Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, ed. 8-B, 1887 Bath County HON. JAMES J. NESBITT was born in Owingsville, Bath County, Ky., March 22, 1846, and is a son of the Hon. James M. and Mary (Calk) Nesbitt. James M. Nesbitt was also a native of Bath County, and was a son of Hugh Nesbitt, who was born in Tennessee but was brought to Kentucky when a child by his parents. Hugh was a saddler by trade, but also dealt extensively in horses, driving large droves of them South. The father of Hugh was James Nesbitt, a native of Ireland. Mary (Calk) Nesbitt was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Keys) Calk, and was born in Montgomery County, Ky. James J. Nesbitt received a liberal education, being one of the first matriculates of the A. & M. College at Lexington, Ky. He read law under his father, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1873. For thirteen years he was master commissioner of the Bath County circuit court. He opened a law office to himself and has never had a partner. In 1885 he was elected to the Legislature, and re-elected in 1887 without opposition. April 21, 1868, he married Mollie Lee, a daughter of J.A.J. and Maria Lee. They are the parents of one child, Daisey. Mr. Nesbitt and wife are active members of the Christian Church. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a Democrat. In speaking of Mr. Nesbitt's legislative career, a local journal says: "Mr. Nesbitt is the most incisive and cutting speaker in the House of Representatives. He has a clear, ringing voice, is cool and self-possessed, a skillful parliamentarian, and a careful, guarded debater. He attempts no display of oratorical powers, but goes straight at the subject with a directness and vigor that have a telling effect. Being thoroughly fearless in whatever he undertakes, he is a powerful ally or a dangerous opponent in whatever matters of legislation he may be interested." Though an active participant in political matters, he has held no elective office prior to his present term in the Legislature, although enjoying a popularity and prominence in his county and district that would make him a dangerous contestant for any office within the gift of the people. Mr. Nesbitt's committee assignments are important ones, being the Chairmanship of the Sinking Fund, and a member of the Ways and Means and the Judiciary. Nesbitt Calk Keys Lee = TN Montgomery-KY http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/bath/nesbitt.jj.txt