The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 53

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

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for the Legislature, and defeated the famous Benjamin Hardin. His father was Judge Jamcs Slaughter, who came from Virginia during the early settlement of Ken- tucky, and located near Bardstown, where he died. His mother was Sarah Slaughter, daughter of Philip Slaughter, of Virginia, and granddaughter of Philip Slaughter, a distinguished officer in the Revolutionary War. Dr. Slaughter was educated at St. Joseph's Col- lege, at Bardstown; and, at the age of twenty, began the study of medicine in the office of his uncle, Dr. Har- vey Slaughter, at Elizabethtown, Kentucky. In the Winter of 1845, he graduated in medicine at the Uni- versity of Louisville. He, subsequently, also received the degree of M. D. from the Kentucky School of Medicine, at Louisville. In 1845, he entered on the practice of his profession at Owensboro, Kentucky; but shortly afterwards removed to Shelbyville, where he has since resided ; established a large and lucrative practice, and became one of the most successful and popular phy- sicians of Shelby County. He is a member of the State Medical Society, and has been associated with the local organizations of the profession. He has taken little part in the political and social disturbances of the country, devoting himself almost wholly to his profession, to which he is greatly attached, and to the literature of which he has been an occasional contributor. He has been a hard student and an extensive reader, and has kept fully abreast of the first, in his profession. He is exceedingly retiring in his habits, shrinking from public fuss and show; is of exceptional personal habits; is devoted to his home and friends, and is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. Dr. Slaughter was mar- ried, in 1855, to Elmina Johnson, of Franklin, Loui- siana. They have three children-one daughter and two sons.

NDERSON, COL. HUGH ALLEN, Lawyer, was born January 25, 1829, in Lawrence County, Alabama. His parents were Colonel Hugh Allen Anderson and Mary Allen Ander- son, both natives of Kentucky. His father was born at Logan's Station, in Lincoln County, in 1782, while his parents were in the fort for protection from the Indians; followed agricultural pursuits mainly ; was an officer in the war of 1812 ; was for a number of years member of the Alabama Legislature; was Judge of Lawrence County, Alabama ; was a colonel in the old militia organization in Kentucky; and died, in 1846, in Arkansas. He was son of William Anderson, a soldier of the Revolution, and one of the Lincoln County pio- neers, from Augusta County, Virginia. His mother was a daughter of James Anderson, son of John Anderson, an early settler of Madison County, who became promi- Itent in the affairs of that county, representing it in the

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Legislature; and for a number of years being its sur- veyor and sheriff. The subject of this sketch received a liberal education, graduating at Ozark Institution, Washington County, Arkansas, in 1851. In that year, he began to read law, under W. D. Reagen, a prominent lawyer of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and the following year was admitted to the bar, and entered upon his pro- fession, at Waldron, in that State. In 1858, he removed to Bentonville, and continued his law practice with great success until the commencement of the war. When Arkansas seceded from the Union, he cast his fortune with his section, and entered the Southern army, with the rank of colonel on the staff of Gen. N. P. Pearce, who then commanded State troops. He participated in the battle of Wilson's Creek, but, on account of im- paired health, was soon forced to retire from the service. In 1866, he came to Kentucky, and in the following Spring located, for the practice of his profession, at Nich- olasville, where he has since resided, and has met with the success that formerly distinguished his legal practice. He has always been a Democrat in polities. Religiously, he is associated with the Methodist Church. Col. An- derson was married, August 12, 1867, to Miss Caroline Florence Brown, a native of Jessamine County, Ken- tucky, and only child of Moreau Brown, President of the Kentucky River Slack Water Navigation Company, and a prominent agriculturist, hemp manufacturer, and banker of that county.

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aRAY, HAMILTON, a prominent business man and influential citizen of Northern Kentucky, was born May 25, 1814, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. At the age of eighteen, he came to Kentucky, and located at Maysville, a town presenting many attractions for able and ener- getic men; it then being the distributing point for the country south, and the business center of a large sur- rounding territory, rich in its productions. Maysville acquired additional importance in those times from its fine society, and the unusual number of able men of every pursuit who gathered in and about it; thus mak- ing it one of the most desirable locations in the West. Here Mr. Gray settled, and, for more than thirty years, took an active part in its business and social interests; and was largely identified with the commercial and po- litical movements of his day. Whether engaged in the management of his own business; in directing the oper- ations of a bank, with which he was long connected ; in developing the mineral resources of his section; in regulating the financial embarrassments of his city, or in aiding in fixing the political status of his adopted State, he exhibited the same cnergetic, able, wise, and admirable traits, being at all times equal to what he

conceived to be the duty and requirement of the hour. With characteristic boldness, he published a card, in 1861, assuming the undivided responsibility of recom- mending the introduction of Government arms into Kentucky, for the maintenance of public order; and, in making arrangement for the distribution of these arms, proceeded with such consideration, delicacy, and good sense, as largely to repress any turbulent manifes- tations, and secure the co-operation of the leading citi- zens of the State. Referring to his active participation in the early struggles and events attending the outbreak of the rebellion, the Hon. W. H. Wadsworth justly says: "It is a striking proof of the respect entertained for Mr. Gray by his most earnest opposers, in those dark times, that, in moments of doubt or danger, they invariably sought his advice and friendly assistance." The same gen- tleman also remarks, that, although Mr. Gray landed in Kentucky an entire stranger, he was soon surrounded by hosts of friends, who never deserted him. He had the faculty of not only winning friends, but of keeping them. He was of agreeable person and presence; polite, amia- ble, intelligent; of fine judgment, great patience, and manly courage; and all those admirable qualities that readily attach men to their fellows. He was singularly exact and systematic in his business habits; punctilious in his observance of social usages; and equally disposed to accept the duties and enjoy the pleasures and privi- leges of social life. During a trip made to Europe, in 1851, he kept a journal, full of notes and observations on art, agriculture, and trade, which well illustrates his culture, close insight, practical and varied knowledge, and his wide and liberal tastes. He died, April 4, 1864, at Maysville, where he had lived a long, useful, and honorable life. Although passing away at a time when the community was rent by political and social dis- sension, and the people were familiarized with death in every form and station, the announcement of his decease was received with universal expressions of sympathy and regret. Mr. Gray was married, January 28, 1840, to Miss Elizabeth Johnson, of Mason County, Kentucky, who is yet living, with three children-one son and two daugh- ters. Their son, Hamilton Gray, is now one of the ac- tive business men of Maysville.

OX, LEONARD BOSHERE, Lawyer, was born February 10, 1810, in Cumberland County, Virginia. He was the fourth of seven chil- dren, and his parents were Leander and Nancy (Boshcre) Cox, both, also, natives of the same county in Virginia. His father was a teacher and farmer; came to this State in 1824, and settled in Lincoln County; but, in 1839, moved to Missouri, where he died, in 1862. He was of Welsh extraction. His

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wife, Nancy Boshere, descended from the early Hugue- ' enteen years, and becoming thoroughly acquainted with notic French settlers of the South. The subject of this the practical branches of learning. Leaving school, he - chose mercantile pursuits, and entered into the employ- ment of his father; and, having a natural aptitude for ; his calling, was soon master of all the laws and intrica- cies of trade. In 1860, he had made such progress, and was so well acquainted with the business in which his father was engaged, that he decided to commence in it upon his own account. He accordingly went to Louis- ville, where he established himself in the ice trade. Here he met with a fair degree of success; and, in 1864, was able to add to his business that of coal dealer. This was about the time, during the war, that large numbers of troops were stationed throughout Kentucky, and there was a constant demand for the articles in which he dealt. He was thus enabled to take advantage of this favorable opportunity to enlarge and extend his operations, and was soon on the road to prosperity. In the year 1872, the " Northern Lake Ice Company " was incorporated, and he became one of the largest stock- holders, and was chosen assistant superintendent of the affairs of this extensive corporation. He is, at the pres- ent time, one of the leading directors of this company. He was married, in 1868, to Miss Connell, daughter of Samuel Connell. Mr. Cromie enjoys a high reputation for commercial integrity, and is widely known for his sound judgment and prudence in business matters. He is modest and unassuming in his manners, never seeking to take advantage of another to advance his own per- sonal interests ; is a man of few words, but speaks to the point; he is a man of quiet, even views, and concerns himself but little with the so-called advanced doctrines and speculations of the day. sketch remained on the farm, in Kentucky, until he was sixteen years of age, and, at intervals, attended school at the old log school-house characteristic of the times, and which has not disappeared from many localities of the State, after three-quarters of a century. He then spent several years with his uncle, Horatio Cox, in Missouri, occupying most of the time at an academy in Montgom- ery County, where he obtained a fine English education. In 1833, he returned to Kentucky, and settled in Lincoln County, where he engaged, for several years, mainly as a teacher. In 1836, he began reading law, and prepared for his profession under IIon. Simon Anderson, of Lan- caster, and afterwards member of Congress; and under George R. McKee, now of the Covington bar; and, in 1839, was admitted to practice. He commenced his pro- fessional career at Springfield, Washington County, in the same year, and met with flattering success. In 1852, he removed to Flemingsburg, where he has since re- sided ; established a fine practice, and taken a position among the leading members of the bar of North-eastern Kentucky. In 1844, he was elected to represent Wash- ington County in the Legislature, defeating, by thirteen votes, in a closely contested race, Hon. John Pope, pre- viously Governor of Arkansas. In 1859, he was elected County Attorney of Fleming County, and held the office three years. In 1862, he was elected Judge of the County Court of Fleming, holding the office four years. He is now a Democrat. His first vote was cast for Henry Clay, and he continued attached to the Whig party until its dissolution, giving his last vote before the war to Bell and Everett, and, during the war of the rebellion, remained firmly attached to the Union. Judge Cox was married, in July, 1838, to Ellen T. Wilmot, a native of Lancaster, Garrard County, Kentucky, and daughter of Samuel Wilmot, an old citizen of that county.

ROMIE, ISAAC, Merchant, was born in Down County, Ireland, in the year 1839. His father, John P. Cromie, was of Scottish origin, having, at one time, borne the name of Abercrombie; he was a respectable merchant of Down County. Thinking he could improve his condition, by becoming a resident of the New World, he embarked, with his family, for America; and, on his arrival in this country, pursued his way to the far West, settling in the frontier town of New Albany, Indiana. Here he re- sumed his former calling of a merchant; and, by his thrifty and industrious habits, soon became one of the most prosperous inhabitants of the village. Isaac Cromie obtained a good English education, attending the common-schools of his district until the age of sev-

ILLER, WILLIAM HARRIS, Lawyer, was born June 17, 1842, in Lincoln County, Ken- tucky. His parents were James and Frances Maupin Miller, and both natives of Madison County. His father was a son of Daniel Miller, a Revolutionary soldier, who came from Vir- ginia, in 1787; followed agricultural pursuits, and died, in 1869. His mother was the daughter of John Harris, also a Virginian, who settled in Madison County at an early day. William H. Miller was educated in the best select schools of the country, and at Centre College, Danville. In 1862, he entered Company B, Sixth Ken- tucky Confederate Cavalry, Morgan's Command; was engaged in the battle of Perryville; participated in all the raids; was captured in the celebrated expedition into Ohio; after nine months' imprisonment at Camps Chase and Douglas, escaped, and joined his regiment ; was wounded at the battle of Greenville, and incapaci- tated for further service. At the close of the war,

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in 1865, he returned home, and soon afterwards began reading law, at Richmond, under Major Squire Turner, of that place; in 1866, was admitted to the bar; and, in the following year, located in the practice of his pro- fession, at Stanford, Lincoln County. In the following year, he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and held the position until 1874; during the Winter of 1873, was Assistant Clerk of the State House of Representa- tives; in 1876, was elected Presidential Elector, on the Democratic ticket; and has always been a Democrat; casting his first Presidential vote for Seymour, in 1868. He is prominently associated with some of the popular social organizations of the day, and, in 1869, was one of the editors and publishers of the "Central Dispatch," of Stanford.

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AGGENER, PROFESSOR LESLIE, Chairman of the Faculty of Bethel College, Russellville, Kentucky, was born September II, 1841, in Todd County, Kentucky. His father, S. T. Waggener, was a Virginian by birth; came to this State in 1820, when a young man, and was a successful farmer and tobacco merchant. His mother was a daughter of Reuben Ross, the distinguished and worthy founder of the Bethel Baptist Association of Southern Kentucky. From this Association originated the present widely known and flourishing Bethel Col- lege, at Russellville, one of the most beautifully and favorably located and ably conducted educational in- stitutions of the South. The subject of this sketch had fine early opportunities for an education, and at the age of sixteen entered Bethel College, where he remained three years, and graduated in 1860, with the honors of his class ; he was then sent to Harvard College ; entered the Senior Class, and graduated in the following year. The war was now commencing, and he at once returned home, and was among the first to join the Confederate cause, entering Company A of the Ninth Kentucky Regiment, as a private. This regiment was a part of the famous Breckinridge Brigade. At the battle of Shiloh he was dangerously wounded, a ball, penetrating the lung, passed through his body ; he recovered, joined his command, and was promoted to the rank of lieuten- ant; was afterwards engaged in many of the great bat- tles of the war, including Stone River, Chickamauga, Atlanta, and Savannah, surrendering with Johnston's army in South Carolina. At the close of the war he returned home, and began teaching in the Preparatory School of Bethel College, and, after three years' service in this department, was elected Professor of English in the College. In 1873, he became Chairman of the Faculty, on the resignation of the President, Noah K. Davis, who had taken the Chair of Moral Philosophy in the University of Virginia. He has since held this posi-

tion with credit to himself, and very acceptably to the Faculty and friends of the institution. He is a hard student, and takes great pride in the institution of which he stands at the head. This College was originated in 1849, but entered on its career as a college in 1856. It has grown rapidly since the war, and, besides owning the college buildings and grounds, and other valuable real estate, has a large endowment fund, yearly increas- ing, and is one of the most prosperous institutions of learning in the State. Professor Waggener is an active member of the Baptist Church, and is earnest in the propagation of those moral and religious principles which have ever been a source of genuine comfort and peace of mind to himself. In 1867, he was married to Miss Fannie Pendleton, the accomplished daughter of Rev. Dr. J. M. Pendleton, of Upland, Pennsylvania, who was many years a prominent and able minister of the Baptist Church in Kentucky and Tennessee. They have three children to adorn their happy marriage.

IGHTFOOT, GEORGE COLVIN, Retired Merchant, was born January 15, 1804, in Pen- dleton County, Kentucky. He is the fourth son in a family of thirteen children, whose parents were William Lightfoot and Leannah (Colvin) Lightfoot, both natives of Culpepper County, Virginia. His father was a farmer ; emigrated to Kentucky as early as 1793; first settled at Washing- ton, Mason County, Kentucky, but shortly after located in Pendleton County, where his father, John B. Light- foot, perhaps taught the first school ever taught in Pen- dleton County. In 1833, William Lightfoot removed to Rush County, Indiana, where he resided until a few years before his death. The Lightfoots emigrated from Staffordshire, England, at a very early day, and were related to the celebrated Dr. Lightfoot, who gained some celebrity in connection with the revision of the Scriptures. They settled in Virginia, and intermarried largely with the Lees, one of the old and distinguished families of that State. His mother was the daughter of John Colvin, of Culpepper County, Virginia, who was a substantial farmer. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm near Falmouth, Pendleton County, Kentucky ; acquired a limited education in such schools as the country then supplied; at the age of twenty years, took up his residence in Falmouth, and, after a few years, began merchandising; in 1847, removed to Covington, Kentucky; took charge of the Madison House, in that city ; remained there five years, and then, returning to Falmouth, took charge of his hotel (The Jefferson Ifouse) in that place, and also resumed the mercantile business. After having spent thirty years as a merchant, he chiefly retired from business about the

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close of the rebellion, now only superintending the man- agement of his hotel. He was, for many years, a magis- trate in Falmouth, and has held various positions in the regulation of the affairs of the town; and has, for a half century or more, been intimately and favorably identi- fied with the various interests of the community. He was originally a Whig, but, after the dissolution of that party, became a Democrat; and, during the war of the rebellion, his sympathies and principles placed him on the side of the South. He has been, for thirty years, a Mason in good standing, and, for the same length of time, a member of the Christian Church ; and has always bcen noted for his integrity of character, his fine per- sonal and business habits, and his unassuming social manners ; and now, at his advanced age, few men ex- hibit such general elasticity and vigor, and show such high perservation, physically and mentally. Mr. Light- foot was married, June 10, 1830, to Miss Malinda O. Holton, daughter of Elijah Holton, of Falmouth, Ken- tucky. He has but one child living ( Laura H. Light- foot), who married John H. Bass, of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

AIRLEIGH, ROBERT M., M. D., was born January 17, 1840, in Brandenburg, Kentucky. His father, William Fairleigh, was a prominent citizen of Meade County, and was County and Circuit Clerk from the organization of that county until his death. The subject of this sketch received a liberal education, in the best schools of his county, and, at the age of nineteen, began the study of medicine, in the office of Dr. H. K. Pusey, of Garnettsville. In the Winters of 1858 and 1859, he at- tended lectures in Jefferson Medical College, Philadel- phia, and graduated at that institution in the Spring of 1860. At this time, S. D. Gross, Robley Dunglison, Joseph Pancost, and other distinguished men of the medical profession, were professors in that college. He at once commenced the practice of his profession; but, when the rebellion broke out, became assistant surgeon of the Third Kentucky Cavalry (Federal), and, in June of the following year, was made surgeon of that regi- ment. He was in all the engagements of the army of the West, from the battle of Pittsburg Landing until the commencement of "Sherman's march to the sea." During the last year of his service, he was surgeon of Murry's Brigade of Kilpatrick's Division of Cavalry. At the close of the war, he located in Hopkinsville, where he has since resided, and established a large and valuable practice. He has contributed considerably to the medical literature of the day, and, in 1873, was Vice-President of the Kentucky State Medical Society. He is one of the Board of Medical Examiners for the Second Judicial District. For seven or eight years, he

has been a member of the Council of Hopkinsville, and been variously prominent in the affairs of the com- munity. He has been a leading member of some of the social orders of the day, and is now Grand Master Mason of Kentucky. Dr. Fairleigh was married, in May, 1865, to Miss Anna Slaughter, daughter of Wm. H. Slaughter, of Hodgensville, Kentucky. They have four children.

OLEMAN, JOHN MORGAN, Iron Manufactu- rer, was born in Cork County, Ireland, August 21, 1834. His father, the late Thomas C. Cole- man, was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to this country in 1835. He came to the West, locating in Louisville, Kentucky, where, by his great energy and thrift, he soon rose to the rank of one of the most prosperous and leading citizens of his city. He turned his attention to the iron trade, and became proprietor of the Louisville Rolling Mill, one of the largest and most complete establishments devoted to the iron business throughout the West. John Morgan Cole- man arrived in this country when but a child of two years. When he reached his school age, he was placed in a private institution, under the instruction of the best teachers. He completed his education at the age of sixteen years, when he began his business carcer. He entered his father's office, and herc acquired an excellent business training, so essential in the life he was to pur- sue. After a short service with his father, he secured a position as clerk, in the commission house of Thos. H. Hunt & Co., and served faithfully, in this capacity, for a period of five years. At this time he left the commis- sion house, and re-engaged in his father's office, in 1855, as a private clerk. Three years later, he was made head clerk of the rolling mill office, being intrusted with the entire conduct of its affairs. He manifested such ability and fidelity in all matters confided to his charge, that, in 1861, he was chosen manager of the Louisville Rolling Mill. He continued to conduct the extensive affairs of this mill, with his characteristic enterprising business sagacity, until the year 1869, when he resigned his posi- tion to engage in the establishment of a new business enterprise. This was the organization of the Kentucky Rolling Mill, of which he was chosen President; and he held this position until the subsequent consolidation of the two mills, in March, 1875. He now became General Superintendent of both mills; and has managed their combined interests in such manner as to meet with the warm approval of all concerned. During the strike among rolling-mill hands, in 1873, he was made Chair- man of the Ohio River Association, which represented all the mills affected by the strike; and favored such measures as would settle the matter to the mutual benefit of both sides. He was one of the first pro-

Eng & Prahy Homo Lee & Co NY.

James Taylor

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 53

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