Herman Willard Rattliff (born April 1, 1926) is a retired business

Business

A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...

man from Campbellsville

Campbellsville, Kentucky

Campbellsville is a city in Taylor County, Kentucky, United States. The population within city limits was 10,498 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Taylor County, and the home of Campbellsville University...

, Kentucky

Kentucky

The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...

, who served from 1968-1986 as a Republican

Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...

 member of the Kentucky House of Representatives

Kentucky House of Representatives

The Kentucky House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kentucky General Assembly. It is composed of 100 Representatives elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. Not more than two counties can be joined to form a House district, except when necessary to preserve...

. He authored the Rattliff-Ward Textbook Act of 1976.

Early years and family

Rattliff was one of five sons and two daughters born to James W. Rattliff (1904–1987), a tenant farmer

Tenant farmer

A tenant farmer is one who resides on and farms land owned by a landlord. Tenant farming is an agricultural production system in which landowners contribute their land and often a measure of operating capital and management; while tenant farmers contribute their labor along with at times varying...

, and the former Estell Dobson (1907–1984), a couple from Green County

Green County, Kentucky

Green County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1793. As of 2000, the population was 11,518. Its county seat is Greensburg. The county is named for Nathanael Greene...

 in south central Kentucky. Ratliff’s living siblings are Doris Rodgers of Campbellsville, J.W. Rattliff of Greensburg

Greensburg, Kentucky

Greensburg is a city in Green County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,396 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Green County...

, and Vernon Rattliff of Lexington

Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...

. His deceased siblings were Willya Rattliff Cox (1936–2004) of Greensburg,
Emmett Wesley Rattliff (1924–1983) of Campbellsville, and Ronald Gene "Ronnie" Rattliff (died 1990) of Greensburg.

Rattliff did not complete high school

High school

High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....

 but procured a General Education Diploma. He served in the United States Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, having been based from 1945–1947, primarily in the Philippine Islands. He left the military at the rank of staff sergeant

Staff Sergeant

Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in several countries.The origin of the name is that they were part of the staff of a British army regiment and paid at that level rather than as a member of a battalion or company.-Australia:...

. Rattliff, along with former Campbellsville Mayor

Mayor

In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....

 Robert "Bobby" Miller, is among sixteen World War II veterans included in the 2009 book They Were Soldiers, the Stories of Those from Taylor County who Served during World War II, published by the Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University

Campbellsville University, also known as CU, is a private university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, the seat of Taylor County. Founded as Russell Creek Academy, a Baptist institution, the university currently enrolls more than 3,000 students and is open to students of all denominations...

 journalism department.

In 1951, Rattliff married the former Jewell Merritt (born February 1, 1932), a Campbellsville native who had lived for a time in Cincinnati

Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...

, Ohio

Ohio

Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...

. The couple has two children, David Brian Rattliff (born 1957), an attorney

Lawyer

A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...

 in Louisville

Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...

, Kentucky, and Kristi Lynn Hickerson (born 1960) of Campbellsville, and a grandchild, Cameron David Rattliff.

Rattliff and a partner, Raymond Burress, opened Supertone Studios in downtown Campbellsville in 1949. The studio handled some of the photographic contracts for numerous area school districts. It was sold and relocated in 1990. From 1974-2004, Rattliff also raised Charolais cattle

Charolais cattle

Charolais cattle are a beef breed of cattle which originated in Charolais, around Charolles, in France. They are raised for their meat and are known for their composite qualities when crossed with other breeds, most notably Angus and Hereford cattle...

 outside Campbellsville in Taylor County

Taylor County, Kentucky

Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,927. Its county seat is Campbellsville. The county is named for President Zachary Taylor, who served from 1849 to 1850. Taylor is a moist county...

.

Entering politics

Rattliff's political activities date back to 1953, when he initiated the Taylor County Young Republicans Club and founded such groups throughout south central Kentucky. After his legislative service ended in 1986, the clubs largely disappeared. He was initially elected on November 7, 1967, to the Kentucky House from District 29, which then encompassed Marion

Marion County, Kentucky

As of the census of 2000, there were 18,212 people, 6,613 households, and 4,754 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 7,277 housing units at an average density of...

 and Taylor counites. He was reelected in the same district on November 4, 1969. In the two elections, Rattliff defeated the Democratic

Democratic Party (United States)

The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...

 nominees, respectively, J.E. Pickett and Sam B. Thomas

Sam B. Thomas

Sam B. Thomas, Sr. , was a Kentucky educator who served from January 1972 until December 1986 as a Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from Lebanon, the seat of Marion County.- Biography :...

 (1925–2007), both from Marion County. The incumbent Democrat, James E. Whitlock

James E. Whitlock

James E. Whitlock, known as Jimmy Whitlock , is a former Democratic member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from Lebanon, the seat of Marion County, Kentucky....

 (born 1934), did not seek a fourth term in 1967. In that first race, Rattliff ran on the ticket headed by Louie B. Nunn

Louie B. Nunn

Louie Broady Nunn was the 52nd governor of Kentucky. Elected in 1967, he was the first Republican elected to that office since Simeon Willis in 1943 and the last to hold it until the election of Ernie Fletcher in 2003....

 of Glasgow

Glasgow, Kentucky

Glasgow is a city in and the county seat of Barren County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 14,200 at the 2000 census. The city is well-known for its annual Scottish Highland Games. In 2007, Barren County was named the number one rural place to live by Progressive Farmer magazine...

 in Barren County

Barren County, Kentucky

As of the census of 2000, there were 38,033 people, 15,346 households, and 10,941 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 17,095 housing units at an average density of...

, who was elected as the state's first Republican governor

Governor of Kentucky

The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...

 since 1943. Rattliff was also the first Republican in generations to represent Taylor County in the state House. He outpolled ticket-mate Nunn in House District 29.

In 1971, Sam Thomas was elected to the Kentucky House in a revised 24th District, as Rattliff was moved into the 51st District, which then included Green and Taylor counties and four precincts from nearby Metcalfe County

Metcalfe County, Kentucky

Metcalfe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 10,037. Its county seat is Edmonton. The county is named for Thomas Metcalfe, Governor of Kentucky from 1828-32...

. Thomas and Rattliff were hence House colleagues for the remainder of their careers. On May 25, 1971, Rattliff won the Republican nomination over Russell Close and then garnered his third term in the November general election. The Republican candidate for governor that year, Thomas D. Emberton

Tom Emberton

Thomas Dale "Tom" Emberton, Sr. , is a retired Kentucky politician and judge. He was the Republican nominee for Governor of Kentucky, U.S. in 1971. He lost to the Democratic Lieutenant Governor, Wendell H. Ford...

, was defeated by the sitting Democratic Lieutenant Governor

Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky

The office of lieutenant governor of Kentucky has existed under the last three of Kentucky's four constitutions, beginning in 1797. The lieutenant governor serves as governor of Kentucky under circumstances similar to the Vice President of the United States assuming the powers of the presidency...

 Wendell Ford of Owensboro

Owensboro, Kentucky

Owensboro is the fourth largest city by population in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the county seat of Daviess County. It is located on U.S. Route 60 about southeast of Evansville, Indiana, and is the principal city of the Owensboro, Kentucky, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's...

, who became a U.S. senator in 1975. After the 1990 redistricting, by which time Ray H. Altman

Ray H. Altman

Ray Heistand Altman is a businessman and former Kentucky state politician. He is an insurance agency owner in Campbellsville, the seat of Taylor County in central Kentucky.-Biography:...

 of Campbellsville held the representative’s position, the mostly Republican District 51 was reconfigured to include Taylor and Adair

Adair County, Kentucky

Adair County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2010, the population is 18,656. Its county seat is Columbia, Kentucky. The county is named for John Adair, then Speaker of the House in Kentucky and later Governor of Kentucky ....

 counties, the county seat of which is Columbia

Columbia, Kentucky

Columbia is a city in Adair County, Kentucky, United States, just above Russell Creek. The area was settled around 1802 by Daniel Trabue. The post office was opened on April 1, 1806 by John Field, who also ran a local store. The population was 4,014 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of...

.

In 1973, Rattliff was elected in District 51 midway in Ford's gubernatorial term. First, in the May 29 Republican primary, he defeated Marion Horn, Jr., of Campbellsville. Then in the November 6 general election, Rattliff prevailed over the Democratic nominee, Brooks Edwards of Green County. Thereafter, he was unopposed in the general election held on November 4, 1975.

Legislative record

During his tenure, Rattliff served on the transportation and agriculture committees, which are particularly important to District 51. Rattliff worked for passage of several bills of which the Democrats claimed authorship. One of the bills increased the penalties for drug abuse. The previously-mentioned Rattliff-Ward Textbook Act, provided for taxpayer-funded textbooks in high schools. A third measure brought public school support staff, including bus drivers, lunchroom workers, custodians, and teacher aides, into the Kentucky state teacher retirement and insurance systems. Rattliff once said that he learned as a Kentucky Republican that he would usually have to be contented to procure enactment of his desired bills, but he would not likely obtain political credit, the textbook act having been the exception to that pattern.

Rattliff was the Republican House Caucus chairman from 1976-1982. He worked alongside State Senator Doug Moseley

Doug Moseley

Douglas Dewayne Moseley, known as Doug Moseley , is a retired United Methodist minister and author who served as a Republican member of the Kentucky State Senate from 1974 to 1986...

, formerly of Columbia and Campbellsville, who once described Rattliff as "one of the best legislators they ever had in Frankfort

Frankfort, Kentucky

Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...

. . . If Herman Rattliff said it, he followed through."

In 1981, Rattliff had a closer race than previously against the Democrat Rufus Hansford of Campbellsville. Kentucky legislative elections were switched to even years in 1984 to coincide with congressional elections. This meant that the legislature in Kentucky would be elected in years separate from the governor and other state constitutional officers. Hence the term to which Rattliff was elected on November 3, 1981, was extended to three years. On November 6, 1984, Rattliff won his last term by handily defeating the Campbellsville Democrat William "Tonnie" Ford. Neither Rattliff nor Moseley sought reelection in 1986, and the pair was succeeded, respectively, by fellow Republicans Ray Altman and David L. Williams

David L. Williams

David Lewis Williams is a lawyer and politician from the U.S. state of Kentucky. A Republican, he has represented Kentucky's 16th district in the Kentucky Senate since 1987. When Republicans gained control of the state senate in 2000, Williams was chosen as President of the Senate, and he has held...

 of Burkesville

Burkesville, Kentucky

Burkesville is a city in Cumberland County, Kentucky, United States. Nestled among the rolling foothills of Appalachia and bordered by the Cumberland River to the south and east, it is the county seat of Cumberland County...

, the seat of Cumberland County

Cumberland County, Kentucky

Cumberland County is a county located in the state of Kentucky in the United States. It was formed in 1799. As of 2000, the population was 7,147. Its county seat is Burkesville, Kentucky...

.