James Breathitt Jr. (December 14, 1890 – October 29, 1934) was an American politician who served as the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, and member of the Kentucky Senate. He was a member of the prominent Breathitt family, and was seen as a rising star of the Kentucky Democratic Party prior to his early passing due to illness in 1934.
James Breathitt Jr. | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Kentucky Senate from the 6th district | |
| In office January 1, 1933 – October 29, 1934 | |
| Preceded by | Charles G. Franklin |
| Succeeded by | Franklin Rives |
| 35th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky | |
| In office 1927–1931 | |
| Governor | Flem Sampson |
| Preceded by | Henry Denhardt |
| Succeeded by | Happy Chandler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 14, 1890 Hopkinsville, Kentucky |
| Died | October 29, 1934 (aged 43) |
| Resting place | Riverside Cemetary, Hopkinsville, Kentucky |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relations | John Breathitt (great-grand uncle) James Breathitt Sr. (father) Edward T. Breathitt (nephew) |
| Education | Centre College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Background
editBreathitt was born on December 14, 1890, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. His father was James Breathitt Sr., who served as Attorney General of Kentucky from 1908 to 1912. His great granduncle, John Breathitt, served as the 11th Governor of Kentucky from 1832 until his death in 1834.
He attended Hopkinsville High School where he was manager and captain of the school's football team. He graduated in 1907 and went on to attend Centre College, graduating in 1911. The next year, he was admitted to the Kentucky Bar Association and entered into a law partnership with his father.
Political career
editDemocratic National Convention delegate
editBreathitt was selected as a delegate to both the 1924 and 1928 Democratic National Conventions. During the 1928 convention, he served as chairman of the Kentucky delegation and was an opponent of those who levied criticism against Governor of New York and presidential nominee Al Smith on the basis of his Catholicism.
Lieutenant Governor
editBreathitt won the 1927 election for Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky by only 159 votes, defeating Republican candidate E. E. Nelson. Flem D. Sampson was the sole republican elected to a constitutional office that year, and would face much opposition from both the Kentucky General Assembly and other state leaders throughout his tenure. Over time, Sampson's authority as governor was eroded, culminating in the actions of the 1930 Kentucky General Assembly. That year, the General Assembly stripped Sampson of much of his remaining powers and redelegated them to a three-man commission composed of Sampson, Breathitt, and Attorney General James W. Cammack. With this move, Breathitt became de facto governor for the remainder of his tenure.
State Senator
editAfter serving for a year as city attorney of Hopkinsville, Breathitt was elected during the 1932 Kentucky Senate election to represent Kentucky's 6th Senate District, which at the time included Christian and Hopkins counties. However, he would pass away before completing his term.[1]
Personal life and death
editIn 1912, Breathitt married Natalie Martin, a member of another prominent family from Frankfort. They would have one son, James Breathitt III.[2]
On October 22, 1934, Breathitt attended the funeral services of J. C. W. Beckham Jr., the son of former Kentucky Governor and United States Senator, J. C. W. Beckham. Breathitt fell ill shortly thereafter, and developed pneumonia. On October 29, Breathitt died at the age of 43 while at his home.[1][3]
References
edit- ^ a b "James Breathitt Falls Victim to Pneumonia". Daily Kentucky New Era. October 29, 1934. pp. 1–4.
- ^ "Prominent Young Couple are Married". Winchester News. January 29, 1912. p. 4.
- ^ "James Breathitt Dead in Kentucky". The New York Times. October 30, 1934. p. 19.
External links
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