Bullitt County History

James B. Myers

The following sketch is taken from A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities, Volume III, by E. Polk Johnson, published by the Lewis Publishing Company in 1912. This text may be found on pages 1314-5 of that volume.


JAMES B. MYERS. - A widely-known and highly respected citizen of Shepherdsville, James B. Myers has long been identified with the agricultural advancement of this section of the Blue Grass state and takes a warm interest in public affairs, at the present time serving as sheriff of Bullitt County. A native of this county, he was born January 7, 1853, on the farm of his father, the late Joseph Myers. He is of English stock, his grandfather, John Myers, having been born and bred, it is supposed, in England. On emigrating to this country John Myers located first in Pennsylvania, from there going to Virginia. He was one of the early settlers of Harrodsburg and likewise of Danville, where he was the pioneer tavern keeper, keeping a public house several seasons. Removing with his family to Bullitt County in 1805, he bought land in the western part of the county, and on the farm which he wrested from the wilderness spent his remaining years.

Joseph Myers was born July 11, 1792, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. He was brought up on the home farm and having inherited a part of the parental estate was there engaged in agricultural pursuits the remainder of his active life, passing away in the ninetieth year of his age. He was three times married. The maiden name of one of his wives, the mother of his son James B. Myers, was Mary Jane Smith. She was born in Jessamine county, Kentucky, in 1812, being a daughter of Peter Smith, a pioneer settler and the widow of Dr. Preston Newton Hornbeck, by whom she had one son, Samuel Hornbeck, of whom a short sketch appears elsewhere in this book. Three children were born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Myers, namely: Mary Joseph, who was born in May, 1850 and died in 1859; James B., the subject of this sketch; and Elizabeth G., wife of W. O. Foreman.

Educated in the district schools, James B. Myers early became acquiainted with the various branches of agriculture and has followed farming as an occupation throughout his entire life. He has always been actively and intelligently interested in public matters, as a true and earnest supporter of the principles of the Democratic party has ever performed his duty at the polls, and since his election to the office of sheriff of Bullitt County in 1909 has faithfully performed the duties incident to the position. Fraternally he is a member of Bullitt Lodge, No. 155, A.F. & A.M.


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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 12 Jan 2024 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/jamesbmyers.html