Henderson
County, Kentucky Biography
Hon. Grant GREEN was born in Henderson County on 03 Feb 1826.
His ancestors immigrated from England and settled in Fauquier County,
Virginia, in the year 1640. His grandfather raised a large family of children,
many of who held distinguished positions in the countrys service.
All of the male members, old enough at the time, joined the army of the
revolution and fought for American Independence with distinguished credit
to themselves and their county. His grandfather came to Kentucky with
his family about the year 1815, and settled in this county.
Mr. GREENs mother was Martha DIXON, the daughter
of Captain Henry DIXON, whose father was a Colonel in the Revolutionary
War. She was born in Caswell County in the year 1804, and brought by her
father to Henderson County in 1805.
Mr. GREEN and Miss DIXON were married in 1820, and after
nine years of happy wedded life he died, leaving to the care of his widow
four children, of whom, the subject of this sketch [Grant] was
the second son. Falling heir to but little realty, and a scanty allowance
of actual cash, Mrs. GREEN was necessarily greatly embarassed;
yet, with superhuman endurance and self-denial, she most nobly met her
allotted life, sacrificing all the pleasures thereof that her four children
might be properly raised to a position in the social and business world,
her devoted interest so justly claimed for them. She managed to give them
such an education as was afforded at that time by county schools, and
this, coupled with her own great and good example, sufficed to impress
upon them the importance of determined effort.
Grant commenced business life by teaching a small country school
the same in which he had only a short time previous been a student
among those pupils were numbered many of his classmates equally
of age with himself. He was a very successful teacher, giving more satisfaction
perhaps to his patrons than his modesty allowed him to claim for himself.
After teaching about one year and a half he reluctantly gave up his school
to accept the position of deputy sheriff under his uncle, William GREEN,
who was made Sheriff of the county in 1848. He rode deputy sheriff for
two years, at the end of which time he was tendered a deputyship under
William D. ALLISON, at that time Clerk of both the Circuit and
County Courts, and Trustee of the Jury Fund. In Mr. ALLISON
he found a fast friend, and his life with him was one continued sunshine.
He appreciated his great worth and influence, and is no doubt more indebted
to his training and general knowledge gained while in the office, for
his success in life, than to all other sources combined.
In 1851, Mr. GREENs personal popularity gained for him the
Democratic nomination for Representative of this county. Inflexible in
his political opinions, he was yet averse to taking an active part in
politics, and only after much persuasion accepted the nomination thus
tendered him. The issue that year was fought by Governor POWELL, the Democratic
nominee for Governor, and Governor Archibald DIXON, a cousin of
Mr. GREEN and the Whig nominee for the same office, and both of
Henderson County. These were two of the most distinguished men of the
State, and of course, the contest was made warm throughout the entire
Commonwealth, and particularly so in this county. Mr. GREEN was
elected by a respectable majority, and took his seat at the beginning
of the session of 1851-52. This was the second session of the General
Assembly after the adoption of the present Constitution, and as the laws
then in existence had to be modified and new laws enacted in conformity
to the terms of the new Consititution, the work necessarily required the
keenest foresight and unrestrained wisdom of the members. This Legislature
was one of the ablest the State had ever had, and did its work in a most
superior and satisfactory manner. After the adjournment of the Legislature,
and on 26 Feb 1852, Grant was appointed Secretary of State by Governor
POWELL, and served in that capacity until the expiration of the Governors
term of office, 03 Sep 1855. During this time he was a member of the Democratic
State Central Committee. In 1855 he received the Democratice nomination
for the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, but this was the
year the Know Nothing party swept the State and the entire
Democratic ticket, after a most gallant fight, was defeated.
On 28 Feb 1855, Mr. GREEN was united in marriage with Miss Katie
S. OVERTON, a most accomplished lady, and at the expiration of his
term of office as Secretary of State, returned to Henderson, commenced
the practice of law in partnership with the Hon. H. F. TURNER,
and continued to practice until the summer of 1858, when he was elected
County Judge. In the year 1859 he received the Democratic nomination for
the office of Auditor of Public Accounts, and at the August election was
declared elected by a handsome majority. He then resigned the office of
County Judge, returned to Frankfort, and on 01 Jan 1860, entered upon
the duties of his new and most important office, and served the State
with most commendable fidelity and zeal for four years. During the trying
times of the war, he managed the States finances, so far as the
same was to be controlled through his official position, with eminent
ability, giving entire satisfaction to all parties. At the expiration
of his term of office, and at his request, the Legislature appointed a
Committee whose duty it was to give his office a thorough examination.
This was done and a very complimentary report returned. He was re-nominated
for a second term, and notwithstanding the interference of Federal troops
in many of the counties of the State, he was defeated by a comparatively
small vote.
He then returned to Henderson in 1864 and engaged in the tobacco business
for two years. At the expiration of that time, a co-partnership was formed
by and between himself, W. J. MARSHALL and Edward ATKINSON,
under the firm name of GREEN, MARSHALL & CO., and engaged in
the general banking business. He continued in this firm until May, 1868,
when he received the appointment as cashier of the Farmers Bank
(mother bank) of Kentucky, at Frankfort, and returned again to that city,
and is today filling the same position. The stock of the bank when he
was elected Cashier was worth only eighty-three cents on the dollar. At
this time 122 has been offered and refused. The bank today stands in credit
among the very best of the leading banks of the country.
Mr. GREEN many years ago, united with the Episcopal Church, and
has proven a faithful, consistent member, always ready with his good advice
and purse to advance its interests. His life has been a brilliant one,
alternating between Henderson and Frankfort, his present home. His promptness
in business, his integrity in action, and his clear judgment have been,
and are yet, shining traits in his character, and by these has he been
actuated throughout his entire business and social life.
GRANT GREEN REFERENCES
1850 CENSUS OF HENDERSON COUNTY
Grant Green age 25 is listed under Martin L. Hancock age
36, hotel keeper, Page 18, House No. 140.
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