Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 6th ed., 
1887, Shelby Co.

HARMON G. CARDWELL was born in Shelby County, Ky., in 1826, a son of
Jesse and Mary (Swearingen) Cardwell; Jesse Cardwell came from Virginia
in 1793, and Mary Swearingen came from Maryland to Shelby County.  The 
maternal grandfather was a lieutenant in the Revolution.  Our subject 
was born and reared on the farm where he yet resides, which was settled 
by his father in 1801, and is situated about four miles and a half 
southeast of Shelbyville.  In 1853 he married Ann M. Ratcliff, daughter 
of Samuel Ratcliff, who settled here in an early day, and was identified
exclusively with farming interests.  Eleven [sic] children were born to
this union: Samuel J., Catherine E., William M., Thomas (deceased), 
James D., Mary L., Susan B., Earnest G., Edgar H. and Anna.  Mr. 
Cardwell is a Mason; he has been sheriff of Shelby County for six years;
is a leading member of the Democratic party in the county; has been on 
the agricultural board of Shelby County for twenty-one years, and is now
acting as president. 

Cardwell Swearingen Ratcliff
=
VA MD

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/shelby/cardwell.hg.txt