James William Fortune

From "Lexington" by Mary Wilson and Sharon Y. Asher, published sometime after 1975.

JAMES WILLIAM FORTUNE

James William Fortune was born at Lexington, Scott County, Indiana, February 1, 1864. He was the son of William and Mary (Boyle) Fortune, both natives of Ireland. He was educated in the common schools and at Indiana University, graduating from the latter institution in 1894 with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He began practice at Jeffersonville when he was admitted to the bar in June, 1894. He served as Captain of Company E, One Hundred and Sixty-first Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in the Spanish-American War.

From 1900 to 1904, he represented his district in the State Senate. While serving in the Senate he secured an appropriation for the construction of the Pigeon Roost Monument. He was county attorney, 1902-1903; attorney of Jeffersonville, 1906-1910; Circuit Judge, January 23, 1914 to 1915 by appointment; after that by election on the Democratic ticket. On September 19, 1899 he married Martha Verhoeff of Louisville; they had no children. He died in 1934 at the age of 70 and is buried in Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville.

Return to: Lexington - A Pioneer Town