USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 5
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John Keesey was elected assistant supervisor for Patton township, it being the opinion that this township had the population entitling it to two supervisors.
March 9, 1875-J. M. Thompson took his seat, in place of T. F. Kingsley. resigned.
1875-John H. Collier, Chairman, Drummer; John Richardson, Dix; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button; William Kenward, Wall; J. A. Montelius, Brenton ; James Sheldon, Pella; A. V. Burcham, Lyman; J. M. Hall and J. T. Miller, Patton; Samuel Clayton, Rogers; Monroe Bute, Mona; W. B. Holmes, Peach Orchard; M. L. Sullivant, Sullivant.
1876-John H. Collier, chairman, Drummer; Joseph Burger, Brenton; Alonzo Burr, Sullivant; John M. Hall and John W. Swanson, Patton; John S. Hewins, Button; W. B. Holmes, Peach Orchard; William Kenward, Wall; James Ogilvie, Rogers; John Richardson, Dix; James Sheldon, Pella; Joseph Hurst, Lyman ; Monroe Bute, Mona.
March 13, 1877-Samuel J. LeFevre took his seat as supervisor, in place of J. II. Collier, elected to the general assembly. James Sheldon was elected chairman.
1877-J. P. Middlecoff, chairman, Patton; Joseph Burger, Brenton; C. M. Blowers, Pella; W. B. Flora, Lyman; W. B. Holmes, Peach Orchard; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button ; David Keighin, Mona ; J. F. Kenney, Wall ; S. J. LeFevre, Drummer; James Ogilvie, Rogers; John Richardson, Dix; M. L. Sullivant, Sul- livant; J. W. Swanson, Patton.
1878-J. P. Middlecoff, chairman, Patton; Joseph Burger, Brenton; C. M. Blowers, Pella; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; W. B. Flora, Lyman; J. A. Froyd, Patton ; John S. Hunt, Peach Orchard; David Keighin, Mona; J. F. Kenney, Wall; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button; S. J. LeFevre, Drummer; James Ogilvie, Rogers; S. W. Wade, Dix.
1879-S. J. LeFevre, chairman, Drummer; Edward Babcock, Wall; Joseph Burger, Brenton; C. M. Blowers, Pella; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; J. Y. Camp- bell, Patton; J. A. Froyd, Patton ; Joseph Hurst, Lyman ; John S. Hunt, Peach Orchard; David Keighin, Mona; James Ogilvie, Rogers; W. T. Patton, Button ; John Richardson, Dix.
July 14, 1879-The board decided that under the census of 1870, as pro- vided by law, Patton township was entitled to but one supervisor. Accord- ingly Mr. Froyd withdrew.
SHERIFF'S RESIDENCE AND JAIL, PAXTON
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
1880-S. J. LeFevre, chairman, Drummer; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; J. Y. Campbell, Patton ; Joseph Hurst, Lyman; J. F. Kenney, Wall; Hugh McCor- mick, Button; J. Mathis, Peach Orchard; J. S. MeElhiney, Brenton; James Ogilvie, Rogers; John Richardson, Dix; John A. Scott, Mona; T. J. Sowers, Pella.
1881-W. A. Bieket, chairman, Sullivant; C. M. Blowers, Pella; Joseph Burger, Brenton ; Abraham Croft, Patton; Joseph Hurst, Lyman; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; H. McCormick, Button ; John Richardson, Dix; John A. Scott, Mona; J. II. Snelling, Wall; W. B. Sargeant, Rogers; C. II. Yeomans, Drummer.
1882-Joseph Burger, chairman, Brenton; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant; A. C. Bullington, Dix; L. Burns, Lyman; Abraham Croft, Patton; George Eastwood, Pella ; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; William Kenney, Wall; Hugh McCormick, Button ; W. B. Sargeant, Rogers; John A. Scott, Mona; Charles H. Yeomans, Drummer.
March. 1883-Thomas Correll took his seat, in place of George Eastwood, removed from the county.
1883-Charles H. Yeomans, chairman, Drummer; W. A. Bicket, Sulli- vant ; A. C. Bullington, Dix ; Joseph Burger, Brenton ; L. Burns, Lyman ; N. B. Day, Patton; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; William Kenney, Wall; Thomas MeDermott, Pella; Hugh McCormick, Button; W. B. Sargeant, Rogers; John A. Scott, Mona.
1884-W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; A. C. Bullington, Dix; Joseph Burger, Brenton ; N. B. Day, Patton ; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; James C. Kirkpatrick, Button; William Kenney, Wall; Byron Lisk, Lyman; Thomas McDermott, Pella ; W. B. Sargeant, Rogers; Jolm A. Scott, Mona ; W. II. Simms, Drummer.
1885-W. B. Sargeant, Rogers; P. J. Gerhart, Mona; Thomas McDermott, Pella; Joseph Burger, Brenton; W. B. Flora, Lyman; William Kenney, Wall ; W. S. Larkin, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; W. HI. Simms, Drum- mer; J. II. Leonard, Dix; N. B. Day, Patton; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button.
1886-W. B. Sargeant, Rogers; Henry Benson, Mona; Thomas McDermott, Pella ; Joseph Burger. Brenton ; Byron Lisk, Lyman; William Kenney, Wall; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; F. C. McDowell, Drum- mer; S. W. Wade, Dix; N. B. Day, Patton ; W. T. Morrison, Button.
1887-W. B. Sargeant, Rogers ; Henry Benson, Mona; Thomas MeDermott, Pella; Joseph Burger, Brenton; Byron Lisk, Lyman ; William Kenney, Wall ; John Ichl, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant; F. C. McDowell, Drum- mer; A. T. Gullett, Dix; N. B. Day, Patton ; W. T. Morrison, Button.
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
1888-W. B. Sargeant. Rogers; Henry Benson, Mona ; Thomas MeDermott. Pella ; Joseph Burger, Brenton; E. O. Newman, Lyman; William Kenney. Wall; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant; F. C. McDowell, Drummer; M. W. Peterson, Dix; J. W. Ramsay, Patton; W. T. Morrison, Button.
1889-1. Whalen, Rogers; John A. Scott, Mona; Thomas MeDermott. Pella ; Joseph Burger, Brenton ; W. B. Flora, Lyman; J. F. Kenney, Wall ; John Tehl, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; John F. White, Drummer; J. II. Leonard, Dix; J. W. Ramsay, Patton; W. T. Morrison, Button.
1890-Samuel Clayton, Rogers ; John A. Scott, Mona; Thomas MeDermott, Pella ; Joseph Burger, Brenton; W. B. Flora, Lyman; J. F. Kenney, Wall ; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant; Charles S. Crary, Drum- mer; J. E. Hagin, Dix; J. W. Ramsay, Patton; W. T. Morrison, Button.
1891-W. F. Hoyt, Rogers; John A. Scott, Mona; Thomas McDermott, Pella; Joseph Burger, Brenton; W. B. Flora, Lyman; J. F. Kenney, Wall ; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; Charles S. Crary, Drum- mer; J. E. Hagin, Dix; J. W. Ramsay, Patton ; W. T. Morrison, Button.
1892-Samuel Clayton, Rogers; Winfried Scott, Mona; Thomas MeDer- mott, Pella; Joseph Burger, Brenton; W. B. Flora, Lyman; J. F. Kenney, Wall; John Iehl, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; Tim Ross, Drum- mer; P. J. Yeager, Dix; J. W. Ramsay, Patton ; W. T. Morrison, Button.
1893-Samuel Clayton, Rogers; Winfried Scott, Mona, Thomas MeDer- mott, Pella; John Rohrback, Brenton; W. B. Flora, Lyman; J. F. Kenney, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; Tim Ross, Drummer; P. J. Yeager, Dix; A. J. Laurence, Patton; W. T. Morrison, Button.
1894-Samuel Clayton, Rogers; Winfried Scott, Mona; T. J. Sowers, Pella ; John Rohrback, Brenton; W. B. Flora, Lyman; James II. Andrews, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bieket, Sullivant; Tim Ross, Drum- mer; Thomas Crowe, Dix; A. J. Laurence, Patton; W. T. Morrison, Button.
1895-Samuel Clayton, Rogers; Winfried Scott; Mona; T. J. Sowers, Pella ; John A. Montelius, Brenton; J. P. Smith, Lyman ; James H. Andrews, . Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; W. A. Bicket, Sullivant; Tim Ross, Drummer; Thomas Crowe, Dix; A. L. Laurence, Patton; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button.
1896-Samuel Clayton, Rogers; Winfried Scott, Mona; T. J. Sowers, Pella; John A. Montelius, Brenton; J. P. Smith, Lyman; James H. Andrews, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; Swen Anderson, Sullivant ; Tim Ross, Drum-
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
mer; Thomas Crowe, Dix; A. L. Laurence, Patton ; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button. 1897-William Hoyt, Rogers; Winfried Scott, Mona; T. J. Sowers, Pella ; John A. Montelius, Brenton; J. P. Smith, Lyman; James II. Andrews, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; Swen Anderson, Sullivant; Tim Ross, Drum- mer; Thomas Crowe, Dix; A. L. Laurence, Patton; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button. 1898-James Ogilvie, Rogers ; Winfried Scott, Mona; T. D. Hevener, Pella ; John A. Montelius, Brenton; J. P. Smith, Lyman ; James II. Andrews. Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; Swen Anderson, Sullivant; Tim Ross, Drum- mer. Thomas Crowe, Dix; A. J. Laurence, Patton; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button.
1899-James Ogilvie, Rogers; Winfried Scott, Mona; T. D. Hevener, Pella; John C. Culbertson, Brenton; J. P. Smith, Lyman; William E. Kenney, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; O. A. Lundelof, Sullivant; Tim Ross, Drum- mer, Thomas Crowe, Dix; A. J. Laurence, Patton; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button.
1900-James Ogilvie, Rogers; Winfried Scott, Mona; T. D. Hevener, Pella; John C. Culbertson, Brenton ; J. P. Smith, Lyman; J. W. Gilkerson, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; O. A. Lundelof. Sullivant ; Tim Ross, Drummer; Thomas Crowe, Dix; A. J. Laurence, Patton; J. C. Kirkpatrick, Button.
1901-James Ogilvie, Rogers; Winfried Scott, Mona; T. D. Hevener, Pella ; John C. Culbertson. Brenton; J. P. Smith, Lyman; J. W. Gilkerson, Wall ; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; O. A. Lundelof, Sullivant; Tim Ross, Drum- mer, Thomas Crowe, Dix; A. J. Laurence, Patton ; R. C. Parks, Button.
1902-Henry Raab, Rogers; Thomas Kewly, Mona; J. P. Glass, Pella ; John C. Culbertsou, Brenton; J. P. Smith, Lyman; J. W. Gilkerson, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; O. A. Lundelof, Sullivant; Horace C. MeClure, Drummer; W. A. Cameron, Dix; A. J. Laurence. Patton, R. C. Parks, Button.
1903-Henry Raab, Rogers; Thomas Kewly, Mona; J. P. Glass, Pella; John C. Culbertson, Brenton; J. P. Smith, Lyman; J. W. Gilkerson, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; George Stockdale, Sullivant; Horace MeClure, Drummer; W. A. Cameron, Dix; Albert Froyd, Patton; R. C. Parks, Button.
1904-Henry Raab, Rogers; Thomas Kewly, Mona; J. P. Glass, Pella ; John C. Culbertson, Brenton; J. P. Smith, Lyman; J. W. Gilkerson, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; George Stockdale, Sullivant ; Horace MeClure, Drum- mer; W. A. Cameron, Dix; Albert Froyd, Patton ; R. C. Parks, Button.
1905-Henry Raab, Rogers ; Thomas Kewly, Mona; J. P. Glass, Pella ; John C. Culbertson, Brenton ; R. B. Chambers, Lyman; J. W. Gilkerson, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; George Stockdale, Sullivant; Horace MeClure,
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
Drummer; W. A. Cameron, Dix; Albert Froyd. Patton. R. C. Parks. Button.
1906-Henry Raab, Rogers; Thomas Kewly. Mona; J. P. Glass, Pella; John C. Culbertson. Brenton ; R. B. Chambers, Lyman ; J. W. Gilkerson, Wall; Owen K. Boshen. Peach Orchard: George Stockdale, Sullivant; W. E. Proctor, Drummer; W. A. Cameron, Dix; Albert Froyd. Patton; R. C. Parks, Button.
1907-Henry Raab. Rogers; Thomas Kewly. Mona; J. P. Glass. Pella; John C. Culbertson, Brenton; R. B. Chambers, Lyman ; JJ. W. Gilkerson, Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; George Stockdale. Sullivant; W. E. Proctor, Drummer; W. A. Cameron, Dix; Albert Froyd, Patton; Sherman Frederick, Button.
1908-W. H. Gilborne, Rogers; Thomas Kewly, Mona; W. T. Atwood, Pella : John C. Culbertson, Brenton ; R. B. Chambers, Lyman ; J. W. Gilkerson. Wall; Owen K. Boshen, Peach Orchard; George Stockdale, Sullivant ; W. E. Proctor, Drummer; W. A. Cameron, Dix; Albert Froyd, Patton; Sherman Frederick, Button.
MONUMENTS TO THE SOLDIER DEAD.
At Gibson City, in "the soldiers' circle" of the cemetery. a one hundred- pound Parrot gun and an eight-inch mortar from Fortress Monroe are mounted beside a pyramid of eight-inch shells and dedicated May 30, 1898, to the sol- diers of the Civil war. The work was carried out under the auspices of the local G. A. R. post at a cost of about one hundred and twenty dollars.
At Paxton, in Glen cemetery, erected under the auspices of the G. A. R. and W. R. C., a marble shaft, twenty-two feet high, surmounted by the figure of a private soldier, was dedicated May 30, 1901, "To the memory of the unknown soldiers" of the Civil war. Cost about fifteen hundred dollars.
At Piper City, in the public park, there is a cannon and pyramid of balls dedicated by the local G. A. R. post to the memory of the soldiers of the Civil war.
BATTLES FOR COUNTY SEAT.
Even at the start. Paxton had her troubles in the way of obtaining for herself the capital of the county. Her success came from her environments and the fighting qualities of her citizens. The question of the county seat
SOLDIER'S MONUMENT GIBSON CITY ILL.5
SOLDIERS MONUMENT, GIBSON CITY.
١ هـ
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
slumbered, merely, for years. Gibson City was ambitious and ever cast a cov- etous eye toward the capital. The culmination of her aspirations came in 1905, when certain of her citizens made an offer of money (in notes) and a new courthouse, as an inducement for the removal of the county seat to that place. The courthouse was to be built on "lot 8," not in the corporation. A vote was taken, after a warm and bitter contest, November 14, and Paxton won. The vote is given, in tabulated forms, below :
Paxton
Block 8
Total
Rogers
115
26
141
Mona
123
19
142
Pella
100
17
117
Brenton
246
74
320
Lyman
165
116
281
Wall
145
21
166
Peach Orchard
32
217
249
Sullivant
64
184
248
Drummer
12
804
816
Dix
106
218
324
Button
201
4
205
Patton No. 1.
487
487
Patton No. 2
478
6
474
Patton No. 3
123
2
123
Totals
2,397
1,708
4,105
COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
So far as the principal county offices are concerned, the general arrange- ment and method of handling the public business is very much the same as in all of the states; but the offices are called by different names, and in minor details-such as transferring from one office to another certain minor lines of work-there are a number of points in which the method of county government in the various states differs. The names of the principal county offices are adopted, which are most common in the northern states, as in the southern and New England states there are scarcely any two states in which the names or titles of all the county offices are identical.
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
AUDITING OFFICE AND CLERK OF THE COUNTY BOARD.
Generally the principal auditing officer of the county is known as the "county auditor" or "county clerk." In Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wiscon- sin and many other states the office is called "county clerk." In Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio and others it is termed "county auditor." In a few of the states under certain conditions this office is merged with some other county office. A notable example of this is in the state of Michigan, where they have one official, under the simple title of "clerk," who looks after about all the work which in most of the states devolves upon both the county clerk and also clerk of court. In all of the states a bond in a moderate sum is required of the county clerk or auditor, and he is paid a salary of from one thousand five hundred dollars to three thousand five hundred dollars per year, besides in some states being allowed certain fees, unless it is in a very large and heavily populated county, where the salary paid is of necessity much higher than this amount. No county treasurer or member of the county board is eligible to this office. In general terms it may be stated as a rule the audi- tor acts as a clerk or secretary of the official county board, although in a few of the states the court clerk is required to look after this matter. The clerk of the county board keeps an accurate record of the board's proceedings and carefully preserves all documents, records, books, maps and papers which may be brought before the board, or which the law provides shall be deposited in his office. In the auditing office an accurate account is kept with the county
treasurer. Generally they file the duplicates of the receipts given by the county treasurer, charging him with all money paid into the treasury and giv- ing credit for all warrants paid. The general plan of paying claims against a county is as follows : If the claim is one in which the amount due is fixed by law, or is authorized to be fixed by some other person or tribunal, the audi- tor issues a warrant or order which will be paid by the treasurer, the certificate upon which it is allowed being duly filed. In all other cases the claim must be allowed by the county board, and the chairman or presiding officer issues a warrant or order which is attested by the clerk. A complete record of all these county warrants or orders is kept, and the accounts of the county treas- urer must balance therewith. The above in general terms outline the most important branch of work which the county clerk or county auditor looks after in most of the states, but in all the states the law requires him to look after a number of other matters, although in these there is no uniformity between the various states, and no general description of these minor or additional duties could be given that would apply to all the states.
69
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
COUNTY TREASURER.
This is an office which exists in all the states, and it is one of the most important of the various offices necessary in carrying on the business of the connty. It is an elective office in all of the states, and the term of office is usually either two or four years, but a very common provision in the various states is that after serving for one term as county treasurer a party shall be ineligible to the office until the intervention of at least one term after the expiration of the term for which he was elected. This provision, however, does not exist in all of the states, as in some of them the county treasurer is eligible for re-election for any number of terms.
The general duties of the county treasurers throughout the various states is very similar. The county treasurer is the principal custodian of the funds belonging to the county. It is his duty to receive and safely keep the revenues and other public moneys of the county, and all funds authorized to be paid to him, and disburse the same pursuant to law. He is required to keep proper books of account, in which he must keep a regular, just and true account of all moneys, revenues and funds received by him, stating particularly the time, when, of whom and on what fund or account each particular sum was received; and also of all moneys, revenues and funds paid ont by him according to law, stating particularly the time, when, to whom and on what fund payment is made from. The books of the county treasurer must always be subject to inspection of the county board, which, at stated intervals, examines his books and makes settlements with him. In some of the states the provisions of the law relating to county treasurer are very strict; some of them provide for a county board of auditors, who are expected, several times a year, to examine the funds, accounts and vouchers of the treasury without previous notice to the treasurer, and in some it is provided that this board, or the county board, shall designate a bank (or banks) in which the treasurer is required to keep the county funds deposited-the banks being required to pay interest on daily or monthly balances and give bond to indemnify the county against loss. As a general rule the county treasurer is only authorized to pay out county funds . on warrants or orders issued by the chairman of the county board and attested by the clerk, or in certain cases on warrants or orders of the county anditing office. A complete record of these warrants or orders is kept, and the treas- urer's accounts must balance therewith. In most of the states the law is very explicit in directing how the books and accounts of the county treasurer shall be kept.
70
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
COUNTY RECORDER OR REGISTER OF DEEDS.
In a few of the states the office of county recorder or register of deeds is merged with some other county office in counties where the population falls below a certain amount. A notable example of this is found in both the states of Illinois and Missouri (and there are others) where it is merged with the office of circuit clerk in many counties. The title of the joint office is "circuit clerk and recorder," and the duties of both offices are looked after by one official.
The duties of the county recorder or register of deeds are very similar in the various states, although in some of the eastern and southern states the office is called by other names. The usual name, however, is county recorder or register of deeds. In Illinois, Indiana. Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and many other states, it is called "county recorder." In Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and many more it is called "register of deeds." In all of the states this office is the repository wherein are kept all records relat- ing to deeds, mortgages, transfers and contracts affecting lands within the
county. It is the duty of the recorder or register, as soon as practical after the filing of any instrument in writing in his office entitled to be recorded, to record the same at length, in the order of the time of its reception, in books provided by the county for that purpose; and it is his duty to endorse on all instruments a certificate of the time when the same was filed. All of the states have some of the following provisions concerning the duties of the recorder. but these provisions are not common to all of the states, viz: The register or recorder is not allowed to record an instrument of any kind unless it is duly executed according to law; he is not obliged to record any instrument unless his fees are paid in advance; as a rule, it is unlawful for him to record any map, płat or subdivision of land situated within any incorporated city, town or village until it is approved by the proper officers of the same. In many states he is forbidden to enter a deed on the records until it has been endorsed "taxes paid" by the proper official; he is required to exhibit, free of charge, all rec- ords, and allow copies to be made; he is authorized to administer oaths and take acknowledgments.
CIRCUIT OR DISTRICT CLERK, OR CLERK OF COURT.
In nearly all of the states, each county elects a "clerk of court or courts," sometimes also known as circuit clerk or district clerk, indicating the court
71
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
with which the office is connected. In some of the states, as has already been stated, the office of clerk of court is merged with some other county office. This is the case in Illinois and Missouri, where in many counties it is connected with the office of county recorder. In Michigan, one official under the name of "clerk" handles the business which usually is given to the clerk of court and county clerk or auditor. In Wisconsin, Missouri, Illinois and other states the name used is "circuit clerk"; in Kansas, Minnesota, North Dakota and many others the office is called "elerk of district court"; while in many of the states, including Indiana, Ohio, lowa and others, it is simply called "clerk" or "clerk of the court or courts."
The chief duty of this official is to act as clerk of the district or circuit court, and sometimes other courts of inferior jurisdiction. It is the clerk's duty to keep the seals and attend the sessions of their respective courts, pre- serve all the files and papers thereof, make, keep and preserve complete records of all the proceedings and determinations thereof, and carry ont such other duties as may be required by the rules and orders of their respective courts. They must enter of record all judgments, decrees and orders of the court as soon as possible after they are renderd; keep all indictments on file as a public record, have authority to administer oaths, take acknowledgements; take and certify depositions, and are required to exhibit all records free of charge. In nearly all the states the law defines the character of the record books which the clerk of conrt must keep. Although there is no settled rule in this mat- ter, the general provisions are that he shall keep: First, a general docket or register of actions, in which is entered the title of each action in the order in which they are commenced, and a description of each paper filed in the cause and all proceedings therein; second, a plaintiff's index and defendant's index; third, a judgment book and execution docket in which he enters the judgment in each action, time of issuing execution, satisfaction, etc., and such other books as the courts or the laws may prescribe.
SHERIFF.
In all of the states the office of sheriff is one of the most important of the county offices. The term of office varies in different states, being usually either two or four years, and in several of the states one party cannot hold the office a second term consecutively. The general provisions outlining the duties pertaining to this office are very much alike in the various states, and the fol- lowing resume of his duties may be said to apply to all of the various states
72
HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
except in a few minor and unimportant details. The sheriff is charged with the duty of keeping and preserving peace in his county ; or, as has been written, "Ile is the conservator of peace," and it is his duty to keep the same, sup- press riots, affrays, fighting, breaches of the peace and prevent crime, and may arrest offenders "on view" and canse them to be brought before the proper magistrate; and to do this, or to execute any writ, warrant, process, order or decree. he may call to his aid when necessary any person or the "power of the county." It is the duty of the sheriff to serve and execute within his county. and return, all writs. warrants. process, orders and decrees of every descrip- tion that may be legally directed and delivered to him. Ile is a court officer, and it is his duty to attend, either in person or by deputy, all courts of record held in this county; by virtue of his office he has custody of the jail. It is his duty to pursue and apprehend felons and persons charged with crime and has custody of prisoners. He is not allowed to purchase any property exposed for sale by him as sheriff.
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