Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Volume I and Volume II, Lewis
Publishing Company, 1904, pp. 162-166.  McCracken Co.  [Portrait,
p. 163]

JAMES L. BETHSHARES

     James L. Bethshares, one of the prominent and representative citizens
of Paducah, Kentucky, was born in Rutherford county, Tennessee, October 10,
1832.  He is a son of William S. and Martha L. (Johnston) Bethshares, both
natives of Virginia.  The paternal grandfather was Jesse Bethshares, and
the maternal grandfather was Robert Johnston, and both were also natives of
Virginia, descended from French and Scotch-Irish ancestors, respectively.
     William S. Bethshares was a farmer by occupation and continued in that
line until his death, April 10, 1845; he was born October 10, 1796.  His
wife was born March 20, 1811, and died November 9, 1899.  In politics the
father was an old-line Whig and a very highly respected man.  Our subject
has a brother and sister now living, namely:  William T., who resides in
Calloway county, Kentucky; and Mary Elizabeth Sammonds, who resides in
Howard county, Missouri.
     James L. Bethshares was reared and educated in western Tennessee, and
after leaving school acted as clerk in a dry-goods store for four years but
in 1857 started in the drug business in Trenton, Tennessee, remaining in
that line until 1862, when he began the study of law.  In 1863 he removed
to Paducah, Kentucky, and embarked in the manufacture of plows with his
uncle W.B. Johnston, thus continuing until 1872.  In 1873 and 1874 he
resumed and finished his law studies, and January 14, 1875, was admitted to
the bar.  For eight years he was actively engaged in the practice of his
profession, but in 1882 he was elected county judge and held that office
until 1886.  In 1890 he was re-elected to that same office, and held it
until 1895, when he retired from active life.  In politics he is a Democrat
and has always taken an active part in local affairs.  Religiously he is a
member of the Methodist church, and contributes liberally towards its
support.
     In February, 1870, Mr. Bethshares was united in marriage with Felicia
A. Hand, daughter of Henry Hand, of Paducah, Kentucky.  Both Mr. and Mrs.
Bethshares are highly respected by all who know them, and are living in the
enjoyment of good health, surrounded by the comforts of life, provdied by
the ability and enterprise of Mr. Bethshares.

Bethshares Johnston Sammonds Hand
=
Rutherford-TN VA Calloway-KY Howard-MO Gibson-TN

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/mccracken/bethshares.jl.txt