WALKER KEITH BAYLOR came to this county about the year 1820, and opened a law office in Elyton.  He was a Kentuckian by birth and the younger brother of the Hon. R. E. B. Baylor of Tuskaloosa.  In 1825 he entered the public service as a member of the legislature from the county.  He showed a preference for professional and literary rather than political life; and only re-appeared in the legislature as a senator in 1838, having previously served for several years as judge of the county court.  In 1843 he became a judge of the circuit court, succeeding Hon. Peter Martin of Tuskaloosa, and was holding that office--presiding with dignity and ability--when his death occurred in 1845.  He was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun while on a visit to his brother in Texas.  Judge Baylor was prepossessing in appearance; and his cultivated mind, diversified talents, manly character, and genial nature rendered him justly estimable.  He was a bachelor.

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JOHN BROWN was one of the earliest white settlers of the county.  He came from South Carolina about the year 1818, and represented Blount in the legislature before Jefferson was cut off from it.  He was a member of both houses of the general assembly, and judge of the county court about the year 1832.  In 1834 he removed to Tuskaloosa, and was there steward of the University till his removal to Texas two or three years later.  He was a popular man in the county, and his character was irreproachable.  His wife was a Miss Brooks, and Mr. Waldo W. Shearer, for many years a citizen of Sumter county, is his nephew.

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