John Adair

John Adair (January 9, 1757 – May 19, 1840) was an American pioneer, soldier and statesman of Mercer County, Kentucky. He was governor of Kentucky and represented the state in both the U.S. House and Senate.

Military career

John was born in Chester County, South Carolina to a Scottish immigrant, William Adair. He served in the state militia in the American Revolutionary War, them moved to the Kentucky frontier in 1788. In Kentucky, he continued his participation in the militia, serving as Captain, Major, Lt. Colonel, amd ultimatly as a Brigadier General. He fought in several campaigns against various Indian tribes, including service with Arthur St. Clair's forces in Ohio in 1791.

During the War of 1812 he again took service, and saw action at the Battle of the Thames in Ontario in 1813. The following year, he led 1,100 Kentucky riflemen in support of General Jackson's expedition that ended with the victory in the Battle of New Orleans.

Political career

Adair had been a delegate in the convention when ] ratified the United States Constitution in 1788. His new neighbors in Kentucky sent him to their convention in 1792 to draft the first state Consitution. He was first elected to the Kentucky state House of Representatives for their 1793 session. He would be elected to this office by Mercer County for a thirteen different sesions, the last in 1817. He served as the Speaker of the House from 1801 to 1803.

In 1805 he was elected to the United States Senate to finish the term of John Breckinridge. But, about this time his career ran into trouble. While he was never indicted or even accused, his close association with Aaron Burr caused people to doubt him, and he lost the election for a full term in the next year. He immediately left the Seanate, resigning on November 18, 1806.

His participation in the War of 1812 restored his reputation. He returned to the state's House, and was elected as its Governor, serving from 1820 to 1824. His term was not particularly distinguished, as several banking crisis and recesion brought the state government near to failure. He did manage to begin the state's University system, and pushed for major improvement in highways and commerce.

John made one more appearance in national afairs, when he was elected to the U.S. House as a Jackson Democrat for the 1831 to 1833 term. He died at home in Horrodsburg, but in 1872 his grave was moved to the Frankfort Cemetery in the state capital.

External links

• Biographic sketch at U.S. Congress website