Willis Benson MACHEN, Congress, KY (1810-1893)

MACHEN Willis Benson , a Senator from Kentucky; born in Caldwell (now Lyon) County, Ky., April 10, 1810; attended the common schools and Cumberland College, Princeton, Ky.; engaged in agricultural pursuits near Eddyville; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1849; member, State senate 1854; member, State house of representatives 1856, 1860; elected to the First and Second Confederate Congresses; appointed as a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Garrett Davis and served from September 27, 1872, to March 3, 1873; resumed agricultural interests; died in Hopkinsville, Ky., September 29, 1893; interment in Riverview Cemetery, Eddyville, Lyon County, Ky.

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