By Stephen D. Bowling

Since the establishment of Breathitt County on April 1, 1839, numerous men and one woman have held the title of County Judge and, later County Judge-Executive. There are no records from the County Judges from 1839-1873 due to the October 3, 1873, Clerk’s Office fire. We are working to reconstruct the list from the election certificates and other records in Frankfort, but for now, here is a quick look at the Judges we know:

Alexander Strong, served two terms before 1868, Born February 21, 1836, near Sulphur Gap at Strongville in Perry County (now Breathitt), Kentucky to Edward and Elizabeth (Spencer) Strong. Married Sarah Jane Chambers (1840-1890) in 1860 and Analiza Jones after 1890. Died March 15, 1912, at Athol, Lee County, Kentucky. Buried in the Gabbard Cemetery, Athol, Lee County, Kentucky.

Edward Callahan Strong, served from October 20, 1873 (records start) – September 19, 1874, Born November 5, 1823, at Strongville in Perry (Now Breathitt) County, Kentucky to William and Jemima (Deaton) Strong. Married Nancy Haddix in 1846. Died February 16, 1911, at Breck Combs’ in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried in the Strong Cemetery at Lost Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Democrat.

James Back, served from September 19, 1874 – August 31, 1878, Born April 10, 1834, on Quicksand Creek in Perry (now Breathitt) County, Kentucky to Joseph and Permielia Belle (Hogg) Back. Married Martha “Patsy” Hagins in 1857. Died June 20, 1883, in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried in the Roark Ridge Cemetery, Round Bottom, Quicksand Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Democrat.

John Wesley Burnett, served from September 1, 1878 – November 23, 1878 (shot and killed), Born about 1855 in Tazewell County, Virginia. Never married. Died when he was on Court Street on November 23, 1878, in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky, during a violent feud episode. Buried in the City Cemetery on Marcum Heights in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky (grave lost). Republican.

Attison Clayton “A. C.” Bowman, served from November 24, 1878 – November 27, 1878 (removed), Born July 23, 1831, in Perry County, Kentucky to Joseph and Cynthia (Crawford) Bowman. Married Elizabeth Louisa Cockrell about 1861 in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Died January 25, 1908, at Five Mile in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried in the Five Mile Cemetery, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Republican.

James W. Lindon, served from November 28, 1878 (appointed by the Governor) – August 31, 1882, Born April 28, 1936, in Estill County, Kentucky to James S. and Nancy (Haddix) Little. Married America Marcum in 1855. Died November 2, 1900, at Alexander Hargis’ in Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky. Buried in the Jackson Cemetery in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Democrat.

Granville Stephen Miller, served from September 1, 1882 – August 31, 1886, Born May 12, 1846 in Breathitt County, Kentucky to Hiram B. and Elizabeth (Strong) Miller. Married Emoline Williams in 1868 and Lucinda Williams in 1877 in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Died May 22, 1904, at Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried on Quicksand and later moved to the Jackson Cemetery in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Democrat.

William Harrison Blanton, served from September 1, 1886 – August 31, 1890, Born July 2, 1848, in Harlan County, Kentucky to Mary “Polly” Baker. Married Nancy Ann Burton in 1868. Died July 1, 1922, on Frozen Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried William M. Combs Cemetery, Hurst Lane, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Attorney and landowner. Democrat.

Charles Oscar Cardwell, served from September 1, 1890 – December 31, 1894, Born July 16, 1853, on Panbowl, Breathitt County, Kentucky to Thomas P. and Ellen (South) Cardwell. Married Margaret Evaline Combs in 1879. Died November 3, 1914, in Chandler, Lincoln County, Oklahoma. Buried in the Oak Park Cemetery, Chandler, Lincoln County, Oklahoma. Democrat.

Nathan Boone Day, served from January 1, 1897 – January 5, 1897 (resigned due to illness), Born January 27, 1845, on Frozen Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky to William S. and Eleanor (Gibbs) Day. Married Elizabeth Cope about 1871 and Margaret Crawford in 1887. Died July 28, 1899, on Frozen Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried at the Nathan B. Day Cemetery, Shoal Branch, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Republican.

Andrew Jackson Hounshell, served from January 6, 1897 (appointed) – February 28, 1897 (resigned due to illness), Born March 7, 1840, in Breathitt County, Kentucky to Andrew and Levina (Bryan) Hounshell. Married Elizabeth Back in 1874 and Lou Ellen Back in 1897. Died September 11, 1899, On Quicksand Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried in the Back Cemetery, Round Bottom, Noctor, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Democrat.

Nathan Boone Day, served a second term from March 1, 1897 (appointed) – December 31, 1897.

John Wise Hagins, served from January 1, 1898 – January 5, 1902, Born June 13, 1891, in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky to William Buckner and Minerva Jane (Back) Hagins. Married Minerva L. Parrott in 1887. Died July 16, 1933, in Virginia. Buried in the Buck Hagins Cemetery, Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Served as County Court Clerk and Breathitt County Attorney. Founded The Breathitt County News and operated the Arlington Hotel on Court Street from 1893 to 1902. Republican.

James Henderson Hargis, served from January 6, 1902 – December 31, 1905, Born October 13, 1862, in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky to James Seldon and Evaline (Brittain) Hargis. Married Louellen Day in 1880. Died after he was shot his son on February 6, 1908, at Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried in the Hargis Cemetery, Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Part owner of Hargis Brother Mechantile and Hargis Commercial Bank. Democrat.

Stephen Sewell Taulbee, served from January 1, 1906 – December 31, 1909, Born January 1864 on Frozen Creek in Breathitt County, Kentucky to Greenberry and Elizabeth Jane (Combs) Taulbee. Married Caroline Hollon about 1890 and Mattie Combs in 1897. Died December 31, 1947, in Hazard, Perry County, Kentucky. Buried in the Marcum Heights Cemetery, Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Businessman, real estate investor, and merchant. Owner of the Arlington Hotel. Republican.

John Wise Hagins, served a second term from January 1, 1910 – December 31, 1913. Republican.

John Oliver Crawford, served from January 1, 1914 – January 5, 1918, Born January 4, 1885, at Athol, Breathitt County, Kentucky to Stephen J. and Nancy Caroline (Hargis) Crawford. Married Mollie Harwick (1890-1983). Died May 8, 1951, in the United States Veterans Hospital in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried in the Stanton Cemetery in Stanton, Powell County, Kentucky. Attorney at Law. Graduate of Centre College in Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky. Served as County Attorney. Democrat.

John Wise Hagins, served a third term from January 7, 1918 – December 31, 1922. Republican.

James Lawrence Little, served from January 1, 1922 – May 19, 1925 (resigned due to illness), Born May 5, 1853, on Cane Creek in Breathitt County, Kentucky to Jason and Manerva (Haddix) Little. Married Mary Evaline Brewer in 1874 in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Died May 27, 1925, at St. Joseph Hosptial in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried in the Town Branch Cemetery on Cane Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Served as Breathitt County Jailer. Republican.

Charles Terry, served from May 20, 1925 (appointed by the Governor) – December 31, 1925. Born May 18, 1875, on Turkey Creek in Breathitt County, Kentucky to Miles and Louraine (Johnson) Terry. Married Ellen Whisman (1878-1945) on March 14, 1902, in Marion County, Indiana. Died November 13, 1946, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried in the Miles Terry Cemetery at Turkey Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky. President of First National Bank 1917 – 1946. Served as Justice of the Peace, Sheriff of Breathitt County, and three terms as Jackson City Treasurer. Republican.

William Turner, served from January 1, 1926 – December 31, 1933, Born June 11, 1886, at Crockettsville, Breathitt County, Kentucky to John and Mary Jane (Deaton) Turner. Married Ollie May on September 3, 1913, at Canoe on the Middle Fork in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Died December 30, 1949, Buried in the Jackson Cemetery in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Democrat.

George Washington Little, served from January 1, 1934 – December 31, 1937, Born August 27, 1879, on Cane Creek in Breathitt County, Kentucky to James L. and Mary Evaline (Brewer) Little. Married Martha Bryant on June 30, 1899, in Breathitt County, Kentucky and Charlotte Little on June 8, 1901, in Breathitt County. Died June 4, 1970, on Cane Creek in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried in the Town Branch Cemetery on Cane Creek, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Chairman of the Breathitt County Soil Conservation Board. Past Master of Breathitt Lodge #649. Republican.

Granville Pearl Campbell, served from January 1, 1938 – December 31, 1941, Born June 6, 1891, on Lost Creek in Breathitt County, Kentucky to Lewis and Mahala (McIntosh) Campbell. Married Sallie Ann Combs on August 29, 1914, at Ned in Breathitt County, Kentucky and Dessie Kilburn. Died February 12, 1990, in Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio. Buried in the Campbell Cemetery at Little in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Democrat.

William Turner, served a second term from January 1, 1942 – December 31, 1945. Democrat.

Edward T. Deaton, served from January 1, 1946 – December 31, 1949, Born November 26, 1896, near Crockettsville in Breathitt County, Kentucky to John T. and Mary Elizabeth (Deaton) Deaton. Married Dora Engle (1898 – 1957) on October 4, 1914, in Breathitt County, Kentucky. Died October 16, 1978, in Middletown, Butler County, Kentucky. Buried in the Woodside Cemetery in Middletown, Butler County, Ohio. Democrat.

William Turner, Jr., served from January 1, 1950 – December 31, 1954, Born June 23, 1924, in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky to William and Ollie (May) Turner. Married Barbara Faye Hays on July 13, 1946, at Quicksand in Breathitt County, Kentucky and Hazel Brown. Died September 22, 2011, in Johnson County, Kentucky. Buried Memorial Park Cemetery, Staffordsville, Johnson County, Kentucky. Agronomist to the Kentucky Department of Highways. United States Army- World War II. Democrat.

William Turner, Jr., served a second term from January 1, 1955 – December 31, 1959.

William Turner, Jr., served a third term from January 1, 1960 – December 31, 1961.

Samuel Plutarch Deaton, served from January 1, 1962 – December 31, 1964, Born August 20, 1907, in Breathitt County, Kentucky to Brantley N. and Sarah (Raleigh) Deaton. Married Verna Carr (1922-2004) at Barwick, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Died October 7, 1991, at Quicksand, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried in the Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Democrat.

Samuel Plutarch Deaton, served January 1, 1965 – December 31, 1969.

Nimie “Nim” Henson, served from January 1, 1970 – December 31, 1985, Born April 3, 1927, at Roosevelt on River Caney in Breathitt County, Kentucky, to William and Bessie (Allen) Henson. Married ________ and Elizabeth Clemons. Died October 3, 1996, in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried in the Henson Family Cemetery, Panbowl Branch. Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Democrat.

Granville Vernon “Doc” Turner, Jr., served from January 1, 1986 – April 13, 1988 (died in office), Born August 26, 1930, on the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River in Breathitt County, Kentucky to Granville V. and Charlene (Treadway) Turner. Married Elizabeth Patton and Ruth L. Jett. Died March 23, 1988, in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Buried in the Jackson Cemetery in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky. Also served as Breathitt County Sheriff from 1982- December 31, 1985. Democrat.

Charles Cecil Clair, served from March 29, 1988 (appointed by Governor Wallace Wilkinson) – December 31, 1988, Born March 7, 1941, in Breathitt County, Kentucky to Ervine H. and Ida Mae (Spicer) Clair. Married Sonia Sue Jett in about 1961. Businessman. Democrat.

Nimie “Nim” Henson, served a second term from January 1, 1989 – December 31, 1989. Democrat.

Charles Cecil Clair, served a second term from January 1, 1990 – December 31, 1993. Democrat.

Nimie “Nim” Henson, served a third term from January 1, 1994 – December 31, 1994 (removed). Democrat.

Lewis Henry Warrix, served from January 1, 1995 (appointed by the Governor) – December 31, 1998. Born August 6, 1938, to Christopher Carson and Edith Nell (Watts) Warrix. Married Segee Gurnared and Grace (Spencer) Blanton in 1972. Worked many years in the coal industry. Businessman and investor. Democrat.

Robert Eugene Cornett, served from January 1, 1999 – April 9, 2002 (died in office), Born August 27, 1929, in Owsley County, Kentucky to Samuel C. and Mary Belle (Gabbard) Cornett. Married Bettie Yewell. Buried in the Samuel Cornett Cemetery on Cow Creek, Owsley County, Kentucky. Was a medical doctor for more than 40 years. Democrat.

James Warren “Jimbo” Combs, served as acting Judge from April 10, 2002 – April 25, 2002, Born February 12, 1965, in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois to James W. and Helen O. (Combs) Combs. Married Kimberly Sean Waddle on June 8, 1985, and Tracey Dianne Barnett. Democrat.

Bettie L. Cornett, served from April 25, 2002 (appointed by the Governor) – December 31, 2002. Democrat, Born July 5, 1932, in Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky to Morgan R. and Sarah Cassie (white) Yewell. Married Robert Eugene Cornett. Died January 16, 2019, in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. Buried in the Bardstown City Cemetery, Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. Nurse and a member of the Panbowl Chapter of Eastern Star. Democrat.

Lewis Henry Warrix, served a second term from January 1, 2003 – December 31, 2006. Democrat.

Harvey Jason Richardson, served from January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2010, Born August 18, 1978, to Harvey and Wanda Lee (Smith) Richardson, Married Amanda Rae Napier in 2005 and Savannah Lee Combs in 2010. Served as a Deputy Sheriff of Breathitt County. Democrat.

Harvey Jason Richardson, served a second term from January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2014. Democrat.

John Lester Smith, served from January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2018, Born June 16, 1970, in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky to Lester H. and Donna J. (Slone) Smith. Married Marilyn Watkins in 1991. Democrat.

Jeffery Dean “Jeff” Noble, served from January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2022, Born about 1961 to Doyle Glenn and Alma Rae (Deaton) Noble. Married Brenda Kay Little on October 13, 1979. Democrat.

Jeffery Dean “Jeff” Noble, served a second term from January 1, 2023 – __________________.

---

We are still seeking photos of all of our Judges, including several recent executives. If you have an image or any additional information, please contact me to help make this list complete.

© 2022 by Stephen D. Bowling.