USA > Iowa > Benton County > History of Benton County, Iowa. From materials in the public archives, the Iowa Historical society's collection, the newspapers, and data of personal interviews > Part 7
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MID-WAR ELECTION.
At this point it may be of interest to note the voting strength of Benton county, at the mid-war period. On the 13th of October. 1863, a general election was held for governor, lieutenant governor, judge of the supreme court, member of the board of education. senator for the thirty-second district. representative for the thirty- eighth district, county judge, treasurer and recorder, sheriff. sur- veyor, county school superintendent, coroner, and propositions re- garding poor farm and restraining swine and sheep. The twenty townships-Polk. Harrison. Cedar, Bruce, Monroe. Jackson. Taylor. Benton. Canton, Eden. Big Grove, Homer, Kane. Union. Eldorado, Fremont, Florence, St. Clair, Le Roy and Towa-cast the following vote :
Governor-William M. Stone. 1,024; J. M. Tuttle, 656; Le Grand Byington 1; total 1,681.
Lieutenant Governor-Enoch W. Eastman. 1,031: J. F. Dun- combe, 618; total 1679.
Judge Supreme Court -- J. F. Dillon, 1.031; Charles Mason. 651; total 1,682.
Senator-Wm. B. King. 1,032; Andrew Hale, 650: total 1.682.
Representative-Alexander Runyon, 1,045; W. C. Smith, 629; total 1,674.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Judge -- Buren R. Sherman, 1,040; A. L. Kimball, 644; total 1,684.
Recorder and Treasurer-James H. Shutts, 938; Stephen Chap- in. 732; total 1,670.
Sheriff-Ezra Bigelow, 968; A. H. Sebern, 80; G. W. Ridge, 634: total 1,682.
Surveyor-J. M. Kellar, 605; P. B. Smith, 898; C. S. Bennett. 142; total 1,645.
County School Superintendent -- L. M. Holt, 1,021; J. Shell- enberger, 648; total 1,679.
Coroner-Moses Denman. 1.043; William Robbins, 642; total. 1.685.
Poor Farm-For. 861; against. 517; total 1,377.
Restraining Swine and Sheep-For, 1.072; against, 381; total. 1.153.
It appears also that the soldiers of the state, in the field and hospitals, east 272 ballots for representative of the thirty-eighth district, of which Alexander Runyon received 232 and William (. Smith 40 votes. The state canvassing board certified to the above November 25, 1863.
The general election held November 8, 1864, was for president, vice president. congressman from the fourth district, secretary of state and other officers, judge and district attorney of the eighth district and county recorder. The vote for judge of the eighth district in Benton county was as follows: Charles H. Conklin, 1.167: James D. Templin, 125; George D. Templin. 366; total. 1.558.
District Attorney-C. R. Scott. 1.172; J. R. Sheean, 1,000; total 1,272.
District Court Clerk-James Chapin, 1,160; A. Clark. 1; Jannes T. Sargent. 4; total. 1.165.
County Recorder-Milton P. Adams, 1.166.
In the October election during the last year of the war for governor. lieutenant governor. supreme judge. superintendent of publie schools, congressional representative and county officers. Benton county gave William MI. Stone a majority of 531 for gov- erner and Benj. F. Gue. 633. for lieutenant governor. The follow- ing votes were cast for county officers :
County Indge-Buren R. Sherman. 1,353.
County Treasurer-James II. Shutts. 1.318; Elijah Evans, 1.
Recorder-Fredk. byman. 1.314. -
Sheriff -- Ezra Bigelow. 1.337; J. Knapp. 2.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
County Superintendent-Amos N. Dean, 1,357.
Coroner-Elder H. Cowell, 1,203; George F. Jones, 5; E. Smith, 1; A. Taylor, 16.
Surveyor-Peter B. Smith, 1,303; S. H. Lee, 7.
SINCE CIVIL WAR TIMES.
Since war times there have been "ups" and "downs". for both parties, but a general analysis of the vote cast in Benton county since 1904 will give a fair idea of general political condi- tions. In that year the county gave Roosevelt 3,609 votes for pres- ident, and Parker, the Democratic standard bearer, 2,057. In 1906. the first election for governor under the new law, Cummins, the Republican candidate, received 2,423 and Porter, Democrat, 2,980: while in 1908 the county again returned to the Republican column. both gubernatorially and presidentially-Carroll receiving 3,020 to 2,451 votes cast for White, and Taft, 3,180, against 2,418 cast for Bryan. In 1906, W. P. Whipple polled 2,819 votes in Bentes county as a Republican candidate for the forty-fifth senatoris! district, and his opponent, W. J. Guinn, 2,489. The official canvass of the votes cast at the general election of November 3, 1908 shows the following Republican majorities in the county: Presidential electors 764; governor. 570; lieutenant governor, 674; ses- retary of state, 696; auditor of state. 674; treasurer of state, 707: attorney general, 686; superintendent of public instruction. 703: judges of supreme court, 699, 684 and 698; clerk of superior court. 674; railroad commissioner, 692; member of congress, 749; state representative, 150; county auditor. 955; clerk, 439; sheriff, 1,014: attorney, 306; surveyor, 676; coroner. 478; and county supervisor -. 478 and 408. In the county there was no opposition to the Repub- liean candidates for treasurer and recorder, who received 3279 and 3256 votes, respectively, which was a little above the average party vote. The voting strength of the county, at this election, was from 5,300 to 5,500, the larger vote being generally cast for the county offices, especially for sheriff and attorney. A general analy- sis of these figures indicates, as stated at the commencement of this article, an average Republican majority in the county of about seven hundred, out of an average total vote of some 5,400. .
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
COUNTY ROSTER 1846-1878.
It is impossible to give a complete list of the officers of Ben- ton county, as there is no record of the election in 1848 and from 1852 to 1863 the records are not in existence. But from the best accessible sources of information a list has been compiled which will be found fairly complete.
County commissioners. 1846 (April to Angust), Edwin B. Spencer. Stedman Penrose and Samuel K. Parker; 1846-7. Sam- uel M. Lockhart, Charles Cantonwine and L. F. North; 1847-8, Samuel M. Lockhart, b. F. North and Thomas Way; 1848-9, Sam- uel M. Lockhart, Thomas Way and L. F. North ; 1849-50, Samuel MI. Lockhart, Thomas Way and L. F. North; 1850-1, Samuel M. Lock- hart, L. F. North and James Rice.
Commissioners' clerk. David S. Pratt, 1846-S; Elias H. Keves. 1848-9; W. R. Johnson, 1849-50; James T. Beekett. 1850-1; Geo. W. Vardaman. 1851. (Office abolished in 1851.)
County surveyors. 1. D. Simison, April to August, 1846; Francis Rigaud. 1846-7; I. D. Simison. 1847-51; Newell Colby, re- signed May 1, 1856; Wesley Whipple, 1856; Peter B. Smith, 1862-7 : James A. Brown, 1868-77; G. W. Smith, 1877.
School fund commissioners. John Royal, 1847-8; Elias H. Keyes, 1848-50; James F. Beckett. 1850-2; Irwin D. Simison; Jacob S. Hunt, 1855. (Office abolished in 1858.)
Clerks of courts. Win. J. Berry. 1846: J. R. Pratt, 1846-7; Irwin D. Simison, 1847-50; C. W. Buffum. 1850-1; G. W. Varda- man. 1851-2: James C. Traer. 1852-4; David Robb, 185, resigned April 21, 1856: W. C. Stanberry, 1856: JJames Chapin, 1856-66: Buren R. Sherman. 1867-74; H. E. Warner, 1875.
Sheriff's. John Royal. April to August. 1846; Jamies Downs, 1846-7; John Royal. 1847-9; Cyrus C. Charles, 1849-52; William Remington, 1853-7: Elmer Howard, 1857-9; A. II. Sebern, 1860-3: Ezra Bigelow. 1864-7; Henry M. Wilson. 1868-73; Peter S. Smith, 1874.
Prosecuting attorneys. James Mitchell. 1846-7; Samuel Lockhart, 1847-8: John Alexander. 1848-50; I. M. Preston; Nor- man W. Isbel; James Harlan, 1852: John Alexander, 1854; Edwin Humphreyville. 1856-8.
Recorders. Irwin D. Simison. 1846 (April to Angust ) : Les- ter W. Hayes, 1846-7.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Treasurers and Collectors. Beal Dorsey, 1846 (April to Angust) ; S. L. Morse, 1846-7.
Treasurers and Recorders. David S. Pratt, 1847-9; Joseph Ronse, 1849; James Johnson, 1849-53; James Chapin, 1853; W. R. Johnson, 1853; J. W. Filkins. 1855; Alexander Runyon, James H. Shutts.
Treasurers. James H. Shotts, 1865-6: S. A. Marine, 1870-73; Othniel Ilorne. 1874-7; Philip M. Coder. 1878.
Recorders. Milton P. Adams, 1865; Frederick Lyman, 1868- 9; Philip M. Coder, 1869-72; James W. Smock, 1873.
Auditors. Edward M. Evans, 1870.
Superintendents of schools. J. Dysart, 1858; L. M. Holt. 1864-5; Amos N. Dean, 1866-9; II. M. Hloon, 1870-73; S. T. Short- ress, 1874-5; Miss Salina Blackburn, 1876.
Judges of probate. Jonathan R. Pratt, April to August. 1846; James M. Denison. 1846-7; James Mitchell. March to August. 1847; David S. Pratt, 1847-9; John Alexander, 1849-51 (office abolished 1851).
County judges. John S. Forsyth. 1851-5; Samuel Douglas. 1855-9; John Treanor, 1860-61; John McCartney, 1862; Buren R. Sherman, 1864-7; George M. Gilchrist, 1868-9; J. L. Geddes, June. 1869-70 (office abolished).
District judges. James P. Carleton, 1847-8 and 1851-3; Wil- liam Smyth. 1854-6; Isaac Cook, 1857-8: William L. Miller, 1859- 61: Norman W. Isbel, 1862-3; James Bart. 1864; C. II. Conklin, 1865; N. M. Hubbard. 1866; James M. Rothrock, 1867-75; John Shame, 1876.
Circuit judges. William E. Miller, 1869-70; Geo. R. Struble. 1871, resigned: William J. Haddock, 1871, JJohn McKean, 1872.
SUPERVISORS (TOWNSHIP SYSTEM).
For 1861. James McQuin. chairman; James Rice, Jacob Springer, M. Guinn. Samuel Miskinim, W. F. Kirkpatrick. JJohn Slattery. Wm. C. Smith, J. M. Inman. John F. Forsyth, Joab Aus- tin, J. R. Christie, B. R. Dwigans, E. W. Stocker. D. A. Robinson, S. G. Livermore, Martin Mickey, Stoughton Lamoree. George L. Palmer. George Treanor.
For 1862. James McQuin, chairman; IT: Gwin, W. F. Kirk- patrick. W. C. Smith. Joab Austin, B. R. Dwigans, D. A. Robin- son. S. G. Livermore. Stoughton Lamoree. J. M. Imman, Jacob Springer. James Rice, William Hehn, William Wallace, George
.
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IHISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Treanor. Samuel Miskinim, John Slattery, Martin Mickey, John Ruffcorn, and C. W. Stocker.
For 1863. James MeQuin, chairman; Jacob Springer, J. G. Burnett, H. Guinn. Simpson Wells. D. A. Robinson. M. Mickey, E. W. Stocker, J. M. Inman, S. Miskinim, John Buffam, W. C. Smith. James Rice. John Slattery. Joseph Dysart. Win. Hehn, George Treanor, Russell Bowe, Thomas Gillett and William Wal- lace.
For 1864. James McQuin, chairman ; Jacob Springer, George Bergen, John L. Burke. Donglass W. Marsh. Michael Smith, W. F. Kirkpatrick, James Rice. E. W. Stocker, Dickson Johnson, S. B. Corning, John Treanor, W. C. Smith. J. M. Imnan, T. Gillett, S. T. Wells. 1. G. Burnett. D. A. Robinson. H. Guin. R. Bowe.
For 1865. James McQuin. chairman; W. C. Smith. W. F. Kirkpatrick. John Knapp. Henry A. Shaffer, W. S. Snow, H. Shel- don, Alex. Runyon, D. A. Robinson. Alexander Johnson, John Treanor, D. W. Marsh, James Rice. Jacob Springer. George Ber- gen. M. Smith, E. W. Stocker. J. L. Burke, S. B. Corning.
For 1866. James McQuin, chairman : John Treanor. Jacob Springer, George Bergen. D. Johnson. James Rice, M. Smith, J. L. Burke. N. Hawley. A. Beaman, William Wallace. W. C. Smith, W. S. Snow, HI. Sheldon, D. A. Robinson, Alex Johnson. W. F. Kirk- patrick, John Knapp, Alex Runyon. H. A. Shaffer.
For 1867. James McQuin. chairman; W. F. Kirkpatrick, Amos Dean, John Knapp. E. Trueblood. W. C. Pogue, C. L. Sum- mers, S. MeGranahan, Isaac N. Chenoweth, Thomas Lewis, Thomas Ryan. John Treanor, W. Wallace, D. Johnson, J. Rice, J. Springer, George Bergen, J. L. Burke, A. Beeman. N. Hawley.
For 1868. James McQuin, chairman; Jacob Springer. E. G. Brown. J. L. Cobb. J. M. Van Metre. Samuel Mahin. Nelson Haw- ley, John B. Reeve, James Rice, George Buchan, David MeNie, A. J. Wyckoff. Amos Dean. C. L. Summers. S. MeGranahan. W. F. Kirkpatrick. W. C. Pogue, Thomas Lewis. John Knapp, I. N. Chenoweth.
For 1869. E. G. Brown, chairman ; D. L. Webb, J. Black- man, J. M. Imman. W. A. Tanner. C. L. Summers, W. W. Hamilton, D. B. Ramsdell. A. W. Burnison. David Landon. A. D. Ryan. David MeNie. J. L. Cobb. S. Mahin. James Rice, J. B. Reeve, Jacob Springer. A. J. Wyckoff, George Buchan. N. Hawley.
For 1870. E. G. Brown. chairman; Amos Dean. John L. Burke, David MeNie. L. Brooks. H. T. Elliott, A. H. Heldenbrand,
1
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
J. T. Ravenscroft, J. R. Christie. JJ. T. Austin. M. Smyth, S. M. Dinkkin, C. M. Summers, J. M. Inman. D. L. Webb, D. B. Ramsdell. A. W. Burnison, W. A. Tanner, W. W. Hamilton, J. Blackman.
SUPERVISORS (COUNTY SYSTEM).
For 1871. James MeQuin, chairman; Isaac N. Chenoweth. John Knapp.
For 1872. Same.
For 1873. John Knapp. chairman; I. N. Chenoweth, E. W. Stocker.
For 1874. John Knapp, chairman; I. N. Chenoweth, IL. Guinn.
For 1875. I. N. Chenoweth, chairman; II. Guinn, Nelson Hawley.
For 1876. I. N. Chenoweth, chairman ; N. Hawley, IT. Guinn.
For 1877. N. Hawley, chairman; A. A. Wentz. William F. Atkinson.
For 1878. A. A. Wentz, chairman; W. F. Atkinson, N. Haw- ley.
OFFICERS AND ELECTIONS 1878 -- 1909.
1878. District (Eighth) Judge. John Shane; district attor- ney, Milo P. Smith : clerk of the court. Arad Thompson : county recorder. James W. Smock; county supervisor, George M. Gregs; jail proposition and tax defeated-for 1.325 and against 1,555.
1879. State senator. John D. Nichols: representative, Jacob K. Wagner: county auditor, Edward M. Evans; county treasurer, Philip M. Coder: sheriff. Peter S. Smith; county superintendent. Salina Blackburn; county supervisor. John L. Youel; surveyor. George W. Smith; coroner. W. F. Kirkpatrick.
1880. For presidential election Benton county cast 9,210 votes and for district elector 42.444. Various state officers except gov- ernor were elected, those more closely connected with Benton coun- ty being as follows: Circuit judge (eighth district). Christian Hedges: clerk of district and circuit courts, Arad Thompson; re- rorder. James W. Smock: supervisor, Nehemiah Van Skike; sur- veyor. Hiram Lipe: majorities against the constitutional conven- tion and the constitutional amendment.
1881. Election for governor and lieutenant governor, judge of the state supreme court, superintendent of public instruction.
.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
and representative for forty-sixth congressional district. County officers elected : County auditor. Edward M. Evans; treasurer (to fill vacancy). Elilm D. Stedman ; sheriff. Peter L. Smith; county superintendent, Salina Blackburn; surveyor. Hiram Lipe: super- visors, Cyrus Maholm; coroner. Wm. F. Kirkpatrick; majority of 949 for proposition to build a jail and 1082 for appropriation of swamp land fund.
1882. Election for various state officers except governor. judge, clerk and reporter of state supreme court and congressional representative from fifth district. Following were elected for other offices : Judge (eighth) district court. James D. Giffin; district attorney. Milton Rumley ; clerk district and circuit courts. Arad Thompson; recorder, James W. Smock; commissioner. John L. Youel.
1883. Gubernatorial election; also for another judge of the supreme court and superintendent of public instruction. Majori- ties: State senator. John Rider; representative, George C. Scrim- geour. Elected: County auditor. George K. Knapp; treasurer. Elihn D. Stedman; sheriff, Irvin Mitchell; superintendent of schools, (Miss) S. Blaekman ; surveyor, Hiram Lipe; coroner, Wmn. F. Kirkpatrick ; supervisor, Nehemiah Van Skike.
1884. Presidential election year : also for state officers except governor and lieutenant governor; congressional representative fifth district. Majorities for amendments 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the state constitution and for J. II. Rothrock as judge of the state supreme court and Christian C. Hedges, judge circuit court of eighth dis- trict. County officers elected: Recorder. George A. Freeman ; clerk of the district and circuit courts. Arad Thompson : super- visor, Hugh St. Clair.
1885. Election for governor, judge of state supreme court, superintendent of publie instruction ete. County officers elected : Auditor, George R. Knapp : treasurer, Elihu D. Stedman : sheriff. John W. Barr; county superintendent of schools, Charles B. Ma- rine; supervisor, John L. Youel; coroner, Wm. F. Kirkpatrick ; surveyor, Hiram Lipe.
1886. Election for various state officers except governor ; for congressional representative and clerk and reporter of state supreme court, Hon. George M. Gilchrist had a majority for the district judgeship and the following county officers were elected : Supervisor, G. H. Krime; recorder. George A. Freeman ; attorney. George W. Burnham.
1887. Election for governor, lieutenant governor, judge of
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
the supreme court, superintendent of public instruction and con- gressional representative. County officers elected : Anditor. S. P. Van Dike: treasurer, E. D. Stedman; sheriff, John W. Barr; superintendent of schools, Charles B. Marner; supervisor. John Young ; coroner. W. F. Kirkpatrick : surveyor, George W. Ridge.
1888. Presidental election : also for various state officers cx- cept governor ( and including railroad commissioner) ; judge of state supreme court and representative for congress. County officers elected : Recorder, David D. Johnson; attorney, John T. Christie ; supervisor. John S. Stanley.
1889. Election for governor, lieutenant governor, judge of the supreme court, superintendent of public instruction. railroad commissioner, judge of the district court ( Hon. G. W. Gilchrist in a majority). senator from the forty-fifth distriet (J. J. Mosnat in a small majority) and representative for forty-ninth district (b. A. Mitchell in a heavy majority). County officers elected : Auditor, S. P. Van Dike; treasurer, Alex. Runyon ; sheriff, John A. Elliott ; surveyor, I. Lipe; superintendent of schools, E. K. MeGogg; cor- ouer, D. D. Maples : supervisor. G. Il. Krime.
1890. Election for various officers except governor, ete. Ma- jority of 2,186 in county against revision of state constitution. County officers elected : Recorder, D. D. Johnson; clerk of dis- triet court. John M. Lehr; attorney, Cato Sells; supervisor, Joseph Owens.
1891. Election for governor, lieutenant governor. representa- tive forty-ninth district etc. County officers elected: Treasurer. Alex. Runyon; sheriff. J. C. Downs; superintendent of schools. E. K. MeGogg; supervisor J. S. Stanley : surveyor. C. S. Bennett ; cor- oner. G. MeCorkle.
1892. Presidential election ; also for various state officers ex- cept governor, congressional representative from the fifth district judge of the seventeenth judicial district and clerk of district court. County officers elected : Auditor, H. H. Buck ; recorder, E. M. Evans; attorney. Cato Sells; supervisor. G. W. Ferris.
1893. Gubernatorial election; also for judge of the supreme court, superintendent of public instruction, railroad commissioner. representative of the forty-ninth district, senator of the forty-fifth district ete. County officers elected : Treasurer. James G. Mallory : sheriff. James M. Elson ; county superintendent of schools. A. W. White : coroner. G. M. Mesbit ; supervisor. R. F. Smith.
1894. Election for state officers except governor ete .. judges of the superior and supreme court, clerk and recorder of the su.
.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
preme court, representative from fifth congressional district and judge of the seventeenth judicial district. County officers elected : Auditor, II. H. Buck; clerk of the district court. John Lorenz, Jr .; attorney. C. F. Stookey; recorder. E. M. Evans; sheriff, S. H. Met- calf : supervisor. John T. Sloan. Majority of 300 against propo- sition to levy three-mill tax for county poor house.
1895. Election for governor, lieutenant governor, judge of state supreme court, superintendent of public instruction, railroad commissioner and representative from forty-ninth district. County officers elected : Treasurer, James G. Mallory ; sheriff, Samuel H. Metealf; superintendent of schools. Authur White; supervisor. Morgan S. Pratt ; coroner. C. B. Chenoweth ; surveyor, Hiram Lipe. Proposition to borrow money to erect new court house defeated by 2,885 to 1.914 votes.
1896. Presidential election: also for various state officers except governor. etc. County officers elected: Auditor, W. H. Biekel; clerk of district court. B. F. Mossman; recorder, J .. E. Whipple : attorney, M. J. Tobin ; supervisor. R. F. Smith.
1897. Election for governor, lieutenant governor, etc. Coun- ty officers elected : Treasurer, Charles W. Brubaker; sheriff, Peter HI. Theissen ; superintendent of schools, Aaron K. Rife; supervisor, John F. Schloeman : coroner. J. E. Cox: surveyor. William Bern- storf. Proposition to build a county home defeated by 1,739 to 1,686.
1898. Election for various other state officers than governor, etc. Elected: Clerk of the district court. B. F. Mossman ; audi- tor, W. HI. Bickel: recorder. D. S. Rosenberg; attorney, M. J. Tobin ; supervisor, Jno. N. Kerr ; surveyor, Llewellyn Smith.
1900. Presidential election ; also for secretary, anditor, treas- urer and attorney general of the state. railroad commissioner. judge of supreme court and representative from the fifth con- gressional district. Officers elected : Clerk of district court. A. B. Allen ; recorder. D. S. Rosenberg: auditor, W. O. Brand; at- torney, L. J. Kirkland: supervisor. Hugh Humphrey. The con- stitution amendment carried by a vote of 2,680 to 1,756 and the constitution convention by 2.546 to 2.132.
1901. Election for governor and various other state officers. state senator from the forty-fifth district and representative from the forty-ninth. County officers elected: Treasurer. J. C. Pingel ; sheriff. W. C. Yonel: superintendent of schools. C. R. Lowe: sur- veyor. L. Smith ; coroner, A. J. Bryant ; supervisor, John N. Kerr.
Vol. 1-5
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
1902. Election of various state officers other than governor, ete. County officers elected: Clerk of district court, A. B. Al- len; auditor. W. O. Brand; recorder. George H. Thompson; su- pervisor, J. P. Coburn.
1903. Election for governor. etc. County officers elected : Treasurer, John C. Pingel ; sheriff. W. C. Yonel ; superintendent of schools, C. R. Lowe; surveyor, L. A. Diekinson; coroner. A. J. Bryant : supervisor. II. Humphrey.
1901-Presidential election; also for secretary. auditor. treasurer and attorney general of the state. railroad commissioner. judge of the supreme court and representative from the fifth con- gressional district. County officers elected; Auditor W. O. Brand; clerk district court. A. B. Allen; treasurer, John C. Pin- gel ; sheriff, W. C. Yonel; recorder. George H. Thompson ; superin- tendent of schools. C. R. Lowe; coroner. A. J. Bryant; surveyor. L. A. Dickinson ; attorney. L. J. Kirkland. On the constitutional amendment, 2226 votes were cast for, and 2382 against ; on the court the court house proposition (for direet taxation of five mills) 2930 for, and 2,647 against.
By proper legislative action the proposed amendment to ar- tiele XII (section 16). providing for uniform biennial elections of state officers was submitted to the electors at the fall election of 1904 and adopted. It provided for the election of a governor. lieutenant governor, secretary of state, anditor. treasurer. attor- ney general, two judges of the supreme court -- the successors of judges of the district court whose terms of office expired Devem- ber 31, 1906-and six state senators who would otherwise be chosen in 1905. as well as members of the house of representatives. The terms of the judges of the supreme court which would otherwise expire on December 31st of odd numbered years, and all other elective state, county and township officers whose terms of off e would otherwise expire in January. 1906, and members of the general assembly whose successors would otherwise be chosen in 1905, were extended one year until their successors could qualify. The terms of senators whose successors would otherwise be chosen in 1907 were extended one year. The general assembly was to provide which of the judges of the state supreme court was to serve as chief justice.
1906-7-Gubernatorial election. County officers: Auditor. A. H. Turner; clerk. F. G. Bryner: treasurer. John (. Pingel : recorder. George H. Thompson : sheriff. W. C. Youel; attorney.
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HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Clarence Nichols; superintendent of schools, C. R. Lowe; coroner, Dr. A. J. Bryant.
1907-S- Election for congressman. County officers: Andi- tor. A. HI. Turner; clerk. F. G. Bryner; treasurer. J. N. Wilson; recorder. J. A. Ridenour ; sheriff, A. B. Blair; attorney, Clarence Nichols: coroner, Levi W. Latham ; superintendent of schools, J. W. Jones.
1908-9-Gubernatorial election. County officers: Auditor. E. E. Strait ; clerk of district court, P. O. Christianson; treasurer, J. N. Wilson ; recorder, J. A. Ridenour; sheriff. A. B. Blair; at- torney, E. F. Brown; superintendent of schools, J. W. Jones; coroner. S. IT. Lutes; surveyor, H. Lipe.
OLD-TIME COUNTY OFFICIALS.
Commencing in 1873. P. S. Smith of Vinton served as sheriff of Benton county for several terms. He is one of the old-timers. coming from Montgomery county. New York. in 1855, to Linn conn- ty. lowa. lle first engaged in farming and stock-dealing, and gradually approached the shrievalty of the county through the offices of assessor of the town of Eden (eleven years), town clerk (nine years). and justice of the peace (eleven years). Alto- gether. he was an office holder in Benton county about forty years.
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