200 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY church work, both being members of the Baptist church. In 1890 he married Miss Lizzie Wilson of Livingston county, the daughter of G. M. Wilson and the granddaughter of Charles and Martha Ann Wilson, pioneer settlers in the county. Both died at an advanced age. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cothron: Effie May, born July 24, 1891; Thomas Hollis, born Sept. 11, 1893; George Morris, born Feb. 22, 1898. Two and one-half miles southeast of Smithland is located the old Mose Broomfield and T. J. Ward place, a farm of zoo acres, whose proud owner is no other than Mr. Cothron himself. JOHN W. BUSH, a prominent lawyer of Smithland, Ky., was born in Eddyville, Lyon county, of that state, June 3, 1836. He is the son of Dr. Reuben R. and Louisa (Williams) Bush, the former born in Potosi, Mo., in 1810, and the latter in Lyon county, in 1820. John Bush, the father of Reuben R., was a native of Virginia, who went from that state to Missouri in an early day. In 1820 he removed to Princeton, Ky., where he died n 1830. He was a prominent physician and surgeon in his time; was identified with the Whig party and the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was a Miss Elizabeth Roland, a native of Virginia, who died in Missouri. The maternal grandfather of Captain Bush was John Williams, born in Newbury, S. C., where he died in 1825. His widow, Sarah (Young) Williams, afterwards married a Mr. Jones of that state, and died there in 1865. Dr. Reuben R. Bush was reared and educated in Missouri, whence he came with his father to Kentucky. In 1861 he removed to Fredonia in Caldwell county. Three years later he came to Smithland, where he died in 1879. His wife died just two weeks later. Dr. Bush served as a surgeon in the Federal army and practiced medicine in Kentucky for forty years. He was a Whig before the war and a Republican afterwards. Both he and his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. They had ten children, only two of whom are living, Capt. John W. Bush, the oldest, and George Bush, the youngest. William R. Bush, a brother of Captain Bush, was a lieutenant in the Federal army and died while in the service. Captain Bush was reared on a MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 201 farm and educated at Bethlehem academy. In 1856 he began to read law in the office of W. P. Fowler of Smithland. A year later he was admitted to the bar at Eddyville, where he practiced hip profession until 1858, when he moved to Missouri. After an absence of two years in Missouri, where he practiced law, he returned ti Kentucky in 1860, and afterwards enlisted in Company G, Forty eighth Kentucky volunteer infantry of the Federal army, and served as captain until November, 1864. Returning home he resumed his law practice at Smithland, where he has since enjoyed a lucrative business. Twenty young men have read law in his office, all of whom are doing well. while never an aspirant for office, he has always taken an active interest in politics as a Democrat, making speeches for that party in various states. He is a Knight of Honor and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. His wife, whom he married in 1857, was a widow, her maiden name having been Sarah E. Holloway. They had two children, named William R. and James, the latter dying in infancy. William R. Bush was educated at Lexington, Ky., and choosing the law as his profession he located at Gainesville, Tex., where he built up a successful practice. Returning to Kentucky he served one term in the legislature and died of consumption in 1892, aged thirty-four years. The first wife of Captain Bush died in i86o. One year later he married Miss Sarah A. Watkins, of Lyon county. This marriage has been blessed with ten children, seven of whom are living: Elizabeth Harris, a widow of Smithland ; Pat. H., sheriff of Livingston county; C. H., superintendent of mines; Jettie, wife of J. A. Crenshaw, cashier of the bank, Newbern, Tenn.; Corrie, wife of C. C. Grassham, a distinguished attorney of Paducah, Ky.; Janett, wife of Dr. Robert Rivers of Paducah, and Frank M., train dispatcher on the Illinois railway at Calvert City, Marshall county, Ky. R. B. COWPER, liveryman and farmer, was born in Livingston county, Ky., Feb. 20, 1851. He is the son of William and Polly (Hawkins) Cowper, born respectively in Virginia and Kentucky. The father of the subject of this sketch came to Livingston county from Virginia when a lad eight years old. He received a liberal education and filled acceptably several positions of trust, among them being the offices of county judge and justice of the peace. In 1850 he was a delegate to the constitutional convention of the State of Kentucky. In religious matters both he and his wife were identified with the Baptist church. Of the six children born to their 202 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY marriage the subject is the only one living. Both parents were twice married. Two of the children, both daughters, born to his mother by her first marriage are still .living. The father died in 1857 and the mother in 1871. R. B. Cowper was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his county. The fact that he has held a number of public offices demonstrates that he has taken an active part in politics. For three years he served as assessor of Livingston county-, after which he was elected sheriff of that county, serving four years. In igoi he embarked in the livery business, without, however, neglecting his farming interests. He was nominated by the Democratic party for jailer in 1904. In 1875 he married Miss E. E. Nelson, the daughter of Washington Nelson, of Livingston county. Mr. and Mrs. Cowper have had three children: William Frederick; Christiana Richard, wife of Gilbert Presnell, of Paducah, Ky., and David. Mr. and Mrs. Cowper are earnest Baptists and take a deep interest in all branches of church work. CHARLES H. WILSON, one of the most successful attorneys practicing at the Smithland, Ky., bar, and a member of the firm of Bush & Wilson, was born in Livingston county, of that state, Aug, 11, 1872. His grandfather, Charles Wilson, came to America from Sweden in 1826, locating at Smithland, where he died in 1864. His wife, Martha Ann Walker, whom he married in 1840, lived until 1903. They had a family of eleven children, of whom five are now living. He was a Democrat in politics, a farmer by occupation, owning a large tract of land, and, with his wife, identified with the Baptist church. His maternal grandfather, Reuben Coffer, born May 5. 1789, came from Virginia to Lyon county, Ky., where he died June 2o, 1853. On Feb. 19, 1824, he married Elizabeth Ann Brewer, a native of Christian county. In politics he was identified with the Whig party. He was a farmer, and, with his wife, a member of the Baptist church. They had seven children, of whom two are living. The parents of Charles H. Wilson were George Martin and Millie Frances (Coffer) Wilson, the former born in Livingston county Oct. 17, 1841, and the latter in Christian county MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 203 Feb. 9, 1844. George W. Wilson was educated in the public schools of Livingston county, one of his teachers having been Capt. J. W. Bush. His occupation was farming and stock raising, in which he was remarkably successful. He now lives a retired life on his farm of 1,000 acres. The Democratic party has a strong supporter in the person of Mr. Wilson, who served in the Confederate army, and as constable and coroner of his home county. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had eleven children, of whom seven are living. They are: Lizzie, wife of L. H. Cothron, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work; Charles H.; George Martin, Jr., whose life sketch also appears in this work; Thomas Henley, a farmer and stock dealer; Hattie May; Martha Ann and Harry Winfred. His wife dying June a, 1896, Mr. Wilson, in November of the same year, married Mrs. Delia Fort, who has borne him one son, Floyd A. Charles H. Wilson, the subject of this sketch, received his common school education in the public schools of Livingston county. In 1894 he graduated from Princeton collegiate institute of Princeton, Ky., his wife graduating in the same class. Beginning the study of law in the office of Col. J. C. Hodge, of Smithland, he was admitted to the bar Dec. 5, 1895. For two years he served as city attorney of Smithland, when he was elected attorney of Livingston county. In 1901 he was re-elected and is now serving in that capacity. Mr. Wilson is a memper of Smithland Lodge, No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons, and of the Knights of the Maccabees, being commander of Smithland Tent, No. 120. In politics he is a Democrat and in church relationship a Baptist. He married Miss Saidee Eliza Polk, born in Louisville, Ky., April 21, 1873. She is the daughter of Dr. Edward Theodore Polk, a distant relative of ex-President James K. Polk, and his second wife, Emma Sophronia (Hooten) Polk, who was born in Louisville Oct. 19, 1853, and died Aug. 19, 1875. By his first wife, Elizabeth (Marshall) Polk, Doctor Polk had three children: Elizabeth Marshall, wife of George Fulton, who was born Jan. 4, 1843, and died Aug. 30, 1899; Betsey Marshall, wife of Capt. Alexander Lawson, who was born Jan. 6, 1845, and Attorney John R. M. Polk, who married Miss Addie Rice of Louisville, Ky., was born Sept. 19, 1851, and died Dec. 24, 1894. Hi; wife died about five years later. On the death of his second wife, Doctor Polk married her sister, Mrs. Eliza Hooten, the widow of Captain Frisbee, and by this marriage to Captain Frisbee she has one daughter, Ella Frisbee Coleman, the wife of Benjamin Tyler Coleman, of Middletown, Ky. She was born May 9, 1872, and has 204 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY two sons, Frisbee and Charles Tyler Coleman. Dr. Polk was born in Woodford county, Ky., June 12, 1813, and died Feb. 27, 1891, in Jefferson county, Ky. His third wife, Eliza Ann Polk, was born in Louisville, Ky., Sept. 23, 1843, and still survives. Charles H. Wilson and wife have had a family of four children. They are Ruby Frances, deceased; Ella Christine; Mildred Kathleen, and Sarah Pauline. GEORGE MARTIN WILSON, JR., one of the most successful young men of his county, was born in Livingston county, Ky., April 6, 1877. His grandfather, Charles Wilson, came to America from Sweden in 1826, locating at Smithland, where he died in 1864. His wife, Martha Ann Walker, whom he married in 1840, died in 1903. They had a family of eleven children, of whom five are now living. He was a Democrat in politics, a farmer by occupation, owning a large tract of land, and, with his wife, identified with the Baptist church. His maternal grandfather, Reuben Coffer, born May 5, 1789, came from Virginia to Lyon county, Ky., where he died June 20, 1853. On Feb. 19, 1824, he married Elizabeth Ann Brewer, a native of Christian county, Ky. In politics he was identified with the Whig party, was a farmer by occupation, and, with his wife, a member of the Baptist church. They had seven children. of whom two are living. The parents of George Martin Wilson, Jr., were George Martin, Sr., and Millie Frances (Coffer) Wilson, the former born in Livingston county Oct. 17, 1841, and the latter in Christian county Feb. 9, 1844. Mr. Wilson was educated in the public schools of Livingston county, one of his teachers having been Capt. J. W. Bush. His occupation is farming and stock raising, in which he has been very successful. He is a stanch Democrat, and was a soldier in the Confederate army. He now lives a retired life on his farm of 1,000 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had eleven children, of whom seven are living. They are: Lizzie, wife of L. H. Cothron, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work; Charles H., whose sketch also appears in this work; George Martin, Jr. ; Thomas Henley, a farmer and stock dealer; Hattie May; Martha Ann and Harry \Winfred. His wife died on June 6, 1896. and Mr. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 205 Wilson, in November of the same year, married Mrs. Delia Fort, who has borne him one son, Floyd A. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Livingston county, graduating from the Smithland graded school in 1896. In 1898 he received from Mr. R. B. Cowper (high sheriff) the appointment of deputy sheriff of Livingston county, and was again made deputy sheriff tinder Mr. P. H. Bush in igoi, which position he still holds. On Sept. 3, 1904, the Democratic party nominated him for the office of high sheriff. On Dec. 29, 1901, he married Miss Linnie Belle Crewdson, who was born in Pope county, Ill., and came when a child with her parents, Green and Susan (Scott) Crewdson, to Livingston county. Green Crewdson died in Louisville, Ky., in 1893 and was followed by his wife in October, i9o1. Two children were born to this family: Harry J. Crewdson of Smithland, Ky., and Linnie B., the wife of the subject of this sketch. George Martin Wilson, Jr., is the father of two sons, Cecil Crewdson and Charles Edwin. The grandfather of Mrs. Wilson, Rev. J. W. Crewdson, a noted Baptist minister of Illinois and Kentucky, died in Livingston county about 1895. Hon. S. R. Crewdson, circuit judge of the Seventh Kentucky district (Russellville), is a great-uncle of Mrs. Wilson. WILLIAM THOMAS THRELKELD, of Smithland, Ky., jailer for Livingston county, was born in Crittenden county of that state, Jan. 31, 1849. He is a son of Willis and Sarah (McCuhum) Threlkeld, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of South Carolina. They came to Kentucky in 1848, where the father became a prosperous farmer and stock dealer, owning a large amount of land and a number of slaves. Ile took an active part in politics as a Democrat; was for a number of years deputy county clerk; was a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and was a regular attendant at the Baptist church, to which his wife belonged. They had a family of three sons and three daughters. One son, Dr. John B. Threlkeld, is a prominent physician of Salem and a stockholder in banks at that place, Marion and Dawson Springs. He is one of the directors of the bank at Salem. The mother died in 1855 and the father married Susan Foster. To this second marriage there were born one son and two datughters, one daughter now living. He died on May 2, 1864. The paternal grandfather, Thomas Threlkeld, was a Virginian who came in an early day to Allen county, Ky., removed from there to Crittenden county and died near Salem in 1850. 206 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY He was married three times. His first wife was a Miss Duncan and to this marriage were born two children: the father of the subject of this sketch and Jeannette, who married P. C. Barnett and is now deceased. The second wife was also a Miss Duncan and the third a Mrs. Hodge. No children were born to the second and third marriages. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Threlkeld was Aaron McCullum, a native of Ireland. He died about 1862 and his wife in 1870. William T. Threlkeld was educated in the public schools and upon reaching manhood became a farmer. He now owns a fine farm of 500 acres on the Ohio river, three miles from Smithland, where he carries on a general farming business and devotes considerable attention to stock raising. Ever since he became of age he has been active in promoting the interests of the Democratic party. In 1897 he was elected jailer for the county and re-elected in i9oi. He is a member of Smithland Lodge, No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons, and Carrsville Lodge, No. 145, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In 1882 he married Miss Viola, daughter of W. and Sallie (Davis) Thomas. She was born in the State of Tennessee, her parents Both being natives of that state, but removed to Livingston county about 1874. Her father was a farmer, a prominent Democrat, a Free Mason, and both her parents belonged to the Christian church. During the war her father served in the Confederate army. He died in 1876 and his wife in 1892. Mr. and Mrs. Threlkeld are both members of the Christian church. Their children are Lucy Maud, Sallie, Willis, Lula, Leon and Lillian, the last two being twins. PATRICK H. BUSH was born in Livingston county, Ky., Feb. 26, 1870. He is the son of Capt. J. W. Bush, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. Patrick was reared in Smithland and educated in part in its public schools. He also attended Bethel college at Russellville and Kentucky State college at Lexington. After farming for a time he engaged in other pursuits. For two years he was a bookkeeper for the Grand Rivers Iron Company, and then for eighteen months worked in a railroad office at St. Louis, Mo. The Democratic party honored him with an election to the office of sheriff of Livingston county, Ky., in 1901. In 1904 he was nominee of the same party for the office of county clerk. Mr. Bush is a member of Smithland Lodge, No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons, and belongs to the order of Knights of the Maccabees. On Sept. 14, 1893, he married Ola Mitchell, of Livingston county, daughter of William and Julia Mitchell, both deceased. To this MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 207 marriage three children were born: Virginia Ogela, Edgar Bryan and Mary Musa. Mr. Bush has been quite successful in every enterprise that he has conducted. His frequent election to positions of great trust shows that he enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow-men. In addition to a fine farm near Grand Rivers, he owns valuable property in Florida. GEORGE W. LANDRAM, of Smithland, Ky., clerk of the Livingston county court, was born in that county July 6, 1859. He is the son of Hubbard and Clara E. (Barlow) Landram, the former a native of Culpeper county, Va., and the latter of Hawesville, Ky. Hubbard Landram, after operating a gold mine in Virginia for nine years, came to Livingston county, Ky., in 1840, where he resided until his death in 1877. He was an engineer and was in chief control as such for two years at White's old furnace in Livingston county until the furnace ceased operation. He was also a blacksmith, a farmer and a slaveholder. In religious matters he was identified with the Baptist church. He married his first wife, Mahala Darnell, in Virginia and to this union were born two sons who grew to manhood. They were William, a soldier in the Confederate army, who died in Camp Douglas, at the age of seventeen years, and Joseph L., a carpenter, who died in Texas in 1886. He married the second time in Kentucky and had a family of five children: two died in infancy; Agnes died at the age of four years, and Hubbard at the age of three; the subject of this sketch being the only one now living. The mother of these children died in 18i9, and was interred beside her husband in the old "Landram" cemetery on the Smithland and Dover road, ten miles from Swithland. George W. Landram was reared on a farm and in the blacksmith shop, and what little education he received was obtained in the public schools of the county, and one five months' term in "Hambleton" college at Elizabethtown, Hardin county, Ky., where he was tinder the care of Prof. J. W. Heagan. He learned the trade of wagonmaker and blacksmith. Under Cleveland's first administration he was appointed to an office in the internal revenue service at Owensboro, Kv. When Mr. Cleveland was elected the second time, Mr. Landram received the ap- 208 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY pointment of postmaster at Grand Rivers, Ky., which place he filled until August, 1897. During his term as postmaster he served as railroad agent for the Illinois Central and as express agent for the American and Southern Express Companies. Prior to this time he had suffered the loss of three fingers from his right hand, in a saw mill accident, and in 1892 he lost his left arm from blood poisoning; in spite of these terrible misfortunes he with a single finger and thumb discharged all the duties of these various positions, without aid or assistance from any one else. In 1897 he was nominated and elected on the Democratic ticket as clerk of the Livingston county court, and moved to Smithland in November, of that year. In 1901 he was renominated and re-elected to the same office. In addition to holding the office of county court clerk, he was, in 1904, at the April term of the Livingston circuit court, appointed by Judge J. F. Gordon as master commissioner and receiver of said court. During all the years, from 1898 to 1904, except the year igoi, he has been the chairman of the Livingston county Democratic campaign committee. He is a member of Smithland Lodge, No. 138, Free and Accepted Masons, and a member of the First Baptist church of Grand Rivers, Ky. In 1879 he married Miss Rebecca A. Driskill of Livingston county. Five children were born to this union: Clarence E., now an ensign in the United States navy; Ora Evelyn, assistant music teacher in the South Carolina Co-educational Institute; Lula A. G., wife of V. D. Presnell, a merchant of Smithland, Ky., and the mother of Bernadette; Beulah Ethel, who died in infancy, and Andrew Iludnall. After the death of his first wife in 1888, Mr. Landram married Miss Dora A. Mitchusson of Livingston county. Five children have been born to this marriage; Hubbard J.; John Lawson; Anna Blanche; Ellis Coleman, and George Wheeler. Notwithstanding the fact that tine, from a physical standpoint, has dealt rather heavily with Mr. Landram, he looks upon the bright side of the picture of life, and stands as a living example to the young men of the age, that "Where there is a will there is a way." He pushes along the road of life as though he was blest with all the hands and arms that are given to any man, and never grumbles or complains of his misfortunes. He is greeted daily by many, who assure him that if they were in his place they would give way to despondency and discouragement, but he does not look at matters in that light. He has many friends in the county and state, and also has many enemies, who take great delight in abusing him, but he is never disconcerted by them, and gives no attention to their criticisms : he says life is too short to allow your enemies to MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 209 disturb you, but enjoy the confidence of your friends and leave your enemies to take care of themselves. THOMAS EVANS, of Smithland, Ky., judge of the county court of Livingston county, was born in Caldwell county of that state, May 3, 1861. He is the son of Ezer E. and Frances E. (Dawson) Evans, both natives of Christian county, Ky. The former was born on Sept. 8, 1838, and the latter on May 7, 1840. Ezer L. was the son of Ezer and Susan (Lindsay) Evans, the former born in North Carolina in 1792, and the latter in Kentucky in 1798. Ezer Evans died and was buried at Saltillo, Tenn., in 1838, and his wife died in Caldwell county in 1865. The paternal grandfather of Thomas Evans was Jesse Evans, who came to North Carolina from Wales in an early day, and died at Florence, Ala. The maternal grandfather, James W. Dawson, was a native of Virginia, who went to Tennessee and from there came to Christian or Trigg county, Ky., dying near Mayfield in Graves county in 1879. His wife, Sallie (Washburn) Dawson was born in Virginia and died in Christian county, in 1841. Ezer E. Dawson was educated in the common schools of his native county and learned the trades of millwright and wagonmaker. He came to Livingston county in 1867, and on January 14 of that year located at Salem. He was killed in a railroad accident at Malvern, Ark., Jan. 31, 1885. He was a Democrat, a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and he and his wife were members of the Christian church. They had eight children : four reached manhood and womanhood, and four died in infancy. Those now living are, Mrs. Dora Sherrill of Stevensville, Tex. ; Charles Evans, principal of the Marion high school, a graduate of the Normal university of Lebanon, O., an active worker in the Young Men's Christian Association, an institute instructor for the State of Kentucky, a Democrat, a Knight of Pythias, and a member of the Christian church. He married Miss Mattie Blue, a daughter of the late John W. Blue, Sr., one of Marion's most popular lawyers. Two children have blessed this union, Charles Blue and Edward C. Thomas Evans, the third surviving child, was educated in the public schools of Salem, learned the trade of blacksmith 2nd engaged in the hardware business in II-14 210 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY conjunction with his trade. In 1894 he was elected sheriff of Livingston county, and served one term. In 1897 he was elected judge of the county court, receiving 321 more votes than both of his opponents, notwithstanding the fact that they were prominent politicians of the county. He was re-elected to this important office in iyor, and three years later (1904) received the nomination of the Democratic party for the same office. His ability and energy are shown by the construction of twenty-one steel bridges which span the streams of his county as monuments to his memory. On Nov. 26, 1885, he married Miss Lelia Miles of Crittenden county, a daughter of Richard and Sallie (Barnett) Miles. The former died in 1874. The widow was born in Crittenden county, and still survives. Richard Miles, Jr., was a son of Richard Miles, Sr., and the grandson of William Miles, who came from Virginia to Crittenden county, where he died. Richard, Miles, Sr., was a farmer by occupation, served as sheriff of the county for eight years, and died near Salem. Richard Miles, Jr., was a farmer, a Democrat, deputy sheriff of the county under his father, and a Mason. He was drowned at the mouth of Deer Creek, Crittenden county, in March, 1874. The wife of Mr. Evans is a member of the Christian church, to which he himself inclines. They have one child, Elaine, who was born Aug. 2, 1893. GIBSON AARON RUDD, farmer, stock raiser and justice of the peace, was born in Union county, Ky., Oct. 31, 1866. He is the son of Joseph K. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Rudd, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Union county. His maternal grandparents were Aaron and Nancy Taylor, the former coming to Union county in an early day, where he died. Joseph K. Rudd was reared and educated in his native state and came to Union county when a young man. He and his wife were the parents of eleven children, of whom six are still living. He died June 21, 1897, and is survived by his widow, who still resides in the old homestead in Union county. In his day he was an active Democrat, an Odd Fellow, and with his wife belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools of Union county. After MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 211 engaging for a time in farming he was for three years in the grocery business as a member of the firm of McKinley & Rudd, at Commercial Point. Quitting the grocery business he returned to the oil homestead. In 1896 he came to Livingston county, where he, with N. B. Robinson, managed the T. T. Barnett farm under the firm nano: of Rudd & Robinson for three years. He then bought a farm in Panhandle precinct of Livingston county, where he is now engaged farming and dealing in stock. On Feb. 1, 1905, he accepted a position with the Ayer & Lord Tie Company, with headquarters at Smithland, Ky. In politics Mr. Rudd is a stanch Democrat. Gov. W. O. Bradley appointed him a justice of the peace to fill out an unexpired term. He was twice elected to the same office and is at present the incumbent of this office. He is a member of the Humane lodge, No. 37, Independent Order of Odd Fellows of Morganfield. JAMES A. CLOPTON, a successful merchant of Smithland, Ky., is a native of that city and is a descendant of one of the old Virginia families. He can trace his ancestry back to one William Clopton, who was born in the Old Dominion, of English ancestry, Sept. 9, 1764. He married Betsey, daughter of John and Elizabeth Hale, and one of their sons was Reuben Ford Augustus Clopton, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Reuben Ford Clopton was engaged in mercantile pursuits, was an ardent Whig, and both he and his wife, Elizabeth, were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, as were all the members of the Clopton family. This couple had a son named Reuben F., who was born on March 18, 1795. He grew to manhood in Virginia, married Mary Ann Taylor, and in 1833 came to Kentucky. After stopping for a while at Franklin and Princeton he finally settled in Livingston county, where he died on Aug. 20, 1845. His son, Reuben A., was born at Felixville, Cumberland county, Va., Jan. 24, 1823, and was therefore ten years of age when his parents came to Kentucky. Upon reaching man's estate he married Catherine Harris, who was born at Princeton, Caldwell county, Ky., Oct. 15, 1828. Their marriage occurred on Nov. 4, 1847. The father of Catherine Harris died when she was a mere child, while on a business trip south. Her mother died at the 212 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY age of thirty, leaving her and four sisters orphans, and she was reared by Dr. Miles of Salem. For fifty-six years Reuben A. Clopton was engaged in mercantile pursuits. For more than fifty years he dealt with the firm of E. Q. Smith, manufacturers of furniture, Evansville, Ind., and in the last days of his business career dealt exclusively in furniture. Although he met with many reverses, he died free from debt. From the commencement of his business career in 1847 he made it his rule to owe no man more than he could pay and to suffer no one to owe him more than he was able to lose. During the war he was associated with a Mr. Wiley in the clothing business at Murray, Calloway county, and after the war he formed a partnership with W. C. Ellis at Smithland. Subsequently he was in business by himself until his death, which occurred Sept. 10, 1903, at Evansville, Ind., where he had gone for medical treatment. His wife died on April 27, 1904. During the war he and ten other young men of Livingston county were arrested and taken to Louisville as military prisoners but all were released through the influence of Henry F. Givens. Later he was drafted but hired a substitute. The children of Reuben A. and Catherine Clopton were thirteen in number, of whom five are now living, viz.: Mrs. T. F. Bunton, of Smithland; J. T., of Evansville, Ind.; J. D. and James A., of Smithland, and Maria A., wife of John T. Watson, a patent broker. James A. Clopton was born Sept. 24, 1868, and reared in Smithland, where he received his education in the public schools. After clerking for some years for his father and other parties he, in 1890, embarked in the confectionery and fancy grocery business, which has ever since been his vocation. In 1897 he received the appointment of trustee of jury funds for Livingston county at the hands of Judge T. J. Nunn, to which office he was reappointed in 1903 by Judge Fleming Gordon. He is a Democrat and a Knight of the Maccabees. On May 20, 1891, he married Miss Katie Metcalf of Union county, who was born Jan. 1, 1872. She is the daughter of Frank and Hannah Metcalf, formerly of Union county, but now of Paducah, Ky. The children of this marriage are Leonard, James, Lorena, Winfield Schley, Willard Caroline, and Katie Harris. Of these James A., Lorena and Katie Harris are deceased. ZED A. BENNETT, superintendent of Livingston county, Ky., schools, was born in that county March 13, 1874. He is the son of Roland and Mina (Aydelott) Bennett, both natives of Livingston county, the father born Sept.11, 1849, and the mother May 10, 1857. Roland Bennett is the son of Alfred Bennett, who was born in Liv- MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 213 ingston county in i8o8, his father being Nathan Bennett. Alfred Bennett's wife, whose maiden name was Susan Stringer, was born in Georgia in i8io. She died Nov. 26, 1904, being in her ninety-fifth year. She was the daughter of Leonard Stringer, a Baptist preacher, teacher and doctor. He was a Revolutionary soldier and was intimately acquainted with George Washington; preached in a pulpit once occupied by John Wesley, and was a close friend of Andrew Jackson. He was in prison when Cornwallis surrendered, having been captured by the British. He had two sons in the war of 1812, tinder General Andrew Jackson. Susan Bennett was made a member of the National society of the "Daughters of the American Revolution," only one month before her death, she being the only real daughter in the State of Kentucky at that time. After the marriage of Alfred and Susan Bennett, which occurred in Livingston county, they went to Illinois and spent one year there, but returned at the end of that time to Livingston county and lived there until death. They were members of the Baptist church and were the first subjects baptized between the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. The maternal grandfather of Zed A. Bennett, Zed Aydelott, was born in Illinois and came to Livingston county, with his parents, where he lived and died. His wife was Miss Lucinda Spell, a native of Livingston county, the daughter of Wiley Spell, a pioneer of the same county, where both died. Roland Bennett was reared and educated in Livingston county; is a farmer by occupat'on and a Democrat in politics. His wife died in 1882. They had four children, the subject of this sketch being the eldest. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of his native county; Smithland graded schools; Hampton academy; and Marion high school. He taught six years, having taught in the country schools and also at Pinckneyville and Salem, both in Livingston county. He was elected county superintendent of schools by the Democratic party, to fill out the unexpired term of H. V. McChesney, who was elected state superintendent of public instruction. In igoi Mr. Bennett was re-elected and still holds the office. He has the distinction of being the only man living "between the rivers" who ever got a majority of the votes on the "north-side" of Cumberland river, over a man living on the north side. He received every vote in his home precinct but one. In addition to his duties as county superintendent of schools, Mr. Bennett is interested in the life insurance and real estate business. On Dec. 24, 1902, he married Miss Melville Glenn of Marion, Ky. She is the daughter of Francis Marion and Susan E. Glenn, both natives of 214 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Caldwell county. The husband died at Marion in March, 1896. Mrs. Bennett was a graduate of the Marion high school and a student of Stetson university .of Florida. She taught in the Marion graded schools and the Ohio Valley Baptist college of Sturgis, Ky. She died Aug. 30, 1904, being only twenty-one years of age. She had a host of friends who bowed in grief at her death. Mrs. Bennett was known far and wide as a woman of great beauty, queenly bearing and possessing a wonderful versatility of mind. She was one of the most devout Christian characters the world ever knew, and took a leading part in the church. Mr. Bennett says the greatest honor of his life was the winning of her heart and hand and he loves to be called Melville Glenn's husband. Mrs. Bennett and her husband were members of the Baptist church, she having been converted and joined the church at fourteen years of age and he at the age of fifteen. LEE B. DAVIS, clerk of the circuit court and ex-officio recorder of deeds. Cairo. Ill., was born in Marion county of that state, Feb. 27, 1873, his parents being James P. and Amanda (Benham) Davis. The father was born in Kentucky, July 3, 1831. In 1854 he came to Cairo, but later went to Missouri, where he remained until 1867, when he returned to Illinois and located on a farm near Salem in Marion county. The mother was born near Crawfordsville, Ind., in 1832. Her first marriage was to a Mr. Ramsey. by whom she had two children: Hiram E. Ramsey, a farmer near Odin, Ill., and Mrs. Eudora Dursky, living not far from Salem. Two children were born to her second marriage: Mrs. May Aird and the subject of this sketch, both living in Cairo. The mother died in 1892 and the father is now living, at the age of seventy-three years, with his son. Lee B. Davis received his education in the Salem schools, graduating from the high school in 1891. Upon leaving school he went to Alexander county, of which Cairo is the county seat, and engaged in teaching. This occupation he followed for nine years, the last six of which he was principal of the graded schools at Willard. He resigned this position to take charge of the clerk's office, to which he was elected in the fall of 1900. He was re-elected in the fail of MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 215 1904, his second term beginning on December 5th. Mr. Davis is a Democrat in politics, and the fact that he has twice been elected clerk of Alexander county, which is strongly Republican, attests his popu larity. In 1900, when he was first elected, the Republican national ticket carried the county by over i,000 majority. At that election he defeated, by a small majority, a man who had held the office for sixteen years, but in 1904 he carried the county by 450, while the Republican national ticket received a majority of more than 1,500. He has made a record as an efficient and conscientious official, and has won the regard of his fellow-citizens, as his second election plainly show Mr. Davis is a Royal Arch Mason and a member of the Fraterna Order of Eagles. He was married on March 28, 1893, to Miss Adelia Pickett, of Alexander county, and they have three daughters: Dori thy, born Oct. 3, 1895; Beulah, born March 6, 1897; and Leota, born June 11, 1903. JAMES S. ROCHE, of Cairo, now sheriff and ex-officio collector of taxes of Alexander county, Ill., was born in Pulaski county, of that state, on Christmas clay, 1852. He is a son of Michael and Ellen (Murphy) Roche. The father came to Pulaski county from the State of New York in 1848, and was for many years a contractor in the employ of the Illinois Central Railway Company. He died Sept. 16, 1882. The mother died just one year later, Sept. 16, 1883. Sheriff Roche and a sister, Mrs. Anna Sitphin. of Jonesboro, Ark., are the only surviving children. James S. Roche grew to manhood and received his education in his native county. Upon reaching his majority he engaged in fruit fanning, which he conducted successfully until 1884, when he bought a farm on the Mississippi river, about twenty miles above the city of Cairo, and removed to Alexander county. Since then he has made several purchases of the land adjoining his farm until he now owns nearly 1,200 acres, practically all of which is under cultivation. Few farms in Southern Illinois are better stocked with implements, machinery, live stock, etc., or in the character of buildings and other improvements. Although Mr. Roche fills the office of sheriff and has his temporary residence in Cairo he still retains the management of this farm, employing men to 216 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY do all the work under his personal direction. Ever since attaining his majority he has been an ardent Republican, and has held several minor offices. Soon after he was twenty-one he was elected justice of the peace in Pulaski county, and after holding this office for several years, was county commissioner for one term, just before he removed to Alexander county. In the fall of 1902 he was elected sheriff for a term of four years by a handsome majority, though a portion of the Democratic county ticket was elected. Sheriff Roche was married in 1884 to Miss Maggie Atherton. To this marriage were born three children: Francis D., aged seventeen years; Leslie B., aged fifteen, and Leon, aged twelve. The mother of these children died in 1894, and in 1896 Mr. Roche was united in marriage to Miss Mattie Martin, one of Alexander county's best known and most popular school teachers. JOHN A. MILLER, late one of the leading jewelers of Cairo, Ill., president of the board of county commissioners and of the Merchants' League, was born at Coblentz on the Rhine, Germany, June 17, 1840. His parents, Andrew and Gertrude Josephine (Adams) Miller, were both natives of Germany, though the mother's father, Christian Adams, was the great-grandson of an English gentleman who came to Germany from his native land, and whose descendants continued to live in Germany. Andrew Miller, the father of John A., was a cabinet-maker by trade, and in later life, before coming to America, he operated a factory for the production of fine furniture. He was an inventor of considerable note, among his inventions being the process of gluing together numerous strips of different kinds of woods for the purpose of bending into almost any shape desired. This process led to the manufacture of the now celebrated Vienna chair. He was also the inventor of the differential roller system, for malting purposes, and equipped the first malt mill in Germany with this process, operating it for some time after its completion. In addition to his other business undertakings he was the manufacturer of veneers for fine furniture. The name was originally spelled "Mueller," but after coming to America Andrew Miller changed the spelling to the English form. In April, 1854, the family MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 217 left their native land for America, and landed at New Orleans in December of the same year. Their destination was St. Louis, but owing to ice in the Upper Mississippi they were compelled to remain in New Orleans until the following spring. John A. Miller was one of a family of five children, viz.: Joseph Augustus, Christian William, Gertrude Josephine, John Andrew, and Christian. Soon after their arrival in St. Louis Christian, the youngest child, died of measles, and not long afterward the mother fell a victim to the cholera. Joseph A. died on Dec. 28, 1904, at Providence, R. I. He was one of the chief engineers in the construction of the Union Pacific railway, and later a patent attorney making a specialty of electrical cases. Christian William served in the Union army during the war and died at Milwaukee, Wis., in 1893, where he was superintendent of the construction of the national soldiers' home. Gertrude Josephine married G. A. Staff, and died at her home in St. Louis in 1900. After the death of the mother the father went to Alton, Ill., where he had a son living, and died there in 1859, at the age of sixty-one years. John A. Miller attended school from the age of five years to the age of thirteen in his native land, with a vacation of six weeks each year. After coming to St. Louis he entered the jewelry store of Benjamin Grane, corner of Fourth and Locust streets, as an apprentice and served four years. Mr. Grane was succeeded by the present well known house of Mermod & Jaccard. While serving his apprenticeship Mr. Miller attended night school, where he acquired a good English education. In 1858 he went to Alton, where he obtained a position as clerk in a jewelry store and worked there until the commencement of the war. He then went to Springfield and offered his services to his adopted country, but was rejected on account of his physical appearance, the government officers deeming him unfit for military duty. Soon after he returned home he learned that he could get into the army by going to Cairo. He accordingly went there, but being overtaken by a spell of sickness he was never mustered in. However, he went with General Prentiss on the Cape Girardeau expedition, but soon returned to Cairo, where he accepted a position in the jewelry establishment of David Ford. After a year with Mr. Ford he went to Paducah and opened a jewelry store of his own. There he did a prosperous business for twenty years, part of which time he was president of the Western Watch Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, which was organized for the manufacture of watches, but never succeeded in establishing itself on a paying basis. In 1881 Mr. Miller came to Cairo and from that time until his death was engaged in, the jewelry business in that city. 218 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY By trade he was a practical watch maker, attained prominence as a scientist and inventor, was one of the leading promoters of distributing weather signals and was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His practical knowledge of the business, and his careful attention to details, soon enabled him to build up a large patronage. He employed a number of skilled workmen and there was nothing in the jewelry line too pretentious for him to undertake. Nearly all the railroads that center at Cairo employed him as their inspector, because of his well known skill in repairing and adjusting fine watches. The visitor to his store, on looking around at the large and well selected assortment of jewelry, clocks, watches and silverware and optical goods, might well imagine himself to be in one of the leading establishments of some large city. Mr. Miller was a Republican in his political views, and took a keen interest in public affairs. He was twice elected county commissioner and at the time of his death was president of the board. Before his election as commissioner he was for twenty years a member of the Cairo school board. He served as president of the Merchants' League from its organization several years ago. For a number of years he was interested in the good roads movement, and as commissioner did much to improve the public highways of Alexander county. Each time he was elected to any public office it was without his solicitation or personal effort. As an advocate of the improvement of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers he attended nearly every meeting of the associations to discuss the proposition. In fraternal circles Mr. Miller was a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. During the years 1894-95 he was grand chancellor of the Knights of Pythias of Illinois, the highest office of the order in the state. In business, political or fraternal matters Mr. Miller never dallied with duty. Whatever he found to do was done promptly and to the best of his ability. It was to these traits of character he owed his success. People learned to depend upon him and were never disappointed. He was married on June 19, 1862, at St. Louis, to Miss Katie F., daughter of John Lohruns, who was the pioneer street paving contractor of that city. To this marriage there were born the following children: John A., who holds a responsible position in the jewelry store; Hattie, wife of George Petter, who has charge of the optical department of the business; Minnie, a teacher in the Cairo public schools; and Adele, now bookkeeper in the jewelry store established by her father. All received good education, being graduates of the high school, and Adele studied music in the Boston conservatory. In 1899 Mr. Miller MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER VALLEY - 219 visited his birthplace in Germany, after an absence of forty-eight years. While he had the true German sentiment in his love for the traditions of the Fatherland, there was none who had a higher conception of the duties of American citizenship, or who stood more ready to discharge such duties. He died suddenly of heart disease, Jan. 7, 1905, and his remains were cremated at St. Louis two days later. DR. JOHN JUDSON JENNELLE, a prominent dentist of Cairo, Ill., and a member of the board of county commissioners of Alexander county, was born at Le Roy, Genesee county, N. Y., Aug. 3, 1850. His father, John Jcnnelle, was a native of Canada, born near Quebec in 1818. He learned the trade of tinner and n as connected with that and the hardscare business all his life, working for years in the city of Toronto, after which he came to the United States, locating at Albion, N. Y. He was of pure French Canadian stock, his ancestors coming from France, and he did not learn the English language until after he went to Toronto. Shortly after he came to New York he was married to Miss Elvira Barter, of Albion, a native of Heuvelton, St. Lawrence county, where she was born in 1821. Their children were: George William, Joanna, Adelaide E., John Judson, Joseph Abel, Silas Edgar and David. George William enlisted at Buffalo in the regular army about the outbreak of the Civil war. Being a musician, he joined one of the largest regimental bands in the service, being stationed at Fort Preble, Portland Harbor, Me., Hart Island, N. Y., Washington, D. C., and San Antonio, Tex., where he was mustered out after a continuous service of six years, and died at Pontiac, Mich., in March, 1880. Joanna and David both died in childhood in New York. In May, 1870, Adelaide E. married Mr. O. C. Morris of Pontiac and died at Orchard Lake, Mich., April, 1900, surviving her husband some twenty years. Joseph Abel lives in St. Louis, Mo., and Silas Edgar, in Pontiac, where the family went in 1865. The father died in Detroit, July 18, 1901, and the mother at Pontiac, July 3, 1904. The boyhood of Dr. Jennelle was passed in his native village. After removing to Michigan with his parents he decided to study dentistry, and before he was seventeen years of age he entered the office of Dr. J. A. Harris of 220 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Pontiac, under whose skillful instruction he mastered all departments of the profession during the three years of his apprenticeship. In 1870 he came to Illinois, locating at Duquoin in Perry county. Four years later he came to Cairo, where he practiced for two years, when he returned to Duquoin. In 1885 he again took up his residence in Cairo and since that time has practiced his profession there with unvarying success. Dr. Jennelle is one of the pioneer dentists of Southern Illinois. In 1881 he was appointed a member of the Illinois state board of dental examiners by Governor (now Senator) Cullom, and served as such four years. He is a member of the Illinois State Dental society, which he joined in 1887 and in which he has held various official positions. It was through his influence the society held its meeting in Cairo in 1888, memorable in the fact that this meeting was the first and only one ever held by the society south of Springfield in its fifty years of existence. At this meeting Dr. Jennelle was elected vice-president. Although years have elapsed since Dr. Jennelle first began the practice of dentistry, he has not allowed himself to fall behind the procession in the march of dental progress, on the contrary, has always been in the van, keeping in touch with all the improved methods and appliances relating to the science of dentistry and dental surgery. Ilis office is one of the best equipped in this section of the country. In political affairs he is an unswerving Republican, and has held various offices in local and municipal governments. While living at Duquoin he served six years as member of the board of education; was also city clerk, city treasurer, and alderman. Since coming to Cairo he has served as alderman seven years; was the candidate of the Citizens' League for mayor in 1903, but was defeated by the so-called "liberal element"; and in the fall of 19o4 was erected a member of the board of county commissioners. On Aug. 6, 1874, Dr. Jennelle was married to Miss Lucy E., youngest daughter of Dr. Lewis Dyer, a prominent physician of Duquoin and a veteran of the Civil war, having entered the service as surgeon of the Eighty-first Illinois volunteers in 1861 ; was with General Grant in all the important engagements in the Mississippi Valley, and when mustered out had attained the rank of division surgeon. To this marriage there have been born the following children: John Judson, Jr., now thirty years of age and secretary and treasurer of the W. W. Herron Lumber Company, Mobile, Ala.; Marion and June. On Dec. 30, 1902, John J. was married to Miss Edith, daughter of Maj. Edwin W. Halliday, a prominent citizen of Cairo, Ill., and a Confederate veteran of the Civil war. On June 2, MEMOIRS OF THE LOITER OHIO VALLEY - 221 1903, Marion was married to R. E. Given, a civil engineer of Memphis, Tenn., a member of one of the old families of Kentucky and whose grandfather founded the city of Paducah, Ky. All the children have had the advantage of good schooling and are fitted to occupy any station in society to which they may be called. Miss June is still at home. JAMES H. GALLIGAN, cashier of Alexander County National bank, was born in Cairo, Nov. it. 1866. He is the son of Andrew J. Galligan, a prominent and well known contractor late of Cairo, who died in 1887. His father was born in Ireland and came to the United States with his parents when quite young. He was reared and educated in Trenton, N. J., and located in Cairo during the Civil war. The mother of the subject was Anna Callahan, also a native of Ireland, crossing the Atlantic with her parents. The father and mother inet in Cairo and were married in 1864. They had a family of seven children,, of whom James H. is the eldest. The mother, a widow. still survives, her home being with James, who was reared and educated in Cairo. He quit school at eighteen and entered the Alexander County National bank as a messenger boy. He has practically grown up with the bank, for he has been with it constantly since he was eighteen and has filled every desk and position in the batik from that of messenger boy up to cashier. He has held the last position for seven years. The great popularity of this well known financial institution, its high degree of success, and the confidence it has of all the people of Alexander county are largely due to the high personal standing, well known integrity and wide popularity of Mr. Galligan. His inflexible honesty and fine financial ability as well as his uniform courtesy to the public have made him one of the most popular and thoroughly respected bank officials in Alexander county. This bank was originally the Alexander County bank, which was organized in 1875 with a capital of $25,000. In, 1887 it was made a national bank and its capital was increased to $100,000 and its name changed to the Alexander County National bank. In 1889 the Alexander County Savings bank was organized tinder the laws of the State of Illinois with a capital of $50,000. It was organized by the officers and directors of the Alexander County National bank and its business is conducted in the same building. Mr. Galligan is also cashier of the savings bank. On Sept. 18, 1895, Mr. Galligan married Miss Jennie Spalding of Zainesville, O. She died May 9, 1903, leaving one daughter, Marie Helen Galligan, now six years old. In politics Mr. 222 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Galligan is a Gold Democrat. He is now serving his second term on the board of education. He is an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. It is needless to state that Mr. Galligan is one of the foremost men of Cairo. REED GREEN is a lawyer of Cairo, ill.; was born at Mount Vernon,, Ill.; is the son of William H. and Ann Letitia (Hughes) Green, who were natives of Kentucky, both of whom are dead. He was educated in the public schools at Cairo, and afterwards attended the Illinois State normal university at Normal, and the Southern Illinois State normal university at Carbondale. Ile taught school in Cairo for two years. During those two years he read law and afterward attended the Wesleyan law school at Bloomington, Ill., and was admitted to the bar in 1886, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of law at Cairo. Soon after the beginning of the practice he was elected to the lower house of the general assembly of Illinois for two terms; afterwards served four years in the State senate. For the past ten years has been devoting his entire attention to the general practice of law at Cairo. CHARLES REED, the widely known and popular proprietor of the Palmer House, Paducah, Ky., was born in that city, Nov. 4, 1842. He is a son of William H. and Elizabeth (Segenfelter) Reed, the former a native of Virginia and the latter of Germany. William H. Reed came to Paducah in his early manhood and there followed the occupation of contractor and builder until his death, which occurred while Charles was still in his childhood. The mother died in 1862, leaving the subject of this sketch the sole survivor of his family. Charles Reed received his education in the schools of Paducah. When the Civil war commenced he cast his lot with the Confederates by enlisting in the Third Kentucky infantry, MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 223 under General Tihlman. His company was afterward mounted and assigned to the cavalry division commanded by the celebrated General Forrest. He served until the close of the war, more than half of the time in Forrest's command, and fought in some of the greatet battles of the historic contest, among them being Shiloh, Corinth, Brice's Cross Roads and Harrisburg. Entering the army in his nine teenth year, he was but little past his majority when he was mustered out and returned to Paducah. Soon after the war he engaged in the hotel business as the proprietor of what was known as the European House. This he conducted until 1876, when he became the proprietor of the Richmond, which was at that time the leading hotel of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Palmer House company, and when the house was opened in 1892 it was with him as the manager. The house is a fine four-story structure, modern in its construction, contains one hundred and sixteen rooms and cost about one hundred and thirty-five thousand dollars. In its furnishings and appointments it is one of the finest hostelries in the Lower Ohio Valley. The same company which erected this hotel also built the Kentucky Theater, one of the best equipped houses of entertainment between Cincinnati and the mouth of the Ohio. Mr. Reed has been successful in the hotel business mainly because he possesses all the essential qualifications of the ideal Boniface. Always attentive to details, the little things that contribute to the comfort of his guests are not overlooked; upon arrival at his house the guest is greeted with a smile and a kind word; during his stay he is made to feel at home, and upon his departure he receives the invitation to call again—not in that perfunctory way so common to many hotel men, but with a sincerity that shows his patronage is appreciated by the house. Mr. Reed may also be mentioned as one of the public spirited men of Paducah. He takes an interest in every movement for the upbuilding of the city, or in the proper administration of municipal affairs. For many years he has been one of the leading Democrats of the city. From 1881 to 1889 he served as mayor, his administration being noted for its progressive, and at the same time conservative policy, and for the high order of executive ability he displayed in looking after the city's interests. At the present time he is the president of the board of aldermen. Through all the years since the war he has cherished the memory of his military service, though the cause for which he fought was lost. He is a member of the United Confederate Veterans, and is a member of the staff of Gen. Bennett H. Young, commander of the Kentucky division. Time has dealt kindly with him 224 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY and he is one of the best preserved of the veterans of the Civil war. Colonel Reed, as he is popularly known, is also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellowsand is a Knight Templar Mason, On Feb. 9, 1868, he was united in marriage to Miss Jessie B. Wood. She died in i890, leaving one daughter, Emma L. HON. WILLIAM BAKER GILBERT, one of the oldest and most eminent attorneys of Cairo, Ill., is a descendant of an English family, some of whose members were distinguished characters in English history. The first of the name to come to America came from Norfolk and settled in Connecticut at an early date. Judge Miles A. Gilbert, the father of William B. Gilbert, was born at Hartford, Conn., Jan. 1, 1810, his father being Merit Gilbert, one of the many descendants of the first immigrants in Colonial days. Miles A. Gilbert came west in 1832 and settled at Kaskaskia, Ill. Subsequently he was one of the original projectors and founders of the city of Cairo. In 1846 he removed to Missouri and laid out the town of St. Mary's, in Sainte Genevieve county. There he held the position of presiding judge of the county court for many years. He died at his home, “Oakwood," St. Mary's, Jan. 21, 1901, in the ninety-second year of his age. He married Ann Eliza, the eldest daughter of Hon. David J. Baker, ex-U. S. senator and a prominent lawyer of Kaskaskia. Her brother, David J. Baker, was for a number of years chief justice of the Illinois supreme court. William Baker Gilbert, the subject of this sketch, is the eldest son of this marriage, and was born at Kaskaskia, Sept. 24, 1837. He was educated at Shurtleff college, Upper Alton, and after leaving school studied law with his grandfather Baker at Alton, and with Krum & Harding of St. Louis. In 1859, a little while after he attained his majority, he was admitted to practice in the Missouri courts. In September of that year, he entered the senior class of the Harvard law school, and graduated with the class of 1860, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. The following year St. Paul's college, of Missouri, conferred on him the degree of Master of Arts. Shortly after graduating from Harvard he commenced practice at Ste. Genevieve, Mo., as the partner of Hon. John Scott. In the spring of 1862 he removed to Alton, MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 225 where he formed a partnership with his uncle, Judge Henry S. Baker, and practiced there until 1865, when he removed to Cairo as the junior member of the firm of Haynie, Marshall & Gilbert, the two senior members being Gen. Isham N. Haynie and Judge B. F. Marshall. This association lasted but a short time, when, Judge Haynie having died and Judge Marshall, on account of bad health, retiring, Mr. Gilbert found himself possessed of a large corporation clientage, as well as a large admiralty and general practice. He was admitted to practice in the Federal district courts in 1866, and to the supreme court of the United States in 1873. In that high tribunal he has frequently conducted important cases, and he has been often quoted as an authority on admiralty law. June 1, 1867, he formed a partnership with Judge William H. Green, under the firm name of Green & Gilbert. Subsequently his younger brother, Miles Frederick Gilbert, and Reed Green, son of Judge Green, were taken into the firm and were members thereof until Jan. 1, 1902, when they both withdrew, leaving the two seniors the sole members of the firm as originally established. The firm of Green & Gilbert existed for over thirty-five years, and until finally dissolved, by the death of Judge Green on June 6, 1902. It was probably the oldest law firm in the state. Few law firms in the state have played a more important part in litigation, and the names of Green & Gilbert appear frequently in the reports of the Illinois supreme court. Upon the death of Judge Green Mr. Gilbert formed a partnership with his eldest son, Miles S. Gilbert, under the style of Gilbert & Gilbert, which succeeded to a large part of the business of the old firm. The firm of Gilbert & Gilbert has a large corporation practice, and enjoys the distinction of being one of the leading law firms of Southern Illinois. Among their clients can be named the Illinois Central railroad, the City National bank, the Enterprise Savings bank, the Cairo Water Company, trustees of the Cairo Trust property, trustees of the W. P. Halliday estate, and various other prominent corporations and firms of Cairo. For almost half a century Mr. Gilbert has been engaged in the practice of his profession, and he is still a prominent figure in the litigation of Southern Illinois. There has been no admiralty suit of importance in that section of the country that he has not been retained therein by either libelant or defendant, during the past thirty years. From 1877 to 1894 he held by successive annual appointments the position of corporation counsel for the city of Cairo, and during the same period of seventeen years he was retained as special counsel for Alexander county. For nearly forty years he has been attorney for the Illinois Central railroad. II-15 226 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY His entire legal career has been marked by dignified bearing in the courts, courteous demeanor toward his brother practitioners, great care in the preparation of his cases, and intense earnestness in behalf of his clients. A distinguished member of the Southern Illinois bar once said of him: "William B. Gilbert has been connected with much of the important litigation, especially in corporation law, for a quarter of a century. He has won for himself very favorable criticism for the careful and systematic methods which he has followed. He has strong powers of concentration and application, and his retentive mind is often spoken of by his professional colleagues. As an orator he stands high, especially in the discussion of legal matters before the court, where his comprehensive knowledge of the law is manifest, and his application of legal principles demonstrates the wide range of his professional acquirements. The utmost care and precision) characterize his preparation of a case, and have made him one of the most successful attorneys of Cairo." This compliment from a fellow lawyer, and one who is competent to judge, tells the story of Mr. Gilbert's professional life and conduct as well as volumes could express. In political matters he is conservative. While affiliating with the Democratic party he has never become an active politician, and has steadfastly refused to be a candidate for public office. In his religious views he is an Episcopalian, and for over thirty-five years has been vestryman and one of the wardens of the Church of the Redeemer, of Cairo. Mfr. Gilbert was married on Oct. i8, 1866, to Kate, eldest daughter of Amasa S. Barry, of Alton. To this marriage there have been born three sons, Miles Safford, William Candee, and Barry, and a daughter who died in infancy. His beautiful home at Cairo is called "Greenway," after the ancient seat of the Gilberts in England. Miles Safford Gilbert, the eldest son, was born in Cairo, Sept. 2, 1868. He was educated in the public schools of his native city; graduated from Racine college in 1889; read law in his father's office; entered the Harvard law school in 1890, and graduated with high marks and a degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1893. The same year he received his license from the Illinois supreme court, and began practice in Chicago, first with the firm of McCurdy & Job, and in 1896 with his brother, William C. Later he went to Cairo, where, upon the dissolution of the firm of Green & Gilbert by death of Judge Green, h became the associate of his father, as already stated. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Episcopal church, being superintendent of the Sunday school. On Oct. 4, 1899, he was mar- MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 227 ried to Miss Helen E. Judson, of Evanston, Ill., and they have two children: Judson, born Feb. 22, 1901, and Helen, born Nov. 11, 1902. William Candee Gilbert, second son of William B. Gilbert, was born at Cairo, Jan. 7, 1870. In the matter of education he attended the same schools as his elder brother, and often in the same classes. He graduated at the same time from Racine college, winning the gold medal which distinguished him as the "Head of the college." He also read law two years in the office of his father until he entered the class of 1893, in its second year, in the Harvard law school, and graduated with his brother in 1893, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Soon afterward he and his brother formed the law firm of Gilbert Bros., in Chicago, which firm continued until his brother removed to Cairo. William C. is still in practice in Chicago. He has among his clients, and is general attorney for, the Paepcke-Leicht Lumber Company, Chicago Mill and Lumber Company and other large corporations. He is an Episcopalian, a member of the Harvard club, of Chicago, and the Country club, of Evanston, where he resides. In politics he is a Republican and takes an, active interest in civic affairs. He is well known in Masonic circles, and has filled important offices in that order. On Oct. 8, 1902, he led to the altar Miss Ethel T. Ogden, of Fort Atkinson, Wis. Barry, the youngest son of William B. Gilbert, was born at Cairo, May 16, 1876. He graduated from the literary or classical and legal departments of the Northwestern university, of Evanston, from the former in 1899 and the latter in igoi with degree of LL.B., and at the head of his class. While in college he was the recipient of several valuable oratorical prizes. In the law department his two theses—"Law of Independent Contractors in Illinois" and "The Right of Asylum in the Legations of the United States in Central and South America"—were deemed by the clean of the school to be of such merit as to deserve publication — the former in the Chicago Legal News and the latter in the Harvard Law Review. He was admitted to the bar in June, 1901 ; married to Miss Mary R. Peterson of McGregor, Ia., Oct. 15. 1901 ; began practice at Cedar Rapids, Ia., June, 1901, with the law firm of Griman & Moffit, where his knowledge of the law, natural talent, indefatigable energy, close application and pleasing address soon brought him into such prominence that in 1903 he was offered and accepted the office of professor of law, one of the important professorships, in the college of law in the Iowa State university, which office he still holds, discharging the duties thereof, as teacher and one of the faculty of the law college, with credit to 228 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY himself and satisfaction to the university. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Episcopal church. It has been well said of him, "He belongs to a race of lawyers and is a chip of the old block." He is also an enthusiastic "Beta" and one of the alumni of that fraternity. EDWARD A. BUDER, president of the Alexander County National bank, Cairo, Ill., was born in the village of Zeidler, Austria, Nov. 4, 1839, and is the son of Florian and Rosalia (Pitschman) Buder. His father and mother had a family of five sons, of whom Edward :s the second. Their names were Anton, Edward A., William, Gustave and Reinhold. In 1853 the father, having met with reverses, came with his three elder sons to the United States with the object of preparing a home and then sending for the wife and the two younger children. They first settled at Hartford, Conn., where Edward A. found employment in a large silverware establishment owned by the Rogers Bros., which is still a well known house. The father and eldest son Anton later went to Milwaukee, whither the mother and two younger children joined them late in the fifties. Soon afterward the family removed to St. Louis, Mo., whither Edward and William had gone directly from Hartford in 1858. This united the family in St. Louis. There the father died in 1863 and the mother in 1883. Of the five sons Anton, Edward and Reinhold are still living. In St. Louis Edward A. found employment in the jewelry establishment of E. Jaccard, founder of the immense jewelry house of lIermod & Jaccard, the largest and finest in the West. He remained with him four years. Upon the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in the Union army in the Third Missouri infantry for three months, but served six months. In the fall of 1861 he came to Cairo, where he has ever since conducted a jewelry establishment. He is now the pioneer jeweler'of Cairo and has one of the finest and best equipped jewelry stores in Southern Illinois. Mr. Buder has been very successful in his business and is now the head and front of some of Cairo's most important financial institutions. He is president of the Alexander County National bank, the Alexander County Savings bank, and the Citizens' Building and Loan association. He is prominent MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 229 both as an Odd Fellow and an Elk. He has been married twice. His first wife was Susanna Williams of Cairo, who died leaving two daughters, Rosalie and Mary. He afterward married his present wife, W ilhemina Kaufman of Cairo. There are four children by this marriage; Edward A., Jr., who married Nellie Smith and is now employed in his father's jewelry store; Otto, who is married and lives in St. Louis; Minnie and Flossie, both of whom are still at home. CAPT. JONATHAN CLAY WILLIS, a coal dealer and one of the oldest residents of Metropolis, Ill., is a descendant of one of the earliest English settlers in America. The family really originated in Wales but about the middle of the seventeenth century seven brothers of the name came from England and settled in different parts of the United States. Capt. Richard Willis, a descendant of one of these brothers, was a native of North Carolina. He served with distinction in the Revolutionary war, where he won his title of captain, and after the establishment of the United States government was a planter in his native state until his death. One of his sons, whose name was also Richard, was born in North Carolina in 1767. In early manhood he went to Tennessee, where he married Miss Catharine Brigman, and continued to live in Sumner county, Tenn., until 1833, when he removed to Gallatin county, Ill., and died there in 1840, at the age of seventy-two years. He was a teacher and shoemaker by occupation; in politics he was a Jackson Democrat, being a personal friend of "Old Hickory"; and fought under that noted general at the battle of New Orleans. His wife died in 1837. They had twelve children, Capt. Jonathan C. being the eleventh of the family and the only one now living. He was born in Sumner county. Tenn., June 27, 1826, and was seven years old when his parents came to Gallatin county. At the age of sixteen years he removed to Elizabethtown, Ill., and in 1843 located at Golconda, in Pope county. After working a farm for a few years, he took up flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, which occupation he followed for six years. It was while engaged in this business that he was first called Captain Willis. After filling several minor offices, he was, in 1852, elected sheriff of Pope county and re-elected in 1856. In February, 230 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY 1859, he married Miss Fannie E. Ward, a native of Ireland, who came to America and settled at Cairo, Ill., in 1851. Her father died while crossing the ocean and was buried at sea. Her mother died in Cairo. They had six children, two of whom are living. After the death of her mother the wife of Captain Willis removed to Union county, Ky., where they were married in 1859. Five children have blessed the marriage: Richard W., a river man; Thomas E., cashier of the First National bank of Metropolis; John G., a stock farmer; Jay Clay, a partner of his father in the coal business and steamboat agent. and Fannie E., wife of Fred P. Davenport, D.D., of Memphis, Tenn., a distinguished minister of the Episcopal church. In 1859 Captain Willis came to Metropolis, where he has since resided. Here he engaged in the wharfboat and commission business until 1890. Since 1873 he has also been engaged in flour milling, but for the last two years has given his attention principally to the coal business. During the Civil war he served for a short time as quartermaster of the Forty-eighth Illinois regiment, but by being thrown from a horse was disabled for service. In 1868 he was elected to the Illinois legislature and served one session. In 1869 he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the thirteenth district of Illinois, which position he held for thirteen years. During this time he served one term as mayor of Metropolis. In 1886 he was elected county judge and served one term. He also served one term as railroad and warehouse commissioner and two terms as a member of the county board. Although admitted to the bar in 1856 he has never followed the practice of law. In Masonry he has taken an active part, being both a Royal Arch Mason and a Knight Templar. Captain Willis is not identified with any church, but is quite liberal in his religious views. His father was a Baptist and his mother a Presbyterian. JUDGE WILLIAM S. DEWEY, county judge of Alexander county, Ill., and eldest son of Capt. E. S. Dewey. was born in Irvington, Ill., on Aug. 25, 1869. He was but three years old when his father removed to Cairo. After completing his public school education in the Cairo city schools he entered the Sioux Falls university, at Sioux Falls, S. D., from which he graduated in the classical course with high rank in June, 1889. Returning to Cairo he began the study of law in the office of the Hon. Walter Warder, and was admitted to the bar June 20, 1892. He soon won a good practice. However, in 1894 he was elected to the office of county judge, as a Republican. He received a majority of over six hundred, something MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 231 unusual in his county. In 1898 he was re-elected to the office at a time when all of the Republican candidates on the county ticket except himself and the clerk were defeated. In 1902 he was elected to the office for the third time without opposition, receiving every vote that was cast for county judge. When first elected judge he was but twenty-five years old, which gives him the record of being one of the youngest county judges in the United States. At the expiration of his present term he will have served twelve years, each term being four years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Masonic fraternities, in both of which he takes a very active part. At present he is secretary of the Republican county central committee and a member of the Republican committee of the Fiftieth Illinois senatorial district. On June 14, 1904, he married Miss Katherine Klier of Cairo. MILES FREDERICK GILBERT, a prominent lawyer of Cairo, Ill., was born in Alton, Madison county, of that state, Sept. 11, 1849. The genealogy of the family can be traced back to some of the most distinguished characters in English history, whose names have been conspicuous in literature, science and art. The family was first represented in America by five brothers, who emigrated from Norfolk county, England, at an early date, and settled, one in Virginia, one in Massachusetts and three in Connecticut, near the present cities of Hartford and New Haven. It is to this branch of the family that the father of the subject of this sketch, Judge Miles A. Gilbert, born in Hartford, belongs. He was long a resident of Kaskaskia, the first capital of Illinois, and also one of the pioneers of Cairo, entering from the government land on which that city now stands. Subsequently he removed to Ste. Genevieve county, Mo., where for sixteen years he served as judge of the county court. He was a man of superior ability and on, the bench discharged his duties with marked-impartiality. He died at his home in St. Mary's, Mo., June 21, 1901. aged ninety-one years. His wife, Mrs. Ann F. Gilbert, died July 14, 1893. Miles Frederick Gilbert; the subject of this sketch, was educated in the public schools of Alton, Ill. Afterward he entered Washington university, St. Louis, Mo., but on account of ill health was forced to leave that institution before grad- 232 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY uation. Subsequently he was enrolled among the students of the Pennsylvania military college at Chester. On the completion of his literary education in that institution he entered the law department of Harvard university, from which he graduated with the degree of LL.B., June 29, 1869. Prior to entering Harvard he had read law in the office of Haynie, Marshall & Gilbert, well-known attorneys of Cairo, and had been admitted to the bar in 1868. Jan. 1, 1870, he began the practice of his chosen profession as a member of the firm of Green & Gilbert. In 1875 he was licensed to practice law in the various federal courts, and in 1892 before the supreme court of the United States. He is now district attorney for the St. Louis & Southwestern railway. In addition to the practice of law Mr. Gilbert is now administering successfully the interests of the Loan and Improvement association, being president of that corporation. He is a prominent and influential member of the Episcopal church, in which he is serving as warden and vestryman. For many years he has annually represented his parish in the diocesan synod and for nineteen years the diocese at the general convention of the American church, serving on the committee on constitutional amendments. For ten years he has been chancellor of the diocese, the bishop's legal adviser, and was in October, 1904, elected one of the judges of the court of review of the Fifth judicial department of the American church, including five states. While a strong advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, he has never been an aspirant for official honors. For twelve years he served as a member of the board of education of the Cairo public schools, before elevation to its presidency, during which time he did much to elevate their standard and to increase their efficiency. Fully appreciating the great work that Mr. Gilbert has done for the schools, the people have re-elected him president of the board for nine successive terms, being twenty-one years in the cause of education. On Oct. r8, 1871, Mr. Gilbert married Miss Addie Louise Barry, of Alton, youngest daughter of the late Amasa S. Barry, formerly of Alton and later of Chicago. They have two living children: Mrs. Nellie Gilbert-Halliday and Edward Leigh Gilbert, the latter now a well-known business man of Cairo. Strong in his individuality, Mr. Gilbert never lacks the courage of his convictions. There are, however, as dominating elements in this individuality, a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, have naturally gained for him the respect and confidence of his fellow-men. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 233 CAPT. EDMUND SABIN DEWEY,an old and prominent citizen of Caro, Ill., and an ex-clerk of the circuit court of Alexander county, was born in Berkshire county, Mass., Nov. ro, 1836. He is the son of Oliver Dewey, who was born July 24, 1805, in Massachusetts, and died in Bond county, Ill., March 14, 1901. He was a farmer by occupation. Oliver Dewey was the son of Edmund Dewey, who died Nov. 9, 1842, aged seventy-four years. He was a farmer. The latter was the son of Paul Dewey, who was born in 1739 and died in 1827. Paul Dewey was the son of Israel Dewey, who was born March 3, 1712, and died May 23, 1713. Israel Dewey was the son of Thomas Dewey who was born June 29, 1662, and died March 15, 1758. He in turn was the son of Jedediah Dewey who died Jan. 26, 1727. Jedediah Dewey was the son of Thomas Dewey, who emigrated from Sandwich, county of Kent, England, to Plymouth, Mass., in 1632. Thomas was of sturdy English Puritan stock. In 1638 he removed to Windsor, Conn., where he died April 27, 1648. His son, Jedediah, returned to Massachusetts, where for the most part the succeeding members of the family resided. Oliver Dewey, the father of Edmund S., who belonged to the seventh generation removed from Thomas Dewey, the emigrant; removed from Massachusetts to Aurora, Ill., in 1853. Later he removed to DeKalb county, Ill. On April 14, 1829, Oliver Dewey married Eliza Sabin, who died in DeKalb county, Ill., Dec. 10, 1893. She wa's born in Massachusetts June 17, 1807, being eighty-six years of age at her death. She and her husband lived together as man and wife for more than sixty-four years. Their marriage was blessed with six children whose names were as follows: Robert King, born Aug. 25, 1830, a resident of Greenville, Bond county, Ill.; Edmund Sabin, whose name heads this memoir; Hannah Josephine, born April 8, 1838, now Mrs. Charles H. Sabin, of Lee, Berkshire county, Mass.; Oliver Burdette, born July 12, 1840, who served as a private in an Illinois cavalry regiment in the Civil war and who died May 24, 1895; Charles Ansel, born Sept. 17. 1842, now living in DeKalb county, Ill.; Mira Eliza, now Mrs. Andrew Beveridge of South Dakota, who was born April 6, 1849. Eliza Sabin, the mother of this subject, was the daughter of Origen Sabin, who was born Dec. 20, 234 - MEMOIRS OF 1'HE LOWER OHIO VALLEY 1771, and died Jan. 18, 1857. Origen was the son of Ziba Sabin, who was born in August, 1749, and died in 1825. Ziba was the son of Israel Sabin who died at Norwich, Conn., in 1782. Admiral George Dewey of the United States Navy and the hero of Manila is a member of the same family, having descended from Josiah Dewey, the second son of Thomas Dewey, while Edmund S. Dewey is a descendant of Jedediah Dewey, the fourth son of the same Thomas Dewey. In England the Dewey family was of good rank and standing, possessing a coat of arms. Edmund S. Dewey, the subject of this sketch, came to Illinois from Massachusetts in 1853. He was then a lad of seventeen years. He received a liberal education and in early manhood taught school for several years both before and after the Civil war. In 1860 he left home and after teaching a term in St. Clair county, Ill., went to Greenville, Ill., where he clerked in a store until July, 1862. This position he resigned to enlist in the Union army. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in company F, One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois infantry. Almost immniediately, however, he was made sergeant-major of his regiment and very soon thereafter was promoted to the position of adjutant with the rank of first lieutenant. Toward the close of the war, after his regiment had suffered disaster on the Red River campaign under General Banks, the remnant was consolidated with the Seventy-seventh Illinois infantry, when he was made captain of Company C of this regiment. He served with this rank until after the surrender at Appomattox. However, before he was finally mustered out, the old One Hundred and Thirtieth Illinois was reorganized, and he resumed his old position as its adjutant. He was mustered out of service at Springfield, Ill., August, 1865. Captain Dewey received his first wound at Vicksburg, May 19, 1863. He was wounded the second time at Jackson, Miss., shortly after the surrender of Vicksburg. After the war he returned to Greenville, Ill., where for three years he served as deputy circuit clerk of the county. He was then four years instructor in mathematics in the Illinois Agricultural college at Irvington. In 1872 he came to Cairo where he has since resided. Since coming here he has served as circuit clerk of Alexander county for fourteen years, retiring in 1900. Captain Dewey is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, of the Royal Arch Masons and of the Knights Templars. On June 14, 1868, Capt. Dewey married Maria Jane French, daughter of David Patten and Mehitable (Foster) French, of Greenville, Ill. She was born at Goffstown, N. H., July 12, 1847, and died at Cairo, Ill., Jan. 29, 1889. She cane to Illinois with her parents in 1853, her father becoming MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 235 pastor of the Baptist church at Jerseyvi.11e, I11. Here the family resided until 1862, when they removed to Greenville, Ill. From 1864 to 1866 her father was president of Almira college, a female seminary located at Greenville. Here the wife of Captain Dewey completed her education, giving especial attention to music, for which she had marked ability. After her marriage she moved to Irvington, Ill., where her husband was a teacher and her fattier president of the Illinois Agricultural college. She was a lineal descendant of William French, who came to this country from the town of Billericay, Essex county, England, in 1635 and settled in Massachusetts. She belonged to the eighth generation of French settlers, all of her ancestors in this country being residents of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She was a member of the Baptist church, the Women's Relief Corps, the Women's Club and the Library- Association,. Her death occurred on Jan. 29, 1889, at Cairo. To Captain Dewey and wife were born seven children, viz.: William Sabin, Aug. 25, 1869; George French, Nov. 19, 1870; Charles Beveridge, Nov. 27, 1872; Jennie Elizabeth, Dec. 22, 1874; John Myron, Nov. 2, 1877 ; Mira Josephine, Nov. 2, 1877; Robert Edmund, Nov. 25, 1879. Edmund S. Dewey was married the second time on Nov. 25, 1890, at Lebanon, Ill., to Mary Agnes Lytle, daughter of Francis W. and Florida Martin (Routte) Lytle. Captain Dewey is an elder in the Presbyterian church of Cairo and in political matters is a Republican. ERNEST H. RIGGLE, of Cairo, Ill., county jailer of Alexander county, was born on a farm in that county, about sixteen miles north of the city, March 22, 1876. He is a son of Jacob and Jennie (Atherton) Riggle, the former a native of Franklin county, Pa., and the latter of Alexander county, Ill. The fattier was born Dec. 22, 1833, and died July 26, 1895. For many years prior to his death he was a farmer in Alexander county. The mother was born Oct. 12, 1843, and is still living on the old Riggle homestead. They had a family of ten children, seven of whom, five sons and two daughters, are still living. Ernest H. Riggle grew to manhood on the farm where he was born. He received his education in the country schools. After the death of his father he aided in the manage- 236 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY ment of the farm, until appointed to his present position by Sheriff James S. Roche in December, 1902. On Jan. 4, 1900, he was married to a first cousin, Ettie May Riggle, a daughter of Joseph and Susannah (Garman) Riggle and a native of Henry county, Ind., where she was born Feb. 7, 1868. To this marriage there have been born three children, viz.: Ethel Marguerite, born Sept. 28, 1900; Homer Garman and Herbert Atherton, twins, born April 25, 1903. Politically Mr. Riggle is a Republican. He is a modest, unassuming gentleman, who goes about his business with a determination to succeed, and possesses all the essential qualifications of the successful turnkey. CAPT. JOHN HODGES, of Cairo, Ill., familiarly known to his friends as Capt. "Jack" Hodges, was born in that county, Aug. 19, 1836. He is the son of John Hodges, a native of Tennessee, who died in 1862. The paternal grandfather, Edmond Hodges, a Tennesseean, removed to Alexander county, Ill., in an early day and located at Unity. The mother, now deceased, of Captain Hodges was Margaret Hunsaker before her marriage. Eleven children were born to this union, of whom the captain is the oldest, seven yet living. In his youth and early manhood he was employed in his father's store. In 186o he was elected to the office of sheriff of Alexander county; was repeatedly re-elected to this office and in all held it for more than twenty years. He enjoys the distinction of having served as sheriff longer than any other one who ever held that office in this county. He was first elected county treasurer in 1859, but resigned this office to run for sheriff. After serving one term in this office he was then elected city marshal, a much more lucrative office in those days, and held it for two terms. For ten years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1876, at the request of the sheriff, Captain Hodges became his deputy, serving two years. In 1878 he was again elected sheriff and held the office for eight consecutive years. In 1890 he was again elected sheriff and served four years. In 1898 he was once more elected to the office, serving four more years. He might in all probability have held the office continuously but for the fact that the law now makes the sheriff ineligible to succeed himself. MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 237 Captain Hodges is an Elk and a Democrat. July 25, 1858 he married Josephine I. Wicker, who died Nov. 7, 1902, leaving five children —three sons and two daughters. June 1, 1903, he married Miss Capitola Nelson, of Caseyville, Ky., and to this union one son, Herbert Nelson Hodges, aged about six months, has been born. CHARLES FEUCHTER, JR., vice-president of the Alexander County Natonal bank of Cairo, Ill., and senior member of the firm of Feuchter Bros., wholesale liquor dealers, was born in Cairo, Nov. 2, 1863. He is the elder son of Charles Feuchter, Sr., a prominent and well known citizen of Cairo; was reared and educated in Cairo, supplementing his public school training by a course in the Eastman Business college of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which institution he graduated in 1881. Returning to Cairo he was variously employed for a short time when he entered the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company in its local freight office. He held a position with this road for ten years, passing through many promotions. He was finally made cashier, which position he resigned in 1890 to accept the position of cashier and chief clerk in the local freight office of the Iron Mountain railroad. Holding this position until Feb. i, 1891, he resigned to embark in business for himself. He formed a partnership with his younger brother, William Feuchter, and under the firm name of Feuchter Bros., purchased the wholesale liquor business formerly conducted and owned by the late Judge F. Bross. Feuchter Bros. have prospered, making their business one of the leading wholesale industries of Cairo. A few years ago the firm purchased the extensive two-story and basement brick business block, corner Sixth and Ohio streets, all of which is occupied by their business. Mr. Chas. Feuchter, Jr., is president of the Cuban Cigar company; is a director of the St. Louis & Cairo Railroad Company; the Citizens' Building and Loan association ; a member of the Alexander club; of Safford Lodge 67 Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which he is a past noble grand; is a past exalted ruler of Cairo Lodge No. 651 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is a member of the Knights of the Mystic Krew of Comus, a local order of Cairo. He is also a member of the commercial club 238 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY of Cairo. William Feuchter, junior member of the firm of Feuchter Bros., was born at Cairo, Sept. 11, 1866. He is the younger son of Charles Feuchter, Sr., of that city. William Feuchter received his education in the Cairo schools. For several years in early life he was employed by the Andrew Lohr Bottling Works of Cairo. In 1888 he became the manager of the wholesale whisky house of Judge F. Bross. In 1891 he formed a partnership with his brother Charles, purchasing the business of Judge Bross, which business they have largely extended. Mr. William Feuchter is secretary and treasurer of the Cuban Cigar Company. He is a member of the Cairo Lodge 651 Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of the Mystic Krew of Comus, and is a charter member of the Alexander club. The parents of the Messrs. Feuchter are still residing in Cairo and the two sons, both single, make their home with them. JOHN M. LANSDEN, a member of the legal profession, of Cairo, Ill., was born in Sangamon county in that state, Feb. 12, 1836. His parents, Rev. A. W. and Mary M. Lansden, came to that county in 1835, from Wilson county, Tenn. He worked on the farm, attended the village and district schools during the fall and winter, prepared for college at Virginia, Cass county, Ill., and on Sept. 15, 1858, entered the freshman class of Cumberland unversity at Lebanon, Wilson county, Tenn. Being somewhat in advance of his class in most of their studies, he was able to prepare and recite the lessons in both the freshman and sophomore classes, and at the beginning of his second year was admitted to the junior class. In the junior and senior classes, of about forty members, he stood third in mathematics and second in all other branches. Owing to the disturbed condition of the country following the election of Mr. Lincoln to the presidency and the probable early suspension of college work, he left Lebanon, in January, 1861, and went to Jacksonville, Ill., where he entered the senior class of Illinois college, and there graduated June 20, of the same year. His studies in the institutions mentioned were those usually prescribed for the classical course in most colleres. After leaving college, he engaged in teaching in Menard and Singamon counties, and subsequently took the superin- MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 239 tendency of the public schools at Centralia. In 1864, he entered the Albany law school, of Albany university, New York, from which he graduated May 25, 1865. While there he was chosen president of the class which embraced all of the one hundred and twenty members of the law school. judge Thomas A. Moran, of Chicago; Judge Irving G. Vann, of the court of appeals of New York; Judge Samuel D. Hastings, of Wisconsin, and many others who have become prominent in the profession, were members of his class. After being admitted to the bar in both New York and Illinois, in the year of his graduation, he went to Cairo in 1866, where he began the practice he has continued uninterruptedly to the present time. He was a member first of the firm of Olney. McKeaig & Lansden, and afterward of the firm of Omelveny & Lansden, the senior partner of which was the Hon. Harvey K. S. Omelveny, who subsequently removed to Los Angeles. In 1874, he formed a partnership with the Hon. David T. Linegar, which continued nearly to the time of the latter's death in 1885. The Hon. John H. Mulkey, prior to his election to the supreme bench, was associated with them for a time under the firm name of Mulkey, Linegar & Lansden. In 1887 Judge Lansden and Angus Leek formed the present firm of Lansden and Leek. Mr. Lansden's practice has been chiefly of a general nature, in the State and Federal courts in Illinois, and for some years past in Missouri and Kentucky. Ile and the firm of Lansden & Leek, for twenty years, have been district counsel for the Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company, for the States of Illinois, Missouri and Kentucky. For many years he has been the attorney and counselor of the Alexander County National bank and the Alexander County Savings bank, of Cairo. He was admitted to practice in the United States supreme court some years ago ; has confined himself very closely to his profession; has taken little part in politics; has held no offices except those of city attorney, mayor and treasurer of schools, and has acted for the most part with the Democratic party. He was married Sept. 25, 1867, to Effie Wyeth Smith, a daughter of the late David A. Smith, of Jacksonville. They have six children: David Smith, Mary Gallaher, Effie Allan, Emma Louise, John McMurray and Margaret Lansden, all of them, except John, graduates of the Cairo high school. David is also a graduate of Princeton, class of 1891 ; Mary of the Southern Illinois normal, class of 1890, and John of Rose Polytechnic institute, Terre Haute, Ind., class of 1898. David has been with his father in the practice of law since 1894. The family's church relations have always been with the 240 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY Presbyterian church, as have been the ancestors of Mr. and Mrs. Lansden for a very long time. He has belonged to no secret society except the college Greek letter society of Alpha Delta Phi, Cumberland Chapter, 1861. CAPT. BELFIELD BERKSHIRE BRADLEY, of Cairo, Ill., was born at Petersburg, Ky., Sept. 13, 1855. He is the son of Capt. Dillon Bradley, an old Ohio and Mississippi river steamboat captain, who was accidentally drowned in the Ohio river April 22, 1876, by having his skiff capsized by a steamboat. He was born at Madison, Ind., in 1812. The mother of the subject was Mary Ann Toomey, born at Dayton, O., in 1814, dying in Trimble county, Ky., in 1884. Six children were born to this union: Henry Clay, James Dillon, William S., Amanda, Mary E., and Belfield Berkshire, the subject of this sketch. Only two sons are now living—Henry Clay Bradley, an ink manufacturer of Cincinnati, O., and the subject. James Dillon Bradley learned the saddler's trade and for twenty-five years was engaged in that business at Roche-port, Mo., where he died in the early eighties. William S. Bradley enlisted in the Confederate army, serving under Gen. John Morgan, and was killed at Mt. Sterling, Ky., while in active service. Amanda was married to Mr. D. C. Peck and died in Trimble county, Ky., July 7, 1904. Mary E. Bradley never married and died in Trimble county, Ky., in 1898. Captain Bradley spent his boyhood days in his native town. At the age of sixteen he left home and became an office boy in a box factory in Cincinnati, the property of his brother, Henry Clay. Prior to this he had earned his first money by ferrying people across the Ohio river at Petersburg in a skiff. At the age of eighteen years he borrowed $400.00 and with the money bought a small steam passenger boat, thus starting the first passenger packet line between Lawrenceburg and Aurora, Ind. This boat was named the Water Witch. Later it was succeeded by another called the Western Wave, which he sold just before buying the Little Queen, a somewhat larger boat. With this boat he for several years phed the river between Rising Sun and Lawrenceburg, Ind. He then MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 241 had the Charles L. Grant built to order, but soon found her too heavy a boat for the Upper Ohio at all seasons of the year. Making a trip to New Orleans on this boat he disposed of her to good advantage. Returning to Petersburg he purchased a half interest in the steamer P. D. Dale, with which as its captain, he phed the Ohio for two years between Madison and Patriot, Ind. His next purchase was the tow-boat W. B. Cole, with which for two years he engaged in the coal trade. This boat proving too small, he disposed of it and bought, in Pittsburg, a much larger one, the Geo. W. Stone. He had as partners in the Geo. W. Stone the Huntington and St. Louis Tow-boat Company, of Cincinnati, the partners' interest being two-thirds. In 1891 he sold his interest to his partners and came to Cairo, where for a year he was the manager of the Huntington and St. Louis Tow-boat Company. In 1892 he bought the Nellie Speer together with several barges, using then in the lumber and log trade on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers until Jan. 1, 1900, when he sold out to the Monongahela Coal & Coke Company of Pittsburg, Pa. He then entered the employ of that company and has been its local manager, at a handsome salary, at Cairo ever since. Captain Bradley is an Elk, a Knight of Pythias, a member of the Cairo board of trade and a charter member of the Alexander club. In politics he is a Democrat and in religious matters leans toward the Christian church. On Nov. 16, 1888, he married Miss Isabella Hull McAroy, of Rising Sun, Ind. One son has blessed this union, Master Fred, now fifteen years old. H. F. HALLIDAY, president of the H. L. Halliday Milling Company and the Halliday Elevator Company, of Cairo, Ill., was born in that city Aug. 8, 1872, being the eldest son of the late Henry L. Halliday, founder of the milling company, who died in 1895, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. H. E. Halliday, familiarly known to his friends as "Harry," graduated from Racine college of Racine, Wis., and immediately after graduation became connected with the H. L. Halliday Milling Company. Beginning at the bottom of the ladder, as a mere employe, he rolled barrels. Later he became a clerk and held various positions, his object being to familiarize himself with every phase of the business. Upon the death of his father in 1895 he succeeded to the presidency of the concern, which position he still holds. As the nominal head of the family and manager of the H. L. Halliday estate, Mr. Halliday in 1897 built what is known as the Halliday elevator, II-16 242 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY organized the company and became its president. This property was destroyed by fire in 1898. The following year the present large elevator was begun and completed in 1900. It has a capacity of 500,000 bushels of grain and is capable of handling 100 car loads a day. It is fully equipped with machinery for handling grain from the boats on the Ohio river and for loading river boats for export trade. Mr. Halliday is a member of the board of trustees of Racine college, of the Alexander club, a director of the St. Louis & Cairo Railroad Company and a member and director of the Cairo Board of Trade. On April 8, 1897, he married Miss Nelly Gallagher, of Zanesville, O., and three children have blessed this union: Henry E., Jr., Eleanor and Russel. HENRY L. HALLIDAY (deceased), one of the most prominent citizens of Cairo, Ill., in his day, a miller of wide and unsullied reputation, was born in Pomeroy. Meigs county, O.. March 7, 1842, and died at his home in Cairo, Sept. 2, 1895. His father was a native of Scotland, and his mother of Ohio. In 1856 he settled in Wayne county, Ill., where he remained for several years. Then he engaged with his older brothers in steaniboating on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers until 1860, when he came to Cairo. Thrown out of employment by the breaking out of the Civil war, Mr. Halliday went to LaCrosse, Wis., where he clerked in the freight depot of the LaCrosse & Milwaukee railroad. The close of navigation threw him out of work there and he returned to Cairo, where he entered the service of Captain Hatch, chief quartermaster of Gen. U. S. Grant. Mr. Halliday remained in the quartermaster's department until 1862, serving successfully under Captain Hatch, Captain Baxter and Colonel Dunlap. At this time his older brothers organized the firm of Halliday Bros., whom Henry served for some years as bookkeeper and cashier, when he was admitted to the firm. He remained with this firm until Jan. 1, 1895, when he organized the H. L. Halliday Milling Company, of which he became president. In 1898 the George Mayo mill was sold under foreclosure and the Halliday Brothers, to protect their interests in the shape of money advanced Mr. Mayo, were compelled to take charge of the property. From that day until his withdrawal from the firm Mr. Halliday gave his attention to that branch of the business in connection with the grain business of the firm. The H. L. Halliday Milling Company operates a mill of loo-barrel capacity, its products being sold principally in the South and Southwest, where they have an excellent reputation. Mr. Halli- MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 243 day was not only a representative citizen of Cairo, but also of Southern Illinois, where his name was a synonym for honesty and integrity. In banking affairs he was equally prominent, being vice-president of the City National bank of Cairo. He was an honor to the milling industry and belonged to a generation of millers notable for great achievements, both in the making of flour and the development of American trade. He took a deep interest in national milling affairs, being a frequent attendant at the conventions of the Millers' National associations, where he made many friends by his unassuming but no less real worth. His natural bent of mind led him at all times to stand for what was progressive and for the best and most worthy interests in civic affairs. Owing to the geographical position of his mill, his field of operation was somewhat limited. By a thorough understanding of his business environment, by a conscientious attention to his business interests and by an irreproachable rectitude in his dealings, he built up a reputation second to no other man engaged in the milling business. His death was truly a heavy loss to his fellow millers as well as to the world at large. On March 7, 1867, Mr. Halliday married Miss Laura Evans, of Batavia, O. He had four children: Mrs. E. H. Capen, St. Louis, Mo.: Mrs. L. H. Kelsey, Chicago, Ill. ; H. E. and Douglas Halliday, of Cairo. DOUGLAS HALLIDAY, secretary and treasurer of both the H. L. Halliday Milling Company and the Halliday Elevator Company, Cairo, Ill., is a native of that city. He is the youngest child of the late H. L. Halliday, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. His early training was received in the public schools of his home city, after which he entered the preparatory department of St. Paul's school an Episcopal institution of learning in Concord, N. H., where he studied three years. This preparatory work was done to enable him to enter Vale, but the sudden death of his distinguished father in 1895 changed his plans entirely. Instead of entering Yale, he returned home and went to work for the H. L. Halliday Milling Company and learned the business from its very foundation. After holding various positions he was in 18999 made secretary and treasurer of the company. This important and responsible posi- 244 - MEMOIRS OF TILE LOWER OHIO VALLEY tion he has up to this time filled with superior ability. His success in this position led to his appointment to a like position in the Halliday Elevator Company, one of the largest concerns of its kind in Southern Illinois. In 1902 he married Miss Emma Halliday of New Orleans, one of the most popular young ladies of that Southern metropolis. SAMUEL HASTINGS, wholesale dealer in feed, Cairo, Ill., was born in Noble county, O., March 31, 1850. He is the son of Hezekiah and Anna (Ball) Hastings, both of whom were born in Ohio. His father for many years followed merchandizing, farming and stockraising with marked success, and is still hale and hearty at the advanced age of eighty years. His mother, daughter of Jonas Ball, died in Illinois in 1885. The paternal grandfather of this sketch was Samuel Hastings, of English birth, who upon coming to the United States located in Ohio. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of nine children. Those living are Noah H., James W., Jonas, Ira, Samuel, Cora and Nannie. Noah and Jonas are farmers in Clay county, Ill.; James is a merchant in New Orleans ; Ira is associated with the subject of this sketch in business; Cora is an artist and photographer in Denver, Col.; Nannie is the wife of Rev. O. S. Gard, a Methodist minister of Steamboat Landing, Col. At the age of five years Samuel moved with his parents to Jasper county, Ill., where he was reared on a farm. After graduating from McKendree college, Lebanon, Ill., in 1872, he taught school for three years in Clay county, Ill. For the next five years he devoted his time and energy to stockraising and farming in that county. In January, 1884, he removed to Cairo, where for the next seven years he was associated with the wholesale feed firm of Thistlewood & Co., being the manager of the business until 1890. During this time Mr. Thistlewood. the senior member of the firm, was in Kansas. In 1891 he embarked in the wholesale feed business for himself, since which time he has built tip a large and lucrative business in the buying and selling of hay, oats and corn. Because of his success and prominence he is a leading member of the board of trade. In politics he is a Republican. For four of the six years that he served on the board of county commissioners, he was chairman ; served as alderman for two years was for four years a member of the board of trustees of the Southern Illinois hospital for the insane. Being a member of the Methodist church he takes an active part in religious affairs. On Sept. 24, 1876, he married Miss Anise Burney, of Clay county, Ill., and MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 245 to this union four children have been born : Leila May, Anna Maud, Oris P. and Mary Alice. Leila, a graduate of the Northwestern university of Evanston, Ill., is a successful teacher of music in Cairo; Anna Maud, a graduate of Cumnock's School of Oratory of Evanston, is a very successful teacher of elocution, having taught that subject in the high school; Oris B. is now a member of the junior class of the Northwestern university, and Mary Alice, the youngest, just twelve years old, is a member of the eighth grade of the city schools. With marked success in Business and with such an interesting family to gladden his days, Mr. Hastings has just cause to be proud and happy. Honored and respected by all who come in contact with him, whether in a business or social way, his lot is indeed one to be envied. GEORGE H. PENDLETON, superintendent of the Cairo elevator, Cairo, Ill., is a native of Indianapolis, Ind., having been born in that city Jan. 21, 1871. He is the son of the late R. C. J. Pendleton, of Indianapolis, who throughout his career followed railroad pursuits. Later in life he was made an adjuster of the Phoenix Insurance Company, of Brooklyn, N. Y. Maine was the native state of his father. During the Civil war he served as an ensign in the United States navy. He not only served throughout the war but remained in active service several years after its close. When he severed his connection with the navy he located in Indianapolis, Ind., where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the age of sixty-eight. A few years before the war he married Miss Hannah Davis, a native of the same state. His wife still survives, being a resident of Indianapolis. George H. Pendleton, the subject of this sketch, was next to the youngest in a family of six children—five sons and one daughter. He was educated in the public schools of Indianapolis and those of Rutland, Vt. While attending the Rutland schools he made his home with an uncle. At the age of sixteen he set out to learn the moulders' trade in the Indianapolis car shops, following this calling about three years. When twenty years old he entered the employ of the firm of William P. Harvey & Co., of Baltimore, and went to work as a shoveler of grain in an elevator belonging to that firm at Kankakee, Ill. This marked the beginning of his elevator life. He has been in the employe of that firm and its successors ever since. William P. Harvey & Co. were succeeded by the firm of Carrington, Hannah & Co., it in turn was succeeded by Carrington, Patten & Co., and finally by Bartlett, Frazier & Carring- 246 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY ton, of Chicago, the last named being his present employers. Beginning at the very bottom Mr. Pendleton has worked his way up to a responsible and lucrative position. He has done service in elevators in Kankakee, Chicago and Cairo. For five years he was superintendent of the Danville elevator of Chicago, which had a capacity of about 500,000 bushels. For the past two years he has been superintendent of the Cairo elevator at Cairo, Ill., the property of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and leased to the firm of Bartlett, Frazier & Carrington. This elevator is the largest in Southern Illinois, having a capacity of 750,000 bushels of grain,. It was built in 1881. Mr. Pendleton is an active member of the board of trade of Cairo and of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. On Aug. 12, 1897, he married Miss India, daughter of Samuel M. Orr, of Cairo. JOSEPH B. REED, proprietor of the Cairo Foundry and Machine shops, Cairo, was born in Lowell, Mass., March 16, 1831. He is the son of Thaddeus Reed, a native of Massachusetts, who died when Joseph was only six years old. The mother was Catherine Dow, a native of Maine. She died in Boston, Mass., at the age of seventy-six. After the death of Thaddeus Reed she was married to a Mr. Ballard, a newspaper man of Boston. Joseph B. Reed had one brother, Charles Reed, who died in the early fifties while en route to California as a home seeker, and one sister, Miss Phoebe Ann Reed, of Boston. The late Henry S. Reed, of St. Louis, Mo., once president of the National Bank of Commerce of that city, was a half brother of Joseph B. Reed, being the son of his father by a former marriage. Joseph B. was reared in Lexington, Mass., whither his parents removed from Lowell when he was a child. In early life he learned the machinists' trade in Lawrence, Mass. At the age of twenty-five he went to Cumberland, Md., where for two years he was superintendent of a machine shop. In 1856 he went to St. Louis, -Mo., where for many years he was proprietor of the Laclede foundry and machine shops. He came to Cairo. Ill., in 1864, upon the solicitation of the United States government for the purpose of establishing a machine shop to do repair work on the gov- MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 247 ernment river fleet. Upon coming here he founded the present Cairo foundry and machine shops which have been in continuous operation ever since and are among the oldest and most successful machine shops on the Ohio river. During the war he built a number of tugs for the government when General Fremont was in command of the Western army. These tugs were built at the foot of Carr street on St. Louis levee, and used for tenders for the large boats. He also built at the sane time two for the Wiggins Ferry Company of St. Louis to be used in the harbor, two for Joe Gartside of St. Louis and two for Captain Sam Brown of Pittsburg, used in Memphis and New Orleans harbors for jobbing and towing coal. Mr. Reed is sole proprietor of the works. He is also sole proprietor of the Cairo iron and machinery supply store in Cairo, which was established in 1871. Mr. Reed is a Republican, but in no sense a politician. In religion he is a Presbyterian. On Dec. 13, 1856, he married Helen S. Stickney of Beverly, Mass., who vet survives. They have had six children, two of whom died in infancy. The four living ones are Joseph H. Reed, of Chicago, where he is employed in a large heavy hardware house; Helen S. Reed, a teacher in the Iowa State college at Ames; Frank S. Reed, associated with his father in Cairo, and Miss Sarah Alice Reed who is at present teaching elocution and history in the Cairo high school. JOHN T. RENNIE. As the sole owner of the extensive Vulcan Iron Works, of Cairo, Ill., John T. Rennie enjoys a wide reputation among the proprietors of the great machine works of this country. His father who so successfully conducted the business up to the date of his death has been succeeded by his son. When the subject of this sketch was but a year old his father moved to Cairo, where the son has been reared and educated. He became actively connected with the business established by his father and of which he is now the sole proprietor, having bought the interest of the other heirs. Mr. Rennie makes it his chief business to supply steamboats with all needed machinery on the shortest notice possible. It is needless to state that the son has conducted the business with the same zeal and energy that characterized his father's management. Push and progressiveness count here as well as in any other successfully conducted business. Mr. Rennie is an active member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being one of the trustees of that order. He married Miss Clara Chambers and this union has been blessed with one son, Master Roswell Rennie. Few men have done 248 - MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY more than Mr. Rennie to build up their home city. Fully up to date and constantly striving to improve his business, it is not to be wondered at that he has proved so successful. MAJOR EDWIN W. HALLIDAY, a retired merchant of Cairo, Ill., was born in Meigs county, O., May 11, 1836, his parents being Samuel and Eliza (Parker) Halliday. Samuel Halliday was born in Scotland, and his wife was a native of what is now Meigs county, O. He graduated from the University of Edinburgh at the age of nineteen years, and at once came to the United States, crossing the Atlantic in 1818. His mother and six brothers followed him to this country two years later, his father, Alexander Halliday, having previously died in Scotland. Upon reaching the United States he at once proceeded to that part of Gallia county, O., that is now Meigs county. There he held the office of county auditor for twenty-one years, after Meigs county was created, a record which for length of service has never been equaled in that county. In 1855 the family removed to Wayne county, Ill., where the wife and mother died on Feb. 18, 1861, in her fifty-sixth year. The following children were born. to Samuel and Eliza (Parker) Halliday: William P., who was born July 21, 1827, and died Sept. 22, 1899; Jane, born Jan. 29, 1830, married Rufus Putnam Robbins and died April 28, 1885; Samuel B., born July 19, 1832, and died Dec. 1, 1868; Edwin W., the subject of this sketch; Eliza, born Aug. 2, 1839, married on Dec. 25, 1862, to Charles T. Hinde of the Spreckles Brothers' Commercial Company of San Diego, Cal., and died April 24, 1899; Henry L., the founder of the H. L. Halliday Milling Company of Cairo, born March 7, 1842, and died Sept. 2, 1895; Thomas Wyatt, the youngest son, born June io, 1844, and died at Cairo on Sept. 18, 1892, and Mary C., born on April 2, 1847, and is now a resident of Georgia, where she is recognized as a cultured and refined lady of large means and considerable financial ability, as well as a philanthropist of the most liberal type. Three years after the death of his first wife Samuel Halliday returned to Ohio and married Mrs. McKnight, an old acquaintance. To this marriage one daughter was born, Jean by name, who is now the wife of John MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY - 249 W. Ewing, county clerk of Gallia county, O., residing at Gallipolis. Samuel Halliday died in that county on Aug. 25, 1880, in his eighty-first year. Samuel B. Halliday had four children., three sons and one daughter, all living in Cairo. They are: Ada, the wife of John S. Aisthorpe, cashier of the City National bank; William R., Edwin C., and Horace H., all prominent business men of Cairo. Thomas Wyatt was the fifth son of Samuel Halliday. In 1862 he and his brothers, Henry L. and Thomas W., came to Cairo and were associated with their brothers, William P. and Samuel B., in the grain and commission business, started by the two last named, under the firm name of Halliday Brothers, and at that time in a flourishing condition. In 1866 he married Charlotte Josephine Taylor the daughter of Col. S. Staats Taylor. After ten years' connection with the grain business he sold his interest to the other members of the firm, to accept a position with his father-in-law in the management of the Cairo Trust Company. A man of vast capabilities and possessed of rare business instincts, he was well versed in the law., While not a politician he was successful in politics. He represented his district in, the legislature of the state as a member of the lower house of the general assembly; served as a member of the state board of equalization ; on the board of county commissioners and as mayor of the city of Cairo. In the latter position he endeared himself most to the people, standing shoulder to shoulder with them in the struggle for municipal supremacy. He was first elected in 1883 and served continuously until his death on September 18, 1892. This length of service, and the wonderful progress in the material welfare of the city during his incumbency, attest his ability and popularity. His ability as a financier was so well known and so widely recognized that President Cleveland tendered him the position of comptroller of the currency, which flattering offer Mr. Halliday declined because of his loyalty to Cairo and his love of home. He left his family $25,000 life insurance, a beautiful home and other real estate. Better than all else, he left them the heritage of a good name. Major E. W. Hallidav, the subject of this sketch, left home in 1852 at the age of sixteen years. From that time until 1862 he served as clerk or master on Ohio and Mississippi river steamboats. In 1862 he entered the Confederate army at Memphis, Tenn., joining the cavalry regiment of Gen. N. B. Forrest as a private. Forrest was then only a colonel, not having yet become famous. Major Halliday served with Forrest until the latter's promotion to the rank of brigadier-general, when he was detailed for staff duty under Gen.