Kentucky: A History of the State Perrin, Battle & Kniffin 2nd ed., 1885, Hopkins Co. Home Page

Surnames Biography Givens Christian Barnhill JOHN C. GIVENS was born in Hopkins County, Ky., June 17, 1828, and is the fourth of ten children born to James K. and Elizabeth (Christian) Givens, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Kentucky, of Irish and English descent respectively. James E Givens, when about eighteen years old, in 1813, came with his parents to Hopkins County, Ky., where his father, Thomas Givens, bought military lands and improved a farm. James K. bought wild land near the old homestead, where be improved the farm upon which he resided until his death, in 1855. For the last twenty years of his life he was almost entirely helpless, being affected all that time by rheumatism. He and his wife were from early life members of the Baptist Church. John C. in 1850 went to California, by the overland route, and was successfully engaged in mining and teaming there for nearly three years. He then returned to Kentucky and bought a farm near Nebo, Hopkins County, where he has since been engaged in farming. He was married November 24, 1854, to Miss Artemisia Barnhill, a native of Bertie County, N. C. Seven children have blessed their union, four of whom - two sons and two daughters - are living. Mr. and Mrs. Givens are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a Democrat. Glenn Brown Fox PROF. J. J. GLENN, Hopkins County, was born in Lyon County, Ky. March 3, 1842. He is a son of Samuel P. and Mary G. (Brown) Glenn, both parents born in the same State and county. The father was engaged in farming; he died in June, 1884, aged sixty-nine; he neither sougbt nor held any office beyond that of deputy sheriff. The mother now lives with her son in Madisonville. Prof. Glenn was reared on his father's farm, and received a good common school education. At the age of twenty he entered a dry goods store as clerk, where be remained one year; he then taught school at Poplar Creek three months, and continued teaching at various other schools several years, after which he went to Trigg Countv, and taught in the Wallonia Institute two years; he then taught two years in the Montgomery Academy, and taught several years in Nebo. He has recently been elected county superintendent of schools of his county, and has been a member of the board of education several years. He is vice-president of the State Teacher’s Association, president of the Kentucky Reading Circle, also editor of the Madisonville Times. He was married February 1, 1865, to Sallie M. Prewett, of Lyon County. This lady has since died, leaving one son. Prof. Glenn's second marriage was on February 28, 1877, to Parthenia Fox, of Dalton; this marriage has been blessed with one daughter. The Professor is a member of the Masonic fraternity, K. of H., and U. O. of the G. C; he has been grand scribe of the grand division of the S. of T. of southern Kentucky, and has always taken an active part in all temperance and educational interests; he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and superintendent of the Sunday-school. Gordon Dobyns Arnold W. L. GORDON, attorney, Hopkins County, was born in Madisonville, Ky., November 23, 1837, and is a son of Ambrose G. and Sarah (Dobyns) Gordon, both of whom were natives of the same county and State. John Gordon, the grandfather of subject was a native of the "Old Dominion," and of Scotch descent. He was by profession a civil engineer, being the first surveyor of Hopkins County, which he helped survey in 1808. Ambrose G. Gordon was a lawyer by profession, and was among the early and successful attorneys of the county; his death occurred June 20, 1856, in his fifty-eighth year, and that of Mrs. Sarah Gordon, in 1873, in her sixty-seventh year. W. L. Gordon at the age of fifteen engaged in civil engineering, which he followed for a time. Afterward he took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1859. Soon after his admission to the bar he was appointed attorney for the Henderson & Nashville Railroad; this road has undergone several changes since its first organization, now being known as the Henderson division of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, but through all the various changes, Mr. Gordon has continued to be the company's attorney, and still holds that important position. He was also for a time president of the Madisonville & Shawneetown Railroad. Mr. Gordon is one of the ablest jurists and most skillful attorneys in central Kentucky. His eldest brother, Lysander G., was a gentleman of rare attainments and an eminent lawyer. His death occurred in January, 1860, in his thirty seventh year. Another brother, Dr. J. F. Gordon, graduated with high honors from the medical department of the Louisville University. His death occurred in Crittenden County Ky., in 1867, in his thirty eighth year. Still another brother, Frank, now a resident of Simcoe, Ontario, is by profession a civil engineer, but is now engaged in the hardware business at that point. Mr. Gordon was married February 29, 1860, to Miss. Cordelia Arnold, a native of Hopkins County, Ky. Six children - three sons and three daughters - have blessed their union. Mr. Gordon is a member of the K. of H. Mrs. Gordon and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Their oldest son, William L., was admitted to the bar in April, 1884, and is now practicing with his father, and is a member of the law firm of W. L. Gordon & Son. Graddy Benley Hampton TRAVIS S. GRADDY was born March 11, 1821, in Hopkins County, Ky. He is a son of Louis and Treacy (Benley) Graddy. Both parents were born in Duplin Connty, N. C., and came to Hopkins County at an early day. The father died in about 1824. The mother died in 1852. Our subject was reared on his mother's farm, and received a good common school education. At the age of twenty-one he engaged in teaching school, which he continued at intervals for several years. On the adoption of the new constitution be was chosen constable, which office he held two years. After his mother's death he bought out the heirs of the estate, which consisted of about 150 acres, he now owns about 205 acres, a large part of which is now improved. Mr. Graddy was married December 7, 1848, to Sarah F. Hampton, of Hopkins County. These parents have had nine children - four daughters are now living. Mr. Graddy is now the oldest native living in this part of the county.