Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published
by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago.  Reprinted by Southern Historical
Press.  p. 424.  Hopkins County.

JAMES FLETCHER DEMPSEY, of Madisonville, was born in Hopkins county,
Kentucky, on the 15th of June, 1853, and is a son of Dr. D. F. Dempsey,
who is a native of Botetourt county, Virginia, and for many years
engaged in the practice of medicine.  Dr. Dempsey came to Kentucky with
his father in 1837, and after several years' residence in Todd county
removed to Hopkins county, where he made a permanent location.  His
grandfather, a native of the Emerald Isle, was the founder of the
family in America.  The Doctor married Miss Susan W. Overstreet, of
Breckinridge county, Kentucky.
     Mr. Dempsey, of this sketch, acquired his literary education in
the common schools of Hopkins county, and also attended private schools.
He took up the study of law in the office of Hon. Polk Laffoon, and
subsequently continued it in the office of Waddill & Pratt, and his
preparation was thorough and accurate.  In 1874 he was admitted to the
bar and has since engaged in practice in Madisonville, during which time
he has been retained as counsel either for the prosecution or defense in
most cases of importance that have come up for trial in this circuit.
He throws himself naturally and easily into the argument, marshals his
evidence with the skill of a general, and leaves upon his hearers an
impression deep and lasting.  There is no straining after effect, but
a precision and clearness in his statement, an acuteness and strength
in his argument which attests a mind trained in the severest school of
investigation, and to which the closest reasoning his habitual.
     Mr. Dempsey has been honored with public office,--the gift of his
fellow citizens, who recognize his ability and worth.  He served for
seven years as master commissioner, was county attorney two terms, county
judge one term, and also treasurer of the county.  In 1895 he was elected
a member of the board of railroad commissioners of the state of Kentucky
for a term of four years,--an election which was a tribute to his personal
worth and popularity, for he was the only candidate on the Democratic state
ticket that was elected that year. Although not a member, he was reared in
the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, and affiliates with the
Masonic fraternity.  Mr. Dempsey, in 1879 married Miss Lelia Holeman, of
Madisonville, Kentucky.

Dempsey Overstreet Holeman
=
Breckinridge-KY Todd-KY Botetourt-VA Ireland

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/hopkins/dempsey.jf.txt