ky-footsteps-digest Sunday, September 6 1998 Volume 01 : Number 461 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 12:36:57 -0700 From: "H. Jean Dalrymple" Subject: KFY: MARR: Blake / Hamilton, 1847 - Nicholas Co BLAKE HAMILTON Know all men by these present that we George Blake and John Hamilton are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the sum of 50 pounds present money to the ______ of which will and truly to be made we bind ourselves ___ ___ ___ sealed and dated this 17th day of February 1847 The condition of the above abligation is such that whereas a Marriage is shortly intended to be solumnized between the above bound Gor. Wm. Blake and Miss Elizabeth Mary Hamilton daughter oof Mr. Jno Hamilton of Nicholas County. Now if therde oes not exist any lawful cause to obstruct said Marriage then the above abligation to be void else to remain in full force and ___ Teste, George W. Blake (seal) ___ ____________ John Hamilton (seal) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 12:38:12 -0700 From: "H. Jean Dalrymple" Subject: KFY: MARR: Blake / Crump, 1859 - Nicholas Co BLAKE CRUMP CAMPBELL HOLLADAY State of Kentucky } County of Nicholas} Set I Jno A. Campbell, Cerk of the County Court for the County and State of aforesaid, do certify that George Blake and Martha Crump were joined together in Matrimony on the 1st day of May A.D. 1859. by one John Holladay a Regularly Authorized Minister of the Gospel, as appears of Record in my office. Given under my hand this 31. day of December A.D. 1878 Jmo. A. Campbell Clerk ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 16:58:51 -0600 From: "Phyllis Hill" Subject: KFY: BIO: McCLESKY, Joseph H., Unknown Co BIO: McCLESKY, Joseph H., s/o Joseph H. & Martha (Dickey) McClesky Submitted by: phill@redrock.net (Phyllis Hill) McCLESKY DICKEY TROTTER CARROL History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1886 Knox County, Washington Twp., page 434 JOSEPH H. McCLESKY is a son of Joseph H. and Martha (Dickey) McClesky, who were born in South Carolina, but spent the most of their lives in Kentucky, where they were married. They came to Daviess County, Ind., at an early period, and remained here until their respective deaths in 1845 and 1857. They were members of the Presbyterian Church, and the father was a Whig. Joseph, our subject, was born in Daviess County, Ind., in 1830, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. At the age of seventeen he began to make his own way in the world. He purchased seventy acres of land, and soon paid for it. After attending the State University for a year he sold his farm and began merchandising in Plainville, continuing there seven years. He then sold his stock and began speculating in land, and after a short time came to Knox County, in 1861, and purchased 200 acres of land where he now lives. In 1856 he was married to Martha J. Trotter, born in North Carolina in 1836, daughter of Samuel and Louisa (Carrol) Trotter. Mr. and Mrs. McClesky are the parents of one child, viz: Mattie S. All are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. McClesky is a Republican. His first vote was cast for Scott. He has held the office of township trustee. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 17:30:23 -0700 From: "H. Jean Dalrymple" Subject: KFY: DEATH CERT: Blake, William W., 1915 - Nicholas Co BLAKE - IRVIN Commonwealth of Kentucky #803 Certified photostatic copy of DEATH RECORD 1. place of death, Nicholas Co. file #20500 district # 7175 2. William W. (Warder) Blake 3. sex; male 4. color or race; white 5. single or married; married 6. date of birth; 23 March 1849 7. age; 66 years 5 months 5 days 8. occupation; farmer 9. place of birth; Nicholas Co., Ky. 10. name of father; Elias Blake 11. birthplace of father; Nicholas Co., Ky. 12.maiden name of mother; Mahala Irvin 13. birthplace of mother; Kentucky 14. informant; T. C. (Thompson Cleveland) Blake, of Ewing Ky. 15. filed Aug 29 1915, W.C. Sparks, registrar 16. date of death; Aug. 28, 1915 17. I hearby certify that I attended deceased from Oct.1st 1914, to Aug 26 1915, and that I saw him alive on Aug 26 1915 and that death occurred on the date stated above at 5 a.m. the cause of death was as follows Carsinoma of Bladder and Chronic _____?__........ signed Henry B. Myers M.D. Aug. 28, 1915, Ewing, Kentucky 18. 19. Place of burial; Mt. Tabor, date of burial, Aug. 29, 1915 20 undertaker; Price Bros. Ewing, Kentucky ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 20:47:06 -0600 From: "Phyllis Hill" Subject: KFY: BIO: SCROGIN, Joseph H. - Unknown Co BIO: SCROGIN, Joseph H., s/o John H. & Lucinda (Bruce) Scrogin Submitted by: phill@redrock.net (Phyllis Hill) SCROGIN BRUCE GANO History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1886 JOSEPH H. SCROGIN is a son of John H. and Lucinda (Bruce) Scrogin, who were natives of Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, and born in 1809. In early life the father came to this neighborhood, where he grew to manhood and was married May 5, 1835. He followed agricultural pusuits and assisted in the early Indian wars. He died March 3, 1848 and the mother February 21, 1870. Our subject was born in Knox County in 1836. In boyhood he had almost no opportunities for schooling, but on reaching manhood he worked his own way in school at Ladoga, Ind. In 1861, at the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and of seventeen months' service over half was spent in the hospital with rheumatism. He was honor- ably discharged, and returned home and clerked for Roberts & Baird in Bruce- ville. Some two years later he tried farming, but finding his physical strength insufficient he abandoned farming and for over two years was disabled by rheumatism. In 1879 he set up for himself in the mercantile business in which he has since engaged. In 1866 he was married to Nancy J. Gano, born in Knox County in 1837. They have five children, viz: Mattie B., Lucinda M., George W., Anna and Rosie. Mattie is one of the rising teachers of the county. Husband and wife, and two eldest children are members of the Christian Church. Mr. Scrogin is a warm Republican and cast his first vote for Lincoln. He is a good business man and one who bears the confidence of all. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 21:20:01 -0600 From: "Phyllis Hill" Subject: KFY: BIO: THOMPSON, Bradway - Unknown Co BIO: THOMPSON, Bradway, s/o Samuel and Mary (Baird) Thompson Submitted by: phill@redrock.net (Phyllis Hill) THOMPSON BAIRD ROBERTS RICHEY History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1886 Knox County, Washington Twp., page 442 BRADWAY THOMPSON is a son of Samuel and Mary (Baird) Thompson, who were born in New Jersey and Kentucky in 1766 and 1778, respectively. They were married in the "Bluegrass State", and came to Indiana in 1802. The father was a brick-maker, and made the brick for the house in Vincennes known as the Harrison House. He contracted with Gov. Harrison for 400 acres of land, paying for it with 200,000 brick. In 1804 he located on his farm, and cleared about 100 acres. In their family were eleven children. The mother died in 1820, and the father married Laura Roberts, by whom he had one child. He died in 1849. Bradway was born in 1813, in Washington Township. He was educated in the old log schoolhouse, and when his father became too old to work, he and his brother farmed the home place jointly, until 1839, when Bradway married Eliza J. Richey, born in Palmyra Township in 1822. They then settled on the home farm, and cared for his father during the rest of his life. He received 100 acres of land from his father, and purchased out the heirs for another hundred. He now owns 229 acres of land, 160 acres being under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson became the parents of fifteen children: Thomas B., Cynthia A., William, Charles K., David R., Samuel, Mary E., William R., Eliza J., Nathaniel B., John L., Arthur H., James W., Edwin V. and Henry C. Charles, David and Cynthia have taught school for some time. Thomas and David were in the army. Thomas served three years in Company G, Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, and was wounded at Antietam. He then joined a company of Kentucky cavalry, and served until the close of the war. David served eighteen months in Company A, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Parents and nine children are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which Mr. Thompson has been elder about twenty years. He is a Republican, and was magistrate four years. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 21:44:07 -0600 From: "Phyllis Hill" Subject: KFY: BIO: THOMPSON, Samuel - Unknown Co BIO: THOMPSON, Samuel, s/o Samuel & Mary (Baird) Thompson Submitted by: phill@redrock.net (Phyllis Hill) THOMPSON BAIRD McCORD History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1886 Knox County, Washington Twp., page 442 SAMUEL THOMPSON is a son of Samuel and Mary (Baird) Thompson, mention of whom is made in the sketch of Bradway Thompson. He was born in 1809 in Washington Township. He secured the best education the times afforded, and studied some of the higher branches, such as surveying and chemistry. Until twenty-three years of age he lived with his parents. He was married, in 1832, to Opah Ann McCord, born in Kentucky in 1812. They settled on their woodland farm, fifty acres of which the father cleared. He endured many hardships and privations in order to make a comfortable home for his family. To them were born these children: Tirza J., Hannah B., William H., Mary E., Louisa, Dorcas A., Henry M., Margaret, Samuel and Isador. William, after attending the Nashville Medical College and practicing about four years, died; Tirza, Hannah, Louisa and Dorcas have been teachers. Henry M. enlisted in the late war in Company H, Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, and after eighteen months' service sickened and died at Murfreesboro, Tenn. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In 1872 the wife died, and since that time Mr. Thompson has resided with his son Samuel, who owns the home farm. He is a Republican and has filled several offices, such as township trustee, assessor and magistrate. He cast his first presidential vote for Jackson. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 5 Sep 1998 22:14:38 -0600 From: "Phyllis Hill" Subject: KFY: BIO: THRELKELD, James J. - Unknown Co BIO: THRELKELD, James J., s/o Moses H. & Malinda W. (Johnson) Threlkeld Submitted by: phill@redrock.net (Phyllis Hill) THRELKELD JOHNSON POST LEMON History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1886 Knox County, Washington Twp., page 443 JAMES J. THRELKELD, one of the leading farmers of Washington Township, is the son of Moses H. and Malinda W. (Johnson) Threlkeld, who were natives of Indiana and Kentucky, and born in 1812 and 1814, respectively. When a girl the mother came to this county, and here they were married. Soon after they settled in Washington Township, where they have lived to the present time. The father was an industrious farmer, and owned at the time of his death some 1,000 acres of land. Both husband and wife were members of the Christian Church. When a young man the father was a Democrat, but on reaching maturer years he became a Republican. His death occurred in 1878. The mother still lives at the ripe old age of seventy-one. James' ancestors, on his father's side, were Scotch-Irish; on his mother's, Irish. Our subject was born in 1840 in Washington Township. In boyhood he had the advantages of the common schools, and afterward attended school in Bruceville. In 1861, when war sounded its wild alarm, James shouldered his musket and went to battle. In Company E of the Fifty-first Indiana Infantry, he volunteered to sacrifice his life for the Union. Though a lifelong cripple he was accepted, and after the battle of Stone River he was transferred to the Invalid Corps. After three years of faithful service he returned home, bearing an honorable discharge. After his return he began farming. In 1866 he was married to Eliza Post, born in Russellville, Ill., in 1842. She is the daughter of Peter and Mary (Lemon) Post. To Mr. and Mrs. Threlkeld eight children were born: Laura R., Mary, Elmer, John, James, Harlin, Morton, and Charles. Laura is one of the teachers of Vigo Township. Both husband and wife were members of the Christian Church. Mr. Threlkeld is a stanch Republican, and cast his first vote for Lincoln. In 1869 his father gave him 200 acres of land. Since, by hard work and good management, he has increased it to 360 acres, of which some 250 are under cultivation with good buildings. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 07:34:26, -0500 From: DBXP64A@prodigy.com ( C L CRAWFORD) Subject: KFY: Mt Vernon Signal Newspapers, 1899, Rockcastle Co ROCKCASTLE COUNTY, KENTUCKY NEWSPAPER EXCERPTS Nov 24, 1899 (cont) LOCAL AND OTHERWISE Rev Mills colsed his meeting at christian church Tuesday night on account of sickness in his family DEATH: J.C. Allen and old and respected christian gentleman dropped dead at his home in Livingston Sunday night Squire Gatliff, J.A. Hammond, G. Leece, A.K. McCleary, Jones Fish and Sam Ward were here Monday W.R. Tuggle returned from Tennessee Wednesday night with a lot of 800 lb. stees which were bought at 3 1/2 cents Moses Edwards of Jackson county was acquitted before Commissioner White of a charge of selling liquor, Tuesday G.W. Evans a prominet farmer of the Preacherville locality came up Monday to visit the family of G.W. mcClure his relatives W.J. Sparks and W.A. Glazebroob of Louisville spent a couple of days with friend Allen Hiatt and put in thier time hunting quail Prof J.S. Reppert the Knightly Prince of Ravenwood was with us Saturday. Would that Rockcastle had manymore such citizens Horace Edwards was held over before Judge Williams on charge of having cut the throats of eleven geese belongsing to Mrs Sidney McClure John Myers Familiary known as "Judge" named for Judge John Fish one the best men ever born in Rockcastle county is in frail health "Judge" is a mighty good boy and we hope his health may matertally improve at an early date DIED at Crab Orchard, Sunday mornign Mrs Ross widow of Martin Ross and mother of Mrs A. H. Bastin of a complication of troubles together with old age. She made her home with her daughter above mentioned and was a most excellent woman respected and beloved by all who knew her. The burial took place in Crab Orchard cemetery Monday at 10. Tilman Gilpin is in from Gallatin County. He is accompanied by William Shafer a professional tobacco raiser. Mr Shafer came here to inspect the soil and ascertain if it is suitable for the culture of the weed. He pronounces it satifactory and says if he receives proper encouragement from the people he intends bringing in 30 or 40 tobacco raisers who will cultivate the article and teach the science to the natives. The Siganal has advocated just such a move for past three years and still says our people should lend every encouragement possible that will tend to get this enterprise successfully carried out Mr Shafer is visiting various farms and talking matters over with the citizens. He is confident of the success of his undertaking. DEATH: To those who knew that courtly gentleman A.W. Hart of Conway his untimely death last Friday night was a source of sincere regret. He possessed all the attributes of a perfect man..the noblest work of God. Nature blessed him with winning ways which gains affections and assures rememberance. he leaves behind the finest heritage ever bequeathed to widow and orphans..a stainless and untarnished name. Messrs R.L. Hubble, jesse Alverson and Sam Embry Jr., three worthy Democrats of Lincoln were arrested Wednesday by marshal Short on a writ from the US court charging them with a felony but cotained no toerh specification. They appeared before Commissioner White that same afternoon and promplty gave bond for their appearance before Judge Evans in Louisville, on February 16th. The arrest of thes elegant gentlemen who we well know is simply the owkr of jealousy and spite. These men claim that they have violated no law whatever, that as election officers, they did nothign but their duty, which they are ready and willing to stand by. It was reported to them that the charge was keeping ballots out of the ballot box. They are ready to meet that charge as they are any other one that may be borght against them. All they ask is a fair trial and justice. It is true that by agreement of all the officers Republicans and Democrats, Mr Hubble was selected to hold the ballots that were challenged. he did so and there were 12 in all. No desire to conceal them was made because he was the one chosen, as the custodian of these ballots. The ballots were not destroyed in any way.. the number corresponded exactly with the number of stubs. When the time came to count the vote the coustodian produced the challenged ballots and on mo??? of John J. McRoberts a Republican the ballots were sealed up and sent on before the coutny Board. It was also intimated that they intimidated negroes, but they know nothing of that whatever, and believe that the testimony of the Republican witnesses will thoroughly exhonerate them if that should be the charge. The gentlemn in question speak in the highest terms of our marshal W.T. Short, whom they say treated them so gentlemanly and said to them, that such a prosecution was an outrage. Jas Rickels has moved to town DEATH: Mr L.H. Houk died Wednesday night at 11 o'clock, of consumption and will be buried this afternoon, near Maret burg, by the side of his faithful and devoted wife who preceded him to her heavenly home some four years ago. Afer his wifes death he moved with his children to his fathers Mr James Houk Sr., where he has since lived and where he died. Mr Houk was once deptuy sheriff of this county under his father and afterwards made the race for sheriff. For nearly two years he has been trustee of the jury fund, having been appointe dto that position by Judge Morrow. For several years he was in goods business with his father and at the time of his death he was a member of the firm of Houk & Son. Many years ago he joined the Christian church. He married Miss Alice Crawford, a daughter of James Crawford by whom he had seven children four boys and 3 girls. Mr Houk held $4,000 insurance on his life for the benefit of his children. He was a splendid citizen; and upright Christian; and a business man; a loving and devoted father and a tender husband. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 12:39:07 -0600 From: "Phyllis Hill" Subject: KFY: BIO: BLANN, Sydney G. - Unknown Co BIO: BLANN, Sydney G., s/o Allen S. & Hettie (Hardin) Blann Submitted by: phill@redrock.net (Phyllis Hill) BLANN HARDIN SPROATT History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1886 Knox County, Busseron Twp., page 449 SYDNEY G. BLANN, a wealthy farmer of Busseron Township, Knox Co., Ind., was born in Sullivan County, Ind., March, 31, 1833, and is the fourth of a family of eleven children of Allen S. and Hettie (Hardin) Blann, who were born in the "Blue-grass State" in 1802 and 1809, respectively. They were married in their native State, and came to Indiana about 1832, settling in Sullivan County. The mother died in 1863. The father is yet residing in the town- ship and is a feeble old man. He has been a member of the Christian Church for many years, and is one of the highly respected old pioneers of the county. He was township trustee one term. Sydney G. was reared mostly in Knox County, on a farm, securing a very limited education. At the age of twenty-two he began farming for himself on the place where he now lives, and at the present time is the owner of over 1,100 acres of very fine land. His residence is a frame building in a very fine location. November 3, 1863, he was married to Sarah S. Sproatt, daughter of John Sproatt, Jr., one of the early settlers of the county. The wife was born January 13, 1836, and has borne seven children, one of whom died at the age of twelve years. Their names are: Edward P., born August 3, 1864; John A., born October 13, 1865, and died April 13, 1878; Frances M., born September 17, 1867; Mary O., born September 11, 1869; William W., born September 30, 1871; Herbert U., born October 12, 1873; Charlie E., born January 26, 1877. The husband and wife and one child, Frances M., belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Blann has always been a very firm and uncompromising Democrat. He has never aspired to a public office but is recognized as one of the very prominent and moral citizens of the county. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 17:07:52 -0600 From: "Phyllis Hill" Subject: KFY: BIO: MARTIN, James S., Unknown Co BIO: MARTIN, James S., s/o William D. & Rachel (Threlkeld) Martin Submitted by: phill@redrock.net (Phyllis Hill) MARTIN THRELKELD MCCLURE History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1886 Knox County, Busseron Twp., page 457 JAMES S. MARTIN was born near where he now lives, September 5, 1846. He is a son of William D. and Rachel (Threlkeld) Martin, and is the fourth of their five children. The father was born in Kentucky, in 1811, but was reared in Sullivan County, Ind. He was a well-to-do farmer, and in politics was a Whig, then a Republican. He died January 17, 1873. The mother was born in Knox County, Ind., in 1818, and died when our subject was about two years old. Her husband married again, and became the father of five children. James S. secured a common school education in boyhood, and afterward attended a commercial college in Vincennes. December 24, 1874, he was married to Cassander McClure, and located on the farm of 120 acres where he now lives. His land is very rich and well improved, on which is erected a handsome two- story frame residence. Mrs. Martin was born February 21, 1855, and became the mother of two children: Walter M., born June 29, 1876, and died July 22, 1876, and William Wayne, born November 11, 1879. The wife is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Martin is a very firm Republican, and was postmaster of Oaktown about four years. He is a wide-awake farmer, and is doing well financially. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 17:52:34 -0600 From: "Phyllis Hill" Subject: KFY: BIO: McCLURE, Hiram M. - Unknown Co BIO: MCCLURE, Hiram H., s/o Samuel & Jane (Curry) McClure Submitted by: phill@redrock.net (Phyllis Hill) McCLURE CURRY SEANEY SHEPARD History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1886 Knox County, Busseron Twp., page 458 HIRAM H. McCLURE, deceased, a prominent farmer, and native of Knox County, Ind., was born Sept. 6, 1824, and was the youngest of eleven children of Samuel and Jane (Curry) McClure, natives of Kentucky, born June 1, 1784, and August 25, 1783, respectively. They were married in 1805, and came to Indiana a few years later. They were among the early pioneers, and lived in a fort to protect themselves from the Indians. The father was in the war of 1812, in the battle of Tippecanoe. He died November 17, 1851, and the mother June 22, 1839. Hiram H. was reared on the home farm, where he lived and died. At the age of twenty-one he married, and began his career as a tiller of the soil. He was quite prosperous and owned about 200 acres of very fine land, well improved with a good brick residence. He was married May 7, 1845, to Rosella Seaney, born in Illinois, October 28, 1848. They became the parents of nine children, all but one now living: Sarah J., born October 29, 1846; Mary E., born October 2, 1848, and died April 23, 1863; Samuel B., born June 22, 1850; Albert B., born November 19, 1852; Henrietta P., born June 16, 1855; Margaret A., born August 6, 1858; Flora A., born March 16, 1861; Edgar M., born August 29, 1867, and Jasper F., born April 14, 1871. Mr. McClure was a zealous member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife and their children were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a very strong Republican, and was trustee several terms. He was very just and honest in his business transactions, and was much respected and esteemed by all who knew him. He was a member of the I.O.O.F., and his death, which occurred November 20, 1876, was a great loss to the community. The mother still resides on the old homestead. Samuel B. McClure is the third child of Hiram McClure, and was born near where he now resides, June 22, 1850. He received a fair business education, and attended the commercial college at Terre Haute, Ind., three months. He made his parents' house his home until about twenty-five years of age, when he married and located on his present farm, where he has followed agri- cultural pursuits very successfully. He owns seventy-five acres of very fertile land, well improved, with a good two-story frame residence in a pleasant location. He has a hay-cellar, made of pressed hay and cemented, which is very convenient, and the only one in the county. February 21, 1878, he was married to Fannie Shepard, daughter of James M. Shepard, whose sketch appears in this work. One child was born to them January 23, 1880, which died November 3, 1881. Both husband and wife are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. McClure is a member of the I.O.O.F., and has always given his aid and support to the Republican party. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 20:15:12 -0600 From: "Phyllis Hill" Subject: KFY: BIO: McGOWEN, William - Unknown Co BIO: McGOWEN, William, s/o John & Sarah (Balthus) McGowen Submitted by: phill@redrock.net (Phyllis Hill) McGOWEN BALTHUS SHANNON HART MORRIS BENSINGER JOHNSON BOWEN HOKE TAYLOR History of Knox and Daviess Counties, Indiana Chicago: The Goodspeed Publishing Co. 1886 Knox County, Busseron Twp., page 459 WILLIAM McGOWEN, druggist of Oaktown, Ind., was the eldest of four children of John and Sarah (Balthus) McGowen. The father was born in Pennsylvania, and when eighteen years old came to Knox County, Ind., locating at Vincennes where he learned the gunsmith's trade. He established a ferry on the West Fork of White River, in Martin County, but had only lived there four years when he was killed by the Indians May 12, 1812. The paternal grandfather was Scotch by birth, and the mother's father was of German descent. The mother survived the father many years, and married again. She died about 1838. Our immediate subject was born in Knox County, where he was reared to manhood. He received a very limited early education, and has acquired the most of his education since attaining his majority. He endured many of the privations incident to frontier life. At the age of twenty-three he married, and began farming for himself. In 1858 he began the practice of medicine, and in 1868 he sold his farm and engaged in the drug business and practice of medicine in Oaktown, where he has been rather unsuccessful, as fire destroyed his house and entire stock of drugs, which were uninsured. He rebuilt, and continued in the drug business. July 31, 1828, he was married to Elizabeth Shannon of Kentucky, to whom were born ten children, six now living: Sarah (widow of Jonathan Hart), Jemimah A. (wife of John Morris), Mary E. (wife of William Morris, father of John Morris), Clarissa widow of George Bensinger), Thomas S. and William C. Mrs. McGowen died March 12, 1866, and January 19, 1868, he married Susan (Johnson) Bowen, to whom were born four children, two now living: Winnie M. and Charles T. This wife died May 26, 1877, and he married his present wife, Margaret (Hoke) Taylor, February 19, 1878. He has been a member of some church for over sixty years. He is one of the oldest citizens of the county, and none are more highly respected than he. He was a Democrat until 1852, since which time he has been a very ardent Republican. He was one of the original board of trustees of Jefferson Township, Sullivan County. He is thoroughly a self-made man, and is next to the oldest native-born resident of the county. ------------------------------ End of ky-footsteps-digest V1 #461 ********************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genealogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons.Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.