Daviess County, Kentucky - Chapter 5: Sketches of Public Men, 1883 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 5: Sketches of Public Men

As more extended notices arc required of many of the officials of Daviess County, including State and Government officers and representatives who have resided within the li mits of this county, we devote a chapter to them; and as a miitter of convenience we wiil include all the members of the present bar, and many of the past, in our sketches, and follow an alphabetical arrangement.

E. G. Adams, attorney at law and Justice of the Peace, is a son of Elisha and Artemeaia (West) Adams, and was born in Uppertown, Oct. 7, 18i9. He received a common-school education, and by close application was qualified to teach. In 1870 he went to Louisiana, but the climate did not agree with him and he returned after an absence of a year and settled on a farm in Lowertown. He taught school about a j^ear, and in 1873 managed his farm, hiring the labor. In 1878 he was elected Justice of the Peace for a term of four years, and in 1882 was re-elected. He was married April 15, 1869, to Mary Catherine, daughter of Richard C. and Sarah J. (Barrett) Fuqua. His wife died Aug. 16, 1879. They had three children - Mary Lou and Lou Ella, born Aug. 28, 1870, died in April, 1874; Helen Y., born July 28, 1878, is now living with Mr. Fuqua. After the death of his wife Mr. Adams moved into town and gives his attention to the duties of his office and the practice of his profession. He was admitted to the bar Jan. 20, 1883. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., K. of P., and I. O. G. T. He was also Master of Progressive Grange, and a member of the (bounty and State Grange. He has delivered lectures on temperance; at the last one he had his horse stolen. Mr. Adams is a member of Walnut Street Baptist Church, and was elected Deacon when twenty-six years of age.

was reared on a farm, and went to school at intervals until twentyfour years of age. He is a single man. In 1872 he was elected Constable to till out the terra of Eobert Ellis, resigned. He served as Deputy Sheriff a year and a half, and as Deputy Assessor two years. In 1878 he was elected Assessor, and re-elected in 1882. He is a member of the Baptist church, and of Telvington Lodge No. 693, A. F. & A. M.

Wra. Anthony, lawyer, was a member of the Legislature from this county during the war. He was learned, refined, able and witty. He stood firm on the side of the Union all through the war. As a lawyer he was of course shrewd and ready. He could with wonderful ease, yet perfect politeness, entrap any crooked witness whom he might be called upon to examine. He died some years ago.

J. D. Atchison, attorney at law and ex-County Superintendent of Schools was born in this county Dec. 31, 1852. His father, Austin Atchison, was born in Yirgiuia in 1807, and was of Scotch parentage. He was a farmer in good circumstances, until 1865, at which time he lost his slaves and other property. He died in 1875. Mr. Atchison's mother, Lucy (Moseley) Atchison, was a native of Kentucky and died in 1865. His parents were married in 1850. Owing to defective vision he did not learn to read until ten years of age, at which time he attended a county school one month, having procured a lens which enabled him to see sufficiently well to study. He was very small and sickly until sixteen years of age; he then again attended a county school. All of his leisure time had been spent in hard study, but a want of proper books was a great obstacle to his progress. A friend, E. H. Bryan, gave him great assistance in the sciences. In 1868 Prof. W. Alexander established Oakland Seminary, near the farm of Mr. Atchison's father, and at once took great interest in J. D., who was his pupil four years. He attended the school only during a part of the winter session, but took private lessons during the entire year. At the age of twenty Mr. Atchison borrowed money of his father, with which to buy suitable clothing, and started out to take care of himself. He went to Henderson County, where he was engaged nearly a year in teaching school, for which he was paid sixty dollars a month. With a part of this money he repaid his father, and 1' 3 remainder he spent in the pursuit of his studies at school, where^ he organized a club, and "ojched" at an expense not exceedirg $1.25 per week.

Iri IS 74 Mr. Atchison accepted a professorship in West Kentucky College, at South G'irroltoii, Kv., which position he held two years. He was thns again associated with his former preceptor, Prof. Alexander, who held the first position in the school. "When quite young Mr. Atchison had determined to study law, and in 1876 he resigned his position in the school and commenced the course of study in his chosen profession. Partly from poverty, and ])artly from a fixed principle that every one ought to acquire knowledge by his own efforts, he determined not to enter a law school. He came to Owensboro, and in June, 1876, entered the law office of Hon. W. N. Sweeney, where he remained four years. He was admittea to tne bar in March, 1877, and in May, 1879, he was married to Miss Blanche Hermon, of Muhlenburg County, Ky., one of his former pupils. In 1880, when Judge James Stuart's term as Circuit Judge expired, he and Mr. Atchison formed a «opartnership^ which still continues under the firm name of Stuart & Atchison. For a number of years Mr. Atchison was School Commissioner of Daviess County. S. C. Barrett is an attorney at law, resident at Whitesville. HoTi,. George M. Bibh. Although but a few years a resident of Daviess County, yet the prominence of Judge Bibb entitles him to a special notice in this chapter. He was born in Prince Edward County, Ya., Oct. 30, 1776, and was the son of Richard Bibb, an Episcopal clergyman of great learning. His earliest recollections were of the struggle for American Independence, which began at his birth. He was well educated, a graduate of Hampton Sydney and also of William and Mary Colleges, and in his 1 atter days was the oldest surviving graduate of each. Studying his profession with that distingiiished lawyer. Judge Yenable, he practiced in Virginia a short time, and removed to Lexington, Ky., in 1798, and was soon numbered among the ablest and soundest in a State already prominent for great lawyers. Jan. 31, 1808, he was appointed one of the Judges of the Court of Appeals by Governor Greenup; and by Judge Scott, its Chief Justice, May 30, 1809, but resigned in March, 1810; and again, by Governor Desha, was appointed Chief Justice the second time Jan. 5, 1827, but resigned Dec. 23, 1828.

Judge Bibb was twice elected to the U. S. Senate, - first in 1811, but resigned in 1814, and second in 1829, serving the full tern of six years. During the war of 18"! 3, he, in the Senate, and Wil iam Lowndes and Je C. Caltoun, of South Carolina, and Benry

Clay, in the IJ. S. House of Representatives, formed what was called the "War Mess" of the Madison administration - from having supported the war and the President with snch great talent, vigor and zeal. He settled in Frankfort in 1816. From 1835 to 1844 Judge Bibb held the important position of Chancellor of the Louisville Chancery Court, but resigned to become Secretary of the Tj'easury in the cabinet of his old colleague in the U. S. Senate, President Tyler, holding it to the close of his Presidential term. Thenceforward, until his death, April 14, 1859, he practiced law in the courts of the District of Commons, most of the time in the position of chief clerk in the department of the U. S. Attorney General, but really doing the duties now required of the Assistant Attorney General, an office established for the very labors performed by him.

Judge Bibb was a profound scholar, and a great mathematician, as well as a most eminent jurist. He had an iron frame and an ardent tempt'rament; was capable of gi-eat endurance and labor, and liable to great bursts of indignation when roused. He married a daughter of General Charles Scott, who bore him twelve children. In 1832 he married again in Washington City, his second wife bearing him five children. His brother, Jolm B. Bibb, was a member of the Kentucky I,egislature, and in the State Senate lS30-'34. Judge Bibb died April 14, 1850, aged eighty- three years.

Baker Boyd, born Aug. 9, 1836, in Shelby County, Ky. . is a son of William G. and Jane (Ligget) Boyd. Ills father was a native of Virginia, born Oct. 14, 1783, and moved to Sheli)y County. Ky., when nineteen j'ears of age. Ho was, Sheriff of Shelby County twenty years under the old Constitution. He represented his district in tiie State Lower House and Senate ten years. He was married three times. His first wife was Agnes Shannon, born Sept. 1, 1787. To them were born tliree children - Samuel L., born Sept. 4, 1806; Mehitai)lc, Feb. 1-'. 1808; Martha Ann, Oct. 39, 1n01». His second wile was Mary Newland, born April 18, 17^."'. They had two cliildrou- - William Wallace, horn April L'3, 1815, an.l Jolm ISTowland, J:ui, 23, 1817. His tliird wife was Mrs. .lane ', Ligget) Newhuid. Her first husband was AVilliam Newiand, rind to tlieui were born two children - lames L. and Ann Titaria. lOight .'.liiidicn were Ix/r'i to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd - George Wasiiingtoii, Dee s, I -.-ju. mar ried Emily INLnre, of Balhud Conntv. Ky., and ii:;d i'.ixi in>iis--

John, Ligwet and Henry; Celeste, born July 30, 1832, married Green Stewart, and had the following children: Wallace, Clarence, Digges, Boyd, Jolin, Charles, William, Jennie, Sallie, Celeste; Columbus, born Dec. 12, 1824, married William 11. Digges, Sept. 4, 1846, and had one son, William H. ; Christopher C, bcwn Sept. 6, 1826; Robert L., born Sept. 18, 1828, married Margaret Mc- Clarty, and had four children - J. Allen, Charles L., Henry D. and Mary L.; Jane, born Sept. 17, 1828, married James L. McClure, and had five children - Ligget, Logan, William, Jennie and James; Henry C, born Ang. 14, 1833, died Sept. 11, 1864; Baker, subject of this sketch. William G. Boyd moved to Hancock County and lived about thirty years. In 1860 he moved to Breckenridge County, where he died in 1863. When about twenty years old. Baker Boyd entered the county and circuit clerk's office of Breckenridge County, under Joe Allen, Clerk of the county, and remained there two years. He began studying law with Ben Munroe, United States Judge of the State of Kentucky, who was at the same time teaching a law school in Frankfort. After studying a year he was licensed to practice by two judges of the Court of Appeals, and established himself at Hawesville, Ky. Eight months later, in 1860, he removed to Blandville, where he remained till the breaking oat of the war. In 1861 he went to Camp Cheatam, near lifashville, and joined Company A, First Tennessee Regiment, Eock City Guards. After the battle of Perryville he was promoted to Third Lieutenant and then First Lieutenant of his company. During the war he was transferred to Company B, Seventh Kentucky Reo-iment, being First Lieutenant of the company. At the battle of Nashville he was captured by the Federal forces, and tlie following day taken to Johnson Island, across Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie, and confined till the close of the war. He then returned to Hawesville and remained about a year, when he moved to Hardinsburg and formed a partnership witli Alfred H. Payton, and continued in practice there till August, 1868, when he was elected Commonwealth Attorney for the Fourth District, comprising the counties of Hardin, Meade, Grayson, Breckenridge, Hancock, Ohio and Daviess, which position he held six years. In 1868 he moved to Owensboro. He was married in October, 1868,to Celia V., daughter of Thomas M. and Penelope (McFarland) Barron. Her mother was a daughter of John H. McFarland. Her father was a native of Virginia, and died in Daviess County in 1867.

Henry P- Broadnax, the first Circuit Judge, 1815-'22, was an upright and impartial judge, and one of the most remarkable men of his day. During the last year or two of his judgeship, his salary was paid in about $600 or $800 worth of corn. Those were "the primitive and honest days of the Kepublic. " The judge used to wear short breeches, with knee Duckies, and plaited hair, tucked with a comb.

W. Lindsea Burton, attorney and counselor at law, is a native of Daviess County, and is now practicing his profession in Owensboro. He is a well-educated. Christian gentleman, a strong advocate of temperance, and no lover of card-playing or novel-reading. His maxims of life, of his profession, and of liberal education are of the highest order.

John Calhoon was a prominent lawyer, a Circuit Judge, and a member of Congress. He was far superior to any other man of his time in this part of the country.

Colonel Martin Hardin Cofer was born in Hardin County, Ky., April 1, 1832. He was raised on a farm, and his education was such as the common schools of that day afforded. Early in life he determined to enter the profession of law. He was married in 1853, and shortly afterward removed to Illinois, where he resided three years. He studied his profession when not engaged in active business, and at the age of twenty-four was licensed by the Supreme Court of that State to practice. He commenced his labors atElizabethtown, Ky., and acquitted himself wellin his first efforts. He made steady progress, and at the beginning of the civil war had a very large practice. In 1860 a military company was organized at Elizabeth town, and he was chosen its Captain. During this year he was the Southern Eights candidate for the Lower House of the Legislature, having openly avowed his principles and determined to stand by them. His competitor, Hon. B. E. Young, who had been a member of Congress, was a man of ability and great popularity. Colonel Cofer and Dr. Young entered upon the canvass in July, and after an exciting contest, the Union candidate was elected Ly'a majority of only ninety votes. His next step was to enter tiie Confederate service. He was authorized, in connection witli ]\r:ijur Thomas Hays, to raise a battalion of six companies, of which he was to be Lieutenant-Colonel. Only five companies were obtained, and in T^ovember these were consolidated with other companies that formed the Sixth Regiment. He was elected Lieutenant Colonel of this command, and took rank froii} the ; o November. He participated in every engagement of his regiment up to th 30th of August, 1864, except that of Murfreesboro, and was severely wounded at Shiloh. He was promoted to Colonel Sept. 30, 1863. The day before the first battle of Jonesboro he was made Provost Marshal General of the Army of Tennessee. Colonel Gofer was a man of excellent judgment; was rarely known to draw a conclusion from a false premise, and in all his relations has maintained hmself as an honest, upright gentleman.

Frank !< . Conway, the present Circuit Clerk, is a native of Yirginia, born Nov. 22, 1837. "When he was eleven years of age his father died, and he was sent to New Albany and educated. In 1859 he graduated in medicine at Louisville, and began practice as a physician at Oakford, this county; but in the course of fourteen years his health failed, and he relinquished his profession, since which time he has been the popular and efficient Circuit Clerk of Daviess County. His first vote for President was for John C. Ereckenridge.

Thomas Alexander Craycroft was born in Washington County, Ky., Jan. 8, 1833; reared in Meade County, and completed a course of study in the English branches at St. Mary's and St. Joseph's colleges in this State. He afterward taught school awhile and read law, and graduated at the Louisville Law School in the spring of 1868. He located at Lebanon, Ky., where he was elected County Attorney and served two years. In February, 1860, he opened a law ofiice in Paraclifta, Ark., and practiced till the close of the war. "While there he was elected Commonwealth's Attorney and recruiting officer for the Southern array. In 1860 he was Assistant Douglas Elector for Arkansas.

In May, 1866, he came to Owensboro, where he has resided ever since, in the practice of kw. Was four years City Judge, and was member of the Legislature one term - 1877-'8. In 1881, in partnership with Geo. V. Triplett, he established the Saturday Post, and continued as one of the editors and proprietors until January,

1883. His editorial ability ia of a high degree. His tastes, indeed, incline him more to literature and politics than to law. In politics he is a Jeffersonian Democrat, and is opposed alike to abolitionism and secession ism.

Judge Oraycroft was first married in January, 1857, to Miss Lucy Hopkins, of Owensboro. In May, 1860, he married Mrs. Mary Graves, of Marion County, Ky. His children are Benjamin and Lucy - both by his second wife.

Warner Crow, Sheriff 1829-'31, was one of the oldest settlers of Daviess County, and is the father of Joshua G. Cr-.w, a well-known citizen of Murray Precinct. See sketch in the history of that precinct.

Samuel R. Crumbaugh, Collector for the Second Internal Revenue District of Kentucky, is now temporarily a resident of Owensboro, having his principal oflBce near the northeast corner of the public square. [This is Owensboro's present custom-house. J His distiict comprises thirty-two counties. He is a native of this State; graduated at the Military Academy at Annapolis, Md.; spent two years in scientific studies in London, Eng., and several years as Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy, the last two in the college at Hopkinsville. He is a tall, soldierly looking gentleman, with a massivechest and square shoulders, and carries himself very erect. He wears a heavy mustache and goatee, and is probably thirty -five or forty years of age. A few years ago he married a very wealthy woman at Elkton, and afterward moved to Hopkinsville, where he has a handsome residence. He is a rising politician, and at present the Reptfblicans talk of placing him at the head of the State ticket at the next election.

Colcmel Josejyh, Hamilton Daveiss or ''Jo Daveiss," as he was popularly known , who gave his name to Daviess County, was one of the most remarkable men of his day. He was born in Bedford County, Va., March 4, 1774. His parents were natives of Virginia; his father of Irish, and his mother of Scotch, descent. "When young Daveiss was five years old the family removed to Kentucky, then an almost unbroken wilderness, and settled in the immediate vicinity of the town of Danville, then in Lincoln County. An incident, which occurred in the journey to Kentucky, illustrates the character of his mother. In crossing the Cumberland River, Mrs. Daveiss was thrown from her horse, and had her arm broken. The party only halted long enough to have the limb bound up, with what rude skill the men possessed, and pursued their route, she riding a spirited horse and carrying her child, and never ceasing her exertions to promote the comfort of her companions when they stopped for rest and refreshment. Daveiss was sent to school as occasion allowed. He attended grammar schools taught by a Mr. Morley, and a Dr. Brooks, and made considerable advances in a knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages. At school he evinced unusual capacity, always being at the head of his class. He was particularly remarkable for his talent for declamation and public speaking. The sudden death of a brother and sister recalled him from school, and he returned home to assist his father in the labors of the farm. There is a tradition that young Daveiss was not particularly distinguished by his devotion to agricultural pursuits, frequently permitting the horses of his plow to graze at leisure, in a most unfarmer-like way, while he, stretched supinely on his back on some luxurious log, indulged in those delicious dreams and reveries so sweet to young and aspiring ambition.

In the autumn of 1792 Major Adair, under Government orders, raised some companies of mounted men, to guard the transportation of provisions to tlie forts north of the Ohio River. Daveiss, then in his eighteenth vear, volunteered in the service. On one occasion, when Major Adair was'encamped near Fort St. Clair, he was surprised early in the morning by a large body of Indians, whoj rushing into the camp just after the sentinels had been withdrawn from their posts, killed and wounded fourteen or fifteen of the men, and captured and carried away about 200 head of horses. These were taken within the Indian lines and tied. After the whites had sought shelter in the neighborhood of the fort, young Daveiss, discovering his own horse at some distance hitched to a tree, resolved to have him at all hazards. He accordingly ran and cut him loose, and led him back to his companions amid a shower of balls. This exploit nearly cost him his life. A ball passed through his coat, waistcoat, and cut off a small piece of his shirt. His horse was the only one taken out of the 200. When his time of service expired, he returned liome, and spent some time reviewing his classical studies. He ultimately concluded to study law, and entered he office o the celebrated George Nicholas, then the first lawyer in Kentucky. Daveiss entered a class of students, consisting of Isliam Talbot, Jesse Bledsoe, "William Garrard, Felix Grundy, William Blackbourne, John Pope, William Stuart, and Thomas

Dye Owings, all fof whom became distinguished at the bar, and noted in the public history of the country. Nicholas was profoundly impressed with the striking indications of genius of a high order manifested by Daveiss while under his roof. His opinion of the strength of his character and the firmness of his principles was equally as exalted, and at his death, which occurred a few years after, he appointed him one of his executors. As a student he was laborious and indefatigable. He accustomed himself to take repose on a hard bed; was fond of exercise in the open air, and was accustomed to retire to the woods with his books, and pursue his studies in some remote secluded spot, secure /rom the annoyance and interruption ot society. In connection with his legal studies, he read history and miscellaneous literature. His mind, therefore, when he came to the bar, was richly stored with various and profound knowledge, imparting a fertility and affluence to his resources, from which his powerful and well-trained intellect drew inexhaustible supplies. He began the practice of the law in June, of the year 1795. The following August he was qualified as an attorney in the Court of Appeals. In his first case he had for an antagonist his old preceptor, over whom he enjoyed the singular gratification of obtaining a signal triumph. Daveiss settled at Danville, and soon commanded a splendid business in all the courts in which he practiced. On the abolition of the District Courts and the substitution in their place of the Circuit Court, he removed to Frankfort. He had been appointed United States Attorney for the State of Kentucky. In the year 1801 or 1802, he visited Washington City, being the first Western lawyer who ever appeared in the Supreme Court of the United States. He here argued the celebrated case of Wilson versus Mason. His speech is said to have excited the highest admiration of the bench and bar, and placed him at once in the foremost rank of his profession.

During this trip he visited the principal cities of the North and East, and formed an acquaintance with many of the most distinguished men of America. In 1803 he was united in marriage to Anne Marshall, the sister of Joliii Marshall, the Chief Justice of the United States. Miss Marshall seems to have shared none of the qualities of her celebrated brother. After residing at Frankfort for a few years, he removed tu Cornland, the farm on the Ohio a mile and a half above Owensboro. His residence here was a hewed log house, which is not now remaining. He lived here till 1809, and then removed to Lexington, where he resumed the practice of law. While acting as attorney for the United States, he acted as prosecutor against Aaron Burr in his famous trial ot treason. He had noticed tlie movements of this person for some time before the prosecution was begun. Satisfied from liis observations that he had some unlawful design in view, he caused him to be apprehended and brought before the court. Burr's project was to revolutionize the Western country, establish an empire, with New Orleans as the capital, and himself the chief. July 24, 1806, General Dayton, one of Burr's firmest adherents, wrote to General Wilkinson in cipher, " Are you ready? Are your numerous associates ready? Wealth and glory! Louisiana and Mexico! ! " From a failure of evidence, as is well known, the prosecution was abandoned, although the whole plot was finally discovered. In the fall of 1811, Colonel Daveiss joined the army of General Harrison in the campaign against the Indians on the Wabash. He received the command of major. On the 7th of November, 1811, in the celebrated battle of Tippecanoe, he fell in a charge against the Indians, made at his own- solicitation. He survived from 6 o'clock in the morning till midnight, retaining to the last the full command of his faculties. The personal appearance of Jo Daveiss was commanding and impressive. His bearing was grave and dignified. His manner was bland and courteous to those he loved, but haughty and repulsive in the extreme to those he disliked. He was nearly six feet high, with a form athletic and vigorous. He was eccentric in his habits, allusion to which may be found elsewhere. At the great trial of Aaron Burr, at Eichmond, it is said he made his appearance in a suit of buckskin. As an orator he had few equals and no superiors. Competent judges unite in declaring that he was the most impressive speaker they ever heard. In conversation he was unequaled, and the life of every circle in which he was thrown.

Dr. John D. Ogden, of Owensboro, has the original brief, in manuscript, which Jo. Daveiss prepared and presented in a land suit from this county, in 1805 or '6, before the Supreme Court of the United States. This was the first argument ever presented before that body by an attorney from any section west of the Allegheny Mountains. It is related that when the case was about to be called, Mr. Daveiss was present, dressed in buckskin, with a squirrel cap, and was eating a piece of ginger-cake. It was whispered among the high-toned gentry of the court that the rough little Westerner would be so ignorant of the Virginia rules of procedure that he would soon be frustrated. When the case came up he

Stepped forward and represented that he was the United States District Attorney for Kentucky. This was at first regarded merely as a joke; but during the whole course of the proceeding the only interruption made by the bench was simply to announce that the proposition which Mr. Daveiss was about to establish was already admitted by the court!

John Allen Dean, formerly acting Commonwealth's Attorney, was born in Breckenridge County, Ky., Dec. 14, 1852; raised on a farm; graduated at Kentucky University at Lexington in June, 1874, and in the Law Department of the T.onisville University in March, 1876, and opened an office over the Planters' Bank in Owensboro; had his office in several other buildings, and is now on St. Ann street, opposite the court-house. In 1878 he married a daughter of Dr. Josiah Hale.

N. H. Decker was admitted to the bar here, but did not practice law in this circuit. He has been teaching public school in Waco, Texas, and is now following the profession of law. He is a promising young man.

John P. Devereux, Circuit Judge in 1851, went to Kansas City in 1859, entering the railroad business and becoming very prominent in the development of the "New West." In 1866 he removed to St. Louis, Ma., where he was commissioner of the land department of the Union Pacific Railroad Company until 1876 when he returned to Kansas City as the attorney of the company. In 1878 he moved to Denver, Col.

WHMam T. JEMis, born in Daviess County, Ky., July 24, 1845, a son of Luther L. and Mary M. (Kallam) Ellis, natives of Shelby and Daviess counties, Ky. His father died in March, 1855, and his mother in March, 1856, leaving two children - William T. and J. "W. Ellis, now of Masonville. William T. was reared and educated in Daviess County. Before he was sixteen years old he enlisted in the Confederate army, in the First Kentucky Cavalry; was mustered in Oct. 5, 1861, and served during the war, surrendering April 21, 1865. At the close of the war he was a noncommissioned officer, in command of scouts. After the war he returned home and attended school the i-est of the year 1865 and 1866, working during vacation to pay his board and tuition. The latter part of 1865 and till the spring of 1867 he taught school near Whitesville in connection with his studies. During the years 1867-'69 he read law during his leisure time while engaged in teaching. In the spring of 1869 he received his license to practice law, and entered Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Mass. Returned home in the spring of 1870, and in August of that year was elected County Attorney of Daviess County, and re-elected in 1874. In 1876 he was Democratic elector for this district on the Tilden and Hendricks ticket. Feb. 11, 1871, be formed a partnership with William T. Owen, under the name of Owen & Ellis, which is now one of the prominent law firms of the county. Oct. 20, 1871, Mr. Ellis married Alice, daughter of C. R. Coffey, who died a little more than a year later. Nov. 2, 1876, he married Mattie B., daughter of Dr. W. F. Miller, of Louisville, Ky.

George F. Ellis was born near Knottsville, Daviess Co., Ky., Nov. 11, 1856. "When he was four years of age his parents moved to Owensboro, where he was reared and educated. He attended the Kentucky University at Lexington three years, graduating in June, 1876. He returned to Owensboro and studied law during the summer with Owen & Ellis, teaching during the winter. He was admitted to the bar at the June term of 1880. In May, 1878, he married Josie Newton, a native of Carolina County, Ya., born July 1, 1861. They have one child - Muriel, born Jan. 23, 1882. Mr. Ellis is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Clinton Griffith was a Representative to the Legislature for two terms, 1869-73. He is a wealthy farmer, living in the southern suburbs of Owensboro.

William H. Griffith, deceased, was born Feb. 28, 1794, in Maryland, and was brought, by emigration of the family, to Ohio County in 1805. He was the first County Clerk of Daviess, which office he held for many years; and he was widely esteemed for his many excellent traits, and possessed abilities of no common character. He recorded the first deed ever made in the county, which transfer was made June 12, 1815, of 100 acres of land, by Adam Jourdan to Moses Gwyn, for the consideration of $350. This tract of land is said to be still in cultivation, but has not enhanced much in value. He afterward studied law and was admitted to the bar. His practice was successful and his business, largely consisting in. land claims, was straightforward and reliable. In some portions of the latter business he was in partnership with Phil Triplett. Mr. G. was a Whig in his party aiSliations. He died in December, 1848; two of his children survive, - Daniel M. and Clinton, both well-known citizens of Owensboro,

William M. Gri-ffith, grandson of the above, and son of Clinton Griffith, is an attorney at law, now practicing in Owensboro. Office, with Weir, Weir & Walker.

T. B. Hardin, a native of Springfield, Washington Co., Ky., was an attorney at law in Owensboro from 1864 until 1872 or '3, in partnership with G. W. Kay, when he returned to Springfield, and is there now. He is probably over fifty years of age.

Joseph Haycraft was born in Hardin County, Ky., where he received most of his education; studied law with Judge M. H. Cofer, and graduated in the Law Department of the Louisville University in 1861; was First Lieutenant in the Confederate army; practiced law with Judge Cofer at Brandenburg; was Commonwealth's Attorney 1875-'6; for the last four years he has been in Owensboro in partnership with JR. W. Slack.

O. H. Haynes, attorney at law, is a native of this county, which has always been his home. He graduated at the Louisville Law School, and was admitted to the Bar in 1876.

George F. Haynes, son of F. W. and Cassandra (Miller) Haynes, was born in Boston Precinct, Daviess Co., Ky., May 7, 1854. The parents of George F. were both natives of Ohio County, and were both descendants from Old Virginia, but settled in Kentucky at the beginning of the present century. F. W. Haynes came to Daviess County in 1836, and settled in the forks of Panther Creek, and in 1854 moved to Boston Precinct, where he engaged in farming, and at the time of his death owned a farm of more than 400 acres. George F. Haynes grew to maturity on the farm, and at the age of seventeen attended school at Horse Cave, in Heart County, Ky. In the fall of 1857 he began teaching a term of school, lasting five months. He continued teaching five months each year for four years. Dec. 31, 1877, Mr. Haynes came to Owensboro and entered the County Clerk's office, as deputy, serving in this capacity until 1880, when he received an appointment of Master Commissioner of Daviess County Circuit Court. For many generations the Hayneses have been strict adherents of the Baptist school of morals, and under this influence our subject was reared, having joined this church many years ago.

Ben. Hardin Helm was the son of Governor John L. Helm, and was born in Hardin County, Ky.; graduated at the West Point Military Academy, and in the law department of the Louisville University; in 1855 was a member of the Legislature; in 1856, Commonwealth's Attorney for this Judicial District; married a daughter of E.S. Todd, of Lexington, Ky.; in 1861 he entered the Southern army as a Colonel and- was promoted Brigadier General. Sept. 20, 1863,'at the battle of Chickamauga, he was killed. Many testimonials were given of his patriotism, integrity and good judgment. He was buried in the Atlanta cemetery.

Captain Samuel E. Hill, from Hartford, Ky., has just located in Owensboro, commencing in partnership with Colonel McHenry. The Hartford Herald speaks of him in the very highest terms.

Christopher D. Jackson is one of the very few old settlers now living. He was born on the old Hartford and Bardstown road, nine miles north of Hartford^ in what is now Ohio County, Dec. 13, 1797. His father was Christopher D. Jackson, a native of Virginia, and was born in Prince William County and removed with his parents to Botetourt County, Ya., when four years old; then moved to Danville, Boyle Co., Ky., and then to Hartford, Ohio Co., Ky., then a fort. He was married here to Miss Catherine Ehodes. They were members of the Baptist church. They had a family of fourteen children; nine girls and three boys lived to be men and. women. Christopher D. was the third son and fifth child. He was reared on a farm near Hartford. He married Miss Camilla L. Shanks, jSTov. 1, 1827. She was born in Kentucky. About a month after his marriage in December, 1827, Mr. Jackson moved to Daviess County, Ky., where he has since resided. At that time there were 625 whites and 518 blacks in the county over sixteen years old. Since that time a part of the county has been given to Mc- Lean and Hancock counties. Mr. Jackson had some 200 acres of land, and four negroes, one of which is still living with him. He also had some $1,200 and a team of horses. He first settled on a part, of his present farm in Mason ville Precinct, and has resided on this farm ever since. He and wife had four children - J. Han- ibal, died, aged one year and ten days; Josephine, died, aged nearly seventeen. James S. married Miss Susan Haws, a daughter of Albert Haws, who was elected three times to Congress from this district. James S. Jackson and wife liad five children, four living - Christopher, who married Anna Kroh; Adelle, married James Hickman, M. D., and resides in Owensboro; Albert G., married Laura Terrell; Nina is unmarried. Samuel Jackson died aged six years. Mrs. Jackson died in 1837. Mr. Jackson is now in the eighty-sixth year of his age, and is hale and hearty for a man of his age. He owns a fine farm of 3,000 acres in one tract where he re- Bides. He also owns 418 acres in Vanover Precinct and 100 acres in Knottsville Precinct. Mr. Jackson is the largest landholder in the county and the wealthiest man in the county. He is one of our self-made men; he is well read; he has a large library of bis own which contains many valuable books. He is a Mason and a member of the Sugar Grove Lodge, A. F. & A. M. Mr. Jackson gave the two acres of land on which the Sugar Grove cliurch is built. He has held the ofiSce of Justice of the Peace nineteen 3^ear s and was Sheriff of the county two years under the old State Constitution. His brother, Julius C. Jackson, was in the battle of New Orleans, war of 1812. His wife was a cousin of Senator Me- Creery. He has always been a strong siipy)orter of the Democratic party. He is of English, Irish and German descent; his great grandfather, Henry Rhodes, on his tuotho-'s side, came from Holland and settled with William Penn in Pennsylvania. His great grandfather on his father's side was Christopher Jackson, who was born in England, son of an English father mid French mother. He and two brothers came to A rnerica soim alter t)ie landing of the Pilgrims; Chistopher settled in Viri;inia, onein Maryland, and one in South Carolina. Mr. (/hristopher D. Jackson, father ot subject I'f our sketch, was a second cousin of old Hickory Jackson, President of the United States.

Jam,es L. Johnson, father of Philip T., was born in Livinirst-m County, Ky., Oct. 30, 1818. He secured a good edncation \i\ the common schools of that county, and in ls;;r. came to Owensb(>;H. He at first studied under the instrnctio'i of George Scarlifn-ong!!. an excellent teacher, now living at Vinelaiid, X. J.. mIi iso >:di'n)i was then the best in this part of the State. After <|nitting t^ciio:,'! he was employed -for two years in Ihe ofllee of Circuit and riniintv

Clerk, those positions then beinaj filled by John S. McFarland. While in the Clerk's office he be^an the study of law under the direction of Hon. Philip Triplett, one of the first and most distinguished lawyers of Daviess County, and at that time a member ot Cono-ress. In 1841 Mr. Johnson was admitted to the bar, and opened an office in Owensboro, in connection with James Weir. The firm was successful in the practice of law, and Mr. J. at the same time took a prominent part in political affairs. He was a Whig and a warm admirer and supporter of Henry Clay. In 1844 he was elected to the Legislature;^ served one term and returned to Owensboro, where he resumed the practice of law. In the Presidential campaign of 1848 his name appeared on the electoral ticket. The following year he was elected to Congress for the District in which Daviess County was embraced. He took his seat in December, 1849, and was thus a member of the celebrated Thirty-first Congress, or Compromise Congress, which passed the memorable compromise resolutions of Henry Clay, who was then a Senator from Kentucky. This Congress also has the reputation of being the longest ever held, not adjourning its session till October, 1851. While serving his terra as member of Congress, Mr. Johnson was married to Miss Harriette N. Triplett, the daughter of Philip Triplett, his old preceptor at law. On returning to Owensboro, Mr. Johnson again took up his profession. A few years subsequently- he gave up the active practice of law and devoted his attention more closely to agricultural pursuits. During the late war he held Southern sentiments. In 1869 he received the appointment from the late Governor Thomas E. Eramlette, as Judge of the Judicial District in which Daviess County is included. He held this position for the unexpired term of Judge James Stuart. George W. Jolly, born in Breckenridge County, Ky., Feb. 22, 1843, is a son of John B. and Hachel (Hardin) Jolly, both natives of Kentucky. He was educated in Hardinsburg, Ky. , his tutor being Rev. E. Gr. Gardiner. He enlisted in the war of the Kebellion, serving in the Union army. He was licensed and admitted to the bar in 1867, and has since been actively engaged in his profession. He removed from Hardinsburg to Owensboro in 1877. In 1880 he was one of the Garfield electors. He has the largest collection of law books in Owensboro. He was married in February, 1871, to Sue Henderson, daughter of P. J, Henderson, of Breckenridge County. They have four children, two sons and two daughters.

Jasper B. Karn, City Judge, Owensboro, is a 'son of Christopher and H. A. (Bristow) Karn, both natives of Daviess County. His grandfather, wlio was also named Christopher, was of German parentage but a native of Pennsylvania, and moved from there to Shelby County, Ky., and in 1819 came to Daviess County, settling in what is known as the forks of the creek, where he purchased about 3,000 acres of land and lived till his death. His wife was Leah Boone, the great niece of Daniel Boone. They reared a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom married and settled on the tract of land purchr ",ed by their father. Christopher Karn, Jr., died in 1878. His widow is still living. They reared a family of seven children, three sons and four daughters, Jasper B. being the eldest son. He lived at home till nineteen years of age, when, having acquired a good commonschool education, he began teaching school, which he followed at intervals till 1869. In August of that year he came to Owensboro and commenced the study of law in the office of Sweeney & Stewart, and was licensed to practice by Martin H. Co^er in March, 1870, still remaining, however, in the office of Sweeney & Stewart till the fall of that year. In 1872 he began the practice of law in Owensboro. In April, 1876, he was unanimously elected by the Council, City Attorney; served one term, and in 1878 was again elected to fill a vacancy. In April, 1882, he was elected City Judge. In 1878 he formed a partnership with (r. W. Ray, which continued till 1880. May 30, 1876, he married Sallie L., daughter of J. P. Fuqua. She died Dec. 13, 1881, leaving two children- Eva and Virga, the latter now deceased.

Wm. P. Kent, a young and rising lawyer of Owensboro, is a native of Wythesville, Va. , and is of the seventh generation of a family who have owned and resided upon the lands which their ancestors reclaimed from the forest and the Indians. He graduated as Ph. B. at William and Mary College in 1876, and in 1880 he graduated in law at the same institution. He has chosen Owensboro for his residence on account of its future prospects as a city.

Lucius P. Little. Short and simple are the annals of the pioneer. To the unsteady hand of tradition we owe most of that which yet remains of all that was said and done, achieved and suffered, bv those who came to Kentucky as the red man departed. Their very names are being blotted out from the memories and records of men. Deserving a better fate than this, the name of George Little is here set down. He was born in Scotland about the year 1735. The particular locality of iiis birth is now matter of conjecture. The patronymic has long been known in different parts of that country. The station in life of this particular stock in the old country, as well as its history, are both unknown. As tradition eagerly transmits the faintest suspicion of exalted rank, and as it has not done so in this case, the presumption is against its existence. All hopes of ancestral connection with those twin roots of British nobility - the Danish buccaneers and Norman plunderers - are thus forever blighted. For this depritration Scotia's own bard has furnished the consoling couplet -

This unpedigreed lot is indeed to be preferred, even if it were possible to trace a lineage to that ancient and noble house, antedating all modern nobility - founded by the worthy baron alluded to in Charles Dickens' History of Martin Chuzzlewit, as the Lord Nozoo. In early manhood he emigrated from the old to the new world. His first . known place of residence in America was at Newberry, in the colony of Seuth Carolina. His pursuits were agricultural, and he was so engaged at the rupture between the colonies and mother country. What his previous political sentiments had been is unknown, but he was opposed to the war that ensued. Without fortune or political influence, he asked no more of Government than liberty to pn rs ue, un moles ted , his pri va te affairs. Possibly his attachment to the mother country, or kindred left behind, influenced his opinions. A dissenter from the established church, he early joined the Wesleyan movement, which before the Revolution had a considerable membership this side the Atlantic. His religious faith - embracing the doctrine of submission to the powers that be - may have colored his political views. However this may be, when war came and the colonial Government required his services, he enlisted in the A raerican army. His m.ilitary exploits had no chronicler. No record of the nature and duration of his service survives. Nothing more is certainly known than that in an engagement between the American forces and a detachment of the enemy under Tarleton's command he received a bullet wound in the hip. As the result of this he went to his grave a cripple. The ball was never extracted. Independence and peace finally came.

and great rejoicing at the result. But the sturdy Soot still peraisted that rebellion was a mistake, and died nearly forty years after with his opinion unchanged. He remained in South Carolina until the end of the century. He had married before the Revolution, and his children were born before or during that war. Some time after the war - how long can not be stated - his wife died. His children, five daughters and five sons, reached manhood and womanhood, married, and sought homes of their own. His old home was thus broken up.' Age and infirmity approached, avant courier of the beginning of the end. On thp termination of the Revolutionary war, the exploits of Daniel Boone in the wilderness beyond the mountains were borne by rumor from his old home on the Yadkin to the four winds. Alluring accounts were afioat of the new country - beautiful and fertile, and watered by a river that rivaled the charms of its shores by its own grace and majesty. To the young and adventurous this prospect was irresistible; to all it was inviting. Jonas and John Little, two of his sons, decided to try their fortunes in this new Utopia. With their families they turned their backs on civilization and their old home in South Carolina, and started on their journey. Their father accompanied them. Their first halting place was in Barren County, in this State. Here they settled in 1802. John Little, becoming dissatisfied, removed to Tennessee, where he resided until old age. He went thence to Texas, and shortly afterward died. George Little and his son Jonas remained in Barren County two years. They then removed to and settled a few miles north of the Long Falls of Green River, in what was then Ohio County. The town of Vienna at that point on the river had maintained its fitful fortunes from its establishment in 1785. It succeeded a fort or block house erected there some years before. In 1848 it was supplanted by the present town of Calhoon. George Little engaged at such farming as supplied the wants of that primitive day. He had never acquired any considerable means, and was dependent on his own exertions - when the time for toil had about passed for him. The Ohio County Court exempted him from poll tax " on account of bodily infirmity," but not improbably intended in part a patriotic recognition of his sufferings for his country. These last years were comparatively uneventful in local aff'airs in -this region. Society was primitive, business limited, and mostly in the farming way. The muster day and the religious meeting were about the only

Ti;o war whoop of the Indian liad scarcely ceased to eclio around tiie scttiei'^ c!ihin. Indeed, the Oliio River bounded the Indian coiiDtrv (111 the south, which readied the great lakes to the north, and utrc'tchud from the Muskingum to the boundless west. Bear hui\ting was still good, deer abundant, and the wolf and panther still lingered. Many years after the deatli of his first wife he intermarried with Mary Douglass, widow of Alexander Douglass. ' Her maiden name was Ilandley. She was a native of Scotland, whence she came in childhood. In early life she married Douglass, of South Carolina. By him she bore several daughters, one of whom (Betsy) married Jonas Little. In 1784 or '5 Douglass came to Kentucky in company with his brother-in-law, Captain John Handley. The latter was a surveyor. Their purpose was to examine the country, and survey and locate lands with a view of ultimate settlement. They returned to South Carolina, and on arriving in that State they separated to go to their respective homes. Douglai5S never reached his destination, being mysteriously murdered. Time has never unraveled the mystery of his death. After the death of George Little, his widow rharried Edward Atterbury, ot Daviess County, who died in 1824. Mary Atterbury survived several years, outliving most of her generation. From youtb to old age she was noted for beauty, the grace of her manners, and the rare charm of her colloquial powers. She died in a green old age, and was laid to rest by the grave of her second husband. She was sister of the well-known pioneer. Captain John Ilandlej', and also sister to Kachel, wife of Anthony Thomson, the first Justice of the Peace in all this region. On the first of February, 1815, - the same year in which Daviess County was established, - George Little made his will. He left the bulk of his small estate to his wife. Shortly after - having reached fourscore - he departed this life, or, in the quaint words of his will, he gave his soul into the hand of Almighty God that first gave it, and resigned his body to the earth, " believing, that at the general resurrection " he would receive it again. His mortal remains were interred in the Anthony Thomson graveyard (now in McLean County) where his dust awaits the final summons. In personal appearance he was stoutly built, rather under than over middle height, with dark hair and eyes, and marked features. He expressed himself freely in conversation, his broad Scotch dialect not being always readily understood. He was always a pious man, being established in his religious opinions beyond all shadow of turning. He had a clear mind and acute observation. Perhaps he was obstinate, equally in the right or wrong. To express a kindly feeling for Great Britain after the Eevolution and during the collisions that culminated in the war of 1812, was not only unpopular, but was defying a very general and heated public sentiment. But to the last the old solf^'er maintained that under the fostering care of the British Government the American people would have best secured their prosperity and happiness. In the light of all that has followed, who knows? This meager and imperfect sketch (doing poor justice to its subject) may serve to remind this generation that the seeds of virtue were brought hither by the pioneers, and that it is the fault of their descendants if there be no fruitage.

The pioneers led simple lives and were mostly unlettered, but they realized in large measure all the better and nobler characteristics of true manhood.

Martin S. Mattvngly, son of George and Catharine (Miles) Mattingly, was born in Nelson County, Ky., Sept. 27, 1843. His father was born in Marion County, Ky., in 1793, and died in Daviess County in 1859. His mother was born in Nelson County, Ky., in 1803, and died in Daviess County in 1874. Martin S. resided at home the greater part of his minority, working for neighbors and attending the district or subscription school. In his nineteenth year he attended St. Mary's College, Marion County, fitting himself for examination by studying evenings. He then taught school for two years in different parts of the county, after which he clerked for Bard & Price, of Sorghotown; he was Post master there two years. He worked for J. M. Mattingly & Son of Grissom's Landing, about a year, and was then elected County Clerk of Daviess County, August, 1874, where he is now serving his fourth term. In 1879 he married Belle, daughter of Jesse and Mary (Adams) Moreland. They have two children - Jesse, born Jan. 27, 1880; and Arthur F., born June 17, 1882.

Eawes McCreery, only son of Colonel T. C. McCreery, was admitted to the bar here in 1880, practiced here until November, 1882, when he moved to Chicago.

born in Kentucky in 1^17; attended Center College, at Danville; studied law, but turned his attention to agricultural pursuits; was a candidate for Presidential elector in 1852, and defeated; but in 1860 he was elected, and voted tor Breckenridge and Lane; was elected United States Senator in Februaiy, 1868, as a Democrat, vice James Guthrie, resigned, and served until March 4, 1871. He was elected by 110 votes, against nine for Sidney M. Barnes, Union, and five for Aaron Harding, third party. In the caucus his chief competitors were Jesse D. Bright and Richard H. Stanton. Mr. McCreery was again elected United States Senator, Dec. 19, 1871, by 112 votes, against twenty for John M. Harlan, Republican, and served from March 4, 1873, to March 4, 1879. Mr. Mc- Creery, before he suffered partial paralysis, was one of the most popular orators of the day; and he has the highest respect of all parties for the faithfulness with which he served the interests of his State. His very large and valuable library was entirely consumed by fire some years ago. Residence in the southern suburbs of Owensboro, on Frederica street.

John II. Mol^adand, Representative to the Legislature in 1848, is the oldest living resident of Daviess County. See Chapter I. - "Early Settlement."

Robert W. McFarland, son of John H., and his eighteenth child, is a member of the bar in Owensboro. He was a Representative to the Legislature 1879-'81.

W. S. McFarland, formerly County Attorney, is also a son of John H. McFarland. He practiced law here some years before the war, and probably a little while after its outbreak. He is a Republican, and is now a United States ganger at Mt. "Washington, Bullitt County.

John Hardin Mc Henry, Sr., came to Owensboro in 1853, and died Nov. 1, 1871, at his residence in the same city. He was oorn in Washington County, Ky., Oct. 13, 1797, the son of Rev. Barnabas McHenry. In 1821 he was appointed Commonwealth's Attorney for this district, which position he resigned in 1839. In

1840 he was elected to the Legislature, as a Whig, and in 1850 a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention. At his death he left seven children - Hon. Henry D., Colonel John li., William H., "W. Estill, Lemuel S., Mrs. Dr. Hale and Mrs. Robert Craig. Mr. McHenry was regarded as one of the best lawyers in the State, and as a high-toned statesman and Christian gentleman.

Colonel John Hardin McHenry, a prominent member of the Daviess County bar, and particularly known throughout the country for his Union sentiments, was born in Hartford, Ohio Co., Ky., Feb. 21, 1832. His father was an own cons' n of the celebrated Colonel John J. Hardin, of Illinois, who took so prominent a part in the Mexican war. He received a fine literary education, spending three years in West Point Military Academy. In 1857 he graduated in law at the University of Louisville, and practiced his profession in Owensboro until the war, when he raised the Seventeentli Kentucky Infantry, and Oct. 1, 1861, had the first engagement with Confederates fought on Kentucky soil. His regiment also participated in the severe fight at Fort Donelson, under General Grant, and in the field of Shiloh; and subsequently it was consolidated with the Fifth Kentucky, under his command. In 1862, when President Lincoln issued his first proclamation on the subject of euiancipation, he took issue with the Government, and ])ublished an order to his regiment not to aid slaves in their ilisrht from their owners, which order resulted in his dismissal from the service. In this transaction tlie people of Kentucky stood by him. Even the Legislature took up his defense. In 1863 he made a race for Congress against George II. Ycatnan, but was defeated, his friends being " bayoneted away" from tlie polls. Siuee then he has followed his profession in Owensboro.

The Colonel was one of ten Captains selected by lot, April y, 185S, by (T<ivernor Morehead to serve with their companies in Utah; l)ut before Mcllenry's company was ordered forward the troubles in Utah were ended by tlie presence of Generals A. S. Johnston and R. E. Lee, with tiieir forces.

In 1881-'2. the Colonel, seeing that the State Legislature and Government of Kentucky placed in responsible positions scarcely any but ex-Confederate officers and soldiers, concluded that it was time to make a movenniit in favor of having the Union party of Kentucky represented, llu accordingly headed a campaign, known as the " Union Dcnmcratic Movement," publishing speeches and letters, organizing a j'arty and nominating a ticket. Richard T.

Jacob, their nominee for Governoi', received 75,000 votes in the State. In 1868, Colonel McHenry married Miss Josie Phillips, of Louisville, a niece of Judge Bland Ballard. In his lav(r practice he has jnst formed a partnership with Captain Samuel E. Hill, from Hartford, Ky.

Henry McHenry practiced law here during the j'ear 1882, in partnership witli his uncle, Colonel J. H. McHonry. In January, 1883, he returned to Hartford, Ky., whence he had come.

A. B. Miller, Sheriff of Daviess County, was born in Maaonville Precinct, Jan. 13, 1832, and is a son of Fleming and Sallie (Crawford) Miller. His father was a native of Henrico County, Ya.; was born in 1791 and came to Kentucky in 1815, settling in Shelby County. In 1823 he came to Daviess County, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, J. C. Miller, in Masonville Precinct. He died in 1860. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Sallie C. Crawford was his third wife. A. B. was the second ot their five children. He remained on the old homestead farm in Masonville until his marriage, when he bought a farm where he resided until 1875. He then i-ented his farm and moved to Owensboro. He was appointed Deputy Sheriff in 1874, and held that office until 1878. In 1881 was elected Sheriff of Daviess County. Mr. Miller married Miss Mary A. Simpson Nov. 18, 1856. She was born in Todd County, Ky., in 1839, and was a daughter of Payton and Caroline (Foster) Simpson, natives of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had seven children, six living - W. P.", Deputy Sheriff; Carrie V., wife of T. B. Demaree, of Louisville, Ky.; Sallie B. ; James E., learning the machinist's trade in Louisville; Charles B., clerking in the Y. M. C. A. rooms at Owensboro, and Tilla E. The mother died Sept. 7, 1877. She was a member of the Baptist church. Oct. 15, 1878, Mr. Miller married Mrs. Alice Murphy, widow of Geo. W. Murphy and daughter of James Talbott. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the First Baptist Churcii. Mr. Miller is a Knight Templar Mason and member of Chapter 15, Blue Lodge JMo. 130, a member of the Knights of Pythias and a member of the Knights of Honor, Lodges Nos. 2,525 and 910. In politics he is a Democrat and has always been a supporter of that party. He is of German and English descent.

James Zacharie Moore, attorney at law, was the tenth of fourteen children, and the son of Dr. John li. and Mary (Yan Pradelles) Moore, the former a native of Mercer (now Boyle) County, Ky., and the latter of Baltimore, Md. He was born in 1845, in Jeffer. sun Countj'^, Ky. Wliile a boy he showed a strong disposition to enter the army, through West Point, but iiis father and family, "blue-stocking Preibyterians," were toa strongly opposed to it. In 1856 the family removed to Missouri, settling on a farm. Here young Moore followed agriculture during the summer and attended school winters. In February, 1S61, he volunteered fof the State militia, but was withdrawn by his father. After the battle of Booneville, however, he could confine his zeal no longer, and with only a $5 bill and the clothes he wore, he left home, in company with another boy, amid a rainy season, swam creeks and rivers and endured many hardships, until, after traveling about 300 miles, they reached Price's army. Mr. Moore was the youngest in tlie brigade. His term of enlistment expired in February, 1862, and, after a faithful service during all that time, he quit the army, without having received a cent of pay.

He afterward pursued a collegiate course of study two years, and entered the sophomore class at Danville, Ky. ; but limited means prevented him from completing the course. After securing a little fund as salesman in Evansville, he entered the jimior class at Miami University, Oxford, O., and graduated in 1867, taking tlie classical honor. Here he established a chapter of the Phi Delta Theta Society, which flourished for many years; and he founded and partly edited a college paper called the Miami Student. Mr. Moore was considered thestrongest member of that graduating class. Next he taught school in Daviess County and pursued a course ot reading preparatory to the study of law. He attended the law department of Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass., commencing with only s57. He kept "bach," lived economically every wiiy, and made his little fund go as far as it would. His' forensic efforts made him many stauncli friends.

Ill 1868 he became a member of the Daviess County bar, where he has since practiced, earning from the first the higliest esteem ot the judges and of the bar. In 187i he was ai)pointeti Register in Bankruptcy. In 1876, as a Republican nominee for Congress, he received tlie highest vote ever given a Republican candidate. In 1878 he threw his influence inTavor of his former opponent, Hon. J. A. McKenzie. In 1880 lie visited California.

diildren, his domestic relations have been happy. His physique is excellent, his a^jpearance prepossessing, his manner digniiied, and his mind broad and liberal. In law practice he interposes no quibbles, but uses the telescope rather than the microscope. He is a friend of popular education, has high hopes of the upward progress of humanity, reads and studies a great deal, has an immense library, consisting of the very best works, and his motto is, " The better thought prevails."

Eli II. Murra,])., son of David Murray and brother of J. A. Murray, of Cloverport, was born in Breckenridge County, brevetted Major-General in the Confederate service; moved here directly after the war and commenced the practice of law in partnership with Jas. L. Johnson; in 1870 he left this county, and has since been married. In 1868 he was appointed U. S. Marshal for the State of Kentucky, and is now Grovernor of Utali Territory, where he was appointed by President Hayes.

M. L. Ogden was born in Caldwell County, Ky., near Princeton, Aug. 23, 1835. Two years afterward the family moved to Owensboro, since which time the subject of this sketch has been an honored resident of this city. Forty-four years he lived on a lot now vacant, just north of the Hill block. A year ago he was completely burned out. Ever since he was sixteen years of age he has had a rheumatism which resulted in making him a permanent cripple, and for twenty years he has had to use a wheel chair, for moving about indoors. From 1851-'6 he was Deputy Postmaster, while his father was Postmaster; from August, 1859, to September, 1862, he was County Clerk, and from April to September, 1868, Circuit Clerk. In 1859 he commenced also assistant clerk at the mill, and from 1862 to the present time he has been continuously the clerk. In August, 1866, he was married, and he has two children.

Wm. T. Owen, of the firm of Owen & Ellis, attorneys at law, was born in Kentucky in 1833. He came to Owensboro in December, 1851. After clerking in a store and at the court-house for a time, he studied law with Judge Devereux, and after receiving license to practice he opened an office in Calhoon, reinaii]- ing there fourteen years. He formed his ]>resent partnership in 1872.

Wm. H. Perhlns has held the oiiice of Sheriff three terms. He is a native of "Warren County, Ky., and was horn June 29, 1832. His grandparents on his father's side came from Virginia about 1810, and settled near Bowling Green. His father, Joseph, was born in Warren County; he married, in 1831, Eebecca Talbott, of Butler County. W. H. Perkins was five year's old wlien he came to Daviess County. He was educated at Bon Harbor and Owensboro; he led the life of a farmer until he was twenty-one years of age, when he was appointed Constable and afterward Deputy Sherifl. Most of his life lias been spent in business connected with public offices. In 1866 he was elected Sheriff. May 6, 1862, lie married Miss Mildred Duke, of Oliio County. They have three children. Mr. Perkins was politically a Wliig, but afterward became a Democrat. He has carried on a farm since he was eigliteen years old, and was also for two years engaged in the grocery business in Owensboro, with John Thixton. He has been one of the popular officials of this county.

John Piles, Sheriff 1823-'5, was one of the renowned wags or madcaps of the county; and many stories, even at this late day, are related of liis amusing pranks and eccentricities.

Major John Popu, one of the most successful members of tlie bar, came from Springfield, Ky., located on a farm below town, and became wealthy.. He served in the Soutliern army, and after the war he moved into town and practiced law with Wm. !N. Sweeney. He died Oct. 29, 1866, a devout Christian, esteemed by all who knew him.

J. D. Powers, born Oct. 17. 1844, in llawesvillf, Hancock Ci>., Ky., is a son of Stephen and Emily N. (Slirader) Powers. His father was a native of Ohio, and liis mother ot' Hancock Cnunty, Ky. Mr. Powers was admitted to tlio bar in the full of 1^73, at Hawc^ville, and becan to practice there. He located at ( )w('n:jb()ri>,

Dec. 27, lfS77, and practiced nearly a year alone, then formed the copartnership with Judge G. W. "Williams, which still continuet. Politically he is a Democrat: was Assistant Elector in Stute at large in 1S76, on Tilden and Hendricks' ticket; vvas a nieinhi.'r o!' the Legislature of Keiitucky, representing Hancock Couiity in 1873- '4. He was elected Vice-President of Fir.'ri Pan!'

iu the spring of 1882. Oct. 19, 1875, he married Clara Hawes, youngest daughter of Hon. Albert Gallatin Hawes, and a native of Owensboro. They have six sons and one daughter.

Geo. W. Bay, attorney, was born May 24, 1819, in "Washington County, Ky. ; was married Jnly 18, 1848, to Margaret J. Harris, of the same county. In 1851 he graduated at the University of Louisville, and in the fall of 1859 he came to Owensboro, where he has since been engaged in the practice of law.

Camden BiUy, Jr., nephew of the preceding, was admitted to the bar in 1878, but is now mainly engaged iii the manufacture of whisky, at Yelvington.

H. W. Scott was born in Nelson County in 1814. At the age of eighteen he entered St. Mary's College, where he remained three years, then went to Spencer County and engaged in school-teaching. Nov. 23, 1828, he married Catharine Beard, and continued to teach school for a year longer, then commenced farming in Spencer County. In October, 1852, he moved to Daviess County, where he has since resided. He taught school a while, then bought a farm on the Litchfield road, with intention of devoting himself to agricultural pursuits. He had early in life made himself familiar with the science of surveying, and in this respect his services were 80 highly valued that at the election of 1858 he was chosen County Surveyor of Daviess County. He retained this position ten successive years, and in 1868 was chosen Sheriff of the county. He held the position two terras, and in 1874 was again elected to the same office. Few men have served more faithfully.

J. D. Shortell, lawyer; office over the First National Bank, was born in Ireland, in 1843, the son of James and Mary Shortell. They came to this country in 1849, and soon after arriving settled in Owensboro, where the subject of this sketch has since principally made it his home. His father followed the grocery business in this city, and died in 1860. Soon after the war broke out James D. and his mother visited their native land, and in the fall of 1864 returned to their adopted home In America. Mr. S. was educated at the Daviess County Academy in Owens- bore, and St. Mary's College at Lebanon, Ky. On his return from Ireland in L86i, he was employed in the Provost Marshal's oiEce, and in the Internal Revenue Department, Fourth District of Kentncky, from 1865 to 187i, - offices at Lebanon, Shelbyville and Greensbursf. In 1876 he returned to Owensboro with the view of practicing law, where be had been admitted to the bar the previous year. Until 1882 he was bookkeeper and cashier for R. Monarch & Co., in the whisky trade, and then he was employed by M. P. Mattingly in a similar capacity. Up to 1881 he acted as attorney for the distillers here, representing their inter'^sts at Wasbington. Mr. Shorten is a lawyer of superior talent, and is a keen witted, thorough going gentleman.

Robert W. Slack was bora in Bardstown, Ky., in 1848; was educated in the schools of that place and at Cecilian College; studied law with James Montgomery at Elizabeth town, and was admitted to the bar at that place in 1870. In 1873 he came to Owensboro; in 1876 he formed a partnership with Judge L. P. Little, which was dissolved in 1880 by the latter being elected Judge, and since May, 1882, he has been in partnership with Jo Haycraft. He was City Attorney 187 3-' 5.

M. G. Stirman, attorney, was born in Owensboro, April 28, 1858. His parents, Dr. W. D. and R. A. (Wall) Stirman, are residents of this city. M. G. was the second of four sons. He first attended the private school of H. P. Hart, and at the age of eleven or twelve entered the common schools, graduating at the high school in 1874; he completed his education at the. State University of Indiana in 1879. He was admitted to the Kentucky bar in March, 1882, and has since followed his profession. In 1882 he was elected County Superintendent, and still retains that oiiice.

James Stuart, born March 22, 1820, within three miles of the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, in Hardin, now La Rue, County, Ky., was a son of Alexander L. and Jane Allen (McLure) Stuart. Ills mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born in 1783 in Logan's Station, and died in 1875, within tsvo days of ninety-two years of ago. His father was a son of Alexander L. Stuart, whose parents were fugitives from Scotland. His father died on shipboard, and his mother a few months after reaching Virginia. Alexander was reared in the family of Colonel McKee, and when sixteen years of age entered the Revolutionary war and served till its close. He then came to Kentucky, and after serving in all the campaigns against the Indians located in Warren County, being among its first settlers. He had a family of three sons and five daughters, the most of whom died in early life of consumption. His son, Alexander L., raised a company when nineteen years of age and served in the war of 1812. He was twice married and had three children, a daughter and two sons. He died at the age of thirty-four, and his youngest son at the age of thirty. James Stuart is, therefore, probably the only remaining male member of the original Stuart family. His early education was obtained in what was called the old field schools. His professional education was commenced in the ofiBce of the noted Jo Allen. He was licensed to practice when nineteen years of age. Judge McLean being the first and Judge Churchill the second to sign the license. Soon after receiving his license he was married to Mary 0. Fairleigb, daughter of the clerk of Meade County, and located in Brandenburg. In 1849 he was elected to represent Meade County in the Legislature. The Constitutional Convention was provided for at that session of the Legislature. He was a candidate for Circuit Judge in 1850 bnt was defeated. In 1856 he was elected to that oflBce, and re-elected in 1862. Having removed to Owensboro in 1867, he resigned his oflice and became a partner of Hon. W. K. Sweeney in the practice of law. In 1874 he was again elected Circuit Judge. He was a candidate for re-election in 1880 but was defeated. He is now practicing in Owensboro. He is probably the oldest lawyer in the Grreen River country.

As a lawyer Mr. Stuart has been retained in several of what the lawyers denominate "6'asiw ceZeJres." Of these we mention the following prosecution for murder: The first in order of time was perhaps the Commonwealth vs. Thos. Florence, indicted for the murder of a Mrs. Green, in the Hardin Circuit Court. The case attracted such attention that not a juror resident in the county could be had to sit in the trials. It was twice mooted before juries brought from other counties but in each instance the result was hung juries, - six for acquitting and six for conviction, - and, singularly enough, the juries stood in the same form, for in each those who would convict were four for manslaughter and ten years penal service, and two for murder and the penalty of death.

The next was the prosecution in the name of the Commonwealth V9. James, George and David Smith, charged with the murder of Dr. Hughes in Hardin County, at Glendale. They were indicted in Hardin County but the venue being changed to Grayson, they were Acquitted amid the plaudits of those who witnessed the trial.

The defense was placod on the grontui of killed in the defense of their father. The case was so noticeable that Oolonul Brcckcnridife was brought from Lexington to prosecute and an Jible firm of law- 3'ers in Elizabethtown, also retained in aid of the State's Attorney, and the subject of this sketch taken up from Owensboro to aid in the defense.

The next was the case of the Commonwealth vs. Peyton Kincheloe and two others, charged with the murder of Avis Tliogmorton in the Daviess Circuit Court. We need say nothing of this, as the homicide and trial took place in this county and of course the particulars and circumstances are as well known as we could detail them. It may be proper for us to state that the defendant was readily acquitted on the plea of self-defense. The Florence case was never tried out, the Government after the hung juries having "non-prossed" the case. Mr. Stuart was also in the defense of Wm. Bell, indicted in the Federal Court at Louisville, for the murder of a colored man, OundiflF. This was the first case under what is known as the civil rights law. Bell, after a hung jury, was capitally convicted, but was rescued on a motion for a new trial and finally the case went off for want of jurisdiction in the court. At an early day in professional life Mr. Stuart made a defense for James Dejarnett, charged with barn burning, in the Breckenridge Circuit Court. This case was noticeable on account of the character of the Dejarnett family. As a judge he eat in seven capital cases, and rendered seven capital sentences. In two of these the condemned committed suicide the uight before they were to suffer. During the war he had many thrilling adventures and was often captured in the guerrilla raids. He was holding court at Hawesville when the great mob occurred which resulted in the murder of Thos. Lowe in the jail, which at the time was regarded as the most tragic affair which had ever happened in the State; and we suppose, coupled with subsequent events which grew out of it, nothing could be more dramatic in real life. He was in neither army although offered a colonelcy thrice, pending the war.

As a judge it is thought that Mr. Stuart has decided more cases than any other judge in America; for a time he averaged probably ten thousand a year.

Mr. Stuart is also a writer, as he has published articles in the press, and has composed some fine poems, - among them "The Old Dance," "Bob Walker," " Mania a Potu," etc. An extraordinarily good poem of his was occasioned by his reading an account of the discovery of an English inumniy with a harp in its hand, one string of which was still in tune, after a lapse of thousands of years! He has a family of three sons and one daughter - William A., Charles, Alfred A. and L?ttie Logan.

W. A. Stuart was born in Brandenburg, Meade County, Ky., Sept. 8, 1847. He came to Daviess'Count}, Ky., in 1867, and has since made Owensboro his home. He was Master Commissioner of Daviess Circuit Court during the years 1876 and 1877. From Jan. 1, 1878, to Sept. 10, 1882, he was Internal Revenue Collector of the Second District of Kentucky.

Hon. WiUiam ]V. Sweeney, one of the leading members of the Daviess County bar, was born in Liberty, Casey Co., Ky., May 5, 1832. His grandfather, Charles Sweeney, was a native of Virginia, and on emigrating to Kentucky settled in Casey (then Lincoln) County, where Joel Sweeney, the father of William N., was born. Joel married Obedience Edwards, of Garrard County.

Mr. Sweeney obtained his early education in liis native town; was aflerward a student in Bethany College, West Virginia. At the age of seventeen he began to study law with his father, who was educated as a lawyer, but had practiced his profession very little. He subsequently pursued his legal studies with McDowell Fogle, one of the first lawyers of Liberty. On his admission to the bar he beganjpractice at Liberty, a;t the same time occupying the position of Deputy Clerk of the court. He came to Owensboro, May 4, 1853, and commenced practicing law. In 1854 he was elected County Attorney, and held the office four years. In January of the same y^ar he was married to Lizzie Rodgers, of Owensboro. In 1856 he entered into a partnership with R. H. Taylor, which continued six or seven years. In 1860 his name appeared on the Breckenridge electoral ticket for Kentucky. In 1866 he was a candidate for Congress in the Second Congressional District, and was defeated by John Young Brown, by one vote. In 1868 he was nominated for the same office by the Democratic Convention, and was elected over Langley, of Henderson, the Kepublican candidate, and H. D. McHeury, Democrat. He served one term ably and honorably. Declining a re-election, he resumed his practice at the bar. In 1863 he formed a law partnership with John Pope, which continued three or four years.

Mr. Sweeney is celebrated among the members of the bar for the rapidity and accuracy displayed in his drawing up of legal documents. He is a close reasoner, a logical speaker, convincing by argument and reasoning rather than winning by rhetoric and eloquence. Though distinguished most by civil practice, he has been engaged in nearly all criminal cases of importaooe. He wa« one of the leading lawyers in the case of the Commonwealth V8. the Kincheloes and Luckett, for the murder of Throckmorton, one of the most noted cases tried in recent years in Kentucky. The prosecution was ably conducted by the late Phil. Lee, of Louisville, at that time considered the most successful prosecutor in the State. Mr. Sweeney's participation in this trial (gained him much celebrity, and his speech on giving the case to the j^ry was regarded as a remarkably fine eftort. His standing at the bar is such that for the last ten years he has been chosen on one side or the other of every important case tried in the Daviess. County courts.

G. W. Swoope, attorney and counselor at law, Owensboro. A. C. Tanner, a resident of McLean County, practiced a little in the courts of Daviess County; he is now at Evansville.

E. P. & R. H. Taylor are attorneys, who^e office is over the First National Bank. E. P. is a native of this county, located in Owensboro in 1873, and was admitted to the bar in 1875. His age now is about thirty-two.

Eichard H. was born in Daviess County, Ky., Jan. 29, 1835. He was reared on a farm and educated in this county. In 1858 he commenced the practice of law in the courts of Daviess and adjoining counties. He has been a member of the City Council and has been City Attorney for Owensboro several years; has also been Master Commissioner of Daviess Circuit Court. He was a Director of tlie Planters' Bank several years, and was subsequently its President. When the bank was changed to the First National Bank of Owensboro, Mr. Taylor still continued its President. He is practicing law and carrying on a farm of 130 acres a mile and a half southeast of Owensboro, where he resides at the present time. He also owns 480 acres near Yelvington, 200 acres in Hancock County, city property in Owensboro, and thirteen acres adjoining Owensboro. He, was married in December, 1858, in Jefterson County, Ky., to Mary Fielder, a native of St. Louis, Mo., bom in September, 1839. They have four children - Gibson, born Aug. 1, 1861; Susan, September, 1863; Samuel P., March, 1874, and Zach, May, 1880.

(>ct. 28, 1S4S. His early (Hlncatioi) was received in the coinmoD scliooly fif I">n/, less County, anil hif colietnato at Ceeilian College, tinil ar tiic- Keiituckj rTiiiver?ity at Lexiii,^toa. He subserjueiitly f5iii(lif-tl law an'l ^n-adnated in tlie law dc-partmciitof tlie [Jniversity ol'MiHdgari. Was a iDcmboi' of the Legislature lS77-'9, from Daviesh County. In 1S80 he moved to Washington County, Ind. Jo.oej)/i T/ton<yi'?, Teller of the First National Bank, of OwensborO) was born May 1, 1S22, in New Orleans, La., the son of Joseph and Eliza (Wt'iKsenfels) Tiiomas. Before he was five years of age Genera! Jackson, when on a visit to New Orleans, gave him a half dollar bearing the inscription: "Gen. A. Jackson to J. Thomas, January 11th, 1828." He has sacredly preserved the gift through prosperity and adversity, and indicates his purpose to hand it down to future generations. The coin was made in 1806, but is only slightly worn. When ten years of age his father died, and the family moved to Bardstown, Ky., where Joseph went to school, attending St. Joseph's College four years. In 1837 he came to Owen.sboro, wlierehe was still further educated under the direction of Mr. Scarborough, , a most excellent teacher. On entering the responsibilities of a more independent liie, Mr. TJiomas, being a fine penman and accountant, struck out in the mercantile line, first entering the dry-goods store of T. W. Watkins, then in the same trade alone, next a flouring mill, which was ultimately burned, then a saw-mill, pork trade, etc. He was Circuit Clerk of Daviess County six years, then deputy under John P. Thompson about three years, and then succeeded Mr. Thompson as Circuit Clerk again for a few months. Since 1873 he has been connected with the bank formerly called "The Planters," and now The First National. Mr. Thomas was married Jan. 16, 1844, to Miss Sarah Watkins, a native of Maryland, who died Nov. 7, 1856, leaving four children. Oct. 5, 1857, Mr. T. married Sarah M. Gi-issom, and she died July 21, 1878, leaving two children. There are now living five children of Mr. Thomas', namely: William, in Memphis; Alice, now Mrs. Bnrkhart, in Owensboro; Pell, clerk on the Anchor line of steamers between St. Louis and Memphis; Joseph, Jr., employed in the First National Bank of Owensboro; and Alfred, at home and attending school. Mr. Thomas has been a Buccessfnl business man, but has met with many serious misfortunes - losses by fire, sickness and death. It is worthy of mention here that Mr. T. kept an elaborate diary for nearly thirty years of his life, whicii is described raore'fully in the chapter on "Meteorology."

Phil. Thompson, one of the first three lawyers resident in BaTiess Connty, figares very largely in Chapter II. of this book. The old portion of the Upper Ward . brick school-honse was built by him, in oonsidoration of a certain number of land warrant* signed over to him. He is principally remembered as one of the parties in the famous duel with Robert Triplett. He himself was afterward killed by Mr. Jeffries in November, 1836, on the lefthand side of Frederica street, between Main street and the river. There was a quarrel between them growing out of the burning of some property which the other owned. It is s+^ted that the only living witness of" that famous duel is Colonel Jesse L. McRoekliUy now a resident of Blanco County, Texas. He started from Owensboro for that country during the great star-fall of Nov. 13, 1833, and has never returned to this place but once since then, and that was two or three years ago on a visit to a relative.

C. S. Walker ^^d.1, admitted to the bar in South Carolina in 1870; moved to Kentucky in 1871. He has been practicing law in Owensboro since September, 1871. In February, 1880, he became a member of the law firm of Weir, Weir & Walker.

James Weir, of the firm just mentioned, has been for many years one of the most influential citizens of Kentucky. See Chapter IX, " Authors and Artists."

J. M. Wells is a fine lawyer now doing a prosperous bnsiness«a Horse Cave, Ky. This is his native State. He was admitted to the bar in this circuit and was practicing here in 1878.

Oeorge W. Williams is one of tlie oldest members of the Owensboro bar, and one of the most prominent lawyers in this part of the State. He was born in Breckenridge County, Nov. 7, 1814. His parents, Otho and Mildred Williams, were Yirginians, and among the earlier emigrants to Kentucky. Their five children were Nathan A., James R., William A., Hugh T. and George W., who is the yotiftgest. Judge Williams worked on his father's farm until the age of twenty, and he grew to maturity without acquiring even the rudiments of an English t,ducation. His attendance at the schools of tiiiit vicinity did not exceed nine months. In ]>3o, liy the kind- 110^,3 of two of his brothers who had settled in Louisville, he was enabled to attend a better class of schools than he had found in his native county. He there entered the scho;)] conducted by Messrs. Cissell and Hanover, where he made considerable ].rogrcss in the higher branches; but his means and time were too limited to admit of anything like thorouj^hness in any department of learning, and jie has deeply felt the want of better and more extended scholastic training. In 1837 he located at Helena, Ark., where he taught a private school during the year 1S3S; but losing his health, he returned to Louisville, and entered the office of Tliomasson & Boone as a law student. In 1840, having obtained a license to practice law, he located at Ilawesville, the county seat of his native county, in the vicinity of which he continued to reside, farming, practicing his profession, and presiding as Circuit Judge of the district, until he located at Owensboro, where ho has been actively engaged in his practice since September, 1870. In 18il he married Mary W. Hamilton, daughter of Andrew Hamilton, a farmer of Hancock County. She was born in Franklin County, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Williams raised five children - Hamilton, married Nannie Hall, daughter of Major Wm. F. Hall, and died leaving one daughter; Jane, wife of Judge W. P. Baker, resident of Daviess County; James R, now deceased; Mary Ruth, and Hugh A., who was admitted to the Daviess County bar in 1881.

Judge "Williams has but little taste for official positions, holding that as a general rule " private station is the post of honor," and enioying with keen apprcQiation that freedom from restraint of thought and expression which official positions usually impose. He has, however, departed occasionally from this principle; in 1850-'l he served in the Legislature of Kentucky as a Representative from the counties of Hancock and Ohio, receiving, against two formidable competitors, every vote in Hancock County, except thirty-seven. In 1856 he was chosen a Buchanan elector in the Second Congressional District. In 1857 he was nominated by the Democratic party for the State Senate, but was defeated by John B. Bruner, Esq., of Breckenridge County, who was the representative of the "American party," which had an overwhelming majority in the district. He was an ardent supporter of John C. Breckenridge for the Presidency in 1860. In 1867 he was elected Circuit Judge of the Third Judicial District, which office he held until January, 1870, when he resigned the officQ. In this year he was a candidate for the office of Judge of the Court of Appeals in the Fourth Appellate District, but the Democratic party having determined to make a political nomination for the office, he withdrew his name from the canvass upon the ground that he was unwilling to accept that high judicial position under a political nomination; but at the same time felt it his duty to defer to the judgment of his party in their determination to make a political nomination for the office.

Judge Williams co-operated with the Whig party until it was absorbed by the American party in 1855, since which he has uniformly acted with the Democratic party in all political contests. He was an ardent sympathizer with the Confederate movement, and urged that the State of Kentucky should unite with the other Southern States and make common cause with them. His sympathy with the South led to an order for his arrest, to avoid which he exiled himself in Canada. The war being over he accepted its results, and holds that duty, patriotism, and honor demand a united co-operation of each section for the common interests of all sections of a common country. Judge Williams is distinguished for his industry, and the assiduity with which he devotes himself to whatever he undertakes. He holds that unremitting application to business, rather than the gifts of nature, is the basis of success in the practice of law.

In August, 1882, he was a candidate for tlie office of Superior Judge for the Western Judicial District of Kentucky. A plurality of delegates were instructed to vote for Judge Williams; he was defeated.

J. Q. Winfrey came here from Virginia in 1877, practiced law for awhile, and moved to Evansville, Ind., where he is now following his profession.

Oeorge Hdm Teaman was born in Hardin County, Ky., Nov. 1, 1829. Had a grammar-school education, studied law at home, without a yjreceptor, was admitted to the bar in 1851, and without having had any experience as a practitioner removed to Owensboro in 1852. One of the iirst cases of any importance lie ever tried was Dickens against Call icon and others, in McLean County, an action of ejectment, placed in liis hands by an eminent lawyer of Elizabeth town, Ky.

While striving to establish himself professionally, he became editor of the Owensboro Gazette^ a weekly, by way of employing spare time, and adding somewhat to his limited income. Although his editorial labors did not at all interfere with his attention to business, he has always regarded his connection with the paper as a mistake, tending to divert from him recognition as a lawyer. One editorial, in opposition to the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, attracted wide attention and comment.