Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Volume I and Volume II, Lewis
Publishing Company, 1904, pp. 81-83.  Carlisle Co.

JAY WILLINGHAM

     Jay Willingham is an efficient county officer, now filling the
position of sheriff of Carlisle county, and the trust reposed in him is
well merited, for he is most faithful to his duty and loyal to the
obligations which devolve upon him.  He was born in what is now Hickman
county, at Spring Hill, Kentucky, on the 4th day of March, 1850, and is a
son of Thomas T. and Sallie (Reese) Willingham, the former a native of
Henderson county, Kentucky, while the latter was born near Murray, [sic]
Tennessee.  The paternal grandfather of our subject, Jarrett Willingham,
became an early settler of what was then Ballard but is now Carlisle
county.  He cast in his lot with the early settlers in the vicinity of
Cunningham and was there connected with agricultural pursuits for many
years, dying at an advanced age.  The maternal grandparents of our subject
were James and Rebecca Reese, who came from their native state of Tennessee
to Kentucky, establishing their home near Spring Hill in Hickman county.
In their family were the following named: James, Joel, John, Sallie and
Betsey, all of whom are now deceased.
     Thomas T. Willingham was reared in Carlisle county, and after arriving
at years of maturity wedded Miss Sallie Reese, whose birth occurred in
Hickman county.  They took up their abode near Spring Hill, where they
lived for thirty years, and on the expiration of that period they came to
Carlisle county, settling in its western district near Arlington.  There
they spend their remaining days.  The father was a farmer by occupation,
following that pursuit throughout his entire life in order to provide for
his family, and in his undertakings he prospered because he was energetic
and industrious and because of his keen foresight in business matters.  He
served his locality as magistrate for several years, and gave an
unfaltering support to the Democracy.  Both he and his wife were advocates
of Christian living, and were loyal members of the Missionary Baptist
church.  He died when seventy-three years of age, and his wife passed away
at the age of seventy-two years.  Their children were as follows:
Margaret, who is the widow of Thomas Sullenger and resides in California;
Alpha, who is the widow of Thomas Ellis and is living in Carlisle,
Kentucky; Maria, the deceased wife of Marion Patterson; Mary, the wife of
Brit Glenn, of Carlisle county, Kentucky; Jay; Richard, a miller of
Carlisle county; Robert, a machinist of Bardwell; and William, who was the
third of the family and died while serving in the Confederate army during
the Civil war.
     Jay Willingham was reared upon his father's farm, and in his youth
attended the country schools.  He began the battle of life for himself when
about nineteen years of age as a farmer, and for twenty years carried on
agricultural pursuits in Carlisle county.  He then engaged in the stave
business, which he followed for a year and on the expiration of that period
resumed farming, which continued to claim his time and energies until he
was called to public service.  He became deputy sheriff in 1898 and served
in that capacity until 1900, when he was appointed to fill out the
unexpired term caused by the resignation of F.P. Fisher as sheriff.  At the
regular election Mr. Willingham was then elected to the office, and is the
present incumbent.  He discharged his duties without fear or favor, and is
a most loyal custodian of the public peace.
     Mr. Willingham was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Thompson, a
native of Alabama,and they have become the parents of three children:
Edward, Inez and Shirley.  Mr. and Mrs. Willingham were married in 1881,
and have since traveled life's journey happily together.  They hold
membership in the Missionary Baptist church and are people of sterling
worth, enjoying the high regard of all with whom they are associated.  Mr.
Willingham is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is
true to the beneficent teachings of the fraternity.  He deserves much
credit for his success in life, and may well be termed a self-made man, for
whatever he possesses has been acquired through his own perseverance,
discriminating efforts and indefatigable industry.  He started out in life
on his own account empty-handed, and steadily has worked his way upward,
overcoming all obstacles and difficulties in his path by determination and
resolute purpose.

Willingham Reese Sullenger Ellis Patterson Glenn Fisher Thompson
=
Hickman-KY Henderson-KY TN Ballard-KY CA AL

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/carlisle/willingham.j.txt