The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 23

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

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ALSELL, JUDGE JOHN EWING, Lawyer, was born September 11, 1826, in Warren County, Kentucky. His father, William Hal- sell, was a native of Butler County, Kentucky ; but, when quite young, his parents moved to Warren County, where they settled, and where he still resides, on his farm, at the advanced age of seventy-three years. His mother was Mary Garland, daughter of John Garland, a respectable farmer of War- ren County, Kentucky. He, at an early age, attended the best schools in Warren County, and manifested great taste for learning; was sent to Cumberland Uni- versity, at Lebanon, Tennessee, where he completed his literary education, under some of the first teachers of the country ; began the study of the law in the office of Garland J. Blewett, an eminent lawyer of Bowling Green, Kentucky ; afterwards returning to Cumberland University, where he completed his law studies, under such eminent men as Abram Caruthers, Hon. Nathan Green, and Hon. B. L. Ridley. In 1856, he began practice in Bowling Green, in his native county, and was soon after elected County Attorney, which position he held during four years, and soon established a fine reputation as a lawyer. In 1867, he was elected Mayor of Bowling Green, and was also a member of the Board of City Trustees. In 1870, he was elected Circuit Judge, to fill the unexpired term made vacant by the death of Hon. George C. Rogers. He is exceedingly popular; and, although constantly importuned to accept public office, he prefers the quiet of private life, and the steady discharge of his professional duties. He has been a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for over thirty years, and elder for twenty-two years; and takes great interest in the affairs of his Church, where he is a most practical and zealous worker. In 1849, he married Miss Sarah A. Smith, daughter of B. C. Smith, of Warren County, Kentucky ; after her death, he was again married, in 1872, to Mrs. Mary A. Gossom,

daughter of Monroe Tucker, a wealthy farmer of War- ren County ; she died July 4, 1874; from this marriage, he has one living child. Judge Halsell is a man of great firmness and decision of character; of pleasing and impressive address; is a fine public speaker on almost any subject; possesses many admirable traits of mind and life; has accumulated a considerable fortune, which he enjoys with open-handed charity; is one of the most influential and valuable citizens of Bowling Green, and one of the ablest lawyers of Southern Kentucky.

OVEL, HON. ROBERT BOYD, Merchant, was born December 31, 1837, at Concord, Lewis County, Kentucky. His father was also a native of this State, of English origin, and started in life as a mechanic, accumulating mcans enough to start him as a merchant, which pursuit he continued to follow throughout his life. Robert Boyd Lovel received a good, common English ed- ucation, and, at an early age, started life for himself, as clerk in a store. He gradually worked himself into a business of his own ; some years ago, located at Vance- burg, in his native county ; has established a large busi- ness, and is ranked as one of the most successful and val- uable business men of the county. In 1870, he was elected Sheriff of Lewis County ; served one term, and declined re-election. In 1873, he was elected to the State Senate for the term of four years. In politics, he has always been identified with the Democratic party. Although not connected with any Church organization, he adheres to the Southern branch of the Methodist Church. Mr. Lovel was married, April 25, 1856, to Miss E. W. Calvert. They have four children.

ICKLIFFE, NATHANIEL, Lawyer and Mer- chant, third son of Charles Wickliffe, was born November 23, 1781, in Fauquier County, Vir- ginia. In 1784, his father removed to Ken- tucky, and settled in what is now Washington County. At the age of sixteen, he broke his thigh, which crippled him for life. He commenced his career as clerk in the office of the Hardin County Court; and, in 1804, commenced merchandising in connection with his brother, Morton H. Wickliffe, and, until 1827, they were among the most extensive and successful merchants of the country. In 1830, he was appointed Clerk of the Nelson County Court, and held the office until 1851. In the Spring of 1833, he was admitted to the practice of the law, at Bardstown, in which he continued actively engaged until the day of his death. He was not, by any means, a speaker, but was noted

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for his great skill and exactness in the preparation of law cases. When a cause required, he associated with himself his brother, Charles A. Wickliffe, who was a man of great ability as an orator; and of them the celebrated Ben Hardin said: "With cousin Nat to write the song, and cousin Charles to sing it, they could beat the world." While in attendance at the Grayson Circuit Court, Mr. Wickliffe died of apoplexy, October 28, 1856.

ANO, CAPTAIN DANIEL, was born in North Carolina, in 1758, and was the son of Rev. John Gano, minister of the Baptist Church. At the age of seventeen he left Brown University, Rhode Island, and entered the artillery service of the army; in 1776, became a lieutenant, served under Montgomery, at Quebec; was afterward Captain of Artillery ; served on the Staff of General Clinton; came to Kentucky while a captain in the regular army, and became one of the first settlers of Frankfort, which he aided in establishing in 1787. In 1809, he removed to Scott County, where he became one of the most influential and valuable men of the country, and was one of the noted characters of his day. He raised a large family. Captain Gano died at his residence in Scott County, April 8, 1849.

COTT, HORACE, General Superintendent of the Jeffersonville, Madison, and Indianapolis Railroad, was born May 8, 1826, in Halifax, Windham County, Vermont. His father, James Scott, who was of Scotch origin, was a Ver- mont farmer. Horace Scott received a thor- ough literary education, graduating in the high-school of his native town. He followed farming, and of Win- ters taught school, until 1847, when he entered upon a career in which he has become distinguished throughout the country. He started as a switchman on the Con- necticut River Railroad, at Springfield, and was subse- quently brakeman, station agent, and conductor on the same road. In 1864, he was appointed Superintendent of the Fairhaven Railroad, and took up his residence at New Bedford, Massachusetts, retaining the position until the following year. During his connection with the Fairhaven road, he was elected member of Governor Andrews's Council, for the Eighth District of Massa- chusetts, which position he resigned, in 1865, to accept the General Superintendency of the Jeffersonville Rail- road ; after his connection with this road, it was consol- idated with the Madison and Indianapolis road, under the name of Jeffersonville, Madison, and Indianapolis Railroad. He has since continued at the head of the

management of these combined roads, conducting their affairs with great credit to himself; and has taken a position as one of the first railroad men in the country. In 1874, he was elected President of the Union Rail- road Company, of Indianapolis, a corporation owning and controlling the Union Depot and, in 1877, was made Vice-President of the Indianapolis Belt Railroad. He is also Superintendent of the Louisville Bridge, with its connecting tracks across the Ohio river ; was largely instrumental in bringing about the city and State legis- lation, in aid of the extensive Indianapolis Stock Yards, and has recently been elected Vice-President of the Stock Yard Company." Mr. Scott's career has been marked by unusual success from the outset; and, in an eminent degree, he possesses the elements of character which lead to great popularity. He is distinguished, among business men, for his ever-present, pleasing man- ners; makes the best possible impression on all who come in contact with him, without any apparent effort or design on his part; is naturally polite; has great native energy, push, and perseverance; has an adminis- trative ability and managing skill, a judgment and knowledge of detail, which have placed him in the lead among railroad men, and have given him a national rep- utation. He is greatly devoted to the railroad interests of the country ; and, while exerting all his active and business ability to give success to his own road and sec- tion, at the same time throwing the weight of his active nature and influence in behalf of the general railroad business interest of the country. He is a man of fine personal appearance; makes a favorable impression un- der all circumstances ; and, while being genial in man- ncr and easy of approach in a marked degree, possesses that dignity which commands respect. Mr. Scott was married, in 1849, to Miss Delphine G. Parsons, of Hol- land, Massachusetts.

ROWE, JOHN EDWARD, M. D., was born June 4, 1829, in Louisville, Kentucky. His father, Martin Crowe, was an Irishman, emi- grating from Ireland about 1818, and was long a grocer in Louisville. Dr. Crowe received his early education in the Catholic parochial school, and, at the age of fifteen, entered St. Mary's College, in Marion County, Kentucky, where he remained three years. He returned home and began the study of med- icine, taking a course of lectures in the medical depart- ment of the University of Louisville, after which he be- came a teacher in one of the public-schools, remaining in that capacity until the breaking out of the Know- Nothing excitement of 1855. He then devoted his whole attention to the study of medicine, and graduated in 1856; opened his office in Louisville, and continued

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with success until the breaking out of the war. In 1861, he was commissioned . Acting Assistant Surgeon in the United States Army, serving, for a time, in Concert Hall Hospital, in Louisville; afterwards served one year under Gen. William Edgart; and, in 1862, was made surgeon in charge of the hospital, holding the posi- tion two years, after repeated attempts to have his resig- nation accepted. He has since been engaged in a large and influential practice. He has devoted himself largely to the treatment of obstetrics and the diseases of women and children, in which he has made a wide-spread repu- tation, extending beyond the limits of his own State. In 1868 and 1869, he was Professor of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children, in the University of Louisville, and has been greatly devoted to the interests of his profession, in which he stands deservedly high. For three terms he was elected to the City Council, and was twice elected member of the Board of Aldermen. During his service in the Council, he was Trustee of the City Hospital, and was greatly instrumental in en- larging its facilities, and placing it in a position to meet the growing wants of the city; was also instrumental in establishing the City Board of Health, and was, for sev- eral terms, President of that Board. He is a man of fine, commanding person; enjoys the esteem and confi- dence of the people, and, besides taking a high and successful place in his profession, is a most valuable and useful citizen. Dr. Crowe was married September 7, 1871, to Miss Augusta Douglas, of Ohio.

AMPBELL, JUDGE JAMES, retired Lawyer of Paducah, was born May I, 1798, in Peters- burg, Virginia, and is of Scotch descent, his father, James Campbell, being a member of the Ardkinless family of the Highlands of Scotland. He received a thorough literary ed- ucation, and, in 1820, began the study of the law in the office of the celebrated William T. Barry; and, after completing his legal studies, entered upon the practice of his profession at Hopkinsville, Kentucky. After six years of successful practice, he removed to Salem, Ken- tucky ; in 1829, was elected to the State Senate; was, without opposition, re-elected; and was subsequently elected for three terms, the two last without opposition, and served in both branches of the Legislature; served, for a time, as District Attorney ; was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court, and served one year. He never sought political preferment, and politics was decidedly distasteful to him. He was an eloquent and impressive speaker ; was an able lawyer, standing among the first men of the bar in his section of the State; commanded the universal respect of the profession, to which he always displayed great marks of deference; was court-

eous and attractive in manners; has always been dis- tinguished for undoubted integrity ; has taken an active and leading interest in every thing looking to the gen- eral good; and now, ripe in years, is honored by his family, and highly esteemed by the community in which he has long been a useful and valuable member. In 1836, he became a member of the Presbyterian Church, and has since been one of its most efficient workers. Judge Campbell was married, in 1830, to Miss Given, daughter of Judge Given, who proved to him a help- meet indeed. They raised a family of five children- three daughters and two sons. Their sons are both lawyers, one practicing in Paducah, and the other in St. Louis.

ALBOT, HON. ISHAM, Lawyer, was born in 1773, in Bedford County, Virginia. While quite young his parents settled at Harrodsburg, Kentucky, where he obtained a good educa- tion; studied law with George Nicholas, and began the practice of his profession at Ver- sailles; subsequently located at Frankfort; in 1812, was elected to the State Senate from Franklin County; in 1815, was elected to the United States Senate, on the resignation of Mr. Bledsoe; in 1820, was re-elected, and served until 1825. He was not only one of the most able and brilliant lawyers of Kentucky, but also took rank in his long Congressional career as one of the fore- most men of the nation. Mr. Talbot died September 21, 1837, at his residence, near Frankfort, Kentucky.

EMISS, JOHN, M. D., Physician and Clergy- man, was born February 16, 1773, in Massachu- setts. His family were of Welsh origin, emi- grating to this country at a very early period, and settling at Worthington, Massachusetts. His father, at the commencement of the Revo- lutionary War, entered the army, and served gallantly throughout the great struggle for independence. His father having returned from the war broken in health and fortune, Dr. Bemiss turned his attention, with great determination, to maintain himself and acquire an edu- cation; and graduated in Plainfield Academy, in the Spring of 1795. He had previously engaged in teach- ing, and now spent two years in studying Latin and En- glish literature; and, in 1797, entered the office of Dr. Zachariah Standish, as a student of medicine; and, in the Summer of 1801, received a certificate, and permis- sion to practice medicine and surgery. After remaining with his preceptor for a few months, in the Fall of 1801, he came to Kentucky, and located in Bloomfield, then Middleburg, Nelson County. He had amassed such a

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vast fund of information, and had such perfect command of the resources of his profession, that he at once took a very prominent stand, and acquired a reputation rarely - attained by a country practitioner. He had great confi- dence in the saving powers of his remedies, and had the faculty of communicating that confidence to his patients. Hope never deserted him; and he worked until the lamp of life ceased to burn. He had remarkable power for good over the minds of his patients; even his presence and smile having healing in them. He was an ardent politician, and took an active part in the political con- troversies of his day ; was an uncompromising advocate of the Old Court party, and wrote several articles on the subject. In the midst of a large practice, he found time to write a great deal, and with great clearness and con- ciseness, and absence of embellishment. He was a close student; kept himself well-posted, to the last, in the lit- erature of the day, and studied Greek when over sixty years of age. He retired from the active duties of his profession in 1817, resigning his practice to his son-in- law, Dr. S. B. Merrifield; but his great activity, and his early desire to be a minister of the Gospel, turned his attention to the study of theology; and, about 1830, he was ordained to preach in the Presbyterian Church. The duties of this office he continued to fill with great zeal and acceptance until his death, which occurred, of apo- plexy, March 29, 1851. And thus ended a long career of one of the most scholarly and able physicians, and one of the most energetic, upright, and valuable men, who ever lived in Mercer County. In 1797, Dr. Bemiss was married to Miss Elizabeth Bloomer, a lady reputed for high intellectual culture, polished manners, and great amiability of character.

USH, WILLIAM, P. D., Editor, Lawyer, and Soldier, was born on the 14th of March, 1823, in Hardin County, Kentucky. His grand- father emigrated from Holland, and settled in Virginia about 1750, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War; after its termination he removed to Kentucky. His father, Christopher Bush, was born in a fort, near Elizabethtown, in Hardin County, Kentucky, and was, by occupation, a farmer. The early education of William Bush was acquired in the common country schools of the neighborhood, and that of the higher English branches and the classics at the sem- inary in Elizabethtown, under the direction of Professor Robert Hewitt, a justly celebrated scholar and teacher. While acting as Deputy Clerk of Hancock County, and of the Circuit Court, at Hawesville, he acquired a thor- ough knowledge of law, and, in 1846, was admitted to the bar and commenced practicing in that county. In 1847, he volunteered as a private, for the Mexican War,

and was elected Second Lieutenant of Captain Mc- Creary's company of the Fourth Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Col. John S. Williams; he remained in this organization until it was mustered out of the service, at the close of the war. Upon again resuming the practice of law, he was very successful, being the County Attorney for Hancock County for several years. In 1853 and '54, he repre- sented Hancock County in the Legislature as a Whig; and, in 1861, '62, '63, and in 1865, '66, and '67, as a Democrat. In 1868, he was appointed Reporter of the Decisions of the Court of Appeals, which position he still' holds, having published eleven volumes of the re- ports during his term of office. Since his appointment as Reporter, he has been a resident of Frankfort, devot- ing his time to his duties and the practice of law. He has also been connected with the "Louisville Evening Ledger," as part, and, for the four years ending with 1876, as sole owner. He was married in 1852, to Miss Carrie V. Ghiselin, daughter of John D. Ghiselin, of Norfolk, Virginia. They have seven surviving children. In 1850, he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Hawesville, and has since continued as a con- sistent member, though taking but little active part in its affairs; a Christian gentleman, generous to a fault, and devoted to his profession, he has a high social standing. His energy and close attention to his profes- sion, have been rewarded by the accumulation of quite a large fortune, which he is free to use in every good cause.

ICKLIFFE, JUDGE JOHN CRIPPS, Lawyer and Soldier, was born in Nelson County, Ken- tucky, July 11, 1830. He is the son of Charles A. Wickliffe, who figured conspicuously in the councils of the State and nation; and who was also a distinguished participant in the battle of the Thames. His mother was the daughter of Christian Cripps, the adventurous pioneer, who, in May, 1778, fell, while in conflict with the Indians, near Bullitt's Lick, and whose career is recorded in history. John C. Wickliffe was educated at Bardstown, and at Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, in the English branches, and then commenced the study of law; on the comple- tion of which, in 1853, he was admitted to the bar, and began to practice in the courts of Nelson and surround- ing counties, in connection with his father. In 1857, he entered the political arena, as candidate for the Lower House of the Legislature, and was elected. In 1859, he was chosen Secretary of the Senate; and, in 1861, was a candidate for re-election, but, being a Breckinridge man, and committed to the policy of the seceded States, he was defeated by the "Union " party. At the breaking out of the war, he organized a fine

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body of young men, in Bardstown, as a company of the State Guard. In September, 1861, he left home, and proceeded at once to Green river, having joined on the way John H. Morgan and about four hundred followers. After being mustered into the Confederate service with his men, he was elected Captain of Company B, Ninth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, on October 2, 1861. On the 15th of May, 1862, he was promoted to major. At the siege of Vicksburg and Baton Rouge, when the Colonel was disabled, he transferred the command of the regiment to Major Wickliffe, "who," says Col. Cald- well, " fought gallantly during the remainder of the engagement." After the arrival of the army at Mur- freesboro, he went to Mississippi and Louisiana, under orders from Gen. Breckinridge, to collect the absentees of the command. On April 22, 1863, he was promoted to the lieutenant-colonelcy of his regiment. In the

campaign of '64, he was engaged with his regiment in the discharge of the arduous and dangerous duties of that momentous period. His record is a proud and enviable one. He was engaged in all the encounters with the enemy, in which the troops of his army par- ticipated, and won for himself honor and distinction on the field. He now resides in Bardstown, successfully following the practice of his profession. He was mar- ried, on the 2d of November, 1853, to a daughter of R. A. Curd, of Lexington. In January, 1871, he was elected Circuit Judge, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Judge Kavanaugh; and, in August, 1874, was re-elected for a term of six years. In person, he is tall and of commanding appearance, being more than six feet in height and well proportioned; with that massive con- tour of head and features, belonging to his father's family, indicative of strong, practical intellect-the lion- like boldness and determined will. Of a sociable and obliging disposition, and full of mirth, he has a keen relish for the humorous.

LYTHE, REV. JAMES, D. D., second Presi- dent of Transylvania University, was born, in 1765, in North Carolina. He was educated for the Presbyterian pulpit, at Hamden Sidney College, and came to Kentucky in 1791; in 1793, was ordained pastor of Pisgah and Clear Creek Churches, and continued to preach with great suc- cess until the time of his death, being minister of those Churches for over forty years. He was President of Transylvania University for nearly fifteen years, having previously been Professor of Mathematics and Natural History, in that institution, for six years; after his resig- nation as President, filled the Chair of Chemistry in the medical department until his resignation, in 1831; in that year became President of Hanover College, Indi-

ana, which likewise became prosperous under his man- agement. He died in 1842. Mr. Blythe was a man of portly figure and commanding presence ; was a preacher of great merit ; was a force in the assemblies of his Church; an accomplished scholar, and an able teacher.

GODE

EID, JUDGE WALKER, Lawyer and Judge, was born about 1785, and settled at Washing- ton, Mason County, Kentucky, early in the present century. In 1800, he was elected to the Kentucky Legislature; was re-elected in 1813 and 1817; became Circuit Judge, by ap- pointment, in 1832; went out of office on the introduc- tion of the new Constitution, in 1851; for some time re- fused to be a candidate for election to the judgeship, but finally made the race, and was elected for six years, by a very flattering majority, to a great extent without reference to political lines. He died of cholera, June 21, 1852, while attending court at Alexandria, Camp- bell County. His three daughters married lawyers ; two of his sons were lawyers, and his son, Walker Reid, lost his life as a captain while fighting for the inde- pendency of Texas.

ORBITT, JOSEPH PERRY, Merchant, was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, December 23, 1822. His father, Samuel Torbitt, was a farmer and miller, and a native of Kentucky, and died

in 1823. His mother was Nancy Perry, and the family consisted of herself and five children, of whom Joseph P. Torbitt was the fourth. He received a good education, primarily, in the common-schools; but, at a suitable age, attended Bacon College, at Har- rodsburg, and finished at Bethany College, Virginia, graduating therefrom in 1844. Coming to Louisville, he commenced business in the house of Nock & Raw- son, wholesale grocers, and remained there four years. His health becoming impaired, he returned to the coun- try, and spent four years on a farm. Returning to Louisville, he was engaged as clerk in the house of Gardner & Co., for a period of two years. In 1856, he commenced in the wholesale grocery business, on his own account, in which he is now engaged. Business was commenced, under the firm name of Castleman & Torbitt, which, after two years, was changed to Castle- man, Murrell & Co., and, after a lapse of eight years, was dissolved, and the business continued by Torbitt & Castleman, the present house. During all this time, only two changes of location were made, the present one, at No. 61 West Main Street, having been occupied since 1868. IIe is one of the Directors of the Louis-

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 23

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