The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 99

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

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with superior executive ability; able to grasp the wants of a whole nation, and quick in comprehend- ing and providing for any crisis; and, at the time of taking the head of the rebellion, probably few men in the country were better acquainted with the monetary and war resources of the Government; and, during the entire struggle, no general in his armies was more thoroughly informed as to the status, or so ready to decide upon a course of action. But, in the Confed- erate ranks there was not perfect harmony by any means, nor were the army movements at all times in accord with the views of Mr. Davis; nor were his own plans free from assault, nor his necessary efforts to maintain the crumbling cause, free from censure as infringing on his fundamental dogma of States Rights. Yet, with his ability, and the general supposed unanimity of his sup- port throughout the South, and the bravery of his peo- ple, the end came; and, although the cause was always inevitably lost, no man was more unwilling to recog- nize the fact. From the moment the first shot was fired, the result was just as sure; yet he never believed it; and, when the Confederacy had crumbled away, and the soldiers of the South returned, bankrupt to a bank- rupt and desolate country, strewn with the graves of brave men and wet with the tears of sorrow, of suffering, no man of them all suffered or lost like Jefferson Davis. After his release from his long imprisonment at Fortress Monroe, he spent some time in Canada; but, for many years, has resided in Mississippi, in comparative quiet, seldom or never being heard in the affairs of the country -lost, like the cause for which he staked every thing, to the world. A skillful diplomate, few men in the nation understood more perfectly the details of government; scholarly in his habits, his messages and State papers ranked among the ablest documents of their kind; a fierce and uncompromising antagonist, he is a most de- voted friend; obstinate and self-reliant, he depended on his own judgment during the great conflict; which, although a signal failure under him, would have been a failure under any leader. His great independence of character has led him to decline the pecuniary aid freely offered to build up his broken fortunes since the war. His first wife died without children. He subsequently married Miss Howell, by whom he raised a large family.

OWLER, HON. WILEY P., Lawyer, was born September 2, 1799, in Smith County, Tennes- see. He received a fair English education, such as the best schools of the county at that time afforded. He was raised on his father's farm, where he continued until reaching his major- ity. In 1819, led by the spirit of adventure, he went to Arkansas, where he engaged in farming for three

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years. He then went to Texas, but, that country being ceded to Spanish dominion, by a treaty signed by John Quincy Adams, he speedily returned to Kentucky. He began the study of the law, and was admitted to prac- tice in the Fall of 1823, locating in the district west of the Tennessee river, known as Jackson's District ; find- ing the practice in that unsettled district to afford but a scanty income, he removed to Salem, Kentucky, where he continued in his professional duties to the year 1833. He then moved to Princeton, in the same State, where he followed his profession up to 1839. He was then appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Sen- ate of the State, as Presiding Judge of the Circuit Court; he continued on the bench thirteen years, until the adoption of the new Constitution, when, disliking the system of an elective judiciary, he declined nomination. A new Judicial District having been formed, in 1860 he was elected Presiding Judge of the Fourteenth Judicial District ; in 1862, he was re-elected; held the position till 1868, when he retired from the bench, and, feeling himself too old to resume a successful practice of his profession, he withdrew entirely from the law, settled upon his farm, and has lived there ever since. In poli- tics, he was always identified with the Old-line Whigs, and took an active part in the politics of his day. In 1832, he was elected to the Legislature, and served one term therein. During the war, the Judicial District in which he held court was occupied by the Federal and Confederate armies in turn, and Judge Fowler was arrested by the authorities of both armies. Upon his refusal to obey military orders, emanating from the Union armies, he received an order banishing him to Sherman's Colony, in Yucatan, there to remain till the war's termination, which threat and order were never enforced, although he was arrested and imprisoned at Louisville, being released upon the interposition of the Hon. James Guthrie; again he was arrested upon the bench, for refusing to administer certain oaths, dictated by the Federal military authorities. From this impris- onment, his release was secured by the Hon. James Guthrie and General Boyle. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he united in 1842. He was married during his residence at Salem, Kentucky, to the daughter of Judge Dixon Given, and had five children, three of whom died in mature years, while two still survive. The character of Judge Fowler is prominent in firmness, integrity of purpose, and hon- esty of life. He has always enjoyed the fullest confidence of his fellow-citizens, and is remarkable for his urbane social manners. As a judge, he was much given to maintaining the judicial dignity and elevation, the close adherence to legal forms and requirements, and a system- atic manner of business. He sought always to find the truth of all disputed matters, and to administer justice to all. He always displayed the greatest consideration

for every member of the bar, and, in return, they re- spected more than ordinarily the will of the court, and aided in giving it great dignity and influence. He did not hesitate to rectify, if possible, a decision of his own, if he was convinced of its error. He is a man of great force of character, has been one of the most valuable men of his section, and has lived the life of a consistent Christian gentleman.

ANAKEE, ELISHA, Farmer and Stock- breeder, was born March 10, 1806, in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He was the sixth son of Philip Manakee and Delilah Scrivner, both natives of Maryland, and of English descent. His father was a farmer, and had ten children, all of whom grew to their major- ity. Philip Manakee, after his second marriage, re- moved to Kentucky in 1818, bringing with him five children, of whom Elisha was one; and there died a year later. So, at childhood's years, Elisha Manakee was left without parents or education, but not without friends. Jasper Muir, an uncle of Jasper Muir, of Bardstown, Kentucky, sent him to school, and gave him a limited education. Without a dollar of his own, he began life in laboring on a farm; was industrious, persevering, and determined to make his fortune, and fully knew the value of time and money. By the time he was twenty-seven, he had accumulated some money, and then married. One year before this, he had bought out the interest of one of the heirs of the estate of Moses Lane, into whose family he married. He bought eighty acres of land on Cox's Creek, adjoining the prop- erty, two shares of which he had inherited by marriage, and where he had first commenced farming, in 1831. In 1850, he added to this two hundred acres; in 1858, one hundred and twenty-six acres more, and also bought two hundred and sixty-five acres from the estate of Col. Henry Crist. In 1860, he purchased one hundred and twenty-two acres; in 1866, two hundred and thirty-six acres; and now is the owner, in fee simple, of over a thousand acres of land on Cox's Creek, in Nelson County, seven miles from Bardstown, intersected by the Louisville and Bardstown Pike, and five miles from the Bardstown Railroad. Nearly all this he acquired by his own hard labor and careful providence. In raising stock and hogs, he has been the leading man of Nelson County. He had continued success, and occasionally severe losses. He has always raised sheep, having had as high as seven hundred head on his place at one time. When the Fair Ground Company was organized, he took stock, was elected a director, and subsequently vicc-pres- ident, manifesting much interest in its welfare and useful- ness. But, by bad financial management, the company

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became so badly in debt that a sale of their grounds was imminent. However, Mr. Manakee interfered, obtained delay, and, with P. S. Barbour, arranged and carried into effect a plan by which, in one season, the company paid off all obligations, and had five hundred dollars surplus. This is an instance indicative of how well he has managed his private affairs. He was formerly a strong adherent to the doctrines of the old Whig party, but, in later days, a States Rights Democrat. He receives his friends, and even strangers, with true Kentucky hos- pitality. During the late war, although his generosity and kindness were often abused by soldiers of both armies who encamped on his farm, he never turned away any who came seeking shelter and supplies. Dur-' ing the early years of his married life, he became a Christian, but, having married outside of the Church of his choice, never united with any denomination till 1867, when he joined the Cox's Creek Baptist Church, of which he has ever since been an active, consistent, and liberal member. He has also given largely to the Catholic Church, of which his wives were communi- cants. He was married, in 1833, to Rebecca, oldest daughter of Moses Lane and Sarah Cartmel, who was a niece of Col. Henry Crist, a celebrated Kentucky pioneer, who fell in the warfare with the Indians. By his first marriage, Mr. Manakee had four children, only one of whom is now living, the widow of Stephen C. Beard. His second marriage was to Eliza Ann Lane, sister of his first wife, by whom he had three sons and five daughters, of whom only one is now living, Amelia, wife of R. F. Haydon. In 1869, he married Sarah Jane Lane, also daughter of Moses Lane, but by this marriage has no issue. He educated all his children carefully ; is liberal to all educational and charitable enterprises, and to the poor and suffering especially. Mr. Manakee is over six feet in height, weighs two hundred pounds, and is erect in his carriage, and shows his age but little.

6 aRANT, PROF. EMORY ALFRED, Educator and Surgeon, was born June 15, 1823, in Ithaca, New York; and is the son of Rev. Loring Grant, a distinguished clergyman of the Methodist Church, of Scotch origin. Prof. Grant was ed- ucated mainly at Genesee College, Lima, New York. He afterwards spent some time at Centre College, Danville, Kentucky, and, in 1861, received the degree of LL. D. from that institution. He studied medicine, but abandoned the practice of that profession, and be- gan his career as a teacher. During the twenty-five or thirty years in which he has been actively and success- fully engaged in teaching, he has also given considera- ble attention to the practice of orthopedic surgery, hav- ing performed some remarkable operations in difficult

cases of " club-foot," and has invented some contrivan- ces used with great success in correcting that deformity. For some time, he had charge of the Masonic Academy, at La Grange, Kentucky ; was also engaged as a teacher at Frankfort; and was, for seven years, Principal of the Louisville High-school, and had charge of that institu- tion when it was known as the " University of the Pub- lic-schools of Louisville," graduating under him many

young men who afterwards became prominent in Louis- ville. In 1866, he resigned his connection with the school, over which he long had control, receiving the highest compliments from the Board of Directors; and probably few men in the State have a better record as an educator. He has written largely in connection with educational interests, and has been an extensive contributor to the newspapers. Since relinquishing his profession as a teacher, he has again turned his atten- tion, with great success, to the practice of medicine, de- voting himself largely to his surgical specialty. He is a man of fine, courteous, agreeable manners; of admira- ble personal habits, of great integrity of character, and of fine social standing. He is a member of the Presby- terian Church, and is an active worker in all of îts in- terests. Dr. Grant was married, in 1853, to Miss Ellen E. Clark, daughter of the late Joseph Clark, of Frank- fort, Kentucky.

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INDENBERGER, JACOB HOPEWELL, Banker, was born November 13, 1824, in Bal- timore County, Maryland. His father, Jacob Lindenberger, was a well-known and leading merchant of Baltimore, Maryland, being a member of the firm of George & Jacob Lin- denberger, importers and jobbers of hardware. Jacob Hopewell Lindenberger obtained his early education at Baltimore College, of his native city, and at the age of fifteen years came West, and, choosing Louisville for his residence, settled there in 1839. After completing his studies in one of the private institutions of this city, he decided upon mercantile pursuits, and, having a great natural talent for business, was soon actively engaged. He found employment as a clerk, in a wholesale house, in the drug business, and served faithfully in this ca- pacity for a period of six years. At the end of this time, having been so attentive to his duties, and evinced such great ability, his employers concluded to admit him into the firm as a partner. He remained in this business, meeting with fair success, until the year 1861, when becoming desirous of retiring, to engage in some- thing more congenial to his tastes, the firm was dis- solved by mutual consent. About this time, the Mer- chants' Bank of Kentucky was organized, under State charter, and commenced operation, and he was selected by the directors to fill the position of cashier. He com-

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menced his service as Cashier of the Merchants' Bank, zen of Louisville, long and favorably known in his connections with some of the principal railway lines centering in Louisville. July 1, 1861, and in a short time had gained the entire confidence of its officers. The utmost reliance was placed in his sound judgment and prudence, and he was given extended discretionary powers. Under his judi- cious management the bank grew rapidly into favor, and it soon became one of the most trusty institutions in the city. During the war, when business and society were in a state of great disorder, the trials and manifold difficulties of banks were necessarily a source of much anxiety and trouble to their managers. The difficulties of that period were met by this institution with the unfaltering confidence which attends conscious power and ability, and the bank was brought safely through them all, with handsome profit to its stockholders and continually growing popularity ; thereby increas- ing the reliance placed on the gentleman who as cashier had so largely the control of its affairs. In 1864, he was active in establishing a plan for the set- tlement of the daily transactions of the banks of the city; this continued for a time, when the necessity was felt for a more satisfactory arrangement, and the change re- sulted in the establishment of the Clearing-house Asso- ciation, of which he was chosen Vice-President. He is connected with the Southern Mutual Life Insurance Company, of Louisville, being Vice-President of the Company, and a member of the Executive Board. He proposed and urged the changing of the Merchants' Bank from a State to a National Bank, and was largely instrumental in procuring the action of thé directors, by which the change was made, in 1874. He is a firm ad- vocate of the National Bank system ; favors a return to, and maintenance of, specie payment, both by the Gov- ernment and the banks, and urges a policy which will sever the connection of the Government with the cur- rency of the country. A review of his life shows that he is more practical than theoretical in his business con- ceptions and system ; and evidences large self-reliance, combined with prudence and caution. The distinctive characteristics which mark his success as a banker and financier are, correct judgment, quick decision, system- atic methods, untiring energy, and close application to the details of business. These traits of character have made him deservedly popular and influential. His judg- ment and advice are frequently sought in times of busi- ness difficulties, and his wise counsels have so often been given with good results, that implicit trust is placed in his opinions and decisions. Mr. Lindenberger was married, in 1849, to Miss Flusser, daughter of Judge Charles T. Flusser ; losing his first wife, he was again inarried, in 1857, to Miss Peterson, daughter of Joseph Peterson, a highly respected citizen of Louisville ; but, again suffering the misfortune of bereavement, was mar- ried a third time, in November, 1868, to Miss Sallie E. Gamble, daughter of James F. Gamble, a leading citi- ing liome in the Autumn of 1843; and has since pur-

YOOPER, WILLIAM, Portrait-painter, was born in Smith County, Tennessee, May 18, 1811, his father having emigrated to that county from Virginia while Tennessee was still a part of North Carolina. The family came originally from Scotland, and have transmitted to their descendants the traits of energy and thrifty industry so peculiar to that people. His father was a farmer, and he followed the same occupation in his youth, acquiring at the same time the best education afforded by the schools of his own neighborhood. When about eighteen years of age, his quiet life was changed, by the advent of a French portrait-painter who stopped at his father's; and, his attention being attracted to some rude pencil sketches from the hand of the young man, detected in them evidences of artistic skill, which only needed proper cultivation and application to produce the most satisfactory results; in consequence of his encourage- ment, young Cooper determined to adopt portrait-paint- ing as his profession, and applied himself so faithfully to the study of his art, that he soon had the satisfaction of receiving numerous orders from parties in his own neighborhood. Not being satisfied, however, with these efforts, and feeling the necessity of a thorough course of instruction, he went to New York City, when about twenty-one, and entered the Academy of Design, where Inman, Huntington, and Page had graduated, and where he had, as classmates and competitors, Elliot and Hicks, and also Prof. Morse, since famous as the inventor of the telegraph. Here he graduated with the highest honors, receiving the diploma of the institute; returned to his home, where the report of his success and increas- ing reputation had preceded him: and he received so many orders for work that he opened a studio in Nash- ville, where he spent his Summers, resorting to New Orleans in the Winter. IIe became widely known throughout the South-west as an eminent artist; and, as soon as his means were sufficient, resolved to still further increase his skill and reputation by a visit to the Old World, which he made in 1841, attending the best art schools of Paris and Rome; and here he formed ac- quaintance with some of the leading artists of the time, both painters and sculptors; among them Powers, of Cincinnati; and Cole, of New York; having "Porte Crayon," of "Harper's Monthly," for his daily com- panion. After spending a year in study at Rome, he visited Venice, Florence, and Geneva, then spent some months more in the art galleries of Paris, finally return-

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sued his favorite branch of painting with uninterrupted success. Among his patrons have been many eminent men of the South, including James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson, whose portraits adorn the walls of the Capitol of his native State; but, during the war, business was almost entirely prostrated in Tennessee, causing him to remove to Louisville, Kentucky, where he now has a studio, on one of the fashionable avenues of the city. His habits of life are simple; and, notwithstanding his sedentary occupation, his face wears a glow of health which promises many years of continued usefulness; while his genial smile and modest manners betoken the man of true genius, and the fortunate possessor of a peaceful and happy life.

AMESON, ROBERT COLEMAN, Merchant, was born March 8, 1823. His father, John D. Jameson, was a native of Orange County, Vir- ginia, and one of the early pioneers of Ken- tucky, a silversmith by trade, but for many years a farmer and tobacco merchant; whose family was of Scottish origin, having come to this coun- try at an early date. His mother was Eliza Coleman, a Kentuckian by birth, of Virginia parentage. He was educated in the common-schools; and, being left an or- phan when quite young, was thrown upon his own efforts for his future career; and, in his sixteenth year, entered a dry-goods store, at Trenton, Kentucky, as clerk, where he rapidly developed a capacity for busi- ness; remained there three years, then spent a short time with an uncle in Cadiz, came back to Trenton a year, and finally settled in Pembroke, where he has since remained. Of this town he has really been the founder, having laid out his own farm in lots, and by judicious management induced purchasers to invest there. He opened a store for general merchandise, and afterwards formed a partnership with other parties, in storing and shipping tobacco, monopolizing that busi- ness in his region of country ; in 1857, joined his brother in the wholesale grocery and commission business, in Memphis, which they continued until 1860, but never removed his residence to that city. As a result of his energy and management, all his enterprises have been successful, and the town of Pembroke, which he so ma- terially aided in its infancy, is now a fine, flourishing place. He has always been averse to public life, but, in 1860, his friends persuaded him to accept the office of magistrate of the district, which office he held two years, besides holding several other positions of trust. He is a faithful and consistent member of the Baptist Church, also, of the Odd-fellows and Masonic fraternities, and is one of the most enterprising, public-spirited, and useful men of his part of the State. Mr. Jameson has been

married twice ; his first wife being Miss Susan Smith ; his second, Mrs. Annie E. Pendleton, nee Barclay, and niece of Hugh Barclay, of Russellville, Kentucky.

TEELE, HON. JOHN ANDREW, was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, November 17, 1840. His father, Dr. Theophilus Steele, being of Scotch descent, a Kentuckian by birth, highly esteemed in his private and professional life, is now living mainly retired from active life near Versailles. His mother, Miss Caroline Worthy, was a lady of culture and refinement, and belonged to a Georgia family of the old Huguenot stock, afterwards settled in Kentucky, where they have always held a fine social position. John A. Steele received a fine education in the best schools of his native county, and in the academy of Prof. B. B. Sayre, at Frankfort. After completing his education, he returned home and engaged in agriculture till the cry of war called him to more stirring scenes. He entered the Confederate army, in September, 1862, serving first in the command of Gen. A. Buford, and afterwards in that of Gen. John H. Morgan; was cap- tured at Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, in June, 1864; was a prisoner at Rock Island, Illinois, till May, 1865, when he was released upon taking the oath of allegiance to the Federal Government; after his return home, was chosen to represent his county in the Legislature, which position he filled creditably to himself, and satisfactorily to his own constituents, serving on various committees of importance ; and at the present time holds the posi- tion of Fish Commissioner, by appointment from Gov- ernor McCreary. He is the happy possessor of robust health and great mental vigor, and, being still young, there is every reason to predict for him a career of future usefulness and honor. He married, in 1866, Miss Lucy Duke, daughter of Hon. James R. Duke, of Kentucky, and a relative of the Bufords, McDowells, and Marshalls of this State.

AKER, REV. SAMUEL, D. D., Baptist Cler- gyman, was born October 2, 1812, in Sussex County, England, and received his early educa- tion in that country. He engaged in mercan- tile pursuits until 1834, when he came to the United States; and, soon after, settled at Up- per Alton, Illinois, and became a student in the literary and theological department of Shurtleff College, where he remained three years. He was licensed to preach in 1834; and, after leaving college, and having preached at Jacksonville and St. Louis for a few months, was or- dained in the Baptist Church at Alton, in 1837. From that time until 1839, he was pastor of Cape Girardeau

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The Biographical encyclopaedia of Kentucky of the dead and living men of the nineteenth century, Part 99

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