Jayne, William L. - 1844 - 1917: William L. Jayne was a prominent teacher and religious leader in Johnson County. He was a graduate of Georgetown College. Reverend Jayne was the founder of the Flat Gap Enterprise Academy, one of the earliest and most notable schools in the county.
Johnson, Hatler - ???? - 7/30/83: Hatler Johnson, an insurance salesman, was known throughout the region as "The Sage of The Big Sandy". His weekly radio broadcasts were filled with wit sprinkled with biting conservative commentaries on regional and national issues. Hatler began his insurance career on horseback, riding to mining camps throughout eastern Kentucky asking each of his prospects, "How much insurance is enough!" He was active in community affairs and a founding member of the Paintsville Toastmaster's Club.

Kelly, Jim -

Jim Kelly was born in Van Lear, Kentucky. Upon graduation from Van Lear Independent Schools, Mr. Kelly attended and graduated from Morehead State University. He returned to Johnson County, Kentucky and taught school at Flat Gap for one year, as well as Upper Daniels Creek School. Subsequently, Mr. Kelly accepted a position with the Social Security Administration in Charlotte, North Carolina. He held various posts with the agency in Virginia, New York, West Virginia and Tennessee before becoming the Social Security District Director for the Big Sandy Area. This area included Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Martin and Magoffin counties. Mr. Kelly has been the director for over 20 years and has resided at Flat Gap, Kentucky during this time. Mr. Kelly, a U.S. Army veteran has been active in the interest of veterans, and was instrumental in getting a VA Clinic located in the area. He has served for 9 years on the Johnson County Senior Citizens Board. He served two terms as President of the Van Lear Historical Board. He continues to serve on the Big Sandy Area Council on Aging, as well as the Sandy Valley Transportation Board. Mr. Kelly continues to have a strong interest in the past, present and future of Johnson County Kentucky.

King, Tom R. – 1927 -

Tom Raymond King served as Postmaster of the Paintsville Post Office from 1967 through September 1990, making his the second longest tenure of those serving in this post since its creation in 1824. Tom was educated at Meade Memorial High School and Mayo Business School where he graduated in 1945. He served in the U. S. Marine Corps during World War II in the Pacific Theater. Tom began his postal career as a clerk in 1951 under Postmaster Ernest Meek. Tom is the son of the late H. R. and Grethel Jordan King and is married to the former Billie Jean Scott.

Kirk, Judge A. J. - 3/19/1866 - 5/25/33: Judge Andrew J. Kirk served as Commonwealth's Attorney and as Circuit Judge of the 24th Judicial Circuit before becoming a one-term member of Congress from what was then eastern Kentucky's 10th Congressional District. He was a graduate of Valparaiso University Law School.
Kirk, Charles A. -: Charles A. Kirk was a native of Martin County who lived most of his adult life in
Paintsville. He was in the grocery business on Main Street before 1910 where he had the distinction of bringing the first bottle of Coca-Cola to Paintsville. He bought the Paintsville Herald from Warren Meek in 1912 and for the next 20 years he boosted Paintsville and Johnson County in its headlines and stories. He built the Herald Hotel on Court Street in the 1920s.
Knight, Judge James A. - 2/1/37 -5/11/2000: Judge Knight graduated from Paintsville High School in 1955 and from Morehead State University where he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in 1963. He returned to Paintsville where he taught school from 1963 until 1967. He then entered UK College of Law and received his law degree in 1970 at which time he entered private practice in Paintsville. Following several years in private practice he was elected Johnson County Attorney in 1974 and, in 1980, was elected Circuit Judge, Division II, of the 24th Judicial Circuit. In 1986 he was appointed Chief Judge of the 24th Judicial Circuit. Judge Knight has announced his retirement as of January 2000.