George Madison
Geroge Madison was born in 1763 in Rockingham County, VA. He was educated in rural schools in VA, however little is known about his early life. At a young age he enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. By the mid 1780s he had settled in KY. He and his brother were listed on the tax records for Lincoln County in 1784.
Madison married Jane Smith and they had four children.
Madison served in the KY Militia during the Northwest Indian War. He participated in the defeat of the Battle of Wabash. One story has been told that during the retreat, a soldier named William Kennan found Madison sitting on a log. Kennan was being pursued by Indians and encouraged Madison to run, but Madison stood to reveal that he had been badly wounded and was bleeding profusely. Kennan helped Madison on a horse so they were both able to escape.
He also served under John Adair and was wounded for the second time. In Adair’s report to Brigadier General James Wilkinson he stated, “Madison’s bravery and conduct need no comment; they are well known.”
George Madison entered politics in 1796. Governor George Goeble appointed him to serve as the Kentucky State Auditor of public accounts. He held the position for twenty years. In 1800 he was appointed trustee for the KY Seminary. In 1806 he served on the jury in the Aaron Burr trial and was appointed as the director of the Bank of Kentucky.
During the War of 1812, Madison served as a second major of the 1st Rifle Regiment of the KY Volunteers. He was captured in the Battle of Frenchtown and held prisoner in Quebec in 1813, and released a year later in a prisoner exchange.
Due to his poor health, Madison resigned as auditor. The public demand was high for him to seek the office of Governor. James Johnson was the opponent but he withdrew when Madison entered the race.
Unopposed, Madison was elected sixth governor of Kentucky. After the election he traveled to Blue Lick Springs for health reasons. He was so weak he could not attend the inauguration in Frankfort. On September 5, 1816, he was sworn into office in Bourbon County. After taking office, he became ill with tuberculosis. His only act as governor was the appointment of Colonel Charles S. Todd as the Secretary of State.
Governor George Madison passed away on October 14, 1816, and was buried in the Frankfort Cemetery in Frankfort, KY. He was in office a total of 39 days.
Interesting facts about George Madison were; (1) he was the first KY governor to die in office, (2) he was a second cousin to President James Madison, and (3) his brother James Madison became the Episcopal Bishop of VA and President of William and Mary College.
I hope you enjoyed learning about George Madison who was KY’s 6th Governor. His time as governor was short but he was an important influence in early KY politics.
