The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 131

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 131

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).

ULL, DR. JOHN, son of Edward Bull, long a respectable farmer of Kentucky, and descended from an old and worthy family of Virginia, was born in 1813, in Shelby County, Kentucky. He received a good education in the schools of his native county ; and, at the age of fourteen, left his father's home, and went to Louisville, with the purpose of studying medicine, and was assiduously en- gaged, for several years, under old Dr. Schrock, of that city. Yet it seems that his early matured plan was not to practice medicine as a profession, but eventually to turn his entire attention to chemistry and pharmacy. Of this early purpose he never lost sight, and, with fine ability and a natural taste for his business, he soon be- came one of the first pharmacists of Louisville, and was largely selected by the physicians to compound their most difficult prescriptions. Soon after completing his chemical and pharmaceutical studies, he formed a part- nership with J. B. Wilder, in the drug business. After several years of successful business, he withdrew from the connection, but subsequently continued in the same house with other associates. But, being bold and ad- venturous, he labored under serious difficulties in main- taining timid partnerships, and, after a few years of dear experiences, he started alone in the manufacture and sale of some of his compounds, which afterwards became generally known and valued throughout the United States. Although starting in a very small way, he was exceedingly successful, and was soon compelled to enlarge his facilities and remove into more commodi- ous quarters. He again rented the same house in which he had first started business in Louisville, and, through his great energy and business ability, had be- come well known over the country, established a large patronage, and accumulated a handsome fortune. He

was now induced to return to partnership business, which, as before, resulted unfavorably to him. While in New York, establishing a branch house and opening up more satisfactory arrangements for supplying the great demand for his medical preparations in the East, his misfortunes again commenced at home, and, by the dishonesty or treachery of those in charge at Louisville, he was soon greatly involved and forced to start again as a poor man. But, with great determination and un- broken energy, he again commenced, and, when the civil war broke out, had accumulated another fortune and established a business throughout the entire country, being especially extensive in the South. At this time the great bulk of his business capital was in the hands of men throughout the seceded States, who met his demands upon them with a worthless currency and universal business bankruptcy. And again he found himself in reduced circumstances, and compelled to start life anew. He accepted the position of provost-mar- shal, at a salary of seventy-five dollars a month, and held the office for three years. He now saw an oppor- tunity to start up his business again, this time directing his attention to the North and West. With his great business energy, and the recognized value of his medical compounds, he soon freed himself from embarrassment, and went steadily forward with great success, until, long before his death, he had accumulated a princely fortune. He was, doubtless, the most successful compounder of what are known as "patent medicines" in America, and, with a wonderful perseverance, overcame obstacles and lived through reverses which would have annihilated less sanguine, hopeful, and energetic men. He never faltered, never vacillated ; but, believing in the intrin- sic worth of his specifics, aimed at the highest success, and, through cloud and sunshine, never lost sight of his original purpose. Although connected with the pro- prietary medicine business for many years, his final for- tune was gathered during the last ten years of his life, his income at that time being greater than that of any other man in Kentucky. His annual net profits in his business, during his last years, reaching from one hun- dred and thirty to one hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars, probably placed him among the millionaires of the country. He was a plain, unassuming man in his ev- ery-day walk ; was never hardened by his misfortunes or successes, and was always ready to give a helping hand to any good cause. He was generous, open-hearted, and philanthropic, and was just entering the most val- uable period of his life as a citizen. In his last years, he built quite a number of fine houses in Louisville, and was largely making himself felt as one of the most val- uable men of the city. He was a man of fine personal appearance; six feet high; slender, muscular, and erect; with a singularly fine combination of business qualities. He died, at his residence in Louisville, April 26, 1875,

745

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

quite suddenly, being apparently in good health a few hours previously. Dr. Bull was married, in 1843, to Miss Mary A. Batchelor, daughter of L. B. Batchelor, of Louisville, Kentucky, a lady of great worth of charac- ter, who stood by him, as a pillar of strength, through all his misfortunes; and who, with four of their nine children, still survives him.

PPLEGATE, ELISHA, Merchant, was horn March 25, 1782, in Jefferson County, Kentucky; and was the son of Thomas and Mary Apple- gate, who emigrated from Pennsylvania, and were sharers in the early dangers and hardships of Kentucky. Elisha Applegate commenced life for himself at the age of eightcen, when he built a flat-boat, at the mouth of Salt river, which he loaded with produce and carried to New Orleans. After com- pleting his first successful trip, he engaged for some time in manufacturing salt. In 1808, he removed to Louis- ville, then a mere village, and began the business of brewing. But, after a few years, he engaged in the to- bacco trade, and was the pioneer in that now most im- portant branch of mercantile business in Louisville. He remained actively connected with the tobacco trade dur- ing his husiness life. He built the first tobacco ware- house in Louisville, which was soon after burned down. In 1831, he built a hotel on Main Street, between Sev- enth and Eighth Streets, which he called the United States, but he never engaged in the personal manage- ment of the hotel. He accumulated a large property, which he divided among his children after the war. He was prominently concerned in the organization of the old fire department of Louisville, and was actively identified with almost all of the early movements look- ing to the improvement of the city. He lived an ex- ceedingly active life, never being satisfied unless actively engaged, either in his own affairs or those in some way advancing the interests of the community. He was sev- eral years a member of the City Council; and, in poli- tics, belonged to the Jackson school of the Democracy, during his long life never casting a vote outside of his own party. He was a man of fine business habits, was conscientious and upright in his dealings with men, was open and generous in his charities, and, being a Unita- rian religiously, contributed largely towards the erection of the Unitarian Church in Louisville. He died in 1874, universally respected. Mr. Applegate was twice marricd-his first wife lived but a few years, and from that marriage one child survives; he was subsequently married to a Miss Morrison, who also died several years ago; from this marriage two daughters are living-onc, the wife of John T. Moore, and the other of Richard Burgc.

ELSH, GEORGE WISTON, Merchant and Banker, was born September 16, 1809, in Lin- coln County, Kentucky. His father, John Welsh, was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Kentucky about 1790, and settled in Lincoln County, where he was an influential and suc- cessful farmer. George W. Welsh received an ordinary English education in the best schools afforded in his native county at that period. At the age of twenty-one, he began life as a merchant's clerk, in Palmyra, Mis- souri; soon afterwards continued mercantile pursuits in Illinois; in 1839, returned to Kentucky, and settled in business as a general merchant, at Hustonville, in Lin- coln County ; and, in 1853, removed to Danville, wherc he has since continued his active business career. Al- though mainly occupying his means and ability in busi- ness pursuits he has given his attention freely to public affairs, taking an active part in every thing looking to the advancement of the business, social, and religious welfare of the community. In 1854, he became a mem- ber of the City Council of Danville, and held his seat, by re-election to that body, for ten consecutive years, sharing largely in the movements necessary to the growth and prosperity of Danville. For fifteen or twenty years, he has been a member of the Board of Managers of the Danville Theological Seminary and Caldwell Female Seminary, at Danville; few men in the country having taken a greater interest in the advance of edu- cation, or been of more service to the educational insti- tutions of his community. In 1866, his fine business and financial ability secured for him the election to the Presidency of the First National Bank of Danville, which position he still occupies. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which he has long been an elder and leading worker. Mr. Welsh was married, in 1834, to Miss Mary Breath, daughter of Capt. James Breath, of New York City; and, of their eleven chil- dren, six are now living; his eldest son, George W. Welsh, Jr., is Cashier in the First National Bank of Danville; and his son James B. is a partner in his mer- cantile business at that place.

TKINSON, REV. JOHN, Clergyman and Edu- cator, was born September 30, 1797, in Flcm- ington, New Jersey. His ancestors were all Quakers; his grandfather, Timothy Atkinson, was an Englishman, and emigrated to this coun- try, settling in Maryland, in the seventeenth century. Mr. Atkinson received his early education in one of the best grammar-schools in the country, and, by diligent application and finc natural abilities, became a first-class scholar. He studied theology, exhibiting remarkable ability in that direction; and, at the age of

746

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

seventeen, regularly entered the ministry, in the sparsely settled regions of New York, also extending his labors into the North-western Territory. In 1838, he was mar- ried, and soon after removed to Kentucky. From 1844 to 1864, he was Principal of the Bardstown Female In- stitute, excepting for seven years of that period, in which he was connected with Atkinson High-school at Louisville. For a number of years he has resided at Benton Harbor, Michigan, and is yet earnestly and act- ively engaged in teaching, and in the work of the Great Master, which he began sixty years ago. He has three living children : Mrs. Dr. Winans, of Benton Harbor, Michigan; the accomplished Mrs. E. B. Newcomb, of Henderson, Kentucky-a lady of fine literary attain- ments; and Charles T. Atkinson, his son, is a lawyer of Bardstown, Kentucky.

ALDWIN, JOHN, Lawyer, was born in Vir- ginia, in 1842, and resided in that State until 1869. He is self-educated, never having at- tended an institution of learning of any kind, excepting three months spent in a district-school in early boyhood. But, by his unaided exer- tions, he has become a fair classical scholar, having ac- quired a good knowledge of Latin, Greek, German, the higher mathematics, and some of the physical sciences. At the age of sixteen, he began teaching for a liveli- hood, and continued in that profession for a matter of eighteen years. From 1870 to 1873, he was Principal of the Howard School, at Nashville, Tennessee. In 1873, he was editor of the Clarksville (Tennessee) "Chroni- cle;" and, in 1875, he was, for a time, editor of the "Commonwealth," a weekly paper of Covington, Ken- tucky. In the Fall of 1875, he was admitted to the bar at Falmouth, Kentucky, where he shortly afterwards be- gan the practice of the law, and where he now resides.

ITCHELL, THOMAS, Banker, was born June 13, 1830, in Paris, Kentucky. His ancestors were from Pennsylvania; they having been among the first hardy pioneers who emigrated from that State to brave the perils of a life in the wilderness of Kentucky. His father settled in Bourbon County; and, in the latter part of his life, became engaged in mercantile pursuits, in which he met with a fair degree of success, being con- sidered one of the most prosperous merchants of his locality. He married Ann Mitchell, the daughter of one of the earliest inhabitants of this region. He was a man of genuine integrity, with a character beyond reproach ; and died in 1837, mourned by a large circle

of friends. In Kentucky, at this time, the facilities for obtaining a liberal education were very limited. Mr. Mitchell, however, received such education as the best schools of his home could furnish. Entering the acad- emy of his district, he obtained a sound, practical edu- cation. Leaving the school-room to enter the paths of an active business life, he took a clerkship in a leading dry-goods house of his native town; where, by reason of his fidelity to employers and manifest business ca- pacity, he was retained for five years. In his twentieth year, he left his employers in Lexington, to accept a position as clerk in the Northern Bank of Paris, a branch of the old Northern Bank of Lexington. It was not long before his evident talent and ability were recognized; for, after serving faithfully as clerk for one year, the Board of Directors advanced him to the position of teller of the bank. He discharged the duties of this position, with his accustomed energy and efficiency, for the space of seven years; at the end of which time, he received the appointment of teller of the main bank in Lexington; he having been identified with the interests of this place from that time. In 1865, after having served as teller of the Northern Bank for a period of seven years, he organized and established the First National Bank of Lexington, he taking the position of cashier. The inauguration of this enterprise gave a still wider scope for the exercise of his business sagacity. He took every measure to insure the success of this undertaking; and by his judicious management has carried its fortunes safely through all crises; and it is now classed among the most reliable in- stitutions of its kind in the country. This bank has been in operation for twelve years; and has been man- aged with such wise discretion and prudence, that, dur- ing the whole of that time, only the comparatively insig- nificant sum of seventy-five dollars had to be charged to " profit and loss" account, as bad debts; and it has always paid its stockholders handsome dividends. In 1874, he with others, under the firm name of H. Gilbert & Co., engaged in the pork-packing business, in Lex- ington, erecting a large establishment, the first of its kind in Fayette County. The venture proved successful, their operations increasing rapidly ; and they are now doing an extensive and profitable business in this line. In 1853, he was married to Miss Mary Smith, grand- daughter of Captain John Throckmorton, of Nicholas County, Kentucky. They have one child, a daughter, Annie Mitchell. He has been honored with a term of a year in the City Council of Lexington, has filled the position of Treasurer of the Sinking Fund Committee, of Fayette County, and has been for a number of years a member of that body. He has not sought office ; but has declined many positions of honor, trust, and profit, which have been tendered him, rather than forego the more congenial pursuit of business. He is a member of

747

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

the Presbyterian Church, and assists with his sympathies and means every movement for promoting the welfare of the community. Mr. Mitchell is a man of vigorous health, and has a robust constitution ; his cheerful and affable disposition has won for him a host of friends, and he is now in the best years of his life.

TRATTON, SAMUEL S., Soldier, and Mana- ger of the Kentucky Branch of the Hall Safe and Lock Company, was born May 17, 1830, at Cincinnati, Ohio. His father is Elder W. P. Stratton, a well-known minister in the Christian denomination of that city, for many years past. His early education was in the common and high schools of his native city, completed by his graduating, in 1855, at Woodward College, Cincinnati. In 1856, he com- menced clerking in the office of the Cincinnati Gas and Coke Company, remaining with them, excepting the time of his service in the army, for a period of twelve years. In 1863, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Ohio Volunteers ; was appointed lieuten- ant-colonel; was stationed at City Point, near Peters- burg, Virginia, and at Salisbury, North Carolina; re- mained in the army until the close of the war. After two years' service in the Gas Company, at Cincinnati, he went to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1868, taking charge, as manager, of the Hall Safe and Lock Company. This house is the only one of the kind in the State, and the firm has extensive demands for its safes as far south as Texas and Arkansas. The extreme tests which the " Hall Fire and Burglar Safe" has successfully with- stood make it a standard and gigantic manufacturing interest; and, under Col. Stratton's business manage- ment, the Louisville house has quadrupled its trade, since the year when he assumed charge. Col. Stratton is a Knight Templar-member of De Molay Command- ery, No. 12; also Past Chief Patriarch of Mount Hope Lodge, No. I, I. O. O. F., of Louisville. In 1856, he joined the Christian Church, and is now a member of Fourth and Walnut Street Christian Church, in Louis- ville. Col. Stratton is a gentleman of fine appearance; dignified, affable, and courteous; attentive and success- ful in his business relations.

RYER, JOHN HAMILTON, Lawyer, was born May 5, 1832, in Pendleton County, ten miles north of Falmouth, Kentucky. He is the old- est child of William Fryer and Eliza ( Barkcr) Frycr. His father was a farmer, a native of Maryland ; came with his father, Walter Fryer, who was a soldier in the Revolution, to Kentucky in

1804, and settled in Pendleton County, where he lived till his death, June 6, 1856. Eliza Barker, his mother, was a daughter of John H. Barker, a Kentuckian, who represented Pendleton County in the Legislature for one term, and was magistrate and sheriff of the county for several years. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm, and enjoyed the advantages of the best pri- vate schools of the country. He also attended Moscow Academy, in Ohio, for one year. In 1851, he taught school in his native county; in the following year, taught in Missouri ; and, in 1853, returned home, where he continued teaching for several years. On March 22, 1857, he was married to Miss Frances A. Norris, a na- tive of Pendleton County, and daughter of George W. Norris, a farmer and merchant of that county; and from that time, for six years, devoted himself to farm- ing. In 1863, he resumed teaching in the county ; and, in 1867, entered the law department of Michigan University; in the following year, returned to Fal- mouth, was admitted to the bar, and immediately began the practice of his profession. He has since resided at Falmouth, and been actively engaged in a large and valuable legal practice. In 1872, he was elected Police Judge of Falmouth. For many years he was assistant examiner for the schools of Pendleton County. He be- longed to the Whig party till its dissolution; since has been a Democrat, and, during the war, took the side of the South. Mr. Fryer is a man of fine personal habits, unpretending in his manners, able as a lawyer, of great integrity of character, and deservedly ranks as one of the most energetic and useful men of the county.

RIPLETT, GEORGE W., Lawyer, was born February 18, 1809, in Franklin County, Ken- tucky. His great-grandfather, John Triplett, was a surveyor, in Virginia, and held a com- mission under George III, and, with five of his sons, participated in the Revolutionary War. His father, Hedgeman Triplett, one of the five broth- ers, was a lieutenant in the Continental army, and was a native of Culpepper County ; married Nancy Popham, removed to Kentucky in 1794, remained for several years in Scott County, and afterwards settled in Frank- lin, where he died in 1837. His son, George W. Trip- lett, received his early education under the best teachers then in the country, and afterwards became a fair scholar. In 1827, he began school teaching ; was sub- sequently deputy County Surveyor for some years; in 1833, removed his family to Daviess County, where he engaged in farming and surveying; from 1836 to 1840, carried on a wood-yard, at Bon Harbor, ncar Owens- boro; held the office of County Surveyor for seventeen years; was elected to the Legislature in 1840; in 1848,

748

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

was elected to the State Senate, and was a Whig in politics. In 1861, he entered the Confederate service ; was for three years connected with the Army of the Tennessee; was a Captain in the First Kentucky Cavalry ; was afterwards promoted major, and served on the staff of Gen. Helm, and subsequently occupied the same position under Generals Breckinridge and Forrest, distinguishing himself as a brave and faithful officer. In 1864, he was elected member of the Con- federate Congress, and continued in that capacity until the close of the war. After the cessation of hostilities, he returned to Owensboro, and was chosen Judge of Daviess County, and still occupies that position. He is identified with the Democratic party, and is a man of great strength and probity of character, and is de- servedly held in high esteem by the community. Judge Triplett was married, October 18, 1827, to Miss Amelia A. Head. He has six children, some of whom are active business men of Owensboro.

RADLEY, CLARK, Carriage Manufacturer, was born May 15, 1817, at Milford, Connecti- cut. His father, B. Bradley, a wheel-maker of Connecticut, is yet living, at the venerable age of eighty-eight. The son attended, until his sixteenth year, the Milford schools, and was then apprenticed as a carriage trimmer, with D. Beach & Co., of Milford, the most extensive coach and car- riage manufacturers of the town. He remained with them till of age; then removed to New Haven, spend- ing one Winter working at his trade. In 1839, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky, engaging at his trade with I. F. Stone. One year later, he became Stone's partner, the firm continuing for five years, when he bought the interest of Stone, and set up, by himself, in the coach and carriage manufacturing. He has never since had a partner; is very skillful in the making of fine carriages; and, before the war, had a large trade in the South, supplying his own work. During the war, he lost a large fortune, but is now doing well in his life-long business. His losses by fire have always been fully covered by insurance. In his business relations, he mentions with pride his never having had his note protested, and his ability always to pay all his obliga- tions in full. On April 15, 1845, he married Elmira T. Moore, daughter of John R. Moore, of Jeffersontown, Kentucky; and by this union has eleven children, of whom six are living. From his sixteenth year he has been a member of the Presbyterian Church; has been an elder about twenty-five years, and holds that office, at the present time, in the Fourth Presbyterian Church of Louisville. He is an earnest worker in the Church ; and is a valuable and influential citizen.

ODD, LYMAN BEECHER, M. D., was born April 16, 1832, in Fayette County, Kentucky, and is the son of James C. and Maria (Blair) Todd. His father was also a native of Fayette County, of which he was sheriff, and was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. His grandfather, Levi Todd, emigrated from Pennsylvania, and became the first Clerk of Fayette County. His mother was the daughter of Samuel Blair, one of the early prominent lawyers of Fayette County, to which he had emigrated from Pennsylvania. Dr. Todd was liberally educated, graduating at Centre College, in 1851. He immediately afterwards began the study of medicine, attending lec- tures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; gradu- ated at that institution in the Spring of 1854; soon after located at Lexington, Kentucky, and has since resided in that place, actively and successfully engaged in the duties of his profession. He served as postmaster of Lexington for eight years, receiving his appointment in 1861, from President Lincoln. He has for several years been city physician of Lexington, but has never sought or held a political office, devoting his time and energies mainly to his profession. He has written a good deal on medical and kindred subjects, and is earnestly de- voted to the best interests of his profession. Until the dissolution of the Whig party, he was identified with it, but, since the breaking up of the old organization, its principles being mainly those of the National Republican party, he is now affiliated with that political organiza- tion. Religiously, he is a Presbyterian. Dr. Todd was married, October 3, 1854, to Miss Sarah Frances Swift, of Lexington, Kentucky.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 131

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