from Biographical Sketches of Kentucky by Perrin, 1887

LaRue County, Kentucky

Zach T. Heady was born March 22, 1822, in Nelson County, Kentucky, and is the thirteenth child of Thomas and Susan (Cotton) Heady, of whose sixteen children, ten sons and four daughters, lived to be grown. His father was born in Virginia and came to Bourbon County, Kentucky, with his parents when a lad of six years. After the fort was built at Bloomfield, Nelson County, he moved to that county, where he remained during his life. In his early days he engaged in flat-boating and trading, and once made a canoe out of a poplar tree, in which he floated 100 barrels of whiskey to New Orleans. He became one of the most prominent and substantial farmers and slave holders in Nelson County. He was a soldier in the War of 1812 under Captain McClasky, was at the Battle of Tippecanoe, and was with Harrison’s army as far as Canada. He died in May, 1852, aged seventy-two years. His father, James Heady, came from England, and was one of the patriots in the war in independence from Virginia. Mrs. Susan Heady was born in Nelson County, and was the twenty-second child of John Cotton, who had married his second wife. He was one of the pioneers of Nelson County, was an extensive farmer and slave holder of Nelson County, and of Scotch descent. Z. T. Heady was reared on a farm, received a liberal education, and after maturity attended Russellville Seminary nearly two years, after which he lived out for one year, getting for the first month $4. In April, 1847, he was married to Eliza Ann Mattingly, of Nelson County, a daughter of Thomas and Jemima (Hunter) Mattingly. Thomas Mattingly immigrated with his parents at an early day from Maryland, and settled in Nelson County, Kentucky. His wife was born in Nelson County, and was a daughter of Alex Hunter. Mr. and Mrs. Heady had born to them five children to bless their union, but reared only three: Thomas M., John E., and William Alex. Mrs. Heady died in July, 1860, a member of the Roman Catholic Church. December 17, 1862, Mr. Heady married Mary E. Mattingly, a niece of his first wife, and a daughter of Alex and Frances (Stewart) Mattingly. Seven children blessed this union: Susan F., Jeppy G., Charles M., Mary E., Nancy, Zach T., and Anna C. After his first marriage Mr. Heady settled in Nelson County, but in March, 1852, came where he now resides, on the banks of the Nolin, five miles west of Hodgensville. He first located on 222 acres of land, mostly in timber, but he has since added until he now owns 400 acres, 250 of which he has improved. He was Master of the Grange, when in existence; in politics he has always been a consistent Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Van Buren, and in 1875 was sent to the Legislature.