The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 90

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

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an officer of fine appearance, obedient to his superiors, and kind to his subordinates. He returned to New York after his service expired; and, as a man of wealth and influence, was Director and President of "The Bank of the Union," and Director of "The Bowery Bank." In 1865, he removed to Louisville; became actively in- terested in the Market Street Railroad; and, by his en- ergy and business capacity, was soon elected President of the company, a position he held until his death. On the 28th of February, 1853, he was married to Julia L. Berard, of New York; by this marriage, he had six children, all of whom survived him. He was a zealous member of the Roman Catholic Church, befriended the "Little Sisters of the Poor," and was for years one of the Directors of the Louisville Strangers' Home. He died December 10, 1875, at Louisville, from an attack of pneumonia. In appearance, Col. Del Vecchio was a pleasant, dignified gentleman; his honorable and chari- table actions will ever be remembered by his friends; and the many strangers, who, through the Strangers' Home, knew his loving charity.

IR, EDWARD, son of Robert Air, was born April 11, 1835, in Cincinnati, Ohio. In the same year his parents moved to Newport, Ken- tucky. His father was a native of Scotland; was for twenty-five years lessee of the Newport and Cincinnati Ferry ; was an energetic and successful business man ; was one of the most upright, public-spirited, and valuable citizens Newport ever had ; he died in 1863. His mother was a native of Campbell County, Kentucky, and the daughter of David Down- ard, a farmer of that county. Edward Air received a good education, which he completed at Georgetown College. From 1854 to 1866, he was mainly engaged with his father in the management of the Cincinnati and Newport Ferry; in 1866, he was elected County Clerk of Campbell County ; was re-elected, in 1870 and 1874; and now occupies that position. In politics, he is a Democrat, and cast his first Presidential vote for Buchanan ; but, in 1860, voted for Bell and Everett. Religiously, he is a Methodist. Mr. Air was married, in 1858, to Miss Margaret Terhune, of Bourbon County, Kentucky.

ONG, NIMROD, Banker, Merchant, and Flour Manufacturer, was born July 31, 1814, in Lo- gan County, Kentucky. His father, John S. Long, came from Virginia, and was one of the first settlers of Logan County, and was a son of Major Gabriel Long, a soldier of the Revo- lution, who distinguished himself under Washington.

The subject of this sketch received his education in the schools of his native county. At the age of fourteen, he removed to Russellville, and soon after became clerk in a dry-goods store, and in three years was admitted to a partnership. Shortly afterwards, his partner died, when he took in his brother, and continued the business very successfully for twenty years. At this time, his health failing, he withdrew from the business, and in- vested his means largely in real estate in the West and North-west; also soon began to trade in tobacco, pro- duce, and stock. At that time, he was a Director of the Southern Bank of Kentucky, with G. W. Norton, as President. They thought fit to wind up the affairs of that institution, and organized the present banking-house of N. Long & Co. In 1870, he attached to the busi- ness of the bank the extensive flouring mill of Russell- ville. This mill has a capacity of three hundred barrels a day, and with all of its appurtenances is the largest flouring mill in the State. He has been one of the most signally successful business men of the country ; his spec- ulations and investments, made with superior judgment, usually resulted in great advantage to himself. One of the very singular things in his career, is his narrow es- capes out of great sufferings and dangers. At St. Louis, he was blown from one steamboat to another; in super- intending the erection of Bethel College, he fell twenty feet from a scaffold; during an attempt to enter his bank by robbers, in 1870, he was shot in the head, and his head badly beaten up; and once, by an explosion of gas in his house, he was nearly roasted alive. He has been one of the most active, public-spirited, valuable, and successful men in his part of the State; and, while his influence and value has been great in almost every way to society, probably his greatest usefulness has been in the schools and the Church. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and, in 1838, was elected Treasurer of the Russellville Church, and has ever since filled the position. He took into the Church the same financial skill and care that gave success to his private business, and the result has been the ability of the Church at all times to meet its obligations. He was ordained a deacon, in 1832, and has acted in that capacity in his Church ever since. He has been zealous in all the works of the Church; and perhaps few Baptists in the State have contributed so liberally to the wants of the Church at home and abroad. He has always been greatly inter- ested in the youth of the Church, over whom he has had a deep influence. He has long been Superintendent of the Church Sabbath-school; and, notwithstanding his age and failing health, is always at his post. Next to his success in business, he has established a lasting repu- tation in his founding and endowing Bethel College, at Russellville, where he resides. As Treasurer of its Board of Trustees, he has so carefully managed the first small investments for this institution as to increase the interest-

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bearing fund to nearly one hundred thousand dollars. From time to time, he has added to this amount liberal gifts from his private fortune; and, in 1870, he endowed the Chair of English. To commemorate this act, and to perpetuate his name in the annals of the College, this chair is entitled the "N. Long Professorship." In 1876, he originated the plan of boarding and lodging stu- dents at actual cost ; and at his instigation the Board of Trustees erected a large building on the College grounds for the accommodation of one hundred young men, at a cost of ten dollars a month. This building, in honor of its projector, is called the "N. Long Hall." Mr. Long has been three times married; in 1833, to Miss Elizabeth W. Curd; after her death, to Angelina Nantz ; and his present wife is Mrs. Mary A. Smedley (née Wal- ters). From his first marriage, he has four children, and from the second, one child-all of whom are married and filling respectable positions in society.

AINES, MAJ. JOHN P., was a Virginian by birth; came to Kentucky while young ; repre- sented Boone County in the Legislature, being elected first in 1825; was several times re- elected ; volunteered in the Mexican War, in 1846, and was made Major of the First Ken- tucky Regiment of Cavalry ; was taken prisoner at En- carnacion, when escape was impossible, and destruction inevitable, without surrendering ; was ordered, by Gen. Lombardini, to go to Toluca, on that account with- drawing his parole as prisoner of war, winning the admiration of the people of his State. He escaped through the lines of the enemy ; joined our army, and fought gallantly at Cherubusco and Chapultepec, and in the battles before the walls of Mexico. He was the only volunteer from Kentucky who participated in these conquests of Gen. Scott. While a prisoner in Mexico, he was elected by his friends to the Lower House of Congress, serving in that body from 1847 to 1849. In September, 1850, he was appointed Governor of Oregon by President Fillmore, holding that position until the Spring of 1853. In that year he died.

'HENAULT, ROBERT CAMERON, M. D., was born March 23, 1834, near Richmond, in Madison County, Kentucky. His father, An- derson Chenault, was a native of the same county ; followed agricultural pursuits, and died in 1854. He was the son of William Chenault, a Revolutionary soldier, a Virginian by birth, who set- tled in Kentucky at an early day. His mother, Emily Cameron, was a native of Chambers County, Pennsyl-

vania. Dr. Chenault received a fine education, in tlie best private schools of the country, and, in 1851, began the study of medicine under Dr. F. M. Miller, at Rich- mond. In 1853, he attended medical lectures at Tran- sylvania University ; in the Spring of 1854, graduated in medicine at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia ; in the following year, entered upon the practice of his profession at Richmond, Kentucky; established a large and valuable practice, which he continued with great success until 1875; and, in that year, was appointed Superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum, at Lex- ington, which position he still occupies. In politics, Dr. Chenault was originally a Whig; his first Presiden- tial Democratic vote was for Horace Greeley, since which he has been identified with that party. Relig- iously, he is associated with the Baptist Church. In 1856, he was married to Miss Ettie Bronson, daughter of Rev. Thomas S. Bronson, a clergyman and farmer of Madison County, Kentucky.

ODD, COL. CHARLES STEWART, Lawyer, Soldier, and Diplomatist, son of Judge Thomas Todd, was born January 22, 1791, between Dan- ville and Stanford, in the old county of Lincoln, Kentucky; and died, May 14, 1871, while on a visit, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. His father emigrated to Kentucky from Virginia, in 1786; became Chief-Justice of Kentucky, and one of the Supreme Judges of the United States; and was one of the most able and distinguished men of his times. (See sketch of Judge Thomas Todd.) Col. Charles S. Todd was edu- cated in the best schools of Kentucky, spending some time in Transylvania University, and graduating at Will- iam and Mary College, Virginia, in 1809. He studied law with his father; attended law lectures at Litchfield, Connecticut; was admitted to the bar in 1811; and lo- cated, for the practice of his profession, at Lexington, Kentucky. In the following year, he entered the army, as ensign of a company; was, soon after, appointed to a position in the Quartermaster-General's department ; carried dispatches from Gen. Harrison to Gen. Winches- ter, before the battle of the Thames; was appointed Captain in the Seventeenth Infantry; was aid to Gen. Harrison, and was actively engaged in the battle of the Thames ; was appointed Assistant Inspector-General, and was Adjutant-General to Gen. McArthur, during his ex- pedition into Canada, in 1814; in the Spring of 1815, was appointed Inspector-General for the Eighth Military District, with the rank of brevet colonel of cavalry; and served with distinction until the close of the war, when he resumed the practice of the law at Frankfort, Kentucky. In 1816, he was Secretary of State under Gov. Madison; resigned on the death of the Governor; was a member

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of the Legislature, from Franklin County, in 1817; was re-elected at the expiration of his term ; in 1820, became Minister to Columbia, South America; and, at the close of his mission, in 1824, returned to Kentucky, and es- tablished himself on a tract of land which had been originally located by Gov. Shelby, in Shelby County, which he made one of the best farms in the State. He became quite distinguished as a farmer; planted blue grass in his forest lands, and introduced the first blooded cattle in his section ; was President of the State Agricul- tural Society ; and delivered addresses, and wrote much, to advance the agricultural interests of the State. He was a commissioner to the Presbyterian General Assembly at Philadelphia, in 1837 and 1839, when the division in that denomination occurred, he supporting and adhering to the Old School of his Church. In 1840, he warmly advocated the election of Gen. Harrison, his friend, to the Presidency ; and, with Benjamin Drake, prepared a life of Gen. Harrison, which was published in Cincin- nati, and widely circulated; became editor, at the same time, of the Cincinnati "Republican," a Whig paper; ac- companied Gen. Harrison to Washington City, after the election, and remained a member of his family until his death ; was appointed Minister to Austria, but the death of the President prevented his appointment being car- ried into effect; was appointed Minister to St. Peters- burg by President Tyler, and his services in Russia were highly appreciated by both Governments. While in Russia, he was made a member of the Imperial Agri- cultural Society, a so-called honor probably never before conferred upon an American. In 1846, his mission terminated, and he returned to his home in Shelby County, where he became prominent in agricultural affairs. He never resumed the practice of the law, but devoted considerable of his time in writing for various journals on religious, political, agricultural, and other subjects. In 1850, he became one of the three commissioners to treat with the Indian tribes on the Mexican border, and drew up the final report of the Commission to the Government. While in Texas on this mission, he wrote several articles, attracting general attention, on the mineral and other resources of that State; and, at that time, publicly urged the necessity of a railroad to the Pacific by a southern route, believing that the most desirable way across the Continent. In 1848, he took an active part in the Presidential con- test, in favor of Gen. Taylor, and made many speeches through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and other States, during the campaign. When the civil war began, in 1861, he immediately repaired to Washington, and offered his services to the Government; but, appointments from the State being full, or from some other cause, the War De- partment appeared unable to give him a command, which was greatly regretted by some brave soldiers who became distinguished officers during the great conflict.

Col. Todd was warmly and earnestly devoted to his country, and was one of the most dignified, scholarly, able, and accomplished diplomates who had ever repre- sented our Government in foreign courts. He is said to have very much resembled Louis Philippe, of France ; was compactly and stoutly built, and a little below medium height, with fine bearing and manners, rich, musical voice; was a fine conversationalist and com- panion ; was extremely kind and conciliatory in deport- ment; and was undoubtedly a man whose great ambi- tion was to do good in the world. He was an accom- plished gentleman, of the old Whig school of strong and dignified politics, and doubtlessly Kentucky had few more useful or able. men. In 1816, he was married to Letitia, youngest daughter of Gov. Isaac Shelby, one of the most beautiful and accomplished women of Kentucky. She died July 22, 1868. One of their children, Col. Charles Todd, one of the most substantial and valuable farmers of Shelby County, now resides at the old homestead of his parents.

LAINE, JOHN EWING, Merchant and Col- lector of Internal Revenue, was born February 6, 1841, in Mason County, Kentucky. He belongs to a family largely distinguished for pa- triotism in the history of this country. His father, Samuel Lyon Blaine, was a native of Pennsylvania ; followed mercantile pursuits, mainly ; was United States Assessor of Internal Revenue, from 1864 to 1873; was uncle of Hon. James G. Blaine, of Maine, one of the most able and brilliant men of his day ; and was grandson of Ephraim Blaine, a wealthy Pennsylva- nia patriot, who gave largely of his means to the support of the Continental army, during the war of the Revolu- tion. His mother, Anna (Coons) Blaine, was a native of Fayette County, Kentucky, and daughter of George Coons, one of the old citizens of that county. John Ewing Blaine quit school in his thirteenth year, and began to clerk in a dry-goods store, in Peoria, Illinois ; in 1858, he returned to Maysville, where he continued in mercantile pursuits until 1863 ; during the next year, was in the Quartermaster's Department of the Army of West- ern Virginia ; in November, 1864, was appointed Assist- ant Assessor of Internal Revenue, for what was then the Sixth Kentucky District; held that position until May, 1873, when he was appointed United States Col- lector of Internal Revenue for the Ninth Kentucky District, by Gen. Grant. He cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Grant, and is an ardent Republican in politics. Religiously, Mr. Blaine is associated with the Presbyterian Church. He was married, December 14, 1871, to Miss Nannie McGranaghan, daughter of Dr. William H. McGranaghan, of Maysville.

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cCLELLAND, JOHN A., D. D. S., was born in Butler County, Ohio, on the 21st of April, 1826. His father, Alexander McClelland, was of Scotch descent, and a master carpenter and builder by occupation; and died in Indiana, at the advanced age of seventy-six. His mother, Rebecca Smith, was of English descent, and the family consisted of two sons, James S. and John A. James S. McClelland distinguished himself as a physician and surgeon, serving as such on the staff of Gen. Sigel; and received injuries which ultimately caused his death, at Crawfordsville, Indiana. Dr. John A. McClelland re- ceived such an education as the best country schools and diligent study afforded; and, at the age of eighteen years, commenced the study of medicine, in the office of his uncle and brother. Going to Cincinnati, he engaged in the drug business for a period of about two years, and then commenced the study of dentistry, with a view to making it his permanent profession. His preceptor was Dr. Evans, of that city. In 1849, he came to Ken- tucky, and, for five years, kept an office in Indiana also; but, abandoning the latter in 1855, he made Louisville his permanent place of residence. During the same year, he was married to Miss Sophia McGlashan, daugh- ter of William Marshall McGlashan, a Scotch gentleman, and one of the most noted surgeons in the English navy. In 1865, his health becoming impaired by the cares of a laborious practice, he, with his wife and family, visited Europe; and, after a short stay, during which he placed his oldest daughter, Leila, in a Parisian academy, he returned home alone, and resumed his practice. During the absence of his family, he resolved to enter upon a series of experiments, with a view of discovering a new base for artificial teeth, as a substitute for the rubber and metal then in use. His perseverance was rewarded by the production of the "Rose Pearl" of the profes- sion, which has since come into universal use in this country, and largely in Europe. This is the substance known in the commercial world as celluloid, and used so extensively in the manufacture of combs, and many other useful articles of commerce. In 1863, he invented and patented what is known as the "gold web," used in the rubber base for artificial teeth, the object of which is to add strength and allow the base to be made thin. He is at present, and has been for four years, using im- provements of his own in his practice, the principal one of which consists of a device for taking away entirely the sensitiveness in teeth, preparatory to filling, without injuring the nerve. He has a wide reputation, in both this country and Europe, and his discoveries and writings have earned for him a high place in the profession. He is a member of the Mississippi Valley Dental Associa- tion, meeting annually at Cincinnati; he is also con- nected with the American Dental Association. His fam- ily consists of four children-three daughters and one

son. His worthy wife, during the war, did much to- wards alleviating the sufferings of the soldiers. She was the first lady in the West to organize a volunteer corps of lady nurses, to visit the battle-fields. At her own expense, and aided by private subscriptions, she took them from Louisville. It was she who brought to Louis- ville the wounded and prisoners from Fort Donelson. She commanded two boats, the "Fanny Bullitt" and the "Hastings," and carried orders from Gen. Sherman to visit the hospitals of Cairo and Paducah, to hunt up the wounded of Kentucky, and land them at any point on the river nearest their homes. Gen. Sherman, on issuing his instructions, said: "Now, madam, I need scarcely say to you, that the prisoners are to receive the same attention as our own men." To which Mrs. McClelland replied : "We come in the name of human- ity; we have those, on both sides, whom we love." She made three trips South, and was present at the bat- tle of Shiloh, and waited for nine days for the battle of Corinth. She has attained an extensive reputation as a writer and correspondent, most of her articles appear- ing in the "Louisville Journal," " Louisville Courier," " Home Journal," of New York, and the " London Morning Star," of which she was the Paris correspond- ent, during her stay in that city. She used the nom de plume of "Ida Marshall," and received many expres- sions of regard from George D. Prentice.

RWIN, CAPT. JAMES F., was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, February 15, 1817. His father followed the occupation of farming until his appointment as Judge of Beaver County. James attended the "Old Field School" dur- ing the Winter months, and worked on the farm during the Summer, never receiving more than three months' instruction in any session. While still quite young, his father died. When about seventeen years of age, he accepted the humble situation of cook on a keel-boat to Florence, Alabama, on the Tennes- see river; this was in the year 1834, while the Chero- kee Indians occupied that country, Mr. Irwin assisting in driving them out. From the low berth of cook, he gradually rose to the captaincy of a keel-boat; then commanding the steamers "Smelter," " Melton," " Belle of Memphis," "North Alabama," "Dover," "Chattanooga," " Wheeling," "Pickaway," "William Garwin," "Mayflower," "Mohican," "Smithland," "Cherokee," and a number of others. He was owner of some of the boats named, and part owner of most of them. While commanding the "Mohican," on the -Mississippi river, in the year 1855, he landed at New Orleans, the levee presenting the appearance of a city of steamboats, resolving itself into a panorama that

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caused the eye to sparkle in contemplating the beauty of the view, and evidencing the great prosperity of business. The scene soon changed. A conflagration ensued, and all was transformed from joy to sorrow --- from active industry to frantic efforts to save life and property. Ten of the steamers were destroyed, and, among them, the " Mohican " was burned to the water's edge. Captain Irwin was reduced, from a wealthy steamboat owner, to but a, little above pen- ury. All his wealth was invested in the boat; and, the insurance having expired the day before, but five' thousand dollars were realized from this once magnifi- cent river palace. He commenced life anew, and soon recuperated, inheriting from his Scotch ancestors the financial ability that commanded success, shortly ac- quiring a competency. The loss of the "Mohican " was the greatest he ever met; although, while com- manding the "Smithland," the boat struck a snag, at Island Number Twenty-one, and sank. Few officers have ever commanded so large a fleet with such little damage or so few failures. As a captain, he was ever a favorite; polite and affable to his passengers, vigilant and active in attending to their interests and those of the boat. In politics, he was a "Henry Clay Whig," afterwards becoming a Democrat. The Captain is a Director in the Merchants' Bank of Louisville, the Louisville Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and Trus- tee of Cave Hill Cemetery. He is part owner in the Portland and New Albany steam ferry - boats; and was formerly connected with the Tarascon Cement Mills, using the brand of John A. Holland & Co. He is now one of the wealthiest men in Kentucky, having accumulated his fortune by great industry and shrewd financial ability. Among his possessions, are about three thousand acres of farm land, partly in Kentucky and partly in Indiana, and a large amount of real es- tate in the city of Louisville, including some of the most prominent business houses, such as the building occupied by the Adams Express Company, at No. 63 Main Street. His own residence is one of Louis -. ville's most beautiful ornaments. Married to Miss Amelia McHarry, and then to her sister, Miss Flor- ence McHarry, he has one child. Captain Irwin is of a happily constituted mind, never permitting the vicissitudes of life to disturb his equanimity, but pur- sues the even tenor of his way, with a placid and com- posed manner that many envy but few possess. Lib- eral in his charities; and, although a helping friend to all religious societies, he has never been a zealous ad- vocate of any denomination. He has taken a lively in- terest in public matters, and particularly those looking to the benefit of his own community ; and, since having retired mainly from active business pursuits, has given his attention to the demands of socicty, his ample for- tune enabling him to gratify his best desires.

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 90

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