The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 36

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

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EEVES, WILLIS LONG, Lawyer and Editor, was born near Elkton, Kentucky, September 6, 1841. His father, W. L. Reeves, was a county and circuit clerk, until the adoption of the new Constitution, in 1850, when he became engaged in farming, in Todd County. His family were of English extraction; his grandfather having come to this country prior to, and was a soldier in, the Revolutionary War; settled in Virginia, and afterwards removed to Kentucky, in 1796. W. L. Reeves received a liberal education ; passing through the best schools in Elkton, he went to Yale College, finished his literary course, and graduated with the class of 1865. He then commenced the study of law with H. G. Petrie, a distinguished lawyer, and partner of the late F. M. Bristow. After four years, he entered into a partnership with Mr. Petrie, which continued one year, when it was dissolved, and, opening an office of his own, he immediately succeeded in obtaining a most liberal patronage. His services are of recognized value, and he has been retained in the leading cases in his district. As a criminal lawyer, he soon obtained distinc- tion, exhibiting consummate skill in the case of the Commonwealth vs. Wm. G. Patterson, indicted for murder. In another important case, a civil suit, Pendle- ton Devises vs. Day, he developed superior abilities as a lawyer and advocate, and added fresh laurels to his already fine reputation. Mr. Reeves identified himself with the Democratic party, and, in politics, became known as a forcible and pungent speaker, a useful and valuable adjunct to the party ; and, as their candidate, was elected to the State Legislature, and served in the sessions of 1871, '72, and '73. IIe is at present one of the editors of the "Elkton Witness," a spicy and newsy sheet, which has a fair circulation in the surrounding counties. He is a member of the Cumberland Presby-

terian Church, an earnest worker in the cause of Chris- tianity; also, a member of the Masonic fraternity, a Past Master Mason. Mr. Reeves is a close student, a thorough lawyer, clear, analytical, and often brilliant in his discourse; stands deservedly high.in his section; is in the prime of life, with fine prospects before him.

ART, HENRY CLAY, M. D., was born De- cember 10, 1837, in Clarke County, Kentucky, and is a nephew of Joel T. Hart, the famous poet and sculptor. His education was obtained in his native county, under the supervision of an excellent sister. In 1861, by a fracture of the leg, he was incapacitated for work on a farm; and, in 1863, entered the medical department of the - Uni- versity of Louisville, where he graduated, and at once commenced the practice of medicine, at Winchester, Kentucky, where he has since resided, actively engaged in the duties of his profession. He has been three times elected coroner of his county. Dr. Hart is an active mem- ber of some of the popular social organizations of the day ; is a man of fine presence and agreeable manners, and occupies a high position in his profession.

OWMAN, HON. CHARLES EDWIN, Law- yer and Farmer, was born September 28, 1817, in Garrard County, Kentucky. His paternal ancestry were of German and English origin. His grandfather was a member of the House of Burgesses, of South Carolina, and was killed about the close of the Revolutionary War; and was brother to Col. Abraham Bowman, who commanded a regiment at the battle of Brandywine. George Bowman, his father, settled in Mercer County, in 1790, and mar- ried Sally Hill Roberts; and, of their six children, the subject of this sketch, is the only survivor. He was educated at Centre College, under the presidency of Rev. John C. Young. He read law under Hon. John B. Thompson ; in 1841, moved to Ray County, Missouri ; in 1846, was elected to represent that county in the State Legislature ; "in 1850, made a race for Congress, but was defeated by a small majority, by Hon. Willard P. Hall; soon after returned to Kentucky, and has since devoted his attention mainly to the care of his farm, and to stock-raising in Mercer County ; he has taken an active interest in the political movements of the country, and is now identified with the Democratic party. He is a writer of considerable ability, and has contributed ex- tensively, on political and other subjects, to the country papers, and as correspondent for some of the leading political journals. Mr. Bowman was married, in 1845,

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to Miss P. N. Ewing, daughter of Col. Thompson N. Ewing, of Missouri, and granddaughter of Rev. Phineas Ewing, prominently identified with the early history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They have three living children.

ITHERSPOON, JOHN ALLEN, M. D., and Banker, was born in Lawrenceburg, Anderson County, Kentucky, on the IIth of December, 1829. His father was a physician and farmer, and a man of good business qualities and habits. He commenced his education at Lawrenceburg, and continued it in the Kentucky Military Institute. In 1859, he entered upon the study of medicine in the office of his father and uncle, and, during the Winter of 1861-62, attended a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, from which he graduated in the Spring of 1862. He then commenced the prac- tice of his profession at his native place, and continued for a period of about fifteen years. In 1869, his uncle commenced the banking business in Lawrenceburg, and, in 1874, when the bank was transformed into a National Bank, Dr. Witherspoon was elected its President. He has been very successful in this business. Religiously, he is a member of the Baptist Church, and devotes him- self to the furtherance of its interests, managing its financial affairs. In 1859, lie was married to Miss Mary McKee, daughter of Judge R. A. McKee, of Clarke County, Missouri, and is the father of six children. He" is a substantial citizen of his native place, and in the enjoyment of the means he has accumulated by a long and honorable professional and upright business career.

'ROWDUS, JOHN ARNOLD, M. D., was born in 1785, in Marion County, Kentucky. His mother was a sister of Benedict Arnold, and his father fought under Arnold, but remained faithful to his country. He finished his literary education at St. Mary's College, Marion County, Kentucky, and graduated in medicine at Jefferson Col- lege, Philadelphia, in 1815. He soon after settled at Franklin, Kentucky, before it was of sufficient importance to have a name. He was, for many years, the leading, and, for a long time, the only physician in his district, and did a very extensive practice, spreading over a large

territory, and becoming very valuable. He also dealt largely in real estate, and owned a large tract of land, amounting to several thousand acres. He was a remark- able man in his business and social habits, and was greatly distinguished for his upright and exemplary character. He was the first Son of Temperance in Franklin, Kentucky. He devoted his life largely to the

good of others, traveling day and night, as the duties of his extensive practice required; was a man of great charity and kindness of heart, and was one of the most valuable men known in his section of the State. By long exposure, he finally contracted lung disease, of which he died, at Franklin, in September, 1847. Dr. Crowdus was married, in 1829, to Miss Julia E. Steven- son, daughter of Hugh Stevenson, of Logan County, Kentucky. Four children survived him.

OPE, HON. JOHN, Lawyer, was born in 1770, in Prince William County, Virginia, and was brought to Kentucky while quite young. In early life he lost one arm. He studied law, and became one of the most distinguished men of that profession in Kentucky. He repre- sented Shelby County in the Legislature as early as 1802; and, in 1806, was elected to that body from Fayette County ; from 1807 to 1813, he served in the United States Senate; was appointed Governor of the Territory of Arkansas, by President Jackson, and held that posi- tion from 1829 to 1835; from 1837 to 1843, was a mem- ber of the Lower House of Congress. He was originally a member of the Federal party, but, in after years, was identified with the Democratic party. Governor Pope died July 12, 1845, at his residence in Washington County, Kentucky. He was undoubtedly one of the most distinguished men and able lawyers of his day.

EARD, CAPT. OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, son of Col. Henry Beard, was born May 22, 1822, in Fayette County, Kentucky. His father was a soldier during the war of 1812, was cap- tured by the Indians at the battle of the river Raisin ; ran the gauntlet, and, escaping unhurt, received his discharge at Niagara Falls, and returned on foot to his home, in Lexington. The family trace their descent, in a direct line, from the Campbells of Scotland, represented in the peerage of England by the Dukes of Argyle. Col. John Campbell, his relative, was the first of the family who emigrated to this country, settling in Virginia, in 1765; and, at his death, his will was found to contain a clause requiring his heirs to become citizens of the United States, on pain of disinheritance. The youth of Oliver Beard was spent on his father's farm, and he received such education as the schools of his day afforded ; in his seventeenth year, was apprenticed to the carpenter trade, at which he worked till 1846; when, at the beginning of the Mexican War, he volunteered, as private, in Col. McKee's regiment, better known as " IIumphrey Marshall's Mounted Volunteers;" was

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raised to the rank of captain; and, his regiment being one of the first called into action, took part in the battle of Buena Vista; and continued in that service, till mus- tered out at New Orleans, at the close of the war, thus fulfilling his father's dying injunction, to be the first in answering his country's call, if it should ever be engaged in a war with a foreign power. He was afterwards selected, by General Taylor, to attend to the proper interment of Kentucky's fallen heroes, and also appointed, by the Governor, one of the commissioners to superintend the erection of a monument to their memory in the Frankfort Cemetery. Soon after his re- turn from the Mexican War, he engaged in the livery- stable business, in Lexington, Kentucky, which he con- ducted successfully for twenty years. In 1861, he was offered a commission in the Union army, but refused to participate in the strife, although a pronounced Union man; in politics has been an Old-line Whig, and has maintained the principles of that party up to the present time; is not connected with any religious denomination, but, with his family, attends the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Odd-fellows and Masonic Fra- ternities, his degrees in the latter having been presented to him by the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, previous to his departure for Mexico-a compliment which, because of its exclusiveness, he regards as the greatest honor of his life. He was married, in 1849, to Miss Rebecca Ellis, daughter of Jesse Ellis, of Lexington, and has six living children.

GREGORY, JUDGE WILLIAM FRANCIS, Lawyer, was born in Boyle County, Kentucky, June 16, 1837, and is of a family that traces its descent directly to the McGregors of Scotland. His father, R. P. Gregory, was a farmer of Boyle County, and of Virginian parents. His mother was Susan Clark, a Kentuckian by birth, and of the family of which Gov. Clark, of this State, was a member. His early education was obtained in the best schools of his county; at the age of sixteen he entered the Kentucky Military - Institute, near Frankfort, and graduated in 1857; and afterwards graduated in the law department of that institution; was admitted to the bar in Boyle County, and removed to Ohio County in 1862, where he has established himself in the practice of his profession. He was elected School Commissioner in 1863, holding the office seven years; in 1874, was elected Judge of the County Court, which office he still holds; was also a member, from 1873 to 1875, of the Democratic State Committee for the Second Congres- sional District of Kentucky. He was married, August 19, 1862, to Miss Zelma Berry, daughter of Dr. W. J. Berry, one of the oldest and most successful physicians of Ohio County. She is a woman of quick and impul-

sive character and superior talents. Judge Gregory is a man of fine personal appearance; is kind-hearted and charitable; temperate, industrious, and persevering ; takes a deep interest in public and political matters; is a man of superior legal ability, and stands high in his profession and the community in which he lives.

LELAND, REV. THOMAS, D. D., Presby- terian Clergyman, was born May 22, 1778, in Fairfax County, Virginia. 'In 1789, his parents settled in Washington County, Kentucky. He was educated under private tutors, at Ken- tucky Academy, Woodford County, and at Transylvania University. He was licensed to preach, at Danville, in 1803, and began his ministry at Lebanon, then Hardin's Creek; was ordained over New Provi- dence and Harrodsburg Churches, in 1813, and contin- ued in charge of the Church at Harrodsburg for twenty- six years, and at New Providence for forty-five years. He received for his entire ministerial services a merely nominal fee. Many young men prepared for the minis- try under him. In the great controversy in his Church, he sided with the New School. He was one of the most able and influential ministers of his Church in Kentucky. He published quite a number of contro- versial and other works, mainly on the doctrines of Christianity. He dicd, January 31, 1858. He had four sons, two of whom became Presbyterian ministers.

OOD, THOMAS MOORE, Lawyer, was born March 4, 1849, in Botetourt County, Virginia. His parents were John F. and Eliza (Goodwin) Wood, both natives of the same county. His father was a farmer and trader; a man of wealth and leisure, and son of Dr. John Wood, who came from England at an early day, and settled in Botetourt County, Virginia. His mother, Eliza Good- win, was of Scotch origin. Thomas Moore Wood was educated at the University of Virginia, from which institution he graduated in 1871. He chose the law for a profession, and, after leaving college, entered upon the study in his native county. Shortly afterwards he repaired to Ashland, Tennessee, and there prepared for his profession, under Judge Horace H. Harrison, a prominent lawyer, and member of the Supreme Court of that State. In 1873, he was admitted to the bar, and in the following year located at Nicholasville, Jes- saminc County, Kentucky, and began the practice of his profession. He is an old-school Democrat in politics, and reluctantly cast his first Presidential vote for Horace Greeley. Religiously, he is an Episcopalian.

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HIELDS, PROF. CHARLES PATRICK, Pres- ident of Cottage Home College, was born No- vember 11, 1833, in Logan County, Kentucky. His father, Peter Shields, was a highly esteemed Christian gentleman, and a respectable farmer, a native of Fayette County, Kentucky ; but moved to Logan County, when in the prime of his manhood, being an early settler in that county, where he purchased a farm, on which Prof. Shields now resides. His mother was a Miss Wallace, a beautiful and accom- plished Christian woman, and a lineal descendant of Sir William Wallace, the hero of Scotland; and he is there- fore the representative of a brave and noble race, whose deeds of valor time has not been able to obliterate. His father determined to give his son and only child the best education in his power. At an early age he dis- played uncommon abilities, and pursued his studies with great ardor, making such progress, under the care of the best teachers in his native county, that at the age of twelve years he had distanced all competitors in his class, and mastered the most difficult branches of study, which many older than himself had not even reached. His father now gave him increased facilities, of which he took every advantage, and, at the age of seventeen, had completed his education, so far as the schools of Logan County were concerned. He then began to teach, at the solicitation of his friends and neigh- bors in his district, who, knowing that his moral worth was equal to his learning, were anxious to place their children under his care. His first efforts as a teacher met with great success, and, after two years, wishing to complete his classical education, he decided on en- tering Bethel College, at Russellville, Kentucky; where he devoted four years to study, and graduated, with val- edictory honors, in 1857, being especially mentioned by the faculty as being the best linguist and mathematician they had ever taught. He now formed the project of establishing a college in the neighborhood of his birth- place. He resolved to found an institution where the land-owners could safely send their sons and daughters, to be educated away from the distracting influences of city life, and where they could, at the same time, re- ceive an education, in the highest branches of learning, equal to that obtained at any first-class college. In order to receive the indorsement of some of the finest scholars on the continent, and to carry out his idea of making his college equal, in all respects, to the best in the country, he procecded to Yale, for the sole purpose of gaining additional recommendations and honors for himself. He went to Yale College under auspicious cir- cumstances, receiving the highest literary degree of that celebrated scat of learning; Professor Loomis compli- menting him with the remark, that "his name on the catalogue would be an honor to the institution." On receiving a diploma from Yale, he returned home, and

devoted himself, with the greatest energy and enthusi- asm, to the education of the vast numbers of ardent young men and brilliant young ladies intrusted to his care. In the meanwhile he was laying the foundation of his college, which had been the sole aim and desire of his life. His idea of building is original in design, the college comprising a number of cottages, which, for real adaptation to the purposes of education, attract the eye of the visitor, and, being erected here and there over the extensive grounds, have a highly pleasing effect, adding to the naturally picturesque scenery, and forming a beautiful country villa. The college, though located in the midst of the most lovely country, and re- moved from the influences that are ruining, in towns and cities, the best minds of those residing there, and that are destroying the noble, promising sons and daughters of the wealthy farmers who have been almost compelled to patronize town schools, is most conveniently situated, being about one mile from Cave Spring Station, on the Memphis branch of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, and thirty-three miles south-west from Bowling Green, Kentucky. Professor Shields is a Christian, as well as a learned man, and believes in the efficacy of religious principles early implanted in the minds of youth. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and, during twenty years, has been a most zealous worker in his Church, taking great interest in all mat- ters relating to its advancement. He married Miss Artemisia Tully, daughter of B. K. Tully, Sr., a highly esteemed and successful farmer of Logan County, Ken- tucky. Of their three children, only one survives to bless their home. Mrs. Shields is a woman of great in- telligence and amiability and worth of character, and contributes greatly to the happiness of her husband, and to the success of the institution. Each year the advantages of the College have been recognized through- out the State, and its popularity has so increased that at the present time between thirty and forty rooms are necessary to accommodate its large number of students. There is a large corps of teachers employed, assisting in establishing for Cottage Home College a degree of suc- cess far beyond reasonable expectations; and, ycarly, more firmly establishing it in the cstimation of the pub- lic, and as a monument to the energy and scholarship of its founder.

EKKERS, REV. JOHN HENRY, Catholic Clergyman, was born April 22, 1821, at Druten, Province of Guelderland, Holland. He carly evinced a desire to enter the Church; and, at the age of fifteen, having acquired a knowledge of the languages, began the study of philosophy and theology, at the Scminary of Hoeven, near Breda, Holland ; and was there ordained pricst, in 1844. After

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performing his priestly duties for nine years, he came to this country, in 1853, and, for several years, was con- nected with the Cathedral at Louisville, Kentucky. He enjoyed the personal friendship of Bishop Spalding, who was, for many years, Bishop of Louisville; and was a long time his secretary, and Chancellor of the diocese. He was engaged in missionary work a short time before removing to Lexington, Kentucky, in 1864, where he has remained since; and, by his persevering energy, has built St. Paul's Church, which is a lasting monument of his zeal and devotion. His influence over his large congregation is most salutary and restraining ; he governs his people by love and moral suasion, and he himself is held in high regard by other denominations. His long years of faithful service have endeared him to the hearts of his followers, and gained the esteem of those outside the Church.

'AROTHERS, JAMES, Architect, was born February 13, 1800, in Huntington County, Pennsylvania. His father was a farmer in that State, whose ancestry was Scotch-Irish; his mother was of German descent. Their two sons, James and Samuel, were reared under the pa- rental roof, with great care, in industry and economy, and given as liberal an English education as the country could then afford. Early in life, James Carothers mani- fested a fondness for mechanics and architectural draw- ings; and, with his father's assent, he became an appren- tice to Thomas Barton, a carpenter of Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania. He soon excelled in all departments of labor in this trade. He finished his apprenticeship, when, to gratify his aspirations and perfect himself as a master mechanic, he went to Buffalo, New York, to learn bridge-building and architectural drawing. What happy success he had in his cherished ambition, the numerous plans of bridges, and the many magnificent bridge structures which he erected, may well attest. Just when the tide of internal improvements was setting in upon the people of Kentucky, under the political auspices of the Clay Whigs, he, with compass, rule, and square in hand, was ready and competent for the task of hastening the onward march of these improvements. Hardly a bridge of any importance across the largest streams of Kentucky, and many in the State of Indiana and in the South, was deemed worthy and safe for heavy transportation, unless built on the "Carothers Plan" of bridge architecture; and, for the most part, these were built under his personal supervision. As an inventor of machinery, in his day he had few superiors. The first improved plow manufactured in the State, and the first sausage-mill known in this country, were the products of his inventive skill. About 1850, he began

making a model for a new brick-machine, when his failing health disabled him from its final completion. The nature and scope of this machine consisted in tak- ing the clay in its natural state, pulverizing it until all its parts are separated, then pressing it with great density, at the same time excluding from the mass all the confined air, while the brick is being formed and modeled out of untempered clay. The original designs make one of the finest specimens of pen drawing of ma- chinery to be found in this country, and are still a cher- ished relic in his widow's keeping. He was not con- nected with the Church militant, but was of a deep religious faith ; and his dying reply to the Rev. J. V. Cosby, "I have no trust but in the Redeemer," assures his union with the Church triumphant. He was mar- ried, in 1833, at Philadelphia, to Rebecca Massey, a lady by birth a Pennsylvanian; with her he lived in happy wedlock, nurturing their eight children-four sons and four daughters. He died in 1851, leaving be- hind him the character of a kind husband, indulgent father, and an honorable, upright man. He was long regarded as a man of considerable genius. He was a social man, a ready talker, and of great practical sym- pathy with the poor and suffering. His home and his heart always welcomed all such. Of his children, four died in infancy ; two others, Hannah and Josephine, who were united with the Presbyterian Church, died in mature years. His widow resides at Bardstown, Nelson County, with her oldest son, Alfred Carothers, while another son, William, still survives. Both of these gen- tlemen are married, and live at Bardstown, where they have an honorable standing. They are both actively identified with the Presbyterian Church, and hold hon- orable places in the congregation at Bardstown.

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 36

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