Preview
Class Year
1913
Description
Albert Dabney Crenshaw*, LL.B.
Albert Dabney Crenshaw (August 2, 1891 - July 1, 1914) was born in Cadiz, Kentucky to Robert Crenshaw and Marianne Dabney. Crenshaw practiced law with his father after graduation until his death from typhoid fever on July 1, 1914.
*Mr. Crenshaw is not listed in the 1913 edition of The Kentuckian.
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The Law Library is incredibly grateful to David C. Crenshaw for providing this photograph of Albert Dabney Crenshaw, courtesy of the “Genealogy Files of Mabel Dumas Crenshaw,” Pioneers of Cadiz: The Crenshaw Heritage, 2024.
Mr. Crenshaw has graciously provided the following write-up of Albert Dabney Crenshaw which will appear in his upcoming revised edition of Pioneers of Cadiz: The Crenshaw Heritage:
Albert Dabney Crenshaw was born on August 2, 1891, in Cadiz, Kentucky, the son of Judge Robert Crenshaw. He received his early education in the schools of his hometown, where he displayed an earnest dedication to learning. While still a young man, Albert’s ambition and determination initially pulled him outside the confines of Cadiz to Augusta, Georgia, where he worked as Assistant Claim Agent for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Company. In this role, he earned a reputation for integrity and competence. Despite a burgeoning career in the railroad industry, Albert was drawn to the study of law and decided to pursue his dream.
In 1911, Albert enrolled in the University of Kentucky College of Law (then known as State University of Kentucky), where he thrived academically and socially. He graduated in 1913 with a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), excelling in his studies and earning the respect and admiration of his peers and professors. During his time at the university, Albert was an active participant in college life, joining literary societies and helping establish the Henry Clay Law Society. His leadership and warm personality made him a beloved figure on campus.
Following his graduation, Albert passed the bar examination in Fayette County and returned to Cadiz to practice law alongside his father. He quickly established himself as a skilled attorney with a promising legal practice. By the time he died only a year later, he was already regarded as one of the leading lawyers in the region—a remarkable achievement for someone so young.
Albert’s outlook on life was deeply rooted in his faith. A devoted member of the Christian Church in Cadiz, he actively participated in the bible school and took on leadership roles within the church community. His faith guided his actions, and he was known for his kindness, empathy, and unshakable moral compass. Those who knew Albert described him as a man of great character, whose compassion and generosity left an indelible impact on everyone he encountered.
Tragically, Albert’s promising future was cut short when he succumbed to typhoid fever on June 30, 1914, at the age of 22. His death left a profound void in the lives of his family, friends, and community. Yet his legacy endures in the memories of those who loved him and in the example he set as a man of unwavering principle and heartfelt dedication.
Albert Dabney Crenshaw’s life, though brief, was a testament to the power of hard work, faith, and compassion. He remains a beloved figure in the history of Cadiz, Kentucky—a symbol of potential unrealized and promise unfulfilled.
Yeager, Ward C. “In Memoriam - Albert Dabney Crenshaw.” Kentucky Law Journal 3, no. 2 (1914): Article 4. Accessed November 18, 2024. [https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5318&context=klj].
Crenshaw, David C. Pioneers of Cadiz: The Crenshaw Heritage. Edited by Peyton M. Smith. Morrisville, NC: Lulu Press, Inc., 2024, 34.
