Subjects of Perrin, Battle & Kniffin 1885 Biographies

From: Kentucky, A History of the State. Perrin, Battle & Kniffin. 2nd ed., 1885, Webster Co.
JAMES L. MELTON was born in what was formerly Henderson, now Webster County, Ky., March 19, 1823, and is a son of Samuel N. and Sarah (Mooney) Melton. He is the fourth in a family of nine children, and is of German-English descent. His parents were both natives of North Carolina, but in early life immigrated to Kentucky. The father of subject proved to be a valuable acquisition to the pioneers of western Kentucky. The father of subject proved to be a valuable acquisition to the pioneers of western Kentucky; he manufactured salt at what is still known as Knob Lick and Highland Lick, and was one of the first salt manufacturers in this part of the State. The pioneers came for miles to exchange venison hams for salt, and he carried on quite an extensive traffic in this line. The regular price for salt was $1 per bushel. He died at Highland Lick about 1836, and the mother of our subject died near the same place some time afterward. James L. has been a farmer from boyhood. In 1849 he settled where he now resides, and now owns 600 acres of good land, the greater part of which is in a high state of cultivation. He was married, June 26, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Humphrey, a native of Muhlenburgh [sic] County, Ky., daughter of Rawley Humphrey. This marriage has been blessed with ten children: Samuel W. (deceased), Sarah J., John W., Mary D. (deceased), Andrew J., Rawley E., James M., Elizabeth A., Vitula and Thomas J. Mrs. Melton died August 24, 1882. Mr. Melton is a Democrat, and is one of the few now living that have spent more than fifty years in what is now Webster County.


JAMES MELTON was born January 19, 1849, in what is now Webster County, Ky., and is a son of R.A. and Sarah A. (Shelton) Melton. The father was born in Henderson County, Ky.; he died May 3, 1879, aged sixty-three. The mother was born in North Carolina; she died in April, 1883. Our subject owns his present farm, which consists of 144 acres of land. He was married in 1870 to Catherine Mabery, of Webster County; she died April 11, 1877, leaving three children: John T., born July 10, 1871; Samuel R., born December 15, 1873; and Jennie B., October 6, 1875. Mr. Melton's second marriage in March, 1878, to Mary Mitchell, of Webster County. There is one son living by this union - James J., born September 20, 1882.


JOSEPH MITCHELL was born January 17, 1848, in what is now Webster County, Ky. He is a son of Joseph B. and Sarah E. (Barnes) Mitchell, natives of North Carolina. January 1, 1840, they immigrated to Union County, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. The father died October 25, 1871, aged fifty-four. The mother was born January 5, 1818, and is now living with her son Joseph, who was reared on this farm. In youth the latter received a good common school education, and is well informed on all topics of the day; he now owns this farm, consisting of 146 acres, and one-half of which is improved. He is a consistent member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.


JOHN MONTGOMERY, Jr., was born in what is now Webster County, Ky., October 4, 1828, a son of Samuel and Rebecca B. (Givens) Montgomery, natives of Kentucky, the former of Franklin and the latter of Lincoln County, and of Irish descent. When six or seven years old, about 1804, Samuel Montgomery removed with the parents to Henderson County, Ky. After a very few years the family came to what is now Webster County, where his father, John Montgomery, Sr., bought wild land near Providence and improved a farm, upon which he resided until his death. He served under Gen. Anthony Wayne during the Indian wars in Indiana, and was wounded in the left arm in one of those engagements. Samuel received his early education and was also married in Webster County. After attaining his majority he bought wild land adjoining the old homestead, and improved a farm upon which he resided until his death in 1862, in his sixty-seventh year. He engaged in flat-boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers for several years; shipping live stock, tobacco and produce to New Orleans. In the spring of 1815, just after the battle of New Orleans, he made a trip down the rivers with a flat-boat to New Orleans, and accomplished the return journey on foot in sixteen days. He and wife were life long members of the United Baptist church. Our subject was employed on his father's farm until he attained his majority, and in April, 1852, started for California, accomplishing the entire distance on foot, driving an ox team. Four months were consumed in making the journey. In California he was engaged in farming for four years, and returned to Kentucky in 1856. He then bought a farm near Providence, and was engaged farming and flat-boating to New Orleans for several years. In 1864 he embarked in the general mercantile business at Providence and continued for ten years. During most of this time he was also engaged in the tobacco business, which he carried on until 1882, when he retired from active business. He erected the buildings and founded the home school and normal institute of Providence and continued for ten years. During most of this time he was also engaged in the tobacco business, which he carried on until 1882, when he retired from active business. He erected the buildings and founded the home school and normal institute of Providence, where Mrs. Montgomery is and has been for years engaged in teaching. Mr. M. was married in January, 1858, to Miss Linda M. Parker, a native of Webster County, Ky., who bore him eight children, five of whom - three sons and two daughters - are living. Mrs. Linda M. died October 8, 1870. She was a member of the United Baptist Church. Mr. Montgomery's second marriage was, December 20, 1871, to Miss Myra A. Woodward, a native of Davidson County, Tenn. He and wife are members of the United Baptist Church; he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having advanced to the S.M. degree of the council. In politics he is a Democrat.


THOMAS G. MONTGOMERY was born June 26, 1831, in what is now Webster County, Ky., but was then a part of Hopkins County, and is a son of Samuel and Rebecca B. (Givens) Montgomery. He was employed on his father's farm until he attained his majority, after which he bought a partially improved farm, a part of his grandfather's old farm, upon which he still resides, and to which he has continued to add from time to time, now owning well improved farms amounting, in the aggregate, to 400 acres. For the past twenty-two years he has been quite entensively [sic] engaged in the live stock trade, and during the war he was engaged in the tobacco business to some extent. In 1857, in company with a younger brother, he manufactured a flat-boat load of staves, and ran them down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans in the following year. Mr. Montgomery was never sued in his life, neither has he ever been a witness or grand juror. He was married, November 31, 1853, to Miss Martha E. Hunter, a native of the town of Providence. Nine children were the fruit of this union, of whom five sons and two daughters are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery are members of the United Baptist Church. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, having advanced to the Royal Arch degree, and is at present W.M. of his lodge. In politics he is a Democrat.


SIDNEY CARTER MOORE, Webster County, was born September 25, 1826, in Person County N.C., where he was reared to manhood; he removed to Hopkins County, Ky., in 1850, and in 1852 came to Webster County, where he now resides. His father, Richard R. Moore, a native of North Carolina, died about 1836, at the age of forty-five years. He was the son of John Moore, of North Carolina. Richard R. married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Evans, of North Carolina, and to them were born David R., Thomas E., subject and William P. Subject's mother subsequently married Samuel Yarbrough, and to them were born DeWitt C., and Elizabeth (Jones). October 21, 1847, our subject married Miss Ann J., daughter of John and Sarah (Davies) Lunsford of Person County, N.C. (born August 14, 1831); this union has been without issue, but Mr. Moore is rearing two orphans: Mary Adelia and Irwin M. Vaughan. Subject followed farming very successfully until 1863, since that time he has found profitable employment as merchant, broker, general trader and real estate agent, all of which have contributed to a handsome competency. In politics he is a Democrat and the family are members of the Christian Church.


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