GEORGE CATLETT was born December 9, 1859, near Eddyville, Lyon County, and is a son of Thomas W. and Mary L. (Clark) Catlett. The father, when a young man, came with his parents from Winchester, Va., and located in Morganfield, Ky. He finally settled in Lyon County and engaged in milling and farming for a while, and then went into the mercantile business at Eddyville, which he conducted with eminent success for twenty years. Owning a great many slaves he operated a large plantation, but lived retired from business for a time before his death, which occurred April 28, 1879, in his eighty-first year. He sided with the South during the civil war, and lost heavily in slaves and money, but at the time of his death was in affluent circumstances. He was married twice; the first wife was Isabelle Helm. Of this union there were seven children born, six living. There were but two children born to the second union: Oliver and George (our subject), who, having chosen merchandising for a vocation, devoted his studies and time to qualifying himself for the business. His literary training was received in the schools of Eddyville and Smithland, and he commenced his business training as clerk during school vacations for his father for a period of five years. At seventeen he had entire charge of H. B. Lyon's business for two years; then with a firm in Christian County; then traveled for a Louisville notion house and then returned to Eddyville to assist his father. While assisting in managing the latter's business he opened a store at Kuttawa, with Thomas Glenn as partner, until the death of his father. He then opened a store in Eddyville with John W. Clark, and a year later bought him out, and has since carried on the business by himself. He carries a general assortment of goods, which is not surpassed by any in the same line in the county. He is highly esteemed in the community. He is a member of the K. of H., of the town board and is town treasurer.

 

Source:  J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Page 851.