William Ardery, farmer; P. O. Millersburg, son of James H. and Jane (McClure) Ardery, she a daughter of John McClure and Betsey (McDaniel) McClure; James H, son of Alexander and Sarah Moore Ardery, she a daughter of John Moore and Mary (Black) Moore, natives of Virginia, but came to Kentucky, where they purchased a large tract of land at two dollars per acre, in sight of the home of the subject of this sketch, and endured great privation and suffering among the Indians, having at one time made the offer of a pound of silver for a pound of bread or corn. Alexander Ardery was a son of John Ardery, who, with his brother, were linen drapers in “Auld Ireland”, emigrated to this country at an early day and were among the first to settle in Bourbon County. James H. was born in Harrison County, on Sept. 8, 1809, where he resided until seven years of age, when his father settled upon the farm where subject now lives. His father was born March 21, 1792, his mother in 1785 or 6; the father died in 1838, the mother in 1848. He was the second of a family of ten children, two sons only now living. James H. received about two months schooling in his life, but with the Irish tact and aptness he has acquired an education, business and social position equal to that of many who had greatly superior advantages. He has followed a life of agriculture and stock raising; has been twice married; first, in 1837, to Jane McClure, by whom he had two children; James D, born Oct. 27, 1838; enlisted in July, 1861, under Captain Hope, Second Regiment, commanded by Colonel Roger Hanson, in which he served gallantly until his sickness and death at Columbus, Miss, in June, 1862. William, the second son, born March 26, 1841, lived with his father, receiving a common school education, and assisting with the farm work and trading in mules through the South after the war. He married, Feb. 22, 1881, to Emma Davis; born Sept. 28, 1854, to Mrs. Mary (Leeper) Davis, of Harrison County; her father, William Davis, a son of James Davis and Lizzie Matthews; she was kidnapped and brought from London, Eng, to this country when fourteen years of age and sold for five pounds sterling; she was subsequently married in Stafford County, Virginia.
Source: Perrin, William Henry. History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky. Chicago: O. L. Baskin & Co., 1882.