The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 132

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 132

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ALCONER, DAVID GRAY, Lawyer, was born in Early Vale, Mid-Lothian, Scotland, Decem- ber 14, 1837. He came to New York in 1856, where he lived several years, and finished his education. He joined the Seventy-ninth New York State Militia soon after its organization ; went with the regiment, under Col. McDougal, into the field at the beginning of the civil war, and participated with his regiment in the battles of Blackburn's Ford, Bull Run, Lewinsville, Virginia; Port Royal, Coosa river, Pocataligo Bridge, South Carolina; Manassas, Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg; Vicksburg, and Jackson, Mississippi. His regiment wore the Scotch Highland costume before and after the war, but was obliged to put on the regular army suit in active service. At the battle of Bull Run, his regiment was one of the last to leave the_ field. At Antietam, Mr. Falconer was wounded in the right hand and right knee, resulting in amputation of his leg; after recover- ing, was attached to the veteran reserve corps, with

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which he remained until the close of the war. He then came to Kentucky, and entered the law department of Kentucky University, at Lexington; graduated, and was admitted to the bar, in February, 1868; and, has practiced ever since, successfully, at the Lexington bar. He was married in March, 1863, to Miss Martha S. Thornton, of New York. Mr. Falconer is a member of the Catholic Church, is an active Christian, a man of strong convictions, and his life is guided by a high ideal of right; is of steady habits, quiet and unostentatious, of reliable legal ability, and has won the confidence and esteem of the community in which he lives.

ARDNER, WILLIAM HARRISON, M. D., Physician and Surgeon, was born September 18, 1813, in Barren (now Hart) County, Ken- tucky. His parents were both native-born Ken- tuckians, his father being of Irish descent and his mother of Virginia parentage. His father was a farmer, and he himself was bred in that occupa- tion. His early education was limited, and was confined to the poor common-schools of that period of his native country. He entered the Louisville Medical School, in the Fall of 1839; pursued his medical studies for several years, under the direction of Drs. Ford and Sweeney, of Edmonson County, engaging, in the mean time, in teaching school for his support; graduated, in the med- ical department of the University of Louisville, in 1845; and at once entered upon the practice of his profession, and now resides at Rowlett's Station, Hart County, Ken- tucky. He commenced life without education, wealth, or any other help; and, through his natural ability and great perseverance, has not only arrived at an honorable position as a medical practitioner, but has also become quite scholarly in his attainments, few men in the coun- try being more generally well informed, or thoroughly posted in the history of the times. He has practiced medicine over a large scope of country; has performed many important surgical operations; is independent, original, and thorough in his modes of practice; and is doubtlessly second to no man in his section in any branch of medical practice. He served as surgeon of the Thirtieth Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Mounted Infantry, during the civil war. Although greatly de- voted to his profession, he has taken an active interest in public affairs; and, in 1850, was elected to the Legis- lature; and was again elected to that body in 1865, serving" two terms, and acquitting himself with honor. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity; and, although connected with no Church organization, he is a man of unapproachable character, standing high not only in his profession, but also as a citizen. Dr. Gardner was married, April 8, 1846, to Miss Martha

Robertson Jett, daughter of Dr. H. D. Jett, of Mun- fordsville, Kentucky; and has three daughters and one son, his son being connected with the "Sunday Argus," of Louisville.

OWELL, HON. LAZARUS W., Lawyer, and Governor of Kentucky, son of Lazarus Powell, was born October 6, 1812, in IIenderson County, Kentucky. His father had some time previously settled on a tract of land twelve miles from Henderson, on the Morganfield road. He lived to a great age, and was a man of vigorous mind and great energy, and succeeded in accumulating a large property, which he divided among his children. His mother was the daughter of Captain James McMahon, of Henderson County, who served in the war of 1812, and was a man of eccentric manners and strong natural talents. Both of Governor Powell's parents were per- sons of ordinary natural endowments, and enjoyed little of the advantages of mental culture. He was their third son, and at an early age began to exhibit those traits which gave him distinction in after life. He obtained his early education at Henderson, in his native county, mainly under George Gayle, a teacher of considerable reputation. In 1830, he entered St. Joseph's College, at Bardstown, Kentucky, and graduated in the class of 1833. He had long previously determined upon a course of life, and, a few days after finishing his literary studies, he entered upon the study of the law at Bards- town, under Hon. John Rowan; in the Winter of 1834, he entered Transylvania Law School, then under Justice Robertson and Judge Mayes; and, in the following Spring, opened his office for the practice of his profes- sion, at Henderson. His success was beyond his expecta- tions ; he rose rapidly to distinction, and, by his profes- sion mainly, accumulated a fortune. A few months after beginning practice, he formed a partnership with his townsman, Hon. Archibald Dixon, which continued till 1839. In 1836, he was elected to represent Henderson County in the Lower House of the Legislature; was defeated by the Whig candidate, in his race for re-elec- tion ; in 1844, was defeated as Presidential Democratic District Elector ; was placed at the head of the Demo- cratic ticket as candidate for Governor, in 1848, but, after an exciting contest, was defeated by Hon. John J. Crit- tenden ; in 1851, was again candidate for Governor, against his former law partner, Hon. Archibald Dixon ; was elected by a small majority, running ahead of his ticket ; and was inaugurated September 5, 1851. His administration was a just, wise, and good one, and was well received by the people of the State. In 1858, he was sent to Utah by President Buchanan, as one of the commissioners to settle the rising rebellion among the Mormons; in 1859, he was elected, by his party in the

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Legislature, to the United States Senate for six years ; made a notable record in that body ; when the rebellion broke out he opposed secession, but was also opposed to coercion, and believed that war meant eternal separa- tion ; favored Kentucky's neutral position ; opposed the policy of the Government to the last, and doubtlessly sympathized strongly with his section; a resolution to expel him from his seat in Congress failed, and he served out his term, but was defeated, in the Legislature, for re-election. As a lawyer, he stood among the first in the State; his social traits were admirable; was greatly attached to his family ; was hospitable to the last de- gree ; was the friend of the needy, the supporter and patron of every good work and cause in his own com- munity ; and was one of the most able and upright men of his time. His public acts and services were above those of the mere politician, and place him deservedly among the statesmen of Kentucky. Although Governor Powell was not connected with any Church, it appears that he was a firm believer in the doctrines of Chris- tianity. After a few days' illness, he died, at his home in Henderson, Kentucky, July 3, 1867. In the follow- ing year the Legislature authorized a monument to be erected at his grave. He was married, November 8, 1837, to Miss Harriet A. Jennings, daughter of Captain Charles Jennings, an esteemed citizen of Henderson County, Kentucky. She died, in 1846, leaving three sons. Three of his brothers and one sister survive him.

OODWARD, HON. GEORGE W., Lawyer, and late Chief-Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, was born March 26, 1809, at Bethany, Wayne County, Pennsylvania. His family had settled in that State previous to the Revolution, having emigrated from Connecti- cut to the valley of the Wallenpawpack, in 1774; from which they were driven, several years later, during the massacre of Wyoming-the women and children find- ing shelter in New York, and most of the men joining the Continental army. After the close of the war, his father became Sheriff of Wayne County; was after- wards Associate Judge of the County Courts; and was a prominent farmer. The facilities for schooling in Wayne County, in those days, were not the best; and, after spending some time under the tuition of his brother, Judge Woodward entered Geneva Seminary (now Hobart College), New York, having among his classmates, Henry S. Randall and Horatio Seymour. He subsequently entered Wilkesbarre Academy, under Dr. M. P. Orton; and, after completing a thorough classical and scientific course, graduated in 1828. He began the study of the law with Thomas Fuller, of Wayne County ; completed his legal studies with Hon.

Garrick Mallory, at Wilkesbarre; and was admitted to the bar in the Fall of 1830. Shortly after his admis- sion to the bar, he married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Scott, a young lady of marked loveliness of person and char- acter, whose father was a physician of large practice in Wilkesbarre and its vicinity. In the following Spring, Mr. Mallory became Judge of the Burks Judicial Dis- trict, and he succeeded him in his extensive profes- sional business, at the age of twenty-three. His father had been elected Sheriff of Wayne County by the De- mocracy, and his family were adherents to the doc- trines of that party; and, in 1836, he was elected, as a Democrat, to the convention called to revise the Con- stitution of the State-a body composed of the ablest men of the commonwealth; and, although being the youngest member, he displayed such ability as to rank ·him, with no unfavorable comparison, with John Sar- gent, James M. Porter, Thaddeus Stevens, William Findley, and William M. Meredith. As a member of that convention, he held to the Democratic motto, that "the world was governed too much," and was an earnest, able advocate of reform in the Constitution and State laws. He distinguished himself, during the sessions of the convention, on the question of nativism, and other important subjects, displaying great power as a debater and manager. In 1841, in consequence of failing health from his arduous professional labors, he accepted the appointment from Gov. Porter as Resi- dent Judge of the Fourth Pennsylvania Judicial Dis- trict, composed of six counties, and, territorially, the largest in the State; holding the office until the ex piration of the term, in 1851, discharging its duties with great energy and ability. While presiding on the bench, he was debarred, to a great extent, from participating in political contests; notwithstanding, tak- ing an active interest in public events, and warmly supporting Mr. Polk, in 1844; in the same year being the nominee of the Democratic members of the Legislature for United States Senator, to succeed James Buchanan, but was defeated by a coalition in favor of Simon Cameron. In the following March, President Polk nominated him for the Supreme Bench of the United States, but the Senate failed to ratify the appointment. In 1852, on the death of Judge Coulter, Gov. Bigler offered him the seat on the Supreme Bench of the State, which he accepted; and, in December of that year, the office having become elective, he was chosen to that position, by the Democratic vote of the State, for the full term of fifteen years. This was the first occasion presented for submitting his merits to the people of the whole State; and, receiving the nomination by acclamation in his party, was elected by a very large majority, discharging the duties of the office with great dignity and uprightness until 1867. In 1863, he became the Democratic candidate for Governor, against Andrew

Eng : & Pt" by Homer Lee & Co. N.Y.

Geo. M. Marina

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G. Curtin, but was defeated, his own county giving him a majority of over twenty-seven hundred, his friends claiming his election. Four years prior to the expiration of his term on the Supreme Bench, he became Chief- Justice by seniority, and, one year before, gave notice that he would not be a candidate for re-election. In 1867, while absent in Europe, he was elected to Con- · gress, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Denison, and was re-elected in 1868, having a majority in his own county of over three thousand. During his Congressional service, he abandoned the free-trade doctrines of his party, and distinguished himself by his able efforts in favor of protection. In the Fall of 1870, he removed his office from Wilkesbarre to Philadelphia, where his name became prominent in the great contests at the bar. While practicing law in Philadelphia, he was elected a delegate at large on the Democratic ticket to the last Constitutional Convention, and was Chair- man of the Committee on Private Corporations, and member of various other committees, and, from his long experience on the bench and great legal attainments, was one of the most valuable men of that body. In 1873, he resigned his seat in the convention, which not being accepted, after a short visit with his family to the West, he again appeared on the deliberations of the con- vention. In 1871, he married the widow of Edward McAllister (née Eliza Brand), only daughter of John Brand, a man of note and large fortune in Lexington, Kentucky, and, with his accomplished wife, passed much of his time, towards the latter part of his life, at that city. In October, 1874, he again went to Europe, accom- panied by Mrs. Woodward and her niece, Miss Brand, of Kentucky, joining there his daughter, Miss Wood- ward, who had preceded him; and, after visiting various parts of England and Europe, settled in Rome, where he died May 10, 1875. His death was announced by cable, and was received as a national calamity, and fol- lowed by every demonstration of popular regard in his native State. He was a man of the highest integrity of character, carrying throughout his life the absolute confidence of his people. He was an able legislator, a profound judge, a writer of great ability, especially on legal science; gained an eminent position in his profes- sion ; was characterized by great courtesy and urbanity ; was remarkably affectionate and indulgent in his family; was a man of strong religious convictions, being a mem- ber of the Episcopal Church, in whose affairs he took great interest ; was physically as well as mentally cast in a large mold, being a man of large and attractive form, dignified and manly bearing; and died universally loved and esteemed, having taken a place among the first jurists, and most able and upright men of his native State. By his former marriage, four sons and three daughters survived him. The wife of his second mar- riage now resides in her native city, Lexington, Ken-

tucky, where she not only lends a charm to society by her many accomplishments, but is present in every noble work of the city, being prominent in all its active chari- ties, and carrying sunshine and comfort into the homes of the poor.

OBINSON, HON. JAMES FISHER, Lawyer, Farmer, and one of the Governors of Ken- tucky, was born October 4, 1800, in Scott County, Kentucky. His father, Jonathan Rob- inson, was a native of Pennsylvania, and there married his mother, a daughter of Capt. John Black, and began his married life as a farmer, in Cum- berland County of that State, on a tract of land given him by his father and father-in-law, in the vicinity of their own residence. Shortly afterwards, the war of the Revolution commenced, and, during its first year, he volunteered; was commissioned captain, and served until the restoration of peace. In 1785, he visited Kentucky, and bought a farm of six hundred acres, in Scott County, upon which he erected cabins for his residence; and, having returned to Pennsylvania in the following Spring, removed with his family to his new home, in Kentucky, where he continued to reside, as one of the substantial and influential citizens, until his death, in the eighty- sixth year of his age. Gov. Robinson came of English and Scotch ancestors; his great-grandfather being a Dis- senter, located in Ireland; and there his grandfather, George Robinson, was born, and married a Scotch lady. The entire family moved to "America, and settled in Pennsylvania, about the middle of the seventeenth cent- ury. His grandfather, many years after his father set- tled in Kentucky, also removed to his State, where he passed his life on an adjoining farm, in Scott County, and there died, at the age of eighty-seven. He was an ardent Whig during the Revolution, and served some time as a volunteer during that war. Gov. Robinson's education was commenced under a private teacher, at his father's house; was continued under the Rev. Rob- ert Marshall, one of the most scholarly among the early Presbyterian ministers of Kentucky; and his academic education was completed at Forest Hill Academy, un- der the celebrated Samuel Wilson. He subsequently entered Transylvania University, where he graduated, in 1818. He immediately began the study of the law at Lexington, under Hon. William T. Barry, one of the most able men who ever flourished in Kentucky. A few years afterwards he obtained license, and began the law practice at Georgetown, in his native county; and there has continued, actively engaged in his profession, until the present time, excepting short intervals of po- litical life. In 1851, he was elected, without opposition, to the Senate of Kentucky, to represent the district com- posed of Scott and Fayette Counties, and served one

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term. In August, 1861, after a warmly contested can- vass, he was again elected from the same Senatorial dis- trict, defeating Hon. James B. Beck. This canvass was made when the clouds of civil war were gathering over the country, and the great subjects of vital importance to the people were discussed; such as the right of seces- sion, the impending rebellion, the value of the Union, and the proper place to be occupied by Kentucky in the inevitable conflict. In 1862, Governor Magoffin, the Governor of Kentucky, resigned the office of chief executive, and, there being no Lieutenant-Governor, he, being a member of the Senate, was immediately elected Speaker, thereby becoming Acting Governor of the State, and as such was at once qualified, and en- tered upon his duties, serving as Governor until the end of the term. The period of his administration was filled with troubles, difficulties, and. perils, known to no other before or since. His conduct was in accord with the administration of the National Government ; and his unflinching devotion to the Union, and his strong, manly guardianship of the affairs of the State, brought the best possible good out of the evils of the times. Doubtlessly but few men in the State were bet- ter suited to control its affairs at such a time-reared as he had been, in a school of patriots, and from early life having espoused the Whig principles of National Government, possessing eminently the firm, unexplosive, and temperate elements of character, and, withal, being greatly attached to the best interests of his native State. He has been a farmer as well as a lawyer for the last twenty-five years, and now resides at " Cardome " (from cara domus), his fine farm, consisting of three hundred acres, adjoining Georgetown, in a part of that most beautiful region called the "Blue Grass." He has been without political ambition, having lived too busy a life to give his attention to the higher aims of the statesman, and being unwilling to become a mere politi- cian. Although importuned to accept public office at different times, he has usually declined, preferring to devote himself to his professional and agricultural inter- ests. As a lawyer he has taken a place among the most learned and able in Kentucky. He has been concerned in many of the great law cases of the State, and so thoroughly did he become identified with the interests of his clients that his business grew to great proportions, and gave him little time to devote to politics, had he possessed the inclination. Had he given himself to pub- lic affairs with that earnestness, learning, and wisdom, which characterized his professional life, he would have taken rank among the first statesmen of his day. He possesses in a high degree many broad and noble traits, which not only gave him strength and dignity in the court and before the jury, but, during his difficult term of office as chief executive of the State, enabled him to administer its affairs with great impartiality and

justice; firmly suppressing wrong, and protecting the people, regardless of their peculiar sympathics, in their just demands as citizens. He is a man of commanding person and noble presence; and probably no man of the old school is now living in Kentucky who would have been able at any time to add more dignity and honor to any position in the gift of the people. Gov. Robinson is now living with his third wife, and has eight living children.

OHNSTON, HON. JOSIAH STODDARD, Secretary of State, is the second of the same name who has held honorable positions in the annals of the country. Though a native of Louisiana, he is of a family that emigrated to Kentucky in its earliest settlement. His grandfather, Dr. John Johnston, and Edward Harris, his grandmother's father, were among the original set- tlers of Mason County. His father, John Harris John- ston, was born at Washington, in that county. The oldest son of Dr. Johnston, Josiah Stoddard Johnston, emigrated to Louisiana, and speedily acquired wealth and reputation as a lawyer and politician. He repre- sented that State in Congress, and, after twelve years of service as Senator, died, during his third term. He was a Whig in politics, and was Mr. Clay's second in his duel with John Randolph. His brother, John Harris Johnston, also emigrated to Alexandria, Louisiana, and became Probate Judge there-a very lucrative and im- portant office in that State-and was, in 1829 and 1830, Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives. He was a very handsome and agreeable man, and uni- versally esteemed for his amiability, probity, and intelli- gence. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston was the youngest brother of this family. Judge Harris Johnston married Miss Eliza Davidson, of New Orleans, who died before him. He was himself cut off in mid career, by the fatal influence of the climate, leaving three little chil- dren -John Pintard, Josiah Stoddard, and Harris Han- cock. These boys were brought up by their mother's sister, the wife of Col. George Hancock, of Jefferson County, Kentucky, who did a mother's part by them. The Johnstons never had great wealth, extensive and powerful connections, or any very special popular tal- ents. Vigorous intellects, moral elevation, and the power to be useful, raised them to eminence. Josiah Stoddard Johnston was born, in New Orleans, February 10. 1833. He passed several years at the excellent clas- sical school of Samuel V. Womack, at Shelbyville, Ken- tucky, and several more at the Western Military Insti- tute, then a flourishing and useful school, at Georgetown, Kentucky. In September, 1850, he entered the Sopho- more Class of Yale College, and graduated with honor, in 1853 ; a class which turned out many men since dis-

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tinguished. He graduated at the law school in Louis- ville, in 1854. He was married, June 13, 1854, to Miss Eliza Johnson, daughter of the chivalric George W. Johnson, of Scott County, Provisional Governor of Kentucky, who died in the Confederate ranks at Shi- loh. Stoddard Johnston, as he has always been called, planted cotton, in Arkansas, from 1855 to 1859, with such success as to accumulate a large fortune. But his heart was in Kentucky, and, as soon as he was able, he purchased a beautiful farm in Scott County, moved to it, and there lived from 1859 to 1862. Although his feelings were warmly enlisted in the Southern cause, a multitude of influences prevented him from taking part in the first outbreak of the war. Among these, it is by no means a reflection on his honor to say that a nat- urally pacific and domestic temper was not the least. When, however, it became evident that a peaceful solu- tion was no longer possible, he entered the Confederate army, when the auspices seemed favorable neither to himself personally, nor to the success of the cause. Nevertheless, his merits met a speedy recognition, and Gen. Bragg assigned him to his personal staff. As a major and assistant adjutant-general, he served with Bragg at Perryville and Murfreesboro, and until June, 1863. He enjoyed much of Gen. Bragg's confidence, and used his influence, with great tact and fidelity, to smooth down the asperities that unfortunately arose between his chief and Gen. Breckinridge. A morc trying position can scarcely be conceived ; yet he filled it not only without reproach, but so as to retain the friendship and esteem of all parties. At length, he felt it to be his duty to retire from the staff of Gen. Bragg, lest his conduct might be deemed equivocal. Bragg parted with him unwillingly, but continued for him his regard. After serving for some time upon the staff of Gen. Buckner, being with him at the battle of Chicka- mauga, he was transferred to that of Gen. Breckinridge, December, 1863. He was with Buckner in the forefront of battle at Newmarket, second Cold Harbor, Lynch- burg, Monocacy, and Winchester (September 19, 1864). In all these, as in the great battles in the West, where he had served with Bragg, he was mentioned specially for gallantry on the field, in the official reports. But ready as Major Johnston was to expose himself to the hazards of the battle-field, it is not too much to say that his services in the administration of the army were even more valuable. He had Gen. Breckinridge's entire con- fidence, while acting as his chief of staff, and used his large powers with singular discretion and fidelity to the public interests. There was no officer in the Southern army more trusted, and none who gave greater satisfac- tion to both the authorities and the public. Much of the success and popularity of Gen. Breckinridge's ad- ministration in his difficult fields of command was due to the able and zealous assistance of his chief of staff.

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 132

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