BIOGRAPHIES OF A CENTURY AGO - continued

Delegate to the Constitutional Convention
Reprint from January 22, 1891

Among the many prominent citizens of Grant County who have added to the reputation of the county and Williamstown, there are few who better deserve the respect and gratitude of their neighbors than Dr. R. H. O'Hara. He was born in Owen County, kentucky in 1838 and is consequently in the 53rd year of his life. His father,  James O'Hara, was a native of Ireland. He came to America in 1798 and settled in the State of Maryland, but migrated to Kentucky in 1820. He studied and began the practice of the law in Woodford County, but shortly removed to Owen County, where for many years he practiced his profession with much success. He is still remembered by the older citizens of Owen as an affable, agreeable gentleman, and one of the best real estate lawyers of his time. He died in Grant County in 1874 leaving a numerous family and a handsome fortune. Mrs. Lucy O'Hara, his wife, came from Scott County, Kentucky. She survived her husband about fourteen years. She was an elegant lady of the old school and noted for her maternal kindness and undeviating piety.  Dr. O'Hara attended the ordinary schools of this county and completed his education at St. Joseph's College, Somerset, Ohio, graduating in 1858. He then attended the Jeffersonian College of Medicine at Philadelphia, from whence he graduated in 1865. The same year he located in Williamstown where he engaged in the active practice of his profession until 1878 when he suffered an attack of paralysis in the arm, which induced him to retired from the field of practice. He then opened a large drug store to which his attention has been chiefly devoted since that time. In 1869 he married Miss Martha Johnson, daughter of James A. and Elizabeth (Carter) Johnson, his family consists of his wife and two sons. Dr. O'Hara has continuously resided in Williamstown since is marriage and has justly earned the reputation of an enterprising and progressive citizen. He has at all times been an earnest advocate of our system of public institutions, and the consistent friend of popular education, besides standing at the head of his profession as a physician and surgeon, he has discovered abilities of a high order in other fields. In 1880 he was appointed the master commissioner of the Grant Circuit Court under the Hon. P. U. Major, Circuit Judge, and made one of the most able and efficient vice chancellors in the State. His trained abilities and practiced intellect enabled him to grasp the weight and difficult questions of the law as well as to handle neatly and accurately its details, and as a thoroughly upright able and clean handed official, he has had few equals and certainly no superior. In 1890 he became a candidate for County Judge, made a brilliant and well nigh successful canvass, coming short of the nomination 448 votes in a total poll of 1600. In June of the same year he was unanimously nominated by the Democratic party to represent Grant County in the Constitutional Convention and was elected in August without opposition. Though prevented by ill health from being present in the early part of the convention, his course has been marked with good judgment, intelligence and ability. He is in the prime of life, of cheerful and obliging disposition, always a friend of deserving young men. His heart and hand are always open to the cause of real distress. He has accumulated quite a handsome fortune, which he enjoys modestly. He is president of the Grant County Building and Loan Association, and a director and vice President of the Grant County Deposit Bank. Besides enjoying the reputation of a great business capacity, he is a model neighbor, citizen and friend.

Popular Landlord of the Johnson House Ex-Sheriff and Ex-County Clerk
Reprint from January 29, 1891

James P. Webb is a native "Tarheel" having first seen the light of day in Stokes County, North carolina May 7th, 1835, and is consequently nearly 56 years of age. He is the youngest of five sons born to William and Elizabeth Webb. The other four sons, J. H. Webb, Joe Webb, William F. Webb and George N. Webb, are all living and residents of Grant County. William Webb Senior, with his family came to Kentucky in 1847 and settled near Cordova. He was a farmer and of English decent and died in 1864. James P. Webb was reared "A Farmer Boy" and received such education as was afforded by the common schools for the "Forty's." When the Civil War broke out Mr. Webb was a staunch supporter of the Confederacy. In September 1862 he cast his lot with the sons of the South and entered the Confederate service. He joined the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry under the command of the celebrated John Morgan, and was made lieutenant in which position and company he served through the war. He was with Morgan in 1863 when he made his celebrated raid through Ohio and Indiana. With others of the command he was captured at Ewington, Ohio, July 20, 1863, and was held a prisoner of war until the cessation of hostilities in 1865. At the close of the war he returned to Grant County and shortly afterwards, on February 6, 1866, married Addie E. Lucas, a native of Grant County, being a daughter of Squire Lucas, who died in 1873. Seven children were born to this union, only three of whom are now living. Mrs. Webb died in December 1877. Mr. Webb married Miss Julia E. Harrington, a native of Ohio, February 11, 1886. By this last marriage he has two children. In politics Mr. Webb has always been a Democrat of the old school and has been rewarded by his party for his devotion and loyalty. In 1872 he was elected Sheriff of grant County and re-elected in August 1874, serving four years. In 1880 he was elected County Clerk and again re-elected in August 1886. He made a popular and obliging official. Last August he was elected magistrate for the Williamstown precinct and is now one of the best informed members of the Court of Claims. With the first of the year Mr. Webb took charge of the Johnson Hotel and his many friends are wishing him success in his venture. he is a member of the Williamstown Baptist Church, belongs to Centurion Lodge I.O.O.F. and The Williamstown Lodge of Masons. He is a clever, agreeable gentleman and one of the few men who are always the same.

One of Grant County's Self Made Men
Reprint from February 5, 1891

Hon. D. S. Clay first saw the light of day in Grant County, in the year 1848, making him at the present time nearly 43 years of age. He is a son of Elijah S. Clay and Mary J. Clay. His father was a native of Pendleton County, and a farmer. He died in 1859 at the early age of thirty-nine years, leaving a numerous family. Mr. Clay can trace his lineage back to old Virginia to the same family from which Henry Clay and Cassius M. Clay came. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, attending school at an old log schoolhouse a few months in the winter of each year. At the early age of sixteen years, he united in marriage with Sarah A. Marksberry, a daughter of Arasha and Martha A. marksberry, and a great granddaughter of the celebrated scout, warrior and pioneer, Simon Kenton. She died in 1877 leaving five children, vis: Henry C., Martha E., Charles C., Georgia A., and Jennie B. In 1876 Mr. Clay begun the study of law, and in 1880 four years later was admitted to the Grant County bar and has since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession, not only in Grant County, but in the majority of the counties of the State. For some years he has been employed as the general attorney for the German Insurance Company and has devoted most of his time to the practice of Insurance law, and is considered an authority on that branch of the law. In 1886 Mr. Clay married Mrs. Emma Callen, daughter of James Acre of Kenton County. He has held the office of Police Judge one term and town attorney two terms. He is a staunch Democrat, member of the Christian Church and an Odd Fellow, being a member of Centurion Lodge. Few men have overcome more difficulties than D. S. Clay, or are more worthy of the respect and confidence for the community in which they live. He has accumulated considerable property and is a sound discreet business man.

A Prominent Member of a Large and Influential Family
Reprint from February 19, 1891

The subject of this sketch, Clay Conrad, was born in Grant County, two miles West of Dry Ridge February 13th, 1853, making him at present thirty-seven years of age. He is the sixth child of a family of eight children born to Jacob S. and Eliza Conrad. Jacob S. Conrad was born in Grant County, Kentucky, and was a successful farmer and stock raiser and died June 19th, 1877, universally esteemed by those who knew him. He was a son of William and Elizabeth Conrad. William Conrad was born in Harrison County, Kentucky, and was a tanner by trade and an old Baptist preacher by profession and was also engaged in agricultural pursuits. He was the son of Isaac Conrad a native of Germany. Clay Conrad was reared on a farm, was educated in the best school in the county, and was engaged in Agricultural pursuits until 1879, he was then employed by a large lumber firm in Buffalo, New York and for them he bought walnut timber all over Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Tennessee. In 1883 he accepted a position under John T. McClure as Deputy Sheriff. April 3, 1886 he resigned this position to accept the office of Circuit Court Clerk, to which position he was elected by the Democratic party in August, 1886, and has since filled that position in a very acceptable manner. In October 1888, he united in marriage to May E. Webb, daughter of J. H. Webb. To this union one child, a baby girl, has been born. Clay as he is familiarly called is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, and a "Dyed in the Wood Democrat." The Conrads of Grant County are a numerous and wealthy family and are as far as we know all descendants of William and Elizabeth Conrad, and trace their lineage back to Germany. William Conrad was one of the pioneer settlers of Grant County and became the owner of a large tract of land near Dry Ridge in an early day. The family has continued to live in that neighborhood with the exception of a few prodigal sons who have moved to other localities. John Conrad, Wm. Conrad, Adam Conrad, and Lee Conrad are brothers of the good-looking gentleman.

Physician, Farmer and Dealer in Blooded Stock
Reprint from February 16, 1891

Dr. O. P. Hogan  is a member of one of Grant County's oldest and most prominent families. He was born at the old Hogan homestead, north of town, now known as the Dr. Frank place, June 13th, 1851, making him forty years of age next June. Dr. Hogan is the youngest child of a family of nine children born to Overton P. Hogan and wife, Sarah kendall Hogan. Of that large family of children only three are now living, two boys and one girl, to-wit, Dr. O. P. Hogan, Ella Hogan and Mrs. G. W. Yancy of Cynthiana. O. P. Hogan Sr. was the eldest son of Zachariah Hogan. His grandfather, james Hogan, served four years in the war of Independence, and after the close of the war was one of the early pioneers of Kentucky, and had many exciting adventures with the Indians, having at one time his house burned and all his personal property destroyed. Judge Hogan was born in Garrard County in 1808 and came to Grant County when quite young. For fifty years he was one of the most progressive farmers and businessmen for the county. He was one time elected to represent the county in the State Legislature and twice elected to the State Senate from this Senatorial district. At the time of his death, October 5, 1855, he had again been elected by the Democracy of Grant to a seat in the Legislature, but death called him home before he could take his seat. Dr. O. P. Hogan spent the first sixteen years of his life on his father's farm, attending school a part of each year. In 1868-9 he attended the A. & M. College at lexington, being a classmate of Jude C. C. Cram. In 1870-1 he attended Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia, at that time presided over by the venerated and world-renowned General Robt. E. Lee. While in this university he graduated in the Business Department and received a prize for the best set of books. After a two-year course in this college, he entered the medical department of the New York University from whence he graduated in March 1872. Returning to Williamstown he formed a partnership with Dr. R. H. O'Hara in the drug business, but shortly afterwards disposed of his interest in the business and engaged in various other callings until 1880, when he built his elegant home near Dry Ridge and commenced to operate the "Hogan Grove Stock Farm," dealing largely in blooded stock, especially trotting horses.

January 1st, 1874, he led to the Hymeneal altar Miss Lutie Smith, daughter of Hon. E. H. Smith and Sallie O'Hara Smith. Four children have been born to this union, three of who are now living. Mr. Hogan, in conjunction with his brother, Ella Hogan, has done a great deal to educate the people of this part of the country in merits of good blood for breeding purposes. In the last four years he has brought into this county several finely bred stallions and the improvement in the stock of horses has been very noticeable. Last spring he met with quite a calamity by the burning of his stables and eleven heads of fine horses, including Clayford and Magic Wilkes. The loss at the time was put at $12,000 to $15,000 and was about correct. Mr. Hogan was not discouraged by this great loss, but immediately wen to work and rebuilt his stables and secured other good horses. He is now building a large addition to his stables and otherwise improving his facilities for training and driving. The Hogan Grove Stock Farm has a reputation all over northern Kentucky. Mr. Hogan is the owner of 600 acres of the best land in the county and is not only a breeder of fine stock but a large general farmer. He is one of the oldest members of Centurion Lodge I.O.O.F., a consistent Democrat and good citizen, has never held office except Police Judge of Williamstown for a short time. His name has been frequently mentioned as a probable candidate for the Democratic nomination for the Legislature, and while he has not yet announced himself, it is very probable that he will be a candidate for that position.

A Good Farmer and Safe Legislator
Reprint from March 5, 1891

There is no more popular man in the county of Grant than the Honorable John T. McClure. He was born at his present residence in Grant County, near Mt. Zion in September, 1834, making him 57 years old next September. Were it not for is gray mustache and the frost in his hair he would look at least twenty years younger than that age. He is the third child of a family of eleven children born to John A. and Eunice (Fish) McClure. John A. McClure was born in 1798; came to Grant County in the early part of the present century; was magistrate under the old Constitution for a good many yeas, dying in 1850. Nathaniel McClure the grandfather of John T. was born on the waters of the Susquehanna river, shortly after his father emigrated from Scotland. When very small his father removed to Botutort County, Virginia, when he lived until he reached manhood. Falling in love with a beautiful Virginia girl, Miss Jane Porter, and being bitterly opposed by not only his own parents, but the parents of the young lady, he resolved to brave the parental objections and try his fortunes with his bonnie bride in the then far West. They were married and their bridal trip was a three hundred-mile horseback ride over the mountains of Virginia and eastern Kentucky, to Woodford County where they settled near Versailles. From them sprang a large and vigorous family that is pretty well scattered over Northern and Central kentucky. Of the eleven children born to John A. and Eunice McClure, nine are living, to-wit: Hon. John T. McClure, Ezra K. McClure, tobacco dealer of Crittenden, Dr. W. H. McClure of Dry Ridge, Mrs. J. W. Mount, Mrs. J. T. Simon, Mrs. Rankin, Mrs. Dr. J. F. Hendy, Mrs. F. T. Hendy and Mrs. Fannie T. Hudson. The McClure family is of scotch Irish extraction and are strong Presbyterians, John T. being (as he says), "a good outside member". The elder branch of the family were Whigs in politics, changing to the Democratic faith in the days of "Knownothingism."

The subject of this sketch has always been a Democrat, his faith in Democracy being as strong as his faith in Calvinism. For half a century he has lived among the people of Grant County, his worth as a man and a citizen known and attested by a wide circle of friends. Quietly he has passed his years at the old homestead, preferring to remain a bachelor than risk the cares of married life. more than once he has been honored by his party with positions of trust and responsibility. In 1871 he was elected Sheriff on the Democratic ticket and served two years. Again in 1881 he was elected by his party to the same position and re-elected in 1883, making in all six years he served the county as Sheriff. Two years ago he was nominated and elected to represent this county in the State Legislature and made a safe, conservative and vigilant representative. he is now a candidate for re-election to that office. No better friend or clever or capable gentleman can be found in all this hills of Grant County, and he will, without doubt, have a most excellent show for the position he seeks. No better man could be selected.

Twice Elected County Judge
Reprint from March 12, 1891

Few faces are more familiar to the average citizen that that of Judge Henry Childers. For seventy-five eventful years he has been a citizen of the county and has aided in its development and watched its growth. When he was born at Dry Ridge, now the enterprising suburb of Williamstown, on February 11th, 1816, the county was almost a wilderness, the woodmans' ax had laid low but a small percent of its stately forest, and game from deer and black bear, to the smaller species roamed unmolested over her thousand hills. The part of the county lying south of Williamstown to the Scott and Harrison county lines was covered with its native growth of timber, broken only by cow paths and trails. At that time what is not the populous and wealthy county of Grant was a precinct of Pendleton County. Judge Childers is the youngest child of a family of nine children born to Henry Childers and Mary Thompson Childers, the former an Irishman and latter Scotch-Irish. They were both born and raised in Greenbrier County, Virginia. The father of Mary Childers, Jas. Thompson, was a soldier in the war for Independence, after the close of the war he was killed by the Indians at Point Pleasant on the Ohio River. Henry Childers with his wife immigrated to Garrard County, Kentucky shortly after the admission of the state into the union and some time afterwards moved to Dry Ridge, then in Pendleton County. They were among the pioneers of the county and one of the firsts to agitate the forming of the district into a separate county. After the county was laid off and organized the first county court was held at the old Childers' homestead. Judge Childers was married April 12, 1838 to Elizabeth Bryant Conyers, daughter of James and katie DeHart Conyers. Mrs. DeHart is a great niece of Daniel Boone and is still living, her home being with Judge Childers. To Mr. Childers and wife a remarkable family of  children have been born, seventeen in number, eleven of whom are still living and are all residents of Grant County except two. The living children are R. H. Childers, Newt Childers, Alice W. Dunlap, Martha J. Brewer, Marion Childers, Lowrena Markum, Elizabeth D. Beard, W. C. Childers, Albert Sidney Childers, and Nannie C. Childers.

Judge Childers was in early life a Whig in politics and a devoted follower of Henry Clay and believed, as did many other of the admirers of the great Whig commoner, that he was the greatest God created. He once had a chance to vote for Clay for president but refused to do so on account of his support of a national bankrupt act in congress; but it has always been a source of regret and he has, as he says, repented his mistake a thousand times. When the Whig party foundered upon the shoals of Knownothism in 1850, Judge Childers left the part of of first love and cast his fortunes with the Democratic Party where he has since been a faithful and honest member. In 1876 he was elected county judge on the Democratic ticket and again re-elected in 1882, serving in that very position eight years, being the first man elected as county judge for two terms since the organization of the county. He served the people faithfully and retired from office in 1876, and again took up his life work for farming. In religion he an Old School or Primitive Baptist.

Merchant Prince of Williamstown
Reprint from March 19, 1891

If all men were of the disposition of Joseph Glascock, photographers would lead a precarious existence. He has not had a picture taken for twelve. The photograph we exhibit is the Mr. Glascock of 1879 and not the portly and dignified merchant of today. Mr. Glascock or Jo as he is familiarly called was born in Fleming County, march 1st, 1855, considering that he is only 36 years of age, his success in business has been phenomenal. He was next to the youngest child of a family of seven children born to Joseph Glascock Sr. and Mary Glascock, both of whom were Virginians by birth, emigrating to and settling in Kentucky shortly after their marriage. Joseph Glascock Sr. was a farmer and trader and a man of considerable business ability. The younger Joseph was educated at Flemingsburg. Before he was twenty years old he commenced business for himself as a clerk in a Dry Goods Store at Falmouth. Shortly thereafterwards in 1876 he moved to Williamstown and J. W. Henderson as a partner, opened a Dry Goods and clothing establishment in the building now occupied by the shoe shop of E. Knable. The store was a small unpretentious affair as compared with Mr. Glascock's present, commodious quarters. Six months after they opened up Mr. Glascock bought his partner's interest in the firm and has since conducted business as an individual. He remained in the same building four or five years and then moved across the street into a new brick building erected by Thomas James, now occupied by J. T. Scott assignee of P. T. Zinn, several years ago he moved into his present elegant quarters in Elliston and James block, where he has since been located. No man who has ever done business in Williamstown has had more phenomenal success than mr. Glascock. Commencing with but little capital, but good credit and plenty of push and energy he has increased his business to its present stately proportions and accumulated what many would call a fortune.

He carried stock of goods invoicing between $30,000 and $40,000 and his annual sales amount to nearly $60,000 besides his own large store he is largely interested in the Dry Ridge Supply Company at Dry Ridge and the store of R. A. Crouch and Company at Cordova. He also owns several tracts of land, one of 160 acres near the corporate limits of town, he is a director and owns considerable stock in the Grant County Deposit Bank, and is a director and one of the largest stock holders in the Grant County Building Loan and Savings Association. Much of Mr. Glascock's success in a mercantile way has been brought about by liberal advertising. When the first issue of the Courier saw the light of day in 1879 his advertisement occupied two columns. From that issue to the present one his ad has been found in almost every issue. It would not be much out of the way to say that from that time to this he has paid the Courier five dollars per week for advertising, making in the aggregate several thousand dollars.

In 1883 he united in marriage with Miss Bettie C. Johnson, daughter of Dr. W. C. Johnson, formerly proprietor of the Johnson House, now of Downingsville. To them four children have been born, three of whom are now living, two girls and one boy to-wit: Eula D., Marguerette and Joseph W. Mr. Glascock owns a handsome residence on Paris Street, he is jovial even-tempered and one of the most enterprising citizens of the town and number his friends by the hundred.

Source: Footsteps of the Past, December 24, 1998

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