USA > Missouri > Ray County > History of Ray county, Mo. > Part 30
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 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
James Taylor, Sr., and John Cleavenger, served but one term of court, February term, 1827.
Samuel T. Burgess resigned, and Daniel Branstetter was appointed in his stead.
At the February term, 1862, C. W. Naramore and L. H. Magill, who, with Wm. A. Carroll, were elected in August 1860, presented new com- missions, from Gov. Gamble, with the oath of loyalty endorsed thereon, duly sworn to and certified by Robert Crenshaw, a justice of the peace for Ray county.
The oath of loyalty was taken in obedience to an ordinance of a state convention held at St. Louis October 10 to 18, 1861. Carroll failed or refused to take the oath; hence he was not recommissioned, and his con- nection with the county court ceased.
By act of the general assembly, approved March 14, 1874, entitled an act to reorganize the county court of Ray county, Missouri, and to reduce the number of justices of said court to one, to make the justice thereof judge of the probate court, and declare his jurisdiction,-it was provided that from and after the first day of January, A. D. 1875, the county court of Ray county should be composed of one justice, to hold his office for the terms of four years, and to have the same powers and discharge the same duties required of the justices of the county court.
At the general election in November, 1874, Charles J. Hughes was elected sole judge of the county court, and entered upon the duties of his office the following January.
April 27, 1877. the general assembly repealed the law reducing the number of county court justices to one, by enacting that,
" The county court shall be composed of three members, to be styled the judges of the county court, and each county shall be districted by the county court thereof into two districts, on or before the first day of April, 1878, of contiguous territory, as nearly equal in population as practicable, without dividing municipal townships.
"At the general election in the year 1878, and every two years there- after, the qualified electors of each of said districts shall elect and be enti- tled to one of the judges of the county court, who shall hold their offices for the term of two years, and until their successors are duly elected and qualified; and at said election, and every four years thereafter, the other judge of said court shall be elected by the qualified electors of the county
251
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
at large, who shall be president of the court, and shall hold his office for the term of four years, and until his successor is duly elected and quali- fied: Provided, That the judges of the county court, elected under the provisions of this chapter, shall enter upon the discharge of their duties on the first day of January next after they shall have been elected and qualified, according to law."
Accordingly, at the November election, 1878, Messrs. Hughes, Mont- gomery, and Esry were duly elected, and became the first county court under the new law.
COUNTY CLERKS.
William L. Smith, from April, 1821, to May, 1822.
Jonathan T. Burch, from May, 1822, to February, 1826.
William P. Thompson.
George Woodward, from August, 1826, to November, 1835.
John H. Morehead, from November, 1835, to January, 1842.
William M. Jacobs, from January, 1842, to August, 1858.
Robison Jacobs, from August, 1848, to June, 1852.
Humphrey J. Comer, from June, 1852, to September, 1852. James B. Turner, Sr., from September, 1852, to October, 1864.
James B. Turner, Jr., from October, 1864, to January, 1867.
Geo. N. McGee, from January, 1867, to January, 1875.
A. A. McCuistion, from January, 1875, to January, 1879. George W. Trigg, from January, 1879, to-
The first four persons whose names are given in the above list dis- charged the duties of both circuit and county clerk at the same time, and were appointed by the county and circuit courts. The rest were elected by the people.
Wm. P. Thompson acted as county clerk for the May term of court, 1826, and no longer.
Messrs. Smith, Burch, and Woodward each resigned.
Robison Jacobs died in office, and Humphrey J. Comer was appointed to fill the vacancy.
In obedience to the provisions of an ordinance adopted by the Missouri ยท state convention, at St. Louis, October 16,1861, James B. Turner, Sr., at the February term, 1862, of the county court, subscribed an oath of loy- alty, and was re-appointed clerk by the county court, for the residue of his term, after giving bond in the sum of five thousand dollars, with W. R. Holman and J. F. Hudgins as sureties.
James B. Turner, Sr., died in office, and his son, James B. Turner, Jr., succeeded him by appointment of the governor.
George W. Trigg's term will expire January, 1883.
CIRCUIT CLERKS.
William L. Smith, from April, 1821, to May, 1822.
Jonathan T. Burch, from May, 1822, to February, 1826.
1
252
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
George Woodward, from August, 1826, to May, 1835.
William P. Thompson, from May, 1835, to August, 1835.
Wiley C. Williams, from November, 1835, to April, 1844. Benjamin Oliver, from May, 1844, to March, 1845.
Robert Sevier, from April, 1845, to August, 1845.
Robert Sevier, from August, 1845, to April, 1865.
A. J. Barr, from April, 1865, to January, 1867.
A. J. Barr, from January, 1867, to April, 1870.
J. H. Harmony, from April, 1870, to January, 1871.
J. H. Harmony, from January, 1871, to January, 1875.
John W. Spurlock, from January, 1875, to April, 1881.
John R. Green, from April, 1881, to -
Messrs. Smith, Burch, and Woodward each resigned at the dates given.
William P. Thompson was appointed by the court to serve temporarily only.
Wiley C. Williams died in office, and so, also, did Benjamin Oliver, appointed to fill his unexpired term.
The death of Oliver necessitated the appointment of another clerk, and Major Robert Sevier was duly commissioned by the governor to fill the vacancy. Thus were three clerks required to serve out a term of one year.
At the expiration of the term alluded to, Major Sevier became his own successor, having been elected to the position by the people. He con- tinued in office until April, 1865. By the constitution of that year, known as the " Drake constitution," it was declared that within sixty days after said constitution took effect, every person in the state of Missouri, holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under the constitution, or laws thereof, or under any municipal corporation, or any of the other offices, positions, or trusts mentioned in the third section of article second, of the constitu- tion then framing; should take and subscribe an oath of loyaly; and that if any such officer or person should fail to take said oath, his office, posi- tion, or trust should, ipso facto, become vacant-the vacancy to be filled according to the law governing the case. The constitutional convention, pending its work of framing a new constitution, passed an ordinance, March 17, 1865, entitled " an ordinance for vacating certain civic offices, filling them anew, and protecting the citizens from injury and harass- ment," under the provisions of which Major Sevier-having refused to take the oath of loyalty-was removed, and Col. Adam J. Barr, who had been a member of the convention, appointed in his stead.
The additional positions referred to as contained in section three of arti- cle second, were those of professor or teacher in any educational institu-
253
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
tion, or in any common or other school, and trustees for the use of any church, religious society or congregation.
Col. Barr was elected by the people as his own successor at the Novem- ber election, 1866.
March 29, 1870, the circuit court of the fifth judicial circuit, Philander Lucas, judge, at chambers, in Liberty, Clay county Missouri, issued an order temporarily removing A. J. Barr, clerk of the circuit court, from office, and appointing John H. Harmony temporary clerk.
Col. Barr was not reinstated, but in justice to that gentleman, it is proper to state that it is believed that his removal is due to no default of his.
At this writing, April, 1881, the offices in the court house at Richmond are draped in morning for John W. Spurlock, who died of consumption on the 17th inst.
John R. Green was appointed by Governor Crittenden to fill the vacancy.
Pursuant to a law passed by the general assembly of Missouri, in 1865, the county court of Ray county, at its February term, 1870, made an order separating the offices of circuit clerk and recorder; and the same month James T. Harris was commissioned by Governor McClurg to serve as recorder till the next general election, at which time he was elected for a term of four years.
RECORDERS.
James T. Harris, from February, 1870, to January, 1871. James T. Harris, from January, 1871, to January, 1875. Lewis Slaughter, from January, 1875, to SHERIFFS.
John Harris, from February, 1821, to May, 1822. William Miller, from May, 1822, to February, 1823. Thomas Edwards, February, 1823, to November, 1824. Adam Black, from November, 1824, to February, 1827. Larkin Stanley, from February, 1827, to November, 1830. John Cleavenger, from November, 1830, to November 1832. Thomas W. Jacobs, from November, 1832, to November, 1836. Hardy Holman, from November, 1836, to August, 1838. Benjamin J. Brown, from August, 1838, to August, 1842. Hardy Holman, from August, 1842, to August, 1846. George I. Wasson, from August, 1846, to August, 1850. Benjamin J. Brown, from August, 1850, to August, 1854. George Carson, from August, 1854, to August, 1856. George Allen, from August, 1856, to August, 1860. John C. Cates, from August, 1860, to August, 1862. Clayton Jacobs, from November, 1862, to May, 1865. A. K. Rayburn, from May, 1865, to January, 1868.
John W. Francis, from November, 1868, to November, 1872.
254
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
John C. Brown, from November, 1872, to November, 1876.
Thomas McGinnis, from November, 1876, to November, 1880. James T. McGinnis, from November, 1880, to -
The first four persons whose names appear in the above list were appointed the rest elected by popular vote. Geo. I. Wasson was twice elected; each time for a term of two years, embraced within the dates given in the list. The same is true of George Allen, Clayton Jacobs, J. W. Francis, John C. Brown, and Thomas McGinnis. Benjamin J. Brown was elected four times. Clayton Jacobs was ousted for refusing to take the oath prescribed in the " Drake constitution."
SURVEYORS.
William Shields, from April, 1821, to January, 1823. Timothy Riggs, from March, 1823, to February, 1827. Meaddors Vanderpool, from February, 1827, to October, 1827. Thomas N. Aubry, from October 1827, to August, 1835. Meaddors Vanderpool, from August, 1835, to August, 1839. Moses A. Rainwater, from August, 1839, to August, 1843. Henry Wilson, from August, 1843, to August, 1847. Alex. Oliphant, from August, 1847, to August, 1855. O. H. Searcy, from August, 1855, to August, 1857. Alex. Oliphant, from August, 1857, to January, 1868. Mannis Buchanan, from January, 1868, to January, 1873. Frank G. Gibson, from January, 1873, to January, 1877.
John T. Banister, from January, 1877, to --- , -
At the first term of the county court, April, 1821, William Shields made application for appointment as county surveyor. The court appointed David Manchester and William D. Wilson to examine him as to his qual- ifications for that office. The committee reported favorably, and Shields was duly appointed the first county surveyor. Similar proceedings were had on the application of Timothy Riggs, at the March term of court, 1823.
ASSESSORS.
Zadoc Martin, from April, 1821, to January, 1822. Benjamin Gragg, from January, 1822, to May, 1822. Lovell Snowden, from May, 1822, to February, 1823. William Downey, from May, 1823, to February, 1825. Robert Pritchard, from February, 1825, to February, 1827. Adam Black, from February, 1827, to February, 1828. Thomas Edwards, from February, 1828, to February, 1829. James Jordan, from February, 1829, to February, 1830. Jesse Newlin, from February, 1830, to February, 1831. James Jordan, from February, 1831, to February, 1832. Jesse Newlin, from February, 1832, to February, 1833.
255
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Wiley C. Williams, from February, 1833, to February, 1834. Rowland Ralph, from February, 1834, to August, 1834. A. M. Harwood, from August, 1834, to February, 1835. Thomas N. Aubry, from February, 1835, to February, 1836. Jacob Adamson, from February, 1836, to February, ---. A. B. Beachamp, from --- , 1840, to -, 1842. William P. Tisdale, from -, 1842, to R. Metcalf, from -, 1846, to -, 1850.
William P. Quarles, from -- , 1851, to --- , 1859.
William B. Parker, from -- , 1861, to -- , --. Humphrey J. Comer, from -- , 1861, to -- , 1862. Clayton Jacobs, from -- , 1862, to -- , 1863. Allen Markland, from -- , 1863, to -- , 1865.
Anderson Spencer, from January, 1865, to January, 1867. John Albertson, from January, 1867, to January, 1869. George-W. Sargent, from January, 1869, to January, 1871. Lilburn Mclaughlin, from January, 1871, to January, 1873. A. P. Craven, from January, 1873, to January, 1875. A. P. Craven, from January, 1875, to January, 1877.
John S. Flournoy, from January, 1877, to January, 1879.
John S. Flournoy, from January, 1879, to January, 1881.
George Sanderson, from January, 1881, to ---- ,
From 1823, to 1825 the county was assessed by townships, each town- ship having an assessor. William Downey was assessor for Crooked River township; Henry Brown, for Bluffton township, and Nehemiah Woolsey, for Missouriton township.
In 1859 a law was passed providing for the assessment of the county by ranges; and the county court appointed the following persons assessors to serve two years: William Berry, for range 26; John S. Flournoy, for range 27; William H. McGaugh, for range 28; Mathano Brown, for range 29. William P. Parker was removed for incompetency, and Humphrey J. Comer appointed by the county court in his stead.
COLLECTORS.
Shubael Allen, from April, 1821, to December, 1821. Jesse Gilliam, from December, 1821, to May, 1822.
John Scott, from May, 1822, to February, 1823.
William S. Miller, from February, 1823, to February, 1825.
William B. Martin, from February, 1825, to May, 1825. William S. Miller, from May, 1825, to February, 1826. William Morgan, from February, 1826, to February, 1827.
Meaddors Vanderpool, from February, 1827, to October, 1827. John Elliott, from October, 1827, to February, 1828. James Snowden, Sr., from February, 1828, to February, 1829.
256
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Robert Pritchard, from February, 1829, to February, 1830.
Patrick M. Darcey, from February, 1830, to February, 1831. Andrew Martin, from February, 1831, to February, 1832. Maurice Jacobs, from February, 1832, to February, 1833. A. M. Harwood, from February, 1833, to February, 1834. Henry R. Winburn, from February, 1834, to February, 1835. Benjamin J. Brown, from February, 1835, to February, 1836. W. W. Marczey, from February, 1836, to
Thomas B. Fowler, from January, 1873, to September, 1875.
Allen M. Fowler, from September, 1875, to January, 1879.
James A. Davis, from January, 1879, to -
In 1836 the office of collector was abolished. The sheriff was made collector of state and county revenue, and so continued until 1873. In 1872 the general assembly passed an act separating the offices of sheriff and collector, and in November of that year, Thomas B. Fowler was elected to the latter office, to enter upon its duties the following January. He died September 16, 1875, and his son, Allen M. Fowler, was appointed to serve till the next general election, at which time the people chose him as his own successor.
The present incumbent, James A. Davis, has been twice elected. His term expires January, 1883.
TREASURERS.
Jonathan T. Burch, from May, 1822, to February, 1826.
Henry Brown, from February, 1826, to May, 1833.
Thomas N. Cockerell, from May, 1833, to February, 1834. Jacob Gudgel, from February, 1834, to February, 1835. Hiram G. Parks, from February, 1835, to February, 1836. George Woodward, from February, 1836, to February, 1837. Luther T. Warder, from February, 1837, to March, 1843. Thomas A. King, from March, 1843, to August, 1848. Chas. R. Morehead, from August, 1848, to August, 1851. Aaron H. Conrow, from August, 1851, to August, 1856. Humphrey J. Comer, from August, 1856, to August, 1858. James F. Hudgins, from August, 1858, to November, 1862. Henry C. Garner, from November, 1862, to November, 1866. John Kelsey, from November, 1866, to November, 1872. George W. Ewing, from November, 1872, to November, 1876. W. A. Holman, from November, 1876, to
. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
In 1874, L. B. Wright was county superintendent of public schools. March 26th of that year, the governor approved an act of the general assembly, as follows:
257
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
SECTION 37. . There is hereby created the office of county commis- sioners of public schools. There shall be one county commissioner for each county in the state, who shall be elected by the qualified voters at the annual district school meetings held in said counties on the first Tues- day in April, 1875, and every two years thereafter, and shall hold the office for two years and until a successor is duly elected and qualified. The said commissioner shall possess the qualifications of a competent teacher of the public schools, and be of good moral character.
Mr. Wright continued in office till April, 1875, at which time he was succeeded by W. S. Tompkins, who served two years. On the first Tuesday in April, 1877, Thomas M. Deacy was elected county commis- sioner. Mr. Deacy was again elected in 1879, and also in 1881, and is now in office, serving out his third term, which will expire on the first Tuesday in April, 1883.
PROBATE COURTS.
In the year 1853, the first probate court for Ray county, was held at the county seat. It was established the same year by act of the general assembly.
James B. Turner, Esq., who served from 1853 to 1864, was the first probate judge.
Nathaniel Banister was probate judge from 1864 to 1865; Solomon C. Watkins from 1865 to 1866; William D. Fortune from 1866 to 1867.
By an act of the general assembly, approved March 14, 1874, to take effect from and after its passage, the county court of Ray county was reorganized, the number of justices thereof reduced to one, and that justice made ex-officio judge of probate court.
At the general election in November, 1874, Hon. Chas. J. Hughes was elected county and probate judge, agreeably to the provisions of the act referred to, for a term of four years from the first day of January, 1875.
An act establishing probate courts in the city of St. Louis, and in every county in the state, was approved April 9, 1877. This act contains a pro- vision, that in all counties where the county court, or any member thereof, has probate jurisdiction, there shall be elected at the general election in 1878, and every four years thereafter a judge of probate. The Hon. Charles J. Hughes is at present, 1881, presiding justice of the county court and judge of probate court.
COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS.
March 5, 1855, an act establishing a court of common pleas for Ray county was approved, and Hon. Aaron H. Conrow was appointed judge thereof, by the governor, to hold the office until the first Monday in August, 1855, and until his successor should be elected and qualified.
Judge Conrow held but one term of the common pleas court. The court did not meet with public approbation, and was abolished at the en- suing session of the general assembly.
258
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
The next court of common pleas was established for Ray county by act of the general assembly, approved March 13, 1867.
David P. Whitmer, Esq., was appointed by Governor Thomas C. Fletcher, judge of said court, and at the general election in 1868, he was elected to the office by the people. Judge Whitmer continued to serve as judge of the court of common pleas, till January, 1872, when Charles J. Hughes, having been elected at the previous November election, suc- ceeded him. Judge Hughes held the office till January 1, 1875. At that time an act of the general assembly abolishing the court of common pleas in Ray county, approved March 24th, of the preceding year, went into effect.
All records, books, papers and proceedings belonging to said court were, in obedience to the act, turned over to the circuit court; and all suits, actions, process and proceedings pending in the court of common pleas, at the time of its abolition, were transferred to said circuit court for final judgment or determination.
REPRESENTATIVES OF RAY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
We have been unable to ascertain who represented Ray county in the general assembly from 1822 to 1824, and from the latter year to 1826, from the fact that the early rolls of both houses have been destroyed by fire.
It is believed by many who have lived in the county for years, that Isaac Martin was the first representative, while others place that honor to the credit of the memory of Martin Parmer. Both Martin and Parmer are long since dead, and both in their day, were leading local politicians. Both were among the first settlers of the county, but Parmer moved from county to county, now living in Ray, now in Chariton, now in Carroll, while Martin became a permanent resident of Ray. Certain it is that Parmer was the first to represent Chariton county in the legislature; and as that county and Ray were organized at the same time, it is fair to con- clude that Isaac Martin was Ray county's first representative in the gen- eral assembly, it being settled that that position was held by one or the other of the two men in question. But Martin Parmer did represent this county in the general assembly, and it was doubtless from 1824 to 1826.
The term of office of members of the lower house of the Missouri legislature has never been more nor less than two years. Therefore, in the following list, only the years in which the person was elected is given: William B. Martin, 1826. Wiliam R. Blythe, 1836.
Isaac Martin, 1828.
Chas Morehead, 1838.
James Holman, 1830.
Hardy Holman, 1838.
James Holman, 1832.
Hardy Holman, 1840.
William Pollard, 1834.
William R.Blythe, 1840.
259
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
Philip Edwards, 1842.
Aaron H. Conrow, 1860.
David Thompson, 1844.
Adam J. Barr, 1862.
Charles Bowman, 1846.
Christopher T. Garner, 1862.
Ephraim B. Ewing, 1848.
James W. Black, 1864.
Thos. L. King, 1850.
John Grimes, 1864.
John C. Tiffin, 1850.
Benjamin J. Waters, 1866.
Daniel Barnstetter, 1852.
Benjamin J. Waters, 1868.
Jesse Esrey, 1852.
Frederick Scoville, 1870.
Louis C. Bohannon, 1854.
Jacob T. Child, 1872.
John Cleavenger, 1856.
Walter King, 1874.
Walter King, 1858.
James L. Farris, 1876.
Benjamin A. Rives, 1858.
Louis C. Bohannon, 1878.
Louis C. Bohannon, 1860.
William T. Brown, 1880.
The following state senators either lived or are now living in Ray county, to-wit:
William R. Blythe, elected in 1842; Joseph Chew, in 1850; Benjamin A. Brown in 1854, and again 1858; William W. Mosby in 1862, and again in 1874.
Messrs. Blythe and Chew each served four years; Brown and Mosby eight years each.
Austin A. King, of Ray county, elected by the people in August, 1848, for a term of four years, was the seventh governor of Missouri.
Ephraim B. Ewing, a citizen of Ray county, was appointed secretary of state in April, 1849, and served in that position four years. He was elected attorney general in August, 1856, and after holding the office till Septem- ber 1st, 1859, resigned to take his seat on the supreme bench, to which he had been called by a majority of his fellow citizens to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Richardson. He was re-elected supreme judge November 5, 1872, to serve eight years.
Mordecai Oliver, also of Ray county, was a member of the lower house of congress from 1852 to 1857; and Austin A. King from from 1862 to 1864.
JUDICIAL DISTRICTS AND JUDICIAL CIRCUITS.
The general assembly of Missouri, by act approved November 25, 1820, entitled, " an act establishing judicial districts and circuits, and prescribing the times and places of holding courts therein," the state was divided into four judicial districts-the counties of Cole, Cooper, Chariton, Saline, Lil- lard, Ray, Howard and Boone, to form the first district. The supreme courts and the superior courts of chancery were held in the districts.
The supreme court for the first judicial district was to be held at the town of Franklin, in the county of Howard, on the first Mondays of March and September. The superior courts of chancery were to be held at the same place, in the same county, on the first Mondays of January and July.
260
HISTORY OF RAY COUNTY.
For the purpose of holding circuit courts, the counties composing the first judicial district were declared to form the first judicial circuit.
The times provided by the act for holding circuit court in Ray county, were the third Mondays of February, June and October.
The act was to take effect and be in force from and after its passage; provided, that no part thereof, which related to new counties established at that session of the general assembly, should have any effect till January 1, 1821.
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.