Beech Tree News Network

Henry County, KY was founded in 1798 and was named after Patrick Henry.  Henry was an American attorney, planter and politician who became known as an orator during the movement for independence in Virginia.  A founding father, he served as the first and sixth post-Colonial governor of Virginia from 1776-79 and 1784-86. 
Henry led the opposition to the Stamp Act 1765 and is remembered for his “Give me liberty or give me death” speech.  Along with Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, he is regarded as one of the most influential champions of Republicanism and an enthusiastic promoter of the American Revolution and its fight for independence.
The county seat is Newcastle.  Henry’s largest city is Eminence.  Estimated population as of 2015 was 15,620.  Notable residents were writer Wendell Berry, author and Kentucky historian Reuben T Durrett and United States congressman William J. Graves. 
Hickman County was founded in 1821 and named after Paschal Hickman.  The largest city and county seat is Clinton.  Estimated population as of 2015 was 4,612.  Notable Hickman alum is Robert Burns Smith, third governor of Montana. 
Hopkins County was founded in 1806 and named for Samuel Hopkins, U.S. Representative.  The county seat and largest city is Madisonville.  Estimated population as of 2015 is 46,222.  The online news service www.surfky.com, established in 2008, serves Hopkins County and Western Kentucky. 
Jackson County, KY was established in 1839 and named for President Andrew Jackson.  Upon the creation of Breathitt County in 1839, local landowner Simon Cockrell Sr. donated 10 acres (4.0 ha) to serve as its seat of government. The community was originally known as Breathitt, Breathitt Town or Breathitt Courthouse after the county, but upon its incorporation as a city by state legislature in 1843, it was renamed Jackson to honor the recently deceased former president Andrew Jackson.  Local feuds led the national press to publish stories about Jackson and "Bloody Breathitt": state troops were dispatched twice in the 1870s and again in 1903 – after the assassination of U.S. Commissioner James B. Marcum on the courthouse steps – to restore order.
The Kentucky Union Railroad reached the city in 1891, and Jackson boomed until the L&N continued the line into Hazzard in 1912.  A fire on Halloween 1913 burned down much of the town.  Estimated population as of 2015 was 2.152.  Notable people from Jackson are screenwriter Jeffrey Reddick, Willie Sandlin, Medal of Honor recipient for his service during World War I, and country singer Sturgill Simpson.