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

Biographies
Allen County, KY

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THOMAS McDAVITT (deceased), Warren County, was born in Shelby County, Ky., July 24, 1795, and was a son of Squire James and Annie (Read) McDavitt, of Irish descent. His first marriage was to Sally F., daughter of Edmund and Matilda Compton. They had four children: James E., Martha A., Virgil and Sallie C. His second marriage was in November, 1834, eight months after his first wife's death, to Eliza Stanley. They had five children, three of whom are now living: Newton, Brice and Oscar. She died, and Mr. McDavitt married as his third wife Mrs. Sarah A. Hancock (widow of James F. Hancock), whose maiden name was Dennis, and a daughter of Abraham and Tabitha (Rice) Dennis. She was the mother of five children by her first husband, Mr. Hancock, two of whom are living: William W. and Francis D. She has one child by her last husband, viz.: George McDavitt. Mr. Thomas McDavitt was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and Mrs. McDavitt is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

NATHAN D. McELROY was born May 6, 1827, in Allen County, where he has since resided. His father, William B. McElroy, was born June 10, 1802, in Allen (then Warren) County. He was a constable for about fifteen years, and was besides land commissioner and deputy clerk of his native county. He was a son of James McElroy, of South Carolina, who was born in September, 1759; was a soldier during the entire Revolutionary war and removed in 1799 to Warren County, Ky., where he was one of the earliest settlers. His father, Alfred McElroy, was of Scotch descent. WIlliam B. McElroy was married, in 1822, to Lydia, daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Williams) Spann, of Allen County, who was born January 6, 1803. From this union sprang seven children, of whom Nathan D. is the fourth. On July 16, 1869, he was married to Almarinda, daughter of Berryman and Sarah (Goodrum) Cornwell, of Allen County. To them have been born two children: William J. and Letcher P. He started life with nothing but a good stout pair of arms and his own indomitable will, but by industry and economy has become the owner, with his wife, of 260 acres of well improved land and one of the best houses in all this section of country, together with fine farms and other buildings. His farm was first settled upon in 1802 by Benjamin Letcher and Randal Adams. Mr. McElroy is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and in politics is a Republican.

WILLIAM J. McELROY was born July 10, 1825, in Allen County, Ky., where he has since resided. His father, James McElroy, was also a native of Allen County. He was a son of James McElroy, Sr., who was born in North Carolina, about 1750. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and served for five years in the Revolutionary war under Gen. Marion, the famous "Swamp Fox" of South Carolina. James McElroy, Jr., was married about 1819, to Alice, daughter of William and Jennette (Williams) Ham. To them were born Alfred, Rebecca (Williams), William J., Moses H., Jane F. (Jent), Hartwell J., Nancy (Jackson), and Mary E. (Hunt). William J. married, in 1849, Mahala, daughter of Joseph L. and Rebecca (Ham) Dodson, of Allen County. To them were born James J., Rebecca (deceased), Sarah A., Thomas J., Marsalete, Albert F., Martha J., Mary F., Mahala R. (Hinton), and Eunice E. Mr. McElroy has by his own labor become the owner of 250 acres of well cultivated land. He has been sergeant, captain, lieutenant-colonel, deputy and county surveyor, and has for three terms been a member of the Legislature of his native State. He is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, in politics is a Democrat, and is numbered among the most influential men of the county.

EDGAR R. MITCHELL was born June 15, 1844, in Warren County, Ky.; was reared to manhood in Bowling Green, and, in 1873, located in Allen County, where he now resides. In 1862 he enlisted in the Ninth Kentucky Confederate Cavalry; was a prisoner eighteen months, and remained in the service until the close of the late war. In 1881 he spent one season at Helena, Mont. His father, Albert Mitchell, a native of Warren County, was born in 1811, and is now a resident of Bowling Green. He is a son of Thompson Mitchell, a native of Virginia, was a wagoner in the war of 1812, and died in Warren County. Albert Mitchell married Maragaret, daughter of Samuel Barclay, of Warren County - born 1812, died 1855 - and from their union sprang George, Edgar R., Lou A. (Poindexter), and Thompson C. Edgar R. obtained a common English education at the schools of the vicinity in which he was reared. On the 11th of March, 1879, he married Mary E., daughter of William T. and Mary (Perkins) Fant, of Warren County, (born January 25, 1846), and to them have been born Asher W., Marshall A. and Lou L. Mr. Mitchell engaged in merchandising at South Union and Rockfield for four years, in which he sustained a severe loss. He is now a farmer, having 360 acres of productive and well improved land, in a high state of cultivation. He is a member of the A. F. & A. M.; also a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and in politics a Democrat.

ELISHA C. MOORE was born in Warren (now Allen) County, February 9, 1815, where he has since resided, except for the period from 1839 to 1844, when he lived in Washington County, IL. His father, Wade, was born November 25, 1785; he was a son of Wilson Moore, who was a Virginian, born about 1760, and who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, for which he was a pensioner of the Government up to the time of his death. Wilson was reared by his grandfather, Thomas Moore, who was born in Pittsylvania County, Va., he was a son of John Moore, who emigrated from England in the latter part of the seventeenth century. Wade Moore was married in the year 1812, to Meda, daughter of Clayburn and Elizabeth (Ray) Lightfoot. Her family was among the oldest in Virginia. From this union sprang George W., Elisha C., John J., Minerva (Beed), Narcissa (Robinson), Samuel (deceased), and Henry. Mrs. Meda Moore departed this life in 1845; her husband four years later. Elisha C. has been twice married; first, November 21, 1837, to Frances, daughter of William and Martha (Jackson) Dixon, who bore him one son - Hosea S., now living with his family, farming and preaching near his father. Mrs. Frances Moore departed this life October 16, 1838, and Mr. Moore next married, September 12, 1841, Malinda, daughter of James and Elizabeth (Justice) Blackburn. To them have been born John B. (deceased), Asbury G., Tilman B., Frances J. (Dixon, deceased), Sydney J. (deceased), Lourana N. (Hinton), Symantha H., Henry M. (deceased), and Thomas C. (deceased). Mr. Moore is a farmer but is of a mechanical turn of mind, and has, in connection with his farm work, engaged in carpentering, blacksmithing, teaming, and other mechanical pursuits. He had to go in debt for the furniture with which to begin housekeeping, but by economy, and notwithstanding that he has paid nearly $2,000 in security debts, he has become the owner (including amounts settled on his children, and sold for their benefit) of lands amounting to 475 acres. He was for six years a magistrate, and a member of the court of claims of Allen County. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

MRS. LUCINDA MOORE was born December 2, 1834, in Allen County, Ky., where she was reared and has always resided. Her father, John Burton, was born March 31, 1795, near Charleston, S. C.; removed in early youth to Allen County, Ky.; was a soldier in the Canadian campaign in the war of 1812, and died July 19, 1883. He was the son of Cuthbert Burton, a native of South Carolina, who died in Allen County, Ky., in 1864. John Burton was twice married; his first wife, Permela Greaer, bore him two children: Permela (deceased) and Sterling. His second marriage was with Ann H., daughter of John and Nancy (Hines) Cole, of Barren County, born September 2, 1793; died May 16, 1883, and to them were born Nancy Hines (Burton), Elizabeth W. (Follis), Martha W. (Welch), John C. and Cuthbert, twins, Mary A. (deceased), subject, and Frances (Gatewood). January 24, 1858, our subject was united in marriage with Vestes Moore, and from this union there has been no issue. Vestes Moore was born December 25, 1830, in Pulaski County, Ky., and in 1845 he located in Allen County, whre he has since resided. He is a farmer by profession, having sixty-four acres of productive land in a good state of cultivation. In politics he is a Democrat. Mrs. Moore is a member of the Baptist Church.

SIMPSON MOORE was born July 29, 1819, in Allen County, Ky., where he grew to manhood and has always resided. His father, James W. Moore, a native of Virginia, was born in 1796; removed in childhod with is parents to Warren County, Ky., and died in Allen County, in 1864. He was the son of Jesse Moore, of South Carolina, who died at Shakertown, in Logan County, Ky. James W. married Susan, daughter of Thomas Oliver, of Allen County. She was born in 1798; died in 1857. Their offspring are Simpson, Martha (Huffman and Martin), Willis, Mary A. (Watson, deceased), Elizabeth (Bronson), Edwin, John, Sarah F. (deceased) and Henry. He next married Miss Button, and their child is Susan J. (Douglass). Simpson Moore, on September 3, 1840, married Henrietta, daughter of Robert Whitley, of Barren County. She was born November 28, 1819, and bore her husband the following children: Mary (Mitchell), Thomas (deceased), Sally (Runicks), Nancy (Moody), Susan (Richey), Robert E. and Elizabeth (Settles). In the commencement of his business career Mr. Moore had to work his own way, having nothing but a small patrimony received with his wife, but by industry and frugality he has accumulted a handsome property. He is a farmer and owns 1,000 acres of well improved and productive land. He is also a leaf tobacco dealer and stock raiser. He is a member of the Baptist Church and in politics is a Democrat.

CAPT. TOLIVER MOORE was born September 28, 1832, on Walnut Creek, Allen County, where he grew to manhood and now resides. In 1861 he enlisted in Company C, Ninth Kentucky Regiment, Volunteer Infantry, and in 1862 was promoted to captaincy of Company E, which position he retained until the regiment mustered out in 1864. He then recruited a company in the Middle Green River Battalion in which he remained until the regiment was mustered out in 1864. His father, Thomas Moore, a native of Virginia, removed with his parents in childhood to Warren County, Ky., and died in Allen County November 9, 1872, at the age of seventy-seven years. He married Amelia, daughter of John S. Gibson, of Allen County, died April 14, 1873, aged seventy-six years, and from their union sprang Elijah, Robert, Louisa (Atwood), William, a soldier, Elizabeth (Jameson), Capt. Toliver, Araminta A. (Mitchell) and Thomas R., killed by a horse. On the 27th of September, 1870, Capt. Moore married Mrs. Lucinda, widow of James M. Wheeler, and daughter of John H. and Elizabeth (Gibson) Davasher, of Allen County, born November 1, 1838, and to them have been born Bettie C., John W., Francis C. and Thomas R. Mrs. Moore's child by first husband is Mollie S. Wheeler. Capt. Moore acted as assistant revenue assessor for three years, and held the position of postmaster for six years. He was also deputy sheriff four years. He is a farmer by profession, having 200 acres of productive land in good condition and in a fine state of cultivation. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican.

JOHN W. MOREHEAD was born June 29, 1848, in the northern part of Allen County, where he was reared to manhood and still resides. His father, Edmund L. Morehead, also a native of Allen County, was a farmer and trader; his father was John Morehead. Edmund L. was twice married; his first wife was Elizabeth M. Fishback, who bore him two children, Sarah (Renfrow) and Edmund L., Jr.; after the death of his first wife he married Mrs. Louisa Jameson, daughter of William Stark, of Allen County, and from their union sprang John W., James S., Louisa F. (Watts), Nancy B. (Bronson) and Joel T. John W. married Mrs. Amanda Jewell, nee Rector, and to them have been born Edmund D., James W., William S., Clarence Cleveland and Katie Dora (twins). Mr. Morehead has worked his own way in life, having nothing in the commencement of his business career but a strong arm and willing heart, but by strict attention to business, industry and frugality has accumulated a comfortable compentency. He is a farmer, having 360 acres of well improved land, and one of the best residences in Allen County. He is a member of the Baptist Church, and in politics is identified with the Democratic party. Edmund L. Morehead was born December 16, 1815, and died February 24, 1865. Louisa J. Morehead was born January 31, 1813. Lucy A. Jameson, daughter of James H. Jameson and L. J. Jameson, was born March 15, 1834. Sarah E. Morehead, daughter of E. L. and Elizabeth M. Morehead, was born April 19, 1843. E. L. Morehead, son of E. L. and M. Morehead, was born October 4, 1846. J. W. Morehead, son of E. L. and Louisa J. Morehead, was born June 29, 1848. James S. Morehead, son of E. L. and Louisa J. Morehead, was born August 16, 1850. Louisa F. Morehead, daughter of E. L. and Louisa J Morehead, was born October 21, 1852. Nancy B. Morehead, daughter of E. L. and Louisa J. Morehead, was born October 24, 1855. Joel T. Morehead, son of E. L. and Louisa J. Morehead, was born June 23, 1858. George W. Jameson, son of J. H. and Louisa J. Jameson, was born July 1, 1836. E. L. Morehead and L. J. Jameson were married July 29, 1847. James H. Jameson and Louisa J. Stark were married May 21, 1835. William D. Jewell and Amanda J. Rector were married December 23, 1858. Thomas J. Jewell and Amanda J. Jewell were married November 26, 1863. John W. Morehead and Amanda J. Jewell were married January 13, 1878. E. L. Morehead, Jr., and N. E. Settle were married January 30, 1872. Mrs. N. E. Morehead was born June 29, 1850, and died October 24, 1885. James S. Morehead and Mary A. Hewit were married January 17, 1883. Nancy B. Morehead and William Brunson were married February 23, 1882. Joel T. Morehead and Fannie M. Grubbs were married February 14, 1883. W. W. Watts (born October 2, 1850) and Louisa F. Morehead were married December 31, 1884. William D. Jewell was born March 20, 1831. Amanda J. Rector was born October 20, 1841. Marietta Jewell was born January 23, 1860. Carrie David Jewell was born October 15, 1861. Thomas J. Jewell was born June 21, 1835. George F. Jewell was born December 21, 1835. George F. Jewell was born December 21, 1864. Joseph W. Jewell was born June 13, 1867. Sarah M. Jewell was born November 4, 1869. Edmund D. Morehead was born October 25, 1878. James Warner Morehead was born May 29, 1880. William Stephen Morehead was born June 13, 1882. Clarence Cleveland Morehead and Katie Dora Morehead were born October 13, 1884. James H. Jameson died August 23, 1840. George W. Jameson died September 17, 1840. George W. Jameson died September 17, 1840. George W. Jameson died September 17, 1840. E. L. Morehead died February 24, 1865. Joel T. Morehead died September 24, 1884. Louisa F. Watts died September 28, 1885. William D. Jewell died February 16, 1862. Carrie D. Jewell died July 15, 1863. Thomas J. Jewell died July 15, 1872.

EDWIN C. MOTLEY was born May 23, 1835, in Allen County. When a small boy he removed with his grandparents to Missouri, where he remained until he was seventeen years old; then returned to Allen County, where he has since resided. His father, James Motley, was born April 16, 1808, in North Carolina. He was a son of Edwin Motley. James Motley married, about 1832, Susan, daughter of Leonard and Elizabeth (Smith) Cagle, who was born December 30, 1811. From their union sprang one child - Edwin C. In 1858, 28th of March, Edwin C. married Elizabeth, daughter of Isaac and Patsey (Willoughby) Landers, of Allen County. To them have been born Sarah T. (Oliver), James I., Martha S., Deborah, Erasmus L. (deceased) and William B. Mr. Motley has, by constant industry, and economy, become the owner of 370 acres of land and in a fair state of cultivation. He was a member of Company B, Fifty-second Kentucky Mounted Infantry, from September, 1863, to January, 1865. Has been for over twelve years deputy clerk of Allen County, and in politics is a staunch Democrat.

HENRY T. MOTLEY was born April 12, 1844, on Sulphur Fork, Allen Co., Ky., where he grew to manhood and has always resided. In 1863 he enlisted in the Fifty-second Regiment Kentucky Mounted Infantry, and remained in the service seventeen and a half months. His father, Thomas Motley, was born near Raleigh, N. C.; moved from Virginia in his boyhood with his parents; settled in Allen County, Ky., and died in Missouri in 1851; he was the son of James Motley. James Motley was the son of John Motley, a native of Viginia and captain in the Revolutionary war. Thomas Motley married Narcissa, a daughter of Mastin and Aimie Jane Williams, of Virginia. Mrs. Narcissa Motley was born in Charlotte County, Va., in 1803, and died February 9, 1883. She moved from Virginia with her parents at about the age of fifteen years; her mother died when she was young. Mastin Williams was a son of Tom Williams, who was a captain in the Revolutionary war. The children of Thomas and Narcissa Motley are John, Polly (Witherspoon), James E., Mastin W., Lucinda (Hendrix), Sallie F. (Dalton), William T., Louis, Zacharia, Henry T. and Edna E. (Willoughby). Henry T. obtained a common school education in the schools of the county, and is a reading man. He married, February 1, 1865, Syrena, daughter of George and Carolina Tabor, of Allen County, born January 8, 1844, and from this union there is no issue. Mr. Motley is a farmer and stock raiser, having 152 acres of productive land in a high state of cultivation. He is a member of the Liberty Baptist Church, and in politics is a Democrat.

SAMUEL CUTHBERT MOTLEY was born March 14, 1841, in Allen County. He is a son of John M. Motley, who was also a native of Allen County, born June 23, 1817. He married, December 6, 1837, Patsy Willoughby, whose parents came to Kentucky at an early day, and settled in Allen County, where their daughter, Patsy, was born July 1, 1820. She was for many years a member of the Baptist Church, and departed this life April 29, 1863. John M. Motley was a successful farmer; he died September 3, 1855, and left six children: James M., Samuel C., Amaziah H., Perry J., Elizabeth T. and Erasmus T. John M. was a son of Matthew Motley, a native of North Carolina, and a cabinet-maker by trade, who came to Kentucky when a young man, and married Phoeriba Norris; she survived her husband twenty years and died in 1870, aged eighty years. Samuel C. was fifteen years old when his father died and from that time the support of the family devolved upon him to a certain extent, and he remained on the farm until 1861. His early education was very meager, consisting of a few terms in the common schools before he was sixteen; up to that time he had made some progress in mathematics, and in the elementary branches of English, which he has improved by home reading, especially geography and history, in which he is well versed, and his experience in the affairs of life has given him an excellent faculty for business. September 15, 1861, he joined the Federal Army; enlisted in Company F, Ninth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, in which he held the rank of orderly sergeant, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Tenn., and Corinth, Miss.; he received an honorable discharge from service Octobr 27, 1862; he then returned home, took charge of the farm and cared for his mother until her death. His marriage took place September 29, 1863, with Mary E., daughter of Berryman and Eliza Neal, of Allen County, Ky. To them were born three children: one son who died in infancy, Eugene and Hortense B. Mr. Motley's farm of 110 acres is well improved and under high cultivation; has good fences; dwelling, barns, and excellent young orchard. He gives some attention to stock but more to the cultivation of grain. Politically he is a Republican. In 1874 he was elected sheriff of Allen County, which office he soon after resigned. In 1883 he was a candidate for election to the lower house of the State Legislature, but was defeated by a very small marjority. He and wife and both children are members of the Baptist Church.

RORY O. MULLIGAN, one of the rising young lawyers of Allen County, Ky., was born in Scottsville, June 5, 1860. He is the only son of Gilbert M. and Lucy Douglas (Tate) Mulligan, who were married in Todd County, Ky., in 1867. Gilbert Marshall Mulligan was a lawyer, and commanded an extensive practice in Warren and Allen Counties. In 1861 he was made a captain of the Ninth Kentucky Infantry, in which he served one year. As an attorney at law he was very successful; he is remembered by all who knew him as a generous and noble-minded citizen, whose every thought in life seemed to be for the welfare of his friends; his death occurred August 11, 1877. Lucy Douglas (Tate) Mulligan is a lady of rare attainments and the "surviving representative of the family tree." She is the daughter of William Tate, who was of Scotch and French extraction. Her mother, Ann L. (New) Tate, was of English extraction, and a daughter of Anthony New, a native American and resident of Todd County, Ky. The ancestral mansion built by him in Todd County, in the middle of the eighteenth century, is yet standing. James Crawford Mulligan, the father of Gilbert M., was born in the year 1795. He was a native of the parish of Seapatrick, County Down, Ireland. He came to America in 1816, and located in Chambersburg, Penn., where he was employed as an attorney's clerk for some time; he subsequently removed to Bowling Green, in Warren County, where he married Mary Fisher Neal, in 1820, and to them were born eleven children - five of whom are yet living, viz.: Sarah L., Mary A (Sheppard), Harriet A. (Kiger), Thomas C. and Melissa A. (Rutland). James Crawford Mulligan is remembered by those who knew him as "one of nature's noblemen." He was eminent as a man of business facilities, and generous to a fault. During his official career he held the office of circuit court clerk for ten years, and for twenty years he was county court clerk, master commissioner and trustee of the jury fund. He died in Scottsville September 29, 1859; he was a son of Gilbert and Jane Mulligan, natives of Ireland and Scotland, respectively. Rory O. Mulligan in early life had excellent facilities for obtaining a good education, which he improved so well that at the age of seventeen he had become proficient in the English classics and in the higher mathematics, and made considerable progress in Latin. At the age of nineteen he began to read law, and sixteen months later entered Vanderbilt University at Nashville, where he remained five months; afterward took the law course in Cumberland University at Lebanon, Tenn., where he graduated in 1881; since that time he has been engaged in the practice of the law at Scottsville, Ky.