One hundred thirty-three years ago, Willie Alben Barkley was born in Wheel, Graves County, Kentucky, in a log cabin. When old enough, he reversed his name to Alben William because “just imagine the tribulations I would have had, a robust, active boy, going through a Kentucky childhood with the name of “Willie” and later trying to get into politics!” he explained in later years. Always a Democrat, his political ambitions took him from the House to the Senate to the position, at age 70, of Vice President of the United States (1949-1953, under President Harry S. Truman). And a grandson…
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Ballard County is located in the northwest portion of the Jackson Purchase where the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers meet. It was created (93 in formation) in 1842 and named for Captain Bland Ballard (1759-1853). Born in Virginia, Ballard came to Kentucky in 1779. He was a scout for George Rogers Clark’s Ohio expeditions, 1780 and 1882. As a soldier, he fought in the Wabash Campaign of 1786 and in the battles of Fallen Timbers (1793), Tippecanoe (1811), and River Raisin (1813). He was elected to the Kentucky Legislature for five (5) terms. The first county seat, Blandville, took its name…