Major John William Breathitt (USA)

MAJ John William Breathitt
BIRTH 9 Jan 1825
Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, USA
DEATH 16 Apr 1912 (aged 87)
Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, USA
BURIAL
Riverside Cemetery
Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky, USA
PLOT Section OC
MEMORIAL ID 88316163 · View Source
MEMORIAL
PHOTOS 2
FLOWERS 1
MAJOR J. W. BREATHITT
DIES TUESDAY
_________
Venerable Soldier and Former
Postmaster Called to His Reward.
_________
DIED ON HIS NATIVE SOIL.
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Long Identified With History
and Prosperity of Hopkinsville.
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While the news will not create surprise, there will be profound and universal regret over the death Tuesday afternoon of Maj. John W. Breathitt. He had been near to death many times during the winter, but his wonderful constitution caused him to rally and his useful life was prolonged until summertime had clothed the earth with verdure and flowers.

No man who ever lived in Hopkinsville died more lamented. Almost all his life was spent here and the people loved, honored and venerated him.

John W. Breathitt was a native of Hopkinsville and was born in the brick house on the Hopson lot on Main street, town down last year. He was descended from one of the old and noted families of Kentucky. He was a son of Hon. James Breathitt, Sr., and a nephew of Gov. John Breathitt, after whom Breathitt county was named. His father was born in Virginia and moved first to Logan County and came to Christian in 1814. He was married soon afterwards to Miss Elizabeth S. Short by whom he had three children, a daughter that died in infancy and two sons, Peyton S. and John W. The latter was born Jan. 9, 1825, and his mother died the following year. The elder brother grew to manhood and became a physician and after a few years died in Florida. His father married again in 1830, Miss Gabriellei A. Harvie, of Frankfort, and one son by this union was drowned after reaching manhood. The father died in 1839 and after the death of his father went to North Bend, O. to live with his uncle, John C. Short, completing his education at Kenyon College. He studied law but was never admitted to the bar.

In November 1847 he married Miss Catherine A. Webber, a daughter of Dr. A. Webber of this city. She died last year. For a time he followed farming and engaged in mercantile business. Sept. 1, 1861, he entered the Union army as Captain of Co. A. Third Kentucky Cavalry. On May 23, 1863, he was promoted to major of the First Battalion, which position he held till the close of the war. He took active part in many engagements, among them Pittsburg Landing (Shiloh), Stone River, Lookout Mountain and Sherman's march to the sea. In 1874 he was elected county clerk of Christian county, which position he held for about 20 years. Later he served a term as county judge of Christian county.

In March, 1898, he was appointed postmaster of Hopkinsville and filled that position for nearly 12 years, resigning about a month before the expiration of his third term, on account of the complete failure of his health. Until a few months before that time, he was able to give his personal attention to the duties of his office, though throughout his entire service as postmaster he relied largely upon the capable assistance of his son and deputy, Gus Breathitt.

Maj. Breathitt was a Royal Arch Mason and lifelong member of the Baptist church. Of his eight children who grew to maturity, six survive him. They are Peyton S. Breathitt, former Attorney General James Breathitt, who is one of the leading lawyers of Kentucky; Bus Breathitt, deputy postmaster; Mrs. Robert S. Green and Miss Elizabeth Breathitt, of this city and Mrs. Mike Griffin, of Paducah.

The funeral services were held at the First Baptist church yesterday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, by Rev. C. M. Thompson. The interment took place at Riverside Cemetery.

--Hopkinsville Kentuckian, April 18, 1912, pg. 1

Gravesite Details
Marriage date was Dec. 12, 1847 (not Nov. as in obit) in Christian County, Ky. as per Ch. Co. Ky. marriage records.

Family Members
Parents
James Breathitt
James Breathitt
1792–1839

Elizabeth Skipworth Short Breathitt
1804–1827

Spouse
Catherine Breathitt
Catherine Augustine Webber Breathitt
1828–1910

Siblings
Peyton Breathitt
Peyton Short Breathitt
1822–1848

Half Siblings
Harvie Breathitt
Harvie W Breathitt
1830–1851

Children
Peyton Breathitt
Peyton S Breathitt
1848–1937

Augustine Breathitt
Augustine Breathitt
1849–1936

Harvie Breathitt
Harvie Whitlock Breathitt
1851–1907

James Breathitt
James Breathitt
1852–1934

Elizabeth Skipwith Breathitt
1854–1928

Mary Green
Mary Caroline Breathitt Green
1856–1923

Fannie Breathitt
Fannie P. Breathitt
1857–1860

John Breathitt
John W. Breathitt
1860–1886

Katherine Griffin
Katherine Breathitt Griffin
1863–1946

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88316163/john-william-breathitt