Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago. Reprinted by Southern Historical Press. p. 182. Mason County. ALEXANDER KEITH MARSHALL was born at Oakhill, Fauquier county, Virginia, in 1770, and died at his home, "Walnut Grove," in Mason county, Kentucky, February 7, 1825. His parents were Colonel Thomas and Fanny (Keith) Marshall. The former commanded a regiment of Virginia troops during the Revolutionary war and was a neighbor and friend of General George Washington. After the war he was appointed surveyor-general of the land in Kentucky appropriated by Virginia to the officers and soldiers of the Virginia state line. He made one trip to this state and in 1785 brought his family, sailing down the Ohio river to what is now Maysville. Alexander K. Marshall was one of fifteen children and a brother of Chief Justice John Marshall, of the United States supreme court, also a cousin of Humphrey Marshall, statesman and historian. His education was acquired at home under the instruction of private tutors. He accompanied his father to Kentucky in 1785, and was married in Danville October 10, 1794, to Mary McDowell, who died January 27, 1822. On the 3d of November, 1823, he wedded Mrs. Eliza A. Ball, nee Lewis, who died in July, 1829. On his first marriage Mr. Marshall located in Mason county, on the farm now known as Walnut Grove, where he erected the quaint brick house that still stands and is in possession of his posterity. The locust and walnut groves which he cherished have almost disappeared, but the old-fashioned building with its high stone steps, double doors and round front windows and antique carvings still stands, and will, probably for generations to come, resist the encroachment of time. Mr. Marshall was possessed of a large and valuable estate, and his practice of law was rather for the excitement and employment it afforded than for the income derived therefrom. He, however, won a reputation as one of the most eminent jurists of his day, and was one of the most chaste and fluent speakers of the time. His business was chiefly in the court of appeals, of which he also served as clerk for some years. In 1797 he was elected to represent Mason county in the state legislature and there served for four successive years. In 1818 he was appointed state reporter for the court of appeals and edited three volumes of decisions. One of Kentucky's pioneer lawyers, his brilliant work at the bar engraved his name deeply on the record of judicial proceedings of the state. Marshall Keith McDowell Ball Lewis = Fauquier-VA http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/mason/marshall.ak.txt