USA > Ohio > Memoirs of the lower Ohio valley, personal and genealogical : with portraits, Volume II > Part 2
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
was a major in the militia during the Revolution. After the war
he removed to Spottsylvania. His wife was Elizabeth, the third
child of William Downman. Thomas, the third son, was born at Towles' Point, Feb. 21, 1750, and died at Millbrook, Spottsylvania county, May 22, 1800. At the commencement of the Revolution he was quartermaster to the Caroline county battalion of militia, and
Spottsylvania county in the house of delegates. He married Mary, later in life held the rank of colonel. In 1783 he represented
daughter of John Morris and Mary (Chew) Smith, of Richahock, King and Queen county. The children born to this marriage were Elizabeth, Mary Smith, John, Thomas, Therit, Oliver, Ann, Larkin Brock, and after his death Capt. Phil. Slaughter. They were and Frances. Elizabeth first married William Brock, son of Joseph the parents of Rev. Philip Slaughter, a distinguished minister of the Episcopal church, and author of numerous works on church his-
Mary Smith married Anthony Thornton tory and genealogy.
afterward went to Shelby county, Ill., where he became a dis- and settled in Bourbon county, Ky. One of their sons, Anthony,
tinguished lawyer, represented the county in the legislature, and served on the bench in the highest court of the state. John set- tled in Louisiana and became a sugar planter. He was twice mar-
ried: first to Susan Turnbull, and second to Ann Alexandria Con-
rad, of Virginia. Thomas was born at Millbrook, Va., June I,
1784. In the spring of 1806 he removed to Henderson, Ky. Before
leaving Virginia. he was granted license to practice law in the courts
of that state. His certificate is dated Dec. 5, 1805, and is signed by Peter Lyons, Spencer Roane, and Francis Brooke, all promi- nent men in their day. After settling in Kentucky he practiced in the counties of Henderson, Christian, Logan, and Ohio, and was con- temporary with John J. Crittenden, Christopher Tompkins, George
over by Judge Henry Broadnax. He was appointed one of the jus- M. Bibb, and other eminent lawyers, when the court was presided
tices of the Territory of Illinois, which was approved by the United States senate, and he took the oath of office before Ninian Edwards, governor of the territory, March 2, 1816. From 1821 to 1824 he
represented Henderson county in the state legislature, and was mag-
promising Whig, and Old Court man and was for many years promi- istrate for twenty consecutive years. In politics he was an uncom-
nent in all the affairs of the county. In fact a complete biography of
Judge Towles would be a fairly good history of Henderson county in his time, as he was a successful lawyer with a large practice.
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
In religion he was an earnest churchman. Bishop B. B. Smith in his account of the Kentucky church, says his greatest troubles were over when he gained the support of several men as Thomas Towles of Henderson. In 1809 he was married to Ann Taylor Hop- kins, daughter of Gen. Samuel Hopkins, of Revolutionary fame, and by this marriage had one son, Thomas Towles, Jr., who be- came widely known throughout the state, both for his legal lore and his spontaneous wit. His toast to water was: "It is valuable for navigation and for its mixable qualities." He served several terms in the Kentucky legislature. After the death of his first wife, Judge Towles, on April 23, 1816, was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Walter and Amelia (Johnston) Alves, and grand- daughter of James Hogg, who was sent by the Transylvania Com- pany to Philadelphia, an "embassy" to the Continental Congress, in January, 1776, to solicit the privilege of forming the fourteenth colony to gain independence. (American, Archives, Vol. IV., and Filson club publications by George Ranck, page 224.) Her parents came to Kentucky in 1813 from Chapel Hill, Orange county, N. C., and were the representatives and descendants of two of the original members (James Hogg and William Johnston) of the Transylvania or Richard Henderson Land Company. To this marriage several children were born, only three of whom-Walter Alves, John James, and Bettie-lived to maturity. Judge Towles finally retired from the practice of law and became a successful planter. He died Dec. 12, 1850, and his second wife on June 28, 1852. Walter A. Towles was born Feb. 7, 1825. On Feb. 12, 1854, he married Susan Daniel An- derson, who was born Feb. 26, 1834. To this marriage there were born the following children: John Anderson, Lucy Marshall, Eliza- beth Alves, Sue Starling, Walter A., Jr., Lillia, Mary Lucy, William and Therit. He has been commissioner for Atkinson Park, for the city of Henderson since 1894. John James, the second son, was born Jan. 22, 1827, and on March 13, 1851, married Louisa Alves. Their children were Minna, Florence, Louisa, John J. and Stokely. Bettie married William T. Barret, May 9, 1850, and their issue was Wil- liam, Thomas, Strachan and Betty. Henry, son of Col. Thomas Towles, of Virginia, was born June 24, 1786; came to Bourbon county, Ky., and died near Ruddle's Mills in 1854. He joined Capt. William Garrard's company of mounted men, in Maj. James V. Ball's squadron, and was at the siege of Fort Meigs in the war of 1812. He married Sally Bedford and left one son, Larkin S., who married Mildred Gass, of Paris, Ky., removed to Missouri and
.
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
died there. Frances, the youngest child, came to Henderson, mar- ried John H. Sublette, a native of Richmond, Va., and bore him the following children: Mary S., Ann, Fanny, Hannah More, John W., and Conrad Speece.
EDWARD W. WOOD, junior member of the firm of Turpin & Wood, rehandlers of tobacco for export, Owensboro, Ky., was born in that city, Aug. 7, 1853. His father, Dr. A. C. Wood, was born in New Hampshire, his ancestors coming from the Isle of Wight. After graduating from medical colleges at Cincinnati and New York, he located in Shelby county, Ky., and began the prac- tice of his profession. Subsequently he came to Owensboro, where he died Jan. 2, 1905. He was an elder in the First Presbyterian church, took an interest in political affairs as a Republican, and belonged to the Masonic fraternity. The mother of E. W. Wood was Miss Mary Frances White,,a native of Virginia, who came with her parents to Kentucky while she was still a little girl. She is a descend- ant of the French Huguenots, is still living, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. E. W. Wood is the only child of his parents. He grew to manhood in Owensboro, received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan in 1873, and two years later the degree of Master of Arts. Soon after completing his education he engaged in the tobacco business, and since 1877 has been asso- ciated with the firm of Turpin & Wood as the junior partner. This firm makes a specialty of rehandling tobacco for export, and is one of the best known concerns in the Lower Ohio Valley. Mr. Wood is also connected with other business institutions of Owensboro. For a number of years prior to 1901 he was interested in the affairs of the First National bank, and in 1901 was elected to the presi- dency, which tells how he is regarded by those who know him best, and who are associated with him in business ventures. On Dec. 6, 1893, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Harbison, a daughter of Samuel Harbison, of Shelby county. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are both members of the First Presbyterian church.
MARTIN YEWELL, mayor of Owensboro, Ky., was born in Daviess county, of that state, Dec. 22, 1853, and is a son of Harri- son and Sarah (Lewis) Yewell, both natives of Nelson county, Ky. The grandfather, Martin Yewell, was a son of James Yewell, whose father was one of three brothers who came from England at a very early date and settled in Virginia. Martin Yewell was a
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
native of Virginia, but came in his early manhood to Kentucky, set- tling in Nelson county, where he was engaged in agricultural pur- suits and milling operations all his life. Harrison Yewell was also a farmer and miller. He located in Daviess county in 1840, and there followed these occupations until his death in 1885. During his life he was one of the well known and influential citizens of the county. His wife died in 1895. Both were members of the Baptist church and consistent practitioners of the tenets of their religious faith. They had the following children: Joseph and John, who both died in the Confederate service during the Civil war, the former at Tunnel Hill, Ga., and the latter at Bardstown, Ky. Thomas and Martha died in infancy; Linda is now living at Owensboro as the widow of H. M. Haskins; Nannie married Wil- liam Mobbelly and is now deceased; Vardeman lives in Missouri; Martin is the subject of this sketch; Mary Belle is the wife of E. Rice, of Louisville; Sarah Todd is at home, and Robert Lee is a farmer in McLean county, Ky. Martin Yewell received a good common school education, studied law under Judge Yost, of Green- ville, Ky., and was admitted to the bar on April 20, 1880. He first began practice at Uniontown, where he was elected city attor- ney, but in 1881 came to Owensboro, where he has ever since prac- ticed his profession until elected mayor in 1901. In August, 1882, he was elected county attorney of Daviess county and held the office for two terms of four years each. Mr. Yewell, until 1896, was an adherent of the Democratic party; since that time he has affiliated with the Republicans. He was elected mayor in November, 1901, and his term expires in December, 1905. On Jan. 7, 1885, he was married to Miss Mamie B., daughter of George and Volinda Taylor, and they have two children: Taylor, aged seventeen, and Martine, aged fifteen. Mr. and Mrs. Yewell are both members of the Baptist church.
LUCIUS P. LITTLE, of Owensboro, Ky., one of the leading lawyers of the Daviess county bar, was born in that county, Feb. 15, 1838. His great-grandfather, George Little, was a native of Scotland. After his marriage in that country he came with his wife to South Carolina before the Revolutionary war. In that contest he served in the American army, was wounded and disabled, and after the war settled at Fort Vienna, Ky., where he passed the re- mainder of his days. When he came to Kentucky he was accom- panied by his son, Jonas, who afterward married Betsy Douglas
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
and followed the vocation of a farmer in the vicinity of Fort Vienna until his death in 1850. His wife died during the Civil war. The second son of this marriage was Douglas Little, the father of Lucius P. In his early life he was a farmer and a manufacturer of wagons and plows. He was always active in politics, held the office of constable, was then justice of the peace for eight years, and county judge for twelve years, three terms of four years each. He married Martha Wright, a native of Charlotte county, Va., who came to Kentucky in 1820. Lucius P. Little was educated in the common schools of Calhoun and in his early manhood entered the office of the clerk of the circuit court, as a deputy, in which position he remained for three years. During this time he studied law and after leaving the office attended the law department of the Cum- berland university, of Lebanon, Tenn., graduating in 1857. Soon afterward he was admitted to the bar at Calhoun and practiced there until 1860, when he was made deputy United States marshal and took the census of his county. The next year he spent in Louisville and was then, in California until the fall of 1862, when he returned to Calhoun and acted as recruiting officer for Adam Johnson's regi- ment, John H. Morgan's command, of the Confederate army. While engaged in this work he was arrested and taken to Bowling Green, where he was tried for the offense of recruiting inside the Fed- eral lines. Under an order of General Burbridge the penalty of this offense was death, but through the mediation of friends Judge Little was released under bond and did not take any further steps in active support of the Confederacy. Shortly after this he went to Texas on legal business and remained there until the fall of 1864, when he re- sumed his practice at Calhoun. In 1868 he removed to Owensboro, where he has ever since lived, and where he has been an active participant in many of the political events of the county and city. In 1874 he was a candidate for the office of circuit judge, but was defeated. Six years later he was nominated by the Democratic party for the office and this time was elected. During his first term he won friends, both with the members of the bar and the general pub- lic, by his straightforward course on the bench and his clean cut, impartial decisions. In 1886 he was re-elected for another term of six years. Upon retiring from the bench in 1893 he resumed the practice of his profession and has been retained in many important actions. He prefers civil cases and in such matters he is regarded as an authority. Judge Little has also done something in the literary line. From 1876 to 1879 he was the chief editorial writer on the
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
Owensboro Examincr; between 1884 and 1887 he wrote "Ben Hardin, His Times and Contemporaries," and he has delivered numerous lectures on literary subjects. He has always taken an active part in political affairs and as a political speaker he has few equals. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and is a Past Eminent Commander of the Knights Templars. Judge Little has been married three times. His first wife was Lizzie E. Freeman, of Woodford county, Ky., to whom he was married on April 16, 1868. Her death occurred in March, 1873, and on Oct. 5, 1875, he was married to Louise A. Holloway. She died on March 4, 1887, and on Jan. 15, 1889, he was united in marriage to Miss Fannie Beach, of Maryland. To these marriages there were born the following children: L. Freeman, Lizzie E., Laura S., William, Martha B., Francis W., Catherine D., and Stanhope. Judge Little is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has been on the board of trustees for years. He is also a member of several literary clubs. In all these organizations, as well as in the community at large, he is universally respected for his many sterling quali- ties.
JOSIAH HALE, M.D., a retired physi- cian of Owensboro, Ky., was born in Ohio county, of that state, Jan. 25, 1829. His parents, Caleb and Sally (Huff) Hale, were both natives of Virginia, but came in their childhood to Kentucky with their parents. Caleb Hale's father was Arm- strong Hale, who was born in London, England, but came to America, settling first in Virginia and in 1800 in Ohio county. He was a farmer all his life. Caleb Hale was a farmer and also a cabi- net maker. In political opinion he was a Whig and took an active interest in all public questions. At one time he was sheriff of Ohio county, where he passed his whole life. Doctor Hale received a common school education, and studied medi- cine under Doctor Haines, beginning in 1852. In 1856 he was graduated from the University of Louisville, with the degree of M.D., and began, practice at Fordsville in his native county. Later he removed to Hartford and practiced there until 1863, when he took a post-graduate course in New York and located in Owensboro.
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
In 1872 he again attended post-graduate lectures in New York, and in 1881 was delegate to the International Medical Congress, which met at London, in August of that year. During his professional career Doctor Hale was regarded as one of the most progressive and successful physicians in his section of the state. He still re- tains his membership in the American Medical, the Kentucky State and the Tri-State Medical societies, the last named being composed of the States of Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky, and belongs to the Owensboro Medical society. He was a member of the state board of medical examiners as long as the board was in existence and his retirement from active practice caused regret among his many patrons. While actively engaged in, professional work he was hon- ored with the vice-presidency of the Kentucky State Medical society. Doctor Hale is an honored member of the Free and Accepted Masons. Before the war he was a Whig, during the war he was a Republican, then affiliated with the Democratic party until 1896, when he re- joined the Republicans. He owns a fine farm, property in the city of Owensboro, and is one of the substantial citizens of Daviess county. He has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1852, was Nancy J. Willis, of Ohio county. She died in 1862 and in 1873 he was married to Emily McHenry, daughter of Judge John H. McHenry, of Hartford. Doctor Hale has had three chil- dren, only one of whom is now living. Bettie and Emma both died in infancy and Mary is now the wife of J. A. Dean.
HON. AUGUSTUS OWSLEY STAN- LEY, of Henderson, Ky., member of Con- gress from the Second district of Ken- tucky, was born at Shelbyville, in that state, May 21, 1867. He is a son of Rev. William Stanley, a minister of the Chris- tian church, now located at Nicholasville, Ky. During the war William Stanley served as judge advocate-general on the staff of Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, of the Confederate army. His father was Joseph Stanley, a native of Virginia, who came to Kentucky in the twenties and settled in Nelson county, where he followed agricultural pursuits all his life. On the maternal side Augustus O. Stanley's mother was Amanda Owsley, daughter of Hon. Nudicat Owsley, of Shelby county, once
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
a member of the legislature, and a brother of Hon. William Owsley, at one time governor of the commonwealth of Kentucky and after- ward justice of the state supreme court. She, too, is still living. Augustus O. Stanley grew to manhood in the heart of the "Blue Grass State," having been reared in Shelby, Woodford, Boyle and Mercer counties. In 1889 he graduated from Centre college, at Dan- ville, Ky., and for the next year held the chair of belles-lettres in Christian college at Hustonville. Then for two years he was prin- cipal of an academy near Springfield. During all this time he de- voted such time as he could spare from his school work to the study of law, and in 1894 he was admitted to the bar. There is one fact connected with the college life of Mr. Stanley that is worthy of espe- cial notice. While at Centre college he was chosen to represent the institution in the state oratorical contest, and also had a similar honor conferred on him by the Kentucky State college, being the only man that ever represented two colleges in the contests. Upon being admitted to the bar he began practice at Flemingsburg, Ky., and continued there until March, 1898, when he came to Henderson, landing in the city on March 17th-St. Patrick's Day-a total stranger, for Flemingsburg is four hundred miles from Henderson. His progress, both in a professional and political way, since coming to Henderson, has been little short of phenomenal. In 1900 he was made an elector on the Democratic presidential ticket; in 1902 he was nominated and elected to Congress from the Second district; in 1904 he was unanimously renominated for another term by acclama- tion ; and on all occasions in the house of representatives he has faith- fully cared for the interests of his constituents. In his professional life he is a member of the law firm of Dorsey and Stanley, one of the strongest in Western Kentucky, his partner being John L. Dorsey, ex-judge of the Henderson circuit court. Mr. Stanley has few equals as a public speaker, either before a jury or on the political hustings. Ever since he became a voter he has made it a point to take a part in every political campaign and has repeatedly canvassed the state at his own expense. His popularity with his party comes from his ability as a public speaker and his well known devotion to Demo- cratic principles. In the house he is a member of the committee on mines and mining, and is always an advocate of every measure to se- cure a nine-foot channel in the Ohio river from Pittsburg to Cairo. This question he looks upon as one of the most important touching the country's public utilities. He is, therefore, always an attendant at every meeting to agitate the subject and frequently appears before
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
the committee on rivers and harbors to urge legislation favorable to that end. In fraternal circles Mr. Stanley is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Buffaloes, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On April 29, 1903, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan, daughter of William Soaper, a prominent tobacco factor of Henderson. To this marriage there has been born one son, Augustus Owsley, Jr., who was born July 1, 1904.
HON. JOHN L. DORSEY, senior member of the law firm of Dorsey & Stanley, Henderson, Ky., is one of the leading lawyers of the Henderson county bar and an ex-judge of the circuit court. He was born at Corydon, Henderson county, Dec. 17, 1853, and has lived in the county all his life. His father, Dr. John N. Dorsey, was born in Jefferson county, Ky., Dec. 30, 1811, and died Sept. 23, 1888. He was the son of Noah Dorsey, who came to Kentucky from Maryland. Doctor Dorsey married Patsy Atchison, a native of Shelby county, Ky. She died Aug. 16, 1873, aged fifty-one years. Her parents were Virginians who were among the pioneers of Shelby county. Judge Dorsey was reared at Corydon, received his collegiate education at Bethel college, Russellville, Ky., read law in the office of Malcolm Yeaman, of Henderson, and was admitted . to the bar in 1876. By his earnestness, his native ability, and his sheer force of will he soon won a high position at the Henderson county bar, and it is no disparagement to the other lawyers of Hen- derson to say that few are his equals and none his superior in a thorough knowledge of the law. In 1879 and 1880 he represented the county in the legislature, and in 1897 he was elected judge of the Fifth judicial circuit for a term of six years. Except the time employed in the discharge of his official duties in these positions his entire time since his admission has been taken up with the practice of his profession. At the expiration of his term on the bench he retired voluntarily to resume his practice, which has more attractions for him than holding office. He is a member of the State Bar associa- tion and is well known in legal circles all over Kentucky. His partner, A. O. Stanley, is the present Congressman from the second district of Kentucky, and both members of the firm are prominent in the councils of the Democratic party. Judge Dorsey was married on Dec. 10, 1885, to Miss Nannie, daughter of Robert Dixon, of Hen- derson, and they have four children: Alice Young, John L., Jr., Nancy Dixon, and Robert Milton.
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MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY
JAMES EWING RANKIN, well known in the commercial life of Henderson, Ky., was born in the city of Paducah, in that state, March 17, 1847. Until his sixteenth year he attended the schools of his native city. Then the disturbances incident to the Civil war and the occupancy of Paducah by the Federal troops broke up the school and so affected his mother's estate that he was compelled to enter business. His first employment was with the wholesale grocery house of J. M. Moore & Co., after which he was with Ashbrook Ryan & Co. and still later with L. S. Trimble & Co. From the last named firm he went to the banking house of Watts, Given & Co., where he remained until the house suspended on account of the failure of the parent firm of Watts, Crane & Co., of New York. He then went to Evansville, Ind., where he became associated with R. K. Dunkerson, and later became the head of the wharfboat and forwarding firm of J. E. Rankin, & Co. and the boat-store of Rankin, Hurt & Co. In 1876 he acquired an interest in the business of John H. Barret & Co., exporters of tobacco, with headquarters at Hender- son and branches at Owensboro and Uniontown, which interest he still retains. In 1885 he organized the Henderson Cotton Mills and has been president of the company ever since its incorporation. He is also president of the Coquillard Wagon Works, which owes its corporate existence to his energy and ability as an organizer. Mr. Rankin was instrumental in securing to Henderson the union pas- senger station and the elevated roadway over the streets of Hender- son, which enables the railroad trains to run at a high rate of speed without danger to pedestrians and traffic. He was interested in the several turnpike roads radiating from Henderson and aided in nego- tiating the sale of same to the county, thus freeing the travel from toll. He was also the president of the Pythian Building association, the builders and owners of the late Pythian office building and Park theatre, the finest office building in the city and the best appointed theatre in the state. Mr. Rankin inherits to a great extent his busi- ness ability and tact from his father, Adam Rankin, who was a member of the wholesale dry goods firm of Leight, Barret & Rankin, afterwards Bull, Rankin & Leight, of Louisville. Adam Rankin mar- ried Sophy Hayes Smith, daughter of Richard Ewing and Catherine (Hayes) Smith, the former of Louisville and the latter of Rochester, N. Y. He afterwards moved to Paducah where he was cashier of the Branch bank of Louisville until his death in 1857. His father was Dr. Adam Rankin, an eminent physician of Henderson who mar- ried Elizabeth Speed, of Louisville, an aunt of James Speed, Presi-
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