Todd County KY

Biography of W. S. Gill

W. S. GILL was born in this county on July 9, 1838, and is a son of Coleman and Mary L. (Watkins) Gill. The father was born in Fauquier County, Va., in 1806, and came to Todd County in 1810 with his parents, who settled about one mile south of the Lasley Mill in this district, and there the latter died. The father, upon reaching manhood, turned his attention to farming, and settled near the mill; here he lived_ for upward of twenty years. He then moved to the south part of the precinct; here he lived until his death, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of John H. Wood

JOHN H. WOOD, the son of Hardin J. Wood, was born in Todd County, Ky., May 26, 1855, where he still has his residence. He was married, October 21, 1874, to Miss Lillie A., daughter of Dabney O. and Mary E. (Dickinson) Day, of this county, from which union sprang one child-Dasie-born September 8, 1877. Mrs. Lillie A. Wood died January 2, 1881. After good advantages at the select schools of the country, subject was a student at Franklin College for a period of four years. He transacted his father’s business until married, when he engaged in farming, having 258 … Read more

Biography of Egbert Garth

EGBERT GARTH. In 1812 Elijah Garth came from Albemarle County, Va., to Kentucky, and made settlement near Trenton, in Todd County, on a farm now occupied by Webster C. Garth, and which he had but fairly begun to develop, when (in 1815) he died. He was twice married, first to Miss Fretwell, and second to Miss Elizabeth Wait, and as the result of each union, had four children. None of these are now living, but among their immediate descendants are some of the most worthy families of Todd County. Paschal L. was a son of Elijah Garth, and was born … 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

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 N. E. Kay

N. E. KAY was born August 19, 1814, in Culpeper County, Va.; he is a son of Gabriel and Fannie (Wagner) Kay, parents both born in the same county and State. When an infant our subject was brought to Todd County with his parents; about two years later his father died; he was brought up on his mother’s farm, and at the age of eighteen he went to Nashville, where he secured a position in a wholesale grocery store; remained there ten years; he- then went to Arkansas, where he was en-gaged in merchandising two years, after which he returned … Read more

Biography of Dr. I. N. Walton

DR. I. N. WALTON was born in Henry County, Tenn., August 19, 1827, and is a son of Simeon and Mary (Henry) Walton. Mr. Simeon Walton was a native of Louisa County, Va., having been born there in 1789, but his parents were of Welsh descent. He came to Robertson County, Tenn., when two years old, with his parents, where the latter died. Simeon grew to manhood in that county, married Miss Henry, who was a native of that county. In 1811 he came to Henry County, Tenn., where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1865. While a … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elijah N. Jones

ELIJAH N. JONES, a prominent and enterprising citizen of Todd County, was born October 26, 1837, in Fairview District, Todd County, Ky. He is the second of thirteen children-five boys and eight girls-ten still living, born to Isaac H. and Anna (Wilkins) Jones, natives of Indiana and Todd County, Ky., respectively, the mother of Irish descent. Subject’s early advantages for an education were poor; he attended school about two years in all. He was reared on the farm and lived with his parents till his marriage on December 23, 1858, to Miss Harriet A. Lindsey, of Todd County, daughter of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Benjamin F. Hill

BENJAMIN F. HILL, merchant, was born in 1848, in Muhlenburg County, Ky. His parents were Perry and Nicey (Wells) Hill, both natives of this State. The father was a farmer. His death occurred in 1879, at the age of sixty-four years. The mother’s death took place in 1877, at the age of fifty-four years. She was a member of the Christian Church. These parents had seven children, five of whom are now living. Our subject, the fourth child, began business for himself at the age of twenty-six years. He had previously learned and worked at the black-smith business; the latter … Read more

Political Development of Todd County, Kentucky

THE final act of State authority in forming and organizing Todd County was the location of the seat of justice. Several points, New-burg, Old Elkton and the present site were in competition for the location. The competition was not very active, and there was but little difference in the advantages offered. At Newburg, James Kendall had established a hotel, the ” half way house ” between Russellville and Hopkinsville, and proposed this location as the most central point eligible for the county seat. Old Elkton had the merit of a good start on the banks of the river, but the … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Elijah C. Brown

ELIJAH C. BROWN. Mention has already been made of this gentleman’s ancestors, and will be found in the chapter devoted to Elkton District. He is a son of Preston and Rosena Brown, and was born near Hadensville, Todd County, on the 30th day of October, 1845. He was reared on his father’s farm, meanwhile attending the common schools, after which he attended school in Clarksville, Tenn. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted as a soldier iii the Confederate Army, and followed the fortunes of his command to the close of the war. He was first a member of an … 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 George Simons

GEORGE SIMONS was born March 28, 1841, in Todd County, Ky. His parents were George and Susan (Allison) Simons. The father died November, 1869, aged sixty-five years. The mother was born in Virginia in 1803, and is now living with her son James H. They were among the earliest settlers of the county. In 1861, George enlisted in Company D, Twenty-fifth Regiment United States Infantry, and after-ward consolidated with the Seventeenth Regiment. He served three years and three months. He took part in the battles of Shiloh, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, the Atlanta campaign and others. While in the army he … Read more

Biographical Sketch of R. H. Coleman

R. H. COLEMAN was born in Dinwiddie County, Va., on July 24, 1840, and is a son of Edmund N. and Eliza (Watkins) Coleman. The parents were both natives of Virginia, the father being born there on September 29, 1797; the mother on October 17, 1798; the former was of Irish descent, the mother of Welsh. When subject was about eighteen months old the parents came to Logan County, Ky. They lived there only one year, and then came to this county; here they settled on the farm now owned by subject, and here the father died on April 28, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Alexander McElwain

ALEXANDER McELWAIN is a native of Robinson County, Tenn., where he was born October 28, 1845, and removed with his parents to his present location in Todd County, Ky., in 1849, where he still retains his residence. His father, John W., born in 1816, and died in 1853, was the son of Alexander McElwain, of Ireland. John W.’s wife was Martha D., daughter of Samuel Barclay, of Warren County, Ky., and to them were born: Thomas W., Mary J. (Foster), Alexander, Martha A. (Reeves), Virginia L. (married Sullivan and afterward Pollard), Samuel.B., and Irene J. (wife of Dr. Morrison). Alexander … Read more

Biographical Sketch of George B. Lewis

GEORGE B. LEWIS is the eighth of a family of eleven children, born to Williamson V. and Clarkie Lewis (nee Bell). These parents were each natives of Chatham County, N. C., where they grew to maturity and were married. They removed to Tennessee and settled in Robertson County in 1819. There the mother died August 4, 1831. The father died in Weakley County, Tenn., in 1874, at the age of eighty-three years. His second marriage was to Sarah P. Freeman, by whom he had eight children. George B. was born in Robertson County, Tenn., February 8, 1824. He was reared … Read more

Biographical Sketch of B. D. Johnson

B. D. JOHNSON .was born on the same farm on which he now resides, on November 18, 1832, and is a son of Samuel and Margaret (Hudson) Johnson. The father was a native of Maryland, being born there on November 27, 1786. When a mere youth his father moved to Fayette County, where the latter died. Subject’s father came to this county in 1815, where he settled on an adjoining farm. Here he pro-cured a Government patent for 400 acres; but only resided there two years; returning to Jessamine County he married Miss Hudson on October 2, 1816, who was … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. B. M. Trabue

DR. B. M. TRABUE was born at Columbia, Adair Co., Ky., June 3, 1827, and is a son of William and Elizabeth (McDowell) Trabue. Our subject’s grandparents made their escape from France, and coming to this country settled on Staten Island. They lived there some years, and then with the other early pioneers came to this State. The grandfather was captured by the Indians, but afterward escaped, and lived here until a good old age. The father was a mechanic, but did not follow his trade very much. He paid most of his attention to farming and milling. Our subject … Read more

Biographical Sketch of F. L. Anderson

F. L. ANDERSON was born November 5, 1856, in Todd County. He is a son of F. A. and Mary (Magill) Anderson. The former died September 12, 1884; the mother is living in Allensville. They were natives of Kentucky. Our subject now owns and occupies this farm, consisting of about 200 acres and known as the old Andrews farm. Mr. Anderson was married December 18, 1879, to Miss Lucy, daughter of Edward Anderson of Paducah, Ky.; they are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

Biographical Sketch of Robert D. Young

ROBERT D. YOUNG was born November 5, 1845, in Logan County, Ky., where he grew to manhood. He removed to Todd County in 1870, where he has since resided. His father, Robert H. Young, was born near Petersburg, Va., and died in 1874, aged sixty-one years. He was the son of John Young, a native of Virginia, who removed to Kentucky about 1832, where he died. Robert H.’s wife (subject’s mother) was Mary, daughter of Alexander McElwain, of Todd County. To her and husband were born: Charles T., William K., Alexander F., Robert D. and John W. On November 29, … Read more