J. M. PAVY is a native of Kenton County, Ky., and a son of Peter H. and Lucy (Bobbitt) Pavy. The Pavy family were of Scotch descent, and among the earliest pioneers of Kenton County. Peter H. Pavy, subject's father, was a mechanic, worked at cabinet-making near the town of Independence, and died there about the year 1836. Lucy Bobbitt Pavy was born in Virginia, and died in 1836, a short time after her husband. Our subject is the youngest of a family consisting of the following children: Alfred (deceased), Anna M. (deceased), Eliza J., Mary G., Rebecca W. and Frances M. By a previous marriage, Peter Pavy had one child: Nancy, wife of Henry Marshall. Subject's parents died when he was about three years of age, and from that time until fourteen years of age, he made his home at various places, working during the summer and attending the common schools a few months during the winter. At the age of fourteen he secured employment at a tobacco factory at Covington, Ky., where he remained two years, a portion of which time was spent on a farm in the vicinity of the city. In 1856 he went to Adams County, Missouri, where he found employment as a farm laborer, and later attended the college at Canton, in the same county, several sessions. From Missouri, Mr. Pavy returned to his native county and in 1858 came to Livingston County, locating at Carrsville, where he engaged with his brother-in-law, Joseph Bridges, in the tobacco business, with whom he worked a short time. In July, 1858, he became a student in the commercial department of the Louisville University, from which he graduated in the fall of the same year. After graduation he returned to Carrsville, and engaged as clerk with John Ward, with whom he remained the greater part of the year, after which he commenced working at the carpenter's trade, following that vocation until 1860. In the latter year he commenced farming near the village, and later formed a partnership with I. T. Creely in the plastering and bricklaying business, which he continued one year. He next opened a shoe shop, which was conducted until 1876, when he engaged in merchandising, which he still continues. He handles a miscellaneous assortment of goods, valued at ยง4,000, and is doing a good business. Mr. Pavy was appointed postmaster at Carrsville in 1876 and held the position until 1881. He has been successful in his various business ventures, and at the present time carries on farming, carpentering, trading, shipping, etc., in connection with merchandising. Mr. Pavy was married September 6, 1860, to Mary E., daughter of Thomas P. Jones of Livingston County. Mr. Pavy votes the Democratic ticket.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 828-829.