Lawyers and Lawmakers of Kentucky, by H. Levin, editor, 1897. Published
by Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago.  Reprinted by Southern Historical
Press.  p. 599.  Woodford County.

JOSEPH C. S. BLACKBURN, United States senator and lawyer, of Versailles,
Kentucky, was born in Woodford county, October 1, 1838.  His early
education was obtained in an excellent private school conducted by
B. B. Sayre in Frankfort; later he attended Center College, of Danville,
where he graduated in 1857.  He studied law under the direction of
George B. Kinkead, of Lexington, was admitted to the bar in 1858 and
practiced until 1861.  At that time he entered the Confederate army and
served throughout the war, after which he resumed the practice of his
chosen profession in 1865.  In 1871 and 1873 he was elected to the Kentucky
legislature, in 1874 was elected to the forty-fourth congress, and by
re-election was there continued until during his fifth term, serving
continuously from 1875 to 1885, when he was chosen by the Kentucky
legislature to represent the state in the United States senate, and
re-elected in 1891 for a second term.  Senator Blackburn is one of the most
conspicuous figures in American politics, and a leader of the free-silver
branch of the Democratic party.  His extended experience in the council
chambers of the nation and in the political field has characterized him as
a man of rare gifts and great power.  He has few equals as a public
speaker.  Well informed, of instinctively quick perception, he is
formidable in debate, whether in the deliberative assembly or before the
people.  His powers of elocution are exceptionally fine, and his oratory
is equaled by few men in public life.  Of impulsive and ardent temper,
behind a genial and chivalrous spirit, he is a general favorite with his
friends, whose admiration rarely stops short of the wildest enthusiasm.
At the time of going to press with this volume, April, 1897, a contest
for the election of Senator Blackburn's successor is in progress.
Throughout the session of the legislature of 1896, no election was
effected, and at the special called session the election of a successor
is still an open question.

Blackburn Kinkead
=
Fayette-KY Boyle-KY

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/woodford/blackburn.jcs2.txt