Father: James Brown Slack

Mother: Elvira Ann Winfield

Robert married Susan Mary Lavely on January 30, 1872 in Nelson Co, KY.

Named after his uncle Dr. Robert N. Slack according to his grandson, Robert Winfield Slack, son of James Fleming Slack.

He and James Montgomery were brothers-in-laws and law partners between 1870 and 1873 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Robert W. Slack moved to Owensboro, Kentucky and James Montgomery moved to Texas. The president appointed Robert to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (one of the 11 appellate courts just below the U.S. Supreme Court)

History of Kentucky, edited by Judge Charles Kerr, 1922, Volume III, American Historical Society, Page 285:

ROBERT WINFIELD SLACK, judge of the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial District, has achieved the best distinctions of his profession during a long and active career as a member of the Kentucky bar. The year 1920 marked the fiftieth anniversary of his admission to practice, and he has outlived and outworked most of his early contemporaries.

Judge Slack, who has been an honored resident of Owensboro since 1873, was born at Bardstown, Kentucky, July 11, 1848, and represents several old and prominent Kentucky families. His paternal grandparents were Wil1iam and Hannah (Wathen) Slack. The Slack family came originally to Kentucky in pioneer times from Pennsylvania. William Slack, who was born at the old military post at Harrisburg, saw service in the War of 1812 under General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. By occupation he was a farmer and merchant, and shipped large quantities of produce by flatboat to New Orleans. His wife, Hannah Wathen, was born either in Kentucky or Maryland, her people coming from the latter state to Kentucky.

The father of Judge Slack was James Brown Slack, who was born in Washington County, Kentucky, and was a tanner by trade. He married Elvina Ann Winfield, who was born in Missouri. Her father, Josiah Winfield, married a Miss Clark, lived in Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and finally in Kentucky. When Judge Slack was eight years of age his parents moved from Bardstown to Elizabethtown, where James B. Slack conducted a grocery store for several years. He died there at the age of fifty-six; his wife surviving him many years, her death occurring at the age of ninety one. She was the mother of Robert Winfield, Eleanor, John, James, Middleton, Augustine (who died in infancy), Charles and Nettie. The father and mother were Catholics and reared their children in the same faith.

Judge Slack grew up at Elizabethtown, where he received a public school education. Under his father he became practiced in the trades of tanner and saddler, but early determined to become a lawyer. He completed his literary education in Cecilian Cotlege at Cecilia, Kentucky, and began the study of law in the office of his brother-in-law, James Montgomery, at Elizabethtown. He was admitted to the bar in 1870, and for three years was associated with Mr. Montgomery in practice. Then in 1873 he moved to Owensboro, being at that time twenty-five years of age. Then and afterward diligence of application was one of his chief characteristics in his profession, and his abilities gained him merited advancement, so that his practice grew from year to year. In the early period of his profession he served several terms as city attorney. Reared a democrat, he left that party in 1895 to support the republican candidate for governor, Mr. Bradley, who was elected in that )"ear. However, Judge Slack's following has been largely a personal one rather than dictated by party lines. In 1900 he had the unique honor of being elected a member of the Legislature from the City of Owensboro, being the first representative that city ever elected on the republican ticket. When in 1915 he became a candidate for circuit judge on the republican ticket he was elected with a large support from democrats. He is now completing his six year term and has justified every anticipation of an able and impartial conduct of his office.

Judge Slack is a Catholic, a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Modern Woodmen of America. In 1872 he married Miss Susan Laveley, a native of Bardstown, Kentucky. Ten children were born to their marriage, and two sons were in the World war, Richard H. and John Marrell. John M. was in the quartermaster's department at Jeffersonville, Indiana. Richard H. attended the officers training camp at Fort Benjamin Harrison, was commissioned a first lieutenant of infantry and for a time was an instructor in the officers training school at Camp Lee. He was in the army eighteen months, and has since become an active member of the American Legion. Richard H. Slack graduated in law at the St. Louis University in 1918, and since leaving the army has gained initial prominence in his profession at Owensboro.

Robert W. Slack and James Montgomery were brothers-in-laws and law partners between 1870 and 1873 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Robert W. Slack moved to Owensboro, Kentucky and James Montgomery moved to Texas.



Robert Winfield Slack was the famous federal judge on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (one of the 11 appelate courts just below the U.S. Supreme Court) who was stationed in Owensboro, Kentucky. These judges are appointed by the President of the United States for life.


His birth estimated from a letter in 1848

Household Record 1880 United States Census

Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

R. W. SLACK Self M Male W 32 KY Attorney At Law KY KY

Sue SLACK Wife M Female W 27 KY Keeps House KY KY

Mary E. SLACK Dau S Female W 7 KY KY KY

Sarah SLACK Dau S Female W 6 KY KY KY

Alice SLALCK Dau S Female W 1 KY KY KY

Sue SLACK Dau S Female W 3M KY KY KY

Trecie SIMONS Other S Female B 19 KY Cook KY KY

Source Information:
Census Place Owensboro, Daviess, Kentucky

Morman Family History Library Film 1254411

NA Film Number T9-0411

Page Number 245C