My Genealogy Hound

L. W. GILES was born in Owen County, Ky., May 25, 1825, and is a son of Henry and Maria (Smither) Giles. (See G. W. Giles sketch for a history of his ancestry.) L. W. Giles was educated in the common schools of Owen County, where he received a good practical education. He worked on a farm until twenty-one years old, and then worked at the carpenter’s trade ten or fifteen years. After this he returned to the farm, and made farming his chief occupation until about 1858. He then became a tobacco merchant at Gratz, Ky., which occupation he has followed up to the present time, and has been very successful. He buys and sells from 200 to 300 hogsheads annually. Mr. Giles has been married three times. He was first married to Miss Catherine E. Thomas, in 1849, and eight children blessed their union; H. D., Owen T. (who died in infancy), Mary A., Sarah E., Robert, Maria V., George W. and John W. His second marriage was to Mrs. Lewis Bagby, August 10, 1870, by whom he had three children: Robertia, N. C. and Lennie B. The third marriage of Mr. Giles was to Miss Peachy A. Knadler, June 17, 1886, and one child is the fruit of this union. Mr. Giles is member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and in politics was formerly a Democrat, but is now a Prohibitionist. Mr. Giles began life without a dollar, but by his own economy and industry has reached his present position, and is one of the most prominent men in Owen County. He descended from a good and highly respected family.