Kentucky Judicial Districts, 1860-1865
Kentucky divided the Commonwealth into multiple judicial districts throughout the Civil War. These predominately delineated the Circuit Judges and Commonwealth’s Attorneys. Circuit Judges rotated through courts in each county, presiding over criminal cases. Commonwealth’s Attorneys represented the state in legal prosecutions.
1860-1861
Judicial District 1
The 1st Judicial District consisted of the southwestern Jackson Purchase counties of Ballard, Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall, and McCracken. Rufus K. Williams (Union Democrat) of Graves County elected as Circuit Judge, and Thomas H. Corbett of Hickman County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 2
The 2nd District consisted of the southwestern counties of Caldwell, Christian, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd, and Trigg. Thomas C. Dabney of Trigg County elected as Circuit Judge, and Edward P. Campbell of Caldwell County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 3
The 3rd District consisted of the western Ohio river counties of Breckinridge, Daviess, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Larue, McLean, Meade and Ohio. James Stuart (Unionist) of Meade County elected as Circuit Judge, and Cicero Maxwell (Opposition Party) of Ohio County as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 4
The 4th District consisted of the southern counties of Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalf, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren. Asher W. Graham of Warren County elected as Circuit Judge, and W. B. Jones (Unionist) of Simpson County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 5
The 5th District consisted of the central counties of Green, Anderson, Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Taylor, and Washington. George Kavanaugh of Green County elected as Circuit Judge, and Andy Barnett (States Rights Democrat) of Marion County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 6
The 6th District consisted of the southern central counties of Adair, Boyle, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Lincoln, Pulaski, Russell, and Wayne. Thomas E. Bramlette (Unionist) of Adair County elected as Circuit Judge, and Ephraim L. Van Winkle (Unionist) of Pulaski County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 7
The 7th District consisted of the Ohio river counties of Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, and Spencer. Peter B. Muir (Unionist) of Jefferson County elected as Circuit Judge, and Edwin S. Craig (Unionist) of Jefferson County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 8
The 8th District consisted of the northern counties of Boone, Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, Grant, Henry, Trimble, and Owen. Elijah Nuttall elected as Circuit Judge, and Patrick U. Major of Franklin County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 9
The 9th District consisted of the northern counties of Bracken, Campbell, Harrison, Kenton, and Pendleton. Samuel M. Moore of Kenton County elected Circuit Judge, and William E. Arthur (Union Democrat) of Kenton County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 10
The 10th District consisted of the northeastern counties of Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, and Rowan. Elijah C. Phister (Democrat) of Mason County elected as Circuit Judge, and Richard H. Stanton (Democrat) of Mason County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 11
The 11th District consisted of the eastern counties of Bath, Boyd, Carter, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Powell, and Wolfe. William H. Burns of Morgan County elected as Circuit Judge, and James M. Nesbitt (States Rights Democrat) of Bath County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 12
The 12th District consisted of the southeastern counties of Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Rockcastle, and Whitley. Granville Pearl (Unionist) of Laurel County elected to Circuit Judge, and John Dishman (States Rights Democrat) of Knox County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 13
The 13th District consisted of the central Bluegrass counties of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford. William C. Goodloe of Woodford County elected Circuit Judge, and William S. Downey of Bourbon County as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 14
The 14th District consisted of the western river counties of Crittenden, Henderson, Hopkins, Livingston, Union, and Webster. William P. Fowler of Livingston County elected as Circuit Judge, and Lloyd M. Lowe of Hopkins County elected to Commonwealth’s Attorney.
| District | Circuit Judge | Commonwealth's Attorney |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rufus K. Williams | Thomas H. Corbett |
| 2 | Thomas C. Dabney | Edward P. Campbell |
| 3 | James Stewart | Cicero Maxwell |
| 4 | Asher W. Graham | W. B. Jones |
| 5 | George Kavanaugh | Andy Barnett |
| 6 | Thomas E. Bramlette | Ephraim L. Van Winkle |
| 7 | Peter B. Muir | Edwin S. Craig |
| 8 | Elijah Nuttall | Patrick U. Major |
| 9 | Samuel M. Moore | William E. Arthur |
| 10 | Elijah C. Phister | Richard H. Stanton |
| 11 | William H. Burns | James M. Nesbitt |
| 12 | Granville Pearl | John Dishman |
| 13 | William Clinton Goodloe | William S. Downey |
| 14 | William P. Fowler | Lloyd M. Low |
1862-1863
Judicial District 1
The 1st Judicial District consisted of the southwestern Jackson Purchase counties of Ballard, Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall, and McCracken. Charles S. Marshall of Ballard County elected Circuit Judge, and Philip D. Yeiser (Unionist) of McCracken County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 2
The 2nd District consisted of the southwestern counties of Caldwell, Christian, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd, and Trigg. Richard T. Petree of Christian County elected Circuit Judge, and Edward P. Campbell of Caldwell County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 3
The 3rd District consisted of the western Ohio river counties of Breckinridge, Daviess, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Larue, McLean, Meade and Ohio. James Stuart (Unionist) of Meade County elected as Circuit Judge, and John Chapeze (Unionist) of Ohio County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 4
The 4th District consisted of the southern counties of Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalf, Monroe, Simpson, and Warren. Asher W. Graham of Warren County elected as Circuit Judge, and W. B. Jones (Unionist) of Simpson County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 5
The 5th District consisted of the central counties of Green, Anderson, Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Taylor, and Washington. John E. Newman (Unionist) of Nelson County elected Circuit Judge, and Lazarus H. Noble of Marion County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 6
The 6th District consisted of the southern central counties of Adair, Boyle, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Lincoln, Pulaski, Russell, and Wayne. Fontaine T. Fox (Union Democrat) of Boyle County elected as Circuit Judge, and Michael H. Owsley (Union Democrat) of Lincoln County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 7
The 7th District consisted of the Ohio river counties of Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, and Spencer. Peter B. Muir (Unionist) of Jefferson County elected as Circuit Judge, and James R. Dupuy of Shelby County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 8
The 8th District consisted of the northern counties of Boone, Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, Grant, Henry, Trimble, and Owen. George C. Drane (Unionist) of Henry County elected as Circuit Judge and John L. Scott (Unionist) of Franklin County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 9
The 9th District consisted of the northern counties of Bracken, Campbell, Harrison, Kenton, and Pendleton. Joseph Doniphan (Unionist) of Bracken County elected Circuit Judge, and Robert B. Carpenter of Kenton County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 10
The 10th District consisted of the northeastern counties of Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, and Rowan. Landaff W. Andrews (Union) of Fleming County elected Circuit Judge, and George M. Thomas (Union Democrat) of Lewis County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 11
The 11th District consisted of the eastern counties of Bath, Boyd, Carter, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Powell, and Wolfe. Richard A. Apperson, Jr., of Montgomery County elected Circuit Judge, and J. Saige Drury of Montgomery County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 12
The 12th District consisted of the southeastern counties of Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Rockcastle, and Whitley. Granville Pearl (Unionist) of Laurel County elected to Circuit Judge, and Hugh F. Finley (Unionist) of Whitley County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 13
The 13th District consisted of the central Bluegrass counties of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford. William C. Goodloe of Woodford County elected Circuit Judge, and William S. Downey of Bourbon County as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 14
The 14th District consisted of the western river counties of Crittenden, Henderson, Hopkins, Livingston, Union, and Webster. William P. Fowler of Livingston County elected as Circuit Judge, and John Barrett (Union) of Livingston County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
| District | Circuit Judge | Commonwealth's Attorney |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles S. Marshall | Philip D. Yeiser |
| 2 | Richard T. Petree | Edward P. Campbell |
| 3 | James Stewart | John Chapeze |
| 4 | Asher W. Graham | William B. Jones |
| 5 | John W. Newman | Lazarus H. Noble |
| 6 | Fontaine T. Fox | Michael H. Owsley |
| 7 | Peter B. Muir | James R. Dupuy |
| 8 | George C. Drane | John L. Scott |
| 9 | Joseph Doniphan | Robert B. Carpenter |
| 10 | Landaff W. Andrews | George M. Thomas |
| 11 | Richard A. Apperson | J. Saige Drury |
| 12 | Granville Pearl | Hugh F. Finley |
| 13 | William Clinton Goodloe | William S. Downey |
| 14 | William P. Fowler | John Barrett |
| 15 | Thomas T. Alexander | John H. C. Sandidge |
1864-1865
Judicial District 1
The 1st Judicial District consisted of the southwestern Jackson Purchase counties of Ballard, Calloway, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall, and McCracken. Charles S. Marshall of Ballard County elected Circuit Judge, and William Tice elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 2
The 2nd District consisted of the southwestern counties of Caldwell, Christian, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd, and Trigg. Richard T. Petree of Christian County elected Circuit Judge, and Edward P. Campbell of Caldwell County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 3
The 3rd District consisted of the western Ohio river counties of Breckinridge, Daviess, Grayson, Hancock, Hardin, Larue, McLean, Meade and Ohio. James Stuart (Unionist) of Meade County elected as Circuit Judge, and John Chapeze (Unionist) of Ohio County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 4
The 4th District consisted of the southern counties of Allen, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Simpson, and Warren. Asher W. Graham of Warren County elected as Circuit Judge, and W. B. Jones (Unionist) of Simpson County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 5
The 5th District consisted of the central counties of Anderson, Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Taylor, and Washington. John E. Newman (Unionist) of Nelson County elected Circuit Judge, and Lazarus H. Noble of Marion County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 6
The 6th District consisted of the southern central counties of Boyle, Casey, Garrard, Lincoln, Pulaski, Russell, and Wayne. Fontaine T. Fox (Union Democrat) of Boyle County elected as Circuit Judge, and Michael H. Owsley (Union Democrat) of Lincoln County elected as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 7
The 7th District consisted of the Ohio river counties of Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, and Spencer. Peter B. Muir (Unionist) of Jefferson County elected as Circuit Judge, and James R. Dupuy of Shelby County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 8
The 8th District consisted of the northern counties of Boone, Carroll, Franklin, Gallatin, Grant, Henry, Trimble, and Owen. George C. Drane (Unionist) of Henry County elected as Circuit Judge and John L. Scott (Unionist) of Franklin County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 9
The 9th District consisted of the northern counties of Bracken, Campbell, Harrison, Kenton, and Pendleton. Joseph Doniphan (Unionist) of Bracken County elected Circuit Judge, and Robert B. Carpenter of Kenton County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 10
The 10th District consisted of the northeastern counties of Fleming, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, Nicholas, and Rowan. Landaff W. Andrews (Union) of Fleming County elected Circuit Judge, and George M. Thomas (Union Democrat) of Lewis County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 11
The 11th District consisted of the eastern counties of Bath, Boyd, Carter, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Magoffin, Montgomery, Morgan, Pike, Powell, and Wolfe. Richard A. Apperson, Jr., of Montgomery County elected Circuit Judge, and J. Saige Drury of Montgomery County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 12
The 12th District consisted of the southeastern counties of Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Letcher, Owsley, Perry, Rockcastle, and Whitley. Granville Pearl (Unionist) of Laurel County elected to Circuit Judge, and Hugh F. Finley (Unionist) of Whitley County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 13
The 13th District consisted of the central Bluegrass counties of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford. William C. Goodloe of Woodford County elected Circuit Judge, and William S. Downey of Bourbon County as Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 14
The 14th District consisted of the western river counties of Crittenden, Henderson, Hopkins, Livingston, Union, and Webster. William P. Fowler of Livingston County elected as Circuit Judge, and Benjamin P. Cissell of Union County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Judicial District 15
The 15th District consisted of the south central counties of Adair, Barren, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, Metcalfe, and Monroe. Thomas T. Alexander (Unionist) elected Circuit Judge, and John H. C. Sandidge (Union Democrat) of Cumberland County elected Commonwealth’s Attorney.
| District | Circuit Judge | Commonwealth's Attorney |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charles S. Marshall | William W. Tice |
| 2 | Richard T. Petree | Edward P. Campbell |
| 3 | James Stewart | John Chapeze |
| 4 | Asher W. Graham | William B. Jones |
| 5 | John W. Newman | Lazarus H. Noble |
| 6 | Fontaine T. Fox | Michael H. Owsley |
| 7 | George W. Johnston | James R. Dupuy |
| 8 | George C. Drane | John L. Scott |
| 9 | Joseph Doniphan | Robert B. Carpenter |
| 10 | Landaff W. Andrews | George M. Thomas |
| 11 | Richard A. Apperson | J. Saige Drury |
| 12 | Granville Pearl | Hugh F. Finley |
| 13 | William Clinton Goodloe | William S. Downey |
| 14 | William P. Fowler | Benjamin P. Cissell |
| 15 | Thomas T. Alexander | John H. C. Sandidge |