- John Breathitt
Infobox Governor
name = John Breathitt
order = 11th
office = Governor of Kentucky
term_start =September 4 ,1832
term_end =February 21 ,1834
lieutenant = James T. Morehead
predecessor = Thomas Metcalfe
successor = James T. Morehead
birth_date = birth date|1786|9|9|mf=y
birth_place =Henry County, Virginia
death_date = death date and age|1834|2|21|1786|9|9|mf=y
death_place =Frankfort, Kentucky
party = Democrat
spouse = Caroline Whitaker
Susannah M. Harris
profession =Lawyer
occupation = Surveyor,Teacher
religion = Presbyterian
order2 =Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
term_start2 =August 26 ,1828
term_end2 =September 4 ,1832
predecessor2=Robert B. McAfee
successor2 = James T. MoreheadJohn Breathitt (September 9, 1786–February 21, 1834) was a 19th century
politician who served as theGovernor of Kentucky from 1832–1834, dying in office.Early life
John Breathitt was born near New London,
Henry County, Virginia onSeptember 9 ,1786 , the eldest of five sons and four daughters born to William Breathitt.Collins, et al., pp. 211–212] John was educated at home and in the public schools of his native state.NGA Bio] His family moved toLogan County, Kentucky in 1800, and he continued his education there.Levin, p. 482]In early adulthood, Breathitt as appointed as a deputy surveyor in
Illinois territory. He then returned to Kentucky to teach in a country school. He used his income to acquire lands, shortly amassing enough money to sustain him for a few years. Financially stable, he resolved to read law under Judge Caleb Wallace. He was admitted to the bar ofRussellville, Kentucky in 1810 and opened his practice there.Breathitt was first married to Caroline Whitaker of Logan County. When his first wife died, he married Susan M. Harris of
Chesterfield County, Virginia .Political career
Breathitt joined the
Democratic-Republican Party and supportedAndrew Jackson . He was elected to theKentucky House of Representatives in 1811, representing Logan County. He was re-elected every year until 1815. He served asLieutenant Governor of Kentucky under Thomas Metcalfe from 1828 until 1832.Governor of Kentucky
In 1832, he was elected the state's eleventh governor and was the first person from his party to hold that office. As governor, he ardently supported Jacksonian principles, and wielded his
veto against bills critical of Jackson's land policy. The Louisville Bank of Kentucky was also commissioned during his administration.Death and legacy
Governor John Breathitt died of
tuberculosis in the governor's mansion in Frankfort onFebruary 21 ,1834 . He was originally buried in the Breathitt family cemetery, but was later reinterred at Maple Grove Cemetery in Russellville. He was the second sitting governor of Kentucky to die in office.Breathitt County, Kentucky is named for Governor Breathitt. His great-grandson,John S. Marmaduke , was a Civil Warcavalry general and later governor ofMissouri , also dying in office.ources
*cite book |last=Collins |first=Lewis |coauthors=James, J.A. and James, U.P. |title=History of Kentucky |year=1847 |url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/logan/breathitt.j.txt
accessdate=2007-11-28
*cite web |url=http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=3085c895ddf56010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD&vgnextchannel=e449a0ca9e3f1010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD |title=Kentucky Governor John Breathitt |publisher=National Governors Association |accessdate=2007-11-28
*cite book |last=Levin |first=H. |title=Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky |location=Chicago, Illinois |publisher=Lewis Publishing Company |year=1897 |url=http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/logan/breathitt.j2.txt |accessdate=2007-11-28External links
* [http://www.loganchamber.com/heritage/27.htm John Breathitt's home]
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7932466 Find-A-Grave profile for John Breathitt]
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