James Beverley Meriwether was born 23 Dec 1831 in Jefferson County, Kentucky, the sixth child and fourth son of Gov. David Meriwether (1800–1893) and Sarah H. Leonard (1800–1859). He was named for his paternal uncle, James Beverley Meriwether (1799–1823). He graduated from the University of Louisville School of Law and accompanied his father to New Mexico when the latter was appointed Gov. of the New Mexico Territory. During this time he became friends of Kit Carson and other frontiersmen of the time. Returning to Louisville about 1857, he soon moved to Indiana, finally settling in Jeffersonville in 1859. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, James was commissioned a Major in the 38th Indiana infantry regiment; he soon was appointed Colonel and assumed command. In 1873 he was appointed Provost Marshall for the Second Congressional district with headquarters in Jeffersonville. As Provost Marshall, he had supervision of the draft and it was reported he ruled with an iron hand. He served in this capacity until 31 Jul 1865 when he was honorably discharged. Resuming his law practice after the war, he also served two terms as city attorney for Jeffersonville. In the mid 1870s he was appointed warden of the State Prison - South by his friend, Gov. Oliver P. Morton.

James died on 31 May 1899 in Jeffersonville and was subsequently buried in Cave Hill Cemetery.

Marriages
In 1856 James married Martha Agnes Read; they were the parents of three children, Mary, James R. and Franklin R. Meriwether. Martha & James divorced in 1869 and in 1873 he married Rebecca M. Reeder. They adopted a daughter, Ruby.

—————
Evening News (Jeffersonville, Indiana), 1 June 1899

Eventful Life has Drawn to a Close
———
Colonel James B. Merriwether Expires After Months of Suffering
———
Was Prominent in War, Politics And an Able Expounder of The Law
———
He Held Important Positions

As one day was on the eve of passing to another and the month of May was merging into June the body and soul of Col. James B. Merriwether separated just as the hour hand pointed to one minute of last midnight. Death has been anticipated for several weeks and when the slender thread parted it did not come with a shock of suddenness.

Probably no man was better known in Jeffersonville than Col. James B. Merriwether. He has been prominent in war, politics and law. For some time he had been in declining health and suffered intensely from rheumatism that almost entirely disabled him. Recently he became the victim of other troubles and before being taken to his bed for good almost entirely lost his vision.

He was not only a hard student but an apt one and few men were better read or better versed in the general affairs than Col. Merriwether and he was a veritable encyclopedia. When deprived of his own ability to read he had others perform the duty for him while he listened attentively and commented on paragraphs that interested him.

Col. Merriwether was the son of [Gov. David] Merriwether and was born in Jefferson county, Ky, 67 years ago. His father was one of the most prominent men of his day and was active in politics. He was born in Virginia in 1800 and came to Kentucky with his parents in 1805. Many places of trust were held by him and he was a member of the convention that drafted the constitution of Kentucky in 1849. In 1853 he was appointed Governor of New Mexico by President Pierce and held that office until 1857.

Col. Merriwether was given a classical education and early in life graduated with honor from Louisville law school. He accompanied his father to New Mexico as his private secretary and at one time practiced law at Madison before locating here some time about 1859 or earlier. He was on the plains with Kit Carson and was an attorney in the Kissane conspiracy.

When the 38th Indiana was organized on September 18, 1861, Col. Merriwether was commissioned Major under Lieut. Col. Walter Q. Gresham he afterwards succeeded Col. Gresham who was made a General. On May 1, 1863 Col. Merriwether was made Provost Marshall for the Second Congressional district with headquarters in his city. He served in the capacity until July 31, 1865 when he was honorably discharged.

During the term of his office he had supervision of the draft and his word was law. He ruled with an iron hand because such times on the borders of the confederacy demanded it. After the war Col. Merriwether again settled down to the practice of his profession. Later he was appointed warden of the Southern Prison and was succeeded by Col. L. S. Schuler. He resumed the practice of law and continued at it until his health completely failed.

Besides a widow, Col. Merriwether leaves one brother, William Merriwether, of Louisville and two sons Frank and James. He was a member of the G.A.R., the Knights of Honor and the Ancient Order of Workingmen. The funeral will probably take place Sunday.

James Beverley Meriwether
Indiana State Journal (Indianapolis, IN), 7 June 1899

Jeffersonville, Ind., June 1—Col. James B. Merriwether, aged sixty-nine (sic-67), who was one of the best-known men in Indiana, died shortly after midnight in this city. For several years he been failing in health and suffered much from rheumatism, which almost entirely disabled him. Other complications set in about four months ago and it has been known for some time that he could not live but a short time. By his first wife he had two sons. His second wife survives him, but has no children. He was a Mason, Knight of Honor, Member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and of the Grand Army. The funeral will take place Sunday.

Note: Headstone states he was born in 1838, but family histories have 1831 and all his Census entries indicate 1831/1832.
∼TMSI [6856]: M1227a — 4G-Grandson of Nicholas Meriwether & Elizabeth (?) Meriwether Browne.