THE OLD TOWN OF SALEM, KENTUCKY- HISTORY OF IT'S EARLY SETTLERS.
Charles Richard Stevens
CHARLES R. STEVENS, a farmer and manager of fire-clay mines, Salem, Ky., was born in Princeton, Ky., Sept. 27, 1844. He is the son of Herrington and Mahala B. (Stemmons) Stevens, the former a native of Caldwell county and the latter of Logan county, both in Kentucky. Herrington’s father was one of the pioneer settlers of Caldwell county, Ky. Herrington Stevens received his education in the public schools and Princeton college, Princeton, Ky., and devoted his whole life to the ministry. He and his wife had six children. Of this number four are still living. He was a Whig in politics and died Sept. 25, 1856. His wife survived him many years, dying July 2, 1872. Charles R. Stevens came with his parents when only four years old to Crittenden county, Ky. In 1874 he removed to Livingston county, where he has engaged in farming, being the owner of 350 acres of land near Salem. He has made Salem his home for the past fifteen years. In 1903 the Stevens-Tunnell fire-clay mines were opened and operated by the Western Clay and Mining Company of Kewanee, Ill. Mr. Stevens discovered these mines and has been the agent of the company for three years. While attending to this work he does not neglect his farming interests. He is a stock-holder and director of the Salem National bank. In politics he is a Democrat. He served one term as justice of the peace in Crittenden county, and has been nominated by his party for the fourth time as justice of the peace in Livingston county, where a nomination is equivalent to an election. Mr. Stevens is a Royal Arch Mason and worshipful master of Salem lodge, No. 81, Free and Accepted Masons. On Dec. 17, 1871, he married Miss Martha C. Tyner, a daughter of Thomas R. Tyner, an early settler of Livingston county, who died in 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Stevens have three children: Mary Burton, now Mrs. C.W. Mitchell of Salem; Myra T. and John H., the last-named a merchant of Salem. The parents are members of the Methodist Church South. W.C. Tyner, a brother of Mrs. Charles R. Stevens, was born in Montgomery county, Tenn., Oct. 28, 1843. He was reared on a farm and educated in the public schools of Salem; owns and manages a farm of 240 acres two miles east of the town; pays especial attention to stock raising, a business in which he is remarkably successful; is a Democrat, a Mason and a member of the Methodist Church South. On Sept. 16, 1868, he married Miss Josephine Hodge, the daughter of A.B. Hodge, of Crittenden county, Ky. Mr. and Mrs. Tyner have been blessed with three children: Blanche, Felix and Jesse.
Charles Richard Stevens, the son of Elijah Herrington Stevens and Mahala Burton Stemmons, was born Sept. 27, 1842 and died Mar. 31, 1925 at Salem from acute dilatation of the heart. He and his wife are buried at the Tyner’s ChapelCemetery in the Tyner family plot.
Sources:
Memoirs of the LowerOhioValley. Volume II, Madison, Wis: Federal Publishing Company, 1905.
Kentucky. Vital Statistics Original Death Certificates – Microfilm (1911-1955). Microfilm rolls #7016130-7041803. Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky.
Underdown, Brenda, and Fay Carol Crider and The CrittendenCounty, Kentucky Genealogical Society, Inc. The CrittendenCounty, Kentucky Cemeteries Revised VolumeI.Evansville, IN: Evansville Bindery, Inc., 2002.
Dr. Phillip Sidney Mitchell
MITCHELL, Philip Sidney, physician and surgeon, was born near Salem, Livingston со., Ky., Feb. 7, 1854, son of James and Nancy Ann (Hutson) Mitchell, and grandson of William Mitchell, who came to this country from Scotland about 1770. He was educated in the public schools, the SalemAcademy and the Livingston county normal school. He taught school for ten years, meantime taking up (he study of medicine and completing a course of reading. He was graduated at the Kentucky School of Medicine in 1881, and during the following years he practiced his profession at Carsville [sic], Ky. He resided in Cummings, Kan., during 1882-87, and thereafter in Atchison, where he has since engaged in practice. He was a U. S. pension examiner for Atchison 1885-97, and since 1880 he has been medical examiner for the Mutual (New York) Life Insurance Co. In 1896 he was house surgeon in the Kentucky School of Medicine hospital. Going abroad in 1897, he visited all the principal hospitals of Europe and gained an extended knowledge of the methods pursued abroad, and upon his return he established a private infirmary in Atchison, where the most modern methods of medical treatment are followed. He was among the first to use the X-ray in surgery, and he ranks among the leading physicians in Kansas. For four years he was a member of the city council of Atchison, and served as its president. He is medical examiner for the Modern Woodmen of America and other fraternal insurance societies, and is a member of the Atchison Medical Society, Kansas State Medical Society, United States Medical Association, the Northeastern Kansas Medical Society and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Dr. Mitchell was married in 1875 to Samaria M., daughter of Thomas Ramage of Salem, Ky., and has two sons and four daughters.
Source: THE NATIONAL CYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY. VOL. VII. New York: James T. White & Company, 1904.
William Courtney Watts
WILLIAM C. WATTS
WILLIAM COURTNEY WATTS, author of a single historical novel which is regarded by many as the finest work of its kind yet done by a Kentucky hand, was born at Salem, Kentucky, February 7, 1830. His family has no record of his school days, but he was married to Miss Nannie Ferguson when a young man, and six children were born to them. Watts's early years were spent at Salem and Smithland, Kentucky, but he later went to New Orleans as a clerk in the firm of Givens, Watts and Company, cotton brokers. He shortly afterwards joined the New York branch of this New Orleans house, known as Watts, Crowe and Company, as a partner in the business; and from New York Watts went to Liverpool, England, to represent the firm of W. C. Watts and Company, which was the foreign title for the New Orleans and New York houses. For some years the business was very prosperous, and Watts, of course, shared largely in the firm's success. After the usual congratulatory messages between England and the United States had been exchanged, Watts is said to have sent the first cablegram across the Atlantic. After many years of prosperity, failure overtook the house of Watts, and he returned to New York, setting up in business with a Mr. Slaughter. Some time subsequently he came back to Kentucky, making his home in Smithland, but rheumatism ruined his health, causing lameness, and making him an invalid for the remainder of his life. In Smithland, during days of illness, Watts wrote his splendid story, The Chronicles of a Kentucky Settlement (New York, 1897). This novel of early Kentucky life is one of the most charming and delightful tales ever told by an American author, although founded upon fact and, in a sense, twice-told. The Chronicles is the only book Watts wrote, and he has come down to posterity with this single story in his feeble hand. The preface, signed on the sixty-seventh anniversary of his birth, was done but ten months before his death, which occurred at Smithland, Kentucky, December 27, 1897. He is buried in the cemetery of the little Kentucky town over which he cast the glamour of romance, almost unknown to its citizen of thisday, and still unappreciated and unheralded by Kentuckians. His Chronicles is known only to the student and collector, as it was never properly put before the public, though published by a powerful New York firm. His family knows little of his life and is quite careless of his fame. In years to come the Chronicles may take high rank among the finest series of historical pictures ever penned of a single Southern settlement, and then William Courtney Watts will come into his very own.
BIBLIOGRAPHY. The Courier-Journal (December 28, 1897); letter from Watts's daughter to the author.
A WEDDING AND A DANCE
[From Chronicles of a Kentucky Settlement (New York, 1897)]
A few weeks after the race there was a grand wedding, and, this time, Squire Howard united in holy matrimony Jefferson Brantley and Emily Wilmot, the ceremony taking place at the residence of the bride's father. Joseph Adair and Horace Benton were the groomsmen, and Laura Howard and Ada Howard the bridesmaids. A young lady from Princeton was to have been one of the bridesmaids, but illness prevented her attendance, and Ada Howard took her place. The residence of Mr. Wilmot was too small to admit of dancing, but the company present had a merry time the fun and frolic being kept up until a late hour. It was then the custom to "give" (hold) the infare at the residence of the groom's parents or some other near relative, but, as Mr. Brantley had no relatives in the county, his infare was held at the Brick Hotel in Salem, and great were the preparations made on the occasion — never had such an elegant and sumptuous table been spread in those "parts"; there were meats of many
1 Copyright, 1897, by G. P. Putnam's Sons.
sorts, including barbacued pigs, and cakes, pastries, fruits, nuts, and wines and liquors in abundance. Silas Holman and Billy Wilmot were never in better trim, and their fiddles seemed the fountain of such ecstatic sounds as to set the nerves of old as well as young tingling with a pleasurable excitement which could only find its true expression in the quick and graceful movements of the dance. And dancing there was, and such dancing! There was Bird McCoy, who could “cut the double shuffle,” spring into the air, strike his feet together thrice before lighting, and not lose step to the music. And among the young ladies many of them country girls whose lives in the open air made them as active as squirrels and as graceful as fawns were many good dancers, but it was conceded that among them all the slight, sylph-like Ada Howard was the best “the pick of the flock.” And the mirth and fun grew “fast and furious,” and the “dancers quick and quicker flew." Nor did the fun and frolic cease until faint streaks of light in the East heralded the coming morn.
They almost literally"
Danced all night 'til broad daylight, And went home with the girls in the morning."
And yet, be it said that, while there was a good deal of drinking that night, there was no drunkenness, rowdyism, unseemly be-havior, or ungentlemanly conversation; for woe to the young man who at such a time and place, when ladies were present, had violated the recognized rules of decorum!It is certain, however, that several young persons came very near that night being "fiddled out of the church." There was one gay, good-humored, hearty country girl who, when “churched" for dancing that night, admitted that she was “on the floor with the so-called dancers"; that she had a "partner," and took part in the movements; but, she contended, that inasmuch as she had not crossed her feet, she had violated no rule of the church. "What," she asked, "if I walk forward and backward and turn and bow without music, is that dancing? And if I do the same when there is music, does that make it dancing?” And the good old brethren, who were sitting in judgment, after mature deliberation, came to the conclusion that they were not “cl'ar on the p'int 'bout crossin' the feet." "And," said one,“if we err, let it be on the side o' marcy." "Yes," replied another, "but let the young sister understand that she must n't do it ag'in." And so the matter was settled.
Source: Townsend, John Wilson. KENTUCKY IN AMERICAN LETTERS (1784-1912) Vol. I. Cedar Rapids, Iowa: The Tourch Press, 1913.
Dr. Joseph A. Hodge, father of Edwin Hodge and for many years one of the leading physicians of this city and county, died at his residence on Powell street Sunday morning. He was a victim of apoplexy, having suffered several strokes of paralysis within the past year, the last of which occured recently.
Dr. Hodge was born in the town of Salem, Livingston county, Kentucky February 2, 1829, being 79 years old at the time of his death. He was graduated from the medical department of the Louisville University in his 18th year and practiced at Marion, Ky., until 1863. In 1851, Dr. Hodge married Miss Susan A. Linthicum, of Muhlenberk [sic] county, Kentucky. He was president of the State Medical Society in 1875 and 1876, and at one time chairman of the State Board of Medical Examiners.
Five sons and three daughters survive Dr. Hodge: Edwin Hodge, Mrs. William Soaper, Mrs. Charles Dishman and Miss Emma Hodge, of Henderson, and William Hodge, of Nebo, Ky. His wife died several years ago.
The funeral was held in the First Presbyterian church, conducted by the Rev. Thomas Cummins, and the interment was at Fernwood.
The active pallbears were Edwin, Ludson, Hodge and Elijah Worsham, of Evansville, and Wm. Soaper, Chas. Dishman, Thos. and Edwin Hodge, of this city. All are grandsons of Dr. Hodge.
Dr. Phillip Henry Stewart
Dr. Phillip H. Stewart has gained recognition as a scientist and as one of the able physicians and surgeons of the state and by his labors, his high professional attainments and his sterling characteristics has justified the respect and confidence in which he is held by the medical fraternity and by the public at large.
Dr. Stewart was born at Salem, Livingston county, Kentucky, December 24, 1867, the son of W.W. Stewart, also a native of Kentucky, born in Crittenden county in 1818. He was a farmer and merchant, owning a valuable and well improved farm in Livingston county, which was well stocked in horses, cattle and hogs, and Mr. Stewart continued on this place until his death in 1903. He married Miss Lucy Watson, of Crittenden county, Kentucky, who was born in 1835 and a daughter of Henry Watson, an old resident of Crittenden. His grandfather was William Stewart, a well known physician and a pioneer of Kentucky, the Stewarts having come from Virginia in the early days, becoming pioneers of Kentucky. The maternal grandmother of our subject was Stella Shelby, an own cousin to Governor Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky.
The usual attendance at the public schools was pursued by Dr. Phillip H. Stewart, and having mastered the branches of learning taught in that institution as well as the higher studies in the high school he entered the University of Lexington, Kentucky, having chosen as a life work the profession of medicine, and in pursuance of this determination matriculated in and graduated from the University of Louisville in 1890. His collegiate course completed, having been advantaged with liberal educational opportunities for the responsible position of his profession, Dr. Stewart went to Paducah, where he entered into practiced. He was not fully satisfied, however, and believing he could do even better, in 1893 he took a post-graduate course in New York city and later in 1901 at Chicago, taking a special course in surgery. That his arduous studies were justified the results well show, as in addition to a fine practice he is accorded a position of distinction as a member of the medical fraternity, his splendidly developed talents and strong mentality making him master of the great scientific principles which underlie the work of the profession.
In 1890 the Doctor married Miss Lillie E. Hobson, of Paducah, Kentucky, a daughter of H.H, Hobson, who was clerk for a number of years of the McCracken county circuit court. To Dr. and Mrs. Stewart two sons were born, Herbert W. and John H., the latter deceased. Dr. Stewart is a member of the American Medical Association, the Kentucky Medical Society, the McCracken county Medical Society and the State Medical Society and was president of the Southwestern Medical Society. He was also president of the McCracken County Medical Society. Socially he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was for four years a member of the board of aldermen, taking a deep and helpful interest in educational affairs and for some years was health officer of Paducah. In fact his attention is centered upon many objects which have direct bearing upon the welfare and progress of the city along various lines, and his aid is never sought in vain in support of beneficial municipal interests.
Note: Dr. Stewart died October 8, 1934 from a brain tumor and is buried at OakGroveCemetery in Paducah, Kentucky.
Source: Johnson, E. Polk. A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians. Volume III. Chicago and New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1912.
Dr. Robert H. Grassham
ROBERT H. GRASSHAM, an eminent physician of Livingston county, Ky., was born in that county, April 28, 1868. He is the son of Philip and Catherine (Grimmett) Grassham, both natives of Tennessee, the former born Dec. 27, 1827, and the latter June 6, 1828. Philip was the son of Nehemiah and Mary (Clark) Grassham, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Tennessee. They were married June 20, 1822, and settled in Crittenden county March 10, 1851, where his wife died Aug. 20, 1858, and he ten years later. Samuel Grimmett, the maternal grandfather of Doctor Grass ham, was a native of Virginia. He married Miss Fannie Rankin, both of whom spent their last days in Tennessee. Philip Grassham was educated in the public schools of his home county. In 1851 he came to Crittenden county and engaged in merchandizing and dealing in tobacco. In 1869 he became a Republican, having been a Democrat up to that time. He was a Mason and attended the Christian church, of which he was an active member. They had eight children, of whom five are still living. The living are: Phillip, Sallie, Nettie, for seven years postmistress at Salem; Lizzie and Robert H. Phillip Grassham died Oct. 25, 1902, and is survived by his widow. Dr. Robert H. Grassham, after completing his common school education, entered the Madisonville, Ky., Normal School and Business college, from which he graduated in 1886. He graduated from Miami Medical college, Cincinnati, O., in 1890. Beginning the practice of his profession immediately after graduating he has built up an extensive and lucrative business. The doctor is a member of the Southwestern Kentucky Medical association; also of the American Medical association. He is a Royal Arch Masons. On Oct. 8, 1902, he married Miss Margie Gore of CrittendenCounty.
Source: Memoirs of the LowerOhioValley. Volume II, Madison, Wis: Federal Publishing Company, 1905.
Dr. Roy Waddell
ROY WADDELL, M. D. There is no state in the country whose physicians stand higher than Kentucky. These professional men have matured their natural ability, broadened their experiences and increased their knowledge until they stand at the apex of those whose lives are spent in alleviating the ills of mankind. One of these men of wide-spread reputation, who for ten years has made Salem his center of operations in his field of endeavor, and contributed largely toward his community's development, is Dr. Roy Waddell.
Doctor Waddell was born in Crittenden County, Kentucky, March 7, 1887, a son of T. L. Waddell, and grandson of Cal Waddell, a native of Virginia, who brought the family into Kentucky, and was one of the early farmers of CrittendenCounty. T. L. Waddell was born in CrittendenCounty, in 1865, and has spent his entire life within its borders. He now owns 600 acres of very valuable farm land three miles east of Salem, where he is now residing, being engaged in farming and stockraising upon an extensive scale. In his political faith he is a republican, but has never cared to enter public life. T. L. Waddell was married to Provie Brown, who was born in Crittenden County, Kentucky, in 1870. Their children are as follows: Doctor Waddell, who is the first born; William Grady, who lives with his parents, is a student in the medical department of the University of Louisville, entered the United States navy in 1918 for service during the Great war, was stationed at Newport, Rhode Island, and was discharged in December, 1919, as an ensign; Carl, who lives with his parents, is attending the public schools.
After studying under private tutors to secure his preliminary educational training, Roy Waddell took a pre-medical examination at Louisville, Kentucky, before Prof. Felix Kerrick in 1908, and then entered the medical department of the University of Louisville, from which he was graduated in 1909 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. In 1910 he established himself in a general medical and surgical practice at Salem, where he has since remained, and he has built up a very valuable connection. His offices are in his own office building on Main Street, and in addition to it he owns a modern residence, one of the best at Salem. In politics he follows in his father's footsteps, and is a republican. The BaptistChurch holds his membership. A Mason, be belongs to Salem Lodge No. 81, A. F. & A. M.; and Bristow Chapter No. 79, R. A. M. Professionally he belongs to the Livingston County Medical Society; the Kentucky State Medical Society and the American Medical Association.
In 1909 Doctor Waddell was married at Salem, Kentucky, to Miss Vera Butler, a daughter of Hon. Albert and Laura (Glenn) Butler, residents of Salem. Mr. Butler is a retired farmer, and is very prominent politically, haying served as a representative of Crittenden and Livingston counties in the State Assembly for one term. Doctor and Mrs. Waddell have no children. Doctor Waddell is held in high esteem in his community, not only on account of his professional skill, but also because of his worth as a man, and his fellow citizens know that he can always be depended upon to lend his aid to all movements which have for their object the betterment of the town and county, and the better protection of its people from unsanitary conditions.
Sources:
Connelley, William Elsey, and E.M. Coulter. History of Kentucky. Volume IV. Chicago and New York: The American Historical Society, 1922
DR. JOHN LUKE HAYDEN, a prominent young physician and surgeon of Salem, and a veteran of the Great war, is engaged in the practice of his profession with his uncle, Dr. John V. Hayden, a sketch of whom precedes this. Dr. J. L. Hayden was born at Stephensville, Texas, July II, 1888, a son of W. O. Hayden, grandson of W. A. Hayden, and great-grandson of Henly Hayden, the latter being the pioneer of the family in Kentucky, coming to this state from Virginia where he was born, and where the family had been established for several generations, it having originated in England.
Henly Hayden was born in 1772 and died in 1865, passing away in Caldwell County, Kentucky. His life was spent in farming. Ten of his children grew to maturity. W. A. Henley, grandfather of Dr. J. L. Hayden, was born in Trigg County, Kentucky, in 1826, and died at Salem, Kentucky, in 1906. He traveled about considerably, living in both Illinois and Missouri, but returning to Kentucky in 1857, and thereafter making this state his home. He, too, was a farmer, and also raised stock. He was a democrat in politics, belonged to the Christian Church, and maintained membership with the Masonic fraternity. His first wife was America Finch, and she bore him three children, namely: Robert M., who is deceased; Dr. John Valentine Hayden, who is Dr. John L. Hayden's partner; and William O., who became the father of Doctor Hayden.
William O. Hayden was born in Missouri in 1853, and he is now residing at Salem. He was reared in Crittenden and Livingston counties, and was married in the former county. His entire life has been spent in these two counties of Kentucky, after his childhood, with the exception of two years spent in Texas, and all of his energies have been given to farming. He is now retired from business. In politics he is a democrat. Like his father, he belongs to the Christian Church, and is a very strong churchman Mr. Hayden belongs to Salem Lodge No. 81, A. F. & A. M.; Bristow Chapter No. 79, R. A. M.; and Princeton Commandery No. 35, K. T. He was married to Laura Lee Sherrill, who was born in Crittenden County, Kentucky, in 1863. Their children are as follows: Mary Duke, who married Jesse L. Farris, who is in the drug business at Salem; Eunice V., who died at the age of five years; Dr. J. L., who is the third in order of birth; Charline, who married Rev. William Savage, pastor of the Christian Church of St. Louis, Missouri; and William Fred, who is a machinist of Salem, Kentucky.
Doctor Hayden attended the rural schools of LivingstonCounty, and then for two years was a student of the Southern Normal School at Bowling Green, Kentucky. Having decided upon a medical career, he entered the medical department of the University of Louisville, Kentucky, from which he was graduated in 1909 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. That same year he entered upon the practice of his profession at Salem, and now has a general medical and surgical practice, and is a partner of Dr. J. V. Hayden, the pioneer physician of this locality. Their offices are in the HaydenBuilding on Main Street. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Doctor Hayden is a democrat and a member of the Christian Church, and he belongs to Salem Lodge No. 81, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master; Bristow Chapter No. 79, R. A. M.; Windgate Council No. 40, R. & S. M. of Marion, Kentucky, while professionally he is a member of the Livingston County Medical Society, the Kentucky State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He owns a modern residence at Salem, one of the elegant homes of the place.
In 1917 Doctor Hayden entered the United States service, in the Medical Corps, and was commissioned a first lieutenant and sent to the medical officers training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, where he remained for nine weeks. He was then ordered to the Roumania base hospital, and sailed from San Francisco, California, but the Armistice was signed before he reached his destination, and he was summoned back by wireless, and sent to the base hospital at Camp Kearney, California, as a heart and lung specialist. There he was honorably discharged January 31, 1919, and returned home.
Doctor Hayden was married at Paducah, Kentucky, July 26, 1916, to Miss Glenn Ella Carter, a daughter of J. B. and Maria (Boston) Carter, residents of Crittenden County, Kentucky, where Mr. Carter is engaged in farming. Doctor and Mrs. Hayden have one daughter, Frances Adaline, who was born May 31, 1919. Always held in high esteem in his profession and community, Doctor Hayden won additional friends by his action in going into the army, for his sacrifice is appreciated by those who understand what it meant to the physicians and surgeons who left well- established practices and their families and went into the service of their government in order that the soldiers might have adequate care. The work of these noble men illuminates the history of that great struggle, and brings home to their fellow citizens that real Christianity is still alive and working in the hearts of men today.
Note: John Luke Hayden died in 1940 and is buried at the SalemCemetery
Source: Connelley, William Elsey, and E.M. Coulter. History of Kentucky. Volume IV. Chicago and New York: The American Historical Society, 1922
Dr. John Valentine Hayden
JOHN VALENTINE HAYDEN, M. D. The name of Hayden is connected with the history of Salem in so many ways that it would be difficult to write of this locality without devoting some space to the honored exponents of this old American family which dates back in this country to the colony of Virginia where it was established many generations ago by Cavaliers from England. The family is now represented at Salem by Dr. John Valentine Hayden, president of the Salem Bank, and his nephew, Dr. John Luke Hayden, both physicians and surgeons of dependability and prominence.
Dr. John Valentine Hayden was born in Pope County, Illinois, May 22, 1850, a son of William A. Hayden, and a grandson of Henly Hayden, who was born in Virginia, in 1772, and died in Caldwell County, Kentucky, in 1865, having gone into this county and become one of its substantial farmers. He reared ten children.
William A. Hayden was born in Trigg County, Kentucky, in 1826, and died at Salem, Kentucky, in 1906. He was reared in TriggCounty, where he continued to reside for some time following his marriage, and was engaged in farming. Subsequently he moved to Pope County, Illinois, which he left in 1852 for Cape Girardeau, Missouri, continuing his farming activities in both localities. In 1855 he returned to Illinois, locating in LivingstonCounty, and in 1857 came back to Kentucky, and made his home in CrittendenCounty for a time. He then, about 1882, located permanently at Salem, and from then on until his death was engaged in farming and stockraising with marked success. In his politics he always supported the democratic platform and candidates. The Christian Church held his membership and received his active support. He was a Mason. Mr. Hayden was married to America Finch, who was born in Trigg County, Kentucky, in 1828, died in Missouri, in 1860, having borne her husband three children, namely: Robert M., who was a farmer, died at Salem, Kentucky, at the age of forty-five years; Dr. John V., who was second in order of birth; and William Octavius, who is a farmer and stockdealer of Salem. As his second wife, William A. Hayden married Miss Sarah Ann Threlkeld, who was born in Crittenden County, Kentucky, survives her husband and is living at Salem. There were no children by the second marriage.
Doctor Hayden attended the rural schools of Livingston and Crittenden counties, and studied medicine under Dr. T. M. Dunning at Rosebud, Pope County, Illinois, and later with Dr. Marion LaRue of Salem, Kentucky. He then entered the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1878 with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.
Doctor Hayden took a post-graduate course in the New York Polyclinic of New York City, and another course in the New York Post-graduate School of Medicine in New York City. In 1875 he began the practice of medicine at Rosebud, Pope County, Illinois, leaving there in 1876 for Columbus, in the same county, where he continued in practice until 1879. In April, 1879, Doctor Hayden came to Salem, where he has since maintained a general medical and surgical practice, and is the pioneer physician and surgeon now engaged in active practice. His offices are in the HaydenBuilding on Main Street. He owns his residence on Main Street, which is one of the best at Salem; four dwellings, his business block in which his offices are located, and in connection with his practice of medicine, for thirty years he was associated in the drug business with Dr. J. D. Threlkeld, but has discontinued this. In 1902 he assisted in organizing the Salem Bank and has served as its president ever since. This bank has always been under state control and is one of the sound financial institutions of the county. The officers of it are: Dr. J. V. Hayden, president; T. M. George, vice president; John Quartermous, cashier; and J. H. Mitchell, assistant cashier. It has a capital of $16,000; a surplus and profits of $22,000, and deposits of $160,000. The Salem Bank is conveniently located on Main Street. Doctor Hayden is a stockholder in the Ohio Valley Trust Company of Paducah, Kentucky; a stockholder and director in the Marion Bank of Marion, Kentucky; a stockholder in the Farmers Bank of Marion, Kentucky; a stockholder in the Bank of Dawson of Dawson Springs, Kentucky ; a director and stockholder in the New Century Hotel Company of Dawson Springs, Kentucky; a director and stockholder of the Dawson Pharmaceutical Company of Dawson Springs, Kentucky; a director in the Dawson Salts & Water Company and in the Electric Light Company of Dawson Springs, Kentucky.
Doctor Hayden is not married. In politics he is a democrat. He belongs to Salem Lodge No. Hi, A. F. & A. M., of which he is past master; Bristow Chapter No. 79, R. A. M. ; Princeton Commandery No. 35, K. T. and Rizpah Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. of Madisonville, Kentucky. Professionally he belongs to the Livingston County Medical Society, the Kentucky State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association.
During the many years Doctor Hayden has been in practice at Salem he has proven his skill and won the affection of the people by his faithfulness and sympathy, so that he is known as the "beloved physician" by the whole community. As a citizen he measures up to the highest standards of manhood, and it would be difficult to find anyone who is held in higher esteem than this courteous southern gentleman and skilled physician.
Note: Dr. Hayden died May 14, 1930 at the Breechwood Sanatarium in Louisville, Kentucky and was buried May 15, 1930 in the Salem Cemetery.
Source:
Connelley, William Elsey, and E.M. Coulter. History of Kentucky. Volume IV. Chicago and New York: The American Historical Society, 1922
Once upon a valley
This article was written in the Crittenden Press (Marion, Ky.) by former Press Staff Writer Darrell Monroe several years ago. I received this in the mail from Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG and felt that this article was worth sharing. Permission granted by Chris Evans of The Crittenden Press to reprint this article.
Once upon a valley
Salem told about in former resident’s writings
Once upon a time there was a Valley. And sometime around 1800 this valley became know as the SalemValley. I discovered this tidbit one afternoon in my wanderings hither, thither and around.
After spending some time talking with Salem resident Grady Rutter, he gave me a copy of a history of Salem by the late John Elder. I’ve been meaning to share a few of the insights into that fair town’s past ever since.
According to Elder’s comments, Salem was settled by families of Virginia and Carolina descent. Family names of the beginning were Hodge, Rutter, Watts, Haynes and Berry.
By 1809, the village had prospered enough to have the county seat moved there from Centerville (located near present day Fredonia).
A two-story courthouse was erected in the town’s center and growth continued.
By 1825, Salem had a population of 250. The town ran along (has it still does) a road running east to west.
Of the buildings in the early years of the town, most were one-story hewn logs structures. However, a handful were brick buildings with the largest being the Salem Hotel, which was owned and operated by Dickson Graves.
I enjoyed most in Elder’s 21-page report on Salem the tales of everyday life - - what special moments were and things people did.
One highlight of the year was spring meeting and Rev. Peter Cartwright, a Methodist minister and traveling evangelist who often preached in Salem.
It was an August Sunday in 1826 Elder wrote that an all-day meeting and dinner was held on the grounds near the big, spring meeting house 14 miles northeast of the town’s center. The preacher was there promptly by 11 o’clock while the congregation had gathered earlier on the rough log benches. A Mr. Pennyman led the old time singing and following the sermon, the mourners bench was filled.
Following that, a feast of cornbread, light bread, biscuits, broiled and boiled ham, chicken, venison, peach and apple pies and so on was spread beside the spring. It was the social event of the season. After the meal, a Presbyterian minister provided a message to those assembled.
Elder wrote that sporting activities in those days meant either hunting the variety of game such as deer, turkey, rabbits and squirrels or horse racing.
The racing day was one that ran high on emotion, gambling and drinking. It wasn’t a bit uncommon for men to bet their horses, cows, mules, oxen, calves, and corn or tobacco crops in the fervor of the event.
Dancing was another pastime the early residents enjoyed. Dancing then meant fiddle music, and Silas and Billy Williams were the best fiddlers around. Bird McCoy was noted as a dancer for being able to spring into the air, strike his feet together three times and not lose a step with the music. Though many may have feared being turned out of the area churches for attending, Elder wrote, the dances frequently lasted all night in the area.
After the county divided to form CrittendenCounty in 1842, the county seat left Salem to move to Smithland. Trade in the small town dropped off, and the population decreased.
Although the 1857 Panic crippled the town’s merchant business, the brewing Civil War affected it more. Salem residents were mainly southern in sympathy, but the town wished to remain neutral along with the rest of the state.
Merchandise became scare following the war’s start with shops closing down. Coffee, for one item, was nearly impossible to find let alone buy.
The Union Army occupied all of Kentucky by 1862, but Confederate guerillas would slip behind the lines, and fighting was bad, Elder wrote. Horses, cattle, and other livestock were carried off, and houses were burned. Bushwackers seeking revenge on enemies were plentiful.
At one time, the Yankee Army set up house in the old courthouse then being used by the town for church services and public gatherings. The Union soldiers opened fire on a Rebel skirmish at that time - - Aug. 8, 1864 - - from the safety of the courthouse. Several were killed with the Southern ranks having more casualties. These were buried in ButlerCemetery northwest of the town.
Later, the Union Army moved on. When the Rebels returned and found the courthouse unoccupied, they made preparations to burn it down. However, the town residents pleaded with them not to for fear it might spread and burn the entire town.
They promised to tear the building down themselves instead so early one morning shortly afterward, the towns people gathered together to destroy the community’s building.
The war, needless to say, left changes throughout the country and Salem dropped in population to around 50. However, people and new businesses moved into town, and the small village lived on. One new preson was Phillip Grassham who engaged in running a mercantile and hotel business running as big as $10,000 in capital.
A number of physicians also commenced practicing around Salem. Three of them, Dr. R. Steward, Dr. J. D. Threlkeld, and Dr. J.V. Hayden, formed a partnership in 1884 and built a large tobacco house. The four-story structure was made of huge timbers shiplaped together and measured 150 by 80 feet.
As their business increased, so did Salem. More residents, stores, and churches were built in town spreading its limits south of Main Street into the village’s wheat territory.
As the town entered the 20th Century, Elder wrote of pastimes. One thing folks did was cut ice from their ponds and creeks during the winter months and pack it with sawdush to keep for summer, Ice cream socials were frequent come summer, if winter hadn’t been too mild.
During the early 1900s, the town took a special love for music. Charles Bush, a music teacher, organized a brass band consisting mostly of teenage boys, Elder wrote. Everyone, it seemed, tried to learn to play some instrument.
A Mr. Thompson also organized a band around this time. During the ice cream suppers, either Bush’s brass or Thompson’s string band were on hand to entertain the crowd.
The automobile entered the streets of Salem in 1902 although it wasn’t until 1912 that Salem resident Edgar Threlkeld who operated a livery stable and ran the mail, purchased one. If the roads were muddy, the horse and buggy were still relied upon though.
Elder wrote of the number of changes that Salem has undergone since the 1900s. In his last few remarks, he noted disasters the town survived such as windstorms (1903) when houses were moved from their foundations and drought years (1839, 1854, 1874, 1818, 1901, 1913, 1914 and 1930).
In closing, he also wrote of landmarks around the town including the Butler House having been built around 1811 and Harry Martin Place torn down in the 1960s.
I’ve touched on many of the things he wrote about as he recalled the stories and various accounts about the town he loved.
I wouldn’t say it’s all fact or fact, but I’d feel certain the essence of all he wrote is true.
Jail Construction Reports
21 Nov 1815 Jail Construction Report
We do hereby certify that the building of the new Jail
for this county seems to go on according to Contract
Novr 21st 1815
/s/ Enoch Prince
John Mott
Wm Thompson
H.F. Delany
Comms
16 Dec 1816 Jail Construction Report
We the undersigned Commissioners appointed to su-
perintence the building of a public jail in the town of Salem
and County of Livingston, beg leave to make the following
report – before however they go on with the report they will
first premise that from the plan of the said Jail to them
submitted they observe much is left to their discretion and they
do verry [sic] much regret that the plan according to which
they undertakers are bound was nor on many instances more
explicit – they find in the said plan (in allusion to several
parts of said work) the words “sufficiently” and “in a work-
-man like manner” made use of this they also sincerely re-
-regret for two reasons - first as to the sufficiency of any part of
the work where there is no explicit rule to which & shall
come the commissioners will have to be governed by their
own judgment of work which they acknowledge is
but limited – secondly they are judging between some
named individual (to wit the undertakers) on one part
and the body of the County every man in it on the other
part every man of which is entitled to the exercise
of his judgment and even think they ought to be satis-
-fied in as much they have it to pay for, now the commiss-
ioners earnestly recommend to the Court to examine the
work themselves before they decide on the following report
The Commissioners begin with the Criminal
Room of the jail first. The outer wall of the said
room is of stone of the thickness and size required by the
plan executed by the appearance in a rough manner and
might be considered as to its looks in conformity with the
contemplation of the plan – they have no means by which
its strength can be ascertained. The middle wall of
said room required to be is of timber of a certain size & thinking covered
by the entire inner wall which is of two inch thick timber
of oak prevents the commissioners from now ascertaining
whether it fills the plan or not – The afore said entire in-
-ner wall is required to be sufficiently spiked on – whether
the object of the spiking merely intended to secure the timber
from being forced off or whether it was expected to be
so done as to operate as a complete preventative to its
being cut or bored out is a matter the commissioners know -
nor – if the former was contemplated the commissioners
say it is “sufficiently” spiked on if the latter it falls verry [sic]
far short of it – They commissioners think the plan of the
grates might be much mended – The Doors are good
as well as the locks bolts but are of the opinion the Locks on
the outer door stands in need of some straps of Iron to se-
-cure it more permanently
The Commissioners come now to speak of the middle
or jailors room and they will in a word say that the
work is not neatly executed nor do they think it verry [sic]
substantial – but they believe it follows the plan in every
other respect except the floor which is laid of Poplar in-
stead of oak plank – as to the Debtors room it is per-
haps as good as the plan contemplated
16 December 1816
/s/ Christopher Houts
Wm Thompson
Enoch Prince
John Mott
Com [commissioners]
Source: Livingston County, Kentucky County Clerk’s Papers Box 4 (1815-1816)
Plann for a Jail
The house to be 40 feet by 20 from outside to outside
the wall to be stone eighteen inches thick except the criminal
room. The out side walls of which is to be two feet thick and
to be lined with four inch Oak timber dovetailed and dow-
eled and to be crossed with two inch thick Oak plank well
spiked on, the floor to be laid with six inch Oak timber to be
crossed with two inch Oak plank spiked on, over head the
same, and to be nine feet between the floors and to have two
grated windows 20 inches square the grates of which is to be
one inch square, two shutters to the door, will secured with
large hinges bolts and locks, the Jailors room to be agreeable
to the above plan in the middle of the building to have
two doors two twelve tight windows with glass 8 by 10 a chim
ney in the partition which divides it from the debtor’s room
with a stair case and a lodgeing [sic] room over head with two dor
-man windows and a fire place, the room to be either sealed or lathed
and plastered the Jailor room to have a good floor of Oak
plank and the sides to be plastered and white washed,
the door of the debtors room to have two shutters made
of Oak and to be secured in the same manner as the
Debters room to have two windows of four lighter each
and to be secured on the out side of the glass with 2
Iron bars upright and three cross ones to be floored with
good Oak planks one & ½ inches thick and sealed over head
with the same the sides of the walls to be plastered and
white washed the roof to be covered with shingles with
the sass taken off, and the plain Cornish the roof to be painted red
and the Cornish white the out side doors to be painted
red, the whole to be done in a workman like mann
er and under the superintenance [sic] and direction of Henry
F. Delany, William Thompson, John Mott and Enoch Prince
Or a majority of them to be raised and covered by the 25th
day of December 1815 of possible and be finished by the 25th
