Birth Name: Willie Alben Barkley
Date of Birth: November 24, 1877
Place of Birth: Lowes, Kentucky, United States
Date of Death: April 30, 1956
Place of Death: Lexington, Virginia, United States
Ethnicity: Scots-Irish (Northern Irish), Scottish, English
Alben W. Barkley was an American lawyer and politician. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 35th Vice President of the United States, from January 20, 1949 to January 20, 1953. He was elected to the position in 1948. He was also a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky, from March 4, 1913 to March 3, 1927, a U.S. Senator from Kentucky, from March 4, 1927 to January 19, 1949, and again from January 3, 1955 to April 30, 1956, Senate Majority Leader, from July 14, 1937 to January 3, 1947, and Senate Minority Leader, from January 3, 1947 to January 3, 1949.
He was a candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination for President of the United States in 1952.
Vice President Barkley was the son of Electa Eliza (Smith) and John Wilson Barkley.
Vice President Barkley’s paternal grandfather was Alben Graham Barkley (the son of Henry Barkley and Mary Cawthorn). Henry was the son of Robert Barkley and Eleanor Cathey.
Vice President Barkley’s paternal grandmother was Amanda Louise Girand (the daughter of Francis Marion Girand and Elizabeth Lucinda McKenzie). Elizabeth was the daughter of Andrew McKenzie and Elizabeth “Betsy” Stevenson, whose parents were from County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Vice President Barkley’s maternal grandfather was James Henry Smith.
Sources: Genealogy of Alben W. Barkley – http://www.ancestry.com
Genealogies of Alben W. Barkley (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
http://www.findagrave.com