USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 102
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496₺
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
broad of build; his manners were frank, engaging, and sin- cere; his commendation hearty, and his condemnation wither- ing.
He left his native State when a young man and settled in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he married Miss Mary Lewis, a lady belonging to an ancient and honorable family long dis- tinguished in Virginia. A brother of his wife, Nicholas Lewis, having the previous year emigrated to Kentucky where he was pleased with his new home, Isaac Miller, in 1804, determined to remove to Kentucky himself. At that time his family consisted of his wife and three children, Robert N., Warwick and Louisa, and he took with him twelve slaves. With this household he began his westward journey in wagons, with a carriage for his wife. He traveled over that route which penetrates the Cumberland range at the gap of that name, and arrived at the future home of his family on October 11, 1804.
He spent the first night at the house of his brother-in-law, Nicholas Lewis, and on the following day cleared the site for his home near the center of the land he had bought, then wholly in its primeval forest state.
Before the winter he had erected a substantial, though plain, house for his family, cabins for his slaves, and stables for his stock. Year by year he made additions to his out- buildings, which were spread around the dwelling like a vil- lage about its court-house. His own dwelling remained until his death, in much the same style as it found for itself on its erection. Around it clustered a throng of associations, which year after year its hospitable host made dear to his guests.
He soon became a man of mark, and was made one of the judges of the Jefferson circuit court, then having three on its bench. But his social distinction and eminent broad- heartedness were his loftiest titles to honor, and crowned him with undiminished splendor until his death, which occurred on the 8th day of August, 1844, at the ripe age of seventy- eight years.
ROBERT N. MILLER.
Robert N. Miller was the eldest son of Isaac Miller and Mary, his wife. He was born in Charlottesville, Virginia, December 1, 1791, and died at Clover Hill, Jefferson county, Kentucky, on the 18th day of September, 1877, having reached the rare age of eighty-five years. He married on March 17, 1817, Miss Juliet Thurston Holloway, who died in 1830, having borne him eight children, two only of whom reached maturity ; Isaac Price Miller and Emily Montague Miller, the wife of Dr. Thomas Buchannan.
On the 25th of November, 1830, he married a second wife, Mary Latimer Howard, eldest daughter of John Howard, of Beargrass, who bore him five children, two only of whom attained full age, Howard, and Madison Latimer.
Robert N. Miller soon gained for himself an honorable place among the inhabitants of his adopted home, and was early held in high esteem by his neighbors, which increased with his age.
By close attention to business he accumulated a good for- tune, and was ever ready to take part in and forward public improvements in his county and State. Though never seek- ing public station, he was twice elected to the State House of Representatives, and served once as sheriff of his county. He was one of the chief promoters in his county of the building of the turnpike from Louisville to Nashville, was an earnest advocate for the establishment of an agricultural
fair in his county, and contributed liberally of his time and means in sustaining it.
He was a consistent member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and at his death was probably its oldest communi- cant in the county. His christianity was not demonstrative, but none the less real, true, liberal, and exalted, and gave grace to a character well nigh perfect.
In all the relations of life he so bore himself as to com- mand the respect, the admiration, and the love of all who knew him ; his name became a synonym for all that was loveable, charitable and kindly in character, and his word for all that was true, and honorable, and just in business.
DR. WARWICK MILLER,
the son of Judge Isaac Miller, was born at Charlottesville, in Albemarle county, Virginia, in 1793, and came to Jefferson county, Kentucky, with his father in 1804. He grew up at his father's residence, "Old Place," receiving what educa- tional advantages the country then afforded, and profiting more than usual by them. He was of an ingenious, inquiring mind, and was constantly investigating new subjects. As a farmer he was for the best and most approved methods and in all county and State enterprises-building of roads, school- houses, improvement of stock, and such matters-he was foremost and helpful. He married young, being only about twenty-one, a Miss Martha Merriwether Prather, daughter of Captain Basil Prather, with whom he lived in devoted attach- ment until May, 1863, husband and wife dying within four days of each other at their place ot Edgewood, in the county. Dr. Warwick Miller was at an early age inclined to science and after his marriage he studied medicine, which he prac- ticed with great success. He loved the healing art and was a good physician and kind friend to many a poor family in the "Pond Settlement" of Jefferson county, certain portions of which were at that time very unhealthful. He was genial of temper and exceedingly fond of jest. He had a passion for hunting, which he had full opportunity to indulge during his youth, for when he first came to Kentucky there was but one brick house in Louisville, and deer and wild turkeys could be readily found in the dense surrounding forest, and now and then a bear. Even in old age his aim with the rifle was sure, and so fond was he of the sport that he used to go on hunting expeditions with the almost certain expectation of paying the penalty of illness.
His wife was truly a helpmate to him, liberal in mind beyond her time, devoted and tender. She cared for all that was best and noblest. She was a lover of letters, a lover of beauty. She was the friend of the friendless. She was full of sympathy and help for the humblest slave. To the end of her life her sweet impulsiveness and enthusiasm for the right and the true, and her warm human sympathy drew to her all who knew her and made her loved by persons of all ages and conditions.
Dr. Warwick Miller was returned to the General Assembly of Kentucky three times, never having the necessity of mak- ing a canvass, and was a man of mark and influence in his county. However, he did not greatly care for politics, but turned himself to a career of more immediately practical beneficence, leading with his wife a life of christian usefulness.
496q
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
CHARLES D. JACOB,
now mayor of Louisville, was born in that city June 1, 1838. Both his parents were Kentuckians-his father by virtue of early settlement and long-continued residence-his mother by birth. The latter, Lucy Donald Robertson, was a grand- daughter of Commodore Richard Taylor, one of the naval heroes of the War of Independence.
Mr. Jacob's early education was obtained under the most favorable conditions. After a few years in the best home schools, he went to Cambridge to prepare himself for Harvard college. Professor Reginald H. Chase, of Harvard, was en- gaged as his tutor, and during the years 1856 and 1857 directed his studies. In the latter year, so diligent had been the work of both, that Professor Chase gave him a certificate which entitled him to admission to the junior class at Harvard, an institution whose standard of scholarship was then as now of the highest order. But just here at the very threshold of college life he met a severe disappointment. An attack of diphtheria compelled his return to Louisville. It was hoped that his illness meant only temporary suspension of his studies, but the physical prostration which supervened, necessitated long rest and change of air; hence during the years 1857 and 1858 Mr. Jacob traveled in Europe, returning in September of the last named year in renewed health, and feeling that the advantages of foreign travel had, in a great degree, compensated him for the interruption to his college course.
A few months after his return from abroad, and on the 12th day of January, 1859, Mr. Jacob married Miss Addie Martin, of Louisville. In 1860, and for eight years thereafter, his state of health was such as to preclude his taking active part in the affairs of the city, whose welfare he has always had at heart, and in whose history he has since held so prominent a place. But in 1870 he accepted the Democratic nomination for councilman for the Seventh ward, and was elected; he served one term, and was re-elected without op- position.
In 1872 he announced himself a candidate for mayor. There were several other candidates, and the canvass was warm for a while, but before the election all save Mr. Jacob had retired, and he was, of course, elected, being the young- est man who had ever filled that office in Louisville.
In 1875 a call was made on him to stand for re-election. This call was signed by more than four thousand citizens, and was couched in language at once urgent and compli- mentary. The duties of the place had, however, weighed heavily on him, and having scruples about succeeding himself in office, he declined.
A mass meeting of the people was held on the 4th day of August, 1875; a meeting memorable for its magnitude and enthusiasm, and its demand on Mr. Jacob was so emphatic as to admit of no further refusal on his part. In the meantime the friends of the Hon. John G. Baxter had nominated that gentleman for the office, believing that Mr. Jacob's,first re- fusal was necessarily final. The contest which ensued was one of unprecedented rancor. Both candidates were Demo- crats, and the issue was therefore purely personal; both sides were determined, the excitement was intense, bonfires, illumined the streets, prominent speakers harangued the peo- ple, large sums of money were thrown into the canvass, which lasted several months, and resulted in the election of Mr. Jacob by a majority of a little less than one thousand. This has often been cited as the most remarkable local strug- gle on recor .! in this country, and the bitterness engendered by it served to illustrate in a striking manner the influence
of the two contestants over their respective factions. Enter- ing upon the duties of his office for a second term, Mr. Jacob continued mayor until the month of January, 1879, when by a change in the charter the mayor became ineligi- ble for re-election.
In September of the succeeding year, by the advice of his physicians, he went again to Europe to recruit his health, returning in September, 1880. In September, 1881, in re- sponse to urgent requests from his friends of both parties, he again became a candidate for mayor and was elected without opposition, receiving 14,260 of 15,000 votes polled at that election. He was installed in office for his third (and present) term January 2, 1882.
Mr. Jacob's inclination to engage in active business had been from time to time frustrated by periods of ill health, but in 1871 he accepted the presidency and general management of the Central Savings bank, which at that time was badly involved, and before he resigned the presidency in 1873 he had the satisfaction of seeing the bank restored to a sound financial basis.
The best comment on Mr. Jacob's personal character may be found in the manner in which he has been trusted by his fellow-citizens. The tribute which the people of his native city have paid to his intelligence and honesty by thrice select- ing him for the first honor in their gift needs no comment here, but we may add in simple justice that while diligently guarding the public interests he has brought into his official life the same high-bred courtesy and kindness which have so eminently distinguished him as a private citizen. If there be adverse opinions as to the wisdom of any part of his munici- pal policy, these he encounters in common with all public men who have the courage to maintain their own convictions. But in the light of his past record it is safe to predict that at the end of his third term Mr. Jacob will retire with undi- minished popularity from the office which he has adminis- tered with incorruptible purity, and graced with that courtly refinement which marks the true gentleman.
497
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
MAJOR JOHN HARRISON.
Major John Harrison was born in Westmore- land county, Virginia, in 1754. After passing through the Revolutionary struggle of 1776 as a soldier and officer in the American Army, he came to Louisville in 1785, and on the 24th of May, 1787, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Johnston, daughter of Dr. Benjamin John- ston, at the residence of William Johnston, on his farm, "Cave Hill," now Cave Hill Cemetery. He died in the town of Louisville July 23d, 1821.
Major Harrison from 1785 resided in the town of Louisville, and was an active partici- pant in repelling the attacks made by the In- dians upon the citizens of that part of Kentucky in the neighborhood of the Falls of the Ohio. In 1788 the inroads of the savages, and their attacks upon the several forts near Louisville, were frequent and bold, and Major Harrison, for the safety of his family, placed them in the fort at Clarksville, Indiana, located immediately east of Silver Creek, on the Ohio river. In this fort was born Sophia Jones Harrison, February 15th, 1788. The Virginia Legislature had set apart a tract of land to the north of the Ohio river as bounty to the officers and soldiers who were attached to the army under the command of General George Rogers Clark, and the town of Clarksville was laid out upon a part of the grant, which was called the "Illinois Grant." Major Harrison had five children, Sophia, the oldest, who intermarried with Robert A. New, Benjamin J., Colonel Charles L., Dr. John P., and James, all of whom, except Sophia, were born in the town of Louisville, and all of whom were raised in this city. Major Harrison lived until his youngest son had attained the age of 22 years, and his remains were followed to the grave by all the military companies of Louis- ville of that day, and a large concourse of citi- zens.
Major Harrison came to the Falls in a flat- boat from Wheeling, Virginia, in company with a number of other Revolutionary officers, who were seeking homes in what is now the State of Kentucky, among whom were the Wickliffes, Har- dins, Andersons, Lynn, Thompson, Nelson, Pat- ton, and Floyd. Major Harrison had learned to understand and speak the language of the Dela- ware tribe of Indians, who were located in what 63
is now the State of Indiana. Once every year a number of them were in the habit of coming to Louisville, bringing with them their squaws, laden with peltry, oil, and Indian curiosities, which they traded to the citizens of Louisville for red paint, blankets, calicoes, powder, and lead. On such occasions, the night before their depart- ure, the braves would have a grand frolic by get- ting drunk. Before their frolic commenced the squaws were careful to hide the knives and tomahawks of the "braves," so that they could not injure each other.
In 1788 Robert Johnston and James Perkins borrowed from Major Harrison a favorite hunt- ing horse, his rifle, and five hunting dogs, and went across the river to kill turkeys. Major Harrison advised them not to remain all night as the Indians might attack them that night, Johnston and Perkins found the game they sought very plentiful, and had fine sport during the day, but as night approached Perkins in- sisted upon their return to Louisville. Johnston prevailed upon him to stay, and to encamp for the night. They built a fire, cooked a portion of the turkeys, cut limbs of trees, and made a bed of their saddle blankets. About midnight they were aroused from their slumber by the barking of the dogs. Perkins believed that the dogs were barking at Indians; Johnston thought otherwise, as the Indians would when the dogs ran towards them retire and howl like wolves. Perkins not being satisfied, went from the fire some distance, and stood by a large tree; shortly afterwards he saw an Indian creeping towards the tree that shielded him. He immediately ran by the fire and cried to Johnston that "they were Indians." He continued the race for life, and when a short distance from the fire, he heard the report of Johnston's rifle, and immedi- ately the almost simultaneous report of the In- dian's gun. As Perkins ran an Indian, only a short distance from him, endeavored to shoot him, but his gun missed fire. Perkins ran and the Indian after him, but the superior activity of Perkins in jumping over a large fallen tree enabled him to escape and reach Jeffersonville before day. A body of some twenty men, mounted on horses, well armed, in company with Perkins, crossed the river and repaired to the scene of conflict. They found the body of Johnston perforated with several balls, his head
498
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
tomahawked and scalped, and his heart taken out of his body. The Indians took Major Harrison's horse and rifle, the dogs followed the horse. The Indians were pursued by their trail, but could not be overtaken. The body of John- ston was brought to Louisville and interred. Some years afterwards, and after Wayne's treaty with the Indians, a Delaware Indian told Major Harrison that he was one of the seven braves who had made the attack upon Perkins and Johnston ; that they had heard them shooting at turkeys during the day and had secretly watched them, and would have made the attack sooner had they not discovered that they were going to encamp for the night; that Johnston had killed one of the Indians, and showed that he was brave; and that they had taken his heart out to eat it to make them brave.
James Harrison was born the ist of May, 1799, and received a common English education at the Jefferson Seminary, in Louisville, under the tuition of Mann Butler, Richard Murray, and William Tompkins, Professors. In 1818 he went to the office of the Clerk of the Jeffer- son County and Circuit Court as an assistant to the then clerk, Worden Pope, and remained in his employ until the latter part of 1820. From that time until July, 1823, he was assiduously en- gaged in study. In the latter year he married Mary P. Overstreet, daughter of the Rev. James Overstreet, and entered into a partnership with him in merchandise, manufacturing tobacco, and cotton yarn, and in a saw-mill. The partner- ship closed in 1834, at which time he sold his interest in the saw-mill to David W. Reater. In 1827 Mr. Harrison was elected a Justice of the Peace of Jefferson county, which office he held until January, 1846, when by seniority in office he became High Sheriff for Jefferson county, and held the office for two years. He was elected Councilman for the Second ward in the city of Louisville in March, 1829, and introduced into the Council the first ordinance to establish the free schools in the city. From that time until 1849 he was elected to the Council eight years, and devoted no little time and all of his energies to advance the health and prosperity of Louis- ville. From 1843 to the present time he has been engaged in a large and important practice of the law, and now, in his eighty-third year, his superior activity and devotion to professional
duty are a marvel in the eyes of his younger brethren at the bar. In 1840 he was employed by the City Council of Louisville to codify the city charter and the laws relating to the city of Louisville and Jefferson county, and further to draft ordinances for the city. This duty was ac- complished to the entire satisfaction of the Board of Council, and was published, in book form, with the author's name. In 1864 he was elected to the State Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hon. Gibson Mallory. During his term in the Senate he rendered unusual service as Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, re- porting all business referred to his committee within a single day after its reference, by devot- ing himself, during the greater portion of the night, to the consideration of the same, and up- on one occasion he reported sixty bills for the action of the Senate. He introduced measures to repeal such laws as operated against those who sympathized with the Southern Confederacy, and also measures to regulate the status of colored citizens of the State. He was urged to become a candidate for re-election, and would have been elected without opposition, but declined. He entered the Order of Odd Fellows in 1831, and, prior to his removal to the country, was very active in that society. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in August, 1820, and has since been a member of that denomina- tion, holding the usual lay offices. He has, for a number of years, been an efficient member of the Board of Trustees of the Institution for the Education of the Blind.
His first wife, Mary O. Harrison, died in 1832, leaving four children. In 1834 he married Susan Howard, widow of Lee White, who bore him two children, and died in 1854. In 1858 he married Virginia Corlett, widow of James Mc- Grain ; and by her he had five children. He has lost six children, two being married daugh- ters. Mr. Harrison is of high integrity of char- acter, and after obtaining a release from all his debts, upon failing in business in 1840, he after- wards, out of his professional income, paid every dollar of the debts from which he had been re- leased long before. He began practicing his profession late in life, but matured by study and business experience ; his success was unusual and has always continued ; and no lawyer at the Jefferson county bar is more highly respected.
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499
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
HON. H. W. BRUCE,
late Chancellor of the Louisville Chancery Court, and now attorney of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company, is a native of Lewis county, in this State, born in a comfortable country home on the banks of the Ohio, one mile below Vanceburg, February 22, 1830. The name, Horatio Washington, was given him for his two uncles, Horatio and Washington Bruce. He was son of Alexander and Amanda (Bragg) Bruce. The father was of Virginian parentage and Scotch ancestry, but himself a native of Garrard county, Kentucky, and in mature life combined the occupations of lawyer, farmer, and merchant. The mother had also Virginians for parents, and was herself born in Kentucky.
Judge Bruce's earliest ancestors in America, of whom we have any authentic account, were, in the maternal line, John and Maren Gibbs, a Scotch couple, who immigrated to Virginia and died, it is said, of nostalgia soon after they settled in this then wild country. They left a daughter, Mary, who married George Neville, of the family, it is believed, of the King-maker, the last of the Barons. Anne, a daughter of George and Mary Neville, married Thomas Blakemore, and their daughter, Lucy, married Thomas Bragg; and Amanda, the daughter of Thomas and Lucy Bragg, married Alexander, the father of Judge Bruce. Alexander was the son of John Bruce, the son of a Scotchman who had emigrated to Virginia. John Bruce married Elizabeth, the daughter of Henry Clay, Jr., of Mecklenburg county, Virginia. John Bruce's father had mar- ried a North-of-Ireland lady. So Judge Bruce's inherited blood is quite composite. The Gibbses and Bruces were Scotch; the Nevilles and Blakeinores, English; the Clays, Welsh; Thomas Bragg's mother, French; and John Bruce's mother, Irish. An interesting account of Eliza- beth Bruce's sister, Rachel Martin (nee Clay) is recorded in Mrs. Ellet's Women of the Revolu- tion (vol. i, p. 274).
Young Bruce was well educated in private schools near his home, notably in one kept by a graduate of Washington College, Pennsylvania, and in another school at Manchester, Ohio. When but fifteen years old, however, he made a beginning of practical life as clerk in a dry-goods store at Vanceburg, where he staid about four years. In the winter of 1849-50 and the sum-
mer of the latter year le taught school in his native county, at the same time assiduously de- voting his spare hours to reading and studying law. In December, 1850, he went to Flemings- burg, and continued the study of law in the office of the Hon. Leander M. Cox, of that place. He was soon favorably noted for the regularity of his habits and the eager interest he took in his studies; was admitted to the bar within less than a year, in July, 1851, his license being signed by Judges Walker Reid and J. W. Moore. The next year he opened an office in Flemingsburg. He worked hard, was rigidly attentive to his du- ties, and early reaped the rewards of professional success. Within about three years (in 1855) he was called as a Whig, or American, candidate to represent the people of Fleming county in the State Legislature, and served with great credit for so young a member. The next year he was elected Commonwealth's Attorney for the Tenth Judicial District, but resigned after a service of something more than two years to settle in Louisville. He came here in 1858, but did not resign his attorneyship until the spring of 1859, when nearly half his official term had expired. He formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Ben Hardin Helm, afterwards a General in the Confederate Army, who was killed at Chicka- mauga. They rapidly built up a large and lucra- tive practice; but the outbreak of the civil war in 1861 induced a complete abandonment of their business for the time being. Mr. Bruce was made the candidate of the States' Rights party that year for a seat in the Federal Congress against Robert Mallory.
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