The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 129

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 129

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ANN, RUSSELL, Lawyer, was born November 3, 1839, in Nicholas County, Kentucky. His parents were E. Mann and Ellen (Snodgrass) Mann. The former a native of the same county, and a farmer, and the latter a native of Harri- son County. He worked on the farm until he was eighteen years of age; but, choosing the legal pro- fession, he received a liberal literary preparation; and, in 1868, graduated in the law department of the Ken- tucky University. In the same year, he located at Paris, where he has since engaged in the successful practice of his profession. In 1862, he entered the Confederate army, and remained a member of Company C, Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, until the close of the war. He saw service in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama; and was engaged in the battles of Missionary Ridge, and around Atlanta, besides many skirmishes and lesser engagements. At the close of the war he located in Millersburg, but soon afterwards es- tablished himself in Paris. In 1870, he was elected County Attorney for Bourbon County ; was re-elected, in 1874, and now holds that position. In politics, he is a Democrat. Religiously, he is associated with the Christian or Reformed Church. Mr. Mann was married, May 25, 1870, to Kate B. Hutchcraft, a native of Bour- bon County, and daughter of James B. Hutchcraft, a farmer and trader of that county.

HOMSON, DAVID D., M. D., was born Jan- uary 6, 1824, in Lincoln County, Kentucky. His parents were both Virginians. His father was one of the substantial farmers and stock- raisers of Lincoln County, and was a man of high standing in his community. Dr. Thom- son attended the best schools of his native county; and, after thoroughly preparing himself, entered Centre Col- lege, where he graduated, in 1846, under the presidency of Rev. John C. Young. He chose the medical profes- sion, and entered upon its study, under Dr. Weisaker, of Danville; in 1847, attended his first course of lectures at Louisville, and graduated in medicine, in 1849, hav- ing previously been a student of Dr. S. D. Gross; spent

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the first year after graduating in perfecting his medical knowledge, associated with that distinguished surgeon; in the Spring of 1850, entered upon the active duties of his profession at Louisville, Kentucky; in 1860, re- moved to Paducah, where he remained until 1875, act- ively and successfully engaged in the medical practice; in the latter year returned to Louisville, where he now resides, and where he has not only taken a favorable and valuable position in his profession, but has also been an energetic and useful member of society. He has taken a prominent part in advancing the interests of the public-schools, and, in 1856, was elected President of the Louisville Board of Education, serving two years in that capacity; was, for several years, vice-president of that board, and has been greatly instrumental in bring- ing the schools to the present high state of perfection. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and of some other organizations, taking an active interest in their affairs. He is a man of fine personal appearance, good address, and would make himself felt in any com- munity. Dr. Thomson was married, February 9, 1859, to Miss E. A. Enders, daughter of Henry Enders, of Paducah.

AY, WILLIAM R., Lumber Merchant, was born in Decatur County, Indiana, August 15, 1828, his father, Sismond Ray, being a farmer of that county. His education was limited, owing to the meagre advantages of the schools of that period; and his life was spent on his father's farm till his seventeenth year, when he obtained the position of mate on a steamboat plying on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, where he remained two years ; returned to farming for four years. He then came to Louisville, Kentucky, and, for a time, was in the ice business; then served on the police force, was appointed deputy marshal, and soon after chief of police, which position he held till 1861. During this time he acquired means sufficient to enable him to enter into business, and he associated himself with Nathaniel B. Connell in the Champion Saw-mills, and they conducted the busi- ness together, with some changes, till 1873, when they united with two other mill-owners, John P. Young and Joseph Hall; which partnership is still existing, with Mr. Ray as manager, doing the largest business of the kind in the West, and employing two hundred and fifty men. In 1868, he was elected Director of the Citizens' National Bank; and is also a member of the Louisville Sinking Fund Committee, that being a post of honor, as three of the most trustworthy and respected citizens comprise the board ; was elected Director of the Ken- tucky River Navigation Company ; also Vice-President of the Red River Iron Works; in 1872, was made Di- rector of the Louisville and Bourbon Stock-yards, both

of which are conducting a large business ; in January, 1876, opened a stone-quarry on the Narrow-guage Rail- road, near Louisville, in partnership with R. C. Kerr, and supplies all the paving stone to the city. He is one of the most active business men in Louisville; and the positions of trust which he has held and still holds prove his high standing among his associates. His life has been a success, and gives evidence of the energy and perseverance that has made him a man of mark in the community. In 1845, Mr. Ray was married to Miss Mary A. Neil, daughter of David Neil, of Jefferson County, Indiana.

HANKS, JOHN HENRY, Banker, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, December 16, 1828. His ancestors were natives of Virginia, and came to the West at the early date of 1790, settling in Lincoln County, Kentucky. His father was for many years a farmer of this county. His mother's maiden name was Rebecca Baugh- man. John was the fourth child of a family of twelve children, and was brought up on his father's farm. He attended the common-schools of his home, and obtained a fair education for the times. At the age of nineteen years, he resolved to leave his father's farm, and seek employment in the busy walks of a mercantile life. He came to Stanford, Kentucky, and soon became a partner with J. A. Lytle, in the business of a merchant. This partnership continued for several years, when, Mr. Lytle retiring from the business, Mr. Shanks became sole pro- prietor. He kept up the business for some time on his own account; but, after a time, entered into partner- ship with a gentleman named Campbell, and his brother, S. H. Shanks, under the firm name of Shanks, Camp- bell & Co. This firm continued to do a prosperous trade for several years, when he, desiring to retire from the business to engage in farming, sold out his interest in the concern, and purchased a farm near the town of Stanford. He followed the occupation of a farmer until the breaking out of the war, when he es- poused the Confederate cause, and, entering the army, took an active part in many of the great battles of the war. He was appointed aid-de-camp to Gen. Hawes at Corinth, and took a prominent part in the memo- rable siege of that place. He was also aid to Col. Tra- bue, who was acting as brigade commander in Gen. Breckinridge's division, at the siege of Vicksburg. He was a member of the Provisional Government of Ken- tucky, having taken an active part in its organiza- tion; and, after the siege of Vicksburg, returned to Kentucky, to assist in the perfecting of the organi- zation of this government. It was, however, but a short time until he had rejoined the army-this time in Grigsby's regiment of the famous Gen. John Mor-

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gan's command. He was with Morgan in all his raids from this time, up to his capture in Ohio. He was made prisoner while on one of these raids, and was quartered at Camp Chase and afterwards placed in prison at Camp Douglas. He was detected in an attempt to escape, and, as a punishment, was thrown into what was known as the " White Oak Dungeon," with twenty-four other prisoners. While they were confined in this dungeon, they were offered a parole within the camp, if they would take oath not to attempt to escape, but they indignantly refused to accept the offer. After a short time in the dungeon, a plan was formed for escape by digging a tunnel under the walls of the prison, and he was chosen to superintend the work. Every thing had to be con- ducted with the utmost caution and secrecy to avoid dis- covery by the guards, but at length they succeeded in completing the tunnel without being detected. And, on the night of the 21st of October, every inmate of the dungeon passed successfully through the under-ground passage, reaching the country unperceived, and made his way safely to the Confederate lines. After reach- ing Kentucky, he joined a remnant of General Morgan's command, under Colonel Adam Johnson, and com- menced a march through Georgia, Alabama, and Ten- nessee. During this march they were engaged in several desperate skirmishes, in Alabama, with General Rous- seau. These were followed by several more lively engage- ments, in one of which he was very badly wounded, the ball passing through his liver and kidneys, and he was left lying upon the field for dead. He was discovered by the enemy, however, and made prisoner, and, after passing three months in the hospital at Hopkinsville, was exchanged for a Federal captain. After his ex- change, he again entered the service, taking command of a company in General Lyon's division. He served with this general in his Kentucky campaign, and took part in all the engagements of this, one of the severest and most deplorable of Winter campaigns. He partici- pated in the battle of Selma, and soon afterwards laid down his arms, the following being an authentic copy of his parole document :

"No. 1223 .- I, the undersigned prisoner of war, be- longing to the Army of Mississippi and East Louisiana, having been surrendered by Lieutenant-General Taylor, C. S. A., commanding said department, to Major-Gen- eral E. R. S. Canby, U. S. A., commanding Army and Division of West Mississippi, do hereby give my solemn parole of honor, that I will not hereafter serve in the Army of the Confederate States, or in any military capacity whatever, against the United States of America, or render aid to the enemies of the latter, until properly exchanged, in such a manner as shall be mutually ap- proved by the respective authorities.

"Signed, J. H. SHANKS,

"Capt. Co. F., Eighth and Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry."

"Done at Columbus, Mississippi, this sixteenth day of May, 1865. Approved by W. H. JACKSON, Brigadier- General, C. S. A., E. S. DENNIS, U. S. A., Commis- sioners.

"The above-named officer will not be disturbed by the United States authorities, so long as he observes his parole, and the laws in force where he resides.

"Signed, BRIGADIER-GENERAL E. S. DENNIS,

"Commissioner for the United States."

After his surrender, he returned to his home to resume his peaceful occupations. In 1866, he entered into part- nership with his brother, S. H. Shanks, in the mercan- tile business. Several years later, in 1870, he was chosen President of the Farmers' National Bank, of Stanford, which position he at present honorably fills. He was married, 1868, to Miss Louisa Bailey, the gifted daugh- ter of the late Hartwell Bailey, Esq., of Shelby County. Two children grace this union, named Anna H. and William Carroll Shanks. Mr. Shanks possesses many excellent traits of character, and stands high in the esti- mation of the community. As a business man, he was fair and conscientious in all his dealings; as a soldier, he displayed the coolest bravery on the field of battle; un- dejected in times of misfortune, and always prompt and fearless in the discharge of his duties; and, when the great conflict was forever settled, cheerfully acquiescing in the result, and with commendable alacrity returning to his home, to assume the duties of an upright citizen of the Republic.

HITE, WILLIAM PRICE, M. D., was born April 21, 1845, in Greensburg, Kentucky ; and is a son of Dr. D. P. White, formerly a physi- cian of note in Southern Kentucky, and now a business man of prominence, in Louisville. (See sketch of Dr. D. P. White.) His mother was Miss Nancy F. Clark, of Burkesville, Kentucky ; and, of their four living children, he is the oldest. In 1859, he entered Georgetown College, where he re- mained until the breaking out of the civil war, and was instrumental in closing that institution, by the prominent part he took in raising over it a secession flag. He immediately after entered the Second Arkan- sas Confederate Cavalry, under General Sterling Price, and served throughout the entire war; participating in the battles of Lexington, Prairie Grove, Booneville, Pilot Knob, and Independence, Missouri, and various other engagements in Arkansas and Louisiana. At the close of the war, he completed his literary educa- tion at Georgetown College; studied medicine in the office of Dr. David Yandell; graduated in the Uni- versity of Louisville, in 1869; and entered on the practice of his profession at Louisville. He was, for several years, a member of the Board of Health of that

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city; was appointed Surgeon-General of Kentucky, by Gov. P. H. Leslie, and still holds that position by ap- pointment from Gov. McCreary. He is a member of the Louisville Academy of Medicine; member of the Physicians' Protective Association; member of the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, of Louisville; and a member of the State Medical Society; takes an active interest in the affairs of these organizations; and is one of the most enterprising, active, well-read, and success- ful members of his profession.

RIGGS, JOSEPH BENNETT, Banker, was born November 20, 1842, in Franklin, Tennes- see. He is a lineal descendant of some of the most distinguished families of the country. His father, Isaac W. Briggs, was a native of Vir- ginia, and came to the West at an early day, locating in Franklin, Tennessee, where he followed mercantile pursuits. His mother's maiden name was Dorothy Madison Bennett, and she was a niece of Dorothy Madison, wife of President James Madison. She was also related to Commodore Maury, whose scientific investigations have proved so highly beneficial to navigators, and whose name will ever be famous as a scientist. Joseph Bennett Briggs received a liberal education, and commenced his business career immedi- ately upon the completion of his studies, at the age of fifteen years. He went into the store of his father, who was the leading merchant of the town, and there procured a thorough business training. He remained with his father until their trade was interrupted by the breaking out of the war. He espoused the Confederate cause, and entered the army, joining Gen. Forrest's cavalry. During the war, he served on the staff of Generals Armstrong, Dibiell, and Wheeler; and accom- panied Mr. Davis on his retreat from Hillsboro. At the close of the great conflict, he accepted the result ; laid down his arms, and returned to the arts of peace. He at once set about recovering his broken fortune; re-established himself as a merchant, and soon secured an extensive business. After a stay of one year in Franklin, he removed to Memphis, where he became a wholesale merchant. In 1867, the time when the city suffered so terribly from the yellow-fever scourge, he took up his residence in Russellville, Kentucky, where he has since resided. He became a partner in the firm of N. Long & Co., Bankers, and, by reason of his in- dustry, ability, and perseverance, has rapidly advanced in prosperity. This firm, in 1870, effected the purchase of the Russellville Flouring-mill, and, by additions to its facilitics and capacity, have made it one of the best equipped mills in the West. He was married, in 1867, to Miss Annie Long, the accomplished daughter of

Nimrod Long, one of Russellville's most honored citizens ; and three children grace their union. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and gives his hearty co-operation in the cause of religion. Mr. Briggs is a gentleman of unquestioned ability, and possesses many excellent traits of character. His success is due solely to his own untiring endeavors, and, considering the numerous obstacles with which he had to contend, reflects the greatest credit upon his efforts. He is a natural business man, gifted with rare discernment and sagacity, and seldom or never fails in his undertakings. Generous, kind, and of a genial, social disposition, he is widely known and universally esteemed.

ARBOUR, JAMES HERVEY, M. D., was born February 29, 1824, at New Richmond, Cler- mont County, Ohio. His father, Nathaniel Barbour, was a native of Hunterdon County, New Jersey; followed mercantile and agricul- tural pursuits ; settled at Cincinnati just before the war of 1812, in which he participated as a member of the Cincinnati Light Horse Cavalry. He died in the Spring of 1849. The Barbours of New Jersey were among the early settlers of that State, and conspicuously participated in the Revolution against England. His mother was Hannah (Ashburn) Barbour, a native of Bolton, England, daughter of Thomas Ashburn, an early settler of Cincinnati. His parents were married by old Dr. J. L. Wilson, and were members of his Church, the First Presbyterian, of Cincinnati. This subject was raised on a farm. At the age of seventeen, having at- tended the Winter schools of the country, he entered Clermont Academy, where he studied the greater part of the time, for three or four years; 1846 and 1847 he

spent in a more thorough course of classical and scientific studies, in Miami University, at Oxford, Ohio. During the several years spent in acquiring an education, he was compelled to devote some time to teaching, in order to obtain means to defray his school expenses. In 1848, he came to Falmouth, Kentucky, for the purpose of reading medicine with Dr. Daniel Barbour, a noted physician of that place. Having taken two regular courses of lectures, he graduated, in 1852, at the Med- ical College of Ohio, in Cincinnati, and immediately en- tered upon the practice of his profession at Falmouth, where he has since resided, and establishcd a large, valuable, and reputable practice. He is a member of the Pendleton County Medical Association; has been in the advance with all movements of interest to the pro- fession in his section, and has contributed largely to the medical journals and literature of the day. His first Presidential vote was for Gen. Taylor; in the days of Whiggcry in Kentucky, he belonged to that party;

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and, at the election preceding the war of the rebellion, voted for Bell and Everett. He then naturally fell into the Republican ranks, and, throughout the war, was a staunch and unflinching supporter of the cause of the National Government. He is a Presbyterian, and has been for many years an elder in that Church; has main- tained an unimpeachable character; has been a useful and valuable member of community ; greatly devoted to his profession, and untiring in the discharge of his duties as a citizen and physician. Dr. Barbour was married, October 27, 1852, to Emeline Hauser, daugh- ter of Daniel T. Hauser, a prominent deceased lawyer of Falmouth, Pendleton County.

CARTHUR, JAMES MADISON, Capitalist, was born January 31, 1810, in Scott County, Kentucky. His father, Peter McArthur, was a native of Scotland; came to America in 1790; lived near Georgetown, Kentucky, until 1815; in that year removed with his family to Camp- bell County, near Newport ; was a surveyor and farmer by pursuit ; he died July 21, 1828. His mother was a Miss Michie, a native of Louisa County, Virginia, and daughter of James Michie, who participated in the war of the Revolution. James M. McArthur received a lib- eral education, which he completed at Centre College, Danville, in 1827. After the death of his father, he was occupied in the care of his property; also engaged in the real estate business, and in various pursuits and speculations for the advantage of his estate. He was elected a magistrate for Campbell County, in 1833; held the office four years; while residing in Newport, served ten years as President of the Council, filling the position through this unusual length of time with ability, and greatly to the satisfaction of the people; was elected from Campbell County, as a Democrat, to the Legisla- ture, in 1846, serving one term; was again elected to represent Campbell County in that body, in 1873; was elected President of the Council of Dayton, Kentucky, serving four years; and has been President of the New- port and Dayton Street Railroad Company since its or- ganization, in 1870. In politics, he has always been a Democrat, and, at the Presidential election preceding the initiation of the civil war, voted for Stephen A. Doug- las. In religious matters, he is decidedly liberal, and, although not belonging to any Church, is a friend and supporter of all Churches, and all moral and beneficial influences of society. He is a successful financier and business man; is a man of fine personal and social habits, and one of the most useful and influential citi- zens of Campbell County. Mr. McArthur was married, March 28, 1837, to Mary J. Stricker, a native of Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania.

EWCOMB, WARREN, Merchant, was born Oc- tober 15, 1814, at Barnardston, Massachusetts, and was the son of Dalton and Harriet New- comb. He received a good English education, and emigrated to the West, where he spent several years as clerk of a boat, owned and run by his brother Hezekiah, on the Tennessee river. He then engaged with his brother, H. D. Newcomb, in Louisville. The house met with great success, and finally engaged extensively in the sugar, molasses, and coffee trade. He passed several years in New Orleans, as purchasing agent. Their business was conducted with such signal ability that, in a few years, they had not only succeeded in accumulating a large fortune, but in establishing themselves as among the most far-seeing and successful business men of the county. Being a man of liberal education and refined manners, he carried into his every-day business the agreeable manners and bear- ing of a gentleman. Although never at any time losing sight of the advantages and best interests of his busi- ness, he never neglected the demands society makes on its enterprising members; and was warmly identified not only with the welfare of his adopted city, but also took an active interest in the affairs of the South. In 1863, having accumulated a large fortune, he retired from business, and took up his residence in New York City ; but, after spending some time with his family in Europe, he again engaged actively in business, opening a house in New York, under the name of Warren Newcomb & Co., and continuing with his brother, in Louisville, as H. D. Newcomb & Brother. Mr. Newcomb died Au- gust 28, 1866, leaving behind him a record of which his family might well be proud, having taken a place among the merchant princes of the country.

EAD, HON. JOSEPH B., Lawyer, was born October 2, 1829, in Hardin County, Kentucky. His father emigrated from Virginia, and was one of the well-to-do honest farmers, who lived a useful and exemplary life, and died univer- sally respected. Joseph B. Read obtained a good English education ; read law with his brother, W. B. Read, now resident at Hodgensville, and a distin- guished member of the leading profession in Kentucky; was admitted to practice in Louisville, in 1859, and soon took an honorable position at tlie bar. In 1867, he was elected member of the Lower House of the Leg- islature, serving his constituency faithfully; in 1868, was elected member of the Board of Education in Louis- ville, in the Ninth Ward; in 1875, was elected to represent Louisville in the State Senate, now holding that position ; and, in politics, is a Democrat of the Jef- fersonian school. Religiously, he is associated with the

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Methodist Church; is also connected with some other social organizations ; and takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public good. Mr. Read was married, February 28, 1860, to Miss Lucretia A. Brown, and has six living children.

AMILTON, JOHN ARMSTRONG, M. D., was born November 16, 1833, in West Union, Adams County, Ohio. The Hamiltons came from Virginia, and settled in Kentucky at an early day, his father being the only mem- ber of his branch of the family who settled in Ohio. His father married Miss Matilda G. Armstrong, and reared two children. His parents dying when he was ten years old, his early education was conducted under the care of his relatives at Midway, Kentucky. He subsequently entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he completed his literary education, and, in 1857, began the study of medicine in Woodford County, un- der Dr. John Sutton, graduating from the medical de- partment of the University of Louisville, in 1861 ; entered on the practice of his profession at White Sul- phur Springs, in Scott County; in 1870, located at Georgetown, in that county, where he has since resided, closely, actively, and successfully engaged in the med- ical practice, associated with Dr. John A. Lewis. He has written a number of valuable papers for the medical journals, and, although devoting himself mainly to the duties of his profession, he has given a share of his at- tention to public interests, having been Chairman of the School Board, several years a member of that board, President of the Georgetown Gas Company, and actively connected with other local organizations, standing de- servedly high among the most useful men of his com- munity, as well as occupying a prominent position in the medical profession. He is elder in the Presbyterian Church ; is Superintendent of its Sunday-school; is identified with every movement looking to the spiritual and temporal welfare of the town; and is a man of exemplary and upright life. Dr. Hamilton was married, in 1862, to Miss Virginia W. Hamilton, daughter of Alexander and Sarah Hamilton, of Woodford County, Kentucky. They have six living children.

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 129

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