The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 92

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 92

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before the opening of the late deplorable sectional war, he led off in the attempts to solve the great questions before the people. At Ghent a meeting was called, at which he delivered his opinions at length, taking a strong position in favor of a union of strength in the great West, for the purpose of giving the West its true position and independence in the Federal Government ; setting forth in a set of resolutions, of which he was mainly the author, the condition of the East and its political power, and the great comparative strength of the West in the revenues to the Government, and de- claring in favor of organizing the popular branch of Congress, so as to give to the South and West leading and controlling committees of that body. His bold opin- ions were published in the newspapers, but gained no wide-sprcad following. Although remaining strictly do- mestic and quiet in his habits, and never relinquishing his attachment to his agricultural interests, he continued to exert his influence in public affairs, but lived to see little of the great civil strife, or to see of what little value were the efforts of one man to stop the course of the inevitable tide. He died and was buried at "Grass Hill," Carroll County, Kentucky, April 15, 1861. He was a man of medium height and size, and of dark complexion. Mr. Sanders was twice married. His first wife was the daughter of Col. George Nicholas, who greatly distinguished himself in his profession, and in politics as the Democratic champion, and was one of the most learned and able of all the early lawyers of Kentucky. He had two sons and one daughter. The wife of his old age was a Miss Dumesniel, and by that union he had no children.

AVAGE, REV. GEORGE S., Physician and Clergyman, was born February 2, 1814, in Vanceburg, Lewis County, Kentucky. His grandfather, James Savage, and his father, Pleasant M. Savage, emigrated to Kentucky from Virginia when the latter was a youth. His mother's maiden name was Susan Swingle, daughter of Major George Swingle, an officer and soldier in the Revolutionary War. Major Swingle emigrated to Ken- tucky from Maryland, and claimed descent from the famous Zwingle, the companion of Martin Luther, the name under English usage taking the form of Swingle. Dr. Savage received a very limited early education, and, at the age of sixteen, became a clerk and book-keeper in a store at Frankfort, Kentucky. In the Fall of 1835, he entered the itinerant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, spending his first year in Versailles and Nicholasville; his second, in Augusta and Minerva, at the end of which, he became a student in Augusta College, Kentucky, but, before graduating, left the in-

stitution on account of ill health; in 1839, he re-entered the traveling connection of his Church; after thrce years' hard labor, on account of impaired health, retired from the ministry; studied medicine, and graduated in the medical department of Transylvania University; became partner in the practice of medicine with Prof. L. M. Lawson, then Professor of Physiology and Pa- thology in Transylvania University, afterwards Professor of Theory and Practice in the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati ; after continuing his profession with success for ten years, organized the Covington Female Institute, carrying it on for three years; then had charge of the Glasgow (Missouri) Female Academy for three following years; took charge of the Millersburg Male and Female Seminary, at Millersburg, Kentucky; afterwards, con- ducted the Millersburg Female High-school; then the Millersburg Female College; and, after twelve years' exhaustive labor at Millersburg, became the Agent of the American Bible Society for Eastern Kentucky, sub- sequently for the entire State; and now includes in his territory Middle and Eastern Tennessee, with his resi- dence at Covington. He has been an earnest, faithful, and able worker; and great industry, energy, and Chris- tian integrity have crowned with success almost every effort of his life. Dr. Savage was married, in 1840, to Miss Mary Elizabeth Small, daughter of Thomas Small, of Mason County, Kentucky. She died in 1845, leaving a daughter, who died at the age of sixteen. In 1848, he was married to Miss C. C. Bright, daughter of Dr. J. W. Bright, of Lexington, Kentucky, who shared his toils in the school-room, and has been a perpetual source of strength by his side. Of their five children, only two are living.

CKEE, DR. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, was born on the 4th of February, 1816, in Lancaster, Kentucky. His father, Samuel McKee, a man of considerable prominence in luis day (a member of Congress from 1808 to 1816, and frequently a member of the Legisla- ture and Judge of the Circuit Court), died in Hickman County, in 1826. His grandfather, William McKee, of Scotch-Irish descent, was a captain in the Revolution- ary War, during a period of six years; a member of the convention which drafted the Constitution of the State of Virginia; and was High Sheriff of Rockbridge County, in that State; and removed his family to Ken- tucky about 1800, and settled in Garrard County, where he died, in 1816. His mother was Martha Robertson, a daughter of Alexander Robertson, of Mercer County, Kentucky (a gentleman of great prominence, and an associate of his grandfather, William McKee, in the Convention in Virginia which framed its Constitution),

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the father of the late Chief-Justice Robertson, and of Mrs. Letcher, of Frankfort, Kentucky, relict of the late Governor Letcher. Dr. McKee received a collegiate education at Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, and took his degree in medicine at the University of Penn- sylvania, at Philadelphia, in 1839. He then came to Richmond, Kentucky, and opened an office for the practice of his profession, at which he worked assidu- ously for upwards of eighteen years, until 1857, when he removed to Clay County, Missouri, where he re- mained two years; after which time he returned to Ken- tucky, and resumed practice at Danville, where he is still engaged, and at the head of his profession, with a most valuable and honorable practice. Dr. McKee was married to Mary Ashby, daughter of Dr. W. Q. Ashby, of Richmond, Kentucky, in September, 1842, by which marriage they were blessed with six children, of whom three sons and one daughter survive : Samuel, Logan, and Alexander McKee, who are engaged in successful business in San Francisco, California; and Miss Maggie, who still graces her father's home. Dr. McKee is a man of fine personal appearance, whom but to know is to respect ; belonging to that class of citizens. who are invariably placed in positions of honor and trust with- out solicitation. While residing in Richmond, he was elected trustee of the town, and Director of the branch of the Northern Bank of Kentucky; and at Danville he was elected, without his knowledge, a member of the City Council, on several occasions; and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, and has since been a Director. Dr. McKee is a zealous and faithful member of the Presbyterian Church, and is prominently connected with every good work in his community.

AZLEY, ADDISON W., Lawyer, was born De- cember 31, 1818, at Edmeston, Otsego County, New York. His father, Aaron Gazley, was a farmer in that State. Addison W. Gazley was educated at the public-schools, and then at- tended the academy, near Rochester, until his fourteenth year. He then clerked five years in the store of Mckinney & Seymour, at Binghampton. In 1837, he borrowed one hundred dollars from his brother; started West ; visited Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and other cities, finally reaching Louisville with very little money. He, fortunately, found employment within a few days, with Mr. A. Bayless, corner of Fourth and Market Streets, continuing with him three years. In 1840, he entered mercantile business, at La Grange, Kentucky, with T. J. Amis as his partner; three years later, business being improving, they sold out, bought tobacco with their capital, and unfortunately lost their stock by fire. After calling their creditors together, and offering to surrender

all their assets, they were, nevertheless, urged to continue in business; but succeeded in settling up their indebted- ness in full in 1845. From 1842 to 1845, Mr. Gazley had been reading law with F. F. C. Triplett, of La Grange; and, in 1845, was admitted to the bar; re- mained one year with Mr. Triplett, then removed to Louisville, where he has ever since followed the practice of his profession. He has had associated with him in the practice, at different times, Frank Goring, Harry Yeaman, and William Reinicke ; but, since 1875, has refused to accept any new business, with the intention of retiring. From his financial success, Mr. Gazley was able, after a few years' practice, to pay off all his past obligations; among others, some four thousand dollars loaned him by his eldest brother, at different times, dat- ing back to the twelfth year of his life. He has now a fair competency, acquired by thirty years' assiduity in the most wearing of the learned professions. In Octo- ber, 1874, he organized the " Louisville Plate-glass Com- pany ;" refused the presidency, and accepted the vice- presidency of the company ; in 1876, he agreed with the stockholders to manage the business for a period of six years. Mr. Gazley is heartily identified with the Ma- sonic Order. On the 11th of February, 1851, he was married to Sallie L., daughter of Josiah Wheeler, of Oldham County, Kentucky, and has five living children. Addison W. Gazley has been prominent, successful, and esteemed in his professional life. IIe has manfully "taken arms against a sea of troubles;" and, over- coming them, is to-day beyond the ordinary trials of the world.

LLIS, JAMES P., Merchant and Farmer, and one of the oldest and most valuable citizens of Henry County, was born January 4, 1801, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. His own father, David Ellis, was a native of Fayette County, to which his grandfather, John Ellis, removed from Virginia, when Lexington contained but a single cabin. His mother was Nancy Clarkson, daughter of William Clarkson, an old Virginian officer in the war of the Revolution. Three of his uncles, William, Robert, and Timothy, were engaged in the war of 1812; Rob- ert was in the battle of the Raisin; was wounded and captured by the Indians, and afterwards sold to the whites, at Malden; Timothy was in the battle of Fort Meigs; and Capt. William Ellis, who raised a company of volunteers from Bourbon and Harrison Counties, died at Fort Defiance. The subject of this sketch received only a country-school education, which he found leisure and inclination to increase through a long business ca- reer. At the age of sixteen, he began to clerk in a storc in Lexington. After a few years, he returned to the farm, in Bourbon County ; but, in 1833, removed to

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Henry County ; and, in 1836 and 1857, rode as sheriff of that county. In 1840, he first commenced selling goods in New Castle, and, after several years of fluctu- ation between the farm and town, he sold out his goods business, and engaged, for a time, in tobacco manufac- turing. After carrying on the dry-goods business for a while at Port Royal, in 1856, he returned to New Castle, and bought the drug-store of old Dr. Owens. This busi- ness he carried on, with great success, until his seventy- fifth birthday, in 1875. Few men now living in the county have been so intimately and honorably identified with its interests. He has never been a politician, but has never hesitated in his privilege and right to aid in the election of good men. He is an active member of the Christian Church, and is prominent in some social organizations. He is a man of the highest order of moral character, which he has every-where illustrated in his long business, social, and private career. He is now director in the National Bank of New Castle; and has been sought by the courts as commissioner and executor; and by the families of the deceased as administrator and guardian of the estates and persons of their children. Although he commenced life poor, he is now in inde- pendent circumstances. Mr. Ellis was married to Miss Jane Berryman, of Fayette County, Kentucky, April 27, 1820. They have eight living children. Twenty years ago (August 10, 1856), his son James was lost on the Gulf of Mexico, while en route to visit his old home in Kentucky. Their son Richard, who was a soldier in the Mexican War, now carries on the old drug house in place of his father, and is himself one of the most substantial business men of the community; David is a physician and farmer of Augusta, Illinois; Juliet is the wife of George HIugley, of New Castle; Volney and Olinthus are lawyers at Hallettsville, Texas; Ruhamah is the wife of James L. Scarce, of Missouri; and Ben. Thomas, and Anna, are at home, with their parents.

medicine in Shelby County ; and has ridden over two hundred thousand miles in making professional visits, chiefly on horseback until within a few years. He has been identified with most movements of interest to the country, and has been one of its most useful and val- uable men. For many years, he carried on a farm, and was largely engaged in dealing in fine cattle and stock- raising; but, since the war, has devoted himself wholly to his profession. Dr. Lowry was a Whig; after the demise of that party, he affiliated with the opposition to Democracy ; and, during the war, was a Unionist of grit, and suffered largely in the bush-whacking days of the rebellion. He is now a Republican, of decidedly con- ciliatory and conservative tendencies. He is a member of the Shelby County Medical Society, of Transylvania District Medical Association, of the State Medical So- ciety, and the American Medical Association. He is a Presbyterian ; and, like most educated men of his na- tionality, is firmly and unswervingly devoted to his principles, in whatever cause he espouses. He is a model of fine health, and of personal and professional habits; has been absolutely free from any kind of sick- ness for thirty years ; and appears as if he might safely look forward to thirty years more of active and useful life. Starting without money or friends, he has made a large and reputable practice; raised a large family; ac- cumulated a considerable property ; and maintained an honorable place in the business and social demands of the community. Dr. Lowry was married, November 18, 1845, to Miss Helen Bullitt, daughter of Cuthbert Bullitt, Esq., of Shelby County, granddaughter of A. S. Bullitt, first Lieutenant-Governor of Kentucky, and niece of Dr. H. M. Bullitt, of Louisville. They have nine children living-four sons and five daughters.

OWRY, JAMES, M. D., of Shelbyville, Ken- tucky, was born February 14, 1818, in the County of Monaghan, in the north of Ireland. He emigrated to the United States, and lo- cated in Fayette County, Kentucky, in 1837; and worked at various employments until in- duced by Dr. W. H. Richardson to study medicine. For several years he worked for that gentleman, and, at his leisure, read medicine; and finally entered the medical department of Transylvania University, and graduated in 1844. He began practice at once, in Shelby County ; and, in 1866, after twenty-two years of hard and successful practice in the country, he re- moved to Shelbyville, in that county, where he has since resided. For thirty-two years, he has practiced . with I. N. Webb. This connection continued several

ARBOUR, JOSEPH, Lawyer and Author, son of Joseph Barbour, a native of New York, was born April 12, 1844, in Carroll County, Ken- tucky. His mother, who was also the mother of Judge William S. Pryor, was Nancy Samuel, who married his father in 1842. He spent most of his early life in Paducah, Kentucky, where he chiefly received his literary education. When he was sixteen years of age, his parents removed to New Castle, in this State; and, two years subsequently, he began reading law in the office of Judge William S. Pryor. In 1865, he entered the law department of the Univer- sity of Louisville, and in the following year graduated, and was admitted to the bar, entering at once upon the practice of his profession at New Castle, as a partner of his law preceptor. In 1868, when Judge Prior was elected to the Circuit Bench, he formed a partnership

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years. He has been fortunate in his profession, having had a good practice from the day of commencing, and now ranks as one of the most studious, thorough, and successful lawyers in his section of the State. He is a man of fine personal appearance and attractive manners; has fine ability as a speaker; and is passionately devoted to his profession. He is now engaged on a new "Di- gest of Kentucky Decisions," embracing all the cases decided in the Kentucky Court of Appeals. The work will give a convenient exhibit of the entire body of Kentucky adjudications up to the present time, and be embraced in two royal octavo volumes. This valuable work will soon be ready for the press. Although fre- quently importuned to enter the political field, he has declined in favor of his profession, in which the most flattering prospects open before him. Mr. Barbour was married, October 29, 1874, to Miss Mary Webb, daughter of I. N. Webb, of New Castle, Henry County, Kentucky.

ARRIS, JOHN McCORD, M. D., was born March 4, 1813, in Madison County, Kentucky. He was the oldest child of Robert and Joel ( El- Iison) Harris; the former a native of Albemarle County, Virginia; and the latter, of Madison County, Kentucky. His father came to Ken- tucky in boyhood; was a farmer, and was for several terms member of the State Legislature. John Harris, his grandfather, was the first County Judge of Madison County. His mother was the daughter of Joseph Ellison, a Virginian, who came to Kentucky when it was a dis- trict or county of Virginia; was distinguished in the early Indian troubles ; was a farmer, and one of the first Bap- tist preachers of Madison County. John McCord Harris was brought up on the farm, and enjoyed opportunities for a thorough and liberal education, fully up to the standard of the times. In 1832, he entered upon the study of medicine at Richmond, under the direction of Dr. Charles J. Walker, an old and popular physician yet residing in that place; attended medical lectures at Transylvania University, and graduated from that in- stitution, in 1836; in the same year, located in Rich- mond, and began the practice of his profession. He has practiced medicine at Richmond for over forty years; has been thoroughly identified with the medical history of Madison County during this long period; and has not only been one of the most cautious, able, and popular physicians, but also one of the most self-sacrificing and valuable men in his community. Strictly speaking, he has never been a politician, but, during the existence of the Whig party, voted with that organization, probably casting his first Presidential vote for Gen. Harrison. Ile is now identified with the Republican party, and during

the great rebellion was an ardent Union man. Although Dr. Harris has never been directly connected with any Church organization, he has been distinguished through life for his great integrity of character, and has many admirable social and personal traits. He was married, January 31, 1856, to Miss Ellen L. Anderson, a native of Lexington, Kentucky, and daughter of George W. Anderson, a Louisville merchant.

ARRARD, GOV. JAMES, was born January 14, 1749, in Stafford County, Virginia. He served with distinction in the Revolutionary War; was a member of the Virginian Legisla- ture; emigrated to Kentucky at a very early period, and shared conspicuously in the early history of the State; was a member of the conventions which met at Danville, in 1785, looking to the forma- tion of a new State; served in the conventions of 1787 and 1788, representing Bourbon County; was member of the Virginia Legislature, from Kentucky; was a member of the convention of 1792, which framed the first Constitution of Kentucky; was several times a mem- ber of the Legislature; in 1796, was elected second Gov- ernor of Kentucky, and at the expiration of his term was re-elected, filling the position for eight years, with dis- tinguished ability, his long administration being char- acterized for the peace and prosperity of the State. In honor of him Garrard County was named. He was a man of great strength of character; was a Christian ; possessed a practical mind, which made him one of the most useful men of his time; was greatly beloved by the people of the State, and was every way honored as a friend and neighbor. He died at his residence, in Bourbon County, January 19, 1822; and, in the Winter of that year, the Legislature ordered a monument to be erected to his memory.

ICHARDSON, ROBERT BENSKIN, M. D., was born December 15, 1831, in James City County, Virginia. His ancestors were among the first pioneers who left Great Britain to cast their lot in the New World, with its manifold dangers and privations. His father, Henry B. M. Richardson, was of Scotch descent, and one of a numerous family, whose members are still to be found in the Old Dominion. He was held in high esteem by the citizens of his county, and held the offices of sheriff and magistrate for a number of years. His mother's maiden name was Eliza T. Wethers. She was of En- glish origin, and a woman of rare qualities. Dr. Rich- ardson was the second child in a large and promising

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family of children, eight of whom have reached the age of maturity and taken honorable places in society. With the exception of one brother, they are all mar- ried. He obtained a very liberal education, attend- ing the academy of his native county until the age of twenty-one years, when, on account of ill health, he was obliged to leave school, but continued his studies under the tutelage of his father. Choosing the medical pro- fession as suitable to his inclinations, he commenced study, in 1855, at the Virginia Medical College, in Rich- mond, Virginia; and graduated in medicine in 1858. He then returned to his home, and commenced practice, following his profession until the opening of the rebell- ion. He gave his support to the Confederate cause, and served through the war in the capacity of surgeon, per- forming the arduous duties of this position with heroic fortitude. His services were mainly confined to the hospitals and defenses about Richmond, where he gave universal satisfaction, and achieved considerable reputa- tion as a surgeon. When the welcomed peace came, and the great conflict was ended, he returned to his home to find it a mass of ruins-an example of the ravages of war; but, with commendable alacrity, he set about to restore his losses. He resumed the practice of his pro- fession ; and, in July, 1869, located in Allensville, Todd County, Kentucky, and soon obtained an extensive prac- tice. Later, he opened a drug-store, which he superin- tends in addition to his professional duties. In 1873, he returned to the home of his childhood, and was married to Miss Harriet Ann Hawkins, the daughter of George and Mary Hawkins, respected and esteemed resi- dents of James City County, Virginia. Dr. Richardson is a gentleman of refinement and culture. Devoted to his profession, he takes a deep interest in all that per- tains to its advancement. He is a member of the Chris- . tian Church, and assists with his influence every move- ment tending to the moral and temporal improvement of the community.

HINN, JOSEPH GRAVES, M. D., was born April 1, 1797, in Bourbon County, Kentucky. His ancestors came from Great Britain at an early day, settling in Virginia, where his father, William B. Chinn, figured prominently in the militia of that State during the Revolution. After that period, he emigrated to Kentucky, settling in Bourbon County, where he followed the occupation of a farmer until his death, at the age of sixty years. Joseph Chinn was brought up on his father's farm in Bourbon County ; and obtained a fair education, consid- ering the scanty means of gaining knowledge in the backwoods regions of Kentucky at that time. He at- tended the country school of the neighborhood, where,

besides mastering the common branches of a plain edu- cation, he also acquired a knowledge of Latin, which proved a great assistance to him in his later years. When the war of 1812 broke out, though he was but fifteen years of age, he entered the service of his country as a volunteer from his State. During the war he received a severe injury to one of his feet, which so crippled him as to force him to retire from active duty for a whole year. After serving honorably through the war, he re- turned to his home in Kentucky, and took up the study of medicine, and resolved to make that his profession through life. He began his studies in the office of Dr. Andrew Todd, of his native town, and also read medi- cine in the offices of Drs. Cochrane and Grosjean, of Paris, Kentucky. After this preliminary preparation, he attended a course of lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, during the season of 1816-17 ; at the close of which he received his degree as Doctor of Medicine, and returned to Paris, Kentucky, where he commenced his practice. He practiced but a short time in Paris ; when with a view of adding still further to his knowledge of his profession, he attended a course of lectures at the Transylvania University, and was a graduate of that in- stitution in 1843. At this time he removed to Lex- ington, Missouri, where he continued to practice, and remained for a period of nine years. But, at the end of that time, becoming dissatisfied with the location, he decided to return to Kentucky, and accordingly located at Lexington, where he has since resided. During six years of his practice in this town, he was a partner of Dr. David T. Morton, now deceased. He was inter- ested in mercantile pursuits for a short period of his career, having been a partner in a business firm of Lex- ington from 1837 to 1841. In his professional service he has met with marked success; has performed many difficult surgical operations, and had charge of numerous critical cases in the course of his career; always doing all that lay in his power to alleviate the sufferings of those confided to his care. In his politics, he has al- ways been conservative, taking sides with the party he thought had for its motives the advancement of the general welfare of the country. He was in sympathy with the principles of the old Whig party; was strongly opposed to slavery, and was a staunch friend of the Union during the great rebellion. After the war, he became a Democrat, and has voted with the party ever since. Notwithstanding the duties of his profession necessarily occupy a large portion of his time, he has, nevertheless, taken an active part in public affairs, and achieved con- siderable prominence as a public man. In 1824, he served as magistrate, for two years, in Harrison County. When in Lexington, Missouri, he filled the positions of mayor of the town and city judge, both these capacities being discharged by a single functionary. After he had re- turned to Lexington, Kentucky, he was elected member

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 92

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