Subjects of Perrin, Battle & Kniffin 1885 Biographies
From: Kentucky, A History of the State. Perrin, Battle & Kniffin. 2nd ed.,
1885, Webster Co.
L.J. COUCH, M.D., was born in this county, near Slaughterville, in 1847,
and is a son of James D. and Mary (Couch) Couch. He is the youngest son of
a family of eight children, and is of English descent. His father was born
in Buckingham County, Va., in 1803, and his mother is a native of the same
State. About 1843 the family emigrated from Virginia to Webster County,
Ky., where the father died. In 1870 our subject began the study of
medicine in the office of Dr. Jenkins, of Hopkins County, and afterward
attended lectures at the Louisville Medical College. In 1874 he entered
the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, and graduated from that
institution in 1875. He immediately commenced the practice of his
profession in Webster County, Ky., and in 1876, came to Sebree, where he
has since remained in active practice. Dr. Couch was married in 1881 to
Miss Sallie Chandler, of Webster County, Ky., a daughter of William
Chandler. They have one child, John. Dr. Couch is a Mason and a Democrat.
PETER COUNTZLER, Webster County, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., September
1, 1838, is a son of Anthony and Mary (Falkenstein) Countzler, and is of
German descent. At the close of the Revolutionary war, the ancestors of
our subject came to America and settled in Pittsburgh, Penn. Subject's
parents immigrated to Kentucky when he was very young, and settled in
Henderson County. He learned the carpenter's trade under his father, and
at the age of twenty-one years, began life for himself. He worked at
carpentering for a number of years, locating first at Uniontown, Ky., then
at Shawneetown, Ill., and subsequently at Evansville, Ind. In 1864 he came
to Webster County, Ky., and for four years clerked in the store of T.J.
Jackson. In 1871 he came to Sebree and engaged in the furniture and
undertaking business for three years. He then added drugs, groceries and
hardware, and still continues in this business. He is one of the pioneer
merchants of Sebree, and has been one of the most successful. When he came
here he had but $800 and is now worth at least $8,000. He was married in
1871 to Miss Sarah Brooks of Webster County, daughter of W.H. and Jane
(Walker) Brooks. They have three children, viz.: George E., Mary J., and
Katherine. Mr. Countzler is a Mason and a Democrat. Mrs. Countzler is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
D.H. CREWS, Webster County, was born January 17, 1840, in Henderson, now
Webster County, Ky. He is a son of Williamson and Margaret (Marks) Crews.
Both parents were natives of Virginia, and immigrated to Kentucky in 1811.
The father engaged in farming, and for many years was a minister of the
Baptist church. He died in April, 1880, aged eighty-seven. Subject's
mother died in 1880, aged eighty-four. D.H., at the age of twenty-one,
bought 100 acres of land and engaged in farming; he added at different
times other lands, and owned as high as 600 acres. In 1880, he disposed of
his land and engaged in merchandising at Poole's Mill, where he has since
been doing an extensive business. Mr. Crews was married in 1861 to Matilda
J. Liles, of Webster County. They are members of the Baptist Church. Mr.
Crews is a member of the Masonic fraternity. From 1869 to 1875 he held the
office of magistrate.
W.D. CROWLEY is a native of what was formerly Hopkins County, Ky., born
October 16, 1832, and is a son of Edmund and Clementine (Marks) Crowley.
He is the eldest son of seven children, and of Irish and English descent.
His father was born in Kentucky, and his mother was a Virginian. The
Crowley family has been known in Kentucky for more than half a century, and
took an active part in the early improvement of the country. The father of
our subject died in 1861. In 1859, W.D. settled where he now resides; he
now owns more than 200 acres of land, and his farm is in a good state of
cultivation. He raises grain, stock and tobacco. He was married, in 1859,
to Miss Mary A. Thompson, a native of Missouri. This marriage has been
blessed with seven children: Francis M., Martha J., Edmund J., Clementine,
Julia, Ada, and Anna P. (deceased). Mr. Crowley is a Republican, and held
the office of constable for some time in his district.
EDMUND G. CROWLEY, Webster County, born August 31, 1838, in what was
formerly Hopkins, now Webster County, Ky. He is the third son of Edmund
and Clementine (Marks) Crowley, and is of Irish-English extraction. At
eighteen years of age began life for himself and for one year worked in a
saw-mill; the next year he worked on the farm for an elder brother, and the
third year worked at the carpenter trade. From then until the present time
he has been farming for himself. He was married October 17, 1860, to Miss
Virginia E. Johnson, a native of Todd County, Ky., and a daughter of Albert
A. and Elizabeth Johnson. They have one child, viz: Emily J. In 1866 Mr.
Crowley settled where he now lives, in Webster County; he has 102 1/2 acres
of land and 175 acres in Henderson County. As a farmer he is one of the
most enterprising and successful. He is a Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. Crowley
are leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1868 he
became a member of the Masonic fraternity. His present residence was built
in 1880.
C.A. DORIS was born December 16, 1860, in Providence, Webster Co., Ky., and
is a son of M.C. and Elizabeth (Doris) Doris. M.C. Doris, subject's
father, was born in North Carolina, and in his youth came to Kentucky. He
held the office of circuit and county clerk of Webster County; he died in
1869. Our subject, at the age of sixteen years was appointed deputy county
clerk and held that office acceptably until August, 1882, when he was
elected clerk, which position he now holds. His long continuance in office
is ample proof of his efficiency.
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