Richard Taylor Jacob facts for kids
{{Infobox officeholder | name = Richard Taylor Jacob | image = | alt = | caption = | office = 17th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky | term_start = 1863 | term_end = 1864 | predecessor = | successor = | office2 = Member of the Kentucky General Assembly | term_start2 = 1860 | term_end2 = | predecessor2 = | successor2 = | party = Democratic
Republican | birth_name = | birth_date = March 13, 1825 | birth_place = Oldham County, Kentucky, U.S. | death_date = September 13, 1903 (aged 78) | death_place = | resting_place = | spouse =
| children = | relations = Charles Donald Jacob (brother) | father = John J. Jacob
| module = Richard Taylor Jacob(March 13, 1825 – September 13, 1903) was an American lawyer and politician. He served as the 17th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky from 1863 to 1864. Even though he owned slaves, he stayed loyal to the Unionduring the American Civil War. He even helped create the 9th Kentucky Cavalry to defend the Union. In 1864, Richard Jacob supported George B. McClellanfor president. This, along with other disagreements, led Kentucky Governor Thomas E. Bramletteto order Jacob's arrest. He was sent out of the state to Richmond, Virginia. Jacob then asked President Abraham Lincolnfor help and was allowed to return to Kentucky.
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United StatesUnion |
|---|---|
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Unit | 9th Kentucky Cavalry |
| Battles/wars |
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Richard Jacob's Early Life and Family
Richard Taylor Jacob was born in Oldham County, Kentucky. He came from a very important family. His father, John J. Jacob, was a well-known businessman. Richard's brother, Charles Donald Jacob, became the mayor of Louisville three times. His sister, Susan, married James Brown Clay, who was the son of the famous statesman Henry Clay. James Clay later became a U.S. Representative for Kentucky.
Richard Jacob studied law and traveled to South America. He was in California when the Bear Flag Revolt began. He joined the cavalry led by General John C. Frémont and became a captain. When General Fremont was on trial in Washington, D.C., Jacob spoke as a witness to support him.
Marriage and Moving to Kentucky
During this time, Jacob met Sarah Benton. She was the daughter of Senator Thomas Hart Benton. Richard and Sarah married in January 1848. For a few years, Jacob farmed in Missouri, which was his wife's home state. In 1855, Jacob bought a farm called "Woodland" in Oldham County, Kentucky. It was located along the Ohio River. He moved there with his family and called the farm 'Clifton'.
Richard Jacob's Role in the Civil War
In 1859, Richard Jacob was elected to Kentucky's state legislature as a Democrat. In 1860, he supported John C. Breckinridge for president. But when the American Civil War started, Jacob remained loyal to the Union. He worked hard to keep Kentucky from leaving the Union and joining the Confederacy.
Leading the 9th Kentucky Cavalry
In 1862, Jacob formed the 9th Kentucky Cavalry. This group had 1,244 soldiers. Over the next year, he fought in several small battles and helped stop Morgan's Raid in 1863.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
That same year, Jacob was elected Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky. He ran with Thomas E. Bramlette. However, their partnership did not last long. Jacob did not like the Emancipation Proclamation, which was issued in 1863. He felt it was unfair to Kentucky slave owners who stayed loyal to the Union because it did not pay them for freeing their slaves. Also, Jacob's wife, Sarah, passed away that year.
Conflict with Union Leaders
In 1864, Jacob supported General George B. McClellan for president. General Stephen G. Burbridge, who was the Union commander in Kentucky, was very unpopular. He used harsh methods, like executing suspected spies without much proof. To help Lincoln win the election in Kentucky, Burbridge arrested Jacob. He sent him through the Confederate lines to Richmond, Virginia.
Jacob said he never spoke against the Union. He asked President Lincoln for help. It seems Lincoln believed Jacob, or at least wanted to calm Jacob's supporters in Kentucky. The president allowed Jacob to visit Washington, D.C. He also gave him a letter that secured his release. Jacob then returned to Kentucky. In 1865, he married again to Laura Wilson.
Richard Jacob's Later Years
After the war, Jacob ran for Congress in 1867. He also ran for a clerk position in the court system. However, he lost both elections. In 1876, he was elected as a judge for the Oldham County court. But he decided not to run for a second term.
Around this time, Jacob joined the Republican Party. From 1895 to 1899, he worked as a park commissioner for Louisville.
Interesting Facts About Richard Jacob
- Richard Taylor Jacob's father, John Jeremiah Jacob, should not be confused with his distant cousin, also named John J. Jacob. That cousin served as Governor of West Virginia.
- In 1996, Jacob's old farm, "Clifton," became a place where people raised bison.
See also
