Kentucky: A History of the State, Battle, Perrin, & Kniffin, 5th ed., 
1887, Woodford Co.

HON. J. C. S. BLACKBURN was born in Woodford County, Ky., October 1,
1838.  His ancestors were of Scotch-Irish extraction, but for several 
generations were residents of Virginia, whence they immigrated at an 
early day to Kentucky.  His father, Edward M. Blackburn, was one of the 
most extensive farmers and breeders of thoroughbred stock in Woodford 
County, and was widely known and esteemed for his sterling qualities.  
He died at his homestead shortly after the close of the war, at an 
advanced age, leaving a large family of children, of whom the subject 
of this sketch was the youngest.  The earlier years of the latter were 
passed upon the paternal farm, and at the age of fifteen he attended 
the classical school of B. B. Sayre of Frankfort, where he was so 
carefully prepared for a higher course of instruction as to enable him 
to graduate with honor at Centre College, Danville, in 1857.  Selecting 
the law as his profession, he studied under the direction of George B. 
Kinkead of Lexington, and in 1858 entered upon the practice of his 
profession in Chicago.  He returned, however, to his native county in 
1860, and made his debut as speaker in the presidential canvass of that 
year.  In 1861 he went South and espoused the Confederate cause, 
serving in the army as aid-de-camp to Gen. William Preston until the 
winter of 1864, when he was intrusted with an independent command in
Mississippi, where he rendered efficient service until the close of the
war.  For two years after, he resided in Arkansas as lawyer and planter,
but in 1868 returned to Kentucky, where he has since engaged in farming
and practicing law.  In 1871 he was elected to represent Woodford County
in the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1873.  In 1874 he was
nominated for Congress by the Democracy of the Ashland district, to 
succeed Hon. James B. Beck, and after a canvass, notable for its 
activity, he was elected by a majority of more than 6,000 votes over 
his competitor, Hon. E. C. Marshall.  Having been renominated without 
opposition in 1876, he was re-elected by an increased majority, and 
continued to succeed himself, until the legislative session of 1883-84, 
when he was chosen by the Legislature of Kentucky as United States 
Senator, taking his seat March 4, 1885, and now occupying that eminent 
and responsible position.  He has made an exceptionally good record in 
Congress and the Senate, possessing great power as a speaker, and a 
peculiar and convincing magnetic power.  As a popular orator, he is not 
excelled in a State which numbers many on its list; while as an advocate
at the bar, his service is only limited by his political duties.  He is 
personally as popular in his intercourse with his fellow men as he is 
officially prominent.  In 1858 he married Therese, daughter of Dr. C. C.
Graham, of Louisville, Ky., and has four children.

Blackburn Sayre Kinkead Marshall Graham Beck Preston
=
Frankfort-Franklin-KY Danville-Boyle-KY Lexington-Fayette-KY
Louisville-Jefferson-KY AR VA IL MS

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/woodford/blackburn.jcs.txt