NKyTribune staff
Retired Boone County Judge and Boone County historian Anthony W. Frohlich needs a little help.
Judge Tony Frohlich at the re-dedication of the Historic Boone County Courthouse in October. Frohlich is seeking photos of significant figures in Boone County History for his latest book (photo by Mark Hansel).
Frohlich is about to publish his latest book, “Serving the Law,” a sequel to “A Kentucky Court,” which received The Kentucky Historical Society’s Publication Award in 2013.
“A Kentucky Court” focused on the history of the Boone County justice system and the sequel provides additional insights into Boone County government.
Frohlich served as Circuit Judge for Boone and Gallatin counties from 2004 until his retirement in January, 2015.
He has accumulated a significant amount of background for the book, from a wide range of sources, but is still looking for photos of some significant people in Boone County history.
Frohlich is seeking photos of those listed below. A short bio of each subject is included to help confirm the identities of the individuals.
BEALL, ELMER JACOB
Elmer was born in July 15, 1869 in Boone County, Kentucky to David and Alice Amanda (nee Hankins) Beall. David Beall served as Boone County Sheriff from 1889 to 1893. Elmer received his education in the public schools of Hebron, Kentucky.
Elmer married Eva Lena Riddell on January 10, 1894. They obtained their marriage license from the Boone County Clerk’s office. However, they were married in Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky by W. A. Keene of the First Christian Church. Eva was born on April 8, 1870 to James A. and Jennie F. (nee Smith) Riddell. Eva’s grandfather, Cyrus Riddell, served as Boone County Judge from 1878 to 1882.
Elmer and Eva were both athletic. An article in the Boone County Recorder on October 2, 1899 reported that Eva won second place premium at the Fair in Indianapolis for best lady rider. Another article in the same newspaper on February 15, 1888 showed that Elmer won the County shooting match.
Elmer and Eva had three children; James, Kittie and David.
Elmer served as Boone County Sheriff from 1898 to 1902. Other occupations he held were Deputy Sheriff, engineer and fireman at Baldon’s saw mill on Gunpowder Creek in Boone County, a salesman for the Heinz Co. and an insurance agent for the Western and Southern Life Insurance Co.
In 1906, Elmer moved to Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. He resided there for the rest of his life. Eva died on November 16, 1940 in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. Elmer died on June 30, 1953 in a hospital in Cincinnati but was still a resident of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. They are buried in the Rose Hill Burial Park in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio.
Judge Frohlich’s book, “A Kentucky Court,” received the Kentucky Historical Society’s Publication Award in 2013. Frohlich is seeking some photos for the sequel, “Serving the Law.”
FINCH, THOMAS WILSON
Thomas was born on May 6, 1842 in Kentucky to Adam and Louisiana (nee Wilson) Finch.
Thomas was an auctioneer. He owned a store in Burlington that dealt in “staples, fancy groceries, hardware, tinware, glassware, and stoneware.”
He served as a Deputy Sheriff under Sheriff James Clutterbuck and Sheriff Benjamin K. Sleet. Thomas served as Boone County Sheriff from 1871 to 1873. He was elected on August 1, 1870 and entered office on January 2, 1871. He also served another term from January 3, 1881 to January 10, 1883. Thomas served in the Civil War.
Thomas married Mary Parmelia Riddell on January 15, 1873. She was the daughter of James and Betty (nee White) Riddell. Mary was born on November 13, 1852 in Boone County. Thomas and Mary had three children: James, Frances, and Charles.
Thomas was a member of Washington Chapter No. 4, Royal Arch and Muscatine Lodge No. 2, and Demolay Commandry No. 1 of the Knights Templar.
Thomas moved to Muscatine, Iowa around 1899. He lived there for several years and then moved from there to Los Angeles, California. He died on June 30, 1924 at the home of his daughter in Los Angeles. Mary died on February 1, 1944 in Los Angeles County, California.
WALTON, JAMES HARVEY
James was born on October 17, 1845 to William H. and Parmelia (nee Riggs) Walton. He grew up on a farm and received his education from the common schools. He was a farmer.
James married Nora Tupman in 1873. Nora was born in 1843 to Frances and Margaret (nee Davidson) Tupman. James and Nora had three children: Hugh Elmer, Clifford, and Howard Victor.
Nora died on August 5, 1877 and she is buried in the Tupman Cemetery, Erlanger, Kentucky. James remarried on July 21, 1880 in Boone County, Kentucky to Lou Bradford. She was born to Robert and Marion (nee Huron) Bradford. James and Lou had three children: Phelps, Albert W., and Ira L.
James served as a Justice of the Peace in Boone County. He represented Boone County in the Kentucky Legislature from 1881 to 1883.
He died May 26, 1919 in Boone County. Lou died in May of 1915 in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio.
CRISLER, CYRUS LOGAN
Cyrus was born on September 12, 1837 on a farm two miles south of Burlington, Boone County, Kentucky. His parents were Gabriel and Julia (nee Smith) Crisler who came from Virginia to Boone County in 1832.
Cyrus was a farmer on the family farm until 1883 when he came to Burlington and purchased and operated the Boone Hotel, which he did until 1900. He also was a janitor for the Boone County Courthouse. He served as Jailer of Boone County from 1891 to 1898.
Cyrus married Sarah Jane Souther on November 13, 1865 in Boone County, Kentucky. She was born on November 4, 1840 in Owen County, Kentucky to William and Sarah (nee Bishop) Souther. Cyrus and Sarah had two children, Addie B. and Alonzo.
Cyrus died on April 30, 1907 at his home at 1426 Russell Street, Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky. He is buried in the old Burlington Cemetery. Sarah died on February 22, 1919. She is buried in Burlington.
Anyone with information on those listed is asked to contact Frohlich at 859-802-2566.
I have some family history to review with you. My grandparents were George Clarke and Carrie Thrasher Clarke.
You very kindly sent me some information a few years ago, including photos of Carrie Clark with her first husband. I had a long talk with your Aunt Rita, whom I remember well. The last time I saw you, you were a toddler at your grandmother’s house on Philadelphia, in Covington.