The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 130

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 130

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EWIS, JOHN ALEXANDER, M. D., was born in 1841, in Franklin County, Kentucky, and is the son of Caldwalader and Elizabeth ( Pat- terson) Lewis. His family, on both sides, were Virginians. Dr. Lewis received a thorough literary education, which he commenced in the country schools of his native county, and completed at

Georgetown College, where he graduated, in 1862, un- der the presidency of Dr. Campbell. In that year, he entered the Confederate army, as a private, in the Ninth Kentucky Cavalry, under the command of Col. W. C. P. Breckinridge. He was afterwards promoted second and first lieutenant, and was subsequently promoted ad- jutant, serving in that capacity until the close of the war. He participated in the engagement, under Mor- gan, at Cynthiana, in 1862, and accompanied that gen- eral in most of his famous raids. After the capture of Morgan, in Ohio, he was attached to the command of Gen. Wheeler, participating in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Resaca, and the engagements about Atlanta; be- longed to the cavalry covering the retreat of the army from Dalton to Atlanta; followed Sherman in his march to the sea; was in the engagement before Columbia, South Carolina; was at the battle of Bentonville, and was with the escort of Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet to Washington, Georgia. After returning home, he en- gaged for a short time in teaching school; studied med- icine, and graduated, in 1868, at the Medical College of Virginia; at once entered upon the practice of his pro- fession, and soon after located at Georgetown, Kentucky, where he has since actively and successfully continued the medical practice. He is a member and officer of the Baptist Church, and takes a prominent part in its af- fairs. Dr. Lewis was married, in 1868, to Miss M. J. Scott, daughter of John R. Scott, of Franklin County, Kentucky.

'ARLE, JOHN B., Lawyer, was born January 3, 1823, in Hopkins County, Kentucky. His father, Samuel B. Earle, was a highly respected farmer of that county, and was one of its lead- ing citizens. He held the office of justice of the peace of his county for a number of years; and, in the latter part of his life, went to Missouri, where he died in 1856. His mother's maiden name was Jane Woodson, and she was a woman of many excellent qualities, a devout member of the Methodist Church, and possessed a remarkably pleasant and kindly disposi- tion. John B. Earle was brought up on his father's farm, and his early education was such as could be procured in the primitive log school-house of the neighborhood. But, by self-application, and losing no opportunities he encountered for adding to his knowledge, he at length acquired a good education. At the age of twenty years, he taught school, for a short period ; and was afterwards appointed Assessor of Muhlenburg County, Kentucky. After leaving this office, he engaged in the flat-boat trad- ing on the river-a business which was very extensively carried on about that time. Upon his return home, he at once entered upon the study of the law. He commenced his study in the office of John Cook, a well-known lawyer

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of his town; and, after passing two years in familiariz- ing himself with the rudiments of his profession, he was admitted to the bar, and began practice in Madisonville, Kentucky. In 1855, he was elected county attorney, and remained in this office for four years. He was a member of the old Whig party in his politics; and, upon the organization of the Republican party, became identified with that. He was married, in October, 1849, to Miss S. Woolfolk, daughter of J. L. Woolfolk; and has five children. His oldest son, Lucien Earle, is as- sociated with his father in his profession, and gives promise of attaining distinction at the bar. Mr. Earle has met with a fair degree of success in his profession ; and his career has been marked by the firmest adher- ence to justice, not only in his professional duties, but in all his relations to his fellow-men. He possesses a keen business foresight, and has engaged considerably in trading, in which he has met with uniform success.

ARRIS, JOSEPH NELSON, Merchant, was born August 27, 1843, in Franklin County, Ohio. His ancestors were natives of the northern part of Ireland, and were a distinguished family. He is a direct descendant of Miles Standish, one of the early Puritan settlers of New England, and inherits many of the excellent traits of his hardy fore- fathers. He is related to the well-known Ewing family. His father, Hiram Harris, was a man widely known and esteemed for his numerous virtues, and qualities which placed him high in the estimation of his fellow-men. Joseph Nelson Harris received his early instruction in the common-school of his home, and his studies were entirely of a practical nature, best fitting him for the pursuits in which he was to engage in after life. Dur- ing his youth, he was under the care of a devoted and considerate mother and grandmother, and their teach- ings had a great influence in shaping his character and subsequent career. He was, at an early age, thrown upon his own resources for support, and battled success- fully with every obstacle, never becoming despondent at any turn of fortune against him, but always taking en- couragement at his reverses, and cheerfully renewing the struggle. Upon the breaking out of the great rebellion, he responded with alacrity to the call of his country in its hour of peril, and joined the loyal citizens in the great conflict for the preservation of the Union. He en- listed in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and, later, became Adjutant in the One Hun- dred and Seventy-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the battle-field, and in all times of danger, he displayed the most undaunted courage, and was always prompt and fearless in the discharge of his duties. When he left the service, it was with the high opinions and good will

of his superiors and comrades. At the close of the war, he returned to the peaceful duties of the citizen, and resumed mercantile pursuits, and now occupies a promi- nent position in the business community. He is Presi- dent, for Kentucky, of the American Board of Transpor- tation, and is Corresponding Secretary of the Co-operative Union, and a member of all its boards. He is a Director of the Mississippi Valley Trading Company. He is in- dependent in politics; favoring the candidate having the best qualifications for the office, irrespective of his party proclivities. He possesses considerable merit as a writer, and is an occasional contributor to the press. Mr. Har- ris was married, shortly after the close of the war, to one of Louisville's most accomplished and fairest daughters, Miss Sydney A. Carll, and their union has been one of unmarred happiness. He is an active member of the Presbyterian Church at Louisville, where he has long re- sided, and takes a deep interest in the advancement of the moral welfare of the community. He is also an hon- ored member of numerous philanthropic and other socie- ties, and is always prompt to give assistance to the suf- fering and needy. He is yet a comparatively young man, and, with his eminent ability and many virtues, gives every indication of a bright future career.

cCLAIN, JACKSON, Farmer, was born Octo- ber 5, 1816, in Henderson County, Kentucky. His ancestors were natives of Scotland, and came to this country at an early day. His father, James McClain, was born in Henderson County, Kentucky, and followed the occupa- tion of a farmer until the time of his death, which oc- curred in 1839. His mother's maiden name was Butler, her father being a farmer and wheelwright by trade. Jackson McClain received a fair English education, the best obtainable in the common-schools of his neighbor- hood. At the age of twenty-three years, he suffered the loss of his father, and was left in charge of the fam- ily and the management of the estate. He is one of the most prominent and leading citizens of Henderson County, and has always been an active promoter of all enterprises for the amelioration of the condition of its citizens. When the line of railroad connecting Hen- derson and Nashville was first projected, he was one of the warmest supporters of the road; and his earnest efforts and influence in favor of the line were instru- mental in bringing about an early consummation of the enterprise. Upon its completion he was made a director of the road, and discharged his duties with fidelity to the best interests of the community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Farmers' Bank. of Henderson; and his connection with this institution is an evidence of his high standing and trustworthy char-

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acter. He was married, in 1841, to Miss Mary Watson, daughter of John Watson, a worthy farmer of Hender- son County ; and was again married, in 1869, to Miss Carrie S. Hunt, daughter of a prominent merchant of Warsaw, Illinois. Four children live-one by his first marriage, and three by his second. He has been con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal Church for a num- ber of years, and evinces a deep interest in its welfare. In his political preferences, he has always been allied with the Democratic party, and is a staunch adherent to its principles. Mr. McClain is a man of irreproachable character, sound judgment, and undoubted ability; and his long and eventful career has been marked by the most commendable conduct in all matters. His many excellent qualities endear him to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, and he enjoys the highest regard and esteem of the community.

EIKLE, THOMAS, Mechanical Engineer, was born November 17, 1827, in Muirkirk, Ayr- shire, Scotland. His father, James Meikle, followed the trade of a blacksmith and boiler- maker, in his native town. Thomas Meikle enjoyed the advantages of the educational fa- cilities afforded by the common-schools of his native town, and obtained a thorough knowledge of the prac- tical branches of learning, After leaving school, he became an apprentice in the trade of a machine black- smith, working at fitting and erecting machinery and boilers. After finishing his trade, he traveled over the country, being employed in various shops, until he ac- quired an extensive acquaintance with his business, in all its departments. In 1858, he resolved to leave his native land, to seek his fortune in the new world. Upon his arrival in this country, he made his way to Detroit, Michigan, where he was successful in finding employ- ment at his trade. He worked at that place for about nine months, when he went to Chatham, in the prov- ince of Ontario, Canada, where he remained but a short time, when he returned to the United States, going to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1860. He was employed, by Ainslie, Cochrane & Company, in the capacity of fore- man of their extensive establishment; and was with this firm for over three years. Having accumulated a suffi- cient amount to enable him to commence business upon his own account, he formed a partnership with the well- known iron-worker, Mr. J. Smith, the firm assuming the name of Meikle & Smith. They did business until 1866, when the firm was dissolved. He then started a small machine and bolt manufactory, continuing until the destruction of his establishment by fire, after having been in operation for five years. He then established himself in his present location, at the corner of Tenth

and Munroe Streets, beginning with but limited facili- ties. W. B. Belknap was for some time associated with him as a partner ; but he having withdrawn, the firm is now known as Thomas Meikle & Co. In 1876, to ac- commodate his steadily increasing trade, he erected a large foundry, which is kept in constant operation. He possesses great inventive talent; and has made numer- ous valuable and important additions to the labor-saving machines and appliances used in the various depart- ments of industry. He has made useful improvements in the different agricultural implements; is the inventor of a plow called the " Iron-beam Double-shovel Plow," which is becoming widely recognized. He has engaged in the building of steam-engines, and his work is always done in the most approved and thorough manner, giv- ing him a well-earned reputation for excellence in this branch of mechanical construction. He has originated some useful improvements in the machinery of hydraulic elevators, and is extensively engaged in their manufac- ture. He was married before departing from his native land, and has two children; one of whom has reached the age of manhood, and has charge of his father's large establishment. He is an active member of the Presby- terian Church ; and has, for many years, taken a leading . part in its movements for the relief of the suffering and needy, and is always prompt in rendering assistance to his fellow-creatures. Mr. Meikle has, by his own in- domitable perseverance and untiring energy, arrived at a degree of success that is highly flattering; and, con- sidering the humble start he had in life, this result not only shows him to be a gentleman of ability, but is also the just reward for his long and patient labors. His disposition is most generous and kind, and his many ex- cellent traits have won for him the utmost confidence and friendship of the community. He maintains the strictest regard for justice in all his transactions, and his reputation for integrity is without blemish.

OLLADAY, JUDGE JAMES H., Lawyer, son of William Holladay and Margaret ( Hughes) Holladay, was born October 16, 1820, in Nich- olas County, Kentucky. His father was a Virginian by birth; came to Kentucky in his youth, and settled in Bourbon County (now Nicholas), and followed agricultural pursuits through life. He died in 1832. The father of William Holla- day was a soldier through the long struggle for Amer- ican liberty. The mother of this subject was a Bour- bon County woman, and daughter of David Hughes, who was one of the old pioneers from Virginia, an old Indian fighter, and was prominently identified in vari- ous ways with the early history of Bourbon County. After attending school in Carlisle for four years, in

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1839, the subject of this sketch went to Missouri; in 1840, he returned to school in Nicholas County; and, after completing a pretty thorough course of instruction, in 1841, began the study of the law. In 1845, he was admitted to the bar, and began practice at Carlisle, in partnership with Moses Hopkins. He has resided at Carlisle since, and has made a large and valuable prac- tice; and has been, for over thirty years, prominently and honorably connected with the bar of Central Ken- tucky. In 1847, he recruited a company for the Third Kentucky Volunteers, and went with the regiment to Mexico; was with Gen. Scott at Vera Cruz and the City of Mexico, and throughout the latter part of the Mexican War. In 1848, he resumed his law practice, and was elected to represent Nicholas County in the Legislature. In 1851, he was elected Circuit Clerk in his county, and was re-elected in 1856, holding the office about twelve years. In 1866, he was elected County Judge of Nicholas County; but, on account of impaired health, resigned in 1869. He was a Whig in the good old days of Whiggery in Kentucky. Since the war of secession, he has been identified with the Democratic party. He has been largely connected with all matters of interest in his community, and has been one of its most valuable citizens. Capt. Holladay has been twice married : in 1848, to Miss Mary Winston, of Bourbon County, who died in 1851, leaving one child; and, in 1870, to Mrs. Fanny Tully, of Montgomery County, Kentucky.

OBYNS, HENRY BASCOMB, was born April 2, 1830, in Sharpsburg, Kentucky. His father, George W. Dobyns, was a native of Fleming County, a saddler and stock-trader, and son of James Dobyns, an early settler in that county, from Virginia. His mother, Rebecca (Coulter) Dobyns, was a native of Wheeling, Virginia, and daugh- ter of William Coulter, one of the early teachers and farmers of Mason County, Kentucky. The subject of this sketch worked some on the farm, and went to school up to the age of twenty-three or twenty-four, when he began tcaching in Fleming County. In 1857, he was elected to represent his county in the Legisla- ture; in 1859, was re-elected, and served till the expi- ration of his term, in 1861. In the Fall of 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Fifth Kentucky Volunteer Confederate Infantry, and served with the regiment until it was disbandcd, a year afterwards. He served in this regiment in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia, and was promoted to the position of second lieutenant in his company, and was in the battle of Ivy Mountain and Middle Creek. He then accompanied Company C of Johnson's Mounted Infantry Battalion

until the close of the war, and was in various engage- ments in Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. In 1864, while under Morgan, he was captured near Cynthiana, and was kept in the Government prison at Rock Island for nearly a year. He was then exchanged; but the end had come, and he now returned home and resumed teaching. In 1868, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court for Fleming County; served his term, and was re- elected in 1874. He also acts as Clerk of the Criminal Court of the county. Before the war, he voted for Breckinridge for President, and John S. Williams for Congress, and is a Democrat. He is, religiously, asso- ciated with the Methodist Church. Mr. Dobyns was married, May 17, 1871, to Miss Nannie Goodman, daugh- ter of Fielding L. Goodman, a Fleming County farmer.

ARTH, COL. GEORGE W., Soldier and Musi- cian, was born March 10, 1813, near Frankfort- on-the-Main, in Germany. Sebastian Barth, his father, a farmer and brewer, was also a hotel-keeper in that city. George received his early education at a school near his native city, but at the age of thirteen began a three years' appren- ticeship as a baker. In 1831, with his father's family, he came to America, landing at Baltimore, and locating at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania ; becoming dissatisfied, the family moved to Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania, and he there commenced his business as a baker. In 1834, he and five other members of the family, in conjunction with others, formed a band, traveling throughout many of the Southern States in the concert line. During the troubles of the Indian war, in 1836, they were em- ploycd to play at the recruiting rendezvous. Later, they engaged as part of the orchestra of "Parsons & Rus- sell's Theater," traveling through the lower river cities. In 1839, he established the third brewery built in Lou- isville, known as the "Louisville Spring Brewery ;" he invented the original of the present beer wagon. In 1844, he sold out his brewery and distillery business, and the subsequent year commenced a tanning and leather store. In 1843, the band of which he was a member celebrated the opening of the first railroad built in Indiana. In 1853, he moved into the country, near Louisville, and farmed till 1861. In the early days of the civil conflict, he recruited Company C of the Twenty-eighth Kentucky Volunteers. The regiment saw little active service in the field till the latter part of the war. In May, 1864, Capt. Barth was made major. At Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, he took command of the regiment, and continued to command for five months. He distinguished himself highly at Peach Tree Creek ; and was complimented in the report of Col. Blake, of the Fortieth Indiana Volunteers, to the Department Head-

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quarters. On July 5, 1864, he was made lieutenant- colonel, and served efficiently till mustered out at the close of the war. He has been a Mason since 1853; has taken many degrees, and is now " Grand High Chan- cellor in the Grand Imperial Council of the State of Kentucky, in the Order of the Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine," is also a member of the "A. O. U. W." In 1842, he united with the Methodist Church. December 23, 1839, he married Sarah Ann, daughter of James C. Pendleton, of Bullitt County, Kentucky, and has three living and five deceased children. After the close of the war, Colonel Barth was two years a United States guager. By his industry and care he has accu- mulated a considerable property, and occupies an honor- able position.

HISM, ISAAC M., Lawyer, son of Michael and Didama (Smith) Chism, was born June 20, 1842, in Cooper County, Missouri. His father was a native of Barren County, Kentucky; but early in life went to Missouri, where he followed farming. During the civil war, he went to Arkansas, and there died, in 1870. The mother of this subject was a Bourbon County woman by birth, daugh- ter of Daniel Smith, a Delawarean, who afterwards set- tled in Cooper County, Missouri. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and acquired a fair educa- tion in the private schools of the country. May II, 1861, he enlisted in the Missouri State Guard (McCul- lough's regiment ) ; served six months, and was in the battles of Booneville, Carthage, Oakville, and the siege of Lexington. At the expiration of this enlistment, he entered Roberts's company, acting escort to Gen. Par- sons, in Price's command, and remained in the Con- federate army until the close of the war; serving in Arkansas, Mississippi, Texas, Missouri, and the Indian Territory ; and engaging in the battle of Walnut Grove, Marmaduke's raid (raid of Cape Girardeau), and in numerous lesser engagements and skirmishes. In Oc- tober, 1862, he was wounded by a shot through the right thigh, and taken prisoner in the cavalry skir- mish at Yellville. He soon after escaped and was again wounded in the thigh, in a skirmish in Louisiana. In 1864, at Little Rock, he was wounded in the right arm. After returning home, he came to Kentucky, attended the high-school at Carlisle; and, during the next two or three years, taught school and read law. During 1868, he attended law lectures at Transylvania University, and graduated in the following year. He immediately commenced the practice of his profession at Carlisle, where he has since resided. In 1869, he was elected school commissioner for the county. In 1870, he was appointed County Attorney for Nicholas County, and elected to the office in 1874. He is a Democrat in poli-

tics. Mr. Chism was married, in November, 1870, to Emma Parker, native of Nicholas County, and a daugh- ter of John Parker, a farmer of that county.

ALL, RIBEIRO DE SA, Merchant and Manu- facturer, was born in Warren County, Pennsyl- vania, April 28, 1840. His father, Orris Hall, was a native of Vermont, but, from the twen- tieth year of his age, has been a resident and done business in Pennsylvania, where he still lives. R. D. Hall received a plain English education, and, at an early age, was employed by his father in the lumber business. His employment consisted principally of rafting lumber down the Ohio river, until the break- ing out of the war, when he joined the United States army, under Gen. George B. McClellan, and, during his service, participated in the battles of Drainsville, Vir- ginia, the seven-day fight on the Peninsula, Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, the Wilderness, South Mountain, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Cold Harbor. At the close of the war, he returned home, and, shortly after, went to Louisville, Kentucky, and engaged in the lumber business, with W. H. Dix & Co. After a space of two years, he purchased the interests of his partners, and has since continued in his own name. He has always led an active life, and manifested a lively in- terest in the welfare of the city. In 1874, he was elected to represent his ward in the City Council, and is now serving his second term. He is a member of no Church, but attends the Presbyterian with his family. In November, 1864, he was married to Miss Abbie Moore, daughter of Henry Moore, a prominent citizen of Carroll County, Kentucky; and is the father of two children, Roscoe A. and Lewis Henry Hall. He is a man of a retiring disposition, slow and sure in his movements, possessing an even temper and a quiet vein of humor, and is, withal, a highly respected and useful citizen.

CHAMBERS, DAVID S., Merchant, son of David and Sarah Chambers, was born August 16, 1787, in Brooke County, Virginia. He received a good education, which he completed at Cannonsburg College, Pennsylvania, and soon after became clerk in a bank at Marietta, Ohio. In 1817, he came to Louisville with a stock of dry-goods, and was soon connected with Milton Wilson, under the firm name of Wilson & Chambers. After several years of successful business, that connection was dissolved, and, associated with William Garvin, under the name of Chambers & Garvin, he started the wholesale business, which he carried on with success until 1835, when hc

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temporarily retired from active pursuits. He subse- quently accepted the position as Secretary of the Frank- lin Insurance Company, which he filled with energy until the company's business was withdrawn from Louis- ville. Although his estate was seriously involved in the reverses of Garvin & Co., which compelled him for a time to continue actively engaged, failing health caused him to retire entirely, in 1862. He was characterized for his great industry, sound judgment, agreeable man- ners, and great uprightness of character. He died March 13, 1873, and due respect was shown to his memory, as one of the oldest and most valuable of the business men of Louisville. Mr. Chambers was married, in 1829, to the daughter of John Postlewaite, of Lexington, Ken- tucky. She died March 27, 1847. Two daughters sur- vived him, one of whom is the wife of W. F. Pragoff, a tobacco merchant of Louisville.

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 130

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