court," in that celebrated contest; was a member of the Republican party; a man of great ability, and, both in public and private life, occupied a high position in the State. He died August 8, 1822, at his residence in Shelby County.

UMPHREY, REV. E. P., D. D., Presbyterian Clergyman, was born at Fairfield, Connecticut, on the 8th of January, 1809. His father was a Presbyterian clergyman, and filled the chair of President of Amherst College, Massachusetts. Dr. Humphrey acquired his collegiate educa- tion at Amherst College, from which he graduated in 1828; and pursued his professional studies at Andover Theological Seminary. He was licensed to preach, and entered the ministry, in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1833. In the same year, he came to Jeffersonville, In- diana, where he was ordained a minister, and was, for fifteen months, pastor of Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church. In November, 1835, he became the pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church, on Third Strect, Lou- isville, where he laborcd until 1853, when he went to Danville, Kentucky, and took a position, in the Dan- ville Theological Seminary, as Professor of Church His- tory. After continuing therc until 1866, he returned to Louisville, and commenced the organization of what is

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now the College Street Presbyterian Church. In No- vember of that year, an organization was effected, with a membership of ninety. The meetings, at that time, were held in a small frame house, known as "The Lit- tle Pine Cathedral." In this building, the congregation remained until the month of February, 1867, when they removed to the brick building fronting on College Street. In it, the membership constantly increased, until it now numbers nearly three hundred. During the whole of this period, from the time of its organiza- tion, Dr. Humphrey has been the only minister, and the present prosperous condition of the Church is, in a great measure, owing to the fidelity with which he has always discharged the duties incumbent upon him as pastor. The excellent preaching at the College Street Presbyterian Church has been constantly a great attrac- tion, and has contributed largely to its success. Dr. Humphrey ranks as one of the most eloquent, earnest, and able ministers of his Church, and has been, for nearly half a century, by his daily walk and successful ministry, a pillar of strength in the cause of the Great Master. He was married, in 1847, to Miss Martha Pope, and has two sons, Edward W. C. and Alexander P. Their son, Edward W. C. Humphrey, completed his literary education at Centre College, Danville, Ken- tucky; attended law lectures at Harvard Law School, and, in 1868, entered upon the practice of the law, at Louisville, where he has since been actively and suc- cessfully engaged in the pursuit of his profession. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Jessie Barkley, of Dan- ville, Kentucky.

'ICKMAN, CAPTAIN PASCHAL, was a native of Virginia ; was brought to Kentucky by his father, Rev. William Hickman, who settled in Franklin County; served with distinction in the Indian wars; in 1812, raised a company of vol- unteers, with which he entered Colonel John Allen's regiment of riflemen, and participated in the battle of the river Raisin, where he was wounded, and, subsequently, inhumanly murdered.

RACK, JOHN A., M. D., was born September 15, 1823, near Baltimore, Maryland, and is the son of Rev. John Krack, clergyman of the Lu- theran Church, in Baltimore. He received his primary education in the public-schools of that city, and subsequently spent three years in a classical school in Madison, Indiana. From 1844 to 1847, he taught school in Henry County, Kentucky, and in the latter year went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he read medicine with Dr. Joshua B. Flint ; attended

one course of lectures in the Kentucky School of Medi- cine, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Gasconade County, Missouri. . He returned to the Ken- tucky School of Medicine at Louisville, where he grad- uated, and received the degree of M. D., in 1850, set- tling in Louisville for the practice of his profession. From 1852 to 1857, he was engaged successfully in the drug business, and in the latter year purchased an inter- est in the Louisville Glass-works, remaining as principal in charge of the works for sixteen years. In 1852, he was elected member of the Louisville Board of Educa- tion, and served for five consecutive years, and was largely instrumental in introducing German as a branch of study in the public-schools. In 1867, he was elected to the Board of Aldermen from the Third Ward, serving six years, resigning that position to take charge of the office of City Assessor, to which he had been elected in 1873, and which position he has since filled. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church, and is a man of many admirable traits; of polite and agreeable man- ners; an active and successful business man; and an es- teemed and valuable citizen. Dr. Krack was married, November 15, 1845, to Miss Martha E. Wayland, daugh- ter of Dr. Fielding Wayland, of Henry County, Ken- tucky. Although they have reared no children of their own, they have adopted and educated a number of or- phans, having now an adopted daughter sixteen years of age.

AWKINS, COL. HIRAM, Farmer and Soldier, was born September 9, 1826, in Bath County, Kentucky, and is the second son of Thomas and Mary Hawkins. His ancestors were among the early Catholic emigrants from England to Maryland; the more immediate members of the family, at an early date, settling on the Licking river, in this State. He received a good education; engaged in farming; early displayed great fondness for military life; in 1851, became colonel of the Bath County militia; in 1855, was elected as a Democrat over the Know- Nothing candidate for the Legislature; opposed the Democratic doctrine of secession, in 1860, but, also, op- posed coercion in the following Spring; in the Fall of 1861, at the head of a company of young men, went to Prestonsburg, where they were soon joined by others, espousing the cause of the Confederacy; was chosen commandant of the post ; was soon after elected Captain of Company C, Fifth Kentucky Confederate Infantry ; was one of the ranking officers in the engagement at Ivy Mountain, designed to check the advancement of Gen. William Nelson; was made major on the com- plete organization of his regiment ; was brigaded under Humphrey Marshall ; became lieutenant-colonel, in April, 1862; was distinguished in the action at Prince-

Ing& b; Homer Lee & Co. N.Y.

I L. Jackson

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

ton, Virginia; was promoted colonel at Mt. Sterling ; was afterwards, although deprived of a part of his force by expiration of term of service, actively engaged in Kentucky and Virginia, until sent South, where he par- ticipated, with his regiment, at Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Dallas, and in many other engagements; was severely wounded July 22, 1864, but continued to serve until the close of the war, and was distinguished as a brave and efficient officer. Col. Hawkins was mar- ried, September 8, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Workman, daughter of James Workman, of Bath County. She died in 1860.

ACKSON, GEN. JAMES S., Lawyer, Soldier, · and Politician, was born September 27, 1823, in Fayette County, Kentucky, and was the son of David Jackson, a farmer, and Juliet Sthreshley, of Woodford County, Kentucky. He was thor- oughly educated, and graduated in letters at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pennsylvania. He studied law, and graduated from the Law Department of Transylvania University, in 1845. When the war with Mexico began, he volunteered and served for a time as a lieutenant; but, having had an " affair of honor" with Thomas F. Marshall, who belonged to the same regi- ment, and fearing court-martial, he resigned, and re- turned home. He soon after located in Greenup County, and, in 1849, was a candidate for election to the last Constitutional Convention, but was defeated. He sub- sequently removed to Christian County, and, in 1859, was candidate for Congress, on the Know-Nothing ticket, but was defeated. While residing at Hopkinsville, in 1861, he was elected to the Thirty-seventh Congress from the Second District. While serving in Congress, Presi- dent Lincoln tendered him the command of a regiment, and, accordingly, October 1, 1861, he took command of the Third Kentucky Cavalry, and his regiment was mus- tered into the service, December 13, in the same year. Immediately after organization, his regiment was used on scout duty, in South-western Kentucky, a section of the State then under the control of the Confederates. He was subsequently assigned to the division of Gen. T. L. Crittenden; was engaged, with his regiment, on the field of Shiloh; was at Corinth and Iuka, Mississippi; at Florence and Athens, Alabama; and, at the latter place, his regiment passed into the command of Col. Eli H. Murray, and himself promoted Brigadier-Gen- cral, August 13, 1862. From Decherd, Tennessee, at the head of his brigade, he commenced the pursuit of Bragg, who was then advancing into Kentucky; at New Haven, Kentucky, he assisted in the capture of the Third Georgia Cavalry; and fell, valiantly fighting at the head of his brigade, in the battle of Perryville, Oc- tober 4, 1862. This was the first engagement of impor-

tance in which he had participated after his promotion, and he was thus cut off in the beginning of a career that promised unusual brilliancy. Gen. Jackson was a man of many peculiar, marked, and admirable traits. He was distinguished for his graceful form and almost feminine beauty of countenance. He had the manners of a Chesterfield; and was one of the most knightly sol- diers who ever drew a sword on the battle-field. Of his death, Col. Forney wrote: "To die such a death, and for such a cause, was the highest ambition of a man like James S. Jackson. He was the highest type of the Kentucky gentleman. To a commanding person, he added an exquisite grace and sauvity of manner, and a character that seemed to embody the purest and no- blest chivalry. He was a Union man for the sake of the Union; and now, with his heart's blood, he has sealed his devotion to the flag. He leaves a multitude of friends, who will honor his courage and patriotism, and mourn his untimely and gallant end." From his earliest days, he was a politician; and, although un- doubtedly possessed of great ambition to arise to emi- nence, his great love of justice and his warm nature led him to espouse a cause for its own merits; and his love of country led him to buckle on the sword in a cause for which he sacrificed his life. He began his political career in the ranks of the Whig party, and, passing through the Know-Nothing excitement in his State, in the final division of party ranged himself with the Na- tional Republicans. He was brave, and his warm im- pulses may have led him to rashness; yet he never sought personal difficulty. In 1846, he was led to fight a duel with Sam. Patterson; but this, as liis affair in Mexico, terminated harmlessly. His remains were de- posited in the cemetery at Hopkinsville, March 24, 1863, after having lain in a vault in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville, since October 8, 1862. Gen. Jackson was married, February 22, 1847, to Miss Patty Buford, who, with their four children, survived him.

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 12

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