Biographies H
Joseph P. Hendricks
Joseph P. Hendricks is a native of Muhlenberg County, born June 6, 1827, and is the fourth of four boys and one girl, born to James A. and Susanna (Peters) Hendricks, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively, and of Dutch descent. His grandfather, Jacob Hendricks, who married Frano Rollen, came to this county at a very early age, and settled near Bremen. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Christopher Peters, who married May Nofsinger; they were among the first settlers in the vicinity of Bremen.
Joseph P. Hendricks was reared on a farm, received a common school education, and taught school in the county fourteen years. He lived with his parents until the age of twenty-two. In 1860 he was elected justice, which position he filled until 1876, when he resigned on account of a great railroad debt hanging over the county. In 1878 he was appointed deputy clerk, and served two years; was elected police judge of Bremen in 1881, which position he still holds; has settled up a great many during his life.
Mr. Hendricks was married April, 1849, to Susan Shaver, of Muhlenberg County, daughter of Andrew and Susan (Bowers) Shaver, natives of Virginia, and of Dutch descent. The Shaver family came to Kentucky about 1827, and settled near Bremen. To this marriage were born five children, three now living: Rufus L., Caroline (Bennett), James A. and Lanora A. (deceased), married R.L. Eads. Mr. Hendricks and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South; he is a Mason, cast his first presidential vote for Gen. Taylor in 1848; in 1864, commenced voting the Democratic ticket. Mrs. Hendricks' grandfather, Martin Bowers, was married in Germany - supposed.
Source: Battle, J.H., W.H. Perrin, and G.C. Kniffen. Kentucky: A History of the State. Louisville, KY: F.A. Battey, 1885. Page 907.
Updated July 9, 2018