John Speed

John Speed (May 17, 1772 – March 30, 1840) was an American judge and farmer in Louisville, Kentucky. He built the Farmington estate and served briefly in the American Indian Wars. Early life John Speed was born on May 17, 1772, to Captain James Speed. He was ten years old when he came to Kentucky with his father. He received education from schools in Kentucky. Career Speed worked with his brother Thomas Speed in merchandising and making salt at the licks near Shepherdsville, Kentucky. In 1791, Speed served during the American Indian Wars under Brigadier General Charles Scott. Speed was appointed as a judge of Quarter Sessions Court in Jefferson County, Kentucky. In 1828, he wrote a series of articles on political topics. They were published as a paper called The Focus and he signed himself as "Plain Farmer".