USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume II > Part 15
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REV. CYRIN THOMAS, pastor of Sacred Heart Catholic church, St. Vin- cent, Ky., was born in Grant county, Ind., Jan. I, 1853. His parents, Enoch G. and Jane (Votaw) Thomas, were both born in Wayne county, Ind., and now live in Hunt- ington county of that state. His grand- father, Jesse Thomas, was born Sept. 9, 1796; went from Wayne to Grant county at an early date, and died at Marion. He married Hannah Cox, who was born Aug. 15, 1798. She also died at Marion. On the maternal side his grandparents were Daniel and Mary (Hampton) Votaw, the former born in Loudoun county, Va., Aug. 7, 1783, and the latter in Fayette county, Nov. 22, 1787. Daniel Votaw died in Kansas, Aug. 18, 1871, and his wife in Wayne county, Ind., May 17, 1827. Daniel Votaw was a son of Isaac and Ann (Smith) Votaw. Isaac was born in Virginia, Jan. 29, 1744, and died in Columbiana county, O., Oct. 12, 1817. His wife was born in Bucks county, Pa., July 20, 1746, and died in Columbiana county, Jan. 23, 1834. Enoch G. Thomas has been a farmer, mechanic and miller and is now eighty-one years of age. He and his wife have been married sixty-one years. They are the parents of twelve children, only three of whom are now living. Rev. Cyrin Thomas was reared on a farm and graduated from St. Meinrad seminary in Spencer county, Ind. After completing his education he spent some time in South America and in 1896 came to Kentucky. For about eighteen months he was pastor of the church of SS. Peter and Paul at Danville, and since Nov. 4, 1897, has been in charge of the Sacred Heart church of St. Vincent. His parish numbers about 300 families and under his ministration the church has prospered. Father Thomas is popular in the community where he lives and his popularity is not confined to the members of his church.
J. W. HITE, one of the largest farmers in the vicinity of Waverly, Union county, Ky., was born near Uniontown, in that county, Dec. 13, 1853. He is a son of George and Anna (Fenwick) Hite, and a grandson of Peter Hite, who was one of the pioneers of the county. (For account of the family history, see the sketch of W. P. Hite.) George Hite was born in Union county, was educated in the common schools and in later years was a large farmer and slave owner. He
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was always an ardent Democrat and a member of the Catholic church. He and his first wife were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are still living. After the death of his first wife he was married to Mrs. Spaulding, the widow of Charlton Spaulding, and one daugh- ter was born to this union. His second wife died and he was married a third time, his last wife being Marian Helon. J. W. Hite was reared to manhood on his father's farm. After attending the common schools he spent some time at St. Mary's college. Upon completing his education he commenced life as a farmer, and has con- tinued in that occupation through life. He is the owner of 575 acres of good land and his farming is carried on according to the latest and most approved methods. Mr. Hite has won considerable rep- utation as a breeder of Shorthorn cattle. In his political and relig- ious affiliations he has followed in the footsteps of his sire, being an unwavering adherent to Democratic principles and a member of the Catholic church. On Feb. 4, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Lewis Cruz, a daughter of John B. Cruz, whose sketch appears in this work. To this marriage there have been born the following children: John B., Gertrude, Araminta, Emma, William F., Anna Florence, Samuel R. and Paulie.
REV. ROBERT CRANEY, pastor of St. Ann's Catholic church, Morganfield, Ky., was born in the city of Louisville, Feb. 15, 1859, his parents being Dennis and Tirzah (Norman) Craney. His par- ents were both born in Ireland, married in that country, and soon afterward came to America, settling in Louisville, where both died, the father in 1889 and the mother in 1895. Rev. Robert Craney ac- quired his elementary education in the public schools of his native city, after which he graduated from St. Joseph's college at Bardstown, and finished with a course at Preston Park seminary. He left school in 1885, and from that time until 1889 was pastor at various places in the State of Kentucky. In 1889 he came to Morganfield and assumed pastoral charge of St. Ann's parish, in which there are about 150 families. Here for almost fifteen years he has toiled in the vineyard of the Master, rejoicing with those who rejoice and sympathizing with those who mourn, but always having
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a praiseworthy solicitude for the spiritual welfare of his people. In civic life Father Craney is an exemplary citizen. He takes an interest in all questions touching the public weal, and never hesitates to per- form his duty to the whole people as he sees it. Politically he is a conscientious supporter of Democratic principles and affiliates with that party.
WILLIAM PETER HITE, a farmer, living near Waverly, Union county, Ky., was born Nov. 12, 1840, in the neighbor- hood where he now lives. His grand- father, Peter Hite, was born in Germany, but came in early life to the United States, located in Union county, and there became an extensive farmer and slaveholder. He married Polly Clements, a native of Wash- ington county, and both died near Hites- ville. In his day Peter Hite was one of the leading Democrats of the county, was widely known and a citizen of considerable influence. One of his sons was John Hite, the father of the subject of this sketch. He was reared on the farm, educated at St. Mary's college, and in later life became a large land and slave owner and a prominent citizen. He married Ann Frances Pike, a daughter of William and an aunt of Sylvester Pike. Her mother was a Miss Susan Mills. Her parents settled in Marion county in 1828, and both died there. John Hite and his wife were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters. Two sons and two daughters are still living. The mother died on April 9, 1880, aged sixty-nine years, and the father on March 26, 1887, at the age of seventy-three. William P. Hite received his elementary education in the common schools, after which he attended St. Mary's college. In May, 1861, he en- listed in Company C, Fourth Kentucky infantry, and served four years, taking part in some of the hottest engagements of the war. At Shiloh he received two severe wounds. After the war he returned to his home and took up the occupation of farming, which he has followed through life. At the present time he is the owner of 320 acres of good land, well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Like his father and grandfather, he is identified with the Democratic party, and held the office of magistrate for a period of twelve years. He has also accepted the religious faith of his ancestors, who were
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members of the Catholic church, and with his family belongs to that denomination. On Nov. 5, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Catharine, daughter of Benjamin and Priscilla Jane (Mills) Thomas. Her parents lived in Marion county, where she was born, but during the war removed to Union county. Her father died at Morganfield Sept. 21, 1904. Her mother died in Marion county, and her father was afterward twice married. William P. and Sarah C. Hite have had the following children: Mary, who married John Han- cock and died leaving two sons and two daughters; John, who died in infancy; Anna, married William Wathen and afterward died; B. J., a farmer near Morganfield ; Florence C., who married C. C. Hardesty. She and one of her two children are yet living.
IGNATIUS WATHEN, a well known farmer, living near Waverly, Union . county, Ky., was born on the farm where he now lives, March 3, 1856. He is a son of Theodore Wathen, mentioned else- where in this work. Ignatius Wathen was educated in the common schools and at Gethsemane college. Upon reaching man- hood he became a farmer and has fol- lowed that vocation all his life. He now owns 182 acres of the old homestead, and is one of the well-to-do farmers of his neighborhood. He takes a commendable interest in public affairs and is identified with the Democratic party on all political questions. On Dec. 3, 1887, he was married to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of Morris and Margaret Ann (Hancock) Griffin, of Henderson county. The ancestors of Mrs. Wathen were among the early settlers in that county. Morris Griffin was born in Ireland, but came to this country when he was about twenty-five years of age and spent the rest of his life in Henderson county. His wife was a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Quinn) Hancock, who lived and died in Henderson county, where they were well known and uni- versally respected. Mrs. Wathen died on Aug. 20, 1902, leaving four children: Margaret Griffin, Paul Ignatius, Ruth Elizabeth and Julia Adell. She was a member of the Methodist church, but Mr. Wathen is a Catholic, and is interested in the many worthy charities of his church.
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JOHN MILTON RONEY, a prom- inent citizen of St. Vincent, Union county, Ky., was born at Lebanon, in that state, Aug. 16, 1830. His parents, Edward and Elizabeth (Wright) Roney, were both born in Marion county, the father at Lebanon and the mother near there. His grandfather, Roger Roney, was born in Ireland, but came in early manhood to America and located near Lebanon on a farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. He died at Lebanon about the year 1879, aged seventy-nine years. His wife lived to be ninety-three. They had three sons and three daughters. One daughter and two of the sons are still living. John M. Roney grew to manhood on a farm, attended St. Mary's college, after which he learned the carpenters' trade, and in 1855 came to Union county, where he has ever since lived. For several generations his ancestors have been identified with the Catholic church. He was brought up in that faith and has always been interested in the welfare of his church and her institutions. His zeal in this cause led to his being made general manager of the St. Vincent academy in 1861, a position he has held ever since that date, and the duties of which he has discharged with ability and enthusiasm. Mr. Roney is interested in several of the leading financial institutions of the county, notably among them being the People's bank of Morganfield, the Farmers' bank of Uniontown, and the Waverly bank at Waverly. In political matters he affiliated with the Democratic party until 1896, when, being at variance with the party's declarations on the money question, he went over to the Republicans.
WILLIAM G. LINDLE, M.D., of Sturgis, Ky., one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons of Union county, is a descendant of old North Carolina and Virginia families, who were among the early settlers of Kentucky. His grandfather, Jacob Joseph Lindle, was born in the year 1798. He married in Spencer county, Ky., a Miss Elizabeth Redmond, and in 1852 removed to Union county, where he died in 1856. One of the sons born to this marriage was Jacob William Lindle, the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born at Fairfield, Nelson county, May 1, 1828, received his educa- tion in that county, and on July 16, 1850, married Hannah Beasley
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Reynolds in Spencer county. Three years later he removed with his family to Union county and there passed the remainder of his life. In 1864 he built Lindle's mill, and two years later began selling goods there, but discontinued the business after a time to engage in other pursuits. He also owned and operated a distillery and had a good farm in the Lindle precinct, which was named in his honor. In politics he was a stanch Democrat and he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. His death occurred in 1894. His widow is now living at Sturgis, in the eighty-third year of her age. Their children were Richard Mitchell, William Green, Belle, Maggie Green, Jacob Beasley, Robert Dimmett, Anna and Lavinia. On the maternal side Doctor Lindle's grandfather, Greenbury Reynolds, was born in North Carolina in 1806, came to Spencer county in 1825, and in 1853 settled in Union county, where he died. His wife was Nancy Vance Cogshill, a daughter of John and Hannah (Beasley) Cogshill. Her father was a native of Culpeper county, Va., married his wife near Frankfort, Ky., and died in Spencer county in 1839. Richard Reynolds, Doctor Lindle's great-grandfather, was a native of North Carolina. He married Anna Holmes in that state, and shortly afterward settled in Kentucky. Dr. William G. Lindle was born on a farm about three miles from Sturgis. His elementary education was acquired in the common schools. In 1877 he went to Valparaiso, Ind., as a student in the Northern Indiana normal school, and graduated from that institution the following year in the teacher's course. He then taught for about ten years in the schools of Union county and at Eldorado, Ill., leaving the latter place in 1887 to enter the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, where he graduated on the roll of honor in 1888. Soon afterward he commenced the practice of his profession at Otisco, Ind., where he did a successful business for about five years. In 1892 he took a post-graduate course in the New York Poly- clinic Institute and at the same time took special courses in diseases of women and children; eye, ear, nose and throat; nervous diseases and obstetrics. He then returned to Sturgis, bought several lots at the corner of Sixth and Adams streets, built a handsome residence and office and has since practiced his profession there. In 1898 he again went to New York and took a review term in the Polyclinic hospital. The same year he took a major operating course in surgery under Dr. A. G. Gerster, of Mt. Sinai hospital, and an operating course in gynecology. Doctor Lindle is rightly regarded as one of the most progressive physicians in his section of the state. He is fully up to the times in all new discoveries relating to his profession,
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and has a large and lucrative practice. He is well known in Masonic circles, being a member of Kelsey Lodge No. 659; Union Chapter No. 54, Roval Arch Masons, and Alida Commandery No. 21, Knights Templars. He is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Golden Cross, and belongs to Chanty Lodge, In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows. In religious matters he belongs to the Christian church and is a consistent practitioner of the tenets of his faith. He married some years ago Miss Mary Ellen Kirk, who was reared in Union county. She died on June 18, 1903.
B. F. HUMPHREY, M.D., an eminent young physician of Stur- gis, Union county, Ky., was born near that town on March 3, 1877. His parents, J. B. and Cordelia Ann (Nall) Humphrey, are both natives of McLean county, Ky., were married in that county, and in 1872 removed to Union county, where they still live on a farm about five miles from the town of Sturgis. They are the parents of seven sons and three daughters, all living but one son. The father is an influential man in the community where he resides. He takes an active interest in political affairs as a Democrat and is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He and his wife are both members of the Baptist church. Dr. B. F. Humphrey received his primary education in the public schools, and in 1897 graduated from Bethel college at Russellville, Ky., with the degree of Bachelor of Sciences. He then took up the study of medicine and in 1901 received the degree of M.D. from the medical department of the University of Louisville. The same year he located at Sturgis and began the practice of his profession. Although one of the youngest physicians in the county he has won a high standing, both with his brother doctors and the public, and is on the high road to professional success. He is a member of Silver Lodge No. 68, Knights of Pythias. On Feb. 3, 1903, Doctor Humphrey and Miss Lillian Russell were united in mar- riage. She is a native of Paris, Tex., where her father, Thomas Russell, is a retired business man. Her mother was Annie Henry, born in Union county, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Hawkins) Henry, old settlers of Union county, where her father was a prom- inent farmer and slaveholder before the war. To Dr. Humphrey and his wife there has been born one daughter, whom they have named Dorothy Russell. Both himself and wife are members of the Baptist church.
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WILLIAM BURNETT GOAD, a retired farmer of Sturgis, Union county, Ky., was born in that county in June, 1861. He is the only child of John Bail and Rebecca (Gatling) Goad, both natives of Hop- kins county, where the grandparents, John and Rachel Goad, were among the early settlers, coming from Virginia. John and Rachel Goad had three children, two sons and a daughter, all now deceased. In his day he was one of the large land and slave owners of Hopkins county. A few years before the Civil war the parents of William B. Goad settled in Union county, where the father owned a farm of 300 acres at the time of his death, which occurred on July 26, 1896. He was one of the prominent Democrats of the county and he and his wife were members of the Baptist church. She died in August, 1899. Her father, Ephraim Gatling, was also one of the pioneers of Hopkins county. William B. Goad attended the public schools in his boyhood and later Bethel college at Russellville, Ky. For a number of years he followed the vocation of a farmer and was also interested in buying and selling horses. In 1902 he retired from the active conduct of his farm and came to Sturgis. Here he built one of the finest residences in the town and is one of the prominent citizens. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, holding membership in both bodies at Sturgis. His wife is a Baptist and he is a constant attendant at her church. About the time that he settled in Sturgis he became one of the organizers of the First National bank of that place, was one of the first board of directors and later vice-president, but is not now connected with the institution. On Feb. 25, 1891, he was married to Miss Lulu Harris, a native of Union county. Her father is J. D. Harris, a prominent citizen of Sturgis, a son of Thomas and Mahala (Redmond) Harris, and came with his parents from Spencer county when he was about four years old. His paternal grandfather, Webb Harris, was born in Virginia and was one of the early settlers of Spencer county. He was one of the organizers of the bank above referred to, and was its first cashier. He belongs to Kelsey Lodge, No. 659, Free and Accepted Masons; Union Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons, and Alida Commandery, No. 21, Knights Templars. His wife was Miss Nancy O. Jones, a daughter of W. H. Jones, a native of Union county. She is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Goad still owns his farm of 400 acres and looks after its manage- ment. He is one of the public spirited men of Sturgis and is always in favor of any movement for the general advancement of the interests of the town.
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WILLIAM H. NUNN, M.D., a pop- ular and successful physician of Henshaw, Union county, Ky., comes of one of the old pioneer families of the state. About the beginning of the last century his paternal grandparents, Ira and Sarah (Langston) Nunn, came from their native state of Georgia and located in Crittenden county. There he became one of the lead- ing citizens, and at one time owned some- thing like 3,000 acres of land in that and Union counties. They died in Crittenden county and their remains rest in the little cemetery on the old Nunn homestead. They were both members of the Methodist church. One of their sons was Thomas L. Nunn, the father of Dr. Nunn. He was born in Crittenden county, was educated in the common schools there, became a successful farmer and one of the prominent men of his neighborhood. He served as master of Zion Hill Masonic lodge and won considerable reputa- tion as an orator. He married Sarah C., daughter of Robert H. and Pernicia (Young) Haynes, who were also pioneers of Crittenden county. The maternal grandmother of Dr. Nunn was a member of the Georgia family of Livingstons, dating back to colonial days, Alexander Stephens being a relative. Thomas L. Nunn and his wife had ten children, seven of whom are still living. He died on the old homestead on Jan. 16, 1880, and was buried in the cemetery already mentioned. His widow is still living near Marion, aged sev- enty-three years. Dr. W. H. Nunn was born near Marion, Ky., Sept. 10, 1854. After acquiring a common school education he com- menced teaching and followed that occupation for several years, read- ing medicine in the meantime. On Feb. 22, 1881, he was graduated from the medical department of the University of Tennessee at Nash- ville, and soon afterward began practicing near his home in Critten- den county. In 1891 he located at Henshaw, where he has established a lucrative practice. Dr. Nunn is a member of the Ohio Valley and Kentucky State Medical associations and of the Union County Medical society. His professional standing is of the very best and his reputation as a citizen is that of a patriotic, public spirited and law abiding man. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fra- ternity, belonging to Shiloh Lodge, No. 453, at Grove Center; Union Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons, at Sturgis; and Alida Com-
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mandery, No. 21, Knights Templars. On Jan. 27, 1891, he led to the altar Miss Ida J. King, of Crittenden county, and to this union there have been born two children, Olga Lucile and J. Proctor. Dr. Nunn and his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal church.
HENRY RICHARDS DYER, a merchant of Henshaw, Union county, Ky., was born in that county, Jan. 18, 1857. His grandfather, William Dyer, came from Virginia at a very early date- and aided in locating the county seat of Union county at Morganfield. He married a Miss Harris, a native of the county, and both died near Morganfield. One of their sons was Harvey Dyer, the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born and reared in the county, mar- ried Mrs. America Bingham, widow of James C. Bingham, also a native of the county, and devoted the greater part of his life to agri- cultural pursuits, owning a farm of 465 acres near Henshaw. He attended the common schools, and, starting in at the age of eighteen years, he became a fine Latin scholar under the instruction of Pro- fessor Johnson. He and his wife were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. They died within two weeks of each other, her death occurring on Oct. 16, 1872, and his on Nov. Ist. They had six children. Three died in infancy and three are living, viz .: W. C., a resident of Dekoven; Henry R., the subject of this sketch: and George, who has been a mail clerk on the Illinois Central rail- road for a number of years. The maiden name of the mother of these children was America Henry. Her father, Patrick Henry, was a native of Ireland, a pioneer of Union county, and died near Casey- ville, where he was a large land and slave owner before the war. She had one son by her first marriage, S. H. Bingham, of Henshaw, whose sketch appears in this work. Henry R. Dyer obtained his education in the common schools and a select school at Caseyville, under W. C. Dimmitt, and until 1899 followed farming for a live- lihood. In that year he formed a partnership with J. V. Runyan in the mercantile line, and has since been engaged in that business at Henshaw. Mr. Dyer is one of the most active Democrats in the county. In this he has followed the example of both his father and grandfather, who were prominent in the councils of that party. He served as magistrate from 1886 to 1890; was road supervisor from 1890 to 1894; and for several years has been district committeeman. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Shiloh Lodge, No. 453, of which he was worshipful master for ten years; Union Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons, at Sturgis; and
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to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He is a member and for several years has held the office of elder in the Christian church. Mr. Dyer has been married three times: First to Miss Allie Evans, of Lyon county, on Jan. 29, 1878, and who died in March, 1882, leaving one daughter, Jennie; second, to Miss Katie Bishop, of Union county, on May 2, 1884, and who died on May 16, 1888, leav- ing one son, Harry; third, to Miss Sallie, daughter of Hugh Nunn, an old resident of Union county, on April 29, 1890, and to this union there have been born two children, Mary Casey and Henry Richards, Jr. Katie Bishop was a daughter of John P. Bishop, whose sketch appears in this work. The present Mrs. Dyer is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.
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