JOHN R. WYLIE, circuit clerk of Caldwell County, was born November 9, 1859, and belongs to one of the oldest families of this part of Kentucky. His grandfather, John Wylie, was born in Ireland in 1789, and came to America with his parents in 1793, the family settling near Charleston, S. C. He came to Caldwell County, Ky., as early as 1817, located in Princeton, and later purchased the homestead farm, two miles east of the town, on which he died in 1862, at the age of seventy-three years. Subject's grandmother, on the father's side, was Elizabeth (Whitnell) Wylie, a daughter of Josiah Whitnell, of Virginia, who came to Caldwell County, about the year 1805. Mrs. Elizabeth Wylie was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., in 1794, and was but eleven years of age, when her parents came to Kentucky. She lived nearly all her life in and around Princeton, and died August 10, 1884. Subject's father, James S. Wylie, was the son of John and Elizabeth Wylie. He was a farmer and active business man of Caldwell County, and died in July, 1874, at the age of forty-four years. Subject's mother, Sarah L. (Pollard) Wylie, was born in Caldwell County, and is a daughter of Wilson L. Pollard. She is now living in Princeton. Mr. and Mrs. Wylie were the parents of eight children, named as follows: Virginia (deceased), Robert S. (deceased), John R. (subject), William (deceased), Maggie, James (deceased), Albert and Sallie. John R. Wylie received a good education; attended Princeton College for a period of several years, and early displayed those business qualifications which have characterized him in his official capacities. After leaving school, he entered the circuit clerk's office as deputy, under his brother, Robert S. Wylie, and at the latter's resignation, was appointed to fill the unexpired term. August, 1882, he was elected to the place without opposition. He votes with the Democratic party. He is also one of the trustees of the town of Princeton (in which he lives), having been elected to that position in April, 1884, for a term of two years.
Source: J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin, & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky. A History of the State. Louisville, KY, Chicago, IL: Battey, 1885. Pages 716-717.