Who were some of Kentucky's first governors?

Answer 1

Here's a bit of info about Kentucky's first governors. Hope you enjoy.

Governor Isaac Shelby, a Jeffersonian Republican from Maryland, was KY's first governor, serving from 1792-1796 and again from 1812-1816. He was a soldier, a surveyor, and a farmer. In addition to implementing KY's constitution, he sought federal assistance in dealing with Native tribe attacks and secured naval use of the Mississippi. Before serving as governor, he was involved in the several conventions that led to Kentucky's independance from Virginia. Shelby County is named for him.

Governor James Garrard, a Jeffersonion Republican from Virginia, was our second governor, serving from 1796-1804. He was a soldier, whiskey maker, miller, farmer, and Baptist minister. He was also involved in the conventions that led to Kentucky's independent statehood. Among the things he is noted for is denouncing the Alien and Sedition laws, construction of the governor's mansion, calling for the government to provide for public education, and gathering more than 4000 KY volunteers against Spain's attempt to block the Mississippi River following the Louisiana purchase. Garrard County is named for him.

Governor Christopher Greenup, also a Jeffersonian Republican from Virginia involved in the conventions for KY independance, was elected unopposed for the 1804-1808 term. He was a surveyor, land speculator, soldier, and attorney. Outside of politics, he was involved in various clubs and ventures, including the Kentucky River Company (organized to improve the KY River), the KY Manufacturing Society, the KY Society for Promoting Useful Knowledge, served as director of the Bank of KY, and in 1811 helped to conduct a lottery to build a church in Frankfort. Greenup County is named for him.

Governor Charles Scott, yet another Jeffersonian Republican from Virginia, served from 1808-1812. He was a soldier, miller, and farmer. Scott enacted the Replevy Law, which protected debtors from creditors for up to a year if they provided bond and security. Much of last days of his term were wraught with anxiety over the situation with England which ultimately led up to the War of 1812. Scott County is named for him.

Governor George Madison, also a Jeffersonian Republican from Virginia, was a soldier and public servant. He served barely more than a month, being inaugurated on September 5 and dying on October 14, 1816. He was the first governor to die in office. The KY Constitution called for the Lieutenant Governor to replace the governor in such cases, which led to the 1816-1820 term of Gabriel Slaughter, the first non-Jeffersonian Republican to hold the office.

Slaughter, a Democratic Republican from Virginia, though elected by the majority as the lieutenant governor during two terms, had previously run and lost elections for the office of governor. His succession to the office led to many heated battles and the General Assembly refused to give him the title as governor. Most historians agree he further damaged his position by replacing Secretary of State Charles Todd with the highly unpopular John Pope, the latter of whom had been "burned in effigy" when, as a US Senator, he voted against declaring war in 1812. Other historians attribute the bitter sentiment more so to the psychological state KY was left in after the war, as much of the state was in a desperate economic state.