USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 5
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The Chenoweth family were residents of this precinct, likewise the Williamsons. One son, John Williamson, now living at the advanced age of ninety years, run the gauntlet at one time. This occurred near the present residence of Dr. Fry. The two walnut trees near the house mark the starting and terminating points of the race in this contest, distant fifty paces.
The first physicians of the place were Drs. Wood and Collins, who practiced here previous to' the year 1805, and were followed by Drs. Chew and Glass, who staid until 1830 and 1832, when Dr. Glass died and Dr. Chew moved to Connecticut. Drs. Young and Vance practiced from that time until about 1840, then Dr. Bemis and Dr. Fry until 1852, when they gave place to Drs. Witherbee and Goldsmith, who were again followed by Drs. S. O. Witherbee and Fry.
The Methodist Episcopal church was built.
here about 1800, and was, for a pioneer society, in a flourishing condition. The oldest resident pastor of this congregation was Rev. James Ward, who had served the church for full fifty years when he died in 1854, eighty years of age. The society is still in existence, Rev. Alexander Gross being the minister in charge, but since the building up of the Methodist societies at Anchor- age and other places the church is not so strong as formerly.
The Old Presbyterian church was established here also in an early day, and flourished until the society was organized in Anchorage, when their interests were transferred to that place.
The Christian society have had a representation here for many years, and have a church building and an organized society.
Among the prominent citizens of the place may be mentioned Drs. Fry and Witherbee.
Abraham Fry came from Maryland and settled here as early as 1795, purchasing at that time two hundred acres. He came with his wife's people. Her name was Miss Mary Smizer. He married again in 1814, his second wife being Miss Susan Whips.
Dr. William Fry, A. M., M. D., was born in IS19 ; was educated at the Transylvania univer- sity, graduating from the literary course and in medicine in 1834 ; was two years in the city hospital of Louisville as its resident physician. He came here in 1840, practiced medicine six- teen years, then went to Louisiana where he practiced medicine eleven years, then returned and has since resided in Middletown. He was married in 1842 to Miss Margaret Brengman, who died in June, 1872, and has a family of four daughters now living.
Dr. Silas Witherbee, M. D., born November 23, 1846, in Northern New York State, was ed- ucated at tire St. Lawrence university and came to Kentucky in 1865, and has since controlled the practice of medicine in the Middletown pre- cinct, and is well fitted in point of ability and experience to successfully carry out the calling of this profession. He was married in 1874 to Miss Mary Beywroth, daughter of Judge Bey- wroth of Mississippi. Dr. Witherbee has been for the past four years a magistrate of Middle- town precinct. He purchased his property in Middletown in 1876, and has since made exten- sive repairs upon it.
31
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
Hamilton Ormshy was born in Jefferson county September 17, 1832. His grandfather, Stephen Ormsby, a native of Ireland, was among the first settlers in the county; was the first circuit judge in this district, also represented the district in Congress in the time of Clay. His son Stephen, the father of Hamilton Ormsby, was a prominent citizen. He was in the Mexican war, serving as colonel. He died in April, 1869, aged about sixty-five years. Hamilton Ormsby owns four hundred and fifty acres, and does a large farming business. He married, in 1852, Miss Edmonia Taylor, of this county. They have six children-Edward, William T., Nannie, wife of Robert W. Herr; Stephen S., J. Lewis, and Edmonia. The family belong to the Chris- tian church.
Abraham Fry came to this county from Mary- land about the year 1795, and settled at Fry's Hill, on Goose creek. His wife, Susan (Whipps) Fry, bore him a large family of children, only three of whom are now living, viz: John, Nancy, and William. The names of those living at the time of Abraham Fry's death in 1821 were: John, Sally, Nancy, Abraham, Elizabeth, Mary, and William. Dr. William Fry was born in 1819. He was educated at Lexington, Ken- tucky. He was physician to the Louisville hos- pital two years, commencing in 1838. He prac- ticed in Louisiana eleven years; the remainder of the time he has been practicing in Jefferson county, where he is widely known and respected.
L. L. Dorsey, Jr., an old and highly respected citizen, was born in Middletown precinct Febru- ary 17, 1818. He married Miss Lydia Phillips. They have six children living, viz: Rosa, Nannie, Clark, Mattie, Robert, and Lydia. Mr. Dorsey has a fine farm and a beau- tiful home. His farm consisted originally of three hundred acres, afterwards of over one thousand acres, a part of which he has disposed of. He has done a large business for many years, raising high-bred trotting horses. He is one of the leading farmers of the county, and socially stands high. His father, Elias Dorsey, came from Maryland when a boy. The farm of Mr. Dorsey has been in possession of the family about one hundred years.
Dr. Silas O. Witherbee was born in St. Law- rence county, New York, in 1846. He was
educated at the St. Lawrence university, Canton, New York, and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city. He came to Middle- town in 1867, and has since practiced here with good success. He practices in quite an extensive territory, and is highly esteemed as a man and a physician. Dr. Witherbee is a member of the Episcopal church. He holds at present the office of magistrate.
Joseph Abel came to this county very early. He married Catherine Hartley, a native of Mary- land. They had fourteen children, ten of whom grew up, and but two of whom are now living- Mrs. Ann Bull, widow of William Bull ; and Mrs. Margaret Kane, widow of Charles Kane. Mr. Abel was a prominent farmer and a worthy man. He died in 1843, in the ninety-fourth year of his age. Mrs. Abel died in 1822, at the age of fifty-one.
B. F. Morse was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, in 1809, and was brought up in Ashtabula county, Ohio. He came to Jefferson county in 1836; kept store several years, and has since been engaged in farming. Mr. Morse has four hundred acres of good land, well im- proved. He has about two thousand trees in his orchards. He raises stock and grain princi- pally-usually keeps thirty to forty head of cattle, one hundred and twenty-five sheep, and six or more horses. Mr. Morse is one of our most thrifty farmers, as well as a respected and worthy citizen.
Mrs. Ruth W. Tarbell was born in Dover, New Hampshire, in IS10. She was the daughter of Obadiah and Sarah Whittier, her father being an uncle to the poet, John Greenleaf Whittier. Ruth Whittier married for her first husband Dr. S. A. Shute, of New Hampshire. Her second husband was Mr. A. Tarbell, a leading and ac- tive citizen of this county-to which he came from New York State about the year 184r. For many years he was extensively engaged in stock- buying here, and was highly honored as a man of business enterprise and social worth. Mr. Tarbell died in 1868, aged sixty-four years. Mrs. Tarbell resides at Middletown, which has now been her home for twenty years. Only two of her children are now living-Maria A. Tarbell, and Mrs. Ruth A. Blankenbaker.
Stephen M. Woodsmall was born in Jefferson county, in 1826. His father, Captain Jobn
32
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
Woodsmall, came here from Spencer county, in 1816. He reared seven children, five of whom are living. S. M. Woodsmall is the youngest son. He married Miss Cynthia A. Baird, of Spencer county, in 1848. They have five chil- dren-Sally M., James W., Molly A., Sabina, Mattie M. Mr. Woodsmall and family belong to the Christian church. He held the office of magistrate four years; was census enumerator in 1860 and 1880.
John Downey was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, in 1810, and came to Jefferson county, Kentucky, in 1834. He settled on Harrods creek, where he resided until 1853, when he moved to his present residence near Middletown. Mr. Downey has three hundred and fifteen acres in two tracts, and does a good farming business. He was married in 1834 to Miss Ruth Owens, of this county. They had twelve children, four of whom are living-Lizzie, Charles John, Edward Hobbs, and Mary Louisa. Mr. Downey and family belong to the Methodist church. He has been a Mason many years. He held the office of magistrate two terms.
SHARDINE PRECINCT.
This precinct presents the form of a regular tri- angle, having its apex within the city limits of Louisville, and bounded on the east and west by the two railroads that run southerly. Its early history is more' traditional than that of any other political division in the county, the early settlers having all left, and the once marshy, boggy lands being afterwards taken up by the thrifty, well to do German population who now have highly cultivated farms and live in a flourishing condition. They have settled in this portion of the county quite recently, comparatively, and will in course of time have their lands all drained and their farms fertile and rich.
ANCHORAGE
is a small election precinct set apart a few years since,without any magisterial prerogatives, for the convenience of its citizens when voting for county, State, or other officers. The municipal town of this precinct is the village of Anchorage,
formerly Hobbs' Station, upon the Louisville, Cincinnati & Lexington Short Line railroad, twelve miles from Louisville. It is a beautiful little village and has a few good dwelling-houses, two churches, the Bellwood seminary, and the Kentucky Normal school.
This station was formerly called Hobbs, but after the advent of Captain Sosle, in honor of his services as a captain of a boat it was named Anchorage. It has the advantages af- forded by seven daily passenger trains each way from Louisville, three from Cincinnati, two from Lexington, together with freight and express facilities equally advantageous to all points.
For history of early settlements and prominent citizens of this precinct see biographies.
We give below a history of its schools, churches, and of the Central Kentucky Lunatic asylum.
This last named institution had its origin in a house of refuge, founded in 1870. The author- ities of the State appointed a committee consist- ing of Dr. Vallandingham, R. C. Hudson, and S. L. Garr, who erected the main building-sixty by thirty-four feet, at a cost of fifty thousand dollars.
The few cases for discipline, and the increased demand for suitable accommodations for the unfortunate persons who became bereft of reason, induced the State to transform the house of refuge into an asylum, and the wisdom of that act has been verified in the number of inmates it has since received and treated success- fully. This change was made in the year 1872. A board of commissioners appointed a medical superintendent, and erected additional buildings from time to time, until its capacity is suffi- cient to accommodate the present number of five hundred and fifty inmates.
The main building, 60 x 134 feet, was erected in 1870, at a cost of about fifty thousand dollars. After being used a short time for the Home for the Friendless it was converted into an asylum in 1872, and run as it was at that time, until 1875, when the wings were erected, each one being 120 X 36, and each having a capacity for holding about seventy patients, but owing to the crowded condition the superintendent has been under the necessity of placiug in each wing about one hundred patients.
The main building with the two principal
EVERGREEN. RESIDENCE OF THE HON, E. D. HOBBS, ANCHORAGE, JEFFERSON COUNTY, KY.
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
33
wings, are in good repair, also the east and west buildings which are separate structures, entirely disconnected from the main building and its wings. The west building has been of late years entirely remodelled, and is a convenient and comfortable building, probably the most so of any about the place, and has a capacity for fifty pa- tients.
Just north of this west building some one hun- dren and fifty feet, stands a temporary wooden building, where some seventy-five persons are confined, and are as well cared for as possible by competent attendants. This house is not a suit- able place for epileptics and idiots, it being a hot tinder-box in the summer time, and ex- tremely cold in winter.
The constant watch and care exercised over these poor, helpless, unfortunate creatures by Dr. Gale and his assistants, obviates this disadvan- tage to a degree. Probably no man could be easily found who has a warmer heart and would watch over the inmates as constantly with a singleness of purpose in alleviating their wants, than the present superintendent. A visit to the asylum will convince the most skeptical that in point of cleanliness, diet, cheerfulness, and kind- ness on the part of the officers towards the in- mates, and the zealous care exercised over them to contribute to their happiness and com- fort, that there is no better institution in the land.
It is worthy of remark that Dr. Gale is not only eminently fitted in point of ability to fill the responsible position he holds, but that his warm heart toward these unfortunate beings commends his unceasing labors in their behalf to every friend of the institution in the State.
There is also another temporary building of a similar character, built of the same kind of ma- terial, and heated in the same manner, wherein are confined all the colored patients of every class. This is situated some two hundred and fifty yards further north. These buildings are of wood, and heated by steam, which makes of them perfect tinder-boxes; and if by accident a fire should get started therein no power on earth could prevent the loss of human life among these imbeciles.
.
The slaughter-house is west of the main build- ing, covered with a tin roof, well painted, and with a smoke-stack forty feet high. It has three
rooms-the slaughter-room proper and all neces- sary appliances for handling any kind of animal; a hide-room, where all the hides are preserved, and a soap-room, with a well constructed furnace and kettles, in which all the tallow is rendered and soft-soap made. Thorough ventilation is secured through properly constructed flues con. nected with the stack. Chutes and garbage platforms, from which all the offal from butcher- ing and the kitchen garage are consumed, which entirely frees the building and surround- ings from all bad odors. The capacity of this building is ample for all the wants of the in- stitution.
The spring house was made out of a cave, just north of the main building. This cave was still further excavated and a brick and cement sewer made, some one hundred and seventy feet long, through which the water supply for the reservoir comes, and in which an excellent milk-houses fourteen by twenty feet, was constructed, having a natural stone ceiling. The floor was divided with walks and troughs of brick and cement, filled with water, ten inches deep, at a uniform temperature of sixty-five Fahrenheit, in which one hundred and twenty gallon-jars or cans can be placed daily, and the milk kept sweet and fresh throughout the year. The entire floor out- side the milk-house is paved with brick, and a brick wall, with a cut-stone coping, mounted with a neat iron, extends across the mouth of the cave. This, with the natural stone walls, cov- ered with overhanging vines and moss, make this one of the most attractive places about the premises. The institution has also other buildings which we need barely mention. An excellent wooden ice-house, built upon the most approved plan, with a capacity of four hundred tons; a wood-house, 20 x 40 feet ; a carpenter-shop that was formerly used for storing straw, with a shed of ample dimensions for storing lumber ; a cow-house, with a capac- ity for forty cows\; this house has been rendered perfectly dry and comfortable by placing a six- teen-inch concrete floor, covered with two-inch cypress boards and a brick pavement, laid in ce- ment mortar, around on the outside, three feet wide, which carries off all surface water. There are other buildings, such as stables, corn-cribs, ice-houses, shops, etc.
The reservoir has been lately added, and in
5
34
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
addition the fire service added, as a precaution- ary measure for the protection of property and patients.
The cost of these buildings up to the present time aggregates the sum of $300,000.
The farm upon which these buildings are lo- cated consists of three hundred and seventy-nine acres. The original farm of two hundred and thirty acres cost $20,000. The grounds in front are very well improved and in good repair. Those in the rear are rough, owing to their natural conformation, as well as to the rubbish strewn over them. The convalescents are doing some work leveling down these rough places, making macadamized roads, etc., and in time, with the two hundred evergreens and forest trees which are growing vigorously, will look beautiful. These trees came from the nurseries of President S. L. Garr, and Commissioner James W. Walker-a handsome donation, from these liberal gentlemen.
Good picket and tight plank fences enclose and partition off the grounds.
The comfort and good general condition of the inmates and institution are due largely to the efficiency and ever watchful care and atten- tion of the medical superintendent, Dr. R. H. Gale, whose management the board highly en- dorses. Many improvements have been added by him that are worthy of a visit to the asylum to see. His new and improved coffee apparatus, in which can be made, in thirty minutes, one hundred and twenty gallons of the very best quality of coffee at a cost of less than ten cents per gallon; his system of heating halls, protec- tion against epileptics and idiots getting burned; his wire cribs, etc., etc .; all of which give en- tire satisfaction, and provide much comfort and usefulness to the institution.
The officers of Central Kentucky Lunatic asylum for 1881 are: Board of commissioners -S. L. Garr, president ; James Bridgford, K. K. White, A. Barnett, C. B. Blackburn, G. A. Owen, Wesley Whipps, A. G. Herr, C. Bremaker. Medical superintendent-R. H. Gale, M. D .; as- sistant physician, G. T. Erwin, M. D .; second as- sistant physician and druggist, F. T. Riley ; stew- atd, R. C. Hudson; matron, Miss Mary B. Gale; secretary, William Terry; treasurer, R. S. Veech.
The following table shows the proportion of
white and colored persons who have been in- mates of the asylum :
White
Females.
White
Males.
Colored
Females.
Colored
Total.
November Ist, 1880- Paying patients.
2
4
225
I57
29
49
456
Total
227
161
29
49
462
Received up to November Ist, 1881. Paying patients.
8
I
9
Non-paying patients
76
49
8
8
I4I
Total.
84
50
8
8
150
Discharged recovered- Paying patients.
Non-paying patients.
23
IO
2
2
37
Total
24
IO
2
2
38
Died-
Paying patients.
2
I
3
Non-paying patients
21
12
2
35
Total ..
23
13
.
2
38
Remaining November Ist, 1881- Paying patients.
7
4
II
Non-paying patients.
257
184
35
49
525
Total
264
188
35
49| 536
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodist people of Anchorage precinct worshiped at Middletown until in 1876, when Mr. Hobbs started an enterprise which gave the members of this society in Anchorage one of the most beautiful church buildings in the State, there being nothing like it in the coun- try. It is a gothic structure covered with slate, having stained glass windows, and furnished with the highest wrought black walnut furniture. The frescoing was done by Z. M. Shirley, deceased, a donation made by him just before he died, and a work worthy of a lasting remembrance of this man. He never lived to enjoy the first ser- vices in a building in which he took so much interest.
This building, the Memorial Chapel, should be seen to be appreciated. It furnishes an ever- lasting monument to the persons who erected it. The grounds and the principal donation in money was made by Mr. E. D. Hobbs. Mr. Hughes and Mr. S. L. Garr also contributed largely.
Rev. Gross Alexander is the pastor at this time. Rev. Mr. Overton was the first minister who officiated in the new building, and was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Lyon. The trustees are: Mr. W. T. Lewis, S. J. Hobbs, Ed. D. Hobbs, S.
Males.
6
Non-paying patients
I
I
35
HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
L. Garr, and William Hughes; Stewards: E. D. Hobbs, S. L. Garr.
THE BELLWOOD SEMINARY
was originally a school established by Dr. W. W. Hill about the year 1860. Dr. Hill run this institution about ten years under the chartered name of the Louisville Presbyterian Orphanage Asylum, erected the main building and school- house at a cost of about fifteen thousand dollars, but transferred his interest to another party in 1870, who sold it in turn to the Presbyterians, who changed the name, added some improve- ments, employed an able corps of teachers, with Professor R. C. Morrison as principal and presi- dent of the faculty, and have been successful in building up an institution worthy of the name it bears. They have at the present time ninety- six boarding pupils, and in all an attendance of one hundred and twenty-five this term. There are also one or two other private schools in this precinct.
The following comprise the faculty and officers of the Bellwood Seminary: Professor R. C. Morrison, principal and president of faculty, Latin and mathematics; Mrs. Daniel P. Young, lady principal and business manager ; Rev. E. W. Bedinger, chaplain and teacher of moral science and evidences of Christianity; Miss Emily C. Kibbe, history and astronomy; Professor T. W. Tobin, natural science; Miss Lottie Cox, normal teacher; Miss Lavinia Stone, literature, composi- tion and elocution; Miss Annie Frierson, instru- mental music; Miss L. J. P. Smith, instructor in vocal music; Miss Julia Stone, German, French, painting, and drawing; Mrs. Mary Kibbe, pri- mary department; Mrs. Eliza Scott, matron; Miss Sue Metcalfe, assistant matron; W. M. Holt, M. D., attendant physician; Bennett H. Young, Louisville, Kentucky, regent. Rev. Stu- art Robinson, D. D., R. S. Veech, Esq., Hon. H. W. Bruce, W. N. Haldeman, Esq., George C. Norton, Esq., and Bennett H. Young consti- tute the board of trustees.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of Anchorage is a fine brick structure erected about the year 1860, under an enterprise carried out by Dr. W. W. Hill, at a cost of about nine thousand dollars. The society have from time to time made additions to the building that has increased the cost to about fifteen thousand dol-
lars, and has a membership of about one hun- dred and thirty. Rev. E. W. Bedinger is the present pastor. R. C. Morrison and James Robinson are the elders ; W. Boyd Wilson and George Hall, the deacons. The trustees are: Mr. W. B. Wilson, James Robinson, Lewis Mc- Corkle. This society is an outgrowth of the Middletown church.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
Jefferson Marders was born in this county June 12, 1803, and lived here all of his life. He was a farmer when young; afterwards was in the mercantile business at Middletown several years. His father, Nathan Marders (born 1772, died 1862), was an early comer from Virginia. Mr. Jefferson Marders married Miss Ruth A. Glass, who was born in Middletown, July 30, 1814. She was the daughter of Joseph Glass, who was born in 1779 and died in 1826. Mr. and Mrs. Marders had only one child, Eliza Jane, born September 23, 1837. Mrs. Marders died June 29, 1859. Mr. Marders died October 11, 1876. Eliza J. married Dr. E. A. France in 1853. Dr. France was born in Roanoke county, Virginia, in 1825, and died in 1855. They had one child, Mary A., the wife of E. C. Jones, of Louisville. Mrs. France married James R. Hite in 1857. They have three children, William M., Albert, and Hallie.
C. W. Harvey, M. D., was born in Scottsville, Kentucky, June 6, 1844. He was brought up in Louisville, attended the Louisville university, and graduated from the Medical Department course of 1865-66. Previous to graduation he practiced two years in the Louisville dispensary. He commenced practice in Maury county, Ten- nessee, where he remained four years. He then practiced ten years at Middletown, and in 1879 removed to Anchorage, where he is now the leading physician. Dr. Harvey is a member of the Methodist church. He is Master of Masonic lodge No. 193, and is the chief officer of the Foresters.
Captain James Winder Goslee, in his lifetime one of the most honored and respected citizens of this county, was born in Henry county, Ken- tucky, in 1815. He came to this county in 1853, and resided here until his death, which occurred April 2, 1875. He was on the river from the time he was eighteen years of age until 1860,
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