B. S. Landrum

Groceryman – Scion of an Illustrious Family, and Son of the Late Noted Attorney, Statesman, and Life-Ling Resident of Warsaw, J. J. Landrum  

Among the worthy sons of old Gallatin who have carved out for themselves a name and a standing, not only at home, but throughout the entire country, none stand higher in the memories of those who knew him than the late John J. Landrum, who was born in Fredericksburg (now Warsaw, Ky.) November 16, 1826.   In 1846, when not yet 20 years of age, he enlisted in Company B, of the First Kentucky Cavalry, for services in the Mexican War, where his life was one of hardships, long marches, sickness and danger.   Returning home, he engaged in farming, later clerked at a store in Napoleon for Ben Swope, whose daughter, Miss Susie, he married November 27, 1849.   Mr. Landrum was a high-spirited, shrewd, intelligent man, a natural leader among men, yet withal, kind-hearted, true, and obliging.  In 1851 he was elected to the Kentucky Legislature from Gallatin County, where he served with distinction, and soon after his return began the study of law.  He, in the meantime, was elected Circuit Clerk; was admitted to the bar in 1856, and engaged in the practice of law.  He graduated at the Law Department of the University of Louisville; was elected to the State Senate, where he served from 1863 to 1867 with honor and distinction.   At the braking out of the Rebellion he was a pronounced Union man, and was one of the organizers and recruiters of the Eighteenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, of which he was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel.   On returning home, Col. Landrum took up again the practice of law, and for years stood at the head of the profession at the bar.  He was a prominent Republican, and in 1876 and ’84 its candidate for Congress against John G. Carlisle, the Democratic Statesman so well known to us all.   In 1888 he was appointed U. S. Internal Revenue Collector for this District by President Harrison.  Assisted by his son, B. S. Landrum, who, though quite young at the time, proved himself fully worthy of the trusts reposed in him.   In 1890 he was taken to his bed with his last illness, and thus passed away one of the most energetic, patriotic, worthy sons of old Kentucky.   This it is that we are proud to own his son, a promising, industrious young man, as one of our leading businessmen.  Mr. B. S. Landrum was born in Warsaw, and though yet comparatively young in business affairs, is recognized as a man of intelligence; honest, capable and progressive.  Five years ago the firm of Landrum and Wilson began the grocery business here, and for the past year has been alone in the business.  He has always carried a large, complete, and well-assorted stock of goods with freshness, purity, and cleanliness pervading every part of his house.  He sells goods very cheap, and gives you just what you call for; is reliable and kind to patrons, with the result that his trade is growing and expanding and his name as our leading groceryman becoming more familiar to our people every day.  

from the Warsaw Independent, January 22, 1898