Enoch Edgar Hume

Enoch Edgar Hume (March 24, 1844 – July 5, 1911) was an American physician and politician who served as the mayor of Frankfort, Kentucky, from 1905 to 1906. He also served as a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1875 to 1877.

Early life, education, and family Enoch Edgar Hume was born on his grandfathers farm in Trimble County, Kentucky. He was educated in the public schools of Louisville, Kentucky, and later attended Mount Washington Academy. At the outbreak of the American Civil War, he enlisted on the side of the Confederacy, but was found by Union authorities, and sent to Camp Chase, a military prison in Ohio. After the war, he traveled to Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, where he ran a logging camp. Upon his return to Kentucky, he began studying medicine at the University of Louisville and graduated in 1869. He married Mary South on December 19, 1877, in Frankfort, Kentucky. Together, they had one daughter and a son, Edgar Erskine Hume.

Career After graduating, Hume moved to Anderson County, Kentucky, where he practiced medicine for three years. While living in Anderson County, he was the roommate and friend of Champ Clark, a future speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He then traveled to New York for further education. He studied at Bellevue Medical College and graduated in 1875. Upon his graduation, he was employed at the Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital. During this time, he also worked at Columbia University's medical department.

In 1905, Hume was elected mayor of Frankfort. He served as mayor until 1909. During his time as mayor, he worked to establish new roads and sewers, and reduce the city's debt. In 1907, he called for all Kentucky teachers to meet at Mammoth Cave, and there they formed the Kentucky Educational Association. He was also a member of the board of trustees for the State Normal School for Colored Persons, and did much to improve education for African Americans in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Historical Society's 1914 book Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Hume was greatly esteemed by the African Americans of Kentucky and was honored with a building named after him, along with a gold ring.

Later life and death On account of failing health, Hume retired in 1909. His brother-in-law and associate John Glover South continued the business after Hume's retirement. Even after his retirement, his health continued to deteriorate, and during his last months, he only left his home once; to go vote for his friend James B. McCreary for governor. Hume died on July 5, 1911, at his home in Frankfort, at the age of 67. He was interred at Frankfort Cemetery in Frankfort.