Daviess County facts for kids
Daviess County is the name of three different counties in the United States. All of them are named after an important American lawyer and politician named Joseph Hamilton Daveiss.
A county is a part of a state or country, usually smaller than a state but larger than a city. Counties help organize local government and services for the people living there.
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Who Was Joseph Hamilton Daveiss?
Joseph Hamilton Daveiss (pronounced "DAY-viss") was a very smart lawyer and politician who lived in the early days of the United States. He was born in Virginia in 1774 and later moved to Kentucky.
Daveiss's Early Life and Career
Daveiss became a lawyer and was known for being very good at his job. He was even chosen to be the United States Attorney for Kentucky. This meant he was the main lawyer for the government in that area.
A Famous Legal Case
One of the most well-known things Daveiss did was during his time as a U.S. Attorney. He was involved in a big legal case that included a famous person named Aaron Burr. Daveiss believed Burr was doing something wrong against the government and tried to bring charges against him. This case was a very important event in early American history.
Later Life and Legacy
Later, Daveiss joined the military and became a major. He fought in the War of 1812 and sadly died in battle in 1811. Even though he died young, his name lives on through the counties named after him.
The Daviess Counties
There are three counties in the United States named Daviess County, honoring Joseph Hamilton Daveiss.
Daviess County, Indiana
This county is located in the southwestern part of the state of Indiana. It was created in 1817. The county seat, which is the main town where the county government is located, is Washington, Indiana.
Daviess County, Kentucky
This Daviess County is found in the northwestern part of Kentucky. It was established in 1815. The largest city and county seat here is Owensboro, Kentucky, which is a well-known city along the Ohio River.
Daviess County, Missouri
Located in the northwestern region of Missouri, this county was formed in 1836. The county seat for Daviess County, Missouri, is Gallatin, Missouri.
Other Related Counties
There is also another county that is named in part after Joseph Hamilton Daveiss:
Jo Daviess County, Illinois
This county is in the very northwest corner of Illinois. It was created in 1827. The "Jo" in its name comes from Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, making it another place that remembers his contributions. Its county seat is Galena, Illinois.
