 Early in life , Breathitt was appointed a deputy surveyor in Illinois Territory . On his return to Kentucky , he taught at a country school , and through wise investments , amassed enough wealth to sustain him while he studied law with Judge Caleb Wallace . In 1811 , he was elected to the first of several terms in the Kentucky House of Representatives . He was the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 1828 . Although his running mate William T. Barry lost the office of governor to Thomas Metcalfe , Breathitt defeated his opponent for lieutenant governor . 
