Biographies F
David J. Fleming
David J. Fleming is a native of Muhlenberg County, Ky., and was born January 10, 1834. His father, Samuel C. Fleming, was a Tennessean, born near the site of the present city of Knoxville, in September, 1806; he was a farmer, and died in 1876; his wife, Ann (Kimball) Fleming, whom he married in 1832, survived him some years. They were the parents of five children, David J. being the eldest. The father of Samuel C. Fleming was of English descent; he was one of the pioneers of Kentucky, and served in the war of 1812.
David J. Fleming was born and reared on the farm. At the age of twenty-one years he had made considerable progress in the study of books, and took up teaching, which he followed for several years. May 9, 1858, he married Elizabeth, a daughter of Jacob Garst, of McLean County, Ky.; she died February 24, 1873, leaving six children: George Q., Mary W., Jacob T., Samuel M., Margaret A. and James G.
Mr. Fleming's second marriage occurred March 7, 1875, with Virginia E. Westray, of Muhlenberg County; to this marriage have been born two daughters: Lena C. and Carra S., and one son, Lewis E.
Mr. Fleming joined the Federal army in 1861. He was a member of Hewitt's battery of the First Kentucky Light Artillery. At the battle of Murfreesboro he was captured by the enemy, and after four days, was “paroled” by Gen. Forrest. He was soon after exchanged, and joined his command in time to take part in the battle of Stone River, and later in the siege of Tullahoma, after which with his command he was assigned to garrison duty. October 24, 1874 [sic - 1864], he received an honorable discharge and returned to his farm, which he soon after exchanged for 200 acres, where he now resides; afterward he added 250 acres to the purchase; they lost all by going security for a friend.
He then set to work to repair his losses, and has regained his farm of 450 acres, which he has improved with good buildings, fences, two large orchards, etc. The farm has good water, and produces abundant crops of grass, and Mr. Fleming gives a good share of his attention to the raising of stock.
Politically his views are very liberal, he takes little interest in politics, but takes a strong position in favor of temperance, in which cause he devotes much of his time. His religious views are based on the Universalist doctrine, of which faith he has been a minister for twenty-five years. Mrs. Fleming is also a member of the same church.
Source: Battle, J.H., W.H. Perrin, and G.C. Kniffen. Kentucky: A History of the State. Louisville, KY: F.A. Battey, 1885. Page 904.
Updated July 9, 2018