The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 121

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

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retired from the active pursuits of his profession, and | doubtlessly, few men who have given their lives for the from the position on the bench, which he had long hon- public benefit have left an impression more enduring. Mr. Griffin was married, in 1843, to Miss Martha Tyler, daughter of James Tyler, an officer in the war of 1812, who, with five of their children, survived him. Their son, Tyler Griffin, is a practicing physician of Hartford, and is a man of fine social and professional standing. ored by his ability and uprightness, and his attention to the law professorship in the University of Louisville, having for twenty-nine years filled the Chair of Consti- tutional Law, Equity, and Commercial Law in that in- stitution, and taken rank among the most learned and popular law teachers of the country. Many of his de- cisions while on the bench were of the greatest impor- tance, some of them establishing a custom in the law practice of the State. His "Digest of the Decisions of the Court of Appeals" is very highly valued in the legal profession of the State. Although opposed to political life, and being unwilling to appear in politics, he made a fine record while serving in the State Senate. He was attached to the Whig party, and was the friend and adviser of many of its leaders in the State. During the civil war, he was earnestly attached to the cause of the Union. Although greatly devoted to his profession throughout his long life, he has given much attention to the affairs of the community, being ready at all times to aid in any movement looking to the general good. He is a member of the Unitarian Church, and has been one of its prominent defenders. He is one of its most pro- found and upright men belonging to the legal profession in the State, and as such stands deservedly high.

RIFFIN, FRANK, was born June 9, 1818, in Hampton, Connecticut ; and died June 6, 1874, in Hartford, Ohio County, Kentucky. His father, Ebenezer Griffin, was of the old Puritan stock, his family being among the early emi- grants to this country from England. Frank Griffin received a thorough education in the best schools of his native State, graduating at Browne University, Providence, Rhode Island, in 1840; and in that year emigrated to Kentucky, settling at Hartford, in Ohio County. He engaged at once in teaching, continuing in that business, at Hartford, for a quarter of a century. Late in life he abandoned his profession, and for several years occupied his time in farming; but, being dissatis- fied with that pursuit, again returned to his former call- ing, and, in 1872, was appointed superintendent of the public-schools of Owensboro, mainly continuing in that position until the close of his life. His career was un- eventful, as he took little interest in the exciting polit- ical affairs of the country, giving his whole life to those matters which had for their object the moral and intel- lectual growth of the country. He lived a blamelcss life, and died without enemies; being refined and scholarly in his habits, and a man of great moral recti- tude, he wielded an almost unlimited influence over two generations of the people among whom he lived; and,

ARSHALL, REV. ROBERT, Clergyman, was born in Ireland in 1760, and, at the age of twelve, came to America. He entered the army of the Republic at the age of sixteen, and was engaged in quite a number of the memo- rable battles of the Revolutionary War. He came to Kentucky about 1790, after he had been licensed to preach; was ordained, in 1793, as pastor of Bethel and Blue Spring Churches ; was an active leader in the great revival of 1800; subsequently left his Church and united with the New Lights; but, in 1811, again re- turned to the Presbyterian Church, continuing in charge of the Bethel Church until his death, in 1833. Mr. Marshall was one of the most able preachers who figured in the early history of the Church in Kentucky, being decidedly one of the most earnest and eloquent pulpit orators of his day.

IDDLETON, JESSE R., Merchant, was born in Anderson County, Kentucky, in the year 1830. His father, Daniel Middleton, was a na- tive of that county, and for many years fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer. He was widely known and highly respected in his neighborhood. ITis wife was a member of the Rice family of Shelby County, and a cousin of the Rev. Nathan Rice, a distinguished minister of the Gospel, in Kentucky. Jesse R. Middleton enjoyed the advantages of the best educational institutions to be found in his locality. After passing through the common-schools of his home, he went to Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where he finished his studies in a private seminary. Having com- pleted his education, at the age of twenty-five years, he decided to go to Louisville, Kentucky, in the hope of ob- taining a situation in mercantile pursuits. He soon made an engagement, as clerk, in the extensive dry-goods house of Durkee, Heath & Co. In this position he displayed the greatest fidelity to the interests of his employers, and, by his industry and integrity, gained the entire con- fidence of the members of the firm. In 1860, this part- nership was dissolved; and he, having manifested such ability, and been such a faithful employé of the old firm, received the highest recommendations to the successor,

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as being a worthy and well-qualified person for a part- ner. He became one of the proprietors of the business, with Mr. S. Barker, from New York, as an associate, and carried on the trade at the same stand occupied by their predecessors. By his judicious management and great business sagacity, he advanced rapidly in prosperity. His store is situated on one of the finest avenues of the city, and his customers are among the best classes of people. He soon found his business increasing to such an extent as to make it necessary to enlarge his establishment, so as to accommodate this additional trade. Accordingly, in 1865, he purchased the adjoining building, and converted it to his use. Their business continued to increase stead- ily, and the store has become one of the leading dry-goods houses of the city. After a time, they were again obliged to make additions to the already large capacity of the establishment, and erected a commodious ware- house, and remodeled the original store, providing it with all the latest conveniences that have been devised for the comfort of customers and proprietors. . This house is engaged in both the retail and wholesale trade, and its country orders form a large part of its business. Mr. Barker, the other member of this firm, is engaged almost exclusively in selecting and purchasing the goods for the Louisville house, and spends the greater part of his time in the East, and in making journeys to the great marts of the old world. He thus has all the advantages of a personal attendance at the great sales in this and other countries, and can effect his purchases to the greatest benefit of his house. This firm has, from its beginning, maintained a steady onward pro- gress, and, by the unwavering industry and energy of its members, has reached a degree of prosperity that is alike meritorious and indicative of the countenance of the community. Mr. Middleton has always sought to give his customers the greatest satisfaction possible; has endeavored to keep pace with the latest wants of the public; and has, in a great measure, been successful. He has in his service a vast number of employés, and his conduct towards them has been marked by kindness and fairness; and he is held in high esteem by all with whom he has been associated. He was married in May, 1872, to Miss Alice Templeton, and five children adorn their union. He is connected with the Presbyterian Church, and takes an active interest in all religious matters.

ENNY, GEORGE, SR., Banker, is a native of Garrard County, Kentucky, where he was born January 1, 1825, near Paint Creek. The family was originally from Scotland ; his father, Geo. Denny, however, being a native of North Caro- lina. He was raised on a farm, and still fol- lows the same business, although he has not confined

himself to that alone. He represented the counties of Madison and Garrard in the' Kentucky Senate, from 1856 to 1860, but since has not sought public political office; in 1872, was elected President of the National Bank of Lancaster, Kentucky, which position he still holds. He has always been a Republican in his polit- ical views; and, during the war, sacrificed a great por- tion of his property for the cause of the Union. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church ; a man of principle, and wields a strong influence for good by his precept and example, and is a most worthy and valua- ble citizen. Mr. Denny was married, October 4, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Falkner, daughter of Gen. John Falk- ner, a soldier of 1812, and for a long time State Sena- tor of Kentucky.

6 GRAVES, HARVEY CLOUD, Farmer, was born February 19, 1804, in Fayette County, Ken- tucky. The Graves family claim a French ori- gin, and, although the time of their arrival in America is a matter of conjecture, long before the Revolutionary War they were residents of Virginia. His father, John Graves, was born in Vir- ginia, and while quite a young man came to Kentucky, locating in what was then Fayette County. He after- wards returned to Virginia, married, and brought his young wife to his new home in the wilderness; and, in all the conflicts with the Indians, and the trials and suf- ferings of the early settlements, he took an active part. During the war of 1812, he was appointed commander of a company of militia, and, in various ways, was an influential and valuable man in the early history of that part of the State. Harvey C. Graves was the fourth in a family of seven children, and, although his father had acquired some means, and was the owner of a fine tract of land in the best part of the State, he grew to man- hood on his father's farm without opportunities for more than an ordinary education. He early took an active interest in public affairs, and, being a man of fine natural ability and superior judgment, he became of great service to his county, especially in the building up of the various interests of Georgetown, where his coun- sels have been felt throughout a long life. He was one of the movers in the establishment of Georgetown Col- lege, and not only made a donation for that purpose, but gave his influence toward building it up, and served as one of its trustees for several years. He was one of the projectors of the Farmers' Bank of Georgetown, and has been a member of its directory since its organiza- tion. At the organization of the Warrendale Female Seminary, he was elected one of the Board of Trustees, and has since held that position. He has been an ex- tensive farmer and stock-raiser of Scott County, and was

En 128.5.4.2

Harry be Graves

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for many years the largest hemp-grower in his part of the country. In politics, he was a member of the Whig party, and stood by the Union throughout the dark days of the rebellion. Lately, he has been identified with the Democratic party. For many years he has been an el- der in the Christian Church, and has, during his entire life, been one of the most active and valuable men in his community. Few matters of interest in his county have not felt his influence, and, although a man of great sim- plicity of character, making no display of himself, fcw men have been more useful or more widely esteemed ; and, by an active, successful, public-spirited, unselfish life, he has made the world better for his having lived in it. Mr. Graves was married, in 1829, to Miss Lu- cinda Garth, daughter of John Garth, of Scott County; and, after her death, was married again, in 1837, to Miss Martha R. Crockett, daughter of N. Crockett, of Fayette County. They have two children : Elenora, wife of James H. Kenney, of Georgetown ; and Isadora, wife of John W. Berkley, of Lexington.

ROWN, ERASMUS OWSLEY, M. D., was born February 13, 1817, in Burkesville, Ken- tucky. He came of Scotch-Irish ancestry ; his father, Samuel Brown, was a physician, and clergyman of the Methodist Church, a Ten- nesseean by birth, but of Virginia parents. He married Miss A. W. Watt, a native of Kentucky; and they had eleven children, of whom the subject of this sketch was the fourth; and one of their sons is a prominent physician of Indiana. Dr. E. O. Brown re- ceived a good English education; and, at the age of sixteen, went into a drug-store, and, while engaged as a clerk, studied medicine; attended lectures in the Uni- versity of Louisville, in the Winter of 1841; immcdi- ately afterwards commenced the practice of medicine in his native county; continued with great success until 1847; returned to the University of Louisville, and graduated in the Spring of 1848. In 1862, he went to Louisville and took charge of a military hospital; in the succeeding Fall, was sent by the Government to Nicholasville, and acted for some time as Medical Pur- veyor to Gen. Burnside's army, operating in East Ten- nessee, and for the Eastern District of Kentucky; re- mained in the service to the close of the war, actively engaged either in the field or hospital service of the medical department of the army. At the close of the war, he entered on the practice of his profession at Lou- isville, where he has established a large and successful business, and taken rank among the first physicians of the city. He has been, for several years, physician of the Eastern District of Louisville; and has, for some time, had charge of the medical department of the City

Work-house and Eruption Hospital; has been a member of the School Board for six years, and was, for one term, president of that body; is a member of the State Medical Society, of the Louisville Academy of Medi- cine, of the American Medical Association, and was for a time Corresponding Secretary of the State Medical Society. He has contributed somewhat to the medical . literature of the day, and has long been prominent in some of the social organizations. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and takes active and prominent position in its affairs. In politics, he was originally a Whig; and, since the organization of the Republican party, has been actively identified with its interests. In 1855, he represented Meade County in the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1857. He was several times can- didate for Presidential Elector, last operating actively in that capacity in the campaign of 1860, for Bell and Everett. Dr. Brown was married, in 1838, to Miss E. Murray, daughter of James Murray, a prominent citizen of Greene County, Kentucky. They have five living children. Their oldest son, Dr. James E. Brown, is a physician of Cloverport, Kentucky; their son S. D. Brown is a special agent in the postal service of the Government, and has charge of the money-order depart- ment of the Southern States, at Louisville; and their third son is deputy collector of customs. In 1856, he was again married, to Miss Louisa Russell, of Frankfort, who lived but a short time. He was afterwards mar- ried to M. J. Crouch, of Goshen, Kentucky, daughter of Rev. B. T. Crouch, minister of the Methodist Church, and, by this marriage, has two living children.

YLE, HON. JOHN GLOVER, Lawyer, son of Andrew G. Kyle and his wife, a Miss Glover, both natives of this State and of Vir- ginia ancestry, was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, April 2, 1840. His father was de- scended from a Scotch family who settled in Virginia many years ago; and his mother was of English descent, sister to John M. Glover, member of Congress from Missouri, and also of Hon. Samuel T. Glover, a prominent lawyer of St. Louis. Mr. Kyle began his education in the best schools of Harrodsburg, and spent two years in Transylvania University, at Lexington, but, unfortunately, failing health prevented his completing the regular course. In 1861, he entered the Law School of Louisville University, Judge Pirtle being then at the head of the school, and graduated in the Spring of 1862. He at once commenced the practice of law in Harrods- burg ; was elected Police Judge, which position he resigned after serving only a short time; in 1868, was Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket, for the Ashland district ; and, in 1874, was put in nomination

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for the office of Circuit Judge, but was defeated by his opponent, Judge Wickliffe. He has frequently served as judge pro tem. in his own and surrounding counties; has been engaged in many important cases within the circuit, and occupies a prominent place among the mem- bers of the bar. He has occasionally contributed arti- cles on politics, education, and other subjects of public interest, to the periodicals of the day. During the war, he was appointed colonel of county militia. He is a staunch and open advocate of the principles of the Re- publican party, and its champion and defender in Har- rodsburg ; is a man of great firmness of character, and is governed by lofty principles; is an active, public- spirited citizen, wide awake in matters which concern the general welfare of the community; is of social habits and genial, kindly disposition, but rigidly eschews the use of both tobacco and intoxicating liquors. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and also of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd-fellows. He was married, in 1869, to Miss Mariana Smedley, daughter of Dr. . J. L. Smedley, a retired physician of Harrodsburg.

ENEDICT, CAPT. D. S., Merchant and Banker, was born in 1797, in Westchester County, New York. He received a liberal education ; in 1819, came to Louisville, Kentucky. After spending several years as a teacher, he began life on the river, as clerk of the steamer " Plow- boy," and, after spending some time on that boat and the "Huntress," in the capacity of clerk, he became captain of the "Dove;" was afterwards captain of the "Diana No. 1 ;" soon became part owner of the "Gen- eral Browne " and "Diana No. 2," and the " Diana No. 3;" in 1830, he to some extent withdrew from the river, establishing the house of Benedict, Carter & Co., of Louisville; largely increased his river interests; sub- sequently owning, in whole or in part, the steamers "Talma" and "'Alice Gray," "Alice Scott," "Ring- gold," "General Lane," "Falcon," "Fanny Smith," "Niagara," "Empress," "Eclipse," and quite a num- ber of other boats, which were run in the Louisville, New Orleans, and St. Louis trade. He afterwards be- came interested in the Louisville and Cincinnati Mail Line. About 1853, he became sole proprietor of the house of Benedict, Carter & Co .; but afterwards admit- ted his sons, E. W. and J. C. Benedict, the firm then becoming D. S. Benedict & Sons, their house dealing almost exclusively, until 1861, in boat-stores and gro- ceries. In a later year they engaged in the wholesale grocery business, soon establishing a most extensive and lucrative trade. He was for twenty-five years a Director of the Bank of Kentucky, and for a time was its finan- cial agent in New Orleans; in 1853, he became Presi-

dent of the Louisville branch of the Commercial Bank of Kentucky, which position he resigned in 1871, on account of failing health; was President of the Mer- chants' Fire and Marine Insurance Company, of the Louisville Fire Insurance Company, and the Union Fire and Marine Insurance Company. He was a man of fine business and executive ability ; rapidly grasped every matter pertaining to his intricate affairs; seldom went astray in his judgment ; had almost unbounded energy; was distinguished for his uprightness of character; was little disturbed by the ordinary calamities and vicissi- tudes of trade; and was one of the most successful busi- ness men of his day. He died July 15, 1874. Mr. Ben- edict was married, in 1830, to Miss Virginia A. Carter.

HURMAN, REV. ROBERT, Clergyman, was born, November 19, 1815, near Lebanon, in Marion County, Kentucky; and is the son of Rev. David Thurman, a minister of the Baptist Church. Robert L. Thurman was educated at the Elizabethtown Seminary, under Robert Hewitt, at Centre College, at St. Mary's College; and graduated, in 1842, at Georgetown College, under the presidency of Howard Malcom. In 1840, he began his theological studies under Drs. Malcom and J. L. Wal- ler, the latter then being editor of the "Baptist Re- corder." After completing his ministerial preparation, he engaged for a time in teaching, and also in preaching for the Churches of his denomination. From 1850 to 1853, he was associate editor of the "Baptist Recorder," then, as now, published in Louisville ; in 1855, he was appointed Agent of Foreign Missions for his Church, and has since been mainly engaged in that work, yet ministering to the Churches in the neighborhood, and taking a prominent and active interest in ever looking to the advancement of the cause of the Master. He is a man of attractive manners, pleasing address; is able in a pulpit; is a writer of ability; and stands among the active, energetic, and the most useful men of his Church. For a number of years he has resided at Bardstown, Nelson County. Mr. Thurman was mar- ried, October 23, 1845, to Miss M. J. Freeman, of Franklin County, Kentucky. They have six living children.

AIN, GEORGE WASHINGTON, was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on the 24th of Sep- tember, 1840. His father, George W. Bain, Sr., was a native of the city of Baltimore, Maryland, but removed from thence, with his parents, while in infancy, to Charlottesville, Virginia. Subsequently, and at the age of nineteen, he

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emigrated to Kentucky, and settled at Lexington, where he married Miss Jane West, whose ancestors were among the founders of our beautiful "Athens of the West." He died in 1861, at a ripe old age, honored and esteemed by all who knew him. He was a man of genuine worth, humble in life, and for many years a devout and consistent member and officer of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, South. He was also a prom- inent member of the Masonic fraternity, and held the position of Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Odd- fellows at the time of his decease. G. W. Bain received a good academic education, and at an early age united with the Methodist Church, in which he has taken a prominent position as an officer and superintendent of Sunday-schools. In 1868, he became a Good Templar, and made his first speech at Winchester, in Clarke County, commencing his remarkable career in the great cause of temperance. He was frequently called upon to speak in behalf of the order, and was commissioned as its special deputy for the remainder of that year. At the session of the Grand Lodge, in 1869, held at Bowl- ing Green, he was elected Grand Worthy Counselor, and, during that year, far surpassed his work of the previous year, charging nothing for his services, and paying his own expenses. In 1870, at the Grand Lodge session held in Hopkinsville, he was elected State Lec- turer, and, during that year, delivered four hundred and three public lectures, organized fifty-five lodges, mostly in the first half of the year, and initiated five thousand five hundred persons into the order. The year follow- ing, at Lexington, he was chosen G. W. C. T., and that year delivered four hundred and twenty-six lec- tures, organized thirty-six lodges, and initiated five thou- sand seven hundred and sixty into the order. This year he also began the publication of "The Good Templar's Advocate," adding to his duties as G. W. C. T. and lecturer those of an editor-a task which very few men would have attempted, yet he performed them all suc- cessfully and satisfactorily. At the Frankfort session of the Grand Lodge, in 1872, he was re-elected G. W. C. T., and, during that year, delivered three hundred lec- tures, organized twenty lodges, and initiated three thou- sand two hundred and fifty into the order, besides contin- uing the editorial charge of the paper above mentioned. At Henderson, in 1873, at the Grand Lodge Session, he declined re-election, but consented to fill the position of Grand Worthy Counselor, in addition to his editorial work. That year he delivered one hundred and seventy- five lectures, organized eleven lodges, and initiated four- teen hundred into the order. At the following session, in Louisville, in 1874, he was again elected Grand Worthy Counselor, and, in January succeeding, disposed of the " Advocate," since which time he has devoted himself to the lecture field, delivering last year two hun- dred and forty lectures, organizing twenty-one lodges,

and initiating three thousand persons into the order. He was re-elected Grand Counselor, at the session of the Grand Lodge held in Lexington, in October, 1876, and a few weeks ago became, by virtue of his office, on the resignation of Gen. Smith, G. W. C. T. once more. To this date, George W. Bain has delivered nearly two thousand public lectures, organized one hundred and seventy lodges, and initiated about twenty-one thousand persons into the order of Good Templars, in Kentucky; a work that has made his name a household word almost throughout the entire State. His travels have been through rain and storm, sunshine and darkness, mud and water, ice and snow; never failing-when in his power, and circumstances justified - to fill a previously made appointment. His travels-from a ten-mile walk to fill an appointment, without food or rest for the pre- vious twenty-four hours, to a railway dash across the State-exceed fifty thousand miles, being equal to nearly two trips around the world. He has established, not only in Kentucky, but in several other States, a reputation such as renders him one of the most popular and effective temperance orators in America. His power over an audience is simply wonderful, never failing to captivate almost the entire auditory whenever he speaks. With a remarkable and most happy faculty for illustra- tion, he is never at a loss to explain, and force home on his hearers, whatever point he may be seeking to make. He sparkles like a jewel with repartee and wit, while his fund of anecdote and incident seems to be inexhausti- ble. Both from private and public sources, he has been frequently pronounced the equal, if not the superior, of John B. Gough, and by those fully competent to judge between the two. Yet he seems but in the prime of his career of usefulness, and we doubt not that, if life and health be spared him, he will soon enjoy a reputation second to none who ever appeared before a public audi- ence in the role of temperance lecturer.

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 121

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