1499 Senator W.J. Deboe/Senators From Marion

Category: Markers

Marker reads, Senator W.J. Deboe-Born 1849, eight mile South East of here. Deboe was elected County School Superintendent and opened law office, 1889. State Senator, 1893-97. Elected by Legislature to United States Senate, 1897. He wrote the 17th Amendment to the United States Constitution which provided for the popular election of United States Senators. Marion Postmaster three years. Died, 1927. Back of Marker- Senators from Marion - Marions two U.S. Senators lived one block east at College and Depot Streets. The home of W. J. Deboe, first Kentucky Republican Senator, was on the northwest corner. Senator Ollie Murray James, a Democrat, resided on southwest corner. Both were prominent political leaders. Their graves are in cornering lots in Mapleview Cemetery, half a mile west.