USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 54
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In 1872, the movement known as the Liberal Republican had a large influence politically, having virtually dictated the Democratic nomination for the Presidency, and the platform of principles on which the campaign against the Republican party was conducted. The power of the Liberal Republicans was chiefly felt in the Octo- ber election. At the November election, the defections among the Democrats were so numerons as to more than counterbalance the votes of the Liberal Republicans. The latter, in May, had nominated Horace Greeley and B. Gratz Brown as their candidates for President and Vice President, and when later, the Democracy met in National Convention, they adopted the nomination and platform of the Liberals. The Republicans re-nominated President Grant and associated with him Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, as a candidate for Vice President. The disaffection among the Democracy was so great that a third tieket was nominated, at the head of which was Chiarles O'Conor, the distinguished lawyer of New York. This third ticket had very little strength in this county or the State, the disaffection among the Democrats taking the form, at the Presidential election, of refusing to vote at all. At the Oc- tober election there were candidates for State and county officers, to be elected. The largest vote ever polled in this county was at this election, amounting to 6,091. The majority for the Republi- cans was materially reduced, ranging from 295 to 524. In Novem- ber Grant carried the county by 1,023, out of a total vote of 5,849. Taking the candidate for Governor as showing the political strength of the two parties, the Republicans gained in November 131 votes, and the Democracy lost 373.
In 1873 a Prosecuting Attorney was to be elected, and George Ford, Democrat, was elected on local issues, or personal popularity.
The election in 1874 was for State and county officers, and the fight was between the Democratic and Republican parties. At the head of the State ticket were William Curry, Republican, and John E. Neff, Democrat, for Secretary of State. The candidates for Con- gress were William H. Calkins, Republican, and William S. Ray- mond, Democrat. The Democracy again made a gain of a large number of votes, taking the votes for State officers as a test of polit- ical strength, the Republicans only carrying the county from 55 to 144 majority. For county officers there was doubtless a great
555
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
deal of trading, as part of both tickets were elected by large major- ities. Ford, Democrat, for Prosecuting Attorney, had a majority of 528; J. B. Greene, Republican, for Recorder, 701.
The next general election was for National, State and county officers. Rutherford B. Hayes and William A. Wheeler were the Republican candidates for President and Vice President, and Sam- nel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks received the nomination of the Democratic party for the same office. The vote of this connty had increased in number about 1,200 in two years, there being in October 7,261 votes cast. Williams, Democrat, had a ma- jority of three votes. This was the first time since 1852 in this county a Democratic candidate for Governor had received a ma- jority of votes. For connty officers, as in 1874, there were many split tickets, some of the candidates on each receiving a majority.
In 1878 there was a complete revolution in political affairs in this county, every candidate on the Democratic ticket receiving a large and overwhelming majority, with the exception of Surveyor. George Ford, for Prosecuting Attorney, had a majority of 960, and Dougherty, for Sheriff, 203.
Another Presidential campaign occurred in 1880, which was conducted with more zeal and energy than any since 1860. James A. Garfield was the Republican candidate for President, Winfield S. Hancock the Democratic, and James B. Weaver the Greenback. The State election occurred on the 12th of October, the canvass being opened in this county abont the 20th of July and pushed with vigor by the Republicans and Democrats, the Greenbackers not making so strong an effort. The Republicans were uniformly successful, electing every man on their ticket.
The following is the official vote of every general election, records of which were accessible:
ELECTION RETURNS.
President -- 1832.
Andrew Jackson, dem ... 121
Henry Clay, whig .. . 123
2
President -- 1836.
Martin Van Buren, dem. .
Wm. Henry Harrison, whig. President -- 1840.
Martin Van Buren, dem ..... 444
Wm. Henry Harrison, whig. 809 365
President -- 1844.
James K. Polk, dem ... 683
Henry Clay, whig ... 863
180
James G. Birney, free soil ..
33
ELECTION 1845. Governor.
Joseph G. Marshall, whig ... 755
James Whitcomb, dem. .... 702
- - Stevens, ab. 76
53
Sheriff.
John H. Harper, whig.
712
Lot Day, Jr., dem.
748
36
Wm. F. Bulla, ab.
54
Probate Judge.
Edward F. Dibble, whig .... 925
670
John J. Deming, dem ...... 245
ELECTION 1847.
Congress.
D. D. Pratt, whig.
759
167
Charles W. Cathcart, dem ...
592
Stewart, ah.
40
Representative.
William Miller, whig.
694
48
Norman Eddy, dem.
646
-
- Harris, ab.
42
Asse880T.
Stephen H. Judkins, whig. .
706
110
John Rush, dem.
596
Green, ab
.. . .
49
556
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Treasurer.
Albert Monson, whig.
862
809
Willis Bugbee, ab. . ..
53
ELECTION 1848. President.
Zachary Taylor, whig ...... 817
150
Lewis Cass, dem ....
667
Martin Van Buren, free soil. 332
Representative.
William Miller, whig
834
32
Abel A. Whitlock, dem.
752
Sheriff.
Eber Woolman, whig.
677
Lot Day, Jr., dem.
952
275
S. I. H. Ireland, whig.
826
66
ELECTION 1849.
Governor.
John A. Matson, whig ..
908
141
J. A. Wright, dem ...
767
JamesH. Cravens, free soil. 123
Lieutenant-Governor.
Thomas S Stanfield, whig. . 1015
320
James H. Lane, dem.
695
J. W. Wright, free-soil.
68
Congress.
W. Wright, whig.
924
· Graham N. Fitch, dem.
816
Norman Eddy, free-soil.
84
Representative.
Mark Whinery, whig ...
972
157
Lot Day,.
815
ELECTION 1850. Representative.
John Reynolds, whig ....
940
Abner A. Whitlock, dem ...
704
236
Wilson, free soil ..
73
Sheriff.
Nelson Ferris, whig.
828
Ralph Staples, dem.
859
31
William F. Bulla, free soil ..
29
Auditor.
Aaron B. Ellsworth, whig .. 871
37
Wright, dem
834
Treasurer.
Albert Monson, whig.
997
-
- Alden, dem.
716
Assessor.
45
Michael Hupp, whig.
853
--- Eaton, dem.
808
ELECTION 1851. Congress.
Schuyler Colfax, whig.
1118
330
Representative. Thomas S. Stanfield, whig. . 1033
186
John Brownfield, dem. . . ..
847
Clerk.
John T. Lindsey, whig.
940
Samuel Chord, dem ..
954
Treasurer.
14
Robert B. Nicar, whig.
944
11
Robert S. Alden, dem ..
933
Recorder.
Thomas C. Hackney, whig .. 861
Lot Day, Jr., dem.
.1039
County Commissioner.
168
Edwin Pickett, whig.
991
John Green, dem ..
894
97
ELECTION 1852. Governor.
Nicholas McCarty, whig .... 938
Joseph A. Wright, dem .... 979
John L. Robinson, free soil .. 122
Congress.
51
Horace P. Biddle, whig ...
. 953
Norman Eddy, dem.
1053
100
Representative.
J. H. Service, whig.
1006
David Stover, dem
895
111
Sheriff.
23
Benjamin F. Miller, whig. . 1022
999
Ralph Staples, dem ..
....
State Auditor.
Douglass Maguire, whig
...
977
John P. Dunn, dem ....
979
M. C. White, free soil.
78
President.
2
Franklin Pierce, dem
1052
54
Winfield Scott, whig.
998
John P. Hale, free soil
174
ELECTION 1853.
County Commissioner.
John Hammond, whig ..... 486
194
Elmer Rose, dem .. .
292
William Bugbee, free soil ..
59
Reporter of Supreme Court.
71
J. W. Gordon, whig.
..
443
Albert G. Porter, dem.
... 372
ELECTION 1854.
Secretary of State.
567
Erasmus B. Collins, people. 1469
Nehemiah Hayden, dem. ... 902
Congress
Schuyler Colfax, people .... 1485
616
Norman Eddy, dem .... ... 869
Representative.
575
George C. Merrifield, people.1454
Reuben Pierce, dem. ...
879
Graham N. Fitch, dem.
788
281
108
Edmund Byrket, dem. .
.
760
557
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Sheriff.
Benjamin F. Miller, people .. 1481 593 Barnett Byrkett, dem .. ... 888 Treasurer.
Robert B. Nicar, people. .... 1492
Henry Nunamaker, dem ... 867
Coroner.
625
Aaron A. Webster, people. .. 1463
569
Allen Bassett, dem ......... 894
Surveyor.
517
Thomas P. Bulla, people. .. . 1432
John Hooper, dem
..
......
915
ELECTION 1855. Clerk.
Samuel M. Chord, dem ..
1312
303
President Whitten rep ..... 1009
Recorder.
Lot Day, Jr., dem.
...
.....
1306
292
Elisha Sumption, rep ..
1014
Auditor.
Barnet Byrket, dem ..
819
Aaron B. Ellsworth, rep ...
1500
Commissioner.
681
John Druliner, dem
1236
John Grannis, rep.
.1078
158
ELECTION 1856.
Governor.
Oliver P. Morton, rep.
.1789
Ashbel P. Willard, dem .... 1460
Congress.
Schuyler Colfax, rep.
1816
382
George C. Merrifield, rep. . . 1740
Albert G. Deavitt, dem ..... 1474
Sheriff.
266
359
Solomon Miller, rep.
. . . . . 1813
Joseph H. Massey, dem .... 1426
Surveyor.
M. W. Stokes, rep ..
. .
1804
John Hooper, dem. . .
...
1432
President.
James Buchanan, dem.
.1509
John C. Fremont, rep .. ..
1812
303
Millard Fiilmore, Amer ..
...
6
ELECTION 1857. County Commissioner. John Hammond, elected without oppo- sition.
ELECTION 1858.
Secretary of State.
William A. Pelle, rep
.. 2024
393
Daniel MeClure, dem ..
1631
Congress.
Schuyler Colfax, rep ...
2067
481
John C. Walker, dem ...
.. 1586
Representative.
Thos. S. Stanfield, rep ..
... 2055
467
Samuel L. Cottrell, dem .... 1588
Treasurer.
Solomon Miller, rep ...
1977
325
Joseph H, Massey, dem .. .
.1652
Sheriff.
Evan C. Johnson, rep.
2054
471
Henry C. Hartwick, dem .... 1583
Coroner.
A. H. Long, rep.
.2023
395
S. L. Rush, dem.
1698
ELECTION 1859. Clerk.
Elias V. Clark, rep.
1625
249
William Mack, dem ..
1376
Recorder.
329
Reese J. Chestnutwood, rep .. 1664
John Groff, dem ......
.1335
Auditor.
Woolman J. Holloway, rep. 1742
485
Michael M. Shultz, dem ... . 1257
Commissioner.
William F. Bulla, rep.
... 1657
341
Harlow Dodge, dem ..
..... 1316
ELECTION 1860. Governor.
Henry S. Lane, rep ......... 2253
719
Thomas A. Hendricks, dem. 1534
Congress.
Schuyler Colfax, rep .. ...... 2300
818
Charles W. Cathcart, dem .. . 1482
Sheriff.
Nelson Ferris, rep ..
2218
689
John Treanor, dem.
1529
Treasurer.
John H. Harper, rep ....
2326
892
George Entzler, dem ..
.1434
Representative.
755
John A. Henricks, rep .... 2265
A. E. Drapier, dem ...
.1510
Commissioner.
711
Francis R. Tutt, rep ........ 2236
John M. Studebaker, dem. . 1525
Surveyor.
M. W. Stokes, rep .....
.. 2247
723
J. D. Barbour, dem ...
. . . 1524
329
W. Z. Stuart, dem. ...
. .. 1434
Representative.
E. C. Johnson, rep.
.1797
John H. Dice, dem ...
.1438
Treasurer.
387
372
558
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Coroner.
A. H. Long, rep ............ 2220 679
Allen Bassett, dem.
.1541
President.
Abraham Lincoln, rep ..... 2363
Stephen A. Douglas, dem ... 1489
John C. Breckenridge, dem.
23
John Bell, union.
5
ELECTION 1861. State Senator.
John Reynolds, union rep. . 563
Scattering
21
542
Commissioner.
J. C. Williams, union rep ... 563
546
Scattering
17
ELECTION 1862. Secretary of State.
William A. Peelle, union. .. . 1995
316
James S. Athon, dem ..
.. 1679
Congress.
Schuyler Colfax, union ..... 2006
354
David Turpie, union.
..
... 1652
Sheriff.
Nelson Ferris, union.
.2059
469
Treasurer.
John H. Harper, union
.. 2039
David Stover, dem ...
.. 1624
Representative.
222
Andrew Anderson, union . .. 1935
Samuel M. Chord, dem ..... 1713
Coroner.
307
Andrew H. Long, union .... 1982
John Treanor, dem ..
.1675
ELECTION 1863. Clerk.
Elias V. Clark, union ...... 2006
Benjamin F. Dunn, dem .... 1397
Auditor.
706
Woolman J.Holloway,union-2031
Lot Day, Jr., dem ......... .. 1325
Recorder.
649
Reese J.Chestnutwood, union2024
Lewis Fink, dem ..
.1375
ELECTION 1864. President.
Abraham Lincoln, rep ...... 2188 George B. McClellan, dem. . 1558 ELECTION 1866. Congress.
630
Schuyler Colfax, rep .... ... 2743
850
Sheriff.
Solomon W. Palmer, rep. . . 2711
766
John Hay, dem ......
1945
Treasurer.
Ezekiel Greene, rep.
2731
Albert D. Jaquith, dem.
.1932
Coroner.
Andrew H. Long, rep. ...
.2733
805
Charles C. Staples, dem.
.. 1928
Representative.
Nelson Ferris, rep.
..
.. 2728
John Treanor, dem ..
..... . 1928
Surveyor.
William M. Whitten, rep ... 2786
810
Matthias Stover, dem ..
1926
Commissioner
John C. Knoblock, rep.
... 2731
Robert Myler, dem.
1925
806
ELECTION 1867. Auditor.
Alfred Wheeler, rep.
905
861
Charles E. Drapier, dem ..
36
Clerk.
George W. Matthews ..
1014
946
Volney Bingham ...
68
Recorder.
Alexander N. Thomas ..
868
804
John Mack ..
64
Commissioner.
Nathaniel Frame, rep.
875
769
Wade, dem.
106
ELECTION, 1868.
Governor.
Conrad Baker, rep ..
.2920
691
Thomas A. Hendricks, dem .. 2229
Congress.
Jasper Packard, rep. .
.. 2912
675
Milford K. Farrand, dem .... 2237
Representative.
J. C. Williams, rep.
2928
709
John Rush, dem ..
2219
Sheriff.
George B. Glover, rep.
.2885
650
Alexander Staples, dem.
.2235
Treasurer.
Hiram Miller, rep.
.2901
670
John Hooper, dem
2231
Coroner.
Andrew H. Long, rep.
2906
673
- Stover, dem
2236
Surveyor.
Milton V. Bulla, rep.
.2916
Matthias Stover, dem.
2223
696
David Turpie, dem.
.. 1898
874
799
800
John Shank, dem ...
1590
415
609
559
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
President.
Ulysses S. Grant, rep. . . . . .
. . 3075
826
Horatio Seymour, dem .... .2249
ELECTION 1870. State Auditor.
John D. Evans, rep ..
...
.. 2721
John C. Shoemaker, dem .... 1961
Congress.
760
Jasper Packard, rep ... ..
... 2701
735
Samuel L. Anthony, dem .... 1966
William W. Curry, rep.
.2951
John E. Neff, dem ..
.3095
144
Judge Circuit Court.
Thomas S. Stanfield, rep
.. 2779
James Bradley, dem.
.. 1874
905
State Senator.
Lucius Hubbard, rep
2751
Jas. F. Van Valkenberg, dem. 1922
829
Representative.
W. W. Butterworth, rep.
... 2512
458
Aaron Jones, dem ....
2054
Auditor.
Alfred Wheeler, rep ..
2760 1010
Eliaa V. Clark, dem.
1750
Sheriff.
George V. Glover, rep.
2847 1105
Evan C. Johnson, dem
.1742
Treasurer.
Hiram Miller, rep.
.2851 1092
John Ham, dem ..
1759
Recorder.
Alexander N. Thomas, rep. . 2753 862
John Hay, dem.
1891
ELECTION 1872.
Governor.
Thomas M. Browne, rep. .. .. 3295
499
Thomas A. Hendricks, dem .. 2796
Secretary of State.
·
William W. Curry, rep.
.3284
Owen M. Eddy, dem.
.2801
483
Congress.
Jasper Packard, rep.
.3279
477
Jolin A. Henricks, dem ..
.2802
Representative.
William W. But ( rworth. rep 3178 336
O. H. Brusie, dem. .
2842
Sheriff.
Joseph Turnock, rep.
.3224
396
Charles H. Hilton, dem.
... 2828
Treasurer.
David B. Creviston, rep.
.. 3177
295
Eli Wade, dem ..
2882
Coroner.
Andrew H. Long, rep
.3302
J. S. Sack dem. .
2765
537
Surveyor.
William M. Whitten, rep
.. 3305
524
John Hooper, den ...
2781
President.
U. S. Grant, rep.
3426 1023
Horace Greeley, lib.
.2403
Charles O'Conor, dem
20
ELECTION 1874. Secretary of State.
Congress.
William H. Calkins, rep ..... 2990
-Haymond, dem ... 3045
55
Prosecuting Attorney.
James A. Crawley, rep. . ... . 2756
George H. Ford, dem ........ 3284
Representative.
538
Hiram E. Jackson, rep.
.2825
David R. Leeper, dem.
.. 3204
379
Clerk.
A. N. Deacon, rep.
2878
Edwin Nicar, dem ...
.3116
238
Sheriff.
Joseph Turnock, rep ..
.3186
345
George H. Stover, dem.
. .
.2841
Auditor.
Alfred Hall, rep.
2819
William E. Smith, dem.
.3205
386
Treasurer.
David V. Creviston, rep.
.3137
275
Aaron N. Miller, dem.
2862
Recorder.
J. B. Greene, rep.
2556
John Groff, dem. .
.3357
701
Coroner.
Andrew H. Long, rep.
.2839
Daniel Dayton, dem.
.3151
312
Surveyor.
William M. Whitten, rep .... 2909
Andrew J. Stace, dem ..
..
3125
216
ELECTION 1876.
President.
Rutherford B. Hayes, rep ... . 3540
Samuel J. Tilden, dem ....... 3468
Governor.
Benjamin H. Harrison, rep. . 3521
James D. Williams, dem. . .. 3524
Congress.
William H. Calkins, rep .. ... 3543
9
72
3
-
Haymond, dem. 3534
Sheriff.
Robert Hardy, rep. .
.3561
John H. Quigg, dem ..
...... 3502
58
36
560
HISTO OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Treasurer.
C. Henry Sheerer, rep ....... 3657
78
John N. Lederer, dem ..
...
.3479
Representative.
David R. Leeper, dem. ....
.3586
92
William H. Deacon, rep ..... 3494
Surveyor.
A. J. Stace, dem ..
.3748
235
William M. Whitten, rep.
...
3513
Coroner.
Israel Underwood, rep.
.3570
106
Daniel Dayton, dem ....
.. 3464
ELECTION 1878.
Secretary of State.
Isaac S. Moore, rep.
.. 2913
John G. Shanklin, dem.
.3358
445
-James, greenback
523
Congress.
W. H. Calkins, rep ..
2995
Morgan H. Weir, dem
.3271
276
John N. Skinner, gr. .
521
Proscouting Attorney.
G. H. Ford, dem.
3679
960
Elias M. Lowe, rep.
.2719
Representative.
Thomas S. Stanfield, rep.
... 2900
Henry Ginz, dem.
.3314
414
Israel C. Sweet, gr.
573
Clerk.
Edwin Nicar, rep.
2962
Timothy E. Howard, dem ... 3326
364
Edwin Curtis, gr.
443
Sheriff.
Robert Hardy, rep. ...
.3047
James Dougherty, dem ...
.3250
Jeremiah Hildebrand, gr ....
.. 509
203
Auditor.
David F. Spain, rep
...
.2806
William D. Smith, dem.
.. 3537
Harlow Dodge, gr ..
417
Treasurer.
C. Henry Sheerer, rep.
3041
John Hay, dem. .
.3256
John F. Ullery, gr ..
483
215
Recorder.
J. Ham Greene, rep.
2927
Harrison G. Bemer, dem ..
. ..
3347
Charles W. Moon, gr.
472
420
Coroner.
Israel Underwood, rep.
.2817
John C. Miller, dem ..
.. 3355
William Flory, gr ..
621
538
Surveyor.
A. J. Stace, dem.
.3324
17
W. M. Whitten, rep.
3307
ELECTION 1880. Governor.
Albert G. Porter, rep. . ..
..
4031
210
Franklin Landers, dem.
. ..
.3821
Congress.
William H. Calkins, rep.
... 4117
343
Daniel McDonald, dem.
... 3774
Treasurer.
Frederick Langs, rep.
4014
171
John Hay, dem.
..
.3843
Surveyor.
William M. Whitten, rep. ... 4378
561
A. J. Stace, dem
.387
731
CHAPTER XIII.
AGRICULTURE IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY .- AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES .- RATE OF TAXATION AND TAXABLE VALUATION OF REAL AND PER- SONAL PROPERTY FOR 1879-'80 .- AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OF 1880 .- COUNTY EXPENDITURES .- OFFICIAL CENSUS .- AGED PERSONS.
AGRICULTURE IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
St. Joseph county boasts, and truthfully too, of being one of the best agricultural counties in the State, and not only in the State, but in the entire Union. In the fifty years of its organized exist- ence, there has not been a total failure of crops, and but one total failure of the wheat crop. In 1835, in the early part of June, when wheat was in full bloom, there came a heavy frost which totally destroyed the crop. All products of the earthi that can be raised in this latitude thrive in St. Joseph county and the industrions farmer can each year make his calculations as to the amount of prod- ucts he will raise. In 1879 there were threshed 841,037 bushels of wheat, 143,791 bushels of oats, and 829,554 bushels of corn.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
The value of a public display of the products of the county and the encouragement that should be offered to those engaged in agri- cultural and mechanical pursuits, were realized by the early settlers of this county. Agreeably to an act passed by the State Legislature, Feb. 19, 1838, a notice was published in the South Bend Free Press for three consecutive weeks for a public meeting to be held in the town of South Bend for the purpose of organizing an Agricultural and Me- chanical Society. This meeting was held June 12, 1841, and there were present George Sumption, David Hoover, Israel DeCamp, Charles Sumption, Matthew B. Hammond, William S. Vail, Aaron M. Parker, Sr., John J. Deming, Evan Chalfant, Samuel Brooks, James Stuckey, Charles W. Pomeroy, Francis R. Tutt, T. P. Bulla, Tyra W. Bray, Hiram Doolittle, William Milliken, Samuel Witter, Thomas D. Baird, Charles M. Tutt, William H. Patteson, E. S. Sheffield, Joel Garst, Albert Monson, William Cosgrove, Samuel C. Sample, Elisha Egbert and John Gilmore. Of these there are still living William Cosgrove, F. R. Tutt, T. P. Bulla, William S. Vail, Joel Garst, William Milliken, Samuel Witter and William H. Patteson.
The meeting was opened by electing Samuel C. Sample Presi- dent and F. R. Tutt Secretary. All those whose names are recorded above voted to incorporate under the State law, and taxed them- selves one dollar each per year. They then proceeded to the elec-
(561)
562
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
tion of permanent officers of the society with the following result: John J. Deming, President; Thomas D. Baird, Vice President; Tyra W. Bray, Secretary, F. R. Tutt, Treasurer. T. P. Bulla, George Sumption, Hiram Doolittle, M. B. Hammond, Jonathan A. Liston, Samuel Brooks and Israel DeCamp were elected Direc- tors for the year. Judge Deming was appointed to deliver an address at the autumnal meeting. The premium list for that year contained but twenty-three articles for which premiums were offered. Among these were premiums for the best ten yards of jeans; best ten yards of flannel; best ten yards linen; best sample of sewing silk; best cheese, not less than ten pounds; best specimen of beet sugar, not less than ten pounds; best half acre of ruta-bagas; best five acres of tame grass; and best cultivated farm of not less than thirty acres.
This society did not have but one annual exhibition, the county at that time being too thinly settled, and money too scarce to make such an institution profitable. The fair was held upon the second Monday in October, 1841.
A number of citizens friendly to the re-organization of the society met at the court-house on Saturday, April 19, 1851, when George C. Merrifield was elected Chairman, and Schuyler Colfax, Secretary. A constitution, framed in conformity with a legislative enactment upon the subject of agricultural societies, was reported by Schuyler Colfax, from a committee on that subject, and adopted. The meeting selected the following named officers: Powers Greene, President; R. Dunn and G. Towle, Vice-Presidents; Schuyler Col- fax and George C. Merrifield, Secretaries; William Miller, Treas- urer. George C. Merrifield was requested to deliver an address at the next meeting.
On the 17th of May the society met agreeable to adjournment. Mr. Merrifield delivered an address on the subject of agriculture, horticulture and floriculture. At this meeting the number of mem- bers were reported to be one hundred and thiry-two. J. L. Jerne- gan was selected a delegate to attend a meeting of the State Board of Agriculture.
On the 14th of June Mr. Jernegan made a verbal report to the society of the proceedings of the State Board. The Society then entered upon a conversational discussion of the best mode of culti- vating corn, which was participated in by M. B. Hammond, William Miller, J. D. Robertson, A. E. Drapier, Thomas P. Bulla and others. A list of premiums was adopted to be awarded at the time of hold- ing the annual fair.
On the 28th of June another meeting of the society was held, the subject of conversation being "Insects injurions to trees." An order of the society, adopted at this meeting, inviting Aricl E. Drapier to deliver an address on the interests of agriculture was fulfilled on the 16th of August.
On the 30th of August another election of officers was held with the following result: Powers Greene, President; John J. Deming,
563
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Vice President; John M. Veasey, Secretary; William Miller, Treasurer. A director from each township was chosen, as follows: Olive, A. A. Whitlock; Warren, Reynolds Dunn; German, Samuel Witter; Greene, M. B. Hammond; Portage, Elmer Rose; Penn, George C. Merrifield; Centre, Alexander Foote; Clay, Thomas P. Bulla; Union, Edwin Pickets.
In order to work up a membership for the society, a committee of three was appointed in each township to solicit, and Elmer Rose, Daniel Hatch, M. Rupp and John Ham for the county at large. The township committees were:
Olive-Lot Vail, John Reynolds and J. Druliner. Warren-R. Dunn, W. W. Brick and Isaac Frame. German-S. Witter, William Miller and James Good.
Clay-E. Chalfant, S. R. Jennings and William F. Bulla. Harris-E. M. Irvin, John Metzger and R. Kennedy.
Fenn-G. Towle, J. J. Deming and H. Doolittle. Portage-Schuyler Colfax, Lester Webster and Collins Adams.
Centre-N. Rose, J. Farneman and Alexis Foote. Greene-D. Barrett, J. Rudduck and T. L. Holloway. Union-A. Mills, H. Henderson and W. H. Robinson. Liberty-S. G. Williams, J. Cole and John Rupel. Madison-T. Longley, P. Bennett and J. Stuart.
At a meeting of the president and directors, Sept. 6, 1851, it was resolved that the first annual fair of this society be held in South Bend, on Thursday, the 16th day of October, 1851.
This very creditable exhibition was accordingly held in the conrt-house yard on that day. The following is an exhibit of busi- ness done: receipts, $185.00; expenses, $116.08; balance in treasury, $68.92.
Jan. 3, 1852, a meeting of the society was held for general busi- ness. The following named are the officers elected for this year: Powers Greene, President; John J. Deming, Vice President; J. M. Veasey, Secretary; William Miller, Treasurer. One Director from each township, as follows: Penn, G. C. Merrifield; Portage, E. F. Dibble; Clay, Thomas P. Bulla; German, Samuel Witter; Centre, Alexis Foote; Union, E. Pickett; Greene, J. D. Robertson; Warren, Orson Marble; Olive, Lot Vail; Liberty, Franklin Pearce; Harris, E. Irvin; Madison, Philo Bennett.
At this meeting an order was adopted appropriating five dollars per year as salary for the secretary.
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