William
Owsley Jr

March 24, 1782 - December 9, 1862

Kentucky Governor. Born in Virginia, he moved with his family to Kentucky in 1873. Obtaining a good education, he taught school, became a deputy surveyor, had a legal practice, was a Deputy Sheriff and served as adjutant of the 26th Regiment of the Kentucky Militia. He was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives (1809-11, 1831), was a judge on the Court of Appeals (1812-28), a member of the Kentucky State Senate (1832-34) and Kentucky Secretary of State, (1834-36). In 1844, he was elected as a Wing the 16th Governor of Kentucky, serving until 1848. During his tenure, funding was increased for public education, the state's deficit was reduced and troops were raised for service in the Mexican War. After his term, he retied to his farm near Danville, Kentucky, until his death at age 80.