KYBIOGRAPHIES-L Archives

From: Sandi Gorin <>
Subject: BIOS 4936 THRU 4940 - POWELL, BRUCE, CESSNA, BROWN, MARRS
Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 06:58:08 -0500

4936 HENDERSON - POWELL, LAZARUS - Powell Clay Wickliffe Memahon Wilson
Gayle Thompson Rowan Hardin Chapeze Robertson Mayes Hickey Wooley Hunt
Cowan Johnson Dixon Polk Crittenden Buchanan Davis Jennings
4937 JEFFERSON - BRUCE, HELM - Bruce Helm
4938 LARUE - CESSNA, JOHN R - Cessna Miller Marshall Muir Brown Locke
4939 LAUREL - BROWN, JOHN TILFORD - Brown Craig McHargue Farris Slaughter
Randall Wilson Thompson
4940 LOGAN, MARRIS, URBAN S - Marrs Martin Grant

#4936: Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Lewis Publishing Company, 1904,
pp 625-630 [Henderson] LAZARUS W. POWELL, of Henderson, jurist, United
States senator and governor of Kentucky, was born in Henderson county,
October 6, 1812, and died in the city of Henderson, July 3, 1867. He was
the contemporary of Henry Clay, Robert Wickliffe and others who have made
the bar of the state famous, and on the roll of Kentucky's eminent lawyers
his name is also deeply engraved. His father was Captain Lazarus Powell,
who located on a large tract of land in Henderson county in 1800. His
mother, Mrs. Ann Powell, was a daughter of Captain James McMahon, of
Henderson county, a soldier of the war of 1812, who served with Kentucky's
volunteers. Lazarus W. Powell early exhibited those traits of character
which in his later life caused him to be so loved and honored wherever he
was known. He availed himself assiduously of the meager privileges for
education afforded in the early days, attending the primary school taught
by McEwell Wilson in the village of Henderson, alter becoming a pupil of
George Gayle, a gentleman of rare talent and ability as a teacher. Mr.
Powell acquired a fair academic education and determined upon the practice
of law as a life work. To this end he sought to enter upon legal studies
at the age of eighteen, but was dissuaded from so doing and advised to
first secure the advantages of a college education. With the assistance of
Hon. Philip Thompson, of Owensboro, a distinguished lawyer of that day,
and of Hon. John Rowan, of Bardstown, he visited St. Joseph's College in
September, 1830, and arranged for the completion of his literary education
in that institution. Stimulated by the desire of speedily entering on his
chosen profession, he finished the course in three years, 1830-3, and was
graduated with honor. He then entered the office of Hon. John Rowan to
study law, and brought to his pursuit the same eagerness, application and
industry which had distinguished his work in college. He was fortunate in
having for his preceptor one of the master minds of the day, for Judge
Rowan was not only a well-read lawyer, but a profound scholar of rare
intellect. His diction was always elegant and his speech without seeming
effort. At Bardstown, Mr. Powell was in the courts where such men as Hon.
Ben Hardin, Hon. Charles A. Wickliffe and Benjamin Chapeze were in active
practice, and there he learned to contrast their powers, note their great
strength and subject their arguments to the test of his own reason and thus
to distinguish between logic and sophistry. He learned, too, under the
inspiration of their impassioned eloquence, how to touch the hearts of the
people, how to win their confidence and respect. The deep interest
manifested by his preceptor and those with whom he associated in the
political issues of the day naturally awakened Mr. Powell's interest in the
same questions and eventually led him to take part in the business of
legislation. He remained with Judge Rowan until the winter of 1834-5, when
he entered the law department of Transylvania University, where he received
instruction from Hon. George Robertson and Hon. Daniel Mayes, the former
regarded as the most profound legal theorist of the state and his
reputation being as wide as the country. At Lexington Mr. Powell
diligently prosecuted his studies and familiarized himself with the
practical part of his profession by attendance upon the proceedings of the
courts of that city, where he became acquainted with the methods of such
eminent jurists as Henry Clay, Robert Wickliffe, Judge Thomas W. Hickey, A.
K. Wooley, Charlton Hunt, James Cowan and M. C. Johnson, active
practitioners at the bar. In 1835 he returned to Henderson county and
began the practice of the law, entering upon a successful career. A few
months later he became associated with Archibald Dixon, later United States
senator, which relationship was continued until 1839. Mr. Powell's high
reputation as a lawyer was built upon his careful analysis of causes. He
invariably prepared his cases with thoroughness and entered the court room
ready to meet every possible objection that might be raised by the opposing
counsel, whether it concerned the law bearing on the case or previous
Judicial decisions. His address, either to the court or jury, was always
forcible and often eloquent. His political career was alike able and
honorable. In July, 1836, on the earnest solicitation of his friends, he
became the nominee of the Democratic party for state representative, and
although Henderson county was considered a stronghold of the Whig party, he
made a thorough canvass and was elected, much to the surprise of his
opponent. He gave careful attention to his legislative duties and labored
earnestly for the best interests of the state. In 1838 he was renominated,
but failed of election. In 1844 he was nominated "district elector" and
canvassed his own and adjoining districts in support of James K. Polk for
president of the United States. This canvass brought him prominently
before the people of western Kentucky, and laid the foundation of that
personal popularity which enabled him later to serve his party by the
Democracy for governor, his opponent being the distinguished J. J.
Crittenden, then United States senator from Kentucky. The Democratic
political creed was made known and defined: the constitution, the great
charter of the people's liberties, was the text upon which he and his
associates in the canvass based their right to a hearing and their appeal
to the reason of those whom they addressed. The canvass was a substantial
triumph, though it ended in the defeat of the constitutional party. In 1851
Mr. Powell was again made the standard-bearer of the Democracy, and his
opponent for gubernatorial honors was Hon. Archibald Dixon, a resident of
Henderson, and a life-long friend of Mr. Powell,--at one time, indeed, his
law partner. They made a joint canvass of the state, traveled together,
stopping at the same hotels and eating at the same table and speaking from
the same platform. They exhibited toward each other a cordiality of
demeanor and friendly spirit rarely witnessed between political
antagonists. Mr. Powell was elected by a small majority, while Hon. Robert
H. Wickliffe, the candidate for lieutenant-governor on the same ticket, was
defeated by the Hon. John P. Thompson by several thousand votes. He was
inaugurated governor of Kentucky, September 5, 1851, and although the
legislature was largely composed of Whigs he so conducted the affairs of
his great office--his course being
characterized by the most sincere fidelity to the interests of the
commonwealth--that the most exacting of his political opponents
acknowledged that his entire policy was conceived and carried out with
reference to the vast responsibilities that rested upon him as the chief
executive of the state. In 1858 he was appointed by the president of the
United States, James Buchanan, one of two commissioners to proceed to Utah
and arrange for a peaceful submission of the people of that territory to
governmental authority, which work was successfully accomplished. In 1850
he was elected to the United States senate for the full term of six years,
and served throughout the period of the war, closing his official career in
1865. He entered the senate at a time of great political excitement. In
both houses congress was largely ruled by fanaticism or passion; the seeds
of suspicion and hatred were sown broadcast over the whole land, and few
men could calmly view the situation or discuss with fairness the questions
of the time. Mr. Powell was peculiarly situated. He was a strict
interpreter of the constitution, a strong supporter of the Union, but was
opposed to coercion. His was a unique position throughout his term in the
United States senate. Believing strongly in the supremacy of the national
government, he was at the same time able to judge of affairs at the south
with greater fairness and exactness han northern statesmen, who knew little
of the situation in the disputed territory save from exaggerated reports
which swept over the land. In July, 1861, Mr. Powell delivered a very
strong address against the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, and in
January, 1862, spoke on the "resolutions of inquiry" in regard to the
arrest and detention of certain citizens of Delaware, denouncing such
arrests as a subversion of all constitutional rights. In February, 1862,
he was called upon to defend himself on the floor of the senate against a
resolution charging him with disloyalty, which was prepared by his
colleague in the senate, Garrett Davis, but presented by the senator from
Minnesota. In a speech, the most elaborate, logical and eloquent of his
life, he conclusively established the loyalty of his public acts, the
consistency and constitutionality of his opposition to the war, and
overwhelmed his enemies with defeat. This address gained him a national
reputation and endeared him to the friends of liberty all over the land.
On the 5th of January, 1863, Senator Powell introduced into the senate a
resolution in reference to General Grant's manifesto issued on the 17th of
December, 1862, by which Jews as a class were expelled from the department
of the Tennessee and made an appeal for constitutional liberty and human
privileges, and in the same speech arraigned the government for its
interference, through the military forces, with the free exercise of the
right of franchise in Kentucky. In 1864 he opposed the constitutional
amendment looking to the freeing of slaves. He withdrew from the contest
for re-election to the senate in a letter to the public that breathed a
spirit of true patriotism. His political integrity was without blemish and
his public career one of singular unity and consistency. On the 8th of
November, 1837, Mr. Powell married Miss Harriett Ann Jennings, daughter of
Captain Charles Jennings. Her death occurred July 30, 1846, and her
husband afterward devoted himself to his children with untiring care and
attention. Three sons survived him at his death--James Henry, Charles
Jennings and Richard. Lazarus W. Powell was a most genial gentleman,
always true to his principles and his friends, ever ready to forgive those
who had done him injury, such was his magnanimous spirit. He was very
sympathetic in the presence of human misery and bereavement and to the poor
he was a liberal benefactor. He was of fine personal appearance, above
medium height, was well proportioned, with a broad, noble forehead that
gave evidence of the exalted ideas which guided him in all his actions.
Although he never allied himself with any church he was a believer in the
Bible and familiar with the contents of the sacred volume. His life was
pure, true and upright in all things, and when death came he departed from
the scene of his earthly activity as one who "Wraps the drapery of his
couch About him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

#4937: Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897.
Published by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago. Reprinted by Southern
Historical Press. p. 193. Jefferson County. HELM BRUCE, of Louisville, is
a member of the firm of Helm & Bruce,--a name that has been prominent in
the annals of the bar of Kentucky since ante-bellum days when it was the
title under which was conducted the important law business of General Ben
Hardin Helm and Judge Horatio W. Bruce, the former the uncle, the latter,
the father, of the subject of this review. This firm style is now used by
James P. Helm and his nephew, Helm Bruce, and the high reputation of the
first firm is well sustained by the latter, their extensive business
indicating the skill and ability of the partners. Helm Bruce is a
representative of several families that have
furnished to the bar of Kentucky some of its most eminent and distinguished
members, including such men as Ben Hardin, John L. Helm and his more
immediate relatives whom we have previously mentioned in this article.
Sprung from such ancestry it is not strange that he early manifested a long
predilection for the law. He was born in Louisville, in 1860, a son of
Judge H. W. and Elizabeth Barbour (Helm) Bruce, who are mentioned elsewhere
in this volume. His elementary educational training was supplemented by a
thorough college course. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee
University, where he won two scholarships, one in
moral philosophy and one in mathematics, in both of which he received very
high honors. He was orator of the literary society to which he belonged
while in college, and when he was graduated in the law department of the
University of Louisville he received the medal for the best essay,
choosing for his subject "Contributory Negligence." He then began
practice, and his accurate and comprehensive knowledge of the law, combined
with his strong mental alertness, his keen analytical powers and his
superior gifts of oratory, have gained him marked prestige among the
members of the Louisville bar.

#4938: Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 3rd
ed., 1885, Larue Co. PROF. JOHN R. CESSNA was born March 9, 1848, in La Rue
[sic] County, and is the youngest child of Jonathan F. and Nancy (Miller)
Cessna. Prof. Cessna was brought up in Hodgensville, received a liberal
education, and when he became of age commenced teaching, which he has
continued ever since in La Rue, Hardin and Nelson Counties, at Sonora,
Uptonville, New Haven and for the past three years at Hodgensville, and
also during this time has farmed some. In April, 1876, he married Maggie
V. Marshall of La Rue County. She
was born in Louisville, Ky., in 1852, and is a daughter of Richard and
Margaret (Muir) Marshall, natives, respectively, of Shelby and Nelson
Counties. Mr. Marshall was a farmer. Margaret (Muir) Marshall was a
daughter of Jasper Muir, who married Isabella Brown. Jasper Muir was a son
of Dr. William Muir, who immigrated from Scotland at the age of eighteen.
He married a Miss Locke. Prof. Cessna and wife have had three children
born to them: Florence E., Mary Margaret and Anna L. (deceased). Mr. and
Mrs. Cessna are members of the Baptist and Presbyterian Churches,
respectively. He is also an active member of the Good Templars.
Inpolitics he is a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Greeley.

#4939: Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, ed.
8-B, Laurel County John Tilford Brown was born in London, Laurel County,
Ky., March 24, 1837. His ancestors came to this country from Ireland and
England, and first settled in Virginia, but subsequently moved to Whitley
County, Ky. His parents were John C. and Maria (Craig) Brown, natives of
Kentucky. They had nine children, viz: Napoleon, John T., Margaret J.,
Mariam, Josephine, Ann, Walker, Cortez and Granville. John C. Brown served
as sheriff of Laurel County, Ky., at one time, and was also school
commissioner for a number of years. He was engaged in merchandising at
London from the time the town was started until 1840, when he turned his
attention to agricultural pursuits, which he has since followed, and still
resides in Laurel County, at the advanced age of eighty-one years. John
Tilford Brown was reared on the farm, the pursuits of which he followed
until twenty-one years of age, when he engaged in the mercantile business
at London, and has been so employed ever since. About 1874 he was elected
school commissioner, and served one term. October 24, 1860, he married
Emily J., a daughter of Charles B. and Sarah (McHargue) Farris, of Laurel
County. His wife died March 7, 1875,leaving five children, viz: Lillie M.,
Julia, Sarah, Frederick and Charles. December 8, 1875, Mr. Brown married
Julia E., a daughter of William H. and Martha J. (Slaughter) Randall, of
Laurel County. His second wife died November 7, 1880, and November 16,
1883, Mr. Brown married Catharine, a daughter of Dr. Robert J. and Barbara
(Wilson) Thompson, of Woodford County, Ky. Two children have blessed their
union, viz: Oakley and Barbara. Mr. Brown is a member of the F. & A.M.,
and in politics is a Democrat.

#4940: History of Posey County Indiana, The Goodspeed Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1886. Reprinted by Unigraphic, Inc., Evansville, IN 1967[Logan Co]
URBAN S. MARRS, teacher, was born October 20, 1845, and is a native of the
county. He is the youngest of a family of twelve children born to Urban
and Susanna (Martin) Marrs. The father was born in Logan County, Ky.,
March 10, 1802, and followed agricultural pursuits; he left his native
State in 1809, and came to Posey County, Ind., with his parents. On
reaching man's estate he entered eighty acres of land in Marrs Township,
where he located, and remained until his death. He was associate judge of
the circuit court from 1845 to 1851, and was a member of the State
Legislature during 1851 and 1852, and held the office of justice of the
peace for fifteen years; he died August 28, 1875. The mother was born in
June, 1801, in South Carolina, and died February 29, 1868. The war of the
Rebellion broke out when our subject was but sixteen years of age, but as
he was thoroughly patriotic, November 13, 1863, he enlisted in Company A.,
Tenth Indiana Cavalry, and served three years, and was in many important
engagements. After his return home he lived with and took care of his
father, who was an invalid for a number of years. In 1875 he entered the
teacher's profession, and has continued at that work ever since. In
politics he is a Republican, and cast his first vote for U.S. Grant; he is
a Mason.

Col. Sandi Gorin, 205 Clements, Glasgow, KY 42141 (270) 651-9114
Member: Glasgow-Barren Co Chamber of Commerce
Publishing: http://ggpublishing.tripod.com/
<><
TIPS: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ky/Tips
KYBIOS: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Ky/Bios
SCKY ARCHIVES: http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl
Surname Registry: http://sckyregistry.homestead.com/SCKYHome.html
Merged Surname Registry all counties in South Central KY:
http://www.public.asu.edu/~moore/files/surnames/surnames.txt

This thread:

• BIOS 4936 THRU 4940 - POWELL, BRUCE, CESSNA, BROWN, MARRS by Sandi Gorin <>