Kentucky. Governor (1816-1820 : Slaughter)

Gabriel Slaughter served as Kentucky's chief executive from 1816 to 1820. He was not elected to office, but, as lieutenant governor, succeeded Governor George Madison after his death. Slaughter was referred to as acting or lieutenant governor until he left office. He was a Democratic Republican.

Slaughter was born December 12, 1767 in Culpepper County, Virginia. Although the date he moved to Kentucky is uncertain, it is known that he became a farmer in Mercer County. Slaughter was elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives in 1797 where he served until 1800; from 1801 to 1808 he served in the state Senate. In 1808, Slaughter was elected lieutenant governor. The position was sought by three other candidates, but Slaughter received fifty-three percent of the vote. Buoyed by this success, Slaughter decided to run for governor four years later, but Isaac Shelby was lured out of retirement and won the election easily.

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