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

Surnames Biography Scott JAMES M. SCOTT, editor and proprietor of the Dawson Ripplings, was born in Lauderdale County, Tenn. In youth he received a good literary education, took up the study of law, and at the age of twenty he graduated at the Cumberland University, Lebanon, Tenn. He then engaged in the practice of his profession at Nashville. After continuing about six months, on account of ill health, he came to Dawson in 1882, and established the Dawson Ripplings, and also engaged in the practice of his chosen profession. He is a son of the Rev. J. M. Scott, of Paducah, who has been the past thirty years a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Shaw Outlaw Taliaferro Williams JOHN H. SHAW, Hopkins County, was born September 19, 1844, in Duplin County, N. C., and is a son of George W. and Sarah E. (Outlaw) Shaw. The father was born in Virginia, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1849 he visited Hopkins County and purchased land; two years later he sold this land and returned to his native state, (North Carolina) where he engaged in farming, but principally raising turpentine. In 1867 he again came to Hopkins County, and continued farming, he died in September, 1883, aged seventy years. The mother was born in Duplin County, N. C.; she died in October, 1881, aged sixty-eight years. Our subject enlisted in April, 1861, in Company B, Third North Carolina Infantry Confederate States army, and served to the end of the war. He participated in the battle of Seven Pines, in the seven days' battle in front of Richmond, and the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville,-- the last was where Gen. Stonewall Jackson was killed. Mr. Shaw also participated in all the principle battles of the Shenandoah Valley, Va. On December 13, 1864, the army left for Petersburg; there he fought in the trenches until April 2, 1865, at which time they evacuated Petersburg and continued fighting each day until the surrender of General Lee, April 9, 1865. During the latter part of the war, Mr. Shaw acted as adjutant of the First and Third North Carolina Regiments, they being consolidated. At the close of the war he returned to his native State and engaged in raising turpentine, and trading in live-stock. In 1867 he came to Hopkins County, and in company with J. J. Outlaw engaged in dentistry and photography one year, since which time he has been engaged in farming. He owns four farms of about 100 acres each, three of which he has rented out. He was married in 1870 to Fannie Taliaferro, of Hopkins County; she died in 1875, leaving one daughter--Eula Lee. In 1876 Mr. Shaw married Lucy Lee Williams, of Tennessee; she died May 7, 1883, leaving two daughters--Eva and Emma. Mr. Shaw is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Shelton Clark Fuller CHRISTOPHER C. SHELTON was born in Muhlenburgh County, Ky., February 2, 1848, and is a son of William G. and Mary A. (Fuller) Shelton, natives of Virginia and Muhlenburgh County, Ky., and of Irish and English descent, respectively. When but an infant, in about 1825, William G. Shelton was brought by his parents to Muhlenburgh County; there his father, John Shelton, who had served in the war of 1812 under Gen. Harrison at the battle of Tippecanoe, located military lands and subsequently improved a farm, on which he resided until his death. William G. Shelton was employed on his father's farm until he was about eighteen years old. He was then employed as an overseer on a farm until his marriage, after which he bought a farm in Muhlenburgh County; altogether he bought and settled on three different farms. In March, 1864, he came to Hopkins County, and settled on a farm, which he had bought some years before, and where he still resides. Mrs. Mary A. Shelton departed this life in March, 1864, a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Mr. Shelton is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Christopher C. Shelton was employed on his father's farm until he attained his majority; he then farmed on shares for two years; then bought seventy-six acres of wild land near White Plains, which he has since improved, and to which he has added from time to time, now owning 121 acres, on which he is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits, and stock raising, making the culture of tobacco a specialty; he is also to some extent engaged in butchering. He was married August 9, 1870 to Miss Malisse A. Clark, a native of Hopkins County, Ky. Six children--four sons and two daughters--have blessed their union, all of whom are living. Mr. Shelton is a devoted member of the Cumberland presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Democrat. Sipperly Crenshaw Keiser Rains Wright HORACE B. SIPPERLY, Hopkins County, was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., March 18, 1821, and is a son of John and Eve (Keiser) Sipperly, natives of New York and of German descent. John Sipperly was educated and married in his native State, where he was engaged in farming until his death, which occured when our subject was only three or four months old. Horace B. Sipperly lived with his mother in the East until he was about sixteen years old. He was employed at various pursuits in the Eastern and Middle States until 1851. He then came to Hopkins County, Ky., and located at Madisonville, where he was employed at farming and in a woolen-mill for some six years, after which he was employed in the saw-mill business for four years, and then engaged in the flouring-mill business for one year, after which he steam-boated on the Ohio and Green Rivers for about six months. He then returned to Madisonville, where he was employed in the turning business for three years, after which he was engaged in the grocery and dry goods business at the same place for some six or seven years. He was then mainly engaged in the saloon and saw-mill business for a short time, and at other pursuits at Madisonville, Slaughterville, Earlington and Henderson, until December 18, 1883, when he came to Nortonville, where he has since had charge of a restaurant or lunch stand for the Southern News Company. He was first married in December, 1852, to Miss Jane Crenshaw, a native of Virginia; she was a member of the Baptist Church. He was next married in December, 1858, to Mrs. Mary P. (Wright) Rains, a native of Hopkins County, Ky. To this union were born three children, none of whom are now living. Mrs Sipperly is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Sipperly is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the I. O. O. F., having advanced to the degree of the encampment, and has passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodges. In politics he was formerly a Republican, but is now identified with the national Greenback party. Sisk Hampton Leach Morton A. J. SISK, Sr., county judge, was born November 27, 1824, in Hopkins County, Ky. He is a son of Andrew and Mary Sisk. The father was born in North Carolina, and the mother in Virginia, and were of English origin. They came to Kentucky about 1815, and settled in what is now Hopkins County. The father served in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of Tippecanoe; he also represented Hopkins County three terms in the legislature, and four years in the State senate--this district then comprising the counties of Union, Hopkins and Henderson. He died in the fall of 1857, aged sixty-seven. The mother died in 1854, aged sixty-four. Judge Sisk was reared on his father's farm, and at the age of twenty-two commenced farming on land which he inherited; in 1852 he was elected constable and served four years; he then served four years as deputy sheriff and in 1866 was elected sheriff and served four years; in 1870 he was elected county judge, served eight years, and in 1882 was again elected county judge, which position he still honorably fills. He was married in April, 1848, to Martha C. Hampton, of Hopkins County; she died in January, 1858, leaving three children--two sons and one daughter--one son since deceased. His second marriage in April, 1860, was to Narcissa I. Morton, of Hopkins County; she died in December, 1864, leaving three children--two sons and one daughter--one son since deceased. His third marriage in December, 1869, was to Mary F. Leach, of Hopkins County; this union is blessed with five children--three sons and two daughters. Sisk Davis Fox Williams EB. W. SISK was born January 2, 1834, in Hopkins County, Ky. He is a son of E. D. and Mary (Fox) Sisk. They were also born in this county. The father died August 26, 1854; the mother died June 13, 1859. At the age of twenty-one our subject commenced farming on his own account; this business he continued until 1870, when he engaged in merchandising in Morton's Gap, and has successfully carried on this business till 1882, when he sold out his stock to George M. Davis, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns a very valuable farm consisting of 269 acres, situated about half a mile east of Morton's Gap, on which he has recently completed one of the most attractive residences in this part of the county. Mr. Sisk commenced life with no assistance, but by constant attention to business and judicious management, he has placed himself in comfortable circumstances. He was married in 1856 to Christina Williams, of Hopkins County. Sisk Oldham Williams ELISHA W. SISK was born December 30, 1833, in Hopkins County, Ky., and is a son of Harrison D. and Martha (Williams) Sisk. The father was born in Hopkins County; he died in 1859, aged fifty-one. The mother was born in Tennessee; she died in September, 1839. Our subject, at the age of eighteen, hired out to act as overseer, and continued two years. In 1853 he was taken ill with measles, which rendered him unfit for agricultural pursuits; he then entered a store as clerk at Madisonville, where he remained two years; he then carried on his father's farm one year, after which he rented one for ten years. In 1866 he bought his present place, consisting of 125 acres, about sixty-five of which are now improved. He had the misfortune of losing two horses, the first year he bought this farm, their loss being greater than he could well afford at that time, as payments on this farm were coming due; he succeeded in meeting all obligations, however, and has placed himself in comfortable circumstances. In 1880 he was elected constable without opposition; he was re-elected in 1882 by a majority of 300; in January, 1885, he became deputy sheriff, which position he now holds. Mr. Sisk was married, in 1856, to Margaret A. Oldham of Hopkins County. These parents have had thirteen children (eleven now living), four sons and seven daughters. They are members of the United Baptist Church. Sisk Holloman O'Bryan Shackelford WILLIAM H. SISK was born in Hopkins County, Ky., November 4, 1832, and is a son of Travis H. and Kesiah (Sisk) Sisk, natives of Hopkins County, and of English descent. Travis H. Sisk was educated and married in his native county, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. Robert Sisk, the grandfather of our subject, was a veteran in the war of 1812, and served in the Canadian campaign under Gen. Harrison. Travis Sisk's death occured January 27, 1882, in his seventy-second year. William H. Sisk was employed on his father's farm until he attained his majority. He then bought a partially improved farm seven miles southeast from Madisonville, upon which he remained one year. He then bought 100 acres of wild land in what is now Dalton Precinct, twelve miles west from Madisonville, where he now resides and to which he has added from time to time, now owning well improved farms amounting to some 1,100 acres. His home farm, of 240 acres, is one of the best improved places in the district. In the fall of 1871 he erected a store building near his residence, and has since been successfully engaged in merchandising in connection with farming. He carries a well selected general stock, amounting to an average of about $3,000. He was one of the magistrates of the Dalton District for sixteen consecutive years, and for the last six years has also been postmaster at Silent Run. He was first married December 28, 1852, to Miss Pernecy O'Bryan, a native of Hopkins County. To this union were born thirteen children, eleven of whom, seven sons and four daughters, are living. Mrs. Pernecy Sisk departed this life April 26, 1880, in her forty-third year. She was a devoted and consistent member of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Sisk was next married in September, 1880, to Mrs. Martha H. (Holloman) Shackelford, also a native of Hopkins County. Two daughters have blessed this union: Gippa L., and an infant not named. Mr. Sisk and wife are and have been from early life members of the Church; he of the Missionary Baptist and she of the Cumberland Presbyterian. For the past six years Mr. Sisk has been a deacon, and for more than twenty years has held various positions in the Church. In politics Mr. Sisk is a Democrat. Slaton Henry Jernigan O'Bryan Scott CLIFTON H. SLATON was born in Hopkins County, Ky., November 22, 1846, and is the third of fourteen children born to Arthur W. and Pollie E. (O'Bryan) Slaton, also natives of Hopkins County. They were of Welsh-Irish and Irish descent, respectively. Arthur W. Slaton, after attaining his majority, bought wild lands four miles west of Madisonville, upon which he erected a rude log-cabin and subsequently improved a farm, upon which he still resides, now owning a well improved farm of some 200 acres. He was married when thirty years old, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Clifton H. Slaton was employed on his father's farm until he was twenty years old, when he bought wild land near the old homestead and conducted a farm four years. He was then employed at various pursuits for about seven years. In the spring of 1876 he came to Madisonville, where he was employed as salesman in a dry goods store for eighteen months. He then became a partner in the wholesale and retail saddlery and harness business with the firm of Bourland & Slaton, of Madisonville, where he remained nine months. He then engaged in the grocery trade at the same place, continuing until March, 1881, when he sold out and again engaged in farming, which he pursued until February, 1884. He then returned to Madisonville and again embarked in the grocery business in company with W. H. Jernigan, under the firm name of Jernigan & Slaton. They carry a large and well selected stock in their line and are doing an extensive business. In 1864 he enlisted in Company H, Twenty-first Volunteer Infantry, Kentucky, United States service, and served until the close of the war. He was first married in October, 1866, to Miss Armina F. Henry; a native of Webster County, Ky. To this union were born two children, only one of whom, Martha A. is now living. Mrs. Armina Slaton departed this life in May, 1871. She was a devoted member of the General Baptist Church. Mr. Slaton was next married in 1879 to Miss Cynthia A. Scott, a native of Grayson County, Ky. Two children--one son and one daughter--have blessed this union. Mr. Slaton is a member of the Baptist Church, and Mrs. Slaton of the Christian Church. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics is a Republican. Smith Shaw Winfrey PROF. THOMAS H. SMITH was born April 24, 1846, in Morgan County, Ga. He is a son of Henry and Jane (Winfrey) Smith, both natives of the same county and State. His father was engaged in agricultural pursuits; he died in 1852, aged sixty. The mother died in 1863 aged fifty-seven. Prof. Smith enlisted in 1861 in Company D, Third Georgia Infantry; about fifteen months later he was promoted adjutant; this position is held until the end of the war, after which he returned to Georgia and soon after moved to Keysburgh, Logan Co., Ky., where he engaged in teaching about four years; he then removed to Robertson County, Tenn., taught school two years, and also taught about three years in Butler County, Ky. In 1873 he came to Madisonville, and has since been engaged in teaching. In November, 1882, he was elected county school commissioner, which office he still holds; he has also been vice-president of the State Teacher's Association, and is now principal of the Madisonville Graded School. He was married September 16, 1869, to Mildred A. Shaw, of Montgomery County, Tenn. This lady died May 9, 1884, aged thirty-eight years, leaving three children--two sons and one daughter. The professor is a member of the I. O. O. F., Masonic order, G. T. and K. of H.; he is also engaged in preaching, having charge of many of the Christian Churches throughout the county. Smith Highbaugh Upton W. L. SMITH, Hopkins County, agent and operator, Chesapeake, Ohio & Southwestern Railroad, was born March 8, 1861, in Hart County, Ky. He is a son of Dr. J. and Catherine (Highbaugh) Smith. The father was born in Taylor County, Ky., and for over thirty years has been engaged in the practice of his profession. He resides on his farm in Hart County. The mother was a native of Hart County. She died in 1872. Our subject received a good education in youth. At the age of sixteen he taught school one term, after which he took up the study of telegraphy. In 1878 he entered the store of A. J. Upton, at Uptonville. There he remained as clerk one year, after which he entered the telegraph office at that point, and there completed this art. In 1880 he came to Dawson, and was appointed to his present position, which he has since acceptably filled. The population at that time was about fifty. It has since increased to about 1,000. Speed Summers Walden ROBERT C. SPEED was born in Hopkins County, Ky., July 5, 1844, and is the eldest of a family of six children born to Robert B. and Laura A. (Summers) Speed, both of whom were natives of Kentucky and of English descent. Robert B. Speed, when a young man, came to Madisonville, Ky., where he engaged in general merchandising and the tobacco trade for a number of years with excellent success. In 1864 he removed to Evansville, Ind., where he engaged in the wholesale grocery trade for about one year. He then went to New Orleans, where he opened a large commission house under the firm name of Speed, Summers & Co., and did an extensive business until his death from yellow fever in October, 1867, in his fifty-sixth year. He was a most successful business man, and a member of the I.O.O.F. Robert C. Speed received a good common school education, and also an academic education, having attended Eminence College, of Henry County, Ky., for two years. At the age of eighteen he embarked in the retail dry goods trade on his own account at Madisonville, Ky., continuing the same until 1870, when he was appointed deputy county clerk, which position he held for eight years. In 1878 he was elected county clerk, and held that office for four years. In the fall of 1883 he was appointed weighmaster of the Hecla Coal & Mining Company, and soon after became book-keeper for the same company, which position he now holds. He served for a short time in the Federal army during the late civil war. He was married April 8, 1868, to Miss Martha E. Walden, a native of Union County, Ky., and daughter of the Rev. J. C. Walden, one of the leading ministers of the Christian Church. Six children--four sons and two daughters, all of whom are living--have blessed this union. Mr. Speed is a member of the I.O.O.F., and also of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he is a stanch Democrat. Stanley Bobbitt Reddick MOSES W. STANLEY was born in Hopkins County, Ky., February 20, 1841, and is the youngest of four living children born to Moses and Lucinda W. (Bobbitt) Stanley, natives of North Carolina and of Christian County, Ky., respectively, and of English descent. At the age of twelve years, in 1818, Moses Stanley came with his parents to what is now the south part of Hopkins County, but was then a part of Christian County. Here his father, Moses Stanley, Sr., bought a farm near the present village of White Plains, upon which he resided until his death. His son Moses, father of our subject, was employed on the home farm until he attained his majority. His father then gave him wild land adjoining the home place, where he subsequently improved a farm upon which he has ever since resided. For the past five years, he has not been engaged in active business, and has resided with his son, the subject of our sketch. Mrs. Lucinda W. Stanley departed this life in August 1842, in her thirty-eighth year. She was a devoted member of the Old School Baptist Church. Our subject, Moses W. Stanley, received a good common school education in youth. He keeps fully abreast in all the improvements in agriculture, taking and reading several agricultural papers. He was employed on the old homestead by his father until he was twenty-one years old, after which he farmed the place on his own account for some ten years, and then bought the farm. Here he has been successfully and extensively engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He has also given considerable attention to breeding fine stock--cattle, hogs and sheep. He was married November 19, 1862, to Miss Theodosia A. Reddick, a native of Rutherford County, Tenn. Five children blessed their union, three of whom are living: Dudley R., Eva U. and Alma V. In politics Mr. Stanley was formerly a Whig, but is now identified with the Republican party.