CHAPTER V

COUNTY AND OTHER OFFICIALS

Political Parties-Know Nothing Party-Minority Parties -Nominations for Office-Memorable Campaigns-General Harrison in Marion--Pole Raisings - Campaign of 1860 -Results of Presidential Elections-Representatives lit Congress-State Senators and Representatives-Roster of County Officials Present County Officials-Popular Officials-First County Officers and Their Duties-First Elections.

POLITICAL PARTIES.

Every citizen is deeply interested in the political questions of his time. No part of this history will be read with more interest and profit than the part relating to the political growth, development and conditions of the county. At the time of the formation of the county, there was really but one political party in the country-the Democratic- Republican. About 1828 the Whig party arose and, increasing in strength until 1840, swept the country. For 10 years the Whig party was a formidable opponent of the Democracy, but with the administration of President Tyler internal dissensions rent the party, and its dissolution was rapid. In 1856, with the formation of the Republican party, the Whig party entirely disappeared, most of its members in the Northern States allying themselves with the new party.

From 1850 to 1865 the opposition to the Democratic party was really a fusion party, especially in local matters.

In 1842 the Free Soil party appeared. It was pledged to the admission of no more slave States, and demanded the abolition of slavery. In 1853 William Medill, Democrat, received 1,044 votes for Governor, Nelson Barrere, Whig, 594 votes, and Samuel Lewis, Free Soil, 354 votes in Marion County, which indicates that in this county the Free Soil vote was drawn largely from the Whig party.

In the year 1852 another new political party appeared, if it could be termed a party. It appeared in the form of a secret fraternity. Its real name and objects were not revealed, even to its members until they reached a high degree in the order; and the answer of members on being questioned on these subjects was, "I do not know." Hence came the name "Know Nothing." Officially it was known as the American party. Its principal tenets were opposition to the Roman Catholic Church, and to the easy naturalization of foreigners. Its cardinal principle was "Americans must rule America." Nominations were made by secret conventions of delegates from the various lodges, and all members were required to vote for the nominees under penalty of exclusion in case of refusal. At first the Know Nothings were only the arbiters of elections, the nominations being confined to the nominees of the Democratic and Whig parties. The choice was known only to members, who quietly but

74 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY

solidly voted as determined by the order. The effect was only visible after elections, and was a constant source of miscalculations by the politicians. In 1854 and 1855 the Know Nothings had lodges in almost every village in Marion County. No one seemed to know just who the members were. Many were suspected of belonging. Evidently the party was quite strong, for in the congressional election of 1854, Josiah S. Plants, Democrat, received 650 votes , Cooper K. Watson, Whig (Fusion), 1,041 votes, in the county, and the remainder of the State and local ticket received about the same vote. This showed a falling off in the Democratic vote, and a corresponding increase in the Whig vote over the previous election, of one out of every three votes. The succeeding elections were nearly normal.

With John C. Fremont in 1856 as its candidate for the presidency, the Republican party appeared, and from that time on the dominant political parties in the county have been known as Democrat and Republican. During the Civil War the

Republican party in this State and county took the name of "Union," often placing in nomination "War Democrats," but a "Union victory" was considered a "Republican victory ." This movement was followed a few years later by the formation of a Liberal Republican party, which was in reality only an adjunct to the Democratic party, and resulted in 1872 in the nomination of Horace Greeley for President on the Democratic ticket.

The so-called minority parties have from time to time maintained a following in this county. No one can question the sincerity of those who tenaciously hold to principle at the expense of never feeling the transports of victory. The first minority party to appear in county politics was the Anti-Masonic, which cast 351 votes for Darius Lyman for Governor in the October election, 1832. At the same election Robert Lucas, Democrat, received 712 votes in the county. In the following month at the national election only one Anti-Masonic vote was cast for William Wirt for the presidency.

The first Free Soil votes in the county were cast at the October election in 1842, Leicester King, the Free Soil candidate for Governor, receiving 36 votes in the county. There was no marked increase in the Free Soil vote until the October election in 1853, when Samuel Lewis, Free Soil candidate for Governor, received 354 votes in the county. Two years later Allen Trimble received but 16 Free Soil votes for Governor and the following year the remnant of the party fused into the Republican party.

From 1855 to 1873 few votes were cast in the county for minority parties. In the latter year Gideon T. Stewart, Prohibition candidate for Governor, received 77 votes in Marion County. The Prohibition vote shows a considerable falling off during the succeeding years until 1881, when Abraham Ludlow received 198 Prohibition votes for Governor in the county. Four years later Clinton B. Fisk received 274 Prohibition votes for Governor. In 1887 the high-water mark in the county was reached when the party polled 307 votes for Morris Sharp for Governor. Since 1887 the Prohibition party has made no increase in its vote in the county, but on the contrary has at times shown a decided falling off in the number of votes polled.

In 1895 Jacob S. Coxey received 209 votes as the People's party candidate for Governor, and in 1899 Samuel M. Jones, then mayor of Toledo, received 299 votes in this county as a non-partisan candidate for Governor. The Greenback, Social Labor, National Democratic, Social Democrat, Socialist, and Liberty parties have from time to time in recent years received a few scattering votes in the county.

During these periods, the principal question before the voters was whether they were for or against the "Administration," and the reader should take into consideration the current general history of the country, in order to arrive at a satisfactory understanding of the results.

The reader should also bear in mind the method of nominating candidates for office. Previous to 1833 there were no party caucuses, political conventions or primary elections.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 75

Candidates usually announced themselves or were announced by their friends. Frequently there were seven of eight candidates for a single office, but more often only two or three. The election of October 8 1833, furnishes a good example. In that election there were seven candidates for county treasurer, four of whom were Democrats. About 1830 nominations, began to be made by Whigs at mass meetings. A few years later primary elections were held like general elections, with judges, clerks, poll-books, tally-sheets and. returns to the County Central Committee.

MEMORABLE CAMPAIGNS.

It is doubtful whether the voters of the county ever saw a more exciting campaign than the "Log Cabin" campaign of 1840. It was noted for large meetings, and lasted for eight months. Thomas Corwin was elected Governor that year. He was one of the great orators of his day and visited nearly every county in the State during the campaign. During the canvass of 184o, Gen. William Henry Harrison visited Marion. The night before his arrival the "arsenal" of the militia was broken open, and an old six-pounder iron cannon was carried off to a vacant lot on South Main street. At daybreak, the gun squad, with J. S. Reed, as gunner, began firing the cannon, waking the people for miles around.

The method of campaigning in those days was quite different from what it is now. Equipped with a special train, made up of A dining car, day coach and sleeping car, a good campaigner will now make 10 speeches a day in as many different counties. On the occasion of General Harrison's tour of Ohio, he addressed the citizens of Columbus on Friday, June 5, 1840. The next morning at 10 o'clock, he and Senator Ewing journeyed by coach along the public highway leading north out of Columbus, and were escorted several miles by a large cavalcade of citizens, headed by the mayor. On that day he spoke at Worthington and arrived at Delaware in the afternoon. Here he spent Sunday, June 7th. He resumed his journey on Monday morning, accompanied by a delegation of prominent citizens on horse back from Marion, one of the number being Judge Thomas J. Anderson. Arriving in Marion, he made a short address to the assembled hosts from a store box in front of Byerly's Tavern, which stood on the present site of W. B. DeVeny's store in the Harvey-Breen Block. Senator Ewing made the principal address of the day. The following morning, accompanied by judge Anderson and several other enthusiastic Marion supporters, *he resumed his journey for Sandusky, where he embarked for Fort Meigs. By the 15th day of June he had returned by the same route to Delaware-, Ohio, where he and Thomas Corwin, who was at that time the Whig candidate for Governor, and Senator Ewing, spent several days resting at the famous springs.

At the same time that General Harrison was visiting Columbus, Governor Shannon was addressing the citizens of Marion and making his famous "Bank Reform" speech that was commented upon at the time by the leading newspapers of the State. The Governor spoke, from a platform built upon a wagon, to a large crowd on the Public Square. No sooner had .he concluded his address, than Moses H. Kirby, ail attorney, mounted the stand and began to reply to the Governor. The Democrats thereupon hitched a team of horses to the wagon and drew it away and Mr. Kirby, mounting a stump, concluded his remarks.

The campaign of 1844 was made memorable in Marion by three pole raisings. The Democrats first hoisted a hickory pole about 100 feet high, flying a flag, upon which in large letters was, "Polk, Dallas, Tod and Victory." The Whigs, not to be outdone, raised an ash pole some 20 feet higher with Clay and Frelinghuysen as their standard bearers. The Democracy, thereupon, attempted to raise a still higher pole, but it broke before getting it up. Nothing daunted by the derisive jeers of their opponents, the Democrats, after clue deliberation, sent to Columbus for a regular ship carpenter, with blocks, tackle and rope. The pole was in three sections and when in place, in front of the Court House, stood over 200 feet high. It was cut down a few days after the election and was soon carried away in

76 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY

small pieces for relics or manufactured into canes at the cabinet-shop of Samuel Saiter.

The following editorial taken from the Marion Eagle, November, 1856, J. W. Dumble, editor, is a fair sample of the way election results were received.

"Additional returns render it certain that there is no election of President by the people. The Republicans have made a glorious fight, but owing to perjury and pipe-laying in Pennsylvania and whiskey in Indiana, we fail of electing Fremont. His electoral vote stands at 125; Buck's (Buchanan's), certain, 69; Fillmore's, 20. This throws it into the House. This is too bad, but only goes to prove that there are a number of dough faces in the North. Well, we are going up. The steamer 'Northerner,' J. C. Fremont, captain, will leave immediately for Salt River. All aboard. We have a good boat, a gentlemanly captain, and there'll be lots of fun. Old Buck's going, too, so we'll hunt him up there. This is a famous river, 50 miles long, and yet its only four miles from its head to its mouth-from where it rises to where it empties."

The campaign of 186o was noted in the North for the extraordinary size of the political gatherings. One such mass meeting was held by the Douglas Democrats in Marion on Saturday, August 11, 1860. More than 8,000 people were present and three addresses were made at one and the same time. Hon. Henry B. Payne, of Cleveland, addressed the citizens for two hours in front of the Court House. Judge Hussenmiller also of Cleveland, at the same time spoke to the German citizens in the court-room. While these speeches were in full swing, Hon. A. S. Ramsey, of Kenton, was addressing a large meeting in front of the American House.

In the evening of the same day B. R. Durfee, of Marion, and A. M. Jackson, of Bucyrus, spoke at the Court House.

Mrs. Thomas J. Anderson, writing to her son, James H. Anderson, on September 29, 1863, thus describes a remarkable political meeting held on the day before.

"Yesterday was a notable day in Marion. It was a great Union meeting that surpassed everything in enthusiasm, in numbers, in respectability, in pageantry, ever witnessed in the State. So all the speakers said, and they were Hon. John Brough, Col. William H. Gibson, Hon. Samuel Shellabarger, Hon. John A. Bingham and Mr. Wolfe, a Cincinnati German. The grounds occupied were 'Baker's Woods'-30 acres. I cannot give you the number present, but should think 20,000 a low estimate. The multitude passed our house, and it was a vast sea of heads and faces. The sidewalks and streets Were crowded, and the people on foot, on horseback, and in wheeled vehicles were two hours and a half in passing.

"I should like to tell you of the picturesque conveyances that carried the young ladies. The different townships of the county, and of the adjoining counties, sent delegations which appeared to have striven to excel each other in numbers, and showy effect. With each delegation, came long wagons, simply two or three coupled together, supplied with seats in tiers rising one above another, occupied with young ladies, the third or top seat being broad enough for two rows of young ladies sitting back to back. Each triple conveyance was surmounted by a canvas canopy high over the heads of all, and was covered-the seats and sides as well with paper muslin of red, white and blue, elegantly festooned with sprigs of evergreen. From eighty to a hundred young ladies sat on each wagon, arrayed in spotless white, but wearing rich and elaborate sashes and turbans of our national colors. The effect was very fine. Think of many such wagons, not all just alike of course, and hundreds of ladies and gentlemen in uniform on horseback, and a vast moving mass of pedestrians."

Many other exciting campaigns have been conducted since 1860 but as they are remembered by many of our citizens, and fearing lest the treatment of recent elections might subject the author to the charge of partisanship, it is probably best to pass them by without comment.

RESULTS OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

The results of the presidential elections in Marion County will doubtless best indicate the

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 77

general political tendencies of the electors. They also furnish a -fairly good basis for computing the growth of the county. The following vote for President is the result Pi considerable research and is complete, except that the vote of the minor parties in the recent elections is omitted.

1824-Henry Clay, 54; Andrew Jackson, 18; John Quincy Adams, 87.

1828-John Quincy Adams, Whig, 254; Andrew Jackson, Dem., 320

1832-Andrew Jackson, Dem., 721; Henry Clay, Whig, 514; William Wirt Anti-Masonic, 1.

I836--William Henry Harrison, Whig, 1,016; Martin Van Buren, Dem., 844.

1840--William Henry Harrison, Whig, 1,358; Martin Van Buren, Dem., 1,128; James G. Birney, Abolition or Liberty, 7.

1844-Henry Clay, Whig, 1,425; James K. Polk, Dem., 1,480; James G. Birney, Abolition or Liberty, 88.

1848-Lewis Cass, Dem., 1,072; Zachary Taylor, Whig, 869; Martin Van Buren, Free Soil, 66.

1852-Franklin Pierce, Dem., 1,270; Winfield Scott, Whig, 914; John P. Hale, Free Soil, 79.

1856-Jmes Buchanan, Dem., 1,275; John C. Fremont, Rep., 1,367; Millard Fillmore, American, 4.

1860-Abraham Lincoln, Rep, 1,595; Stephen A. Douglas, Northern Dem., 1,640; John C. Breckinridge, National Dem., 13; John Bell, Constitutional Union, 4; Gerrit Smith, Abolition or Liberty, 1

1864-Abraham Lincoln, Rep., 1,520; George B. McClellan, Dem., 1,720.

1868-Ulysses S. Grant, Rep., 1,548; Horatio Seymour, Dem., 1,936.

1872-Ulysses S. Grant, Rep., 1,340; Horace Greeley, Dem., 1,842.

1876-Rutherford B. Hayes, Rep., 1,918; Samuel J. Tilden, Dem., 2,603.

1880-Winfield S. Hancock, Dem :2,932; James A. Garfield, Rep., 2,192.

1884-Grover Cleveland, Dem., 3,118; James G. Blaine, Rep., 2,439.

1888-Benjamin Harrison, Rep., 2,521; Grover Cleveland, Dem., 3,297.

1892-Benjamin Harrison, Rep., 2,477; Grover Cleveland, Dem., 3,282.

1896-William McKinley, Rep., 3,426; William J. Bryan, 4,005.

1900-William McKinley, Rep., 3,770; William J. Bryan, Dem., 4,141.

1904-Theodore Roosevelt, Rep., 4,421; Alton B. Parker, Dem., 3,544.

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

The congressional districts of which Marion County has formed a part are the following:

Eighth District, from 1823 to 1843-Madison, Franklin, Pickaway, Licking, Delaware and Marion counties, except from, 1837 to 1839, when Marion County was included ill the 10th District, which was represented in Congress by Samson Mason, of Clark County.

Eleventh District, from 1843 to 1853Delaware, Marion and Richland counties, except that Knox County took the place of Delaware County in 1845.

Ninth District from 1853 to 1863-Hardin, Seneca, Marion, Wyandot, Crawford, Sandusky and Ottawa counties.

Eighth District, from 1863 to 1873-Union, Delaware, Marion, Morrow and Richland counties.

Ninth District, from 1873 to 1879-Hardin, Marion, Delaware, Union, Morrow and Knox counties.

Eighth District, from, 1879 to 1881-Seneca, Crawford, Wyandot, Hardin, Marion and Morrow counties.

Ninth District, from 1881 to 1891-Hardin, Marion, Delaware, Union, Morrow and Knox counties.

Eighth District, from 1891 to 1893-Hancock, Marion, Seneca, Union and Wyandot counties.

Thirteenth District, from 1893 to the present time, comprising the counties of Erie, Sandusky, Seneca, Crawford, Wyandot and Marion.

78 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY

STATE SENATORS.

The State senatorial districts of which Marion County has formed a part have been constituted as follows:

Muskingum, Franklin, Madison, Union, Marion and Crawford counties, from 1822 to 1824, inclusive.

Delaware, Marion, and Sandusky counties, from 1825 to. 1827, inclusive.

Delaware, Marion and Crawford counties, from 1828 to 1835, inclusive.

Delaware, Marion, Crawford and Union counties, from 1836 to 1848, inclusive.

Logan, Hardin, Union and Marion counties, from 1849 to the present time.

Since the constitution of 1851 this district has been known as the 13th Senatorial District.

STATE REPRESENTATIVES.

PAGE 79 BLANK

PAGE 80 PICTURES RICHARD WILSON, HEZEKIAH GORTON, GEORGE H. BUSBY, NATHAN PETERS AND OLD COURT HOUSE

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 81

ROSTER OF COUNTY OFFICIALS.

PROBATE JUDGES.

By the constitution of 1851 the office of probate judge was created. Under the old constitution the duties now devolving upon that official were performed by the court of Common Pleas.

George Snyder, Dem .......1852-1861

George Gray, Dem ...........1861-1867

George H. Busby, Dem ....1867-1869

John R. Garberson, Rep ....1869-1872

Robert Hopkins, Dem .......1872-1878

John N. Matthews, Dem ...1878-1884

John H. Criswell. Dem .....1884-1890

Frank J. Shultz, Dem ........1890-1896

Martin J. Burke, Dem .......1896-1902

George H. Foster, Dem .....1902-

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.

Milo D. Pettibone ..............1824-1825

Thomas Backus .................1825-1826

Charles L. Boalt ................1826-1827

Joseph R. Swan..................1827-1830

Ozias Bowen, Whig,..........1830-1833

James H. Godman, Whig...1833-1835

Ozias Bowen, Whig...........1835-1837

Almeron Wheat, Whig,......1837-1839

Samuel Kelly, Dem............1830-1841

George Rowe, Dem............1841-1843

William Robbins, Dem......1843-1845

James H. Godman, Whig...1845-1847

William Robbins, Dem......1847-1849

John Bartram, Dem............1849-1851

Samuel H. Bartram, Dem...1851-1853

John F. Hume, Dem...........1853-1855

James H. Anderson, Whig.1855-1857

Addison Osborne, Dem.....1857-1861

Ozias Bowen, Rep.............1861-1863

Noah M. Runyan, Dem......1863-1867

H. T. VanFleet, Dem..........1867-1869

Caleb H. Norris, Dem.........1869-1877

Boston G. Young, Dem......1877-1881

Stephen A. Court, Dem......1881-1887

D. R. Crissinger, Dem........1897-1893

Grant E. Mouser, Dem.......1893-1896

Rolla C. Perry, Dem...........1896-1897

Fred E. Guthery, Dem........1897-1904

John H. Clark, Rep.............1904-

CLERKS OF THE COURTS.

George H. Busby, Dem.............1824-1844

William L. Kendrick, Dem. ......1844-1851

John R. Knapp, Jr., Dem............1851-1855

John R. Garberson, Whig...........1855-1860

Philip Dombaugh, Dem.............1860-1875

Amaziah H. Hord, Dem ............1875-1881

John H. Thomas, Dem ...............1881-1887

Harry R. Young, Dem................ 1887-1893

Michael Waddel, Dem ................1893-1899

William F. Johnston, Dem ..........1899-1905

William W. Klinefelter, Rep .......1905-

82 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY

RECORDERS.

Until 1837 the recorder of the county was appointed by the Common Pleas Court. In 1837 Peter Beerbower was elected recorder, being the first recorder elected by the voters of the county.

George H. Busby, Dem. ................1824-1837

Peter Beerbower, Dem, ................ 1837-1840

Robert King, Whig ....................... 1840-1843

Henry Hain, Dem ..........................1843-1852

James H. Barker, Dem. ................ 1852-1858

Nelson C. Mitchell, Rep .............. 1858-1861

H. M. Ault, Rep ............................1861-1864

George B. Merchant, Dem .......... 1864-1867

Benjamin F. Stahl, De m ...............1867-1873

Dallas Day, Dem ...........................1873-1879

Solomon H. Rupp, Dem. ...............1879-1885

Charles Harraman, Dern ................1885-1891

W. E. Weston, Dem ...................... 1891-1897

A. W. Bryant, Dem ....................... 1897-1903

John A. Key, Dem ......................... 1903

TREASURERS.

Reuben Smith, .......................1824-1825

Adam Uncapher, Dem .......... 1825-1829

David Jenkins, Whig ............ 1829-1833

Richard Wilson, Dem ........... 1833-1851

Alexander Sharp, Dem ......... 1851-1855

A. D. Matthews, Dem ........... 1855-1859

John King, Dem .................... 1859-1861

A. D. Woolley, Rep .............. 1861-1863

Isaac Young, Dem ................ 1863-1867

George Diegle, Dem.............. 1867-1871

A. D. Matthews, Dem ........... 1871-1875

Peter Beerbower, Dem........ . 1875-1879

Julias Strelitz, Dem .............. 1879-1883

Thomas Dixon, Dem ........... 1883-1887

George W. Cook, Dem ........ 1887-1891

Charles W. Leffler, Dem ..... 1891-1895

Jacob F. Moore, Rep ........... 1895-1897

Jacob J. Schoenlaub, Dem.... 1897-1901

P. F. Foreman, Dem............ 1901-1905

William C. Wottring, Dem....1905

SHERIFFS.

Benjamin Hillman, Dem ..................1824-1826

Elisha H. Crosby ..............................1826-1827

Daniel D. Tompkins .........................1827-1831

William H. Holmes, Whig ...............1831-1833

Cyrus B. Mann, Dem .......................1833-1837

Joseph Durfee, Whig ........................1837-1841

David Epler, Dem...........................1841-1845

John Shunk. Whig..........................1845-1847

David Epler, Dem ..........................1847-1851

Simeon C. Starr, Dem.....................1851-1855

John Reed, Whig ............................1855-1857

William B. Lewis, Rep....................1857-1859

David Epler, Dem ...........................1859-1861

William F. Harvey, Rep.* ...............------ -----

William B. Lewis, Rep ....................1863-1865

Samuel H. Berry, Dem ....................1865-1867

Henry H. Cunningham, Dem ..........1867-1871

John H. Weaver, Dem .....................1871-1875

Silas A. Guthery, Dem.....................1875-1879

J. V. Harrison, Dem......................... 1879-1883

Frank C. Beckley, Dem .................. 1883-1887

Patrick Kelly, Dem...........................1887-1891

S. B. Rice, Dem ...............................1891-1895

J. T. Shaw, Rep ...............................1895-1897

John Battenfield. Dem.................... 1897-1901

Peter C. Sells, Rep ..........................1901-1905

Easton E. Drown, Rep .....................1905

*before he qualified.

AUDITORS.

Hezekiah Gorton, Whig ............... 1824-1832

John E. Davids, Dem ................... 1832-1836

James H. Godman, Whig.............. 1830-1838

W. W. Concklin, Whig ................ 1838-1842

Peter Beerbower, Dem...................1842-1848

Lawrence Van Buskirk,Dem .........1848-1850

Ebenezer Peters, Whig ................. 1850-1852

Henry Hain, Dem ......................... 1852-1854

S. A. Griswold, Whig ....................1854-1858

L. F. Raichley, Rep .......................1858-1860

William Cricket, Dem ...................1860-1866

Richard Wilson, Dem ................... 1866-1871

Samuel E. Hain, Dem ....................1871-1875

J. L. Bell, Dem ...............................1875-1880

Charles Hahn, Dem ....................... 1880-1883

Benjamin F. Waples, Dem .............1883-1886

William L. Clark, Dem ..................1886-1892

Upton K. Guthery, Dem ................ 1892-1898

Lorin M. Hipsher, Dem ................. 1898-1904

Charles L. Allen, Rep...................1904

SURVEYORS.

Samuel Holmes ................1824-1834

William Dowling ..............1834-1837

Samuel Holmes .................1837-1841

William Uleyate, Whig .....1841-1843

PAGE 83 - BLANK

PAGE 84 - PICTURES OF OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OLD ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, OLD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, FREE BAPTIST CHURCH LARUE, ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, AND LUTHERAN CHURCH WALDO.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 85

William Brown, Whig................... 1843-1846

Isaac S. Young, Dem..................... 1846-1848

Elijah Dix, Dem .............................1848-1851

John Cunningham, Whig. ..............1851-1853

Hugh W. Ross, Dem ..................... 1853-1859

Emanuel Trumbo, Dem..................1859-1865

George Beckley, Dem................... 1865-1868

Emanuel Trumbo, Dem.. ...............1868-1870

Elijah Dix, Dem ............................1870-1873

George B. Christian, Dem............. 1873-1876

George Beckley, Dem ...................1876-1878

Isaac S. Young, Dem......................1878-1881

Samuel Bell Dem............................1881-1887

James W. Scott, Dem..................... 1887-1893

H. J. Hill, Dem .............................. 1893-1898

Hiram Noyes, Dem........................ 1898-1904

Edward S. Ault, Rep.......................1904-

CORONERS.

Charles Stuart ...........................1824

Alson Norton ............................1824-1826

D. D. Tompkins ........................1826-1827

Amos S. Capron .......................1827-1828

Henry Peters .............................1828-1830

David Epler, Dem.....................1830-1831

John Bending ...........................1831-1833

Noah Kimple ...........................1833-1835

Benjamin Kime .......................1835-1837

James Jones, Dem ...................1837-1841

Olney R. Stone, Whig..............1841-1843

Strother Hord, Dem ................1843-1845

George A. Uncapher, Dem......1845-1947

Henry Parcell, Dem ................1847-1851

James Chard, Dem ..................1851-1855

J. S. Goshorn ...........................1855-1858

William B. Davis. Rep ............1858-1859

Benjamin Little, Rep ...............1859-1861

E. K. Corbin, Dem ..................1861-1863

B. F. Allen, Dem .....................1863-1867

Daniel Bader, Dem ..................1867-1869

Michael Jacoby, Jr., Dem.........1869-1871

A. H. Freeman, Dem ...............1871-1873

John Jones, Dem .....................1873-1875

C. P. Gailey, Dem ...................1875-1878

John M. Christian, Dem .........1878-1882

A. B. McMurray, Dem ...........1882-1886

S. H. Britton, Dem .................1886-1888

James A. McMurray, Dem .... 1888-1892

J. S. Maddox, Dem .................1892-1896

Auguste Rhu, Dem .................1896-1900

Robert Ramroth, Dem ............1900-1904

E. L. Brady, Rep .....................1904-

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

The Board of County Commissioners has always consisted of three members, each elected for a term of three years, one of whom retires each year. The following shows the commissioner elected each year. In order to ascertain the personnel of the board for any one year, the member elected in any given year together with the members elected during the two previous years generally will be found to constitute the board of the succeeding year.

1824 (May)-Enoch B. Merriman. Amos C. Wilson and Matthew Merritt.

The commissioners elected in October, 1824, cast lots to determine their time of service, resulting in John Page for three years; Amos Wilson for two years; and Enoch B. Merriman, for one year.

1824 (Oct.)-Enoch B. Merriman, Amos C. Willson and John Page.

1825-Talman Rausse.

1826-James Jenkins.

1827-John Page.

1828-Henry Ustick.

1829-John C. Bates.

1830-John Page.

1831-Titus King.

1832-Daniel Swigart, J,

1833-Amos C. Williams (long term), and T. H. Miller (two years).

1834-Isaac Brazier.

1835-Thomas H. Miller.

1836-Charles Merriman and D. B. Young.

1837-John Shunk and George Beckley.

1838-Nathan Peters.

1839-David Miller.

1840--William Shunk.

1841-Nathan Peters..

1842-Hugh V. Smith.

1843-Richard House.

1844-John Uncapher.

1845-Hugh V. Smith.

1846-William Hanna.

1847-John Uncapher.

1848-Hiram Knowles and Lewis Topliff

1849--Thomas Parr.

1850-Samuel L. Johnson.

1851-Martin Barnhart

86 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY

1852-Smith Frame.

1853-John Naylor.

1854-Martin Barnhart.

1855-Newton Messenger.

1856-William E. Clark.

1857-Jacob J. Idleman.

1858-Noah Gillespie.

1859-Thomas Harvey.

1860-John Rosencrans.

1861-Jacob F. Martin.

1862-William R. Morris.

1863-John Rosencrans.

1864-William E. Clark.

1865-Samuel Waddel.

1866-Isaac F. Guthery.

1867-Robert Hill

1868-Joseph Court.

1869-Isaac F. Guthery.

1870-Robert Hill and Jacob A. Schaaf.

1871-Joseph Court and John Barnhart.

1872-James M. Harvey.

1873-Samuel C. Dodd.

1874-Jacob A. Schaaf.

1875-James M. Harvey.

1876-Hiram Knowles.

1877-Jacob A. Schaaf.

1878-John J. Hane.

1879-Samuel Mehaffey.

1880-C. H. Cromer.

1881-George Retterer.

1882-Samuel Mehaffey.

1883-Wilson Imbody.

1884-Samuel C. Dodds.

1885-Philip Loyer.

1886--lsaac A. Merchant.

1887-William L. Raub.

1888-Philip Loyer.

1889-Martin V. Uncapher.

1890-William L. Raub.

1891-Samuel Croft.

1892-Martin V. Uncapher.

1893-E. A. Finefrock.

1894-Samuel Croft.

1895-Milton Morral.

1896-E. A. Finefrock.

1897-David M. Hinamon.

1898-Milton Morral.

1899-Robert Harvey.

1900-David M. Hinamon.

1901-Frank M, Epley.

1902-Israel Irey.

1903-Joseph D. Gillespie.

1904-Daniel Seiter.

1905-William H. Holverstott.

1906-Joseph D. Gillespie.

INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.

Until 1856 three directors of the poor house were appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. In 1856 the office became elective. The following shows the directors elected each year. In order to ascertain the personnel of the board for any one year, the member elected in any given year together with members elected during the two previous years generally will be found to constitute the board of the succeeding year.

1856-William Conkright, Abel Martin, Abraham Cox.

1857-George A. Uncapher.

1858-Jacob R. Neff.

1859--Henry Hain.

1860-Joseph Court.

1861-Silas Idleman

1862-Henry Hain.

1863-Joseph Court.

1864-Smith Frame.

1865-A. P. Johnson.

1866-John B. Andrew.

1867-Michael A. Metz.

1868-James L. Bell.

1869-John B. Andrews.

1870-David Kerr.

1871-Hartman Dichout, George Retterer (to fill vacancy).

1872-Jonathan Bell.

1873-George Retterer.

1874-Hartman Dichout.

1875-Jonathan Bell.

1876-George Retterer.

1877-John O'Regan.

1878-Joseph Mason.

1879-J P. Uncapher.

1880-John O'Regan.

1891-Joseph Mason.

1882-J. P. Uncapher.

1883-Sylvester Likens.

1884-Zaccheus W. Hipsher.

1885-Jacob D. Lust.

1886-Horace W.- Riley.

1887-Zaccheus W. Hipsher.

1888-Jacob D. Lust.

1889-Horace W. Riley.

1890-Zaccheus W. Hipsher.

1891-Christian Haberman.

1892-Frank Swisher.

1893-Daniel Augenstein.

1894-Christian Haberman.

1895-Frank Swisher.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 87

1896-Elias Firstenberger.

1897-J. A. Sutton.

1898-J. A. Baer.

1899--Elias Firstenberger.

1900-William Thibaut.

1901-J. W. Klinefelter.

1902-J. W. Smith.

1903-William Thibaut.

1904-J. W. Klinefelter.

1905-J. W. Smith.

1906--Harrison H. Irey.

PRESENT COUNTY OFFICIALS.

Probate Judge - George H. Foster.

Treasurer-William C. Wottring.

Clerk of the Courts-William W. Klinefelter

Auditor-Charles L. Allen.

Recorder-John A. Key.

Sheriff-Easton E. Drown.

Prosecuting Attorney-John H. Clark.

Surveyor-Edward S. Ault.

Coroner-E. L. Brady.

Board of County Commissioners-Joseph D. Gillespie, Daniel Seiter and William H. Holverstott. Board of Infirmary Directors-J. - W. Klinefelter, J. W. Smith and Harrison H. Irey.

POPULAR OFFICIALS.

Marion County has had some very popular officials, if the number of offices filled by them is any criterion of their popularity. There was George H. Busby, who was clerk of the courts from 1824 to 1844; during a part of the same period, from 1824 to 1837, he also filled the office of recorder. In 1851 be was elected to Congress and served one term, and in 1867 was elected probate judge, serving one term. James H. Godman served as prosecuting attorney from 1833 to 1835; State Representative in 1835 to 1836; auditor from 1836 to 1838; State Representative in 1839 and 1840; State Senator from 1840 to 1842; and prosecuting attorney from 1845 to 1847. Mr. Godman was elected Auditor of the State of Ohio, and served from 1864 to 1872. Richard Wilson served the county as treasurer from 1833 to 1851, being elected for nine consecutive terms to that office. He was Representative in the State Legislature from this county from 1858 to 186o; and again from 1866 to 1871. Ozias Bowen, who sat on the bench of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, in 1857 and 1858 was thrice elected prosecuting attorney of the county. He first served as prosecuting attorney from 1830 to 1833; then from, 1835 to 1837; and again, almost 25 years later, from 1861 to 1863.

FIRST COUNTY OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES.

The first county auditor of Marion County, Hezekiah Gorton, served the county in that capacity from 1824 to 1832. He was born in Montgomery County, New York, December 2, 1793; removed to Franklinton, across the river from Columbus, Ohio, in 1818; came to Big Island township, this county, in 1821, and after his election as auditor, in 1824, removed to Marion. In 1836 he was elected on the Whig ticket to the State Senate. His last years were spent in Colorado, with his daughter, Mrs. J. J. Boyd, where he died, June 2, 1882, in his 89th year.

The first meeting of the Board of County Commissioners was held June 7, 1824, with Matthew Merritt, Amos Wilson and Enoch B. Merriman, commissioners, and Hezekiah Gorton, auditor, present. At the session a county road was established, and Grand township was set off and named as a new township. At the conclusion of the meeting, "Commissioners adjourned till tomorrow morning sunrise."

On the following day more roads were established, a jail was ordered built, Washington, Pleasant and Richland townships were set off and named, and additional territory was attached to Green Camp and Marion townships. The principal duty of the commissioners at that early (lay seemed to be to lay out roads, as in later years it came to be the granting of ditches.

The commissioners elected at the regular election on October 12, 1824, were John Page, Amos Wilson and Enoch B. Merriman. They met on Monday, December 6, 1824, and ap-

88 - HISTORY OF MARION COUNTY

pointed Benjamin Davis, keeper of county weights and measures, a position of doubtful utility. The following day they cast lots to determine the length of term for each commissioner, resulting in giving Page three years, Wilson two years, and Merriman one year. Very early the salary of the county clerk was fixed by the Board of County Commissioners at $35 per year; prosecuting attorney, at $40 per year; and sheriff, at $35 per year.

On June 10. 1824, Reuben Smith was appointed treasurer of Marion County by the Board of County Commissioners, this. being one of the first acts of the board after its organization. He was allowed as fees three per cent. for collecting taxes. The levy was placed at the limit, which was "on all horses, mares, mules, and asses, three years old upwards, thirty cents per year; on all neat cattle, three years old and upwards, ten cents; and on all other property, a sum not exceeding one-half of one per cent. on the appraised value thereof." The county was on the same date divided into four collection districts as follows: No. 1 - Green Camp, Pleasant, Richland and Morven townships, Henry Peters, collector; No. 2 - Scott, Washington, Claridon and Canaan townships, James Lambert, collector; No. 3 - Big Island, Salt Rock, Center (now Marion and Grand Prairie townships), Benjamin Hillman, collector; No. 4 - Bucyrus, Sandusky and Whetstone townships (in Crawford County but attached to Marion County), Charles Merriman, collector. These collectors were to receive eight per cent. for collecting.

Samuel Holmes, first county surveyor, served the county in that capacity from 1824 to 1834, receiving his appointment from the Common Pleas Court. He was defeated at the first election, in 1834, by William Dowling, but three years later was elected for a term of three years.

George H. Busby, the first recorder, was appointed by the associate justices of the Court of Common Pleas and served from 1824 to 1837. The appointive term was for seven years. At the same time he was clerk of the courts. An epitome of his life will be found in the chapter on the Bench and Bar.

The first deed to lands in this county recorded was from Alexander Holmes and Naomi, his wife, to William Caldwell, dated February 19, 1823, for 34 acres on a portion of which the Susquehanna Silk Mills are now located. The consideration paid was $50. The deed was witnessed before Eber Baker. and Benjamin Davis and filed for record June 2, 1824, and recorded he following day by George H. Busby, recorder pro tempore.

Deeds to all lands in Marion County were recorded previous to this date in the recorder's office of Delaware County. In 1835 George H. Busby transcribed and recorded in the deed records of Marion County, these early deeds that had been recorded in Delaware County during the period which this county was attached to Delaware County for judicial purposes.

FIRST ELECTIONS.

The act organizing Marion County went into effect May 1, 1824, and the election for county officers was held two days later, on May 3, 1824. The officers selected at this special election were to serve only until the next regular election. The following is the result of the special and first regular elections held in the county for the election of county, State and Congressional officers.

ELECTION MAY 3, 1824.

Sheriff-George Shippy, 36; Henry Peters, 84; Benjamin Hillman, 262; John Ballentine 22. Hillman's plurality, 178.

County Commissioners-William Wyatt, 26: Alexander Berry, Jr., 69; John Page, 102; David Tipton, 47; Enoch B. Merriman, 247; William Cochran, 122; Eber Baker, 53; Amos C. Wilson, 157; Matthew Merritt, 209. Merriman, Wilson and Merritt, elected.

Auditor-Jacob Keptum, 47; Hezekiah Gorton, 275. William Hoddy, 19. Gorton's Hoddy, 19. Gorton's plurality,228

Coroner-Richard Hopkins, 25; Josiah Robertson, 23; Charles Stuart, 108. Stuart's plurality, 83.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 89

ELECTION OCTOBER 12, 1824.

Governor-The following is the vote by townships:

Congressman-Annis Parrish, 279; William Wilson, go; Parrish's majority, 189.

Senator-David H. Beardsley, 224; James Kooker, 122; Joseph Eaton, 15; Beardsley's plurality, 102.

Representative-Jeremiah Everett, 153; William C. Clerk, 27; George Miller, 146; Everett's plurality, 7.

County Commissioners-Enoch B. Merriman, 297; Amos C. Wilson, 256; Matthew Merritt, 109; John Page, 226; Richard Hopkins, 130. Merriman, Wilson and Page elected.

Sheriff-Benjamin Hillman, 373. No opposition.

Auditor-Hezekiah, Gorton, 334; C. Roth, 33; Gorton's majority, 301

Clerk of the Courts-George H. Busby, 222; William M. Holmes, 146; Gideon Messenger, 15; Busby's plurality, 76.

Coroner-Alson Norton, 374.