Knox County’s Elected Officials Six Decades Ago

A photograph that appears to be an advertisement, possibly from a district tournament basketball program, shows six of Knox County’s elected officials. Writing on the photo says 1965, which was an election year in Knox County. Who are these distinguished gentlemen and how long did they serve Knox County in their respective roles?
John Charles Dixon, long time county attorney, was born in 1917 in Leslie County, the son of James and Susan Wooten Dixon. Dixon was a graduate of Union College and the University of Louisville School of Law. He was married to June Detherage and together they had 4 children, Charles, Anna Marie, Johnny and Bill Matt.
Dixon was elected to 6 consecutive terms as county attorney, beginning in 1957. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 78.
Lester Broughton served as Knox County Jailer for several terms for a total of 15 years during the 1960s and 70s.
Born August 13, 1912, his parents were Jimmy and Flora Broughton. He married Sallie Mills and together they had one daughter, Beulah Mae.
Lester continued to farm on his homeplace in the Baughman community of Knox County until his death in 1985.
Floyd Riley Sowders became a household name in the mid-20th century in Knox County, serving as our County Court Clerk from 1958 – 1993, making him one of the longest serving elected leaders in Knox County’s history.
Sowders was born in October 1913 in the Artemus community, the son of Ancil and Sintha Sowders. He married Bertha Foley and the couple had one daughter, Rita.
In addition to serving Knox County as their court clerk, Floyd and Bertha also owned the College Corner Café and the Sowders Men’s Store, both located on the court square in Barbourville.
Sowders died in 1995 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. He was 81 years old.
James Edward McDonald served one term as Knox County Judge and served more than 10 years as the County Clerk. Born in April of 1915, the son of George Washington and Delia Barnes McDonald.
“Ed” was a lifelong resident of Heidrick, along with his wife, the former Martha Deaton, and their five children, Sherrell, Harold, Leslie, Beverly and Marsha. Ed passed away in 1975 at the age of 60 and was buried in the Trace Branch Cemetery.
William Bailey “Bally” Frazier served as Knox County’s Sheriff during the 1960s. Born June 10, 1911, he was the son of Charles and Mary Sue Frazier in Bedford County, Virginia.
Bally was a World War II veteran and the husband of Sudie Jackson. The Fraziers had two sons, Charles and Bill and a daughter Mary Elizabeth.
Bally was a long-time champion and promoter of the Daniel Boone Festival in addition to serving in his elected position. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 92.
Our last elected official is Clyde K. Williams, County Clerk. Clyde, the elder of the group, was born February 1907, the son of Caleb and Amanda West Williams. The Williams family were farmers and lived in the Poplar Creek and Artemus communities.
Clyde was first elected in the late 1940s and served in the position until 1965 when he chose not to run for reelection.
Williams married Elva Jones. The couple had no children. In addition to his courthouse duties, he assisted his brother, Bob, in the Williams Shoe Store on the court square in Barbourville.
Williams passed away on New Year’s Eve, 1969 in the Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington after a brief stay. He was 62.
This year in November, county elections will once again bring new rounds of electioneering, politicking, and speechifying. Money will be raised, ads bought, and speeches made. The Museum Corner would like to extend our best wishes to all the candidates while we would also add, be honest, be transparent and be about helping your neighbor live in a better Knox County! Good luck to everyone!