My Genealogy Hound

JAMES T. WILLIS was born in Montgomery County, Ky., June 10, 1841, and is a son of Dr. Samuel and Dulcinea (Black) Willis, natives of Madison and Boone Counties, respectively, Dr. Samuel Willis was a son of Samuel Willis, Sr., a native of Culpeper County, Va., who was a prominent physician for many years at Mount Sterling. Mrs. Dulcinea Willis was a daughter of Samuel and Nellie (Howard) Black, and is still living. The Howards are a large and well known family in Madison County. James T. Willis, the only child of Samuel and Dulcinea, was reared on a farm, and received his education at the common schools and at Columbia College, Missouri. In 1861 he entered the Confederate Army. He was at Montgomery at the time of the organization of the Confederate Government, and saw Jefferson Davis inaugurated as president. He served as private in the Second Kentucky Regiment until the surrender of Fort Donelson, where he was captured, but made his escape. He then organized a company, was attached to the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, Col. Henry Giltner, under command of Gen. Morgan. He served in that company until the close of the war, May 27, 1865, at Athens, Ga., when he was paroled. He returned to Grant County, farmed and traded until 1871, when he was appointed clerk of Grant County Circuit Court, and elected the following August. He was re-elected three times without opposition, holding the office until September, 1886. He is now master commissioner of the circuit court. Mr. Willis is a member of the I. O. O. F., and served as Grand Master of the State; he is also a member of the A. O. U. W. June 7, 1874, he married Miss Alice, daughter of Dr. C. F. and Susan (Deane) Violette, of Gallatin County, Ky. Mrs. Susan Violette was a daughter of William Deane, one of the oldest settlers of Gallatin County. Mrs. Alice Willis was born August 6, 1850; she is a member of the Baptist Church. Two children have blessed the union of James T. Willis and Alice Violette: Samuel C. and Katie. Capt. Willis read law with Col. Landrum, and since his retirement from office is engaged in the practice of law.