Breckinridge

Breckinridge, JOHN CABELL, vice-president of the United States, was born 21st January 1821, near Lexington, Kentucky, where he practised law until 1847, when he was chosen major of a volunteer regiment for the Mexican war. He sat in congress 1851-55, and in 1856 was elected vice-president, with Buchanan as president. In 1860 he was the pro-slavery candidate for the presidency, but was defeated by Lincoln. A United States senator from March to December 1861, he then entered the Confederate army, was appointed a major-general in 1862, and held some important commands during the civil war. He was secretary of war in Jefferson Davis's cabinet at the close of the struggle, and escaped to Europe, whence he returned in 1868. He died at Lexington, 17th May 1875.