George Washington Triplett

George Washington Triplett (February 18, 1809 – June 25, 1894) was a Confederate politician who served in the Confederate States Congress during the American Civil War. Prior to the war, he served in the Kentucky House of Representatives and the Kentucky Senate.

George Washington Triplett
Member of the Confederate States Congress
In office
1864–1865
Preceded byJohn Watkins Crockett Jr.
Succeeded byOffice abolished
Constituency2nd Kentucky District
Member of the Kentucky Senate
In office
1848–1852
Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives
In office
1840–1842
Personal details
Born(1809-02-18)February 18, 1809
Franklin County, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedJune 25, 1894(1894-06-25) (aged 85)
Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S.
Resting placeRosehill Elmwood Cemetery
Political partyWhig
Spouse
Amelia A. Head
(m. 1827)
Children11
Occupation
  • Politician
  • military officer
  • judge
  • educator
  • surveyor
  • farmer

Early life

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George Washington Triplett was born on February 18, 1809, in Franklin County, Kentucky. He attended local county schools.[1][2]

Career

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In 1827, Triplett taught school in Scott County and continued for six years.[2] He worked as deputy county surveyor for two or three years. In 1833, he moved to Daviess County and surveyed and farmed near Owensboro. He was also the head of a school in Owensboro for nine months. He worked as county surveyor for 17 years.[1][2] From 1836 to 1840, he had a wood yard at Bon Harbor on the Ohio River.[2]

In 1840, Triplett was a Whig. He was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives. He served for three terms. He was elected to the Kentucky Senate, representing Daviess and Henderson counties, in 1848 and served until 1852.[1][2]

In May 1861, Triplett joined the Confederate States Army and was a captain in the 1st Kentucky Cavalry Regiment. He was promoted to major in the quartermaster corps under Benjamin Hardin Helm. He also served under Generals Roger Hanson, Earl Van Dorn and Nathan B. Forrest. He was chief quartermaster under Major General John C. Breckinridge.[1][2]

In February 1864, Triplett was appointed representative of the 2nd Kentucky district in the Second Confederate Congress, succeeding John Watkins Crockett Jr. He served until 1865.[1][2] In 1866, he was elected judge of Daviess County and served until September 1, 1878.[1][2][3]

Personal life

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Triplett married Amelia A. Head of Scott County on October 18, 1827. He had six sons and five daughters, Robert S., Joseph F., John H., George W. Jr., Willie, Daniel, Mary, Sallie, Margaret, Amelia and Octavia.[2] He moved to Owensboro on October 30, 1833. After returning home from the war in 1865, he found his house burned and property destroyed.[1][2]

Triplett died on June 25, 1894, in Owensboro. He was buried at Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Warner, Ezra J.; Yearns, W. Buck (1975). Biographical Register of the Confederate Congress. Louisiana State University Press. pp. 239–240. ISBN 978-0-8071-0092-9. Retrieved February 7, 2024 – via Archive.org.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j History of Daviess County, Kentucky. Inter-State Publishing Co. 1883. pp. 155–156. Retrieved February 7, 2024 – via Archive.org. 
  3. ^ Smith, Z. F. (1895). The History of Kentucky. The Prentice Press. p. 844. Retrieved February 7, 2024 – via Archive.org. 
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