Kentucky:

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

Biographies
Allen County, KY

REV. MORDECAI F. HAM was born in Allen County April 30, 1816, and is a son of William and Jennie (Williams) Ham, natives of Spartanburgh County, S. C. They came to Kentucky early in the present century, probably about 1806, and located on Trammell's Creek, in what is now Allen County. William Ham died in September, 1844, aged sixty years. His wife, who was a distant relative of Roger Williams, survived until 1862; her age was eighty-four years; she was the mother of eleven children, nine of whom lived to be grown. James Ham, the father of William Ham, was of English descent, and by occupation a farmer. Rev. M. F. was born and reared amid the scenes and labors incident to farm life. The boy was the man in embryo; he early developed a love for books; he read voraciously and incessantly; his sole aim seemed to be to acquire an education. Books were scarce, and the school terms of the country were of short duration, but young Ham set himself to work assiduously, giving all the time possible to his studies, and thereby became well versed in the English classics, and also obtained some knowledge of the Greek language. November 24, 1836, he married Elizabeth J., daughter of William and Sarah (Neal) Dearing, who were natives of Virginia, and were among the pioneer settlers of Warren (now Allen) County; they died in 1855 and 1847 respectively. Rev. M. F. Ham professed religion February 19, 1837, and in March following united with the Baptist Church, in which he has since been an active member. In March, 1843, he was ordained to the full work of the ministry by Elders Witherspoon, Evans, Brunson and William Spillman, and during the forty-two years of his ministerial duties he has met with wonderful success. He estimates that he has baptized over 2,000 persons, and that through his labors no less than 3,000 persons have been added to the church. Throughout his ministry he has prosecuted the work of the Master with a zeal commensurate with the importance of his mission. His preaching is characterized by simplicity and earnestness, and from the inexhaustible treasury of the Word he sought to bring forth "things old and new." Father Ham, though now in his sixty-ninth year, is hale and stout, and ministers to his charge with undiminished zeal and success. He is a zealous and untiring advocate of the temperance cause, and the sledge hammer blows dealt by him against the liquor traffic have done much to abate the evil. In politics, Mr. Ham was originally an "old line Whig," but of late years he is a Democrat. He takes little interest in political affairs. He has all his life been a hard worker, and now superintends the cultivation of a farm of 400 acres, which he owns. He has two brothers and one sister, living, viz.: James and L. W. Ham and Assenith Dodson, and three surviving children: Sarah J. and T. J. Ham, and M J. Coleman.

JUDGE FLETCHER G. HARLAN is a son of F. D. and Sarah J. (Bryan) Harlan, who were natives of Monroe County, Ky., the former of whom was born in the year 1805. He was by profession a physician, and was surgeon in the Mexican war with the rank of major; he was a son of Jacob Harlan, a native of Virginia, and one of the pioneers of Kentucky; he erected the first mill in Monroe County, on a stream that afterward took the name of Mill Creek. Judge Harlan was born in Allen County, Ky., June 29, 1842; his father died in 1846, leaving him, at the age of four years, to the care and training of a widowed mother, with whom he remained until he was fifteen years old; he is the seventh in a family of nine children, and his assistance was required in the support of the family. In 1856 he began to learn the trade of carpenter and builder, at which business he continued until 1861, when he joined the Federal Army, and served until the end of the war; first in the Ninth Kentucky Infantry, and afterward in the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, in which he held the rank of sergeant. He was engaged in the battles of Jamestown, Ky., Gallatin, and Chickamauga, Tenn., and Resaca, Kennesaw and Atlanta, Ga., and thence to Savannah; from there he returned home, after receiving an honorable discharge from the army. In 1863 he was captured and paroled by the enemy, and while at home, awaiting exchange, he married Sallie, a daughter of Samuel and Lucy Bridges, of Allen County, Ky. To them have been born nine children, eight of whom are living: Willie, Laura, Mary, Dora, Sam, Maggie, Fletcher and Bob. Judge Harlan engaged in farming for awhile after the war; in 1866 he was ordained a minister of the Missionary Baptist faith, and for fifteen years he devoted all his time and talent to the work which he pursued with a zeal commensurate with the importance of his calling. In 1881 he was selected by the Republican party in his county as a desirable candidate for the office of county judge; he was nominted and elected by a majority of 125 ballots; he then assumed the duties of the office in which he has served until the present time (1885). He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a Master Mason in Graham Lodge. No. 208.

WILLIAM T. HARRIS was born September 21, 1841, in Sumner County, Tenn. When a small boy he removed with his parents to Macon, and from thence, in 1873, to Robertson County, Tenn., and one year later came to Allen County, Ky., where he has since resided. In 1861 he enlisted in Company K, of the Twentieth Tennessee Infantry, first a private, and later served as first lieutenant and finally as captain, in which latter capacity he served until the close of the war. His father, Giles C. Harris, was born in Wilson County, Tenn. He was a son of Gideon Harris, who was a Virginian, and of English descent. Giles C. was three times married, his first wife was Catherine, daughter of Thomas Meadows; she was born in 1816, in Sumner County, Tenn., and bore her husband two children: Thomas G. and William T.; his second wife was Sarah Hawkins, who bore him one child, Robert W.; his third marriage took place in 1850, with Mrs. Elizabeth (Wood) Davis. Their children are as follows: John S., James, Giles R., Jr., Joseph W., and Martha A. (Pike). Our subject had no advantage ground from which to commence the struggle of life, except such as was afforded him by his industry, and by means of which he has become the owner of a good store, and of a very neat and comfortable residence. He as married, February 25, 1869, to Amanda J. Jenkins, who bore him two daughters: D. L. C. Harris, and Minnie J. Harris; she was in feeble health for a long while, and died September 15, 1885, a true Christian. Mr. Harris is a staunch Democrat.

JEREMIAH W. HARSTON was born November 1, 1843, on Peter's Creek, Barren County, Ky., and in 1838 removed with his parents to Allen County, locating on Barren River, where he has since resided. His father, Thomas Harston, a native of Allen County, was born in 1807, was a magistrate many years, and died March 5, 1863. He married Susan, daughter of Jeremiah and Polly (Gibson) Whitney, of Allen County (born March 20, 1811, died August 25, 1854), and from their union sprang James R., Samuel W. (deceased), Jeremiah W., Thomas J., Simeon W., John L. U., and Mary E. (Jewell). January 10, 1865, Jeremiah W. married Georgia A., daughter of Jonathan and Fanny (Fant) Jewell, of Barren County (born March 11, 1842), and to them have been born Sallie, Bettie, Thomas F., Hattie (deceased), Fannie and Susan (deceased), twins, Ellie (deceased), George G., Lallie (deceased), and Allie (deceased). Jeremiah W. Harston obtained a common English education at the subscription schools of the vicinity in which he was reared, and was employed in teaching for several years. He is now engaged in farming and stock raising, having 600 acres of well improved and productive land. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics a Democrat. He lost four slaves by the late war.

LEMUEL E. HENDERSON was born August 19, 1844, in Calloway County, Ky., and in infancy removed with his parents to Allen County, Ky., where he grew to manhood and still resides. His father, Calloway B. Henderson, also a native of Calloway County, Ky., is a blacksmith, and is now living, aged seventy-six years. He espoused in marriage Melinda, daughter of Hardy and Catherine Witherspoon, of Allen County (died 1878, aged fifty-six years), and their children are Lemuel E., Thomas I. and Louise B. (Motley). Lemuel E. had but very limited opportunities of obtaining an education, but he is a reading man. He married, May 19, 1880, Mary E., daughter of William T. and Amanda (Williams) Weaver, of Allen County, born September 6, 1862, and to them have been born Alonzo, Melissa E. and William T. Mr. Henderson began for himself in the world with one horse, bridle and saddle, as his earthly possessions, but by industry and a close attention to business has secured a comfortable competency; he is a farmer, having 161 acres of productive land; he is a member of the Methodist Church, and in politics a Republican.

DARIUS N.HENDRICKS was born September 4, 1820, in Simpson County, Ky., where he grew to manhood, and at the age of twenty-six years removed to Allen County, where he has since resided. His father, Abraham Hendricks, was born about 1774, in North Carolina; he was a son of Daniel Hendricks, of the same State, who was of German descent. Abraham Hendricks was twice married; first, in 1810, to Alcy, daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Lucas) Halcomb, of Simpson County. To them thirteen children were born, of whom Darius N. is the sixth. He was next married, in 1866, to Mary Corder, of Allen County. They have no children. Darius N. has been three times married; first, April 18, 1850, to Lucinda Motley, of Allen County. To their union three children were born: Alcy (Divine), Darius L. and Henry T. (deceased). His second marriage, October 7, 1860, was with Eliza J., daughter of Louis and Sarah (Cooksey) Harman, of Allen County. To them were born John B., Sarah E. (Motley), Henry W. and Eliza J. (deceased). His third marriage was, June 9, 1874, with Sally A., daughter of Joel and Nancy (Hancock) Weaver, of Allen County. To them have been born Evalenia, Joel A. and William H. (twins). Mr. Hendricks started in life for himself under very adverse circumstances, but by industry, economy and perseverance, has become the owner of 200 acres of land in a fine state of cultivation. He was for about eight years constable of Allen County, and has been besides a magistrate and a member of the court of claims of Allen County. He is a thoroughly self-made man, and one of the most influential of his section. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics a Democrat.

ANDREW M. HILBURN is a son of Dempsey Hilburn, who was a native of Georgia, and married Virginia Able, of Mississipi; she, at her death, left a family of eight children. Dempsey Hilburn after his marriage removed to Sumner County, Tenn., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and accumulated a fine property, which, at his death, was left, with his children, in charge of a relative. The property was lavishly spent, the children left penniless and soon after bound to different parties. Andrew M. was born December 25, 1845; when only eight years old, he was bound to one Presley Venable, with whom he remained about eight years, when, upon the death of the latter, our subject took charge of the farm. In September, 1861, he enlisted as a soldier in the First Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, in which he served sixteen months, and was engaged in the battle of Shiloh, after which he was attacked by typhoid fever; he was able to return to his command in June, 1862, and with it participated in the engagements at Corinth and Iuka, Miss.; after his discharge from the army, he returned to the Venable farm and remained there until 1867, with the exception of eight months spent in Illinois. On the 3d of September, 1868, he married Malinda E., daughter of A. J. Newman, of Allen County, Ky. Their union has been blessed by the birth of five children, namely: Minnie Laura (deceased), Edward L., born July 25, 1872; Hallie Emma, July 6, 1875; Boyd Fletcher, July 5, 1880, and Myrta Green, September 18, 1883. After his marriage Mr. Hilburn continued to follow agricultural pursuits, in which he was very successful, until 1877, when he leased his farm and engaged in the merchandise trade for G. F. Martin, with whom he took a partnership in 1880; in 1881 he sold his farm and gave all his attention to the trade. In 1884 he bought the Martin interest, and up to the present time he has owned the entire business, in which he has been uniformly successful. In 1883 his health became so impaired that he suspended business for awhile and made a tour of a few months to the West and bought some land in Kansas, with a view of removing to that State, which he afterward found would not be possible, except through the sacrifice of much property; and he therefore abandoned the intention. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he united in 1871; Mrs. H. has been a member of the same church from a much earlier date. He is a Master Mason and a member of Graham Lodge, No. 208. He is a Democrat but has no political aspiration; is temperate in habits and favors the cause of temperance by his example. He started in life without means and but little education; his close application has given him a practical business education, which, with his untiring energy, has brought him a large reward in the way of the world's goods. His views are liberal and his hand is always open to the call of charity.

JAMES P. HOLLAND was born August 19, 1856, in Allen County, where he has since resided. His father, Walker D. Holland, was born in Virginia, and is of English descent. He has been married three times; first, to Mary Casey, of Allen County; they had no children; second, to Lucinda (Billingsly) Holland, who bore him one child; his third wife, whom he married about 1845, is Sophia, daughter of William and Clara (Harrington) Kirby, of Warren County, who was born about 1829. To them have been born nine children, of whom James P. is the fourth. He was married, February 14, 1884, to Eliza W., daughter of Alfred and Sydney (Guy) Wilson, of Allen County, who was born December 23, 1856. Our subject has an excellent English education and has made some progress toward the higher branches. He holds a first-grade certificate and has, since 1877, been engaged in teaching as a profession, in connection with which he has for a portion of the time engaged in farming. He started at the bottom of life's rugged hill, but has, by his own labor, always provided for his family in a suitable way. He is a man well versed in the current literature of the day and in politics is a Republican.

DR. WILLIAM L. HOLLIS was born February 14, 1823, in Sumner County, Tenn. He is the eighth of eight boys and seven girls, all of whom lived to be grown, born to Jessie and Phoebe (Gambling) Hollis, who were born, respectively, in Virginia and Sumner County, Tenn. Jesse Hollis was a farmer, and in his young days was a tailor. He came to Tennessee when a lad of ten years; where he subsequently owned a farm of about 680 acres and a large family of slaves; he died in 1834, aged about sixty years. He was a son of James Hollis, who married Mary Morgan, both of whom were born in North Carolina; they moved to Virginia for a short period. In about 1785-'90, they emigrated to Tennessee, where land was entered and improved. James was a son of Isaac Hollis who came from Scotland. The mother of our subject was born in 1778, was a daughter of James Gambling, who married Mary Terry. He came from England, was a soldier of the Revolution and an aide of Gen. George Washington. He died about 1840 at the age of one hundred and seven years. His wife died about four years later at the age of one hundred and four years; she was of Scotch Irish descent. They were some of the very first settlers of Tennessee and were slave owners. Dr. Hollis was reared on a farm. After his father's death he left home and lived with whoever he could procure work from; was a cabin-boy on a Mississippi steamboat for about three years, and when he quit he had about $400. With this he started to educate himself. After spending about two years in school he hired on a farm and worked by the month until his marriage, in May, 1843, with Mary Hatler, of Weakley County, Tenn., a native of Henry County, and a daughter of Alexander Hatler, who married a Mrs. Russell, natives of eastern Allen County, Ky. Mr. Hatler was a farmer, miller, and a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church and a son of Mike Hatler, who came from North Carolina and was of Dutch descent. Dr. Hollis and wife are the parents of five children: Elizabeth J. (Barr), Hallie E. (Harris), Mollie D. (Shives), Emily M. (Fisher), Regina A. (Bridges). He and wife are devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal Church; he is also one of the leading members of the Masonic fraternity. After his marriage Dr. Hollis located in Weakley County, Tenn., where he engaged in farming. One year later he removed to Polk County, Mo., and lived one year, when he returned to Tennessee and finally to Sumner County, where he engaged in teaching for five years, in the meantime carried on a farm, after which he moved to Nashville and attended medical lectures, graduated in the spring of 1858 and located at Rochester, Butler Co., Ky., where he practiced his profession. In 1867 he located where he now resides, ten miles east of Scottsville, on the banks of Barren River, on 350 acres of good land; he has also two other tracts containing 110 acres, and also owns some town property. He lost three negroes by the war. He is a self-made man, accumulating every cent by his own industry. He cast his first presidential vote for James K. Polk.

BRADFORD HOWELL was born in Allen County, Ky., in 1836, where he grew up and now resides. In 1861 he enlisted in the Ninth Kentucky Infantry, Company C, with which he served for sixteen months, when, on account of a wound received at the battle of Murfreesboro, he was transferred to the Veteran Reserves. He was in the battles of Shiloh, Perryville and Murfreesboro, besides a number of smaller battles and skirmishes. His father, James Howell, was born about 1797. He was a son of Raleigh Howell, of Georgia. James Howell was married about 1820 to Betsy (Perdue). From their union sprang Sally (deceased), Mary (deceased), William, Jesse, James, Raleigh, Henderson, Bradford, Frank and Wilson. Bradford Howell married, March 10, 1858, Jane, daughter of Alexander and Margaret (Meadow) Lyles, who was born January 18, 1840. To them have been born Robert, Willie (deceased), Etta, Lola B., Delbert (deceased). Mr. Howell is the owner of a well improved farm of about 200 acres in good condition and a fine state of cultivation. He is a Missionary Baptist in religion, and in politics a Republican.

HENRY C. HUGHES may be classed among the prominent and progressive farmers of Allen County. He was born October 5, 1848, on the banks of the Barren River, two miles below where he now resides. He is the fifth of three sons and three daughters born to Thompson R. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Hughes. His father was born on the farm where Henry C. now resides. He was the son of Richard P. and Elizabeth (Hardwick) Hughes, who were born and reared in Halifax County, Va. They immigrated to Barren, now Allen County, and settled near where subject now resides, in an early day. Richard P. was killed by the falling of a tree about 1828; was a son of Absalom Hughes, who was born and reared in Virginia, and was a soldier in the war for independence, and immigrated to Barren County, Ky., about 1818; died at the age of ninety-seven; he was of English descent. The mother of our subject was born in Allen County, was a daughter of Matthew Johnson who married Mrs. Elizabeth Anston, whose maiden name was Baden. Matthew Johnson was a soldier of 1812, and was in the battle of New Orleans; he came from North Carolina to Kentucky at an early date. H. C. was reared on a farm; remained with his parents until married, in March, 1872, to Henrietta Brown, of Allen County, and a daughter of Robinson and Angeline (Francis) Brown. To Mr. and Mrs. Hughes were born three children, Mollie Myrtle, Ida Bell and Winifred. Mr. H., after his marriage, located where he now resides, on 105 acres; he now owns 200 acres, 100 of which are in a good state of cultivation, improved with a fine residence. In politics he is a Democrat; is highly respected by all who know him, and with his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

JEREMIAH M. HUGHES, one of the progressive farmers of Allen County, Ky., was born April 29, 1846, on the farm adjoining where he now resides. He is the fourth of three boys and three girls born to Thompson R. and Elizabeth (Johnson) Hughes (see H. C. Hughes' sketch). Thompson R. was an extensive farmer and owned a large family of negroes. Jeremiah M. was reared on a farm, and June 14, 1868, married Sarah E. Neal, of Monroe County, Ky., a daughter of James M. and Margaret (Dunn) Neal, who were born, respectively, in east Tennessee and Monroe County, Ky. James M. Neal came to Kentucky with his parents about 1840, and settled in Monroe County. Mr. Hughes had born to him by this union three children: Owen V., Martha M., James Thomas. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. After his marriage he located where he now resides on 175 acres, which he has improved; he also owns another lot of sixty acres on Barren River. In politics is a Democrat; was formerly a member of the Grange.