344 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

CHAPTER VIII.

PUBLIC OFFICIAL-MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS-SEN-

ATORS-REPRESENTATIVES-.JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS -

ASSOCIATE JUDGES-PROBATE JUDGES-PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS

-COUNTY COMMISSIONERS - AUDITORS - TREASURERS

RECORDERS-CLERKS-SHERIFFS-SURVEYORS

CORONERS-VOTE OF HARDIN COUNTY AT

VARIOUS PERIODS - POPULAT10N

AND OTHER STATISTICS.

IN writing a history of Hardin County, we believe it to be one of the most important duties we owe to her citizens, to give a correct and authentic list of the men who have filled the most important public offices, and occupied a leading position in her affairs. Since the first white settlers erected their cabins within her limits, there has never been a time when there were not men both competent and trustworthy, to transact the public business and guide the affairs of the growing county in a manner satisfactory to her citizens. With the object in view of preserving the names of those officials, we have spared no pains in making a thorough research of all records within our reach, and believe that we have exhausted every means to render the lists complete and reliable. The reader will bear in mind that half a century has passed away since the first election was held in Hardin County, and that in the first years of her official life little was done toward preserving many facts important to the historian of to-day. No regular method was followed in transcribing the records of the several offices, often the events were not recorded at all, and what does exist is, in places, so incomplete or dimmed by the ravages of time as to baffle our most earnest efforts toward deciphering their meaning with any positive degree of certainty. Then, again, many of the records are missing, being destroyed by the burning of the court house on the 4th of March, 1853.

The only citizen of Hardin County who has ever had the honor of being elected to a seat in the United States House of Representatives, is the Hon. James S. Robinson, of Kenton. He has been a resident of this county since 1846, and has been closely identified with its growth and progress up to the present. In 1881, he was chosen to represent the Ninth Congressional District in the national legislative halls at Washington, and is considered an able and worthy representative.

This county has been honored by the choice of three Presidential Electors from among its citizens. In 1860, Hon. John F. Henkle, was on the Lincoln and Hamlin ticket; in 1864, Hon. William L. Walker was a Lincoln and Johnson elector; and, in 1868, Gen. David Thomson, was chosen as one of the Grant and Colfax standard bearers, all of which goes toward demonstrating that this small portion of Ohio has taken a leading place in the councils of the State. For thirteen years prior to the organization of Hardin County, its vote was counted with that of Logan. It will, therefore, be of interest to the citizens of this portion of Ohio, to know who have represented the county since its erection in 1820 up to 1883.

PAGE 345 - PICTURE OF ROBERT S. WILSON

PAGE 346 - BLANK

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 347

SENATORS.

The members of the Senate, under the old constitution, were elected every two years by the legal voters of the State, which was apportioned every four years, the number of Senators being fixed by the Legislature according to the enumeration of white male inhabitants over twenty-one years of age, and the districts established accordingly. The law under the new constitution adopted in 1851, provided for a Senatorial apportionment every ten years, which was to be obtained by dividing the whole population of the State by thirty-five, the quotient thereof to be the ratio of Senatorial representation. The State was divided in fixed districts, numbered, and the counties composing this district (Thirteenth) have boon the same since that time.

The following is a list of the counties composing the different Senatorial districts of which Hardin formed a part, also the names of the members who represented said districts: 1820-21, Clark, Champaign, Logan and Wood-George Fithian; 1821-22 and 1822-23, Clark, Champaign, Logan and Wood-James Cooley; 1823-24, Clark, Champaign, Logan and Wood - George Fithian: 1824-25 and 1825-26. Miami, Shelby, Logan, Hardin, Allen, Hancock and Wood-Robert Young; 1826-27 and 1827-28, Miami, Shelby. Loran, Hardin, Allen, Hancock and Wood-Daniel M. Workman; 1828-29 and 1829-30, Logan, Shelby, Allen, Hardin, Union and Madison-William Fielding: 1830-31 and 1831-32, Logan. Shelby. Allen, Hardin, Union and Madison-John Shelby; 1832-33 and 1833-34. Madison, Union, Logan, Hardin and Hancock Philip Lewis; 1834-35 and 1835-36, Logan, Hardin, Hancock, Union and Madison-Samuel Newell; 1836-37, Lucas, Wood, Henry, Hancock, Van Wert, Allen, Shelby and Hardin -John E. Hunt; 1837-38 and 1838-39, Lucas, Wood, Henry, Hancock, Van Wert, Williams, Allen, Paulding, Shelby and Hardin-Curtis Bates; 1839-40 and 1840-41, Hancock, Wood, Lucas, Henry, Williams, Putnam, Paulding, Van Wert, Allen, Hardin and Shelby-.John E. Hunt; 1841-42 and 1842-43, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, Allen and Hardin-Jacob Clark; 1843-44 and 1844-45, Lucas, Williams, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Allen, Van Wert and Hardin--John W. Watters; 1845-46 and 1846-47 Logan, Champaign, Union and Hardin - Ira A. Bean; 1847-48 and 1848- 49, Champaign, Union, Logan and Hardin-Joshua Judy; 1849-50 and 1850-51, Logan, Hardin, Union and Marion--William Lawrence.

In the latter year, the new constitution was adopted, and the counties of Logan, Union, Marion and Hardin have since formed the Thirteenth Senatorial District, and have been represented as follows: 1852-54, John J. Williams; 1854-56, William Lawrence; 1856-58, Cornelius Hamilton; 1858-60, C. H. Gatch; 1860-62, T. B. Fisher; 1862-64, John Hood; 1864-66, William H. West; 1866-68, P. B. Cole; 1868-70. Solomon Kraner; 1870-72, John Bartram; 1872-74, Isaac S. Gardner-, 1874-76, M. C. Lawrence; 1876-78, W. W. Beatty; 1878-80, Hylas Sabine; 1880-82 and 1882-83, Luther M. Strong, who was appointed Judge of the Common Pleas Court in April, 1883.

REPRESENTATIVES.

Under the constitution of 1802, the Representative apportionment was established by the same law as the Senatorial, but the members of the House were chosen annually, while under the new constitution, their official term is two years, and the apportionment is designated by dividing the whole

348 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

population of the State by "one hundred," and the quotient thereof is the ratio of representation in the House. The law provides for this apportionment every ten years. Upon the erection of Hardin County in 1820, it was attached to Logan and it will be proper to here give the list since that date, viz., 1820-21, 1821-22, 1822-23, and 1823-24, Logan and Wood - John Shelby; 1824-25, 1825-26, 1826-27 and 1827-28, Logan, Hardin, Hancock and Wood--John Shelby; 1828-29, Logan, Madison, Union and Hardin-Reuben P. Mann; 1829-30, same counties -Lanson Curtis; 1830-31, same counties-John T. Chenoweth; 1831-32, 1832-33 and 1834, same counties-Samuel Newell; 1834-35 and 1835-36, same counties-Nicholas Hathaway; 1836-37, Champaign, Logan and Hardin-Samuel Newell; 1837-38, Shelby, Allen, Hardin, Putnam, Paulding and Van Wort-James Cook; 1838-39, same counties-Robert J. Skinner; 1839-40, same counties -Edwin Fisher; 1840-41, Lucas, Williams. Henry, Paulding, Putnam, Allen, Van Wert and Hardin-George B. Way and John F'. Henkle; 1841-42, same counties--John W. Waters and James B. Steedman; 1842-43, same counties-James B. Steedman and Gilman C. Mudgett; 1843-44, same counties-Sidney S. Sprague; 1844-45. Hardin and Logan-John F. Henkle; 1845-46, same counties-Richard S. Canby; 1846-47 and 1847-48, same counties-William Lawrence; 1848-49 and 1849-50. same counties-Samuel Watt; 1850-51, same counties-Oden Hayes; 1852-54, Hardin and Wyandot--David Snodgrass: 1854-56, same counties-Peter A. Tyler; 1856-58,same counties-Elias G. Spellman; 1858-60, same counties - Chester R. Mott; 1860-62, same counties-James M. White; from that date up to the present, Hardin County has been represented in the Lower House of the General Assembly by one member elected every two years, as follows: 1862-64 and 1864-66, Jonathan H. Seig; 1866-68, Solomon Kraner; 1868-70, Thomas Rough; 1870-72, William T. Cessna; 1872-74, Benjamin Waddle; 1874-76, A. W. Munson; 1876-78 and 1878-80, John Haley; 1880-82, Sutton E. Young, 1882-84, A. K. Rarey.

JUDGES OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

Prior to 1852, the Common Pleas Court of Hardin County consisted of a President Judge and three Associate Judges; but under the constitution adopted in 1851, the office of Associate Judge was abolished. No member of the bar of this county has ever been elected to a seat on the bench in this district, so that all of the Judges who have graced the " woolsack" at Kenton have been citizens of neighboring counties. The only exception has just occurred, by the appointment of Hon. Luther M. Strong, in April, 1883, to the vacancy occasioned through Judge McCauley becoming a member of the Supreme Court Commission. The following are the names and dates of service of the Judges, viz. : 1833-38, Joseph R. Swan; 1839-43, Emery D. Potter; 1844, Myron H. Tilden; 1845-51, Patrick G. Goode; 1852-56, Benjamin Metcalf; 1857 to November, 1864, William Lawrence; November, 1864-71, Jacob S. Conklin; 1872-76, Philander B. Cole; 1877-79, John L. Porter; 1880 to April, 1883, John McCauley; April, 1883-84, Luther M. Strong.

ASSOCIATE JUDGES.

This office was established under the Territorial Government in 1788, at which time a law was published by which not less than three, nor more than five Justices were to be appointed by the Governor in each county, and known as the County Court of Common Pleas. In 1790, the law was so

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 349

amended as to make the number not less than three nor more than seven, and these Judges transacted the minor law business of the county. The constitution of 1802, provided, that not less than two nor more than three .Associate Judges in each county, who had to be residents thereof, should be elected by joint ballot of the General Assembly, their official term to be seven years. In 1810, the number of Associate Judges in each county was permanently fixed as three, who, together with the Presiding Judge of the Circuit, constituted the Court of Common Pleas: yet the Associates had power to hold special sessions. try cases and transact the legal business of the county in the absence of the Presiding Judge. Under the Constitution Of 1851. the judiciary was re-organized and the office of Associate Judge abolished.

From the organization of Hardin County until the adoption of the new constitution, the following is a list of those who filled the office of Associate Judge in this county: William McCloud and Joseph Bowdle were elected at the legislative session of 1832-33. James E. Hueston was appointed by the Governor in March, 1833. until the next session of the Legislature, and .January 4, 1834. he was elected by that body. Some time during the same year he died, and Joseph Cessna was appointed to fill the vacancy in November. 1834, serving until the succeeding session of the General Assembly (1834-35), when Portins Wheeler was elected. The court thus stood-Hons. William McCloud, Joseph Bowdle and Portius Wheeler until 1840, at which time the two former were succeeded by David Goodin and Henrv Adams. In 1841, Conrad W. Show succeeded Judge Adams, and in 1842 Jonathan Cessna took the seat of Judge Wheeler. Judge Show was succeeded by Daniel Baldwin in 1846, and Judge Goodin by Alexander Thomason in 1847. John Goodin was the successor of Judge Jonathan Cessna in 1849, and Daniel Campbell succeeded Judge Thomson in September, of the same year, so that the last Associate Judges were Daniel Baldwin, John Goodin and Daniel Campbell.

PROBATE JUDGES.

The office of Probate Judge was created by the seventh section of Article IV of the new Constitution, and the first election held to fill said office, on the second Tuesday in October, 1851, the official term to be three years. It is a court of record in the fullest sense, and belongs to that class whose records import absolute verity, that are competent to decide on their own jurisdiction, and to exercise it to final judgment without setting forth the facts and evidence on which it is rendered. The Probate Judge has jurisdiction in probate and testamentary matters. the appointment of administrators and guardians, the settlement of the accounts of executors, administrators and guardians, and such jurisdiction in habeas corpus, the issuing of marriage licenses, and for the sale of land by executors, administrators and guardians, also such other jurisdiction in any county as may be provided by law. The first to hold this office in this county was James Bain, 1852-54; Hugh Letson, 1855-57; Samuel Watt, 1858-66; Anthony Banning, 1867-69; Benjamin Eglin, 1870-72: Solomon Kraner, 1873-75; John R. Solders, 1876-81; James E. Lowry, 1882-84.

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.

Prior to 1833, this office was appointive and filled by the court. No pretensions were made to regularity, and while some served but one term of court, others held the position for several years. On the 29th of January,

350 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

1833, a law was enacted making the office elective every two years, vacancies to be filled by the court; but in 1881, the Legislature changed the official term to three years. William Bayles filled the office, 1833-May, 1836; Hiram McCartney, May. 1836-June, 1837; John Lawrence, June, 1837-1839; Andrew Dodds, 1840-1847 ; William L. Walker, 1848-1851; Lyman C. Hurd, 1852-1853; Sewell Coulson, 1854-1855; C. H. Gatch. 1856-1857; John Stillings, 1858-1859; John N. Absten, 1860-1861; Lester T. Hunt, 1862-1865; James Bain, 1866-1867 ; A. B. Johnson, 1868-1871; James Watt, 1872--1875; Frank C. Dougherty. 1876-18 77 ; Sutton E. Young, 1878-18-49; John H. Smick. 1880-1884.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

By an act published June 19, 1795, adopted from the statutes of Pennsylvania, three Commissioners were ordered to be appointed in each county for one year, and each succeeding year one was to be appointed to take the place of the Commissioner first named. 'these appointments were made by the Justices of the Court of General (quarter Sessions of the Peace on the the first day of their j January term. In 1799, the length of the official term was designated, viz.: The first Commissioner named on the list, one year; the second, two years, and the third, three years; one being appointed every year as before to supply the place of the retiring member. Their powers and duties were fully defined, and they were to meet annually the first Monday in July to attend to all county business coming under their jurisdiction. This law of appointment existed until February 13, 1804, when a law was enacted requiring three Commissioners to be elected in each county, said election to be held on the first Monday in April, 1804. The Commissioners elect were to determine by lot the length of time each should remain in office, viz.: One to serve until the following October; one until the October election in 1805, and the third until the same period in 1806. Thus the office became rotary and thus it has since remained. Vacancies were filled by the Associate' Judges, said appointee to continue in office until the succeeding October election. The Board were to meet annually in June to perform such duties as the law required. On the 22d of February, 1805, an act was passed by which. upon the erection of a new county, the Commissioners elected at the first election only held office until the next annual election; and January 15, 1810, all former acts were amended or repealed, but no change was made in the manner or time of holding elections or office, only the duties of the Commissioners were enlarged and more fully described A great many acts have since been passed defining and regulating their powers and duties, which may be found in the Ohio statutes.

At the first election hold in Hardin County April 1, 1833, John McArthur, Charles Scott and Cyrus Dille were elected, and re-elected at the annual election in October, 1833. thus serving through 1834. In 1835, the board stood, Scott, Dille and Richard S. Anderson; 1836, Dille, Anderson and Charles Scott, but in May, 1836, Anderson resigned and John McArthur was appointed to fill the vacancy; 1837, Cyrus Dille, Charles Scott and Peter Johnson; 1838. Scott, Johnson and John McArthur; 1839, Johnson, McArthur and Joshua Cope; 1840. McArthur, Cope and Peter Johnson; 1841, Cope, Johnson and Jonathan Mathews; 1842, Johnson, Mathews and Thomas Hitchcock; 1843, Mathews, Hitchcock and John Rice; 1844, Hitchcock, Rice and Robert McCloud, 1845, Rice, Ethan Terry appointed vice McCloud resigned, and Joshua Dicus; 1846, Jonathan Mathews, Joshua

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 351

Dicus and John McVitty; 1847, Dicus, McVitty and Jonathan Seig; 1848, McVitty, Seig and David Kirkpatrick; 1849, Seig, Kirkpatrick and John McVitty; 1850, Kirkpatrick, McVitty and Jonathan Seig; 1851, McVitty, Seig and David Kirkpatrick; 1852, Seig, Kirkpatrick and Thomas E. Hueston; 1853, Kirkpatrick, Hueston and Thomas Rough. In May, 1853, John F. Henkle was appointed to succeed David Kirkpatrick and served the balance of that year; 1854, Hueston, Rough and John F. Henkle; 1855, Rough, Henkle and Samuel Wood; 1856, Henkle, Wood and Thomas Rough; 1857, Wood, Rough and Samuel McColloch; 1858, Rough, McColloch and Samuel Wood; 1859, McColloch, who resigned in February, 1859, and Thomas Rough succeeded him by appointment, Samuel Wood and Ephraim McClane; 1860, Wood, McClane and Peter Marsh; 1861, McClane, Marsh and Samuel Wood; 1862, Marsh, Wood and Thomas Rough; 1863, Wood. Rough and Peter Marsh; 1864, Rough, Marsh who resigned in June, 1864, and was succeeded per appointment by Alonzo Bogardus, and Samuel Wood; 1865, Almon F. Stanley, Samuel Wood and Thomas Rough: 1866, Wood, Rough and Almon F. Stanley; 1867. Rough, Stanley and Samuel Wood; 1868, Stanley, Wood and David Snodgrass; 1869, Wood, Snodgrass and Benjamin R. Brunson; 1870, Snodgrass, Brunson and George W. Fritz: 1871. Brunson, Fritz and Samuel Stewart; 1872, Fritz, Stewart and Thomas E. Hueston. In March, 1872, William A. Edwards was appointed vice Hueston deceased; 1873, Stewart, William H. Baldwin and .John Shanks; 1874, Baldwin, Shanks and James R. Dunlap; 1875, Shanks, Dunlap and John McElree; 1876, Dunlap, McElree and H. H. Wilson; 1877. McElree, Wilson and James R. Dunlap; 1878, Wilson, Dunlap and James B. Pumphrey; 1879, Dunlap, Pumphrey and Moses Kennedy; 1880, Pumphrey, Kennedy and Samuel Detwiler, 1881, Kennedy. Detwiler and James B. Pumphrey; 1882, Detwiler, Pumphrey and Moses Kennedy; 1883. Pumphrey, Konnedy and Charles W.Runser.

AUDITORS.

The office of County Auditor was created by an act passed February 8, 1820. by which said officials were appointed by a joint resolution of the General Assembly, to hold office one year, but in case of a vacancy occurring, the Court of Common Pleas was authorized to fill the same. The duties of the office were established by the same act, and February 2, 1821, a law was enacted, providing for the election of Auditors in the following October, to hold office for one year from March 1, 1822. The power of filling vacancies was transferred to the County Commissioners by the act of 1821. On the 23d of February, 1824 a law was passed, making the official term two years, which, five years ago, was increased to three years, and so remains. Prior to the creation of this office, the principal duties since performed by the Auditor were discharged by the County Commissioners and their Clerk. The following is a list of the Auditors of Hardin County since its organization: April 1, 1833-43, Charles W. Stevenson; 1844-47, Alexander L. Ballentine ; 1848-49, Samuel Mentzer ; 1850-57, Gilbert Seamen ; 1858-59, James Bain : 1860-61. Samuel Smith; 1862-67, Robert D. Millar; 1868 to March, 1870, William D. Edgar; March, 1870 - November, 1872, Nathan Ahlefeld; November, 1872, November, 1874, Robert F. McConnell; November, 1874, November, 1878, G. H. Zugschwert; November, 1878, November, 1884, Jasper N. Welch.

TREASURERS.

The office of County Treasurer was created in the Northwest Territory

352 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

August 1, 1792, and in 1799 the law was amended. On the 16th of April, 1803, the Ohio Legislature passed an act conferring on the Associate Judges the power of appointing the County Treasurer, but February 13, 1804, said power was transferred to the Board of County Commissioners. Thus it remained until March 12, 1831, when the office was made biennially elective. The following citizens have occupied this position in Hardin County: April 1, 1833, March, 1834, Jonathan Carter; March, 1834, March, 1836, Robert McCloud; March, 1836, March, 1840, Obed Taylor; March, 1840, March, 1842, George B. Goodin; March, 1842, March, 1850, Usher P. Leighton, March, 1850, March, 1854, Andrew Dodds: March, 1854, March, 1856, Usher P. Leighton; March, 1856, March, 1858, William Ballentine; March, 1858, October 24, 1860, Daniel Barron; October 25, 1860, September, 1862, Henry G. Harris, by appointment to succeed Daniel Barron, removed ; September, 1862, September. 1866, Anthony Banning ; September, 1866, September, 1870, Roswell L. Chase; September, 1870, September, 1874, Henry M. Shingle; September, 18 74, September, 1878, Curtis Wilkin ; September, 1878, September, 1882, David P. Stevenson: September, 1882, September. 1884, John M. Carr.

RECORDERS.

This office and the duties thereof were adopted from the statutes of Pennsylvania, in 1795. After Ohio became a State, in 1803, an act was passed giving the power of appointing -the Recorder to the Court of Common Pleas, his term of service to be seven years. The duties of the office were changed and defined by many subsequent acts, until February 25, 1831. when a law was enacted making the office elective every three years, all vacancies to be filled by the County Commissioners. The occupants of this office in Hardin County have been as follows: April 1, 1833-39, Daniel Campbell; 1840-45, Daniel Barron: John O. Fox was elected in October. 1845, served until September, 1846, when he left the county, and Samuel Smith served out the balance of the latter year by appointment; 1847-49. Gilbert Seamon; in October, 1849, Samuel year was elected but left the county before taking office, and Conrad W. Show was appointed and served through 1850: 1851-56, Daniel Barron; 1857-62, Robert F. McConnell; 1863-65, David Stanford: 1866-68, Robert F. McConnell; 1869-74, Charles Collier; 1875-80, George W. Armstrong; 1881-83, W. W. Stevenson.

CLERKS.

Until the adoption of the new constitution, the office of Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas and of the Supreme Court, were separate end distinct appointments, each court. appointing its own Clerk for the terns of seven years; but in Hardin County, as in many others, the two appointments were always given to the same individual. Under the new constitution the District Court was created, and the Supreme Court established permanently at Columbus. The election of one Clerk was provided for. to serve the Court of Common Pleas and District Court, whose official term is three years. The following persons have held the office in Hardin County: Alexander Thomson was appointed Clerk pro tem., March 8, 1833. and Clerk, September 10, 1833, serving until April, 1839; John Stevens, Clerk pro tem., April, 1839 to May, 1840, was then appointed Clerk, and held the office till March 18, 1847, when he resigned; March, 1847-54, Elias G. Spellman; 1855-60, William W. Nixon; 1861-63, Gordon A. Stewart; 1864-69, William D. Dean; 1870-72, John M. Pearce; 1873-78. William H Flemming; 1879-84, Joseph Timmons.

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNT. - 353

SHERIFFS.

Under the Territorial laws, passed at Marietta, in 1788, the office of Sheriff was adopted from the statutes of the older States. Previous to April 3, 1803, the office was appointive, but on that date an act was passed providing for an election every two years, and this law has never been changed. Since the organization of Hardin County, there have been sixteen Sheriffs, viz.: 1833, Henry D. Tharp; 1834-35, Jacob Snoddy; 1836-39, John Ryan; 1840-41, Obed Taylor; 1842-43, David Kinnear; 1844-47, Richard F. Holmes; 1848-53, Jacob Holmes; 1854-57, Day Pugh; 1858-59, William Pool; 1860-61, James E. Nelson; 1862-65, James L. Stevenson; 1866-69, Alfred K. Rarey; 1870-73, Nicholas S. Weaver; 1874-77, Isaac Bolenbaugh; 1878-81, George W. Darst; 1882-83, Lewis H. Wells.

SURVEYORS.

The office of County Surveyor was created and his duties defined by an act passed April 15, 1803. By laws enacted in 1816-17-19-20 and 1828, the duties of the office were changed and more fully described. The term of office was five years or during good behavior, and the incumbent was appointed by the Court of Common Plens. On the 3d of March, 1831, an act was passed providing for the election of the County Surveyor triennially by the legal voters of the county. The following is a list of those who filled the office in this county for the past fifty years: John Terry, 1833; Jacob Kimberlin, 1834 to June, 1837, when he resigned and John H. Wear served the balance of the year by appointment; John H. Ross, 1838-40; Alexander Templeton, 1841; David Ross, 1842-44, who resigned in May, 1844, and was succeeded by John R. Gunn, who filled out the term; Charles Arendtschild, 1845-47; Walter D. Gunn, 1848-50; Robert D. Millar, 1851-56; Joseph Weldin, 1857-59; Walter D. Gunn, 1860, re-elected in October, 1862, and died in the spring of 1863; John R. Gunn, appointed May 21, 1863, and served through that year; William C. Hampton, 1864-69; Frederick M. Childs, 1870-71; Wesley A. Strong, 1872-74; John R. Gunn, 1875; William H. Brown, appointed in January, 1876, elected in October, 1876-82; Nicholas H. Colwell, 1883-85.

CORONERS.

This office was established under the Territorial Government in 1788, and April 15, 1803, an act was passed making it elective and describing the duties thereof, which by subsequent acts were changed and more fully defined. The Coroner, in case of the resignation or death of the Sheriff, becomes the occupant of that office during the unexpired term; and the Sheriff holds the same official relations toward the Coroner's office. The Coroners of Hardin County, since its organization, are as follows: Henry Stamatze, 1833-35; Elias Clark, 1836; Henry Garrett, 1837-38; Daniel Barron, 1839; Horace Church, 1840-41; Emanuel Shoard, 1842-43; Christopher Koontz, 1844-45; Frisby W. Yoe, 1846-47; Reuben Huff, 1848-49; Harris Pool, 1850; Luther Furney, 1851-52; Horace Church, 1853-62; Fred Fogle, 1863; Horace Church, appointed in March, 1864, vice John Howe, elected, but did not qualify; Samuel Collins, 1865-66; John Howe, 1867-68; Nicholas S. Weaver, 1869-70; John Howe, 1871-73; William Pool, 1874-75; John Kanel, 1876-77; Godfrey Sutermeister, 1878-79; Hiram Kettle, 1880-83.

854 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

VOTE OF HARDIN COUNTY AT VARIOUS PERIODS.

It is not our intention to enter into a dissertation upon the wisdom or mistakes of any of the political organizations that have existed and sought the support of Hardin County's vote during the last half century, or to speak of the justice or injustice of party measures, and tell of the many exciting and bitter elections that have shaken the county to its center, creating animosities that the hand of death alone could obliterate, these were State or national questions, and can only legitimately be treated from the broad basis of State or national history; but we here give the vote of Hardin County at different periods since its organization, showing the strength of each political party in State elections. We also record the vote cast in 1851 and 1873, for and against the important issues submitted to the people of the State in those years, leaving our readers to draw their own conclusions as to the political sagacity of the voters of this county during the past fifty years.

The first gubernatorial election after the organization of Hardin County was held October 14, 1834, Robert Lucas being the. Democratic candidate, and James Findlay the candidate of the Whig party. As a matter of general interest, and for future reference by our readers, we give the vote of this election by townships: Pleasant Township, Lucas. 42; Findlay, 12: Round Head, Lucas, 26; Findlay, 26; Blanchard. Lucas, 13; Findlay, 00; Cessna, Lucas, 9; Findlay, 00: Dudley, Lucas, 10; Findlay 10; Taylor Creek, Lucas, 6; Findlay, 17 ; Goshen, Lucas, 5: Findlay 2; total vote, Lucas, 111; Findlay, 67; a Democratic majority of 44 votes.

1836-Vote for Governor: Joseph Vance Whig), 222; Eli Baldwin (Democrat), 123; total votes 345.

1838-Vote for Governor: Wilson Shannon (Democrat), 251; Joseph Vance (Whig), 225; total, 476.

1841-Vote for State Senator: Jacob Clark (Whig), 348; Robert A. Forsythe (,Democrat), 336; total, 684.

1844--Vote for Governor, lacking that of Goshen, Taylor Creek and Blanchard Townships, which are missing from the returns: David Tod (Democrat), 343; Mordecai Bartley (Whig), 383: Leicester Ring (Abolition). 6; total, 732.

1848-Vote for Governor: John B. Weller (Democrat), 544; Seabury Ford (Whig), 557; total. 1,101.

1850-Vote for Governor: William Johnston (Whig), 580; Reuben Wood (Democrat), 494; total. 1,074.

1851-Vote for Governor: Samuel F. Vinton (Whig), 731; Reuben Wood (Democrat), 764; Samuel Lewis (Free Soil), 10: total, 1,505.

1851-Vote for new Constitution. etc.: yeas, 539; nays, 736; for Liquor License, yeas, 772; nays, 413; for Senatorial Delegate, Otway Curry (Whig), 536; William Gellar (Democrat), 453; for Representative Delegate, Benjamin Stanton (Whig), 533; Thomas L. Wright (Democrat), 453.

1855-Vote for Governor: William Madill (Democrat), 665; Salmon P. Chase (Republican), 903; Allen Trimble (Know Nothing), 60; total, 1,628.

1857-Vote for Governor: Salmon P. Chase (Republican), 1,042 ; Henry B. Payne (Democrat), 911; Philadelphus Van Trump (Know Nothing), 60; total, 2,013.

1859-Vote for Governor : William Dennison (Republican), 1,152 ; Rufus P. Ranney (Democrat), 1,127; total, 2,279.

1861-Vote for Governor : David Tod (Republican), 1,391 ; Hugh J. Jewett (Democrat), 1,053 ; total, 2,444.

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PAGE 356 - PICTURE OF SAMUEL STEWART

HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY. - 357

1863-Vote for Governor: John Brough (Republican), 1,570; Clement L. Vallandigham (Democrat), 1,336; total, 2,906. The "soldier vote" increased Brough's total by 323, and Vallandigham's by 36 votes.

1865-Vote for Governor: Jacob D. Cox (Republican) 1,644; George W. Morgan (Democrat), 1,302; Alexander Long (Independent), 56; total, 3,002.

1867-Vote for Governor: Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican), 1,770 ; Allen G. Thurman (Democrat), 1,770; total, 3,540.

1869-Vote for Governor: George H. Pendleton (Democrat), 1,882 ; Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) 1,773; Samuel Scott (Prohibitionist), 15 ; total, 3, 670.

1871-Vote for Governor: George W. McCook (Democrat), 2,028; Edward F. Noyes (Republican), 2,057; Gideon T. Stewart (Prohibitionist), 21 ; total, 4,106.

1873-Vote for Governor: Edward F. Noyes (Republican), 1,936; William Allen (Democrat), 1,850; Gideon T. Stewart (Prohibitionist), 191; Isaac C. Collins (National Greenback Labor), 28; total, 4,005. Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, William H. Philips (Republican), 1,715; Thomas Espy (Democrat), 1,684; total, 3,399.

1874-Vote for the Revised Constitution, etc.: Yeas, 923; nays, 2,115. for license. 1,334; against license, 1,682.

1875--Vote for Governor: William Allen (Democrat), 2,608; Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican), 2.527; Jay Odell (Prohibitionist), 2; total, 5,137.

1877-Vote for Governor: Richard M. Bishop (Democrat), 2,724; William H. West (Republican). 2,724; Henry A. Thompson (Prohibitionist), 35; total, 5,483.

1879-Vote for Governor: Charles Foster (Republican), 3,312; Thomas Ewing (Democrat), 3,033; Gideon T. Stewart (Prohibitionist), 11; A. Sanders Piatt (National Greenback Labor). 2; total, 6,358.

1881--Vote for Governor: Charles Foster (Republican), 3,174; John W. Bookwalter (Democrat), 2.979; Abraham Ludlow (Prohibitionist), 308; total, 6,461.

During the existence of the Whig party we find that the Democrats carried Hardin County in the following gubernatorial contests: 1834-1838 and 1851. The returns of 1840-42-46 and 1853 being either wholly or partly missing, we are unable to give anything reliable as to the result in those years. At all the balance of the elections for Governor, the Whigs were victorious. Since the birth of the Republican party, the Democrats have had a majority in Hardin County, for Governor, but twice, viz.: In 1869, when Pendleton beat Hayes, and in 1875, when Allen defeated Hayes. What might be called a strange coincidence in connection with the elections of this county is, that in 1867, Allen G. Thurman and Rutherford B. Hayes had each 1,770 votes; while ten years later, viz., 1877, a similar tie occurred between Richard M. Bishop and William H. West, each receiving 2,724 votes in Hardin County. It is a generally admitted fact, that the Republican party has always had a small majority in Hardin County; yet in local elections the contest is often very close, and seldom that the candidates of one party are all successful. It has therefore been, and now is necessary to success, to nominate good men, and no matter which party wins, the county is sure to obtain worthy and competent officials to transact her public business.

POPULATION AND OTHER STATISTICS.

The following table shows the total increase of population in Hardin County, by decades, for fifty years, viz. : In 1830-210; 1840-4,598; 1850 -8, 251; 1860-13,570; 1870-18,714; 1880-27, 023.

358 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

In this table, we give the population by townships since 1840, which was the first official census taken after the organization of the county:

The oldest tax duplicate of Hardin County now in existence is that of 1836, which shows the total taxable valuation of property in this county, at that date, to have been $200,648, on which the amount of taxes collected was $2,113.41. In 1882, there were 293,916 acres of land returned for taxation, valued at $5,937,170; real estate in towns and villages, $1,413,470; chattel property. $3,257,930; total valuation, $10,608,570. The debt of Hardin County in 1882, according to the report of the Secretary of State, was $163,000; debts of towns and villages, $60,279; and of separate school districts, $19,460; total indebtedness, $242,739. But the county has much to show why this indebtedness was incurred. Her fine school buildings, magnificent infirmary and unrivalled system of pikes, tell the tale, while her general progress has been so rapid as to confirm the wisdom of a liberal expenditure in public improvements.