USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 14
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Balance on hand, January 1, 1908
$ 154.42
Received from sale of hogs 2,463.54
Received from sale of cattle 1.979.06
Received from sale of horses
285.00
Received from sale of grain
531.91
Received from sale of poultry, butter, eggs and cream.
IO1.42
Received from sale of fruit
29.15
Received from miscellaneous sales
1,009.13
$6,553.63
Disbursements.
Paid for provisions
$ 491.59
Paid for clothing
168.67
Paid for fuel and lights
49.86
Paid for repairs
186.90
Paid for salaries and wages
1,590.17
Paid for house furnishings
33.83
Paid for permanent improvements
439.59
Paid for grains and feed
1,819.34
Paid for live stock
1,409.19
Paid for sundries
102.25
Balance on hand, January 1, 1909.
262.24
$6,553.63
The following number of inmates have been cared for during the year: Num- ber of insane, four; number of others, not classed as insane, seventeen; total, twenty-one.
Number died during the year, three ; number discharged during the year, one ; number admitted during the year, three.
Number of inmates, January 1, 1909 : Insane, three ; not classed as insane, four- teen ; total, seventeen.
Inventory of live stock on hand.
Jan. 1, 1908. Jan. 1, 1909.
Cattle
37 53
Horses
14
I3
Hogs
178
I57
229 183
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
133
STATEMENT OF TAX LEVIES, IN MILLS IN TAYLOR COUNTY, IOWA,
FOR THE YEAR, 1908.
General tax.
State (general revenue)
3.5
State university
.2
State Agricultural College
.2
State normal school
.I
County fund
5.5
Bridge
4.0
County school
I.O
Insane
1.7
County road
I.O
Soldier's relief
.3
Total
16.5
Teachers.
Contingent
School House
School Bond .
District Road .
General Twp.
Cemetery
Bd. of Health
Consolidated
Total
. ...
.
.
Benton
7.6
I.I 5.2
.7 4.0
16.5 35.I
Clayton
8.6
2.2
4.0
16.5 31.3
Dallas
IO.0
2.3
4.0
.7 .I
16.5 33.6
Gay
IO.4
2.3
4.0
.I 16.5 33.3
Grant
IO.0
2.0
4.0
.2 16.5 32.7
Grove
II.8
2.4
4.0
.3
.3 16.5 35.3
Mason
8.4
I.O
3.75
.25
.2 16.5 30.I
Marshall
8.7
I.7
4.0
.2 16.5 31.I
Nodaway
9.7
2.I
4.0
Platte
5.6
1.8
4.0
Polk
4.8
1.8
3.8
Buchanan. Ind.
7.0
4.3
3.8
.2
16.5 32.0
Washington
8.6
1.5 3.0
4.0
.5
16.5 34.I
Antioch. Ind.
9.0
2.0
4.0
16.5 31.5
Fairview Ind.
II.O
4.2
10.4 4.0
16.5 46.I
Gravel Point Ind.
12.0
2.0
4.0
16.5 34.5
Holt Ind.
4.2
I.I
4.0
16.5 25.8
Holt Center Ind.
12.0
2.0
4.0
16.5 34.5
Lincoln Ind
IO.0
3.0
4.0
16.5 33.5
Mt. Pleasant Ind.
II.O
5.5
9.5 4.0
16.5 46.5
Winterset Ind.
. IO.0
II.3
4.0
16.5 41.8
Big Springs Ind.
7.0
3.0
4.0
.5
5 16.5 31.5
I .2 .2
16.5 27.3
Chenoworth Grove Ind 12.0
3.5
4.0
16.5 36.0
TOWN,
TOWNSHIP OR
DISTRICT
16.5 32.3
16.5 28.9
134
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
TOWN,
TOWNSHIP OR
DISTRICT
Teachers.
Contingent .
School House
School Bond ..
District Road
General Twp. .
Cemetery ... . .
Bd. of Health
City Levies
Consolidated
. .5 16.5 30.5
Platteville Ind.
8.0
3.5
4.0
.5
.5 16.5 33.0
Platte River Ind.
5.5
1.7
5.0 4.0
.5
.5 16.5 33.7
Works Ind.
3.I
2.3
4.0
. .
.5
.5 16.5 26.9
Science Ridge Ind.
6.0
2.5
3.25 .5 .25
1.4 16.5 30.4
Liberty Ind.
7.0
2.0
3.25 .5
.25
1.4 16.5 30.9
Forest Grove Ind.
7.0
2.4
...
1.7
3.5
.5
16.5 29 2
Ross No. 2
7.7
5.4
3.5
.5
16.5 33.6
Ross No. 3
13.2 9.6
3.5
.5
16.5 43.3
Ross No. 4
9.5 1.6
3.5
.5
16.5 31.6
Ross No. 5.
8.0 2.4
3.5
.5
16.5 30.9
Ross No. 6
12.0 2.8
3.5
.5
16.5 35.3
Ross No. 7
8.0 4.0
3.5
.5
16.5 32.5
Ross No. 8
6.0 4.0
3.5
.5
16.5 30.5
Ross No. 9 .
4.4 1 . 5
3.5
.5
16.5 26.4
Athelstan Corp
16.4 5.7
lona Ind.
16.4 5.7
4.0
.5
.5 . . ..
16.5 43.I
Bedford Corp
17.3 6.0
5 .
.5 4.0
1.0 10.0 16.5 61.6
Blockton Corp Lands
27.9 6.2
I.O
5.0 16.5 56.6
Blockton Ind.
.27.9 6.2
. . 4.0
· 5 .5 ....
16.5 55.6
Clearfield Corp
18.0 7.0 10.0
.I 14.0 16.5 65.6
Clearfield Ind.
18.0 7.0 10.0 . . 4.0
.2 .... 16.5 55.7
Conway Corp.
15.3 4.4
13.0
16.5 49.2
Conway Ind.
15.3 4.4
4.0
.2
. ..
16.5 40.4
Gravity Corp
15.4 7.3
.5
.I 13.0 16.5 52.8
Gravity Ind.
15.47.3
4.0
. 5
16.5 43.7
Lenox Corp
16.4 2.4
7.I
.I 15.0 16.5 57.5
Lenox Ind.
16.4 2.4
7.1 . 4.0
I.O
16.5 47.4
New Mkt. Ind. Dallas Tp. 17.3 5.2
4.0
.7
.I
16.5 43.8
New Mkt. Ind. Mason Tp. 17.3 5.2
3.75
. .
.25
.2 16.5 43.2
Hawleyville Ind.
15.0 3.0
4.0
.7
.I 16.5 39.3
Sharpsburg Corp
12.7 1.6
5.0 16.5 35.8
Sharpsburg Ind.
12.7 1.6
4.0
.2 ....
16.5 35.0
·
Hope, Ind.
5.7
3.3
4.0
.5
3.25 .5 .25
1.4 16.5 31.3
Pleasant Grove Ind.
3.0
3.25 .5 .25
1.4 16.5 24.9
Ross No. I
7.0
23.0
16.5 67.8
Bedford Township
17.3 6.0
16.5 48.8
Blockton Corp
.27.9 6.2
New Market Corp
17.3 5.2
3.6 10.0 16.5 52.6
Poll, 50; Male Dog $1.00; Spayed Female Dog $1.00; Female Dog $3.00.
Total
15.0 16.5 53.6
135
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
COUNTY ELECTIONS.
In writing this chapter it should be stated at the outset that the returns prior to 1866 are not complete, in fact, the names of county officers are for the most part to be obtained only from names affixed to legal documents. In the year 1866, a record book was provided for election returns, and the entries properly made from that time until the present. The very first record bears the date of August 18, 1852, and is signed by H. P. Bennett, county judge of Mills county, William Shearer, county judge of Page county, and John Lowe, county judge of Taylor county. The occasion of the record was the certificate of election and the canvass of votes for "senator and representative of Fremont district." The election was held on the first Monday in August, 1852, and there were cast a total of five hun- dred and seventeen votes. Of this number George W. Lucas received three hundred and twenty-four, and Benjamin Rector, one hundred and ninety-three. Thesc gentlemen were contestants in the senatorial race, which from the record resulted in favor of Mr. Lucas. For the office of representative there were cast four hundred and ninety-six votes, and of these William C. Means received two hundred and thirty-eight, Fred Rector seventy votes and R. Connor, one hun- dred and ninety-nine. William C. Means was therefore declared duly elected representative.
In the same year occurred the presidential election, which caused such excite- ment throughout the union. Events were already casting their shadows before. Citizens of Taylor county entered into the contest with great enthusiasm as this was the first time the county was to assist in the election of a president. The first thing done was to divide the county into election districts. Four districts were formed, the fourth and last one including the present entire county of Ring- gold, over which at that time Taylor county kept watch and ward. This necessary preliminary was attended to in October, prior to the election in November. Citi- zens of the first precinct were to vote at the house of Jacob Ross, and Judge Lowe appointed as election judges, Jacob Ross, James D. Ross and John F. Dougherty. The voters of the second precinct were to assemble at the residence of Ben- jamin Barnes and Young Faris. Benjamin Barnes and Elias Bridgewater were to see that the votes were properly cast and to care for the returns. The mem- bers of the third district were to vote at the schoolhouse, in what is now Jackson township and Matthew Hindman, Isaac Guyll and William Edmiston were ap- pointed as judges. The judges were to make a return of the vote of their respec- tive districts within three days after the casting thereof. Judge Lowe did not forget the infant county of Ringgold. On October 16, 1852, he ordered that Ring- gold county "is lade off in one entire disstrict and named Scholan Township," and the place of voting to be at "Lott Hobbs." The judges of the election were Charles H. Scholen, Abner Smith and Jesse Harper. All of these preliminaries being arranged matters were in readiness for the presidential election. On No- vember 2, 1852, the election was held and the total number of votes cast in the four precincts was fifty-two.
In this campaign it will be remembered that Franklin Pierce, the democratic nominee, defeated General Winfield Scott, the Whig candidate.
136
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
In this county the democratic electors received double the vote of the Whig electors.
Previous to the November election, one had been held in August, 1852, for county officers. No returns are to be obtained of this election. In the county courts' minute book, however, is found the oaths of office of the following persons, stating that they had been elected at the election. John Lowe, county judge; Jacob Ross, county surveyor : William B. Carrigan, a constable of Benton township and William Hindman, district clerk for the term of two years.
In the April elections of 1853, held to elect a district judge and township officers the following incomplete returns are found :
Whole number of votes cast
FOR DISTRICT JUDGE. 54
Allen A. Bradford 26
William Dewey
Jackson Township. 28
James Gartside, justice of the peace ; E. Hake, assessor ; Hampton Penning- ton, constable.
Polk Township.
Daniel McAlpin, justice of the peace; John Krout, assessor ; James Holland, constable.
Benton Township.
No justice. Lot Hobbs, assessor ; Allen Bullock, constable.
In 1854 occurred the second election for representatives held in this county, which then formed a part of the thirty-ninth district. The returns are certified to by Thomas Greenwood, county judge of Fremont county, John Lowe, county judge of Taylor county, and Elisha Milton, district clerk of Page county, and ex-officio county judge. The whole number of votes cast was six hundred and five, of which William Day received three hundred and three, and Tilden S. Buckham three hundred and two, electing Day by one vote, but the record shows no contest of election.
The complete returns for Taylor county alone were as follows :
Governor-Curtis Bates, 66; James W. Grimes, II.
Secretary of State -- G. W. McLay, 71; Martin Morris, 70.
Member of Congress-Augustus Hall, 69; Rufus Clark, 6. Representative-William Day, 65 : T. S. Buckham, 14.
District Clerk, Taylor County-H. W. Baker, 33.
Prosecuting Attorney-William Ferguson, 23.
The record closes by saying : "Baker and Ferguson is elected."
From this incomplete record of the election of 1854, there are no records pre- served relative to elections until 1866, and after an interval of fifty years, the old settlers still alive can recall but few of the names of county officers of that time. While there may have been carelessness in preserving the records, at that time, we feel sure that the political business of the county was carried on as actively and earnestly as at present.
From pioneers we learn that the people of Taylor county entered into the presidential contest of 1856, with zeal. The newly formed republican party put forth its first candidate, John C. Fremont, who entered the contest on the plat-
137
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
form of "Free speech, free press, free soil and Fremont." This year, 1856, marks the first organization of a republican party in this county, further mention of which will be made elsewhere. It is especially unfortunate that the records of three presidential elections, are preserved only in the memory of the old set- tlers. It would be of special interest to read the returns of the elections of 1856, 1860 and 1864. With 1866 the record opens, and everything connected with lo- cal politics will be again brought to mind by studying the list of candidates and the votes cast for them. As there is not much local interest now in candidates for the various state offices so many years ago, we refrain from giving a list of them, and will only give the various county officers, district judges, state representatives, senators and congressmen for the district of which Taylor county forms a part. It will be noted that for a time we had, in addition to the district judge which we still have, a circuit judge whose jurisdiction was confined to certain classes of cases, but the office was finally abolished and an additional district judge is now elected. A district prosecuting attorney, who acted as at- torney for the state in all cases throughout the judicial district. As population increased and with it a corresponding increase of legal business, this office was abolished 'and each county now elects a prosecuting attorney. Changes have been made from time to time in congressional, senatorial and representative districts.
Our present congressional district, the eighth, comprises the counties of Adams. Appanoose, Clark, Decatur, Fremont, Lucas, Page, Ringgold, Taylor, Union and Wayne, eleven counties. Our judicial district is the third and comprises the counties of Adams, Clark, Decatur, Ringgold, Taylor, Union and Wayne.
Our senatorial district is the sixth and includes Taylor and Adams counties, Taylor county is the eighth representative district. Where it has been possible to obtain a list of officers from other sources back of 1866, we give them, as will be noted in list of judges and congressmen.
District Judges-Allen A. Bradford, 1854; E. H. Sears, 1855-57; John S. Townsend, 1857 ; E. H. Sears, 1858-62 ; James G. Day, 1863-70 ; James W. McDill, 1870-72; J. R. Reed, 1872-73 ; Samuel Forrey, 1873-78; R. C. Henry, 1879-90 ; John W. Harvey, 1883-90 ; W. H. Tedford, 1891-1900; H. M. Towner, 1891-1908; R. L. Parrish, 1901-03 ; W. E. Miller, 1904-05 ; H. K. Evans, 1905-08.
Circuit Judges-James W. McDill, 1869-73; J. W. Hewitt, 1873-78; D. D. Gregory, 1878-84; John Chanay, 1884-86. Office abolished.
Congressman-Bernhart Henn, 1853-1855; Augustus Hall, 1855-1857 ; Sam- uel R. Curtis. 1857-1863; John A. Kasson, 1863-1867; Greenville M. Dodge, 1867-1869; Frank W. Palmer. 1869-1873; James W. McDill, 1873-1877; W. F. Sapp, 1877-1881 ; W. P. Hepburn. 1881-1886; Albert R. Anderson, 1887-1888; James P. Flick, 1889-1892 ; W. P. Hepburn, 1893-1908; W. D. Jamieson, 1908.
State Senators-N. B. Moon, 1868-1872; Huston January, 1872-1876; Fred Leale, 1876-1880; G. L. Finn, 1880-1884; A. P. Stephens, 1884-1888; George L. Finn, 1888-1896; W. C. Mitchell, 1896-1900; F, L. Arthaud, 1900- 1904; Dan W. Turner, 1904-1908; T. W. Bennett, 1908.
State Representatives-L. T. McCoun, 1867-1871; Andrew Johnston, 1871- 1873; John Flick, 1873-1875; John Madden, 1875-1877; J. P. Flick, 1877-1879; N. S. Honady. 1879-1881 ; Lyman Evans, 1881-1883; Dennis Hamblin, 1883- 1885 ; George L. Finn, 1885-1887 ; C. M. Paschal, 1887-1891 ; A. J. Sowers, 1891-
138
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
1895; George H. Van Houten, 1895-1899; W. D. Blakemore, 1899-1903; William Cobb, 1903-1906; George H. Van Houten, 1906-1908; M. L. Burt, 1908.
Clerk of the Courts-E. T. Smith, 1867-1871; Alexander John, 1871-1873; Eleazer Fleming, 1873-1875; H. H. Taylor, 1875-1879; S. Schram, 1879-1881 ; H. H. Taylor, 1881-1883 ; T. H. Hull, 1883-1889; Samuel`McKissick, 1889-1893; H. P. Jaqua, 1893-1897; Paul Hunter, 1897-1901 ; Edward E. Cass, 1901-1905; T. G. Stewart, 1905-1909; Ren H. Fuller, 1909.
County Recorder-1867-1869; James P. Flick, 1869-1871; E. G. Medford, 1871-1881; William Wilkins, 1881-1885; W. N. Farlow, 1885-1889; W. F. John- son, 1889-1893; John W. Beck, 1893-1897; N. Reeves, 1897-1901 ; M. A. Sawyer, 1901-1905; Kenneth E. Stephens, 1905-1909; Mary E. Osborne, 1909.
County Auditor-Previous to 1869, duties of this office were performed by county judge.
R. B. Kindell, 1870-1874; W. F. Evans, 1874-1880; H. P. Long, 1880-1886; E. R. Fowler, 1886-1890; M. Miller, 1890-1895; J. W. Beauchamp, 1895-1899; M. M. Million, 1899-1903; J. F. Besco, 1903-1907; W. H. Lake, 1907.
County Treasurer-E. Rose, 1868-1869; J. M. Cobb to fill vacancy and for full term, 1869-1872 ; M. V. King, 1872-1874; Alexander John, 1874-1876; Peter C. King, 1878-1884; George H. Van Houten, appointed by board of supervisors to fill vacancy until election of 1884; Alexander John, 1885-1886; W. F. Evans, 1886-1890; A. C. Brice, 1890-1892; 1892-1896; Charles G. Martin, 1896-1900; A. E. Lake, 1900-1904; W. F. Evans, 1904-1909; A. D. Nye, 1909.
Sheriff-M. V. King, 1868-1869; Jesse Laird, 1869-1874; filled vacancy in 1869; later regularly elected to the office; J. I. Algeo, 1874-1876; J. F. Scott, 1876-1880; G. E. DeLong, 1880-1882; T. H. Morgan, 1882-1888; W. E. Brown, 1888-1890; G. M. Bradley, 1890-1892; R. Vickery, 1892-1896; H. M. Long, 1896-1900; W. C. McGinness, 1900-1904; J. H. Humphrey, 1904-1909; J. H. Dougherty, 1909.
County Superintendent of Schools-From Mr. J. S. Boyd, we gather informa- tion regarding the superintendent's office from the organization of the county. John Hayden was commissioner of schools in 1857. He was followed by E. D. Bulen who was elected in 1858, followed by J. S. Boyd, in 1861. Mr. Boyd served in the office until 1864, when he was succeeded by W. B. Snow in 1864. From Mr. Snow's election we take the record. J. B. Snow, 1864-1870; J. S. Boyd, 1870-1872; D. L. Chaney, 1872-1874; John B. Owens, 1874-1880; W. P. Jeffrey, 1880-1884; W. P. Bishop, 1884-1888; J. M. Dick, 1888-1890; Irene McCloud, 1890-1892; Fannie Rutledge, 1892-1896; F. E. Crosson, 1896-1902; H. S. Ash, 1902-1907; E. E. Kuhn, 1907.
Coroner-W. S. Hamilton, 1868-1870; M. C. Connett, 1870-1874; W. F. Randolph, 1874-1876; A. M. Golliday, 1876-1878; M. C. Connett, 1878-1882; S. S. Weidner, 1882-1886; L. U. Singer, 1886-1888; J. T. McColm, 1888-1892; T. W. Bennet, 1892-1898; C. W. McColm, 1898-1900; Milo B. Dunning, 1900- 1904; E. L. Brown, 1904-1906; C. M. Paschal, 1906.
Surveyor-As will be seen in the article on location of the county seat in 1853, Jacob Ross was the first county surveyor. We find no mention further until the year 1867. The election returns give the name of D. W. Lamb, county surveyor. D. W. Lamb, 1868-1870; Josiah Litteer, 1870-1874; N. P. Nelson,
139
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
1874-1886; W. C. Blackstone, 1876-1880; M. C. Litteer, 1880-1882; W. F. Ran- dolph, 1882-1904; E. S. Chesbro, 1904-1909; J. C. Askom, 1909.
County Attorneys-Mark Atkinson 1887-1891 ; L. T. McCoun, 1891-1895; W. M. Jackson, 1895-1899; W. E. Miller, 1899-1903; J. B. Dunn, 1903-1907; M. R. Brant, 1907-1909; T. M. Dougherty, 1909.
Prosecuting Attorneys-James A. Forger, 1855; J. W. Alley, 1856; James A. Forger, 1857; James G. Day, 1858-1862 ; R. B. Parrott, 1862-1865.
District Attorneys -- In 1865, the name of the public prosecutor was changed to district attorney and he travelled over the district as the judges do now. The following attorneys filled the office until it was abolished in 1886: C. E. Miller, 1866-1869; M. S. McPherson, 1870-1873; W. L. Laughlin, 1873; M. S McPher- son, 1874-1881 ; James P. Flick, 1882-1886. Office abolished.
In the foregoing pages are given the names of the various county officers, and date of election as shown by the election record, which it has been mentioned, dates back as far only as 1866.
About the only way earlier officers are known are from finding their names affixed to official instruments in the various old records. It has been a laborious process and very unsatisfactory. The record here given is not complete, as to the names, and the dates of election and time of service can only be guessed at.
In another chapter it will be noted that the first election was held in 185.1 and the various officers elected are mentioned, but the time for which they were . elected is not given. It states that Jacob Ross, Levi Hayden and Daniel Smith were elected county commissioners, John Hayden, county clerk, treasurer and recorder, and James B. Campbell, sheriff.
The commissioners held court at the home of Jacob Ross, who is denomitated Judge Ross in the record, although county judge is not mentioned in the ac- count of the election.
In a record, date of 1852, we find Judge Lowe's name affixed, so the inference is that Jacob Ross was temporarily county judge and that John Lowe was the first judge after county organization.
Following John Lowe was W. C. Gibson and probably the last one was Jesse Evans, as we find various records signed by him from 1856 to 1859. W. F. Walker was a county judge or rather probate judge after Evans, as the duties of the office had been restricted to purely probate business.
Under date of 1858, we find reference to newly elected county officers, as follows :
District clerk, D. Dale; treasurer and recorder, Bona Dale; prosecuting at- torney, J. A. Hewis ; and sheriff, John A. Higgins.
Mention is made of the October election of 1858, in which it is stated that D. E. Jones was chosen treasurer and recorder, and E. D. Bulin, county superin- tendent.
In 1859, Elisha T. Smith was elected county clerk. In 1860, James S. Brooks was elected sheriff; J. M. Stockton, county superintendent and Josiah Litteer, surveyor. In another record found since writing the above, it is stated that in 1857 A. B. Walker resigned as treasurer and recorder and Bonaparte Dale was ap- pointed to fill the vacancy and that John S. Boyd was surveyor in 1859.
140
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
It was a laborious process to get at the date of the election of members of the board of supervisors. After the abolishing of the office of county judge, a board of supervisors transacted the business formerly done by the judge. At first it seems that there was a supervisor from each township, and it is likely he was elected by the voters of the township, along with other township officers.
Under date of January 7, 1861, we find record of the swearing in of a board of supervisors, following is the list: Daniel Underwood, Benton; W. H. Allison, Clayton : Samuel Weaver, Dallas: L. W. Hillyer, Jefferson; B. B. Hoover, Jackson; William G. Meredith, Mason; Josiah Litteer, Marshall; Jesse Orme, Nodaway: J. B. Campbell, Polk; Oliver Jenks, Platte ; Humphrey Parker, Ross; and D. W. Hamilton, Washington.
In 1862, Vincent Beall, of Clayton ; Thomas Cobb, of Benton ; Asa Cobb, of Ross and John King, of Jefferson, were sworn in as members of the board.
In January, 1863, John McLean, of Dallas; James Gartside, of Jackson and Josiah Litteer, of Marshall, were sworn in as members of the Board.
In 1864. W. H. Allison. J. R. Standley, B. T. Warfield, R. D. McKee and B. H. Baker.
In 1865. Daniel Hoover, Daniel Leonard, R. D. McAlpin and Jesse Laswell, are recorded as members of the board.
In 1866, M. B. Godfrey, David Johnson, James Miller and Jacob Tomlinson were sworn in as members.
In 1867. Joseph W. Turner, J. M. Stockton, S. W. Robinson, W. J. Woods and A. Chenoweth became members of the board.
In 1868, David Johnson is the only new name we find added to the board of supervisors.
Nothing could be found which disclosed members elected in 1869.
About this time the law affecting the membership of the board changed as in the county election returns for 1870 we find the first record of the election of a supervisor.
At this time three members were elected at the general election. Since then to the present time the board has consisted of three members. The men who had the honor to be chosen at this election were: B. B. Hoover, L. W. Hillyer and G. E. DeLong. The members elected at each succeeding annual election were as follows: 1871, D. W. Hamblin and A. B. Oxley; 1872, B. B. Hoover ; 1873, R. D. McKee; 1874, D. H. Hamilton, to fill vacancy and D. W. Hamblin ; 1875, W. D. Blakemore; 1876, John Reeves; 1877, W. P. Sherwood; 1878, J. H. Osborne; 1879, W. B. Snow; 1880, W. H. Colgrove; 1881, W. D. Blakemore, 1882, R. V. Kelley; 1883, W. H. Colgrove; 1884, W. E. Crum; 1885 Washing- ton Hall; 1886, John L. Payton; 1887, J. West James; 1888, Washigton Hall ; 1889, J. R. Cooper ; 1890, J. M. Thompson; 1891, Henry Coulthard; 1892, John R. Cooper; 1894, H. Coulthard; 1895, S. F. Bowen; 1896, A. B. Wakeman; 1897, H. H. Johnson ; 1898, Joseph Doubet ; 1899, A. B. Wakeman ; 1900, H. H. Johnson ; 1901, J. E. Babson ; 1902, Alex. John; 1903, C. A. Huss and Lloyd Payton to fill vacancy occasioned by death of Colonel Babson : 1904. Lloyd Pay- ton. The elections after this were held bi-annually. 1906, Paul Hunter, two years ; C. N. Hargardin, three years ; W. G. Sharp, three years; 1908, Paul Hunter and C. N. Hargardin.
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
COUNTY SCHOOLS.
Reports of schools being given, with the history of each town and town- ship, this chapter will be little more than a condensed report. From the finan- cial report of the county found in another chapter, it will be seen that the tax levies for school purposes are quite liberal, having been materially increased in the last few years. There is a healthy growing educational sentiment in the county, which will eventually lead to still better conditions. Many districts have nine months school, pay good wages, have neat buildings and keep them in good repair, and appropriating more money each year for library books and apparatus, and otherwise showing that the school is the most important thing in the community. A regular course of study is pursued by the rural schools, the completion of which entitles the pupil to a diploma which admits him to any high school in the county without examination. For more than ten years the county has had uniformity of text-books and the books are furnished to pupils at the contract price. A summer school is now maintained in connection with the annual teachers institute and this furnishes an opportunity for the teachers to get professional training at home. A teachers' reading circle is also maintained which calls for some study during the year along professional lines, which has a tendency to raise the standard of efficiency in the teaching force.
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