Flem D. Sampson, born in Laurel County, attended Union College and began his law practice here, where one of his partners was Caleb Powers, the accused assassin of Wm. Goebel. Sampson served as county and district judge, on the Kentucky Court of Appeals, and as its chief justice. As governor from 1927 to 1931, he had to face the problems of the Great Depression. He later practiced law here and was buried in Barbourville Cemetery.