The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 43

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 43

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HORNE, WM. P., Lawyer, was born in Henry County, Kentucky, March 5, 1845. His father was Wm. K. Thorne, a well-to-do farmer, and his mother was Miss Mary K. Moody. The Thornes were of English origin, and both families, for several generations, lived in Vir-

ginia. The subject of this sketch, early began his education in the schools of the county, and afterwards took a liberal course in Eminence College. After spend- ing a year on the farm, he began the study of the law, in the office of Judges Wm. S. Pryor and Geo. C. Drane, at New Castle. In 1866, he was admitted to the bar, and at once commenced practice at Eminence, where he now resides. He has been an active politician of the Democratic school, and, during the rebellion, sided. with the South. He was a delegate to the National Convention that nominated Seymour, in 1868; and, in the race of 1872, was Assistant Presidential Elector for his district. In 1874, he was elected Attorney for the county, handsomely defeating his opponent, Col. Ben. Selby. In 1876, he was Assistant Elector for the Seventh Congressional District, in the great Presidential campaign. He is a member of some of the popular social organizations of the country; is a speaker of deci- ded ability ; is an earnest and conscientious lawyer ; young, popular in manners, and of splendid personal appearance; and is, undoubtedly, one of the rising men of his time. In 1868, Mr. Thorne was married to Miss Anna W. Dickerson, of Grant County, Kentucky.

'DDY, LEMUEL E., M. D., was born in Henry County, Kentucky, February 2, 1829. His father, Alexander Eddy, a native of Kentucky, was united in marriage, January 3, 1826, with Sarah Sisk, of Woodford County, Kentucky. They then moved to Henry County, near New Castle, where they resided until his death, which took place June 21, 1846, leaving a wife and seven children, of whom Dr. Eddy was the oldest. His mother's an- cestors were from Virginia; she was granddaughter of Josiah Boone, who was a cousin of Daniel Boone. The education of Dr. Eddy consisted of a substantial knowl- edge, such as was acquired in the best schools of his na- tive country. He was also a graduate in medicine, hav-

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ing first attended the Eclectic College, of Cincinnati ; secondly, the Ohio Medical ; lastly, the University of Louisville. In the twenty-third year of his age, he commenced the practice of medicine, in Clarke County, Indiana, where he had an extensive practice and many friends .. On the 17th of June, 1853, he was married to Miss Belle A. Adair, oldest daughter of Dr. Samuel L. Adair, of Indiana, native of Virginia, and relative of Gov. Adair, of Kentucky. Her mother was a native of Or- ange County, New York. Their union was blessed with six children, one daughter and five sons, only two of whom survive-Sallie E. Eddy and John Gipson Eddy. Dr. Eddy, at an early age, united with the Christian Church; afterwards moved to Charlestown, Indiana, where there was no Church of that denomination ; he connected himself with the Methodist Church, and was a member of the fraternity of Odd-fellows. While there, he kept a large and well-appointed drug-store, managed by his brothers, while his time was taken up in the practice of medicine, in which he was very suc- cessful, making many friends, whom he loved to speak of in after years. He was social and genial in his hab- its, and warm in his feelings, and was well known as a thorough business man. He was a man of good, sound judgment, and well informed in all matters of a public nature. The arduous labors attending a village and country practice proved too great for his physical or- ganization, and were preying upon his health; so he determined to quit the practice of medicine, and remove to his farm and early home, in Henry County, Ken- tucky. However, he was not long permitted thus to indulge in luxurious freedom; for, during this short period, typhoid fever was raging extensively in the neighborhood, and the demand for an efficient phy- sician was very pressing; and, through the solicita- tion of friends and the earnest appeal for aid, he again enlisted in the service of suffering humanity ; and for a long time was engaged in a very active practice, until just before the close of the civil war, when he moved to Jefferson County, and purchased a beautiful farm, on the Ohio river, five miles from the city of Louisville. Dur- ing his residence in the country, he had the misfortune of having his right arm cut off, and his left foot seri- ously injured, by a circular saw, in a desperate attempt to save his brother, who stood in imminent danger of losing his life in the same manner. This prostrated him for a long time. Though afflicted, he never gave up; but ever pressed on, in the pursuance of his business. After his afflictions, he returned to this city, to continue his profession, devoting himself principally to chronic diseases ; and, in addition to his practice, he was en- gaged in the drug business. His name became widely known. Thus, for ten long years of affliction and pain, his ambition and untiring energy never failed him. He kept up his profession, and maintained his position as a

mercantile man; and, as such, he was noted for his promptness in all matters. As the result of his industry and study, he amassed a handsome fortune; and when, at the age of forty-eight years, he succumbed to the dis- ease of paralysis of the brain, his spirit departed as quietly as the shadow of a dream. He was mourned by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. Dr. Eddy was our friend-early, long, and well-tried. This is the homage of a heart that loved him while living, and holds most sacred his memory now, when gone.

RIGHT, E. C., M. D., of Eminence, Kentucky, son of Joseph Bright, was born in 1833, in Shelby County, Kentucky. He was educated in the country schools and in Bethany College, Virginia; and, at the age of nineteen, began the study of medicine with Dr. J. Baker, at Shelbyville, and afterwards studied with Dr. J. S. Drane, of New Castle, Henry County; and, at the age of twenty-one, graduated in the medical department of the University of Louisville. Afterwards, in 1857, he spent the Winter in the College of Physicians and Sur- geons, in New York, and in attending clinics at Bellevue Hospital. He then commenced practice at Eminence, where he now resides, successfully engaged in his pro- fession. He is a member of Transylvania Medical Soci- ety, and of some of the popular social organizations of the day. He is Trustee of Eminence College ; has been largely identified with the various interests of the com- munity ; and is an active member of the Christian Church. Dr. Bright was married, in 1866, to a daugh- ter of Henry P. Reid, of Montgomery County, Ken- tucky. They have five living children.

ARNHAM, PROF. JONATHAN EVERETT, A. M. and LL. D., is the eldest son of Roger Farnham, a native of Massachusetts, whose father settled in Connecticut prior to the Revo- lutionary War, and was born August 12, 1809. Ilis father died in 1817; but, leaving the family in comfortable circumstances, Prof. Farnham was en- abled to acquire a good education. He first attended the common-schools, and pursued his preparatory studies in the New Hampshire Classical Institute, in New Hampshire, and then entered Colby University, under the presidency of Dr. Chaplin. In 1833, he graduated, with the degree of A. B. ; and, for two years, was cn- gaged as tutor in the institution. He then studied law at Providence, Rhode Island, for three years, and after- wards at Cincinnati. In 1838, he was appointed Pro- fessor of Physical Science at Georgetown College, which

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chair he is now filling. During this period of time, he controlled the Georgetown Female Seminary, the prop- erty of which he owned. This was one of the most flourishing institutions of the West, receiving, as it did, a very large patronage from the Southern and Western States. In 1865, he disposed of his interest. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and contributed freely toward its support and advancement. In 1838, he was married to Miss E. Butler, daughter of Rev. John But- ler, of Winthrop, Maine, and is the father of three chil- dren, all of whom are still living and married. He is a man of great force of character, sociable in disposition, and agreeable in manners. His success, as a teacher, has been eminent.

ITCHELL, WILLIAM, Banker, was born Jan- uary 16, 1819, near Mt. Sterling, Montgomery County, Kentucky. His ancestry were Virgin- ians, and his grandfathers, on both sides, were - early settlers of this State. His father was a farmer, and came to Montgomery County, then a part of Fayette, in 1808. His education was obtained in the country schools, which he attended until, at the age of seventeen, he became a clerk in a dry-goods store, in Mt. Sterling, and, at the age of twenty-one, engaged in business as a partner in merchandising, con- tinuing that business for thirteen years. In 1846, he became cashier of the Branch Farmers' Bank of Ken- tucky, at Mt. Sterling, which position he held until the bank closed, with the year 1874, when it merged into the Farmers' National Bank, of which he is still cashier. Religiously, he is associated with the Christian or Dis- ciples' Church. He is an earnest, upright Christian gen- tleman ; always genial and accommodating, having a kind word for his friends at all times. In business rela- tions with his fellow-men, he uses the same Christian charity and kindness that he exhibits in private life. By close and strict attention to business, he has earned the reputation of having no superior in the State as a bank cashier. He has always resided at Mt. Sterling. Mr. Mitchell was married, October 4, 1842, to Miss M. A. Embry, of Fayette County. They have had three children, two of whom are living.

ITTER, JOHN P., Lawyer, was born August 30, 1835, in Hart County, Kentucky. IIis father, Burwell C. Ritter, was a farmer and dis- tinguished politician, serving in both branches of the Legislature, and was also member of Congress from the Second Kentucky Dis- trict. The Ritters were of German-Scotch origin, and at an early day emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky,

settling in Barren County. John P. Ritter received a good English education, and also became a good Latin scholar. He studied law at Glasgow, Kentucky, and, in 1858, was admitted to the bar, and entered on the practice of his profession at Hopkinsville. In 1861, he entered the United States army, as Adjutant of the Twenty-fifth Kentucky Regiment; was engaged at Fort Donelson, and participated in the great battle of Pitts- burg Landing, where his regiment was so reduced as to make its consolidation with the Seventeenth necessary, at which time he resigned and returned to the practice of his profession. He has taken an active interest in politics; after the war, was identified for a time with the Conservatives, but is now a member of the Democratic party, and, although not desiring political preferment, he is one of the most vigorous and efficient workers in his party. He is a man of quiet and unassuming dis- position ; is distinguished for his judgment and ability in the law; and is a fine speaker, without making any pretensions to oratory ; has established a large and val- uable practice, and occupies a high position in his com- munity. He is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Ritter was married, July 4, 1873, to Miss Kate Crockett, daughter of Hon. J. B. Crockett, formerly a resident of Kentucky, now one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of California.

LARKE, COL. WILLIAM LOGAN, son of Charles J. Clarke, and grandson of Judge Will- iam Logan, was born June 26, 1839, in Louis- ville, Kentucky. His father was a man of considerable influence and worth in that city, and, from 1839 to 1856, was Clerk of the Chan- cery Court. Col. Clarke was educated in Louisville, and under old Dr. Lewis Marshall ; at the age of seven- teen, he became Deputy Surveyor in the Custom-house at Louisville, where he remained until 1860; was, prior to the beginning of the war, Captain of a Company of the State Guard, at Louisville; in August, 1861, went to Glasgow, and assisted Joseph H. Lewis in forming a camp of instruc- tion for Confederate troops; aided in raising the Sixth Kentucky Confederate Infantry ; was elected First Lieu- tenant of Company D; was made adjutant in February, 1862; was elected major, in May, of that year; fought gallantly at Shiloh ; was with his command at Vicksburg; fought at Baton Rouge, where he was wounded, while commanding his regiment; sick and broken in health, he participated in the second day's fighting at Murfrees- boro; was complimented for his bravery in that engage- ment; in September, 1863, was promoted lieutenant- colonel; commanded his regiment from December, 1862 to May, 1863; was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, at Resaca, and at Dallas; was wounded at the latter place,

Richard J. facit

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and disabled for the rest of the war. He was a brave and efficient officer; is a man of fine, attractive person, and of admirable bearing. Col. Clarke was married, December 19, 1861, to Miss Sallie Helm, daughter of Maj. Thomas J. Helm, of Glasgow. After the war, he returned to Louisville, and resumed business with his former energy and success.

HOMAS, HON. GEORGE MORGAN, Lawyer, son of Elijah H. and A. P. ( Bogess) Thomas, was born in Lewis County Kentucky, Novem- ber 23, 1828. He was educated in the private schools of Lewis County, and, at the age of twenty-one, began to teach in the country schools. At this time, too, he began the study of the law, and continued it, without assistance, at all his leis- ure moments, until 1851, when he was admitted to the bar, his license being signed by Judges Reed and Moore. He commenced practice at once, at Clarksburg, in Lewis County ; and, from the time of starting to the present, has been remarkably successful in every sense. In 1854, he was elected County Attorney, and served four years. In 1857, he was a candidate for the Legislature, and was defeated by twenty-eight votes. In 1859, he was again the candidate of the Whigs for the Legislature, and elected by a majority of two hundred and forty-five votes, and served two years. In 1861, on the Union ticket, he was re-elected by a majority of nine hundred and thirty-five; and, at the expiration of his term, in 1862, was elected Commonwealth's Attorney in the Tenth (now the Fourteenth) Judicial District, and held the office for six years. In 1864 and 1868, he was State Elector for the Fourteenth District, on the Republican ticket. In 1868, he was elected Judge of Lewis County for the fractional term of two years. In 1870, he was the Republican candidate for Congress, in his district, and defeated. In 1871, he was the Republican candi- date for Lieutenant-Governor, and again defeated. In February, 1872, he was elected to the Legislature, to fill the unexpired term of Thomas J. Walker, whose seat in that body had been declared vacant. In this year, too, he was Grand Elector for the State at large. In the following year, he was again elected to the Leg- islature. In 1874, he was elected Circuit Judge for the Fourteenth Judicial District-time expires in 1880. Judge Thomas was originally an antislavery Whig, a gradual emancipationist; and, when the rebellion broke out, became a staunch supporter of the National Gov- ernment, and is now one of the unflinching and success- ful Republican leaders of the State; has been for nine years School Commissioner of Lewis County, and, in 1860, was author, in the Legislature, of the bill to in- crcase the school tax. This bill was submitted to the

people, and although it received a majority of twenty- five thousand of all the votes cast, yet, as it did not receive a majority of all the votes in the State, it did not become a law. His parents were among the pioneers of the Disciples' Church in their part of the State, and he hiniself has for thirty years been a member of that denomination, and is an earnest supporter of the Chris- tian religion. His professional and social habits are exceptional; he is a fine stump speaker; is able at the bar; his professional standing is high; on the bench, his manners and presence are fine, giving at all times gen- eral satisfaction, in the conduct of his sessions, and respectability to the court. His whole career presents one of the finest instances of a successful self-made man anywhere to be found in the history of the State. Judge Thomas was married, July 8, 1850, to Miss C. H. Willim, of Clarksburg, Lewis County. They have two living children-one son and one daughter.

ACOB, COL. RICHARD TAYLOR, Soldier, Politician, and Agriculturist, was born March 13, 1825, at the residence of his great-grand- father, Commodore Taylor, in Oldham County, Kentucky. His father, John I. Jacob, was a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and was long one of the most prominent merchants, business men, and real estate owners of Louisville. (See sketch of John I. Jacob.) His mother was Miss Lucy Donald Robertson, granddaughter of Commodore Taylor, the distinguished naval officer; and, by her father's side, a descendant of the Scotch historian, Robertson. Col. Jacob was edu- cated in the best schools of the country; but, owing to continued ill health in youth, probably, did not finish his collegiate course. In 1844, he was compelled, by his physician, to travel in South America, and, after re- turning home in the following year, began to study law, under the direction of Nathaniel Wolfe, of Louisville ; but ill health again forced him to abandon his profes- sional studies; and, in 1846, he started on a trip to California. In the mean time, war with Mexico had commenced; and, on arriving in California, he raised a company of men and four hundred and fifty head of horses, and joined Col. Fremont, who was then organiz- ing the war in California. After a short contest, mainly of privation and suffering, that territory was added to the United States, and the war virtually closed there. In a written communication, Col. Fremont highly com- mended him for gallantry and good conduct ; and, in January, 1847, he started home by the Isthmus route, with a view to entering the army ; but no opportunity to gratify his desire in that direction arose until the State was called on for additional troops, when he raised a company, but failed to get it into the over-full regi-

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ments. He was soon after called to Washington, as a witness for Col. Fremont, and while there was married, January 17, 1848, to the accomplished Miss Sarah Ben- ton, third daughter of the distinguished Col. Thomas H.

Benton, of Missouri. She died in January, 1863, leav- ing a daughter and son, the latter now being a Lieuten- ant in the Sixth Regular Infantry, United States army. He rcsided in Missouri, as a farmer, until 1853, when he returned to Kentucky, and, in the following year, pur- chased his present home, on the Ohio river, near West- port, in Oldham County. In 1859, he was elected to represent his county in the Legislature; in 1860, was Assistant Elector for John C. Breckinridge, but rejected the idea of secession ; and, when the Legislature was convened, in January, 1861, although most of the sup- porters of Mr. Breckinridge had gone over to the dis- union party, he determined to stand by the Union at all hazard; and, in the contest which followed, by himself and the Democratic member from Marion County uniting with the Unionists, a majority of one was obtained in the House, which saved Kentucky to the Union. He was an active member of the Committee on Federal Relations, and labored incessantly to preserve the State in its true po- sition to the General Government. . In the committee and in the House, his vote decided the question as to the appointment of Congressmen by districts, or by the State at large; securing the appointment by the State at large, and thus shutting out the disunionists. De- feated in the ensuing elections overwhelmingly, on the following day, after the result of the election was known, the disunionists declared for neutrality. During the long, stormy session, it was proposed to transact the business with closed doors; this proposition met his determined opposition, and led to his characteristic re- mark " that, if any one dared to close the doors against the people, he would tear them from their hinges." The Union party gaining the ascendency, at the regular election of 1861, he was returned to the Legislature by an overwhelming majority; took bold and decided ground against secession, and was, doubtlessly, the most influential member of that body in keeping the State in the Union. He early offered his services to the Gov- ernor, to raise a regiment, but failed, from an order for consolidation that was issued on the day his first men came to camp. Later, disgusted with the failure to stop

John Morgan in his raids through the State, in July, 1862, he issued an invitation to the young men of the State to meet him, equipped for that purpose; and, although the call was enthusiastically answered, their services were not required, as the rebel chief had retired. He was then requested by Gen. Boyle to raise a regiment of cavalry for one year's service; and in ten days had twelve hundred and forty-four men in camp at Eminence, Kentucky, and, within three weeks, marched to meet the enemy. October 8, 1862, he was ordered,

with a part of his command, by Gen. Buell, to the aid of Gen. Sill, near Shelbyville; and encountered a regi- ment of cavalry, under Col. Alston, of Georgia, in which he had a personal rencounter with Col. Alston ; was surrounded by nine Confederate soldiers, and or- dered to surrender, which he refused to do; and, put- ting spurs to his horse, in his attempt to escape, was shot twice-in the left arm, and above the heart; when turning to fight to the death alone, was rescued by the timely arrival of eleven of the Fourteenth Ohio In- fantry, who shot the closest man to him; his own com- mand having been cut off in the fight by an order from some unknown person to fall back, but were fighting forward to his aid, and succeeded in driving off the enemy, and reaching him. This was supposed to be one of the first hand-to-hand saber combats of the war. He was compelled, for some time to remain at Louis- ville, for the treatment of his wounds, but, in January, was again at the head of his regiment, and led it on several expeditions; in one of which, with a fraction of his force, he was attacked by Gen. Morgan, near the Cumberland river; and, although Morgan was accom- panied by a large force, the engagement checked his advance into Kentucky. On the following day, he was ordered by Gen. Manson to retire to Columbia, where his command was soon increased to five regi- ments of infantry and three of cavalry. After some weeks, that command was turned over to Gen. Hob- son, by Gen. Judah ; and, after making one fruitless march to the southern part of the State, the way was opened for the entrance of Morgan, as he pre- dicted to Gen. Hobson; and they were soon recalled to engage in the memorable chase after Morgan, which ended in his capture in Ohio. A part of his regiment were present at the capture, and he took charge of the prisoners until the arrival of Gen. Judah. Soon after this, the time of his regiment expiring, they were mustered out of the service, at Eminence, Kentucky, his men offering to re-enlist in a body under his com- mand. But he had just been elected Lieutenant-Gov- ernor of the State, and this ended his exciting, active, and successful military career; and, doubtlessly, no more brave, daring, and conscientiously patriotic man drew a saber for the defense of the nation during the great struggle. He had accepted the nomination from the Union men of the State for the office of Lieutenant- Governor, on the condition that he remain undisturbed in command of his regiment until the expiration of his term of enlistment. He was inaugurated, with Gov. Thomas E. Bramlette, at Frankfort, on the first Monday of September, 1863; and filled the office of Lieutenant- Governor four years, acting at one time as Governor, in the absence of Gov. Bramlette, and serving with dis- tinction as Speaker of the Senate. In the Spring of 1864, he was invited, by the McClellan men of New

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York City, to open the Presidential canvass; and, on March 17, addressed a large audience at Cooper Insti- tute, in that city, and was an earnest advocate for the election of Gen. McClellan, taking issue, on some points, with Mr. Lincoln's administration, but remaining un- alterably attached to the Union. His position was as- sailed by many Union men, and maintained at great personal peril ; but his was simply a contest for the right of the loyal citizen to reject what he consid- ered wrong in the Government, and vote as he thought best for the maintenance of right, and was throughout in favor of prosecuting the war until the authority of the Government should be re-established over the en- tire country. Yet the feeling was intense against him, and, after his last speech at Louisville, he was ar- rested, by order of Gen. Burbridge, and sent through the Confederate lines into Virginia. He made his way to Richmond, where he wrote a letter to Mr. Lincoln, demanding his return to his home, not as a favor, but as the right of a loyal citizen. His request was complied with; he was returned through the lines to Washington, and received, from the hands of Mr. Lincoln, his uncon- ditional release, without investigation, in January, 1865. He never ceased to defend his ideas of right, or to assail the apparent abuses of authority on the part of the Gov- ernment, or to be devotedly attached to the National Union. After the return of the Confederate element to the State, he as honestly differed from most of the Demo- cratic leaders, as to the preferences shown the soldiers of the rebellion over the Union soldiers, when he was for a complete amnesty to both sides; and, later, as to ac- quiescing in the Amendments to the Constitution, the enactments of Congress, and the education and advance- ment of the ignorant element which had been admitted to citizenship. Although the Democratic Icaders op- posed his position and defeated him in his race for Con- gress, he only occupied, in advance, the platform on which the party now hope to gain the ascendency in the Government. He served for some time, by the re- quest of his friends, as Judge of Oldham County, to fill a vacancy, but declined to run for a regular term of office. He has repeatedly been urged to run for Con- gress in the Louisville district, but has continually de- clined, not seeing the opportunity to make an honorable race against corrupt influences ; preferring the retirement of his home to the highest public honors obtained in a way prejudicial to the public good, or without being the free gift of the people. Since 1853, he has been a mem- ber of the Presbyterian Church, and is now an elder in that denomination. Col. Jacob is scholarly in his habits, few men in the country being more thoroughly well-in- formed; and, as an able, popular speaker, few men in the State are his superiors; his personal, conversational, and social traits are admirable; extremely open, frank, agreeable, and dignified, but natural in manners; is

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 43

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