The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 122

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

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ROWN, JAMES LEACH, was born December I, 1818, near old Levelwood Camp-ground, in La Rue (formerly Hardin) County, Kentucky. His parents were Virginians. His father was a farmer ; had established a camp, where James was born, and afterwards moved his family to Louisville. The son had no schooling advantages be- yond that then offered the Kentucky youth, three months every other year. Afterwards he attended the "Ward School," of Louisville, completing his cducation in the common English branches. When twenty-five, he left his parents' home to make his own fortune; was employed in attending salt and coal boats by John Vanmeter, and was variously engaged until 1850, when he was clected constable over cight competitors, holding that office

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twelve years, during six successive terms. Although he had but thirty dollars when he assumed the office, his energy and fidelity made him very successful. He has been in real estate business since 1862. He was married to Mary F. Hampton, August 30, 1844; and, in 1854, was a second time married, to Mary Godfrey. This wed- ding occurred in a church edifice, and was quite an in- novation on the wedding customs of that city. He has four living and four deceased children. United with the Methodist Church in 1841. He has been a member of the old Fourth Street Church for thirty-six years; has held many offices in the Church; has four times been delegate to the annual conference; and is one of the Trustees of Eastern Cemetery, in Louisville. His Church duties and relations have always received his prompt and devoted attention. He was at one time a member of the Kentucky State militia. In politics, he is a Democrat. He has accumulated sufficient property to live in easy circumstances, but is still as active and attentive to busi- ness as any young man. In his youth, he assisted, as a teamster, in making Chestnut from Fourth to Preston Street, and now lives on the same street.

ACKOY, JOHN, Merchant, was born Septem- ber 8, 1802, in Greenup County, Kentucky. His father, John Mackoy, came from Campbell County, Virginia, and was among the first settlers of Greenup County. John Mackoy re- ceived a common-school education, and started in life as a clerk in one of the first iron manufactories of his county. He located in Covington in 1830, and entered into mercantile business, which he has since continued with great success. He aided in building the Covington and Lexington Pike, and, since 1840, has been a director of its company. He was elected mem- ber of the first City Council of Covington, and was often re-elected, serving ten years; and, in 1840, on the organization of Kenton County, he was appointed Deputy Clerk of both Circuit and County Courts, hold- ing the position until 1854. Since 1843, he has been a Director of the Northern Bank of Kentucky. In 1876, the Simon Kenton Pioneer Association was formed, and he was appointed to the vice-presidency, as one of its oldest and most honorable members. For thirty years he has been an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and has, throughout life, been one of the most exemplary and useful men of his community. Mr. Mackoy was married, October 5, 1838, to Elizabeth G. Hardia, of Fredericksburg, Virginia. They have four living chil- dren-two sons and two daughters; their son William H. Mackoy is a lawyer of Cincinnati and Covington ; and John Mackoy is a graduate of one of the Cincinnati Medical Colleges.

OLDBACH, JOHN CLEMENS, Leather Dealer, was born November 27, 1820, in Germany. His father, Conrad Goldbach, was a hotel-keeper, and emigrated to this country in 1839, landing at Baltimore, and locating at Wheeling, Vir- ginia. Three years later, having lost his wife in the mean while, he went to Louisville, Kentucky. There the son found employment, for three years, in a bakery. Subsequently he clerked in the grocery of Peter Yeager, at Versailles, Kentucky, for a year and a half. He then began the shoe and boot business, in Louis- ville, but his severe and long-continued sickness lost him all his earnings, compelling him to return to clerking for subsistence. Engaging with A. M. Taylor & Co., he remained with them nearly ten years, when he became a partner in the firm of Schweiss & Co., on Market Street; remained in the firm until long-continued sick- ness compelled him, in 1862, to sell out his interest. He entered the leather-finding and tannery business, and met with unusual success. He has acquired a comforta- ble fortune, by eighteen years' devotion to this business, and has to-day the most complete house of his line in the city of Louisville. He prides himself that, in all his commercial life, he has never been engaged in a law- suit, which is a tribute to his skill and integrity. He is a communicant of the Roman Catholic Church, and is very zealous in his Church duties. In June, 1844, he married Miss Kate Barr, of Louisville, and has one liv- ing and five deceased children. He is attached closely to his family, and highly esteemed among all his friends and acquaintances.

UNCAN, HON. JAMES R., M. D., Physician and Surgeon, was born November 1, 1815, in Logan County, Kentucky. His parents were natives of Culpepper County, Virginia, and were of Scotch-Irish origin. His father has followed agricultural pursuits throughout his life, and has resided on his farm in Logan County since 1824, now being ninety-three years old. His mother died August 4, 1824. James R. Duncan received a fair English education in the schools of his native county; studied medicine with Dr. A. S. Walker, of Scottsville, Kentucky, and graduated in the medical department of Transylvania University, in the Spring of 1850, and, entering at once upon the practice of his profession, soon obtained a large and valuable business; served, during the rebellion, as a surgeon in the Union army, being connected with the Ninth and the Thirteenth Kentucky Infantry, the Thirteenth Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and also served on post hospital duty. In 1863, he was elected to the State Senate, from the Thirteenth District, composed of the counties of Allen,

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Simpson, and Monroe, serving in that body in the reg- ! under the name of the Rufer Hotel. After acquir- ular term of 1863-64, and in the called session of 1865. In May of that year, he resigned, and spent the three following years in traveling in California, Oregon, Wash- ington Territory, Idaho, and Montana, after which he returned to Kentucky, and is now actively engaged in the duties of his profession, at Franklin, Simpson County. He is a member of the State Board of Med- ical Examiners for the Fourth Judicial District, being commissioned by Gov. Leslie, in 1874, and, having re- signed in the following year, was reappointed to that position by Gov. McCreary, in 1876. In politics, he was originally a Whig; during the late civil war, was an earnest supporter of the National Government, and has since been identified with the Republican party. Re- ligiously, he is associated with the Missionary Baptists, and is prominently connected with the Masonic frater- nity. Although devoting his time and energies to the duties of his profession, he takes an active interest in all matters looking to the public welfare, and stands not only as one of the leading physicians and surgeons of Southern Kentucky, but is also one of the most enter- prising and valuable men of the community. Dr. Dun- can was married, May 8, 1845, to Catherine Dunn, of Allen County, Kentucky. She died October 15, 1855; and, September 19, 1871, he was married to Elizabeth Harris, of Simpson County, Kentucky. His only child, the daughter of his first marriage, is the wifc of D. H. Roark, now residing in Kansas.

UFER, CHARLES C., Hotel Proprietor, was born December 16, 1831, near Frankfort-on- the-Main, Germany. His father, John Rufer, a native of Germany, was engaged in farmning and carrying on a bakery. Charles C. Rufer, up to his fourteenth year, attended school at Frankfort-on-the-Main ; he then engaged for some years in clerking in a retail grocery store in that city. In Sep- tember, 1849, he embarked on the steamer "Zurich," landing, November 21, ensuing, at New York City. He there engaged for more than two years in a grocery and restaurant ; in 1852, left his situation to locate at New Orleans, but on account of the violence of the yellow fever in the latter city, stopped at Louisville, went into the employ of W. H. Walker, of the noted " Walker's Ex- change," on Third Street, and remained with him four years. He there opened, on the 10th of March, 1856, a restaurant and saloon, in a basement at the south-east cor- ner of Fifth and Main Streets. In this enterprisc he was so unusually successful in a short time that he took charge of the Washington Hotel, which he namcd the St. Charles; managed it for the next ten years, and then opened the house upon a thorough European plan,

ing a fair fortune in carrying on this house, he sold it to Philip German, who carried it on for two years and a half, but with less success than his predecessor. Charles C. Rufer, urged by the solicitations of many friends, and by the public need for a first-class hotel of the above-mentioned style, at once repurchased, remodeled, refitted, and refurnished the hotel with every modern improvement, and now presides over one of the finest hotels in the State. One of the chief attractions of the house is the excellence of its cuisine. He is a member of the Odd-fellows, and the Knights of Pythias. He was for three years one of the Directors of the German National Bank. He is a member of the German Lu- theran Church. Mr. Rufer married Miss Rebecca Zweidoof ; they have ten children, all living.

OEL, GEORGE WASHINGTON, M. D., was born June 25, 1810, in Madisonville, Kentucky. His father, William Noel, was a native of Es- sex County, Virginia, and came to Kentucky at a very early day. He was, for many years, the proprietor of a hotel in Madisonville, hav- ing become a resident of that place about the year 1806. George Washington Noel received a good education, en- joying the best facilities accessible in his time. After passing through the schools of his native town, he re- solved to commence the study of medicine. He began his study in the office of Dr. Francis Jett, of Madison- ville, and remained there for two years. He attended a course of lectures in Transylvania University, at Lex- ington, Kentucky; and afterwards received his degree in medicine from the Kentucky School of Medicine, of Louisville. He commenced practice in his native town, about the year 1837; and was very successful, obtaining a wide reputation for his professional skill. In 1840, he received the appointment as postmaster of the town, and held the position for over two years. While the great rebellion was in progress, he was chosen provost-mar- shal of his district, and filled this station for a consider- able period. He has always taken a great interest in public affairs; was a member of the old Whig party, and upon its dissolution joined the Republican party. He is a member of the order of Odd-fellows, and has occupied many of the most important offices of this so- ciety ; and is at present trustee of the Orphans' Fund. He was married, in 1832, to Miss Emma M. Summers, daughter of Solomon Summers, of Christian County, Kentucky ; and one child lives, a son, William T. Noel, at present engaged in business at Evansville, Indiana. Dr. Noel is a gentleman of great firmness of character, and wields a vast influence in the community. Public- spirited, he gives his aid to every project for the promo-

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tion of the general welfare. He is devoted to his pro- fession, and is conscientious in the discharge of his duties. He possesses a kindly disposition, and is held in the highest esteem by all classes of citizens.

"ONNELL, NATHANIEL BENNETT, Lum- ber Merchant, was born in Bullitt County, Kentucky, November 26, 1812. His father, James Connell, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Bullitt County, where he lived for many years, highly respected and esteemed. His education was obtained in the schools of Spencer County, where he attended till his fourteenth year, when he spent four years in the flouring-mill business, thoroughly learning all its details; in 1830, engaged as general manager with a farmer of Spencer County ; then, in 1834, rented a farm and man- aged it in his own interest till 1846; then came to Lou- isville, where he superintended the large saw-mill of A. O. Smith & Co. till 1857; when, in partnership with James Gregory, he bought another mill; at the expira- tion of three years, Mr. Gregory retired from the busi- ness, and he formed a new partnership, with W. R. Ray, a gentleman of high standing in Louisville; and the business continues under their management up to the present time. He is a man of strong individuality, and much decision of character, making no vain preten- sions ; and, although now well advanced in life, he still possesses intellectual vigor and physical force in a re- markable degree for a man of his years. By unremit- ting industry and careful attention to business, he has acquired a competence ; but with his fondness for active life, and fine constitution, bids fair to continue in busi- ness for many years longer. His fellow-citizens testified their appreciation of his ability and integrity by elect- ing him to the City Council. He was married, in 1833, to Miss Sophia Bridwell; and again, in 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Kirk, and has five children.

RICE, STEPHEN E., Banker, was born Feb- ruary 4, 1820, in Montgomery County, Tennes- see. His father, James Trice, was a saddler by trade, and moved from North Carolina to New Providence, Tennessee, at a very early date. He received a very good education in the county schools, and when eighteen went to Gallatin County, where he was employed by his brother-in-law, as clerk in his store. On the death of his employer, a year after, he went to Hopkinsville, where he has since resided. His first employment there was as clerk in the large mer- cantile house of Kinkead & Gant; remained with them

three years, then went into business for himself; first as grocer, afterwards as dry-goods merchant, meeting with very good success in both. In 1852, he entered into the business of stemming tobacco, preparing it for the En- glish market, continuing it until 1861, when the foreign trade was closed on account of the war. In 1865, he became connected with the Hopkinsville Bank, of which he was for two years assistant cashier. In 1868, he and his brother opened the banking-house known as Trice & Bro., which they conducted five years; then, the Plant- ers' Bank being organized under the State Charter for the same, he was made its president, and still holds the position; and, since 1873, has been President of the Board of Managers of the Western Lunatic Asylum. Although devoted to his business, he is ever ready to assist in any movement for the public good; contributes freely to the benevolent charities connected with the Baptist Church, of which he is a zealous and prominent member; and his success as a business man and career as a citizen have won for him the respectful regard of a wide circle of friends. In 1845, he was married to Virginia, eldest daughter of John Buckner, of Hopkins- ville, a man well-known in the community; she, being a woman of amiable disposition and high character, has proved a "helpmeet" in every sense of the word. They have two children, both grown.

OGAN, REV. JAMES VENABLE, Clergyman, was born in Scott County, Kentucky, July II, 1835. His father, James H. Logan, was a minister of the Gospel in that county, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. His mother was Miss Venable, a Virginia lady, of Huguenot ances- try. His early education was received in the best schools of his county; and, in 1854, he graduated at Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, which was then presided over by Rev. John C. Young; immediately afterwards, he entered Danville Theological Seminary, of which the Faculty were, Professors R. J. Breckin- ridge, E. P. Humphrey, Stewart Robinson, and Stephen Yerkes; graduated in 1860, and was at once called to the pastorship of the Presbyterian Church at Harrods- burg, where he remained eight years. After leaving his pastoral duties, he was occupied, for a short time, in editing the "Free Christian Commonwealth;" since which he has been actively engaged in the interests of the Central University, at Richmond, Kentucky, in which he now holds the position of Professor of Ethics. He has given both time and untiring devotion to the work of raising an endowment for the University, sub- scribing largely of his own resources, and has finally succeeded in placing it upon a substantial basis. His literary productions are not extensive, but he has con-

James Williams Dodd.

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tributed articles to the religious press, and has several times been appointed delegate to the General Assembly of his Church. He is a man of fine natural abilities, a diligent and accurate student, a close observer of human nature, possessing in himself the highest order of talent; is a fine scholar, reserved in disposition, but warm- hearted and kindly in feeling, being best appreciated by those who have enjoyed a long acquaintance with him. He is capable of obtaining an enduring influence in the community in which he resides. His pulpit oratory is of a high order, being marked by the use of language pure and chaste in diction, while his style of argument is strong, logical, and strictly Scriptural, rather than sensational; and, in his acquaintance with Church gov- ernment and ethics, he is not surpassed by any theolog- ical student in the State. He was married, in Decem- ber, 1863, to Miss Mattie E. McBrayer, daughter of Sandford McBrayer, of Harrodsburg, a lady of fine at- tainments, and much beloved for her true womanly qualities and earnest Christian character.

ALHOON, HON. JOHN, Lawyer, was born in 1797, in Henry County, Kentucky. He studied law; was elected, from Ohio County, to the Leg- islature in 1820; subsequently settled in Breck- inridge County, and represented that county in the Legislature in 1829, 1830, and 1840; from 1835 to 1839, was a Representative in Congress. He died several years ago. He was a man of marked ability, and distinguished himself not only as one of the first men in his profession, but also displayed fine traits as a legislator. He made a good record while serving in Congress, and was very highly esteemed in his section of the State, as one of its most valuable men.

ODD, JAMES WILLIAM, LL. D., President of the Kentucky Eclectic Institute, Frankfort, was born at Winchester, Virginia, March 25, 1834. His father was Prof. James B. Dodd, prominent as an educator, and distinguished as the author of " Dodd's Series " of Mathemat- ical Text-books. His mother was Delilah Fox, daugh- ter of Dr. Bartleson Fox, a physician of eminence at Georgetown, District of Columbia. She was a lady of pronounced character, amiable, excellent, and of high culture. Of the early youth of James W. Dodd, little can be said, except that he developed an unusual taste for books, a good memory, and a decided aptness in acquiring knowledge. He had the advantage of strict moral and intellectual training at the hands of his parents, until, when about ten years of age, he be-

gan a collegiate course at Centenary College, Missis- sippi. How long he remained at this institution, the writer has not been informed; but, at the close of his stay there, he entered another college, of the same name, in Louisiana, and there remained until 1846, when he became a matriculate at Transylvania Univer- sity, Lexington, Kentucky, then esteemed the most thorough educational establishment in the Western country, and of which his father was afterwards presi- dent. There was some difficulty, on account of his ex- treme youth, about entering this University ; but it was finally settled in his favor, he being sufficiently advanced in all the necessary branches. Taking the full course, he became a graduate in 1850, at the early age of six- teen. Upon completing his college course, he was offered and accepted a position as teacher of Greek in Mr. Kemp's academy, at Lexington. He held this po- sition about one year, then took charge of a school a few miles from that city, and afterwards went to Nicholas- ville, Jessamine County, and assumed the conduct of " Bethel Academy." At this place he remained two years and a half, meeting with notable success, winning the thorough respect and warm affection of his pupils, and stamping himself upon the community as a man of character and ability. Resigning his chair in this insti- tution, he removed to Shelbyville, Kentucky, about the year 1855, and established the Shelbyville High-school. For many years Shelbyville had been noted for its wealth, its refinement, and the superior educational ad- vantages offered by its schools. Dr. Dodd found here a fine field for his labors; and, in proof of its eligibility, and his own acceptability to the people, this place con- tinued to be his home for sixteen years. The institution in Shelbyville, over which he so long and ably presided, became eminent for the large number of accomplished students who there completed their school curriculum. More particularly may it be said that the Shelbyville High-school gained a wide celebrity in the South for the classical and literary attainments of its pupils; while, as finished and forcible speakers, a surprising number of those who there received their elocutionary training early acquired an enviable distinction. Of those going out from this school to the various colleges of the land, nearly all immediately took high rank as scholars and class orators; while, in their after life, Prof. Dodd's pupils, not only of this, but of all other institutions that have been under his care, have been, with very few ex- ceptions, cultivated, upright, and successful men. The secret of this is easily seen in Professor Dodd's well- known art in the detection of points of character, and in the discipline of the distinctive intellectual and moral qualities of those committed to his charge. In 1867, he married Miss Sallie E. Payne, daugh- ter of Col. Edward C. Payne, a prominent and in- fluential citizen of Shelby County. In intellect, char-

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acter, and all beautiful and womanly characteristics, she was eminently fitted to be the wife of such a man. They have had two children, both girls, Alpha and Mattie Payne. In 1872, having an exceedingly flatter- ing offer at Frankfort, he left Shelbyville and accepted the Presidency of the Kentucky High - school, now known as the Kentucky Eclectic Institute. This insti- tution, which was established for the education of both males and females, is endowed with full collegiate powers and privileges, and, by all familiar with its system and general management, is esteemed inferior to no other in the country. Its success has been com- mensurate with its excellence, and, at this time, it is still vigorously growing in the confidence of its pa- trons and the public. Though, at this time, compara- tively a young man, he has had an experience of more than twenty-nine years as a practical educator, the whole of his life, from the age of sixteen, having been devoted to his profession. Simple and plain in his bearing, amiable and affectionate in his disposition, but, at the same time, firm and decided in the per- formance of duty, he has always won the love of his pupils, and the full respect and confidence of the people at large. As a disciplinarian, he has developed a force of character rarely exemplified in his calling. The perfect control and reformation of even the most obdurate student seems never to have been to him a practical difficulty. He cultivates in all about him a regard for even his most stringent requirements, by mak- ing their equity perfectly clear, by explaining the true relation between instructor and pupil, and by setting forth, in attractive light, the demands of the higher social and moral laws. He is firm in the enforcement of every practical rule, and just in the settlement of every issue. Holding that good humor is one of the keys to good government, he is never austere nor arbi- trary; neither, on the other hand, does he permit his amiability to usurp the place of proper dignity or of absolute authority. As a writer, he has rare schol- arly force and finish. In his occasional contributions to literary journals and magazines, he proves an un- common power of elegant rhetorical expression. Such warmth of fancy, such purity of diction, and, when the subject admits it, such delicate and genuine humor, to- gether with such utter absence of pedantry, characterize his literary efforts, that he can almost lay claim to a style peculiarly his own. Being a student of deep re- search in ancient and modern literature, and of wide information on the current topics of the day, his ideas are uncontracted by prejudice or bigotry. As a public speaker, he has few equals in the line of his efforts. He combines many elements of character which, prop- erly utilized, would give him great distinction in the lecture world. He has always exhibited a marked in- clination to undervalue his own power and usefulness in

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 122

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