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Below is a family biography from the book, History of Kentucky, Edition 1 by J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin and G. C. Kniffin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Company in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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JUDGE WILLIAM RANDOLPH REID was born April 14, 1848, in Davidson County. N. C. He is the second son of the late John B. Reid who removed to Kentucky in 1858, and opened Reidland farm in McCracken County, six miles southeast of Paducah, where he resided a respected and honored citizen until his death in 1860, leaving five children: Joseph L., who died in Graves County, in 1883; William Randolph, the subject of this sketch; Thomas J., John Milton and Charlotte H., wife of James P. Brooks, the last three continuing to reside at Reidland. Early in life Randolph began to develop great fondness for books of substantial character, which resulted in his acquiring a liberal and classical education. Having thoroughly mastered the common school branches, he entered the college at Mayfield, Ky., in 1866, and Andrew College at Trenton, Tenn., in 1869, completing the course of study in 1872. While a college student he stood at the head of his classes, carrying a double course of Greek and Latin, and mastered the mathematical course without ever asking assistance from any one. In January, 1872, he became a law student in the office of Gen. John B. Huston, of Lexington, Ky., and soon thereafter entered the law department of Kentucky University, where he again distinguished himself by hard study doubling the law course and graduating with high honors in February, 1873. His health being greatly impaired and his patrimonial estate exhausted by six years of college life, he returned home to prosecute his legal studies, and having his name enrolled as a member of the Paducah bar April 11, 1873, he began the practice of his chosen profession with an energy and industry characteristic of his former life. In July, 1873, he accepted the office of common school commissioner of McCracken County, a position he filled acceptably for three years, and in 1877, after the death of Judge Morrow, he was commissioned by Gov. McCreary to the office of county judge, which he held until his successor was elected and qualified. With these exceptions Judge Reid has never been an applicant for office, but has devoted himself exclusively to his profession and his own private affairs. In 1875 he entered into a law co-partnership with Judge J. M. Bigger, which connection still exists, forming one of the ablest law firms in western Kentucky. Although Judge Reid is yet a young man he is regarded by the profession as one of the ablest members of the Paducah bar, commanding the respect of the bench and bar He is dignified in person, firm in character, chaste in language, courteous to all, possesses an ample fortune and is a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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This family biography is one of 165 biographies included in the McCracken County, Kentucky section of the book, The History of Kentucky, Edition 1 published in 1885 by F. A. Battey Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: History of Kentucky, Edition 1

View additional McCracken County, Kentucky family biographies here: McCracken County, Kentucky Biographies

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