The Thompson Book:
James Breathitt, Sr. and Olivia Thompson married in Hopkinsville, where their children were born. They are buried in Riverside Cemetery, Hopkinsville. Their unmarried children John William and Louise are also buried in Riverside Cemetery. The Breathitts are one of the first families of Kentucky politics. James was Kentucky's attorney general from 1916 to 1920. He and Olivia number among their descendants one governor and one lieutenant-governor of the state.

The following biographical sketch of James Breathitt, Sr. appeared in A History of Christian
County, Kentucky:

Judge James Breathitt, an eminent attorney of Hopkinsville, was born in Hopkinsville September 4, 1852, of a long line of illustrious ancestors, tracing back to the Colonial history of Virginia, and to pioneers who came from Scotland. His paternal grandfather was James Breathitt, born in Logan County, and who died in Hopkinsville a hundred years ago. He was an early settler, a distinguished lawyer, and was Commonwealth's attorney. His brother, John Breathitt, was Governor of Kentucky in 1832, and died in office at Frankfort. His son, John W. Breathitt, was born in Hopkinsville in 1825 and died in 1912.

James Breathitt was reared on a farm, and began life as a deputy clerk in his father's office. During this time, he took up the study of law, and attended Cumberland University, from which he graduated in 1877. He was soon thereafter elected county attorney, on the Republican ticket, and in 1881 was elected representative in the General Assembly and was again elected in 1885. In 1897 he was elected circuit judge for two years, to fill a vacancy, the only Republican ever elected in the district. In 1905 he was elected county judge, and served four years. In 1916 he was elected attorney general of Kentucky for four years.

Since retiring from that position, he has engaged in the practice of law, with his son, the firm of Breathitt & Breathitt being one of the leading law firms in Western Kentucky. Judge Breathitt and his family are members of the Methodist Church.

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 (sic) Thompson, daughter of George V. and Lydia (sic) (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.


County of Christian, Kentucky. Historical and Biographical. Edited by
William Henry Perrin. F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1884, p. 346.

HON. JAMES BREATHITT is a son of John W. Breathitt, and was born in Christian County September 4, 1852. His early education was obtained in the Hopkinsville schools. In 1877 he entered the Cumberland University of Lebanon, Tenn., from which he graduated in June, 1878. In the same
year he began the practice of law in Hopkinsville, associated with John W. Payne, under the firm name of Breathitt & Payne, which partnership terminated in 1881, and during which he was three times elected to the office of City Attorney of Hopkinsville. In 1881 he was elected to
represent his county in General Assembly, and was again a candidate in 1883, but was defeated by L. T. (Judge Larkin Tarrence) Brasher on a local issue. He is now associated in practice with Henry J. Stites. He is an honored member of the Knights of Pythias as well as of the Baptist Church.

One book states that James and Olivia were married in 1879, but James is still living at John W’s home in the 1880 Census and there is no Olivia living there.

Breathitt, James KY TRIGG CO. CADIZ 051 1870

1930 Census shows James and “Elizabeth” but has the right ages and only John and Louise