USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume II > Part 16
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J. P. BISHOP, M.D., of Henshaw, Un- ion county, Ky., is one of the popular and promising young physicians in that section of the state. He is a native of the county ; a son of John P. Bishop, mentioned else- where in this work; was educated in the elementary branches in the common schools of his native county, and grew to man- hood on his father's farm. In 1897 he was graduated from the South Kentucky college, at Hopkinsville, and soon after- ward began the study of medicine. In May, 1901, he graduated from the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, O. Shortly after receiv- ing his degree he located at Henshaw, where, by his close attention to business, his genial disposition and sympathetic nature, he has built up a practice of which a physician of more mature years might well feel proud. Dr. Bishop is a member of the Kentucky State Med- ical association and the Medical society of Union county. In fraternal circles he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America; in religious matters he is a member of the Christian church, and in politics he is a Republican in whom there is no guile. In 1903 he was a delegate from Union county to the Republican state convention, and is always interested in promoting the principles and success of his party. Not- withstanding his pronounced political activity he does not permit any political matters to interfere with his professional duties. He is one of those physicians who understand the true nature of the Hip- pocratic oath, and no call from the afflicted is turned aside. Dr.
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Bishop is a student of everything pertaining to his noble calling. He realizes that the mere possession of a diploma does not make a physician and that there is much to be learned after the doors of the university close behind the graduate. With this view, and the fact that he has a laudable ambition to enroll his name among the eminent men of his profession, it will not be surprising if the future confers still greater honors upon him. In addition to his professional duties he is interested in business enterprises; is secretary and treasurer of the Henshaw brick and tile works; holds the office of town clerk and treasurer, and is always interested in every movement to promote the general welfare of Henshaw.
JOHN B. NUNN, a farmer, living one and a fourth miles east of Sturgis, Union county, Ky., was born in that county, Nov. 16, 1859, his parents being Hugh and Mildred (Whitecotton) Nunn. (See sketch of Dr. W. H. Nunn for an extended account of the family ancestry.) Hugh Nunn spent the greater part of his life in Union county, where he followed the occupation of farming. He was a prominent Democrat and for twenty years held the office of magis- trate. He was twice married. His first wife was a Miss Hughes, and to this union there were born two children, both now deceased. His second wife was a daughter of George Whitecotton. She was born in Jefferson county, Ky., but came with her parents to Union county in her girlhood. She died on Sept. 26, 1876, the mother of ten children-eight daughters and two sons-all living but one. Hugh Nunn died on June 1, 1887. He and his wife were both mem- bers of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. John B. Nunn was reared on the farm and educated in the public and private schools of Union and adjoining counties. He now owns and occupies the old Whitecotton homestead, that formerly belonged to his mother's parents. In politics he is an active factor in shaping the affairs of the Democracy of Union county, and now holds the office of deputy county assessor. He is a member of Kelsey Lodge, No. 659, Free and Accepted Masons; Silver Lodge, No. 68, Knights of Pythias; and of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Sturgis. On Dec. 27, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C., daughter of William S. Martin, an old resident of Union county, who died in 1883. To this marriage there have been born the following children: G. W., Casey S., Clifton A., Georgia S., Byers A. and Cantrell. Mr. and Mrs. Nunn belong to the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Sullivan.
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SILAS HENRY BINGHAM, a pros- perous and well known farmer, living about one and a half miles from Hen- shaw, Union county, Ky., is of Irish an- cestry and a descendant of one of the old colonial families. About the middle of the eighteenth century, John Bingham and two brothers came from the Emerald Isle to America. One of the brothers settled in Pennsylvania and the other two finally located in Ohio. All were soldiers in the American army during the Revolutionary war, and all reared large families. One of John Bingham's sons was Silas, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch. He was a millwright by trade and married Martha A. Cranston. After his death at Athens, O., his widow went to Trigg county, Ky., and there passed the remainder of her days. James C. Bingham, a son of this marriage, was born at Athens in the year 1817. He learned the trade of millwright with his father and followed that occupation the greater part of his life. He was an active Whig in politics and was a member of the Methodist church. He married America Henry, a daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Richards) Henry, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Union county. Alexander Henry was of Irish parentage, his parents, Wil- liam Henry and wife, coming from that country and locating in Hop- kins county, Ky., where both died. James Bingham and his wife had two sons, one of whom died in infancy, and the other is the subject of this sketch. The father died in Trigg county on Nov. 11, 1847, and his widow subsequently married Edwin H. Dyer. (See sketch of Henry R. Dyer.) Silas H. Bingham was born in Trigg county, Oct. 16, 1843. He received his education in the public schools. On Oct. 19, 1861, three days after he had reached the age of eighteen years, he enlisted in Company G, First Kentucky Confederate volun- teer cavalry, and served until June, 1865. In that time he was in the battles at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Big Shanty, Washington, Ga., around Atlanta, and in many minor skirmishes. After the war he returned to his native state, and on April 5, 1866, married Miss Margaret Gardner, a native of Spencer county and a daughter of Benjamin Sidney Gardner, an old resident of the county. Her father died in California about the close of the war. To this marriage there were born the following children:
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Mary Irene, Thomas C., Louisa, James H., William E., John B., America, Margaret and Laura S. Mary Irene and Margaret are deceased. The mother of these children died on March 30, 1901, and Mr. Bingham married Ollie Holt, of Union county. His first wife was a member of the Catholic church and his children have been brought up in that faith. His present wife is a Methodist. Mr. Bing- ham now owns about 170 acres of land. In politics he is an unflinch- ing Democrat; served sixteen years as magistrate and eight years as county assessor, and has served his party eight years as chairman of the Democratic county central committee. He is a member of the Knights of Honor, which is the only fraternal society to claim him as a member.
JOHN S. WINSTON, a farmer of Union county, Ky., was born Nov. 20, 1852, on the farm where he now lives, three miles from the town of Sturgis. His father, William Winston, was a native of Han- over county, Va., but came to Union county in early life and there passed the remainder of his days. He had the advantages of some of the best schools in Virginia and was a highly educated man. After coming to Kentucky he became a farmer on a large scale, owned several slaves and was an influential citizen. In politics he was a Democrat; was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in religion was a member of the Christian church, in which he held the office of elder for a long time. His wife was also a member of the same church. He married Eliza Lawson, a native of Union county, and to this union there were born three children. One died in infancy; Willie was killed by accident; and John S. is the subject of this sketch and the only survivor. The mother of these children is still living in Union county. John S. Winston grew to manhood on the old home- stead, a fine farm of 400 acres, which he now owns, and is one of the up-to-date farmers of his community. He takes a keen interest in all matters pertaining to public policy and for years has been the member from South Sturgis of the Democratic central committee. His aid can always be depended on to win a Democratic victory at the polls. In fraternal matters he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to the lodge at Sturgis, which is one of the best in the state. In 1873 he was married to Miss Jennie, daughter of John Waskom, an old settler of the county. Her mother was a Miss Lisk. She died in November, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Winston have two daughters: one the wife of Dr. Handley, of Stur- gis, and the other the wife of Thomas Williams, of Corydon, Ky.
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JAMES T. BISHOP, an old resident of Union county, Ky., residing on his farm near Sturgis, was born in Jefferson county, of that state, June 27, 1828. His grandfather, Lawrence Bishop, was a native of either Pennsylvania or Maryland and came to Bullitt county, Ky., at a very early date, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. His son Daniel mar- ried Catharine McKowan, widow of A. McKowan, and this couple were the parents of James T. Bishop. The mother's maiden name was Patterson. By her first marriage she had four children, none of whom are now living. Of the four children born to her second marriage the subject of this sketch is the only survivor. James T. Bishop was reared on a farm and has been a tiller of the soil through life. He received his educa- tion in the public schools of his native county and later came to Union. For more than fifty years he has been a member of the Masonic fraternity. He was made a Mason in Bullitt county, but now holds his membership in Kelsey Lodge, No. 659, of Sturgis. Since the war he has been a Republican, and he and his family belong to the Christian church. Mr. Bishop has been twice married. In 1854 he was married to Miss Judith Jackson, of Bullitt county, and to this marriage there were born ten children, nine of whom are still living. His first wife died in 1882, and about two years later he was married to Mrs. Annie (Brump) Hopkins, the widow of Dr. Hopkins. She has one child by her last marriage, Arthur Leroy Bishop. The children born to Mr. Bishop by his first wife are Albert D., John W., James C., Newton, Laura, Elydia, Daniel W., Dora, Addie and Clar- ence, all living except Laura. Mr. Bishop is a splendid example of a self-made man. Beginning life in a humble way he has prospered by his industry and the exercise of his intellectual faculties, until he is today one of the leading farmers in the community where he lives. He owns nearly 240 acres of fine land, well improved and in a high state of cultivation, all of which has been accumulated by his own energy.
GEORGE W. McKEAIG, a farmer of Union county, Ky., living about three miles from the town of Sturgis, is descended from one of the old colonial families. His great-grandfather, Harrison Mc-
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Keaig, was an Indian fighter of note in the early settlement of the country. Harrison McKeaig's son Samuel married Lydia Fields, a native of Bullitt county, Ky., and they settled not far from the city of Louisville. In the same neighborhood lived John Smith and his wife, whose maiden name was Betsey Hall. John Smith was at the battle of Tippecanoe and took part in the war of 1812. John H. McKeaig, a son of Samuel and Lydia, was born in Jefferson county, Ky., received his education in the public schools there, married Sarah A., daughter of John and Betsey Smith, and in 1871 removed to Union county. He was prominent in politics as a Democrat, was a member of the Masonic fraternity and belonged to the Methodist church. He died in 1893, aged eighty years. His wife died in Jef- ferson county in 1862. They had ten children, seven of whom are still living. George W. McKeaig, one of the sons, was born near Louisville, Jan. 13, 1847. After the regular preliminary training in the public schools he attended high school and finished his education at Belgrove academy. For some time he was employed on public works in the State of Ohio, after which he engaged in the edge tool business. He was in Evansville, Ind., for about three years, and came to Union county at the same time as his father. Since 1890 he has been engaged in farming. He now owns a little over eighty acres of land, having recently sold 100 acres. Mr. McKeaig was one of the commissioners to arrange the Union county exhibit for the Louisiana Purchase exposition at St. Louis in 1904, and won a medal for corn grown upon his farm. Politically he is a Democrat, and, while firm in his convictions, is not an aspirant for public office. In 1875 he led to the altar Miss Julia Lockhart, of Union county, and to this mar- riage there have been born six children, viz .: Alma, Clyde, Della, Elbert, Durward and Orville. Clyde and Orville are deceased. Mr. McKeaig and his family belong to the Baptist church.
JOHN WHITEHEAD, SR., who since 1868 has been superin- tendent of the mines at Dekoven, Union county, Ky., was born Dec. 17, 1836, in Cheshire, England. In 1840 he came with his parents, William and Elizabeth (Lewis) Whitehead, to America. His father had been a mine foreman in England, and upon coming to this country he settled in Schuylkill county, Pa., where he found employ- ment at his old occupation. He died in that county, was buried at Port Carbon, and in 1854 the widow with her six children came to Union county. Two daughters remained in Pennsylvania and one died in infancy in England. John Whitehead obtained his education
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in the common schools, and at the age of eight years commenced working in the mines during his vacations. When he came to Union county he began working in the mines at Dekoven, and in 1857 was placed in charge of the outside business of the Kentucky Coal Company. Since then he has been con- nected with different companies and since 1868 has been gen- eral superintendent of the Dekoven mines, as already men- tioned. Mr. Whitehead has been brought up to the business of mining coal, and few men have a better understanding of all the de- tails of the work. For threescore years he has been connected with mines, beginning at the bottom and working his way up to his present position. Politically he is a Republican, but can hardly be called an active politician. In church relationship he and his wife are Baptists. His father was a Whig and a Presbyterian. Mr. Whitehead is well known in the fraternal organizations of Dekoven, being a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, and the Knights of Honor. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Margaret Stephenson, a native of Scotland, and to this union there were born seven children. Two died in infancy; William and Elizabeth died later in life, and John, James and Mar- garet are living. His second wife was Ellen Yeakey, of Union county. The children of this marriage are Annie, Charles, Susan Ellen and Henry.
CLAYTON PERCIVAL NOGGLE, manager of the Ohio Valley Coal and Mining Company's store at Dekoven, Union county, Ky., is a native of the "Buckeye State," having been born at Greenfield, Huron county, O., Dec. 23, 1865. He is a son of George W. Noggle, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. His education was acquired in the schools of Havana and Plymouth, O., in Union county, and in 1884 he graduated from the commercial college at Evansville, Ind. Upon completing his education he entered the employ of the Ohio Valley Coal and Mining Company as a clerk and has gradually worked his way upward to the position of general manager of the store, which position he has held for the last three years. Mr. Noggle is a fine example of what can be accomplished by industry and perseverance. At the age of nineteen he began his business career. Instead of waiting for some friend to secure him a position through personal influence, without regard to his merit, he took what was offered him and by energy and the exercise of his intellectual faculties demonstrated that he was worthy of promotion.
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It is very rarely that such men fail to receive their deserts, and to- day he occupies a confidential position, is trusted by his employers with weighty business matters, handles large sums of the company's money-all because he has proven himself capable and trustworthy. Mr. Noggle is a Republican in his opinions, but is not an active politician. He is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of Kelsey Lodge, No. 659; Union Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons; and Alida Commandery, No. 21, Knights Templars, all of Sturgis. In 1895 he was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Wallingford, of Marion, Ky., and to this union there have been born two children: Dudley Clayton, born Feb. 28, 1896, and Leona Mildred, born Oct. 28, 1902.
GEORGE WASHINGTON NOGGLE, cashier and paymaster for the Ohio Valley Railroad and Mining Company, at Dekoven, Union county, Ky., was born in Greenfield township, Huron county, O., April 26, 1839. His ancestors came from Germany during the colonial days, his great-great-grandfather, Ezra Banghart Noggle, having been a soldier in the American army during the Revolutionary war. His father, Jacob Noggle, was born at Chambersburg, Pa., in 1813, but removed in childhood with his father, Joseph Noggle, to Westmoreland county of that state, then to Wayne county, O., and in 1822 to Huron county. In 1834 he married Jane Gibbs and settled on a farm in Greenfield township, though at that time there was really no farm there, their cabin standing in the woods. He cleared the farm and lived there until his death in 1884. He and his wife had three children: one who died in infancy; Fannie, now a Mrs. Ransom, of Chicago; and the subject of this sketch. The mother of these children died at the home of her daughter in Chicago in 1902, aged eighty-three years. Both parents are buried near the old home in Huron county. George W. Noggle was educated in the common schools of Huron county. In 1861 he married Emma Alice Kelsey, who was born in the same neighborhood as himself, and soon after his marriage enlisted in the Third Ohio cavalry. The regiment was assigned to Buell's command and was in numerous skirmishes, but took no part in the larger military operations of the war. While in the service he was permanently injured by being crushed between some horses, and after thirteen months of service was discharged. Upon returning home he went to Cleveland, where he was for four years in the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company. He then returned to Huron county, and for the next
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seven years was engaged in merchandizing. At the end of that time he removed to Plymouth, O., where he remained until 1876, when he came to Union county as manager of the store for the Ohio Valley Railroad and Mining Company. This position he held until 1902, when he came into his present place. Mr. Noggle is prominent in Masonic circles, being a member of the lodge, chapter, council and commandery. For six years he was eminent commander of Alida Commandery, No. 21, Knights Templars, of Sturgis. He is also widely known as a musician, having been connected with a brass band in almost every place he has ever lived. In 1881 he organized the Dekoven cornet band, and since that time has been connected with it. Previous to that time he had organized several bands. Mr. Noggle owns property in the city of Cleveland, and is one of the sub- stantial men of the community in which he lives, being noted for his business sagacity and public spirit. He and his wife are both mem- bers of the Baptist church. They have had two children: Harry died at the age of seven and a half years; Clayton P. is mentioned else- where in this work.
SAMUEL PRATT STURGIS, secre- tary and general manager of the Ohio Valley Coal and Mining Company, De- koven, Union county, Ky., is a native of Indiana, having been born in the city of Fort Wayne, March 20, 1855. He is a son of Dr. Charles Edmund and Louisa (Ewing) Sturgis, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Miami county, O. They were married at Logansport, Ind., and went to Fort Wayne in early life. At that time Indians still inhabited that part of the country, and Doctor Stur- gis practiced his profession in the old fort from which the city took its name. He continued to practice there for many years, and was one of the most noted physicians in Northern Indiana. The town of Sturgis, Mich., was named in his honor. In politics he was one of the leading Democrats of his section of the state, representing Allen county in both branches of the Indiana legislature. His last service to his party was in 1868, when he was a delegate to the national convention that nominated Seymour and Blair, as he died on Nov. 24 of that year. During the Civil war he was a surgeon
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and had charge of the drafting of men for the service. His wife died at Fort Wayne, March 10, 1886. Of their twelve children two sons and two daughters are still living. Doctor Sturgis was also a prom- inent member of the Masonic fraternity, and he and his wife were Old School Presbyterians. Samuel Pratt Sturgis received his early education at Fort Wayne. After the death of his father he went to Louisville, Ky., where he attended the public schools for two years, and finished with a commercial course in the Bryant & Stratton busi- ness college. For the next five years after leaving school he was with the firm of Green & Green, two years as collector and three as a traveling salesman. In 1876 he came to Union county, as a book- keeper for what is now the Ohio Valley Coal and Mining Company, and has ever since been connected with that corporation, rising to his present position through his energy and fine business qualifica- tions. In connection with Percival Gates Kelsey he promoted the Ohio Valley railroad and was the first secretary of the company. This road was backed financially by Capt. Samuel S. Brown, a Pittsburg millionaire, sometimes called the "Coal King." Mr. Sturgis is presi- dent of the Union County Fair association and the Ohio Valley Axle Company of Dekoven. As a compliment to his interest in developing the resources of Union county, the town of Sturgis was named in his honor. In addition to his many other business connec- tions, he is a licensed steamboat pilot and a notary public. In political matters Mr. Sturgis is a Democrat, but does not take an especially active part in party work. In fraternal circles he occupies a prom- inent place, especially in Masonry. In this order he is a member of Kelsey Lodge, No. 659; Union Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons; Etta Council, No. 58; Alida Commandery, No. 21, Knights Templars; Louisville Consistory, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and Cor- sair Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Louisville. He is also a Knight of Honor, holding his membership at Caseyville. In 1878 he was married to Miss Lymna Orvillet Kelsey, a sister of Dr. P. G. Kelsey, of New York City. Arthur P. Kelsey, a son of Dr. Kelsey, is manager of a large farm for the Ohio Valley Coal and Mining Com- pany. Mr. and Mrs. Sturgis are members of the Baptist church.
JOHN T. GRAHAM, a prominent farmer and an extensive dealer in fine stock, was born in Union county, Ky., April 28, 1859. He is the son of James and Alice (Ginety) Graham, both natives of Ireland, who came to the United States about the year 1840, and settled in Union county, Ky. James Graham was a farmer, a Dem- II-12
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ocrat and a member of the Catholic church. He and wife had ten children, of whom six are still living. He died at his home in 1868, and was followed by his wife in 1892. The subject of this sketch received a fair common school education in his native county. Reared on a farm, he chose farming as his life's work. His farm is located one and one-half miles from Dekoven. While managing the home place, he finds time to cultivate a large tract of land, which he rents of the Ohio Valley Coal and Mining Company. He is very suc- cessful as a breeder of Polled Durham cattle and Poland-China hogs, both of which he raises on a large scale. Mr. Graham first married Miss Lottie Oakes, of Union county, Ky., and by her had seven chil- dren, five still living. Those living are James P., John W., Leonard R., Orville and Arthur. Mrs. Graham was a kind, loving mother and a devout Catholic. She died Nov. 17, 1902. Jan. 20, 1903, Mr. Graham married Mrs. Mary Stephenson, of Union county, Ky. To this union three children have been born: William, Ella and Alma. He is a stanch Democrat, an earnest Catholic and an Odd Fellow. Push, energy and effort have made Mr. Graham a decided success in his chosen calling.
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