Born in Elkton, Kentucky. Graduate of Jefferson College in 1851. Admitted to the bar in Kentucky in 1853. Married Abbie S. Briscoe November 21, 1854. He practiced law in Kentucky.

Bristow helped to recruit and served with the 25th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry in 1861. He fought at Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. He was wounded at Shiloh. Served as colonel with 8th Kentucky cavalry in 1863.

He was elected to the Kentucky senate without his knowledge or approval and served 1863 to 1865. Appointed U.S. Attorney for Kentucky and served May 4, 1866, to January 1, 1870. U.S. Solicitor General 1870 to November 12, 1872. Appointed Secretary of the Treasury by President Grant and served June 4, 1874, to June 20, 1876. The department had been poorly managed. He dismissed several officials for inefficiency. He argued against resumption of specie payments. He was nominated for President in 1876 but lost the party nomination to James G. Blaine. Elected president of the American Bar Association in 1879. He opened a law firm in New York City and died there in 1869.

bio: ApCAB; BDEB; DAB; NCAB 4; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H