Todd County KY

Biographical Sketch of James A. Utley

JAMES A. UTLEY was born in 1851, in Muhlenburg County, Ky. His parents were William J. and Caroline (Vinston) Utley, both natives of Kentucky. The father was a farmer. His death occurred in 1854, aged thirty-six. He was a member of the Baptist Church. The mother died of typhoid fever, the same disease which proved fatal to her husband, her death occurring two weeks later than that of her husband. Her age was thirty-two. She also was a member of the Baptist Church. These parents left two children-Fannie F., now the wife of George M. Bobbitt, and James A. The … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. John O. McReynolds

DR. JOHN O. McREYNOLDS, of Elkton, Todd County Ky. is one of the prominent physicians of southern Kentucky and was born in Appomattox County, Va., November 30, 1827; he descends from Scotch-Irish ancestors, who were first represented in the United States by James and John McReynolds with their widowed mother. They settled in Pennsylvania, but soon after removed to Virginia, from whence have emanated the numerous families of that name. The parents of Dr. McReynolds, James C. and Mary B. McReynolds, emigrated to Kentucky in 1833, settling in Trigg County, where they died, the mother in 1837, and the father … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John S. Downer

JOHN S. DOWNER, son of Benjamin Sr. and Elizabeth (Slaughter) Downer, was born in Woodville, Culpeper Co., Va., June 19, 1809; married Miss Elizabeth W. Cabaniss (daughter of George L. and Catherine Cabaniss), at Princeton, Ky., November 19, 1832; died while on a visit to his son, L. A. Downer, of Barren County, Ky., February 10, 1873. Subject’s mother was a daughter of Col. John Slaughter, of Revolutionary days. John S. was one of eleven children who arrived at maturity, and when but a child was brought by his parents to Christian County, Ky. At an early age he evinced … Read more

Biography of Dr. Joseph W. Bartlett

DR. JOSEPH W. BARTLETT was born July 27, 1833, a son of Joseph S. and Amanda F. (Porter) Bartlett. His father was a native of Massachusetts. In early life he was a teacher, later a’ minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and for many years a missionary among the Cherokee Indians. He came to Kentucky after the war of the Rebellion, and died in Todd County in 1875, at the age of seventy-eight. The mother was a native of Virginia, and removed with her father to middle Tennessee, when a child. She was first married to Elisha Zachariah, who … Read more

Early Educational Interests in Todd County, Kentucky

Under the social influence described in these pages it will be easily understood that popular education must be attended by many difficulties. Its value and importance were certainly under-rated by all classes, and it gained a foothold in Kentucky only through the strenuous exertions of a far-sighted few. Education was at first entirely in the hands of the church, which established seminaries at various points, primarily for the preparation of the clergy for ministerial work, but which were at once accepted by the wealthy portion of the church membership as a convenient means to give their children such accomplishments as … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Mrs. Sallie E. Taylor

MRS. SALLIE E. TAYLOR was born in Todd County, Ky., October 29, 1845, where she still resides. Her father, Reuben O. Manion, was born in this county in 1823, where he is still living. He is the son of James Manion, a native of South Carolina, a Revolutionary soldier, who lived until about 1849. Subject’s mother, Eliza R., daughter of John and Rebecca (Reed) Pendleton, of Todd County, was born October 19, 1822. The union of herself and husband was blessed with nine children, among whom were three pairs of twins, each single birth alternating with the dual. Of these … Read more

The Pioneers of Todd County, Kentucky

The early immigration to the State of Kentucky, as has been noted, came to the blue grass region and upper Kentucky Val-ley. A few of the more adventurous spirits pushed out to the southwest in the upper valley of Green River, and of these were the founders of Davis Station in Christian County, and Justinian Cartwright, in Todd County, in 1792. It is to be regretted that the sketches of the Hon. Urban Kennedy, published in a county paper, have not been preserved in-tact. Through the care of W. P. Stephenson, a few fragments have been secured to which the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Preston E. Downer

PRESTON E. DOWNER, Fairview. The subject of this sketch is a native of Todd county, Ky., having been born near the place of his present residence, September 22, 1837. He is the son of John S. and Elizabeth (Cabaniss) Downer. In youth he was favored with a good English education, and is an extensive reader, especially of pomological works and literature. On December 10, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary E., daughter of John S.’ and Angelina (Sasseen) Long of Todd County, and to them have been born three children: Nonnie, born November 14, 1870; Leslie, born … Read more

Act Forming Todd County, Kentucky

The text of the act is as follows : SECTION 1. Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, That from and after the first day of April next, all that part of said counties of Logan and Christian, contained in the following boundary, to wit: Beginning on the Tennessee State line, at the present corner of the counties of Logan and Christian, on said State line; thence on a straight line to the Muhlenberg County line, two miles east of the present corner of said counties of Logan and Christian, on said Muhlenberg County line; … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin B. Butler

BENJAMIN B. BUTLER, Sheriff of Todd County, Ky., was born in this county August 8, 1850. His parents were H. D. and Permelia C. (Carey) Butler, both natives of Kentucky. The father was born in Todd County; was a farmer, well and favorably known in his county. His death occurred May 3, 1884, at the age of sixty-six years. He had been a member of the Baptist Church for many years. The mother still lives in this county at the age of sixty-two years. She is also a member of the Baptist Church. Sheriff Butler began his business career at … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Jonah W. Hale

JONAH W. HALE was born October 14, 1824, in Todd County, Ky. His parents were Thomas and Nancy (Pittman) Hale. The father was a native of North Carolina, and died in March, 1855, aged about sixty years. The mother died about the year 1826. Mr. Hale began for himself at the age of nineteen years; he rented for many years, then bought 183 acres, and since has bought 157 acres; he at present owns 340 acres, and is clever and well-to-do. He was married, February 6, 1848, to Martha E. Utley, daughter of James and Fanny (Grace) Utley. The latter … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John W. Murphy

JOHN W. MURPHY was born August 26, 1846, in Todd County, Ky. His parents are William and Nancy (Shelton) Murphy, both natives of this State and still living. The father is a member of the Baptist and the mother of the Christian Church. The mother was previously married to Joseph Allison, who departed this life in November, 1836. By him she had four children. Our subject began for himself at the age of twenty-one. His start was one horse. Farming has always been his business. He is now comfortably situated and owns 100 acres of land located one mile from … Read more

Biographical Sketch of W. F. Cole

W. F. COLE was born in Todd County, Ky., January 1, 1856, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah A. (Day) Cole, both natives of Virginia, and were of English descent respectively. Samuel Cole was born in 1811 in Virginia, where he was reared and educated, his father being a teacher. On emigrating to Kentucky “he settled in Daysville, named in honor of his wife’s grandfather, the first settler in the village. Ile was a mechanic but followed farming principally; both Mr. and Mrs. Cole were life-long members of the Christian Church, he being a Deacon and leading member. … Read more

Clark Co., Ky

CLARK CO. (Mayme Nunnelley) The first records of Slaves in Clark County was given by a descendant of one of the members of the little band of resolute Revolutionary soldiers who had been comrades and mess mates throughout the long bloody war. These fifteen families, some from Virginia and others from Maryland, started westward in the early spring of 1783 for Kentucky. They bought with them some horses, a few cattle, thirty or forty slaves and a few necessary household articles. After many hardships and trials, borne heroically by both men and women, they halted on the banks of the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John W. Lewis

JOHN W. LEWIS, merchant at Elkton, Ky., was born in Robert-son County, Tenn., November 19, 1829, and is a son of William V. Lewis and Clarkie Lewis (nee Bell). – He was reared to the age of seven-teen in his native State, after which he spent a few years in Illinois, coming thence to Elkton, Ky., in October, 1851. For about eight years he was employed as salesman in mercantile business, and in 1859 opened a stock of goods for himself, since which time he has been in active business life in Elkton. He is now located on the north … Read more

Biographical Sketch of T. W. Galbraith

T. W. GALBRAITH was born in Tennessee, December 27, 1858, and is the son of W. G. and L. A. (Morton) Galbraith, also natives of Tennessee. W. G. Galbraith was educated in his native State; is a mechanic and has followed his trade in connection with farming, which latter is his principal occupation. He lived for two years in Kansas and also two or three years in Illinois, but at present resides in his native State. T. W. Galbraith, our subject, received a good education in Kentucky, to which State he immigrated when quite young. He was engaged on the … Read more

Biography of Samuel W.Taliaferro

SAMUEL W. TALIAFERRO is a resident of Guthrie Precinct, and lives upon the farm where he was born April 15, 1843. He is the fifth child of a family of six, born to Samuel W. and Sallie (Moore) Taliaferro. The father was born in Albemarle County, Va., July 19, 1798. In youth he came to Greene County, Ky., a few years later he came to Todd County and settled on this farm, where his widow now resides; he died October 11, 1879. On coming here he worked at the brick-laying trade, and at the end of a few years had … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Thomas U. Smith

THOMAS U. SMITH is a resident of Hadensville Precinct, and was born on this farm, February 21, 1858. He is the eldest of two children born to R. L. and Lucy A. (Young) Smith. The father was born on this farm in July, 1822. The grandfather, Jesse Smith, of Virginia, traded property in the city of Richmond for a farm near Russellville; that farm he soon after sold and bought this farm, then consisting of 300 acres, which has since been increased to about 700 acres. The father of our subject now lives on his farm near Nashville, Tenn. The … Read more

Biographical Sketch of P. C. Griffin

P. C. GRIFFIN. Among the genial, hospitable and worthy citizens of the precinct, Phillip C. Griffin, our subject, deserves mention; his birth dates November 27, 1845. His parents, James J. and P. C. Griffin, and he as well, were natives of this county. The father was a farmer, later a merchant, who died February 15, 1880, at the age of sixty-six years. The mother makes her home with her youngest child, Mrs. Lacey, aged sixty-four years. The father was, and the mother still is, a devoted member of the Christian Church. At the age of eighteen Phillip C. began on … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Lycurgus H. Arnold

LYCURGUS H. ARNOLD, Postmaster of Trenton, was born December 29, 1831, in Todd County, Ky., where he grew to manhood and still resides. His father, William P. Arnold, is a native of Louisa County, Va., where he was born in 1806; removed with his parents to Christian County, Ky., in 1812, and thence to Todd County about 1830, where he still resides, an honored and worthy citizen. He is the son of Aaron Arnold, a Virginian. Subject’s mother, Amadiah, daughter of William Pettus, of Todd County, is still living. Her children are: Subject, Lucy J., Louisa A. and William A., … Read more