The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 84

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 84

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

was again ruined by the war, and found himself, com- paratively an old man, with an accumulation of debts, in place of the fortune which it had taken him nearly thirty years to acquire. In 1865, he had liquidated all the indebtedness brought upon him by the war, and, after continuing in the pork business until 1873, retired from active business life, in comfortable circumstances. In 1870, he was elected Vice-President of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company, in which capacity, to- gether with that of President, he served for more than four years. In 1834, he married Miss Jane George. Mr. Martin has been a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of Louisville, for about three years, and is a consistent Christian. Personally, he is a jovial, pleas- ant, and social gentleman; dignified, tall, and erect in appearance; active in his movements; and a kind hus- band, loving father, and a good citizen.

REISSLER, HUGH OTTO WILLIAM, Druggist, born February 14, 1807, at Cudowa, Glatz County, Prussia, of which place his fa- ther, Joseph Preissler, was Coal and Water In- spector until his death, which occurred when his son was but six years of age. Hugh Preiss- ler was educated in the county school, until he arrived at the age of ten years, when, entering the college at Glatz, he took a general course, finishing in 1823. At this date, he moved to Remerz, and entered upon the study of his chosen profession, chemistry, with a Mr. Fantz, with whom he continued until 1827. He was afterwards employed by different druggists until 1830, diligently pursuing his studies in chemistry and phar- macy. Then, entering the University of Breslau, he graduated with honor, in 1831. After being em- ployed by various druggists until 1834, he emigrated to America, landing at New York, October I. In the following November, he removed to Cincinnati, and from thence to Louisville, where he remained un- til the Spring of 1835, when he proceeded to Dayton, Ohio, and obtained employment in a drug-store. In 1837, he returned to Louisville, and continued the drug business. Commencing business on his own ac- count, in 1843, on Fourth Street, between Main and Market, and afterwards removing to Market Street, be- tween Third and Fourth, he was very successful, sell- ing out, in 1853, to Mr. Springer. Immediately after disposing of his store, he purchased a farm in Hardin County, on Otter Creek, and led a pastoral life until 1856; when, becoming dissatisfied, he returned to Lou- isville, and purchased a house on Market, between Fourth and Fifth Streets-the site now occupied by the "Tower Palace" of J. M. Armstrong-and opened a first-class drug-store. Continuing at this place until

484

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

1870, he sold his house, and removed his stock to Thirtieth Street and Portland Avenue, where he is now doing a lucrative business. One of the best chem- ists in the State, he has accumulated his means and acquired his knowledge by close and assiduous appli- cation of his time. Married, in October, 1843, to Miss Katherine McDonal, he had one child, who, with its mother, died shortly after; he then married Miss Mar- tha White, of New Orleans, who is the mother of his four living children, all of them grown young men. Pleasant, genial, and affable; the soul of honor; and punctual in all his engagements, he has a large circle of admiring friends.

ARCLAY, THOMAS P., Manufacturer, was born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, September II, 1839. His father, Samuel A. Barclay, a native of the same place, was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was a descendant of the Barclays and Walkers of Rockbridge County, Virginia. His mother belonged to the Pollard family, of the same State. Thomas P. Barclay received his early education at home, and in private schools. For one year, he attended Bethel College, at Russellville, Kentucky ; and gradu- ated, in 1860, from Centre College, Danville, Kentucky. Commencing business at the age of twenty-five years, as a partner of his father in the dry-goods business, at Bowling Green, continuing for two years, he afterwards removed to Louisville, Kentucky. For one year, he was Cashier of the Savings-bank of Louisville. He then commenced the manufacture of plows and stock-bells, with J. G. Dodge, under the firm name of Dodge & Barclay ; afterwards, Dodge, Rhorer & Co. In 1872, he purchased the interests of his partners in the bell busi- ness; and has since continued it, as sole proprietor of the Kentucky Bell Factory, at 310 East Main Street. About 1869, he lost his plow factory by fire; but, being fully insured, he was enabled to rebuild it. Carried through the late financial panic by his good manage- ment and indomitable will, he has since largely increased his trade, until it is not limited to any section of the country. The Kentucky bell is a leading article in the hardware trade throughout the United States. The ca- pacity of his factory is now from one hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred thousand bells per year. Mr. Barclay has also had some experience in journalism, hav- ing edited the Bowling Green "Gazette" for a time, while a citizen of that place. Joining the Presbyterian Church in Bowling Green, when between fifteen and six- teen years of age, he was ordained ruling elder at about the age of twenty-five years; and has also held the office of superintendent of the Sunday-school for a number of years. He is now a member of, and ruling elder in, the

Fourth Presbyterian Church of Louisville, Kentucky. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Orphans' Home Society. Married, on the 28th of April, 1864, to Miss Louisa Rhorer, daughter of J. H. Rhorer, Cash- ier of the Louisville Savings-bank. They have five chil- dren. The family is spread over Virginia, Missouri, In- diana, Tennessee, and other States; and, as a rule, the Barclays are steady, upright, and industrious; rarely ever seeking or holding office; and being among the most enterprising and successful business men of the country.

ENT, COL. HENRY, Magistrate, was born in Charles County, Maryland, on the twenty-fifth day of December, 1819. His father, Alexander Dent, who was a Virginian, moved to the State of Maryland when a child, and, in that State, brought up a large family. As to the educa- tional attainments of Col. Dent, they are only such as were acquired during after-life; for, at the age of twelve years, he was obliged to leave the country school, and to educate himself, owing to the loss of his father. Be- ing now compelled to take care of himself, he went to the city of Washington, D. C., where, with small wages, he obtained a position as shop-boy in a tailoring- establishment, remaining there four years. During that time, he acquired a thorough practical knowledge of the tailor's trade. When seventeen years of age, he left the National Capital, and worked at Winchester, Virginia, for a brief period, at his trade. After this, he pushed on to Harper's Ferry, intending, in his course from east to west, to see and learn practically as much of the geography of the country as possible. A short pause there, and his next objective point was the city of Wheeling, Virginia. Thence, to Zanesville, Ohio, and, successively, through Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati, he finally arrived at Georgetown, Kentucky, having com- pleted the most of this journey on foot. Never flagging in energy, nor quailing in industrious effort at this self- imposed task, he obtained work in each of the localities in which he stopped, and thus defrayed his expenses, being indebted to none, save God and himself, for the means of gratifying his desires .. Subsequent to this time, he had made an earnest examination of the differ- ent places through which he passed, with a view of selecting one for permanent residence. His choice finally fell upon Louisville, Kentucky, where he determined to spend the remainder of what has since been an event- ful life. His arrival in this city, after a tedious foot journey, was followed by the immediate procurement of a situation, in which he worked, giving assiduous atten- tion to his duty, for one year; and, having laid by the greater portion of his earnings, he was enabled to relin-

485

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA.

quish his trade, entering upon the grocery business, in which he was located at the corner of Seventh and Gray- son Streets. His health becoming impaired, he was finally compelled to sell out his business, and, in 1846, was elected to the office of constable, by the county court. After serving in this capacity for eighteen months, he resigned, and became a candidate for, and was elected by the City Council as, Tax Receiver, to collect the taxes with which to build the Louisville and Frankfort Railroad. Having, in three years, accomplished the duty of this special office, he became a candidate for, and was elected by the people to, the office of Marshal of the Chancery Court of Louisville, in August, 1851. In the year 1858, he was appointed Secretary of the American Insurance Company, which position he held until 1860; when, being appointed Chief of Police of the city, he accepted, and fulfilled the duties of the office skillfully for one year. At this point in Col. Dent's history, a change from the civil to.the military service was made; and, in 1861, he was duly installed as Provost-Marshal of the city of Louisville and county of Jefferson, Ken- tucky, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He raised a regiment for the United States service, known as the Thirty-fourth Kentucky Volunteers, becoming its colonel about the same time he was appointed Provost-Marshal of the State of Kentucky at large. Again ill health compelled him to retire, and, in 1862, he resigned his commission in the army, and engaged in business with the Kanawha Salt Company, continuing in that connec- tion for six or seven years. In 1870, he succeeded in organizing the Manufacturers' Bank of Louisville, and, for two years, acted in the capacity of cashier. At the request of friends, he became a magistrate for Jefferson County and the city of Louisville, and, at the age of fifty-eight, now enjoys the quiet and dignity of that office. Col. Dent, in his religious views, is a Roman Catholic, having formerly been an Episcopalian. On the sixth day of June, 1840, he married Miss Sarah Por- ter, daughter of Capt. Porter. She has passed away, with eight children, leaving her husband and eight chil- dren surviving.

ISCHER, JOHN, Stove Founder, was born at Sippel's Mill, near Langenschwarz, province of Hessen, Germany, on the 25th of November, 1824. He there acquired a fair education, and, at the age of fourteen years, having received the rites of confirmation, and being one of six fatherless children, determined to support himself; and, with a view to that end, sailed, on the 24th of May, 1839, for America. Landing at Baltimore, Maryland, August 26th, he, after a sojourn of but three days, went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and, two days after his arri- val there, started for Evansville, Indiana, on the steamer

" William Penn." Arriving there about the middle of September, he went to Princeton, Indiana, and there obtained his first employment in America, laboring on the canal, then in process of construction, for about two months, at the rate of thirteen dollars and board per month. This work being completed, and being unable to find other employment, he attended the Gibson County school during the Winter of 1839-40, and, in the following Spring, went to Evansville. Here, he ob- tained a position as hostler, in the Steamboat Hotel, kept by Jacob Zinzich, at four dollars per month and board, remaining until the middle of May, 1842. He then went to Louisville, Kentucky, and there appren- ticed himself to Mr. Michael Wegler, to learn the black- smithing trade. Remaining there until the latter part of December, 1844, he was obliged, on account of ill health, to abandon this trade; and, needing a change of climate, went to Natchez, Mississippi, where he ob- tained a clerkship in the wholesale and commission house of Brown Cozzens. Remaining with this house until July, 1845, he returned to Louisville, where he concluded to settle permanently. Resuming his old trade, he was employed for some time by J. B. Colvin, as a carriage blacksmith; after which, he was employed by the stove-founding firm of D. and J. Wright & Co., as stove-mounter. In January, 1849, he was promoted to the foremanship of his department. He continued here until the 14th of August, 1868, when he obtained an interest in the firm of Hare, Leaf & Co., stove-found- ers, on High Street, then doing but a small business; and, upon the death of Mr. S. J. Hare, in 1869, he succeeded him as the head of the firm, whose name was now changed to that of Fischer, Leaf & Co. From the time of his taking charge of the management of this concern, its business has gradually grown, until now it is one of the leading manufactories in Louisville. He was married to Mrs. K. Koch. The family now com- prises five sons and three daughters; two of the sons being employed as molders and one as book-keeper in the firm.

YMMES, AMERICUS, son of Capt. John Cleves Symmes, was born November 2, 1810, in a gar- rison, named Bellefontaine, sixteen miles above St. Louis, Missouri. In 1818, his father moved to Cincinnati, and Americus attended the com- mon-schools of that city, under Mr. Cathcart and Timothy Hammond. In 1827, young Symines was compelled, by his father's absence, to undertake the sup- port of his mother, two brothers, and a sister, moving them out to a farm, owned by his father, near Hamil- ton, in Butler County, Ohio. Young Symmes was but eighteen years of age, and had neither horse, cow, hog, wagon, nothing save his willing heart and industrious

486

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPÆDIA.

hand. Moving into a one and a half story log cabin, with clapboard roof, and not "doubled" on the inside, nevertheless, within the year, he owned two horses and a wagon, and was hauling wood to Hamilton, selling it at a dollar a cord. With this money, he built an ad- dition of two frame rooms to his house, and put on a shingle roof. After his father's death, he purchased the dower interest in a hundred and twenty-nine acre farm, formerly belonging to his father, at twelve dollars and three cents per acre, on which he lived for twenty years. Having sold this, he removed to Hamilton, in 1850. After residing there two years, he moved to his present residence, on the Newburg turnpike, about three miles from Louisville, Kentucky. In 1853, he purchased a half interest in the Washington Foundry, corner Ninth and Main Streets, Louisville, for twenty thousand dol- lars. This establishment was the most successful in its line, until the panic of 1857, when, by the failure of the firm, Mr. Symmes lost his entire investment. Since that time, he has lived upon his farm, near the city, and obtained a good living by its culture. It is a valu- able farm of sixty-five acres, for which, in 1853, he paid fourteen thousand five hundred dollars. Mr. Symmes never held any public office. He was the only man who voted at his precinct for Lincoln, when Douglas was his opponent. Before this clection, he had always been an "Old-line Whig;" since, a Republican. In 1832, he married, at Hamilton, Ohio, Miss Anne, daugh- ter of Dr. Daniel Millikin, and by her had four chil- dren. She died in January, 1839. In the Fall of 1840, he married Miss Francis, daughter of Chasteen Scott, of Boone County, Kentucky, and by her had eight children, six of whom are now living. His sons were eager to join their fortunes with the South, in 1861, and, although he persuaded three otherwise, one entered the Confederate army, and there lost his life. As Mr. Symmes's early life was so closely connected with that of his celebrated father, Capt. John C. Symmes, we attach some details of the life of this peculiar man. At the age of twenty-two, Capt. Symmes entered the regular army as an ensign, and rose to a captaincy. He was at the battle of Lundy's Lane, where his company discharged seventy rounds of ammunition, and sustained three bayo- net charges, holding their position, which few other com- panies did. In the sortie of Fort Erie, he spiked a cannon, driving in the spike with the hilt of his sword. After the war of 1812, he betook himself to the study of philosophy, which he pursued until his death. From his studies, he evolved a theory known to the scientific world as "Symmes's Theory of Concentric Spheres and Polar Voids," and vulgarly, as "Symmes's Hole." He maintained that the earth is hollow and habitable, and that it may be sailed into at the North Pole, and come out at the South Pole. Mr. Americus Symmes claims that the expeditions of Dr. Kane, Capt. Hall, and the

Swedish Prof. Nordens, could tend to substantiate this theory. The latter explorer, sailed into an open Polar sea, finding a warm, genial climate, with large forests of immense trees, with rich lands and large rivers. This country he explored to half the extent of the United States. This land lies beyond the magnetic pole, pre- cisely where Capt. Symmes had predicted. He intended calling this land Symmezonia. In 1826, Capt. Symmes went on a lecturing tour, through the Eastern States; falling sick in New Jersey, he did not reach home till February, 1829, where, near Hamilton, Ohio, he died in the ensuing May. His son, Americus Symmes, cher- ishes strong hopes of the full confirmation of this singu- lar scientific discovery made by his father.

ORTON, WILLIAM FREDERICK, Merchant and Banker, and the son of William Norton, was born in Russellville, Logan County, Ken- tucky, February 27, 1820. His father, who was of English descent, came, when young, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Kentucky, and settled. He was an iron-ware manufacturer, and it is said that he and his brother manufactured the first nails ever produced in the State. The Nortons having made Russellville their home, William Frederick was sent to school there until he was fourteen years of age, when he went to clerking, engaging, first, with J. Hays, of that place, with whom he remained three years; next, with a brother there, with whom he continued two years ; and, lastly, with another brother, at Paducah, who employed him until he entered into partnership with James Larmon in the wholesale and retail dry- goods and grocery business there, which they continued until 1846, when the partnership was dissolved, and the firm of Brandon & Norton formed, this lasting several years and giving place to the firm of Norton & Brothers, which in turn lasted . until 1854, when the Norton Brothers, notwithstanding their great success in trade, desiring to embark in the banking business, sold out their establishment and retired from mercantile pursuits altogether. Thus relieved from business engagements, William Frederick Norton lost no time in organizing and opening an individual bank at Paducah, taking, at a subsequent period, his younger brother as a partner. From having become widely and favorably known and handsomely patronized at an early hour of its existence, the bank soon proved itself a capital investment, its popular cognomen being "The W. F. Norton Bank." It remained in existence until 1870, when it was removed to Louisville and merged into "The G. W. Norton Bank." This consolidation of the two banks arose from a partnership originally entered into, in 1868, between William Frederick Norton and his elder brother, G. W.

487

BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPAEDIA.

Norton, who was then, as he had been for several years previous, engaged in a very successful banking business at Louisville, Kentucky. The consolidated bank, how- ever, continued to be " The G. W. Norton Bank." It still exists, in a flourishing condition, and William F. Norton is still connected with and retains his interest in it. While at Paducah, Mr. Norton dealt largely in real estate; served as school trustee; united with the Baptist Church; became an Odd-fellow; and married. His union with the Baptist Church occurred under Elder Mechan, in 1841. His marriage transpired in Decem- ber, 1846. He wedded Miss Ann E. Martin, of Simpson County, Kentucky, and, from this marriage, they have one child. The family now reside in Louisville, where Mr. Norton owns some valuable real estate, and is well known and highly esteemed.

OLLEY, REV. HORACE, LL. D., was born February 13, 1781, at Salishury, Litchfield County, Connecticut. His father, Luther Hol- ley, was a descendant of Edmund Holley, the celebrated English' philosopher; and, in early life, was a teacher, afterwards a successful mer- chant, and a man of many estimable traits of character. His mother was Sarah Dakin, daughter of a Baptist preacher. His parents raised a large family, and he was their third son. At the age of three and a half years, he was placed in school, and evinced uncommon apti- tude; at the age of sixteen, entered the academy at Williamstown, Massachusetts; in 1799, entered Yale Col- Iege, and graduated, with the highest honors, under Dr. Dwight, in 1803. He studied law for a time in New York, in the office of Riggs & Radcliff, but relinquished it for the study of theology, under Dr. Dwight, in New Haven ; while a student of theology, cultivated poetry ; embraced some liberal Church views; and, finally, was ordained to the ministry, in 1805. He preached for a time at the Old South Church, in Boston; and, in 1809, became pastor of the South End Unitarian Church, Hol- lis Street, Boston, remaining in that position for ten years. During that period, he took an active interest in the affairs of the town; was a member of the School Board, and Board of Overseers of Howard University ; and was concerned in the benevolent institutions of all kinds in his community, being greatly admircd and esteemed. In 1815, he was elected President of Tran- sylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky, but did not, at that time, accept the position. In 1817, he was again unanimously invited to that position, when he visited Kentucky; and, being received with every dem- onstration of respect, in the Spring of 1818, entered upon the duties of his office. His ambition, from the first, was to rear a Harvard in the West; and, in 1819,

he established the medical department of the University, and soon after the law department. The college, pre- vious to his connection with it, having little more than a name, soon rose to high rank, its medical department alone having in it, at one time, students from fifteen States of the Union; and, after a most unexampled prosperity of nine years, during which he graduated six hundred and sixty-six young men, while the sixteen former years of the institution had only turned out twenty-two graduates, he resigned his presidency, March 24, 1827. And, although his religious sentiments had created a strong feeling against him, he was greatly re- spected, even by his enemies; and his departure from Lexington was attended by the warmest display of per- sonal friendship, both by the citizens and the students of the University. He had formed a plan of organizing a class of youths, whose education should include a tour through various parts of Europe; and, for the purpose of carrying out this idea, went to New Orleans, but was there induced by wealthy citizens to undertake the edu- cation of their sons; and, after completing his arrange- ments, started on a visit to Boston. Ile died of yellow fever, during a terrible storm at sea, July 31, 1827. He was a man of handsome person, and most winning and attractive manners; possessed great conversational pow- ers; had a clear, strong mind; had the highest order of eloquence; was a man of unbounded benevolence; was endowed with great energy ; was unsurpassed for his fine executive ability ; and, although his carcer was brief, he was one of the most able and brilliant men of the country.

MALL, JAMES, Merchant, was born October 10, 1805, in Wheeling, West Virginia. His father, Richard Small, native of Maryland, had emigrated to Virginia, settling at Wheel- ing, and engaging in commercial business until about 1820, when he removed, with his family, to Louisville, Kentucky. What education James Small received was acquired before the family located at Louisville ; at which time he and his brother George began clerking in his father's dry-goods store, on Market Street, between Third and Fourth. Here he continued till 1827, when he joined Fountain North in a shoe store, not far from his father's location. For six years this firm did a good business; but he preferred carrying on business alone, and, in 1833, purchased the inter- est of his partner, and continued fifteen years longer, till ill health caused his retirement from active life. Mr. Small was married, October 15, 1834, to Ellen_C., daughter of Archibald Anderson, of Virginia. Although they were never blessed with children, they lived hap- pily in the married state for thirty odd years. James Small died April 8, 1867. His life was successful, not

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 84

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