COL. JAMES K. HUEY was born in what is now Dyer's Hill Precinct, Livingston County, Ky., March 27, 1827, and is a son of Robert and Eliza (Calhoun) Huey. The father was born in what is now Fairfield District, S. C., in 1784. His parents, John and Ann (Kincaid) Huey, were both natives of Ireland, and came to the United States about the year 1780. In 1796, when the father of subject was but twelve years old, the grandfather came to Christian County, what is now Livingston County, and settled the place now known as the Rutter farm, about two miles from the present village of Hampton. There the grandparents and parents of subject all lie buried. John Huey entered about 1,000 acres of land, on one tract of which he resided until his death. The father of our subject grew to manhood in this county, and about 1818 was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Patrick and Ellen (Pickens) Calhoun, the latter was a daughter of Col. William Pickens, of the Revolutionary war. Patrick Calhoun was a cousin of John C. Calhoun, the noted statesman of South Carolina. To this union were born Ellen (who married J. C. Love), and Maria (who married S. R. Nunn), and subject. The father of subject, about 1833, was married (again) to Mrs. Malinda Morris, of Illinois, by which marriage were born unto them Rebecca, Lizzie, Angie and Sallie. Angie died at the age of twelve. Rebecca, Lizzie and Sallie made happy marriages with men of high position in Alabama. Robert Huey settled on the farm now known as the Joseph Wright farm, in Livingston County, and there resided until his death, in the summer of 1842. He was a successful farmer, and one of the largest stock raisers in the county, and was a true example of the early pioneer of this county. His first wife, the mother of subject, died in 1829. Subject is the youngest of three children by the first marriage and the only one of them now living. Subject, James K., being fifteen years of age when his father died, went to McCracken County, Ky., where he entered Wilmington Seminary, near Paducah, and remained for one year at school. In 1844 he commenced the duties of deputy sheriff in said county under his uncle, James C. Calhoun, who was then sheriff, and continued to perform all the duties of said office for five years. Returning home to Livingston County 1st of January, 1849, he purchased the office of sheriff from H. A. Harmon, who was the oldest magistrate. This office he held for two years. In 1851 the constitution of the State was changed, and the sheriff made elective. He became a candidate, and was elected in 1851, and again in 1853 without opposition. While he was acting as sheriff he found time to read law, and in 1856 he was admitted to practice. In 1857 he was elected as a Democrat, from Livingston and Marshall Counties, to the legislature, and served in the session of 1857 and 1858. His opponent, Hon. James Brian, of Marshall, also a Democrat and a man of ability, was defeated in the contest by a large majority in each of said counties. Returning home he continued the practice of law until 1860, when he was nominated by his party for the office of State senator for the counties of McCracken, Livingston, Lyon and Caldwell. He was defeated by Dr. John M. Johnson by eighty-five votes. He ran ahead of his ticket, however, several hundred votes. At the opening of the war he raised a company of cavalry in the counties of Hopkins, Webster and Livingston. He was elected captain, and reported for duty in the Confederate service. At the battle of Fort Donelson he refused to surrender with Gen. Forrest's men. He united and marched out in defiance of the enemy. He participated in many of the leading fights of the war, having four horses killed under him in battle. He distinguished himself for bravery and opposition to a guerrilla warfare. He retired with the rank of colonel May 19, 1865; marching into Paducah with ninety men, surrendered to Gen. Meredith, who was then in command of the post. Returning home he found himself debarred from the practice of law by an act of congress passed during the war. He accordingly embarked in the commission business in New Orleans. He continued in business there until 1872, when he returned home to Livingston County, and re-engaged in the practice of law until he was elected county judge in 1874, again in 1878, and in 1882, which position he continues to hold. Judge Huey was married in Canton, Miss., July 14, 1870, to Miss Alice Powell, a daughter of Robert and Frances (Smith) Powell. The father is one of the largest planters of the South. Mrs. Huey was born 14th of February, 1845, and is the mother of six children, of whom three are living: Fannie P., James K., Jr., and Jessie. Mr. and Mrs. Huey are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. He is a member of Smithland Lodge, No. 138, F. & A. M. Since the death of the Whig party in 1855, he has been a firm and consistent Democrat, taking a prominent part in every political contest. In every capacity in which Judge Huey has served, he has shown ability, and established great character for energy and honesty, and for a life of pure morals he has no superior. Col. Huey contributes liberally to every cause of charity. During the ten years he served as sheriff, he expended all that he made in educating and accomplishing his half-sisters, who were left penniless. He is firm, out-spoken, and a true friend, a devoted husband and affectionate father. It can be truly said that honor has always been dearer to him than life. See portrait.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 823-824.