Thomas E. Bramlette

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Thomas E. Bramlette
23^rd Governor of Kentucky
In office September 1, 1863 – September 3, 1867
Lieutenant(s)	Richard T. Jacob
Preceded by	James F. Robinson
Succeeded by	John L. Helm

Born	January 3, 1817 Cumberland County, Kentucky
Died	January 12, 1875 Louisville, Kentucky
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Sallie Travis Mary E. Adams
Profession	Lawyer

Thomas Elliott Bramlette (January 3, 1817 – January 12, 1875) was the twenty-third Governor of Kentucky.

[edit] Biography

Bramlette was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky. He was a lawyer in Louisville before entering politics. He was married twice—first to Sallie Travis, later to Mary E. Adams. He had two children. During the Civil War, he was a colonel of the 3rd Kentucky Infantry Regiment in the Union Army. Bramlette is buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville.

[edit] Political career

Bramlette was the Commonwealth's Attorney from 1849 through 1851, and then served as a judge in Kentucky's 6th Judicial District from 1856 through 1862. He was a United States District Attorney from 1862 until his election to the governorship.

Bramlette was elected governor as a Democrat. He received 68,422 votes and his opponent, Charles Wickliffe, received 17,503 (79.6% to 20.4%). Bramlette was sworn in September 1, 1863 and left office September 3, 1867. As governor, he oversaw the imposition of martial law during the Civil War in 1864-1865 as well as the creation of what would become the University of Kentucky in 1865.

While Bramlette was in office, Richard Hawes was the titular Confederate governor of Kentucky. However, by the time Bramlette left office, the Confederate government of Kentucky had been driven out of state and was of little other than symbolic significance. After the war, Bramlette pardoned most Confederate soldiers.

He received three electoral votes for Vice President in 1872, but had not campaigned.