USA > Indiana > Courts and lawyers of Indiana, Volume II > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
Europe F. Littlepage 1870-72. resigned.
Frank B. Posey Appointed March 19, 1872.
Charles H. McCarty 1872-73.
PRESIDENT JUDGES.
Benjamin Parke December 21, 1816-February 8, 1817, resigned. First circuit.
William Prince
Appointed February 8, 1817-May 16, 1818.
1
813
THE COUNTY COURTS
Thomas Blake May 16, 1818-December 31, 181S.
General W. Johnston December 31, 1818-April 10, 1819, resigned.
Jonathan Doty Appointed April 10, 1819-March 7, 1822.
Jacob Call March 7, 1822-July 28, 1824, resigned.
John R. Porter Appointed July 28, 1824-January 20, 1830. The act of January 20, 1830, put Knox in the Seventh.
John Law
January 25, 1830-August 10, 1831, resigned.
General W. Johnston.
Appointed August 10, 1831-January 21, 1832.
Amory Kinney January 21, 1832-January 25, 1837.
Elisha M. Huntington
_January 25, 1837-July 12, 1841, resigned.
William P. Bryant
Appointed July 12, 1841-January 25, 1844.
John Law January 25, 1844; resigned, July 31, 1850.
Sanmel B. Gookins. Appointed July 31, 1850-January 30, 1851.
Delana R. Eckles. January 30, 1851-October 12, 1852.
CIRCUIT JUDGES.
Alvin P. Hovey October 12, 1852; resigned, September 26, 1854. Third circuit.
William E. Niblack September 26, 1854; resigned, October 24, 1857.
Ballard Smith Appointed October 24, 1857-November 1, 1858.
Michael F. Burke November 1. 1858; died in office in 1864.
James C. Denny Appointed June 27. 1864-November 1, 1864.
John Baker November 1, 1864-November 1. 1870.
Newton F. Mallott
November 1, 1870 ; died in office in April, 1888. The act of March 6. 1873, put Knox in the Twelfth, with Daviess and Martin, and the act of April 2, 1885, made it the sole county in the Twelfth, where it has since remained.
George W. Shaw Appointed April 28, 1SSS-December 1, 1900.
Orlando H. Cobb. December 1, 1900-December 1, 1912.
Benj. M. Willonghy December 1, 1912; term expires December 1, 1918. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
John Law Angust 9, 1824-January 20, 1830. First circuit. The act of January 20, 1830, put Knox in the Seventh.
E. M. Huntington January 25, 1830-January 25, 1832 . John H. Dowden January 25, 1832-April 9, 1833. died.
Erasmus H. McJunkin_Appointed April 9, 1833-August 14, 1834. died.
Johu Cowgill Appointed August 14, 1834-December 4, 1834.
David McDonald December 4, 1834-August 17, 1837, resigned.
John Cowgill Appointed Angust 17, 1837-February 13, 1838.
Delana R. Eckles Appointed February 13. 1838-February 15, 1841, resigued.
Edward W. McGaughey_February 15, 1841-August 10, 1842. resigned. George F. Waterman. Appointed August 10, 1842-December 15, 1842. John P. Usher December 15, 1842-December 15, 1844.
James M. Hanna December 15, 1844-December 15, 1846.
814
COURTS AND LAWYERS OF INDIANA
James C. Allen December 15, 1846-December 15. 1848.
Harvey D. Scott August 19, 1851-October 12, 1852.
Andrew L. Robinson
October 12, 1852-November 7, 1854. Third circuit.
Nathaniel Usher
November 7, 1854-November 22, 1855, resigned.
Harmon G. Barkwell November 22, 1855-August 31, 1857. resigned.
William F. Parrott.
August 31, 1857-November 12, 1857.
James M. Shanklin
November 12, 1857: resigned, October 11. 185S. Commission issued again November 24. 1858. Served to August 3, 1859, when the act of Legislature transferred Shanklin to the Fifteenth.
R. A. Clements, Jr. Appointed August 3, 1859-August 14, 1866.
W. Ray Gardiner. Appointed August 14, 1866-November 3, 1866.
Cutler S. Dobbins.
November 3, 1866-November 3, 1872.
Samuel H. Taylor
November 3. 1872-March 6, 1873. The act of
March 6, 1873, put Knox in the Twelfth with Daviess and Martin.
John H. O'Neall Appointed April 12, 1873-November 12, 1877.
Ephraim Moser November 12, 1877-November 12, 1879.
John S. Long
November 12, 1879-November 17, 1882.
Arnold J. Padgett
November 17. 18882-April 2, 1885. The act of April
2, 1885. made Knox the sole county in the Twelfth, where it has since remained. This act also trans- ferred Padgett from the Twelfth to the Forty- ninth.
William A. Cullop Appointed April 2. 1885-November 17, 1886.
John C. Adams November 17, 1886-November 17, 18SS.
Orlando H. Cobb November 17. 1888-November 17, 1892.
John T. Goodman
November 17, 1892-November 15, 189S.
William S. Hoover. November 15, 1808-January 1, 1903.
Samuel M. Emmison January 1, 1903-January 1, 1907.
D. Frank Culbertson
January 1, 1907-January 1. 1911.
Shuler McCormick
January 1, 1911-January 1, 1913.
Arthur A. Clark
January 1, 1913-January 1, 1915.
Joseph W. Kimmell January 1. 1915; term expires January 1, 1917.
KOSCIUSKO COUNTY.
Kosciusko county was organized by the Legislature with the act of January 18, 1837, but did not begin its formal ca- reer as an independent political unit until the first of the fol- lowing June. Kosciusko county had previously been a part of Marshall county, its entire territory being included in that county in what was known as Turkey Creek township. The commissioners, designated in the organizing act to select a site for the seat of justice, selected the present town of War-
815
THE COUNTY COURTS
saw without seriously considering any other place in the coun- ty. The only other site which received any consideration was Leesburg, which, at that time, was a town of more import- ance and the center of the most thickly populated part of the county. Warsaw was laid out, and the plat filed by W. H. Knotton, October 21, 1836.
The records of the first court show that it convened at the house of Levi Lee in Leesburg, October 31, 1836, but that an adjournment was taken from Leesburg to Warsaw, where it appears that court was held at the house of Jacob Losier until a suitable building was provided. The first court house was a temporary structure, which gave way to a frame build- ing in the center of the court house square in 1845. When Kosciusko county was organized, it was attached to the Eighth judicial circuit, which, at that time, was presided over by Samuel E. Sample. It is interesting to note that in August, 1836, the county boasted a total of 289 polls. The early court records of Kosciusko county do not disclose any criminal business of importance, the great majority of the indictments being for minor offenses. It is not known that any other county in the state had as peculiar a seal as was adopted by the first commissioners of this county. Whether they lacked originality, or whether they were mercenarily inclined is not known, but whatever the reason may have been, they decided to adopt the reverse side of the United States dime as their first seal.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
Henry Ward June 13, 1836, to serve seven years from date. James Comstock June 13, 1836, to serve seven years from date. Removed from county, May, 1841.
James Brown August 14, 1841 (special election), to serve seven years from June 13, 1836.
Samuel D. Hall August 10. 1842, to serve' seven years from June 13, 1843.
James Brown August 10, 1842, to serve seven years from June 13. 1843.
James Ilumphreys August 25, 1849, to serve seven years from June 13, 1850.
Isaac H. Jennings August 25. 1849, to serve seven years from June 13, 1850.
816
COURTS AND LAWYERS OF INDIANA
PROBATE JUDGES.
William B. Blain. August 16, 1838; resigned.
Jacob Baker June 16, 1812, vice William B. Blain.
Joseph Hall August 10, 1842, to serve seven years from date; resigned, July, 1843.
Clement B. Simonson. July 25, 1845 (special election), vice Joseph Hall, resigned.
John Rogers August 15, 1843; resigned prior to August 7, 1850.
William C. Graves August 7, 1850, vice John Rogers, resigned.
Jacob Felkner August 20, 1850.
COMMON PLEAS JUDGES.
John L. Knight 1852-56, resigned.
George E. Gordon Appointed January 10, 1856-October 28, 1856.
Joseph H. Matlock. 1856-60.
Kline G. Shryock. 1860-62.
David D. Dykeman 1862-65, resigned.
Thomas C. Whiteside Appointed May 12, 1865-70, resigned.
Daniel P. Baldwin Appointed August 25, 1870-October 24, 1870.
James H. Carpenter 1870-73.
DISTRICT PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Joseph H. Matlock
1852-55, resigned.
James Wallace Appointed July 14, 1855-56.
Moses F. Collins 1856-58.
Walter Scott
1858-59, resigned.
Elisha V. Long. 1859-60.
William DeHart 1860-resigned.
W. W. Shuler.
Appointed December 22, 1860-61, resigned.
E. T. Dickey Appointed November 2, 1861-62.
Stewart T. McConnell_ 1862-64.
John A. Farrell 1864-66, resigned.
Dyer B. McConnell
Appointed March 14, 1866.
Horace S. Foot.
1866-68.
Jerome Q. Stratton 1868-70.
Hiram G. Depuy 1870-72.
H. B. Shively 1872-73.
PRESIDENT JUDGES.
Samuel C. Sample June 1, 1937-August 8. 1843, resigned. Ninth cir- cuit.
John B. Niles Appointed August 8, 1843-December 1, 1843.
E. M. Chamberlain December 1, 1843; resigned in August, 1852.
Robert R. Lowry Appointed August 28, 1852-October 12, 1852. CIRCUIT JUDGES.
Elza A. McMahon October 12. 1852; resigned August 15, 1855. Tenth circuit.
James L. Worden Appointed August 15, 1855; resigned January 18, 1858.
817
THE COUNTY COURTS
Reuben J. Dawson Appointed January 18, 1858-October 26. 1858.
Edward R. Wilson October 26, 1858-October 26. 1864.
Robert R. Lowry October 26, 1864-February 20, 1867. The act of February 20, 1867, put Kosciusko in the Four- teenth.
Hiram S. Tousley Appointed February 28, 1867-October 30, 1872.
James I. Best. October 30, 1872-March 6, 1873. The act of March 6, 1873, put Kosciusko in the Thirty-third.
Elisha V. Long Appointed March 17, 1873-October 22, 1885.
Walter Olds October 22, 1885; resigned December 31, 1888. .
Joseph W. Adair Appointed December 31, 1888-March 1, 1889. The act of March 1, 1889, made Kosciusko the sole county in the Fifty-fourth, where it has since re- mained.
James S. Frazer Appointed March 1, 1889-November 17, 1890.
Edgar Haymond November 17, 1880-November 17, 1896.
Hiram S. Biggs November 17, 1896-February 1, 1894, resigned.
L. W. Royce Appointed February 1, 1904-November 17, 1908.
Francis Bowser November 17, 1908; term expires November 17, 1920.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Joseph L. Jernegan Appointed June 1, 1837-August 15. 1838, resigned. Ninth circuit.
John B. Niles. Appointed August 15. 1838-December 7, 1838.
William C. Hanna December 7, 1838-December 15, 1842.
E. M. Chamberlain December 15, 1842-September 19, 1843, resigned. Reuben L. Farnsworth_Appointed September 19, 1843-September 19, 1845.
Johnson Horrell Appointed September 19, 1845; failed to file with secretary of state his bond and oath of office. His commission returned April 29, 1846, "said Farns- worth not vacating his office."
James Bradley Appointed April 13, 1846; vice Farnsworth, re- moved from state, served to August 25, 1846.
Joseph H. Mather
Appointed August 25, 1846-August 25, 1848.
James S. Frazer
August 28, 1851-October 12, 1852.
John M. Connell October 12. 1852-January 27, 1853. Tenth circuit.
Joseph Breckenridge Appointed January 27, 1853; refused to accept office.
James L. Worden Appointed February 17, 1853; resigned, February 1, 1854.
E. R. Wilson Appointed February 1, 1854-August 20, 1856, re- signed.
Sandford J. Stoughton_Appointed August 20, 1856-December 6, 1858. James M. Defrees. December 6, 1858; died, May, 1859. John Colerick Appointed May 10, 1859-October 26, 1860.
(52)
818
COURTS AND LAWYERS OF INDIANA
Augustus A. Chapin. October 26, 1860-November 3, 1862.
James H. Schell November 3, 1862-November 3, 1866.
Thomas W. Wilson November 3, 1866-February 20, 1867. The act of February 20, 1867, put Kosciusko in the Four- teenth.
James H. Carpenter. Appointed March 7, 1867-October 30, 1867.
Ezra D. Hartman October 30, 1867-October 24, 1870.
James McGrew October 24, 1870-May 20, 1872.
Leigh H. Haymond
Appointed May 20. 1872-March 6, 1873. The act of March 6, 1873, put Kosciusko in the Thirty-third.
Thomas I. Wood. March 6, 1873-October 26, 1874. The act of March 6, 1873, transferred Wood from the Ninth to the Thirty-third.
Perry O. Jones. October 26, 1874-March 9, 1875. Transferred to Forty-first.
James A. Campbell Appointed March 9, 1875-October 25, 1876.
Lemuel W. Royce. October 24, 1876-October 24, 1878.
Michael Sickafoose
October 24, 1878-October 25, 1880.
John D. Widamon
October 25, 1880-November 17, 1882.
Michael Sickafoose
November 17, 1882-November 17, 1884.
James W. Cook. November 17, 1884-November 17, 1888.
George M. Ray November 17, 18SS-November 17. 1890. The act of
March 1, 1889, put Kosciusko iu the Fifty-fourth.
This act transferred Ray to the Fifty-fourth.
William H. Eiler
November 17, 1890-November 17, 1894.
L. B. MeKuley
November 17, 1894-November 17. 1896.
Melvin H. Summy
November 17, 1896-January 1, 1901.
Henry W. Graham
January 1, 1901-January 1, 1905.
John A. Sloane
January 1, 1905-January 1, 1907.
F. Wayne Anglin
January 1, 1907-January 1. 1909.
Herschell V. Lehman _January 1, 1909-January 1, 1913.
F. Wayne Anglin
January 1, 1913-January 1, 1915.
Homer Longfellow January 1. 1915; term expires January 1, 1917.
LAGRANGE COUNTY.
Lagrange county was organized by the legislative act of February 2, 1832, and began its independent career on the first of the following April. The first county seat was located on the site of an old Indian village, which bore the euphonious name of Mongoquinong. This name was somewhat too cum- bersome and the locating commissioners shortened it to Lima. The county seat remained at this place for more than ten years, but as the population of the county increased, it became evident that a more central location for the seat of justice was
819
THE COUNTY COURTS
imperative. The Legislature was asked to pass an act pro- viding for relocation and the act of February 13, 1840, desig- nated locating commissioners for this purpose.
The town of Lagrange had been platted June 18, 1836, and in the summer of 1840 the locating commissioners selected this town, which, on account of its central location, has proved to be a satisfactory site in every particular. The court house in Lagrange was officially accepted by the county commis- sioners on December 5, 1843, and on the first of the following January the records were transferred from the old county seat at Lima to the court house in Lagrange.
The first term of the Circuit court of Lagrange county met at the house of Moses Rice, October 22, 1832. According to the records, the court was called to order "at a convenient place between two haystacks," but it later adjourned to the house of Rice, where the session was held. At the time of its organization, Lagrange was attached to the Sixth judicial cir- cuit, which was then presided over by Judge Charles H. Test. Luther Newton and Ephraim Seeley were the first Associate Judges and W. J. Brown was the prosecuting attorney of the circuit. However, Brown was not present at the opening ses- sion on account of illness and Samuel C. Sample was appointed prosecutor pro tem in his place.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
Ephraim Seeley May 22, 1832, to serve seven years from date.
Luther Newton May 22, 1832, to serve seven years from date. Thomas I. Spaulding __ August 22, 1838, to serve seven years from May 22, 1839.
Samuel Wescott August 22, 1838, to serve seven years from May 22, 1839.
Amos Davis September 7, 1842, vice Samuel Wescott, removed from county.
Joshua F. Hobbs. August 28. 1844, vice Thomas I. Spaulding (re- signed), to serve seven years from May 22, 1839.
Amos Davis September 20, 1845, to serve seven years from May 22, 1846.
Joshua S. Hobbs. September 20, 1845, to serve seven years from May 22, 1846; resignation filed June 16, 1851.
PROBATE JUDGES.
Elias B. Smith August 22. 1838.
William Hess Prentiss_August 17, 1840.
William Hess Prentiss_August 19, 1847.
820
COURTS AND LAWYERS OF INDIANA
COMMON PLEAS JUDGES.
John H. Mather 1852-56.
Edgar W. Metcalf 1856-60.
William M. Clapp 1860-73.
DISTRICT PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
Robert Parrett 1852-54, resigned.
Edgar W. Metcalf
Appointed November 9, 1854-56, resigned.
Milo S. Hascall
Appointed October 28, 1856-58.
Johu K. Morrow 1858-60.
George W. Cummings. 1860-62.
Lewis Covill 1862-64.
Asa M. Tinker 1864-66.
Joseph D. Ferrall 1866-68.
Joseph R. Morton 1868-73.
PRESIDENT JUDGES.
Charles H. Test April 1, 1832-January 7, 1833. The act of January 7, 1833, took Lagrange out of the Sixth and put it in the Eighth.
Gustavus A. Everts January 9. 1833-July 5, 1836, resigned.
Samuel C. Sample Appointed July 5, 1836-January 9, 1836; trans- ferred to the Ninth.
Charles W. Ewing January 9, 1836-September 1, 1839.
Henry Chase September 1, 1839-December 15, 1839.
John W. Wright. December 15, 1839-December 14, 1841. The act of
December 14, 1841, put Lagrange in the Twelfth.
James W. Borden December 15, 1841-July 23, 1851, resigned.
Elza A. McMahon. Appointed July 31, 1851-October 12, 1852.
CIRCUIT JUDGES.
Elza A. McMahon October 12, 1852; resigned August 15, 1855. Tenth circuit.
James L. Worden Appointed August 15, 1855; resigned January 18, 1858.
Reuben J. Dawson Appointed January 18, 1858-October 26, 1858.
Edward R. Wilson October 26, 1858-October 26, 1864.
Robert R. Lowry October 26, 1864-February 20, 1867. The act of February 20, 1867, put Lagrange in the Fourteenth.
Hiram S. Tousley Appointed February 28, 1867-October 30, 1872.
James I. Best October 30, 1872-March 6, 1873. The act of March 6, 1873, put Lagrange in the Thirty-fourth with Elkhart, where they have since remained.
James D. Osborn Appointed March 13, 1873-October 22, 1873. William A. Woods October 22, 1873; resigned January 3, 1881. James D. Osborn Appointed January 6, 1881-November 15, 1888.
John M. Van Fleet November 15, 1888-November 15, 1894. Henry D. Wilson November 15, 1894-November 15, 1900.
821
THE COUNTY COURTS
Joseph D. Ferrall November 15, 1900; died in office, February 16, 1904.
Otis L. Ballou Appointed February 16, 1894-February 25, 1004. Judge Ballou was appointed under statute provided in cases similar to this one-where the Presiding Judge died in term time. He presided over the court until the governor appointed Judge Merritt.
Francis D. Merritt. Appointed February 25, 1904-November 15, 1904.
James S. Dodge November 15, 1904-November 15, 1910.
James S. Drake. November 15, 1910; term expires November 15, 1916.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
William J. Brown April 1, 1832-January 7, 1833. The act of January 7, 1833, took Lagrange out of the Sixth and put it in the Eighth.
John B. Chapman January 10, 1833-August 11, 1834, resigned.
Samuel C. Sample. Appointed August 11, 1834-July 5, 1836, resigned.
Joseph L. Jernegan Appointed July 5, 1836-December 10, 1836, resigned.
Thomas Johnson
Appointed December 10, 1836-December 3, 1838.
John W. Wright.
December 3, 1838-December 5, 1839.
Lucian P. Ferry
December 5, 1839-December 14, 1841. The act of December 14, 1841, put Lagrange in the Twelfth.
William H. Combs.
December 14, 1841-December 14, 1843.
Robert L. Douglas.
December 14, 1843-September 19, 1845.
Elza A. McMahon
September 19, 1845-September 19, 1849.
James L. Worden
August 28, 1851-October 12, 1852.
John M. Connell
October 12, 1852-January 27, 1853. Tenth circuit.
Joseph Brackenridge January 27, 1853; resigned to accept office.
James L. Worden Appointed February 17, 1853-February 1, 1854, vice Connell, resigned, and Brackenridge, who refused to accept office.
Edward R. Wilson Appointed February 1, 1854-August 20, 1856, re- signed.
Sanford J. Stoughton Appointed August 20. 1856-December 6, 185S.
James M. Defrees December 6, 1858; died in May, 1859.
John Colerick Appointed May 10, 1859-October 26, 1860.
Augustus A. Chapin October 26, 1860-November 3, 1862.
James H. Schell November 3. 1862-November 3, 1866.
Thomas W. Wilson November 3, 1866-February 20, 1867. The act of February 20, 1867, put Lagrange in the Fourteenth.
James H. Carpenter. Appointed March 7, 1867-October 30, 1867.
Ezra D. Hartman October 30, 1867-October 24, 1870.
James McGrew October 24, 1870-May 20, 1872.
Leigh H. Haymond Appointed May 20, 1872-March 6, 1873. The act of March 6, 1873, put Lagrange in the Thirty-fourth with Elkhart, where they have since remained.
822
COURTS AND LAWYERS OF INDIANA
Cyrus U. Wade Appointed March 13, 1873-October 22, 1873.
Wesley C. Glasgow October 22, 1873-October 22, 1877.
Cyrus U. Wade October 22, 1877-October 22, 1879.
James S. Drake October 22, 1879-October 22, 1883.
Francis D. Merritt October 22, 1883-October 22, 1887.
John E. McClaskey October 22, 1887-October 22, 1889.
John T. Sullivan October 22, 1889-October 22, 1893.
Miles R .McClaskey
October 22, 1893-October 22, 1897.
Charles G. Sims
October 22, 1897-January 1, 1902.
William B. Hile. January 1, 1902-January 1, 1906.
William H. Duff
Lloyd L. Burris. January 1, 1906-January 1, 1908.
January 1, 1908-December 29, 1910, resigned.
James L. Harmon Appointed December 29, 1910-January 1, 1912.
Sidney K. Ganiard
January 1, 1912-January 1, 1914.
Oscar Jay January 1, 1914; term expires January 1, 1918.
LAKE COUNTY.
Lake county was organized by the legislative act of Jan- uary 18, 1837. The act provided that the county should begin its formal career on the 15th of the following month. The county experienced considerable trouble in getting its seat of justice permanently located.
Although the locating commissioners were named in the act of January 18, 1837, which organized the county, nothing had been done by them up to February 17, 1838. On the lat- ter date the Legislature passed an act establishing a tempo- rary court house at the residence of Milo Robinson. The act said, "Whereas, nearly all the lands within the limits of the County of Lake are yet the property of the General Govern- ment," it is "impossible at present to make a permanent loca- tion of a seat of justice." For this reason the residence of Robinson was "recognized and established as the court house and the seat of justice of said county." On the same day the Legislature passed another bill selecting two new men on the locating board of commissioners to take the places of two named in the act organizing the county. One man had died and the other refused to serve.
This reorganized board, however, did nothing toward lo- cating the county seat, and the next Legislature passed an act, February 14, 1839, creating a new set of commissioners with discretionary authority to locate the seat of justice. They
823
THE COUNTY COURTS
were to meet at Robinson's court house on the first Monday of May, 1839, and proceed to examine all proposed sites. There were three locations offered ; the first site, "Lake Coun- ty Court House," usually written as "Lake C. H.," Cedar Lake and Liverpool. Liverpool was the successful bidder, but the site was not satisfactory to a majority of the citizens. For the third time the Legislature was appealed to, and a third set of locating commissioners was named in the act of Febru- ary 13, 1840. The commissioners rode into the county in June, looked over the ground, canvassed the claims and offers of the various sites and finally settled on the site of the orig- inal court house of Robinson, "Lake County Court House." This name was admitted to be a little too cumbersome and it was suggested that the county agent, George Earle, and the two proprietors, Judge Clark and Solon Robinson, get togeth- er and select a new name. They agreed on Crown Point and the county seat has ever since borne that name.
The first session of the Lake Circuit court convened at "Lake Court House," as the seat of justice was then called, in the log building which was provided by Milo Robinson. Upon the organization of the county it was attached to the. Ninth circuit over which Samuel C. Sample was then presid- ing. The county remained in this circuit until the adoption of the new Constitution in 1852. During this period of fifteen years (1837 to 1852) there were four Judges who presided over the circuit to which Lake county was attached. All of these Judges have been mentioned in other counties.
When the state was divided into ten circuits in 1852, Lake county was placed in the Ninth circuit, which at that time in- cluded no less than thirteen counties, namely: Lake, Porter, Laporte, St. Joseph, Marshall, Starke, Fulton, Carroll, Howard, Pulaski, White, Cass and Miami. This was by far the largest circuit in the state, although the smallest circuit had seven counties. The circuits were decreased in size from time to time and by 1873 the population had increased to such an ex- tent that the state was divided into thirty-eight circuits. The act of March 6, 1873, constituted Lake, Porter and Starke as the Thirty-first circuit. Lake has been the sole county in the circuit since the act of February 24, 1913, at which time Por-
824
COURTS AND LAWYERS OF INDIANA
ter, with which it had been united since February 24, 1883, was established as the Sixty-seventh circuit.
The Judges who have served since 1852 have nearly all been mentioned in the counties where they lived. Judge Eli- sha C. Field, now president of the Monon Railroad, was born in Valparaiso, April 9, 1842. After graduating from Valpa- raiso University he entered the University of Michigan and graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1865. The same year he was admitted to the bar and located at Crown Point, where he soon built up a large practice. He was elected Judge of the Twenty-first circuit in 1879 and served on the circuit for ten years. He resigned in 1889 to become to general so- licitor of the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago Railroad, later known as the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Rail- road-the Monon Route. In 1907 he was made vice-president of the road and in 1914 was elected president.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.