Historical Marker

Senator W. J. Deboe

Born 1849, eight mi. SE of here. Deboe was elected County School Superintendent and opened law office, 1889. State Senator, 1893-97. Elected by Legislature to U.S. Senate, 1897. He sponsored the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which provided for the popular election of U.S. Senators. Marion Postmaster three years. Died, 1927.

(Reverse) Senators from Marion - Marion's 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 M. James, a Democrat, resided on southwest corner. Both were prominent political leaders. Their graves are in cornering lots in Mapleview Cemetery, 1/2 mile west.