The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 20

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

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ARSONS, REV. CHARLES BOOTH, D. D., Clergyman and Actor, one of the most dis- tinguished men of this celebrated and widely popular name, was born July 23, 1805, in En- field, Connecticut, and was the oldest of four children. His father died of yellow fever, in New York City, and was long dead before his family

knew of his death, neither did they ever certainly know where his body was interred. Charles B. Parsons laid the foundation of the scholarly education, which he ex- hibited in after life, in the schools of New England ; and, leaving home at the age of fifteen, found his way to New York, as he said, "I hardly knew for what, but under the impulse that I must now take care of myself. My poor mother was not able to provide for me and the young children, and into the world I must go." In the lower part of New York, he found a place in a store, where he was able to make little more than his board. It happened that most of his associates in the store were members of a Thespian society in the neighborhood, and he was also soon enrolled in their number. This was his first step toward fame. Their hall was frequently vis- ited by regular professionals; and, on one occasion, after his having played the part of Sir Edward Mortimer, in the "Iron Chest," some one in the city papers com- pared him favorably with the elder Kean, who was then considered great in that part. This. turned his head, and filled his fancies with visions of fame. He soon joined a theatrical company preparing for a tour through the South, and at Charleston, South Carolina, first made his appearance as an actor among actors. His advance into popular favor was very rapid, soon standing at the head of a difficult profession. He was a man of ex- ceedingly attractive face and admirable person, at once ingratiating him into sympathy and favor among the patrons of the stage. In his stage habits and life he was strikingly pure, and in this respect, too, soon es- tablished himself in the esteem of his admirers. As a theatrical manager, it was his custom to discourage the "stage-struck" from entering upon the perilous career. He played chiefly the popular, exciting semi-tragedy, and was for fifteen years an actor, from the age of eighteen to thirty-three. He was, undoubtedly, an actor of great ability, probably having no superior among the great actors of his day. In one of his pro- fessional trips to Louisville, Kentucky, he met Miss Emily C. Oldham, of that city; and, on December 7, 1830, they were married. Not many years after this occurrence, his conscientious convictions led him to abandon the stage, and his first step toward a new career, entirely on the other side of life, was the reading of a work called the "History of the Bible." Among the people of the stage, he was styled the preacher, and it is not unlikely that this had some influence in shaping his future destiny. His religious experiences were remarkable, and, the day after finally leaving the stage, he set up family prayer in his own house. In 1839, he joined the Methodist Church, and in the same year was licensed to preach, at Louisville, Kentucky ; where he had made many friends in his former profes- sion and by his marriage. He now studied hard, both in science and theology, and, at the end of his first year,

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was licensed as a local preacher, at Louisville ; in the Fall of 1841, was admitted to the traveling connection, remaining two years in the Jefferson Circuit ; in the Fall of 1843, was ordained a deacon, and was stationed, by order of the Church, at Frankfort, Kentucky, for two years; in 1845, he was ordained to full powers in the Church, by Bishop Soule, at Frankfort; in 1846, was located in St. Louis, Missouri; and at that period had the degree of D. D. conferred on him by St. Charles College, in that State. For the next ten years he was connected with other charges in the Church, and, in 1855, again became pastor of a Church in St. Louis. About this time he delivered a lecture on Catholicism which attracted much attention, and led to some serious annoy- ances from that Church, as he believed. At all events, his suspicions were greatly aroused, and, when called on a certain occasion to marry a Catholic couple, he refused to eat, when served by the bride. He was at one time Pre- siding Elder of the Louisville District, and, in 1858, was stationed in charge of the Shelby Street Methodist Episcopal Church, at Louisville ; and was a peace com- missioner in the troubles resulting in the division of the Church. He remained with the Southern side until the beginning of the rebellion, when he went over to the original Church, designated as the Northern Church. He was greater in the pulpit than he had been on the stage. His eloquence was of the most impassioned and overpowering kind. He dedicated many churches, and was in universal demand on all great occasions of the Church over the country ; was one of the greatest revi- valists of his day ; was an elegant writer, and was justly distinguished as one of the most eloquent, able, and use- ful ministers of the Methodist Church. After a linger- ing sickness, he died at his residence, in Portland, a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky, December 8, 1871. His widow and six of their children survive him. The late Congressman, Hon. E. Y. Parsons, was their son, and three of their children died in youth. Their living chil- dren are, Charles W. Parsons, M. D., Prof. H. B. Par- sons, A. M., Frank Parsons, a lawyer, Mrs. Emily T. Brodie, Mrs. Belle Lishy, and one young son, all resi- dents of Louisville.

ARSONS, HON. EDWARD YOUNG, Lawyer, was born December 12, 1842, in Middletown, Jefferson County, Kentucky, and was the son of Rev. C. B. Parsons, who left the stage while he was one of the foremost tragedians of his day, and became one of the most eloquent min- isters of the Methodist Church. He received a fine ed- ucation, in the public-schools of Louisville and St. Louis, and graduated, at the head of his class, in 1861, in the Louisville Male High-school. He acted, for a

few months, as Principal of the Fifth and York Street Ward School; and, after serving three years as teacher in the Male High-school, was appointed Professor of Elocution in the same institution. While engaged in teaching, he devoted his leisure to the study of the law, and, in 1864, entered the Louisville Law School, then under Judges Pirtle, Muir, and Bullock; finished the legal course in one year, and graduated as the vale- dictorian of his class. He immediately located, for the practice of his profession, at Henderson, on the Ohio river, but soon after returned to Louisville. In 1868, he formed a partnership with Judge W. L. Jackson, con- tinuing in that connection until 1872, when Mr. Jack- son was elevated. to the circuit bench. He was, soon after, connected in business with Col. M. Munday ; fig- ured prominently in some noted legal cases, and was distinguished as one of the most eloquent and able young lawyers of the Louisville bar. He possessed, to a great degree, the dramatic powers of his father ; was ex- ceedingly warm and impassioned in his methods of speech, and displayed himself, at all times, to great ad- vantage in the courts. In 1874, he was nominated for Congress by the Democratic Convention of his district ; at the ensuing election, defeated his opponent, by a large majority, and made a fine record for himself as one of the most brilliant and active members of that body. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and was prominently identified with several so- cial organizations. He was agreeable in manners, and, by his many bright qualities, gathered around him a large circle of admiring friends. He died of congestion of the brain, at his hotel in Washington City, July 8, 1876, and his remains were interred, with every demon- stration of respect, at Louisville. Mr. Parsons was married, July 27, 1871, to Miss Mary S. Belknap, daugh- ter of Dr. Belknap, of Little Falls, Herkimer County, New York. His widow and two children survive him.

RYAN, GEORGE W., Lawyer and Farmer, was born July 19, 1848, in Millersburg, Bourbon County, Kentucky. He was the youngest of three children, and his parents were George W. and Elizabeth A. W. (Miller) Bryan, both na- tives of the same county. His father was a merchant, and died in 1849. His grandfather, Joseph W. Miller, was also a merchant of Bourbon County. He spent most of his boyhood in school, and received a fine education. He graduated in the Kentucky Wesleyan University, at Millersburg, in 1869; and, in 1870, cn- tered the Columbia Law School of New York City, where he graduated in 1872. In the Fall of that year, hc was admitted to the bar in 'Bourbon County, and at once entered on the practice of his profession at Paris,

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still residing in Millersburg. He is a Democrat in poli- tics. Religiously, he is connected with the Methodist Church. Mr. Bryan was married, October 13, 1868, to Miss Mollie E. Owen, a native of Scott County, and daughter of Charles Owen, a farmer of that county.

CTERLONY, JOHN ARVID, M. D., was born June 24, 1838, on the estate of his father, in the province of Smaland, Sweden. His father was a captain of dragoons in the Swedish army, and was a man of property. The family of Octerlony, or Auchterlony, was of Scotch origin, though for several generations resident in Sweden. The Swedish progenitor was one of the Scotch cadets who sought distinction in arms on the Continent, and the military passion continued in the family, his own brother attaining eminence in the navy. His mother was of French extraction, a lady of many ex- cellent qualities. Dr. Octerlony was thoroughly edu- cated in the Swedish Government School, among the best in Europe. He came to America in 1857. Having chosen the profession of medicine, he entered upon its study in the University of New York, and received the degree of M. D., in 1861, and entered at once upon the practice of his profession, in New York City. In 1862, he entered the army as a medical officer, and was as- signed to the Twenty-Seventh Pennsylvania Infantry, but was soon after appointed surgeon in charge of the general hospital at Battle Creek; during that year, was transferred to General Hospital No. 8, at Louisville, Kentucky, which he had been instrumental in establish- ing; in 1863, accepted the position of surgeon to the hospital in that city, on Sixth Street, between Walnut and Chestnut ; in the Fall of that year, became one of the physicians to the " Brown " General Hospital, near Louisville, a position requiring great labor; in 1864, suc- ceeded Dr. McLean, as surgeon in charge of the gen- eral hospital, "Ohio;" was afterwards appointed sur- geon to the "Strader" General Hospital; and, upon its discontinuance, took charge of Hospital No. 3, retain- ing that position until the close of the war. In 1866, he was appointed physician in charge of the Govern- ment Dispensary at Louisville, and performed the duties of the position until 1868. He early displayed fine abilities as a teacher; organized a private class in 1863; was appointed Lecturer on Clinical Medicine in the University of Louisville in 1864; performed his duties with the highest degree of approval: for the next three years continued classes in the University of Louis- ville, the Kentucky School of Medicine; and was one of the corps of teachers in the University Dispensary, until 1869; on the organization of the Louisville Medical College, accepted the Chair of Dermatology and Clin-

ical Medicine; on the resignation of Professor Breckin- ridge, was elected to the Chair of Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Clinical Medicine, which he resigned in 1876. In 1875, the Board of Regents of the Ken- tucky School of Medicine proffered him the Professor- ship of Materia Medica and Therapeutics, which posi- tion he also resigned in the following year. In 1865, on the establishment of the "Old Ladies' Home," at Louisville, he was appointed physician in charge of that institution, and still continues in that capacity. Since 1869, he has been one of the physicians to the Louis- ville City Hospital, in which he has taken unwearied and active interest, and is now President of its Medical Board. His papers on "Angina Pectoris," "Graves' Disease," "Cystic Degeneration of the Kidneys," "Molluscum Fibrosum," and " Diagnosis of Syphilitic Affections of the Skin," are probably his most valuable contributions to professional literature; but he has written also many clinics and medical reviews, and is a writer of great strength, clearness, and beauty of dic- tion. He has resided in Louisville since 1863, and has established a large and lucrative private practice, will- ning for himself a high reputation as a skillful and suc- cessful practitioner, and has also taken position among the leading medical teachers of the day. He is a mem- ber of the American Medical Association ; of the Ken- tucky State Medical Society ; was formerly President of the Louisville Obstetrical Society, and Medico-Chirugi- cal Society ; was corresponding member of the Gyneco- logical Society, and is one of the original members of the American Dermatological Society. He is decidedly scholarly in his tastes, and finds time, during his labo- rious practice, to devote much attention to the literature of France, Germany, and his native country, and, in his private life, partakes largely of the habits of the re- fined people of the Continent. In manners he is genial and attractive, and is also of admirable personal bearing. Dr. Octerlony was married, in 1863, to the second daughter of Hon. U. H. Grainger, of Louisville, a member of the celebrated Buckner family, of Kentucky, a woman of many amiable and noble traits, whose memory will ever be held in high regard by many a soldier of the late civil war. They have one child.

'OBURN, HON. JOHN, Merchant and Judge, was born in 1763, in Philadelphia, where he was raised and educated ; studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1788. In 1784, he came to Kentucky, located at Lexington, and entered into mercantile business, in which he was very successful ; in 1794, located in Mason County ; had con- tinued successfully in mercantile pursuits ; was appointed Judge of the Mason District Court; afterwards became

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Judge of the Circuit Court, and filled the office for sev- eral years; was offered the Judgeship of the Territory of Michigan, by President Jefferson, but declined the posi- tion ; was appointed Judge of the Territory of Orleans, but resigned that office in 1809; for several years held the office of Revenue Collector for the Fourth District of Kentucky, under President Madison ; in 1785, was a member of the Convention at Danville, which had in view the organization of a new State; in 1796, was one of the commissioners who ran the boundary line be- tween Virginia and Kentucky; in 1813, was, for a time, a member of Governor Shelby's military family ; was a man of great breadth of character, of unusual energy and ability, and was undoubtedly one of the most widely useful and valuable men of his day, in Kentucky. Judge Coburn died in February, 1823.

EIR, JAMES, Lawyer and Banker, was born June 16, 1821, at Greenville, Muhlenburg County, Kentucky. His father, a native of South Caro- lina, was of Scotch-Irish stock, which emigrated from the north of Ireland to this country ; his mother, born in Virginia, traced back her an- eestry to the Rumseys, of Scotland, and was a niece of James Rumsey, the man justly entitled to the credit of applying steam for water navigation. The father of James Weir came to Kentucky about the close of the last cent- ury, when very young. When of age, he began sur- veying ; but afterwards embarked upon a mercantile career, becoming, finally, a prominent and successful merchant, with a business scattered over a wide extent of territory. He owned and managed, under his per- sonal supervision, business houses at Henderson, Mor- ganfield, Madisonville, Greenville, Lewisburg, Hopkins- ville, and Russellville, in Kentucky, and in Gallatin, Tennessee. Although he had a very large amount of capital involved in his extensive mercantile operations, it was his proud boast that he never borrowed a dollar, or failed to meet an obligation when due. James Weir was educated at Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, one of the oldest and best institutions of the State; after graduating there, he entered the law school of Transyl- vania University, at Lexington, to prepare himself for the legal profession. Immediately after finishing this eourse, in August, 1843, he located at Owensboro, in Daviess County, when he began practicing law, and soon gained a high standing as a Chancery lawyer. He devoted the leisure hours of his early professional life to literary effort, and, in 1849-50, published three novels : "Lonz Powers, or the Regulators;" "Simon Kenton; " and "The Winter Lodge." The scenes of these tales were located in Kentucky, and the plots founded on ac- tual incidents in the early history of the State. The

books were printed at Philadelphia, and gained no little reputation at the time. In 1859, when the Deposit Com- pany was organized at Owensboro, he was chosen Presi- dent of that institution, and has ever since, in that capacity, controlled its interests with such excellent judg- ment and prudence, that its standing has never been sur- passed. When the Evansville, Owensboro, and Nash- ville Railroad (formerly the Owensboro and Russell- ville Railroad) was organized and constructed, he was elected to the Presidency, and from 1860 to the Autumn of 1873 acted in that capacity. This was no ordinary compliment, when the fact is known that he was any thing but enthusiastic or active in the early agitation of the construction of the road. He has never interested himself in politics, nor ever sought office for himself. Professional and mercantile responsibilities have occupied many years of an unusually busy life. Save some fugi- tive magazine articles, he has had no time since 1850 to amuse himself in writing light literature. But the value of what he has written must grow with time, as it will serve faithfully to recall the early trials and triumphs of the pioneers of the State. He was married, March 1, 1842, to Susan C., daughter of Judge John Green, of Danville, Kentucky. James Weir is a lawyer of merit, especially in Chancery matters; and, as a financier, he displays un- usual ability. His fortune is ample, and his charity lib- eral and unostentatious. His residence, on the Ohio river, is quaint, but costly, and much admired. He is pro- gressive and public-spirited; identified with every meas- ure calculated to benefit the people of his city. He is one of the worthy men of the State, who find in the quiet of commercial life a field of great usefulness to their fellow-citizens.

OPE, WARDEN, Lawyer, was born in 1772, in Virginia, and was the son of Benjamin Pope, and nephew of William Pope, who came to Kentucky, and settled at Louisville, in 1779, and from them came the Popes of this State. Warden Pope acquired a good education; and, in 1776, became Clerk of the Circuit and County Courts of Jefferson County, and held that position until 1834, from which time he remained County Clerk until his death, which occurred April 20, 1838. During that long period, he studied law, was admitted to the bar, and, in addition to his duties as Clerk of the Courts, established a valuable legal practice. He was not only one of the most systematic and accurate clerks of his day, but was one of the most thorough, substantial, wise, and distinguished among the lawyers of Kentucky. His distinguished son, Col. Curran Pope, was born in Louisville; was educated at West Point Military Acad- emy; became second lieutenant in the artillery service, in

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1834; resigned in the same year; in the following year, was assistant engineer in the works designed to improve the Kentucky and Cumberland rivers; was Clerk of the Jefferson County Court for seventeen years; and, on the breaking out of the rebellion, became Colonel of the Fifth Kentucky Union Regiment; was wounded Octo- ber 8, 1862, at Perryville, Kentucky, and died from his wound, on the 5th of November following.

OBBS, SMITH, M. D., was born in 1823, in Nelson County, Kentucky. His father, a farmer, was also a native of that State. His early education was careful and thorough, at a district-school taught by Noble Butler, A. M. In 1837, he entered St. Joseph's College, at Bardstown, the oldest college in the State, where he finished a good education. Upon arriving at manhood, he married. He then commenced the study of - medi- cine, and by his energy soon fitted himself to enter the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville, where he graduated in 1852, with honor. He entered upon its practice in his native county, where he was soon, by his energy and ability, successful. Perhaps no physician in the State has done more country practice during a period of thirty years. He has still all the youth and vivacity of physical and mental powers that he had in his early days. In 1868, without his solicitation, he was elected to the State Legislature. In this body he was made Chairman of the Committee on Education, during two sessions of the Assembly, and introduced a bill to increase the State levy for common- school purposes, which finally secured passage; without which wise and timely measure, for the support and progress of the com- mon-schools of the State, the poorer class would doubt- less have been many years behind their present educa- tional privileges. Dr. Hobbs was, also, the author of a report of much practical and scientific value, made by a committee of the House to which had been referred a bill to "prevent the marriage of first cousins," which report was ordered printed, February 12, 1869. This report, startling as it was to many who had previously but carelessly considered the subject, was creditable to the scientific culture of its author, and his able devotion to his official duties. He is an enthusiastic geologist, and has contributed to the Public Museum of Louisville a great variety of valuable geological specimens. In his love for this science, he often wanders amid the most dangerous cliffs and precipices throughout the State, gathering specimens. In compliance with the act of Congress, establishing what is now so well known as the "Centennial Exposition of 1876," at Philadelphia, Gov. P. H. Leslie appointed as Commissioners on behalf of the State of Kentucky, to aid in the management of

the enterprise, and to control the representation of the State and its products, Dr. Smith Hobbs, of Bullitt County, and Hon. Robert Mallory, of Oldham County. The magnitude and responsibilities of their position can be but faintly comprehended, and too great praise can not be accorded them for their happy success in present- ing the natural wealth and commercial importance of the State of Kentucky. In the capacity of State Com- missioner, Dr. Hobbs prepared and published in the "Louisville Courier-Journal," of May 17, 1876, an able article, entitled, " What Kentucky Should Send to the Great International Exposition." This article aided largely in bringing the mineral wealth and resources of the State to the front at Philadelphia. He is a member of the Baptist Church, in which his forefathers had long lived. He is a member of the Masonic Order. In 1844, he was united in marriage to Caroline Cartmel, who had been his schoolmate and early acquaintance, growing up together in childhood. With her he has lived in happi- ness, surrounded by his children. He is a representa- tive of the well-known Kentucky hospitality, generosity, and charity. To the Church, to the Masonic Order, and to all worthy or progressive enterprises, he has ever been a willing and liberal supporter. His life has been one of usefulness and success, while he has also a firm standing in the esteem and regard of all who know his name.

WIGERT, JACOB, Lawyer, Judge of County Court, and Clerk of Court of Appeals, was born in Washington City, D. C., in July, 1793. He was the son of John Swigert and his wife Mary, who removed, in 1794, from that city to Fay- ette County, Kentucky. He attended school until his eighteenth year, and then commenced to write in the office of the Clerk of the County and Circuit Court at Versailles, Kentucky, where he remained em- ployed four years, extending from 1810 to 1814. In the latter year, he went to Frankfort, Kentucky, and there wrote in the Clerk's office of the Court of Appeals for eighteen months, devoting his spare time to the study of the law, which enabled him, in the year 1816, to ob- tain license and enter upon its practice; in which he continued until 1825, when Judges Boyle, Owsley, and Miller, of the Court of Appeals, appointed him Clerk of the Court. He served as an appointed Clerk until 1851, and then, under the "New Constitution" of the State, adopted in that year, was elected to the position, and held it thereafter until September 20, 1858; at which time he permanently retired, and never again permitted his name, as a candidate, to be used in connection with the office. He was Clerk of this Court, by appointment and election together, for nearly thirty-three years, and, during the whole time, gave the most complete satisfac-

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 20

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