Daviess County, Kentucky - Oakford Precinct, 1883

Oakford Precinct

This precinct is bounded as follows : Beginning on Green River, where the Daviess County line corners, thence with the Henderson County line to the Ohio River, thence up the Ohio River, including island and to include John Gaw's, thence to tlie Nelson place, excluding same, thence to the old Roost road, excluding J. W. Shipp's and including D. Wade's, thence to the east line of Q. Park's land, thence with said line to the Big Pond, thence with the Big Pond and Pond drain to Rhodes Creek, and down Rhodes Creek and Green River to the beginning.

The northwestern part of Daviess County, lying between Green River and the Ohio, and adjoining Henderson County, is embraced in Oakford Precinct. The Henderson County line formerly ran about fonr miles east from where it now runs; but on account of greater convenience in reaching Oakford as a county seat, a part was taken from Henderson and added to Daviess County. This precinct consists mostly of low lands, in which are ponds and swamps. In an early day this was a great place for hunting. jThe citizens are improving the lands here by drainage. Several fine farms lie along the Green and Ohio rivers. There is no coal in any part of the precinct.

Early Settlement

Among the early settlers in this precinct were John S. McFarland, Charles Hebbard, James Hill, James Allen, William and Gustavus Talbott, Mrs. Stembridge and William Perkins. From the Henderson road to the Ohio River was known as Buzzard's Roost, so called from the peculiar birds that infested this region. George Riley settled along the Ohio River; also the Drew family, who were half Indians, the Bunch family, the Pecans and Warnald families. Wesley Galloway came here in a very early day. He was a good citizen and farmer. Most of the people along the Ohio River were rough and indolent. Most of their time was spent in hunting, and chopping cord-wood to supply steamboats traversing the Ohio. A great share of their money was spent for whisky. The b^tter class of men were good and prosperous farmers. About thirty-five years ago milk-sickness was very prevalent among the people, cattle and hogs in the Roost, and was a great drawback in the settling of this part of the county.

The place now occupied by Zack Taylor was first settled by Buck Robinson, who was quite an original character. He opened up a little farm there.

Among the first physicians who practiced in this part of the county was Dr. Christopher Wilson, who resided on the Henderson road. He was originally from Hawesville, aud graduated at Louisville, Ky. He formed a partnership with Dr. J. F. Kimbley, and died a few months afterward. Dr. Kimbley continued the practice for twelve years.

One of the first preachers was Isham Allen, who resided in Sorghotown, but preached all along the Ohio River. He held services at the house of Wesley Galloway. The first church erected was a union church, built in 1856, but was occupied principally by the Methodists and Presbyterians. The land upon which the church was built was given by Mrs. Stembridge and her daughter. Miss Minerva Stembridge, who took the most active part in raising the necessary funds to build the church. It was intended for a Cumberland Presbyterian church, but the design was never strictly carried out. The early Cumberland preachers were Obed Smith, Samuel Calhoon, Craven Boowell and Charles Gates. The Methodists held services in the church as soon as it was completed. A new structure was erected in the spring of 1882, and is also occupied by both denominations. The Catholics were among the first religious denominations in Oakford.

This point is situated on the Ohio River, nine miles below Owensboro, and was named after Alfred Grissora, who came here iu 1856. He came to the county in 1828 or 1829, first settling in Owensboro. The Eagle Distillery is located here, and is owned by T. J. Monarch. It is the finest distillery in Daviess County. There are at present two stores, a hotel, postoffice, and U. S. Express Company agency.

Birk City

It was founded by Joseph A. Birk, who came to this place from Cloverportin 1857. Amid many discouragements Mr. Birk succeeded in laying the foundation for the town, and he is still living to see the fruits of his labors. The place now contains three stores, one blacksmith shop and one tobacco factory, built by Mr. Birk. It was first built for a saw-mill in 1857, and used as such ten years. It was then used as a distillery three years. In 1870 it was converted into a tobacco factory; size 60x70 feet. The first store was opened by William Hollace, in a house built by Mr. Jonas Birk for that purpose. The present merchants are C. EBirk, L. P. Birk, and C. B. Lancaster. The first blacksmith was Peter Karrick, who came here with Mr. Birk. The Eagle Distilling Company have a still here, together with bonded warehouses. A postoflBce was established here in 1861, and Jonas Birk was appointed Postmaster. He was succeeded by F. J. Birk, and in 1879 L. P. Birk, the present incumbent, was appointed. The village has a population of 200. John Gaw*s tobacco house was built iu 1877; size, 40x80 feet. In the fall of 1879 he built an addition, 42x90 feet. The house now has a cipacity of about 500,000 poun(is. The cost of the whole was about $25,000.

Saptiat Church was organized in October, 1876, in a house built by F.J. Birk for a store, and occupied by him about thirteen years. It was then sold to the Baptists and converted into a church. Rev. D. E. Yeiser was the first preacher, and has continued their pas-' tor up to the present time. Previous to the organization of the church, services were held in private houses and in the schoolhouse. Rev. Williams, a Methodist who was preaching in this circuit, was among the first to preach for this congregation.

St. Peter'' s Catholic Church. - The projectors of this church were John Gaw and N. M. Lancaster. Through the efforts of these gentlemen a meeting was called and held at Oakford, and finally a second meeting, which resulted in raising the required funds to build the church. There was some diflBculty in locating the place where the chtireh was td be built. In the first place the subscriptions declared it should be located at Bernard Hill, and a picnic was gotten tip to raise funds to build the church at this point. Others were in favor of locating it somewhere else. However, it was decided to build the church at Bernard Hill. Father Eugene Callahan, then of Owensboro, and Thos. J. Monarch, attended the meetings.

Oakfoed Precinct

Tlios. J. Monarch, John Gaw, W. M. Lancaster, J. C. Grant and T. C. Hill were the building committee. The church was put up in 1873, at a cost of about $4,000. It was dedicated bj Bishop McClosky, of 'Louisville, and Father Brady, then stationed at Owensboro, preached the sermon. The first Pastor was Father T. P. Faunt, who was here from November, 1873, till the spring ot 1880, when Father Croghn, the present Pastor, took charge. The congregation now numbers about sixty families. The church is very nicely furnished, the pews and furniture being of fine material and finish.

T64 Histobt Of Daviess Oountt

Magistrates' Courts : For one justice, the first Monday in March, June, September and December; for the other, the tourth Saturday in these months.