Machen.Willis.B.1893.Lyon-Christian.NEWS Willis B. Machen Crittenden Press 14 Sep 1893 His Mind a Wreck (Eddyville, Ky.) Ex-U.S. Senator Willis B. Machen was taken to the asylum at Hopkinsville yesterday. He had a severe attack of la grippe last winter which affected his mind greatly and it has been gradually giving way ever since. He is about 82 years old. Willis Benson Machen was born April 5, 1810 in Caldwell County, Ky. His father, Henry Machen, was a farmer of that county for many years, being a native of South Carolina and coming to Ky. in 1809. He obtained a good education in the schools of his native country and in Cumberland College in Princeton, Ky. Contributed by: Brenda Jerome Date: Mon, 21 Mar 1997