Richard Taylor Jacob | |
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| 18thLieutenant Governor of Kentucky | |
| In office September 1, 1863 – September 3, 1867 | |
| Governor | Thomas E. Bramlette |
| Preceded by | Linn Boyd |
| Succeeded by | John W. Stevenson |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives fromOldham County | |
| In office August 1, 1859 – August 3, 1863 | |
| Preceded by | Samuel E. DeHaven |
| Succeeded by | Samuel E. DeHaven |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1825-03-13)March 13, 1825 Oldham County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | September 13, 1903(1903-09-13) (aged 78) |
| Party | Democratic Republican |
| Spouses | |
| Relations | Charles Donald Jacob (brother) |
| Parent |
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| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  California Republic United StatesUnion |
| Branch | Union Army |
| Unit | California Battalion 9th Kentucky Cavalry |
| Conflicts | |
Richard Taylor Jacob (March 13, 1825 – September 13, 1903) was an American attorney and politician, elected as the 18thlieutenant governor of Kentucky (1863–67). Although a slaveholder, he was loyal to the Union during theAmerican Civil War, raising the9th Kentucky Cavalry for its defense.
Due to his support ofDemocratic Party candidateGeorge B. McClellan for the presidency in 1864, Jacob was arrested and expelled from the state during the war.GovernorThomas E. Bramlette appealed toPresidentAbraham Lincoln for Jacob's release, and he was subsequently allowed to return to Kentucky.[1]
Richard Taylor Jacob was born inOldham County, Kentucky, to an influential family.[citation needed] His father,John J. Jacob (1770–1852), was a well-known businessman and real estate speculator; his brother,Charles Donald Jacob, eventually served three terms as mayor ofLouisville;[2] and his sister, Susan, marriedJames Brown Clay, son of statesmanHenry Clay. James Clay later was elected as aU.S. Representative from Kentucky.
Richard Jacob studied law in 1825 and visitedSouth America. He happened to be inCalifornia when theBear Flag Revolt broke out. He joined the cavalry forces of GeneralJohn C. Fremont and served as acaptain. When Fremont was on trial inWashington, D.C. for his actions in California, Jacob appeared as a witness on the general's behalf.
At that time, Jacob met Fremont's sister-in-law, Sarah Benton, a daughter ofSenatorThomas Hart Benton; the couple married in January 1848. For a few years Jacob farmed inMissouri, his wife's home state. In 1855 Jacob bought a farm called "Woodland" on theOhio River inOldham County, Kentucky, and moved there with his family. He called the farm 'Clifton' while living there.
In 1859, Jacob was elected as aDemocrat to Kentucky'sstate legislature. In 1860, Jacob supportedJohn C. Breckinridge for president. But when theAmerican Civil War broke out, he remained loyal to theUnion and worked to prevent Kentucky from seceding and joining theConfederacy.
In 1862, he raised the9th Kentucky Cavalry, a regiment of 1,244 men. Over the next year, he took part in several skirmishes and battles, including resistingMorgan's Raid in 1863.
That year, Jacob was elected Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, as the running mate ofThomas E. Bramlette. The partnership between the two men did not last long. Jacob attacked theEmancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863, considering it unfair to those Kentucky slave-holders who remained loyal to the Union as it did not provide compensation for freeing slaves. Adding to Jacob's troubles, his wife Sarah died that year.
In 1864, Jacob supported GeneralGeorge B. McClellan's candidacy for the presidency. GeneralStephen G. Burbridge, the Union commander of the district of Kentucky, had caused much controversy and opposition in the state for his heavy-handed tactics, including execution of suspected spies on flimsy evidence. Trying to ensure a Lincoln win in the state, Burbridge arrested Jacob for his attacks on the Lincoln administration and sent him through the Confederate lines toRichmond, Virginia.[1]
Jacob denied that he ever spoke against the Union and appealed to President Lincoln. Apparently, Lincoln believed Jacob, or at least sought to placate Jacob's supporters in Kentucky. The president allowed Jacob to visit Washington, D.C. and gave him a letter securing his release. Jacob returned to his home state. In 1865 he married again, to Laura Wilson.
Later, Jacob ran forCongress (1867) and for an appellate clerkship, but he lost both elections. In 1876 he was elected judge of the Oldham County court, but declined to run for a second term.
At about this time, Jacob joined theRepublican Party. From 1895 to 1899, he served as park commissioner of Louisville.
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| Preceded by | Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky 1863–1867 | Succeeded by |
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