KNOX COUNTY OHIO - Norton's History of Knox County [Chapter XLVIX] ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Dave Ketterer Ketterer@empireone.net September 1, 2002 ************************************************ A History of Knox County, Ohio, From 1779 to 1862 Inclusive: Comprising Biographical Sketches, Anecdotes and incidents of men connected with the county from its first settlement: Together with complete lists of the senators, representatives, sherriffs, auditors, commissioners, treasurers, judges, justices of the peace, and other officers of the county, also of those who have served in a military capacity from its first organization to the present time, and also a sketch of Kenyon College, and other institutions of learning and religion within the county. By A. Banning Norton. Columbus: Richard Nevins, Printer. 1862 Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1862 by A. Banning Norton, In the Clerk’s office of the Southern District of Ohio. ____________________________________________ CHAPTER XLIX. VARIOUS PUBLIC OFFICERS. SENATORS IN STATE LEGISLATURE. FROM the Senatorial District of which this land formed a part before the organization of the county, and after its first settlement, we find in the fourth General Assembly, at Chillicothe, Jacob Burton ; in the fifth session, Elnathan Scofield, In the sixth session, Jacob Burton appeared AND was Qualifled as Senator from Fairfield, Licking and Knox. in 1809, the Senators from these counties were Elnathan Scofield and Jacob. Burton. In 1810, Wm. Trimble and Robert F. Slaughter were the Senators, and they continued as such while the sessions were at Zanesville. In 1812, at Chillicothe, the Senator was Wm. Gavit, and we were in the same district with Richland and Licking for many years. William Gass, Mordecai Bartley, John Spencer, John Shaw and Daniel S. Norton were Senators until the course of political alliance changed, and new connections were formed. The north and south union was severed, and we were associated with the counties to the cast until the adoption of the new Constitution in 1851; sometimes, in districting, Knox was put with Holmes at other times with Coshocton, and then again with both counties. Since that period our associations have been with the west, embracing Morrow, until, in 1861, the district was made to include Wayne, Ashland and Richland. Beside the Senators aforementioned, we have had the following electcd at the periods named, the term of the office being two years, viz.: In 1829, Thomas Rigdon ; in 1831, Wm. Gass; in 1832, Byram Leonard ; in 1834, Wm. Ravenscroft: in 1836, Peres Sprague ; in 1838, James Matthews: in 1810. Byram Leonard ; in 1842 John Johnson: in 1844, Jacob Koch; in 1846, Nicholas Spindler; in 1848, Asa G. Dimock ; in 1850, L. Van Buskirk. Under the new Constitution we have had— in 1851. L. Van Buskirk; in 1853, John T. Creigh; in 1855. Robert C. Kirk ; in 1857, Davis Miles ; in 1859, Wm. Bonar; and in 1861, Davis Miles. REPRESENTATIVES. 1807. Philemon Beecher. 1829. Byram Leonard. W. W. Irwin. 1830. John Greer. 1808. E. B. Merwin. 1831. Charles Colerick. Patrick Owings. 1832. John Schooler. 1809. Alexander Holden. 1833. 1810. Jeremiah Munson. 1834. Peres Sprague. 1811. William Gass. 1835. Peres Sprague. 1812. Samuel Kratzer. 1836. Martin Tracy. 1813. William Gass. 1836. S. W. Hildreth. 1814. Samuel Kratzer. 1837. Marvin Tracy. 1815. Alexander Enos. 1838. James Elliott. 1816. Jonathan Miller. 1839. Byram Leonard. 1817. Waitstil Hastings. 1840. D. L. McGugin. 1818. W. W. Farquhar. 1841. C. J. McNulty. 1819. R. D. Simons. 1842. C. J. McNulty. 1820. R. D. Simons. 1843. George Ankeny. 1821. R. D. Simons. 1844. James McFarland. 1822. H. Curtis. 1844. George Ankeny. 1823. R. D. Simons. 1845. W. H. Smith. 1824. Thomas Rigdon. 1846. E. W. Cotton. 1825. John Shaw. 1846. James McFarland. 1826. Wm. Robinson. 1847. E. W. Cotton. 1827. Thomas Rigdon. 1848. L. Van Buskirk. 1828. Charles Colerick. 1848. Jacob Voorhies. 1849. Ezekiel Boggs. 1855. B. F. Smith. 1850. Eli Glasgo. 1857. W McCreary. 1850. S. F. Gilcrest. 1857. W. B. Cox. 1851. James Witherow. 1859. 1853. Jacob Merrin. 1861. Wait Whitney. 1855. George W. True. COMMON PLEAS JUDGES Who have presided in the districts in which this county has been Situated. are William Wilson, of Newark ; Alexander Harper, of Zanesville ; Ezra Dean, of Wooster ; Jacob Parker, of Mansfleld ; Levi Cox, of Wooster ; James Stewart, of Mansfield ; Rollin C. Hurd, of Mt. Vernon ; Sherman Finch and Thomas C. Jones, of Delaware. Of this number Judges Hurd, Finch and Jones have been elected by the people ; the others were chosen by the Legislature. CLERKS OF COMMON PLEAS. Charles Lofland, James Smith, Isaac Hadley, S. W. Farquhar, and A. C. Elliott have served as Clerks. Prior to 1851, they were appointed by the Judges ; and since that time, the two last named have been elected by the people. Among the Deputies who have performed longest service, were Henry B. Curtis, E. C. Yore, Horatio S. Miller, F. P. Griffith, A. C. Elliott. The Clerks of the Supreme Court have been Jas. Smith, Alexander Elliott and A. C. Elliott. ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 1808. John Mills, Wm. W. Farquhar, Wm. Gass. 1810. James Colville, April 30th, in place of Gass, who goes into Richland county. 1313. Jacob Young in place of Farquhar, resigned, Dec. 12th. 1814. Samuel Kratzer, May 9th, in place of Mills. 1815. John Trimble and Abrahaam Darling. 1818. John H. Mefford in place of Darling. 1819. Stephen Chapman. 1820. Joseph Brown James McGibeny. 1827. Anthony Banning. 1834. Eli Miller. 1841. William Bevans. 1834. Abner Ayers. 1841. Isaac N. Richardson. 1834. James Elliott. 1846. William McCreary. 1838. Williain Bevans. 1848. Jacob B. Brown. 1839. Richard C. Davis. 1848. B.H. Taylor. By the adoption of the new Constitution, the office was abolished. COUNTY AUDITORS. 1820. W. Y. Farquhar, the first officer of this description, was appointed at this date, to value the lands for taxation ; and when the law creating A dist inct bureau passed, having been Clerk of the Board of Commissioners and conversant with its business, he WAS reappointed annually until 1824, from whi ch time the people have elected for a term of two years. 1824. Alexander Elliot. 1844. K. Winne. 1826. Alexander Elliot. 1846. M. M. Beam. 1828. Marvin Tracy. 1848. M. M. Beam. 1830. Marvin Tracy. 1850. B. F. Smith. 1832. Marvin Tracy. 1852. B. F. Smith. 1834. S.B. Kenton. 1854. John Lamb. 1836. S.B. Kenton. 1856. John Lamb. 1838. S.B. Kenton. 1858. S. W. Farquhar. 1840. S.B. Kenton. 1860. S. W. Farquhar. 1842. S.B. Kenton. 1862. John D. Thompson. PROBATE JUDGES. The New Constitution created this office, and at the first election, in October, 1851, for Probate Judge, to serve three years, commencing February, 1852, Sam'l F. Gilerest was elected, entered upon the duties of his office February, 1852, and at the expiration of his term was a candidate for re-election, and beaten, 1854, by Joseph S. Davis. 1857. Joseph S. Davis was re-elected. 1860 Thomas V. Parke. MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION. The Convention that framed the present Constitution of Ohio, was held in 1851. Knox and Holmes formed a district, and the Deligates elected were Matthew H. Mitchell and John Sellers, Democrats, over Rollin C. Hurd and John H. Wheeler. Whigs. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION. Daniel S. Norton, James McFarland, Byram Leonard, S. T. Canard, Henry B. Curtis. TREASURERS. Until 1825 this office was filled by appointment of Commissioners each year, and from that time the people elected for a term of two years. The period, at which each Treasurer was chosen, we append: 1808. Henry Haines. 1841. James Blake. 1815. George Downs. 1847. Jacob W. Lybrand. 1816. James McGibeny. 1831. J. H. McFarland. 1817. Gilman Bryant. 1855. John Beaty. 1819. James McGibeny. 1859. Alex. Greer. 1825. W. Y. Farquhar. 1861. H. H. Greer. 1838. S. W. Farquhar. COUNTY COLLECTORS. The Commissioners appointed annually the collector of personal tax, and that upon lands of residents. In 1820, the duties of this officer were somewhat changed, and, in 1817, the office was abolished by law, and its business transferred to the County Treasurer. 1808. Silas Brown ; amount 1821. Benj. Jackson. Jr. of bond $658.87. 1822. R. D. Simons. 1809. James Smith. 1823. Joseph Brown. 1812. John Greer. 1824. John Shaw. 1817. John Shaw. 1825. Silas Brown. 1819. Eli Miller. 1827. Jacob M. Banning. 1820. William Bevans. In 1822, a system of cutting under was commenced by competitors for this office, as we find that the State tax was collected this year for 2 3/4per cent., and County tax gratis ; the next year Brown underbid 1/4 per cent, and Shaw in 1824, capped the climax by proposing to collect both State and County tax gratis! ASSESSORS. Assessors have been in our history of two kinds —Township and County. The county were appointed by the Commissioners until, in 1827, the people by law were required to elect such officer ; and after 1841 the office for the county was abolished, and the old system of Township Assessors was re-established. Prior to 1827, the Commissioners appointed, as Assessors. R. D. Simons for 1824 and '5 Marvin Tracy in 1826, and Hill Runyan in. 1827, who served from March until the October election, when he was elected for two years. In 1829, John Greer was elected, and, having resigned in October, 1830, Daniel McFarland was elected and continued until, in 1831, Henry B. Carter was chosen, and served two terms. In 1838, Uzal Ball was elected ; in 1840, Wait Whitney COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 1808. Joseph Walker, John Harrod, John Lewis. 1808. Henry Ma rkley, Matthew Merrit, and Wm. Douglass were elected Oct. 11th ; and, by lot, it was declared that Markley continue three years, Merrit two. and Douglass one. 1809. William Douglass. 1833 David Shaw. 1810. Robert McMillen. 1834. Silas Brown. 1811. John Harrod. 1835. William MeCreary. 1812. Daniel Cooper. 1836. David Shaw. 1813. William Mitchell, ap 1837. Thomas Wade. pointed by Court May 1838. Christopher Wolf. 9th, 1814, vice Harrod, 1839. Thomas Axtell. deceased. 1840. Thomas Wade. 1814. William Mitchell. 1841. Christopher Wolf. 1815. Jonathan Miller. 1842. Thomas Axtel, Henry 1816. Moses Merrit. Prather. 1817. William Mitchell. 1843. Henry Prather 1817. John Warden vice Miller 1844. James Witherow. 1819. Gilman Bryant. 1846. William Babcock 1820. Abner Ayres. 1847. James Witherow. 1821. John Wheeler. 1848. Robert 1822. John Kerr. 1849. W. M. Babcock. 1823. Abner Ayres. 1850. Wait Whitney. 1824. John Stilley. 1851. George McWilliams. 1825. Daniel Sapp. 1852. Abraham Darling. M H. 1826. Byram Leonard. Mitchell vice Whitney, 1827. Levi Harrod. resigned. 1827. Gilman Bryant appo'ted. 1853. George W. J ackson. 1828. Peres Sprague, Jabez 1854. ewal Gray. Beers. 1855. John McElroy. 1829. Francis Wilkins ; Wil- 1856. Jacob Bell full term. liam McCreary for 3 W. McClelland, vice years, Francis Wilkins Gray, resigned, for 1 year. 1857. W. McClelland. 1830. David Shaw vice Wil- 1858. John Mcelory kins. deceased. 1859. Jacob Bell. 1831. John Jeffers for 3 years, 1860. Wm. McClelland. David Shaw 2 years. 1861. J. W. Bradfield. 1832. William McCreary. 1862. John S. McCamment. SHERIFFS. 1808. Silas Brown, appointed by Thos, Kirker, Acting Governor of the State. June 6, till October election, and reappointed by Governor Samuel Huntington, October 11, 1808. 1811. Ichabod Nye. 1815. John Shaw. 1813. John Hawn. 1817. John Shaw. 1819. Alexander Elliot. 1842. Absalom Thrift. 1820. William Bevans. 1844. Absalom Thrift. 1846. David C. Montgomery. 1824. Charles Colrick. 1848. David C. Montgomery. 1850. Thomas Wade. 1830. Hugh Neal 1854. Lewis Strong. 1832. 1856. Israel Underwood. 1831. Isaac Hadley. 1858. Israel Underwood. 1836. 1860. James S. Shaw. 1838. Wm. Beam. 1862. Allen Beach. 1849. The following persons have acted as Deputy Sherrifs at different periods: John Cramer, Isaac Hadley, Resin Yates, Ben. Jackson, Henry Prather. D. C. Zimmerman, Johnson Elliott, Jesse B. Rogers, W. Beam, S. B. Kenton, E. W. Cotton, W. D. Headley, Stiles W. Thrift, D. C. Montgomery, John Beaty, T. P. Morton, James Myers, J. Underwood T. V. Parke, Josiah Cochran, George W. Steele. CORONERS. 1808. Jonathan Craig elected 1832. W. E. Davidson. April 4, 1834. Andrew Vance. John Merritt, appointed 1836. Oct. 11. 1838. 1809. John Butler appointed. 1840. Richard Hunt. 1811. Dr. Timothy Burr. 1842. Asa Freeman. 1813. Dr. Timothy Burr. 1844. Asa Freeman. 1815. Dr. Timothy Burr. 1846. Michael Miller. 1817. Dr. Timothy Burr. 1848. Michael Miller. 1818. Dr. Robert D. Moore. 1850. Alexander Love. 1819. Dr. Waitstil Hastings. 1852. Alexander Love. 1820. Dr. E. G. Lee. 1854. William Bonar. 1822. James McGibeny. 1856. Albert Ellis. 1824. Hill Runyan 1858. 1828. Hill Runyan 1860. John W. Leonard. 1830. George Low. 1862. M. M. Shaw. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. The first officer answering to this description was Samuel Kratzer, Esq., who sort o' officiated in be- half of the State when no better qualified person was present. He was not an attorney, but appears to have been allowed fees for his services. Edward Herrick was the main reliance in this branch in the early courts, until 1812, when Samuel Mott was appointed on the 14th of March. In January, 1814 Charles R. Sherman was appointed, and at different torn s. W. Culberson, Wyllis Silliman, Hosmer Curtis, John W. Warden, and other attorneys, were appointed by the court, as business required, until in 1833 the Legislature provided for the Prosecuting Attorney's election biennially by the voters of the county, who have made the following selections: 1833. Benjamin B. Brown. 1848. Lafayette Emmett. 1835. Columbus Delano. 1850. Clark Irvine. 1837. Columbus Delano. 1852. William Windom. 1839. M. H. Mitchell 1854. W. F. Sapp. 1840. M. A Sayre. 1856. W. F. Sapp. 1842. J. K. Miller. 1858. W. C. Cooper. 1844. J. K. Miller. 1860. W. C. Cooper. 1846. Lafayette Emmett 1862. Frank H. Hurd. SURVEYORS. The Court of Common Pleas until 1831, appointed the Surveyor of the county, and the office was filled by the following persons: 1808. Samuel H. Smith appointed. 1810. John Dunlap appointed June, In place of Smith, resigned. 1815. Wm. Y. Farquhar. appointed April 15, and resigned 1827. 1827. Edson Harkness appointed. The act of the Legislature of March 3d, 1831, having prodded for the election of this officer for a term of three years, the first elected by the people was, in 1831. Edson Harkness 1840. T. G. Plummer. 1834. Thomas G. Plummer. 1843. T. C. Hickman. 1837. T. C. Hickman. 1846. David Gorsuch. 1849. David Gorsuch. 1858. David C. Lewis. 1852. T. C. Hickman. 1861. 1855. David C. Lewis. COUNTY RECORDER Thc Judges of the Court of Common Pleas appointed this officer until 1829, at the October election, the people chose a Recorder. Under the former system, the term of service was seven years ; under the present, three years. 1808. Gilman Bryant, May 2d, until 1815. 1815. Alexander Elliott, May 2d, until 1822. 1822. Henry B. Curtis. The Legislature of 1828—9 having provided for appointment of Recorders by county Commissioners, where office becomes vacant prior to October, the Commissioners appointed— 1829. John A. Colerick, May 29th, in place of H. B. Curtis, whose term had expired. 1829. Hill Runyan was elected in Oct., and served until 1838. 1838. David Montgomery was elected in Oct., and served until 1847. 1847. ELijah Harrod was elected in Oct., and served until 1857. 1856. Calton C. Baugh was elected in Oct., and served until 1859. 1859. Elijah Harrod and re-elected 1862. INFIRMARY DIRECTORS. 1842. John Hobbs, J. F. 1851. Timothy Colopy. McLain. 1852. John McCamment. 1842. Wm. Borden. 1853. G. W. Jackson. 1843. W. Borden. 1854. J. B. McGrew.. 1844. Abraham Darling. 1855. Thomas Rogers. 1845. C. A. Drake. 1856. Thomas Larrimore. 1846. Abraham Darling. 1857. E. J. Whitney. 1846. Absalom Buckingham. 1858. Thomas Rogers. 1847. G. W. Jackson. 1859. Thomas Larrimore. 1848. Abraham Darling. 1860. E. J. Whitney. 1849. Christian Musser. 1861. Asahel Allen. 1850. G. W. Jackson. 1862. James Scott.