HISTORY OF KENTUCKY, by Lewis Collins, and J.A. & U.P. James, published 
1847.  Reprinted by Henry Clay Press, Lexington, Ky., 1968, pp. 211-212 
[Logan county].

JOHN BREATHITT, late governor of Kentucky, (for whom this county was 
called) was a native of the state of Virginia.  He was the eldest child 
of William Breathitt, and was born on the ninth day of September, 1786, 
about two miles from New London, near the road leading to Lynchburg.  
His father removed from Virginia, and settled in Logan county, Kentucky, 
in the year 1800, where he raised a family of five sons and four 
daughters.  The old gentleman was a farmer, possessed a few servants and 
a tract of land, but not sufficiently wealthy to give his children 
collegiate educations.  The schools of his neighborhood (for it should 
be remembered the Green river country was a wilderness in 1800), 
afforded but few opportunities for the advancement of pupils.  John, the 
subject of this notice, made the best use of the means for improvement, 
placed within his reach, and by diligent attention to his books, made 
himself a good surveyor.  Before he arrived at age, he received an 
appointment as deputy surveyor of the public lands, and in that 
capacity, surveyed many townships in the state of Illinois, then a 
territory of the United States.
	John Breathitt taught a country school in early life, and by his 
industry and economy, as teacher and surveyor, he acquired property 
rapidly, consisting mostly in lands, which were easily obtained under 
the acts of the assembly appropriating the public domain.  After his 
earnings had secured a capital capable of sustaining him a few years, he 
resolved to read law, which he did under the direction of the late Judge 
Wallace.  He was admitted to the bar as a qualified attorney, in 
February, 1810.  His industry and capacity for business, soon secured 
him a lucrative practice; and from this time he rapidly advanced in 
public estimation.
	In 1810 or '11, he was elected to represent the county of Logan in 
the house of representatives of the general assembly, and filled the 
same office for several years in succession.  In 1828, he was elected 
lieutenant governor of the commonwealth, the duties of which station he 
filled with great dignity and propriety.  In 1832, he was elected 
governor, but did not live to the end of his official term.  He died in 
the governor's house, in Frankfort, on the 21st of February, 1834.
	It is not the design of the writer to notice the political 
principles, official acts, and measures of policy recommended or 
executed by Governor Breathitt.  These may be found among the archives 
and records of the county, and their consideration here would swell this 
article to the magnitude of a lengthy work.  It may not, however, be 
improper to say, that Governor Breathitt acted with the democratic 
party, and espoused with warmth the election of General Jackson to the 
presidency in 1828 and 1832.
	Governor Breathitt had two wives, both of whom he survived.  The 
first was Miss Whitaker, daughter of William Whitaker of Logan county; 
and the second was Miss Susan M. Harris, daughter of Richard Harris, of 
Chesterfield, county, Virginia.
	Governor Breathitt, in all his transactions, was considerate and 
cautious.  Rashness was no part of his character.  He was nevertheless, 
firm, and pursued his objects with great assiduity, after resolving upon 
the course he intended to pursue.  He did not commit himself in favor of 
any measure, without beforehand weighing the consequences with much 
deliberation.
	As a husband, father, friend and neighbor, it is not too much to 
say that Govrnor Breathitt had no superior.  In all the relations of 
life, he was actuated by a spirit of indulgence and benevolence.  The 
comfort and happiness of others, with him were objects of pre-eminent 
solictitude.  His affection and kindness to his relations, manifested 
itself in an eminent degree, by the assistance he gave his father, and 
the liberal expenditures he made in educating his brothers and sisters.  
To associates of his profession, he was uniformly courteous, and ever 
ready to give the younger members of the bar aid and instruction.

Breathitt Wallace Jackson Whitaker Harris
=
VA IL Frankfort-Franklin-KY Chesterfield-VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/logan/breathitt.j.txt