The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 55

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 55

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County, where he remained during his life. He prac- ticcd law over many counties of Kentucky and Ohio, for over half a century, and was distinguished as one of the most thoroughly read, able, just, and conscientious lawyers, and one of the most virtuous and upright men of his day. He constantly refused to hold political office of any kind, devoting himself entirely to the in- terests of his profession, in which he was exceptionally successful. Many men who became eminent in their profession werc his students; among them, Gen. A. W. Doniphan, of Missouri ; Judge B. S. Morris, of Chicago, Illinois; Judge Owen T. Fishback, and Hon. Thomas A. Whetstone, of Ohio. He was a fine speaker, but was not a flowcry orator; had great influence before the courts and among the people; was known as the "hon- est lawyer," and was consulted far and near, when people wanted justice at law ; had an intellectual and highly disciplined mind; possessed great legal learning and ability and large general information ; had great firmness and unusual modesty; was exceedingly com- panionable, and of much natural amiability of mind; was naturally polite, generous, and philanthropic, and wide in his charities; had little prejudice, and was with- out vanity; was devoted to justice and right, and what- ever was for the good of men was his object in life. He died, at his residence in Augusta, September 19, 1853. Mr. Marshall was married, in 1803, to Matilda B. Taliaferro, daughter of Nicholas Taliaferro, and sister of the late Dr. W. T. Taliaferro, of Cincinnati. His children were, Mary A. Doniphan, mother of the late Judge Joseph Doniphan, of Augusta; William C. Marshall; the late Dr. N. T. Marshall, of Cincinnati; Thomas A. Marshall, and George Marshall, of Vicks- burg; Thornton F. Marshall; and Eliza J. Armstrong, wife of James W. Armstrong, of Augusta, Kentucky.

AYE, WILLIAM, Ex-Mayor of Louisville, was born in Undersfield, Yorkshire, England, Feb- ruary 13, 1813. His father, Joshua Kaye, was a cloth manufacturer of Undersfield, a man of unpretending social habits, and great private worth of character. In 1819, he emigrated to the United States, and settled at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. In that city the subject of this sketch received his educa- tion; and there, in 1827, he commenced learning the trade of a machinist. Having completed his tradc, and worked some time to his advantage, in 1836 he came to Louisville, Kentucky, and at once formed a partnership in business with a son of his former employer, under the firm name of Patterson & Kaye. After a year or two this connection was dissolved. He then worked at en- ginc building successfully for several years, until IS41, when he started his bell and scales foundry, in connec-

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tion with Mr. Martin. After a prosperous partnership of three or four years, Mr. Martin retired, since which time he has continued alone. He has cast some of the great bells of the country, meeting as great success and receiving as high encomiums as the oldest bell founders of Germany. In 1862, he was elected member of the City Council of Louisville, holding the position for one year. Through the unanimous solicitation of his fellow- councilmen and other citizens, he was induced to run for the mayoralty of the city. In the Spring of 1863, he was elected to this office, over his popular opponent. This position he held, with honor to himself and great satisfaction to the public, until the close of the war, in 1865. This was a part of the most exciting period of the history of Louisville, and, in the contest of opposing principles and forces for supremacy, only a man of ster- ling qualities could be equal to the emergency. These he possessed in a very high degree, few men having greater moral and personal fortitude, more unswerving rectitude, or a clearer head for just and decided adminis- tration of public affairs. Soon after the expiration of his term of service, he was unanimously elected, by the City Council, to fill a vacancy from his own ward in that body. While in the Council, he was appointed Chief of Police by Mayor Lithgow, filling the position for one year, with his accustomed fidelity to all public trusts. In 1870, he was again elected member of the Council from his ward. This office he now holds. Few men have had a more active and honorable career, or more richly deserve the rewards of an earnest, upright public service and unapproachable private life. From early life Mr. Kaye has been a member of the Christian Church, and for many years has taken a prominent part in its affairs. In 1836, he was married to Miss Mary Patterson, of Chillicothe, Ohio. They have four living children.

AMES, HON. ANDREW JACKSON, Lawyer, was born June 4, 1817, in Pulaski County, Kentucky. His father, Daniel F. James, was of Welsh descent, and a farmer by pursuit. His grandfather, John James, moved with his family from Culpepper County, Virginia, to this State, as early as 1785. His mother was Eleanor, the daughter of Capt. John Evans, a soldier of the Revolution, who also participated in the war of 1812, commanding a company in the battle of New Orleans. He was educated in the schools of his native county, and, at the age of fifteen, began to write in the clerk's office, where he remained six years. He studied law, was admitted to the bar, and began to practice at the age of twenty-two, in Somerset, Kentucky. In 1855, he was elected to the Legislature, from his native county; in 1858, moved to Frankfort; in 1859, he was elected to

the office of Attorney-General of the State, serving four years; in 1871, was appointed Secretary of State by Gov. Leslie; resigned that office in 1872, and actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Recently, he was elected President of the Farmers' Bank of Ken- tucky, at Frankfort, still holding that position. In politics, he has always been a Democrat, and especially in early life was an active worker in the interests of that party, being a candidate for Elector for Van Buren, in 1840; his later years being chiefly occupied by his extensive law practice, he has taken less interest in party contests. Mr. James was married, in 1841, to Miss Mary A. Beatie, a lady of many fine qualities. Six of their children are now living; two sons, John B. and Daniel James, being practicing lawyers.

RENCH, HON. RICHARD, Lawyer, was a native of Kentucky. He became distinguished in his profession, and was a man of wide influ- ence in his section. In 1820, he was elected to the Legislature from Clarke County, and was re-elected one or two times; in 1835, he was elected to Congress; in 1837, he made the race for re- election, but was beaten by Richard Menefee; was Pres- idential Elector, in 1829; was the Democratic candidate for Governor of the State, in 1840, but was beaten by the Whig, Robert P. Letcher; was again elected to Congress, in 1843; and, in 1847, was re-elected, serving until 1849. He died before the commencement of the late civil war.

HOMPSON, COL. THOMAS W., Soldier, was born January 13, 1840, in Louisville, Ken- tucky. He was left an orphan at the age of six, and was raised and educated by his uncle, Thomas Williams, of Louisville. In the Sum- mer of 1861, he went to Tennessee, and, at Camp Boone, was elected Captain of Company I, Fourth Kentucky Confederate Volunteers; was three times wounded, and greatly distinguished himself at Shiloh ; for his gallant conduct, was offered the command of an Alabama regiment, which he declined; was engaged in the defense of Vicksburg; was at Baton Rouge and Murfreesboro; was promoted major, April 1, 1863 ; par- ticipated in the defense of Jackson; in August, was made lieutenant-colonel; after Col. Nuckols was disa- bled, took command of his regiment, at Chickamauga ; fought at Mission Ridge; was promoted colonel at Dal- ton, in 1864 ; was wounded at Resaca and Dallas ; was subsequently again wounded ; and is said to have made the last fight of the war east of the Mississippi, being engaged with Potter's division when receiving the order

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announcing the general surrender. He was a brave and skillful officer, and ranked very high among the defenders of the " Lost Cause," from Kentucky.

RIPPENSTAPEL, WILLIAM, Editor of the " Louisville Volksblatt," son of G. A. Krip- penstapel, who was an officer in the Russian army, and participated in many battles against Napoleon the First, was born December 30, 1826, in the city of Lauenburg, Dukedom of Lauenburg, at that time a part of the dominion of Denmark. After receiving a thorough education in the public and private schools of the country, he was ap- prentieed to the printer's business. While working at his trade, in the city of Brunswick, he had occasion to become well acquainted with the manual of arms, and, when the war against Denmark broke out, in 1848, he went to Rendsburg, was enrolled as a volunteer, and served under the great Von der Tann till the close of the war. After spending some time in traveling through Germany and Hungary, he sought the privilege of start- ing a newspaper in his native city. This the authorities refused to grant to any but warm defenders of the gov- ernment, which was now hostile to those who had taken part, in any manner, in the Schleswig-Holstein War against Denmark. Wrought upon by such circumstances, he determined to emigrate to the United States. Ac-

cordingly, in 1852, he sailed from Hamburg, and, ninety days afterwards, landed in New York, from whence he soon traveled West. After working on the "Evansville Enquirer," and other papers, in the Fall of 1853, he went to Louisville, Kentucky, and became connected with the "Anzeiger." In 1862, he left that paper, and associated with Messrs. Schumann and Rapp in publish- ing the "Daily and Weekly Volksblatt," a German Republiean paper. He sold his interest in that paper in 1863, to embark in a mercantile pursuit, in which he was very successful. In the mean time, the " Volksblatt" had passed into new hands; Messrs. Civill, Calvert & Co. becoming its proprietors, and issuing an English and German edition, under the style of the "Louisville National Union Press." He was now urged, by Mr. Civill, to become editor and manager of the German edition, which he finally coneluded to do; and, dispos- ing of his mercantile interests, two days after the re- election of Abraham Lincoln, in 1864, he obtained full possession of the paper, and soon established it at the present locality, on Third Street, whence it now appears in daily, weekly, and semi-weekly editions, under the original name of " Louisville Volksblatt." He has also established a large and successful job office; and, since January, 1866, has issued that spicy, able, and widely circulated literary weekly called the "Omnibus." The

position of a Republican editor in Kentucky has never, by any means, been an enviable one; and, during the war of secession, it was only a man of ability, daring, and unalterable devotion to principle, and unbounded faith in a just cause and its inevitable success, who would brave partisan animosity, or risk the dangers of daily conflict. Through this ordeal he passed with such honorable success, that, in 1871, he became the unan- imous choice of the Republican party for State Auditor, and received one of the largest popular votes ever polled in the State for a Republican. Mr. Krippenstapel is not only a writer of ability, but also a fine speaker, and is undoubtedly a leader of German thought in the com- munity. Many of his literary productions are models of culture, and his political discussions are up to the high standard of his party. He is a man of earnest convic- tions, deep friendships, exhaustless resources, and a will that conquers. In 1856, he was married to Miss Ida Hurter, daughter of Henry Hurter, of Louisville. They have five children.

'DWARDS, JUDGE GEORGE T., Retired Law- yer, was born July 30, 1818, at Russellville, Kentucky. His father, Hon. Presley Edwards, was a distinguished lawyer of Logan Circuit ; at a time Commonwealth's Attorney, and State Senator; and son of Benjamin Edwards, often favorably mentioned in .Kennedy's " Life of William Wirt." The subject of this sketch received a good edu- cation in the schools of Russellville. His father died when he was young, leaving him an only child. He consequently became the constant companion of his mother, to whom he was greatly attached, as well as greatly indebted for many valuable traits and much of his future success. She was Miss Hester Pope, a member of one of the most distinguished families of Kentucky, and a woman of great intellectual and moral worth. At cighteen, he left school entirely, and became a student of law; using some of his time in settling his father's affairs, his mother being administratrix. In the Fall of 1838, he was admitted to the bar, and at once commenced practice. He obtained a fine praetice, and continued, generally with great success, until 1870, when he retired from the profession, and now seldom appears in a cause at law. His first professional business done was in a connection formed with the distinguished law- yer, F. M. Bristow, father of Gen. B. F. Bristow. In 1851, he was elected Judge of Logan County, and held the position one term. In 1855, he was elected to the State Senate, and served his term. He is no politician, and, in fact, avoids politics, but during the war sided with his section. He is a fine writer, and has eontrib- uted largely to the publie press, and has delivered many addresscs before educational institutions and other bodies,

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and is probably one of the finest speakers in the State. A man of superior cultivation, with uncommon conver- sational powers; an able lawyer; a man of admirable traits; a useful citizen, and in every relation of life has occupied a high position in the community. For thirty- five years he has been a member of the Christian Church- in fact, a pillar; and presents to the world an unblem- ished Christian character. Judge Edwards was married, in March, 1839, to Miss Margaret W. Connelly, with whom he lived twenty-two years. At her death, he was left with five children. In December, 1862, he was again married, to Mrs. Maria L. Allison, daughter of Swift Emett, an old and highly respected citizen of Russell- ville, Kentucky.

AY, REV. EDWIN, Clergyman, son of Rev. John Ray, was born July 26, 1803, in Mont- gomery County, Kentucky. At the age of sixteen, he joined the Church, during a camp- meeting in Clarke County, and was soon after- wards licensed to preach, commencing as a boy in the congregations of his father. In 1822, he was received on trial, at Lexington, by the Kentucky Con- ference, and appointed to the Salt River Circuit, with George W. Taylor; in the following year, was sent to the Limestone Circuit; in 1824, was transferred to the Illinois Conference, and placed on the Vincennes Cir- cuit ; in the following year, was stationed on the Bloom- ington Circuit ; in 1826, was sent to the Indianapolis Circuit, and himself aided in building the first Meth- odist church erected in Indianapolis. In 1827, he was stationed at Madison, Indiana, then the only Methodist station in that State. In Madison, he also taught a night-school, engaging, to a great extent, in the day- time, in hard manual labor. The people of Madison became greatly attached to him, and, under his minis- try, the Church increased in numbers and strength. In the Winter of 1829, he taught a school at Indianapolis, and saved enough money to purchase a small farm, a few miles from that city. In the Summer of 1830, he preached at Terre Haute, and, at the regular Confer- ence of that year, he took up his residence as the regu- lar pastor of the Church at that place. In the Spring of 1831, he visited Kentucky. He closed his labors at Terre Haute, and died, September 18, 1831, while on his way with his sick wife to Indianapolis. He entered the ministry while a boy, and gave his life, with unremitting fervor, to the cause of the Great Master, and was un- doubtedly one of the most worthy, successful, and pop- ular among the early pioneers of Methodism in the West. Mr. Ray was married, August 19, 1827, in In- dianapolis, to Miss Sarah A. Nowland, whose whole life was one of hardship and suffering, and who was one of

the most noble and self-sacrificing women that ever made the long journey of life by the side of a Methodist preacher in the early days of the Church.

RONSTON, CHARLES J., Lawyer, was born July 29, 1848, in Richmond, Kentucky, and was the only child of Thomas S. and Sallie A. Bronston; the former a native of Fayette, and the latter of Madison County, Kentucky. His father has mainly followed mercantile pursuits ; since August, 1875, has been Assistant Secretary of State; was the son of Jacob Bronston, who emigrated at an early day from Virginia, and settled in Fayette County. His mother was the daughter of Thomas S. Bronston, a Virginian, and a farmer, trader, and one of the early preachers of the Reform or Christian Church, in Madison County. Charles J. Bronston was liberally educated, graduating at Kentucky University, as vale- dictorian of his class, in 1869; in 1871, he graduated in the law department of the University of Virginia; in the same year, entered upon the practice of the law, at Richmond Kentucky, in partnership with Hon. James B. McCreary, afterwards Governor of Kentucky; and has since been actively and successfully engaged in his profession. In 1874, he was elected Professor of Com- mercial and Criminal Law in Central University. In politics, he is a Democrat, and cast his first Presidential vote for Horace Greeley, in 1868. He is a member of the Christian Church of Richmond; is Superintendent of its Sunday-school; and generally active and prominent . in all its affairs. Mr. Bronston was married, May 28, 1874, to Miss Susan W. Hughes, a native of Fayette County, and daughter of William T. Hughes, a farmer of that county.

ERGUSON, RICHARD W., M. D., was born August 21, 1805, in Louisville, Kentucky. His father, Richard Ferguson, was of Londonderry, Ireland; came to America in 1772, settling in Virginia, but moved to Louisville, in 1803. His mother was a daughter of Col. W. A. Booth, of Virginia. His parents descended from families pos- sessed of great mental and bodily vigor, incorruptible integrity, and great loyalty to Church and country. Dr. Richard W. Ferguson received his early education in the private schools of his native town, and, in 1824, en- tered Transylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky, and graduated from that institution, in 1827. After leaving college, he immediately began the study of med- icine with his father, and graduated in the medical de- partment of Transylvania University, in 1830. He prac- ticed his profession in partnership with his father, until

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his father's death, in 1853. He was prompt in the dis- charge of the duties of his profession, tending the rich and poor with equal care and attention. He was, for nine years, physician in the city hospital, having been appointed by Mayor Archey Coke. He has exhibited some literary talent, having written fugitive pieces for the newspapers. In politics, he was a Whig, until the dissolution of that party, since which time he has been a Democrat. At twenty-one years of age, he joined the Unitarian Church, and lived a consistent member until the age of sixty, when he united with the Protestant Episcopal Church. He has accumulated a fine prop- erty, owning a number of handsome residences and store- houses in the city ; was the owner of a number of slaves, whom he set free long before the war. Dr. Ferguson has been, for a time, retired from the active duties of his profession, but does not cease to give his attention to matters of public interest, especially in connection with the schools and improvements of the city. He is a man of temperate habits, is generous and hospitable, and has been a widely useful and valuable citizen. He is a man of great firmness and decision of character, and fine, dignified person.

RAY, HON. ROBERT B., Farmer and Poli- tician, was born in Trimble County, Kentucky, April 3, 1808, and was son of Col. Presley Gray, an officer in the war of 1812, who emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky early in the settle- ment of the State. He was chiefly educated in the district-schools, but received some instruction in the better class of private schools near his home. Early in life, he spent some time in the study of law, but proba- bly with no intention of making that his profession. In 1854, he moved from his farm in Trimble County to Henry, where he bought a home, and remained the rest of his life. In 1844, he was elected member of the State Legislature, and served two sessions. He was an "Old- line Whig," yet Trimble County, being largely Demo- cratic, gave him a handsome majority. At the first election held under the new State Constitution, he was elected Judge of Trimble County, but resigned in 1854, on removing to Henry. In 1873, he made the race for the Legislature as an Independent candidate, but was defeated by a very small vote, starting with a majority of one thousand two hundred to be overcome. In the following year, he became Independent candidate for county judge, against the regular Democratic nominee, and was this time successful, by an actual majority of one hundred and forty-nine votes. After serving two months, he died, October 16, 1874. He was many years a justice of the peace, and, under the peculiar workings of the old Constitution, became the Sheriff of Trimble County, and served one term. He was of the Whig

school of politics, and, in the turmoil that followed the disorganization of that party, he became what was known in the State as a Third Party man, and was the patron of Judge Kinkead in his Gubernatorial race. In the politics of the county, he afterwards acted largely with the Democrats, but latterly as an Independent. During the rebellion, he espoused the cause of the Union, and was instrumental in ameliorating the troubles and hardships of the war among all classes. He was no half-way man in any thing, and, although he maintained his principles at all hazards, he never made himself ob- noxious, and was exceedingly popular before the people. He had an unconquerable will, a fine personal appear- ance, and uncommon vigor of body and mind. Alto- gether, he was one of the marked men of the com- munity, and, with decided ability and success, defended alike his strong and salient points of principle and character, being a target from which the shot of an op- ponent usually fell harmless. Mr. Gray was married to Miss Elizabeth Barclay, in 1833. Six of their children are now living-five daughters and one son.

LLEN, CAPT. C. T., Lawyer and Editor, was born in Lunenburg County, Virginia, June 5, 1841. His father, Col. Robert H. Allen, is a farmer, and one of the best of the old-fashioned sort in the Old Dominion. Capt. Allen was reared on his father's farm, enjoying the ad- vantages of the neighborhood schools, which, at that time, were of a very high character. In the Autumn of 1858, he entered Richmond College, Virginia, complet- ing the course in two years, graduating in June, 1860, with the degree of A. B. In the Fall of 1860, he be- came Principal of Oral Oaks High-school, Lunenburg County, Virginia; and, at the same time, began the study of law under the direction of Major Hendum L. Lee, a distinguished lawyer of Southside, Virginia. During the Winter of 1860, although under twenty-one years of age, he took quite an active part in the political agitation of the day, making public speeches in his county and writing for the press of the State, advocat- ing secession. After the passage of the secession ordi- nance of the State, by the Constitutional Convention, he immediately dismissed his school and went to work to aid in the organization of a volunteer company for the army, and entered the Confederate service as Lieu- tenant in the Twentieth Virginia Regiment, serving in the Western Virginia campaign, under Gen. R. S. Gar- nett. He afterwards served as Captain of Artillery, and took an active part at the storming of Fort Harrison, September 29, 1864. Serving with Lee's army during four years, he suffered all the privations and enjoycd all the honors of that brave and gallant command.

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Wounded twice during the war-the last time slightly, on the memorable retreat from Richmond-he was cap- tured on April 6, 1865, and carried to prison. In June, 1865, he returned home and again began to teach school, and also engaged in reviewing his legal studies. He taught two years as Principal of Red Oak Academy, in Brunswick County, Virginia; and, in 1866, was ad- mitted to the bar. In 1869, he was the nominee of the Conservative party for the State Senate, from the counties of Brunswick and Lunenburg, but was defeated by a Vermont Carpet-bagger, owing to the large negro majority in the district. In 1869, he came to Ken- tucky, first locating at Cerulean Springs, Trigg County, where he again taught school. In February, 1870, he located at Princeton, and commenced the practice of law. In November, 1871, he founded the " Princeton Banner," a Democratic newspaper; and, as editor thereof, has rendered his county, section, and party efficient service. As a writer, he is bold, clear, concise, and facile. In 1874, he made the race for Common- wealth's Attorney for the Second Judicial District of Kentucky. Though defeated, he made considerable reputation as a speaker in this hotly contested canvass. In the Centennial campaign for the Presidency, he was the Democratic Elector for the First Congressional Dis- trict of the State, and, as such, made a reputation as an orator and debater of which his friends were very proud. In the Spring of 1877, he was chosen the nominee of his party for the Lower House of the Legislature, by a very large majority, and, in August, was elected without opposition. Capt. Allen was married, in 1863, to Miss Lucy A. Meade, daughter of Hon. Robert E. Meade, of Brunswick County, Virginia; is a good lawyer, a fine classical scholar, and a thoroughly cultivated gentleman; a man of broad and liberal views, and gives promise of being one of the most useful and influential men of his section. He is now urged, by some of the contemporary papers, for Speaker of the House at the next session of the Legislature, and is also largely spoken of as a can- didate for Congress.

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 55

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