My Genealogy Hound

HON. JAMES S. LITHGOW, ex-mayor of Louisville, and for many years one of the city’s most prominent business men, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on the 29th of November, 1812, and is a son of Walter and Frances (Stevenson) Lithgow. In December, 1832, he came to Louisville, and commenced the battle of life for himself. For more than half a century he has been identified with the interests of his adopted city, laboring earnestly and energetically for its welfare and prosperity. He formed a partnership under the firm name of Wallace & Lithgow in the manufacture of stoves, copper, tin and sheet-iron. This partnership continued twenty-five years, and was only dissolved by the death of Mr. Wallace, in 1861. Continuing the business alone for one year, Mr. Lithgow took his sons-in-law, Messrs. Clark O. Smith and Jacob L. Smyser, into partnership. But it is superfluous to follow the house of J. S. Lithgow & Co. — it is one of the landmarks of Louisville, familiar to all who are acquainted with the city. The factory of the firm is one of the largest in the West, fronting on Main street, and extending from Hancock to Clay. Mr. Lithgow has held many high and important positions, both business and political, viz.: mayor of the city, a member of the Charter Convention, a director in the Louisville & Frankfort, and in the Elizabethtown & Paducah railroads, president of the Northern Branch Bank of Kentucky, etc. etc. He is an exemplary Christian man, and a zealous member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in which he has held many important positions.