History of Hart County Kentucky United States of America

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John Ireland, governor of Texas, was born in Hart county, Ky., Jan. 1, 1827; son of Patrick and Rachel (Newton) Ireland. He was brought up on a farm and was educated at the "old-field school." When not eighteen years old lie was made a candidate for sheriff of Hart county, and having his disabilities removed by special act of the legislature was elected to that office. He studied law at Mumfordsville, Ky., and in less than six months was admitted to the bar. He at once removed to Seguin, Guadalupe county, Texas, where he attained prominence as a lawyer. When the civil war broke out be advocated secession, and was a member of the constitutional convention of 1861. He enlisted in the Confederate army, and was promoted successively to the ranks of captain, major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel, serving in the trans-Missis-sippi campaigns. He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1866, and in the same year was elected district judge, but was removed in 1867 by military authorities. He was a representative in the state legislature in 1872, a state senator in 1873, and was appointed associate judge of the state supreme court in 1875. He was elected governor of Texas in 1882 by a majority of 48,000, and in 1884 by a majority of 98,000, serving, 1883-87. At the close of his second term he retired to private life at Seguin, declining further official honors. He was twice married: first, in 1854, to Mrs. Matilda Wicks Faircloth, and secondly, in 1857, to Anna Penn. But one child, the daughter of his first wife, survived him, and she became the wife of Evan Shelby Carpenter, of Seguin. Governor Ireland died at San Antonio, Texas, after a brief illness, and was buried in the state cemetery at Austin, with military, civic and Masonic ceremonies. The date of his death is March 5, 1896.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Simon Bolivar Buckner, soldier, was born in Hart county, Ky., in April, 1823; son of Aylett H. Buckner, an iron manufacturer and extensive farmer who was descended from an old Virginia family of English ancestors. The elder Buckner subsequently removed first to Munfordville, and in 1840 to Muhlenberg county. The son was graduated at the U.S. military academy in 1844, and in August, 1845, was appointed assistant professor of ethics at West Point, and remained at this post until the following May. At the outbreak of the war with Mexico, Lieutenant Buckner applied for transfer to the scene of hostilities. He was attached to the 6th regiment and was brevetted 1st lieutenant for gallantry at Contreras and Churubusco. At Molino del Rey he won the captain's brevet. He was returned to West Point in 1848, and appointed assistant instructor of infantry tactics. He retained this position until March 25, 1855, when he superintended the building of the Chicago custom house. He then recruited a regiment of Illinois volunteers for the proposed Utah expedition, but they were not called into service. In 1860 he resigned his commission and removed to Louisville, Ky., where he engaged in the practice of law and also took an active interest in the state militia. Governor Magoffin appointed him adjutant and inspector-general of the state guard. When the civil war broke out his sympathies prompted him to go with the south, and a large part of the state guard followed their commander. General Buckner called upon the people of the state to support him in his movements against the troops that had invaded the state from the north by order of President Lincoln. He established Camp Boone, and threatened Louisville, but advanced no farther than Bowling Green. From there he was ordered to Fort Donelson by his superior officers, Generals Pillow and Floyd, who subsequently forced him to the alternative of abandoning his men or surrendering the fort and garrison. He first commanded a brigade and distinguished himself in the battle of 13th, 14th and 15th of February, 1862. On the last day a gallant sortie was made. The Federals were driven back and the way opened for the Confederates to escape, but General Pillow ordered them back. General Buckner protested, but was overruled. That afternoon General Grant so arranged his forces that escape was cut off. A conference was held in the evening, and Generals Floyd and Pillow made their escape during the night. General Buckner would not consent to abandon the troops, the command was turned over to him and he remained to undergo the mortification of the inevitable surrender. A pleasant incident of the occasion was the conduct of General Grant, who privately placed his purse at his old friend's disposal when he was taken a prisoner of war to Fort Warren, Boston harbor. They had been cadets together at West Point, and continued life-long friends. Many years afterwards, when Ex-President Grant was financially ruined by the failure of Grant & Ward, General Buckner returned the kindness showed him at Fort Donelson. He made a special trip to New York, and delicately offered to lend General Grant whatever sum he might require, to be paid when convenient. It is understood General Grant accepted the offer, but the particulars were never revealed by General Buckner. He was one of the pall-bearers at General Grant's funeral. Upon his exchange in August, 1862, he was given command of the first division of General Hardee's corps; was made major-general, and distinguished himself at the battle of Murfreesboro and Chickamauga. He succeeded to the command of Kirby Smith's army as lieutenant-general, and surrendered it on May 26, 1865, at Baton Rouge. While occupied in adjusting his complicated financial affairs after the war, he engaged in journalism, first in New Orleans and afterwards in Louisville. In 1870 he took up his residence on the farm in Hart county, where he was born, and in 1887 was elected Governor of Kentucky, defeating William F. Bradley by seventeen thousand votes. During his term a large amount of money was required to answer immediate and pressing public needs, and Governor Buckner advanced the commonwealth fifty thousand dollars without charging interest. In many ways he improved the public service while governor. He was elected delegate to the state constitutional convention, and took part in framing the new constitution. On Sept. 3, 1896, the independent Democrats convened at Indianapolis, Ind., and nominated General Buckner as their candidate for vice-president of the United States on the ticket with John M. Palmer as president.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

History of Hart County Kentucky

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