County of Christian, Kentucky.  Historical and Biographical.  Edited by 
William Henry Perrin.  F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1884, pp. 345-346.

JOHN W. BREATHITT is a native of the county, and descends from one of 
the old and noted families of Kentucky.  He is the only living son of 
Hon. James Breathitt, and a nephew of Gov. John Breathitt, of Kentucky, 
after whom Breathitt County was named.  He came to Christian County from 
Logan County about 1814.  He was here married to Miss Elizabeth S. 
Short, by whom he had three children - a daughter that died in infancy 
and two sons, Peyton S. and John W. Breathitt.  The mother died in 
Hopkinsville about 1826, and during the infancy of John W., who was born 
January 9, 1825, Peyton S., the elder brother, grew to manhood and 
became a physician; after graduating from the Louisville Medical College 
he practiced in Louisville until loss of health compelled him to abandon 
the practice, soon after which he died in Florida.  James Breathitt, in 
1830, married Gabriella A. Harvie, daughter of John Harvie, of 
Frankfort, Ky.  Harvie W. Breathitt was the only child born to them; he 
was drowned in the Illinois River after attaining manhood.  The father 
died near Russellville, Logan County, in 1839, and his widow survived 
him until August 26, 1883, when she died in Frankfort, Ky.  Until 1839 
John W. received the benefits of the Hopkinsville public schools.  After 
the death of his father he went to North Bend, Ohio, to live with his 
uncle, John C. Short.  Here he attended Cary's Academy, from which he 
entered the preparatory department of the Kenyon College, where he 
completed his studies.  He afterward studied law, but was never admitted 
to the bar.  For a time he followed farming, later engaged in 
merchandising.  September 1, 1861, he entered the Federal Army as 
Captain of Company A, Third Kentucky Cavalry.  On the 27th of May, 1863, 
he was promoted to Major of the First Battalion, which position he held 
until mustered out at Savannah, Ga., at the close of the war.  He took 
active part in many engagements, among which were Pittsburg Landing, 
Stone River, Lookout Mountain and the fighting incident to the Atlanta 
campaign and Sherman's march to the sea.  In 1874 he was elected to the 
office of County Clerk of Christian County, which he has held 
continuously since, assisted by his sons Augustine and Harvie W. 
Breathitt.  He is a Royal Arch Mason and member of the Baptist Church.  
On the 12th of November, 1847, he married Catherine A. Webber, daughter 
of Dr. A. Webber, of whom mention is made elsewhere.  Their family 
consists of Peyton S., Augustine, Harvie W., James, John W. Jr., 
Elizabeth S., Mary C. and Catherine A. Breathitt.

Breathitt Harvie Short Webber
=
GA Breathitt FL Frankfort-Franklin IL Logan Louisville-Jefferson OH
Pittsburg-PA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/christian/breathitt.jw.txt