History of Owensboro - User contributions [en]

Amos Smedly

2016-10-06T15:01:04Z

MMattingly: Added military service

'''Amos Smedly''' and wife Ella (Moore) Smedly owned and operated a restaurant and boarding house in Owensboro circa 1890. The couple married June 30,

1880, in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Their establishment was located at 208 West Main Street, and served both the colored and white populations.

Mr. Smedly was pensioned in 1890 for service in the 8th Regiment, Co. A, United States Colored Infantry. Two years later, he was injured in the

Colored Passenger Excursion train wreck on June 5, 1892 near South Carrollton, KY.

[[Category:People|Smedly, Amos]]

Amos Smedly

2016-10-06T14:36:37Z

MMattingly: corrected grammar

'''Amos Smedly''' and wife Ella Moore Smedly owned and operated a restaurant and boarding house in Owensboro circa 1890.

Their establishment was located at 208 West Main Street, and served both the colored and white populations. Amos Smedly was injured in the Colored Passenger Excursion

Train Wreck on June 5, 1892 at South Carrollton, KY.

[[Category:People|Smedly, Amos]]

Amos Smedly

2016-10-06T14:34:52Z

MMattingly: Added Ella Moore as spouse

'''Amos Smedly''' and wife Ella Moore Smedly was an African-American restaurant and boarding house owner in Owensboro circa 1890.

Their establishment was located at 208 West Main Street, and served both the colored and white populations. Amos Smedly was injured in the Colored Passenger Excursion

Train Wreck on June 5, 1892 at South Carrollton, KY.

[[Category:People|Smedly, Amos]]

Amos Smedly

2016-10-06T14:13:40Z

MMattingly: Added detail for Amos Smedly

'''Amos Smedly''' was an African-American restaurant and boarding house owner in Owensboro circa 1890. His establishment was located at 208 West Main

Street, and served both the colored and white populations. Smedly was injured in the Colored Passenger Excursion Train Wreck on June 5, 1892 at South Carrollton, KY.

[[Category:People|Smedly, Amos]]

S. E. Smith

2016-10-06T04:22:27Z

MMattingly:

[[File:S.E.Smith.jpg|thumb|S. E. Smith]]
Baptist minister and civil rights activist '''S. E. Smith''' was born in Glasgow, Barren County

Kentucky June 7, 1860. After completing his primary education in the common schools, Smith

entered State University (later Simmons University) where he graduated with honors.

He would later serve as a Trustee of the University. In 1895, Smith was serving as Pastor

of Fourth Street Baptist Church in Owensboro, and the congregation under his leadership had

built a new brick church at a cost of $30,000.

S. E. Smith held the distinction of being a delegate to every National Republican Convention

for sixteen consecutive years. During this time span, he also was the National Grand Secretary

of the Order of the Samaritans. Smith was a staunch opponent of the Separate Coach Act in

Kentucky, and was a member of the State Executive Committee handling arrangements of the case.

Upon leaving Owensboro, he was called as pastor of First African Baptist Church in Lexington, KY.

Reverend S. E. Smith passed away on August 5, 1907.

'''Source''': ''Sermons, Addresses, Reminiscences & Important Correspondence; E.C. Morris, D.D., 1901, pg. 295''

'''Source''': ''Notable Kentucky African Americans Database; University of Kentucky''

'''Source''': ''Biographical Sketches of Prominent Negro Men and Women of Kentucky; W. D. Johnson, 1897''

'''Source''': ''The Baptist Home Mission Monthly, Volume 17-18, pg. 273''

'''Source''': http://docsouth.unc.edu/church/morris/ill295.html

[[Category: People]]

S. E. Smith

2016-10-06T04:20:45Z

MMattingly: Added photo source

S. E. Smith

2016-10-06T04:16:05Z

MMattingly: Added Photo

File:S.E.Smith.jpg

2016-10-06T04:15:08Z

MMattingly:

Reverend; African American; Fourth Street Baptist Church; Owensboro.

S. E. Smith

2016-10-06T04:11:40Z

MMattingly: Spelling error

Baptist minister and civil rights activist '''S. E. Smith''' was born in Glasgow, Barren County

Kentucky June 7, 1860. After completing his primary education in the common schools, Smith

entered State University (later Simmons University) where he graduated with honors.

He would later serve as a Trustee of the University. In 1895, Smith was serving as Pastor

of Fourth Street Baptist Church in Owensboro, and the congregation under his leadership had

built a new brick church at a cost of $30,000.

S. E. Smith held the distinction of being a delegate to every National Republican Convention

for sixteen consecutive years. During this time span, he also was the National Grand Secretary

of the Order of the Samaritans. Smith was a staunch opponent of the Separate Coach Act in

Kentucky, and was a member of the State Executive Committee handling arrangements of the case.

Upon leaving Owensboro, he was called as pastor of First African Baptist Church in Lexington, KY.

Reverend S. E. Smith passed away on August 5, 1907.

'''Source''': ''Sermons, Addresses, Reminiscences & Important Correspondence; E.C. Morris, D.D., 1901, pg. 295''

'''Source''': ''Notable Kentucky African Americans Database; University of Kentucky''

'''Source''': ''Biographical Sketches of Prominent Negro Men and Women of Kentucky; W. D. Johnson, 1897''

'''Source''': ''The Baptist Home Mission Monthly, Volume 17-18, pg. 273''

Category: People

S. E. Smith

2016-10-06T04:10:30Z

MMattingly: Added Category

Baptist minister and civil rights activist '''S. E. Smith''' was born in Glasgow, Barren County

Kentucky June 7, 1860. After completing his primary education in the common schools, Smith

entered State University (later Simmons University) where he graduated with honors.

He would later serve as a Trustee of the University. In 1895, Smith was serving as Pastor

of Fourth Street Baptist Church in Owensboro, and the congregation under his leadership had

built a new brick church at a cost of $30,000.

S. E. Smith held the distinction of being a delegate to every National Republican Convention

for sixteen consecutive years. During this time span, he also was the National Grand Secretary

of the Order of the Samaritans. Smith was a staunch opponent of the Separate Coach Act in

Kentucky, and was a member of the State Executive Committee handling arrangements of the case.

Upon leaving Owensboro, he was called as pastor of First African Baptist Church in Lexington, KY.

Reverend S. E. Smith passed away on August 5, 1907.

'''Source''': ''Sermons, Addresses, Reminiscences & Important Correspondence; E.C. Morris, D.D., 1901, pg. 295''

'''Source''': ''Notable Kentucky African Americans Database; University of Kentucky''

'''Source''': ''Biographical Sketches of Prominent Negro Men and Women of KEntucky; W. D. Johnson, 1897''

'''Source''': ''The Baptist Home Mission Monthly, Volume 17-18, pg. 273''

Category: People

S. E. Smith

2016-10-06T04:07:55Z

MMattingly: S. E. Smith (Reverend)

Baptist minister and civil rights activist '''S. E. Smith''' was born in Glasgow, Barren County

Kentucky June 7, 1860. After completing his primary education in the common schools, Smith

entered State University (later Simmons University) where he graduated with honors.

He would later serve as a Trustee of the University. In 1895, Smith was serving as Pastor

of Fourth Street Baptist Church in Owensboro, and the congregation under his leadership had

built a new brick church at a cost of $30,000.

S. E. Smith held the distinction of being a delegate to every National Republican Convention

for sixteen consecutive years. During this time span, he also was the National Grand Secretary

of the Order of the Samaritans. Smith was a staunch opponent of the Separate Coach Act in

Kentucky, and was a member of the State Executive Committee handling arrangements of the case.

Upon leaving Owensboro, he was called as pastor of First African Baptist Church in Lexington, KY.

Reverend S. E. Smith passed away on August 5, 1907.

'''Source''': ''Sermons, Addresses, Reminiscences & Important Correspondence; E.C. Morris, D.D., 1901, pg. 295
''
'''Source''': ''Notable Kentucky African Americans Database; University of Kentucky''

'''Source''': ''Biographical Sketches of Prominent Negro Men and Women of KEntucky; W. D. Johnson, 1897''

'''Source''': ''The Baptist Home Mission Monthly, Volume 17-18, pg. 273''

Knottsville Free Public Library

2016-10-06T03:18:58Z

MMattingly: corrected St. Williams to William

[[File:Knottsville_Free_Public_Library.jpg|thumb|right|Knottville Free Public Library]]
[[File:Knottsville_Free_Library.jpg|thumb|right|Knottsville Free Public Library]]

Originally, this was the St. William parish library until growth required a new building. The Knottsville Library Association was formed and a lot was secured for building of the library circa 1901. The original cost to build was about $2,000, with all lumber and labor being donated.

The library was a two-story frame structure, 60 ft. x 30 ft., and stood on the lot which later held the first St. William School. This library housed nearly 2,000 bound volumes, 5,000 pamphlets and magazines, and 300 children's books in addition to a small museum. The upper story contained a stage and accessories and was used for lectures, entertainments, and meetings of various kinds. The lower level housed the library as well as the museum, which covered one fourth of the wall and floor space. The property of this library represented a value of about $7,000. This was a result not of large contributions from a wealthy few, but small contributions of many.

Operated as a free public library, funds were raised for it's operation through association membership dues of 50 cents per year or a $10.00 lifetime contribution by cash, work, or book donations. Funds were also raised through picnics, entertainments, and renting of the hall. A major benefactor of the library was [[Knottsville]] native William T. Ellis, who donated nearly 500 volumes nearing completion of the library. In 1911, the librarian was Mrs. Anna Hamilton.

In 1926, the library burned and St. William School was built to replace it. The site is now a parking lot on the corner of Highway 144 and Monarch Road across the street from the church.

'''Source:''' ''First Biennial Report, KY Library Extension Division'' 1910-1911

'''Source:''' ''The Public Library Bulletin, No.1'' Aug. 1901 - Jan. 1902

Samuel L. Fite

2016-10-02T19:14:16Z

MMattingly: Added marriage data

Samuel L. Fite was born in Canada in 1864 and owned [[Fite's Photography Studio]].

He married Georgia E. Mahen on February 12, 1890 in Davidson County, TN. In 1889, the couple lived at the studio at 208 W 3rd St in Owensboro.<ref>1889 Owensboro City Directory</ref>

==References==

[[Category:People]]

Fite's Photography Studio

2016-10-02T19:10:16Z

MMattingly: Added marriage info for wife of Samuel Fite

Mr. [[Samuel L. Fite]] born 1864 Canada, was reported to be the best photographer in Owensboro, and perhaps the only African-American to own a photography studio in the state of Kentucky.

A photo card lists his studio address as 613 Main Street, Owensboro in 1898. Around 1890, Fite's Studio was located on the second floor of the Breidenbach Building, located at 208 West Third Street in Owensboro.

Samuel L. Fite married his wife Georgia E. Mahen (b. 1868 TN) February 12, 1890, and the couple is found living on Elm Street In Owensboro in the 1900 census.

'''Source:''' ''Notable African Americans''

'''Source:''' ''Photo card on file at DCPL donated 2016''

Fite's Studio - Mr. S Fite, owner of Fite's Studio, at Owensboro, KY., is in a position to render the race a great service. It is acknowledged that he is by far the best photographer in that city, and his patrons are not only the leading white people there, but they come from other towns to have work done. Mr. Fite had a hard struggle when he first location at Owensboro, because of the unfair means used by the white men engaged in the same line of work to defeat him. But he has more than won the fight, and stands at the head as an example of what push and pluck will do.
'''Source:''' ''Evidences of Progress Among Colored People; G. F. Richings, pg. 511''

[[Category: Businesses]]

Amos Smedly

2016-10-01T03:39:52Z

MMattingly: Corrected address, added boarding house, establishment

Amos Smedly

2016-10-01T03:06:19Z

MMattingly: M. Mattingly moved page Amos and Sweatley to Amos Smedly: Incorrect name

'''Amos Smedly''' was an African-American restaurant owner in Owensboro circa 1890. His restaurant located at 208 West 2nd Street, served both the

colored and white populations.

[[Category:People]]
[[Category:Restaurants]]

Amos Smedly

2016-10-01T03:00:21Z

MMattingly: Created page Amos Smedly

Fite's Photography Studio

2016-10-01T02:31:28Z

MMattingly: added source Photo card

Mr. Samuel L. Fite born 1864 Canada, was reported to be the best photographer in Owensboro, and perhaps the only African American to own a photography studio in the state of Kentucky. A photo card lists his studio address as 613 Main Street, Owensboro in 1898. Around 1890, Fite's Studio was located on the second floor of the Briederbach Building, located at 208 West Third Street in Owensboro. Samuel L. Fite married his wife Georgia (b. 1868 TN) circa 1891, and the couple is found living on Elm Street In Owensboro in the 1900 census.

[(Category: Businesses)]
[(Category: People)]

Source:Evidences of Progress Among Colored People; G. F. Richings, pg. 511
Source:Notable African Americans
Source:Photo card on file at DCPL donated 2016

Fite's Photography Studio

2016-10-01T02:25:32Z

MMattingly: Added sources

Fite's Photography Studio

2016-10-01T02:03:11Z

MMattingly: Created page Fite's Photography Studio

Knottsville Free Public Library

2016-09-23T16:26:40Z

MMattingly: Added Knottsville Free Public Library

Originally the St. William parish library until growth required a new building. The Knottsville Library Association was formed, and a lot secured for building of the library circa 1901. The original cost to build was about $2,000, with all lumber and labor being donated. The library was a two-story frame structure, 60 ft. x 30 ft., and stood on the lot which later held the first St. William School. This library housed nearly 2,000 bound volumes, 5,000 pamphlets and magazines, and 300 children's books in addition to a small museum. The upper story contained a stage and accessories. The lower level housed the library as well as the museum, which covered one fourth of the wall and floor space. Operated as a free public library, funds were raised for it's operation through association membership dues of 50 cents per year or a $10.00 lifetime contribution by cash, work, or book donations. Funds were also raised through picnics, entertainments, and renting of the hall. A major benefactor of the library was Knottsville native William T. Ellis, who donated nearly 500 volumes nearing completion of the library. In 1911, the librarian was Mrs. Anna Hamilton. The site of the former library is located near the corner of Highway 144 and Monarch Road in Daviess County.

Source: First Biennial Report, KY Library Extension Division 1910-1911
Source: The Public Library Bulletin, No.1, Aug.1901-Jan., 1902

Knottsville, Kentucky

2016-09-23T16:02:07Z

MMattingly: Added s to donation under library paragraph

The eastern Daviess County community of Knottsville was
on the old Indian trail from Vincennes, IN to Hartford and went
by several colorful names before it became knows as Knottsville.
The first settlement there was called Goreham and was 1 ½ miles
east of where Knottsville was eventually built. At one time it had
a post office—the only one in that section of the county, second
only to the post office in Yellow Banks. A town was staked off,
some buildings erected, and the community was named for a resident,
Thomas Goreham. A voting place was established there.

The village that became Knottsville was laid out in 1836 by
William R. Griffith and James Millay. For the first few years, it was
called the “Grocery”, “Blacksmith Shop”, and “Heart’s Delight”.
But, when Griffin was elected to the state legislature, he had the
town named Knottsville. That was to honor Leonard Knott, who
had built the first house there in 1827 and was the town blacksmith.
The name Knottsville endured.

Millay ran the first store in Knottsville. Other early settlers
included B.J. McDaniel, William Higdon, L.T. Brown, and Mrs.
Mary Drury. By the 1880’s, the village of Knottsville included two
general stores, a drug store, a shoe shop, a wagon shop, two undertaker
parlors, a flour mill, saw and grist mills, and three tobacco
factories. Many Native Americans lived in that section of Daviess
County in earlier years, and a large hill six miles east of Knottsville,
now in Hancock County, was named Indian Hill because of
the stone houses or huts that had been erected there.

Valentine Felty Husk was the first settler of the Knottsville precinct.
He came from Virginia to Yellow Banks in 1796, and a few
years later moved up the river to the mouth of Pup Creek. He stayed
there awhile, then in 1804 followed the Indian trail inland and settled
on the Knottsville-Yelvington Road. Shortly thereafter, George Raleigh,
Charles, and Benjamin Duncan came from Nelson County.
James Adams settled in a spot about four miles northwest of Knottsville.
The Smeathers and Bell families arrived soon afterward.

The first religious service in the precinct was conducted by a
preacher named Craig in the house of Benjamin Duncan in 1808.
Knottsville was the cradle of the county’s first Catholic community,
and the Knottsville precinct would draw hundreds of early
settlers to the popular religious revivals every year at the nearby
campgrounds. The first priest to visit the section was Father Elisha
Durbin, who came once a month from Union County. St. Lawrence,
the oldest Catholic Church in Daviess County, was started
in 1821 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Henning on Aull Road
east of Knottsville. A log church was built in 1831 and Father John
Wathen became the first resident pastor in 1833. In 1839, a brick
church was built. It was replaced in 1870 with the present church,
which was dedicated in 1872.

Coal mining became an important activity in the Knottsville
area late in the 19th century, and this activity continues to the present.
At first the mines were “slope” mines, burrowing into coal
seams exposed on hillsides. Improved mining techniques later led
to strip mining, which greatly reduced mining employment.
Always a strong Catholic community, Knottsville youngsters
were prone to intermarry with Catholic families from Whitesville,
according to Judge Gene Lanham, a descendent of early settlers.
The Mary Carrico parochial school and the Bishop Soeneker
Nursing home continue the tradition of strong Catholic influence in
the shaping of the abiding closeness of the people of Knottsville.

===Knottsville Library===
Originally the St. William parish library until growth required a new
building. The Knottsville Library Association was formed, and a lot
secured for building of the library circa 1901. The original cost to
build was about $2,000, with all lumber and labor being donated. The
library was a two-story frame structure, 60 ft. x 30 ft., and stood
on the lot which later held the first St. William School. This library
housed nearly 2,000 bound volumes, 5,000 pamphlets and magazines, and
300 children's books in addition to a small museum. The upper story
contained a stage and accessories. The lower level housed the library as
well as the museum, which covered one fourth of the wall and floor space.
Operated as a free public library, funds were raised for it's operation
through association membership dues of 50 cents per year or a $10.00
lifetime contribution by cash, work, or book donations. Funds were also
raised through picnics, entertainments, and renting of the hall.
A major benefactor of the library was Knottsville native William T. Ellis,
who donated nearly 500 volumes nearing completion of the library.
In 1911, the librarian was Mrs. Anna Hamilton. The site of the former
library is located near the corner of Highway 144 and Monarch Road in
Daviess County.

Source: First Biennial Report, KY Library Extension Division 1910-1911
Source: The Public Library Bulletin, No.1, Aug.1901-Jan., 1902

''Reference to an article by Glenn Hodges''
[[Category:Towns]]

Knottsville, Kentucky

2016-09-23T15:57:34Z

MMattingly: Added Knottsville Library

The eastern Daviess County community of Knottsville was
on the old Indian trail from Vincennes, IN to Hartford and went
by several colorful names before it became knows as Knottsville.
The first settlement there was called Goreham and was 1 ½ miles
east of where Knottsville was eventually built. At one time it had
a post office—the only one in that section of the county, second
only to the post office in Yellow Banks. A town was staked off,
some buildings erected, and the community was named for a resident,
Thomas Goreham. A voting place was established there.

The village that became Knottsville was laid out in 1836 by
William R. Griffith and James Millay. For the first few years, it was
called the “Grocery”, “Blacksmith Shop”, and “Heart’s Delight”.
But, when Griffin was elected to the state legislature, he had the
town named Knottsville. That was to honor Leonard Knott, who
had built the first house there in 1827 and was the town blacksmith.
The name Knottsville endured.

Millay ran the first store in Knottsville. Other early settlers
included B.J. McDaniel, William Higdon, L.T. Brown, and Mrs.
Mary Drury. By the 1880’s, the village of Knottsville included two
general stores, a drug store, a shoe shop, a wagon shop, two undertaker
parlors, a flour mill, saw and grist mills, and three tobacco
factories. Many Native Americans lived in that section of Daviess
County in earlier years, and a large hill six miles east of Knottsville,
now in Hancock County, was named Indian Hill because of
the stone houses or huts that had been erected there.

Valentine Felty Husk was the first settler of the Knottsville precinct.
He came from Virginia to Yellow Banks in 1796, and a few
years later moved up the river to the mouth of Pup Creek. He stayed
there awhile, then in 1804 followed the Indian trail inland and settled
on the Knottsville-Yelvington Road. Shortly thereafter, George Raleigh,
Charles, and Benjamin Duncan came from Nelson County.
James Adams settled in a spot about four miles northwest of Knottsville.
The Smeathers and Bell families arrived soon afterward.

The first religious service in the precinct was conducted by a
preacher named Craig in the house of Benjamin Duncan in 1808.
Knottsville was the cradle of the county’s first Catholic community,
and the Knottsville precinct would draw hundreds of early
settlers to the popular religious revivals every year at the nearby
campgrounds. The first priest to visit the section was Father Elisha
Durbin, who came once a month from Union County. St. Lawrence,
the oldest Catholic Church in Daviess County, was started
in 1821 in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Henning on Aull Road
east of Knottsville. A log church was built in 1831 and Father John
Wathen became the first resident pastor in 1833. In 1839, a brick
church was built. It was replaced in 1870 with the present church,
which was dedicated in 1872.

Coal mining became an important activity in the Knottsville
area late in the 19th century, and this activity continues to the present.
At first the mines were “slope” mines, burrowing into coal
seams exposed on hillsides. Improved mining techniques later led
to strip mining, which greatly reduced mining employment.
Always a strong Catholic community, Knottsville youngsters
were prone to intermarry with Catholic families from Whitesville,
according to Judge Gene Lanham, a descendent of early settlers.
The Mary Carrico parochial school and the Bishop Soeneker
Nursing home continue the tradition of strong Catholic influence in
the shaping of the abiding closeness of the people of Knottsville.

===Knottsville Library===
Originally the St. William parish library until growth required a new
building. The Knottsville Library Association was formed, and a lot
secured for building of the library circa 1901. The original cost to
build was about $2,000, with all lumber and labor being donated. The
library was a two-story frame structure, 60 ft. x 30 ft., and stood
on the lot which later held the first St. William School. This library
housed nearly 2,000 bound volumes, 5,000 pamphlets and magazines, and
300 children's books in addition to a small museum. The upper story
contained a stage and accessories. The lower level housed the library as
well as the museum, which covered one fourth of the wall and floor space.
Operated as a free public library, funds were raised for it's operation
through association membership dues of 50 cents per year or a $10.00
lifetime contribution by cash, work, or book donation. Funds were also
raised through picnics, entertainments, and renting of the hall.
A major benefactor of the library was Knottsville native William T. Ellis,
who donated nearly 500 volumes nearing completion of the library.
In 1911, the librarian was Mrs. Anna Hamilton. The site of the former
library is located near the corner of Highway 144 and Monarch Road in
Daviess County.

Source: First Biennial Report, KY Library Extension Division 1910-1911
Source: The Public Library Bulletin, No.1, Aug.1901-Jan., 1902

''Reference to an article by Glenn Hodges''
[[Category:Towns]]