History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I, Part 114

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 114

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Pleased with this portion of the State, he re- mained several months, weighing the expediency of disposing of his inherited estate in Delaware

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

and investing in Kentucky. He returned to Delaware, and the next year came back to Ken- tucky with servants and means to settle in the West. Soon after his return he entered into an engagement with Mr. David L. Ward to assume the book-keeping and general management of Mr. Ward's salt works in Bullitt county. By the terms of the agreement he was to receive a stip- ulated salary; his servants to be employed in the salt works and their hire to be paid in salt, which he was to have the privilege of selling in connection with Mr. Ward's salt.

In making sales of the salt he made frequent visits to Middletown, a place of commercial con- sequence, then a rival of Louisville, and also visits to Lexington and Cincinnati. To the lat- ter city the salt was shipped by keel-boats, but · Mr. Brown always made the journey on horse- back.

After prosecuting this business successfully for several years, a keel-boat and its cargo were totally wrecked between Louisville and Cincin- nati, which seemed to impress Mr. Brown deeply with the uncertainty of commercial life, and he soon withdrew from the salt-works. Even prior to this reverse, however, he had never consid- ered this his permanent business. He had en- tered into it only as a temporary pursuit, to allow him time and opportunity to perfect his plans.

September 25, 1809, he married Miss Urath Owings Lawrence, only daughter of Mr. Samuel Lawrence and Mrs. Sarah Lawrence (nee Hobbs), of Jefferson county, Kentucky. Never was there consummated a wiser, happier, more equal mar- riage. She was "the best gift" of God's "provi- dence" to her husband. This he appreciated all the days of his life.

Miss Lawrence was lovely and refined in ap- pearance ; in manners gentle and courteous, with rare repose and dignity; and although but eighteen years of age, was singularly developed in character. She was well endowed with all the solid qualities requisite to a firm foundation for character, while she was rich in the gentler attri- butes. She was the impersonation of affection, tender sensibility, and unfailing sympathy; and her energy equaled her other gifts.

She had been reared by a conscientious, pains- taking, admirable mother, and had acquired her literary education principally at the celebrated school of Rev. Dr. Wilson, at Bardstown ; which

little town was at that period one of the two seats of learning in the State of Kentucky. Be- ing an only daughter, much household responsi- bility had devolved upon her when almost a child in years; so, when she went to her new home, she carried with her much knowledge and experience of practical life, an ability to make indeed a home for her husband. Her devotion to his interests evoked a rare executive ability. She relieved him of all care of domestic con- cerns, superintending garden and dairy, and providing for all the needs of his servants. These duties she continued to discharge even after the expanding farm demanded more hands and the servants increased to quite a host.

While giving daily systematic attention to this wide circle of duties, friends, relations, and chil- dren received a full share of attention. Her children received the tenderest nurture; and her house, in its exquisite neatness and order, its profuse, boundless hospitality-a hospitality which recipients were wont to call "princely"- was a pattern home. Mr. and Mrs. Brown en- tertained with cordial courtesy, and both were so truly polite that they extended to the hum- blest neighbor who came under roof the same urbane courtesy that greeted their most admired guest.

Mr. Brown's first farm in Kentucky, situated upon the Brunerstown road, was occupied by him two years, and then sold to the late Mr. John Hikus, Sr. About 1812 he purchased four hundred acres of valuable land on Beargrass creek, including the site of the old Dutch settle- ment for mutual protection against the depreda- tions of the Indians. This place of refuge was known through the country as Dutch Station; and Mr. Brown adopted this name for his farm.

On his new purchase he built a comfortable dwelling-house, which is still standing. In 1820 he erected his larger, more commodious brick residence, which was his home the remainder of his life. This mansion, the scene of so much domestic felicity and elegant hospitality, and which is encircled by a halo of pleasant memories, is still in possession of his family, having passed to the inheritance of his youngest son, Mr. Arthur Brown, who resides there.

Mr. Brown soon began to enlarge his farm, and employed the assistance of an overseer to aid him in the execution of his plans. Such

HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

assistance the size of the farm continued to re- quire, even after-many years later-he associa- ted with himself as partner in the conduct of the farm his son, Mr. Theodore Brown.

In mind Mr. Brown was broad, clear, incisive, and exhaustive, when undertaking to master a subject or branch of business. His mind was philosophical as well as practical. He deliber- ated before taking an important step, and, there- fore, his plans were well matured before he car- ried them into effect; and this insured a full measure of success. His judgment was too clear to permit him to be discouraged by disap- pointment in crops or to be influenced by tem- porary fluctuations in the markets. Even, steady yield of crops was his aim. He desired the best methods attainable, and being free from prejudice, made a habit of making prudent experiments from year to year; noting and comparing the re- sults with great accuracy.

He read the agricultural books and papers of the day, and was well informed upon agricultural topics relating to other parts of this country and England; and was an officer in the first agri- cultural society formed in this county.

He knew the value of soil, and although striv- ing to render his farm productive and profitable, his habit was to economize and preserve its quality by rotation of crops and free use of clover, that it might be unimpaired in the future.

A humane, kind, generous master, his care of his servants was unvarying, and as laborers he kept them up to a high standard of efficiency.

He did not attempt to keep fancy stock ; but considering his stock a part of the means to carry on the farin, he kept it fai above the aver- age of good farm stock.

Neatness, thoroughness, system, and punctu- ality were undeviatory rules of his everyday farm life. To every detail of the farming, even after it had grown to large proportions, he lent his at- tention, seeing that fences were in repair, and all implements were in order and carefully housed when not in use. His principal crops were corn, wheat, and hemp; hemp being his largest and most remunerative crop.

A man possessing such qualities, in combina- tion with lofty moral character, great mental acumen, and courteous manners, could not fail to command general respect. His example and opinions carried great weight. He was often se-

lected as an arbiter in adjusting conflicting prop- erty interests, and he was quot d as authority on various subjects, farming, politics, law, history, and leading questions of the day. This defer- ence was a tribute to his character and worth ; for no man ever did less to conciliate popular favor.

He was in manner stately, without pomposity ; in conversation reserved, but when he spoke there were in his speech a uniqueness and pithiness most convincing.

He was kind and generous in the several re- lations of kinsman, friend, neighbor, citizen. But although liberal in his dealings with them, he prudently forebore to incur security liabilities. It is related a friend pressed him to indorse for him. He firmly refused him, but when the friend entered a bank soon after, he was informed that such a sum as he needed was there to his credit. He expressed surprise, and then learned Mr. James Brown had lent him the amount.

Mr. Brown was eminently a modest man ; had no ambition for public place of honors; but the confidence and esteem of his constituency early chose him for the position of county magistrate -a position of importance and honor at that day. In the midst of an active, busy life, he found time, as a good citizen, to fulfill conscien- tiously for many years the duties of this office, declining all fees. Tradition accords him the commendation of having been the wisest, most efficient occupant of the office.

During the years which we have traced a nu- merous family had gathered in Mr. Brown's favored home. Some of these children had been-

"As the sweet flower that scents the early morn, But withers in the rising day,"

their pure spirits passing away in infancy or early childhood. Those who lived to adult years were were Sarah Lawrence (Mrs. Patrick H. Pope, of Louisville), Caroline (Mrs. James Anderson, Jr., of Louisville), Mary Ann (Mrs. Thomas S. For- man, of Louisville), Theodore, James Lawrence, and Arthur. Two of these lovely, gifted daugh- ters, while yet in early womanhood, passed away before their affectionate parents. The eldest, Mrs. Pope, still lives to adorn the large circle of society which has always held her in admiring esteem.

Although much engrossed in farming, Mr.

Act. Robinsone

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

Brown took deep interest in current events af- fecting the welfare of State and country. He was a constant reader of the Washington Intelli- gencer and other leading papers of the day. Debates and controversial works were his espe- cial delight. While he always considered more the character of the candidate than of the party the candidate represented, he usually voted with the Whig party, and watched the course of Clay and other great lights of that patriotic party with intense interest. He also followed the noted controversy between Rev. Nathan Rice and Rev. Alexander Campbell with keen relish. So logical and argumentative was the scope of his mind, it seems strange that he did not in early life em- brace the profession of law. But rural life pos- sessed great charms for him. The calm contem- plation of Nature seemed better suited to his temperament than a more exciting life.

He seems to have inherited the fondness of his ancestors for lands; for he added land to land to his home tract, and also two hundred acres to a farm of four hundred acres, called Quirey Place, which was given him early in his married life by his father-in-law, Mr. Lawrence. This farm Mr. Brown worked in common with his home tract until given by him to his son, Mr. James Lawrence Brown. He also purchased a farm of two hundred acres on Fern creek, and made investments in real estate in Louisville.

His home tract of eleven hundred and thirty acres was esteemed very remarkable-one of the most available tracts in Kentucky. Its fertility was almost uniform and of the highest order, equal to the best Blue Grass lands ; and it was abundantly watered by Beargrass creek and sev- eral excellent, unfailing springs. The face of this farm was a landscape to charm the eye. Its woodland approaches-from the Shelbyville road, its northern boundary, and from the Taylorsville road, its southern boundary-were beautiful and grand as the world-famed parks of Europe. A broad expanse of well-shaped fields of hemp and various grains stretched from wood to wood, with sparkling stream meandering through un- dulating meadows green; while on a gentle up- land, amid ample grounds, bright flower-gardens, and generous orchard, the hospitable mansion stood.

The engraving prefixed to this memorial de- lineates Mr. Brown at the age of sixty-seven years.

At seventy-two he was still robust and vigorous, and erect as any Norway pine. He contracted a severe cold, including pleuro-pneumonia, which, April 9, 1853, terminated his life, his departing spirit trusting in the sure "mercies of God through Christ." Two days later his body was laid to rest on his own farm, on the acres so beloved by him in life.

The late Rev. William L. Breckinridge, in his funeral discourse, enumerating the virtues of the lamented dead, dwelt upon the " good name" left as a rich legacy, " better," inspiration affirms, "than precious ointment."

Mrs. Brown survived her husband a few brief months, and then was laid by his side, awaiting a joyful resurrection.

Louisville, April 15, 1882.

RICHARD ALEXANDER ROBINSON,

oldest son of Lyles Robert and Catherine Worthington Robinson, was born on his father's farm, "Spring Hill," near Winchester, Frederick county, Virginia, October the 23d, 1817. His father was born in the same county in June, 1790, and was the eldest child of Alexander and Priscilla Robinson, of Baltimore, Maryland. Alexander Robinson was a successful merchant of Baltimore, and lived to the advanced age of ninety-five. His wife died soon after the birth of her son Lyles, leaving him to the care of his sister, Mrs. Archibald Magill, of Winchester, where he remained during his boyhood, and then resided in Baltimore with his father, where he acquired a mercantile education.

In November, 1813, he married Catherine W., the daughter of Dr. Richard and Achsah W. Goldsborough, of Cambridge, Maryland, and soon after settled on his farm, near Winchester, where he continued to reside until his death, September 21, 1834. His wife died December 10, 1828. She was a devoted Christian, an ac- tive member of the Episcopal Church, and ex- erted a marked influence on her family and friends. Her children, who were old enough, were early impressed with the importance of their religious duties, and were regular attendants of the Sunday-school and the church.

The subject of this sketch received the ad- vantages of an English education, mainly at the

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

Winchester academy, a school of some note in that region. But having expressed a desire to become a merchant at the early age of fourteen, in March, 1832, his father obtained for him a situation with Baker Tapscott, a leading mer- chant of Shepherdstown, Virginia, in an adjoining county. In this establishment he formed the basis of a business education which proved of great value to him in his subsequent career.

The death of his father in 1834 had caused the dispersion of his sisters and brothers amongst their relations in Maryland and Virginia. The eldest brother especially felt the responsibility of his position, which resulted in the determination to seek some favorable point in the West as a rallying point for the family, in the hope that they all might be again reunited. With this object in view he began, soon after his father's death, by more diligent application to business, to prepare himself for a larger field of labor. After careful observation he selected Louisville as the most eligible point. He had several friends in Louis- ville from Virginia. Amongst them was Mr. Arthur Lee, with whom he had been on intimate terms of friendship in Virginia.

In March, 1837, he arrived in Louisville and succeeded, through the aid of Mr. Lee, in secur- ing a position as book-keeper in a wholesale grocery house, which he retained for about twelve months, the house in which he was em- ployed being forced into liquidation by the severe panic of May, 1837. He then obtained a position as book-keeper with Messrs. Casseday & Ranney, which he retained for a period of three years, until January, 1841, then resigning to em- bark in business on his own account.

In the meantime he had succeeded in obtain- ing situations for his brothers, Goldsborough and Archibald Magill, and formed a partnership with them and his friend Arthur Lee, under the firm name of Robinson, Lee & Co., and engaged in a small retail dry-goods business on Market street. In August, 1841, Mr. Lee died, which was felt to be as great an affliction as the loss of a brother. He left a bright example of Chris- tian character, and had endeared himself to a large circle of friends. He was the grandson of Richard Henry Lee, and a grand-nephew of Francis Lightfoot and Arthur Lee, of Revolu- tionary fame. After the death of Mr. Lee the firm was Robinson & Brothers.

Of the five brothers who moved to this city, Goldsborough died in August, 1844, from the effects of a railroad accident near Baltimore, Maryland, and William Meade died in Novem- ber, 1858. Archibald M. is now at the head of a large cotton and flour mill at Grahampton, Kentucky, and John M. at the head of the large dry-goods house in this city of J. M. Robinson & Company.

In June, 1842, the subject of this sketch mar- ried Miss Eliza D., daughter of William F. and Mary S. Pettit, of this city. Mr. Pettit was a prominent citizen and successful merchant.

Soon after his marriage he had the satisfaction to see all the living members of his family re- united in the same city, with the single exception of his eldest sister, who had married and settled in Maryland. The hopes of his youth and the efforts of his early manhood were thus happily realized.

In 1842 he retired from the dry-goods firm, transferring his interest to his brother, and en- gaged in the retail drug business on Market street with Messrs. James George and Arthur Peter. In 1846 he removed to Main street and engaged in the wholesale drug business, which was successful, and resulted in the estab- lishment, in 1855, of the present house of R. A. Robinson & Company, one of the largest in that branch of business in the Southwest.

With the view of giving his sons ample scope for their talents and energies, in 1878 he estab- lished the wholesale hardware house of Robinson Brothers & Co., which has been remarkably suc- cessful. More recently he has established a joint stock company, capital $200,000, for the manu- facture of woolen goods, styled the Louisville, Kentucky, Woolen Mills. With characteristic prudence Mr. Robinson has thus provided for his sons, all of whom but the youngest, who has not yet finished his collegiate studies, have won the entire confidence of the community and are treading closely in the footsteps of their honored father. By precept and example he has made them what they are.

During the various monetary panies which have occurred within the last forty years, he has never failed to meet every obligation promptly, and during the disasters of the late civil war, when his losses in the South were very heavy, every obligation was paid in full.

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

It is needless to say that Mr. Robinson's suc- cess has been the result of indefatigable indus- try, prudent economy, sound judgment, and cor- rect business principles.

He has always declined political office as be- ing incompatible with his other duties. He has, however, held various public trusts, the duties of which have always been faithfully discharged. He was one of the Directors of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company for six years, of the Elizabethtown & Paducah road for five years, and of the Louisville Bridge Company from its incipiency to its completion. He was for some years a Director and Vice-President of the Falls City Tobacco Bank, but was compelled to retire from these trusts by the pressure of other duties. He has been a member of St. Paul's church since its establishment in 1839, filling the various positions of Sunday-school teacher, vestryman, and warden the greater portion of that time. He has frequently represented that parish in the diocesan council, and for three sessions repre- sented in part the diocese of Kentucky in the general conventions of the church. It is strictly true to say of him that no man has heen more liberal in support of the church and all its chari- ties, or has responded more promptly or liberally to calls upon him for the promotion of the gen- eral interests of the community.

He is modest and unassuming in his inter- course with his fellow-men, charitable in his judgment of others, and true to his own convic- tions of right and duty. In his life and conduct he exemplifies the highest type of the Christian gentleman.

It is not strange that his character should have been fully appreciated by an intelligent commu- nity. That character was fully understood by the representative business men of Louisville. The Board of Trade, in which every department of business is represented and the high qualities of the merchant are understood and recognized, by a unanimous vote bestowed upon him the high distinction of honorary life member of that organ- ization. This was the first time that this honor was conferred on any citizen of Louisville. It was unsought, and was voluntarily bestowed by those who knew how to appreciate his exalted worth. The following correspondence speaks for itself, and is such a testimonial as any man might rejoice to be able to transmit to his posterity.

MR. GREEN'S' LETTER.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, January 9, 1882. Mr. Richard A. Robinson.

DEAR SIR : I am charged by the Board of Directors of the Board of Trade with the duty of informing you of your election as honorary life member of their organization.

It seems to me, sir, in presenting to you this high testi- monial of the regard of your fellow-men, that we, as the representatives of our merchants and manufacturers, were but paying that just tribute which we owe to those who have distinguished themselves for the merits and virtues which make the great and good man and merchant.

The by-laws provide that one member per year may be chosen; that ample notice shall be given of the intention to elect; that there shall be no nominations; and that it shall re- quire the unanimous vote of at least two-thirds of all the board. The unanimous vote of eighteen representative merchants and manufacturers, in attendance at the meeting, in choosing you to first receive this distinguished honor, is a more eloquent tribute to your worth than anything I could say.

In the name of the Board of Directors of the Board of Trade, permit me to transmit to you this engraved parch- ment, and may its reception be both a gratification to you and yours, and an incentive to others to imitate the noble ex- ample which you have set them.

I remain, very respectfully,

JOHN F. GREEN, President.

MR. ROBINSON'S REPLY.

LOUISVILLE, January 9, 1882. John E. Green, President of the Board of Trade.

DEAR SIR: Your communication of this dale, advising me officially of the great and unexpected honor conferred on me by the Board of Trade, has been received.

I am profoundly grateful for this high testimonial of my neighbors and friends, and will always cherish it as one of the most valuable that could have been bestowed.

I will transmit it to my children for their encouragement and emulation, and as having a value which wealth can not bestow.

Your action affords an additional stimulant for my active efforts during the few remaining years of my life to do all I can to promote the prosperity and happiness of a community in which I have lived for a period of nearly forty-five years. I am very respectfully your obedient servant,

R. A. ROBINSON.

Such is an imperfect sketch of the active, use- ful, and prosperous career of R. A. Robinson. We have known him from his early manhood, and feel no ordinary gratification in recording the story of his successful and blameless life.

W. F. B.

HON. R. J. WARD.

The Hon. Robert J. Ward, a member of one of the most notable families ever identified with the history of the Blue Grass region or of Ken- tucky, was for more than thirty years a distin- guished resident of Louisville, and a most hos-

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pitable and courteous citizen, after the best tradi- tions of Southern hospitality. He was son of William and Sallie (Johnson) Ward, and was born at their elegant homestead near Georgetown on the Sth day of January, 1800. This, as is well known, subsequently became celebrated as " Battle of New Orleans Day," and the simulta- neous celebration, long after, of the two events, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sallie Ward Hunt, in the Crescent City, was among the most pleasant social occurrences of the year.

Robert was exceedingly fortunate in his par- ents, who were gifted far above the average of humanity, and contributed greatly to the forma- tion of his brilliant intellect and unusually kind and lovable character. They had come at an early day in the history of the State, across the mountains from the old Virginia home, in a pri- vate conveyance, as the necessary manner of that time was, and settled upon a tract on the Blue Grass in the neighborhood of Georgetown, which subsequently was developed into a very large and valuable property. The son had the advantages of the pure air and exercise of the farm, and the opportunities of the best tutors and schools then available. He advanced most successfully through all grades of academic and collegiate education, and took his final diploma with the highest distinction as graduate from one of the best schools of law then in the land. His scholarly tastes and habits were main- tained all through his life, and he gradually accu- mulated one of the most unique and valuable libraries in the West, which was regularly and faithfully used for his personal culture and that of his family.

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History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I, Part 114

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 814