CHAPTER IV.

GROWTH OF BELMONT COUNTY.

POPULATION OF BELMONT COUNTY FOR A CENTURY—THE "OLD COURT HOUSE"—THE SECOND JAIL—THE THIRD JAIL—NEW COUNTY PROJECTS—THE COUNTY SEAT WAR—THE NEW COURT HOUSE AND JAIL—LIST OF COUNTY OFFICIALS FOR A CENTURY—REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS—STATE SENATORS— REPRESENTATIVES TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY— SHERIFFS— TREASURERS—CLERKS OF THE COURTS—COUNTY COMMISSIONERS— AUDITORS—PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS—PROBATE JUDGES —RECORDERS— CORONERS—INFIRMARY DIRECTORS—VOTE FOR GOVERNOR.

(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE)

Belmont as at present constituted is divided into three parallel ridges that are separated by Wheeling, Mechen's and Captina creeks, that empty into the Ohio at Bridgeport, Bellaire and Powhatan respectively.

On the west side of the county, Stillwater Creek flows north and empties into the Tuscarawas River. The present area of the county is 461 square miles, with a population of 60,875 at the last census. The marvelous growth of the county in the century just closed is evidenced in the following census table, which reveals the increase in population by decades:

POPULATION OF BELMONT COUNTY FOR A CENTURY.

The growth by townships can only be computed from 1840, the decade in which the last township was. formed, and is as follows :

A study of this table reveals the fact that the great increase has been in the manufacturing townships of Pultney and Pease along our river front, and this gain is the result of the industrial development in Bellaire, Bridgeport and Martin's Ferry. At present many new mining and manufacturing industries are in process of organization and the next decade will witness largely increased numbers in wealth and population.

The vital statistics for 1901 show 1,126

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births, and 535 deaths in the county : viz., 588 males and 538 females; deaths, 313 males and 222 females.

THE "OLD COURT HOUSE."

The rapid growth of the county in wealth and population necessitated an enlarged and more substantial Court House and jail. Wherefore, in February, 1813, the commissioners called for bids for the construction of a building in design similar to the court houses previously constructed at Steubenville and Cadiz. Namely, a square, two-story brick building with a cupola and high spires in the center of the roof facing north, south, east and west. The contract was given to William Brown for $56,040, the work to be completed by April 1, 1815. At the same time, Sterling Johnson obtained the contract for grading the ground for the sum of $270.

The work was rapidly pushed to completion, and before the specified time the contractors turned the new Court House over to the commissioners, namely,—Peter Tallman, Alexander Boggs and Joseph Morrison. Not, however, until a committee of inspection from Steubenville reported the building as complete in all respects. After a lapse of five years, it was necessary to add three county offices to the Court House, and a contract was awarded Stacy Boven to build two substantial offices east of the Court House and in addition thereto, and one upon the west side of the building at a cost of $10,050. And upon the recommendation of Charles Collins and Robert Thompson, mechanics, the commissioners, Messrs. Tallman, Boggs and Morrison, accepted these buildings when completed. This new building was regarded as a palace in its day, and served the county as its temple of justice for upward of 70 years: The picture of the "Old Court House," as it was familiarly called, appears in this volume, and will call vividly to the minds of the people of this and of past generations the many interesting and stirring scenes that have occurred within and without its walls. Many great legal battleshave been fought in the old court room whose walls have echoed to the masterly arguments and eloquent appeals of some of the greatest lawyers and jurists, not only of Belmont County, but of the State of Ohio. Such distinguished statesmen as Judge Mcllvane, Judge Taft, Peter Hitchcock and Judge Thurman, have measured legal swords with Belmont County's no less honored and able Charles Hammond, Governor Shannon, Benjamin S. Cowen, Judge Ruggles, William Kennon. Sr., and William Kennon, Jr. On great public and political occasions, the leaders of all political parties, preceding and following the war, have appealed to their followers with warmth and eloquence-from its platform within or from the high stone balcony that surrounded it without. And old citizens yet re-call the enthusiasm aroused by the presence of such eminent leaders as Salmon P. Chase and "Bluff" Ben Wade and Allan G. Thurman.

THE SECOND JAIL.

Six years later it was found necessary to construct a new brick jail to succeed the old log gaol, erected in 1805. The contract was awarded William Brown, March 19, 1819, for $3,040, and Sterling Johnson, who had figured in the construction of all former public buildings, was awarded the contract of grading for $95. The specifications read as follows:

"The building is to be two stories high, with an entry way six feet wide, and to contain two. rooms for dungeons and two jailer's rooms on the first story.

"The second story to be divided as the first, with two rooms for debtors and two for jailers."

The whole was completed within two years according to contract. And the work was promptly done and accepted by the commissioners. In the meantime the county officials occupied such cramped quarters that it was thought necessary for both comfort and public safety to construct a fireproof building for the preservation of public documents. So upon

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April 15, 1836, William Askew was awarded a contract for constructing an absolutely fireproof building, north of the Court House, to be 32 by 46 feet and two stories high, at a cost of $3,300. This building was constructed by Charles H. Bailey, and the building occupied the ground upon which the present jailer's residence stands.

THE THIRD JAIL.

The second jail was soon found wholly inadequate to confine the ever-increasing number of prisoners, and in 1842 it was again found necessary to build the third or stone jail, which was erected by Charles H. Bailey and Charles Collins at a cost of $38,002.

NEW COUNTY PROJECTS.

After the transfer of a portion of Kirkwood, Pultney and York townships to Guernsey County, and the whole of Salem township to Monroe County, as heretofore mentioned, the area of Belmont County was still greater than required by the Constitution. Whereupon in 1818 citizens in the townships of Somerset, Warren, Kirkwood and a part of Flushing township, remote from the county seat, united with citizens residing in the township of Guernsey and Monroe counties to form a new county with Barnesville as the county seat. The citizens of Barnesville were very active in this project and presented the following petition to the Legislature setting forth the arguments favoring the proposed county :

"To the Honorable, the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, the petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of parts of the counties of Belmont, Guernsey and Monroe, respectfully showeth

"That your petitioners are situated at a considerable distance from their respective seats of justice. That they labor under many inconveniences in attending courts as jurors, witnesses, etc. And that it would be a great convenience to them to have a new county created out of the parts of the aforesaid, so as to establish the seat of justice at Barnesville,

"Your petitioners presume not to dictate to Your Honorable Body, but are well convinced that the said counties of Belmont, Guernsey and Monroe contain a sufficiency of territory for four counties, without making either less than the Constitution requires. Your petitioners are well convinced that such a measure would much increase the population, greatly enhance the value of lands, and render general satisfaction to this part of the State. Comprehended in said territory there are 400 square miles, with a very considerable population, and leaving at the same time in each of the afore said counties of Belmont, Guernsey and Monroe a sufficient number of square miles to form a county. Your petitioners are well aware that there is considerable opposition to the erection of the new county by a part of the inhabitants thereof, who reside on that part of the State road and its vicinity which passes through the county hereby petitioned for. But your petitioners, reposing full confidence in Your Honorable Body, have little doubt that in your deliberations on the subject you will be led to think that the benefit arising to this part of the county will more than counterbalance the advantages which our opponents have and do derive from the benefits resulting from the said State road, and we further beg leave to inform Your Honors that we have in the town of Barnesville a considerable woolen factory, merchant mill and sawmill just ready to go into operation, all of which will be operated by steam power, which in some degree, no doubt, claim the fostering care of Your Honorable Body." This measure failed, however. Twenty-nine years later Fairview in Guernsey County instituted another movement for the establishment of a new county, that in addition to the territory from Harrison and Tuscarawas counties would embrace all the townships of Belmont County included in the previous plan. This movement was vigorously opposed by Barnesville and indeed by citizens of Belmont County in general. And through the efforts of Belmont County's representative in the General Assembly, Hon. Miller Pennington, the measure was indefinitely postponed.

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THE COUNTY SEAT WAR.

When the "Old Court House" had served the seat of justice for upwards of half of a century it was seen that a change must soon be made. Many additional rooms had been built as attachments to the Court House building proper, to accommodate the increased number of county officials whose quarters were very cramped and uncomfortable. The court building proper was under constant repair in order to make it habitable, and the whole structure was unworthy a wealthy and populous county like Belmont. But every suggestion to construct a new Court House was met by a demand upon the part of the citizens of Pultney township to have the county seat restored to the site from which it was originally removed in 1804. And this agitation culminated in a county seat war beginning about 1857 and continuing with great bitterness for a period of 25 years.

The contest divided the people of the county socially, commercially and politically. In political conventions, candidates seeking preferment in either of the great political parties for the sake of harmony were chosen from the ranks of those who in the matter of county seat removal had no pronounced views for or against. And these candidates were usually found beyond the limits of Richland and Pultney townships. Those who favored removal for the most part resided in Pultney township or in the townships bordering thereon in the eastern and southeastern portion of the county, while the advocates of maintaining the county seat at St. Clairsville dwelt largely in the rural townships west, south, and northeast of St. Clairsville. The arguments used by those favoring removal were that the completion of the Central Ohio and the Cleveland & Pittsburg railroads had attracted a preponderance of population along the lines of these roads both east and south. and a removal of the county seat to Bellaire would afford easier facilities for the majority of the people of the county to reach the seat of justice. On the other hand, the advocates of the retention of the county seat at St. Clairsville insisted thatthe public buildings were located near the geographical center of the county and therefore were more accessible to all the people, and especially the rural population, as all roads constructed for a half century were built to St. Clairsville and the National Pike that was built through the county from east to west passed through St. Clairsville.

And in order to further emphasize their claim to the county seat, the citizens of St. Clairsville and Richland township under the two-mile law built two macadamized roads, one extending from the county seat to Warnock's station on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at a cost upwards of $62,500, and the other known as the Cadiz Pike. extending north to the county line. These were for the accommodation of the citizens living in the north, south, and southwest portions of the county, in reaching the county seat.

A corporation of the citizens of St. Clairsville, with a view of making the county seat more accessible, built a narrow gauge railroad from St. Clairsville to St. Clairsville Junction on the Baltimore & Ohio, at a cost of $35,000. This road was so badly damaged by floods that it became inoperative, but was rebuilt at great cost and converted to a broad guage road that was subsequently turned over to the B. &. O. Railroad, under whose management it has been in successful operation for many years. At a later period, a Cleveland & Lorain Railroad was in course of construction: a corporation of St. Clairsville, with a view of affording citizens of Bridgeport, Martin's Ferry and Bellaire speedy communication with St. Clairsville, constructed a railroad from the county seat to a point on the Cleveland. Lorain & Wheeling road, near Barton, at a cost of nearly $30,000. Notwithstanding all these improvements, the fight continued without abatement and the agitation was especially bitter through the "seventies." Every winter the advocates of removal would send petitions to the Legislature praying for the removal of the seat of justice. And every winter the opponents of the measure would send up lengthy remonstrances.

Delegations composed of the leading citizens

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of Bellaire and St. Clairsville spent most of the winter in Columbus lobbying for and against the bills for removal. In one or two instances legislative committees came down and looked over the ground and returning to the General Assembly reported against the bill for removal. In 1881 Bellaire determined to bring the matter directly to a vote of the people by making it an issue in the campaign, and a removal ticket was placed in nomination. But the regular ticket was elected. In 1883 St. Clairsville, through Representative Locke of Medina County, introduced a bill providing for a new Court House at St. Clairsville, and a hard and bitter fight was made for its passage, but it also failed.

Finally in 1883 Hon. Samuel Hilles was nominated for the House of Representatives upon the Republican ticket, pledged that the county seat matter should not be agitated during his term of office. The Democratic convention that was held soon thereafter refused to bind its candidate by any such pledge. Mr. Hilles was elected. But when the Legislature met, a strong delegation of leading Democrats from the county seat reopened the question without the knowledge of Representative Hilles.

Senator Williams of Cleveland introduced a bill providing for the construction of a new and modern Court House at the county seat, and the Legislature, weary of the endless agitation and unprofitable discussion that occupied so much of its time every winter, determined to bring the question to an end, and the bill was carried under the suspension of the rules by an overwhelming majority. Thus this long protracted contest was brought to an end. Some bitter animosities were engendered by this continued strife which the fingers of time have long since removed.

THE NEW COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.

When the bill for the construction of the new Court House was enacted into a law, the county commissioners, whose duty it was to carry out its provisions, were Messrs. Owen Mehan, Nathaniel Taylor and Morris Cope.

Plans and bids were advertised for, and many were received, but after careful consideration the commissioners adopted the plans submitted by Architect J. W. Yost of Columbus. Mr. McClain of Bellaire was awarded the contract for the stone work; John B. Fisher of Columbus, for painting and glazing; Simon Cain of Cleveland, for brick work; Doarzbach & Decker, for plastering; and Lane Brothers of Newark, for iron work; the total aggregating $97,000. These bids before being accepted were submitted to a committee consisting of Probate Judge Thomas Cochran, Sheriff Leroy Sedgwick, Clerk of the Courts W. B. Cash and William Alexander, Esq., and were by them approved. In order to obtain a suitable site upon which to erect such a pretentious structure, the street known as Market street, and extending north beyond the town limits, was vacated, and the property known as the Frasier House, one of the old National Road hostelries, was purchased. When everything was in readiness, the work began under the superintendence of Thomas E. Clark, a skilled architect and builder, who maintained an over-sight over all the building until the work of construction was completed. As the work progressed. many changes in the original plan were found necessary. In the main building it was determined to use stone rather than brick, and in order to secure a solid foundation for such an enormous building an additional expense of $20,000 was incurred. To meet the additional expenses incurred in the completion of all the buildings, special legislation was obtained from time to time.

The picture of the new Court House presented in this chapter exhibits a public building which for beauty and architectural design is perhaps not surpassed by any building of a like character in the State. Erected upon the highest summit of this beautiful hill country, its great steeple cleaves the sky, serving the traveler as a guiding tower by day and a beacon light by night. From the upper windows of this stately structure the eyes sweep the horizon revealing a pastoral scene of surpassing beauty. Hilltop and valley are clothed in liv-

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ing green, with clumps of forest here and there belted by green meadows and fields of golden grain, while every roadway is bordered by homes of comfort and content.

Adjoining the Court House, with a broad stone promenade intervening, was built the sheriff's residence and jail. The former, an attractive modern residence, and the latter, a strong, substantial structure of stone and iron, provided with all the improvements in prison equipment. The cost of these imposing public buildings is best told by the commissioners' report in their summary of all expenditures which we publish herewith :

We have deducted amounts received from sale of public property and premiums on bonds, viz., $7,448.00 from the amount paid for new site, viz., $11,400, which leaves the above net amount as cost of site to county.

The cost of sheriff's residence, as stated above, includes a considerable amount which properly belongs to cost of jail, but cannot be separated, as it was contracted for with the residence.

MORRIS COPE,

W. C. BERRY,

J. C. ISRAEL,

Commissioners of Belmont County.

LIST OF COUNTY OFFICIALS FOR A CENTURY.

Before concluding the chapter upon the growth of Belmont County, it might be proper to give a list of the men who filled the various positions of public trust since the formation of our county, and among this long list of able and honored men will be found the names of some of Ohio's most distinguished statesmen.

The officials of Belmont County in 1902 are :

Common Pleas Judge—J. W. Hollingsworth. Probate Judge—William F. Smith.

Clerk of Courts—Louis L. Scheele.

Sheriff—S. S. Foreman.

Auditor—Madison Aldredge.

Treasurer—W. O. Burgundthal.

Prosecuting Attorney—H. S. Armstrong. Recorder—J. K. McFarland.

Stenographer—A. L. Bumgarner.

Surveyor—John A. Bond.

Coroner—Dr. C. C. Cole.

Commissioners—George M. Wise, President ; John W. Wilkinson, T. B. Smith.

Infirmary Directors—Otto Rottmeier, President; J. A. Brown, Auditor ; J. H. Heed.

Superintendent Infirmary—Orlando Cope, East Richland.

Superintendent Children's Home—T. W. Branson. Barnesville.

School Examiners—James Duncan. Bridgeport ; E. F. Barnes, Bethesda : J. O. Porterfield, Demos.

It is but proper to add that since July 1, 1902, the auditor-elect, A. W. Beatty, the treasurer-elect, John D. Haves, and the clerk of courts, Louis L. Scheehle, have been inducted into office.

REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS.

The following have been Representatives in Congress from the district in which Belmont County was situated from the time of its organization as a county : Jeremiah Morrow, of Warren County, 1803-1813; James Caldwell, Belmont County, 1813-1817; Samuel Herrick, Muskingum County, 1817-21 ; John Chright and David Chambers, Muskingum County, 1821-23; John Patterson, Belmont County, 1823-25; David Jennings and Thomas Sherman, Belmont County, 1825-27; John Davenport, Belmont County, 1827-29 ; Judge William Kennon, Belmont County, 1829-33 ; Judge M. Ball. Guernsey County, 1833-35; Judge Will-

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iam Kennon, Belmont County, 1835-37; James Alexander, Jr., Belmont County, 1837-39; Isaac Parrish. Guernsey County, 1838-41; Benjamin S. Cowen, Belmont County, 1841-43; Joseph Morris, Monroe County, 1843-47; William Kennon, Jr., Belmont County, 1847-49; W. F. Hunter, Monroe County, 1849-53; William Shannon, Belmont County, 1853-55; Charles J. Albright, Guernsey County, 1855-57; William T. Lawrence, Guernsey County, 1857-59; Thomas C. Theaker, Belmont County, 1859-61 ; James R. Morris, Monroe County, 1861-63 ; J. W. White, Guernsey County, 1863-65 ; John A. Bingham, Harrison County, 1865-73 ; Lorenzo Danford, Belmont County, 1873-79; J. T. Updegraff, Jefferson County, 1879-84; Joseph D. Taylor, Guernsey County, 1884-91; Lorenzo Danford, Belmont County, 1891-97; J. J. Gill, present incumbent.

STATE SENATORS.

Under the Constitution of 1802, Senators and Representatives were elected every year, and under the Constitution of 1851 once in two years.

The Senators in 1803 were William Vance and Thomas Kirker; 1804, William Vance; 1805-06, Joseph Sharp; 1807-08, Joseph Dillon; 1808-11, James Caldwell ; 1813-14, Charles Hammond; 1815-18, James Caldwell; 1819-24, David Jennings ; 1825-26, John Davenport ; 1827-28, William Hubbard ; 1829-30, Thomas Shannon; 1831-32, William Dunn; 1833-34, James Alexander, Jr.; 1835-36, George Sharp ; 1837-40, Thomas Shannon ; 1841, Chauncey Dewey; 1842-44, Robert H. Miller; 1845-46, Benjamin McCall; 1847-48, Edward Archibald; 1849-52, William P. Simpson; 1854, David Allen; 1856, Charles War-field; 1858, Isaac Holloway; 1860, Marshall McCall ; 1862, Isaac Welsh ; 1864, John C. Jamison; 1866, Henry West; 1868-70, James B. Jamison; 1872-74, Samuel Knox; 1876-78, David Wagoner; 1880-82, D. A. Hollings-worth; 1884-86, Solomon Hogue; 1888, George W. Glover; 1890, J. W. Nichols; 1894, Senator Burke of Columbiana; 1898, F. B. Archer, present incumbent.

REPRESENTATIVES TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The Representatives elected to the General Assembly from Belmont County were: 1803, Joseph Sharp and Elijah Woods to the General Assembly, at Chillicothe, March 1, 1803, and Josiah Dillon and James Smith to the one convened in December, 1803; 1804, Thomas Wilson and John Stewart; 1805, John Stewart and James Smith ; 1806, Josiah Dillon and John Stewart; 1807, William Vance and John Patterson ; 1808, Joseph Sharp, Edward Bryson and Isaac Vore; 1809, Joseph Sharp, Isaac Vore and Josiah Dillon; 1810, Elijah Woods, Joseph Moorehead and William Smith; 1811, James Smith, Thomas Mitchell and Joseph Sharp; 1812, Josiah Dillon, Jacob Myers and Peter Yarnell; 1813, Moses Moorehead, Ambrose Danford and William Sinclair; 1814, Joseph Sharp, Edward Bryson and Thomas Majors; 1815, David Wallace, James Smith and Thomas Majors; 1816, Charles Hammond, Thomas Townsend and Edward Bryson; 1817, Charles Hammond, George Paull and William Dunn; 1818, Charles Hammond, George Paull and William Dunn; 1819, William Dunn, Thomas Shannon and John Smith ; 1820, William Dunn, Thomas Shannon and Charles Hammond; 1821-22, William Dunn, Thomas Shannon and Alexander Armstrong; 1823, William Perrine, Isaac Atkinson and John Scatterday; 1824, John Davenport , Thomas Shannon; 1825-26, William Perrine, William Dunn and Eli Nichols; 1827-28, James Wier, Crawford Welsh and William Dunn; 1829, Crawford Welsh, James Weir and Andrew Patterson ; 1830, John Davenport and James Alexander; 1831-32, John Patton, William Workman and William B. Hubbard; 1833-34, Joseph A. Ramage, John Thompson and Solomon Bentley; 1835-36, Solomon Bentley, William Chambers and James Weir; 1837, Ephraim Gaston and Isaac H. Green; 1838-39, Henry West and Thomas A. Way; 1840, Crawford Welsh and John Koontz; 1841, William Workman and Samuel Dunn; 1842, Thomas Pilcher ; 1843, Samuel Dunn and William R. Carle; 1844-45, Benjamin S.

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Cowen and Peter Tallman; 1846, John C. Kerr and William Hogue; 1847, Miller Pennington; 1848, Samuel Bigger ; 1849, John A. Wayer and Hugh McNeely; 1850. A. C. Ramage and James J. Grimes; 1851, A. C. Ramage and Price Cornwell; 1853, E. V. Cleaver and Samuel Findlay; 1855, James A. Turner and Robert Hamilton; 1857-59, Isaac Welsh; 1861, Wilson S. Kennon : 1863, Robert E. Chambers ; 1865-67, Coulson Davenport and John Patterson ; 1869. John NV. Kennon and Thomas M. Nichol; 1871, John A. Wayer ; 1873, Thomas H. Armstrong; 1875, E. V. Cleaver and William Bundy; 1877, Ross J. Alexander and Harvey Danford; 1879. David Wagner; 1883, Samuel Hilles; 1885, Samuel Hilles and C. L. Poorman ; 1887, C. L. Poorman and A. T. McKelvey: 1889. A. T. McKelvey; 1891, C. J. Heinlein; 1895, C. J. Howard and E. B. Armstrong; 1897. E. B. Armstrong; 1899, P. B. Worthington. present incumbent.

SHERIFFS.

1801-03, Jacob Coleman (appointed) ; 1803-09, Josiah Hedges; 1809-12, James Hedges; 1812-13, Anthony Weir; 1813-19, David Moore ; 1819-24, William Perrine; 1824-26, Solomon Bentley, Sr.; 1826-30, Ezer Ellis; 1830-32, Solomon Bentley, Sr.; 1832-36, William H. Johnson; 1836-38, John Lippincott; 1838-44 William P. Simpson; 1844-48, Hugh McNeely ;1848-50. James McConnaughy ; 1850-56, J. C. Nichols; 1856-60, John S. Anderson ; 1860-64, Patrick Lochary ; 1864-66, George H. Umstead ; 1866-68, Samuel B. Piper ; 1868-70, William H. Hayes; 1870-76, William C. Cochran ; 1876-78, William G. Kinney ; 1878-82, Samuel Hilles; 1882-86, Leroy C. Sedgwick; 1886-90, E. O. Foulke; 1890-94, M. M. Scott; 1894-98, W. N. Darby; 1898-02, S. S. Foreman, present incumbent.

Since writing the above, A. M. Majors, of Union township, has been 'elected sheriff for the ensuing term.

TREASURERS.

1801-04, Daniel McElherren (appointed) ;1804-07, Andrew Marshall (appointed) ; 1807-12, Josiah Hedges (appointed) ; 1812-14, Jeremiah Fairhurst (appointed) ; 1814-25, Solomon Bentley; 1825-27, James Kelsey ; 1827-33, John McElroy; 1833-39, Jacob Neiswanger; 1839-43. John Eaton, Jr.: 1843-45, J. M. Mitchell; 1845-49, Lycurgus Jennings; 1849-53, John Kelley; 1853-57, Thomas John-son ; 1857-59, John Twinan; 1859-61, Isaac Patterson; 1861-63. Amos Glover; 1863-67, Barkley Cooper; 1867-71, James Irwin; 1871-73, Andrew Porterfield; 1873-77, William J. Kelley; 1877-81. Hamilton Eaton; 1881-85, A. L. Feeley ; 1885-89, George Robinson; 1889. Frank Archer; 1893. Howard Kirk: 1897, W. C. Burgundthal ; 1902-, John D. Hayes, present incumbent.

CLERKS OF THE COURTS.

1801-06. Elijah Woods (appointed) ; 1806-10, James Caldwell (appointed) ; 1810-13, Josiah Hedges (appointed) ; 1813-26, Ezer Ellis (appointed) ; 1826-34, Peter Tallman, Sr. (appointed) ; 1834-46, John C. Tallman (appointed) ; 1846-50, R. H. Miller (appointed) ; 1850-51, John Heaton (appointed) ; 1851-52, St.Clair Kelley (appointed) ; 1852-55, John Heaton; 1855-56, William R. Carroll; 1856-57, David S. Adams (appointed) ; 1857-60, S. W. Gaston; 1860-63, David S. Adams; 1863-66. J. F. Charlesworth ; 1866-69, Joseph R. Mitchell; 1869-72, James B. Campbell ; 1872-78, Joseph R. Mitchell ; 1878-84, Alexander C. Darrah ; 1884-90, William B. Cash ; 1890-96, H. M. Davis; 1896-02, Lawson Emerson ; 1902, Louis L. Scheehle, -present incumbent.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

1804, Levan Okey, John McWilliams, Robert Griffin ; 1806, Levan Okey, John McWilliams and Alexander Boggs ; 1808, Levan Okey, John McWilliams and Sterling Johnson; 1810, John McWilliams, Sterling Johnson and Peter Tallman; 1811, John McWilliams, Peter Tallman and Alexander Boggs ; 1818, Peter Tallman, Alexander Boggs and Joseph Morrison; 1821, Joseph Morrison,

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David Neiswanger and John Nichols; 1824, Joseph Morrison, David Neiswanger and John Nichols ; 1829-30, David Smith, Isaac Barton and David Neiswanger ; 1833-36, Thomas Armstrong, Isaac Barton and Thomas Heaney; 1837, Thomas Armstrong, Isaac Barton and Isaac Patton; 1838-39, William Workman, John Cook and Isaac Patton ; 1840, Peter A. Dallas, John Cook and Thomas Pilcher ; 1842, Thomas Pilcher, Peter A. Dallas and Robert B. Green; 1843, John Lisle and William Workman; 1844, John Lisle, Robert B. Green and David Harris; 1845, John Lisle, Robert B. Green and Stephen C. Gregg ; 1846, David Harris, Jacob Coleman and Stephen C. Gregg; same in 1847 and 1848; 1849, David Harris, James Norman and Stephen C. Gregg; 1850, S. C. Vance, James Newman and Stephen C. Gregg; 1851-52, S. C. Vance, James Newman and Ira Lewis; 1853, Thomas Majors, James Newman and Ira Lewis ; 1854, Thomas Majors, Hatcher and Michael Danford; same in 1854 and 1855; 1856, John Majors, John Johnson and Michael Danford; 1858, John Majors, John Johnson and Harrison Massey; 1859, J. T. Scofield, George C. Bethel and Harrison Massey; 1860, J. T. Scofield, James Alexander and William Wilkinson; 1862-65, Jesse Barton, James Alexander and William Wilkinson ; 1865, Dennis Kemp, James Alexander and William Wilkinson; 1866, Dennis Kemp, James Alexander and W. M. Campbell ; 1867, Dennis Kemp, James Alexander and James Campbell ; 1868, H. Frasier, James Alexander and James Campbell; 1869-70, H. Frasier, James Alexander and William Armstrong; 1871, H. Frasier, William Armstrong and James Kinney ; 1872, B. E. Dungan, William Armstrong and James Kinney; 1873, B. E. Dungan, James Alexander and Solomon Hogue; 1874, William Barber, James Alexander and Solomon Hogue; 1875, William Barber, I. J. Potts and Solomon Hogue ; 1876, I. J. Potts, William Barber and A. W. Anderson; 1877-78, H. Frasier, I. J. Potts and A. W. Anderson ; 1879, H. Frasier, I. J. Potts and Owen Mehan; 1880, Owen Mehan, I. J. Potts and William Alexander; 1881-82, Owen Mehan, William Alexander and Morris Cope; 1883-84, Owen Mehan, Nathaniel Taylor and Morris Cope ; 1885, W. J. Berry, Nathaniel Taylor and Morris Cope ; 1886, W. J. Berry, John C. Israel and Morris Cope ; 1887-90, W. J. Berry, John C. Israel. and Miles Hart; 1895, W. S. Mechem, Silas Bailey and George M. Wise; 1899, J. W. Wilkinson, George M. Wise and T. B. Smith,—present incumbents. Since the above was written J. W. Martin was elected for the ensuing term.

AUDITORS.

1823-25, Peter Tallman; 1825-36, William McNeely; 1836-38, G. S. Nagle; 1838-40, William Anderson; 1840-42, T. Hogue; 1842-4.4, William Dunn; 1844-48, William Pancoast; 1848-52, David Allen; 1852-54, David True-man; 1854-56, J. F. Charlesworth; 1856-58, Stephen Gressinger; 1858-62, C. L. Poorman; 1862-66, R. S. Clark; 1866-71, R. M. Clark; 1871-73. John B. Longley; 1873-77, W. E. Stamp; 1877-81, W. N. Coffland; 1881-84, R. R. Barrett; 1885, D. H. Darrah (appointed) ; 1886-89, R. R. Barrett; 1889-92, Joseph Henderson; 1898-1902, Madison Aldredge; 1902, A. W. Beatty, present incumbent.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.

1801-04, Charles Hammond (appointed) ; 1804-08, Jacob Nagle (appointed) ; 1808-15, George Paull (appointed) ; 1815-25, David Jennings (appointed) ; 1825-33, W. B. Hub-bard (appointed) 1833-37, Wilson Shannon; 1837-41, William Kennon; 1841-45, R. J. Alexander ; 1845-49, Carlo C. Carroll ; 1849-51, Joseph A. Ramage; 1851-55, Isaac E. Eaton; 1855-59, D. D. T. Cowen; 1859-61, Lorenzo Danford; 1861-65, John A. Work; 1865-67, Robert H. Cochran; 1867-71, John W. Shannon; 1871-75, Wilson S. Kennon; 1875-1880, Robert M. Eaton ; 1880-85, A. H. Mitchell ; 1885-90, N. W. Kennon ; 1890-96, Jesse W. Hollingsworth; 1896-1900, Capell L. Weems; 1900-02, Hunter S. Armstrong, present incumbent. H. T. Shepherd was recently elected for the ensuing term.

66 - CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

PROBATE JUDGES.

1851-57, David Harris; 1857-63, Robert Claudy ; 1863-66, C. W. Carroll ; 1866-69, A. W. Anderson; 1869-78, C. W. Carroll; 1878-84, Thomas Cochran ; 1884-90, Isaac H. Gas-ton; 1890-96, J. F. Tallman; 1896-1902, W. F. Smith, present incumbent. Judge John S. Cochran was elected November 4, 1902, for the ensuing term.

RECORDERS.

(Served in the order named.)

1804, Sterling Johnson, William Faris, G. S. Nagle, Peter Tallman, William Faris, Robert Giffin, M. J. Ward, George Anderson, S. M. Howey, Felix Martin, John Bickham, John C. Bolon, William Barnes. James Barnes, W. S. Hobbs, John M. Becket, D. S. Creamer, A. S. Taylor, John K. McFarland, present incumbent.

CORONERS.

(Served in the order named.)

1801, John Dungan, Joseph Morrison, William Stephenson, Wilmeth Jones, John S. Nagle, John Scatterday, Robert McMasters, William Kinney, Moses Rhodes. Joseph Moore, Joseph Hargrave, James Smith, H. Ferguson, Oliver Cunningham, James Nichol, Patrick Lochary, George Creswell, E. B. Kennedy, Thomas Garrett, E. B. Kennedy, Thomas Garrett, J. Creswell, Samuel Martin, A. M. F. Boyd, Dr. A. C. Beetham, Dr. M. E. Cole.

INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.

(Served in the order named.)

1842, William Lemon, Alexander Hannah, J. C. Henderson. Henry West, Stephen Pan-coast, Reuben Miller, George Van Law, Stephen Pancoast, A. Lodge, F. R. Phillips, George Van Law, Jacob Gosset, Abner Lodge, Balaam Nichols, Hugh Ferguson, F. R. Phillips, Hugh Ferguson, Agner Lodge, Oliver Taylor, William Caldwell, John Taggart, R. J. Pollock, William Caldwell, Balaam Nichols, Nathaniel Taylor, Jacob Gosset, Wiliam Parkenson, William Ramage, Thomas Lodge, John Alexander, N. Taylor, William Parkenson, Laban Lodge, Nathaniel Taylor, William Parkenson, J. B. Ritchie, Joseph Bailey, Levi W. Jones, J. B. Ritchie, Joseph Bailey, John Sidebottom, William Lodge, B. McConnaughy, J. A. Clark, B. McConnaughy, William Lodge, J. A. Clark, Benjamin Laper, Otto Rottmeir, J. A. Brown, J. H. Heed, and Infirmary Director-elect W. A. Merritt.

VOTE FOR GOVERNOR.

Perhaps nothing will reveal the growth of the county more than the publication of the vote for Governor since 1807:

1807—Return J. Meigs, 705; Nathaniel Massie, 174.

1808—Samuel Huntington, 451; Thomas Worthington, 816; Thomas Kirker, 1.

1810—Return J. Meigs, 448; Return J. Meigs, Jr., 39; Thomas Worthington, 495.

1812—Return J. Meigs, 1,393; Thomas Scott, 73.

1814—Thomas Worthington, 000; Othniel Looker, 00.

1816—Thomas Worthington, 000; James Dunlap, 00; Ethan A. Brown, 00.

1818—Ethan A. Brown, 1,592; James Dunlap, 21.

1820—Ethan A. Brown, 1,842; Jeremiah Morrow, 15.

1822—Jeremiah Morrow, 000; Allen Trimble, 00; W. W. Irwin, 00.

1824—Jeremiah Morrow, 1,268; Allen Trimble, 1,191.

1826—Allen Trimble, 1,937; John Bigger, 113; Alexander Campbell, 395; Benjamin Tappan, 574.

1828—Allen Trimble, 1,975; John W. Campbell, 1,892.

1830—Duncan McArthur (Republican) 1,822; Robert Lucas (Democrat), 1,468.

1832-Robert Lucas (D.), 2,370; Darius Lyman (Whig and Anti-Mason), 2,191.

1834—Robert Lucas (D.), 2,107; James Findlay (W.), 2,230.

1836—Joseph Vance (W.), 2,666; Eli Baldwin (D.), 2,358.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 67

1838—Wilson Shannon (D.), 2,670; Joseph Vance (W.), 2,220.

1840—Thomas Corwin (W.), 3,195; Wilson Shannon (D.), 2,806.

1842—Thomas Corwin (W.), 2,770; Wilson Shannon (D.), 2,865; Leicester King (Abolition), 171.

1844—Mordecai Bartley (W.), 3,081; David Todd (D.), 2,867.

1846—William Bebb (W.), 2,475; David Todd (D.), 1,857; Samuel Lewis (A.), 194.

1848—John B. Weller (D.), 2,797; Seabury Ford (W.), 3,169.

1850—Reuben Wood (D.), 2,456; William Johnston (W.), 2,834; Edward Smith (A.), 69.

1851—Reuben Wood (D.), 2,562; Samuel F. Vinton (W.), 2,747; Samuel Lewis (A.), 196.

1853—William Medill (D.), 1,964; Nelson Barrere (W.), 1,478; Samuel Lewis (A.), 1,288.

1855—William Medill (D.), 1,853; Allen Trimble (Know-Nothing), 1,003; Salmon P. Chase (Rep.), 1,750.

1857—Salmon P. Chase (R.), 1,572; Henry B. Payne (D.), 2,417; Phil. Van Trump (Am.), 950.

1859—William Dennison (R.), 2,280; Rufus P. Ranney (D.), 2,591.

1861—David Todd (R.), 3,025; Hugh J. Jewett (D.) , 3,138.

1863—John Brough (R.), 3,979; Clement L. Vallandigham (D.), 3,257.

1865—Jacob D. Cox (R.), 3,363; George W. Morgan (D.), 3,289.

1867—Rutherford B. Hayes (R.), 3,412; Allen G. Thurman (D.), 3,971.

1869—Rutherford B. Hayes (R.), 3,248; George H. Pendleton (D.), 3,764.

1871—Edward F. Noyes (R.), 3,899; George W. McCook (D.), 3,681; Gideon T. Stewart (Pro.). 38.

1873—Edward F. Noyes (R.), 3,614; William Allen (D.), 3,394; Gideon T. Stew-art (Pro.), 230; Isaac Collins (Lib.), 16.

1875—William Allen (D.), 4,588; Rutherford B. Hayes (R.), 4,514.

1877—William H. West (R.), 4,055; Richard M. Bishop (D.), 4,632; Stephen Johnson, 13 ; Henry A. Thompson, 19.

1879—Charles Foster (R.), 5,253; Thomas Ewing (D.), 5,356; Gideon T. Stewart (Pro.), A. Saunder Pratt, John Hood (G. L.) ; scattering, 87.

1881—Charles Foster (R.), 4,671; John W. Bookwalter (D.), 4,527; A. B. Ludlow (Pro.), 102; John Seitz (G. L.), 68.

1883—Joseph B. Foraker (R.), 5,532; George Hoadly (R.), 5,426; Charles Jenkins (Pro.), 41; E. Schumaker (G. L.), 26.

1885-Joseph B. Foraker (R.), 5,76.5; George Hoadly (D.), 5,131; A. B. Leonard (Pro.), 335; J. W. Winthrop (G. L.), 7.

1887-Joseph B. Foraker (R.), 5,991; Thomas E. Powell (D.), 5,507; Morris Sharp (Pro.), 441 ; John Seitz (G. L.), 15.

1889—Joseph B. Foraker (R.), 5,820; James E. Campbell (D.), 5,601; John P. Helwig (Pro.), 598; John H. Rhodes (G. L.).

1891—William McKinley (R.), 6,294; Joseph E. Campbell (D.), 5,642; Ashenhurst (Pro.), 456; Seitz (Peoples), 24.

1893—McKinley (R.), 6,628; Neill (D.), 5,267; Meeklin (P.), 509; Brockin (Peoples), 69.

1895—Bushnell (R.), 6,496; Campbell (D.), 4,981; Coxey (Pop.), 271; Ellis (Pro.), 493; Wilkins (S.), 12.

1897—Bushnell (R.), 6,520; Chapman (D.), 5,521; Holliday (Pro.), 162; Coxey (P.), 36; Dexter (Natl. Dem.), 27; Richardson (Liberty), 105; Lewis (Negro Prot.), 32; Watkins (Socialist), 27.

1899—Nash (R.), 6,567; McClain (D.), 5,277; Ellis (N. R.), 118; Hammell (Pro.), 153; Barlow (S.), 20; Jones (N. P.), 171.

1901—Nash (R.), 5,498; Kilbourne (D.), 3,764; Penny (Pro.), 321; Richardson (N. R.), 38; Juergens (S. L.), 34; Thompson (S.), 43.

It is greatly to be regretted that in 1814-1816-1822, the records have been lost. We may succeed in obtaining the omitted vote before this goes to press.