Willis, Simeon S., 1879-1965

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Simeon Willis, governor of Kentucky during 1943-47, was born in Lawrence County, Ohio, in 1879, to John H. and Abigail Slavens Wills. His family moved to Greenup County, Kentucky, around 1889. Willis studied law under private tutors and eventually becam a lawyer and opened a practice in Ashland at the turn of the century. He married Idah Lee Millis of Cattlesburg, Kentucky on April 14, 1920. They had one daughter, Sally Lesley Willis, who married Lt. Henry Meigs II on December 30, 1944 and had one son, Simeon Willis Meigs. He defeated Democratic opponent J. Lyter Donaldson to become governor of Kentucky in 1943. He died in Frankfort on April 2, 1965, and was buried in Frankfort Cemetery.

From the description of Simeon S. Willis materials, 1786-1968 (bulk 1918-1950). (Kentucky Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 551208357

Governor, jurist.

Born in Ohio, Willis settled in Kentucky at an early age. In 1901, he passed the state bar examination and established a law practice in Ashland, Kentucky. Willis was appointed to the Kentucky Court of Appeals where he served from 1927-1932. In 1943, he became the sixth Republican Governor elected in Kentucky history by narrowly defeating Democratic candidate, J. Lyter Donaldson. Viewed as a significant off-year election, this vote was interpreted as a protest against President Roosevelt's war-time administration. After serving as Governor (1943-1947) Willis was defeated in an election for judge of the Court of Appeals from the Seventh District in 1951. Throughout his life, Willis remained active in the state Republican party.

From the description of Simeon Slavens Willis papers, 1915-1959, 1932-1943 (bulk dates). (University of Kentucky Libraries). WorldCat record id: 14249475

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Wallace, Tom, 1874-1961. Tom Wallace papers, 1925-1960. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Mackoy family. Mackoy family papers, 1784-1943. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Tribute to Simeon S. Willis, 1949. Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
creatorOf Kentucky. Corrections Cabinet. Office of Administrative Services. Subject files, 1874-1961. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky State Archives
referencedIn Hammon, Stratton Owen, 1904-1997, 1929-1996 Papers. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Kentucky. Governor. Executive journals, 1927-[ongoing]. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky Guide Project Office
referencedIn Russell, Frank B., 1868-1948. Frank B. Russell : papers, 1849-1958. The Filson Historical Society
referencedIn Turner, Thomas O., 1863-1955. Thomas O. Turner papers, 1872-1953. University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Willis, Simeon S., 1879-1965. Simeon Slavens Willis papers, 1915-1959, 1932-1943 (bulk dates). University of Kentucky Libraries
creatorOf Willis, Simeon S., 1879-1965. Simeon S. Willis materials, 1786-1968 (bulk 1918-1950). Kentucky Historical Society, Martin F. Schmidt Research Library
creatorOf Willis, Simeon S., 1879-1965. Simeon Slavens Willis papers, 1915-1959, 1932-1943 (bulk dates). University of Kentucky Libraries
referencedIn Dummit, Eldon S., (Eldon Steven), 1896-1973. Eldon S. Dummit papers, 1917-1972. University of Kentucky Libraries
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Combs, Ballard French, 1877- person
associatedWith Donovan, Herman Lee, 1887-1964. person
associatedWith Dummit, Eldon S., (Eldon Steven), 1896-1973. person
associatedWith Dummitt, Eldon S., 1896-1973. person
associatedWith Hammon, Stratton Owen, 1904-1997. person
associatedWith Kentucky. Corrections Cabinet. Office of Administrative Services. corporateBody
associatedWith Kentucky. Court of Appeals. corporateBody
associatedWith Kentucky. Governor. corporateBody
associatedWith Kentucky. Governor (1943-1947 : Willis) corporateBody
associatedWith Mackoy family. family
associatedWith Meigs, Sally. person
associatedWith Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- ) corporateBody
associatedWith Russell, Frank B., 1868-1948. person
associatedWith Turner, Thomas O., 1863-1955. person
associatedWith Underwood, Thomas R. (Thomas Rust), 1898-1956. person
associatedWith Vinson, Fred, 1890-1953. person
associatedWith Wallace, Tom, 1874-1961. person
associatedWith Willis, Idah person
associatedWith Willis, Simeon Slavens, 1879-1965. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Kentucky
Frankfort (Ky.)
Kentucky
Catlettsburg (Ky.)
Ashland (Ky.)
Subject
Governor
Governors
Politicians
Women
Occupation
Governors
Activity

Person

Birth 1879-12-01

Death 1965-04-02

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