Daviess County, Kentucky - Chapter 25: 80rghotown Precinct, 1883

Chapter 25: 80rghotown Precinct

The boundaries of this precinct are described in an order dated May 12, 1874, by Judge Triplett, worded as follows: "Upon the application of ten voters to be affected by Jhe change hereinafter specified; and it appearing to the Court right and proper that said change should be made; and further that the requirements of the law as to notice before application has been complied with, - it is therefore ordered that an additional voting precinct be and the same is hereby established in Daviess County, in District No. 1, to be called and known as ' Sorghotown Voting Place,' with the following boundary, viz.: Beginning at the mouth of the willow pond on Panther Creek, running thence north with Callens Tharp's east line, same course continued to Riley's east line, thence with said line to Jo. Carlin's west line, following same to the Henderson road; thence with John Carlin's west line to his northwest corner, thence on a straight line to the old Park farm on Roost road, thence with a line of District No. 9, known as Oakford, to Greten River, thence up Green River to the line of District No. 7 (Curdsville), thence with said line to Panther Creek, and up said creek as it meanders to the beginning."

This new precinct takes its name from a company which was organized here a few years ago for the manufacture of sorghum suitar, an account of which is given on another page of this volume. Thev establislied a factory, around which a village sprang up. Drs. Stirman and Stewart were leaders in the enterprise.

Magistrates' Courts: For one justice, the second "Wednesday in March, June, September and December; for the other, the third Monday in those months.

Biogra.Phical

John W. Balee was born in Shelby County, Ky., Oct. 27, 1837, and came to Daviess County when twelve years old. He enlisted in the late war in Company D, Twelfth Kentucky Cavalry, and served three years and three months. He was with Sherman all the way to Atlanta; was in the siege of Knoxville and Buzzard's Roost ; was discharged at Louisville. In 1869 he went to Kansas and the Indian Territory, returning to Kentucky in 1871. He was married Oct. 21, 1873, to Lillie Smith, a native of Henderson County, born May 30, 1848. They have two children - Fannie, born Aug. 30, 1876, and Miller, born July 3, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Balee are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Balee is a member of "Wm. M. Winstead Lodge, No. 466, A. F. & A. M. He owns ninety-six acres eight miles southwest of Owensboro.

Isaac Bennett was born in Breckinridge County, Ky., July 5, 1835- When seventeen years of age he went to Spencer County, Ind., and in 1856 came to Daviess County, where he worked at farming for different parties in 1858, when he moved to McLean County, and lived two years. He then came to Curdsville Precinct, and went into the drug business, which he continued five years, and then sold out and opened a livery stable. Two years later he moved on the farm where he now resides, two miles southeast of Sorghotown. He has sixty acres of well-improved land. He was married May 27, 1858, to Ellen Ford, a native of Green Coufity, Ky., born in October, 1834. She died Aug. 20, 1868, leaving three children - Stewart, Mary S., and Jessie. Dec. 30, 1868, Mr. Bennett married Mrs. Elizabeth Eafferty, who was born in Green County, Ky., in 1828. She was the sister of his first wife, ind the widow of Elijah Eafferty, who died March 25, 1858, leaving one son - Walter A. They have no children. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett are members of the Baptist church. Mr. Bennett is a member of Wm. M. Winstead Lodge, No. 446, A. F. & A. M., Owensboro.

Oeorge L. Calhoon was born in Daviess County, Ky., April 9, 1819. He was reared and educated in this county, and has always resided here. His father was born in Henry County, Ky., in 1793, and came to Daviess County in 1811, where he died Jan. 22, 1878. He was a minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church over fifty years, and in all that time never made a contract for a dollar. His mother, Ann (Knight) Calhoon, was also a native of Henry

Soeghotown Peeoinct

County, and died in this county Nov. 22, 1839. There was a family of nine girls and two boys, George L. being the eldest. He was married Oct. 15, 1840^ to Leah Glenn Oalhoon, who was born in Daviess County, March 13, 1820, and died Aug. 22, 1879. They had ten children, seven now living - Samuel, Nancy, William, Mitchell, Elizabeth, Louisa and George L., Jr. Mr. Oalhoon owned 850 acres of land, but now has only 403^, having divided the rest with his children. He has never united with the church, but is in belief a Cumberland Presbyterian. He is a member of Wm. Winstead Lodge, No. 466, A. F. & A. M., Owensboro.

Mitchell Oalhoon was born in Daviess County, Ky., Nov. 7, 1850. He was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools, attending school in the winter and working on the farm in the summer. Before the war his father had a number of slaves, but he believed in having his boys learn to work, and after the emancipation proclamation, when they were forced to perform their own labor, the task was not so hard as for those who were never taught to work. Mr. Oalhoon has a well-improved farm of 150 acres, seventy-five of which was heavy timber seven years ago. He was married Oct. 9, 1875, to Bettie Glenn, a native of Daviess County, born May 29, 1856. They have one child - Avah, bom Nov. 6, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Oalhoon are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He and his father, George L. Oalhoon, joined the church about the same time - twentj'-two years ago. There were nine children in his father's family - Samuel, Nancy, William, Mitchell, Lucy, John, Bettie, Louise and George. Mrs. Oalhoon's parents, David and Mary Jane (Waltrip) Glenn, were nativ^es of Daviess County. Her father died in 1866, and her mother was killed in 1868 by the floor over the cellar caving in and crushing her. Of a family of six children but two are living - William L. Glenn, born Oct. 30, 1853, and Mrs. Oalhoon.

Rev. Scrnittel Oalhoon, son of George Oalhoon, was born in Henry County, Ky., Sept. 15, 1793; removed to Daviess County, Ky., in 1812, and settled in a dense forest six miles southwest of Owensboro, which was known at that time by the name of Yellow Banks, and consisted of^three log cabins, with but a sm all amount of cleared land surrounding them. His arrival was two weeks after the last battle fought with the Indians across the Ohio River in Indiana, causing the Indians to retire from this country to the West. Though there were many traces of the Indians in the Green River Yalley, in which Mr. Oalhoon settled, yet it was apparent, owing to the low, flat condition of the country, that the presence of the Indians was only transient. Hence the prevalence of wild animals in the valley. The new settlers in their log cabin, in their forest home, were entertained at night by the howling of the wolf, the bear and panther, and squalls of the wild-cat.

The family of children consisted of six boys and two girls. They soon began the work of clearing and cultivating the forest. George Oalhoon, the father, being an excellent surveyor, did a great deal of surveying, as the country was gradually settled.

There were scarcely any opportunities for education, there not being enough settlers to sustain a school. About the only opportunity was to take some one who was too infirm for active business, and support them for their instruction. Books being scarce, the principal reading-book was the New Testament, and when a person was so fortunate as to attain to the rule of three inarit h metic, he was regarded as being well educated.

Samuel Calhoon, being a very delicate youth, it was supposed he would not live; consequently his mental culture was much neglected. The other boys received as much education as the circumstances would admit, and aided their father in the sheriff's business, which gave them some advantage. Four of the boys subsequently entered the profession of law. One is a farmer. Samuel remained with his parents, and obtained, altogether, about three months' schooling. As he approached manhood his health improved and physical strength increased, until he finally became physically one of the ablest of the family.

He returned to Henry County and married Ann Knight at about the age of twenty-seven years, and settled in a hu«ible home near his parents in Daviess County.

From his youth up he was morally inclined, and, having remained with his parents, he received much moral instruction. Though they were Presbyterians, he did not endorse their general doctrines. He believed in a general salvation upon the terms of repentance. He learned that Eev. David Lowry would preach in Owensboro at a given time (which was the first sermon ever preached in Owensboro). He inquired of what denomination he was, and was told that he was a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. He had never heard of a Cumberland Presbyterian, and inquired of their doctrines. Their views were given him by an aged elder from a distance, whom he chanced to meet. He remarked that those were jnst his views, and he would hear the man. The time

He became interested with regard to his own salvation, though he told no one of his condition. He began to seek Christ, bat he had no one to instruct him. Mr. Lowry was a transient minister, and was gone; there was no other minister within forty miles of him; he did not endorse the doctrines of his own parents, and hence he had none to consult in his dark hour but his God and his Bible. Those he did consult in the true sense, and on the second Sabbath in April, 1821, v hile riding alone upon the road leading from Owensboro to Calhoon, as he entered the pass known as the Narrows of Panther Creek, light came to him. He thought he would say nothing about it, but as soon as he reached home his wife was conscious of the change, from his appearance and conduct. It was no longer a secret, but soon became generally known.

Ere long he fully realized that God called him to the work of the ministry. Deep solemnity pervaded his heart, as he looked upon the subject as a matter of impossibility. He was very poor, had no education, a family of little girls, with one boy, and no one to instruct him. Thus he reasoned and deferred the matter; bat the hand of his God rested heavily upon him till he was brought to realize, " Woe is me if I preach not the gospel."

He began the work first by exhortation. He would make announcements and hold meetings in private residences, by the consent of the occupants, there being no churches or school-houses in the country. His meetings were fully attended, persons coming from miles distant. His labors were abundantly successful. In 1826 the Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian church met about sixty miles distant. He attended and offered himself as a candidate for the ministry. On his return home he made his announcements for preaching. But alas! the dark scenery before him, with A helpless family, very poor, no education, none to instruct him, there was only one path lying out before him, his God and his Bible. With these weapons, he determined to enter the conflict with Satan's kingdom. So he would labor with his own hands through the day for the support of his family, and, there being no such thing as lamps, and not being able to buy candles, he would gather dry sticks on his return from the field with which to make light at night to see to read his Bible. He had but one horse, which he would work through the week and ride fifteen miles on the Sabbath and preach a free gospel to an anxious congregation and return home in the evening. He held the first prayer-meeting that was ever held in Owensboro, Rev. David Lowry preaching the first sermon.

He finally announced that he would have regular service at his own house aud at the houses of others who so cordially invited him, thus establishing regular service over the country, occupying his fall time when not at manual labor for the support of his family. He prepared temporary benches and began preaching at home. Many of his congregation would remain after preaching and take dinner with him for the purpose of enjoying a private religious intercourse with him in the afternoon. This discou^-aged many of his warmest friends. They told him that he would soon be a ruined man - that it was impossible for him with his family to preach a free gospel, and then feed half of his congregation ; that he had better quit preaching at home at once. He kindly replied that when he found that he would not be able to stand it, it would then be time enough to stop.

He has often told the writer that just at this point his prosperity began - that, instead of being ruined as predicted, his finances began to increase; prosperity began to abound. His table abounded with plentitude, and, in short, God blessed the man and soon enabled him to devote his whole time and energy to the work of a free gospel ministry.

Having been deprived of science or even oral instruction from his fellowmen, and being, as it were, cut off from all other aids and sources of information, and left almost alone with the Bible as his only resort, and being a man of originality, with naturally a deep, 6earch''ng, penetrating, reasoning intellect, he threw his whole soul into the work, searching out the deep doctrinal principles of theology until he became well versed in the moral law, with its bearings, the probationary state of man, his fall, his depraved nature, his moral attitude to his God, and the great system of redemption so wonderfully wrought and grandly displayed to a dying world. And just at this juncture an omniscient God loosed his fetters and turned him loose upon Satan's kingdom of darkness.

He marched forth, a man of commanding appearance, with as fine a voice as the writer ever heard, thoroughly furnished and equipped, not with the wisdom of the world, but with the great sword of the gospel, with a soul yearning for the salvation of a dying world. Humbled under the mighty hand of God, and yet his head lifted up and his soul all aglow with the burning lamp of salTation, he marched forth heralding the gospel of the Son of God till the news thereof spread abroad, and many anxious souls would come rushing from the distance. And the man of God would stand up between his Master and his dying congregation, not with pompous air, but trembling under the ponderous weight of responsibility, and set forth the gospel so deep and yet so clear, and with such earnestness and force and power, that the hearts of the thronging multitude would melt as snowflakes under the beaming rays of the genial sun.

Itev. Samuel Calhoon was indeed a gospel minister. The country rapidly increased in population, and began building schoolhouses and preparing temporary conveniences for camp-meetings. These Mr. Calhoon attended all over the Green Eiver country, preaching with such earnestness, and reasoning with such depth, force and power, as to call the nlultitudes home to God, and, in short, to convert a howling wilderness into a fruitful garden.

He attended the various meetings of his Presbytery, and was soon ordained to the whole work of the gospel ministry. He then began the work of organizing congregations and urging the work of building church edifices with great success. It was under his ministry that the ground was given and the present church built in Owensboro, where he preached for a number of years. And not only did he organize Cumberland Presbyterian churches, but through his influence churches of other denominations were organized over the country.

His style of preaching was doctrinal, not sectarian; but the deep, doctrinal principle of the Bible. In this he displayed his wonderful logical reasoning powers, bringing out and setting forth the leading doctrinal principles of theology with such force and clearness, such beauty and harmony, that the humblest of his hearers could comprehend them.

He seldom reproved any one for misconduct. Indeed, he had but little misconduct under his ministry from the fact that he interested his congregation and feasted their minds upon gospel food, leading them out to survey the grand unfolding scenes of the gospel scheme.

agonies of a loving Savior in such melting strains of love and tenderness a*s to draw his people off from the paths of sin instead of attemptiiig to drive them off.

He was a humble man, not courting the popular applause of men, but chose rather to feed his flocks and win souls. He loved his people and taught them to love each other. Indeed, I regard this as one of the great secrets of his success. He held his congregation under a constant rule of love, and hence there was scarcely ever a discord in one of his congregations. One of his great forts was in revival work. I will give you one instance: He preached one night at a camp-meeting to a congregation chiefly of irreligious people, from John iii: .36: " He that believeth on the Son liath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." He knew that the greater portion of his congregation were dying sinners. He realized the importance of the occasion and trembled under its responsibilities; he put forth all the energies of his soul and preached with such force and power as mortal men seldom do. At the close of his discourse there were mourners' benches all over the encampment; about three fourths of his congregation were olG" their seats on their knees, calling for mercy, and at the close of the series of meetings there were 120 who confessed to have found Christ.

In 1850 he began a protracted meeting with Rev. Joseph Weaver in the residence of the latter. But in a few days the meeting was removed to a school-house, just completed in Pleasant Ridge neighborhood. The meeting continued about two weeks, with the salvation of many souls. Pleasant Ridge Congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized, and a commodious church edifice was erected three miles southwest of Owensboro, Rev. Samuel Calhoon taking the pastoral charge of the church, preaching on the fourth Sabbath in each month, and Rev. Joseph Weaver alternating on the third, each of them preaching till their deaths.

Mr. Calhoon never raised a collection for himself in his life, nor charged a cent for preaching, though he sometimes received presents. Although he started in life so poor, and preached a free gospel, and reared a family of ten children, eight of whom were girls, yet he became more wealthy than almost any of the citizens of his county. He was once assigned some presbyterial work, for which he was entitled to compensation; his Presbytery met, he reported compliance with the order of Presbytery, and was granted his salary. He arose and stated that he didn't want any salary. The moderator remarked that he was entitled to compeneation, and ordered the treasurer to pay over the money. The treasurer arose and handed him the amount. He received it and turned and handed it to the treasurer of the Board of Missions, telling him to appropriate it in that direction. Furthermore, he never failed to contribute liberally of his own means to the various enterprises of his church. He disliked to agitate the subject of money in his congregations, but, as it was sometimes necessary to raise money to defray the necessary expenses of the churches, he was frequently reduced to that unpleasant necessity, and the writer l^eard him state, just before his death, that he never called for money for such purposes in a single case during life that he failed to get the full amount called for.

During the year 1855 there was a great scarcity of food in the country. Elder Oalhoon had quite an amount of old corn left over. Corn advanced to $2.25 per bushel; he announced that he had corn for sale. People began to come from every direction to buy com; but when a man of considerable wealth would come, he would tell him kindly that he could not let him have it, that he was able to send off and have corn shipped to him, and that he had neighbors that were unable to do that, that needed his corn.

When a man of moderate circumstances would come, he would ask iiim the size of liis family. On ascertaining, he would apportion him just the amount of corn he thought necessary for his family, and tell him that he could let him have just so many bushels of corn at 50 cents per bushel, and to the poor he gave corn in proportion to their necfessities; thus he relieved many sufferers.

After Mr. Oalhoon had built up churches over the neighborhood and established regular preaching, with prayer-meetings and Sabbath^chools and protracted meetings once a year, such prosperity, such peace, happiness and paternal charity, abounded as has seldom ever existed in any country. Truly did Pleasant Kidge community blossom as the rose.

In 1875 Mr. Oalhoon felt that he was sinking under the weight of years, and seeing that the old frame church, built in 1850, was much dilapidated, he spoke to his congregation upon the importance of a new church, stating that he would soon be called to leave them, and that he had a great desire to see a new and permanent place of worship erected for the benefit of his people before he left them. The people at once recognized the kind, gentle voice of their aged pastor, and promptly responded, and immediately began raising the means necessary, Mr. Oalhooji giving over $800. Very soon an elegant brick edifice was erected near the old frame house, in which it had been remarked that there had been more lasting good accomplished than in any other house in Daviess County.

Mr. Calhoon's health was rapidly declining; the church was completed and paid for, and the day announced for its dedication by its aged, declining pastor. What a strange occurrence; what peculiar solemnity pervaded the minds of the populace. All appeared to be impressed with the idea that that would be the last sermon that their pastor would ever preach. The day arrived, the congregation began to assemble, and behold ! the new church was draped in mourning. How sad all appeared. What was the cause of the drapery ? Betsey Weaver, wife of Rev. Joseph Weaver, an aged and pious mother of the church, who had labored with Mr. Calhoon from the early history of the country, and who had contributed $500 to the church, the interest of whose declining life had been the church and its dedication, was there lying upon the icy lap of death in the new church. She had been very frail for several weeks, but looked forward with anxious care to the completion and dedication of the church. It was the theme of her conversation. She was asked tlie question the evening previous, if she thought she would be able to attend the dedication on the morrow? She paused a moment, and with a pensive sigh, replied . " I'll bo there," and in a few moments was dt'ad. True, she was there to receive hermounfiil tribute of funeral respect.

But what an additional cross was placed upon the aged pastor. He arose, with his silvery locks and trembling frame, to perform the funeral service of his departed sister and dedication of the church in conjunction, and, true enough, to address his long-loved audience for the last time. The house, though large and commodious, was full to overflowing; the windows and doors were open and crowded, with many in the yard, listening with the most peculiarly solemn interest I have ever witnessed, as the man of God spread forth his trembling hands before his God, and submitted all to him, thus ending fifty years of gospel ministry.

It is worthy of remark that tiiore was a lady present who had lioard his first sermon fifty years previous. Though he was never al)le to preach again, yet he lived about four years.

Immediately after his dedication sermon, he appeared to fully realize that his work was finished. He remarked to a friend that liis mission was over. He became interested with regard to preach- ing to his congregation at Pleasant Ridge. He therefore addressed a note upon the subject to the session over which he had so long presided, and which is here inserted, as follows :

Communication

" To the Moderator and Session of Pleasant Ridge congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church now assembled. " My Dear Brethren and Children in Christ Jesus :

" I have been preaching to you more than thirty years. Some of your congregation heard me preach near fifty years ago, and, with Brother Joseph Weaver, I organized your congregation more than twentj'-six years ago. From that time to the present I have served you as your pastor and moderator of your session to the very best of my ability, and I now feel, that in the overruling providence of God my work is ended, my mission oat, and, in the language of inspiration, 'I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.'

" It is therefore necessary that I leave you for the present; but we part to meet again. I expect to realize with you the eternal fullness of the gospel of Christ, of which I am not ashamed, and which I have so long tried to preach to you. And while I realize that it must needs be that I leave you, your congregation cluster around my heart in emotions unutterable.

"My dear children, when I am called hence what news of you shall I bear to Canaan? Shall I report you as a valiant Spartan band? Oh! what will be the future of Pleasant Ridge church? "When I am gone, and, for aught I know, shall visit you in the spirit, what then shall I see ? "What news of you shall I then waft back to the spirit land ?

"As 1 have been preaching to you so long on the fourth Sabbath in every month, my desire is that that day be still occupied by your congregation, and that the session take some legal steps to that end.

" May the grace of God ever be with you. May his Holy Spirit ever guide and direct you, mark your future pathway, and shape your future destiny. S. Calhoon."

Rev. Mr. Cosby preached in his stead for several months, after which Rev. "Willis Smith was chosen to officiate as assistant pastor until his death.

During his latter days he talked but little about the world, only with regard to its sinful state; his general theme was eternity. He often expressed that his greatest comfort in his declining helpless days was that he had been chargeable to no man, but had preached a free gospel. He often exulted at the thought of meeting his Savior, whom he had preached for fifty years without money and without price. And notwithstanding his early poverty, his rearing of a large family, with liberal contributions to the various enterprises of the church, with over $800 to the erection of Pleasant Ridge Church, yet he owned a large fine farm and nearly $10,000 in cash.

But his last days, his conversations, his blessings, his predictions and remarkable incidents that attended him which I shall not here mention, were the most remarkable that the writer ever witnessed. It is enough to say, that in a grand triumph lie left this world, Jan. 22, 1879, aged eighty-five years, four months and seven days. Thus fell a remarkable man, but he's "over Jordan at last, in Canaan at last."

William Calhoon was born May 1, 1848, in Daviess Countv, Ky. His father, G. L. Calhoon, was born in this coanty in 1819, and is one of the oldest and best farmers of the county. _ He started poor, bat by good management and hard labor has accumulated 800 or 900 acres of fine land, under a good state of cultivation. His grandfather, Rev. Samuel Calhoon, was born in Henry County, Ky., in 1793, and died in 1879. He was one of the earlv Cumberland Presbyterian preachers. Mr. Calhoon was reared and educated in this coanty. He was married Dec. 25, 1873, to Elizabeth Barr, a native of Hancock County, Ky., born Dec. 11, 1835. They have one child - Delia B., born Feb. 9, 1879. Mr. Calhoon owns a farm of 165 acres, five and a half miles southwest of Owensboro. He is a member of the Camberland Presbyterian church.

W. E. Clark, Sorghotown, was born May 14, 1861, in Marion County. He is a son of F. "W. and Susan E. (Smith) Clark, both natives of Kentucky. When our subject was a year old, his parents removed to Louisville, where he lived five years, and where his mother died ; then removed to Daviess County. His father followed farming, and now lives on his farm seven miles south of Owensboro. When eleven years old our subject was sent to Gethsemane College,

Sobghotown Precinct

Nelson County; then to St. Mary's, in Marion County, finishing his education in Cecilian College, Hardin County. July 17, 1882, he opened a general merchandise store in Sorghotown, where he has built up a good business. He is a young man of active spirit and good habits, and is destined to rank with the representative business men of the county. He is unm?"-'ed. A member of the Catholic church, and politically a Den.^ .rat. Postoffice, Sorghotown.

John S. Dugan was born in Daviess County, Ky., Jan. 7, 184-3. His father, John Dugan, was born in Nelson County, Ky., in 1800, and died in 1863. His mother, Mary (Harrison) Dugan, was born in Nelson County in 1823. She is the mother of eleven children. John S. has always lived on a farm and now owns fifty acres, seven miles southwest of Owensboro. He was married Feb. 17, 1861, to Elizabeth Thorp, who died May 21, 1881, leaving six children - Lorina, Charles, Lizzie A., John C, Patsy D. and Naomi.

Winfield Scott Gilmore, M. D., son of Benjamin and Harriet (Lane) Gilmore, was born Feb. 24, 1849, at Garnettsville, Meade Co., Ky. His father was a mechanic. "When the Doctor was six years of age his parents moved to Ashfordsburg, whwe he attended the district schools a short time. After he was twenty-one he returned to Garnettsville and attended for one year the Salem College. He obtained a teacher's certificate and taught school three years. During vacation he went one term to Oakland Seminary, Daviess County. In 1873 he commenced tlie study of medicine, and graduated at the Evansville Medical College in 1879. He commenced practice in Hopkins County, where he remained two years, and then removed to Daviess County, settling at Sorghotown. Here he has built a home and has a good and growing practice. He was married Sept. 29, J 879, to Mattie A. Jackson, of Webster County, Ky. They have had three children, two of whom died in infancy. Millard, now living, was born Oct. 20, 1882. Dr. Gilmore is a member of the Baptist church and his wife is a Methodist. He is a strong temperance man, and was President of the Temperance Society of Hopkins County. Postoffice address, Sorghotown.

William L. Glenn, born Oct. 30, 1853, was a son of David and Mary Jane (Waltrip) Glenn, both natives of Kentucky. His father was born in 1828, and died in February, 1865. His mother was killed in 1868, by the floor above her cellar giving way. She was at home alone and had gone into the cellar to attend to her work ; tliere being considerable wheat stored above her cellar, which was too heavy for the floor, the joists gave way, letting the entire contents on her. After the death of his father, though but twelve years old, William went to work, and that year raised 600 bushels of wheat and $300 worth of tobacco, with no one to help him but an old colored woman. He was married Sept. 27, 1877, to Margaret Louisa Calhoon, a native of Daviess County. They have two children - Ida, born Aug. 16, 1878, and Leah, born Feb. 18, 1883. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

Edwin Hambleton was born in Henry County, Ky., Jan. 5, 1826. His father, Willis Hambleton, was born in Virginia, April 3, 1808, and died in Cloverport, Ky., Sept. 14, 1855. His mother, Jane (Johnston) Hambleton, was born in Virginia in 1806, and died July 14, 1854. Edwin is the eldest of their five children. His parents moved to Breckinridge County when he was two years old. He remained there till 1868, engaged in merchandising and trading in tobacco. He then went to Henderson County, where he followed farming till Jan. 15, 1874, when he came to Daviess County. He now owns a good farm of 133 acres, and is keeping the old Calhoon Ferry, on Green Kiver, ten miles west of Oweiisboro. He was married Nov. 7, 1850, to Amarrilla Cooper, a native of Breckinridge County, Ky. She died in 1863, leaving three children. Mr. Hambleton then married Anna H. Dent, a native of Breckinridge County, born July 29, 1840. They have two children - Maggie, born Jan. 15, 1871, and Anna, born March 19, 1873. Mr. Hambleton is a member of the Baptist church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.

i?. O. Moore was born in Daviess County, Ky., Feb. 3, 1840. He was reared on a farm and has followed that occupation most of his life. At the outbreaking of the Kebellion he was living in Owensboro, but soon after moved on a farm. He has 100 acres of good, well-improved land. Sept. 4, 1867, lie married Augusta Colenburg, a native of Evansville, Ind. Six children have been born to them - Lilly M.,born Aug. 31, 1868, died Feb. 28, 1881; Gussie K., born Sept. 8, 1871; George J., born April 8, 1874; Chrissie, born Feb. 6, 1876; Dellie E., born March 9, 1878, died Feb. 5, 1881 ; Leslie, born Dec. 27, 1881. Mr. Moore's father, John G. Moore, was born in Kentucky and died in 1843. His mother, Nancy (Johnson) Moore, was born in Ohio County, Kj'., in 1808, and died in this county in 1858. Mrs. ^Moore's father,

J. L. Moredock was born near Hardinsburg, Ky., Jan. 10, 1831, and lived there till 1882, when he came ^to Daviess County. He has always been engaged in farming and dealing in stock. His father, Stephen R. Moredock, was born in Breckinridge Cniuty in 1803, and always lived on the farm where he was born. He died in 1876. His mother, Matilda (Pemberton) Moredock, was born in Green County, Ky., in 1812, and died about 1852. J. L. is the eldest of eight children. He was married in 1861 to Elizabeth Bandy, a native of Breckinridge County, born in 1835. She died in 1876, leaving live children - Tliomas, Mary M., Jane, Joseph and Annie. Mr. Moredock then married Kate Vangreen, who was born in 1847. They have one child - Eifio, born Aug. 23, 1880. Mr. Moredock is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He has been a Mason thirty-two years, and is a member of Johnson Lodge,,No. 294, Breckinridge County, Ky.

John S. Mullicaii, farmer, Sorgliotown Precinct, was born in Washington County, Ky., in 1838. son of John and Susan (Eayden) MuUican, natives of Maryland and Kentucky. They had seven sons and six daughters, John S. being the third son. He was but two years of age when his parents moved to Nelson County, Ky., and settled near Bardstowu. He remained here until the war, when he enlisted in Company A, Sixteenth Mississippi Infantry, Confederate service, June, 1861. He remained in the service nearly three years, then returned home on account of poor health. In 1864 he came to Daviess County, where he has since remained. He was married April 10, 1866, to Kate Stowers, daughter of A. H. Stout and Elizabeth (Balee) Stout. Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Stout had eighi children, three sons and five daughters - J. Stowers, J. Tifernon, Bettie, Ollie and Odie (twins),

Bicbard, Mamie and Addie. Mrs. MuUican is a member of the Baptist and Mr. MuUican of the Catholic church. Mr. MuUican has 260 acres of land where he resides.

James M. Patterson, son of Samuel H. and Sarah A.. (Nolan) Patterson, was born in Jefferson ville, Ind., July 10, 1840. He attended the district school of JeffersonviUe till seventeen years ot age, and then went to Asbury College, Greencastle, Ind. Left college to go to Pike's Peak in 1857. He returned the next year and read law with Lowell H. Rousseau, of Louisville, Ky. He practiced law in JeffersonviUe until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted as First Lieutenant of Company F, Second Kentucky Cavalry; was with them till after the battle at Stone River. He then went as a scout with General Wilder. He was wounded by three bullet shots and one saber cut during the war. After his discharge he returned home, and soon after came to Daviess County. In 1873-'74 he was practicing in Sorghotown. He went to Texas, where he was wounded while trying to defend a neighbor. He returned to Sorghotown, and in 1878 was elected Magistrate of Sorghotown Precinct; was re-elected in 1881. He was' married in 1864 to Susan F. Windsor, of Virginia. They have eight children - Samuel W., Edwin Ray, Richard S., Dillard R., James Nolan, Myra W., Hallie A. and Susan F. Mr. Patterson is very fond of fishing, and has gained quite a reputation as an adept in the art. He claims to be the best hook and line fisherman in the State of Kentucky.

Isaac N. Pierce was born in Washington Count}', Ky., May 29, 1827. In 1868 he came to Daviess County and bought a farm of 175 acres, where he still lives. He married Mrs. Mary C. Pierce, widow of G. C. Pierce. They have no children. Mrs. Pierce has two children by her first marriage - Molly, born in 1861 (now the wife of Union Barnett), and Clark, born in 1862. Mr. Pierce is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He belongs to Wm. Winstead Lodge, No. 466, A. F. & A.M.

Milton H. Rose, M. D., Postmaster, Sorghotown, was born in Marion County, Ky., July 6, 1826. His father, Joseph Rose, M. D., was born Feb. 28, 1782, and died April 30, 1849. His mother, Nancy (Simpson) Rose, was born in Virginia in 1805, and died Sept. 17, 1848.' They had nine children, six of whom studied medicine. Milton H. received his education in Transylvania, Ky. He commenced the practice of his profession in 1861. He was contract surgeon seven months in the late war; was located in Marion

County, Ky. For the past ten years he has lived in Sorghotown. He is a member of Marion Lodge, No. 136, A. F. & A. M, lie was married July 17, 185i, to Lueebra Baxter, a native of Marion County, born Nov. 23, 1832. To Dr. and Mrs. Rose have been born four children - Lizzie, born May 10, 1855; Oscar, born Jan. 27, 1857; Wm. H., born April 10, 1863; James 13., born March 13, 1865. Dr. Rose is a member of the Christian hurch at Owensbo ro.

Emerson Shaw was born in Henderson County, Ky., Dec. 6, 1851, and came to Daviess County with his paients in 1852, and has always lived near his present residence, adjoining Sorghotown. He was married May 5, 1879, to Elizabeth Stowers, who was born Jan. 14,1856. They have one child - William, born Oct. 17, 1880. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw are members of the Pleasant Grove Baptist church. Mr. Shaw is a member of Wm. M. Winstead Lodge, No. 466, A^ F. & A. M. He owns 170 acres of good land where he lives, and 640 acres in Texas. He is Deputy Clerk of Daviess County, and chairman of the Board of School Trustees in Sorghotown District, No. 54. He was educated at Rockville University, Md., and the Kentucky University at Lexington. His father, John L. Shaw, a carriage-maker, was born in Washington, D. C, Aug. 10, 1809, and lived there till twenty-one years of age. He then went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and lived a few years; then came to Henderson County, Ky. He was married Dec. 24, 1839, to T. B., daughter of Daniel and Holland Smith, a native of Henderson County, born March 31, 1818. She died Sept. 19, 1882. J. L. Shaw died Nov. 19, 1875. He was a member of the Methodist and his wife of the Baptist church. He was a descendant of Dr. Wm. Shaw, a native of Scotland and a graduate of Edinburg Medical College, who came to America in Lord Baltimore's time, and settled in Maryland. His son, Levi, tlie father of John L., married a Miss Lanman, and was a merchant of Washington. Emerson Shaw's Grandmother Smith was born in Delaware in 1786. His great-grandmother came from Plolland and his great-grandfather from Scotland. His Grandfather Smith was born in Virginia, in 1776.

M. B. Thompson^ born in Washington County, Ky., Oct. 15, 1849, is the youngest of ten children of Barney and Elizabeth (Sandusky) Thompson, both natives of Kentucky. His father was born about 1803 and died in 1861. His mother was born in 1804 and is still a resident of Daviess County. His parents came to

Daviess County when be was quite small, and settled near Owensboro. He was educated in the district school, and attended school at New Lebanon, Ind., one year. He was reared on a farm and has thus far foUdwed that occupation, with the exception of a year, from 1882 to 1883, when he was in the grocery business in Owensboro. He now owns a farm of eighty-two acres, seven miles from Owensboro. Mr. Thompson married Bettie, daughter of George L. and Sarah (Glenn) Calhoon, a native of Daviess County, born Aug. 2, 1855. She is the seventh of nine children. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have one son - Roy B., born Feb. 15, 1880. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal and his wife of the Cumberland Presbyterian church.

0. 8. Trice, farmer, was born in Logan County, Ky., Jan. 25, 1843. In 1862 he moved to Henderson County, and in 1867 came to Daviess County. His father, John Trice, was born in Virginia, March 30, 1800, and came to Kentucky when fifteen years of age, where he worked at the saddler's trade till middle age and then engaged in farming till his death, June 12, 1869. His mother, Ann (Priest) Trice, was born in Bourbon County, Ky., March 31, 1801; married June 7, 1825, and is the mother of seven children, six living - Martha, Francis, John W., James T., George R. and Oliver S. Oct. 13, 1872, Mr. Trice married Susan C. Marshall, a native of Nelson County, Ky., born Dec. 15, 1839. They have two children - John M., born June 27, 1875, and Henry C, born Sept. 7, 1878. Mr. Trice owns 108 acres of fine land in Sorghotown Precinct, and is one of the thrifty farmers of Daviess County. Mr. and Mrs. Trice are members ot" the Baptist church.

James R. Walker was born in Jefferson County, Ky., Oct. 22, 1836. In May, 1855, he enlisted in the regular army, Second United States Cavalry, Colonel Robert E. Lee, Lieutenant-Colonel A. Sydney Johnston, and served two years and seven months. Lee was ordered to West Point in 1856 and Johnston was left in command of the regiment. William Hardee, late of the Confederate army, was also Colonel of this regiment. In 1857 he was discharged by letter but remained in Texas till February, 1859, when he returned to Kentucky and lived on his farm, five miles south of Louisville, till 1870. He then moved into Louisville and remained there three years, when he came to Daviess County, and n )w lives two miles west of Sorghotown, on the Green River. July 26, 1862, he married Victorine Merrit, of Jefferson County, Ky. Twelve children have been born to them, ten now living - Henry B.,

Edward Wilkinson, born in Oldham County, Ky., Oct. 2, 1856, was the son of James "Wilkinson. His father died when he was four years old, and his mother when he was nine. He then went to live with a Mr. Carpenter. He came to Daviess County when eighteen years of age. He worked at the blacksmith's trade six months, with John D.. Robertson, of Owensboro, and six months with Fred Hubbert, eight miles east of Owen&ooro, but his principal occupation has been farming. Mr. Wilkinson is a great lover of good books and all his [leisure time is spent in reading. He finds a friend in books that will never forsake him and one that will bring him friends from among his fellowmen.

Mrs. Emily Winstead was born in Daviess County, Ky., Nov. 3, 1830, and has always lived within three miles of her birthplace. Her father, Isaac Crabtree, was born in Virginia, and came to Daviess County when there were but two or three houses in Owensboro. He died in 1847. tier mother, Sarah (Lamb) Crabtree, was a native of South Carolina, and died in 1872, aged seventyfour years. Mrs. Winstead was the fifth of their ten children that grew to maturity. She was married in 1846, to William M. Winstead, a native of Daviess County, born in 1822. To them were born fourteen children, ten living - Stephen, Alberta, Kimbley, Mary L., Lily A. (now Mrs. Raferfy), Emily, Isaac, Ruth, May and Ivy. Mr. Winstead joined the Freemasons in July, 1857, and was instrumental in forming the lodge that bears his name. He was extolled Royal Arch Mason, Jan. 5, 1866. He died in February, 1878, and was buried by the Masons in Elmwood Cemetery. Mrs. Winstead owns 100 acres where she lives, and considerable other property in the vicinity of Owensboro. She is a member of the Baptist church, as was also her husband.