Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Volume I and Volume II, Lewis
Publishing Company, 1904, pp. 29-30.  Christian Co.

JUDGE JAMES BREATHITT

     Judge James Breathitt of Hopkinsville, Kentucky, has for years
been a prominent factor in public affairs in his county and state.  He
was born in the town in which he lives, September 4, 1852, the fourth
son of John W. and Catherine (Webber) Breathitt, and received his
early education here.  Choosing the law for a profession, he pursued a
course in the law department of Cumberland University, at Lebanon,
Tennessee, after which he opened an office and commenced practice in
Hopkinsville.  In 1878 he was elected city attorney, for a term of two
years; in 1881 was elected a representative to the Kentucky state
legislature, from Christian county, and again in 1885 was elected to
this office.  At the close of his second term as representative he was
elected judge of the circuit court.  As showing his great popularity
in the district, we state that Judge Breathitt is a Republican, and
was elected judge by a Republican majority of four hundred and
seventy-nine votes in a district that has a Democratic majority of
three thousand.  He served one term of six years, giving evidence of
excellent ability as a judge.  Since his retirement from the
judgeship, he has devoted his time to the practice of law.  For three
years Judge Breathitt had for partner John W. Payne, and for four
years he was in partnership with Henry J. Stites, son of Hon. John
Stites, during which time he was connected with many noted cases.  For
six years Judge Breathitt has been attorney for the Illinois Central
Railroad Company.  Also he is attorney for the Bank of Hopkinsville.
His interest in politics dates back for more than a quarter of a
century, and his high standing both as a lawyer and a leader in
Republican politics has been fairly won.  His party again chose him,
in 1903, as its candidate for judge of the circuit court, but the
election had not occurred at the time of the writing hereof.
     Judge Breathitt was married, in 1889, to Lydia Thompson, daughter
of George V. and Lydia (Ellis) Thompson, and a native of Christian
county, Kentucky.  They are the parents of four sons and three
daughters, namely: James, Jr., John W., Elizabeth, Edward, Louise,
Julia A. and Robert E.  Both the Judge and Mrs. Breathitt are
identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, and he holds
membership in the Knights of Pythias order and the Benevolent and
Protective Order of Elks.

Breathitt Webber Payne Stites Thompson Ellis
=
TN

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/christian/breathitt.j2.txt