BIOGRAPHIES OF A CENTURY AGO
By John B. Conrad, Editor
History of Grant County, Kentucky

In his "History of Grant County Newspapers," author Robert L. Bickers reports that county newspapers were started as early as 1872. Most were short-lived until the "...fifth Grant County newspaper, The Williamstown Courier, embarked upon its future on September 3, 1879." As may be expected, editorial policy and content of the paper changed with each change of owners or editors. Policy and content sometimes periodically changed fro many reasons without a change in owner or editor. In reviewing the surviving early issues of this weekly newspaper, there were periods in which biographies of prominent Grant County citizens were published. In 1881, when C. C. Cram and E. T. Cram were owners and editors, there were at least seven biographies published, which are set forth below. There may have been many more biographies in other issues, before and after, but these issues have not survived. In another period, 1890-1891, when Judge John H. Westover began to serve as editor, many more biographies were published, most of which are reprinted below. These biographies reflect the spirit and condition of the times and are of historical and genealogical value.

Reprint from July 7, 1881.
William Worth Dickerson, second son of Richard A. and Sarah A. Dickerson, nee Collins, is a scion of two old Virginia families. The first representative of the Dickerson family in this State was Archibald Dickerson, the grandfather of our subject, who settled in the wilds of Kenton County, near what is now called Morning View, early in the nineteenth century, bringing with him a number of slaves. He at once devoted his attention to the development of his estate; which lay along the rich lands of the Licking River. His youngest child, an only son, Richard A. Dickerson, was born in 1825 and passed his youth on this father's farm until 1844, when he married Miss Sarah A. Collins, daughter of Richard A. Collins. After marriage Mr. Dickerson moved to an unsettled portion of the dickerson estate, where he reared a log cabin and begin life in true pioneer style, and for some years labored with few conveniences and associations of modern society. In 1849  they moved to Grant County and located at Collinsville, (now Sherman) which received its name from the ancestors of the Collins family. Here he followed farming principally, but later in life engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was a life-long and unwavering Democrat, and universally respected by all who knew him. He died in 1871 at his home near Sherman. The subject of this sketch is a native of Grant County, born November 29, 1851 at Sherman. He was reared on a farm and was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 20 years of age. During this period he attended the common schools until seventeen, where he spent fifteen months in the select school of Professor Lloyd at Crittenden, Kentucky. At 19 he began the study of law with his uncle, J. M. Collins, at Crittenden, with the single purpose of improving his mind. After reading eighteen months he was induced to apply for admission to the bar, and passed a successful examination before Judge Pat. U. Major and James O'Hara, in the fall of 1872. Not aspiring to forensic honors, he quietly remained at home until the spring of 1874, when he received the unexpected honor of the nomination for the office of County Attorney and was elected without opposition. He served in this capacity with singular ability and efficiency during a term of four years. During his term of office the Cincinnati Southern railroad was constructed through his county, which brought before him many criminal cases and several complicated civil cases, all of which were adjusted to the county's best interest. Mr. Dickerson was married March 23d, 1881 at Danville, Kentucky to Miss Cora R. Tunis, the youngest daughter of the late N. C. Tunis, of this place. He is now one of the leading lawyers of the Williamston bar and candidate for Representative of Grant County in the next General Assembly of Kentucky. He is a young man of high respectability, and if elected will serve his constituency faithfully and honorably.

Benjamin Newton Elliston, son of James and Nancy Elliston, (nee) born in Flat Creek Precinct near Elliston Station, Grant County, December 21, 1819. He has lived on the farm where he was born all his life. His educational advantages were meagre, the school which he attended being four miles from his home, over very rough roads, and only in session about three months during the year. His father died in 1825, and at the age of 17 he assumed the care of his mother and four sisters. He has been engaged chiefly in arming and stock-raising, with fair success, owning about 380 acres on the bottoms of Eagle Creek. He has always been a Democrat, and forty years ago cast his first ballot fro General Wm. O. Butler, for Congress in 1841, and Polk for President, and for Breckinridge in 1860. He has always voted the Democratic ticket. In September 1862 he went to Frankfort and enlisted in General Buckner's Body Guards, and did regular cavalry service until he was honorably mustered out at Knoxville, Tennessee, that winter, when he at once reported to Capt. Jerry Jones, in D. Howard Smith's regiment (Kentucky Cavalry, C.S.A.), under General Morgan, and served until taken sick, May 1st, 1863. He lay sick in East Tennessee and the North Carolina mountains until March '64, when he joined Gen. John C. Vaughn's command, and was afterwards detached to General Breckinridge's infantry, in the invasion of Maryland and Pennsylvania, serving until the close of the war. His father was born in Anderson County, Kentucky and served as a soldier in the war of 1812, under Col. Richard M. Johnson. He came to this county in 1813 and settled on the site of the present homestead. He married Miss Nancy, daughter of Jonas Jones, by whom he had eight children, three sons and five daughters, the subject of this sketch being his youngest son. Should the Convention name Mr. Elliston for Representative the Democracy will have a faithful standard-bearer with a taintless record, and old time Democrat who is alive to the the best interest of the people of Grant County.

Thomas Jefferson Gouge is the fifth son of James and Ellen Gouge, nee Jewett. He was born in Grant County, Kentucky, and is therefore in his 59th year. His early life was spent on the farm, which was about four miles distant from any school. It was amid these surroundings that he learned the rudiments of education, and subsequently spent about three years in the school at Napoleon, Kentucky where he laid the foundation for future usefulness. In 1843 he married Miss Sarah Clark and moved to his present estate, about 400 acres, situated on Fork Lick. On the banks of this stream he built a rude cabin in the woods and began the work of carving a home out of the forest, and after nearly forty years of toil and care he has cleared and improved a large portion of the estate. An incident occurred during the early settlement of Mr. Gouge on Fork Lick, which illustrates the trials of the pioneer. A great storm like the bursting of a cloud caused the creek to rise with such rapidity that the waters, swollen beyond their banks, flowed into the cabin until it floated the chairs about and upset the table, and our subject feeling out in the darkness found the water on a level with the bed. he then called on the colored man for a light, and to his surprise and consternation found the house literally alive with large snakes, which were crawling along the walls in every direction. While the old Negro held the light Mr. Gouge carried his wife and mother from the besieged mansion through the surging waters on his back. Mr. Gouge is a staunch Democrat; has served his district as magistrate, and in 1872 was honored with a nomination by the Democracy for the office of Coroner; and was triumphantly elected to the office, which he faithfully filled until the close of the term. Of the ancestors of mr. Gouge it is known that his grandmother emigrated from the "Old Dominion" at the beginning of the present century to Bourbon County, Kentucky, a widow with two little sons, one of whom was James Gouge, father of our subject, who when he grew to manhood, moved to Grant County and located the first tavern on the Old Lexington and Covington Road near where Mason Station now stands. Success crowned his efforts as a caterer for the entertainment of the public, his house being often crowded in those days when teaming was a necessity. He gradually grew in wealth and influence until he owned some 3,000 acres of land and over 30 slaves, who were much attached to him. He reared a large family of sons and daughters. In announcing the name of Esquire Gouge as a candidate before the Democratic Convention for Representative in the next General Assembly of this Commonwealth we can only say here that he is a worthy son of an old and respected family, and represents that element of sturdy, self-reliant manhood which the Democracy of old grant delights to honor.

Tim Needham was  born May 28, 1842 in Cumberland County, Illinois during the temporary residence of his father who had removed there from Hardin County, kentucky, and returned there when Tim was two and on-half years old. He only had the advantages of a common school education. He taught school from the time he was 17 until he was 21 years of age. He studied law with Judge H.G.V. Wintersmith of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and was admitted to the bar in July 1864; graduated at the Louisville Law School February 28, 1866, in the class with Hon. A. S. Willis, present member of Congress from the Louisville District; A. G. Caruth, Commonwealth Attorney for the Louisville Circuit; Senator Carpenter of Shelby; J. Barbour of New Castle, author of Barbour's Digest, and several other prominent and well known lawyers and politicians. He was the representative from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky to the session of the Right Worthy Grand Lodge which met in London, England, in July 1873, and spent some time traveling in Europe. He has been a member of the Methodist Church (South) since he was 17 years of old. He was editor and publisher of the Kentucky Templar and Good Templars Advocate for several years. Has always been a Democrat and cast his first vote for Gen. McClellan. He is now a candidate before the Convention to represent the county in the next General Assembly of Kentucky. Being a man of high moral culture and attainments, if elected will make a worthy Representative.

BIOGRAPHIES OF SOME OF OUR PROMINENT CITIZENS
Reprint from July 14, 1881

Overton P. Hogan the son of Zachariah and Dellah Hogan, nee Marksbury. His grandfather, James Hogan served four years in the war of the Revolution, and was a native of Southern Virginia, and crossing the boundary line married a lady of North Carolina. Subsequent to this, about the close of the last century, he emigrated to, and settled near Paris, Kentucky, where he lived when the great massacre took place, but hearing in the night of the approach of the savages, he fled with his family to Boones's Fort, (now Boonesboro) where he remained some six months. The Indians in the meantime destroyed his house and personal property. On leaving the Fort he settled in Garrard County on the banks of the Kentucky River where he died. Zachariah, father of Judge Hogan, married Miss Dellah, daughter of Samuel Marksbury, an old Revolutionary soldier who emigrated to Kentucky just after the war. This branch of the family can be traced to Scotland in the person of a Miss Baxter, who was kidnapped from the Bonnie isle when but twelve years old and brought to Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania where she was sold into bondage until 21 years old, when she married a man named Mayfield, and emigrated to Kentucky and reached the good old age of 111 years. Zachariah was the second son in a family of five sons and two daughters, and followed farming until the war of 1812 broke out, when he and a brother engaged in mercantile pursuits in Lexington, Kentucky, and desiring to enlarge their business they established a branch store about one a a half miles north of Williamstown on the farm now owned b H. Clay White. Zachariah Hogan came with his family to take charge of this store in October 1813, it being the first one located within the present limits of Grant County. At that date this was a precinct of Pendleton County and the voting place was at the house of Old Captain William Arnold, who was a soldier of the Revolution and magistrate of the district. The mercantile venture prospered until the embargo was removed from goods, when nearly every merchant in the country failed, and among them the father of Mr. Hogan lost all he had accumulated by energy and industry. He returned to the farm, but ere long that went to satisfy the demands of creditors. But a still greater calamity befell him in 1824, when his wife died, leaving seven small children of which our subject was the oldest.

He was born May 29, 1808 in Garrard County, Kentucky. At 16 he left home to begin the struggle of life for himself, first working by the month on the farm or whatever else he could find to do at $6 per month. He worked for John Thomas, a liveryman, on the same site where his own stable now stands. He drove state for 5 years, probably during the years 1828-1833, from Cincinnati, O., to the Foot of the Ridge known as Peter Jones' Hotel, 52 miles distant, with four-horse stage. He was among the first to cross the Ohio on a small ferry boat run by a tram-wheel, impelled by four blind horses. Then Covington had but 5 houses and the principal landing was Kennedy's Ferry. The journey was made daily, carrying many passengers who were going to the north and west to locate. Mr. Hogan was a member of the Legislature in 1842 '43, and of the Senate in 1849, '50, '53 and '67. He was also County Judge and Master Commissioner one term. He claims to be the originator of the bill exempting personal property from execution. In politics Judge Hogan has always been a Democrat, and for many years was the acknowledged leader of the Democratic Party in Grant County, and chairman of the Democratic Executive Committee. After the disastrous fired in Williamstown in 1856, Judge Hogan made speeches in George, Frankfort and Lexington, and secured subscriptions amounting to $700 for the suffers. In 1836 Mr. Hogan united in marriage to Miss Sarah, daughter of Lewis Kendall, then of Harrison County, Kentucky, and after marriage kept hotel in Williamstown for several years. He has been a large farmer and has accumulated a handsome property by his industry and energy. He and his wife have been consistent and devoted member of the Christian Church since its organization in this place. He takes a great interest in Sunday Schools, and for several years past has been superintendent of the Sunday school in the above church.

Judge Henry Hall is the son of Thomas Hall, a shoemaker of Middletown, Connecticut, where he was born January 4th, 1804, and lived there until 22 years of age. He received a common school education, and at 18 was apprenticed to a Mr. Thompson of Middletown to learn the tailor's trade, serving until 21, when he went to Boston, Massachusetts and worked with his brother about one year. He worked next at Belfast, Maine, about one year, when he returned to Boston. In the spring of 1830 he and his brother and brother-in-law came by wagon across the mountains to seek homes in the west. He stopped at Cincinnati, where he sub-worked at his trade until fall, when he came to Williamstown where he found a village of about two hundred inhabitants. He at once opened a shop near where O. P. Billitter's grocery now stands, and bought a small stock of goods, and did a good business at tailoring, making many jeans suits for farmers. He worked at the bench about twenty years, then clerked for John Webb for some time, and a little later went into partnership with a German named Frieberg. They bought a stock of merchandise and carried on business for some time, when Frieberg retired and Mr. Hall continued in business for several years. Judge Hall has always been a Democrat and voted for Gen. Jackson. He was county judge in Grant for four years. In 1863 the Michigan troops (Union Army) came through here and destroyed a large part of his records and cut and mutilated his docket. he served this district as magistrate since 1864.

Republican Candidate for the Legislature
Reprint from July 21, 1881

Hon. E. H. Smith, son of Elias and Elizabeth Smith, was born at Blue Spring Grove, Barren County, Kentucky, December 1st, 1827. The early part of his life, up to the year 1847, was spent on his father's farm, and when not engaged in working on the farm he spent his time acquiring the rudiments of an education, such as could be obtained in the common log school-houses of the day. In 1847 he came to Grant County and entered the offices of the clerks of the Grant circuit and county courts, and served as deputy to both officers until 1851. It was while writing in these offices that he laid the foundation for his future success in life. His leisure moments were spent in the improvement of his limited education and in studying the profession of the law, often sitting up until two o'clock in the morning engaged in study. In 1851 he went to Kenton County and entered the office of the clerk of the Kenton circuit court, where he served until 1855, where he again removed to Grant County and engaged in the practice of the profession of the law. In 1851 he went to Kenton County and entered the office of the clerk of the Kenton circuit court where he served until 1855, when he again removed to Grant County and engaged in the practice of the profession of the law. In 1858 he was elected to the office of clerk of the county court of Grant County and served on year. In 1863 he was elected to the legislature of Kentucky, and was for one term a faithful and earnest guardian of the interests of his constituency. Since that time he has remained in private life, engaged in the practice of his profession. He has always been an active, hard working attorney, and in addition to carrying on and extensive practice he has been largely engaged in farming and stock raising in Grant County. He was nominated by the Republican convention on July 11th, 1881, by acclamation, and without having sought the office in any way whatever. To those who know him nothing need be said in praise of his abilities or public and private character. Though differing from him in politics, we can say that if elected he will be a faithful and able legislator.

Source: Footsteps of the Past, October 22, 1998

One of Grant County's Most Distinguished Citizens
Reprint from April 24, 1890.

Honorable W. W. Dickerson, present Senator from this district, was born at Sherman, this county, November 29, 1851, and is the third of four children born to R. A. and S. A. Dickers. R. A. Dickerson was born in Kenton County, Kentucky, June 16, 1825. He was a very successful merchant at Sherman, this county, for two years and a distiller for about the same length of time, devoting the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits. Mrs. S. A. Dickerson, the mother of W. W., was born near Falmouth, Pendleton County, kentucky, and was a daughter of Richard Collins and a niece of the Kentucky Historian. Senator Dickerson was raised on his father's farm at Sherman, and attended the common school at that place and the private schools at Crittenden until near his majority. In 1870 he commenced the study of law under his uncle, the matchless lawyer and distinguished jurist, Col. J. M. Collins. He progressed rapidly in his studies and was admitted to the bar in the fall of 1872. Before he began the practice of his profession he spent considerable time in California and the west. he returned to his native county and located in Williamstown. In a very short time thereafter, and before he was eligible to the office, he was elected county attorney and served the people in that capacity one term of four years. Early in his professional career he took a commanding position at the bar in Grant County and elsewhere, and is now recognized as one of the leading lawyers in this part of the State. In 1886 he formed a law partnership with Capt. A. G. Dejarnette and they have, since that time, practiced law together. In 1885-86 he represented Grant County in the legislature and was re-nominated by the Democratic party to represent the county for a second term, but before the August election he was nominated by his party for Senator from the twenty-sixth Senatorial district, and at the August election in 1887 to the Senate of Kentucky for four years, which term has yet to expire. Mr. Dickerson's career as a Representative and Senator has been marked by distinguished ability and faithful devotion to the interest of the people. He has drawn many excellent general laws and had them placed on the statute book, the most noteworthy of which is the law suppressing lotteries in the State and the parole bill. He is a close friend of Governor Buckner and is recognized all over the State as one of the leading young men of Kentucky. In March 1881, he was married to Miss Cora R. Tunis of Danville, Kentucky. Three children have blessed this union. He is a Master Mason in good standing, being a member of Grant Lodge no. 85 located at this place and is also a member of Centurion Lodge I.O.O.F. 100. Mr. Dickerson has served the people of Grant County and the twenty-sixth Senatorial district in a most deserving manner. he is now a candidate for delegate to the constitutional convention. He is a Simon-pure Democrat, a clean politician and an hones man, and will likely have o opposition for the place to which he aspires.

Honorable A. G. DeJarnett, who now enters the political arena as a candidate for congress, was born in Owen County, Kentucky, September 11, 1841. He was reared a farmer and attended the schools of his neighborhood and afterward the Kentucky University for one year. In 1862, upon bragg's invasion of Kentucky, he enlisted in the Confederate service by joining the Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, and in October following his enlistment he was severely wounded in battle and his left arm permanently disabled. After the close of the wars he attended the law college of the university and graduated from it in 1869. Immediately upon leaving the law school he located at Williamstown, the county seat of Grant County, and began the practice of law which he has since pursued at that place without intermission except for six years, from 1880 to 1886, during which time he held the office of Commonwealth's Attorney of the 11th Judicial District. In 1888 he was sent as a delegate to the national convention at St. Louis and participated in the nomination of Cleveland and Thurman. He has held no office since his term expired as district attorney. He now presents himself as a candidate to represent the 6th district in congress. His administration of the office of Commonwealth's Attorney was justly regarded as one of the purest and ablest in the State and he was ever at his post and evinced inflexible fidelity to the public interest. He is lawyer of fine attainments, a man of large experience and a fit representative of the traditional courage of the Democratic Party. If honored with a seat in the Federal Congress he will prove no unworthy successor to the great statesman whom the [people of Kentucky have just promoted. Loyal as a Democrat, faithful as a friend, amiable and sober in his private life, he possesses a combination of qualities that peculiarly fit him for the place he now seeks. If the Democracy of the district is not unmindful for their interest he will receive a cordial support.

One of Grant County's Most Influential and Progressive Citizens
Reprint from January 15, 1891

Few men have made a stronger impression upon the community in which they live than has Dr. W. H. Daugherty, of Corinth.  A plain, social, unostentatious citizen, he has labored long and faithfully for the material prosperity of the town of his residence. Dr. Daugherty was born in Harrison County, Kentucky,, March 20th, 1835, and is the oldest of the family of six children, born to James and Mary F. Daugherty. His father was a farmer and mechanic, and died in 1867 from exposure in the Federal Army. His grandfather, Henry Daugherty was a native of Ireland and served in the war of 1812. The Doctor was reared in Harrison County and received such education as was afforded by the common schools of his time. He read medicine in 1858 under Dr. Risk, afterwards attending the Cincinnati College of Medicine and surgery, graduating in 1861. December 23rd, 1860, shortly before he received his diploma at the Medical College, he married Miss A. B. Mozee, daughter of George Mozee of Hardscrabble. Dr. Daugherty is what might be termed a rich man, owning several large bodies of land, an interest in the drug store of T. M. Mozingo & Co., and considerable personal property, band stock and the like. He is liberal and charitable with his means, much of his time and money has been spent in the course of education Several orphan children have been educated by his liberality and are now holding positions of influence and usefulness in society. The Doctor and his wife are both members of the Christian church, he having been an elder and Sunday school superintendent for the past twenty years. Last summer when the Corinth Deposit Bank was put in operation the Doctor was made director and president and is now faithfully watching its interest. In politics Dr. Daugherty is a Democrat, but believes in clean politics as in honest business. Few men have more or better friends than Dr. Daugherty, and no man knows better how to serve his friends than he does.

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