Robert E. Lee BLACKBURN, Congress, KY (1870-1935)

BLACKBURN Robert E. Lee , a Representative from Kentucky; born on a farm near Furnace, Estill County, Ky., April 9, 1870; as an infant moved with his parents to Stanton, Powell County, Ky.; attended the county schools, and Elliott Academy at Kirksville, Madison County, Ky.; traveling salesman for an oil company 1891-1900; during the Spanish-American War served as a second lieutenant in Company C, Fourth Infantry, United States Volunteers; engaged in general merchandising at Stanton, Ky., and in agricultural pursuits 1900-1907; member of the State house of representatives in 1904 and 1905; served as clerk of the court of Powell County 1906 to 1910; was engaged in the insurance and stock brokerage business 1910-1919; moved to Lexington, Ky., in 1919 and continued the insurance and brokerage business; also engaged in the oil-development business; appointed a member of the State board of agriculture in 1926 and served until 1928; elected as a Republican to the Seventy-first Congress (March 4, 1929-March 3, 1931); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1930 to the Seventy-second Congress and for election in 1932 to the Seventy-third Congress; resumed his former activities in the oil business and resided in Lexington, Ky., until his death there on September 20, 1935; interment in Stanton Cemetery, Stanton, Ky.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present