“Willis Benson Machen was born April 5, 1810, in Caldwell county, Ky. His father, Henry Macben [sic Machen], was a farmer of that county for many years; was a native of South Carolina, and came to Kentucky in 1809. His mother, Nancy Tarrant, was also a native of South Carolina. On his father’s side his family claim Huguenot, English, Scotch and Irish blood. He obtained a good education in the schools of his native country and in Cumberland College at Princeton, Ky. After spending some years in the manufacture of iron at Livingstone Forge and in mercantile pursuits at Eddyville, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1810[?]. In 1849 he was elected member of the Constitutional Convention, and in 1853 was elected to the State Senate. In 1856 he was chosen member of the lower house of the Legislature, being re-elected in 1860. In 1862 he became a member of the Confederate Congress and was again elected in 1864, serving with that body till its dissolution. In 1872 he was elected by the Legislature to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Garrett Davis in the United States Senate. Since returning from Congress he lived quietly at Eddyville.”[1]
“Eddyville, Ky., Sept. 9 – Hon. Willis B. Machen was yesterday declared to be of unsound mind and taken to Hopkinsville asylum. His malady was caused by an attack of grip last year.”[2]
“Hopkinsville, Ky., Sept 29. – Ex-Senator Willis B. Machen, who was recently brought to the asylum here from his home at Eddyville, died at 5:50 this afternoon. Preparations were being made to take him home, but he sank rapidly and his condition was such that he could not be moved. He was over eighty years old and lost his mind from the effects of an attack of the grip. He was sent to the asylum for treatment about three weeks ago in the hope that his mind and health would be restored.
“Col. Machen was a member of the confederate congress and after the war served part of a term in the United States senate. He was held in great respect by the people of western Kentucky.”[3]
[1] Untitled article,” Crittenden Press, Marion, Kentucky, Thurs., 14 Sep 1893, p. 3.
[2] “A Great Light Gone Out,” The Twice-A-Week Messenger, Owensboro, Kentucky, Thurs., 14 Sep 1893, p. 7.
[3] “Ex-Senator Machen Dead,” The Twice-A-Week
Messenger, Owensboro, Kentucky, Thurs., 5 Oct 1893, p. 6.
[4]
Find A Grave Memorial #7932701, Ancestry.com, accessed 30 May 2019.
Published 1 April 2021, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/
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