Kentucky: A History of the State,
Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 3rd ed., 1886.

Biographies
Allen County, KY

B

BENJAMIN Y. BENEDICT was born January 19, 1831, on the banks of the Barren River, in Allen County, Ky., and is the third of five sons and four daughters, four of whom lived to be grown, born to John and Eva (Celser) Benedict, natives of Allen County, Ky. John Benedict was a blacksmith by trade, also had a farm of 300 acres. He was colonel of the militia before the war; was a son of Benjamin Benedict, who married a Miss Richey. He came from Virginia to Kentucky in an early day and settled on a farm near Scottsville, Ky.; was a distiller and miller, and of German descent. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Hardin Celser, who married a Miss Berry, and who came from Virginia at an early day and settled in Allen County on 300 acres; he owned a family of slaves. Benjamin Y. was reared on a farm and attended the common schools; made sufficient progress to enable him to teach, and spent seven or eight years as a teacher. He has the reputation of being one of the best common school teachers of the county. He remained with his parents until his marriage November 25, 1855, to Malinda J. Rush, of Allen County, and a daughter of James and Sarah (Wolf) Rush, who were natives of Kentucky. He had born to him six children: Sarah E. (Davashar), Jo. Ann (Brockett), Mary K., Dyson, Amanda (deceased), Eva I. and Benjamin. Mr. B. and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. After his marriage he located where he now resides, on fifty acres of good land, which he has in a good state of cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Franklin Pierce. Mr. Benedict is a good neighbor and highly respected by all who know him.

JOHN B. BENEDICT was born January 6, 1838, on the farm where he now resides. He is the sixth of nine children born to John and Eva (Celser) Benedict. He ws reared on the farm and remained with his parents until his marriage, March 11, 1867, with Louisa Lee, of Barren County, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Thomas) Lee, who were born in Barren County, Ky., and Jackson County, Tenn. Henry Lee was a farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Benedict had born nine children: Minnie Bell, Mary B., Emma E., Marquis De Lafayette, Joseph Barton Stone, Harris, John Garfield, James Tompson and Layton Seay. Mr. Benedict and wife are members of the Baptist Church. After his marriage he located where he now lives and is the possessor of 105 acres, fifty of which are under cultivation, all of which he has accumulated by his own industry. In September, 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Ninth Kentucky Infantry; in the fall of 1862 he was discharged on account of measles; he returned home and engaged in farming. He cast his first presidential vote for A. Lincoln, and votes the Republican ticket. Mrs. Benedict's grandfather, Henry Lee, was born and reared in Barren County, Ky., was a farmer and in his later years a Baptist minister. Her maternal grandfather, Ephraim D. Thomas, married Sallie Mulennix, and came from Tennessee to Barren County in the early settlement of the county. They were of English and Dutch descent.

BEAUFORD WARRICK BRADBURN, one of the rising young lawyers of Allen County, was born in Simpson County, Ky., on the 16th of April, 1855. His parents were unable to give him such an education as they desired, but at the age of sixteen he had acquired a proficiency in the English branches as taught in the common schools, which he attended only in the winter months; his summers were passed amid the labors on the farm. In his eighteenth year he taught a term of school, and for the next three years divided his time between the profession of teaching and attending school as a student. In the meantime he applied himself assiduously to the study of law. After reading Kent and Blackstone he read for six months in the office of B. M. Mulligan, until, August 1876; then he occupied an office with H. P. Bailey until July, 1878, at which time he was examined in the law by W. H. Botts and H. T. Clark, and received a license, which was approved by Judge Garnett of the Sixth Judicial District of Kentucky. He then entered into the practice of law, which he has followed successfully up to the present time. On the 12th of February, 1881, he was appointed to the office of county attorney, to finish the unexpired term of H. P. Bailey, and in August, 1882, was elected to the same office, in which he yet continues. On the 10th of January, 1877, he was united in marriage with Mary E. Barton, an accomplished lady and a native of Allen County. She is a daughter of James S. and Sarah J. Barton, also natives of Allen County. Politically Mr. Bradburn in a gentleman of liberal views and high aspirations, and bids fair to become one of the leading lawyers of his native State. He is a son of George and Isabella A. (Allen) Bradburn, who were natives of Kentucky, married in 1852. Mrs. Isabella Allen was a native of Simpson County. Her children were nine in number and our subject was the second. George Bradburn has been engaged in various kinds of business, having been farmer, county assessor, and is now in the livery business. He was born in 1829, and is a son of William C. Bradburn, who was a native of the Old Dominion, and came to Kentucky and located in Simpson County, where he was one of the early settlers and followed the trade of a carriage-maker; he died at the age of forty-five years. His wife was Mary Martin. She was also a native of Virginia, and came to Kentucky with her husband soon after her marriage. Mr. Bradburn's maternal grandfather, Thomas Allen, was a North Carolinian by birth, his ancestors being English. He came to Kentucky when a boy and remained here during life. His trade was that of a wheelright. He died in 1862; his widow, Sarah (Lewis) Allen, survived until 1866. Her age at death was sixty-five years.

JOHN N. BRILEY was born in Allen County, Ky., June 15, 1829. His father, John Notts Briley (born 1790), was a native of North Carolina. He was of a rambling disposition and when a young man came to Kentucky, where he soon afterward married Levina Browning, of Monroe County. This marriage occurred in 1812. They lived together happily until 1861, when Mr. B. died, leaving four sons and two daughters. John Notts Briley; in the latter years of his life was successfully engaged in agriculture; when a young man he entered into the pleasures of life with unusual zest, but in 1835, he united with the Baptist Church, and from that time until his death, was noted for his strict attention to religious duties, and as a constant and true Christian worker. He was for many years a deacon in his church, and during the last twenty-five years of his life he wielded an influence for good that was almost phenomenal. He died in 1866. He was a kind father, a public-spirited citizen and a true Christian. He was a son of William and Margaret (Notts) Briley; they were Carolinians of English parentage. John N. Briley is the youngest of the family and remained with his parents until their death and cared for them in their declining years. His education was obtained in the free schools where he mastered the rudiments of English and mathematics, and his contact with the affairs of life has made him expert and correct in business transactions. In accordance with his father's will he became heir to a part of the home farm, to which he has added 120 acres since. His farm contains 300 acres, 200 of which are enclosed, mostly in cultivation and well improved. His land is adapted to stock-farming, and Mr. B. exhibits some of the best stock in the county. He married, on the 31st of October, 1861, Camelia J. Marion, daughter of Thompson and Elizabeth Marion, of Allen County, Ky,; their union is blessed in the birth of five sons and three daughters; Levina E., Thomas H., Robert L., Charles B., Albie J., William A., Nannie E. and Walter S. Mr. B. and his wife and three children are members of the Baptist Church. In political matters Mr. Briley takes little interest further than to cast his ballot for whom he considers "the best man for the office;" he is a Democrat and makes no compromise either in law or politics. He is not a Prohibitionist, but takes a strong stand against the traffic in spirituous liquors.

JAMES A. BRITE is a native of Allen County, born December 22, 1817. His father, James Brite, was a South Carolinian by birth. He married Mary Burton; she died in 1839, aged seventy years. She left a family of nine children. James Brite was of Irish parentage, and was a farmer by occupation; he died in 1825. He was a son of Tobias Brite, a native of South Carolina, who came to Kentucky in 1805; and whose age, at his death in 1825, was upward of ninety years. James A. was only six years of age when his father died, and he continued to reside with his mother until her death. His early education was limited to the "winter terms" in the common schools; his summers were spent in labor on the farm, but by close application to business and home reading, after arriving at manhood, he obtained an education sufficient for all the ordinary business of life. In 1847 he came into possession of his inheritance in the homestead farm, to which he has added at different times since. He now is the proprietor of 600 acres of land, 300 of which he has brought into a high state of cultivation, and improved with good fences, large, comfortable dwelling, barns, and eight acres of orchard producing a great variety of fruit. His farm is admirably adapted to grass and has excellent water privileges. Mr. Brite has given most of attention to stock raising, in which he has been very successful. In 1839 he was united in marriage with Virginia, daughter of Walter and Cynthia A. Bush, natives of Virginia, who removed to Kentucky, where Mr. Bush was among the first settlers of Barren County. He was a farmer by occupation, and "cleared" a large farm upon which he lived to a ripe old age. Mr. and Mrs. Brite are the parents of four children, two of whom are living, namely: James W. and Elizabeth J. Mr. B. is a member of the Baptist Church. He is a Democrat, but has no political aspirations. He is a gentleman of sterling integrity, and as a public-spirited citizen he commands the respect of the community in which he resides.

JOHN E. BROWN was born in Allen County Ky., November 4, 1841. His father, Drury Denton Brown, was a Kentuckian by birth and grew to manhood in Allen County, where, in 1833, he married Sarah, daughter of Sketton Brown. Her parents were natives of Virginia, from which State they emigrated, and were among the first settlers of Sumner County, Tenn. She died about the year 1865, leaving a family of seven children, three of whom lived to be grown. Drury Denton Brown spent his life in agricultural pursuits; he died in December, 1881, aged sixty-nine years. John E. is the fourth in the family by birth. His early life was passed amid the scenes and labors incident to farm life; he received but little education at school, but with practical learning his mind is well stored. He remained with his parents on the farm where he was born until he attained his twenty-second year. On the 15th of October, 1863, he was united in marriage with Margaret, daughter of Alexander and Margaret Lyles, of Allen County, Ky. Their union has been blessed with seven children: Enola A. (Napier), Lula D. (Napier), Edward F., Robert T., Johnnie, Charles and Pernie P. In 1866 Mr. Brown bought 200 acres of land on Bay's Fork Creek, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation, and improved with a good dwelling, barns and orchard. In agricultural pursuits he has been successful. In 1874 he was elected to the office of surveyor of Allen County; he has been twice re-elected, and in the pursuance of the duties of his office has given good satisfaction to his constituents. Politically he is a Republican, but is liberal in his views, except on the temperance question, on which he is very decided and favors the cause by both precept and example. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church, of which four of their children are also members, and of which Mr. Brown is a recording steward.

JOHN H. BROWN, born in Allen County, Ky., August 31, 1817, is a son of Allsey Brown, a native of North Carolina, who was born about the year 1790, and who married Nancy Childress, whose parents were North Carolinians. She died in the year 1878 and left nine children, of which number John H. is the second. Allsey Brown was during his life-time a successful farmer, and acquired a considerable property. His death occurred in 1864. He was a son of Drury Brown, who was of English lineage and a native of North Carolina, from which State he removed to Kentucky in the year 1800; he was a farmer; died in Allen County, Ky. John H. Brown had few advantages of school education, but he improved every opportunity for reading, and is well versed in the rules of business and the literature of the day. When he was about twenty-three years of age he married Sarah R. Epperson, of Sumner (now Macon) County, Tenn., with whom he lived happily for ten years. She died in 1849, leaving four children: Nancy E., Martha P., Marcus W. and Charles A. In July, 1850, Mr. Brown married his second wife, Letitia Bright, of Allen County, Ky. On the 14th of December, 1882, she departed this life, aged sixty-nine years. She left no children of her own; it is said by her friends that "she was as good a step-mother as ever lived." Politically Mr. Brown is a Democrat and has served one term in the office of judge of Allen County Court, to which office he was elected in 1867. He is the owner of a well kept and well improved farm of 400 acres, lying within three miles of the town of Scottsville; during his term in the judicial capacity he continued to make his home on the farm, making the trip to his office every day on horse-back. Mr. Brown is a man of strict integrity and his judicial acts while in office were above cirticism. He is a member of the Methodist Church (South), in which he has for many years held the office of steward. Mrs. Brown is a member of the Baptist faith. Mr. Brown is a Master Mason, and a member of Graham Lodge, No. 208.

E. SCOTT BROWN ws born in Allen County, Ky., December 3, 1846. His father, William A. Brown, is also a native Kentuckian, born April 22, 1820, and is now sixty-five years of age; he has been a man of considerable local prominence, and has held the offices of magistrate and superintendent of public instruction in Allen County. His vocation has been that of a farmer. He married, in 1846, Sarah H. Alexander, of Allen County. To them have been born six childen: Eugene Scott, George L., Allie, Tee, Ella and Nannie C. (the last two deceased). Our subject's mother, Mrs. Sarah (Alexander) Brown, was born in 1820, and is now sixty-five years of age; she is a daughter of Amzi C. Alexander, a native of Mecklenburgh County, N. C., who came to Kentucky at an early day. He held the office of magistrate of Allen County, Ky. for many years. In 1819 he married Elizabeth W. Holliday, who as born in Russell County, Va., in 1800, and who now at the advanced age of eighty-five years retains her faculties in a remarkable degree, and is "able to walk a mile without assistance." Her father, Charles Holliday, was a native of Baltimore, Md., her grandfather, James Holliday, a native of Scotland. His father, Andrew Alexander, was born in North Carolina; served with distinction in defense of his country in the war of 1776, and was in the engagement at the siege of Charleston. Allsey Brown, the grandfather of our subject, was born in North Carolina in 1793; he was one of the pioneers, and a large land owner of Allen County. He died in October, 1864, aged seventy-one years. His wife, whom he married in 1816, was Nancy T. Childress, whose parents, as well as herself, were natives of South Carolina; her death occurred in Allen County, Ky., in 1878; her age was eighty years. E. Scott Brown received a good education in youth, taught school for several years, and afterward completed his educational course from Prof. Dunn's High school at Bowling Green in 1867. He then followed the profession of a teacher for two years in Minnesota. He was postmaster and merchant at Scottsville from 1869 to 1875, when he resigned the office on account of failing health, and took a trip to Florida; remained two years, and while there made some fortunate land investments at Do Land, which afterward yielded him a handsome profit. After returning to Kentucky, having recovered his health, he studied law, and in 1878 was licensed to practice at the bar by the circuit court, Gov. Leslie and Gen. Joseph H. Lewis, now judge of the court of appeals, acting as his examiners. He practiced law until 1880, when he was elected clerk of the Allen Circuit Court, which office he has filled with ability and correctness up to the present time. His marriage took place October 29, 1872, with Lucy N., daughter of Gilbert M. and Mary W. Mulligan, of Scottsville, Allen, Ky. Their marriage has been blessed by the birth of two daughters: Winston J. and Fannie E. Mr. Brown is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and has for many years been an active Sunday-school worker. He is a Master Mason, and for a number of years was treasurer of Graham Lodge, No. 208. Politically he is a Republican. Mr. Brown as a business man is energetic and accurate in all his transactions.

CHARLES H. BRUNSON was born November 20, 1859, on the place where he now resides in the northeastern part of Allen County, Ky., whre he grew to manhood and still lives. His father, James S. Brunson, also a native of Allen County, was born April 14, 1823; was a farmer and died August 27, 1884. He was a son of Moses Brunson, a native of Virginia, who removed to Allen County, Ky., with his parents in 1796. He was born October 1796; ended his career July 14, 1857. His father, Stout Brunson, was a blacksmith, a native of Virginia. James S. was twice married; first to Elizabeth Devasher, of Barren County, November 28, 1849, and their child is Mary (Smith); his first wife died September 22, 1852, and he next maried, July 7, 1853, Elizabeth Moore, daughter of James Moore, of Allen County. She was born in 1826, and became the mother of the following children: Susan J., born May 22, 1854; William A., September 6, 1855; Sarah Jane, January 21, 1857, died March 13, 1857; Lizzie A., born January 26, 1858; Charles H., November 20, 1859; Fannie W., January 4, 1862; Thomas L. C., February 28, 1864; Merica E., October 20, 1865, died December 17, 1865; Lurana F., December 26, 1866, and James R., November 19, 1868. Susan A. Brunson was married, December 25, 1873, to William E. Dilliard, and to them were born Laura B., September 4, 1876; William O., October 21, 1878; Cyrus Luke, May 7, 1881; John T., June 17, 1884, died August 6, 1884. Mrs. Susan J. Dillard (their mother) died November 20, 1884. William A. Brunson maried, February 23, 1882, Miss Nunie B. Moorehead, and to them was born James Kagie, in March, 1884. Lizzie A. Brunson was married to George W. Dilliard, December 26, 1878, and to them were born James G., September 18, 1879; Earnest C., January 21, 1881, and Luie Cleveland, November 20, 1885. Fannie W. Brunson married William E. Atwood, January 4,1881, and to them was born Susan E., August 21, 1883. James S. Brunson united with the Baptist Church at an early age, led a devoted Christian life, and lived to see all his children united with the same church, and when called to cross the murky stream of death, died triumphantly in the Christian faith. Charles H. Brunson obtained a common English education in the public schools of his vicinity. He is a farmer, cultivating the old family homestead, consisting of 140 acres of productive land, which is in a good state of cultivation. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics is independent.

JESSE D. BUCKHANON was born January 15, 1820, in the northeastern part of Allen County, Ky., where he grew to manhood and has always resided. His father, Joshua Buckhanon, a native of Virginia, was born January 3, 1778; removed to Kentucky about 1800, and located on Big Difficult Creek, in Allen County, where he died in 1856. He married Susan, daughter of John Wood, of Allen County; she was born January 6, 1783, and died in 1856. Their offspring are John W., Henry R., Joseph O., William B., Mary (Boucher), Joshua J., Jeremiah, Thomas P., Martha N. (Spencer), Enoch D. and Jesse D. (twins), Willis P., Alexander M. and Frances M. (Derring). Jesse D. obtained a fair English education by his own efforts by close application in the evenings, after the labors of the day. He married, July 22, 1847, Mrs. Partheny, widow of Hiram Ashley, and daughter of Wyatt and Cynthia (Devine) Williams, of Allen County, born October 28, 1822, and bore her husband the following named children: Samuel F., Emily J. (deceased), Cynthia T., Jesse W., Henry P. (deceased in Texas), William R. and Isaiah J. Mrs. Buckhanon's children by her first husband are Nancy M. (Pettey) and Elizabeth H. (Williams). Mr. Buckhanon is a farmer, having 155 acres of productive land in a good state of cultivation. In politics he adhered to the principles of the old line Whig party, and is now a Republican.

JOHN W. BUCKHANON was born July 21, 1847, in Allen County, Ky., where he was reared to manhood, and has always resided. His father, Alexander M. Buckhanon, also a native of Allen County, was born February 23, 1824, and died in 1854. He as the son of Joshua, a native of Virginia, who died in Allen County. Alexander M. married Sarah A. E., daughter of Wyatt and Mary (Crouder) Williams, of Allen County (born January 25, 1827, died in 1854), and from their union sprang John W., James Y., Sidney H. and Andrew J. John W. married, October 29, 1865, Candice Pruitt, of Allen County (born March 13, 1847, died August 3, 1872), and their union as favored by the birth of Lorenza J. and Nancy E. October 5, 1885, Lorenza J. Buckhanon married D. T. Strait, and October 20, 1885, Miss Nancy E. Buckhanon was married to Willie Taber. John W. married, January 23, 1873, Mary E., daughter of Lemuel and Martha J. (Meredith) Devine, of Allen County (born November 25, 1850), and to them have been born Andrew J., Warner L., Perry, Clinton and Alexander J. (deceased). Mr. Buckhanon had but little help in the beginning of his career, and by industry is now in comfortable circumstances. He is now a farmer, owning 200 acres of productive and well improved land in a fine state of cultivtion. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Baptist Church, and is a Democrat.

WILLIAM B. BURTON was born March 12, 1841, in the house where he now lives, in the northern portion of Allen County, Ky., where he was reared and has always resided. His father, Thomas S. Burton, born in Allen County in 1823, was a deacon in the Baptist Church for several years, and was killed by a kick from a horse in 1857. He was the son of Drury Burton, of Allen County, who died while on a trading tour in Mississippi, about 1823. Drury's father was Cuthbert Burton, a native of South Carolina; was a pioneer in Allen County, where he died in 1864, at the age of ninety-seven years. Thomas S., at the age of sixteen years, married, November 28, 1839, Adeline L., daughter of Samuel H. and Elizabeth (Cushenberry) Wickware, of Allen County (born June 18, 1822, died February 22, 1863), and from their union sprang William D., Lucinda E. (Lynch and Robinson), Ella (deceased), John C., Mary S. (Stark), Thomas S., James P. and Lelia J. (deceased). On the 7th day of February, 1865, William D. married Juliet B., daughter of George M. and Ermine C. (Frazier) Page, of Barren County (born January 31, 1843) and to them have been born Ermine A., George T., William D., Jr. (deceased), Juliet P., Mary E., Gilbert M. and Missie (deceased). Mr. Burton is a farmer, owning 416 acres of productive land, in good condition. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M., in politics he is a Democrat, and in religion a Baptist.

JONATHAN H. CALDWELL was born in Sumner County, Tenn., December 25, 1838. At the age of four years he was brought by his parents to Allen County, Ky., where, with the exception of one year spent in Warren County, he has since resided. His father, David Caldwell, was born September 24, 1816, also in Sumner County. He ws a son of Hardy Caldwell, of the "Old Dominion," who was born about 1785. David Caldwell was married, October, 1837, to Malinda, daughter of Jonathan and Catherine (Hunt) Davis; she was born March 21, 1818, and bore him the following children: Jonathan H. and Sarah C. (Goodrum). David Caldwell died March 18, 1881; his widow still survives him. Jonathan H. has been twice married; first, January 31, 1861, to Lucinda, daughter of Julius and Rosa (Sherry) Moore, of Warren County; she died October 3, 1866, the mother of the following children: Sydney A. (deceased), Clifford B. and Charley M. May 21, 1868, Mr. Caldwell married Nancy, daughter of Robert and Mary (Nanny) Justice, who was born April 30, 1847. To them have been born Mary M., Hettie E., Fannie A., David A., Jonathan, Myrtie C., Willis M. and Virgil C. Mr. Caldwell has by persevering labor become the owner of a farm of 314 acres - one as good as any in the neighborhood. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

JOHN D. CALVERT is a son of Wesley and Elizabeth (Ritter) Calvert, the former of whom is the youngest in a family of twelve children; he was born in Allen County, Ky., on the 1st of October, 1828. Elizabeth Ritter was a daughter of David and Annie Ritter, who were Virginians by birth, and were among the first settlers of Barren County, Ky. She died on the 6th of April, 1882, leaving one son and three daughters, of which John D. is the eldest. His grandfather, John D. Calvert, was a native of Virginia, born in 1782, married Jane Russell in 1804, and soon emigrated from Virginia and settled near Long Creek, in Barren, now Allen County, Ky. He, his wife and one child made the journey from Virginia to Kentucky in a two-wheeled vehicle called a "cart." He was an energetic man, had no education, but was successful in business, and accumulated a large fortune, which at his death descended to his family of twelve children. He died in Allen County, Ky., in 1856, aged seventy-four years, having survived his wife, who died in 1833. John D. Calvert, subject, was born September 17, 1849 in Allen County, Ky. His early education was limited - such as was afforded by the schools of the day - but by close application to study he acquired a fair business education. Until attaining his majority he remained on the farm where he was born. On the 1st day of August, 1870, he married Virginia Gibson, a daughter of Robert and Mary J. Gibson, of Barren County, Ky. They were of Irish descent. After his marriage Mr. Calvert was engaged in farming in connection with the lumber trade, in which he was very successful. In 1880 he was elected sheriff of Allen County, which office he held for four years; he has also served several terms as constable in the Seventh District, and was one of the magistrates of Allen County from 1875 to 1878. Politically Mr. Calvert is a Democrat. He is a man of strict principles, and his business transactions, both in public and private life, have gained for him many friends. He and his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church. He is a Master Mason, and his membership is in Graham Lodge, No. 208. Mr. Calvert is interested in the cause of education, and gives much attention to the culture of the minds of his children, of whom three are living: Caleb, Cora and John.

BENJAMIN CARPENTER was born November 3, 1818, in Monroe County, near Fountain Run. He is the third of four sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to be grown, born to Samuel E. and Sarah G. (Downing) Carpenter. Samuel E. Carpenter was born in North Carolina, and came with his parents to Kentucky when a lad of six years. He was one of the prominent farmers of Allen County; owned a large number of slaves; served as magistrate for a number of terms; was sheriff one term under the old constitution; was also in State Senate one term from Allen County; also represented his county in the Lower House. He owned 1,000 acres and about forty negroes, and was one of the prominent and representative men of his county. He died in March, 1877, aged eighty- three years. He was an honorable Christian gentleman, and a leading member of the Baptist Church; was a Whig and a strong Union man. On one occasion he was taken prisoner by the Confederate soldiers and requested to take their oath, which he refused to do, stating that he would stand by the old flag, the constitution, and the Union forever; he was paroled and permitted to return home. He was a son of Samuel E. Carpenter, who was born and reared in North Carolina, where he ranked as one of the foremost men of his county. He served many terms in the North Carolina Legislature. He immigrated to Kentucky and settled, in 1797, in Barren County, now Monroe County, where he purchased a large tract of land, and owned a family of slaves. His parents came from Germany. Our subject's mother was born in Green County and reared in Allen, and was a daughter of James Downing, who married a Miss Grey. Benjamin Carpenter remained with his parents until his marriage with Jane Orr, of Marshall County, Tenn., in March, 1844. She was a daughter of John and Margaret (Carpenter) Orr, natives of North Carolina. Margaret Carpenter was a sister of our subject's father. John Orr was a farmer, and came to Marshall County, Tenn., about 1800. His parents came from Ireland. To Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter four children were born, but two living: John S. and Sarah M. Hughes. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and his wife of the Presbyterian Church. After his marriage he located where he now resides, on 140 acres; he now owns 200, which he has improved; also owns 160 acres in Kansas, and was the owner of ten or twelve negroes when the war broke out. He has accumulated what he has mostly by his own industry and economy. He cast his first presidential vote for William H. Harrison; since the war has been a Democrat.