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Dr. Ronald P. Rogers CHIROPRACTOR Support for your body's natural healing capabilities 270-384-5554 Click here for details 
  
Columbia Gas Dept. GAS LEAK or GAS SMELL Contact Numbers 24 hrs/ 365 days 270-384-2006 or 9-1-1 Call before you dig 
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US Congressmen from Adair County, KY: Nathan Gaither  Dr. Nathan Gaither (1788-1862). He was a physician, statesman, and businessman who played important roles in early Columbia. His home in Columbia, now approximately 200 years old, still stands at 301 Greensburg Street. CM 1997 File Photo, left. He went to Congress as a Jacksonian Democrat, and ran twice more, unsuccessfully, for the seat. He was a presidential elector more than one time. He and his wife, Martha Morrison Gaither, are buried in the Columbia City Cemetery, though the exact spot is not known. There is a move underway to erect a suitable marker, however.By Mike Watson Nathan Gaither was not trained as an attorney, but as a physician. He was born in Rowan County, North Carolina 15 September 1788, a son of Nicholas Gaither, who had served as a Major in the American Revolution, commanding a battalion at the Battle of King's Mountain, and who later served several terms in the legislature of North Carolina. Nicholas was a descendant of early settlers of Maryland. Nathan came to Kentucky to study medicine under a cousin in Bardstown, Nelson County. He came to Columbia about 1808 and lived here until his death in 1862, with a brief time in Trigg County. He was living here and practicing medicine when war was declared on Great Britain in 1812. He joined Colonel Joshua Barbee's command as an assistant surgeon. Many Adair Countians served in this unit under the immediate command of Captain John W. Shirley. Barbee's Regiment was stationed at St. Mary's, Ohio and escorted convoys of provisions to the advance troops. This was a tiresome, cold and dreary duty, but they were not on the front and did not participate in actual battle. However, the cold and dampness took its toll on many of the men. Dr. Gaither's expertise was needed. About the time of the War of 1812, the handsome "Gaither House" was erected on a corner lot of High and Main--now Greensburg--Streets. It was constructed by James and Benjamin McDowell, master craftsmen who are also credited with building the John Field House and, perhaps, the Creel House, now Grissom Funeral Home. The stately Gaither home still stands on its shaded lot, a silent sentinel of past greatness. Others who have occupied the house include Dr. John D. Winston, Dr. Melvin H. Rhorer, Major Thomas C. Winfrey, John Butler, Richard F. Winfrey, Mike Winfrey, and Mary Helen Patteson. Politically, Dr. Gaither was quite active. He was a Democrat and was elected to the Kentucky Legislature and the United States House of Representatives several times. He was a member of the Kentucky Convention that formulated the state's third constitution, signed 11 June 1850. He made an unsuccessful bid for the U.S. House seat against Richard A. Buckner, in old District 8, in August 1822. A second bid in August 1829 was more successful. He ran as a Jacksonian Democrat, defeating Martin Beatty, William Owens, Tunstall Quarles and a Mr. Anderson. A re-election campaign in 1831 saw Gaither defeat Green Countian Samuel Brents. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1829 until 1833, two tumultuous terms, just previous to which the controversial "Tariff of Abominations" was passed which nearly led to a split between the North and South, and also the infamous Indian Removal from the southeast to lands west of the Mississippi was commenced. Dr. Gaither ran for another term in August 1833, but was defeated by National Republican Martin Beatty who received 3,008 votes to Gaither's 1,899. He would make another unsuccessful attempt against Beatty in April 1841, for the 27th Congress, but lost to a third candidate, Bryan Y. Owsley, a Whig. In 1829 Dr. Gaither was elected a Presidential Elector and cast his ballot for Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun. He was again an Elector in 1860, when he voted for John Cabell Breckinridge, Southern Democrat candidate, against Stephen A. Douglas, John Bell and Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Gaither married Martha Morrison, daughter of Revolutionary War veteran William Morrison, in Adair County in 1817. Mr. Morrison lived in a house across the street from the Gaither's, located where the old Durham Wholesale building is now located, corner of High and Greensburg Streets. Tradition states that Mr. Morrison died after a fall from a horse, while on a trip back to Virginia, supposedly to a reunion of Revolutionary War veterans. Nathan Gaither died 12 August 1862 and was interred in the Columbia City Cemetery. When his wife died, she was buried beside him. However, no stones are to be found today as many of the markers in the old section of the cemetery disappeared many years ago. There is a plan in motion at this time to erect a memorial marker in the City Cemetery in honor of Dr. Gaither and his accomplishments in the fields of medicine, politics and business, and the development of Columbia and Adair County... Mike Watson See also:
This story was posted on 2012-02-04 09:42:08
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Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know. (AD) - Many Reunion organizing efforts are also advertised in our REUNIONS category in our CM Classifeds. These are posted at a very low cost. See RATES & TERMS More articles from topic Local History:
Jeanetta Collins, Adair Countian famous in world of wrestling Lots of Snow Cream, Popcorn in Big Snow of March, 1960 Pat Bennett adds mature account of Bliss Blizzard of 1960 Local History: Big March Snow of 1960 met by new Blisstonian Mr. Watson corroborates JIM theory on 1900s UB Church site Importance of Battle of Mill Springs, Adair's strategic location Thoughts on the 13th Kentucky Cavalry: The Adair Co. regiment History: Direction of Wind saved Courthouse from burning Camp Boyle important part of Adair County, KY history JIM - Gradyville, KY 1902, a town with all essentials View even more articles in topic Local History |
 
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