My Genealogy Hound

James Umphrey is well known to the people of this community as a successful agriculturist and stockman. He was born in Logan County, Ky., September 16, 1824, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Baker) Umphrey, both of whom were born in the Old North State. The father was a planter by occupation, and this occupation received his attention all his life. He was a soldier in the Creek War, and passed from life in his adopted State of Kentucky, his wife dying in Missouri in 1868, an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. James Umphrey received fair advantages in his youth, and at the early age of sixteen years began life on his own responsibility as a farm hand, and worked for his grandfather, James B. Bowling, of Kentucky, for four years. At the end of this time he emigrated from his native State to Arkansas (in 1851), and from that time until 1864 was in the employ of James M. Bowling, of Drew County. In 1886 he was married to Miss Ella, a daughter of Robert C. and Lucy (Temple) Bowling, of Russellville, Ky., she having been born in Logan County, Ky., in 1853. Her father, Robert C. Bowling, was born in Clarksville, Tenn., February 19, 1820, and in 1840 began the study of law with his uncle, Judge E. M. Ewing, and in 1842 graduated from the Transylvania College, Lexington, Ky., and at once commenced the practice of his profession. At the early age of twenty-five years his ability was recognized, and he was elected to the State Legislature, he being the youngest member of that body during the session, and in 1847 he was re-elected to the same position. During this time he kept up his legal practice, and upon the death of Judge Rogers a vacancy occurred on the circuit bench, which he was appointed to fill by Gov. Stevenson, and was twice re-elected to this position. He was elected an elector from the Third Congressional District of Kentucky by the Fillmore party, and was offered by the committee the electorship for the State at large. His marriage to Miss Temple occurred on January 7, 1845, a daughter of Rev. Benjamin Temple, a worthy Methodist minister, and by her became the father of two sons and four daughters. The eldest son, James R., is a planter in the South. Temple is a graduate of Cumberland University, and is an honored member of the legal profession at Russellville, Ky. Judge Bowling died on March 18, 1886.