Thomas Elliot Bramlette

Govenor of Kentucky

Born January 3, 1817, in Cumberland, now Clinton County Kentucky, a son of Ambrose Shrewsbury Bramlette and Sarah (Elliott) Bramlett, Ambrose S. Bramlette represented Cumberland County in the State Legislature in 1832 and was a member of the Kentucky Senate from 1833-1837 and 1845-1848. He was born on Feb. 12, 1790, KY, and died 1840, Albany, KY. Sarah Elliott Bramlett, mother of Governor Bramlette, was born Feb 21, 1796, VA a daughter of Thomas Elliott and Elizabeth (Livingston) Elliott.

Chronology of his life: 1817, born; 1837, married Sallie TRAVIS, born Oct. 4, 1819, TN, died Louisville, KY March 4, 1872; 1841, elected representative of Clinton County in the State Legislature; 1852, moved to Adair County, 1856, elected Judge for the 6th District; 1861, accepted a commission in the Federal Army; 1862 resigned from the Army and accepted President Lincoln's offer of the United States District Attorneyship; 1863, elected governor of Kentucky over Charles A. Wickliffe; 1867, defeated for the United States Senate; 1868, returned to Louisville and his law practice; 1874, married second time, Mary E. (Graham) Adams, dau of Dr. C.C. Graham and Theresa Sutton; 1875, died.

"Ex-Governor Thomas E. Bramlette died January 12, 1875, in Louisville, KY. Among the mourners at his funeral were his aged and feeble mother, who is now in her 80th year. Dr. Eugene Bramlette, son of the governor, who is living in Honey Grove, Tex., was advised and will arrive Friday. Gov. Bramlette was born in Columbia County., KY 58 years ago."

"The funeral of Gov. Bramlette at Walnut Street Baptist church yesterday afternoon was attended by a large concourse of people and the services were conducted by Rev. J. P. Boyce…..He was buried at Cave Hill Cemetery…….Judge William Bramlette of Paris, TX a brother of the deceased, and Dr. Eugene Bramlette his son from Honey Grove, Tex., arrived last evening but to late to attend the funeral."

THOMAS E. BRAMLETTE, governor of Kentucky, was born in Cumberland county, January 3, 1817. Having obtained a good English education he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1837. In 1841 he was elected to the legislature, in 1849 he was appointed commonwealth's attorney, serving two years, and in 1852 removed to Columbia, Kentucky, where he practiced law until elected judge of the sixth judicial district. When the country became involved in the civil war he espoused the Union cause, receiving a colonel's commission, and raised the Third Kentucky Regiment of Infantry, entering the field at its head; but he resigned to become United States district attorney for Kentucky, to which office he was appointed February 27, 1863, by President Lincoln, and removed to Louisville. During his term of office the government tried and convicted Thomas C. Shackelford for treason, that being the only case of the kind recorded in the history of the country. In 1863 he was commissioned major-general and while organizing his division was nominated as the Union candidate for governor of Kentucky, which was followed by his election in August, by a large majority. During his service he was offered a seat in congress, but declined to become a candidate. In 1864 the convention in Louisville instructed their delegates to vote for McClellan and Bramlette as their candidates for president and vice-president, but he again declined to allow his name to be used. On his retirement from office he resumed the practice of law in Louisville. He was a warm advocate of the State Normal School and deeply interested in all that pertained to the progress and upbuilding of the state. He was married in September, 1837, to Sallie Travis, and after her death wedded Mrs. Mary E. Adams, June 3, 1874. He died in his Louisville home, January 12, 1875. Bramlette Shackelford Travis Adams Cumberland-KY Adair-KY.

Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago. Reprinted by Southern Historical Press. p. 481. Jefferson County.

BRAMLETTE, HON. THOMAS E., Lawyer, and once Governor of Kentucky, was born January 3, 1817, in Cumberland County, Kentucky. He received a good education, in the schools of the country; studied law, and was admitted to practice in 1937. He had fine ability, and was characterized for industry and honesty, starting in his profession with a high reputation, which he maintained throughout a long, active, and successful career. In 1841, he was elected to the State Legislature; and, from that time, was almost continually in public office. In 1849, he was appointed Commonwealth's Attorney; filled the position two years; in 1852, removed to Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky, continuing the practice of his profession with great success; was elected Judge of the Sixt Judicial District; filled the office for six years, his decisions being rarely ever reversed in the Court of Appeals. When the rebellion broke out, he took sides with the Union Army; received a colonel's commission; raised the Third Kentucky Regiment of Infantry; and entered the field at its head; resigned, in 1862, to become United States District Attorney for Kentucky, which position was offered him by President Lincoln on the death of Hon. James Harlan; and at that time removed to Louisville. During his term of office, the Government tried and convicted one Shackleford for treason, that being the only case of the kind recorded in the history of this country. In 1863, he was commisioned Major-General; and, while organizing his division, was nominated as the Union candidate for Governor of Kentucky; was elected by a large majority, in August of the year; and his administration was a good one, characterized by fairness and freedom from partisan spirit. During the sesssion in the Winter of 1863, he was offered a seat in the Congress, but declined to be a candidate. In 1864, the Convention at Louisville instructed the delegates to vote, in the National Convention, for McClellan and Bramlette for President and Vice-President. He again declined the use of his name, thinking his services of more benefit to the State as its Govenor. At the close of the war, he dealt with fairness towards the offenders of both armies, and became the friend of good feeling throughout the country. He was the supporter of public charities and benevolent institutions of all kinds, and was a warm advocate of a State Normal School. At the close of his term of office, heagain settled in Louisville, for the purpose of practicing the law, and soon obtained a huge and lucrative business, taking a high position at the bar. He was a pleasing and forcible speaker and a fine writer; was impulsive, liberal-spirited, and brave; commanding in appearance, and of unusual muscular strength; was never vindictive; and died, universally esteemed and lamented, at his residence in Louisville, January 12, 1875. Gov. Bramlette was twice married: September, 1837, to Miss Sallie Travis, a lady of many virtues, with whom he lived the greater part of his life; June 3, 1874, he was again married to Mrs. Mary E. Adams, a daughter of Dr. C. C. Graham, of Louisville. A son and daughter, only children of his first marriage survived him.

From Biographical Encyclopedia, pg 40 (publishing info not provided to me).

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